POPPY REDFERN AND THE MIDNIGHT MURDERS by Tessa Arlen

 

Publisher:      Berkley 

Published:      November 5, 2019

ISBN:      978-1984805805

Genre:     Historical Mystery

Format:     Print from Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FIVE HEARTS

 

In the midst of World War II, Poppy Redfern of Little Buffington, England has stepped up to become an air raid warden.  After her training in London where she has undergone a real air attack she returns to her home village and begins her duties there.  Things at home in Little Buffington are rather peaceful and calm except for the addition of an American air field.  Along with America’s entry into the war they have sent over a squadron of the Army Air Corps.  While most of the village is happy to have them, others are not so thrilled. When not one but two of the village girls, known to be dating some of the American airmen are killed, support for the Americans dwindles. 

Amidst the drama of the war and murders, Poppy meets American flyer, Griff O’Neal.  Charming and handsome Poppy is attracted to Griff, and he seems attracted to her.  But with one of his men…or even Griff…being the killer, romance needs to take a back seat.  That said, she and Griff set out the find the killer before he or she finds another victim.

I don’t know how I missed Tessa Arlen before, but she’s at the top of my must read list now.  Arlen tells a fabulous story with great characters.  Despite loving the movie Hanover Street starring Harrison Ford, Lesley-Anne Down, and Christopher Plummer I haven’t been a fan of movies or books set during WW-II.  Arlen’s POPPY REDFERN AND THE MIDNIGHT MURDERS has certainly turned me around—at least when it comes to well done mysteries. 

Poppy is such a great character.  I think she is one of my absolute favorites. She’s smart, kind, and comes across like someone you’d like to have for a friend.  Her imaginary “friend” who is the heroine of the book she is writing, Ilona, is a wonderful foil for Poppy.  Even though Ilona is fictional in Poppy’s world she adds a fun and creative dimension to the story.  Griff is such a great hero.  Smart but not smug, confident without being egotistical as witnessed when he tells Poppy good pilots don’t die. 

Little Buffington has its share of quirky characters from Mrs. Glossop to Sid Ritchie.  But it also has other characters, some you want to slap like Fenella and others you want to hug like Bess (Poppy’s dog). 

I was pretty sure I knew who the killer was from the beginning, but loved the way Arlen had Poppy ferret the culprit out.

Arlen also gives realistic details of Little Buffington and its environs as well as what could well have happened during air raids.  She brings home the sadness, upheaval and devastation of war without falling into leaving the reader depressed. 

This is definitely a series to add to your “must read” list.  I can’t wait for book 2!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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LADY TAKES THE CASE by Eliza Casey

Publisher:      Berkley 

Published:      November 26, 2019

ISBN:      978-1984803887

Genre:     Historical Mystery

Format:     Print from Publisher

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

Lady Cecilia Bates has led the life most ladies of her class have led—house parties, hunts and her season.  With the upcoming arrival of her brother, Philip’s intended, Annabelle Clarke, from San Francisco, California the estate is in a dither.  The centuries old manor house is abuzz with cleaning and pulling out of the best silver, dishes and curtains.  Ms. Clarke’s visit is important to the family, not only because they hope for a love match for the couple—they need the wealth Annabelle’s family will bring to the financially struggling estate.  All is a flurry when Annabelle arrives. Along with Annabelle, several other house guests, included a renowned explorer, Richard Hayes, arrive.  It is during dinner that first night Mr. Hayes suddenly takes ill and to the shock of all attendees, dies.  Even more shocking is Annabelle declaring that she was the intended victim! 

Can the killer be found before he…or she…makes good on the attempt on Annabella’s life?

What a great start to a new series!  Cecilia is a great character.  She’s smart and at an interesting crossroads personally and in the world view.  She isn’t sure where she wants to go in life except it’s not to have yet another season and her mother deciding on a suitable spouse for her.  But other than that, she has so many ideas of what she would like to do.  And they are at the start of a new century where women have more opportunities. 

Jane, who starts out as Annabelle’s maid, is another fabulous character.  She adds dimension to the story and solving the mystery.  She, along with her cat, Jack, are the perfect foils for Cecilia. 

Other characters, including Annabelle herself, make for a fully fleshed out story.  Each is unique with their own personalities and, where appropriate, quirks.

The mystery of who killed Mr. Hayes is multi-layered and there is a bit of a mystery within a mystery that adds to enjoyment of the story.

The true hero of the story is, of course, Jack the cat!  But that goes without saying.

This is definitely a series to add to your “must read” list.  I can’t wait for book 2!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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WHISPERS OF WARNING by Jessica Estevao

Publisher:     Berkley
Published:     September 19, 2017
ISBN:        978-0425281611
Genre:      Historical Mystery, Paranormal Mystery
Format:     Print
Obtained via:  Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  myreviewbooks@aol.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

 

After leaving behind her con artist father and recovering emotionally from solving her first murder, Ruby Proulx is settling into life at the Belden Hotel.  The hotel is part of her family legacy from her mother’s side.  Her aunt, Honoria has welcomed her with open arms and an open heart.  The Belden stands out in Old Orchard due to its amenities—psychic readings of all manner and classes for those who wish to learn.  Ruby’s particular talent is clairaudience—the ability to hear voices from beyond the veil.  Despite hearing “the voice” for most of her life, with the help and support of her aunt and her aunt’s staff she has begun to trust and rely on what it tells her.  She is delighted when suffragist Sophronia Foster Eldridge comes to stay at the Belden and offers to assist Ruby learn more about her gift.  But something seems off…something is not right.  When Sophronia asks Ruby to add something to her readings, something more than what her own intuition tells her, Ruby feels an intense disquiet.  Not only that, what Sophronia proposes could expose a part of Ruby’s past she’d much prefer to leave there.  When Sophronia turns up dead Ruby’s dilemma is solved…or is it?
 
I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Estevao’s first Change of Fortune Mystery, WHISPERS BEHOND THE VEIL and eagerly awaited the next story in the series.  With WHISPERS OF WARNING she did not disappoint.  First of all I enjoy a good historical mystery.  They are among my favorites.  I also enjoy a paranormal that deals with psychic abilities.  Estevao gives us both in her Change of Fortune series.  A bonus for readers are her historical notes at the end of the books. 

There’s so much to like in this series and in particular WHISPERS OF WARNING.  First of all there is the setting of Old Orchard and in this book there is the pending opening of the Pier which is purported to be the longest entertainment pier in the country.  This thread was hinted at in book 1 and is carried into book 2.  It’s not jarring, but an integral part of the story.

The main characters, Ruby and Yancey, have some nice growth and development, especially Ruby as she becomes more comfortable with her psychic skills.  And Yancey plays a part in that as he starts to come around to believe in Ruby’s skill.  It’s not a sudden turns around but a well-done, natural progression.

Estevao blends several prominent historical issues into the story adding depth to the mystery.  The story is nicely paced told in a voice that has you sitting down to savor each word.  Because of the language of the time this is not a quick read, but one that absorbs you into the story. 

You do not have to have read book 1 to enjoy WHISPERS OF WARNING, however, if you do not partake of both you are missing out on some good reading.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

THE STATE COUNSELLOR by Boris Akunin

Publisher:    Mysterious Press
Published:   July 4, 2017     
ISBN:        : B01N2VPD0W
Genre:       Historical Mystery
Format:     Ebook
Obtained via:  Publisher  
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

 

THREE HEARTS

 

Fandorin, the State Counsellor, is a state security member of the Tsar in the late 19th.  Appointed by the Tsar he is tasked with finding the murderer of a highly placed official.  His task soon becomes not one of finding the killer, but like it appears that the killer did so in thee guide of Fandorin.  As he delves deeper into the mystery he begins to find that the murder wasn’t merely a crime of opportunity but an anarchist group is involved.  His investigation becomes deeper and deeper into the political intrigues of the time.

This was my first Boris Akunin read and I found Fandorin to be an interesting and highly entertaining character.  A cross between Columbo and James Bond he is multi-dimensional and very likeable. 

His personality, as shown through Akunin’s writing, would make for a marvellous TV series.  The characters are intriguing and have the right amount of mysterious behaviour to make you wonder more about them. Akunin’s writing paints vivid settings—I most enjoyed the scene depicting the characters riding in sleighs.  Yes, I know they were the mode of transportation—but it was still nice to visualize them.

Because of the Russian phrases and trying to pronounce the characters’ names to myself THE STATE COUNSELLOR was not a quick read – but it was definitely an enjoyable one.

 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

A PURELY PRIVATE MATTER by Darcie Wilde

Publisher:   Berkley
Published:   May 2, 2017    
ISBN:            978-0425282380
Genre:       Historical Mystery
Format:     Print
Obtained via:  Publisher  
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

 

FOUR HEARTS

 

Living between two worlds—one the privileged aristocracy and the other those having to work for their money, Rosalind Thorne has carved a unique place for herself.  Using her knowledge of one of those worlds along with her own innate intelligence, she has positioned herself to help women with their particularly discrete problems. When her friend, Alice, brings a friend in need to her Rosalind is hard pressed to turn her away. It seems Alice’s friend, Mrs. Margaretta Seymore, has found herself in the unpleasant position of being accused, by her husband no less, of carrying a bastard child. The purported father is none other than famous actor, Fletcher Cavendish. In response to Rosalind’s agreement to assist Margaretta as best she can Fletcher sends her tickets to a performance and invites she and Alice to dine with him after.

When Rosalind and Alice arrive at the theatre they are met, in a manner of speaking, by two men in Rosalind’s orbit – Devon, her childhood love and the current Duke of Castlemain and Bow Street Runner, Adam Harkness. While Devon steps into the light, Adam retreats into the shadows—two sides of Rosalind’s coin.  While Rosalind and Alice dine with Fletcher several things happen, in a way, disturbing.  The next morning Rosalind learns Fletcher has been murdered. In short order the police determine Mrs. Seymore’s husband is the killer and proceed in all haste to trial. But Rosalind and Adam are not at all sure they have the right man. Working within their own spheres, as together as possible, they race the clock to find the real killer.

Darcie Wilde starts Rosalind Thorne’s latest story, A PURELY PRIVATE MATTER, in a fairly innocuous manner—she is tasked with retrieving a piece of jewellery. For the reader who enjoys a straight forward read, a mystery to be solved, Wilde delivers. For the reader who enjoys multiple layers to a story as well as the intricacies of a character that bring them to live, she delivers in an even more engrossing manner.  As I said in the beginning, Rosalind lives in two worlds, one foot in each. There are aspects of both, as seen through her relationships with Devon and Adam. Devon the boy of her youth, now a man—but given his place in society, can he truly support Rosalind’s desire—need in some instances—to help women with their discrete problems?  Adam, on the other hand would gladly work hand in hand with her, yet he will not cross the class lines to put him there. Even their coloring adds to the layers of their differences and roles—Adam, fair haired yet, as a Bow Street Runner, takes to the shadows.  Devon, dark haired, gray-eyed, walks boldly in the light.  And Rosalind, in the middle. The reader does not need to take in these nuances to enjoy the story. 

Wilde creates wonderful characters with multiple layers and dimensions. Even the character who appears for one small scene is written a fully as those that appear throughout.

The mystery in this one is multifaceted as well—it is not a quick read and not just because of the length (which is just right). No, it is because of the twists and turns the story takes with plenty of hints as to the killer’s identity sprinkled throughout.

While I am not a fan of love triangles in mysteries – if I want to read a romance I’ll pick one up – the triangle between Rosalind, Adam and Devon is rare in that it goes to the characters’ development and adds to how the mystery is solved. Rosalind could not have the layers to her personality she does if it were not for how these two men approach her and their own lives.

You do not have to have read the first book in this series, A USEFUL WOMAN, because Wilde gives her readers just enough backstory to read A PURELY PRIVATE MATTER as a standalone. If you have not, you are missing out on a good read. 

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

NO PITY FOR THE DEAD by Nancy Herriman

Publisher:     NAL  

Published:     August 2, 2016

ISBN:        978-0451474902

Genre:       Historical Mystery

Format:     Print

Obtained via:  Publisher  

Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina  Ginalrmreviews@gmail.com

FOUR HEARTS

 

In the weeks since solving her first murder nurse Celia Davies has tried her best to being about a semblance of normalcy to her life. She’s carried on with her nursing and mid-wife duties, resumed social visits with friends and has tried to forge a stronger relationship with her ward, Barbara.  She’s tried to resolve her ambivalent feelings about her husband Patrick—is he dead or alive and which does she want him to be.  And perhaps must difficult of all, she’s tried not to hope, to think about, to want, a relationship with one Detective Nicholas Greaves. Just when she thinks life is going to return to that normal place, street urchin, Owen, appears on her doorstep announcing he’s found a dead body.  As it turns out, the body isn’t just any dead body…as the mystery unwinds it begins to appear one of Celia’s closest friends just may be involved.

I was drawn to Nancy Herriman’s Mystery of Old San Francisco with the first book of the series, NO COMFORT FOR THE LOST for two reasons—I do enjoy a good historical mystery and living in the San Francisco Bay Area, how could I not want to read the books?  We have such a rich and colourful history that, if you do not know the depth of, or are willing to do the research for, you will miss significant parts.  Herriman most certainly did her homework and has brought San Francisco’s vibrant past of the 1860’s to life. More than presenting the times, her words paint the picture of the time in such vivid detail you feel you are there. 

Celia is such a great character.  Herriman depicts her as a strong, intelligent woman who struggles to live within the constraints of her time while at the same time pursuing her passion—a career that matters so much to her.  Adding to her struggle to balance the two is her ward, Barbara—a young woman who, in her own way, is incredibly wilful and self-centred.  I didn’t care much for Barbara in book 1 and like her even less in book 2—but her self-absorbed personality adds dimension to the story. I can see her contrariness leading to some wonderful threads in future books.

Detective Greaves as well is well drawn. Like Celia he struggles with his desires and the constraints of the times.  This is on top of him trying to do the right thing as a police officer amidst acknowledged corruption within the city and closer to home among some members of the police department.  Rather than confusing the story, the dilemmas faced by the two main characters add depth both in the telling of the story and the emotions evoked.

Each book is a standalone and you do not have to have read book 1 to thoroughly enjoy book 2 – but I do recommend both because the stories are just that good.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.