A Deadly Legacy by E.V. Hunter - Book Review - Blog Tour

 Series: A Hopgood Hall Mystery #6

Publication Date: 19^th Nov 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/adeadlylegacybook

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216662834-a-deadly-legacy

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery, Contemporary

4 Stars

One Liner: A solid read

Book Blurb:

A tragic accident or an untimely death?

When Drew Hopgood’s brother, Frank dies whilst out climbing, it’s initially thought his death was simply a tragic accident. But when Frank’s much younger wife, Stella arrives at Hopgood Hall demanding half of Frank’s inheritance the Hopgoods and Alexi Ellis begin to suspect foul play...

Stella has no claim to Frank’s legacy, but she isn’t giving up easily. And with the reputation of Hopgood Hall still fragile, Alexi can’t afford to lose any more money because of Stella’s greed.

So Alexi, her partner Jack, and Cosmo of course, decide to dig deeper into Stella’s background. Just how did she meet Frank and were they really as in love as she claims?

As the trio investigate, they discover Stella has her own reasons for being back at Hopgood Hall. And rather than console the grieving widow, Alexi and Jack think they might need to look again at Frank’s tragic death – because rather than an accident this could have been a deadly fall – planned by his own wife!

A boutique hotel. A feral cat. A recipe for murder!

A gripping murder mystery, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Frances Evesham, and Emma Davies.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Alexi and Jack’s third-person POVs.

Though this is the sixth book in the series, it should work as a standalone (unlike the previous two books that focused on Alexi and Jack’s personal lives). While this deals with Drew’s personal life, it is pretty independent.

As if Cosmo wasn’t enough, A & J now have Silgo, a huge doggy of mixed breed. Needless to say, these two have taken over the backseat of their car and are ready to save Alexi if necessary. Cosmo is, of course, not going to let people walk away without looking at him.

Given the premise, this one combines a bit of family drama and a good load of mystery. As always, the plot starts simple but develops into something layered and intricate. Yet, nowhere does it feel confusing. It is not unbelievable either and ties well with the character arcs. Different threads come together to create a complete picture.

There are enough suspects, so it took me some time to guess. Some of them are a bit flat but do the job they are supposed to do. I wish we see Stella in action a little more rather than just read about her.

There isn’t any new development in the personal track between Alexi and Jack but it is not necessary here. They have an understanding and already work well as a team.

It gets a bit repetitive when Alexi is the only one rushing into danger, so maybe we could change that next? Give Jack some action and a chance to showcase his moves. ;)

To summarize, A Deadly Legacy is intriguing and is a good mystery to read when traveling or relaxing. The pacing is not fast but settles into a good rhythm.

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – E. V. Hunter

Evie Hunter has written a great many successful regency romances as Wendy Soliman and is now redirecting her talents to produce dark gritty thrillers for Boldwood. For the past twenty years, she has lived the life of a nomad, roaming the world on interesting forms of transport, but has now settled back in the UK.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @wendysolimanauthor

Twitter: @wendyswriter

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/EvieHunter

***

This has been a stop on the #ADeadlyLegacy blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!

Dr. Spilsbury and the Cursed Bride by D.L. Douglas - Book Review

Series: Dr. Slipsbury #2

Publication Date: 04th July 2024 

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining 

September 1920

A young bride is found dead at the country house of her would-be husband. People claim that she is a victim of the Withington curse which affects all women who marry into the family. However, Dr. Spilsbury is sure the cause of her death is a human and not some curse. With help from Violet and Charlie, the famous forensic pathologist is ready to find the killer. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Dr. Spilsbury and a few other characters.

My Thoughts: 

While the book works as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first. Violet’s introduction is necessary to understand her character (and she is still my favorite). 

Yet again, we start with something that seems pretty simple at the beginning only to realize there’s much we don’t know. There is much more than a curse, which gets only a teeny space as Dr. Spilsbury is not the one for such stuff. 

The victim was a force to reckon with and a stickler for rules. We know such people make a lot more enemies than they should simply because they don’t know where to draw a line. 

The list of suspects is pretty long, though a certain clue cuts it down by half. The mystery is intriguing as we get multiple flashback scenes from the past (involving the victim). I did guess the killer, though I had to wait for the reveal to find the reason. It comes together well. 

The war is once again one of the prominent players in the plot. However, there are other themes like bullying, PPD, mental illness, old money vs. new money, and a few more. 

The dynamics between the trio are shifting even though Dr. Spilsbury is determined to ignore the changes and be his useful self. The next book should be more interesting!

Though the pacing is a bit uneven (again), it doesn’t hamper our enjoyment. I did miss Annie but Charlie is proving himself to be a worthy addition to Scotland Yard (even if he can be annoying at times with his little rants). 

To summarize, Dr. Spilsbury and the Cursed Bride sustains the momentum established in the previous book and provides good entertainment in the process. I’m quite surprised this series has such few reviews on Goodreads. It’s a solid historical mystery with the right amount of dark. It deserves more readers. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #DrSpilsburyAndTheCursedBride 

Dr. Spilsbury and the Camden Town Killer by D.L. Douglas - Book Review

Series: Dr. Slipsbury #1

Publication Date: 20th July 2023 

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4 Stars 

One Liner: An interesting read 

January 1920, London 

A woman’s body is found dragged from the Regent’s Canal one night. Famous forensic pathologist and criminal sleuth Dr Bernard Spilsbury sees that it’s a case of foul play. Soon, a second body washes up and the police have their hands with a possible killer bumping off women for some reason. Dr. Slipbury steps into action to solve the case before more bodies turn up. 

The story comes in the third-person POVs of Dr. Spilsbury and a few other characters. 

My Thoughts: 

I did basic googling about Dr. Spilsbury before reading the book. Things are a bit different here since the fictional version seems to have a few traces of Holmes (lack of social cues and no family parts). The real one was married and had four children (or three) but the character is single and a loner by choice. Anyhoo, it didn’t affect my reading experience (though I am not fond of such changes to real people’s lives).

The beginning is a bit slow (though this book has 400+ pages) as it introduces the main characters and establishes the situation.

WWI might have ended, but it still had a strong impact on many lives. The war backdrop has a major role in the plot even if it doesn’t seem that way. 

While Dr. Spilsbury didn’t make the mark as I expected, I love Violet Malone. Her character is wonderful, so it makes me super happy to see she will continue to be in the next book (and the others). 

Charlie is another interesting character and will have a role in the subsequent books. His backstory and arc are also well done, making him an easy one to like and support. 

The pacing is pretty much steady with some new developments happening frequently. As the plot became more complex, I realized I didn’t want to stop reading (though I had to). The various tracks kept me hooked and wondering how it would all come together. 

I admit it took me a little while to guess the killer. I did figure out a few other things. The reveal is not highlighted which may make the whole thing seem a bit dull to some readers. However, I felt it was in tune with the rest of the contents and there were some loose ends to tie up afterward, so it fits on the whole. 

To summarize, Dr. Spilsbury and the Camden Town Killer is an interesting mystery that also deals with various other themes like prejudice, class differences, bias against women, the effect of war on soldiers, family relationships, lack of money, privilege, etc. 

Off to read the next in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #DrSpilsburyAndTheCamdenTownKiller

Murder in an English Castle by Merryn Allingham - Book Review - Book Tour

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #10

Publication Date: 20th Nov 2024

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/B0D12DYX12social

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216955883-murder-in-an-english-castle

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Entertaining!

Book Blurb:

It’s time to rewrite history with amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington as they are called to a castle to unearth the clues of a murder most medieval…

Sussex, 1959:

The sun is shining on the breathtaking castle as the Abbeymead Historical Society prepares their re-enactment of the Battle of Lewes. But the fun ends abruptly when council worker Alex Vicary falls to his death from the castle ramparts. A shadowy figure runs from the scene, but Alex was a beloved member of the community… who could possibly want him dead?

As Flora and Jack investigate further, they dig up troubles Alex kept buried from those closest to him. Perhaps he was pushed by his money-hungry landlord, Larry Morton, who was trying to sell Alex’s home? Or maybe his oldest and shiftiest friend, Bruce Sullivan, who gambled away the money Alex loaned him? Or could it be his wide-eyed new girlfriend, Diane Croft, who dodges questions about Alex’s death, and hides presents from another suitor?

But when Flora discovers an engagement ring among Alex’s possessions, she is stunned to learn that his relationship with Diane was more serious than everyone thought. With whispers of another man fighting for Diane’s heart, were the battle lines drawn for love?

Then the body of a second member of the society is found, and the pair realize time is running out. Will history repeat itself with yet another death? Or can Flora and Jack catch their killer before the medieval murderer bids them both adieu?

A totally compelling and absolutely charming cozy mystery novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs.

Though the book works as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the previous two books to get a better idea of the characters and their friendship with others in the story.

Flora and Jack have gotten into a rhythm, dividing their days between Lewes and Abbeymead. While it is not all flowers and roses, things are decent and soon they can go on their honeymoon to Venice (possibly the next book).

The recurring side characters in the series do their bit here too. Alice is grumbling but efficient. Kate is busy with her baby girl and the diner. Inspector Alan has too much paperwork and not enough time.

The side drama is handled without too much conflict or unwanted displays of emotion, though we can feel the tension between the characters. There’s just enough to make things a bit uncomfortable for some of them. All a part of life!

The mystery begins right away with the murder in the prologue. The details are revealed in stages and the suspect list grows/ changes accordingly. It’s Flora who does the majority of the work this time. Jack is less involved though he does manage to step in when absolutely necessary. Maybe in the next book, he’ll get back to proper sleuthing.

To summarize, Murder in an English Castle is an easy cozy mystery with some history, secrets, danger, and dead bodies. As always, the book is fairly short and has a steady pace. Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. 

#NetGalley

***

About the Author – Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cosy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

Follow the Author:

Website: https://merrynallingham.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here:  https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

***

This has been a pitstop on the blog tour for #MurderInAnEnglishCastle by Bookouture (@bookouture). Thank you for stopping by! 

Sign up for all the best Bookouture deals: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

 

A Holiday Homicide by Ellie Alexander - Book Review

Series: A Secret Bookcase Mystery #4

Publication Date: 20th Nov 2024

Genre: Small Town Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: A quick little mystery 

When local bakery owner, Sugar, asks Annie to host a gingerbread competition at the Secret Bookcase Shop, everyone is excited. A famous influencer baker, Lily Hawthorne, is the guest and is supposed to promote their small town, Redwood Grove. 

However, things take a different turn when there’s a death on the site and everything indicates it was a murder. Can Annie, with help from friends, solve the case and save the day for her town? 

The story comes in Annie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

I didn’t realize this had an influencer (the official blurb is rather vague). While it’s not my favorite topic, the book tackles the theme well. We see the real and fake sides of social media fame, as well as the threats that come with it. 

Set during the Holidays, the book brings the Christmas vibe alive with gingerbread, spiced teas, seasonal flavored coffees, cakes, cupcakes, and more! The weather is cold, which adds to the atmosphere. 

The pacing is fast just like the previous books in the series. We get enough backstory about the characters and the overarching subplot for this work as a standalone. Though, note that you’ll find it repetitive if you’ve read the previous books. 

Annie makes some major decisions and is excited about the future after a long time. While I like her love story with Liam, she tends to go off-tagent and daydream like a teenager. That doesn’t always work. 

The main mystery was easy enough to guess though there are a few suspects to consider. There is a little progress on the Scarlet track. I wish it would start to pick up pace and become a central mystery in one of the upcoming books. 

The recurring side characters like Priya, Fletcher, and Hal are adorable as always. I like how they are so supportive and care for Annie. Their thoughtfulness gives the story a warm cozy vibe. Too bad we get to meet Professor Plum only once. 

To summarize, A Holiday Homicide is a light mystery with some likable and unlikeable characters. Though it doesn’t have any dark vibes, it does talk about the grief of losing a loved one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for eARC. 

#NetGalley #AHolidayHomicide

Someone Like You by Sandy Barker - Book Review - Blog Tour

Series: Ever After Agency #4 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 12th Nov 2024

Purchase Link: https://mybook.to/someonelikeyousocial

Goodreads Book Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214540475-someone-like-you

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Romance

3.3 Stars

One Liner: A decent timepass read

Book Blurb:

What do you do when you realize you've fallen for your best friend, but he sees you as the sister he never had? And to make things worse, you're stuck in the middle of a matchmaking scheme to find him someone else!

Best friends Gaby and Raff are inseparable and know each other inside out. But with Raff's string of disastrous relationships and his newfound fame as Britain’s Best Baker, it's time to enlist the Ever After Agency to help him find true love.

At first, Gaby is all in – Raff is a catch, after all. But as she secretly helps to find his perfect match, she’s hit with unexpected pangs of jealousy. And before she can act on her feelings, Raff falls for one of his dates.

Can Gaby keep her emotions in check, or will she risk ruining their friendship to find out if Raff feels the same way?

Set in London and Seattle, this romantic and festive romcom is perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Mhairi McFarlane, and Lindsey Kelk.

***

My Thoughts:

The story comes in Gaby and Poppy’s first-person POVs.

This should work as a standalone (I haven’t read the previous books). However, I was unprepared for Poppy’s POV in a story that didn’t belong to her.

Firstly, the premise of friends-to-lovers with some supposed third-party drama is not only interesting but has much potential to explore the MCs’ friendship and the realization parts. Unfortunately, the book succeeds only to a point.

The second half is decidedly better and more entertaining than the first. Once the setting changes, the story ups the ante with ease. The main reason for this is the focus on Gaby and Raffe even though there are a bunch of people around them.

The first half takes time to establish the dynamic, which is good but I was so annoyed by Freya (until she redeemed herself to an extent). Also, I needed more of Aunt CiCi. She sounds wonderful!

The main characters are actually good. I could empathize with both of them. However, the chapters with Poppy’s first-person POV (especially the ones set away from the office) were irritating. All of it could have been condensed and told to us in a couple of paragraphs. Her POV should have been in the third person.

Instead of limiting Raffe’s POV to the prologue, it should have been included more (at least 3 chapters) in between by replacing Poppy’s home scenes. That would have given us more insight into his feelings and the exact moment of realization. This part has been settled in a single sentence.

I enjoyed meeting Gaby’s family a lot (even the aunt, lol). Seeing how this ended, I feel they will feature in one of the upcoming books as well. I might try that one just to meet them again. Lovely family vibes with chaos, banter, love, and laughter.

Though the book explores another trope (forced proximity), it doesn’t do much except make one of them feel sadder. This is where Raffe’s POV would have elevated the narrative and later too in the supermarket.

I wouldn’t really call this a romance read. It’s more of a women’s fic with a bit of romance. The wait is long (which I don’t mind) but the journey could have been better.

To summarize, Someone Like You is a sweet story about not just love but also about family, friendships, and being there for those who matter to you.

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley

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About the Author – Sandy Barker

I’m a writer, traveller, and hopeful romantic, and am currently on a one-year sabbatical with my partner, Ben, living and writing across the world.

As a traveller, I love exploring new places, outdoor adventures, and eating and drinking like a local, and many of my travel adventures have found homes in my novels.

Follow the Author:

Facebook: @SandyBarkerAuthor

Twitter: @SandyBarker

Instagram: @sandybarkerauthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SandyBarkernews

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This has been a stop on the #SomeoneLikeYou blog tour by Rachel's Random Resources. (@rararesources) Thanks for stopping by!