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Category Archives: Book Reviews
My favorite book in the series so far
Murder in an English Glade (A Beryl and Edwina Mystery Book 5)
By: Jessica Ellicott
Rating: 5 of 5
I’ve read every book in this series and have found, that with each ensuing story, I enjoy it more and more. While this story can be read standalone, you will miss the growth of the characters.
Beryl and Edwina are hired to conduct a fake investigation. While it troubles them to do so, the individual hiring them is part of the higher class. Constance Maitland can provide entry to a new type of client.
Posted in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
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Transition book in series of 3 novels
The Blue Sky of Spring (Wayne Family Book 2)
By: Elizabeth Cadell
Rating: 5 of 5
I loved “The Lark Shall Sing” which is the first book in this series of three novels by Elizabeth Cadell. I started reading this book expecting more of the same.
While the book is excellently written, it hits a lot of sad notes rather than the charming and funny ones in the first book. I ended it feeling lower than before.
Posted in Fiction/Literature
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Funny Regency novel
Eugenia
By: Clare Darcy
Rating: 5 of 5
It’s been a long time since I read any book by Clare Darcy. I vaguely remembered enjoying them, so when I saw her books were now available in ebook form, I took a chance.
I’m very glad that I did. Eugenia is a very fun and funny read. Eugenia is a heroine and she seems to get involved in schemes fairly easily. She drags her best friend Muffet along with her which makes it easier for her but a tad more difficult for Muffet.
Posted in Romance
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What a treat of of a read!
Miss Buncle’s Book
By: D.E. Stevenson
Rating: 5 of 5
I’ve been on a binge of reading older books recently. I find them witty, charming and, most of all, well-written. I had read a couple of books by D.E. Stevenson when I was a teenager. Even then, they were out of print and available only at my small, local library.
I had not read this book, but picked it up to try. I was complete hooked, right from the start. That is actually a bit of the plot as well.
Miss Buncle writes a book based on her small village, complete with characters that are almost exactly like the individuals who people it. People who read the book, get hooked on it whether they love it or hate it.
Posted in Fiction/Literature
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Another winner by Georgette Heyer
Sprig Muslin
By: Georgette Heyer
Rating: 5 of 5
I found Georgette Heyer books a long time ago. There came a time (decades, really) when they were no longer published. I ended up buying hardbound books where I could find them, so I could read them over and over again.
Suffice to say, that I’ve since bought paperbacks and, then finally, ebooks of every single one.
Posted in Romance
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Elena Standish visits Washington DC
A Darker Reality: An Elena Standish novel
By: Anne Perry
Rating: 4 of 5
In an unusual segue in this series, Elena Standish and her family visit Washington DC. The reason for the visit is her maternal grandparents 60 year wedding anniversary.
Elena is surprised by the, seemingly, widespread support for Hitler. Much is discussed about the political situation but, of course, there is a murder.
Posted in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
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A Wonderful Story
The Flowering Thorn: A Novel
By: Margery Sharp
Rating: 5 of 5
Recently, I’ve been reading more and more books set in post World War I Europe. These are recent books which are given the advantage of 20/20 hindsight. I thought I would like to try some books that were actually written during the period and this is one of those books.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I had not read any books by this author before (except for The Rescuers as a child.) At first, I didn’t have a lot of sympathy for the main character; in fact, I found her very unlikeable.
Posted in Fiction/Literature
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Great Fun, Great Mystery
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody Book 1)
By: Elizabeth Peters
Rating: 5 of 5
I first read this book years ago. I’ve re-read it several times since. For a change, this time, I decided to listen to the audiobook format, and, it is just as good.
This is the introduction to Amelia Peabody and her crew. She is an intrepid lady, in her thirties and living in Victorian England, who decides to travel once she inherits a fortune.
Who she meets is part of the joy of the story, so I prefer not to discuss what happens. Suffice to say, this is a book that aged wonderfully and the series, as a whole, is one of my favorites. I return to it again and again.
Posted in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
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Confronting the past
Murder Most Fair (A Verity Kent Mystery Book 5)
By: Anna Lee Huber
Rating: 4 of 5
I’ve read all of the books in this series. This story deals with Verity’s relationships with various members of her family. While I enjoyed reading the book, I would not suggest it as the best starting point for the series. I would suggest that the series be read in order as there are so many references to the growth of the characters and what they have been through in the past.
In this story, Verity and her husband, Sydney, journey to Verity’s childhood home. She hasn’t been to visit in more than four years and her mother is hurt and unhappy with her. They bring with them Verity’s aunt Tante Isle. She is older and has come out of Germany to be united with her English family.
Posted in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
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Suspenseful thriller
Memory Man (Amos Decker Book 1)
By: David Baldacci
Rating: 4 of 5
This is the first David Baldacci book that I have read. It is more of a suspenseful thriller than the mysteries that I normally read. Having said that, there certainly is a mystery component and one that I did not fully figure out until closer to the end.
Amos Decker has hit rock bottom. His family was murdered and he found them, seeing the entire crime scene. While for some, that is an awful memory that will fade somewhat over time, for Amos, it will always be as if it is happening that moment.
Posted in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
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