Fun To Watch

City of Shadows by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was fun to see Gideon drawn into a con. Elizabeth kept him on the outside but present as she, friends and family proceeded to con the con artist. Great story, wonderful plot and fun as well. This series stays on my TBR list.

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New To Me

The Anatomist's Wife (Lady Darby Mystery, #1) 
by 

Anna Lee Huber (Goodreads Author)

 

Jo (Mixed Book Bag) Jones's review 

Sep 01, 2021  ·  edit

it was amazing

bookshelves: historical-mystery, series 

The Lady Darby series is on its 11th book so I have a long list to read. This is Book 1 and it lays the ground work for the additional books in the series. I found this after doing a Zoom meeting with Jayne Anne Krentz and Victoria Thompson two of my favorite authors. Anna Lee Huber was also part of the meeting. That lead me to try her books and I was very pleased with the plot, characters, tension and hint of romance.

Great Characters

Murder on Wall Street by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sarah Brandt Malloy and Frank are pulled into a murder investigation. Along the line they encounter other interesting new and previous characters who play a important role in the story. I was surprised by who done it and they did it not once but twice. This is a very good addition to the story. At time I have worried that the series would end but here the story line, the plot and the characters still shine. Way to go Victoria Thompson.

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Great New Series

A Gladiator's Tale by Ashley Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Leonidas and Cassia just keep getting better. I loved where Leonidas day dreams children and who they will look like. Again there is murder and revenge is at the heart. Just seemed that the villain was unexpected by all. Great series, waiting for next book.

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Nice Addition

Blood Debts by Ashley Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novella expands the knowledge we have of Cassia and Leonidas. There is a murder and a solution. Finding that solutions takes the two across Rome and into the countryside. A nice story and a good way to get my Leonidas fix as I wait for the next book

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Several Plot Lines

Death at the Crystal Palace by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great addition to the series. Once again Kat solves the mystery before any others. Seems her job as cook gives her a view denied others. We learn more about the cast of characters as the follow several different plot lines.

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Grat New Series

Blood of a Gladiator by Ashley Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Leonidas and Cassia are really great characters. They form a team working together to build a new life. I loved the visual descriptions of Rome in the time of Nero. Great new series with lots of possibilities for plot points. Pick this up for a fun read.

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Who and Why

What the Devil Knows by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One again we follow Sebastian as he moves through the underbelly of London seeking The Who and the Why. Two important men has been killed and the past and the present seem to be colliding. Great addition to series. Other important plot points also arrive as the story continues.

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Interesting

The War Widow by Tara Moss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Billie Walker is home from the war and taking up running her Father's PI business. There is a lot going on. Is Billie really a war widow? Can she make it in a male dominated profession? Set in Sidney immediately after the war there is a lot of world building, character development, and plot to fit into one book. A really interesting look at Sidney in the 1940's. All wrapped up in a mystery that started in Germany.

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Another difficult Mystery

Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte Holmes is off on a new case and it is both interesting and difficult. Lord Ingram is both a help and a distraction. As they work to prove that Inspector Treadles is innocent of the murder he is accused of they have to work with Mrs. Treadles and have to involve several others as they search for the truth. Another great mystery with wonderful characters. Love the interaction between Charlotte and Lord Ingram. I will be looking for more to come between the two.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Moving Forward

Murder in the East End by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not all is has it seems in the latest Kat Holloway Mystery. Children are missing and a new character arrives to bedevil both Kat and Daniel. The plot moves smoothly as Kat and Daniel work together but stay apart. On the plus side their relations also moves forward as we learn more about Daniel's past. Great addition.

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Still Missing Previous Plot Line

Who Speaks for the Damned by C.S. Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While it is good to see Sebastian and Honor again I hoped for more about Sebastian's background. Of course if you follow the series you know his Mother is alive and well in France but that is in a past book and that story line seems to be dropped. The mystery is entertaining and the solution satisfying. Both Sebastian and Honor are featured and some of the side characters make an appearance. There were several surprises that added to the enjoyment of the story.

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New and Fresh

Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great seeing everyone again. Once again one of their own is in trouble. I did wonder who done it. I also know one character was not what she seemed. The story includes a lot of historical information woven into the setting and the plot. This series is holding its own with new and interesting characters and plots.

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Short and Sweet Book Review

City of Scoundrels by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was good to see Elizabeth and Gideon again. They are such oil and water but still make a great pair. This time it is the widow Rose who needs help and of course they have to put together a con to right a wrong. Both are taking on traits that belong to the other. Elizabeth a little more honest, Gideon a little less honest. This is a great story with danger, tension, and edge of your seat action. The widow Rose is a great new character and I hope she shows up in future stories. With book three Counterfeit Lady is on track as a must follow mystery series. I love the historical events the author weaves into the story. Be sure to read the afterward to see what events really happened.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 372 - A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn, The Bayern Agenda by Dan MOren

A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Veronica Speedwell and Stoker are off on another adventure but they are not on the same page about their relationship. Set on a island off of Cornwall and with a great cast of characters the question of where and what happened to a bride on her wedding day is at the heart of the story. The plot is full of twists and turns. The bride was not at all what she seemed and as her relationships with each of the characters come to life new twists and turns abound. Added to the mix is the change in the relationship of Veronica and Stoker. Never a dull moment as the story progresses. This is book four and the series just keeps getting better.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


The Bayern Agenda: Book One of the Galactic Cold War by Dan Moren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This kept me guessing until the end. This is book one in the Galactic Cold War series but Eli Brody and Simon Kovalic were featured in The Caledonian Gambit a previous book put out by another publisher. As a result there were some things in the world building and back story that must have been covered in the previous book. This is plain and simple a spy story and there is no one you can trust. The current cold war is in danger of heating up and Kovalic and team have a lot to discover to keep it from becoming a hot war. A really exciting read with characters who are neither all good or all bad but many shades of grey. Much like real life.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 362 - Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer, Fleet of Knives by Gareth L. Powell

Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Death in the Stocks is the first in a mystery series by Georgette Heyer. It has the classic Heyer witty dialog and interesting characters. There are a lot of red herrings before the mystery is solved. However the characters seemed to be too in love with the sound of their own voices. All of the dialog became receptive and caused the story to drag. I think that the mystery is a little dated and it did not hold up as well as Heyer's historical romances have. Even so I was a little surprised by who did the two murders.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Fleet of Knives by Gareth L. Powell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Trouble Dog (remember she is a warship that did not like what she had done and changed sides) Even a routine shape up flight after repairs turns into trouble. And not just trouble for her - trouble also for the ship they try to rescue. This changed view points throughout the book as danger from multiple fronts are revealed. There are new characters introduced and the crew of the Trouble Dog returns. Nod is still my favorite character and there is a big surprise when the ship goes off on the rescue mission. This set the stage for the next book and while the Trouble Dog is in constant danger much of that danger remains.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 343 - The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland, Touch of Eon by Anna Hackett

The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is something fascinating about the Victorian Age and mysteries set in that time period. The values and accepted behavior are so different from today. I love the fact that Sarah Bain is a photographer during a time when women are beginning to have more freedom. The two males are as interesting as Sarah. Lord Hugh Staunton is gay in a time when it is a crime and Mick is a street kid who they have taken under their wing. Add in Sarah's love interest Barrett, a police man and you have a great mix of characters to carry the story. The plot here has multiple paths and watching how it plays out made it hard to put down. This is book three and can stand alone but I did wish I had read the first two so I would know exactly what happened when those past cases are mentioned.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Touch Of Eon by Anna Hackett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Touch of Eon brings Lara a Special Forces Space Marine from Earth and Security Commander Caze Vann-Jad. They start as enemies but soon have to work together to survive. This is another fun romp in the Eon Warriors series. The two are a great match as they come trust each other. It was easy to see what was going to happen between the two. The plot that drives the two makes it a very fun read as they go from one dangerous condition to another barely surviving each time. Love the series and am looking forward to book three.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 315 - City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson, Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery

City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Do two wrongs make a right? Is the rule of law always the way to right a wrong? Those are the questions that Elizabeth Miles and her fiancee Gideon must face and answer. Elizabeth wants to do what ever it takes to help a friend. Gideon wants to use the force of law to help. The issue looks like it will tear them apart as Elizabeth does what she thinks is right and Gideon objects. A well plotted mystery that had plenty of twists and turns. Set just before women got the right to vote the politics add interest to the story line.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Silver and Drew have a history but both were to young to make a go of their romance. Now both are older and that history is standing in the way. I really liked how both Silver and Drew have grown and changed. Silver has become her own woman. Drew knows where he wants to stay but faces pressure from his family to leave. Add the secret that is coming to light and you get an interesting story with romance, tension and more romance.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 312 - Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander, Wait Until Dark by Kat Martin

Uneasy Lies the Crown by Tasha Alexander
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my favorite story. I like Lady Emily and enjoyed the previous book where she told two stories; one current and one from the past. They did a good job of putting the two stories together. This time I did not enjoy the past and found that it really slowed the story down. Lady Emily is looking for a killer and Colin is trying to solve a puzzle. That puzzle is the reason for the story set in the past. I liked the current mystery and skimmed the past story. There was a connection but it just did not catch me and as a result this is the first time a book form this series gets only 3 stars.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Wait Until Dark by Kat Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A nice short start to a new series by Kat Martin. Jonah Wolfe and April Vale are both interesting characters. When April is set up to take the blame for a murder she turns to Jonah. The result is an exciting story with enough twists and turns to keep the story interesting while keeping the ending a surprise. Nice start to a new series.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #309 - Ask Me No Questions by Shelley Noble, Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

Ask Me No Questions by Shelley Noble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lady Dunbridge is escaping from the role expected of her in England. Her escape is to New York in America. Her arrival is not what she expected. Seems the husband of her host has just been shot and it looks like his wife may be to blame. This has some interesting characters, some great historical data and a mystery with a lot of red herrings. A nice start to a new series and as a bonus there is a mystery character in the background.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This third book in the Wayfarers trilogy is about people. Like the previous two books it takes place in an entirely new world, the world of the Exodus Fleet. Following several different characters, one an alien, we see the ships and the people. There are questions as events impact different characters. Each must answer the question; Why are we here? Should we go or stay? I loved the book and the ending even though it left me in tears. Great job showing how we can work together as the world we live in changes.

Rachel Dulude does a great job fitting her voice to the people and emotions.

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