In my tbr stack

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This is a book that I am currently reading.

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Elly Griffiths is an author who does not rest on her laurels. I first got to know this author through her Ruth Galloway novels; so far, she has written thirteen of these. Ruth is a bit shambolic, very smart and a forensic archaeologist. Fans eagerly follow her relationship with (married) Nelson and her friends, including a Druid named Cathbad. This may all sound a bit odd but I assure you, these books are among my most favorite.

Ms. G. has also written two books in a new series. These are The Stranger Diaries and The Postscript Murders. These feature a lesbian, Musilin detective. They are complex and enjoyable.

The Midnight Hour is part of another series. This is an historical series that has featured magician Max Mephisto and Detective Edgar Stephens. The first, The ZigZag Girl was published about five years ago.

In this entry in the series, PI Emma and her partner, Sam Collins have at least one problem…Emma is married to Edgar Stephens who is also called in. Who murdered the husband of a music hall star? How will Emma and Edgar work together.. or not? And, where will Max fit in? Read this one to find out. It will provide readers with a small escape from daily life.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

Christmas Day is the perfect day for reviewing this novel. So many of us think about The Nutcracker around this time of year. Now, author M.A. Kuzniar has put a new twist on the tale.

Things I enjoyed about this book included the settings, both in Nottingham and the sumptuousness in the life of Marietta’s family. There were wonderful descriptions of clothing, food, homes and more. True, this abundance does not mean that the characters are happy. Both Marietta and her brother Frederick are ahead of their time and want lives that their parents cannot understand. For Marietta, that is the freedom to put off marriage and to dream about being a star ballerina. For Frederick, it would be to become an artist and to be able to be with the man for whom he cares. (These are not major spoilers as these are things that become known to readers early in the novel.)

When Dr. Drosselmeier moves next door, he is a man that many want to invite to their homes. He comes, however to Marietta’s family. What will happen because of this? What strange adventures will befall Marietta? Will these characters find happiness? Read this very Christmas time title to find out. I am glad that I did!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Anne Perry has been writing Christmas novellas for many years; A Christmas Revelation is this year’s entry. This is a story about Worm, a precocious orphan, who lives at a shelter/ women’s clinic whose bookkeeper is a reformed criminal named Squeaky. Readers of the William Monk series will recognize the clinic as the one where Hester works and will also know that Squeaky is a regular series character.

Worm sees a beautiful woman on the street who appears angelic to him. When he realizes that she is in trouble, Worm wants to help. Because he cares for Worm, Squeaky becomes involved in a somewhat convoluted plot to help her. Their efforts form the plot of the novella.

In the fore and backgrounds of the story is the spirit of Christmas as is appropriate for this seasonal book. The reader observes as Worm learns the meaning of the holiday and has, what appears to be, his first true holiday celebration.

Long term fans of Anne Perry will want to read this book so as to be up to date with all of her series and characters. However, much as I love Anne Perry, I have enjoyed several of her holiday novellas more than this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I very much wanted to read this book.

The Body in the Garden

A Lily Adler Mystery

by Katharine Schellman

#TheBodyInTheGarden #NetGalley

The Body in the Garden is the first title in the Lily Adler historical mystery series. A second book has already been published. This one will be an engaging treat for those who enjoy cozies set in the past. The characters are brought to life and readers will be interested in their connections to one another.

At a time when a woman’s role was to be a wife, in this story set in 1815, Lily is a young widow. This makes her place in society different from that of her peers. When the story opens, Lily has recently returned to London. Her best friend invites her to a ball, assuring Lily that, as she now wears lavender mourning garments, it is acceptable to attend. While at the soiree, Lily overhears a heated conversation in the garden. When a murder occurs, she is determined to find its cause, especially as the nascent police service has been paid not to investigate.

The victim is a friend of Miss Oswald. She is of mixed race, born outside of marriage but acknowledged by her father and is a young woman with a great fortune. She, Lily, a friend of Lily’s husband named Jack, and others are involved in the unfolding events.

Reading this book requires some suspension of disbelief. I am not convinced that Lily would have been able to do all that she does had she been a real person in this time period. However, readers who will not be bothered by that will find this to be an easy and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Lost Lights of St Kilda

by Elisabeth Gifford

Narrated by Fiona McNeill; Geoffrey Newland; Diane Brooks

The setting both in memory and as it was once is unique. St. Kilda’s was a small, very small island archipelago off the Scottish coast. It was evacuated under dire circumstances.

As this novel opens, a prisoner of war copes by remembering his past and a women that he knew on St. Kilda’s. Will they find their way back to each other? Spend time with Fred and others to find out. You will be moved.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.