Murder on the Sacred River - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads: Murder on the Sacred River (A Lady Emily Mystery #20) by Tasha Alexander

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source: Publisher

Description: 1908: Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves, along with an eccentric group of English tourists, are vacationing in India at Ahilya Fort, the old home to the Maharaja’s family, when a man is found shot along the Narmada River. Emily and Colin jump into action, but their suspect list is large, including a wonderful spinster and her not-so-wonderful companion; a local doctor; a widow who lives nearby; an English explorer; and an Englishman who now runs a tea plantation near Darjeeling.

1740: Fifteen-year-old Ahilyabai has been married to the son of Malharrao Holkar, the Lord of the Malwa territory, for seven years. Now the time has finally come to produce an heir. But though Ahilya’s in-laws have shown her nothing but kindness, her notoriously-drunken husband remains a mystery to her, having rarely spoken to Ahilya since their wedding as children. Faced with this tortured and distant man, Ahilya’s sense of loyalty is tested as she attempts to balance fulfilling her duty with forging her own destiny. Her decisions will have ripple effects across time—including Lady Emily’s investigation almost two hundred years later.

Lady Emily’s case takes a dramatic turn when a shocking new person arrives at the fort—and when the killer strikes again shortly afterwards, she and Colin must race to uncover the villain’s identity before it’s too late.

Genre: Mystery - Historical 

Why I Picked This Book: I've read the first two books in the series as well as the most recent book and enjoyed all three of them so I wanted to see the latest Lady Emily adventure.

My Impression: I enjoy this series.  It suffers a bit from Lady Emily and her husband Colin being very perfect but not so much that the story itself is ruined.  I loved the setting and the mix of locals and Britishers.  As well I also really enjoyed Lady Emily and Colin's fellow travelers - especially Imogen and Edith.  

The mystery is an intriguing one with constantly changing directions.  I didn't guess how it was going to play out until right before Lady Emily did and the moment of the reveal kept me turning pages.  The end was a nice little treat after everything that had happened.  

My main issue with this book and what kept it from being a total win for me is the same issue that I had with the previous book - the past POV just went on too long.  I did enjoy getting to know Ahilyabi and her story was fascinating, but it felt a bit too long and drawn out - especially in the middle.  After a while it felt like it interrupted the flow of the mystery and I found myself skimming her part of the story.  

While this is a very long running series I've only read three books in it and have no problem keeping track of who is who.  It helps that they travel quite a bit so there aren't too many multi-book storylines.  This was an interesting mystery in a series I don't see too often.  It has definitely made me want to get back to reading the earlier books in the series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  I'm looking forward to picking up the third book in the series and will be keeping an eye out for the next book.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy historical mysteries this is a great series and this is an interesting read.  

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

Friday Fives - Five Middle Grade Books on My TBR

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 realized I have been seriously missing middle grade books and here are 5 middle grade books on my TBR.

1.  Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell - This looks gorgeous and is the start of a series.  I'm iffy on fantasy usually but I love middle grade fantasy.

2.  The Unbreakable Code by Jennifer Chambliss Bertram - I liked the first book in this series and I really should continue it.  

3.  The Labyrinth of Lost and Found by Jordan Lees - This looks really good and is the start of a series that looks like a fun adventure.

4.  Marabel and the Book of Fate by Tracy Barrett - A bit of fantasy and adventure which is kind of my favorite thing in a middle grade book.

5.  Tilly and the Lost Fairytales by Anna James - I absolutely loved the first book in this series and am really quite annoyed with myself that I have revisited it.

What middle grade books are on your TBR?

Road Trip Thursday - Books Set in Washington

Every year I track the states and countries that I visit in my reading.  I'm trying to visit a few more states and countries so I'm looking for places I haven't visited yet this year.  Last month was Florida which I visit in real life a good bit but somehow haven't read any books set in there yet this year.  Now I'm taking a look I usually visit fictionally quite a bit but haven't been this year - Washington.  

1.  Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - I had zero interest when this first came out but I've heard such good reviews that it's moved way up my TBR. 

2.  Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah - Kristin Hannah has been on my TBR for ages.  I read one of her books not that long ago and enjoyed it though it was devastating.  I've heard her earlier books aren't quite as gut wrenching, so I want to give this a try.

3.  Violets of March by Sarah Jio - I've enjoyed this author and this looks like a good read and has been on my TBR for years.

4.  Smoke in Mirrors by Jayne Ann Krentz - I read this years and years ago and remember enjoying it though it was a bit of a fever dream.  I'd like to revisit it and Krentz is always a fun read.

5.  The Crepes of Wrath by Sarah Fox - I can't have a list without a cozy and this series has been on my TBR for awhile.  I didn't realize it is set in Washington and I absolutely love the title.

Next month I'm going to be back to a state that is close to home with another neighbor.  This time - Mississippi.  Do you have any favorites that are set in Washington?  

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  A Merciful Death by Kendra Elliot

Blurb:  FBI special agent Mercy Kilpatrick has been waiting her whole life for disaster to strike. A prepper since childhood, Mercy grew up living off the land—and off the grid—in rural Eagle’s Nest, Oregon. Until a shocking tragedy tore her family apart and forced her to leave home. Now a predator known as the cave man is targeting the survivalists in her hometown, murdering them in their homes, stealing huge numbers of weapons, and creating federal suspicion of a possible domestic terrorism event. But the crime scene details are eerily familiar to an unsolved mystery from Mercy’s past.
Sent by the FBI to assist local law enforcement, Mercy returns to Eagle’s Nest to face the family who shunned her while maintaining the facade of a law-abiding citizen. There, she meets police chief Truman Daly, whose uncle was the cave man’s latest victim. He sees the survivalist side of her that she desperately tries to hide, but if she lets him get close enough to learn her secret, she might not survive the fallout…

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this one.  Mercy grew up in a community and her perspective was really interesting.  I found the fact she couldn't put everything behind her even as she rebelled against some of the teachings authentic.  As well, the fact she really loved and missed her family - especially her siblings - added some depth to the story.  The mystery kept me hooked and I really enjoyed watching everything unravel as Mercy and Truman closed in on the truth.  The romance felt a bit unnecessary to me and like it was added in last minute to the plot.  It never took over the main storyline which I appreciated but I would have been fine with less of their thoughts about each other.  While the primary mystery was resolved there are a few plotlines in Mercy's personal life that will continue into the next book and I'm curious to see how things evolve.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Auto-Buy Authors

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 Authors I've Met.  I haven't met very many authors and meeting authors isn't high up on my To Do list so instead I'm just focusing on 10 of my auto-buy authors.

1.  Sarah Beth Durst - I've read 3 books by this author and loved every one of them.  I love her characters and her mix of reality and fantasy.

2.  Nora Roberts - While not all of her books are my favorite I always enjoy reading her latest books.

3.  Katie Tietjen - I've only read two books by this author (because that's all there are) but I really enjoyed her mystery series loosely based on the Nutshell crime reconstructions.  I've been keeping an eye on everything I can hoping there will be a third book in the series!

4.  Dorothy Gilman - I have one more book left in the Mrs. Pollifax series and I'm stalling because I don't want the series to end.  I'm also slowly collecting all of Gilman's other books.

5.  Patricia Wentworth - I have most of her books - and all of the Miss Silver books - but every time I go to the bookstore or am looking to add another book to an order I always look to see if they have any Wentworth books.

6.  Heather Webber - I have read most of Webber's books and loved them all.  I will definitely be buying any books she publishes and the future and catching up on her backlist.

7.  Ngaio Marsh - While Marsh wasn't as prolific as Wentworth there are still so many of her books I haven't read and am on the hunt for.  

8.  Kate Morton - I need Morton to write faster.  I've only got one book left that I haven't read and haven't heard of a new one coming out anytime soon.  

9.  Patti Callahan Henry - I have loved everything I've read by her and am anxiously waiting for her next book. 

10. Julia Kelly - This is a new addition to this list but the last couple of books I've read by her I've really enjoyed and will be picking up all of her next books.

Do you enjoy meeting authors?  Who are some of your auto-buy authors?

Reading What I Love: Hope Springs on Main Street by Olivia Miles

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  My focus in 2026 is reading books I think I'll love - or at least really enjoy.

Goodreads:  Hope Springs on Main Street by Olivia Miles

Blurb:  What do you do when your cheating husband proposes to the "other woman"? For Jane Madison, it means you keep calm, carry on, and sneak candy bars and wine for dinner. Jane's grateful for her adorable little girl, yet she yearns for the love that was missing from her marriage. Only one man ever really "got" Jane-and she's stunned when he returns to Briar Creek. But a single mom can't date her ex's best friend . . . can she?
Jane's still kind, beautiful-and far too good for the buddy Henry Birch tried to stop her from marrying years ago. Laying eyes on her now is like a much-needed ray of sunshine. Back in town to sell his family's old house, Henry wants to close a bad chapter in his life and move on. But time with Jane and her sweet daughter has him flirting with the idea of happily ever after-if he can convince her to take a second chance on love . . .

Why I Think I'll Love This One: I read an earlier book in this series years ago and really liked main character in this one.  I've been looking forward to reading Jane's story for awhile.  

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed this one.  It's a pretty straight forward romance with two main characters who have tough pasts who are trying to move forward.  I really liked Jane and Henry.  They're nice people who haven't had an easy time with it.  They also have some history - Henry had had a crush on Jane for most of his life though she was always involved with his best friend Adam.  I was a little concerned how that Henry would deal with that, but I thought he did a good job balancing loyalty and his feelings.  This was a nice romance with a nice community that isn't too perfect but is still likable.  Jane's relationship with her sisters felt real and I did enjoy the community of Briar Creek.  It makes me want to pick up Ivy's story next.  This is technically a series but like most romances functions perfectly as a standalone.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Friday Fives - Five Nonfiction Books on My TBR

 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.  Since it's September and schools all over have started I'm going back to school and picking 5 nonfiction books on my TBR.

1.  Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep - I've heard such good things about this one and it sounds fascinating.

2.  The Gales of November: The Untold Story of Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon - I've watched a few documentaries of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking so I'd like to read 

3.  The Scandalous Hamiltons by Bill Shaffer - This sounds absolutely fascinating - especially with the connections to Alexander Hamilton!  

4.  The Churchill Sisters: The Extraordinary Lives of Winston and Clementine's Daughters by Rachel Trewethewey - I read Marie Benedict's book about Clementine Churchill and became fascinated with her daughters.  

5.  Stealing Rembrandts: The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists by Anthony M. Amore - I read The Art Thief a couple of years ago and found it really interesting so I'm curious about this one.