Petteril’s Party by Mary Lancaster

Petteril's Party (Lord Petteril Mysteries Book 9)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #9
Publication Date: 1/30/26
Period: Regency – Near Oxford
Number of Pages: 181

I have thoroughly enjoyed the stories and character development throughout this series. It has been a delight to watch April and Piers grow from who they were in the earliest books into the people they are today. Each installment delivers an intriguing mystery while also offering glimpses into the personal lives of April, Piers, and the well-drawn supporting cast.

Before becoming a lord, Piers was a dean at Oxford University—a life he never wanted to leave but was forced to abandon when he unexpectedly inherited a title. Knowing how deeply he missed his academic friends, April suggests renting a house near Oxford and inviting them to stay for two weeks. When the guests arrive, however, an unexpected presence casts a shadow over the visit: a woman from Piers’s past—one he never mentioned to April—and she is decidedly unhappy to see her. As tensions rise among the guests, strange sounds in the night unsettle the household, noises the small staff attributes to lingering “ghosts.”

When blood is shed, everyone becomes a suspect. But is Piers too blinded by friendship to see the truth? Is the culprit among the guests, or is someone from outside responsible? Can Piers ease April’s doubts and hurt feelings caused by his old friends? You’ll have to read this satisfying mystery to uncover the answers.

If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery paired with rich, relatable characters, this book is for you. Happy reading!

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

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Stolen in Death by J.D. Robb

Stolen in Death (In Death, #62)
Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: In Death #62
Publication Date: 2/3/26
Period: Future New York – September, 2061
Number of Pages: 368

Over thirty years ago, who would have thought this series would still be as strong, interesting, and unique as it was in that very first book? Over the same 30+ years, we’ve only covered about three years in Eve and Roarke’s time. WOW! I sincerely hope we get another thirty years.

Roarke’s past has surfaced before, but in Stolen it takes center stage. Not only does the loot from a long-ago heist reappear, but so does Magdelana—in her full malevolent glory. You may remember her from a previous book, where Roarke and Eve thwarted her attempt to drive a wedge between them. She didn’t take that defeat lightly, and this time she’s out for complete and total revenge. Nothing is off the table—murder, theft, attempted murder—it’s all fair game.

A dispatch summons Eve from a formal gala to the death scene of Nathan Barrister, a rich and powerful man and the head of Zip. While examining the scene, Eve discovers an open vault filled to the brim with priceless stolen items—some taken decades ago. Nathan couldn’t have stolen them himself; he was only a child when some of the thefts occurred. So who did? Why were the items left behind? And why would a stealthy thief commit murder when they could have gotten away clean?

Eve approaches every case with fierce dedication, but when someone attempts to murder her, everyone—from the Chief to the sketch artist—becomes personally invested in tracking down who hired the attacker. Unfortunately, the would-be killer is himself killed while trying to escape, taking crucial answers with him.

I both read the book and listened to the audio version, and each offers something special. Narrated by Susan Ericksen—who has voiced every book in the series—the audio truly brings the story to life. I’ve listened to them all, and she is consistently excellent. Her character voices are so ingrained in my mind that I hear them even when reading the text. Each performance is unique, well-paced, and expertly delivered.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great suspense story. While the series is set in the future, that future no longer feels so distant. The imagined technology is intriguing (and often very desirable), and the supporting characters are delightful—richly developed, full of personality, and extremely likable.

This is a wonderful story and can certainly be read as a stand-alone. However, to fully appreciate the depth of character growth and relationships, I suggest reading at least the first four books. I know recommending all sixty-one previous titles sounds daunting, but I promise—you won’t regret it.

Happy reading!

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

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