Catherine Lloyd: Miss Morton and the Missing Heir

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Miss Morton #4

Not so long ago, Caroline Morton lost everything when her titled father died, leaving only debts and forcing her into service. Her employer, Mrs. Frogerton, treats her as a member of the family, however, and she likes being in control of her own fate. That free lifestyle is threatened when a claimant to the Morton earldom steps forward. In this fourth installment of the Regency set series by Catherine Llyod, Miss Morton and the Missing Heir, things get complicated quickly.

Mr. Scutton, the claimant, and his family arrive in town and want to meet Caroline. Caroline would rather have nothing to do with the Morton estate, as she can’t inherit anything herself anyway, but the Scuttons are immediately quite interested in her. Mrs. Scutton asks after her personal life, Mr. Scutton is much too interested in her marriage prospects and who she is friends with, and both are not the most polite. Even when Mrs. Frogerton offers to let them stay in her house to get to know Caroline so they don’t have to stay in a hotel, as the Morton home itself is run down and uninhabitable. read more

Susie Dent: Guilty by Definition

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Series Debut

This book may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy words, dictionaries, and a virtual visit to Oxford, it’s absolute catnip.  Set in the workplace of the Clarendon English Dictionary (a thinly veiled Oxford English Dictionary), the story follows the solution of the mystery of the missing sister, in this case that of dictionary diva Martha. She and her staff, Alex, Safi, and Simon, along with her boss, Jonathan, who makes infrequent appearances (he’s busy with a book tour), become the core group that solves the puzzle presented to them. read more

Tasha Alexander: The Sisterhood

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Lady Emily #19

Like a great box of chocolates, all of Tasha Alexander’s books are deliciously enjoyable, some more than others, but all of them pure pleasure to consume.  The 19th novel in this series is no exception, and this installment finds Lady Emily in 1907 London, being asked (along with her dashing husband) to look into the mysterious death of the most fabulous debutante of the season, Victoria Goldsborough, who collapsed in her fiancée’s arms while waltzing.  And that’s just the prologue. read more

Michelle Chouinard: A Tour to Die For

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Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco #2

Michelle Chouinard’s main character, Capricorn Sanzio – who goes by Capri – runs a serial killer tour business in San Francisco. She has a passion for San Francisco history as well as true crime. This started from a young age, thanks to her paternal grandfather having been known as Overkill Bill for the majority of her life. That mantel made life exceedingly difficult for her father’s childhood, and put her right in the suspect light for the murder of her ex mother-in-law. However, through determination, motivated by two most powerful instincts: self-preservation and protective mother mode, she not only proved her innocence but also managed to uncover and reveal the truth behind Overkill Bill. Capri is constantly evolving and adapting her life to best suit what she needs, and is happy that she can turn her fasciation and love of San Francisco and its killers into a career. She has even started an investigative podcast, and a book about her grandfather. read more

Colleen Gleason: Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer

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Series debut

Colleen Gleason (who also writes as Colleen Cambridge) adds a new series to her considerable list of works with a new series featuring Lady Darling, set in 1898 London. The Dowager Marchioness of Darling, Irene Colchester, has decided to return to London after a long sabbatical in the countryside. She’s helping a dear friend of hers who happens to be too ill to introduce her daughter to society by assisting that daughter in looking for a husband. Lady Darling is well respected but seen as a bit eccentric, and is the perfect sponsor for young Priscilla Bedwith. With all of her own children married off, Lady Darling has plenty of time and connections to help Priscilla make a success of her debut Season. Her secret hope is to marry the girl off quickly so that she can return to the countryside and avoid the frivolity of high society politics and gossip. Lady Darling has very little patience for wasting time on what she sees as frivolous conversation and false niceties, although she does put her best foot forward whenever she happens to be stuck in said social situations. read more

James R. Benn: A Bitter Wind

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Billy Boyle #20

This series is still enjoyable twenty books in, and while Benn’s fictional WWII may have now lasted longer than the real one, the latest book demonstrates that there are still many unexamined aspects to be explored, among them the dramatization what a complex and far reaching conflict it was, and how many different types of battlefields there were.  The story begins with the then nascent tactic of radio jamming, where radio waves were used to jam German signals, diverting or stopping attacks. read more

Katie Tietjen: Murder in Miniature

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Maple Bishop #2

The second book in the Maple Bishop series, Murder in Miniature, finds Maple at a bit of a crossroads. Though she has started to find her place in her small town, with a thriving dollhouse business, new friends, and a new position with the local law enforcement, she isn’t quite settled. When she came out here, it was with her husband, to support his career. Maple grew up a city girl in Boston, and worked hard to earn a legal degree, something she hasn’t been able to make use of in small town Vermont. Even with all the good things going on in her life, does she truly belong? read more

Author Interview: Katie Tietjen

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Katie Tietjen

I was a huge fan of Katie Tietjen’s first novel, Death in the Details, which follows war widow Maple Bishop just after the war has ended.  Maple is living in a tiny Vermont town and, though she’s a trained lawyer, ends up piecing together a living selling the dollhouses she creates.  She also makes “nutshells,”  tiny recreations of crime scenes.  The nutshells are based on the work of Frances Glessner Lee, the mother of crime scene investigation.  By book two, Murder in Miniature, Maple has earned the respect of the police in town and is now an official consultant.  The books are charming, thoughtful, and fascinating.  Katie was nice enough to answer a few questions about her books. read more

Cathy Pegau: A Murderous Buisness

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Series debut

This is an “old school” read, with everything good that comes to mind when you hear that phrase, which is to say it’s well structured, well written, with vivid  characters and a plot that moves efficiently to the conclusion. While this is a series debut, it’s far from Ms. Pegau’s maiden novel, as she’s written an assortment of others in various genres, including other mysteries.  This one is set in 1912 New York, anchored by references to the recent sinking of the Titanic. read more

Esme Addison: A Brew for Chaos

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Enchanted Bay Mysteries #3

Disclosure: this is the first book of this series I have read. I loved it so much I’ve already added the others to Mount-to-be-Read. If you like the magical mysteries of Heather Blake and Madelyn Alt, you need to read this series!

It’s fall and seaside Bellamy Bay, NC is getting ready for Oktoberfest. Aleksandra (Alex) Daniels is busy filling orders at her aunt’s apothecary shop, including secret herbal ingredients for newspaper editor Jonah Fox who is brewing up his special beer for the Oktoberfest beer competition. Alex is getting used to her recently-discovered magical heritage while keeping it a secret from her no-nonsense boyfriend police detective Jack Frazier. read more