Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Cursed Divination by Lana Williams

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The Cursed Divination (Field & Greystone, #5)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Field and Greystone #5
Publication Date: 11/25/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 321

Murder and mayhem hit a bit too close to home in this fifth addition to the excellently written Field and Greystone series. Inspector Henry Field wonders whether he should hand the investigation over to another detective, yet he can’t bring himself to step aside when the victim is a family friend and justice feels personal.

Neither Henry nor Mrs. Amelia Greystone is certain what to believe about mediums, spirit communication, or any form of after-death messages. So when a medium contacts Amelia claiming to know the location of a body, Amelia feels compelled to reach out to Henry. Is this woman chasing publicity and hoping Amelia will write about her—or is she truly gifted? When the body appears exactly where the medium predicted, they’re forced to consider a darker possibility: is she communing with the dead, or is she involved in murder?

While the investigation stalls, Henry is summoned by the Tisdales, long-time friends whose daughter has gone missing. He agrees to take the case, only to find himself with yet another mystery that leads nowhere. Then Mrs. Nettle, the medium, resurfaces. The spirits, she claims, have revealed the location of another body—again in the same place as before. Her eerie revelations ignite two grisly murder inquiries and raise one pressing question: is she genuine, or a dangerous fraud?

Henry and Amelia find themselves stumped for much of the book. No clues, no connections between victims—only the medium linking the crimes. Both Henry and Amelia have suspicions about the culprit, but without evidence, their instincts aren’t enough.

This is an excellently written mystery with strong pacing, relatable characters, and an engaging investigation. I especially loved watching the relationship between Henry and Amelia deepen, as well as the developing camaraderie between Henry, the medical examiner, and Sergeant Fletcher.
Suspense, twists, red herrings, and atmospheric tension make this a gripping read. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy reading!

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

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Dark Tidings on the Thames by Deb Marlowe

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Dark Tidings on the Thames (The Kier and Levett Mystery #7)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Kier and Levett Mystery #7
Publication Date: 10/16/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 244

This series just keeps getting better and better. The first book is still my favorite, but this one is a very close second. Kara and Niall, now the Duke and Duchess of Sedwick, have come so far in their personal relationship, all while gathering a wonderful array of chosen family and friends. I always love seeing those relationships grow and change while also enjoying an intriguing and engaging mystery. In this installment, you’re left guessing the villain’s identity well into the story—the only thing you know for sure is who the villain is not. 😊

Kara, Niall, Harold, Turner, and Gyda are spending time in Scotland to help Gyda heal from the loss of Lord Charles. However, the letters from their young friend Beth grow more and more troubling with each new missive. When a truly dire letter arrives, the group decides to return to London to offer whatever aid they can. Unfortunately, when they arrive at the Waif’s Wardrobe—a charitable society—they discover that the murder of Beth’s friend has already taken place, and the Metropolitan Police have already decided who committed the crime. The evidence certainly makes the man appear guilty, but Kara and Niall believe him when he proclaims his innocence.

The criminal in this story is sly, wily, and very skilled at covering his tracks, giving our friends a particularly arduous task as they work to bring him to justice. Not only must they conduct a thorough investigation, but they also have to avoid Inspector Everett Frye, who thoroughly dislikes Niall. As their inquiry uncovers more and more clues, they cannot share them with Frye—he has already decided who is guilty and would simply ignore anything that contradicts his view. Instead, they enlist Inspector Wooten to act as an intermediary. Fortunately, Inspector Wooten is up to the task and even assists in the investigation where he can.

This villain is especially vile, seeing no wrong in exacting his version of “justice” on those he deems deserving—who, unfortunately, are usually young women.

I particularly enjoyed this story, especially its tantalizing ending. I cannot wait for the next book to see where these characters go. I’ve especially loved the books since Kara and Niall married, and I hope there are many more to come. I hope you’ll give this author, this series, and this book a try—they are all excellent. Happy reading!

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