Bookreview: Death at Daisy's Folly

Author: Robin Paige
Genre: Mystery
Published: 1997
Personal rating: 4/5
Yearly count: 47

Kate and Sir Charles gather with a host of memorable guests at the Warwicks' Eaton Lodge for an English country-house weekend. Meet Albert Edward, Prince of Wales; his "darling Daisy," the Countess of Warwick; their friends -- and their enemies. Someone has murdered a stableboy and the Prince, smarting over a recent gambling exposé and seeking to avoid scandal, directs Sir Charles to find the killer. But the stakes go up when a guest is shot with the Countess's gun.

Another great installment in the Robin Paige Victorian-Edwardian Mysteries. This one not only is a great mystery, it also is an excellent showcase of the different layers in British society at the time. Not only between the upper layers and the servants, but also all of the subtle layers in those groups. From royals to Kate, who’s not a peer, to the Uppers of the servants all the way down to the scullery maids.

But what I love most about this series is the excellent way the historical setting is used. From showing the reactions to the new phenomenon motorcars, which was not favorable at all, to more political issues of the time like Anarchists. It’s both a rich picture to serve as a backdrop for a truly excellent mystery, as well as an excellent reason in and of itself to read this book.

The only thing I didn’t like as much was the fact that for half the book Kate and Charles are making assumptions about what the other thinks instead of actually taking. But, they finally did talk, so I’m happy over-all with the progress in their personal relationship.

All in all, I was very charmed by this book and I heartily recommend it to mystery lovers and historical fiction fans alike.

Bookreview: Simon Said

Author: Sarah Shaber
Genre: Mystery
Published: 1997
Personal rating: 4/5
Yearly count: 46

When an archaeologist unearths a decaying body while excavating Kenan College's distinguished Bloodsworth House, the college's youngest full-time professor, Simon Shaw, becomes involved in the case because he is the leading authority on the house's history.

I love a mystery like this with a body so old. You can research without getting in the way of the police, for they don’t really investigate a murder so old. This makes for a credible storyline with an amateur sleuth.

The point of view switched quite a lot, certainly in the first few chapters, which isn’t my favorite thing in the world. Especially in cozy mysteries I like a tighter point of view. In this case, it took until the fourth chapter before I really started connecting with Simon, the main character, because his voice wasn’t coming through before that because of the pov switches. But once I did connect to Simon, I really got into the book.

The only thing I really have to complain about is that the editing on this Kindle edition could be better. Line breaks are sometimes missing where they should be, dialogue often doesn’t start on a new line, and sometimes where there should be numbers there is merely blank space. This sloppy editing job was annoying, and threw me out of the story when there was something missing from the text.

But, despite the abysmal editing, I really liked this book and looks forward to reading the rest of the series.

Bookreview: Homicide in Hardcover

Author: Kate Carlisle
Genre: Mystery
Published: 2009
Personal rating: 4.5/5
Yearly count: 45

The streets of San Francisco would be lined with hardcovers if rare book expert Brooklyn Wainwright had her way. And her mentor wouldn't be lying in a pool of his own blood on the eve of a celebration for his latest book restoration.

With his final breath he leaves Brooklyn a cryptic message, and gives her a priceless - and supposedly cursed - copy of Goethe's Faust for safekeeping.

Brooklyn suddenly finds herself accused of murder and theft, thanks to the humorless - but attractive - British security officer who finds her kneeling over the body. Now she has to read the clues left behind by her mentor if she is going to restore justice.

An interesting main character with an interesting profession and a eclectic cast of secondary characters does not automatically make a good cozy mystery. But for Homicide in Hardcover it certainly made the excellent mystery plot even better. Despite the fact that I found the ending a bit creepy, I really liked this book. Highly recommended!

Bookreview: Fool's Puzzle

Author: Earlene Fowler
Genre: Mystery
Published: 1994
Personal rating: 5/5
Yearly count: 44

Thirty-four-year-old widow Benni Harper takes a job as curator of the San Celina folk art museum, only to find herself embroiled in the murder of an artist and small-town intrigues that shed new light on her own late husband's death.

Despite the fact that it is advertised as a craft mystery revolving around quilting – something the title also leads you to believe – this book was more character driven than craft driven. It worked out perfectly, with just enough quilt references to satisfy me as a quilter without it being overwhelming. I found it a refreshing change in pace that the mystery plot is the most important one, so different from all the themed cozy mysteries that are available right now.

Also, I have to say it, finally we have a main character that keeps information secret from the police for a logical reason: family. She keeps digging for the same reason. And also, hurray, a cop that is neither clueless nor heartless! No cliché characters to be found here, only characters that felt like they could walk straight off the page and into the real world.

I loved it! Really, really loved this book. I highly recommend it!

Bookreview: Jane Austen Ruined My Life

Author: Beth Pattillo
Genre: Romance, Women's fiction
Published: 2009
Personal rating: 4/5
Yearly count: 43

I read through this book like a speeding bullet. Emma’s voice was spot on and I could empathize with her very easily. It was a fun read for me as a Jane Austen fan, but I do think that people not familiar with Jane Austen might miss a lot when reading this book.

I have to say, I expected a fluffy chick-lit book, but this was much more than that. It had a bittersweet and more realistic ending than I had anticipated. This lifted the book to a higher rating, as it felt so perfect and yet so real.

Bookreview: Death by Darjeeling

Author: Laura Childs
Genre: Mystery
Published: 2001
Personal rating: 3.5/5
Yearly count: 42

Death by Darjeeling, the first book in Laura Child’s Tea Shop Mysteries, just breathed atmosphere and character. It had a great flow of words that drew me straight into the story and made me forget everything around me. I loved Theodosia, the main character, and cared about her right from the first few pages.

I won’t lie, the book could have used a stricter editor. Some parts did not connect with the plot at all and could have easily been cut out. There were point of view shifts, often sudden and for a short time. But both were not annoying me like usual, because the story flowed so very well. I can overlook these faults easily; I didn’t even notice them when I was reading, only when looking back on the book.

All in all, this book gave me everything I want in a cozy mystery – unique, atmospheric setting, colorful characters, and a juice mystery. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and sincerely recommend this book!