Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

The Sign of Death by Callie Hutton

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The Sign of Death (A Victorian Book Club Mystery #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: A Victorian Book Club Mystery #2
Publication Date: 4/13/21
Number of Pages: 327

This exciting, witty, exceptionally well-told tale is an excellent addition to the series. The writing is excellent, the plotting is well planned and delivered, and the characters are absolutely delightful. The exchanges between William and Amy are priceless and will keep you chuckling even in the midst of the serious investigation. It is fast-paced enough to keep you quickly turning the pages, yet provides enough detail to make you feel as if you are right there with them.

Viscount William Wethington has no clue about what trouble is about to befall him as he sits and waits for his man of business, James Harding. Harding cancels the appointment and is soon fished out of the River Avon. Our favorite inept policemen from the last book ask William to come to the morgue to identify a body they’ve fished out of the river. It seems one of William’s calling cards was in the man’s pocket. The police tell William that it appears to be an accidental drowning because the man was drunk.

William and Lady Amy begin to investigate because William is sure the death wasn’t an accident because Harding didn’t drink – and William was also pretty sure Harding had been embezzling from him. As more of Harding’s victims are identified and they discover that Harding was doing more than embezzlement, there are more suspects than they know what to do with. Except, Detectives Carson and Marsh are convinced that William is not only a murderer, but that he has also taken over Harding’s nefarious enterprise. The detectives are so very sure William is the culprit, they aren’t even looking at or for anyone else. It is totally up to Lady Amy and William to find the real murderer. Could there be more than one? So many have motives, could they be working together? Oh! You’ll just have to read the story to find out who it was – and why they did it.

There is an absolutely fabulous ending – and epilogue! It is delightful and will have you smiling from ear-to-ear. I definitely recommend this delightfully entertaining, witty, and engrossing book.

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

Dance With Death by Will Thomas

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Dance with Death: A Barker & Llewelyn Novel
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Barker and Llewelyn #12
Publication Date: 4/13/21
Number of Pages: 320

Russians have invaded London! Well, not really, but it sure seems like it in this newest release in the Victorian Barker and Llewelyn series. The enigmatic Barker and the intrepid Llewelyn definitely have their work cut out for them in trying to untangle the web of intrigue and assassination aimed at Russia’s royal family – or is it England’s royal family in the crosshairs? Oh! You’ll not be able to put this one down until the very end, and then you’ll sigh with contentment — and then frustration because it is all over and you have to wait for the next one.

In the middle of 1893, England is abuzz with news and plans for the upcoming wedding of Queen Victoria’s son George to Princess Mary. Part of that buzz is happy anticipation for England’s royal family and the continuing alliances being made by royal marriages. Another part of that buzz is from citizens, anarchists, and socialists who vociferously protest the massive amount of spending being done for the wedding. In their view, that money could be much better spent on helping the poor, feeding the hungry, etc.

As Barker and Llewelyn sat at their desks, they could hear a lovely, rich, baritone voice in their reception area. As Mr. Llewelyn writes in his notes – He was American, our visitor; no one irons a sentence like an American. He was indeed an American – from Alabama, but that had nothing to do with why he was there. Jim Hercules is a former boxer who is now working in the household of the Tsar of Russia. Jim’s role is more a ceremonial one, but he has befriended the Tsar’s son and heir – Nikolai Alexandrovich. Since he’s sure Nikolai is about to be murdered, he’s come to Barber and Llewelyn to investigate and save Nikolai’s life. While Barker doesn’t immediately accept the case, he does decide to feel things out.

Things are very tense in London at the moment and there are a great many anarchists present who have been persecuted in Russia – they are spoiling to start something – and many of them think assassination would be just the thing to start the revolution that would bring Russia down. As Barker and Llewelyn are passing the palace, they manage to thwart an attempted assassination that almost takes the life of Prince George. Was he really the target? Prince George and Nikolai look very much alike.

It will take all of Barker’s cunning and Llewelyn’s perseverance to keep Nikolai alive. Can they manage it? Nikolai is a spoiled, brattish, immature, child-man who has absolutely no concept of danger. Nikolai throws more wrenches in the works than you can keep up with – he has even brought his mistress along to even further put a wrench in the works.

Who is the assassin called La Sylphide? When you learn, your jaw will drop because, if you’ve read other books in the series, you have met them before. There are twists and turns and things you just won’t see coming before all is solved. Or is it?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can highly recommend it. At the end, there is a twist we didn’t see coming and I’m pretty sure it will rear its head again in a future book or two. I didn’t care for Rebecca’s reaction to that twist that came at the end. After all, every bit of that came before she and Thomas were an item. It didn’t detract from the story, and I highly recommend you giving it a try. This is one I’ll definitely read again.

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