Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer ISBN-13: 9781402213496 Trade Paperback: 392 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Released: 1935; August 1, 2008

Source: Bought through Half.com.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
After their father's death, Miss Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine travel to London to meet their guardian, Lord Worth, expecting an elderly gentleman. To their surprise and utter disgust, their guardian is not much older than they are and doesn't want the office of guardian any more than they want him. But when Miss Taverner and Peregrine begin to move in the highest social circles, Lord Worth cannot help but entangle himself with his adventuresome wards...


My Review:
Regency Buck is a Regency romance. As usual for a Heyer novel, there were many funny moments. However, I thought this novel was a bit more predictable than most and spent more time than needed describing boxing matches, fancy rooms, etc.

Also, any time a heroine does the exact opposite of whatever the hero says just to spite him, I'm not going to like the story very much. It's always struck me as a foolish way to "prove" your independence as it usually leads to poor decisions that thus prove you need a keeper. The hero figured out quickly that she was going to do the opposite of whatever he suggested, no matter how reasonable, and he started manipulating her using that knowledge. Not really an ideal basis for a relationship. Obviously this was not one of my favorite Heyers.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie ISBN-13: 9780425205952 Paperback: 324 pages Publisher: Berkley Released: 1936; July 5 2005

Source: Borrowed from the library.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
It was the match-up of the century: four sleuths--Superintendent Battle of Scotland Yard; Mrs. Ariadne Oliver, famed writer of detective stories; Col. Race of His Majesty's Secret Service; and the incomparable Hercule Poirot - invited to play bridge with four specially invited guests, each of whom had gotten away with murder! But before the evening was over, the host was dead.


My Review:
Cards on the Table is a historical mystery set in 1936 in England (though it was written as a contemporary mystery).

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle and could be guessed, but it was not a straight-forward mystery. We know that most or all of the four guests have committed murder before and could have murdered the host. The question is which one (and who did they murder in the past)? Based on the initial clues, I was pretty certain of whodunit. Yet I could see where Poirot was going with his line of questioning, and I changed my mind. At one point, I was as confused as Poirot was. Let's just say that it managed to keep me second-guessing myself. Not every detail was explained, but the solution did make sense.

There was no sex and a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Wolf's Call by Anthony Ryan

The Wolf's Call by Anthony Ryan ISBN-13: 9780451492517 Hardcover: 432 pages Publisher: Ace Released: July 23, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Vaelin Al Sorna is a living legend, his name known across the Realm. It was his leadership that overthrew empires, his blade that won hard-fought battles - and his sacrifice that defeated an evil more terrifying than anything the world had ever seen. Yet he cast aside his earned glory for a quiet life in the Realm's northern reaches.

Now whispers have come from across the sea of an army called the Steel Horde, led by a man who believes himself a god. Vaelin has no wish to fight another war, but when he learns that Sherin, the woman he lost long ago, has fallen into the Horde's grasp, he resolves to confront this powerful new threat.

To this end, Vaelin travels to the realms of the Merchant Kings, a land ruled by honour and intrigue. There, as the drums of war thunder across kingdoms riven by conflict, Vaelin learns a terrible truth: that there are some battles that even he cannot hope to win


My Review:
The Wolf's Call is an epic fantasy novel. This is the first novel I've read by this author and it's the first in a new trilogy, but Vaelin has already been in battle all over the western continent in a previous trilogy. Details and outcomes that were needed to understand this story were "spoiled" in this book, so you may wish to start Vaelin's story at it's beginning. I'll also mention that the author ended this book with the main characters still in immediate danger and distress, which I didn't find a satisfying way to end hours of tense reading.

The novel started off with the first part of a three part narrative by the sister of the main enemy. She described how her brother came to power and made himself into a living "god" to his fanatical army. Deft world-building quickly brought the culture alive in my imagination without slowing the story of how she came to love her brother then came to see how dangerous and manipulative he was. There wasn't much character building except for the villain's sister. When we switched to Vaelin, the first part was mostly showing what had become of some of the main characters that he'd previously fought with and to add a few new companions. Then it turned into a story of constant danger, running from one battle to the next.

Stil, I enjoyed the story up to 95% of the way through, and then it all fell apart for me as I lost my willingness to suspend disbelief. I'll be as vague as possible to avoid "spoiling" events. Waves of soldiers were running at a certain point and dying by the thousands, creating a pile of bodies. Bodies are wobbly, uncertain ground to walk on let alone run on, so I was already starting to disbelieve the events. Then a single rider raced his horse at the pile of bodies. In real life, that horse is going to trip and fall. In the story, it bulldozed through the pile and cleared a path. Whoa. I simply couldn't get back into the story after that.

The "magic" in this world shows up as random Gifts that people are born with, things like seeing visions of the future or living for centuries or the ability to create and toss fire balls. There was sex but no sex scenes. There was some bad language (mostly b**** and f***).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews ISBN-13: 9781733056908 Paperback: 356 pages Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press Released: July 23, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Hidden away in rural Devonshire, Phyllida Satterthwaite has always been considered more odd than beautiful. But in London, her oddity has made her a sensation. Far worse, it's caught the eye of the sinister Duke of Moreland--a notorious art collector obsessed with acquiring one-of-a-kind treasures. To escape the duke's clutches, she's going to need a little help.

Captain Arthur Heywood's days of heroism are long past. Grievously injured in the Peninsular War, he can no longer walk unaided, let alone shoot a pistol. What use can he possibly be to a damsel in distress? He has nothing left to offer except his good name.

Can a marriage of convenience save Philly from the vengeful duke? Or will life with Arthur put her--and her heart--in more danger than ever?


My Review:
The Work of Art is a romance set in 1814 in England. Philly is a kind, compassionate woman drawn to hurting beings. She has four loyal dogs that she's rescued from injury or abuse, so she understands that Arthur's outwardly stern, unwelcoming attitude is a result of the injuries he received in battle. He was once a skilled rider and crack shot, but now he can't walk without a cane and even then only with pain.

Philly's kindness opened the way for a friendship between the two that developed into love. They had plenty of misunderstandings, but--happiness!--they actually talked them out within a day, drawing the two even closer together. They're a good match that brings out the best in each other. Suspense was added from the rumored danger to Philly because she rejected the duke's efforts to "collect" (marry) her. Accurate historical details about things like manners, historic events, and clothing were woven into the story.

There was some bad language. There were several scenes involving extended heated kissing (focusing on the face) fading to black as things became more intimate between the married couple. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham ISBN-13: 9780800735388 Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Revell Released: July 2, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never expecting a reply.

When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it.


My Review:
Yours Truly, Thomas is a Christian romance set in 1883 in America. Penny is extremely romantic and has longed to receive love letters since she was a child. As an adult, she hasn't received a single letter of her own, but she delights in reading the love letters that end up at the Dead Letter Office. Her heart aches if she can't find a way to send these letters on to the intended recipient. When heartbroken, longing letters signed by Thomas end up in her hands, she's determined to get his letters to his true love so she'll forgive him and go out west to join him in Iowa. But when reuniting the two turns out to be impossible, she's left deeply worried about the man she's come to care for but hardly knows.

I cared about what happened to the main characters (even though extremely romantic characters do not often appeal to me). Penny's ideas about love and what makes a loving marriage change slowly throughout the story. She's a caring, kind person. Thomas endeavored to become a better person after a terrible accident revealed to him how selfish and uncaring he'd been in the past. The two bring out the best in the other, so they're a good match. The historical setting provided a backdrop for the action. The ending seemed a bit...unlikely, but a lot of the story pushed the edge of proper or reasonable behavior for that time period.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Redgrave Murders by A.L. Sowards

The Redgrave Murders by A.L. Sowards ISBN-13: 9781524409456 Paperback: 272 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: July 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Loss is inevitable, as Evie Hampton knows all too well. But despite losing her mother to cancer and her older brother to a war, she knows she’s one of the lucky ones. After all, she still has her father, a distinguished professor of medieval history. And she has Gary Redhawk, the man she loves despite the emotional scars he carries from the Second World War—and despite her father’s opposition to their relationship.

Then her car's brakes fail, sending Evie careening off the road. Little does she know a host of hardships is just beginning—the car was her father’s, and the brake lines were deliberately cut. Someone wants them dead—but why? The police suspect Gary because of his troubled past, but Evie is unwilling to believe he’s involved. Determined to uncover the truth, she begins to investigate, but it's soon clear that someone is determined to silence her—and the next attempt on her life may be a deadly success.


My Review:
The Redgrave Murders is a romantic suspense set in 1948 in New York. Evie loves a WWII veteran who struggles with flashbacks of traumatic events from his past. They're also facing prejudice because he's Seneca (Native American). When Evie's father is murdered, her grief is made worse by the police assuming her boyfriend did it. She's determined to prove that he didn't. She's distracted from reasoning out whodunit by the grief of losing loved ones, worry for her boyfriend, and trying to stay alive despite the repeated attempts to kill her. Gary helps Evie with investigating whodunit, but he's struggling with his past ghosts, prejudice, and staying alive.

The mystery was clue-based, though there weren't many clues. I still quickly narrowed it down and strongly suspected the correct whodunit for the whole story. I understand why the kind and caring hero and heroine didn't suspect or really have time to reason things out, but I'm baffled as to why the detective didn't think of whodunit. The motive was pretty obvious and much more reasonable than the ones that Gary and Evie came up with for their suspects. Also, once they finally suspected the motive, there was something obvious they could have done to make Evie no longer a target, yet they don't do it.

Anyway, it was suspenseful, and I cared about what happened to the main characters. Gary respected Evie and was trying his best to keep a positive attitude despite the challenges he faced. Evie was loyal to those she cared about. They built each other up. I enjoyed the historical details about WWII and the challenges faced by veterans and minorities. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical suspense.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Murder in Three Acts by Agatha Christie

Murder in Three Acts by Agatha Christie Paperback: 336 pages Released: 1934

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
Thirteen guests arrived at dinner at the actor's house. It was to be a particularly unlucky evening for the mild-mannered Reverend Stephen Babbington, who choked on his cocktail, went into convulsions and died. But when his martini glass was sent for chemical analysis, there was no trace of poison -- and there was absolutely no motive. But when another one of the guests is murdered at a different dinner party in the same fashion, it's clear the first death wasn't from natural causes.


My Review:
Murder in Three Acts is a historical mystery set in 1934 in England (though it was written as a contemporary mystery). It was a clue-based puzzle mystery. Whodunit was my strong favorite (of three possible suspects) even when I started guessing whodunit. Whodunit only seemed more likely as more clues surfaced, but someone not familiar with Christie is less likely to guess correctly. Turns out that I was wrong about the motive, though I was surprised how close I was on the motive for the first murder. The characters were interesting and included a character from the Mr. Quinn stories, which was fun.

There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this fun mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Cold Aim by Janice Cantore

Cold Aim by Janice Cantore ISBN-13: 9781496423788 Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Released: July 9, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Police Chief Tess O'Rourke's small town is still reeling from a devastating fire when the FBI asks for help: Could she shelter a witness in a high-profile human trafficking case? Initially reluctant to put the townspeople of Rogue's Hollow at risk, Tess is swayed after she sees Pastor Oliver Macpherson's genuine conviction to rescue those in need, a trait in him she's coming to love more each day.

Tess's fledgling faith is tested when crews of workmen from out of town come in to assist with the fire cleanup and she worries that one of these strangers might shine a light on things best kept hidden. Neither she nor Oliver knows that Rogue's Hollow is already home to a suspect from a twenty-five-year-old murder case . . . and someone is taking cold aim at those Tess is sworn to protect.


My Review:
Cold Aim is a Christian suspense novel. It's the third book in a series but works fine as a stand alone. One person's actions during a suspenseful event from the previous novel were briefly "spoiled" in this one, so you may wish to read the novels in order.

Tess lives out justice as the police chief, but she's increasingly attracted to the mercy and compassion shown by Oliver. Pastor Oliver admires Tess' courage, but he's also frighten he might lose her to death like he did his wife. Everyone else seems to feel that a romance between a pastor and a cop will never work. Tess deals with these doubts while trying to keep the town safe. A fire sweeps through the area and the crew hired to clean-up afterward contains at least one criminal. A poacher is illegally killing animals. A couple who lost their house in the fire regularly argues--loudly--and Tess fears it may turn into domestic violence. And Tess is asked to help a human trafficking victim who agreed to testify and bring down a trafficking ring, but she needs to be secretly hidden until the trial because assassins will probably be sent after her.

So, constant suspense! The characters acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. I liked Tess's compassion and determination to keep her town safe and Pastor Oliver's willingness to show God's love to people, even those that other people thought were hopeless. Several characters question why God doesn't stop every bad thing from happening and if there are people so evil and hard that they're beyond hope. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this engaging, suspenseful story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Eye Spy by Mercedes Lackey

Eye Spy by Mercedes Lackey ISBN-13: 9780756413200 Hardcover: 336 pages Publisher: Daw Books Released: July 9, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. When their daughter, Abidela, senses the imminent collapse of a bridge, she saves many lives. The experience uncovers her unique Gift—an ability to sense the physical strains in objects. Intrigued by the potential of her Gift, the Artificers train her in math and construction techniques. Her Gift may also grant her an advantage as a spy. With the help of her mentors, she must hone her gift to uncover hidden secrets.


My Review:
Eye Spy is a fantasy novel for tweens and teens. While the story works as a stand alone novel, you'll better understand some of the references made in the story if you've read more of the Valdemar series. Frankly, this story felt fragmented--like it was several short stories about Abidela put into one book. She's confronted with a bully but immediately took care of that threat because she's smart and talented. She needed to learn to use her Gift, yet that's more summarized than seen, so not much suspense built up there. Then she helped her dad briefly by working as a spy. So a series of short adventures, and most didn't contain a notable challenge because she's so talented and smart.

The usual underdog fight against dangerous evil people didn't start until the last quarter of the book, so there wasn't a lot of time to develop the conflict, and the ending felt rushed. It was an enjoyable story, there just wasn't a lot of suspense since the problems were resolved so quickly. There was no sex. There was some bad language (including b**ch).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Framed in Lace by Monica Ferris

Framed in Lace by Monica Ferris ISBN-13: 9780425171493 Mass Market Paperback: 243 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: October 1, 1999

Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When the historic Hopkins ferry is raised from the lake, a skeleton is discovered. Unfortunately, the only evidence is a piece of lace-like fabric. But once Betsy Devonshire and the patrons of her needlecraft shop lend a hand, they're sure to stitch together the details of this mystery.


My Review:
Framed in Lace is a cozy mystery. It's the second book in a series. You don't need to read the first book to understand this one, and the whodunit of the previous mystery is not spoiled in this one.

I like how the heroine reasons out the clues (all the clues must fit), is concerned about innocent people's reputations being damaged by her digging up secrets, and realizes that finding a murderer can be dangerous. I like how the characters generally act and react like realistic people. Godwin came across as a cliche character in this story, so it's comforting to know that later in the series (where I started reading) that he turns into a realistic, complex person instead of a stereotype.

The mystery was a clue-based puzzle mystery. It was fun trying to get all the clues to fit into a reasonable sequence and to determine whodunit. I was fairly certain of whodunit before the end, but it took all the clues to unravel the sequence of events.

There was no sex. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable puzzle mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Season of Darkness by Cora Harrison

Season of Darkness by Cora Harrison ISBN-13: 9780727888761 Hardcover: 240 pages Publisher: Severn House Publishers Released: July 1, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When Inspector Field shows his friend Charles Dickens the body of a young woman dragged from the River Thames, he cannot have foreseen that the famous author would immediately recognize the victim as Isabella Gordon, a housemaid he had tried to help through his charity. Nor that Dickens and his fellow writer Wilkie Collins would determine to find out who killed her. Who was Isabella blackmailing, and why? Led on by a series of notes discovered by Isabella's friend Sesina, the two men track the murdered girl's journeys from Greenwich to Snow Hill, from Smithfield Market to St Bartholomews, and put their wits to work on uncovering her past. But what does Sesina know that she's choosing not to tell them? And is she doomed to follow in the footsteps of the unfortunate Isabella


My Review:
Season of Darkness is a mystery set in 1853 in London. Wilkie Collins helped his friend Charles Dickens to solve the murder of a maid that Dickens once tried to help educate through Urania Cottage. Wilkie and Sesina, a maid who was best friends with the dead girl, were the main view point characters. They went about solving the murder in their own ways, though Sesina was tempted to blackmail the murderer (since she feels she's very clever) while Wilkie and Dickens wanted to turn whodunit in to Inspector Field. The characters were interesting and well developed. Even the secondary characters had realistic motives for why they acted as they did (hiding information, searching for answers, etc.).

Historical details about what London was like at the time were woven into the story and played a role in the mystery. Suspense was created by the danger to Sesina as she tried to uncover several people's secrets in her attempts to discover whodunit. While I correctly guessed whodunit early on, it was very reasonable that the characters didn't see it. I read this book out loud read, and the other two "readers" didn't think I was right even up to the reveal, so whodunit isn't obvious. We all enjoyed the story. There was no sex. There were a few uses of bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable historical mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Cold Case Secrets by Maggie K. Black

Cold Case Secrets by Maggie K. Black ISBN-13: 9781335232212 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Released: July 2, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGally.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Solving his sister’s murder is Mountie Jacob Henry’s only priority—until his daring helicopter rescue of Grace Finch leaves them stranded in the Canadian wilderness. Now with a storm raging and escaped convicts in pursuit, Jacob and Grace must rely on each other for survival. But when Jacob discovers Grace’s deadly secret, can he look past it in the fight for their lives?


My Review:
Cold Case Secrets is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It is the 4th in a series, but it works as a stand-alone. The hero feels guilt over not being there to stop is little sister's (unsolved) murder when they were children, so he chose a job involving rescuing people. The heroine is a smart and capable journalist who's determined to be the opposite of her secret, biological father--a criminal and murderer. Only he's threatening to ruin her career by exposing their relationship, so she's traveled deep into the wilderness to retrieve evidence that he says is there and will prove his innocence. But three killers just made a prison break and are armed and roaming free in that same area.

The hero seemed determined to force the heroine into the damsel in distress role by removing her means of defending herself. I'm not convinced that he wouldn't have immediately allowed a man trained to use firearms to keep the extra gun given the situation. I understand he's a strict rule follower and didn't quite trust her, but the convicts were armed and trying to kill her. Still, she refused be a helpless victim and rescued him as much as he rescued her. It took him a while, but he started trusting her and treating her more like a competent partner even as he worked to protect her.

Suspense was created by the continuous physical danger from the wilderness and the killers. I enjoyed the characters and cared about what happened to them. The romance developed as they got to know each other. They became better people and found healing through what they went through together. The hero freely prayed to God for help and protection, and the heroine started doing so after having been angry at God for years. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout

The Doorbell Rang by Rex Stout ISBN-13: 9780553237214 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Bantam Released: 1965; June 1992

Source: Borrowed from the library.

Book Description from Goodreads:
When Rachel Bruner sends out copies of a book critical of the FBI to 10,000 influential people, the agency begins harassing her. Then she hires Nero Wolfe to make them stop, and once he's discovered the bureau's weak spot, he sets in motion a scheme guaranteed to force the FBI to leave both him and Rachel alone.


My Review:
The Doorbell Rang is a historical mystery set in New York City (though it was a contemporary mystery when it was written in 1965). This story was more a challenge to Nero Wolfe to do the impossible rather than a complex mystery. A murder mystery was involved, but Archie Goodwin figured out whodunit fairly quickly. I enjoyed the humorous tone of Archie as he told the story, and Wolfe did, indeed, come up with a clever way to best the FBI.

There was no sex. There was some bad language. I'd recommend starting with one of the actual mystery novels if you've never read a Nero Wolfe story since Wolfe is usually about solving complex mysteries. However, this book is certainly worth reading if you're a fan.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.