Death in a Scottish Castle by Lydia Travers Book Review

Publication Date: July 11, 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
Series: The Scottish Ladies' Detective Agency #4
Format: Paperback, ebook and audio
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy

Book Description

When Maud McIntyre and her assistant Daisy travel to a remote Scottish castle, the last thing they expect to find is a locked room murder mystery. Can they prise open this case and catch a killer?

Scotland, 1912: When Maud and Daisy travel to Clachan Castle on the Isle of Mull to investigate the theft of a valuable statuette, at first the case seems straightforward. But when their prime suspect, bad-tempered fellow

The Sea Witch Voyages by Helen Hollick Spotlight

Publisher: Penmore Press & Taw River Press
Series: 6 in the series & 1 prequel novella
Genre: Nautical Adventure with a touch of Supernatural Fantasy
Note: Contains adult language and behaviour.

Book Description

Trouble follows Captain Jesamiah Acorne like a ship’s wake...

The early 1700s: from the sun of the Caribbean to the eerie mists of 

The Virgins of Venice by Gina Buonaguro Spotlight

Today, the spotlight shines on Gina Buonaguro's novel set in sixteenth-century Venice, where one young noblewoman dares to resist the choices made for her.

Publication Date: December 13, 2022
Publisher: HarperAvenue
Pages: 432
Genre: Historical Fiction
Audiobook narrator: Carlotta Brentan

Book Description

Venice in 1509 is on the brink of war. The displeasure of Pope Julius II is a continuing threat to the republic, as is the barely contained fighting in the countryside. Amid this turmoil, noblewoman Justina Soranzo, just sixteen, hopes to make a rare love marriage with her sweetheart, Luca Cicogna.

The Sweet Blue Distance by Sara DonatiBook Review

I've been meaning to read Sara Donati's Wilderness series for ages, but when confronted by those six, large books on the library shelf, I always moved on; one day, I'll tackle them. I had more success with Donati's two book series (soon to be three) known as the Waverly Place novels, The Gilded Hour and Where the Light Enters. These, I enjoyed immensely and immediately became a Sara Donati fan, which was why I jumped at the chance to read her latest release.

The Sweet Blue Distance follows midwife, Elizabeth Caroline (Carrie) Ballentyne, who in 1857, accompanied by her brother, Nathan, journeys west from New York to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to work with Doctor Samuel Markham.

She leaves her close knit family behind to escape events of her past. These are hinted at but not fully revealed until much later when

Zig Zag Woman by Roberta Tracy Read an Excerpt

Publication Date: April 16, 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Pages: 248 pp.
Genre: Historical Mystery

Book Description

The last thing LAPD Detectives McManus and Tyson expect to find behind Pantages Theatre is a body rolled up in a blanket. The last thing Margaret Morehouse, one of the city's first policewoman with arrest powers, expects to do is join the investigation. When a deadly explosion at the L. A. Times derails their efforts, Margaret finds herself at a crossroads and strikes out on her own, a path leading to delusion and self-discovery on a vaudeville stage. Her husband's nephew Leland further complicates the situation by sharing a ransom note and confiding his

The Dream Collector: Sabrine & Vincent van Gogh by R.w. Meek Read an Excerpt

Publication Date: April 30th, 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Series: Book II
Pages: 651
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description

Sabrine, hospitalized for five years at the infamous Salpêtrière Asylum for Women, gains her release due to intervention of her sister Julie Forette and a young Sigmund Freud. The reunited sisters are introduced to the dazzling art milieu of 1886 Paris, and soon become close friends to the leading Impressionists. Sabrine attracts a cult following as a poetess, the enigmatic "Haiku Princess." Seemingly cured by Freud of her Grand Hysteria, Sabrine soon enters into a tumultuous relationship with Vincent van

The Curse of Maiden Scars by Nicolette Croft Read an Excerpt

Publication Date: June 4, 2024
Publisher: Historium Press
Series: Maiden, Mother, Crone
Pages: 286
Coming in August 2024: Audiobook narrated by Liz May Brice
Genre: Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Book Description

Sixteen-year-old Renna Covert toils away in the shadows of a Yorkshire workhouse, her days filled with the mundane task of shelling cotton and the dangerous duty of scouting for punters. One fateful night, she crosses paths with two sailors and finds herself thrust into the heart of a chilling encounter at the local asylum.

These harrowing experiences catalyze Renna’s journey, promising newfound

Murder in Mayfair by Verity Bright Book Review

Publication Date: 27 June 2024
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: Print, e-book and audio
Series: A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery #18
Genre: Historical Mystery, Cosy Mystery

Book Description

Tea and cake at The Ritz, a stolen pearl necklace and a missing dead body… Lady Swift is back on the case!

Lady Eleanor Swift has been eagerly awaiting her trip in a hot air balloon to take in London’s amazing sights. But what she witnesses instead is a murder! From way up high she sees a man in a dark coat shoot another man dead, but by the time she arrives back on the ground, Eleanor can find no trace of the body. Just the broken piece of a pearl necklace

Trouble in Assisi by Heidi Eljarbo Spotlight

Today, the spotlight is shining on another winning combination of history, mystery and art: the second book in Heidi Eljarbo's Fabiola Bennett mysteries.

Publication Date: 28th May 2024
Publisher: Independently published
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery
Pages: ~ 225 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery / Dual Timeline Mystery

Blurb

Assisi, 1973.

On art historian Fabiola Bennett’s first day in Assisi, a local gentleman takes her aside to ask for advice about a painting that has wondrously appeared in the basilica’s bell tower. So much for enjoying relaxing days filled

Murder on West Main by I. M. Foster A Snippet Tour

A knot tightened in his stomach, for it wasn't like her to seek him out in this manner.

Publication Date: December 20th, 2023
Series: A South Shore Mystery
Pages: 368

Blurb

When Colin Brissedon arrives at work one summer morning to find his new boss murdered, all eyes turn to him. After all, the man had threatened to fire him just a few days before, and his colleagues are more than happy to tell the tale. Kathleen admits her brother is no angel, but she can’t believe he would sink this low. Fortunately for them, neither does Daniel O’Halleran, the village’s new coroner’s assistant. Of course, he needs more than his gut feeling to prove it.

But that’s not going to be an easy task, considering the victim does not appear to

Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine Read an Excerpt

Publication Date: 15th May 2024
Publisher: Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press
Page Length: 356
Series: Silver Sampler Series
Genre: Victorian Scotland Saga / Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Blurb

A thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations.

1840s Scotland

Being sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of

Tigers in Blue by Richard BuxtonBook Review

Publication Dates: Whirligig 22/3/2017, The Copper Road 26/7/2020, Tigers in Blue 8/12/2023
Publisher: Ocoee Publishing
Series: Shire’s Union Trilogy consisting of: Whirligig (Book #1), The Copper Road (Book #2), Tigers in Blue (Book #3)
Page Length: Whirligig 479, The Copper Road 421, Tigers in Blue 424
Genre: Historical Fiction

Series Synopsis

Shire leaves his home and his life in Victorian England for the sake of a childhood promise, a promise that pulls him into the bleeding heart of the American Civil War. Lost in the bloody battlefields of the West, he discovers a second home for his loyalty.

Katharine's Remarkable Road Trip by Gail Ward OlmstedRead a Snippet

Publication Date: June 13, 2024
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Page Length: 226
Genre: Biographical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction

Synopsis

In the fall of 1907, Katharine decides to drive from Newport, Rhode Island, to her home in Jackson, New Hampshire. Despite the concerns of her family and friends, that at the age of 77 she lacks the stamina for the nearly 300-mile journey, Katharine sets out alone. Over the next six days, she receives a marriage proposal, pulls an all-nighter, saves a life or two, crashes a high-society event, meets a kindred spirit, faces a former rival, makes a new friend, takes a stroll with a future movie mogul, advises a troubled

The Sand Vines by Michèle CallardRead an Excerpt

Publication Date: 01 May 2024
Publisher: Millefeuille Press
Series: The Vine Saga
Page Length: 400
Genre: Historical fiction

Synopsis

Bordeaux 1870 – Life is hard on the moor.

If Flore, a shepherd’s daughter, is not married by autumn, she must go into service and lose everything she holds dear.

Back from the French army, the dashing Ricar has set her heart and body on fire. Will he propose to her before it is too late?

Martial the viscount’s son adores Flore from afar. Aware that she can never be his. When a

20 Books of Summer (Winter) 2024

I've not been very active on this blog due to a number of reasons, so I'm hoping that this reading challenge hosted by Cathy @ 746 Books will provide a boost for my reading and reviewing.

The challenge will run from June 1st to September 1st, the winter months here in Australia.

Cathy claims to be the slackest of challenge hosts, suggesting that it is okay to aim for less than 20

A Bitter Remedy by Alis Hawkins Book Review

A Bitter Remedy is the first of a new mystery series from the author of the Teifi Valley Coroner series. While the latter is firmly set in Wales, the new series is set in Oxford with links to Wales through Jesus College and one of the main characters, Rhiannon (Non) Vaughan, one of a small number of female students allowed to attend lectures.

When a Jesus College undergraduate is murdered, Basil Rice, a College fellow, is asked to mitigate any scandal that could arise after the young man's guardian threatens to sue the College. Basil uncovers much about the student he didn't know and his task to keep things quiet becomes much harder when Non inserts herself into his investigation, causing havoc on more than one occasion with her actions.

Basil and Non are definitely a mismatched

New Release Challenge 2024 - My Sign Up Post

A new year and a new host!

This challenge got off to a late start and I'm even later signing up.

Hosted by: Davida @ The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog
Challenge period: 1st January to 31st December, 2024
Sign Up: Anytime
Aim: To read and review books released in 2024.
Twitter Hashtag: #2024NewReleaseChallenge

All the information can be found HERE