To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands, narrated by Kieron Elliott

January 4, 2021 By Leave a Comment


To Marry a Scottish Laird by Lynsay Sands, narrated by Kieron Elliott
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Historical, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Highlander Campbell Sinclair is no stranger to battle, so when he sees a lad attacked by bandits, he jumps into the fray. He didn’t count on being stabbed. Grateful to the boy for nursing him back to health, Cam offers to accompany Jo safely to his destination. But when he accidentally comes across the lad bathing in the river, Cam discovers that Jo is actually Joan . . . with the most sinful of curves.

Joan promised her mother that she would deliver a scroll to the clan MacKay. But traveling alone is dangerous, even disguised as a boy. When a Scottish warrior lends his aid, she is more than relieved . . . until he surprises her with lingering kisses and caresses that prove her disguise hasn’t fooled him. As their passion ignites, will the secrets of the scroll force a wedding . . . and lead to a love she’s never known?

I’ve read many a book by Lynsay Sands but I’ve never listened to one in audio format before. I think I’m in love with the book, the hero, and the narrator.

I have enjoyed Ms. Sands’ Scottish heroes in the past because they are usually so hunky, heroic and sexy. The heroines can be plucky, strong, and engaging and are always a good fit for the hero. Until now, I’ve only read them in my head and I have no gift for accents. Bring on the narrator in the audio book, Kieron Elliot, and my book experience just shot to new heights. It was an overload of pleasure and enjoyment. The narrator had a BROGUE!!!

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At that moment I realized that Joan was no ordinary heroine. She had qualities that made “Jo” earn Cam’s respect, but as a woman? It was doubly impressive because Joan wasn’t a fainter, she’s a doer. I have to respect a person who doesn’t let life hold her down after being delivered devastating news – the loss of her mom and the place she called home. I appreciated that Cam came to the same conclusion – being a woman did not change the fact that she earned his respect. But, once he knew that he was a she, that opened up a Pandora’s Box – they were traveling alone and the chemistry was starting to sizzle and pop. Romance readers know it’s only a matter of time.

Since this is an audio book, I want to share an observation. Some narrators fit the characters they’re reading, male or female. There are some male narrators whose voice simply doesn’t lend itself well to a higher pitched lady’s voice. Not so with Mr. Elliott. He brought Cam’s growly lower voice to life and did an effortless job of creating a convincing and ear pleasing voice for Joan.

Supposedly it should take about 10 hours to listen to the audio version of the book, but like Ms. Sands’ print novels, time flew as I lost myself within the story. A 384 page book would take me about 3.5 uninterrupted hours to read, so it couldn’t have taken me that much longer to listen, did it? I didn’t fast forward even once – it was ALL GREAT! That’s because the story was great. All the characters – from Joan’s aunt and uncle, Cam’s mom and dad, the ladies that were there to marry Cam … yes, there was quite the mix-up that made things interesting over all.

There was a bit of suspense too because someone is trying to harm Joan. I thought for sure I knew who it was. The mystery to solve is, why? Why would someone go to those lengths to get rid of her? And, how far was the villain willing to go? The answer surprised me.

I thought I was going to blush scarlet when the narrator started reading the bed scenes between Cam and Joan. It wasn’t as bad as I feared because I forgot how well Ms. Sands writes them. They serve a purpose and weren’t placed there just to titillate. So, I listened and blushed just a little.

To Marry a Scottish Laird had every element I enjoy in a well-written romance. A plot that kept my interest, parts that made me gasp and scenes that made me giggle and chortle. There were surprises aplenty with near misses as Joan survived the attempts to harm her. Best of all was the romance flourishing between the two of them and the happy ever after delivered with a wonderful closing scene in the epilogue. I strongly believe that Cam and Joan’s romance story is a perfect read in any format, audio or print and I credit that to the strong writing skills that Ms. Sands is known for. I’m a happy … listener.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks

December 18, 2020 By Leave a Comment


The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Four sisters have become queens, rulers of all that Aerthlan’s two moons embrace. The last sister will forge her own path . . .

Signs and Seals

Raised on the magic-seeped Isle of Moon, Maeve is used to unusual powers—and the way they fuel the politics of her world. But when she discovers an ability to shape-shift at will, she knows who she wants to share it with first. Brody, the enigmatic, infuriating shifter-spy has always made time for Maeve. But it’s been almost two months since she’s seen him. And though no one else believes Brody is in danger, Maeve is more than ready to rescue him herself.

The rumors Brody’s investigating are terrifying: a secret army of magic-users, in the service of the cruel Circle of Five. But when he uncovers the identity of one of the Five, the mission becomes personal. Cursed as a boy by the Sea Witch, Brody can spend only two hours a day in his human form, a restriction that limits his future and muzzles his heart. Plus Maeve teases him for being such a pretty doggy instead of appreciating his manly charms. To win his freedom, he must take on a terrible disguise. And when Maeve finds out, she’ll unleash a tempest like no other . . .

The novel I’ve been waiting for – Maeve’s story! So many questions are finally answered. Will Brody ever stop being a dog? Will Maeve find her one true love? And, who IS the Chameleon?

Step by step, sister by sister, the kingdoms of Aerthlan have been rescued from bad royal mismanagement and are now led by noble, strong, kind-hearted and loving kings and queens, and all their peoples benefit. Thing is, there are no more kingdoms to rule so what does that leave the final sister, Maeve, with? Surprises, surprises are in store.
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Throughout the series, readers have watched Maeve grow up. She was a young child when the series opened and she’s seen a lot of changes, most of which her sisters have had a hand in bringing about. The only magical thing the heroine seems to be able to do is turn into a seal. That’s not much but it’s all she has for abilities. One other thing she has is Brody’s friendship. It’s the one thing that keeps her upbeat and hopeful. She has a friend with whom she could share her seal-time with. But, now he’s gone too. Maeve is at a crossroads in her life and only she can make the choice that is best for her. Although her sisters love her very much, which is clear throughout the series, the heroine is feeling stifled under their tender overwhelming attention and ploys to marry her off to a nice young nobleman. It’s a bit much, even a reader can agree. So, with Brody missing, what can a young woman do without prospects? Seek her own. What she finds is extraordinary.

There are a couple of new secondary characters that play vital roles in the novel. Elinor is important in a couple of ways, but my favorite is her connection to Nevis. Okay, what she can do with printed drawings is pretty spectacular and provides moments of comedy – one at Nevis’s expense. I thought it hilarious.

Lobby and Tommy, though minor characters, contributed mightily and I liked meeting Lobby. He wasn’t quite like Popeye, but he reminded me of the character; gruff, salty and kind with a touch of heroism when it counted, although no spinach. I liked meeting the kids too.

I was sad at one of the fatalities in the story. Like most, I thought he could be redeemed, until he made that one final jump of logic. I accepted the author’s choice at that moment.

There is a lot of adventure, daring-do and close-calls sprinkled throughout the story. There are rescue plans that go awry, revelations that astound and realizations that love has been blooming all along and they only need to grab it. A few things need to happen first, like getting rid of the Sea Witch. She turns out to be real and surprisingly powerful. She also is a planner, a schemer and a bit off her rocker. Like all good villains, she gets her comeuppance but how it happened and by whom is a huge surprise. I think so at any rate.

I also enjoyed the funny moments when Brody dons his other human persona and he meets other people for the first time. Some were suspenseful but there were quite a few that garnered grins.

The romance and happy ever after were all wrapped up in a bow for fans. I’m very satisfied with how Ms. Sparks tied all the series’ threads of the many lives affected during The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea. From adults to children, human to animal and friends to lovers, all romantic elements came to fruition to deliver a happy ever after ending worthy of the story arc stemming from the mystery of the Circle of Five. Aerthlan is in good hands.

I would recommend readers not read The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea as a standalone since it’s a novel that completes a story arc and solves all the riddles and clues that have plagued Maeve and her sisters since the beginning. A new reader just wouldn’t understand why Maeve’s gift to Leofric of Eberon was so special, satisfying and full of emotional import. Why it would bring a watery sniffle to a reader’s sappily smiling face. Okay, my sappily smiling face. I was so happy for him! Seriously, I recommend reading them in any order if a reader wishes, but save The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks for last. It’s the perfect icing on top of this multi-tiered cake called the Embraced series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

Bred by the MC VP by Sam Crescent and Stacey Espino

December 17, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Bred by the MC VP by Sam Crescent and Stacey Espino
Breeding Season Book 6
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

Sable was born into the Hell’s Slaves MC. Her mother and sister are club whores, so her future is already mapped out. But nobody knows her secrets—one of them being her lifelong infatuation with the club’s VP. He’s older, rougher, and would never consider her type for his old lady—but it doesn’t stop her from dreaming.

Dog is second in command and takes his job seriously. Loyalty means everything to him. When it comes to Sable, it’s hard for him to play by the rules. She’s young and sweet with big brown eyes that intoxicate him. When Forge sends her away from the club to gather intel on a local cop, he can’t get her off his mind. He worries about her safety, and even more, about another man’s hands on what he considers his.

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“All mine, Sable. All mine for the rest of our lives.”

Considering she grew up in and around the club, Sable and Dog have known each other for quite a long time. Her mom and sister are part of the club–neither as old ladies.

This is the 6th book in the series. There is a theme of breeding. Get your gal–your one and only–pregnant. Dog is possessive and an alpha. Sable knows Dog and has been in love with him forever. The journey of her being a part of the club and suddenly agreeing to do be the bait to get information was emotional for Sable. It did feel like she was taken for granted.

There is an underlying mystery here that makes this worth the read. The authors have tried to make the reader connect with the characters but I have not been able to do it. I don’t really think this book is a standalone. I am not reading in order and I do wish there was a lot more backup or details to both of the characters. That may be something covered in other installments.

It took some time to like the characters in the first half of the book. Dog had specific characteristics in mind for his old lady–some were a bit unrealistic and made him hesitant toward having a relationship with her. That being said he does try to make up for it afterward. The book has a secondary plot which I liked. Seeing the mystery unfold and their relationship with it was great. I loved the 2nd half of the story and the climax.

I would suggest the book for readers who do not mind the topic of the series, but think they should probably try to read it in order.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Healing Hearts by C.B. Clark

December 17, 2020 By 1 Comment


Healing Hearts by C.B. Clark
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Reeling from loss and heartbreak, Stella King is desperate to escape painful memories. The position of nanny on an isolated ranch in British Columbia’s rugged Chilcotin Plateau seems the answer to her prayers.

Cattle rancher, Dawson Wheeler, has worked hard to overcome grief and build a predictable world for his young daughter. The last thing he needs is the all-too-attractive Stella disrupting the smooth running of his ranch, especially now that disturbing incidents are happening on his property.

Defending his land against those who want to gut it will be a challenge, but the biggest threat of all may be to his heart.

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First, I’ll talk about Stella, the heroine. Her kind of loss and heartbreak is not the type that anyone wants to endure. I can’t imagine going through what she went through, so to say “she cries a lot” isn’t fair because I imagine I’d be a hot mess if I were in her shoes. There were a few times I thought “not again”… but then had to remind myself that I’d probably cry too. If a reader is a “pull up your big girl pants” kind of person then this book wouldn’t be for you. If a reader is a sympathetic and empathetic person, then this book is should work for you.

The hero, Dawson, is also going to require a sensitive type reader to fall in love with his character because he too experienced loss and heartbreak that was life changing. Dawson’s sweet little girl, Deirdre, the one Stella is nannying for, is like your average five-year-old. As cute as she was, there is one scene she was in that was a stretch of reality, but I went with it.

As if the reader isn’t dealing enough with the complex narrative of the characters dealing with learning about, and connecting with, one another, the author slides in another plot twist. Now more characters are introduced and have to intermingle with everyone else. This addition leads to the set-up of the suspense/mystery thread. Dawson’s land is being threatened and the path of the plot twist leads back to … I’m not telling. All I will say is that it’s very intriguing, to say the least. I was surprised and impressed with the flow of sequences.

The story was well written and entertaining. My one personal gripe was the back and forth see-saw of “I’m going home!” to “No, I’m not going home” and back again. It was just a little headache inducing. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the story. This was my first C.B. Clark book and I’d certainly consider reading another story by this author.

If you are looking for a little sensual romance with a few “sit on the edge of your seat” moments then this book qualifies. I think if readers enjoy dramas with high emotion, then I’d recommend picking up this story. Dawson and Stella couldn’t be better matched to heal each other’s hearts!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Naughty or Nice by Harley Wylde

December 16, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Naughty or Nice by Harley Wylde
A Bad Boy Romance Book 5
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Sorrel

My marriage is a sham. I’ve already loved and lost my one and only. Making Carmella Juarez my wife was the only way to save my daughter, but I never intended to stay married. A decade has passed, ten years that I’ve kept my distance, but now it’s time to set things right and free both of us.

And, if not viagra soft 50mg treated on time, these problems can leave severe side-effects. It helps to gain fuller and tadalafil for sale amerikabulteni.com firmer erection. Finally yet importantly, no one could be able cialis online prescription to flourish in any job if he does not have passion for it. The process should be normal for the balance purpose. generic sildenafil 100mg I never counted on her being sick and nearly dying. Didn’t count on falling for her as I nursed her back to health. But it’s the Christmas season and what better time for miracles? My heart isn’t as cold and dead as I’d once thought. Carmella has brought me back to life, and now that I’ve had a taste of the tempting woman who wears my ring, I know that I can’t ever let her go.

A short holiday romance. With a hint of mystery, action, and humor in it.

This is one of the characters in this universe that Harley Wylde has created that I have been the most curious about. It is a short read but gave me romance and sizzling chemistry.

This was an unexpected read. I expected there to be a lot more action since this is about Casper, who is an assassin. Yes, there was action. But it was one scene. However, that is understandable since it is a short read.

Casper is many things: an assassin for hire, a father, a grandfather, and a husband. There was not a lot of details about his life. Regardless, I loved reading this second chance romance and seeing their relationship improve. Casper and Carmella have been married for a decade. I did not expect that. Harley Wylde was able to show the emotional journey of Carmella from when she got married to where the book starts. There might have been a couple of tears–and a lot of laughs.

Overall a great book for readers who want a bit of everything in their read.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Crisis by Felix Francis

December 15, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Crisis by Felix Francis
Publisher: Simon & Shuster UK
Genre: Action/Adventure, Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Harrison Foster, a crisis manager for a London firm, is summoned to Newmarket after a fire in the Chadwick Stables kills six very valuable horses, including the short-priced favorite for the Derby. There is far more to the “simple” fire than initially meets the eye…for a start, human remains are found among the equestrian ones in the burnt-out shell. All the stable staff are accounted for, so who is the mystery victim?

Harry knows very little about horses, indeed he positively dislikes them, but he is thrust unwillingly into the world of thoroughbred racing, where the standard of care of the equine stars is far higher than that of the humans who attend to them.

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Harry represents the Middle Eastern owner of the Derby favourite and, as he delves deeper into the unanswered questions surrounding the horse’s demise, he ignites a fuse that blows the volcano sky-high. Can Harry solve the riddle before he is bumped off by the fallout?

Harrison Foster knows practically nothing about horseracing, but as a Crisis Manager, when he’s sent to oversee the burning of a stables and the subsequent death of a half dozen horses he realizes that the racing world isn’t as simple as he expected. When the case turns into a murder inquiry Harry realizes he needs to keep ahead of the pack or things might spiral out of control.

I’ve been a fan of Dick Francis’ books since my teenage years and while at first I was dubious when his son, Felix, clearly was going to take over I’m really pleased to say for the most part I find Felix Francis’ books as enjoyable as I always have found Dick’s. I think this is helped in large part by the fact these books aren’t a series. They are almost all British mysteries, and all in some way revolve around the world of horse racing – but as a person who knows very little (and cares even less) about either horses or races I still almost always find these books enjoyable.

I really enjoyed how there were quite a number of main characters thoroughly and consistently portrayed throughout the story (around a dozen or so) and I was pleased that – as usual – they were all complicated and interesting. The various webs surrounding different sections of the main family was engrossing to me and I really enjoyed the slow but steady reveals as Harry dug more into the different elements and pieced things together. I’m also not usually a fan of legal stories – but while Harry is a lawyer he’s not the usual “showing up to court” type of lawyer. Indeed, his work usually boils down to making judgment calls, giving advice and trying to sort out exactly what’s going on in tumultuous situations, so seeing him off-kilter in the racing world and trying to solve a murder was extraordinarily fun.

Readers who enjoy a strong mystery with numerous complicated characters should find this an excellent book. Despite there being dozens of stories by Dick and Felix Francis for the most part they are all individual books and so it’s never a hassle picking any of them up to read as they’re not linked in any way. I’ve been auto-buying the Francis books for years and this was yet another winner I am really pleased with.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Screamcatcher: The Shimmering Eye by Christy J. Breedlove

December 14, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Screamcatcher: The Shimmering Eye by Christy J. Breedlove
Publisher: Melange Publishing
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Eighteen-year-old Jory Pike, a half-blood Chippewa, is depending upon her Native ancestry to help her investigate one of the strangest hauntings she’s ever encountered. A 500-plus acre ranch in rural Montana is under psychic and physical attack. The ranch’s owner, the elderly Ambrose Tucker, is determined to hold steadfast and courageously to his beloved property. Answering an ad in Jory’s outfit, The Badlands Paranormal Society, Ambrose hopes to rid his property of evil spirits once and for all.

Jory and her crew of three other teenagers, each of whom bring to the table their own line of skills and expertise, have brought every known piece of hardware and technical equipment to Granite Springs Ranch. Although the assignment seems ordinary at first, and the answer to the haunting seems eminent, everything spirals out of control and leaves the team terrified. The problem is, they have no idea that they’re being outclassed and sabotaged by a malevolent spirit, who seems to know their every move.

If Jory and the Badlands Paranormal Society don’t solve the problem in quick fashion, they stand to lose the $50,000 extermination fee, but worst of all, they will allow a dangerous and unmerciful entity to unleash a hoard of vicious mythological creatures that will run rampant over the ranch and surrounding properties. Jory has no idea how she and her teammate’s mettle will be tested, bringing them near the edge of insanity, physical endurance and death.

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Jory and her friends made a great team. They were clearly well experienced with inexplicable phenomena, and they always had ideas of what to try next when their original theories about what was happening at Granite Springs Ranch left them with more questions than answers. I also appreciated their generally calm approach to all of the weird stuff happening around them. They leaned on each other and their own previous experiences to figure things out which is exactly what I like to see happen in the paranormal genre.

There were some mild pacing issues. Jory and her friends didn’t discover some of the most important clues about what was really happening until the last couple of chapters. While it was nice to be kept in suspense for so long, this didn’t leave quite enough room to explore all of the logical conclusions of what they discovered. It would have been helpful to have another chapter or two at the ending to wrap everything up a little more clearly.

The supernatural aspects of the storyline were nicely written. Not only did they keep me guessing for multiple chapters, the big reveal was even more interesting than the theories about it I’d come up with. I also enjoyed seeing the four main characters grapple with a case that broke so many of the rules of what unknown entities should and should not be capable of doing. It was somehow even more fun to see the characters discover new clues about it as it was to puzzle over them myself.

This is the third book in a series. It can be read as a standalone work.

Screamcatcher: The Shimmering Eye should be read by anyone who adores paranormal mysteries.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Book of the Elder Wisdom by R. Walter Dutton

December 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment


Book of the Elder Wisdom by R. Walter Dutton
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A time of epidemics, disaster, unrest…

We are entering Lovecraft’s world. This book is the prologue.

******

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An unwitting heir to this legacy stumbles onto its dark mysteries, and sets out to solve them – on a quest that ranges from an ancient tower of the Anasazi in the American Southwest, to the streets of Skid Row Los Angeles, and finally into the farthest reaches of time and space.

The Book of the Elder Wisdom renders a faithful account of these events, and the meaning they hold for our own time, as told to R. Walter Dutton.

Some secrets are far older than anyone would have guessed.

Mr. Dutton had a smooth, descriptive writing style that worked perfectly for the tone of this book. I stayed up past my usual bedtime for more than one night so I could finish an extra chapter and see what the characters would discover about the mysteries of ancient tower next among many other compelling scenes. The act of reading felt like watching a movie play out vividly in my imagination. That’s something that only happens occasionally for me, and I relish it every time it does.

There were times when the pacing was a bit uneven. This was something I noticed the most in the last third of this tale. It was distracting for me as a reader to move between the quicker pace of the beginning and middle to the slower pacing later on. Either of the speeds would have been fine. I simply would have preferred that the storyline stuck to one or the other.

The protagonist’s character development was excellent. I really questioned his judgement in the beginning due to his decision to investigate a case without having any training in how the authorities collect evidence or what steps they take to preserve a crime scene. Without giving away too many details, I can say that I was quite pleased with how the plot twists not only acknowledged the danger of doing these things but gave good explanations for why the main character made those choices. I walked away feeling satisfied with what I’d learned about them as well as with how much they’d changed as a result of their determination to get to the truth.

Book of the Elder Wisdom was a thought-provoking read that I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys metaphysics or archeology.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

The Adventures of Dagobert Trostler by Balduin Groller

December 8, 2020 By 2 Comments


The Adventures of Dagobert Trostler by Balduin Groller
Publisher: Kazabo Publishing
Genre: Suspense/Mystery/Thriller, Historical
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Dagobert Trostler is the Sherlock Holmes of Vienna . . . with a twist. Like Holmes, he’s the most famous private investigator in Vienna. Unlike Holmes, he’s a bit of a party animal. While he loves a good mystery, he also loves good food, good company and a good time. He’s a bon-vivant and right at home in the brilliant social scene of Vienna in the heyday of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

These stories, written by Balduin Groller and published in Vienna between 1889 and 1910, are a glimpse into the sparkling, forgotten world of turn-of-the-century Vienna. Hugely popular in the German-speaking world, they are now available in English for the first time exclusively from Kazabo Publishing. If you love Sherlock Holmes, you need to read these stories!

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Dagobert’s character development was well done. To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I thought of him at first because of his willingness to sweep certain facts under the rug in order to prevent the people he was investigating from being socially embarrassed. It was rewarding to get to know him better and understand why he made these allowances for certain people as he investigated various cases. He had excellent reasons for the decisions he made.

This was such an introspective book. While I did need a little bit of time to adjust to its somewhat slow but always steady pace in the beginning, the reward for doing so was well worth my effort. Dagobert and the many interesting people he knew lived in a society that valued taking one’s time and thinking about a problem from every angle before coming to any conclusions about it.

The world building made it hard for me to stop reading. There were so many nuances to the social interactions in Dagobert’s society that even the briefest conversation could reveal things about his era to me that I hadn’t picked up on before. For example, showing gratitude needed to be done in subtle ways in certain instances due to the social pecking order and what business and personal relationships were like between the upper and middle classes. I deeply enjoyed getting to know the ins and outs of everything he had to think about while he was gently prying for clues about what really happened in the cases people brought to him.

Anyone who loves old-fashioned mysteries should give The Adventures of Dagobert Trostler a chance.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee

December 4, 2020 By Leave a Comment


A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee
Publisher: Pegasus Crime
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Suspense/Mystery/Thriller
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Fern

In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official—in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else . . .

Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency.

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Captain Sam Wyndham survived the Great War only to come home to London and find his wife recently dead from influenza. Greif-stricken, his world shattered he moves to India, to join the police force in Calcutta and try to start his life once again. Only he’s thrown in the deep end of a perplexing murder case made even more complicated by not knowing the local scene or understanding who is trustworthy and who most certainly is not.

I found this to be a thoroughly amazing book that I picked up on a whim and which I eagerly devoured. Before I reached the half-way point I had already ordered the second book in the series and I fully expect to order the next two after this as well. The author manages to infuse every page with what I found to be a realistic representation of Calcutta in the years following on from the Great War. Set in 1919 I loved the historical time period – one which didn’t shy away from the culture, language or society of the times. While never used in a titillating manner, arrogant British ex-pats called the native locals “wog” or “coolie” and people were treated both by perceived class and race. Considering the time and historical data I found the book to be accurate but with a decent flair for the fictional story as well. I thought the author did an amazing job with this – realistic enough for me to find it thoroughly believable but not rubbing the reader’s face in the less-than-romantic aspects of how humans treated each other a hundred years ago.

Readers looking for a vibrant historical mystery they can really sink into should find this suits their needs admirably. Indeed the mystery plot itself – which I found both interesting and complex – was not so dense or difficult that it over-took the historical setting, nor the fact this story was fully told in the Raj’s Calcutta. I loved the world-building and air the author gave this story. Despite my modern surroundings I frequently fell into the story and could hear the sounds and smell the scents described – I found the whole book thoroughly addictive and am eager for the next installment.

I found the main characters all well layered and interesting. While a number of the central characters felt somewhat cookie-cutter in their stereotypes this didn’t detract from my enjoyment mainly because I feel this adds to some of the genuineness of the time and place the story is held. I also really appreciated how Captain Wyndham – while more enlightened and open-minded than many of his contemporaries – was not some perfect hero on a pedestal. He had emotional and mental wounds from the First World War, not to mention a slight addiction to opiates left over from his recovery from both the War and the devastating death of his wife. Additionally, I found it quite refreshing that Captain Wyndham – fresh off the boat from London – didn’t have a network of spies or helpers when it came to his work as a policeman. Indeed I was impressed the author had Wyndham floundering somewhat for much of the story trying to piece together the political and policing landscape of the new country and culture he found himself in. This is not some mythical grand detective, but a man with flaws as well as a great character and open mind.

This is an interesting and slow-burn mystery novel set in Calcutta in 1919 and I adored every moment. I will be re-reading it again while I wait for the second book in the series to arrive and plan to promptly order the rest of the series. Readers looking for a strongly atmospheric, historical, straight mystery story should not be disappointed in this book. I highly recommend it to all readers.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
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