eyes.2c Reviews

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep       ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Victorian London of 1885. A young woman with Robin Hood overtones who runs a street gang gets under the collar of a bright spanking new Constable.  Jackson Forge has only ever wanted to become a policeman. Now his first day arrives for his posting down near London docks at Blackfriars and he's late. If he hadn't stopped to help an old gentleman he'd have been on time--and still have had his purse! Jackson's new career seems to only go down hill from here on. His track record is definitely not winning any accolades. Late for the very annoyed Sergeant Graybone, outspoken when he shouldn't be, and suspicious about the Lord Mayor, he has a targeted painted on his back as far as his superiors are concerned. Talk about angels charging in! Two important men have gone missing and now a third. The last is a poor hansom driver. Are the three linked? Forge thinks so. Someone else is concerned about the cabbie and J...

A Lady Compromised (Rosalind Thorne Mystery #4) by Darcie Wilde       ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Regency mystery with a smart level headed woman cast as the fixer, someone who helps others with their small problems for an accompanying gratuity. Rosalind Thorne helped Louisa through her London season towards marriage. Now she's attending the wedding and renewing her acquaintance with Devon Winterbourne, Duke of Casselmaine with the intent of maybe developing the relationship into something more. Only Louise has asked her to help her friend Helen whose brother died in mysterious circumstances prior to a duel.  Gossip, a death, attempted murder and a daring engineering project all play a part. Bow street runner Adam Harkness makes an appearance and there seems to be some sort of love triangle hovering. And a rather sinister, even salacious man seems to be wanting to know more about Rosalind Thorne. A very different Regency historical romance/mystery with more to come. Rosalind Thorne ...

River of Sins (Bradecote and Catchpoll #7) by Sarah Hawkswood       ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An introduction to a new (for me) medieval mystery is exciting. Set in Worchester in 1141, we have a beautiful dead woman, Ricolde, whom it seems was known as the Whore of Worchester. Deplored by the women of the area and yet loved by the local clergy for her generosity for her charitable donations for caring for the poor. Ricolde is a puzzle, an astute business woman and a whore, not the usual combination. It seems she's chosen a life that gives her independence and income. Although if the antics of the local women is anything to go by, no friendships with people of her own gender. Ricolde's body was discovered upstream from her home on an island in the middle of the River Severn. How did she get there and who committed this ghastly crime? That is up to the undersheriff Lord Bradecote and Worchester Serjeant Catchpoll to find out. An interesting journey for them and us as the culprit is rooted ...

The Princess and the Rogue (Bow Street Bachelors #3) by Kate Bateman      ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Lively Russian princess Anastasia Denisova escapes to England from Paris after Waterloo. Living under the name of Anna Brown she's become companion to the Dowager Duchess of Winwick, who just happens to be Seb Wolff's great aunt. Mmm! Anya is fleeing a rather nasty Russian nobleman, the scheming Vasili Petrov, who's after her money and lands. Her brother Dmitri, killed at Waterloo 'had told her in confidence that Vasili, or someone close to him, was suspected of passing information to the French.'  Now Anya is seeking evidence to show Petrov up for who he is. Sebastien Wolff, Earl of Mowbray, and a Bow Street agent is looking for a traitor. When Anya and Seb's paths cross in a brothel (now thats interesting!) things heat up--on many fronts. Seb, the man who doesn't believe in love, finds himself unaccountably unable to think of anyone else. Anya finds herself in a pickle on m...

Poison River: Legend of the Five Rings: A Daidoji Shin Mystery by Josh Reynolds        ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wow! My descriptive title is a mouthful, but then the discovery of poisoned rice becomes a mouthful for those seeking its origin. It is like a pebble dropped into a pool, and as the ripple effect takes hold more players become involved. This is my first foray into the world of Legend of the 5 Rings universe and hopefully not my last. Intrigue and warring factions in the land of Rokugan come to the attention of the unexpected Daidoji Shin, "Crane Clan’s trade envoy in the City of the Rich Frog." I'm enamored. I loved Shin. Hes a scion of a powerful clan, one of the Seven Great Clans, the Cranes. Sent here it seems, out of sight of his house, Shin is happily settling in, as he explains to his hard put upon sidekick the samurai Hiramori Kasami a blade of the clan and Shin's bodyguard, to a life "far from the prying eyes of the Crane, or the politicking of the Winter Co...

Lord Lucifer (Lords of the Masquerade #1) by Jade Lee         ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Aha! A Lyons Den connection.  That excited me! Lord Lucifer is Titan, the head of security at the Den. Beyond that he's a damaged war hero who finally returned to England a couple of years after Waterloo and has stayed removed from his family, allowing them to think he's dead. His brother Nathan takes up the reigns of the earldom. Diana was his sweetheart in his younger years, indeed his reason for fleeing England. But now she needs his help and its Diana's brother who calls him to her assistance. So we have a second chance romance, a woman forced into an arranged marriage, dreadful family interactions, and poisonous step children. Throw in a masquerade and murder and there's a gratifying array of plot enhancers. I really liked Lucas and Diana as individuals. Unfortunately I just didn't feel the burn, although many did. A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley 

Quantum Shadows by L. E. Modesitt, Jr         ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I must admit this was heavy going until I got into the flow. I really wanted to love this--in the end I did. Enter a world where the major religions are confined to ten houses, with a few gods on the side who could become more depending on the added impetus of believers. (This idea I've met before.) A world  where when things become out of balance a major catastrophe or 'the fall' could happen. Something is afoot in Heaven. A symbol of a Trident, dark etched, has appeared branded into places where it shouldn't be able to, a disruption in a tightly balanced world.  Corvyn's task is to monitor the situation. A figure wrapped in shadows, able to weave and bend them to his will. (We've seen others in Modesitt's works do this). Corvyn's investigations take him throughout the ten houses. Philosophical and religious thoughts form part of the background and as ever food and wine play a part, as Corvyn revis...

Death Comes Hot  (A Bloody Mary Mystery #5) by Michael Jecks       ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ That's Jack Blackjack who's as an assassin in the pay of John Blount, who calls Thomas Parry master. Through an inordinate amount of bungling normally Blackjack ends up with someone else killing the mark. Blackjack takes the credit, which he's mostly happy to do as its lifted him out of poverty. He's become a man of substance, if a servant makes one that. The balancing act, the delusions that Jack juggles are all part of the black comic figure. Still when he finally does kill someone, even that has an awful comedic side.  This time jack finds himself in the thick of politics with a whiff of heresy. Not a comfortable place to be. I must admit too becomming quite dizzy by Jack's tortured thinking as he tries to puzzle out the where's and whyfores, looking for illumination about who the enemy is. At times I felt like I'd sipped more than my fair share of questionable wine just like Jac...

A Hanging at Dawn: A Bess Crawford Short Story (Bess Crawford #11.5)   by Charles Todd   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A political mystery set in 1900 India. At this time a place of flux, with various kingdoms vieing to retain what autonomy they have, and unease at all levels of society, from the streets to the zenana. I had never read a Bess Crawford mystery and this introduction already has me marking down books to read. Todd states you needn't be a fan to read the prequel, and let me just add that after reading this, if you're like me, you'll definitely be a fan! I love the character of the woman behind the beginning of the story, Melinda Crawford, the well connected widow of a British army officer, who sees a young man in pain and decides to do all she can to assist him.  She arranges an alternative path for young Simon Brandon in India where he excels at his now chosen path, until accused of murder when in charge of the Indian Princess Parvati's protection detail. That's also whe...

The Outcast Girls (A World’s End Bureau Victorian Mystery #2) by Alys Clare     ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1881, and the World's End Investigation Bureau had a huge win in their previous case but now their work has trickled say to almost nothing. Lily Raynor, owner of the agency is concerned.  Felix Wilbraham her only employee is wondering if he'll still have employment. Just as these worries are hurtling upon them they are visited by Georgiana Long, a school teacher, asking them to investigate runaway girls from the school she's been teaching at. Something is wrong. Shardlowes School is situated out in the Fens. It caters for girls who are either from wealthy families from abroad who are left there until it's finally time for them to return home, or girls who have for some reason or other, been placed by their families out of sight and rarely visited. Lily goes to investigate in the guise of a new Assistant Matron. Suddenly we see Lily as she once was, a very competent nurse. (This ...

Dark Tides (The Fairmile series #2) by Philippa Gregory        **** 1670 and King Charles II has been restored to the throne of England. Alinor Reeckie and Alys Stoney have moved fromm the Tidelands at Foulmire to Southwark where they've set up a warehouse catering to smaller businesses. Brother Ned, a soldier with Oliver Cromwell, would not live under a king. He has migrated to the Americas searching for the freedom he yearns for, but he might just find that independence threatened by war between the settlers and the First Nations peoples of the area. A Venetian woman claiming to be Elinor's son Rob's wife visits along with a baby son. Rob, a physician is dead, drowned in the dark tides Venice Lagoon. Not only does  Elinor not 'feel' it. After all Rob grew up in similar territory "in the paths between sea and land”. That's important given Elinor's gifts. I do not like his widow Livia "Nobildonna da Ricci” at all.  Added to this, James Avery, Elin...

Courting Trouble (Goode Girls #2), (Victorian Rebels #8) by Kerrigan Byrne        ***** Who'd have thought that this series could get any better? We first briefly meet Honoria (Nora), Viscountess Woodhaven, in A Dark and Stormy Night, contemplating seeking pleasure with the Stags of St James at the School for Cultured Young Ladies--a front for more lascivious practices. As Nora explains later in Courting Trouble to her sister Prudence, "my time with the Stags of St. James was nothing more than selfish pleasure. A diversion I paid for so I wouldn’t have the complication of emotion." Then Nora had been a client of the house.  The story of Nora Goode, Prudence's sister, is one of bullying and abuse by the males she's related to, sacrifices made for those she loves, and deep despair. The only man Nora ever loved was Titus Conleith, originally a boy-of-all-work in the Baron of Cresthaven (Goode)household. Years later Titus, now a talented doctor, is operating vario...

Lords of the Nile: An epic Napoleonic adventure of invasion and espionage (William John Hazzard #2) by Jonathan Spencer          ***** William Hazzard continues his quest to search for Admiral Nelson and Napoleon's fleet, for Sarah-Louise Chapel--the woman he's always loved, and the mysterious missing Admiralty agent. All becomes enmeshed in Napoleon Bonaparte's plans for Egypt and the restoration of the Suez Canal. Bonaparte is searching for an entrée into the theatre of India. Only it seems no-one in power in England, the diplomatic channels  or the relevant nations around the Mediterranean, including Malta, understand or comprehends Napoleon's long game. Their lack of credence becomes their downfall. This next part of the Hazzard saga begins in June 1978 and sweeps from Malta to Egypt with Citizen Jules-Yves Derrien, known as Citizen Croquemort –the Mortician, Bonaparte's spymaster, still dogging his steps. Or is Hazzard dogging Derriens? Derrien is tot...

Notorious (Rebels of the Ton #1) by Minerva Spencer     **** An interesting plot dealing with the offspring from the Outcast series. Jibril or rather Gabriel Marlington as the son of the former Sultan of Oran, and Euphemia, the Marchioness of Exley, adds spice and adventure. Gabriel's step sister Eva's best friend Drusilla Clare  has loved him forever in a silent suffering way, although Dru is anything but silent. An adherent of Mary Wolstenholme and an heiress, Dru funds houses for poor women and children and sees her future mapped out as an eccentric feminist(my term)  doing good works. That is until her hand is forced into a marriage of convenience with Gabriel to avoid a scandal. This (it seems) at the unwitting instigation of the mysterious Lord Visel, a new face in town, who seemingly harbors a focused intent and animus towards Gabriel. All very puzzling. There's quite a few avenues of interest and various twists. At heart Gabriel is a character with two cultu...

Undressed with the Marquess (Lost Lords of London #3 ) by Christi Caldwell     ***** This final in the Lost Lord's series not only grabbed my attention, it stormed my heart. Darius (Dare) Grey's story is mostly seen through his childhood friend from the Rookeries eyes, Temperance Swift. The opening scenes, as the character of Dare is set, has all the hallmark of a fantastic thriller. A Robin Hood character who robs from the rich to feed the poor. I was there! His story is almost over before it begins.  And Temperance! As the story progresses who Temperance is and the burdens she carries unfold. Dare's story, which is partly Temprance's, is a memorable addition that goes to the heart. A Montlake ARC via NetGalley 

The Canterbury Murders (A Stanton and Barling Mystery #3) by E.M. Powell   **** It's Easter, 1711 and Aelred Barling has a personal and exacting challenge metered out from his confessor--to make a pilgrimage to Canterbury. Our dour King's clerk has a deep, dark secret that pulls him down. He takes Hugo Stanton with him. Stanton of course is looking forward to the rumoured delights that abound on the pilgrimage trail but is foiled by the more moderate stops that the sanctimonious Barling chooses, much to Stanton's bitter chagrin. After a penitent and bloody approach to the Cathederal, Barling is in line on the steps, almost through the door, ready to complete his task, yearning for the spiritual relief this will give him, when he's hauled out of the line at the King Henry II's request to support no lesser a powerful being, than Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury.  Murder has taken place and Barling is called upon to investigate. As the killings escalate he and Stanto...

Loved by the Lyon (The Lyon's Den) by Collette Cameron     *** Our hero needs an heiress, the heiress needs a hero. Ye old 'marriage of convenience' trope works nicely here. Vanessa Becket makes her way to the Lyon's Den looking to find out if her despicable step brother, Owen Elligon, has stolen her sapphire heirloom brooch for a gambling stake in this gambling hell. Kingston Barclay, heir to a dukedom has made an appointment with the Black Widow of Whitehall to broker an arranged marriage to ensure funds to provide for his siblings and put his estate in order. Barclay was injured in an explosion during the Battle of Waterloo that killed his best friend, and Vanessa's brother Gabriel. His survivor's guilt has frozen him into inaction with regards his responsibilities. I don't need to go any further, I'm sure you can read between the lines. There are challenges and some altogether too knowing glances from the younger Barclay sisters. A pleasant short re...

The Formidable Earl (Diamonds In The Rough #6) by Sophie Barnes      *** So an upright, uptight Earl, Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding, meets his nemesis in the form of Ida Strong. The daughter of a condemned traitor, Ida has one aim, to find justice for her dead father. Simon had a hand in that, and his regrets about that incident haunts him. I couldn't help but lock into that Sinatra line 'Regrets I've had a few!'  Out of the blue, discovering Ida hiding in a brothel shocks him. Now comes a time to help Ida, but unknown threats around Ida's commitment to learning the truth hamper any growing feelings Simon might have for her. An ARC from the author via NetGalley 

A Scandalous Bargain (The Untouchables: The Pretenders #2)   by Darcy Burke    **** From being left in an upper class girls' boarding school upon the death of her mother, where she was mercilessly bullied, eventually running away preferring life on the streets, and from thence to the top echelons of society, illegitimate daughter of a Duke, Beatrix Linley has just one wish. To make contact with her father the Duke of Ramsgate, of whom she has rosy memories. Beatrix yearns to be accepted and acknowledged as part of the family, albeit quietly. Which goes in part to explain why she was sitting in a tree in the grounds belonging to Thomas Devereaux, Lord Rockbourne, disguised as a youth. Beatrix spends her nights climbing this tree dressed in men's clothing in order to spy on her father. Only this night her gaze is caught by an argument between Rockbourne and his wife that ends in tragedy. So Beatrix is a witness to what went on, something that becomes a both a blessing and a...

Virginia and the Wolf (Society of Single Ladies #3) by Lynne Connolly    **** A delectable widow tied up in knots by her late husband, bound to him as surely as if he were still alive. Virginia, Lady Dulverton's husband Ralph had been a much older man than she, a  wounded hero. Now he's reaching from beyond the grave to continue to control her as effectively as she'd been controlled before his death. Firstly by her parents, then by her husband--not only in life but also for in death! Ralph's will meant that her life was to be confined to setting up orphanages. Any future marriage could only be taken after ten years, otherwise she'd loose everything. Virginia is as just as much a captive to the man now as she has been during his lifetime. As a member of the Society of Single Ladies, Virginia is stubbornly determined to cling to her independence as an oyster clings to a rocky outcrop. Francis, Earl of Wolverley (Wolf) had loved her from afar since he first caught sigh...

Married to the Rogue  (Season of Scandal #3) by Mary Lancaster    **** Dark doings and tricked Regency ladies-in-waiting of the Princess of Wales leaves some of their number, including Deborah Shelby, returning to her home under a cloud. Hoping to ride out the gossip and scandal caused by the unfortunate happenings of their small number ending up unchaperoned at a house party that devolved into an orgy down below as the ladies stayed behind locked doors until able to leave in the morning (how does a royal lady leave some of her ladies in a compromising position btw??) Deborah is now returned home trying to keep a low profile, and as it turns out not to upset her younger sister's marriage prospects to a local Earl's son. Christopher Halland, heir to a property nearby rides out in a temper to work off his anger against his grandfather who refuses to release his fortune to him before the given time time unless he marries. A confrontation between the two after nearly riding ...

The Lady Brewer of London  by Karen Brooks     ***** The struggles of a young woman who must try to forge a new way of life when her wealthy merchant father's ship is lost.  1405 and Anneke Sheldrake finds herself destitute, the house and livelihood she took for granted gone. How to provide for her family and restore their fortunes? Her mother's people had been Brewers from Flanders. With the help of her recipe book (and the crones who whisper in the brewing commencement) Anneke forges ahead to be come a female brewer. Her successes has her come under siege from rivals, and her father's aristocratic employer,    with whom she'd struck a deal in her endeavours to come around. Their are deep secrets at play here. This wonderful medieval story set in the latter days of King Henry IV has everything. Women clawing their way back from tragedy, unlooked for alliances, acceptance and prejudices, and fighting authorities. Compassion and weaknesses are turned into st...

Gentleman Jim: A Tale of Romance and Revenge   by Mimi Matthews     ***** I found myself enchanted by the delicate yet determined Margaret Honeywell from wealthy landed gentry stock and the wonderful John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare. As St. Clare reflects, "a shapely scrap of femininity—altogether too weak and frail." He'd had an overpowering urge to protect her. A tale of lost love, of lost identity and an eventual HEA Victorian romance to be reckoned with. We begin with an illegitimate stable boy, rumoured son of highway rogue Gentleman Jim,  Seaton and a young mistress of the house separated by the dastardly  accusations of a jealous youthful neighbor, Frederick Burton-Smythe. That neighbor grows into the bully he already was, placed by her father's will as Maggie's guardian. Determined to marry her, Smythe makes her life miserable and then St .Clare arrives in London from the continent, a man in whom Maggie sees a whisper of her beloved youthful companion...