Category: Historical Mystery

Murder on the Rocks by T.E. Kinsey

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Murder on the Rocks (A Lady Hardcastle Mystery #13)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lady Hardcastle Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 5/26/26
Period: 1913 (Devon, England)
Number of Pages: Audiobook (Book has 296 Pages)

This book is filled with a wicked good mystery, witty banter, interesting characters, and excellent narration. You definitely cannot go wrong if you decide to read or listen to this book.

The inimitable Lady Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Flo have been invited to spend a quiet weekend on the small private island of an American friend. Had they a choice, they might have chosen to visit in the summer rather than mid-winter, but they still looked forward to the adventure – and goodness what an adventure it was.

Lady Hardcastle and Flo thought the other guests were an interesting mix of characters and looked forward to getting to know them. Then, there were thefts, then a dead body, then a storm cutting them off from the mainland. Oh! My! They are trapped on an island with a thief and a murderer. Can they solve the crimes and apprehend the criminal before more crimes are committed? As always, the unstoppable duo is on the case, and those criminals don’t have a clue what they are up against.

The narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, is excellent. She delivers a well-paced narration with distinctive character voices. She also does an excellent job handling the witty banter between Flo and Emily – you can hear the humor in her voice as she narrates.

I recommend this book, this series, and this author.

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

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When the Wolves Are Silent by C.S. Harris

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

When the Wolves Are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr, #21)

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Sebastian St Cyr #21
Publication Date:4/14/26
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 400

WOW!! This book is packed with excitement, suspense, heartbreak, dark motives, cruelty, political turmoil, and startling family revelations. Some of the surrounding political tensions feel eerily reminiscent of the unrest we see in today’s world.

When Bayard Wilcox awakens from a drunken stupor to find his friend, Marcus Toole, sprawled in the smoldering remains of a bonfire they had carelessly built the night before, he is terrified—and utterly alone. The hilltop where he stands is rumored to have been used for ancient Druidic rituals, making the scene even more unsettling. With no one else to turn to, Bayard seeks out his uncle, Sebastian St. Cyr.

Sebastian’s investigation quickly branches into multiple directions. The victim—and his circle of friends—are widely disliked, leaving no shortage of potential suspects. Matters grow even more troubling when Sebastian discovers that another of Bayard’s companions has recently been murdered under similarly disturbing, possibly ritualistic circumstances. Is someone targeting the entire group? As Sebastian uncovers instances of cruelty in their past, he is left wondering what deeper secrets remain hidden—because nothing he finds seems to fully justify such calculated violence.

Time is not on his side. The Home Office and the Chief Magistrate are determined to see the murders of aristocrats solved swiftly—and conveniently. They intend to place blame on the Spencians, who are planning a major protest against the government. One of those at risk of being falsely accused is a close friend of Sebastian’s.

Can Sebastian uncover the truth in time? Can he protect his nephew—and does he even want to? Can he save his friend from becoming a political scapegoat? And if he does solve the case, will the truth even matter, or will the government bury it to serve its own ends?

I have read this series from the beginning, and each book has been exceptional. This one, however, stands out as one of the best. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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

View all my reviews