eyes.2c Reviews

The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies  (Oxford Guide #1) by Kate Westbury        ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Post WWII, 1950’s Oxford. Sidney Braithwaite, a former intelligence officer has decided to take up an ex Serviceman’s Grant to study at Oxford Stationed in France, he’s recovering from bad memories and the death of a French compatriot he worked with, Amélie. Sidney was more than fond of her. Then there was the matter of his wound. Sidney seems to have landed in a nest of appalling entitled behavior and Kremlin links. A member of the infamous Damolaces  Club was accused of treason whilst in a German prison. Many believe he’s wrongly accused.  The plot becomes murkier as things pan out and his old handler from Security Services, the Rook, makes contact. Then there’s the very upper class, the Honorable Ginerva Bishop who disturbed his studying in the Bodlean, and his life in other ways. Great start to a new series. A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.   ...

Six White Horses  by James Robert Daniels          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Battle hardened, weary and cynical ex Southern army Captain becomes a Texas Ranger after the civil war. He’s chasing a renowned train and stagecoach robber after the driver was killed. Cole Twist! A ruthless, yet charismatic bad’n who has people either scared of him or admirers. Lieutenant James Quinn captures Cole Twist, kills his brother Charlie, and brings Cole to stand trial in the town of Corpus. A town divided. This is where things get interesting. Quinn meets a Quaker widow, China Smallwood, who’s teaching black kids and their folks at the government supported reconstruction school. The last teacher had been tarred and feathered and run out of town. Quinn undergoes an interesting journey as he fights his personal battle demons, seeks justice for the victims of the crimes, and learns the benefit of forgiveness. A Cutting Edge ARC via NetGalley.             ...

Murder at the Stone Circle (Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery #8) by Elizabeth Rose         ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just as life is becoming settled for Lady Vivienne Harlowe and Sheriff Zachariah Fitch, trouble strikes. Vivienne and Zachariah decide to marry outside in nature because the season of Advent had started and marriage inside the church isn’t  allowed during this time. Vivienne had always thought to be married in the stone circle feeling this would bring her closer to her dead mother. Unfortunately, during the ceremony, just as she bends over to pick up her dropped bouquet, an arrow flies by, grazing her before imbedding itself in the priest, Father Deocarus. Pandemonium erupts, the wedding is cancelled, and what the future holds is unknown. Vivian and Zac will have to face opposition from all sides, although they have some support. The pair are desperate to uncover the truth of Father Deocarus’ death, particularly as the prospect of ex communication for t...

Proof of Violence (Spencer& Read Mysteries #7) by Cara Devlin  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Detective Inspector Jasper Reid and Leonore Spencer find themselves drawn deeply into a maze of puzzles that might or might not tenuously connect. Hmmm! Fact! Mrs Zhao is missing and Jasper’s search for her doesn’t go unnoticed! Fact! Something is going on at a boys club that has led to the death of at least one boy.  Other boys are unwilling to speak out Fact! Jasper has been all but demoted in practice by Superintendent Munroe after Jasper ‘s refusal to entertain the thought of securing Munroe’s daughter’s hand in marriage. Fact! Leo keeps searching for her family’s killers. Slowly she’s discovering more. Finding answers to all these Facts is fraught with half truths and obstructions. A fascinating Fact is that Leo and Jasper’s relationship is blossoming! Another all consuming read from Devlin. An ARC via Booksirens.                       ...

The Camino :A Novel  by Anya Niewierra                 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A tale set along the pilgrimage trail that’s always been on my bucket list. The gradual unveiling by  a wife of who her husband really is. Lotte Bonnet  retraces her husband’s journey along the Camino. Her husband, Emile, killed himself near the end of his trek. Lotte decides to follow in his footsteps and perhaps glimpse why. Her husband was a refugee from Bosnia. Set out as a journal recording Lotte’s thoughts, the story grabs your attention from the start. Puzzling is the fact that fellow pilgrims keep having accidents around her for no discernible reason. What is going on? Lotte uncovers the grim truth about her husband, father of her children. Other discoveries flow and Lotte’s feelings are released as she walks this ancient pilgrim’s path. A Simon & Schuster ARC via NetGalley.                       ...

A Shroud of Snow  (Bradecote & Catchpoll Mystery #14)   by Sararh Hawkswood                   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Worcester’s finest, Serjeant Catchpoll, Underserjeant Walkelin and Undersheriff lord Bradecote, face the puzzling murder of a merchant, Hamelin Isenmongere from Gloucester. As well as that the woman who kept house for Hamelin was raped and killed. Catchpoll boards the riverboat that’d  brought Hamelin to Worcester  to interview the  Captain and crew, and finds himself sailing away on the river, back to Gloucester before he’s aware of it. Back in Worcester Walkelin and lord Bradecote take up the search and begin to uncover what looks like treason in the midst of all the HooHaa! Various citizens come forward to help including a young woman forced into prostitution rather than starve. I love the way Walkelin has developed, how he’s beginning to think outside the box à la Catchpoll. A fairly convoluted plot that ha...

Pride Comes Before a Fall  (Miss Prentice’s Protégés #3) by Virginia Heath            ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A delicious story featuring a dyed in wool reformist influenced by the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft and a swoony much put upon Duke (with dimples). Portia Kendall is a governess from the well respected Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies. Her secret passion is writing incendiary political pamphlets. Portia has been offered the position of assistant editor with the newsletter Equitas in Bath.  Unfortunately it turns out to be voluntary. Portia must find another source of income in this very expensive city. Leopold Sloane, the Duke of Debden, has had enough of his mother’s lax chaperoning of his two sisters.  He’s determined to cut their wings somewhat. Cue stage right! Portia lands a job in Leo’s household and is immediately plunged into a whirlwind  of misunderstandings—and attraction. A delightful regency romantic comedy that invigor...

The Blackbird Conspiracy  (Callie Munro Thrillers #2) by Tariq Ashkanani          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Callie Munro became a Private Investigator in part to search for her parents who’d abandoned her at a homeless shelter when she was a baby. When Callie finds her mentor, Martin Walsh shot in his ultra security protected apartment she’s shocked. Needing to avenge Martin’s death Callie pulls out all the stops to find his killer. Except that person keeps on murdering anyone connected to a mysterious document labeled only “Blackbird”. Great read when you want something that entertains and keeps your interest. The pace is terrific, with many unexpected twists. I enjoyed this so much I have to go back and read #1 An Amazon UK ARC via NetGalley.                                               Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Murder in Blackfriars  (Below Stairs Mystery #9) by Jennifer Ashley       ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Kat Holloway has come a long way from the Kat we were first introduced to eons ago. Changes are looming. Her friend Joanna is moving out of London. Joanna’s solicitor husband has accepted a new post. Joanne looks after Kat’s daughter Grace, and for the time being Grace will move with them. Kat is heavy hearted.  Kat’s now fiancé Danial McAdams is still searching for his identity. His past looms over him. Kat’s help will prove invaluable. There’s honorable rogues, a dangerous and sleek gang leader, ruffians and bullies, charming gutter rats and a host of beloved favorites. Kat is indomitable when roused, loyal to her friends, and caring. Another startling Victorian mystery from Ashley. A Berkley ARC via NetGalley.                                               ...

Storm Tide  (Mike Bowditch Mysteries #16) by Paul Doiron          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A tale in four seasons. Action explodes off every page  Maine game warden, Mike Bowditch, is first on scene at a house fire. A woman is holding a baby. Mike goes into the inferno and brings out a man who dies. A woman inside has already died. (Previously Mike has been demoted from Warden Investigator to patrolling game warden.) The dead couple are suspected of killing a young boy, their son. Nothing is ever proved but the couple are pariahs in the town. Mike little suspect he’ll be caught up in vigilantism, more deaths, and a grudge going back decades. I love that he has a trusty wolf hybrid, Shadow, to assist. His wife Stacey is an emergency medical technician. A fast moving, nerve wracking read. A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.                                         ...

A Season for Justice  (Justice Belstrang Mysteries #3) by John Pilkington         ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Great Comet appeared in   September 6th, 1618. Said to be an omen by many, ex Justice Belstrang just might agree. Disturbing news is coming out of Bohemia. (King James’ daughter is married to the ruler of Bohemia) At home, a simple request to visit an old sick friend turns into a tale of theft, graft, corruption, and treason. A side burden for Belstrang, is the rumored likelihood of King James requesting his property Thirldon to gift to a favorite. Shocking! Being an ex magistrate has given Belstrang time to wander off in other directions of enquiry, which always seems to end in danger. After all this is the time of the great comet! This last in the series, sees Belstrang confront danger, hardship and more with his usual impulsiveness.   A fitting conclusion to these last few years of Belstrang’s life that began in 1616 with his chronicling of his Year of ...

A Hunt for Justice  (Justice Belstrang Mysteries #2) by John Pilkington        ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It’s a sorry time in Worcester. The young daughter of a powerful landowner has been found drowned in the local witching pool, and a midwife, Agnes Mason has been imprisoned, charged with witchcraft. Former magistrate Belstrang is implored by Agnes’ family to intervene, even as the local preacher rails against the servants of satan. We do wonder if Agnes is more than she seems. Once again Pilkington brings together the age and times,  its  superstitions and practices, and woven all into a twisted mystery. I’m loving Pilkington’s writing! A Boldwood Books ARC via NetGalley.                                               Many thanks to the author and publisher. Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change.

A Dangerous Justice  (Justice Belstrang Mysteries #1) by John Pilkington          ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1616, King James is on the throne. Times might be more relaxed but men must be vigilant.  Plots and counter plots attend an innocent inquiry made by Belstrang’s neighbor in Worcester. He’s  been asked by a papist neighbor to journey to London to discover what has happened to his son Thomas. Reluctant to do so, nevertheless he departs and goes to London. He will make enquires, visit his daughter and son-in-law (a man he has little time for) and return. That was his thought! By the time he’s halfway through he has discovered plots that throw innocents to the wolves, justice sorely lacking, himself thrown into Debtor’s prison, and so much more. It’s the ten year anniversary of the gunpowder plot. The population is nervous. Pilkington’s writing is accessible, describes the times accurately, whilst weaving a deft and accessible mystery I found myself unable to...