eyes.2c Reviews

Where the Sky Begins   by   Rhys Bowen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A rather lovely story that brings forward the horrors of war on the home front without being over the top. Of course things were coincidental, maybe a bit too pat, but that’s fine. I’m all for some improbable reality. Josie Banks, an east ender, is married to a controlling man. The war is on and thankfully  Stan is called up.  Josie however is caught in a bombing raid. The description is truly awful! She’s shunted off to the country by the authorities and ends up being put off at the end of the line with three girls. No place to lay her head. But there’s the big house with the reserved woman owner and her Irish maid. The welcome is NOT. But the rules are there and Josie is reluctantly given a place. Josie’s new life is detailed minutely. She has the ability to make friends, solve problems and doesn’t shirk from a challenge.  Again and again , Josie faces situations and events that just keep coming. Not quite the Pe...

Death of a Heretic  (A Sister Fidelma Mystery #33) by   Peter Tremayne   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I found this story totally fascinating. I have always been drawn to the old laws of Ireland. To see the accepted tales of St Patrick’s turned on its head, to realize the way Christianity has been influenced down through the ages, is inspiring. This seventh century story has us in Ireland with a murder—and the solving of.  Into this mess comes Sister Fidelma of Cashel. A visit from the Frankish dignitary, Bishop Brodulf, results in disaster. The Bishop is dead, killed in a fire, and a building master has disappeared. Although this is adequately explained. The “law is based on compensation for the victim and rehabilitation for the perpetrator.” But Fidelma and her husband Brother Eardulf  of Seaxmund’s Ham,  are unsure as to whether this case invokes this law or one that transcends this. After all the Bishop we are told “ came here with the explicit authority of the F...

Till Death Do Us Part  (British Crime Library Classics) by John Dickson Carr   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ There’s a jolly good reason why this is part of British Library Crime Classics. It’s fascinating, although in this day and age, slightly fussy with the crime maven keeping all the information stored in his head and occasionally forgetting to tell his satellites what he’s doing, or has done.  The murder is a mess of rumor, false starts and a needless death but  most satisfying in it’s solving and execution. Atmospheric! Martin Edward’s Introduction is insightful, placing Carr’s works and centrality to the genre firmly in orbit. The last sentence a fitting tribute to Carr. “Till Death Do Us Part is a dazzling showcase for the great man’s detective skills and a reminder of Carr’s gift for constructing a fiendish mystery plot.” A Poisoned Pen ARC via NetGalley.                                   ...

The Secret of Bow Lane  (Below Stairs Mystery #6) by Jennifer Ashley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kat Holloway is confronted by Charlotte Bristol, wife of Joe Bristol, the man Kat thought she was married to, with a wild tale of treasure he’d left behind. What follows is a mad and dangerous chase to places Kat should never go with d evastating revelations. Daniel of course is dragged into this and  tales of lost coins from the mint are doing the rounds. Only these aren’t mad tales and Kat’s in it up to her eyeballs before she can blink. So we have Charlotte wanting Kat to investigate, Inspector McGregor on the case, and Grace  wanting to know more about where she and her mother lived. And the relationship between Kat and Daniel? Well that’s in there too. Burning right or out?  All I can say is,  Oh My. I’m so in love with Daniel McBride. A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.                               ...

The Man in the Shadows  (World’s End Bureau Victorian Mystery #3) by  Alys Clare   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Two cases taken up by the  World’s End Bureau. Lily Raynor takes one—the missing Russian child—a refugee from Russia. Felix Wilbraham the other—looking for evidence that would show a condemned man hung for the murder of his fiancé, was innocent. The contrast between the Victorian dockside, the pursuit of a child newly arrived from Russia, down dank and dangerous alleys and slipways, along the canal docksides is overpowering and grim. (Clare’s descriptions invoke the overlay of despair in these areas). This is where Lily’s investigations take her. By her side is another Russian immigrant and lost youngster—Alexai. At her side, when needed, is Tamáz Edey, master of the canal boat The Dawning of the Day. Tamáz has been a welcome presence in all of Lily’s cases. He understands danger and the supernatural. (He’d gifted Lily a protective amulet in their first encounter)....

Violet Made of Thorns  (#1) by Gina Chen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The challenge? Violet is the Court seer. A situation that’s taken her out of hardship to a life that she’s determined to maintain. So when the king asks her to channel her prophecies skewed to his political advantage she does. After all, what will honesty do but highlight her precariously held position! Made all the more so because she didn’t receive the training she needed from the previous seer. But then there’s Cyrus, the prince. She’s keenly aware of him, but he? Of course Violet’s angry with the perfect prince and herself, so she’s only too keen to agree to give a false about Cyrus meeting his true love at an upcoming ball. And of course this releases a curse that will make or break the kingdom. (I feel like I’m teetering around the edges of a mishmash of fractured fairytale themes—Sleeping Beauty and the wicked fairy godmother, Cinderella and the ball including the glass slipper and Prince Charming , and a dark Briar Rose. I ...

The Rake's Daughter  (Brides of Bellaire Gardens #2)   by  Anne Gracie  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Half sisters join together at a very young age to thwart their pleasure seeking, selfish father who has neglected the girls. Isobel, Izzy, is his natural daughter whom he refuses to acknowledge. However his eight year old daughter Clarissa, normally a biddable child had other ideas. Then there’s the unaware  Josiah Leonard Thorne, sixth Earl of Salcott who discovers upon his father’s death that he has been appointed guardian to Sir Bartley Studley’s daughter Clarissa. Despite his protestation  that the intended guardian was meant to be his father seeing as Studley and his father had been of the same age, the Will stated the “sixth” earl. Clarissa it seems is an heiress. Leo undertakes to give her a season and hopefully fire her off. It’s only when Clarissa arrives that he discovers there are two sisters, and shock horror! they both demand to be presented, including vouchers for A...

A Remarkable Rogue  (Lords of the Armory #5) by Anna Harrington    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ok this was both terrific, and occasionally terrifying.  Captain Nathaniel (Nate) Reed of the King’s Horse Guards, natural son of Earl of St. James much to his dismay (there’s a history there!), dubbed the hero of the battle Toulouse after Waterloo. Flushing out the leader of Scepter is his game, the widow, Baroness Sydney Rowland is his aim. Obviously a member of that revolutionary movement, why else her involvement with persons of interest who’ve had their life threatened?  Except Sydney has a very good reason for her actions and being caught in the home office. Not that she’s ever going to expose them, ever! This story has its own momentum and fascinating spin around the central theme of exposing the Scepter villains. The title is matched in its tension, unique storyline, and fascinating attraction between the lead characters. The frisson between the Captain and the widow is divine...

Highland Honor  (The Murray’s #2) by Hannah Howell  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Intrepid French woman posing as page flees across France from her husband’s kinsmen. They’re out for blood. Gisele has been accused of murdering her foul and depraved husband. She didn’t, but no one was believing her least of all the powerful DeVeaux’s who have placed a bounty on her head. Just as she’s about to be captured by two of the DeVeaux men, a pesky Scotsman offers her assistance and sanctuary. Sir Nigel Murray has been  fighting in France for seven years, having fled his homeland clan because of his love for his brother’s wife. Nigel’s entranced  by this elfin, feisty female (think the passion and cutting tongue of Leonore from These Old Shades) who also bears a startlingly likeness to the woman who’d had him leaving Scotland  Taking Gisele into his protection, their flight towards a port as they seek a ship bound for Scotland, is a series of triumphs and setbacks, with both learning to love...

Mr. Grier and the Governess  (Brazen Beauties #2) by Sophie Barnes    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Forced by her strict and unloving father’s death to leave the vicarage she’s grown up in, Olivia Poole catches a coach into an unknown future. Boarding the public transport with nothing but a small travelling bag stuffed with a paltry assortment of belongings and keepsakes, Olivia is bound for a place called Sutton Hall, and hopefully a job as a housemaid. Nothing to take with her but a good education and the LIST. When Grayson Grier found himself his beloved father’s heir before his time he was shattered. When he found his heirdom included guardianship of a very young girl, he was dismayed. Yet he did his duty by her, leaving her in the care of his superior Butler and Housekeeper. He’d employed a governess for Juliana lately to make sure knew how to go on in society, and was prepared to have her make her come out. Grayson rarely visited Sutton Hall. Too many memories. But when the situation...

The Unkept Woman  (Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery #4) by Allison Montclair  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sparks & Bainbridge mysteries just keep coming up winners. The tension, the plots within plots, like a Russian doll, all waiting to be revealed. Post-war Britain, Cold War beginnings—times are changing. British intelligence and Russian agents are engaging. Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge co-owners of the Right Sort of Marriage Bureau have been making a go of their business, even as they’re occasionally interrupted by murder investigations and / or the intelligence services. Both have had trauma in their lives and each in their own way is slowly and steadily making psychological and emotional gains.  I love their therapist. He’s continually shaking his head as things just keep happening around these two. Life is trundling along until a few different factors collide. A young Polish woman is not accepted as a candidate for the marriage bureau,  Iris’ ex-lover Andrew, an intellig...

The Record Keepe r (Murphy Shepherd #3) by Charles Martin    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The subject matter, child and young persons trafficking is dark and heartbreaking. The first two titles in the series drew me in as wickedness and depravity ran riot. The insertion of Murphy Shepherd as broken healer and rescuer of these unsuspecting victims is brilliantly portrayed. I must admit I kept thinking of Liam Neeson in Taken, and of how much the film pales in comparison against Martin’s Murphy Shepherd series. This title opens up the backstory about Murph’s mentor, who guided him in these endeavors, Ezekiel Walker, always known as Bones. The establishment of Freetown as a place for healing and redemption for the damaged, the idea of Murph carrying those he rescues as a list, a litany,  tattooed on his back adds depth. As one victim explains, “the man with the tattooed back told me, ‘Wherever I go, I carry you with me.’ And at the sound of this, I almost smiled. I liked the thought of that. I...

Hawker and the King’s Jewel (Swords of the White Rose #1)  by Ethan Bale     1485 Richard Plantagenet and Henry Tudor’s armies are moving. Richard comands Sir John Hawker to return a jewel, a huge roughly set ruby, gifted by its previous owner the Doge of Venice, to Richard.  Called the Tear of Byzantium, rumour has it the the Tear must be returned if the current owner tired of possessing it. Hawker has another obligation, to protect Richard’s illegitimate son.  Hawker is a bear of a man, quick witted and discerning, although he’s much troubled in Venice. He’s a  man off integrity who seeks to protect and adhere to his word.  With a small band of stalwart companions and a doubtful Frenchman he travels to Venice, where as expected things don’t go quite to plan. The individual members of the company are an interesting lot, their loyalty mostly given—except when it isn’t. Meanwhile more than one powerful party is seeking Richard’s hidden son and the Tear-...

A Dash of Disguise (Lady’s School of Spies #1)   by Jacki Delecki    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dashiell West, Earl of Beldon, (more Dash than Cash)  found himself penniless after his despised father died. He’d left his love with the promise of marriage only to decide out of pride, that as he was without financial liquidity, he couldn’t marry her. Her being Lady Perdita Tinley. Fortunately Dash is gifted mathematical, and managed to reverse his financial worries at cards. Dita has had a rather wild childhood. She learned to fight, and think beyond the role of  being a wife, who’s sole purpose was to have children and entertain. When Dash and Dita reconnect the fire is still there. Shall we say that it’s more than a hearth fire, more a wildfire of maelstrom proportions. A distant fire that’s banked  until Dita’s brother Roddy, and Dash’s best friend, disappears. Roddy had been a special envoy to negotiating the Treaty of Amiens. Then Dash can barely reign Dita in in her flurr...

The It Girl by  Ruth Ware  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ At times the tension in “It Girl” is high to the point of breathlessness. Hannah Jones is beyond devastated over her friend April Clarke-Clivedon’s brutal murder. Anguished because this was her friend, anguished because it was Hannah’s evidence that had college porter John Neville had been imprisoned for life.  Anguished that Neville maintains his innocence, anguished because of the ‘what if’s” if Hannah was wrong about Neville. And dare I say on another plane entirely the fact that she’s married to her dead best friend’s boyfriend.  The story moves between the time a group of young things from various walks of life first meet at Pelham College Oxford University to the current times, some ten years later. We know there’s more to come. Hannah has retreated away from Oxford, from being a top student, to living and working in Edinburgh away from the spotlight, suffering severe anxiety and depression. Married to Will she maintains a...

Always Be My Duchess  (Taming of the Dukes #1) by Amalie Howard  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1865.  French emigre, feisty ballerina Nève Valery  wasn’t going to rescue the three-sheets-to-the-wind toff stumbling around on the outskirts of the rookeries area of St Giles well past the witching hour, but she couldn’t leave him to be robbed and worse. Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix,  hadn’t had this reaction to a woman for sometime. Yes of course he’s a duke with a history! Dreadful father, horrid upbringing, snake of a step mother, and now he finds himself intrigued, fascinated and pulled towards the fascinating Nève. It can’t be love because he rejects that feeling. Lysander needs a fiancé and it turns out Nève needs employment. Lysander, “Stone” to his acquaintances, is trying to close a deal on a strip of land, complete a with Castle. All necessary for the railroad he’s trying to build. The owner though has a sentimental attachment to the castle and is not about to sell...

Half Outlaw  by Alex Temblador  ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bikers, codes and belonging. Half Mexican Raqi grew up as the niece of a biker, having been given into the care of her uncle Dodge when she was four. Her mother had been Dodge’s sister. Not the most ideal of childhoods being around an addict but Raqi not only survived she went on to become a partner in a law firm. Dodge has died and Raqi is called on to take a Grieving ride, not something she wants to do. The club’s leader Billy bribes her by promising the address of her Mexican grandfather at the end of the ride. Raqi has always felt sundered. Taken from a life she barely remembers into quite a different culture for anyone let alone a very young child. The story is told with glimpses of Raqi’s past seamlessly segueing into the now.  A fascinating tale that introduces magic realism and animism as Ravi’s heritage collides with desert spirituality as she struggles to know who she is and where she comes from, as she yearns to become who...

A Ladies Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kitty Talbot must marry and marry well within the next four months else her beloved siblings will be left virtually homeless. That means off to London for a season, fortune hunting with a vengeance. How to gain access to the higher echelons of the ton is only a minor setback, and acquiring an Almack’s voucher?  Well! Kitty lays her plans, garnishes her intuition and takes leaps of faith when the situation presents. Her goal is firm and unwavering. Family first! Only Kitty doesn’t plan on running across James, the Earl of Radcliffe, who recognises at a glance this young woman’s mission, an outsider spinning the wheel of chance. Although he doesn’t perceive the reasons driving her. Of course there are confrontations, annoyingly so. Witty repartee, humorous situations with a real poignancy of fighting for loved ones, flows underneath. Kitty is a breath of fresh air à la Heyer. A pleasing read with a couple of fractiously dete...