Category: Gothic Historical

Misery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs

On By TracyIn America's Gilded Age (1870-1900), American Historical, Gothic Historical, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Misery Hates CompanyMisery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Marigold Manners Mystery, #1

Release Date: November 5, 2024

When her parents die of influenza, Marigold Manners learns that they have left her penniless. She is forced to withdrawal from school and abandon her plans to join an archaeological expedition in Greece, and at the attorney’s suggestion, she writes to relatives. With no desire to live off the generosity of her dear friend Isabella Dana, Marigold accepts an intriguing invitation to visit her mother’s cousin on the island of Great Misery, Massachusetts. Marigold has never heard of Sophronia Hatchet, but the island is not that far from Boston, and she can’t ignore the cryptic message Sophronia sent her.

She optimistically sets out for Great Misery but was totally unprepared for the cold and even hostile reception she is met with from the family nor the filthy and desolate house. But ever the problem solver, Marigold doesn’t let their behavior affect her and sets out to clean the house and get to know her cousins. Slowly Marigold breaks though the walls her family has erected and then sets out to help them achieve their dreams. She is further surprised when she finds her old friend (and something of a secret crush) Jonathan “Cab” Cox on the mainland. Cab is there to help his uncle with a legal matter, a request he took knowing Marigold was staying nearby. But it turns out that Marigold will be the one in need of his legal assistance when a body turns up in her garden and she is the prime suspect!

This was a very well written novel, but I don’t know if I would really call it a mystery, it read more like historical women’s fiction with a murder and lots of surprising and interesting twists, along with a budding romance. Overall, this was an interesting, well written story with lots of intrigue, wonderful characters, complex relationships, lots of twists, shocking revelations and a murder. I would definitely read the next installment and would happily recommend this title to those who enjoy a slightly dark, intriguing read.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

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.