Top Pick – Highly Recommended – Page 2 – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury

Series: The Oxford Guide, #1

Release Date: September 1, 2026

In the fall of 1950, the Honorable Miss Ginevra “Gin” Bishop has started her Modern Languages studies as an underclassman at Oxford, hoping that this will finally help her move on from the grief of losing her mother. She never expected to be drawn into espionage or to be partnered with a man who seems like he can’t stand the sight of her. But it almost seems like Gin was born to be a spy, and when she learns that her father is planning for her life and inheritance, she is determined to finish her mission and claim her reward. She just needs to convince the taciturn Mr. Sidney Braithwaite, her fellow student and former military intelligence operative she was partnered with to cooperate!

Mr. Sidney Braithwaite has returned to Oxford after taking a year off after the war to heal and to help his parents settle into their new home. He hopes returning to his studies after a five-year absence will help him finally put the war behind him. But almost immediately “The Rook”, his intelligence handler from the war tries to pull him back into his spy ring, when whispers of treason abound and a librarian informant at the college is murdered. At first, he refuses, especially with a Gin as a partner, but she is more relentless than the Rook. And once again he finds himself drawn into the cloak and dagger world of spying. As he gets to know Gin, he grudgingly admits to himself that she isn’t what he assumed the daughter of a viscount would be, as she is incredibly intelligent, resourceful and very attractive. Together, they uncover much more than they were looking for and form a bond that neither expected.

I loved this story; it was so much more emotional and immersive than I was expecting. Gin and Sidney both entered the story with things in their pasts that haunted them, resentment and a true desire to change their lives, but neither expected to be drawn into a spy ring, or that doing so would help them find the answers they were looking for in their own lives. The story is filled with intrigue, murder, lots of suspects, great secondary characters, secrets, a bit of mutual attraction, a slow building but ultimately strong partnership, more than one twist and satisfying ending with the suggestion of more adventures to come! This book was hard to put down and left me wanting more, if you enjoy a good mystery with wonderful, strong characters, you need to read this book!

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

The Apothecary’s Poison by Lana Williams

Tracy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: The Field & Greystone Mysteries, #7

Release Date: August 18, 2026

Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Fielding has returned to work after the bombing that nearly took his life in the previous book. He is called to the scene of a suspicious death, it quickly becomes clear that once again the victim has ties to his ladylove, widow Amelia Greystone. The victim, Theodore Crumpe died after taking a dose of “Mr. Tooley’s Special Tonic for Nervous Exhaustion”, his wife administered the dose, but swears she just bought the bottle that morning and claims the apothecary must have done something to the tonic. Henry will have to tread lightly, as the apothecary, Mr. Tooley, is a family friend to Amelia and had just helped her with an article she was writing about the effectiveness of so-called cures that are being sold. Things only get more complicated when Amelia’s own father gets pulled into the investigation.

Amelia Greystone wants nothing more than to aid Henry but knows that her connection to Mr. Tooley would make it hard for Henry to investigate the crime without anyone questioning his findings. Things only get worse when her parents show up unexpectedly, making it impossible for Henry to share too much with her. She understands that he can include her in the investigation, but that doesn’t mean she can’t glean some information on her own.

This was yet another great installment of the Field and Greystone Mysteries! The mystery was so complicated and well done, that I found myself questioning my own thoughts of “whodunit”, and I was impressed with the ending and annoyed with myself for not figuring it out sooner! I also enjoyed the gentle progression of Henry and Amelia’s relationship and fell a little in love with Henry myself. Overall, I just loved this book and think it might actually be my favorite in the series (so far) and I am looking forward to the next installment. This is the seventh book in the series, and it could easily be read as a standalone title, but I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

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

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