Category: Tracy’s Reviews

The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

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

The Innkeeper's Intrigue (Lockstone Hollow Mystery Series)The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lockstone Hollow Mystery, #2

Release Date: October 13, 2026

Lady Lisette Birtwhistle has finally come to terms with the events surrounding the murder of her former betrothed and has settled into village life. As the primary leaseholder of the village thanks to her late brother, the Duke of Winbury, Lisette has big plans for the town and hopes to help all the townspeople profit from the changes she has in mind. But when another body is found, it could mean disaster, so the sooner the murderer is found the better.

Though Lisette is leery to get involved, especially after the danger she found herself in last time, when the grumpy constable, Maxwell Sowerby, asks for her help, she can’t refuse. The victim was a good friend of the constable, so he has even more reason to find the assailant. They work together and follow the leads, but rather than bringing them closer together, despite the mutual attraction, Lisette realizes that Maxwell has no intention of making Lockstock Hollow his home and that as long as that is true, they can have no future. And when they almost come to blows after they have different ideas on how to proceed and once again Lisette finds herself in peril.

This was another well written and nicely plotted mystery by Deb Marlowe, and I enjoyed returning to Lockstone Hollow. Lisette is once again called upon to help solve murder, but this time her help has been requested, which makes readers believe that she might decide about her feelings for the constable. In the previous book, I had hoped that Lisette would end up with the constable, but after this book, I am hoping she saves her heart for Royce Logan, the mysterious carpenter. That aside, the story was filled with intrigue, lots of possible suspects, family secrets, blackmail, cute goats, and finally a very suspenseful ending with a bit of a romantic twist. Overall, this was a very intriguing read that I think will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy historical mysteries featuring a strong, intelligent heroine.

*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. *

 

When You Rescued Me by Sian Ann Bessey

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), historical-romance, New To Me Author, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

When You Rescued MeWhen You Rescued Me by Sian Ann Bessey

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: October 6, 2026

Orphaned and forced into a life of crime to survive, young Samuel Ross’ luck finally ran out the day he met Hannah Dennington. He had the misfortune to enter the pawn shop that Hannah and her father were in and tried to hide the watch he had lifted to escape the Bow Street Runner after him, and he might have gotten away if Hannah hadn’t informed the Runner of the location of the hidden watch. He is taken to the magistrate Sir John Fielding and fully expected to be sentenced to death, but Sir John decided that Samuel deserved a second chance and sent him to the Marine Society. There he was trained to join the Royal Navy. Now twelve years later, Samuel is back in London and in need of work after being injured in the war and discharged from the Navy. He tries his luck once again with Sir John and is given a chance to become a Bow Street Runner, never imagining that he would once again cross paths with Hannah.

For years Hannah believed that Samuel was sent to the gallows and prayed for his soul, while blaming herself for his death and never forgetting his solemn gray eyes. So, twelve years later when she is saved from a highwayman by a Bow Street Runner, she is shocked to see the same gray eyes but didn’t make the connection. She and Samuel grow close while working together to find the man that accosted her, and she deeply hurt when she learns who he really is and that he kept it from her. She sends him away and tries to move on, but her heart is not ready to let him go, despite her hurt feelings. Can a man with a checkered past and a lady of good breeding find a way to happily ever after?

This was a very well written, nicely paced story with wonderful characters and an intriguing storyline. I especially liked Samuel, he was such a great hero, and I loved seeing his transformation from street urchin to a decent upstanding man. Hannah was very much a lady of her era but didn’t shy from pursuing her passion for business and was lucky enough to have an indulgent father. I did think she was a bit dramatic upon finding out that Samuel was the same boy she thought she had sent to the gallows all those years ago, but thankfully she realizes the error in her thinking and makes amends. Overall, this was a very sweet, no-steam story with great secondary characters, a decent mystery, second chances, intrigue, a bit of drama and finally a twist that gives Samuel and Hannah a well-deserved HEA.

*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. *