Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Mydworth Mysteries – City Heat by Matthew Costello

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Mydworth Mysteries - City Heat (A Cosy Historical Mystery Series Book 10)

Barbara’s rating: 3.7 of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #10
Publication Date: 12/23/21
Period: Interwar – 1930
Number of Pages: 145

I always love the quick reads in this series. Kat and Harry are always fun and their witty banter during the tense moments of an investigation is very entertaining. For some reason, this time, the book just didn’t resonate with me. It almost seemed as if Kat and Harry were cartoon versions of themselves or something. I think maybe the circumstances and the plot just seemed ‘off’ somehow. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but it just doesn’t come up to the caliber of the other books in the series.

Kat and Harry, Lord and Lady Mortimer, have long wanted to make a trip from England to New York so Harry can meet Kat’s family. Harry is so excited about their arrival, and he can hardly wait to begin seeing New York through Kat’s eyes. Of course, the best-laid plans often go astray and theirs certainly did. As soon as they check into their hotel, Kat receives an urgent message from her old mentor. Groan! Should they go see why they are needed – especially since the message said it was a matter of life and death.

There has been a kidnapping involving the grandson of one of New York’s richest moguls and Kat and Harry are needed to assure he is safely returned – and to recover the money if possible. With betrayals, mobsters, and dysfunctional families, the poor young man who was kidnapped may not make it home alive.

I liked Kat’s family and would have liked to spend more page time with them. It would have been much more interesting to have them more involved in the mystery – or maybe even to have the mystery revolve around them somehow. Bringing the strangers into it just cut out time we could have spent getting to know the Reilly family.

I enjoyed this book, but it definitely isn’t my favorite of the series.

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Murder in Immunity by Anne Cleeland

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Murder in Immunity (Doyle & Acton, #15)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Doyle & Acton #15
Publication Date: 3/10/22
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 236

I’m not sure why I am addicted to this series, but I am. The male lead – Acton – is flawed (big time) and I honestly don’t care. The female lead (Doyle) is a bit over the top with the uneducated Irish vernacular – still, I honestly don’t care. The plots are convoluted and you really need to have read the whole series in order to understand what is going on – and yet I still don’t care. It just all works for me – all of it – from the fey, angelic Doyle, to the scheming Acton and all of the cohorts who support him. You’d think Acton would have learned by now – Doyle will always figure out what plot he has going and she’ll throw a wrench in the works – for his own good of course.

There is a LOT going on in this book, and I’m still not sure I followed all of it – at least not to the appropriate conclusion. We have murders being staged so that police would think they were open and shut cases – but they aren’t. We have Acton’s half-sister being deceived by a con artist even though Acton specifically warned her. We have those involved in the money-skimming plot from the last book trying to scramble and cover their rears. We have Acton and Savoie at odds with each other (aren’t they always?) Goodness – it keeps your head spinning and your fingers flippin’ pages so you can see what happens next. In the end, two people were supposed to die. One did die but the other was still alive and well when the book ended. The ending HINTED their impending demise – but – did it really happen? I guess we’ll learn in the next book.

If you love quirky characters, twisted mysteries, and an obsessive romance, this is the book and series for you. Frankly, I didn’t think I was the kind who would love those things in a book, but – I’ve found I LOVE them, but only in this series. It is really well written and well delivered. I hope you’ll give the series a try and that you’ll love it as much as I have. Remember though, if you start in the middle of the series, you’ll only end up confused and not liking it. Happy Reading!

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