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Showing posts with label Murder Mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Murder Mystery. Show all posts
Monday, June 16, 2025
The Queens of Crime An Intriguing, Entertaining Historical Mystery
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When the Detection Club—a society for British mystery writers—is created in 1930, its mostly male members balk at including too many women in their ranks. Dorothy L. Sayers, a prominent author of crime novels, isn't about to let that stand. To prove to her male counterparts that female mystery writers are just as capable and deserving of accolades as them, she invites four of her colleagues—Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Emma Orczy, and Margery Allingham—to join her in forming a secret club of their own. Calling themselves The Queens of Crime, they aim to solve a real murder mystery to prove their merit as amateur detectives and writers as well as to see a killer brought to justice.
The women take on the case of May Daniels, a young English nurse who disappeared from a train station restroom while on a quick holiday in France with a friend. Five months later, the woman's dead body was found in a park, along with a mysterious puddle of blood that couldn't have resulted from her death by strangulation. The authorities don't seem too interested in investigating the murder, but Sayers and her friends are determined to figure out who harmed May. It's not long before their digging unearths secrets that someone would kill (again) to keep buried. That someone is watching Sayers, threatening to reveal her own darkest secret if she doesn't stop poking her nose in where it doesn't belong. Is the women's increasingly dangerous investigation worth the risk to their own lives? How far will they go to find a killer?
I love a historical mystery that is inspired by real people and events. While The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict isn't entirely factual (naturally), it features a group of indomitable women who really lived and created names for themselves by succeeding in a male-dominated field at a time when ladies were not meant to have jobs or lives outside of home and family. I had only really heard of Sayers, Christie, and Orczy and only read Christie, so I was excited to learn more about each of the featured authors. To succeed as they all did, they must have been bold, clever, and tenacious. Unfortunately, their individual personalities don't shine through as much as I would have liked in this novel. However, the friendship and camaraderie that they create is my favorite part of the story. As they combine their skills to solve a murder, they also bond by encouraging, supporting, and uplifting each other, professionally and personally. I also like Benedict's portrayal of the authors' compassion and sensitivity. Tracking down May's killer isn't just a ghoulish game for them; they want justice for the young victim as well as for all the "surplus" girls like her who are so easily forgotten by society. Even though the novel mostly focuses on Sayers and Christie, it piqued my interest about Marsh, Orzcy, and Allingham as well, inspiring me to want to check out their work.
Some mystery lovers have found that The Queens of Crime moves too slowly for their tastes, which is fair. It's definitely not an adrenaline-fueled, edge-of-your-seat kind of read. There aren't any jaw-dropping twists and there's not much action to get your heart pumping. Slow and predictable though it may be, I found the novel to be quietly compelling. I never got bored with it. I kept reading because I liked the characters, I enjoyed their interactions, and the mystery moved along steadily enough to engage me throughout the story. As a bonus, the novel is a gentler read, cleaner and cozier than I expected it to be, something I always appreciate as someone who loves mysteries/thrillers but prefers them without graphic content.
Overall, then, I very much enjoyed The Queens of Crime. It's an intriguing, entertaining read with both bookish and girl power vibes. You can't go wrong with that!
(Readalikes: Reminds me a bit of Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library, a forthcoming novel by Amanda Chapman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, March 18, 2022
Cheese-Themed Cozy Gouda Been Better
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is in desperate need of a new start. Yarrow Glen—a picturesque little town in California's Sonoma Valley—seems like the perfect place for the 33-year-old to begin anew. It's beautiful, serene, and appealing to tourists with money to spend. Willa hopes they will be just as enchanted as she is by her new cheese shop, Curds & Whey. A positive review from Guy Lippinger, the local restaurant critic, will help immensely. If only she can impress the hard-to-please foodie.
Guy's surprise visit to the cheese shop turns into a very public, very embarrassing disaster. Things quickly go from bad to worst when the critic is found dead, a Curds & Whey knife embedded in his neck. Willa is shocked not just by the killing but by the fact that she is now the prime suspect in his murder. Guy was not a popular man, but who hated him enough to end his life? Willa is determined to find out before the new life she's worked so hard to create for herself crumbles like an aged asiago. Can she track down the killer before she, herself, becomes the next victim?
A cheese-themed cozy mystery sounded fun, so I delved into Cheddar Off Dead (available March 29, 2022), a debut novel by Korina Moss, with hopeful expectations. With its punny title and cheery cover art, I definitely found the book's packaging appealing. As for content, like most cozies, this series opener is a light, clean, easy read that's entertaining even if it's not realistic or believable. The characters are likable for the most part, although none of them stand out as really unique or memorable. Willa is so-so as a leading lady. She's agreeable enough, although she doesn't have much of a personality and she's very fickle when it comes to men (all of whom are instantly smitten with her, naturally). I didn't love her, but I didn't hate her. As far as the mystery goes, I saw the killer coming from fairly early on. There's enough going on in the story that their identity isn't complete obvious, which made the plot compelling enough to keep me reading. Moss' prose is pretty ho-hum, although the story has some clever lines here and there that made me smile. All considered, I found Cheddar Off Dead to be an okay read. Will I continue with the series? I'm undecided at this point. I think it has potential, so I'll probably give the second book a shot. We'll see.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other food-themed cozies, like those by Ellie Alexander, Vivien Chien, Amanda Flower, etc.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Cheddar Off Dead from the generous folks at St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, March 22, 2021
Popular Series Opener More About the Journey Than the Destination
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
I started watching Longmire, a crime series on Netflix, without realizing it was based on a set of books. Since I'm a staunch the-book-is-always-better-than-the-movie person, I immediately stopped watching and got to reading The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson. In this first installment, we're introduced to Walt Longmire, who's been sheriff of (fictional) Absaroka County, Wyoming, for 25 years. Although the venerable old cowboy loves his job, retirement is starting to sound mighty good. With an election on the horizon, he just might get his wish. In the meantime, it's up to him to deal with the murder of a local bad boy.
No one is too surprised or too saddened by the shooting death of Cody Pritchard. The young man was no altar boy. In fact, he was known for making racist cracks about Native Americans and being involved in the vicious gang rape of Melissa Little Bird, a Cheyenne girl with learning disabilities, three years ago. Cody received only a light sentence for his part in the crime, an outcome that pleased the smug boy and outraged both Walt and his county's Indian community. An eagle feather found by Cody's corpse seems to indicate that someone with Native blood is seeking justice in their own way. While Walt isn't about to shed a tear over the likes of Cody Pritchard, it's his job to find out who killed the kid and stop the murderer from executing the rest of Melissa's rapists. With the help of Victoria "Vic" Moretti, his tough-talking deputy and protégé, the sheriff sets about to do just that. As Walt digs deeper into the secrets of his small town friends and neighbors, he finds himself in increasing danger. He won't stop until he finds the answers he seeks, even if it means stepping into the killer's crosshairs himself.
I've heard The Cold Dish described as a "literary" mystery. While I'm not sure it's as high-brow as all that, it's certainly more than your typical, run-of-the-mill police procedural. For one thing, Johnson imbues the novel with a very strong sense of place. You can feel his love for the American West—its landscape, its people, its contradictions—in every word he writes. In addition, the story is much more about community than crime. Johnson focuses on Walt's relationships with the people around him more than on the job he's doing. The result is a folksy, long-winded novel that's enjoyable more for the journey than the destination. While the plot takes a long time to get anywhere, which makes the story sag in places, there's still plenty in the way of humor, quirky characters, and local color to keep the reader entertained. The killer's identity also surprised me, which doesn't happen all that often for this veteran mystery reader. However, the most appealing thing about The Cold Dish by far is its hero. Walt Longmire is an endearing character on many levels. Not only is he brave, compassionate, and committed, but he's also fallible and self-deprecating. It's impossible not to like him. All these things considered, it's easy to see why this book has garnered so many fans since its publication in 2004. While it's hardly an edge-of-your-seat thriller, it's an entertaining read. The real question for me is, do I want to continue with the series? Maybe, maybe not is my answer. While I enjoy character-driven crime fiction, I prefer the kind that also features a taut, focused plot. This is not that, so we'll see if I continue on with the series or not...
(Readalikes: Reminds me of C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series, Margaret Coel's Wind River Reservation series, and Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, and sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Cold Dish with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, December 08, 2020
Deadwood Murder Mystery a Fast, Exciting Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Siblings Brigid and Seamus Reardon emigrate from Ireland in 1877 because it's easier for their parents' landlord to pay for the teens' passage to America than to continue feeding them. Eager to seek better lives in the land of opportunity, Brigid finds work in Minnesota as a domestic servant while Seamus heads west in search of gold. A few years later, Brigid receives word that her mother has died. Grief-stricken and tired of dodging the wandering hands of her employer's lascivious son, she decides to reunite with Seamus in South Dakota.
Brigid is shocked by what she finds in Deadwood, a bustling city that's dirty, violent, and lawless. She's only just arrived when a popular prostitute is stabbed to death in the street. Seamus, who claims to have loved the woman truly, becomes an immediate suspect. Knowing her brother could not have done such a shameless deed, Brigid urges him to leave town while she tries to figure out who killed Lily. Her amateur investigation does not go unnoticed and soon she finds herself caught in the glare of a cold-blooded murderer. Can Brigid bring Lily's killer to justice? Or will hers be the next body bleeding out on the mean streets of Deadwood?
The Streel by Mary Logue is a fast-paced mystery that's compelling even though it's not super twisty. The setting is atmospheric, the characters sympathetic, and the plot exciting. I liked Brigid, who is hardworking, upright, compassionate, and brave. It's easy to root for her as she works to prove her brother's innocence. The Streel is barely over 200 pages, so it's a fast read and one that easily kept my attention. I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, innuendo, and references to opium use, prostitution, etc.
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Streel with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Amish Cozy Mystery Series Just What I Need Right Now
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Lethal Licorice, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Assaulted Caramel. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
The Amish Confectionary Competition is a big deal ("It's like the NBA playoffs, but with way more sugar"), as is the fact that little Harvest, Ohio, is playing host. Not only would winning the competition be the perfect way to honor Bailey King's late grandfather, but it would also mean great publicity for her Amish family's candy shop, Swissmen's Sweets. Although Bailey herself is not Amish (a fact that at least one other competitor thinks should disqualify her) and the rules stipulate all sweets must be made in the Amish way (which is not at all how things were done at the exclusive Manhattan shop where she trained as a chocolatier), Bailey is determined to win the competition.
When a town-wide search for a missing pot-bellied pig leads to the corpse of Bailey's biggest competition rival, Bailey is shocked. She becomes even more distressed when she learns she's the primary suspect in the woman's death. As if she's not stressed enough trying to bake her best sweets for the confectionary contest, now she has to convince the authorities she's not a killer. But who is? Once again Bailey must channel her inner Nancy Drew to solve a perplexing mystery.
Lots of cozy mystery series feature eateries of some sort—bakeries, cafes, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, etc.—but none are set in quaint Amish country. The unique setting is what first drew my attention to the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower. After reading the first installment, Assaulted Caramel, I definitely wanted more of Harvest with its fun characters, Amish/Englischer interactions, and upbeat vibe. Lethal Licorice delivered all this as well as a new mystery to entertain me. Once again, I enjoyed my visit to the small town. This second book in the series is just as fun as the first, offering a light, diverting read that made me smile. It even kept me guessing, which doesn't always happen in cozies. Although the books have their flaws for sure, I still like this series a lot and will absolutely keep reading it. A little light reading is pretty much exactly what I need right now, thank you very much!
(Readalikes: Other books in the series, including Assaulted Caramel, Criminally Cocoa [novella], Botched Butterscotch [novella], Premeditated Peppermint, Toxic Toffee, Marshmallow Malice, Candy Cane Crime, and Lemon Drop Dead, as well as cozy mysteries by Vivien Chien, Ellie Alexander, and Kylie Logan)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, January 09, 2020
Debut Medical Mystery by Wife/Husband Duo Engrossing, But Otherwise Nothing Special
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
In need of a start-over, forensic pathologist Jessie Teska moves from L.A. to San Francisco. The 31-year-old is not thrilled with the foggy city, her cramped converted cable car apartment, or the aging equipment in the dingy building where she's employed as an assistant medical examiner. She needs to make it all work, though, even if she's feeling increasingly overworked and underpaid.
When the body of a young Filipino nursing student, dead of an apparent heroin overdose, lands on Jessie's table, she's taken aback. Especially when she notices several inconsistencies between the detectives' version of what happened to her and the story her corpse is telling. Although she's told repeatedly to let it go, Jessie can't. Something about the death doesn't compute. With more and more bodies piling up on her table, she's convinced—there's more to these overdose deaths than meets the eye. No one else seems to care, but Jessie won't rest until she figures out what's really going on. Even if it means putting herself in the crosshairs of a killer's weapon.
First Cut is the debut novel of wife/husband team Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell and the first installment in a new mystery series. A Harvard-educated forensic pathologist with many years of experience, Dr. Melinek clearly knows her stuff. First Cut is filled with interesting, though graphic and gory, depictions of medical examiner life. Storywise, the novel isn't anything mystery/thriller lovers haven't seen before. The tale is predictable, the killer not all that surprising. There's enough action to keep readers turning pages, though. Jessie is a complex, admirable heroine, although she's impulsive and has questionable people-judging skills. Overall, First Cut is an engrossing book, but one I didn't end up loving. I doubt I'll continue with the series.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of First Cut from the generous folks at HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Christian Romantic Suspense "Perfect Storm" Just Not For Me
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Fourteen years ago, the secret relationship between a preacher's daughter and the son of the town drunk was discovered, setting off a conflict that ended with one father killing the other. Although Roy Beckett insisted he was innocent, he was sent to prison for the murder of "Brother" Strickland. A decade and a half later, Roy is pardoned and set free, to the horror of the victim's family.
Brenna Strickland Hertzog is having a hard enough time dealing with a nasty custody battle between her and her powerful ex-husband. The last thing she needs right now is to deal with the shocking release of her father's killer. Brenna's drinking too much as it is—how is she going to cope with this new development in her already stressful life? Then Roy's son, Nate Beckett, shows up on her doorstep for the first time in 14 years, rekindling all the feelings she had for him when they were kids. Their innocent, but clandestine teenage romance led to her father's death; renewing it now could be even more dangerous ...
Forced to take a break from his job as a smokejumper after he sustains second degree burns over 20% of his body, Nate returns home to recover and see his father. Nate has always believed in Roy's guilt, but when his father begs him to find Brother Strickland's true killer, he feels obligated to dig into the murder. A major complication comes in the form of beautiful, broken Brenna who needs him now more than ever. What will Nate's sleuthing uncover? Can Brenna ever forgive, let alone love, the son of her father's alleged murderer?
I have to say upfront that romantic suspense is really not my genre. Add in Christian elements and it often leads to a perfect storm of cheesy, far-fetched, overwritten drama. No, thanks. Still, something about the premise of Smoke Screen by Terri Blackstock made me agree to read and review it. Did it change my mind about this genre? Um, no. While I appreciate that the novel's clean and faith-affirming, its flat characters, dull prose, and melodramatic plotline made me a little crazy. While Brenna's a sympathetic character, she's not a super likable one. I couldn't understand Nate's interest. Their resulting romance, therefore, seems forced and sparkless. As far as the suspense portion, there's not a lot as the plot focuses mainly on Brenna's personal problems. The lackluster mystery at the heart of the story is thin and implausible, especially since the "twists" are obvious from miles away. Overall Smoke Screen is definitely not the worst Christian romantic suspense novel I've ever read, but for me, it was a so-so read at best. To be fair, this is how I feel about most books in this genre. Still, I would have liked for Smoke Screen to change my mind; unfortunately, that just didn't happen. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other Christian romantic suspense novels, but no specific titles are coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Smoke Screen from the generous folks at Thomas Nelson via those at Celebrate Lit in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
--
Would you like more opinions on Smoke Screen? Follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking on the links below:
As He Leads is Joy, November 9
Sara Jane Jacobs, November 9
CarpeDiem, November 9
Christian Bookaholic , November 9
Fiction Aficionado, November 10
KarenSueHadley, November 10
Quiet quilter, November 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 10
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 11
Among the Reads, November 11
Genesis 5020, November 11
A Reader’s Brain, November 11
Robin’s Nest, November 12
All-of-a-kind Mom, November 12
Bigreadersite , November 12
Blogging With Carol , November 12
Betti Mace, November 13
Spoken from the Heart, November 13
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, November 13
Emily Yager, November 13
By The Book, November 14
For Him and My Family, November 14
A Baker’s Perspective, November 14
Splashes of Joy , November 14
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 15
Through the Fire Blogs, November 15
Andrea Christenson, November 15
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 16
The Christian Fiction Girl, November 16
Just the Write Escape, November 16
Mary Hake, November 16
Remembrancy, November 17
Simple Harvest Reads, November 17 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
EmpowerMoms, November 17
Bloggin’ ’bout Books, November 17
Blessed & Bookish, November 18
Older & Smarter, November 18
For the Love of Literature, November 18
Inklings and notions, November 18
Lights in a Dark World, November 19
amandainpa , November 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19
Pause for Tales, November 19
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 20
For The Love of Books , November 20
Hallie Reads, November 20
Cathe Swanson, November 21
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, November 21
All 4 and About Books, November 21
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 21
Batya’s Bits, November 22
Livin’ Lit, November 22
Texas Book-aholic, November 22
janicesbookreviews, November 22
Saturday, July 07, 2018
Propulsive Secret City Thriller Engrossing and Compelling
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although Casey Duncan's seen plenty of crime in her two years as a homicide detective, it's the murder she committed while in college that haunts her the most. As deserving as the victim may have been, he was still the son of a powerful mobster. While Casey was never charged for the killing, a recent attack reminds her that she will never be truly safe.
Diana Berry, Casey's best friend, has finally separated from her abusive ex-husband. When he shows up unexpectedly, leaving Diana bruised and beaten, Casey decides enough is enough. For both her and her BFF. Diana knows of a place for people like them, people who need to disappear. It's not easy to get into Rockton—a secret, off-the-grid town in the middle of nowhere—but Casey knows how to investigate a murder and Rockton's just experienced its first one. The town needs Casey almost as desperately as she and Diana need it.
It's only when Casey arrives in the Yukon that she realizes just how cut off Rockton is from the rest of the world. In a town of 200 people, all hiding from something ("The women are mostly running from bad choices in men. The men are mostly running from bad choices in life" [175].), Casey and Diana could be in a whole different kind of trouble. Between the women's enigmatic new neighbors, their local murderer, and the extreme, punishing climate in which they suddenly find themselves, there are myriad ways they could disappear—never to be seen again. The more Casey investigates Rockton's first murder, the more secrets she uncovers about the town, its residents, and her place in this strange new world from which there is no escape ...
I picked up City of the Lost, the first book in the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong, on a whim. Locked-room type mysteries always intrigue me, especially when they feature isolated locations in inhospitable climates. This novel fit the bill, with the added bonuses of sharp prose, a propulsive plot, and flawed, complex characters whom I soon grew to care about. Although it's dark and gory, City of the Lost is also engrossing and enjoyable. It reminds me of the t.v. show Lost (sans the supernatural elements), if it were set in a snowy wilderness instead of on a tropical island. Needless to say, I rushed right out to grab the next two books in the series. I simply have to know what happens next in the very intriguing town of Rockton.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Lost and of the other books in the Rockton series, including A Darkness Absolute and This Fallen Prey)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, July 04, 2018
Alaskan Romantic Suspense Novel a Better-Than-Expected Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
A decade ago, Bailey Craig left tiny Yancey, Alaska, behind forever. With a hard-earned reputation for being rebellious and easy, she had to flee in order to start over. Now known as religious and serious, the 28-year-old college professor still has no intention of ever returning. It's only when her beloved aunt dies in a plane crash that Bailey even considers it. As she reluctantly boards a plane bound for The Last Frontier, she vows to stay not one second longer than is absolutely necessary.
It's been over ten years since Bailey broke Cole McKenna's heart, but he's never forgotten her. When fate (divine intervention?) brings her back into his life, he's more than a little intrigued. It's obvious Bailey is not the girl he used to know. And the woman she appears to have become? More than a little enticing. Does Cole dare take the risk of trying to get to know the new Bailey? Or is that just a sure-fire way to get his heart stomped all over once again?
When Bailey and Cole are enlisted to help investigate the suspicious deaths of two deep-sea divers, their battered hearts will get a second chance to find healing in the last place they expected to find it ...
Romantic suspense really is not my thing, but in looking for a book set in Alaska for the Literary Escapes Challenge, I came across Submerged by Christian fiction author Dani Pettrey. With an intriguing premise and lots of positive reviews on Amazon, the novel seemed worth a peek. And you know what? It turned out to be a better read than I expected. Pettrey's prose doesn't exactly sparkle, but it's capable enough. Her characters are likable, even though there are too many to keep track of and none of them are all that developed or original. The mystery at the novel's core isn't overly exciting, but it kept me reading. Yes, the plot got clumsy and far-fetched, but all in all, Submerged is not a bad read. I especially appreciate its clean content as well as its uplifting messages about forgiveness, faith, and a person's ability to change despite past troubles. While I probably won't continue with this series, I did end up enjoying Submerged overall.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Submerged from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Friday, June 29, 2018
Intriguing New Mystery Series Opens With a Smasher
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
New York City, 1910—Jane Prescott excels at fading into the wallpaper. Serving without being seen is practically part of her job description as a lady's maid for the wealthy Benchley family. That ability comes in handy when Norrie Newsome, a notorious playboy who's engaged to one of Jane's charges, is brutally murdered at a house party. No one is more strategically placed to look into the killing than Jane, a woman who is always around but never really noticed.
Callous, spoiled and often cruel, Norrie's public admirers abhorred him in private. Any number of people, then, could have decided to kill the obdurate young man. Who did end his life? Was it his spurned lover? The humiliated victim of one of Norrie's pranks? Or a stranger outraged by a devastating tragedy at a mine owned by the Newsomes? With so many suspects, finding the real murderer won't be easy. With the help of Michael Behan, a handsome tabloid reporter, no-nonsense Jane will solve the case. Even if she has to risk everything—her job, her reputation, even her own safety—to do it.
I always enjoy an intriguing murder mystery, especially when it's set against a colorful historical backdrop, and narrated by a tenacious sleuth. A Death of No Importance, a debut adult novel by YA author Mariah Fredericks, is no exception. While most of the story's characters are unlikable, Jane and Michael are both complex and engaging, adjectives that also describe the mystery they're attempting to solve. All of these elements combine to produce an entertaining novel that I quite enjoyed. I'm excited for the next installment (Death of a New American, April 2019) in this alluring new series.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly and of Jennifer Ashley's Below Stairs Mysteries [Death Below Stairs; and Scandal Above Stairs])
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
(possibly R)
for language (no F-bombs), blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of A Death of No Importance from the generous folks at St. Martin's Press. Thank you!
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