eyes.2c Reviews

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.                                         ...