Murder on Devil’s Ridge by Irina Shapiro

On By BarbaraIn OtherLeave a comment

Murder on Devil’s Ridge (Tate and Bell Mystery, #8)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Tate and Bell Mystery #8
Publication Date: 7/28/26
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 274

The prologue opens with a worried dairy farmer setting out on his usual pre-dawn walk through the bitter cold and thick, fog-shrouded countryside. He has always enjoyed these early morning walks—at least he did until this one led him up Devil’s Ridge, where he discovered the mutilated body of a young child lying atop the ancient stone at its summit.

Gemma and Sebastian are enjoying a visit with Sebastian’s brother, Simian, and his family at the Bell farm in Suffolk when a loud, insistent knock interrupts their morning.  Peter, the dairy farmer who found the body, begs Sebastian to accompany him to Devil’s Ridge because, as an investigator, Sebastian would surely know how to proceed.

The murdered child’s father, Viscount Augustus Ravenel, arrives determined that Sebastian will investigate his son’s death. Faced with such a heartbreaking request, Sebastian has little choice but to accept.

As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that nearly everyone in the household is hiding secrets. The challenge lies in uncovering which of those secrets could possibly provide a motive for the brutal murder of an innocent seven-year-old child. Fortunately, Gemma and Sebastian each possess their own unique talents for wringing out the truth. As they draw closer to solving the mystery, the danger escalates, and they soon find themselves in peril as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment in the Tate and Bell series, from its atmospheric opening to its shocking conclusion. The mystery is exceptionally well crafted and kept me guessing until the very end. In fact, I was completely surprised by the killer’s identity. Every time I thought I had solved the case, another twist sent me in an entirely different direction.

As much as I enjoy the mysteries, it is the characters who keep me coming back for each new book. Gemma and Sebastian are wonderfully developed protagonists who have found love despite the tragedies they have both endured. I’d love to invite them over for dinner just to hear about all of their adventures—but since that’s impossible, I’ll simply have to impatiently await their next book.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Their Convenient Tuscan Marriage by Bronwyn Scott

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), historical-romance, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Their Convenient Tuscan Marriage (Regency Tour in Italy, #1)Their Convenient Tuscan Marriage by Bronwyn Scott

Tracy’s Rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Regency Tour in Italy, #1

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Years after returning from war, Lord Hayes Winterton, second son of the Duke of Ravenswick, is still healing from losing Natalia, the woman he loved and the other losses he suffered in the war and is still feeling unsettled. When his father offers him an opportunity to buy a vineyard and manager the property in Florence, Italy, he jumps at the chance to return to Florence, even though he is less than thrilled to learn that he will be traveling with his rakish cousin Alistair Burke-Price. Once they arrive in Florence, Hayes is eager to complete the purchase of the vineyard and get to work. He has an appointment to meet with the lawyer handling the sale but stops for breakfast at a shop he had been to before and meets Evelisse Banfield, an English widow of a wool merchant and the first woman he has felt attracted to since losing Natalia. It seems the attraction is mutual, at least until it is revealed that they both want the same property.

Evelisse Banfield had been a widow for three years, when the opportunity to purchase the Delford’s vineyard – Quattro Venti – became possible. She was dear friends with Amelia Delford, the daughter of Vineyard’s owners and had promised the very ill Amelia that she would purchase the vineyard and help Amelia’s elderly parents. She never imagined that there would be competition for the vineyard and was even more stunned to learn that her competition was Lord Hayes Winterton, the man she was hoping to take as a lover! But when it becomes clear that even though legally, she could own the vineyard, she would not be able to run the business without a husband – she is angry. And when yet another party enters the bidding for the property, it seems like she won’t be able to keep her promise to her friend, until Lord Hayes makes an offer that gives them both what they want. He suggests that they marry and co-own the vineyard but is clear that while he will support her and be faithful, he will never love her. She agrees, especially as Hayes is true to his word and gives her control of her assets in the marriage settlements – now all she has to do it not fall in love.

I love a marriage of convenience story and one set in Italy is just the cherry on top – this story had so much promise and offered a fresh twist on a tried-and-true trope, but sadly, it wasn’t what I was expecting and while I adored Hayes, I really had a hard time liking Evelisse. I completely understood her frustration and even her anger about being unable to attain her dream without the help of a man, but the way she constantly blamed Hayes for these injustices was annoying – especially when he gave her no reason to paint him as the villain. Overall, the story was good, and if Evelisse hadn’t been so set on trying to make Hayes the root of all her problems, I would have probably loved the book, but she ruined this story for me. So, while I didn’t really care for Evelisse, I did love the setting, along with the author’s ability to paint a picture with her words and Hayes – so while not a book I would read again, it was still a book I am glad I read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *