The Cyclist by Tim Sullivan

 

George Cross is an excellent detective, I would venture to say borderline on the spectrum, brilliant but difficult to understand and work with. Not a team player, not sharing insights or whatever he thinks should be done next, he however uses logic and a sense of going forward in a way he sees as obvious but is difficult to understand to those who have to work with him.

Discovering a body, finding clues, going into the family history and slowly connecting the dots is this mystery. It is also a lot about the persona of DS George Cross. Makes for a very interesting read as it brings in another aspect to usual mystery novels.

I am looking forward to the rest of the books by this author.

Sent by Grove Atlantic for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Ruffler’s Child by John Pilkington

 

Thomas is a skilled falconer held in high esteem by his employers the Lord Robert and Lady Margaret. Everything is very serene in the Berkshire Downs till the discovery of the Lady Margaret’s ne’er do well brother. Known for his underhand dealings and the nefarious company he keeps, nevertheless his death has to be followed up.

Travelling to London looking for more falcons for Lord Robert, Thomas sees that things are not what they seem and a tangle of long hidden secrets and blackmail can bring Lady Margaret’s world crashing down.

The story has many twists and turns and Thomas’s detective skills are second to none at uncovering the suspects and the plot, as well as protecting his mistress.

Set in an Elizabethan era with plenty of history woven in this was very good reading.

Sent by Boldwood Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Murder Made Her Wicked by Elizabeth Hobbs

 

1894 and Marigolds finds herself penniless and wondering what to do. The acceptance and publication of her novel brings her the money necessary to pursue academia and she finds herself back in the college she loves, doing what matters most to her. Before long she gets embroiled in a murder, discovering the body of a student. Identifying who the victim is becomes quite complicated, and declaring it a murder is too because the authorities would like to classify it as accidental, rather than intentional.

Marigolds uses the talents of her fellow students to analyse whatever information is available to them to find the murderer before he strikes again. 

Very much a Victorian era setting, Marigolds has to work within the constraints and expectations of the time. This adds interest to the story. It also highlights the difficulties faced by women who sought an education and a career without settling only for marriage.

Sent by Crooked Lane Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Murder in Venice by T A Williams

 

Private Detective Dan Armstrong arrives at the luxurious home of Alice Graceland, ready for a weekend of a simulated mystery murder weekend. Legend of the silver screen Alice had invited the very best of Hollywood directors, production and moguls and Dan and his faithful Oscar were very much part of the proceedings. What was strange was the feelings of antipathy, dislike and downright antagonism amongst the guests. It did not augur well for the weekends entertainment.

The story set amongst the beauty of Venice brings out secrets of decades past, revenge sought for past misdemeanours and deep feelings of humiliation and hurt now brought out in full force. Not very pleasant as it unfolded with two murders and Dan working with the Venetian police to find the murderer.

A very interesting murder mystery set in beautiful surroundings. 

Sent by Boldwood Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

The Invite by Irina Shapiro

 

I am a fan of this author. Her stories seem straightforward. They never are. Therein lies the excitement, the pursuit of wanting to know more. This was no exception. But it was the first book I read from her set in a very modern setting.

A reunion of friends after years. Organized by Lexie who according to her social media posts led a colourful, varied life. Everyone invited turned up except the host and then the body count starts. If you like really deep, dark mysteries, an almost psychopathic murderer, victims with deep, dark secrets of their own, an atmospheric setting in an isolated lakeside community, this is it.

Excellent writing, build up to an explosive point, the fizzle down of emotions and the build up again to a crescendo, this is it.

Sent by Storm Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.

Huguette by Cara Black

 

Post 1945 Paris the story of Huegette is very disturbing. Just seventeen, orphaned and betrayed by her father, she now finds herself pregnant with a Nazi officers baby and forced by the nuns to give him up for adoption.

Using one of her father’s contacts she gets an entry level job into one of the Parisian studios, climbing the ladder slowly with her business acumen and shrewd and quick thinking. Unimaginable life for a young woman with no family or friends her focus is on finding the Nazi officer who raped her on a whim. Hearing tales that the officer escaped and some stories that he died, she finally meets him at a film award ceremony to seek the revenge she had been pursuing for most of her life. Her relationship with Claude Leduce did not impose much on the story as there was so much going on as well. Leduce seemed secondary.

The emotional intensity in this story is hard to read clinically. Huguette’s child conceived in rape but when he was born she had no choice in the plan for his adoption, and she longed to get him back. This was not to be. Her life was never easy because she was a target by her father’s enemies but Huguette was a very strong, gutsy focussed woman.

Overwhelmingly sad but very real about 1945 to 1947 Paris.

Sent by Soho Press for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley 

The Holly Villag Murders by Benedict Brown

 

Marius Quin and Lady Bella were looking forward to an uneventful quiet Christmas but it was not meant to be. Bella’s much loved Aunt has died in what are suspicious circumstances, but what is surprising is that the local Police do not entertain their requests for an investigation citing that the lady was old and batty. Infuriated Bella and Quin ask Inspector Lovebrook to help them in their quest.

In this quiet, wealthy enclave of Holly Village the death of Adele did not disturb them much but when a second woman is found murdered, the detectives have to follow up clues faster, pursue suspects, some of whom prove innocent, others villains but not murderers till their quarry is caught.

The setting of 1928 is still very old fashioned and Marius is very much of the old school so it is educative to see how he handles his personal feelings and love for Bella, whilst maintaining a cool distance and not overstepping boundaries as she is still grieving for her fiancée who has passed away.  Their detective skills and working together is not hindered in any way by their personal relationship, and the story slow but steadily reaches its conclusion.

This is No. 6 in the series but is fine as a stand alone.

Sent by Storm Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.