An Unexpected Peril by: Deanna Raybourn

Another wonderful addition to a wonderful series. Deanna Rayborn has created such a wonderful character in Veronica Speedwell. She is strong, intelligent, and full of energy. The chemistry between her and Stoker is just perfectly done and their adventures are always such a pleasure to read about. I’m glad this series is still going and I plan on reading them all from the beginning again soon. Perfect for lovers of mystery and adventure. Can’t wait to keep reading what Deanna Rayborn creates! Also the covers are all so beautiful!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Woman in the Mirror by: Rebecca James

This book was a perfect start to the spooky season. The title and the cover drew me in immediately. This is another gothic mystery centering around a wonderfully creepy house in a wonderfully creepy Seaside area. This book had a past and present element that was very well done. I found both stories to be completely interesting to read about and I read this Book quickly. Definitely recommend reading this book during the day or with the light on. I truly enjoyed this book. If you’re looking for a fun but dark and creepy book, I would highly recommend this. Perfect for fall weather.

A Dangerous Collaboration By: Deanna Raybourn

I’ve been a fan of Deanna Raybourn since her Lady Julia Gray series. She is a fantastic storyteller and this was no disappointment. I devoured this latest Victoria Speedwell mystery, I think it was my favorite so far. The mystery was intriguing, complete with a creepy castle, terrible weather, seances and romance. The chemistry between the characters was brilliantly done. I loved every minute of this book and the only sad thing is, now I have to wait even longer for the next one! I think I will read anything Deanna Raybourn writes and love it.

This book was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Uneasy Lies the Crown By: Tasha Alexander

Tasha Alexander has done it again. Even after this many Lady Emily mysteries, each book is amazingly written, complicatedly plotted and completely absorbing. I absolutely love that there is still an interesting romance between Emily and Colin and the loving family atmosphere. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing until the end. There is also another story line that moves along with the usual mystery, one of a knight and his wife. I also really enjoyed that and it mixed well into the story. Overall, I am very happy with this and hope that Tasha Alexander keeps writing Lady Emily books.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton

Kate Morton is an author whose books I will always automatically read. Her writing is magical, her descriptions capable of completely transporting you to another time in place. Her books evoke intense emotions and let you truly feel what the characters are going through. This book was no disappointment. The various points of view kept the story fresh and the mystery intense. The jumps in time weren’t confusing and she kept me guessing the entire time about what would happen and what happened in the past. She is a masterful storyteller with a vivid imagination and I will continue to read any book she writes.

This book was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Paris Winter By: Imogen Robertson

I’m not going to lie, the title and cover of this book drew my initial interest. The story involves a poor young artist in the city of Paris in the 1800’s. There is mystery, tragedy, art, romance and did I mention it takes place in Paris in the 1800’s? ‘Cause it does. And it was good. The writing was elegant, detailed and lovely. The protagonist is a young lady by the name of Maude Heighton and she is wonderful. She is tough, but kindhearted and I love that she is a fighter.  The twist, while expected was still surprising, if that makes any sense. Basically, you know something horrible is coming, but you don’t know when, what, or how. The story was brilliantly constructed and I loved every minute of it. If you are looking for a darker novel full of intrigue, mystery and very great characters, read this. Loved it!

 

Description from Amazon:

There is but one Paris.
Vincent Van Gogh Maud Heighton came to Lafond’s famous Academie to paint, and to flee the constraints of her small English town. It took all her courage to escape, but Paris, she quickly realizes, is no place for a light purse. While her fellow students enjoy the dazzling decadence of the Belle Epoque, Maud slips into poverty. Quietly starving, and dreading another cold Paris winter, she stumbles upon an opportunity when Christian Morel engages her as a live-in companion to his beautiful young sister, Sylvie. Maud is overjoyed by her good fortune. With a clean room, hot meals, and an umbrella to keep her dry, she is able to hold her head high as she strolls the streets of Montmartre. No longer hostage to poverty and hunger, Maud can at last devote herself to her art. But all is not as it seems. Christian and Sylvie, Maud soon discovers, are not quite the darlings they pretend to be. Sylvie has a secret addiction to opium and Christian has an ominous air of intrigue. As this dark and powerful tale progresses, Maud is drawn further into the Morels’ world of elegant deception. Their secrets become hers, and soon she is caught in a scheme of betrayal and revenge that will plunge her into the darkness that waits beneath this glittering city of light.

Death in theFloating City By: Tasha Alexander

Oh man, I’ve been so neglectful lately. I’m so sorry! I’ve been stuck playing Final Fantasy 14. Super addictive. Anyway, on to the review! This book is number seven in the Lady Emily mystery series. As the title suggests, it takes place in Venice, the floating city. This was a very interesting mystery. This author does not skimp on the details of the historical city and it is magical to experience. Venice has always been one of the places I want to visit. This book of course, is also a mystery and one Lady Emily has to solve for an old friend. This book has plenty of suspense, romance, and just a general cozy mystery feeling. I would definitely recommend this one and I also recommend continuing the series. I’m currently on number eight, Behind the Shattered Glass.

 

Dangerous to Know and A Crimson Warning By: Tasha Alexander

Alas, I didn’t get to do one review before I finished both books, so I’m kind of slipping them into one review. I gobbled these up very quickly. Dangerous to Know was a bit of a darker mystery involving a brutal murder, madness, an asylum and dark secrets. It was suspenseful and wonderfully written. A Crimson Warning, at first I thought it was the most boring of the books so far but then after a few chapters it didn’t let me go until 1:00am last night when I finished it. It was fantastic! It involved blackmail, deceit, kidnapping and of course, murder. So much suspense in this one! I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. I just love the relationships in these books and they are just fantastic. Unfortunately, the next two are in the mail so I don’t have them yet. So I’m going to re-read Silent in the Grave By: Deanna Raybourn in the meantime. Her books are how I found Tasha Alexander in the first place, so yay!

Tears of Pearl By: Tasha Alexander

In case you’re wondering how I’m reading these so fast, its because I have tons of time currently. I’m recovering from surgery. (Had my gallbladder removed) So I’m still off until Monday and am reading to my heart’s content. Anyway, back to the review! In this one, Lady Emily finds herself in Turkey, so a vastly different area altogether. This mystery was very intriguing and a lot of it was involved with the Sultan’s harem, which was very interesting to read and learn about. I always enjoy reading about other cultures and countries, so this book was great for that. Add in the still wonderful characters, descriptions and mystery and you have another great novel! Am already on the next one, Dangerous to Know.

A Fatal Waltz By: Tasha Alexander

This was also a re-read for me, but I remember having adored this book the first time I read it. I still do! In this installment, the main character travels to Vienna and the author did such a brilliant job of describing it. The snowy streets, the buildings, the cafes and culture. It was very well done and I enjoyed every minute of it. I devoured this book! The mystery in this one was a bit more suspenseful and had more of a sense of impending danger. The characters developed some more in a very interesting way and there was a lot happening. I really love this series. I picked up the next one, Tears of Pearl immediately and am almost halfway through it already.