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

Deadly Ghost by Carla Simpson

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Scottish/Highlander, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Deadly Ghost (Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery Book 12)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe #12
Publication Date: 4/22/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 205

A Captivating and Fast-Paced Mystery! Carla Simpson’s Deadly Ghost is a thrilling ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story takes us deeper into Mikaela’s life, revealing important elements of her past while she and Brodie tackle a mysterious case that is both personal and dangerous. As Brodie and Mikaela navigate through the unexpected twists and turns, the stakes get higher, and the suspense becomes almost unbearable.

Simpson does a brilliant job of balancing a gripping plot with strong character development. The fast-paced narrative never loses its momentum, making this book impossible to put down. Each chapter leaves you eager to uncover the next clue, and Simpson’s knack for crafting compelling suspense is on full display here.

Mikaela, Brodie, and the rest of their crew have spent the last few months in Scotland while London is in the grip of a deadly influenza outbreak, but their normal life slams in full force upon their return. It seems there is a woman about town who looks just like Mikaela – and makes family claims. Is she truly just a lonely woman seeking family where she thought she had none? Or is there something more sinister going on? When strange things happen, Mikaela and Brodie know they must solve the puzzle before something happens. Does Mikaela have a new family member, or is there a villain in the mix? Could both be true?

This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery—packed with excitement, rich storytelling, and the perfect mix of thrills and character insight. Simpson continues to prove why she’s a standout voice in the genre. Highly recommended!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Duke and Lady Scandal by Christy Carlyle

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Duke and Lady Scandal (Princes of London #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Princes of London #1
Publication Date: 4/1/25
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 364

What happens when a bluestocking, whirlwind of an antiquities store owner meets a staid, no-nonsense Scotland Yard Inspector? Chaos and romance at its best. This was a really fun start to a new series, and I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

Alexandra Prince was the one who was always left behind in her adventurous family – and she doesn’t like it a bit. While her parents and siblings were off on exploring adventures, she was at home – sickly. She is outspoken, a bit impulsive, and honest to a fault, and those traits often land her in a bit of bother, much to the lament of her brother, Dominic, and her sister, Eve. Really, she just wants to do good and be of help. So, when she overhears snatches of a conversation about stealing the crown jewels, she goes to Scotland Yard to tell her tale. When the very handsome inspector actually listened to her, she was more than pleased.

Detective Inspector Benedict Drake is bound and determined to climb to the highest ranks in Scotland Yard. He is a workaholic who lives and breathes his cases. He has come a long way since his humble beginnings, and nothing is going to come between him and success. Then, this whirlwind of a chit barges into his office with tales about someone planning to steal the crown jewels. He concedes she is being honest and really believes what she’s saying – but – without descriptions or identifying details, there is no way to even begin to track anybody down.

As Ben follows leads to wrap up the case he’s been working on – and do inquiries into Alexandra’s reported case- they become more and more drawn to each other. Ben just wants to keep her safe and away from investigating, but she’s having none of it. She’s always wanted to have her own adventure, and now she will.

This was an enjoyable read with compelling, likable characters and a good mystery. I enjoyed watching Ben learn that success wasn’t necessarily what he thought it was.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews