Down a Dark River by Karen Odden Book Review + Blog Tour Giveaway (US Only)

Publication Date: November 9, 2021
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Series: An Inspector Corravan Mystery #1
Format: Hardcover and ebook, 363 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis

In the vein of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, Karen Odden’s mystery introduces Inspector Michael Corravan as he investigates a string of vicious murders that has rocked Victorian London’s upper crust.

London, 1878. One April morning, a small boat bearing a young woman’s corpse floats down the murky waters of the Thames. When the victim is identified as Rose Albert, daughter of a prominent judge, the Scotland Yard director gives the case to Michael

The Demon in the House by Angela Thirkell Book Review

This is the third book in Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series and recounts the mischief Tony Morland gets up to during school holidays, most of them during the summer break.

Synopsis

This is the frighfully frustrating story of Tony Morland who first appeared in High Rising. A sweeter demon doesn't exist than this 12 year old with a gift for disconcerting remarks and getting what he wants from his mother.

Boys will be boys, and little Morland is no exception, boasting, bragging, breaking windows, messing about in boats and demanding breakfast in bed, all very much to the despair of his mother, Laura. More than anything, Tony is desperate for a bicycle and although Laura is certain he'll come home in

Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell Book Review

This is the second book of Angela Thirkell's Barsetshire series, which focuses on the Leslie family of Rushwater House and their welcome and unwelcome guests.

Synopsis

Pretty, impecunious Mary Preston, newly arrived as a guest of her Aunt Agnes at the magnificent wooded estate of Rushwater, falls head over heels for handsome playboy David Leslie. Meanwhile, Agnes and her mother, the eccentric matriarch Lady Emily, have hopes of a different, more suitable match for Mary. At the lavish Rushwater dance party, her future happiness hangs in the balance...

My Thoughts

I think I may be one of the few people that did not fully appreciate the comedy or the romance in this novel. Having enjoyed High Rising, the first book in the series, I looked forward to this one. Although it started promisingly when Lady Emily and her family are introduced through the observations of the local vicar, I didn't take to

November is AusReading Month!

November has snuck up on me and with it this challenge hosted by Brona @ This Reading Life.

I hope to read and review as many books by Australian authors as I can and perhaps post reviews for books I read earlier this year but didn't review.

A quick sort through my TBR has revealed I have a few books by Australian authors, with a few others ordered from the library that may be available in time. Not sure if I'll be able to read them all, but at

A Letter From Pearl Harbor by Anna Stuart Book Review

Publication Date: November 5, 2021
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: ebook, print and audio
Genre: Historical Fiction, World War II

Synopsis

Ninety-eight-year-old Ginny McAllister’s last wish is for her granddaughter to complete a treasure hunt containing clues to her past. Clues that reveal her life as one of the first female pilots at Pearl Harbor, and a devastating World War Two secret.

1941, Pearl Harbor: On the morning of December 7th, Ginny is flying her little yellow plane above the sparkling seas when she spots an unknown aircraft closing in on her. She recognises the red symbol of the Japanese fighter planes almost too late. Somehow, she manages to land unscathed but

Six Degrees of Separation: From What Are You Going Through to At Summer's End

The first Saturday of the month is time to play Six Degrees of Separation. This meme is hosted by Kate of Books Are My Favourite and Best. The aim is to link six books to each other from the starting point.

This month the starting point is What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez, which centres around a woman dying of cancer. This brought to mind The Winter House by Nicci Gerrard where a group of friends travel to Scotland to be with another friend who is also terminally ill with cancer.

Scotland is the link to my next book, Strings of Murder by Oscar de Muriel, the first in a Victorian mystery series that features a mismatched pair of detectives. McGray believes that the supernatural is behind many of their cases and Frey believes there is a