Category: Historical Mystery

The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers

On By TracyIn Blog Tour, Book Publicity, First Person Narrative, Gothic Historical, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal / Fantasy, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Third Wife of Faraday HouseThe Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers

Tracy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Orphaned Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to be free of her guardians, the very strict Shackletons and to begin a new life with her love, Lieutenant Frederick Fletcher in Bermuda. But when she is caught in a compromising situation with Frederick, her guardians quickly arrange her marriage to a man of their choosing, widower Captain Graves and she is sent away, with hopes that her Lieutenant will rescue her. When Emeline arrives at Faraday House, she soon learns that the captain’s second wife, Georgina, though gravely ill, is not dead! Emeline with the help of Georgina, the cold, but intriguing Reverand Pellerine and some supernatural intervention, is determined to discover the truth of Faraday House and just maybe find her own HEA.

I was so excited to read this book, I love a good gothic romance and was really looking forward to this book after reading the blurb. Then I started it and realized that it is written in the First-Person Narrative, I hate FPN. Then as I continued reading, it became obvious that this story is definitely more mystery than romance, but it has a strong gothic feel, and the mystery was well plotted albeit slow moving. I personally find it hard to connect with characters in the first person, so I struggled with this book, but lovers of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights will probably enjoy this story more than I did. Overall, it was a decent read with a happy ending. Not a book I would read again, but if you like gothic mystery with a dash of supernatural and don’t mind FPN, you will probably enjoy this book.

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

A Scandal in Mayfair by Katharine Schellman

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

A Scandal in Mayfair (Lily Adler Mystery, #5)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lily Adler Mystery #5
Publication Date: 8/20/24
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 317

For the last couple of years, Lily Adler has been up to her pretty eyeballs mourning her husband, being courted by and rejecting various suitors, and solving murder mysteries. Yes, that is quite a varied set of activities there! Lily performs discrete inquiries, and the key word there is discrete because if the word got out into society, she would be ruined. Lily believes in finding justice for people who have been wronged therefore, she is inclined to help young Miss Sarah Forrest when the young lady asks her. However, Miss Forrest’s fiancé is accompanying her, and unbeknownst to Miss Forrest, he threatens Lily with exposure if she doesn’t help. Well, that will never do!

When, a few days later, that same fiancé is accused of murder, he swears he is innocent and begs Lily to help. Life would be easier to let him be hanged, but, what if he is telling the truth? Lily’s sense of justice and fair play won’t let her walk away without at least looking into it.

Goodness, what a tangled web Lily and her friends uncover. There is not just one murder, but several, along with attempted murders, poisonings, desertion, impersonation, and more. It is a very convoluted search for the truth and young Miss Forrest’s problem seems to be at the heart of all of it. Can Lily and her friends solve it before Lily’s life is forfeit? Even if she solves it, can they find proof?

This was a compelling mystery with many suspects, red herrings, unsympathetic victims, and some victims that will have you holding your breath to see if they survive. Another thing I liked about this particular book is that the author managed to move the romance between Lily and Captain Hartley forward significantly without impacting the mystery. Personally, I MUST have some romance to go along with my mysteries and I was about ready to give up on the series because it seemed that wouldn’t happen.

It was nice to see that several supporting cast members had significant roles in this mystery even though it was Lily who put all of the pieces of the puzzle together. I really like Captain Hartley’s sister, Amelia, and was glad to see her featured along with Lady Carroway and Constable Page and his lovely family.

Should you choose to read this book, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.