Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

Lord Petteril’s Folly by Mary Lancaster

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

Petteril's Folly (Lord Petteril Mysteries #6)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #6
Publication Date: 6/28/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 164

The smart, cunning, handsome, enigmatic, and quirky Lord Petteril has totally captured my heart throughout this series – as has the equally smart, beautiful, and quirky April.

Despite the huge class difference, Petteril and April are now man and wife. April isn’t concerned about how society will feel about her, but she worries about society’s reactions to the marriage and how it will affect Petteril. April’s main concern is how the servants she worked with and befriended will react to her. We get some sample reactions early on from both servants and society. Petteril’s aunt is a total stinker and I hope something happens with her – just her – personally. She needs a comeuppance of some sort and I dearly hope April is the one to give it to her. 😊

After their long, lovely, tranquil days in Portugal, they return home to find that Stewart, Petteril’s valet, has been arrested for theft. Both April and Petteril are positive Stewart didn’t commit the crime – but they are sure he knows something. Who is he protecting? Why would he risk protecting them?

The mystery had several twists and turns that kept it interesting because you are almost sure you know who did it, but not totally sure. Just know that the villain is a real nightmare and for a change, the villain gets what he deserves.

If you are looking for a quick, interesting read with lovable characters, romance, and a good mystery, you might want to try this book.

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

An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman

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

An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #7)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery #7
Publication Date: 6/25/24
Period: Victorian – (Paris)
Number of Pages: 300

This was yet another fun, entertaining, and exciting mystery from this author. This time, we got to visit Paris during the Exposition and it was so much fun to picture all of the excitement of the time and the marvelous things that were displayed. Oh – and while we were there, we got to solve a couple of murders.

Frances was just mentioning to George that their lives were getting a bit ho-hum when they received a missive from George’s Aunt Julia requesting him to come to Paris and investigate the death of Paul Ducasse – a renowned French artist. Though she is very secretive about her reasons, they want to help if they can – and – well – Paris.

If they thought there was little information in the missive they received, that was nothing compared to the tight-lipped Aunt Julia they met when they arrived. Julia had totally changed her mind and wanted them to leave it alone, yet she seemed nervous and out of sorts. Had she seen, heard, or learned something that made her fearful?

Almost as soon as they arrived, Aunt Julia was murdered. Surely the two murders were connected, but how and why? It seems anyone who might be a suspect had an alibi for one murder or the other. Should they back away and let Inspector Cadieux of the Sûreté investigate? Surely, they could help from the background!

Lady Julia Hazelton had been estranged from her family in England for many years. It wasn’t that there had been a disagreement, it was that Julia had secrets – deep secrets – that she wanted to keep from them. Only a couple of her relatives knew her secrets and they had kept them for her. Was her murder because of some of her secrets? There are many suspects, but none of them fit both murders. What connects them?

Oh! What tangled webs we weave when we practice to deceive. This was a delightful, entertaining mystery with more suspects than you could imagine – but not so many motives. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Frances and George flit all over Paris looking for suspects and motives while unraveling clues and getting in the way of Inspector Cadieux.

If you enjoy a light and entertaining mystery with lovely characters that invite you into their lives and make you love them, then you’ll enjoy this book. I surely did! However, Aunt Julia’s death made me really sad because of the daughter she left behind and I wish there had been another way to accomplish the same plot line.

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