Category: Historical Mystery

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. *

Review: Petteril’s Christmas by Mary Lancaster

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

Petteril's Christmas (Lord Petteril Mysteries Book 7)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #7
Publication Date: 11/1/24
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 161

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Piers and April, Lord and Lady Petteril! Petteril wants their first Christmas together to be at his rural estate with just the two of them. April wants that too, but she just really wants to be with her husband wherever that might be. April has never celebrated Christmas and is looking forward to learning all the traditions.

Christmas in the country is not to be as his great-aunt Prudence, whom he had all but forgotten, summons him to town saying she is dying and the servants are stealing from her. He’s ashamed he hasn’t sought her out earlier, but he had no idea she was in London – or even England. She has always been a gadabout and never in one place for long. Piers does have fond memories of a childhood when he and his brother spent happy hours at her home. Yes, help her he must!

Great-aunt Prudence’s mystery is easily solved, and the ton is expected to behave disrespectfully and discourteously. What is not expected is for April’s past to rear its ugly head in the form of blackmail and murder. The blackmailer raises many memories for April, and she has to deal with those before she and Petteril can enjoy their Christmas.

While there was a murder to investigate, this was still a sweet, lovely, happy Christmas story that will make you smile much more often than it will make you frown. We visit with several old friends and meet some new ones that I hope will drop in for visits occasionally. If you are looking for a quick, short, lovely story that will keep you captivated from beginning to end, this is it. I 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.