Category: Historical Mystery

Mydworth Mysteries: Dead of Night by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Dead of Night (Mydworth Mysteries #14)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #14
Publication Date: 7/1/23
Period: Interwar – 1930s – Mydworth, England
Number of Pages: 160

I have read and loved each book in this series. They are entertaining, interesting, and filled with memorable characters – even the villains. They have humor and snappy banter, and frankly, Harry and Kat remind me a bit of Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man movies from the 1930s. If you want a quick, engaging, interesting read, you can’t go wrong with any of the books in this series.

Sir Harry Mortimer and his American-born wife Kat are summoned to Harry’s Aunt Lavinia’s house in the wee hours of the morning. As former spies for their respective countries, Harry and Kat are well qualified to investigate a murder – especially one that involves Edward, the Prince of Wales. OOPS! Any public knowledge of the event must be avoided – especially since Edward is the most scandal-prone of Royals. So, the victim disappears and the house party continues as if nothing ever happened – except there are now two new guests – Harry and Kat.

With a house full of guests and with each guest full of secrets, how will Harry and Kat ever sort through them all before the end of the party? Can they truly keep the fact there was a murder secret? With everyone playing musical bed chambers, nobody was where they were supposed to be – and since the murder didn’t happen where the body was found – who was occupying the room in which it did happen?

You’ll have a delightful time delving into all of those deep, dark secrets with Harry and Kat before you and they come up with the villain of the piece. Then, for an exciting finale you get kidnappings, hold-your-breath car chases, daring escape attempts, and a satisfying resolution.

I can definitely recommend this delightful book because it is witty, entertaining, and filled with delightful characters you will come to appreciate. While all of the books can be read as standalone titles, I would suggest reading at least the first book or two in the series to understand Kat, Harry, and their backgrounds. Happy reading!

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The Dead Came Calling by J.L. Buck

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

The Dead Came Calling (Viscount Ware Mystery #3)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Viscount Ware Mysteries #3
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency – October 1812 – London
Number of Pages: 289

This story, as well as the others in the series, is well-paced, intriguing, and even bone-chilling at times. With powerfully captivating characters, political intrigue, and a fledgling justice system that is just learning to deal with all levels of society equally and justly, you’ll despair of Lucien ever finding the true murderers and gaining Sherbourne’s freedom.

Imagine Andrew Sherbourne’s shock when a woman from his past, a woman who betrayed him to the French, shows up at his home with a small child she claims is his. She just as quickly disappears leaving the child behind – and also just as quickly, is found murdered in an alley. A very stubborn and determined constable with a thorough dislike of aristocrats swiftly decides Sherry is the murderer and wants him in a noose. And … the chase is on. Will Lucien manage to find the true murderer before Bow Street tries and then hangs Sherry for murder?

There are few, if any, clues to guide him, and with little help from Rothe (their spy boss), Lucien hardly knows where to start. He is also missing his normal help mates because Sherry must remain in hiding as much as possible and Lady Anne is days away from London nursing her ailing mother. Captain Wycliff (we met him in the last book) quickly offers help but the going is slow. When, finally, they get an inkling, it is time to write to Lady Anne with some questions about a neighbor of hers.

Even when Lucien knows who the villain is, he has absolutely no proof – and without proof, Bow Street will never clear Sherry. What to do, what to do? This quickly moving, intense investigation will keep you on the edge of your chair – biting your nails.

The villains are vile, the lead and supporting characters are well-developed, and the mystery is very well-plotted and executed. So, what is not to love? Well, for me it is the fact that the romance still isn’t there. There is definite growth in that direction, but, goodness, as slow-moving as the romance is, the series will be over before the romance even starts. Are the mysteries enough to keep me reading the series without a robust romance? I’m not sure it is. We’ll see.

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