What do you think?
Rate this book
Fiona Clery Mysteries #1
Deadly Pearls: A Fiona Clery Mystery #1
She knew coming to America would be an adventure. But she didn't know it would involve murder.Intelligent and inquisitive Irish immigrant Fiona Clery has always longed for a life of excitement away from her family's farm. Yet living in New York City isn't as glamorous as she'd always dreamed. When her neighbor is murdered, she wonders how wise her decision to come to the United States is. While the police turn a blind eye to Gabriel Morelli's murder, Fiona knows she must do all that she can to find the killer. Under the tutelage of her favorite fictional sleuths Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, she just might crack the case-if a certain man will ever stop infringing on her investigation.Max Gillespie is good at putting on an act. A Great War veteran, he struggles with regret from his past, though refuses to let it show. Perfectly content to spend his days working as an accountant and evenings tucked in his apartment away from the excitement of the city, he shuns anything that could lead to unwanted surprises. Yet when his cousin Rose's beau is murdered, he finds himself pulled into the investigation alongside a smart and pretty amateur sleuth who he can't help but clash with. Exposed to the underbelly of the city he loves, Max wonders if he was mistaken to involve himself in a murder investigation. Yet when Rose's invaluable pearl necklace is stolen and its place is left a threatening note, he vows to do all that he can to keep those he loves safe.In Jazz Age New York, Fiona and Max will have to navigate this roaring new decade while learning the truth about those around them-as well as themselves.
391 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2020
6 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Miranda Atchley
12 books47 followersMiranda Atchley has always had a passion for stories and history. She’s the author of several books, and her work has been the finalist for an indie writing award. Miranda lives in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas where she works as an office manager for a funeral home. In her free time, she loves reading, watching old movies, and taking walks with her dogs. Visit her blog at: mirandaatchley.blogspot.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 27, 2021
1920s is so my thing right now. Let me just get the statement off my tongue onto the page: Deadly Pearls is really good, and I enjoyed it SO. SO. much. !!!!!
The book had set the tone for the 1920s and it was the perfect setting for a good mystery — cozy in that relaxing, I-will-chill-with-the-characters type of way; undemanding, where it was simply chill and not stressful and not really requiring much brainpower to follow in its tracks.
Characters
I enjoyed Fiona's character. Nothing about her seemed especially wow-ing, but she was one that I enjoyed reading in her POV, unlike Rose... Yeah, so there's a character named Rose who had her own POV. I didn't like her super much. She was just a little too spoilt even though her actions didn't necessarily show that she was; it was just the vibe she gave off to me.
Fiona and Max were likable, even though one of them got me mad at times. They showed relatively good character development in the end, but surprise surprise, I liked Rose's character development more than F and M! ;) It felt more present and moving for Rose, and it turned out just the way that I thought should be for her! Therefore, I just might like Rose... maybe in the next book.
Random romance comment
Quick mention to the romance, may I? It was pretty cute. :p More subtle, but still there. Fiona and Max didn't necessarily get together fully at the end like most romance, which I was downright sad with (lol) but I enjoyed that small part and I cannot wait to read more from them in the next book!!
The mystery!
So, this is a mystery book. Did it feel like one? Yeah. I mean, the whole thing was about solving a mystery. But, I realize throughout reading the book, there wasn't much done on Fiona's or Max's part to solve the mystery. Sure, they asked questions, poked around a tiny bit with the clues and everything. But there wasn't much further into that.
After every chapter, it did feel more like Fiona and Max were just "waiting for the next thing" and simply hanging around. They didn't do much, they just kind of waited for the mystery to unfold in itself while they went on with their daily lives. So many chapters were dedicated to telling a story of their personal lives and felt less with solving the mystery in and of itself. I simply just wanted more into the mystery. I wanted to see more action taken from Fiona and Max instead of simply going around and around on the same exact thing of "who did it?" for many chapters through.
So, yes, the mystery was a slight disappointment. BUT!!! While I found that mystery aspect disappointing, I really really enjoyed this book to no end. Yes, it sometimes felt that the mystery was lacking, but Fiona and Max's personal life intrigued me; their personal stories got me curious and invested with them. I enjoyed more of reading about Fiona and seeing how life went for her and puh-leaseee!!! I was hooked from the very start because it felt so 1920s-y!
With all that said, this book was so worth reading and it gave me such great enjoyment and pleasure to read! I'm absolutely so excited for the next book because I *need* more of Fiona and Max and amateur sleuthing. XD
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this awesome book in exchange for an honest review! :)
The book had set the tone for the 1920s and it was the perfect setting for a good mystery — cozy in that relaxing, I-will-chill-with-the-characters type of way; undemanding, where it was simply chill and not stressful and not really requiring much brainpower to follow in its tracks.
Characters
I enjoyed Fiona's character. Nothing about her seemed especially wow-ing, but she was one that I enjoyed reading in her POV, unlike Rose... Yeah, so there's a character named Rose who had her own POV. I didn't like her super much. She was just a little too spoilt even though her actions didn't necessarily show that she was; it was just the vibe she gave off to me.
Fiona and Max were likable, even though one of them got me mad at times. They showed relatively good character development in the end, but surprise surprise, I liked Rose's character development more than F and M! ;) It felt more present and moving for Rose, and it turned out just the way that I thought should be for her! Therefore, I just might like Rose... maybe in the next book.
Random romance comment
Quick mention to the romance, may I? It was pretty cute. :p More subtle, but still there. Fiona and Max didn't necessarily get together fully at the end like most romance, which I was downright sad with (lol) but I enjoyed that small part and I cannot wait to read more from them in the next book!!
The mystery!
So, this is a mystery book. Did it feel like one? Yeah. I mean, the whole thing was about solving a mystery. But, I realize throughout reading the book, there wasn't much done on Fiona's or Max's part to solve the mystery. Sure, they asked questions, poked around a tiny bit with the clues and everything. But there wasn't much further into that.
After every chapter, it did feel more like Fiona and Max were just "waiting for the next thing" and simply hanging around. They didn't do much, they just kind of waited for the mystery to unfold in itself while they went on with their daily lives. So many chapters were dedicated to telling a story of their personal lives and felt less with solving the mystery in and of itself. I simply just wanted more into the mystery. I wanted to see more action taken from Fiona and Max instead of simply going around and around on the same exact thing of "who did it?" for many chapters through.
So, yes, the mystery was a slight disappointment. BUT!!! While I found that mystery aspect disappointing, I really really enjoyed this book to no end. Yes, it sometimes felt that the mystery was lacking, but Fiona and Max's personal life intrigued me; their personal stories got me curious and invested with them. I enjoyed more of reading about Fiona and seeing how life went for her and puh-leaseee!!! I was hooked from the very start because it felt so 1920s-y!
With all that said, this book was so worth reading and it gave me such great enjoyment and pleasure to read! I'm absolutely so excited for the next book because I *need* more of Fiona and Max and amateur sleuthing. XD
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this awesome book in exchange for an honest review! :)
June 21, 2021
~I'd like to thank the author for sending me a free copy in of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest review!~
This was such a great murder mystery! Although the first hundred or so pages were a little slow, it picked up and the story was awesome. The characters were great, and I never guessed who the murderer was. Also, some of the phrases used, like "the cat's pajama's" and "the bee's knees", made the book even better! I look forward to book 2, to see Fiona solve more mysteries, and for the romance to blossom :)
I definitely recommend this book!
~Full Review To Come~
This was such a great murder mystery! Although the first hundred or so pages were a little slow, it picked up and the story was awesome. The characters were great, and I never guessed who the murderer was. Also, some of the phrases used, like "the cat's pajama's" and "the bee's knees", made the book even better! I look forward to book 2, to see Fiona solve more mysteries, and for the romance to blossom :)
I definitely recommend this book!
~Full Review To Come~
July 15, 2020
Fiona had big dreams when she left her native Ireland, but her experience so far in Jazz Age New York isn't what she imagined life in America would be like. Max has been living as unadventurous a life as possible since he fought in the Great War and lost so many of his comrades. Neither Fiona nor Max would have foreseen they'd one day have a shared mission to solve a murder case in Deadly Pearls by author Miranda Atchley.
I was drawn to this ChristFic historical mystery novel as soon as I heard about it. The essence of the big-city, Roaring Twenties setting is clear throughout the story, and I liked the heroine most during her sleuthing scenes. Themes of prejudice and classism are important to the plot, and I appreciate how a key romantic thread here isn't rushed or forced.
Now, I would've liked if there'd been more originality to the (sometimes repetitive) phrasing and descriptions rather than several of the clichés, it seems the story is pretty preoccupied with a lot of blue and green eyes, and some of the supporting cast would have needed a little more dimension to go beyond being expected "character types" to me. Also, I prefer when sleuths or detectives figure out a little more in a mystery rather than the villian doing much of the explaining with a long monologue in the end.
Even so, I found this to be an entertaining and worthwhile opening to an upcoming series, and plenty of other ChristFic mystery fans should enjoy this one.
________
I received an advance review copy of this book for an honest review.
I was drawn to this ChristFic historical mystery novel as soon as I heard about it. The essence of the big-city, Roaring Twenties setting is clear throughout the story, and I liked the heroine most during her sleuthing scenes. Themes of prejudice and classism are important to the plot, and I appreciate how a key romantic thread here isn't rushed or forced.
Now, I would've liked if there'd been more originality to the (sometimes repetitive) phrasing and descriptions rather than several of the clichés, it seems the story is pretty preoccupied with a lot of blue and green eyes, and some of the supporting cast would have needed a little more dimension to go beyond being expected "character types" to me. Also, I prefer when sleuths or detectives figure out a little more in a mystery rather than the villian doing much of the explaining with a long monologue in the end.
Even so, I found this to be an entertaining and worthwhile opening to an upcoming series, and plenty of other ChristFic mystery fans should enjoy this one.
________
I received an advance review copy of this book for an honest review.
Want to read
June 15, 2020This book looks SO AWESOME!!! Also, look at that cover!!! 😍😍😍
December 8, 2020
Fiona Clery and her parents have moved to New York from Ireland. Fiona is getting used to living in a big city. There are so many people and dangers! Fiona begins working in a dress shop and soon meets Rose. Rose is a young society woman soon to be married to a man she doesn't even know and that is twice her age. But Rose is in love with someone else. Someone that her parents would never approve of. When Gabriel is murdered Fiona knows that in order to help Rose she must solve the murder of the man Rose loved. Fiona and Max, Rose's cousin, team up to find out who murdered Gabriel.
I enjoyed reading DEADLY PEARLS. It was a solid mystery that had some twists and turns that were surprising and kept the book moving along. Fiona is both bold and timid if that makes sense. She is bold when she is standing up for the rights of herself and others but yet she also knows her place in society. I admire her desire to help her friend Rose and her boldness in ferreting out clues to help solve the case. I'm certainly hoping that Fiona and Max have a future together, but I think it may take some time. They make a good team. I also enjoyed the setting of the story which was the 1920's. Such a fun yet dangerous time with gangsters, speak easies etc. A good start to the series and I look forward to seeing how the characters develop.
I enjoyed reading DEADLY PEARLS. It was a solid mystery that had some twists and turns that were surprising and kept the book moving along. Fiona is both bold and timid if that makes sense. She is bold when she is standing up for the rights of herself and others but yet she also knows her place in society. I admire her desire to help her friend Rose and her boldness in ferreting out clues to help solve the case. I'm certainly hoping that Fiona and Max have a future together, but I think it may take some time. They make a good team. I also enjoyed the setting of the story which was the 1920's. Such a fun yet dangerous time with gangsters, speak easies etc. A good start to the series and I look forward to seeing how the characters develop.
October 5, 2020
I liked this historical mystery. Fiona, a recent immigrant, is an engaging heroine. Atchley has done a good job of having us experience the hurt Fiona encountered when people were harsh about her social status. There was a great deal of prejudice by the upper classes at that time. Max is a good hero too and I liked him. We get a touch of the trauma some experienced in WW I and the residual disturbing effects, like nightmares. And Rose. What a gutsy high class but very frustrated young woman, willing to forge her own future.
The mystery was probably the most subtle aspect of the novel. There is a murder Fiona and Max sort of work on. There isn't a great deal of investigative activity but the effort does get the two of them moving in the same direction.
The strength of the novel may well be the setting. I liked the bakeries and cafes and the food Atchley describes. She has done a good job of dropping us into New York in the 1920s.
I enjoyed the novel. Atchley has a pleasant writing style. The novel has a good setting, engaging characters and a good Christian message. I'll be looking for more in this series.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The mystery was probably the most subtle aspect of the novel. There is a murder Fiona and Max sort of work on. There isn't a great deal of investigative activity but the effort does get the two of them moving in the same direction.
The strength of the novel may well be the setting. I liked the bakeries and cafes and the food Atchley describes. She has done a good job of dropping us into New York in the 1920s.
I enjoyed the novel. Atchley has a pleasant writing style. The novel has a good setting, engaging characters and a good Christian message. I'll be looking for more in this series.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author. My comments are an independent and honest review.
October 7, 2020
Deadly Pearls is a delightful story in what promises to be a great series! The friendships it establishes are a poignant representation of the setting: an unlikely blending of cultures (1920s NYC) and class coming together to discover new dreams.
I especially liked how the themes of hope, trust, and self discovery play out in the story as Fiona finds purpose and happiness in a new place. Her love of books and mysteries in particular is fitting and plays in to her role in the story well. I thought the tentative friendship, banter, quarrels, and romance between Fiona and Max to be the best part! Their initial "meeting" over doughnuts is memorable and fun.
If you enjoy reading books set in the roaring 20s, Miranda Atchley has included all the pop culture of the time (like speakeasies! picture shows, Charlie Chaplin, and Agatha Christie!) in a unique mystery all tied together with the beginnings of friendship. I'm looking forward to whatever is next for Fiona, Max, Ian, and Rose!
Thank you to the author for the review copy. This is my honest review.
I especially liked how the themes of hope, trust, and self discovery play out in the story as Fiona finds purpose and happiness in a new place. Her love of books and mysteries in particular is fitting and plays in to her role in the story well. I thought the tentative friendship, banter, quarrels, and romance between Fiona and Max to be the best part! Their initial "meeting" over doughnuts is memorable and fun.
If you enjoy reading books set in the roaring 20s, Miranda Atchley has included all the pop culture of the time (like speakeasies! picture shows, Charlie Chaplin, and Agatha Christie!) in a unique mystery all tied together with the beginnings of friendship. I'm looking forward to whatever is next for Fiona, Max, Ian, and Rose!
Thank you to the author for the review copy. This is my honest review.
July 29, 2020
Take a smart and strong heroine, a loyal hero with a big heart, and a debutante desperate to spread her wings, add in the Roaring Twenties, NYC, and a mystery, and you have the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I've ever written.
Writing this book was a dream come true for me. Deadly Pearls is now ready for me to share with you, world. Enjoy.
Writing this book was a dream come true for me. Deadly Pearls is now ready for me to share with you, world. Enjoy.
October 5, 2020
This was a very interesting book! I love reading mysteries, and this particular story was set in such an unexpected era. Fiona Clery and her family have left Ireland behind to move to America, yet there are some relatives who decided to stay--one of which is Fiona's grandmother--who Fiona misses deeply. As she tries to adjust to her new life in New York, Fiona meets characters who will either make or break her daily experiences. One person in particular changes her world when she discovers his sordid past. Will Fiona be able to overcome this revelation? Can she comfort those around her--specifically in a time when everyone needs answers to all the challenging scenarios that plague her small part of town.
Max Gillespie's past continues to haunt him. After being a soldier in the Great War, he cannot seem to leave his battle wounds behind--but how can he when so many of his friends did not come back with him? Presently, he works for his uncle, and he tries to help all the individuals who come across his path. One such person is a young woman from Ireland. She is full of spunk and independence, and believes she is destined to set the world on fire. He admires her, but is also worried about her safety. When various affairs takes up his time, and Fiona somehow gets in the middle of it all, he wonders how he can be of assistance. Can he protect her and his cousin from getting into more of a mess than they are already in? Is he prepared to save them from a deadly situation?
This book is the first in a series that Miranda Atchley is writing. I cannot wait to read more of Fiona's adventures as she tries to save the world. If you enjoy mysteries, I recommend picking up this story. You won't be disappointed--happy reading friends!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy.
Max Gillespie's past continues to haunt him. After being a soldier in the Great War, he cannot seem to leave his battle wounds behind--but how can he when so many of his friends did not come back with him? Presently, he works for his uncle, and he tries to help all the individuals who come across his path. One such person is a young woman from Ireland. She is full of spunk and independence, and believes she is destined to set the world on fire. He admires her, but is also worried about her safety. When various affairs takes up his time, and Fiona somehow gets in the middle of it all, he wonders how he can be of assistance. Can he protect her and his cousin from getting into more of a mess than they are already in? Is he prepared to save them from a deadly situation?
This book is the first in a series that Miranda Atchley is writing. I cannot wait to read more of Fiona's adventures as she tries to save the world. If you enjoy mysteries, I recommend picking up this story. You won't be disappointed--happy reading friends!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy.
April 26, 2022
What interesting characters Fiona, Rose, and Max are! I have long been enchanted by the 1920's in the US. The changes that occured for women were, well, historical. Miranda has done an excellent job of creating interesting characters and educated the reader to the era. Excited to keep reading this series.
April 28, 2022
I received a free copy from the author. Normally, historical fiction is not my go-to genre. I was pleasantly surprised and fell in love with Fiona, Max, and Rose. The character development was perfect and I love a mystery that's hard to solve. This kept me guessing throughout and the murderer was truly an unexpected surprise. This totally changed my mind about historical fiction.
October 21, 2021
Delightful read!
Loved this book so much that I can’t wait to read other books by this author! My 10 year old daughter loved it too!
Loved this book so much that I can’t wait to read other books by this author! My 10 year old daughter loved it too!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews