eyes.2c Reviews

A Dark and Stormy Knight (Victorian Rebels #7)   by Kerrigan Byrne          I just adore the Victorian rebels! Byrne rocks when it comes to these edgy noir romances. Cutter/Carlton Morely's story is another tribute exhibiting Byrne's considerable talent. Sir Carlton Morley, the Chief Inspector of Scotland Yard, is the one character we don't know much about. He's driven, he's a force to be reckoned with. He's a friend who can be depended on, an enemy you'd never want. When Morley falls into an unlooked for liaison with Prudence Goode, daughter of the lesser nobility, it's for one night only. He doesn't know who she is, he doesn't want to know and their paths will never again cross. It's a moment of unlooked for madness, going right against the hard won control that Morley normally exhibits. Determined to have a night of freedom before she's reluctantly married to the Earl of Sutherland, whom Pru had adored until she discovered his...

The Indigo Ghosts (A Gabriel Tavener Mystery #3) by Alys Clare         An astonishing tale that relates to a dead body found in an unexpected place aboard a ship Gabriel Tavener had once sailed on' currently moored a  Plymouth. Taverner receives a request from an old friend, Captain Zeke in charge of the Falco, a ship he'd been the doctor on. The crew is on edge. A small body has been discovered in a minuscule space in the lowest deck. When Tavener enters the wretched space he bangs his head, feels overwhelmed by evil, and has a strange vision. This is just the beginning for this man of science. We learn more about Jonathan Carew, the local vicar. Taverner realises during this time that Jonathan "is proving to be a good village priest." But more than that, these are "deep matters of great antiquity" requiring "a lifetime’s study." And in this investigation Gabriel saw in Jonathan, "a hunger for knowledge, for knowing, a fierce desire ...

The Hour of the Fox (A Brother Chandler Mystery #1)   by Cassandra Clark    Politics and power in 1399 medieval England as seen through the eyes of a a reluctant spy / investigator, friar Brother Rodric Chandler These are the times of Richard II, Henry Bolingbroke and the Duke of Lancaster. Chandler is in the employ of Bolingbroke, although he does appear conflicted about his role, not that this stops him. He's a regular visitor to the Tower to question prisonersChandler is astute, an expert in herbs' has a "practical knowledge of poisons", and is well versed in languages. A turning point for Chandler is when a dead novice is found naked and seemingly drowned. Chandler has been called by his friend Sir Arnold Archer to help him with his investigations. Eventually Chandler finds he cannot let the mysterious death go, even though he has instructions to the contrary. The novice's death is a small flashpoint marking the turning of the political future. Chauce...

The Earl's Marriage Bargain (Liberated Ladies #2) by Louise Allen.         A delightful romance with a lively leading lady whose impulsiveness drags her and her acquaintances into unchartered waters. Jane Newnham has her life mapped out--even if her parents have other ideas! A talented artist she intends to set herself up as a portrait painter. Yes, it will be a struggle but one Jane's determined she'll win through. That was before she hauled a man being attacked by some hefty thugs into her carriage and whisks him away to safety, much to her maids disgust. Ivo Merton, recent Earl of Kendall, just back from the Napoleonic battlefields, recovering from a broken heart, and now a damaged shoulder, finds his would be rescuer a force to be reckoned with. Which may be why these two at some time further along find themselves declaring they're engaged to bystanders after a heated argument in the middle of a Bath street. This news just ricochets around the place in...

Recipe for Persuasion (The Rajes #2) by Sonali  Dev          A very loose nod to Austen's Persuasion. Ashna Raje is trying to hang onto her beloved father's once successful Indian restaurant at all costs. The restaurant is in crisis, millions of dollars were embezzled and now she is doing all she can to lower overheads and rebuild the restaurant, her father's dream. And that's the crux, Ashna needs to discover her own dream. Her cousin persuades as her to take part in a reality tv cooking show. Grand prize of $100,000 Little did Ashna know that the former love of her life would be her partner. Soccer star Rico Silva has used his influence to ensure this. Being thrown together, in the spotlight and off the show, forces Rico and Ashna to re-evaluate themselves, their reactions and other aspects of their lives. Devastating secrets are forced into the open. For Ashna that includes reassessing her relationship with both her mother and her father. Ashna'...

The Jane Austen Society: A Novel by Natalie Jenner          Opening in 1932 with the bulk of the story happening between 1945 and 1947 this story, was like savouring a good wine. Its very essence surrounded me. I was struck by its many flavors. These were provided by a disparate group of people coming together in the village of Chawton, Hampshire, the home of Jane Austen in the last years of her life, to form the Jane Austen Society. A fascinating group, some joined by their shared life in the village, others who appreciated the history of the place. All are tied together by their love of Austen. Although for many their reading is certainly wider than that as demonstrated by some of their lively conversations. All have something that sets them apart, be it their insights, energy, determination, empathy, loyalty or talents. Benjamin Gray, the village doctor for many years, now a widower. Miss Frances Knight, spinster daughter of the Great House (Chawton...

Marry in Scarlet (Marriage of Convenience #4) by Anne Gracie           A humorous rendition of the marriage of convenience trope. Redmond Jasper Hartley, the fifth Duke of Everingham, has been left at the altar. Now the punctilious Lady Salter, his mother's friend, and aunt to his ex fiancé, has decided that another of her niece's would be the answer. After all the Dukedom needed an heir. Well neither Lady Georgiana nor the Duke agree. They didn't like each other. Except, there was that moment of laxity and The Kiss at a ball. Furthermore at a musical soirée, the unexpected continuation of that kiss thrust them into the ton's notice in such a way that nothing but an engagement would do. Though even that was taken out of George's control much to her anger. I adored Lady Georgiana Rutherford, George to her family and friends. Like George I eventually came to appreciate the emotionally deprived Hartley. Fast forward to the wedding! I was in raptures over...

The Highlander's English Bride (Clan Kendrick #3)   by Vanessa Kelly             “Och, don’t fash yourself," those Kendrick lads and their lasses are back! This time it's twin Graeme who meets his match. Such a simple thing really. Singularly pursuing a band of organized robbers, Graeme is tracking down his mark along the banks of the Serpentine River, in the rain. Naturally! Sighting a lady in the early morning, seemingly waiting for someone, Graeme's further discomposed when his mark veers off and attempts to grab the lady's reticule. His mark's quarry is made of sterner stuff and fights back. Unfortunately during  the melee she falls into the river. (Melee appears to be a key word for all that follows with this delightful, snippety female. She never goes quietly! Mmm! a match made in heaven?) What's Graeme to do but leave off with the pursuit and rescue the tiresome female who's interfered with his plans. Needless to say upon confronting...

Say Yes to the Duke (The Wildes of Lindow Castle #5)   by Eloisa James          Where to start! This had it all! There's the explosive beginning--in more ways than one. At fifteen Viola Astley,  the stepdaughter of Hugo Wilde, Duke of Lindow, attends her first ball. A disaster! Unable to contain her nervous nausea Viola (the overlooked Wilde) seeks a quick exit only to catch a couple in flagrante delicto, and "empties her stomach" all over the paramour. (Of course there's more going on in this scene on many levels). That awful experience colors Viola's outlook. From then on public functions have been the bane of her life, leaving her exhausted and cowered, slipping around the edges of gatherings, invisible and lost to all. Viola, is the much overlooked painfully shy heroine--except when she isn't! And then she's so much more! Some very amusing scenes featuring animals tell a different tale. Viola feels she just can't compare to her extroverte...

In the Name of Truth (Sandhamn Murders #8) by Viveca Sten       Translated by Marlaine Delargy Weave together a plot featuring a court case about embezzlement, a children's summer sailing camp off Sandhamn Island,  a stalking pedophile, a runaway girl, a missing boy, a camp leader who suffers from deep insecurities, another couple of boys who would be at home in the Lord of the Flies; then throw in gambling and Lithuanian gangsters and you have one complicated plot for Detective Inspector Thomas Andreasson and his friend, attorney Nora Linde to work their way through. Both unbeknownst to each other pursuing independent inquiries that have them meeting somewhere in the middle. (Oh, and did I mention the wedding?) Nora is working on the court case and Thomas on the camp front. I swear I smelt a wiff of pine needles and felt the sting of the sea spray in the camp sequences. I did dream wistfully of summer and sailing. Putting this complex Swedish crime noir to...

The Tinned Fish Cookbook by Bart van Olphen            A tinned fish cookbook I thought! Great! We always have tins of sardines, anchovies, salmon and and tuna lurking in our cupboards. I hate the first two so just maybe there's a way to use them that I'd enjoy! (note: Of course anchovies are absolute requirement crushed up in a Caesar salad dressing or as part of the sauce for vitello tonnato, but never where I can actually taste them!) And who knew that sardines are thing of passion, like a fine red wine, and should be turned occasionally. I ask myself, "does that hold true for my $1.25 can from the local store or should I be casting my sights further afield to a specialty import shop?" I just can't see doing that with my el cheapo cans. As a bonus I can choose to be environmentally conscious by selecting my fish according to its sustainability rating. I was fascinated by the discussion about whether to use fish canned in oil or water, and now I...

The Lonely Fajita by Abigail Mann           This was a really enjoyable read. Elissa, who just can't seem to get her life together, has a non wage earning internship as an App blogger /media start up worker for a somewhat dodgy Internet dating type organization called Lovr. Financially she lives on the edge. Her boyfriend/partner is a jerk who obviously has lost interest but Elissa doesn't clue into that until he leaves her high and dry. Mind you, sharing his bedroom in a shared household does cut costs. This is when Elissa meets eighty-three year old Annie. Forced to look for other living arrangements Elissa embarks on a wholly different life style and 'surprise, surprise' she begins to find herself. On the work front Elissa is treated badly (talk about continually going around the mountain!) Just another instance where she seems to allow herself to be taken advantage of. When Elissa decides to step up things become way more interesting! Her work coh...

Death on the Beach (An Island Mystery #2) by Anna Johannsen. Translated by Jozef van der Voort.         A solid, enjoyable, Scandi noir read! Detective Lena Lorenzen is called out to the suicide of a fourteen-year-old girl on the small island of Föhrn part of the North Frisian islands. An area Lena is very aware of, an island she grew up on and left long ago. It's the beginning of her leave. Six days she was going to spend with Erck. A relationship that's only be rekindled for a few weeks after a fourteen year break. A call from her boss Detective Superintendent Warnke puts paid to that. Warnke has asked for a favor. The girl was a member of a strictly devout free church that the rest of community views as a cult and has little time for. On the surface Maria Logener death is a suicide. Something bothers Lena about it and she has a forensic team flown over with autopsy findings fast tracked. That suicide is a murder. Meanwhile on the personal level Lena is ha...

The Lost Boys of London (Bianca Goddard Mysteries #5) by Mary Lawrence         It's 1545 London and Bianca Goddard once again is called upon by Constable Patch to lend her skills, and finds herself in the midst of a troubling puzzle. Patch is of course unconcerned that these things are happening outside his jurisdiction. He's ambitious! At two different times in differing places boys have been hung from neighbouring local church grotesques (gargoyles). Bianca is scared that her young friend Fisk who's been  missing will meet the same fate. Along with Bianca we find ourselves "in a world full of lost boys—abandoned children, of men killed in battle, men scarred from war, of boys who grow into petulant kings, and men who forfeit the gift of loving their children." (Part of a very poignant comment at the end of the novel.) Meanwhile, over a year ago, Bianca's husband John Grunt had been dragged off with King Henry's army, intent on taking retribution...

The Scent of Danger (An Ursula Blanchard Mystery #18) by Fiona Buckley A comfortable read for me, a not so comfortable time for Ursula Blanchard, agent for spy master Sir Francis Walsingham, and illegitimate half sister to Queen Elizabeth. It's 1586 and Ursula discovers that one of her recruits, Peter Gray, in the south Devon area near Plymouth to keep an eye on rumours of possible Spanish landings and papist plots involving Mary Stewart, is dead. She worries about the other, Gregory Reeves who lives  near Okehampton where Gray died. On top of this her property at Withysham has some questionable accounting uncovered in its ledgers. That happens to be associated with the manager's uncle who lives in this area. Off she travels with the loyal Dale and Brockley, and an unexpected companion, Joyce Frost, her unforgiving ward. What Ursula finds is a rash of unanswered questions, intense personal danger and some troubled young women. A pleasing read, especially if you'v...

Roar Back (An Émile Cinq-Mars thriller #8) by John Farrow         What is it about Canadian French noir?  Possibly that gritty, understated humor, or the 'no holds barred' exposé of the underbelly of 1978 Québécois Montreal, the rivalry of gangs--the Italian Mafiosa, The Biker Gangs, and the newer guys on the block, the Russians/ Eastern bloc coteries. Sergeant-Detective Émile Cinq-Mars enters a new phase of his career, and courtesy of his old boss Armand Touton, he's at the pointy end of a problem that will spread into the gang situation. Touton wants him to lookout for a deeply embedded agent in the gang arena. Coalface, as Touton dubbed the mole, has been there for over twenty years. A situation that's been on total blackout and unknown to all except for Touton, and now Émile. Now that Touton has retired how and whom does Coalface contact if needed? A call out to a simple robbery leads to some dangerous places, including the mole's apartment block. T...

A Duke Too Far (The Way to a Lord's Heart #4) by Jane Ashford     The demented fairy godfather (my words) Macklin (or is he Yoda?) is at his grief counselling again.  This time his sight falls on Peter Rathbone, the Duke of Compton, an impoverished lord whose sister Delia has died in a tragic cliff accident. Of course Compton lives in a moldering ruin on the edge of the Welsh Marshes in far flung Shropshire, bordering Wales (well about as flung from London as you can get without actually crossing any borders.) Macklin has decided to call upon Compton's residence for a brief visit. "The place is rather like a dragon lying along the ridge. The head is the ruined Norman tower on the high point, and the tail is the modern wing ... with a mass of muddled masonry in between.” It is a rather daunting description and internally even more dismaying. Meanwhile Delia's friend Miss Ada Grandison, after recurring dreams, has persuaded and beguiled her friends into accompan...

His Runaway Lady by Joanna Johnson           I kept feeling I'd wandered into some sort of Grimm's Fractured Fairytale--possibly a version of Snow White with a dash of Hansel and Gretel. Sophia Somerlock's abusive mother is the archetype of the wicked stepmother.(Although apparently in earlier versions of some of these tales it was the jealous mother who is the villain. It would seem aspects of this tale harken back to the original version.) Sophia's mother appears to have been jealous of her daughter's relationship with her husband, and since she was six years old Sophia has not only carried a huge burden around the death of her father, but been reviled for it. She's been told continually, and believes it, that she is a wicked child responsible for what happened to her father and that all are disgusted by her perfidy. Sophia runs away because her mother is forcing her into a distasteful marriage of convenience. There are hints that the chosen groom is ...