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Miss Alice #2
Murder in the Evening
Death comes to dine...
When an elegant dinner party with friends ends in the sudden death of a beautiful young socialite, Alice Beckingham finds herself a witness to murder. Intrigued by a cryptic note in which the victim predicts her own demise, Alice enlists the aid of the cunning but slippery Sherborne Sharp to investigate.
Alice has more than one killer to contend with, however, as her family continues to be plagued by unanswered questions surrounding an older unsolved mystery.
Working together, the lady detective and her jewel thief partner set out to trap a killer. But will the looming shadows of the past leave Alice blind to the dangers of the present?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2020
973 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Blythe Baker
117 books387 followersBlythe Baker is a thirty-something bottle redhead from the South Central part of the country. When she’s not slinging words and creating new worlds and characters, she’s acting as chauffeur to her children and head groomer to her household of beloved pets.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
Blythe enjoys long walks with her dog on sweaty days, grubbing in her flower garden, cooking, and ruthlessly de-cluttering her overcrowded home. She also likes binge-watching mystery shows on TV and burying herself in books about murder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 18, 2024
You used to tell me we'd run away together, love gives you the right to be free / You said, "Be patient, just wait a little longer." But that's just an old fantasy (Saving All My Love for You – Whitney Houston).
Sometimes I feel like my reading habits are mostly just large swaths of random and intense cravings for very specific genres that goes on and on for months on end and won’t go away until my hunger is satiated. Well, I guess it’s a good thing I guess because… oh, would you look at that, I still love these books. Yes! I don’t know why, but whenever I’m rereading something, I always have that little voice in my mind constantly warning me that “You fool! This time around I’ll most definitely hate it, and all your past opinions are a lie!” Dramatic, I know. Maybe I have the spirit of a theater kid? Yeah well, thankfully this voice has only been correct once (with this book called Openly Ben, mini review within a review: it read like “Being Bi 101” and that seems nice and revelatory at first, but not so much on the second viewing), so I really should have more faith in the me of the past's taste in literature. Really though, I kind of wish I owned a physical copy of this so I could take a high contrast selfie of me holding the book up proudly like those old dudes do with their freshly caught fish. Because yeah, I have a weirdly proud fondness of this Miss Alice series and I totally want to start book three right this minute, but I need to chill or I might get burned out. The mystery’s great, Alice is a great main character, the era as always is stylish and flashy and great… but most importantly, I love, love, love the love-interest! I usually always have something to say about them, but nah, not this time! He’s actually pretty dope. In fact, I’m learning a lot about myself here because I’m realizing that the common thread between all my book crushes (all five of them) is that they’re all kind of pathetic. That sounds bad, but it really isn’t, I swear! In my opinion, cool’s just not all that cool, and not to sound too much like a hipster (a little is okay), but I’ve always found that any lover boy that prides himself on being a smooth talker and loved by all despite acting like an asshole all the time will never be interesting to me. Remember in Hitch where Will Smith is teaching Kevin James how to dance and he keeps telling him to dial back the wild dance moves and to a minimum, to “keep it right here?” Hahah good times, do you also remember how a bunch of dudes treat that scene like its gospel and cling to it like a damn lifeline, all so that they have the excuse to never do anything too crazy on the dance floor; all standing with their backs up on the wall, shuff-shuffling because they’re too cool to have fun? I feel like that’s the most misunderstood scene in the history of cinema because the whole point of the movie was that Will Smith is in the wrong, and that Kevin James’ love-interest has no interest in all his practiced “lady-killer” moves and that she actually fell for him whenever he was being his normal goofy goober self! Watch the ending wedding scene people! Will Smith is doing his goofy Fresh Prince dance moves!! The intent of the movie is very clear, watch it, he was wrong!!! I mean, I don’t even like Hitch, but I get it, you know? Every time I’ve ever read about smooth operators, I couldn’t be less impressed with them. The time of cocky, overly confident playboys are over; now we're living in the age of Booboo the Fool!
Did I just talk about Hitch for this whole review? Hm, maybe I’m just lacking sleep because I’ve been spending all my waking hours reading this wonderful book? Haha… was that a good enough save? Anyway, another thing I’m realizing is that whenever I’m talking about the love-interest in this book, Sherborne Sharp (forgot to name him), I sound like I’m sneak dissing him, but I think he’s great! The way he’s introduced as this seemingly sexy, unbothered, smooth-talker, only to then be slowly revealed as the messiest of all human messes not only helps to humble his characterization (so he’s not too much of a haughty jerk), but also endears him to us as much as Alice. Also, the fun Batman and Catwoman thing they (Sherborne being Catwoman) have going on is just a classic dynamic that adds an electric undercurrent to the already exciting mystery! I should probably talk a little more about the other aspects of Murder in the Evening just so, if nothing else, this feels more like an actual review and less like the first draft of an essay that I wrote the night before it was due while also having not finished the reading and being wildly sleep deprived. Not that I know anything about that! Um… Blythe Baker does a really good job of adding a healthy amount of angst in a genre that isn’t generally known for being as such. Cozy is all fine and dandy, but these books can sometimes feel a little distant and a little heartless in the way the main character goes about solving murders like it’s something to do on a checklist, so I definitely take notice of when these stories go the extra mile to add a little oomph to them. Gives it a little feeling, you know how it is. And I appreciated that the author never felt the need to make the victim of the novel out to be this perfect angel that was simply too good for this sinful earth, but rather showed that they had flaws just like everybody else. In that way, this book made me reminisce about the first season of Only Murders in the Building (the only one I liked) in that it makes a point to hammer it in that just because someone might not have been a beacon of moral purity, doesn’t mean that their death is something that should be left ignored and unsolved. If anything, writing a story in this way not only heightens the tragedy of the crime, but it helps reminds us that despite all the fun there is to be had with murder mysteries, these are still stories about people being murdered, and should be treated with the respect they deserve. In my opinion, putting a heavier emphasis on the gravity of the situation can only ever help to improve the novel. The truth is that I never want to feel too cozy whenever I’m reading these books! Otherwise, hey… I guessed who the killer was again, woohoo! And while I wasn’t as ecstatic as the last time, the thrill of being right never fully fades away. I’m still riding on a high, really. This bit will be a bit of a spoiler, but I will say that I am remembering that one thing about this series is that I was never completely comfortable with how all the killers usually end up being service workers. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but if you have a detective series with the main character belonging to the upper crust of society, then I’m generally of the mind that the murderer should be a peer rather than somebody “below their station.” Nothing exists in a vacuum, and when you’re constantly portraying the killer as being working class in addition to then constantly describing them as “deranged” or “evil,” then it conjures up some unfortunate implications. Sorry, but even if you don’t think you’re saying something, you are saying something. Nonetheless, if my memory serves me right, then the books do get a little more varied in its choice of murderers going forward, so it’s only smooth sailing from here on out! Hopefully. Anyway, the biggest mystery solved here is that I’m still having a great time reading this series and I’m going to continue on this lovely reread journey I’ve set out upon. There and back again.
“Sherborne looked at me, sizing me up, and then shook his head. “You are going to get both of us in a world of trouble someday.”
I clapped my hands in success. “Thank you.”
Sometimes I feel like my reading habits are mostly just large swaths of random and intense cravings for very specific genres that goes on and on for months on end and won’t go away until my hunger is satiated. Well, I guess it’s a good thing I guess because… oh, would you look at that, I still love these books. Yes! I don’t know why, but whenever I’m rereading something, I always have that little voice in my mind constantly warning me that “You fool! This time around I’ll most definitely hate it, and all your past opinions are a lie!” Dramatic, I know. Maybe I have the spirit of a theater kid? Yeah well, thankfully this voice has only been correct once (with this book called Openly Ben, mini review within a review: it read like “Being Bi 101” and that seems nice and revelatory at first, but not so much on the second viewing), so I really should have more faith in the me of the past's taste in literature. Really though, I kind of wish I owned a physical copy of this so I could take a high contrast selfie of me holding the book up proudly like those old dudes do with their freshly caught fish. Because yeah, I have a weirdly proud fondness of this Miss Alice series and I totally want to start book three right this minute, but I need to chill or I might get burned out. The mystery’s great, Alice is a great main character, the era as always is stylish and flashy and great… but most importantly, I love, love, love the love-interest! I usually always have something to say about them, but nah, not this time! He’s actually pretty dope. In fact, I’m learning a lot about myself here because I’m realizing that the common thread between all my book crushes (all five of them) is that they’re all kind of pathetic. That sounds bad, but it really isn’t, I swear! In my opinion, cool’s just not all that cool, and not to sound too much like a hipster (a little is okay), but I’ve always found that any lover boy that prides himself on being a smooth talker and loved by all despite acting like an asshole all the time will never be interesting to me. Remember in Hitch where Will Smith is teaching Kevin James how to dance and he keeps telling him to dial back the wild dance moves and to a minimum, to “keep it right here?” Hahah good times, do you also remember how a bunch of dudes treat that scene like its gospel and cling to it like a damn lifeline, all so that they have the excuse to never do anything too crazy on the dance floor; all standing with their backs up on the wall, shuff-shuffling because they’re too cool to have fun? I feel like that’s the most misunderstood scene in the history of cinema because the whole point of the movie was that Will Smith is in the wrong, and that Kevin James’ love-interest has no interest in all his practiced “lady-killer” moves and that she actually fell for him whenever he was being his normal goofy goober self! Watch the ending wedding scene people! Will Smith is doing his goofy Fresh Prince dance moves!! The intent of the movie is very clear, watch it, he was wrong!!! I mean, I don’t even like Hitch, but I get it, you know? Every time I’ve ever read about smooth operators, I couldn’t be less impressed with them. The time of cocky, overly confident playboys are over; now we're living in the age of Booboo the Fool!
Did I just talk about Hitch for this whole review? Hm, maybe I’m just lacking sleep because I’ve been spending all my waking hours reading this wonderful book? Haha… was that a good enough save? Anyway, another thing I’m realizing is that whenever I’m talking about the love-interest in this book, Sherborne Sharp (forgot to name him), I sound like I’m sneak dissing him, but I think he’s great! The way he’s introduced as this seemingly sexy, unbothered, smooth-talker, only to then be slowly revealed as the messiest of all human messes not only helps to humble his characterization (so he’s not too much of a haughty jerk), but also endears him to us as much as Alice. Also, the fun Batman and Catwoman thing they (Sherborne being Catwoman) have going on is just a classic dynamic that adds an electric undercurrent to the already exciting mystery! I should probably talk a little more about the other aspects of Murder in the Evening just so, if nothing else, this feels more like an actual review and less like the first draft of an essay that I wrote the night before it was due while also having not finished the reading and being wildly sleep deprived. Not that I know anything about that! Um… Blythe Baker does a really good job of adding a healthy amount of angst in a genre that isn’t generally known for being as such. Cozy is all fine and dandy, but these books can sometimes feel a little distant and a little heartless in the way the main character goes about solving murders like it’s something to do on a checklist, so I definitely take notice of when these stories go the extra mile to add a little oomph to them. Gives it a little feeling, you know how it is. And I appreciated that the author never felt the need to make the victim of the novel out to be this perfect angel that was simply too good for this sinful earth, but rather showed that they had flaws just like everybody else. In that way, this book made me reminisce about the first season of Only Murders in the Building (the only one I liked) in that it makes a point to hammer it in that just because someone might not have been a beacon of moral purity, doesn’t mean that their death is something that should be left ignored and unsolved. If anything, writing a story in this way not only heightens the tragedy of the crime, but it helps reminds us that despite all the fun there is to be had with murder mysteries, these are still stories about people being murdered, and should be treated with the respect they deserve. In my opinion, putting a heavier emphasis on the gravity of the situation can only ever help to improve the novel. The truth is that I never want to feel too cozy whenever I’m reading these books! Otherwise, hey… I guessed who the killer was again, woohoo! And while I wasn’t as ecstatic as the last time, the thrill of being right never fully fades away. I’m still riding on a high, really. This bit will be a bit of a spoiler, but I will say that I am remembering that one thing about this series is that I was never completely comfortable with how all the killers usually end up being service workers. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but if you have a detective series with the main character belonging to the upper crust of society, then I’m generally of the mind that the murderer should be a peer rather than somebody “below their station.” Nothing exists in a vacuum, and when you’re constantly portraying the killer as being working class in addition to then constantly describing them as “deranged” or “evil,” then it conjures up some unfortunate implications. Sorry, but even if you don’t think you’re saying something, you are saying something. Nonetheless, if my memory serves me right, then the books do get a little more varied in its choice of murderers going forward, so it’s only smooth sailing from here on out! Hopefully. Anyway, the biggest mystery solved here is that I’m still having a great time reading this series and I’m going to continue on this lovely reread journey I’ve set out upon. There and back again.
“Sherborne looked at me, sizing me up, and then shook his head. “You are going to get both of us in a world of trouble someday.”
I clapped my hands in success. “Thank you.”
February 27, 2021
Alice is at a dinner party with a few of her best friends. One of her friends, Violet, suddenly becomes violently ill and dies.
Alice decides to investigate to find out who murdered Violet.
This is a British mystery set in the early 20th century. In a previous story, Alice had investigated another mystery when she was visiting in Scotland. Small snippets of that are discussed in this book.
I am a sucker for historical mysteries. I am a fan of British mysteries. This one was not what I had hoped. I know that Ms Baker is a talented author who writes very interesting characters.
This book had quite a few errors which made me lose the rhythm in the plot. Calling characters by the wrong names seemed to come up frequently.
Alice was one of those young women who insist on going around inserting herself to investigate. I am not a fan of young women who believe they know best about everything. I liked her sense of loyalty to her friends, but that was not always enough to make up for her pushiness. Alice was not a favorite of mine.
I really enjoyed Sherborne. He was a character who was more appealing because of his humor and his charm. He also was willing to put himself out in order to help Alice.
I have enjoyed other books by Ms Baker and I have several of her books on my Kindle. I look forward to reading more of her stories.
Alice decides to investigate to find out who murdered Violet.
This is a British mystery set in the early 20th century. In a previous story, Alice had investigated another mystery when she was visiting in Scotland. Small snippets of that are discussed in this book.
I am a sucker for historical mysteries. I am a fan of British mysteries. This one was not what I had hoped. I know that Ms Baker is a talented author who writes very interesting characters.
This book had quite a few errors which made me lose the rhythm in the plot. Calling characters by the wrong names seemed to come up frequently.
Alice was one of those young women who insist on going around inserting herself to investigate. I am not a fan of young women who believe they know best about everything. I liked her sense of loyalty to her friends, but that was not always enough to make up for her pushiness. Alice was not a favorite of mine.
I really enjoyed Sherborne. He was a character who was more appealing because of his humor and his charm. He also was willing to put himself out in order to help Alice.
I have enjoyed other books by Ms Baker and I have several of her books on my Kindle. I look forward to reading more of her stories.
March 17, 2022
I'm really enjoying this series by Blythe Baker. The writing flows, the plot is steady, the mystery aspect is well done, and the settings from the 1920s add a sense of the times.
January 2, 2021
I've been having a bit of a cosy mystery (how I loath that description and much prefer Golden Age mystery, although I gather the two have slightly different definitions) pash, so when I saw this book with its stylised cover as a Kindle freebie I one-clicked.
Miss Alice Beckingham has met her fair share of death. Her brother Edward was convicted of killing his sister's suitor and was then himself murdered in prison. Then Alice and her mother were at a house party at Druiminn Castle where their host was murdered.
In this story Alice is meeting with some female friends for dinner at a restaurant, friends she hasn't seen for several years. There seems to be some tension at the table, then one of the guests goes into convulsions and dies at the table. A cryptic note from the victim asking Alice to enlist the help of her cousin (who apparently did some amateur detecting of her own) leads Alice to suspect that the death may have been murder and she determines to investigate on her own. At first she enlists the help of the chauffeur George, but once he has located the jewel thief Sherborne Sharp for her George disappears from the story. Sherborne is that oddity, a penniless jewel thief who manages to mix with high society.
Sadly, I found this vaguely unsatisfactory. I couldn't tell you in which year (or decade) this book was supposed to be set, although based on the timing of the previous book I would say 1929 or 1930 but otherwise there was nothing to inform the reader that this was post WW1 or leading in to the depression and WW2, other than one reference to a cloche hat. I found the lack of butlers but the presence of numerous maids and a chauffeur surprising, also the idea that Alice's parents seemed only mildly interested in her comings and goings. It felt as though Alice's servants and parents were just plot devices to allow her to do whatever was necessary for the plot. This vagueness seems to be a feature of Blythe Baker's writing as according to her Goodreads profile she comes "from the South Central part of the country", which country is anyone's guess.
I would say that Alice is the sort of bumbling sleuth who relies upon George and then Sherborne to do actual investigating and fortuitous discovery of various letters and diaries to progress the story and to save her (repeatedly) from her own stupid actions.
Overall the detection relied upon a lot of coincidences, a loquacious maid, several explicit/ incriminating documents which Alice stumbles across and a frank confession from the killer.
I might read another of these books if it was also free but I don't think I would pay for what felt like a flimsy novella.
Miss Alice Beckingham has met her fair share of death. Her brother Edward was convicted of killing his sister's suitor and was then himself murdered in prison. Then Alice and her mother were at a house party at Druiminn Castle where their host was murdered.
In this story Alice is meeting with some female friends for dinner at a restaurant, friends she hasn't seen for several years. There seems to be some tension at the table, then one of the guests goes into convulsions and dies at the table. A cryptic note from the victim asking Alice to enlist the help of her cousin (who apparently did some amateur detecting of her own) leads Alice to suspect that the death may have been murder and she determines to investigate on her own. At first she enlists the help of the chauffeur George, but once he has located the jewel thief Sherborne Sharp for her George disappears from the story. Sherborne is that oddity, a penniless jewel thief who manages to mix with high society.
Sadly, I found this vaguely unsatisfactory. I couldn't tell you in which year (or decade) this book was supposed to be set, although based on the timing of the previous book I would say 1929 or 1930 but otherwise there was nothing to inform the reader that this was post WW1 or leading in to the depression and WW2, other than one reference to a cloche hat. I found the lack of butlers but the presence of numerous maids and a chauffeur surprising, also the idea that Alice's parents seemed only mildly interested in her comings and goings. It felt as though Alice's servants and parents were just plot devices to allow her to do whatever was necessary for the plot. This vagueness seems to be a feature of Blythe Baker's writing as according to her Goodreads profile she comes "from the South Central part of the country", which country is anyone's guess.
I would say that Alice is the sort of bumbling sleuth who relies upon George and then Sherborne to do actual investigating and fortuitous discovery of various letters and diaries to progress the story and to save her (repeatedly) from her own stupid actions.
Overall the detection relied upon a lot of coincidences, a loquacious maid, several explicit/ incriminating documents which Alice stumbles across and a frank confession from the killer.
I might read another of these books if it was also free but I don't think I would pay for what felt like a flimsy novella.
April 23, 2020
scattered solution
Alice’s solution in the previous book was far more logical. this was sort of stabbing around, establishing her relationship with Sherbourne and bringing the Chess Master more to the front. meh. she gets one more chance.
Alice’s solution in the previous book was far more logical. this was sort of stabbing around, establishing her relationship with Sherbourne and bringing the Chess Master more to the front. meh. she gets one more chance.
February 28, 2021
Since the first book in this series - Murder by Midnight - came to my attention, I put all of the books on my to-read list. I enjoyed the gutsy heroism of Alice Beckingham and comedic interludes between her and Sherborne Sharp. She reminded me of the intrepid young detective Nancy Drew, and I enjoyed a piece of my youth returning to me in a new series.
Within Murder in the Evening, Author Blythe Baker gives us an astonishing death in the first few chapters, and we see Alice directly impacted by the loss of her childhood friend Violet Colburn. Alice and her four friends were out for an evening meal to catch up and enjoy one another's company, but before they even had ordered their main course, Violet has a seizure and dies. Everyone is devastated at the loss and confused by the events. Why was Violet acting nervous? Why did Violet want to speak to Alice alone in the powder room for a few minutes? Why did Violet die? Who murdered her?
It isn't until Alice finds a note from Violet, dropped into her purse that very night, stating her need for Alice to put her in contact with her detective cousin that Alice realizes the importance of this letter even though the message is vague. Despite their lapsed relationship, Alice is determined to get to the bottom of the murder and give Violet the justice she deserves.
To aid her in the case, Alice gains assistance in tracking down Sherborne Sharp's address and makes her way to his home in order to blackmail him into helping her. She wants his support and is willing to work with him, but she's quick to let him know she's in charge of the investigation, and he works for her. Their reunion is one of the parts of the book I really liked. It seemed obvious in book one that their interactions weren't over and that their relationship had only just begun. I love the way the author slowly builds on this throughout the story.
I respect the main character's desire to prove herself, be seen as an adult, and have her word taken at face value. I appreciate her tenacity, deductive reasoning, and thorough process of investigation. The author does a wonderful job of connecting the pieces of the plot. The first-person point of view, humor, clean storyline, and characters make this read enjoyable and worth the time.
The reasoning behind my 4-star comes from a few minor personal irritations. Although I love Alice's character, I didn't like the way she treated Sherborne on many different occasions within the story. She was a bit rude and abrupt with him. Even though her point was valid, I felt she was a little too back and forth in her behavior toward him as well as cold. It's excellent to stick up for her beliefs, create a conversation of how she wishes to be treated, and to stand up for herself, but when her points go a little overboard when all he's doing is expressing his worry for her in certain situations, I start to find myself a little annoyed with her. I think there's always a way to get your point across without being demeaning or cruel.
I figured out the killer and the possible reasoning behind it way before Alice did. I still relished the reading and her path to the answers. When I realize who the culprit is in a mystery, it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of it. The journey to figuring out the why is always good fun, and that's no exception in this story. It just felt a little too obvious, and I'm surprised Alice and the police didn't work that lead a bit sooner.
The long and short of it is, I read this super quick because it was an engaging, fun, addictive read from the very beginning. I wanted to continue reading and remained hooked from start to finish. Blythe Baker puts together an entertaining and amusing story with vivid and dramatic characters. I highly recommend lovers of cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, and whodunit diversions will love the Miss Alice mystery series. :)
You can find my review of book one here: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
Within Murder in the Evening, Author Blythe Baker gives us an astonishing death in the first few chapters, and we see Alice directly impacted by the loss of her childhood friend Violet Colburn. Alice and her four friends were out for an evening meal to catch up and enjoy one another's company, but before they even had ordered their main course, Violet has a seizure and dies. Everyone is devastated at the loss and confused by the events. Why was Violet acting nervous? Why did Violet want to speak to Alice alone in the powder room for a few minutes? Why did Violet die? Who murdered her?
It isn't until Alice finds a note from Violet, dropped into her purse that very night, stating her need for Alice to put her in contact with her detective cousin that Alice realizes the importance of this letter even though the message is vague. Despite their lapsed relationship, Alice is determined to get to the bottom of the murder and give Violet the justice she deserves.
To aid her in the case, Alice gains assistance in tracking down Sherborne Sharp's address and makes her way to his home in order to blackmail him into helping her. She wants his support and is willing to work with him, but she's quick to let him know she's in charge of the investigation, and he works for her. Their reunion is one of the parts of the book I really liked. It seemed obvious in book one that their interactions weren't over and that their relationship had only just begun. I love the way the author slowly builds on this throughout the story.
I respect the main character's desire to prove herself, be seen as an adult, and have her word taken at face value. I appreciate her tenacity, deductive reasoning, and thorough process of investigation. The author does a wonderful job of connecting the pieces of the plot. The first-person point of view, humor, clean storyline, and characters make this read enjoyable and worth the time.
The reasoning behind my 4-star comes from a few minor personal irritations. Although I love Alice's character, I didn't like the way she treated Sherborne on many different occasions within the story. She was a bit rude and abrupt with him. Even though her point was valid, I felt she was a little too back and forth in her behavior toward him as well as cold. It's excellent to stick up for her beliefs, create a conversation of how she wishes to be treated, and to stand up for herself, but when her points go a little overboard when all he's doing is expressing his worry for her in certain situations, I start to find myself a little annoyed with her. I think there's always a way to get your point across without being demeaning or cruel.
I figured out the killer and the possible reasoning behind it way before Alice did. I still relished the reading and her path to the answers. When I realize who the culprit is in a mystery, it doesn't ruin my enjoyment of it. The journey to figuring out the why is always good fun, and that's no exception in this story. It just felt a little too obvious, and I'm surprised Alice and the police didn't work that lead a bit sooner.
The long and short of it is, I read this super quick because it was an engaging, fun, addictive read from the very beginning. I wanted to continue reading and remained hooked from start to finish. Blythe Baker puts together an entertaining and amusing story with vivid and dramatic characters. I highly recommend lovers of cozy mysteries, amateur sleuths, and whodunit diversions will love the Miss Alice mystery series. :)
You can find my review of book one here: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
February 12, 2021
With lockdown and homeschooling I like to relax to an easy read and take my mind off daily life. Sometimes I am luckier with my picks then other times. This one was alright. It started well and then got boring and irrelevant with a he said, she said writing style.
January 20, 2020
Alice meets her girlfriends at a restaurant. Violet seems nervous and keeps looking around like she is looking for someone. They order drinks and their dinners. Violet wants to go to the ladies restroom and wants Alice to come with her. But a couple that knows Alice come over to talk with her. When they leave, Violet falls to the floor. She is having a seizure and in minutes she is dead. What has happened? The Police say it's murder. Who would have wanted to kill Violet? Alice decides to investigate. She gets Sherborne Sharp to help her. Will she solve this case?
Alice also wants to know who killed her brother in prison. Who is the Chess Master?
Plot is well constructed, characters are fleshed out, story is well written. This book will hold your attention.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
Alice also wants to know who killed her brother in prison. Who is the Chess Master?
Plot is well constructed, characters are fleshed out, story is well written. This book will hold your attention.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
January 21, 2020
When an invitation to dinner turns to murder
A great read about our intrepid heroine Alice. An invitation to dinner with the 'girls' ends in death with her holding onto the dying woman. A cozy that has class and emotion as well as a possible romance in the near future with our gentleman thief.
When her friend dies in her arms Alice is distraught. Then she finds a letter in her bag from the dead woman and she is sure that she has been murdered. A bit of blackmail, an escorts, some snooping, a talkative maid and affairs. Will she find the killer and what happens if she does? Will her gentleman thief provide her with what she needs as well as making her heart beat a little faster? But who is the Chess Master? She needs the answer to put her brother's action and death behind her.
A great read about our intrepid heroine Alice. An invitation to dinner with the 'girls' ends in death with her holding onto the dying woman. A cozy that has class and emotion as well as a possible romance in the near future with our gentleman thief.
When her friend dies in her arms Alice is distraught. Then she finds a letter in her bag from the dead woman and she is sure that she has been murdered. A bit of blackmail, an escorts, some snooping, a talkative maid and affairs. Will she find the killer and what happens if she does? Will her gentleman thief provide her with what she needs as well as making her heart beat a little faster? But who is the Chess Master? She needs the answer to put her brother's action and death behind her.
October 25, 2021
Poison
Suitable for teen - adult
Light reading
No sex
No harsh language
Action violence without gory details
Main character, Alice is probably about 20 years old
Plot no spoilers:
Alice is invited by an old friend, Violet, to join her and two other old friends for dinner at a nice restaurant. Alice is delighted since she hasn't seen any of them for quite some time.
Things go badly when one of them is poisoned. How could this happen in such a crowded setting, and why?
Alice determines to follow in her cousin Rose's footsteps and discover the murderer. Of course this is ridiculously dangerous, but readers of this kind of mystery novel would expect no less.
The book is a sequel to the Rose Beckingham series. My main criticism is that it gives away key elements of one of the Rose stories by naming the murderer, his victim, and the motive. I wish authors wouldn't do that.
Fast paced, easy reading. Good diversion from everyday life.
Suitable for teen - adult
Light reading
No sex
No harsh language
Action violence without gory details
Main character, Alice is probably about 20 years old
Plot no spoilers:
Alice is invited by an old friend, Violet, to join her and two other old friends for dinner at a nice restaurant. Alice is delighted since she hasn't seen any of them for quite some time.
Things go badly when one of them is poisoned. How could this happen in such a crowded setting, and why?
Alice determines to follow in her cousin Rose's footsteps and discover the murderer. Of course this is ridiculously dangerous, but readers of this kind of mystery novel would expect no less.
The book is a sequel to the Rose Beckingham series. My main criticism is that it gives away key elements of one of the Rose stories by naming the murderer, his victim, and the motive. I wish authors wouldn't do that.
Fast paced, easy reading. Good diversion from everyday life.
January 18, 2020
MURDER IN THE EVENING..Blythe..Baker
Alice wanting justice someday for her family, the death of a son, her brother. Protecting someone from a bad suitor ended in murder, then in prison murdered. Felt like they had lost him twice. Alice meeting with friends, to lighten her day of which her family would always remember. While at the. restaurant Violet fell to the floor, dead. Having seen death many times, it hit Alice hard. Returning home, a letter fell out of her evening bag from Violet. A murder or was it a natural death.
Good flowing plot, as though you were there, now to figure out what happened. The days of evening gowns and evening bags, expensive restaurants, murder and death still happen. Another good story in this series. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Alice wanting justice someday for her family, the death of a son, her brother. Protecting someone from a bad suitor ended in murder, then in prison murdered. Felt like they had lost him twice. Alice meeting with friends, to lighten her day of which her family would always remember. While at the. restaurant Violet fell to the floor, dead. Having seen death many times, it hit Alice hard. Returning home, a letter fell out of her evening bag from Violet. A murder or was it a natural death.
Good flowing plot, as though you were there, now to figure out what happened. The days of evening gowns and evening bags, expensive restaurants, murder and death still happen. Another good story in this series. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
December 30, 2020
This would be mindless, OK reading for airplane or train travel. Set in London in the 1920's, a shallow, wealthy young woman witnesses the death of a friend of hers in a restaurant. It appears to be murder by poison. Alice longs to be a crime solver like her cousin Rose (who apparently stars in another series by this author). Naturally, she withholds information from the police, as all the wealthy meddlers do in these novels. And just as predictably, she finds herself attracted to a man below her caste who looks out for her as she tries to solve the murder on her own. This is the second in the Alice series and allusions were made to the plot of the first (which I have not read), but you really don't need that background to understand this story). Mediocre, but it will do as a British murder mystery.
August 12, 2022
Fun mystery
I felt like there was some character development that was missing in this book, but I did t realize it was book two of a series until I was well into it so maybe that development happened in book one. Alice seems to be a delightfully determined young woman. She is intelligent in many ways but makes some rather poor choices that leave her in troublesome situations and places best avoided. Of course without those choices we wouldn’t have as much story, and let’s face it we all make dumb decisions at various times throughout our lives, but I felt like some of those choices didn’t do anything for the story line. Over all the story is good and characters are interesting. I’d probably read another book in this series but don’t plan to seek not out on my own.
I felt like there was some character development that was missing in this book, but I did t realize it was book two of a series until I was well into it so maybe that development happened in book one. Alice seems to be a delightfully determined young woman. She is intelligent in many ways but makes some rather poor choices that leave her in troublesome situations and places best avoided. Of course without those choices we wouldn’t have as much story, and let’s face it we all make dumb decisions at various times throughout our lives, but I felt like some of those choices didn’t do anything for the story line. Over all the story is good and characters are interesting. I’d probably read another book in this series but don’t plan to seek not out on my own.
February 7, 2020
” Murder in the Evening-A Miss Alice Murder Mystery Book 2” by Blythe Baker is a tale of one Alice Beckingham...who while enjoying an elegant dinner with friends ....witnesses the murder of her friend Violet...who oddly enough predicted her own demise. Left only with a cryptic note and her own intuition to go one ...can Alice ...with the assistance ...yet again ...of
Sherborne Sharp...solve the crime...Read and See!!
Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sherborne Sharp...solve the crime...Read and See!!
Much enjoyed and Highly Recommended. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 23, 2020
Engrossing, fastpaced, satisfying
Ms Baker hasn't relied on totally unseen twists in the first two Miss Alice books. The characters all feel real. Alice solves the mystery logically. There is no information withheld. So far, no unknown distant relative of the victim has shown up in the penultimate chapter.
There are thrills. Action scenes are written better than most. Alice acknowledges her mistakes.
But even with a shady man helping her, Alice has few friends but her sister and no romances.
I hope Alice takes up self-defense classes. I hope she finds a hobby, some joy beyond her mysteries. Hope we learn more about her dreams of the future.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Ms Baker hasn't relied on totally unseen twists in the first two Miss Alice books. The characters all feel real. Alice solves the mystery logically. There is no information withheld. So far, no unknown distant relative of the victim has shown up in the penultimate chapter.
There are thrills. Action scenes are written better than most. Alice acknowledges her mistakes.
But even with a shady man helping her, Alice has few friends but her sister and no romances.
I hope Alice takes up self-defense classes. I hope she finds a hobby, some joy beyond her mysteries. Hope we learn more about her dreams of the future.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
January 21, 2020
Miss Alice is on the prowl again, trying to figure out who murdered a former friend of hers. She calls upon the gentleman she met in Scotland (during book 1) to help her. As they work together, they learn more about each other.
This is another great slow-burn romance with a bit of murder thrown in. Miss Alice is learning more about hew abilities and making friends willing to help her detecting efforts. Her investigation into her brother's murder continues in this book.
Another excellent installment in the new Miss Alice Murder Mystery series!
This is another great slow-burn romance with a bit of murder thrown in. Miss Alice is learning more about hew abilities and making friends willing to help her detecting efforts. Her investigation into her brother's murder continues in this book.
Another excellent installment in the new Miss Alice Murder Mystery series!
November 18, 2024
This is one of those series I love to pepper in-between other books. They offer a good mystery without too many characters getting involved. Alice grows a little in each book, but her youthful stubbornness does rear its head here and there without being obnoxious.
This second installment has carried on the possibility of a romance for Alice, as well as slowly revealing more information each book about what happened to her brother. Hopefully, both of these storylines reach get their own conclusion at some point. I’ll just have to keep reading to find out.
This second installment has carried on the possibility of a romance for Alice, as well as slowly revealing more information each book about what happened to her brother. Hopefully, both of these storylines reach get their own conclusion at some point. I’ll just have to keep reading to find out.
May 21, 2020
Dinner and a murder!
I love the time period and I think the author has captured that well. Alice is witness to her friends murder in a busy restaurant. When Alice arrives back home, she finds a note in her bag from the victim. Can Alice solve the crime with the help from her jewel thief friend Sherborne? Plenty going on to keep my interest until the very end. Can't wait for the next one!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
I love the time period and I think the author has captured that well. Alice is witness to her friends murder in a busy restaurant. When Alice arrives back home, she finds a note in her bag from the victim. Can Alice solve the crime with the help from her jewel thief friend Sherborne? Plenty going on to keep my interest until the very end. Can't wait for the next one!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
January 1, 2021
Great mystery!
This is a wonderful English mystery that set in another time where women were really confined to the home. A time in England of classes and their degrees of separation. The author skillfully has woven a mystery that is absorbing and you will want to read it n one sitting! I will be reading the other books in this series. I really enjoyed the book and it's a great period piece.
This is a wonderful English mystery that set in another time where women were really confined to the home. A time in England of classes and their degrees of separation. The author skillfully has woven a mystery that is absorbing and you will want to read it n one sitting! I will be reading the other books in this series. I really enjoyed the book and it's a great period piece.
January 6, 2021
Alice investigates
Fairly short, easy to read, page turner from Blythe Baker. It is one of those books that will keep you up because you need to know what is coming on the next page. Alice is a very likeable character. She is feisty, smart and daring and forgiving, especially when one considers the time in which she lived and how quickly she was to forgive her friends. Looking forward to reading Sherbourne's story.
Fairly short, easy to read, page turner from Blythe Baker. It is one of those books that will keep you up because you need to know what is coming on the next page. Alice is a very likeable character. She is feisty, smart and daring and forgiving, especially when one considers the time in which she lived and how quickly she was to forgive her friends. Looking forward to reading Sherbourne's story.
March 11, 2021
An OK Story to read between two good books
I am sure you have at some stage finished a really great book and don't want to race into another equally good book immediately but you might be travelling on a plane for example and still require a distraction, well this is the filler in. Very light reading, not memorable, a bit of fluff really with no substance. You could just as easily replace it with a decent magazine.
I am sure you have at some stage finished a really great book and don't want to race into another equally good book immediately but you might be travelling on a plane for example and still require a distraction, well this is the filler in. Very light reading, not memorable, a bit of fluff really with no substance. You could just as easily replace it with a decent magazine.
March 23, 2021
Great pace
I usually get bored with mysteries like this bc they drag out events and my mind gets bored. Not so, in these books. I did figure out who the murderer was in both books before our heroine did, but that’s okay. I’m still waiting for the romance to blossom, and I hope it does bc if it doesn’t I usually give up on a series like this. That is just my personal preference, and no criticism of the author.
I usually get bored with mysteries like this bc they drag out events and my mind gets bored. Not so, in these books. I did figure out who the murderer was in both books before our heroine did, but that’s okay. I’m still waiting for the romance to blossom, and I hope it does bc if it doesn’t I usually give up on a series like this. That is just my personal preference, and no criticism of the author.
June 28, 2022
Definitely enjoyed this mystery. Thought I didn't like historical books until I found historical mysteries. Guess they could solve crimes way back before current times when we have DNA, fingerprints, etc. But I sure am glad I don't have to live like they did "back when". I did not have the murderer pegged (again) - usual for me. Guess I wouldn't be a good sleuth! But I do enjoy reading "whodunits"!
February 2, 2020
Not particularly mysterious.
When you have to keep telling people you're a "woman, now" -- maybe you're not, you're just annoying. Victim and murderer were sketches, almost generic.
Victim has same name as heroine of another author's cozy mysteries- set in the same time period and place! Coincidence?
When you have to keep telling people you're a "woman, now" -- maybe you're not, you're just annoying. Victim and murderer were sketches, almost generic.
Victim has same name as heroine of another author's cozy mysteries- set in the same time period and place! Coincidence?
March 16, 2020
I do enjoy these books because they're so short and sweet, but I wish some of the plot lines were just a little bit more complicated! Another enjoyable instalment but the use of sidewalks and blocks continues to annoy when the character is supposed to be English and would say pavements and streets, and wardrobes, not closets!
April 21, 2020
Good read
The book was interesting. The main character has her flaws and gets into predicaments where she needs assistance. She has a "sidekick" although at times he seems to be unwilling to help her. Even though this mystery is solved, it carries forth the subplot of her brother Edwards death.
The book was interesting. The main character has her flaws and gets into predicaments where she needs assistance. She has a "sidekick" although at times he seems to be unwilling to help her. Even though this mystery is solved, it carries forth the subplot of her brother Edwards death.
December 31, 2020
Alice and the murder!
Alice goes out to dinner with friends and during the dinner one of her friends dies mysteriously. After trying to get the detectives to use some of her suggestions, she decides that she needs to try to investigate her friends death which she feels isn't getting the attention that she feels it deserves. Tense, well written, exciting.
Alice goes out to dinner with friends and during the dinner one of her friends dies mysteriously. After trying to get the detectives to use some of her suggestions, she decides that she needs to try to investigate her friends death which she feels isn't getting the attention that she feels it deserves. Tense, well written, exciting.
January 15, 2021
I’m conflicted
Miss Alice is not a likable character. She’s immature, arrogant and is a little cruel. She demonstrated her cruelty when she enjoyed the feelings that blackmailing Sherborne created. The mystery was easily solved and obvious. I gave it four stars because the author does a better job of telling a story than I ever could.
Miss Alice is not a likable character. She’s immature, arrogant and is a little cruel. She demonstrated her cruelty when she enjoyed the feelings that blackmailing Sherborne created. The mystery was easily solved and obvious. I gave it four stars because the author does a better job of telling a story than I ever could.
April 21, 2021
Alice goes to dinner with three friends. One, Violet, expresses concern for her safety and then convulses and dies. Alice is determined to find Violet's murderer and the motive behind the killing. She is successful, then decides to find out the facts behind her brother's death in prison by asking her "cousin" Rose for help. OK
April 29, 2022
Good read. When Alice is invited out to with friends she didn't expect what happens. At dinner one of her friends is murdered.
It's a friend she hasn't seen in years, but she decided to try to find the killer. Who it turned out to be the killer surprised me.
Good read. I highly recommend it.
It's a friend she hasn't seen in years, but she decided to try to find the killer. Who it turned out to be the killer surprised me.
Good read. I highly recommend it.
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