Showing posts with label series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series. Show all posts

Thursday, February 16, 2023

MAUREEN (2023) - Review


Maureen (Harold Fry #3)Maureen by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On sale: February 7, 2023


After reading and reviewing "The Devil You Know" by P.J. Tracy, which turned out to be #3 in a series, I was discouraged to realize that my next assignment was "Maureen" by Rachel Joyce, also a third book in a trilogy I had not read. Reviewers claimed that the book could stand alone.

The first book was "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and was continued in "The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy", and ends with "Maureen", in what each is now referred to as 'A Harold Fry Novel'.

FIRST SENTENCE: "It was too early for birdsong."

THE STORY: There is a Preface where the author explains how readers who met Harold Fry in her first book kept insisting she continue the story. Eventually she wrote the second and thought once again that she was finished, but Maureen needed her own closure, her own journey, her own life.

WHAT I THOUGHT: "Maureen" by Rachel Joyce is a beautifully written, emotionally charged novella that serves as the conclusion following the journey of Harold and Maureen as they come to terms with their past and present.

Throughout the book, Joyce masterfully explores the complexities of love and loss, and the power of human connection. The author's writing is poignant and touching, capturing the deep emotions and relationships of the richly drawn characters, and their stories are interwoven in a way that is both satisfying and thought-provoking.

One of the standout features of "Maureen" is its exploration of the themes of hope, resilience, and redemption. Despite the challenges that Harold and Maureen face, the book is ultimately a testament to the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity. The characters are relatable, and their journeys are both inspiring and heartwarming.

In addition to its emotional impact, "Maureen" is also a well-written, engaging book. The writing is clear and concise, and the narrative is both compelling and easy to follow. The book is a quick read, but its themes and messages will stay with readers long after they have finished it.

The descriptions of the English countryside are particularly evocative, and the book has a sense of timelessness that gives it a classic feel.

However, one of the weaknesses of the book is its brevity. The story feels somewhat rushed and underdeveloped in places. There are many intriguing characters and plot threads that are introduced but never fully explored, leaving the reader wanting more.

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED While the brevity of the book may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied, it is nonetheless a beautifully written and deeply affecting story that is well worth reading. Rachel Joyce is a talented author who has created a character that will stay with the reader long after the book is finished.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "Maureen" by Rachel Joyce from NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group for an honest review.

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Friday, January 27, 2023

THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (2023) - Review


The Devil You Know (Detective Margaret Nolan, #3)

The Devil You Know by P.J. Tracy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On Sale: January 17, 2023

P. J.Tracy's "The Devil You Know" introduces Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detective Margaret Nolan to a death that threatens the foundation of Hollywood and its upper echelon. The book is #3 in The Detective Margaret Nolan Series ("Desolation Canyon" #1 and "Deep into the Dark" #2) It is recommended that you read the books in order.

FIRST SENTENCE: "The ocean was singing in the hushed, undulating tones of low tide on this still, damp night."

THE STORY: Well-known actor Evan Hobbes is found dead in the rubble of a Malibu rock slide a day after a fake video ruins his career. 'Is it an accident, a suicide; or a murder?' With more deaths, Detective Nolan has a difficult case to solve.

WHAT I THOUGHT: P. J. Tracy is a good mystery writer with lots of readers, but don't start with "The Devil You Know" without reading the first two books. There are lots of characters to try to keep straight and bits and pieces of past stories revealed but not explained.

Descriptive words accentuate every thought and every event, seeming too pretty for a police procedural. If you are more interested in a story than in the fancy writing and if you aren't comfortable with wordy writing, this might not be a book for you.

BOTTOM LINE: RECOMMENDED If you are a fan of the Monkeewrench Series, you need to read copies of the first two books in The Detective Margaret Nolan Series and then read "The Devil You Know". P. J. Tracy is a pseudonym for the American mother-daughter writing team Patricia and Traci Lambrecht. They became New York Times bestselling authors in the process. Patricia died in 2016.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free e-copy of "The Devil You Know" by P. J. Tracy from NetGalley/St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for my honest review.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2022

THE HIDDEN ONE: A KATE BURKHOLDER NOVEL (2022) - Review


The Hidden One (Kate Burkholder, #14)


The Hidden One by Linda Castillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On sale: July 5, 2022

Linda Castillo has her formula down pat. The storytelling is engaging, the writing is clear, and the author's inclusion of Amish language and customs is delightful. This time the story line moves to the Kishacoquillas Valley of Central Pennsylvania, which will send the curious reader researching the location.

FIRST LINE: "He'd always known this moment would come."

THE STORY: After a stunning prologue describing the murder of an Amish Bishop 18 years earlier, the story returns to the present life of Kate Burkholder. Kate left her Amish family when she was young becoming a police officer before returning to the resort town of Painters Mill, Ohio as Police Chief.

Amish elders from Pennsylvania visit Kate to ask her help in defending Jonas Bowman, jailed for the murder when the gun used shows up and he admits it is his. Although Kate has no official standing, she reluctantly agrees. She and Jonas spent a youthful and memorable summer together before being separated. She can't believe he is guilty.

WHAT I THOUGHT: The first Kate Burkholder story I discovered was Her Last Breath #5. I quickly devoured Sworn to Silence #1 and Pray for Silence #2. Then I stopped. I found the crimes against the Amish, especially the young women, too overwhelming. But because the series is so popular, I decided to try again. Although violence and death occur in The Outsider #12 there was more than enough life and happiness to balance the story. Fallen #13, on the other hand reverts to the ugly violence and lives destroyed. Although violence and death occur in The Hidden One #14, it is mostly in the past, a cold case.

All the characters are well-established so that you care what happens to them with, of course, the exception of the villains. Castillo does a nice job of catching the reader up if this is their first time reading the series. And it looks like Kate and John Tomasetti, an agent with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, will finally get married.

Written in the first person, the narrative sometimes shifts to third person when filling in the past, but it is done seamlessly. There were red herrings along the way that added to the tension.

Kate gets hurt more than once in this story and always loses to the attacker. It would be nice to see her win a fight.

BOTTOM LINE: HIGHLY RECOMMENDEDThis entry filled in some very personal details about Kate and how she left her Amish family. It's a quick read and an entertaining story.

Disclaimer: A copy of The Hidden One was provided to me by Minotaur Books/Net Galley for an honest review.


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Wednesday, September 1, 2021

PANIC ATTACK (2021)

Panic AttackPanic Attack by Dennis Palumbo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On sale: September 21, 2021

I love thrillers and the better written and circuitously plotted, the faster I consume the story. Suspending disbelief, sometimes I don't even attempt to solve the mystery. I'm just along for the ride and what a ride this book is! I actually tossed aside a literary novel that I've been reading for weeks and finished "Panic Attack" in a couple of days. At 1 o'clock in the morning.

FIRST SENTENCE: "On a bitterly cold afternoon in late October, I was one of twenty thousand witnesses to a murder."

THE STORY: In front of a football stadium filled with students and parents, the college mascot, dancing on the field, is struck down by a sniper. Pandemonium breaks out. While the authorities scramble to calm the public and find the shooter over the next few days, more deaths occur. Although the victims seem randomly chosen, Dr. Rinaldi suspects there is something that links them all together. Can he find the key to stop these dreadful attacks before it's too late?

WHAT I THOUGHT: This is the sixth entry in the Dr. Daniel Rinaldi series and I have read and reviewed them all. Author Dennis Palumbo hooked me by setting the stories in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I lived for many years. His narrator, a psychologist who consults with the Police on difficult cases, is surrounded by interesting characters, who don't always behave normally, Dr. Rinaldi ends up in all kinds of trouble.With great dialogue, well-drawn characters, and sense of place, you won't have any trouble seeing this as a television series or movie.

For an earlier entry in the series I wrote that although there is the requisite violence and sex, Palumbo knows when to back off and let the reader's imagination take over. I'll have to change that to say violence and sex has been ratcheted up a bit. As a matter of fact the body count in "Panic Attack" is pretty high.

Luckily there are five other Dr. Rinaldi titles and, although you can read them as stand alones, reading them in order is much more fun. In order "Mirror Image"; "Fever Dream"; "Night Terrors"; "Phantom Limb"; "Head Wounds"; and "Panic Attack". Find them. Read them.

BOTTOM LINE: A solid entry in the series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

DISCLAIMER: Thank you to NetGalley / Poison Pen Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Friday, August 13, 2021

THE SECRET STAIRCASE (2021)

The Secret Staircase (Victorian Village Mysteries, #3)

The Secret Staircase by Sheila Connolly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
On sale: August 24, 2021

What drew me to Sheila Connolly's newest entry in the Victorian Village Mysteries? Was it the title "The Secret Staircase" or the book cover featuring a turreted mansion? Having grown up addicted to Nancy Drew, it was probably a little of both.

FIRST SENTENCE: "I looked at the faces of the people around the large oval table in the dining room of the Asheboro Bed & Breakfast - the place I was calling home, at least temporarily."

THE STORY: Kate Hamilton has her heart set on restoring "The Barton Mansion" in a small town a short drive from Baltimore but a world away. The project is formidable and only part of an even bigger concept of recreating Asheboro as a Victorian Village to bring the town back to life.

Just as everything is starting to fall into place, a hidden staircase is discovered and at the bottom, a century old body. When another death occurs, Kate realizes there is something in the past that is still festering and dangerous.

WHAT I THOUGHT: Told in the first person, the reader is aware of Kate's hopes and fears for the project. It's interesting to follow her thoughts, decisions, and plans as she grapples with the complicated process of working on historic properties. I found the book slow-moving and repetitious at times as Kate vacillates. The mystery isn't particularly challenging and gets quickly tied up at the end by an unexpected discovery. (Please realize that I am NOT a cozy fan.)

BOTTOM LINE: This is the third and last entry in the Victorian Village Mysteries. Author Sheila Connolly died in April 2020; but she was a prolific writer of cozys and left many series including Orchard Mysteries, Museum Mysteries, County Cork Mysteries, and Relatively Dead Mysteries among others. A good solid read for lovers of history, Victoriana, restoration, and genealogy.

DISCLAIMER: Thank you NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for the advance copy for an honest review.

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Sunday, August 8, 2021

MURDER MOST FOWL (2021)

Murder Most Fowl (Meg Lanslow, #29)

Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On sale: August 3, 2021

In an amazing Shakespearean synchronicity, I read two books, back to back, featuring MacBeth. How often does that happen? And in case you were concerned, it's only bad luck to say the name of the Scottish Play in a theater.

"Murder Most Fowl", the 29th in the series, was actually my first Meg Lanslow. A friend, who is a true cozy aficionado, reviewed a couple other titles for my blog Book Keeping a while back.

THE FIRST LINE: "Mom?" I kept my eyes firmly closed and focused on breathing in and out in the slow, deliberate way that was supposed to make you feel better when you were stressed. One. . .two. . .

THE STORY: Meg's husband is directing a summer production of Macbeth. Rather than deal with the political nonsense at the local college, he brings the cast and crew to Caerphilly to rehearse lodging them in guest rooms and tents on their property complicating Meg's life. Random incidents and vandalism begin and ultimately a death. Could these acts have been caught on film? Caerphilly’s chief of police, with Meg's help, must uncover the same secrets the filmmaker did if they want to catch a killer.

WHAT I THOUGHT: With titles like "No Nest for the Wicked", "Owl Be Home for Christmas", "Toucan Keep a Secret", and "Gone Gull", you know what to expect in this series. Lots of quirky characters surrounding an amateur sleuth in a small town with lots of suspicious things going on. There will be a crime but nothing too disturbing. You can mostly tell the bad guys from the good guys who will ultimately win in the end. All this will be delivered with interesting information about the world and gentle humor. Donna Andrews has the cozy formula down cold and still delivers a fun puzzle for the reader to try to solve time after time.

BOTTOM LINE: Highly recommended for all cozy readers!

DISCLAIMER: Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for the advance copy for an honest review.

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Saturday, July 10, 2021

FALLEN (2021)

Fallen (Kate Burkholder, #13)Fallen by Linda Castillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

FIRST LINE: "She knew coming back after so many years would be difficult, especially when she'd left so much hurt behind when she departed."

With a dynamite opening, this 13th Amish mystery is off and running.

Rachael Schwartz left her tiny Ohio community, and her Amish faith a decade ago. Returning hoping to right a wrong, she is brutally murdered in her motel room. When Kate Burkholder, the Chief of Police in Painters Mill, recognizes Rachael the pain of it becomes personal. Kate herself had left the Amish community years earlier.

The first Kate Burkholder story I discovered was Her Last Breath #5 (Jul 17, 2015). Then I quickly devoured Sworn to Silence #1 (July 21, 2015) and Pray for Silence #2 (July 26, 2015). Then I stopped. I found the crimes against the Amish, especially the young women, too overwhelming. But because the series is so popular, I decided to try again. I'm glad I did. Although violence and death occurred in Outsider #12, there was more than enough life and happiness to balance the story. Fallen #13 reverts to the ugly violence and lives destroyed, but that didn't stop me from turning pages.

Linda Castillo can be counted on for a captivating plot and the reader is assured of a thrilling read. Although this is a series, the author provides more than enough repetition to remind the reader of the things they need to know. A few chapters labeled 2008 fill in the backstory proving more clues. And, as always, a highlight of the book is the translated Amish phrases and cultural details.

Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press, and Net Galley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Thursday, May 13, 2021

DEADLY EVER AFTER (2021)

Deadly Ever After (Lighthouse Library Mystery, #8)

Deadly Ever After by Eva Gates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

FIRST LINE: "Is there anything more perfect than a day at the beach?" 

THE STORY: How could anything go wrong with an opening line like that? Plenty as it turns out. Librarian Lucy Richardson is finally getting engaged to Conner McNeil, dentist and mayor of a small community on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Family and friends are gathering on the beach to celebrate when Richard Eric Lewiston the Third and his overbearing mother crash the party for the sole purpose of convincing Lucy to marry 'Ricky' instead!

From there it isn't long until a body appears and the happenings in this quiet little town again force Lucy into the role of amateur detective (for the 8th time in the series). The suspects pile on and with twists, turns, and a little humor, eventually good triumphs over evil.

WHAT I THOUGHT: I always say I'm not a cozy mystery reader but this is my second by this author in the past year! I love the idea that Lucy's library and home is in a lighthouse. Eva Gates knows what her readers want and gives it to us in a well-written way that doesn't talk down to readers but includes us in the fun. Along the way she works in the names of books and bits of information the reader will recognize. It's not a unique approach but it's well-done here. The book club is reading "The Hound of the Baskervilles", by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and there are shout-outs to fellow cozy writers Ellen Bryon and Essie Lang as well. P.S. In this 8th entry in the series, there is still Charles Dickens (the cat) and now a dog (Fluffy) just to cause added confusion!

BOTTOM LINE: There is nothing more delightful than an enjoyable cozy series. I'm guessing that starting at the beginning with #1 and getting to know the characters would be even more fun. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for cozy mystery readers!

DISCLAIMER: A copy of "Deadly Ever After" was provided to me by Crooked Lane Books/Net Galley for an honest review.

Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (May 11, 2021)
ISBN-10: 1643855883
ISBN-13: 978-1643855882

THE AUTHOR: Eva Gates is also known as Canadian crime writer Vicki Delany, "one of Canada's most prolific and varied crime writers." You might want to check out some of her other series: Sherlock Holmes Bookshop; Year Round Christmas Mysteries; Klondike Gold Rush; and novels of Gothic suspense. "Having taken early retirement from her job as a systems analyst, Vicki enjoys the rural life in Prince Edward County, Ontario." 

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Saturday, January 16, 2021

ONE OF OUR OWN (2020)

One of Our Own (Gregor Demarkian, #30)

 One of Our Own by Jane Haddam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Recently I have found myself reading and reviewing the latest title in a couple of long running mystery series. In each case, the author was someone I had always meant to read but hadn't. That's what happened when I requested and received the 30th and, as it turns out, final Gregor Demarkian mystery, published posthumously by the author's two sons, Matthew and Gregory DeAndrea. (Readers will be moved by their tribute to their mother at the end of the book.)

FIRST LINE: "Tommy Moradanyan was late."

THE STORY: Suddenly the Armenian neighborhood is shaken by a random murder and another attempt. With the safety of the community threatened, the Philadelphia police once again ask ex-FBI agent Gregor Demarkian to consult. Reluctantly, he agrees. He is still recovering from a gun shot wound that affected him both physically and mentally. Complicating things further, he and his wife have just agreed to foster Javier, an 'unaccompanied' minor.

WHAT I THOUGHT: Philadelphia is my hometown and I am always drawn to books that are set there. A mystery? Even better! And the reward was I enjoyed spending time with these (mostly) kind and thoughtful people. (Even the villains were interesting characters.) Their lives are difficult but that's not what defines them. The author does not ignore the effects of current societal issues such as ICE raids, trafficking, fraud, and unaccompanied child illegal immigration.

Some series benefit from reading in order and I am sure the Demarkian books fall in that category. But I didn't have any trouble following the story. If something wasn't clear, I just kept reading and my question would be answered. From other's comments, the author managed to produce a fitting ending for her character.

BOTTOM LINE: RECOMMENDED, but consider reading the series in order.

DISCLAIMER: A copy of One of Our Own was provided to me by Minotaur Books/Net Galley for an honest review.

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (November 17, 2020)

ISBN-10: 1250770491
ISBN-13: 978-1250770493

THE AUTHOR: Jane Haddam (1951 - 2019) is an American author of mysteries. Born Orania Papazoglou, she worked as a college professor and magazine editor before publishing her Edgar Award–nominated first novel, Sweet, Savage Death, in 1984. Not a Creature Was Stirring (1990) introduced Haddam’s best-known character, former FBI agent Gregor Demarkian. The series concludes with the 30th entry. 


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Friday, December 18, 2020

NEXT TO LAST STAND (2020)


Next to Last Stand: Walt Longmire Book 16
by Craig Johnson
Narrated by George Guidall
My Rating: 4 out 5 Stars

A couple of years ago while attending a book festival, a friend insisted we had to hear Craig Johnson speak. It turned out to be the highlight of an amazing weekend. Still it was a couple more years before I got around to listening to Next to Last Stand. What was I waiting for?

Don't worry if this is your introduction to the Walt Longmire series. Johnson fills in any information a reader needs to know without boring regular readers; but if you want to read more, I would recommend going back to the beginning and reading the titles in order to really enjoy how Walt's life changes over time.

This story centers around the Veterans Home of Wyoming where a group of old men in wheel chairs,  referred to as 'wavers', sit by the road and acknowledge anyone who drives by. One of their group and a friend of the Walt's, Charlie Lee Stillwater, has passed away and although it seems a natural death, Sheriff Walt Longmire is concerned. Why did Charlie Lee have tons of 100 bills, a million dollars a stack, hidden in his room? Then there's the fragment of a painting that when analyzed confirms it is part of a study for Custer's Last Fight by Cassily Adams. Anheuser-Busch produced a lithographic print of the painting and in 1896 gave prints to their distributors, bars, and taverns so it became widely known. The original painting that was assumed destroyed by fire in 1946.

More important than the painting itself is its contribution to the myths surrounding Custer and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

A number of years ago, we had the opportunity to visit Cody, Wyoming and the museum that authenticates the painting fragment in the book. It made the book a little more personal so I am looking forward to listening to Kindness Goes Unpunished book 3, which is set in my hometown of Philadelphia.

One of my favorite narrators, George Guidall becomes Walt Longmire. I was not surprised to learn that he has been recording the series since book one. With Guidall you always know who is speaking and he delivers all the humor in Johnson's writing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Published: September 22,2020 by Simon & Schuster Audio
Unabridged Audiobook: 7 hrs and 56 mins.
Author: Craig Johnson


Wednesday, November 25, 2020

A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES (2020)


A Song for the Dark Times (Inspector Rebus #23)

A SONG FOR THE DARK TIMES
by Ian Rankin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the dark times
Will there also be singing?
Yes, there will be singing.
About the dark times.
– Bertolt Brecht, The Svenborg Poems

Detective Inspector John Rebus has aged over the thirty some years since Knotts and Crosses was published, the stories mostly set in and around Edinburgh. Now retired and forced to move (downstairs) because of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), he is still as sharp and opinionated as ever.

FIRST LINE:
"Siobhan Clarke walked through the emptied flat."

THE STORY
: The phone call no parent wants to get comes at 5 a.m. His daughter is worried because her partner has been gone for two days. Then she confesses she has been having an affair. Against better judgement, Rebus leaves Edinburgh and heads North to help. On his long drive to Naver, he listens to a CD Siobhan made him called 'Songs for Dark Times'.
 
At the same time DI Siobhan Clarke, Rebus's protegee, and DI Malcolm Fox are beginning a new investigation into a murder in Edinburgh.
 
Unexpectedly there are parallels and connections between the two investigations.
 
WHAT I THOUGHT: I'm embarrassed to be late to the party having heard of Scottish author Ian Rankin but never having read him (or even watched the series). Now I have a glimpse of what I've missed: literate writing, fully drawn characters, interesting locations, a clever plot, a compelling conflict, and a satisfactory conclusion.
 
Alternating narratives have often annoyed me, but Rankin is a master. Refocusing is quick and like a duet, both stories have equal importance. To my mind, there is nothing more fascinating than following along as two intelligent people cleverly solve a puzzle.
 
A couple of other observations: Rankin provides details which make the world come alive for the readers; I began to notice that the end of Rebus' chapters seems to deserve a drum (ba-dum-bum) roll; and as DI Clark gets close to a solution, I could physically feel an increase in urgency in the writing.
 
The information on Camps during World War II, which held both British and then Germans (and others) at one time or another, was interesting especially since some of the German inmates chose to stay behind after the war. 
 
Besides the historical references, allusions to current happenings makes the book timely. My mantra is I want to read something that surprises me and that allows me to grow in understanding. It's all here.  
 
BOTTOM LINE: In Rankin's deft hand, details are filled in so new readers (like me) are not confused and regular series readers are not bored. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 
 
DISCLAIMER: A copy of A Song for the Dark Times was provided to me by Little, Brown and Company /Net Galley for an honest review.
 
Hardcover:  336 pages 
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (October 13, 2020)
ISBN-10:
031647925X
ISBN-13: 978-0316479257

THE AUTHOR: Ian Rankin is a #1 international bestselling author. Winner of an Edgar Award and the recipient of a Gold Dagger for fiction and the Chandler-Fulbright Award, he lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with his wife and their two sons.
 

Monday, April 8, 2019

DEATH IN THE STARS (2018)



Death in the Stars , A Kate Shackleton Mystery by Frances Brody

This is the ninth book in the series that features private inquiry agent, Kate Shackleton, a WWI widow and former VAD nurse. The setting of this novel begins with the craze surrounding the eclipse of 1927. Music Hall star, Selina Fellini, has been invited to the Giggleswick School as part of the festivities. She asks Kate to arrange for an airplane to take her, her friend and fellow performer, Billie Moffatt to Yorkshire for the viewing. Selina also requests that Kate go with them on the flight and later attend the eclipse. During the eclipse, Billy disappears and is found by the schoolboys in a coma. What Selina hasn’t told Kate is that there have been two other deaths of members of the company. When Billy dies, Selina asks Kate to investigate the deaths.

Reviewer: Joy Rosynek
In this well researched English cozy, Brody gives plenty of background on the excitement surrounding the eclipse, in which the school actually was a site for the Royal Astronomer’s effort to capture all of the scientific data. Brody also lets the reader in on the changes that are occurring in the theater as movies and radios start to replace the experience of going to the music halls. It also highlights the plight of the performers, who no longer have a place in this new world of technology. Featured in the book are Kate’s two longtime associates, retired policeman, Jim Sykes and her housekeeper, Mrs. Sudgen. Their insight into the working class is helpful in bringing a solution to the mystery of what has happened to Billy and others in the acting company.
 
Hardcover:  390 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books (February 13, 2018)  
ISBN: 978-1-250-15479-8