Category: Interwar Period (Nov 1918 – Sep 1939)

The period between the end of WWI and the beginning of WWII

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!

View all my reviews

A Botanist’s Guide to Flowers and Fatality by Kate Khavari

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

A Botanist's Guide to Flowers and Fatality (Saffron Everleigh Mystery, #2)

Barbara’s rating: 4.3 out of 5 Stars
Series: Saffron Everleigh Mystery #2
Publication Date: 6/6/23
Period: 1920’s London – George V – Interwar Period
Number of Pages: 352

Saffron Everleigh has worked hard, defied her family, and found success at a time and place where women were relegated to fetching coffee, typing notes, and running a home. Were it not for her hard-headed determination and brilliant mind, she’d still be doing all of those things. Instead, she is a researcher at University College with her own office and a research grant. That grant comes with a partner, Dr. Lee, who is handsome, suave, and very dedicated to medicine. Their task is to investigate poisonings from poisonous plants and to document the plant, its location, the effect on the person who was poisoned, etc. Saffron is very excited about the project because it means she’ll have a published paper before she even starts her masters program at the university.

If you read the first book, you’ll remember Inspector Green who was constantly trying to keep Saffron out of his investigation. This time, he’s come to her asking for help. It seems there have been three murders – all by different methods – but all victims received strange flower arrangements prior to or at the time of their deaths. The murders are all definitely related – but how – and what prompted these strange bouquets? The inspector is interested in having Saffron identify the plants – which she does. She also discovers the old meanings (floriography) of the different plants and passes that along as well.

Being Saffron, she also inveigles more information from the Inspector and takes it upon herself to begin investigating – even bringing a reluctant Dr. Lee into it. They trek through dingy clubs where drugs are as prevalent as alcohol, and they befriend people who have much to hide. Who among the denizens of this dark world could have wanted three people dead? Or, are they even looking in the right place?

I’m definitely a romantic and I just have to have a romance in my mysteries. I’m not sure where this series is headed in that area, but I’m ready for the male romantic lead to be settled. I’m not one for the will-they/won’t-they scenario and that is what this is so far. Yes, this is only the second book, but we should have a pretty clear view of where this is headed by now – and we don’t. I’m pretty sure Dr. Lee is currently out of the romantic picture and Ashton may or may not be. I’m guessing Ashton will be the romantic lead, especially with how the third book is set up at the end of this one – but – you never know.

As for Saffron, I have to wonder a bit about her. She is brilliant and dedicated, but she seems to be oblivious to the feelings of those around her – at least the male portion of the population. They are all supposed to be totally supportive and understanding of her, but she seems to have no clue about them. For instance – Dr. Lee wanted to drop out of the investigation – so she just got angry with him rather than wondering (or asking) what the reason was. Then, there is Ashton with PTSD and she doesn’t seem to want to make any allowances for his feelings of protectiveness or his personal battles with flashbacks. Yes, he has a real problem with actually expressing his feelings, but she doesn’t seem to care enough about him to delve into why any of that might be. While I find her mind to be very sharp, I find her heart to be a tad slow, selfish, and dull. I’m hoping that will change with the next book.

I recommend this book and this series and I hope you will enjoy it. There are plenty of twists and turns, lots of red herrings, plenty of danger for all of our characters, and a thoroughly satisfying wrap-up for the villain. Then, of course, there is the set-up for the next book and I can’t wait to see where that one leads us. BTW – you do not have to have read the first book to enjoy this one – however, I believe it will add much to your enjoyment of this book if you understand more about Saffron’s journey to get to where she is now.

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

View all my reviews