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

A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson

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

A Deadly Affair (Angus Brodie & Mikaela Forsythe #1)

Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Angus Brodie & Mikaela Forsythe #1
Publication Date: 7/19/22
Period: Victorian London (1889)
Number of Pages: 326

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I can assure you it won’t be the last. I love historical mysteries, and this one was first-rate. How could you go wrong when you have a willful, intelligent, self-reliant, female author and a strong, masculine, stubborn, protective Scot squaring off against each other while also accompanied by a former soldier who has no legs, a strong-minded dog, and an actress who is very eccentric (she has a pet Iguana)? My only complaint about the book is that it has such a very long series title – so, you can tell I really didn’t find anything wrong at all.

Mikaela Forsythe is a strong, intelligent, and very independent woman – who just happens to also write adventure novels loosely based upon her own travels and adventures. As part of those adventures, she’s learned many ways to defend herself with weapons and without. Therefore, when she learns her sister has gone missing, she knows she’s just the one to find her. Being an intelligent woman, she knows she also needs someone who is knowledgeable in the process of investigation. The aunt who raised her highly recommends Angus Brodie, Private Investigator – so – off she goes to obtain his services.

Angus Brodie came up from the streets to become an Inspector with the Metropolitan Police but then parted ways with them under a cloud. He now has offices and living accommodations in an area that isn’t quite the best part of London and seems to spend a lot of his time with wine, women, and song. He’s not inclined to help Mikaela until she tells him her aunt sent her. It would seem Angus Brodie and her aunt have had dealings before and he’s kindly disposed to help her when he can. So, a partnership of sorts is formed – although it might be a bit fraught with disagreements – loud disagreements.

Brodie and Mikaela are often at loggerheads with each other, but they each quickly learn to respect the other’s talents and they’ll quickly need all of the talents each of them possesses. As we move from kidnapping, to murder, to more murders, to civil unrest, and anarchy, our protagonists have to call on every resource they can find. Can they solve the murders? Will they find Mikaela’s missing sister? Who are those shadowy, shady characters who seem to be showing up wherever Mikaela is? Are the Royals involved? OMGoodness! So many questions, so much intrigue, so much action and you’ll just have to read the book to find all of those answers!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was lively, entertaining, and contained just the right amount of wit and humor to lighten those much more serious scenes. I am thoroughly looking forward to the next book in the series – which, by the way, is nicely set up at the end of this one. You’ll come to really like all of the characters as well as the excellent writing style of the author, and the pacing of the story.

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The Rose of a Sultan’s Son by Linda Rae Sande

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The Rose of a Sultan's SonBarbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: The Heirs of the Aristocracy #8
Publication Date: 4/14/23
Period: Early Victorian – 1844
Number of Pages: 330

I am always excited when I get a new book from this author! Her books are always filled with delightfully entertaining, witty, ready-for-romance characters you’ll absolutely wish were in your own life. Then, what could be better than getting two romances for the price of one? Yep, I think all of her books probably have two romances each. If you are tired of prickly, angsty, naval-gazing, will they/won’t they romances, then this is the author for you.

If you’ve read this author’s works, you know her characters are somewhat interconnected. It is similar to what Stephanie Laurens does with the Cynster family, only this author has several characters from different families who relate to or know each other. I like that because when one of those earlier characters pops up, you get to remember how lovely it was to read their book and it is nice to see where their lives have taken them since. However, don’t let that concern you because if you haven’t read any of those other books, you’ll do just fine reading this one.

We met and loved Ertugrul (pronounced Er-too-rule) and David Bennett-Jones, in The Lady of A Sultan, and we now get to see them find their HEAs. Ertugrul is the son and heir of Ziyaeddin, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and David is the son and heir of Viscount Bostwick. David has decided to end his Grand Tour and return to England to find a bride. Unbeknownst to David, Ertugrul, who is accompanying him, plans to find an English bride as well. Will it be a long and arduous Season for them? Will the matchmaking mamas drive them crazy? Or, does one of them already know who they want and they just have to make it happen? What about those matchmaking papas – that should make for some interesting situations. Hmmmmmm.

Lady Rose, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Arily, was a diamond of the first water when she had her come out, but now she is a wallflower. Why? There was a carriage accident that caused a severely broken leg that healed badly. Damaged goods? Even as a duke’s daughter it is hard for a suitor to get past her sometimes need for a cane or a wheeled chair. She’s not content to become a spinster, but she is resigned to that being the likelihood.

Adeline, who is David Bennett-Jones’s sister, has also become a wallflower, but that is mostly by her choice. Several of her friends – especially Rose – seem to be relegated to the ranks of wallflowers, so she’ll just join them. She’s not especially looking forward to becoming a spinster, but she has many plans for her future with or without a husband. Among those plans is running her mother’s charities. She works there two or three days a week and loves being able to help others. If someone wants her hand, they’ll have to find her because she isn’t actively looking.

It was lovely to see David, Rose, Ertugrul, and Adeline find their perfect mate and their lovely HEA. The book is excellently written, perfectly paced, and filled with memorable characters and romances that will make your heart sing.

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

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