Murder in Mount Pleasant

Journal Through Time Mysteries #3

by Sarah M Stephen

He chases crooks in the nineteenth century. She researches the past in the twenty-first. When a long-lost necklace is found, can they solve the deaths of the women who wore it last before tragedy strikes again?
Vancouver, 1898. Detective Jack Winston investigates when a necklace disappears and two women who wore it are dead.
Vancouver, 2018. Riley Finch’s sister falls ill shortly after wearing a necklace recently found within the walls of an old house.
Unsure where to find answers, Jack and Riley team up again through their journal to uncover the truth. Can the pair solve the crimes before it’s too late? Murder in Mount Pleasant is the third book in the Journal Through Time historical mystery series. If you like time-bending mysteries, you’ll love this twisting tale.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2023

Reviews

[Books nd Bruises · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable as always, Riley and Jack come together again to solve the case. I found the case to be a bit repetitive at times, but an investigation runs as it runs so I can’t hold this against the author. I did not see the ending coming at all, altho I thought I’d figured it out early in, and then again, so this deserves a solid 5 stars. I think this was my favorite in the series so far!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great book in the Journal Through Time series. I love the bond Jack and Riley have developed and their ability to help each other.

In this book I definitely enjoyed Jack's POV more than Riley's. The case he was working on was very interesting and there were so many different theories I was coming up with. I did enjoy Riley's POV and the situation with her sister. Without saying any spoilers, I think the situation with Lucy could be very relatable with some people today and with the constant influence we get from social media.

However, there was something about Riley in this one that just bothered me. I can't quite put my finger on what, but I just felt her to be not as likable this time.

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I love the time travel likeness of it with the journal

[Sue Loncaric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in Mount Pleasant is the third book in the Journal Through Time Mysteries by Sarah M Stephen. I received an Advance Copy to review through Book Sirens and didn't realise the book was part of a series.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book which can be a stand alone read although reading the first book in the series would explain the Journal that links detective Jack Winston living in Vancouver in the 1890s with Riley Finch, an historical researcher who lives in Vancouver 2018. Together they solve crimes - a novel idea which works.

The journal is a way for the two to communicate through time and Sarah M Stephen has done a great job in making the idea plausible. In fact, as I read the story I hardly noticed the time change.

When Mrs Penelope Shuttleworth dies and later her maid, Kate Block is found dead in her apartment Detective Jack Winston and Constable Miller discover foul play and with a little help from Riley and the journal, Jack solves the case.

I will be looking for the two previous books in the series and await the fourth which is due in 2024.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Fraxinus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A researcher in the 20th century communicates with a Police Detective in the 19th century via a notebook… Honestly, this is one of the most unique premises I have read and I look forward to every new installment.

Detective Jack tries to find out what happened to a socialite and her maid. But, when Reilly's sister is hospitalized with a similar illness, can Reilly and Jack work together to find out what happened?

For the most part, I enjoyed this installment. I was disappointed in some of Reilly's decisions. I blame that on all the stress she was in with her sister being in the hospital. But, books give us the chance to walk a mile in another's footsteps and the world would be boring if we all thought the same way.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book, where 2 people in different times can write in a journal and both read it in real time. Riley Finch is in Vancouver, in 2018, while Detective Jack Winston is there in 1898. Riley is a researcher who is helping Jack with a case he is investigating but there’s a fine line between helping and possibly changing the course of history from 1898. The two eras have been nicely intertwined, both characters are really well developed, in this the 3rd book in the series. I also really like Miller, Jacks sidekick, who is becoming a really good detective himself. I guessed the ending but it’s still a really interesting read despite that. Recommended.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pamela Sewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Sirens eARC. Jack Winston is a detective in 1898 Vancouver while Riley is a museum historian in the present day. Via a mystical journal the two communicate and collaborate to solve crimes, becoming good friends in the process. In this third outing Jack is investigating the theft of a pearl necklace and discovers that two women who wore it have been poisoned. Despite this unusual premise the mystery is investigated and resolved in a fulfilling, realistic way. Riley takes great care in providing helpful information yet not altering the natural course of history. The characters in both timelines are well developed and likeable. I enjoy the historical tidbits that contrast the Vancouver of 1898 with today. Overall a satisfying, enjoyable historical mystery series.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a historical mystery - part of the Journal Through Time series. I thought it was sophisticated and clever, especially with its timeslip element. I liked the connection between Jack and Riley. I wonder if the book would have made more sense to me if I'd read the previous books, but I still enjoyed it, and would probably consider reading another book from this series.

Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.

[Darcy Speed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! The interesting format of the story lends such a unique twist. I enjoyed learning more about Riley and Jack - this book seemed to give a deeper understanding of each character. The mystery was well done as well - I did not guess the perpetrator - something that brings me much reading pleasure. I look forward to Book 4! I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The further story of Jack and Reily’s crime solving mysteries in early Vancouver continue to have many twists and turns and provides an entertaining read. I am giving this book a lower rating than I have given the other two in the series because I am disappointed in the ending, I don’t like cliff hangers. When a story is finished I want it to be finished.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great mystery. Full of the paranormal mystery.
Jack was from the past and Riley was from the future.
Together they solve multiple murders.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[K.P. Vorenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books and the concept!

[Karen Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved book 3 in this great series. Solving murders in 1895, aided by Riley in 2918.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep reading this series hoping the writing will get better because the premise is so clever. Riley is an archivist in modern-day Vancouver who discovers she can communicate with Jack Winston, an 1898 police detective, via writing in a notebook. She ends up giving him some clues to cases he's working on without divulging anything that might change the course of history. Both characters are thoroughly likeable, as are the other regular characters. The problem is the the writing never gets above a basic level. The dialogue is clunky to the point of being cringe-inducing. The basic mystery here is another interesting one. In 1898 a necklace disappears shortly after the woman who owned died after a brief, unexplained illness. Riley's sister falls seriously ill after wearing a necklace that looks very much like the one in a photograph of the woman in the 19th century. Is there a connection? The problem is the solution to the mystery is incredibly unsatisfying and left me swearing I'm done reading this series - although I'm probably not.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, a society lady dies, then her maid. Detective Jack Winston must sift through the lies and half-truths to uncover a killer. Luckily, he has Riley whose research will steer him in the right direction. If only there wasn't more than a century between them and only a mystical journal to help them communicate.

This series always sends me to my happy place, and this particular story is no exception. The premise of communicating in real time between now and then has always fascinated me, but it's the interactions between the characters that are the icing on this delightful cake. Both Riley and Jack are multi-dimensional, possessing those character traits that allow them to come alive on the page. This wholehearted characterisation passes on to those in the background. Even those who are briefly mentioned get the full treatment so the reader can make the acquaintance of all the people in the book.

The mystery spins in every direction. It is impossible to forecast the solution from the start of the story. Indeed, the villain only becomes readily apparent when the detective solves the case, making the journey feel fulfilling and worthwhile.

I highly recommend this beautifully written series.

My thanks to BookSirens and Sarah M. Stephen for the chance to read this eARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.