Who Cries for the Lost by C. S. Harris

Who Cries for the Lost
by C. S. Harris

ISBN-13: 9780593102725
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: April 18, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
June 1815. The people of London wait, breathlessly, for news as Napoleon and the forces united against him hurtle toward their final reckoning at Waterloo. Among them is Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, frustrated to find himself sidelined while recovering from a dangerous wound he recently received in Paris. When the mutilated corpse of Major Miles Sedgewick surfaces from the murky waters of the Thames, Sebastian is drawn into the investigation of a murder that threatens one of his oldest and dearest friends, Irish surgeon Paul Gibson.

Gibson’s lover, Alexi Sauvage, was tricked into a bigamous marriage with the victim. But there are other women who may have wanted the cruel, faithless Major dead. His mistress, his neglected wife, and their young governess who he seduced all make for compelling suspects. Even more interesting to Sebastian is one of Sedgewick’s fellow officers, a man who shared Sedgewick’s macabre interest in both old English folklore and the occult. And then there’s a valuable list of Londoners who once spied for Napoleon that Sedgewick was said to be transporting to Charles, Lord Jarvis, the Regent’s powerful cousin who also happens to be Sebastian’s own father-in-law.

The deeper Sebastian delves into Sedgewick’s life, the more he learns about the Major’s many secrets and the list of people who could have wanted him dead grows even longer. Soon others connected to Sedgewick begin to die strange, brutal deaths and more evidence emerges that links Alexi to the crimes. Certain that Gibson will be implicated alongside his lover, Sebastian finds himself in a desperate race against time to stop the killings and save his friends from the terror of the gallows.


My Review:
Who Cries for the Lost is a mystery set in 1815 in London. This book is the 18th in a series. You can understand it without having read the previous novels, and it didn't spoil the whodunits of the previous mysteries.

The historical information was woven into the story without slowing the pacing. It created a distinct feeling of that specific time and place and helped bring the story alive in my imagination. The characters were interesting, complex, and acted in realistic ways. Both Hero and Sebastian were involved in the investigation, though Sebastian was the main investigator. He tracked down leads and asked good questions. There were plenty of suspects. While the clues progressively narrowed things down, whodunit was not easily guessable.

There were no graphic sex scenes. There was a fair amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.

The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey

The Unassuming Curator
by Sian Ann Bessey

ISBN-13: 9781524423131
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Emily Norton loves nothing more than losing herself within the pages of a good book. But the solitary pastime is poor preparation for participating in the dreaded London Season. Her trepidation over formally entering Society is all-encompassing, until she stumbles upon an enigmatic gentleman digging up flowers in a hedgerow. Before she can learn his name or the reason for his unusual activity, however, she is whisked into a carriage bound for London.

Henry Buckland has a secret: he cannot discern the difference between certain colors. It’s a particularly difficult disability for the curator of natural history at the British Museum. At his parents’ dinner party, he discovers the intriguing young lady he met on the country lane. As Emily and Henry become formally acquainted, they discover a shared love of science and nature that makes them ideally suited. However, Henry is not alone in his admiration for the young woman. As the competition to woo Emily escalates, so, too, do tensions at the museum. When an unexpected danger threatens Henry’s livelihood―and life―it appears he may not have the chance to win Emily’s heart after all.


My Review:
The Unassuming Curator is a romance set in 1790 in England. Emily loves learning and reading. Henry doesn't really need an income but works as a natural history curator. With some nudges from a matchmaking relative, their shared interests (flowers and butterflies are discussed) bring them together. They became friends and more as they spent time together. They supported each other and built each other up. The main characters were engaging and reacted realistically to events. Historical details about the museum and time period were woven into the story. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this very 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.

When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

When Tomorrow Came
by Hannah Linder

ISBN-13: 9781636094403
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: April 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Nan and Heath Duncan, siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian, have no choice but to survive on the London streets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds. Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of their wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them—bringing demands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she’s never liked, and Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened man his father always was.

Dangers unfold, secret love develops, fights ensue, and murder upsets the worlds Heath and Nan have built for themselves.

They’ve waited their whole lives for their papa to return, for tomorrow to come—but now that it has, will they be able to see through to the truth and end this whirlwind of a nightmare before it costs one of their lives?


My Review:
When Tomorrow Came is a Christian romance set starting in 1801 in England. We got scenes from different times in their lives to build the character's motives and show how things came together to create the chaos caused by the father's return. It wasn't the joyous reunion Nan and Heath had hoped for. Heath was basically raised by a rector who taught him to trust in God even when things didn't go the way he wanted. Nan was raised as part of a wealthy family. She's close friends with the eldest, a boy 6 years older than her. He knew what to say to cheer her up and support her. They're all better people for knowing each other.

Then the longed-for father returned, determined to get what he wanted by manipulating his children. He pressured Nan to marry a smitten high-born to make her dead mama and him happy, but she wanted to marry for love. Can she come to love a young man who simply annoys her? Her raised-her family's eldest son suddenly saw Nan as a grown woman, which changed how he felt about her. Heath loved seeing his sister again and her maid, a talkative woman that attracts him. And jealousies, old and new, threaten everyone's happiness.

The characters acted in realistic ways, and I cared about what happened to them. The historical details were woven into the story, creating a sense of the time and place. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this historical 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.

Blind Trust by Natalie Walters

Blind Trust
by Natalie Walters

ISBN-13: 9780800739805
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Lyla Fox knows she has a reputation at the SNAP Agency for impulsivity, but when she receives a threatening letter from a man she helped put in prison. She can't stop investigating why a threatening letter was delivered after he was no longer able to carry it out. She's going to need the help of the person who questions her reckless choices more than anyone else. Explosives and weapons specialist Nicolas Garcia loves Lyla, but her recklessness continues to be a major concern. Dealing with bombs is dangerous. Working with Lyla is proving to be just as dangerous--to both the mission and his heart.


My Review:
Blind Trust is a Christian romantic suspense. This is the third book in a series, but it works as a stand alone. The characters reacted realistically to events and came across as real people with genuine struggles. Lyla's passionate about protecting the innocent, so she often ran into danger without thought to the danger to herself. Since she's skilled, she's able to handle the danger. However, Nic's more cautious and a planner. He'd rather that she assess the risks and realize how harm to her would affect those that care for her.

Nic loved Lyla but couldn't handle the danger she was often in, so he was considering leaving SNAP. Nic and Lyla cared about each other, knew each other well, and even apologized and tried to compromise, but compromise wasn't solving the underlying fears and hurt. Both had epiphany moments that shifted their perspectives, allowing for a healthy relationship to bloom. The suspense came from attacks (mostly with Lyla in danger). There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting 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.

Green for Danger by Christianna Brand

Green for Danger
by Christianna Brand

ISBN-13: 9781728267661
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Released: April 4th 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
It is 1942, and at the new Kent military hospital Heron's Park, postman Joseph Higgins delivers seven letters of acceptance for infirmary roles. He has no idea that one of the recipients will later cause his demise.

When Higgins returns to Heron's Park with injuries from a bombing raid in 1943, his inexplicable death in the operating theatre casts four nurses and three doctors under suspicion, and a second, sudden death brings Inspector Cockrill to the hospital. As an air raid detains the inspector for the night, the stage is set for a tense and claustrophobic investigation with a close-knit cast of suspects in this golden age masterclass of red herrings and tricky twists.


My Review:
Green for Danger is a mystery set in 1943 in England. The author worked in details about what it was like working in a hospital during WWII during bombing raids, which was interesting. The characters were varied enough to be interesting, but they weren't really developed into complex people. Their backgrounds contained potential clues, so this information was only handed out bit by bit. The mystery was clue-based, though it seemed like the clues initially pointed only to the 7 suspects and the author could take it in any direction. Then one suspect died, so we're down to six. Near the end, the suspects discussed among themselves who could have done it, and these scenarios help further narrow down suspects. The author did a good job of giving the more obvious suspect, the one you feel clever at suspecting, and enough hints that you should at least somewhat suspect whodunit.

There was some bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting 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.

Murder in Postscript by Mary Winters

Murder in Postscript
by Mary Winters

ISBN-13: 9780593548769
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley Books
Released: March 28, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Amelia Amesbury--widow, mother, and countess--has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady's maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered--and then ends up a victim herself--Amelia is determined to solve the case.

With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London's docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation--and her life--on the line.


My Review:
Murder in Postscript is a mystery set in 1860 in England. The main characters were likable and had distinct personalities. Amelia was supportive and caring toward her ward--her husband's niece. Amelia was a commoner before her marriage, so she wasn't always compliant with high society's expectations in behavior. Plus she could get away with things as a widow that a young miss couldn't. One little rebellion was writing the advice column, though she hid that she's Lady Agony. I still don't understand why the maid wanted to meet with Lady Agony rather than go to the police with what she knew. Amelia felt like she had an obligation to investigate the maid's murder (and therefore the mistress's murder) when she found the maid dead at the meeting spot.

Amelia asked questions to discover who might have a motive and who was present when the original murder happened. This was a clue-based mystery, but I had dismissed whodunit as a suspect because two clues pointed away from whodunit (only one of which was explained away). The mystery was solved by whodunit finally following up on the repeated threat to kill Amelia, resulting in a confession revealing all. I figured out whodunit and why right before the reveal whereas Amelia blithely walked into the trap.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I enjoyed the fun characters enough to recommend this 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.

Across the Shores by Angela K Couch; Kelly J. Goshorn; Carolyn Miller; Cara Putman

Across the Shores
by Angela K Couch; Kelly J. Goshorn; Carolyn Miller; Cara Putman

ISBN-13: 9781636095196
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: April 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
More Than Gold (New South Wales, 1851) by Carolyn Miller
Josephine Wilkins left all she knew to follow her brother’s dreams of finding gold across the seas. Daniel Jardine is simply seeking adventure, in a land far away from family responsibilities and duty, two burdens he’s happy to disregard in his quest to be known for himself. When these two meet, they discover that digging deeper than first impressions reveals the true value of one’s character, and real love and faith is worth far more than gold.

The Veil (Baltimore, 1877) by Kelly Goshorn
After Caroline Wilkins is burned during a suitor’s attack, she retreats behind a lace veil and vows only to remove it for a man who will profess his love without seeing what lies beneath. Franz Kohler is a mountain of a man with a gentle heart and a hidden dream of carving intricate Bavarian clocks. When a mutual attraction grows between them, neither is willing to reveal their secrets, jeopardizing any hope of a future together unless two hearts can find the courage to trust again.

Running from Love (Canada, 1905) by Angela K. Couch
Anna Kohler has left her home, and even her country, for the sake of her wayward brother. But when the local Mounted Police takes an interest in them, her hopes for the future collide. Constable Benjamin Cole has a duty to perform, no matter what his heart desires.

Lauren’s Song (Outer Banks, NC, 1942) by Cara Putman
Lauren Randolph’s world has fractured with the death of her parents five years earlier in a boating accident, and now her brother's joined the Navy. John Weary joined the Coast Guard for excitement, not paper-pushing. John promised his friend to do what he can for Lauren while U-Boats hunt along their coastline.


My Review:
Across the Shores is a collection of four short historical romances. Each was set in an interesting situation or location. All three had a Christian message, usually around the heirloom cross with Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" inscribed on it. There was no sex or bad language. I enjoyed the writing styles the most on the last two stories, but all four were enjoyable.

More Than Gold - 1851, set in the gold fields in Australia. Daniel fell in lust with Josephine at first sight but came to appreciate her caring nature, enduring strength, and abilities. Daniel's highborn, though, and can't marry a penniless American. Or so we're told until, suddenly, he didn't think that'd really matter. The setting was very interesting, but people died of grief or a sickness that no one else had simply because the author wanted them gone.

The Veil - 1877 during the Baltimore railroad strikes. Caroline was assaulted by her intended fiancée and is on the run. She's nearly crushed when she's forced to leave her train during a railroad strike. She met Franz's eyes across the crowd, and he's attracted even though she's wearing a partial veil. He saved her, brought her home, and worked to earn her trust. They both generally acted realistically, and I loved his grandfather.

Running from Love - 1905 in Canada. Anna felt compelled to look after her younger brother, even though he's on the run for theft. He's promised to reform, after all. But he's often away at work, leaving her to transform a decrepit hut into a home. A neighbor, who's also a Mountie, kept lending her a hand with the repairs. Ben and Anna fell in love as they spent time together and came to admire each other. The main characters (even Anna's brother) were delightful and came across as real people, with funny situations coming up naturally.

Lauren's Song - 1942 on the east coast barrier islands where U-boats hunted Allied ships. Lauren's lost a lot of loved ones, and now her brother joined the Navy. She had to take on boarders to make ends meet. John joined the Coast Guard to do something worthwhile--risk his life to save others, not fill out endless paperwork. He worked as a liaison with the military personal coming to the island. He did what he could to help Lauren, but she wanted to be seen as a strong woman worthy of his love. Their friendship deepening as they spent time together.


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.