Month: September 2023

Murder at the Merton Library by Andrea Penrose

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

Murder at the Merton Library (Wrexford & Sloane, #7)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #7
Publication Date: 9/26/23
Period: Regency – 1814 London
Number of Pages: 304

I’ve enjoyed this series since the first book. The characters have grown, matured, and become more three-dimensional. Plus, we’ve added some new and very interesting supporting characters to the group as well. With the major changes that have happened in the characters’ lives, the books have also become less recklessly hold-your-breath physical and more thoroughly investigative and intellectual. Not that there isn’t a good kidnapping, or a gruesome murder to solve because there definitely is.

Neville Greeley came home from the Napoleonic wars terribly scarred in both mind and body. He loves the peace and tranquility of working as the head librarian at Merton College Library. Lately, flashes of memory have been coming back to him and he knows he must contact Wexford to tell him what he is remembering. Greeley was the only survivor of an ambush that took the life of his best friend Thomas (Wexford’s brother), and the rest of their group of soldiers. What is he remembering? He’ll never be able to tell because he is found murdered the next morning.

Charlotte Stone, Countess of Wrexford, is in her disguise as Magpie while she watches a huge warehouse/workshop burn. Was the fire set deliberately? Is it something her other alter ego, A.J. Quill, needs to become involved in? She leaves – unsure. However, when she discovers what her wards – collectively known as the weasels – have to share, she knows she’ll have to at least ask questions. The building that burned was the workshop of a gifted inventor who was trying to develop a way to adapt steam to power large ships that could cross the sea. Sabotage? When she discovers their friend Kit has been approached to invest in a consortium that is trying to do the same thing, she knows she has to be involved.

As they work through the clues they come to realize the cases are related – to each other and to a traitorous atrocity from the war years. The villain is as sly and ruthless as they come. Can they discover the villain? Will they catch him before he escapes?

This was a fun and interesting read with the villain(s) about as vile as they come. One thing I really always enjoy in these books is the Author’s Notes. I know – right? The author always bases the books on some set of scientific inventions, etc. that was happening at the time and we always learn so much. I love that! Then, she always explains in the Author’s Notes where she deviated from fact – and she shares more facts. For me, it is always like getting dessert after having a delicious dinner.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Moonsight Magic by Deb Marlowe

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Novella, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Moonsight MagicMoonsight Magic by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Witches Ball, #5

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Lady Ninianne Morvoren, daughter of the Earl of Penhaven, is a water witch, but she also has an affinity to the moon, something that no other witch of her acquaintance has or has even heard of, she is also a sought-after curse breaker. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to break the curse placed on her friend Boult, a giant trapped in the body of a spriggan. So when she is invited to the Witches Ball at Nightshade Manor, Boult begs her to go and bring him with her, he has learned that there are reports of a giantess on Bocka Morrow and hopes that she will be able to break his curse. She agrees and they set out, she has no plans to marry, but fate may have other plans for her.

Mr. Tristan Tawstock has come to Nightshade Manor, not to find a bride but to make connections to advance his political career. Tristan is a Promethean, a warlock whose powers center on fire, light, as well as the gift of illusion, but what no one knows is he has an affinity with daylight, making his powers the mirror image of Ninianne’s. He is attracted to her, but tells himself now is not the time for romance. But, when their powers accidentally merge while trying to contain an evil entity, they experience something that will change them forever. But before they can explore it further, they will have to work together to find and stop the evil that has descended on Nightshade Manor.

This was such a great addition to the series! I love historical paranormal/magical stories and can never resist a visit to Bocka Morrow, so this author collaboration is a complete delight and seems to get better with each new installment. I loved Ninianne and Tristian, their connection is immediate and undisputable, even if neither of them wants to acknowledge it. The story is filled with magic, curses, great secondary characters, giants, a bit of dark magic, kisses, and the promise of HEA. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone title.

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