Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder by Dianne Freeman

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Daughter's Guide to Mothers and Murder (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #8)Barbara’s rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars
Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery #8
Publication Date: 6/24/25
Period: Victorian – Paris
Number of Pages: 304

George and Frances Hazelton are back in Paris to enjoy their interrupted honeymoon and to refresh themselves after solving a murder in Deauville. Goodness, a lot is going on in Paris – the Exposition that we thoroughly explored in the last book, and the Olympics that we learn a bit about in this book. So many people – so many potential victims. 😊

As Frances and George enjoy their time together, Frances is approached by a frenemy, Alicia Stoke-Whitey, who seeks Frances’s assistance in investigating Carlson Deaver, who is trying to court her daughter. At the same time, George is approached by Inspector Daniel Cadieux, from the Sûreté, to assist them in following up on new leads in an old murder case. Are the cases related – you bet! 😊 The new clue is to the year-old murder of Isabelle Deaver, wife of Carlson Deaver – and the person who provided the clue is none other than the famous actress, Sarah Bernhardt.

The mystery is excellently done with twists, turns, and red herrings galore. While we are all down a rabbit hole with several clues, another murder happens. Can that one be related to the first murder? More suspects, more clues, and Frances and George have to unravel it all – and they do it with a surprising ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed all of the supporting characters in the book, especially the close friends and family of George and Frances. Frances’s mother was particularly enjoyable in this book and quite different from previous books. What I did not enjoy was the amount of infidelity in the book. It almost seemed as if every male character was unfaithful. It got to the point where I read a new male character’s name and started looking for where it would be mentioned that he was unfaithful. It was too much! I was waiting for George to be accused of being unfaithful. I didn’t enjoy all the infidelity, and hope it isn’t a trend. One unfaithful character (male or female) is enough for any book.

If you enjoy an excellent mystery with a set of clues that twist and turn, then set it all upside down, you will enjoy this book.

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

View all my reviews

A Tarnished Canvas by Anna Lee Huber

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

A Tarnished Canvas (Lady Darby Mystery, #13)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Darby Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 6/24/25
Period: Regency Edinburgh – 1833
Number of Pages: 400

Some research, an author’s brainstorming session, and a simple question – “What if?”– brings us this very lucky (for us) thirteenth addition to the Lady Darby series. The story quickly spins from a tame invitation to attend an estate auction to a chaotic scene of mayhem and murder.

Sebastian has become very restless as they’ve spent a quiet winter in Edinburgh. While Kiera has had her painting to occupy her time, Gage has mostly played ‘gentleman’ rather than having an interesting investigation to occupy him. He is quickly going to get more excitement than he wants! Kiera decides to attend the second day of the auction to view the items to be auctioned, and there are several she’d like to have. On the third day, they return to bid on the items – when the floor collapses beneath them. Everyone in the bidding room quickly finds themselves in the room below – covered in dust, – with many severe injuries.

As the floor collapse was an accident, Kiera and Gage go about their business happily preparing for their daughter Emma’s first birthday party. That peace doesn’t last long because Sergeant Maclean soon pays a visit to ask for their assistance in solving the mystery of the collapse and the death that occurred because of it. No, it wasn’t an accident as the papers reported, it was sabotage that could have taken many lives.

It is all-hands-on-deck to solve this one because there are more suspects and motives than anyone can count – and no real clues to point at any of them for sure. When I say all hands, I truly mean it. I think we had everyone except Lord Gage helping with the investigation. Gage’s step-brother, Lord Henry, and Kiera’s brother Trevor were on hand along with our usual Anderly and Bree, and it wouldn’t be Edinburgh if Bonnie Brock didn’t play a role. With a plethora of red herrings, suspects, and motives, you’ll be hard pressed to identify the villain.

I thoroughly enjoyed this new entry to the series, and now, I can hardly wait for the nicely teased next addition coming in a year! I highly recommend this book, this series, and this author. While you can enjoy this as a standalone, I sincerely suggest reading the series from the beginning to better understand the character growth – especially Kiera’s. If you don’t want to go back and read the first twelve, I suggest trying the first two at least. However, if you try those, you’ll be hooked and will read all of them. 😊Happy Reading!

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

View all my reviews