Month: June 2024

A Darkness In Seven Dials by Ashley Gardner

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

A Darkness in Seven Dials (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries Book 17)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Captain Lacey #17
Publication Date: 5/21/24
Period: Regency – 1820 London
Number of Pages: 275

This was a delightful addition to the Captain Lacey series. I have read each book as they were released into the world and I’ve loved each of them. Not only does this one have a mystery with twists and turns, it presents some intriguing possibilities for future plots – maybe even a new ongoing villain. We’ll just have to wait and see.

The thing we all thought would never happen – HAPPENED! Not only was James Denis arrested for murder, but he was found standing over the body with the bloody knife in his hand. Of course, those of us who read this series know he isn’t guilty – as does Captain Lacey. That, however, doesn’t dampen Bow Street Runner Spendlove’s elation and joy at finally getting Denis into Newgate.

Much to Denis’s dismay, Captain Lacey begins to investigate only to find himself in danger. How did the victim come to be where he was found? With Denis’s cunning, how did he manage to allow himself to be caught standing over the body with the murder weapon in his hand?

As we learn more about the victim, Lacey finds himself under attack. Is it the murderer or is it Denis’s new archenemy – or are they one and the same? I can’t wait to see where that storyline goes. Will Mr. William Archer take over as the villain of the series or will Denis send him on to his great reward? Another intriguing storyline could include Lady as Denis’s love interest. Will he allow it or will he admire her from afar? Will she be used against him in the future? I would certainly bet on it.

This was a quick, fun read with an interesting mystery with a bit of a twist. I enjoyed seeing more of Denis’s men and learning a bit about them rather than them staying window-dressing and used for nothing other than a handy set of fists. Of course, I loved Donata and Lacey and that he tells her absolutely everything and always keeps her as his first priority.

If you are looking for a nice mystery with interesting characters and lovely twists and turns, then you might want to give this book a read.

The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue by Jane Charles

On By TracyIn Novella, Part of a Series, Re-Release / Updated Edition, Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Smuggler's Christmas Rogue: (Scot to the Heart #5)The Smuggler’s Christmas Rogue: by Jane Charles

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Scot to the Heart, #5

Release Date: July 2, 2024

During her first season, Miss Sheena MacGregor met and fell in love with Camdyn Oaks, Earl of Irvine and heir to the Marquess Walsingham. She believed that he loved her too, but on the night he begs her to elope with him, her brothers and uncle arrive from Scotland as well as Camdyn’s father, and the ugly truth of how they met is revealed and just like that Sheena’s heart is broken. She immediately returns to Scotland determined to forget she ever laid eyes on Camdyn. But fate has other plans and a year and a half later, Sheena and her brother Ewan find themselves in need of shelter for the night and must to her dismay, end up at Oakley Park, the home of the Marquess Walsingham.

Camdyn Oaks, now Marquess Walsingham, is still in love with Sheena, though he tries to move on, he soon realizes that she is the only woman for him and sets out to win her back. Her family stands by her refusal to see him or even speak of him, but her uncle finally listens to Camdyn’s side and agrees to help him by letting him know when they go to Edinburgh and what events they will attend, but he will not force Sheena to talk to him. Happy for the chance to see her again, Camdyn returns to his estate to wait for word, but a few days before Christmas, Sheena and her brother arrive on his doorstep seeking shelter. Overjoyed by the unexpected opportunity to reconcile with Sheena, Camdyn welcomes them with open arms. But it is clear that Sheena wants nothing to do with him and plans to leave the next morning. But when help for his cause comes from an unlikely source, Camdyn will not waste a second of the limited time he has, because he knows that Sheena is his only chance for happily ever again and he won’t let her slip away a second time without a fight.

The was a very sweet second chance for romance between feuding families. Sheena was hurt deeply and unwilling to give Camdyn a chance to explain himself and refused to believe his claims of love, I understood her bitterness, but I felt that she held on to that bitterness a bit longer than necessary. Other than that small quibble, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend this novella.

Note: This story was previously published in the Christmas in Cumbria anthology and is part of the Scot to the Heart series with a connection to the Trents.

*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. *