Friday Five - Five Historical Fiction Books On My TBR

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  I've really been enjoying historical fiction so here are 5 on my TBR.

1.  A Well-Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler - The whole Vanderbilt family is fascinating with all their issues and this novel sounds just as fascinating.

2.  Above the Bay of Angels by Rhys Bowen - I love the cozy mysteries by this author and I've really enjoyed the stand alone titles so this one sounds wonderful.

3.  Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams - I've really enjoyed Beatriz Williams' books in the past but it's been too long since I've read any and this one sounds fantastic.

4.  The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - I love Hazel Gaynor and this one has been on my TBR for ages.

5.  Tightrope by Amanda Quick - I love romantic suspense, historical fiction, and Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick so this one looks amazing!

Do you have any historical fiction on your TBR?

Books from the Backlog - A Man Lay Dead

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh

Blurb:  At Sir Hubert Handesley's country house party, five guests have gathered for the uproarious parlor game of "Murder." Yet no one is laughing when the lights come up on an actual corpse, the good-looking and mysterious Charles Rankin. Scotland Yard's Inspector Roderick Alleyn arrives to find a complete collection of alibis, a missing butler, and an intricate puzzle of betrayal and sedition in the search for the key player in this deadly game.

Why It Needs To Come Off the Shelf:  I've read several Inspectro Alleyn books over the years but never in order and never this one.  This is one I'm hoping to read off my classic mystery list this year.

Murder on Madison Square - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: Murder on Madison Square (Gaslight Mystery #25) by Victoria Thompson

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Former policeman Frank Malloy is frustrated when a woman requests his private detective services to implicate her wealthy husband in adultery, the only legal grounds for divorce in New York state. Although Mrs. Bing seems genuinely distressed about her marriage and desperate to end it, she refuses to tell Frank the reason she absolutely must divorce her husband and admits she has no legal grounds. Frank explains he won't manufacture evidence for her and sends her on her way.

The following week, Frank and Sarah happen to be attending the first ever auto show in Madison Square Garden when they meet the woman's husband, Alfred Bing, who has invested in a company that produces one of the electric motorcars on display. A few days later, the newspapers report that millionaire Alvin Bing has been found dead, pinned beneath one of the wheels of his very own motorcar. But who was driving it? The obvious suspect is Mrs. Bing, but Frank and Sarah find that nothing is as it seems in their puzzling, dangerous search for truth.

Genre: Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I love this series and this one sounded really interesting.

My Impression: Right from the first page I was hooked and completely reminded of just why I love this series.  Thompson has created a world with fully developed characters and light with plenty of danger lurking in the corners and it was a delight to revisit it.  

The team of Frank, Sarah, Gino and Maeve reminds me a bit of the character dynamics in Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby series but without quite as much tension.  It was seen to see Gino in his element as his main passion, automobiles, is an important element in this mystery.  One of the reasons I love historical fiction is that I get to pick up bits of knowledge that I wouldn't otherwise come across and that was the case in this book.  The history of automobiles has never really interested me in the slightest but I feel like I learned so much about it in this book without it weighing down the story and getting in the way of the mystery.

This mystery is quite the puzzle with a different dynamic than I've seen before.  The victim and his family led complicated lives and it was interesting to see it all unravel.  I've only read the most recent few mysteries in this series and have really come to love these characters.  This was a fast paced intriguing read that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to going back and reading the beginning books and will be looking for new books by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy mysteries I think this series is a must try.  While the more books in this series you read the easier time you'll have connecting with the characters I do think this is a series you can start anywhere.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books on My TBR With Dogs on the Cover

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books with (your choice) on the cover.  Since I've been working quite a bit with my dog and really enjoying it I'm picking 10 books on my TBR with dogs on the cover.

1.  A Hex For Danger by Esme Addison

2.  Murder Can Mess Up Your Masterpiece by Rose Pressey

3.  The Pug Who Bit Napoleon: Animal Tales of the 18th and 19th Centuries by Mimi Matthews

4.  Daisies for Innocence by Bailey Cattrell 

5.  The Shepherd's Life: A People's History of the Lake District by James Rebanks

6.  Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory

7.  The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

8.  Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

9.  A Crafter Knits a Clue by Holly Quinn

10. The Scent of Murder by Kylie Logan

Do you have any books on your TBR with dogs on the cover?

'Til Death - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: 'Til Death (Witch City Mystery #12) by Carol J. Perry

Rating: Really Liked It
Source:   Publisher

Description:  The staff at Salem, Massachusetts’s local station, WICH-TV, is looking forward to the wedding of their program director, Lee Barrett. But when Lee heads off on her Maine honeymoon, she’ll be haunted by the ghosts of her own past . . .
Lee and Detective Sergeant Pete Mondello are finally tying the knot—and Lee is tying up loose ends before the big day. It’ll be an adjustment moving out of Aunt Ibby’s house, but the couple will stay nearby—after all, they have to share custody of O’Ryan, their clairvoyant cat. And Aunt Ibby will be renting out Lee’s old apartment . . . though she’s getting some bad vibes from her current prospective tenant.

After the celebration, complete with a cake made by the station magician, there should be time to relax—but the Maine island happens to be near the site of the crash that long ago killed Lee’s parents, a mystery she’s never been able to solve. Soon she’ll be putting wedding gifts aside and turning to her psychic gifts instead, to wrap up crimes both past and present . . .

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I love this series so of course I had to pick up this latest book.

My Impression:   With long running cozy series I have noticed that occasionally books are more about character development than plot and this was definitely one of those books.  The actual solving a mystery part doesn't start until about halfway through the book.  There is a more minor mystery of the identity of Aunt Ibby's new tenant but that's resolved pretty quickly.  As well there's all the goings on with Lee and Pete buying a house and getting married.  The real mystery starts when Lee and Pete get to the Maine island that belongs to Lee's aunt and just happens to be the place where Lee's parents died years before.

Once Lee and Pete arrive at the island they must try and figure out just what is going on with her aunt and uncle, just where did the ring that Lee's mother was wearing when she died came from, and what do Lee's visions and hints from O'Ryan mean?  I don't typically enjoy the character development books in the series but this was really entertaining. I liked seeing Pete in an unofficial capacity so that he and Lee could really work as a team.  As well, Aunt Ibby and her friends - the Angels - are fun acting as kind of a helpline when Lee and Pete need some info.  I wouldn't be shocked if this is the last book in the series as it did see a few plot points reach a conclusion but I really hope it isn't.  If it is I'm hoping that a new series starts around Lee and Pete's new neighbor.  That seems like it could be the start of a fun series if he doesn't become a reoccurring character in this series.  While a lot of mysteries can be read in any order this series and in particular this book really should be read in order.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course!  I really enjoy this author and will read anything she writes.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries I highly recommend this author and this series though I don't recommend this book as a starter.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Life with Leukemia, a Puppy, and Some Reading - April 24

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

Nothing!  I'm trying to read off my shelves both actual and virtual and trying to really cut down on the number of NetGalley books I'm getting.

Currently:

Reading:  The Lost Jewels by Kristy Manning and Murder on Madison Square by Victoria Thompson

Listening: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

This week was kind of an up and down week for Will.  We got some great news that research shows that there is no need to continue the chemo/steroid combo that he gets once a month past week 50 which means no more steroids!  The steroids are tough and that particular chemo drug is one that causes a lot of the nerve pain so it's so exciting to be done with all that.  The only negative is that he won't get a break from the main chemo drug which means there's a greater chance of toxicity build up.  He gets an IV antibiotic once a month to prevent a certain type of bacterial pneumonia and even though he's gotten it multiple times he had an adverse reaction.  We are going to try to add Benadryl next time and hopefully it won't be an issue again but he hasn't been feeling well all week either because of that or chemo fatigue.

It's hard to believe that Rover is only 6 months old!  In this picture he looks like a full grown dog!  His adult coat still has to fully come in and he'll probably gain about 30 more pounds but he's such a cutie.  We've decided to repeat Manners class we are taking before moving on to the next one.  He understands all the commands and is doing great with heeling but he could use a little more maturity and this will put him a little older when we move on to beginning agility and higher level obedience.  

Has anyone been having problems with Bloglovin?  I was using that pretty much exclusively but for the last couple of weeks it seems to be down all the time.  I've switched over to Feedly and while it's taking some getting used to I'm actually liking it a lot better and right now it seems more reliable.  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Dead Men Don't Ski - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Dead Men Don't Ski (Inspector Henry Tibbett Mystery #1) by Patricia Moyes

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source:   Purchased

Description:  Vacationing in the Italian Alps, Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Tibbett and his wife, Emmy, discover an international smuggling ring and an unexpected murder

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I read a couple of books by this author years ago and remember enjoying them so I wanted to go back and read them in order.

My Impression:   I have fond memories of enjoying the few books by Patricia Moyes that I found more than a number of years ago but it's been probably 20 years since I read any of her books.  I started with the first Henry Tibbett mystery and very much enjoyed it.  Henry Tibbett is a mild looking Scotland Yard Inspector who most people wouldn't give a second look but has incredibly canny instincts and a "nose" for investigation.  Also, in this mystery is his wife Emmy who is upbeat and sensible and just incredibly nice.  If I was at an Italian ski resort forced to interact with the other patron Henry and Emmy are the kind of people who I would hope would be there.  There is a whole host of other characters from a range of backgrounds and a number of different countries.  

The mystery itself is rather intricate which occasionally gets a little confusing as there are a lot of names and personalities to keep track of.  This did slow down the pacing at times though did not dim my enjoyment of the mystery.  If you are looking for a slightly slower paced mystery that is well plotted with a likable and intelligent main detective this is a great choice!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm really looking forward to reading more from Patricia Moyes and seeing more of Henry and Emmy Tibbett.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy classic mysteries and don't mind a slightly slower pace I don't think you can miss with this one!

Books from the Backlog - The Quick

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  The Quick by Lauren Owen

Blurb:  London, 1892: James Norbury, a shy would-be poet newly down from Oxford, finds lodging with a charming young aristocrat. Through this new friendship, he is introduced to the drawing-rooms of high society, and finds love in an unexpected quarter. Then, suddenly, he vanishes without a trace. Unnerved, his sister, Charlotte, sets out from their crumbling country estate determined to find him. In the sinister, labyrinthine city that greets her, she uncovers a secret world at the margins populated by unforgettable characters: a female rope walker turned vigilante, a street urchin with a deadly secret, and the chilling “Doctor Knife.” But the answer to her brother’s disappearance ultimately lies within the doors of one of the country’s preeminent and mysterious institutions: The Aegolius Club, whose members include the most ambitious, and most dangerous, men in England.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This is book that's been on my NetGalley longest and I never even attempted to read it.  I've seen some really mixed reviews for it but reading over the summary it sounds like it could be pretty fascinating.

Two Mini Reviews - Murder on Memory Lake + Engaged in Death

 

Goodreads:  Murder on Memory Lake (Ferrara Family Mysteries #1) by J.D. Griffo

Blurb:  Alberta Scaglione’ s spinster aunt had some secrets—like the fortune she squirreled away and a secret lake house in Tranquility, New Jersey. More surprising: she’s left it all to Alberta. Alberta, a widow, is no spring chicken and she’s gotten used to disappointment. So having a beautiful view, surrounded by hydrangeas, honeysuckle, and her cat, Lola, sounds blissful after years of yelling and bickering and cooking countless lasagnas.

But Tranquility isn’t as peaceful as it sounds. There’s a body in the water—and it belongs to Alberta’s childhood nemesis. Alberta suspects foul play and when Alberta’s estranged granddaughter, an aspiring crime reporter, shows up, it only makes sense for them to team up and investigate . . .

My Thoughts:  This book was a fun one.  The personalities are large and the mystery was a good one with enough characters to fill out the book but without so many that it strayed into info dump.  I really liked the developing relationship between Alberta and her granddaughter Jinx as well as the addition of Alberta's sister and sister-in-law.  I did guess the conclusion before the reveal but it was so fun getting there that I didn't mind.  This is on the zanier side of the cozy spectrum but never crossed the line into silly and kept me entertained from beginning to end.  My main complaint was that we don't learn very much about Alberta's inherited house but that's just because I do love a house with family secrets.   My Rating:  Liked It!

Goodreads:  Engaged in Death (A Wedding Planner Mystery #1) by Stephanie Blackmoore

Blurb:   All appears peaceful in sleepy Port Quincy, Pennsylvania--but in this small town, old grudges die hard. . .

After dumping her cheating fiancé and cancelling the wedding, Mallory Shepard can't bear another disaster. So when the former bride-to-be unexpectedly inherits Thistle Park, a ramshackle mansion in her ex's hometown of Port Quincy, it's a problem she can't afford--literally. Abound with stray cats, peeling wallpaper, and nosy neighbors, Mallory is dying to sell it off--once she finally fixes up both the place and her messy life. . .

Turns out, Thistle Park has its charms. But the honeymoon phase is abruptly cut short when an unwanted visitor is found dead on the front lawn. Enlisting the help of her sister Rachel, Mallory vows to unveil the killer before she herself becomes married to the suspect list. . .

My Thoughts:  I love an inherited ramshackle premise and on the basis of that alone I picked up this book.  It took me a bit to get into.  I didn't connect with Mallory or feel invested in the mystery right away.  However, as the story went on I began to really enjoy this one and really enjoy spending time with Mallory and her sister Rachel.  I liked how Mallory got involved in the investigation - she didn't want to cause trouble but at the same time she just couldn't resist asking questions and looking for answers.  Now that she and Rachel have finally made their decisions about what they want to do career-wise I suspect that this series is going to be really fun - and luckily there are several books after this one to dive into!  My Rating: Liked It!

Ten Books I Want to Buy Right Now

 I haven't been book shopping in awhile and I've been starting to feel the pull.  If I went book shopping right now I would pick these 10 books up.

1.  With Love from London by Sarah Jio - I have enjoyed other books from this author and this book looks amazing and just like my kind of book.

2.  A Skeleton in the Family by Leigh Perry - This series is one that has been on my radar for awhile and it's ended which helps because I can read them all!  

3.  Strange Journey by Maud Cairnes - I heard a review for this one and it sounded fantastic so now I really want to read it.

4.  You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti - This author is on my TBR and this is the first in a series.

5.  The Rescuers by Margery Sharp - I adored this movie as a kid but didn't realize it was from a book until recently.  I'm curious to see how it differs from the movie.

6.  Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose - I've heard fantastic things about this author and I really want to try this book.

7.  Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey - This author is really high on my TBR and this one sounds great.

8.  A Nun in the Closet by Dorothy Gilman - I have really been enjoying this author's Mrs. Pollifax books but I haven't read many of her stand alone books and this one looks really good.

9.  Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron - I have loved the books by this author set in Louisiana and this first in a new series that looks amazing.

10. First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen - I have loved the books I've read by this author and really loved Garden Spells so I need to read this one.  

What books would you buy right now if you were book shopping?

A Perilous Perspective - Historical Mystery

Goodreads: A Perilous Perspective (Lady Darby Mystery #10) by Anna Lee Huber

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Argyll, Scotland. July 1832. After a trying few months in Edinburgh, Kiera and her husband and investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, are eager to escape to the Highlands with their three-month-old child. Kiera is overjoyed for her cousin Rye and her detractor-turned-friend Charlotte who are being wed in a private ceremony at the estate of Rye’s great-uncle, the Marquess of Barbreck, in what seems to be the perfect wedding party.

But when Kiera is invited to peruse Barbreck’s extensive art collection, she is disturbed to discover that one of his most priceless paintings seems to be a forgery. The marquess’s furious reaction when she dares to mention it leaves her shaken and the entire house shocked. For it turns out that this is not the first time the word forgery has been uttered in connection with the Barbreck household.

Matters turn more ominous when a maid from a neighboring estate is found murdered where the forged painting hangs. Is her death connected to the forgeries, perhaps a grisly warning of what awaits those who dare to probe deeper? With unknown entities aligned against them, Kiera and Gage are forced to confront the fact that they may have underestimated their opponent. For they are swiftly made to realize that Charlotte’s and Rye’s future happiness is not the only issue at stake, and this stealthy game of cat and mouse could prove to have deadly consequences.

Genre: Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  While I haven't read the earliest books in this series I have really enjoyed the last few so I couldn't resist picking up this newest book in the series.

My Impression:   I was a little nervous going into this one because I didn't love the previous book in the series despite having really enjoyed the earlier books I had read.  This book, however, has put the series back on track for me.  For starters it involves an art forgery mystery and any art related mystery is a win for me.

The mystery element was interesting with the art forgery element, grudges from long past, and a murder to solve.  While the murder didn't show up until a third of the way through the book the intrigue started almost at the beginning and kept me pulled in from the very beginning.  

I also really enjoyed the personal elements of this book. Kiera and Gage are getting used to being parents and since they both have some baggage it was really sweet to see.  As well I liked seeing the change in relationship between Gage's valet, Amberley, and Kiera's maid, Bree.  They are both capable investigators and it is good to see Bree especially gain some confidence.

I really enjoyed this book and am so glad that the series is back on track for me.  It isn't the fastest paced of mysteries but it's one I enjoyed from beginning to end.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  I really enjoy this series and I love the Verity Kent series by the same the author.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy historical mysteries this is a solid series.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Life with Leukemia, a Puppy and Some Reading - April 17

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin - I loved the last book by this author and am excited about this one.  (Publisher)

A Certain Darkness by Anna Lee Huber - I really enjoy this series and of course I had to pick up the next one in the series. (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber and Dead Men Don't Ski by Patricia Moyes

Listening:  Persuasion by Jane Austen

Will got a very fun and unexpected box from Blue Origin.  My mother met the head of Club Future at Blue Origin a few months ago and gave him a postcard to fly on their next mission.  Well not only did he send the postcard but he sent a whole package of stuff.  It made for a really fun surprise especially since it arrived on a day we got back from clinic both not feeling well and it made for a nice distraction.  Will is feeling pretty good and his numbers at clinic were solid. He's been eating okay and wanting to eat which is huge but we are still a long way from getting rid of the NG tube.

Rover is in a "teenager" phase so he's reverted a little in training so he's been a bit of a handful lately but we are halfway through his first obedience class and will be starting Beyond Manners in May before we start entry level obedience and fundamentals of agility.  I'm really enjoying working with him.

Allergy season has hit hard around here and I am not a fan!  I've always had allergies but this season seems especially bad.  I've been taking advantage of the not feeling so well time to finish my rewatch of Friends.  I think after I finish this I think I'm going to re-watch The Big Bang Theory.  I have very ambitious plans as you can see!  

Have a great week and happy reading!

Friday Fives - Five Agatha Christie Short Story Collection Reviews

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much.  I've been reading the short story collections from Agatha Christie this year and here are 5 I've read and my thoughts on them.

1.  Double Sin and Other Stories - This is an interesting mix of stories featuring Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot (sometimes on his own and sometimes with Hastings).  Most of the stories are classic well plotted Christie mysteries and two are much more supernatural which makes for an interesting mix.  This is an entertaining collection and a good way to get acquainted with several of Christie's styles and her two main detectives.

2.  Parker Pyne, Investigates - I love Mr. Parker Pyne!  He spent his whole career working for the government collecting information and now he advertises that he can help people if they're unhappy.  It's always interesting to see how it all works out and I really enjoyed this collection of stories about one of Christie's lesser known sleuths.

3.  The Mysterious Mr. Quin - Harley Quin and his friend Mr. Satherwaite are a lesser known pair of characters from Christie.  These stories frequently have a bit of a supernatural feel and I truly love Mr. Satherwaite - I just know I'd want to sit near him at a dinner party because he would have the best observations and stories. 

4.  The Golden Ball and Other Stories - This is probably my least favorite collection.  The title story is enjoyable and a little more sentimental than the usual Christie fair.  However, the rest of the stories were inconsistent and just not her strongest.  

5.  The Regatta Mystery and Other Stories - Of the 5 that I have read so far this collection may be my favorite.  There is one Marple story and the rest are either Hercule Poirot or Mr. Parker Pyne.  I loved seeing Poirot and Pyne alternated as their methods of investigations and mannerisms are so different.  All the stories in this collection are solid and entertaining.  There are several that Christie later turns into full length mysteries so you can kind of feel her presence behind the words tinkering with plots which I always enjoy.  

Books from the Backlog - Murder at Barclay Meadow

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  Murder at Barclay Meadow by Wendy Sand Eckel

Blurb:  Rosalie Hart’s world has been upended. After her husband confesses to an affair, she exiles herself to her late aunt’s farmhouse on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With its fields untended and the house itself in disrepair, Barclay Meadow couldn’t be more different than the tidy D.C. suburb she used to call home. Just when Rosalie feels convinced things couldn’t get any worse, she finds a body floating in her marsh grasses. When the sheriff declares the death an accident, she becomes suspicious. The dead girl, Megan, reminds her of her own daughter, and she feels a responsibility to find out the truth.

Rosalie confides her doubts to her friends in her creative writing class, and they ask to join her investigation, beginning the search in earnest. Meanwhile, Rosalie works on restoring Barclay Meadow to its former glory—with help from the rugged Tyler Wells, a farmer who once leased the land. When Rosalie discovers her aunt’s favorite bread recipe on a yellowed index card, she begins baking, and with her deep love for nourishing others rekindled, she starts to feel alive again. But as she zeroes in on the truth about what happened to Megan, she begins getting ominous threats. Determined to get justice for Megan and protect the new home she’s begun to build for herself, Rosalie races to catch the killer in this deftly plotted and heartwarming debut perfect for fans of Jessica Beck and Carolyn Hart.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I picked up a copy of this book on NetGalley years ago and several blogger friends really liked it but somehow I never actually read it.  

When Blood Lies - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  When Blood Lies (Sebastian St Cyr Mysteries #17) by C.S. Harris

Rating: Really Liked It!
Source:   Publisher

Description:  March, 1815. The Bourbon King Louis XVIII has been restored to the throne of France, Napoleon is in exile on the isle of Elba, and Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, and his wife, Hero, have traveled to Paris in hopes of tracing his long-lost mother, Sophie, the errant Countess of Hendon. But his search ends in tragedy when he comes upon the dying Countess in the wasteland at the tip of the Île de la Cité. Stabbed—apparently with a stiletto—and thrown from the bastions of the island’s ancient stone bridge, Sophie dies without naming her murderer.

Sophie had been living in Paris under an assumed name as the mistress of Maréchal Alexandre McClellan, the scion of a noble Scottish Jacobite family that took refuge in France after the Forty-Five Rebellion. Once one of Napoleon’s most trusted and successful generals, McClellan has now sworn allegiance to the Bourbons and is serving in the delegation negotiating on behalf of France at the Congress of Vienna. It doesn’t take Sebastian long to realize that the French authorities have no interest in involving themselves in the murder of a notorious Englishwoman at such a delicate time. And so, grieving and shattered by his mother’s death, Sebastian takes it upon himself to hunt down her killer. But what he learns will not only shock him but could upend a hard-won world peace.

Genre: Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed the previous books in this series and have always been intrigued by the story of Sebastian's mother.  

My Impression: I've really come to enjoy this historical mystery series featuring Sebasian St Cyr and his wife Hero.  Sebastian has some family issues which have come up numerous times in the series and are brought into the forefront of this book.  Sebastian is forced to face and reexamine many of the things he thought he knew about himself and his family.

This isn't the fastest paced mystery but the details are so beautifully done that the setting almost becomes its own character.  As well the relationships between the main characters, their families, friends and other people in the world that surrounds them are well drawn and nuanced.  I really enjoyed the French history and spending time in France during this period of upheaval.  It isn't a time period that I know much about and the political and social complications were really interesting.

This is an interesting and well developed series with characters that are unique and mysteries that are layered and intriguing.  If you are looking for an interesting mystery series and don't mind a slower pace this is a must read series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I missed the early books in the series and I'm looking forward to reading those and will be looking forward to the next book.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you like historical mysteries that are a bit darker than a cozy but without heavy gore or violence this is a great series.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Authors I Haven't Read But Want To

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's linkup is Authors I Haven't Read But Want To.  I'm kind of proud of myself as a few years ago this list could have gone on endlessly but I've made a ton of progress and really read a lot of the authors that have been on my To Try list.  Here are 10 that I haven't gotten to yet but will soon!

1. Kelley Armstrong - I've been wanting to read this author for years but somehow never have!

2.  Leigh Perry - Perry's skeleton series has never really grabbed me until a bookish YouTuber I watch was raving about it and completely sold me on this one.

3.  Rebecca Raisin - Every book I see from this author looks amazing but haven't read anything by her yet.

4.  Nancy Thayer - Pretty much ditto above!

5.  Alison Weir -I haven't read much nonfiction in awhile but have been wanting to try some of her Tudor biographies.  

6.  Amanda Flower - I'm shocked that I've yet to read anything by this author and we aren't even going to discuss how many books of hers that I own.

7.  Simone St. James - I've heard so many raves about her books but have yet to read any of them.

8.  B.A. Paris - Ditto above!

9.  Abbi Waxman - I own several of her books but haven't read any of them.

10. Kristi Woodson Harvey - Her books always look so wonderfully summery and I want to read one this summer!

What authors are on your TBR that you haven't tried anything by yet?