Category: Tracy’s Reviews

Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Murder at Donwell Abbey (Emma Knightley Mysteries Book 2)Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Emma Knightley Mysteries #2

Release Date: November 25, 2025

Things have finally settled down after the excitement of last year’s murder and now that her father is preparing to marry Miss Bates, Emma Knightley is tasked with throwing the happy couple a betrothal ball. She is wondering how to accommodate all the guests that Miss Bates wants to invite at Hartfield when her brother-in-law John suggests that she host the event at her husband’s estate – Donwell Abbey. Since her father is to remarry, it means that she and George can finally move to his estate, and throwing a party is a perfect way to determine what needs to be done at the manor before they relocate.

But things don’t go as planned and the night ends with the death of Donwell Abbey’s chambermaid Prudence Parr. At first glance, it appears her death is a tragic accident, but on closer examination it is clear that she was murdered. Emma is horrified by the murder and can’t trust either the village’s inept constable or their coroner to catch the real killer, so once again, she investigates the crime and soon realizes Prudence’s murder may be linked to other criminal activities in Highbury. Together with her husband George, her father’s betrothed Miss Bates and her nephew Henry, Emma will follow the clues and find justice for Prudence.

What a great installment of the Emma Knightley Mysteries! This book starts about 6 months after the last book and Emma getting ready to turn over the reins of Hartfield and become the mistress of Donwell Abbey, but a murder shakes up everything! The story has a tragic murder, wonderful secondary characters, smuggling, lots of suspects, twists and turns, before coming to a nail-biting ending! This book had me absolutely sure I knew who the murderer was but then had me second guessing myself more than once, only to be surprised that in the end, I was both right and wrong! Overall, this was a great read and one I highly recommend to lovers of a good mystery. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*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. *

Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

On By TracyIn New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Romantasy, Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain AnymoreViolet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone ?

Release Date: November 18, 2025

After Karina the Tempest, Protector of the Queen’s Realm of Mereth defeats the Evil Sorcerer Guy Shadowfade, she shows mercy on his right-hand, the Thornwitch and implores her to change her ways and be good. And so, begins the life of Violet Thistlewaite…Florist. Violet moves to the village of Dragon’s Rest in the shadow of Shadowfade Castle and opens a florist/garden shop. She is determined to be good and instead of using her Thornwitch magic, digs deep and finds a well of different magic that she uses to conjure plants and flowers for her shop. She is immediately welcomed by many members of the community, but her landlord, Nathaniel Marsh seems set on disliking her. She slowly breaks through his tough shell and finds something special with him; she wants to be honest with him but is sure he and all the townsfolk will hate her when they learn her secrets. But when a ghost from her past and new magical problem threatens the town, the choice to keep her secrets may be lost.

Nathaniel never wanted to run the family apothecary, his dream was to become an alchemist and use that knowledge to make new concoctions for the business. But with the death of his parents, he is forced to return home and help his twin sister Pru to save Marsh Apothecary. Unfortunately, he learns that his parents went into debt to send him to school, making him feel guiltier than he already did. To make ends meet, he agrees to rent out half of the building to a newcomer. Angry at circumstances and wracked with guilt, he is determined to make the shop a success and ignore his inconvenient attraction to the witch that is renting part of his shop and sharing his workspace in the greenhouse. He tries to keep Violet at bay, but when a magical blight strikes the town, he is happy for her help, until he learns the truth of her past. Can they overcome their combined secrets and save the town and find their HEA?

I was intrigued by the title, sucked in by the blurb and held captive by the story. The story starts a bit slow, but it soon picks up speed and made it almost impossible to put down. The book has a lot going on but never loses focus on the transformation of Violet from villain to heroine. This story has wonderful characters, a murderous pothos plant, rock goblins, gnomes, secrets, magic, a slow-burn romance, warm love scenes, betrayal, surprising twists, shocking revelations and finally closure and the promise of HEA. What a great read, and I was shocked to learn this was a debut novel – it certainly didn’t read that way! I sincerely hope that Ms. Krempholtz writes Pru’s story, but I will read the next book regardless of who she writes about!

*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. *