Category: Historical Mystery

Murder at King’s Crossing by Andrea Penrose

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

Murder at King’s Crossing (Wrexford & Sloane, #8)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #8
Publication Date: 9/24/24
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 372

Charlotte, Wrex, and the Weasels are looking forward to spending some quiet and peaceful time in the country after they host the wedding of their friends Christopher (Kit) Sheffield and Cordelia Mansfield. Alas, it was not to be as the ink had hardly dried on the registry page before the coroner and magistrate from a nearby area arrived and announced they’d found a body with no identification other than an invitation to Kit and Cordelia’s wedding. Once they determine who it must be – and that he had been murdered – nothing would do but except for them to investigate. All clues point in one direction – but – surely he isn’t the murderer. Or is he?

It is all hands on deck to identify the murderer and to find Oliver, Cordelia’s missing cousin. The deceased, Jasper Milton, is a brilliant engineer whose brain grasps abstract concepts and designs that will improve the lives of everyone and is the best friend of Oliver, Cordelia’s missing cousin. Is Oliver also deceased? Or, is Oliver the murderer?

As more bodies turn up, the investigation becomes more and more intense. Then, if you add in shadowy government figures, you have no idea what to expect. The plot is delightfully twisted and leaves your head spinning as you wonder what happens next. Never fear, Wrexford, Charlotte, the Weasels, and the rest of the characters will tease out the clues – and even invade Eton before they finally have the solution. WOW! What a ride.

One of the things I love about this author’s books is the amount of research she does to truly understand the period in which the story is set and the scientific developments at the time. Those things are seamlessly woven into a story that will intrigue you and improve your mind at the same time. The characters have all grown and developed throughout the series and have become one big family. As always, I started wishing for the next book in the series as soon as I finished this one.

You will probably like this book if you love complex characters solving an intricately woven, nuanced, exciting, and interesting mystery. This can be read as a standalone story, but you should read at least one or two of the earlier books to truly understand the characters, their growth, their relationships, etc. This author always includes a lengthy Author’s Note section and it is always excellent reading if you are interested in learning more about the author’s research. Happy Reading!

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

The Ravenkeeper’s Daughter by Lana Williams

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

The Ravenkeeper's Daughter: A Victorian Historical Murder Mystery (The Field & Greystone Series Book 1)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Series: The Field & Greystone Series
Publication Date: 9/17/24
Period: Victorian London. 1883

What a delightful surprise to find this outstanding historical romance author making her first foray into the world of historical mysteries. She did prodigious amounts of research, is true to the period in which the story is set, and created an atmospheric story that will pull you in from the first dark, eerie, fog-filled scene and hold you until the last word on the last page.

Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Field has a long and illustrious history to live up to as both his father and grandfather were outstanding Chief Inspectors before him. Everyone is always watching him – hoping for a mistake – so they can feel better about their own mediocrity. The case to which he has just been assigned may be the case for which they have been hoping. With no clues and no witnesses to a murder that happened in the middle of the night, it will take a miracle to solve it. Well, a miracle or one very frightened, traumatized, six-year-old child who can neither speak nor hear. A child who is missing. Did she meet the same fate as her father?

Widow Amelia Greystone is shocked and amazed when young Maeve Pritchard shows up at her door. The child is barefoot, dirty, still in her nightwear, and frightened beyond measure, but she has managed to travel across London on her own. Amelia takes Maeve in, cleans her up, and then heads out to let her father know where Maeve is and that she is safe.

This author weaves a tale of intrigue and treachery that will have you biting your nails wondering who did it and what their motives could have been. Your heart will break for poor orphaned Maeve as she tries to communicate what happened to her father, and you will commiserate with Henry as every effort to find a clue yields nothing. Of course, you will also smile and sing a happy song when Henry identifies the villain.

I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what happens in the next one. I particularly enjoyed the author’s ability to set a scene and make you feel the emotions that were taking place. Another thing I enjoyed was the very unique setting and profession of the victim. Who would have thought ravens could have been an integral part of a book – and that you would love it? Yet, it is true. With so many red herrings and suspects, it is a wonder Henry and Amelia manage to put it all together. This is an intriguing, interesting, story from the unsettling first chapters through the twist at the end.

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