Category: Barb’s Reviews

A Gentleman of Unreliable Honor by Grace Burrowes

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

A Gentleman of Unreliable Honor (The Lord Julian Mysteries #6)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Lord Julian Mysteries #6
Publication Date: 9/11/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 288

It is NOT a good time for Lord Julian to receive a summons to solve a mystery. His only surviving brother’s imminent departure for the continent means he wants/needs to spend that time with him. What if he decides not to return to England? While his brother is away, Julian has to run all Waltham ducal matters and Julian needs to be learning that – not solving mysteries. Except, it is his mother who has summoned him – the mother who doesn’t like him – but still, his mother, so he goes.

When he arrived he learned his mother was missing several old love letters – that were not from his father. He also learned that several other items of sentimental value are missing from other ladies attending the house party. These are all items the ladies received after they were widows, but each was from an inappropriate partner and thus could cause a scandal or gossip for the ladies. Julian immediately assumes the items will be used for blackmail – but when no demands are received, he has to reevaluate. What could anyone other than a blackmailer want with those items?

Julian has a house full of suspects – guests, servants, merchants – anyone with access to the house. Julian, and his stalwart companions – Lady Ophelia, Lady Hyperia, and the ever-delightful Atticus – will interview, search, evaluate, and finally figure out the villain. You will think you know it all as you read – but do you? Can any of them be trusted?

I was glad to see some reconciliation between Julian and his mother, but I was no closer to understanding the rift. However, I wondered if most of it wasn’t due to Juian’s insecurities. One of his thoughts lends credence to that. “I decided that my mother held me in low esteem and then found every piece of evidence necessary to support my conclusion and ignored evidence that did not.” I look forward to future developments with Julian’s mother, Leander (Julian’s nephew), and dukely brother.

I look forward to each new Lord Julian book and was delighted to learn that we will be getting a Christmas book that Julian informed the author she must write. YAY!

Murder at the Foundling Hospital by Irina Shapiro

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

Murder at the Foundling Hospital (A Tate and Bell Mystery, #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Tate and Bell #3
Publication Date: 10/21/24
Period: Victorian – 1858
Number of Pages: 343

This riveting, atmospheric series is most definitely in the gaslight-gothic tradition in that it is very serious and somber. If one of your requirements is wit and humor, you won’t find it in these books. However, what you will find is an excellently paced, well-plotted murder mystery with realistically flawed characters. Gemma Tate, the main female lead, is a nurse who trained in Crimea with Florence Nightingale, and Sebastian Bell, the main male lead, is a widower inspector with Scotland Yard.

Gemma has just enjoyed a lovely Christmas when she is summoned to the Foundling Hospital where she works. One of the children has been found – murdered. The staff members are forbidden to become attached to any of the children, but Gemma’s loving heart has become entwined with sickly little Lucy. During her mad dash to the orphanage, she is constantly whispering – “Please Not Lucy” “Please Not Lucy”. While it wasn’t Lucy, it was a lovely, kind, sweet fourteen-year-old young lady who never deserved such a violent end.

The Matron at the Foundling Hospital is determined to protect the institution from any scandal and therefore, throws obstacle after obstacle in Sebastian’s way – including her intention to petition the leadership at Scotland Yard to close the case as unsolved directly after the child’s funeral. Yes, she cared more for the institution – even if it housed a murderer – than she did for the life of one of her charges. Gemma has the access Sebastian needs and is determined to help solve the case and she does – even to her own peril.

Between them, they find many potential suspects, follow many leads, and uncover many secrets within the orphanage. The murderer – and the reason – will surprise you and make you very, very sad.

You won’t be able to put the book down once you start reading, so prepare yourself with all of the comforts before you begin. The story pulls you in from the first word and holds you until far past the last word with its compelling characters and superb mystery.

I love Sebastian and Gemma with all of their humanness – their flaws and their strengths. Sebastian has overcome so much in the last few months and you will be pulling for his continued success in defeating his personal demons. Gemma has suffered great tragedy with the murder of her twin brother and is working hard to recover emotionally and financially from that loss. You will root for her too, but you will also worry that she has more TSTL moments than she should.

I enjoyed this book and I hope you will as well.

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