Historical Mystery Lovers discussion

Welcome everyone to a new year and a new thread!
Come and tell us about the books you are reading and enjoying (or not!)

I am about to start A Dangerous Business a new book by Jane Smiley. It is set in California in 1850's and should fit in one of the settings challenge.

Currently reading Blackstone Fell by Martin Edwards. Rachel Savernake is a very interesting character, and Martin Edwards always delivers a great mystery.

Helen wrote: "Currently reading Blackstone Fell by Martin Edwards. Rachel Savernake is a very interesting character, and Martin Edwards always delivers a grea..."


I've read the previous books, with that one on my TBR. Interesting, indeed!

I'm listening to the audiobook of Sherlock Holmes & the Christmas Demon by James Lovegrove.

I just finished The Stationmaster's Farewell by Edward Marston as my first book of the year. I really enjoy this series set in the UK about the railways.

I'm finishing up: Dr Potter's Private Practice: A Vita Carew Mystery set at Christmas in Cambridge

Picked up The Secret of the Lost Pearls today. I was first on the list. I don't know if that's good or bad. I have to see how many holds are after me to know if it's popular.

I'm partway through The Body, the Diamond and the Child, not sure how I feel about it.

I'm listening to A Dark and Painful Mystery by Wendy M. Wilson, part of the Seargent Frank Hardy mysteries set in 19th-century New Zealand.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Picked up The Secret of the Lost Pearls today. I was first on the list. I don't know if that's good or bad. I have to see how many holds are after me to know if it's popular."

Read that one for NG, part of the Rosalind Thorne series. Lots of family drama, and true to the time period (Regency-era).

QNPoohBear wrote: "Picked up The Secret of the Lost Pearls today. I was first on the list. I don't know if that's good or bad. I have to see how many holds are after me to know if it's popular."

My request is 'in transit'.

I just finished The Nun’s Tale by Candace Robb. 3rd in the Owen Archer series. There were so many characters, so many twists and turns but definitely a terrific book.

I enjoy the Rosalind Thorne series but the stories never seem to stick in my memory. After seeing this discussion I made sure to place a request that our local library purchase it.

Uh-oh Rosalind Thorne! 2 copies in the state system and 0 holds. I enjoy this series for the authenticity (except for Alice who is way too Edwardian). I haven't gotten to Pearl yet but I will soon.

My library system holds more hope: 3 copies, 9 on order, 5 holds and 1 borrowed.

I am reading a good new book, Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal. It is standalone, not part of the Maggie Hope series. Set in 1940 Los Angeles. Mother and daughter try to break Nazi sympathizer groups. Based on real people. Good so far.

I finished it. Absolutely excellent. I have it 5 stars. Highly recommend

Sandy wrote: "My library system holds more hope: 3 copies, 9 on order, 5 holds and 1 borrowed."

That's great! I hope more readers in my area pick up this series.

Just finished The Deeds of the Disturber - sometimes Amelia gets on my nerves, but I love the history and the archeology, and there are many laugh out loud moments.

Lauren wrote: "Just finished The Deeds of the Disturber - sometimes Amelia gets on my nerves, but I love the history and the archeology, and there are many laugh out loud moments."

I love the entire Emerson clan and their antics. I appreciate how Amelia blends modern sensibilities with being a woman of her time and place. I miss the Emersons and Barbara Merta (Elizabeth Peters) so much and I wish she had lived to see the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb.

QNPoohBear wrote: "I wish she had lived to see the 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tut's tomb."

Yes, there have been quite a few insights into King Tut's life since she passed.

Finished Now and Then Stab #7 Francis Bacon by Anna Castle. Rated 4 stars. Read on Kindle and listened on Hoopla Audio. Another very entertaining episode in this series. Set in late 16th century England during the reign of Elizabeth I. As the series has progressed Thomas Claraday and Alice "Trumpet" (Lady Dorchester) have become my favorite characters in this series. Best to read the books in order to better understand their relationship. The real life poet and "spy", Christopher "Kit" Marlowe, is featured and even a young Shakespeare makes a short appearance. To post anything else would be spoilers! Wonderful dialogue and historical details. The audio narration by Philip Battley is fantastic! Highly recommend this series.

I just finished Why Mermaids Sing, 3rd in the Sebastian St Cyr series. I love this series more with each installment. I can’t recall another series that is so fast paced, which is one of the reasons I love this series. If anyone can suggest good historical mysteries with a fast pace like Sebastian please advise.

Why Mermaids Sing

JD Kirk DCI Jack Logan
They're fast-paced, with short chapters and not a lot of excess description – so if you like the kind of books that are suspenseful and hard to put down, this is a great series to try.

I just finished A Cruel Deception by Charles Todd. I love this series. I'm glad I still have a couple more to read.

The Secret of the Lost Pearls
Based on Pride and Prejudice, it's a darker, closer look at what the Bennet family COULD be like when Elizabeth marries Darcy. The mystery is excellent but Adam is gone for most of the book. I missed him.

I am reading a good new Historical mystery set in Colonial Ameria (some in Englad) Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris. Deals with people who signed warrant to kill King Charles I being hunted down in American Colonies. Very interesting.

Alice wrote: "I am reading a good new Historical mystery set in Colonial Ameria (some in Englad) Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris. Deals with people who signe..."

Excellent book though I didn't consider it a mystery.

I'm listening to and enjoying The Woman in the Water by Charles Finch, a prequel to the Charles Lenox mysteries in Victorian England.

I'm listening to Nobody's Sweetheart Now, first in the Lady Adelaide series. Great audio narration which gets across the main character's sense of humor. However, the author seems to slip in modern American terms on occasion?

I have read the Lady Adelaide series and enjoyed it mystery along with the budding romance.

John wrote: "I'm listening to Nobody's Sweetheart Now, However, the author seems to slip in modern American terms on occasion..."

That's the criticism I've seen in a lot of reviews for books I read, leveled at British historical mysteries -- too many Americanisms, modern or otherwise, on the pages. The inference being that the authors are not doing their homework well enough.

Helen wrote: "That's the criticism I've seen in a lot of reviews for books I read, leveled at British historical mysteries -- too many Americanisms, modern or otherwise, on the pages. The inference being that the authors are not doing their homework well enough.."

I have found this is as well. I often look a word up to see its etymology and when it first appeared. Too many times an author is using a 20th century word in a much earlier time period. To me, it is very lazy.

I finished Murder at Kensington Palace (Wrexford and Sloane, #3). I am liking this series better with each installment.

I like that series, too, Katy. The machinations the author goes through to keep the deception up (you know what I'm talking about) is a testament to her creativity. It's getting harder with each book, though.

I finished listening to The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley, #9 in the series. I think I'm done with this series (famous last words). Flavia is getting on my nerves. :-)

Murder in the Drawing Room
This was the best one yet. The mystery has a lot of twists and turns and kept me reading well into the night. Some of the situations and dialogue still sound New York to me and not quite so British. The history is focused on the lack of rights for women at that time. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

I just finished A Better Quality of Murder from the Lizzie Martin/Ben Ross series. This is another series I am really enjoying.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Murder in the Drawing Room
This was the best one yet. The mystery has a lot of twists and turns and kept me reading well into the nigh..."

I like Cleo, and while I'm not keen on romantic angles generally, she and Harry are suited for each other.

I read Viviana Valentine Gets Her Man, set in New York in 1950. I found it a quick, fun read though a bit heavy handed in making sure the reader knows it is the 50's - lots of long dead brand names mentioned. Interesting characters and story, but I thought the plot had holes and got quite convoluted in the wrap-up.

I felt like visiting Lady Hardcastle and Florence again. I am reading Death Around the Bend by T.E. Kinsey. It is very enjoyable. Reading another one in the series is like sitting down with friend for cup of tea and chatting catchhing up on their life. I really enjoy this series.

Alice wrote: "I felt like visiting Lady Hardcastle and Florence again. I am reading Death Around the Bend by T.E. Kinsey. It is very enjoyable. Reading a..."

I agree with you and what an apt description!

Have to agree with both of you. It's a great series. Love the banter, a hallmark of the books.

Helen wrote: "Have to agree with both of you. It's a great series. Love the banter, a hallmark of the books."

Me too and I love how Flo's twin enters the story and engages in banter in the newest book. I hope she comes back. I love these ladies and their adventures. I enjoy the stories set in the country the most. I LOVE English village novels. The quirky characters always appeal to me. It's the Jane Austen lover in me I guess.

Yes, they're lovely books -- thanks for the reminder. I need something fun to read and they really fit the bill.

Finished Snobbery with Violence #1 Edwardian Murder by Marion Chesney aka M. C. Beaton. Audio Narration by Davina Porter. Rated 3 stars. First time to read a historical mystery by this author. I prefer her contemporary mysteries featuring Hamish Macbeth :)

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Finished Snobbery with Violence #1 Edwardian Murder by Marion Chesney aka M. C. Beaton. Audio Narration by Davina Porter. Rated 3 stars. First time to ..."

I prefer her Regency romances. The Edwardian mysteries are better than the Edwardian romances at least.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Finished Snobbery with Violence #1 Edwardian Murder by Marion Chesney aka M. C. Beaton. Audio Narration by Davina Porter. Rat..."

Thanks! I enjoy Austen & Heyer Regency novels. Do you have a favorite Chesney/Beaton Regency to recommend?

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: " Do you have a favorite Chesney/Beaton Regency to recommend?"

They're a bridge between Heyer and the more modern Bridgerton style romances- cheeky and more modern than Heyer but funny. I liked the Traveling Matchmaker series, the Poor Relation series, the School for Manners series, Minerva, At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple. Most of the ones the library had in print were funny but not all the digital reprints are as good, in my opinion.

Definitely more modern than Heyer, but they're fun, short, entertaining reads. When I want something romantic and light-hearted, I often choose these (but no particular series--just what I find at a good price).