Category: Historical Mystery

Review: Murder At Glenloch Hill by Clara McKenna

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Edwardian Age (1901-1910), Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/HighlanderLeave a comment

Murder at Glenloch Hill (A Stella and Lyndy Mystery Book 6)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Stella and Lyndy Mysteries #6
Publication Date: 11/26/24
Period: Edwardian – Scotland
Number of Pages: 293

Stella and Lyndy take a short jaunt to Scotland to meet Stella’s distant cousin and cheer on her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Freddy, as he plays in the British Open. Things don’t go as smoothly or as pleasantly as they had hoped when Stella stumbles across a dead body. The dead man is none other than Freddy’s father, Edwin (we’ve met him in previous books), and, unfortunately, he and Lyndy had an altercation the previous evening.

With plots, subplots, and mysteries galore, Lyndy soon becomes the focus of the investigation. Will the inept investigator jail Lyndy and forget about anyone else? Stella knows she has to solve the mystery if she wants to save Lyndy—and save him she will.

This was another delightful addition to the series and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Stella and Lyndy. I also enjoyed seeing the growth in Alice, Lyndy’s sister, as she seems to blossom while away from her mother. Lyndy and Stella’s relationship has also deepened and I enjoyed learning they were trying to conceive.

Overall, this was a well-written mystery with compelling characters, victims, and villains. You’ll vacillate between potential murderers – which is it? What reason did they have for murdering Sir Edwin? I hope you will enjoy this mystery as much as I did!

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

Review: The Mudlark Murders by Lana Williams

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

The Mudlark Murders: A Victorian Historical Murder Mystery (The Field & Greystone Series Book 2)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Field & Greystone Series
Publication Date: 11/26/24
Period: Victorian London – 1883

This author may be new to writing mysteries, but she has brought over every ounce of her enviable writing abilities. The Mudlark Murders is the second captivating and intriguing mystery in her new Field & Greystone series featuring Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Field and widowed Amelia Greystone. Field and Greystone are interesting and relatable characters with a dynamic interpersonal relationship – dare we hope there is a budding romance there?

Amelia is interviewing barge captain Booth for an article she is writing for London Life when two young children discover a body along the shore. The two children are mudlarks – and the body belongs to their young friend and fellow mudlark, Nora. Nora was fine the day before, how could she suddenly be dead? There are no wounds, but she appears to have flecks of throw-up on her lip and shoe. Poison? Who would poison a defenseless child?

When Scotland Yard declines to open a case – because – well – poor, powerless, child – Henry knows he has to investigate on his own time. Amelia also wants to do her share and they stir the hornet’s nest between them. With another death, the solution becomes more urgent. Who might be next?

This is an intriguing read with nefarious government organizations, disappearing children, and murder. With other children and even Amelia in the murderer’s cross-hairs, they know they have to move quickly.

I enjoyed the excellently done mystery, the hints of romance to come, and the cast of characters. I also enjoyed Sergeant Adam Fletcher’s return and assume he will continue to be a supporting character.

If you want an interesting, well-written mystery with a tad of romance, this might be the book for you. I’m looking forward to seeing Amelia and Henry’s romance blossom, and to seeing them solve many more excellent mysteries.

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