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Page & Sommers #2
The Missing Page
England, 1948: Semi-retired spy Leo Page and country doctor James Sommers team up to solve a decades-old mystery.
When James learns that an uncle he hasn’t heard from in ages has left him something in his will, he figures that the least he can do is head down to Cornwall for a weekend to honor the old man’s parting wishes. He finds the family home filled with half-remembered guests and unwanted memories, but more troubling is that his uncle has tasked his heirs with uncovering the truth behind a woman’s disappearance twenty years earlier.
Leo doesn’t like any of it. He’s just returned from one of his less pleasant missions and maybe he’s slightly paranoid about James’s safety, but he’s of the opinion that rich people aren’t to be trusted where wills are concerned. So he does what any sensible spy would do and infiltrates the house party.
Together they unravel a mystery that exposes long-standing family secrets and threatens to involve James more than either of them would like.
When James learns that an uncle he hasn’t heard from in ages has left him something in his will, he figures that the least he can do is head down to Cornwall for a weekend to honor the old man’s parting wishes. He finds the family home filled with half-remembered guests and unwanted memories, but more troubling is that his uncle has tasked his heirs with uncovering the truth behind a woman’s disappearance twenty years earlier.
Leo doesn’t like any of it. He’s just returned from one of his less pleasant missions and maybe he’s slightly paranoid about James’s safety, but he’s of the opinion that rich people aren’t to be trusted where wills are concerned. So he does what any sensible spy would do and infiltrates the house party.
Together they unravel a mystery that exposes long-standing family secrets and threatens to involve James more than either of them would like.
236 pages, ebook
First published January 11, 2022
About the author
Cat Sebastian
26 books2,931 followersCat Sebastian has written sixteen queer historical romances. Cat’s books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
Before writing, Cat was a lawyer and a teacher and did a variety of other jobs she liked much less than she enjoys writing happy endings for queer people. She was born in New Jersey and lived in New York and Arizona before settling down in a swampy part of south. When she isn’t writing, she’s probably reading, having one-sided conversations with her dog, or doing the crossword puzzle.
The best way to keep up with Cat’s projects is to subscribe to her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
January 20, 2022
4.5 🌟 "The tagline on the book says cozy mystery like Agatha Cristie but make it gay".
Well!!! I certainly approve of the tagline and I actually enjoyed it so much that I am almost tempted to forgive Cat Sebastian for nearly 3 years of wait for this book and a hoax-release date in Dec.
So, It's 1948 and Leo Page and James Sommers are in Cornwell. Did I say, they are back after 3 years?🤭🤭🤭 Forget it, but they are back, this time with a kinda locked-room mystery at a gothic mansion where they have to solve a cold case in 48 hours. The mystery is pretty well done and I adored the relationship development between the couple. Leo was such a sweetheart that he has reserved a place in my 'best book boyfriend list'.
Although the The Ruin of a Rake is my fav book by the author, I am enjoying her books set after 1900 more than those set before it. And, I would love to read more of them if the authors decide to write a few new ones in this series or the Tommy Cabot Was Here series.
This one can definitely be read as a standalone. But I enjoyed it more since I reread the 1st book in December when I had nothing else to do but wait.😂😂
Highly recommended to everyone who loves their MM romances with a heavy dose of mystery.
P.S-I am going to haunt Cat Sebastian forever if I have to wait another 3 years for the release of the 3rd book, How??? I don't know... I still have to figure out the details.🤣🤣
Well!!! I certainly approve of the tagline and I actually enjoyed it so much that I am almost tempted to forgive Cat Sebastian for nearly 3 years of wait for this book and a hoax-release date in Dec.
So, It's 1948 and Leo Page and James Sommers are in Cornwell. Did I say, they are back after 3 years?🤭🤭🤭 Forget it, but they are back, this time with a kinda locked-room mystery at a gothic mansion where they have to solve a cold case in 48 hours. The mystery is pretty well done and I adored the relationship development between the couple. Leo was such a sweetheart that he has reserved a place in my 'best book boyfriend list'.
Although the The Ruin of a Rake is my fav book by the author, I am enjoying her books set after 1900 more than those set before it. And, I would love to read more of them if the authors decide to write a few new ones in this series or the Tommy Cabot Was Here series.
This one can definitely be read as a standalone. But I enjoyed it more since I reread the 1st book in December when I had nothing else to do but wait.😂😂
Highly recommended to everyone who loves their MM romances with a heavy dose of mystery.
P.S-I am going to haunt Cat Sebastian forever if I have to wait another 3 years for the release of the 3rd book, How??? I don't know... I still have to figure out the details.🤣🤣
December 18, 2021
Ohhh. I finished this book feeling like a warm glow was emanating from my chest and filling my whole body. It was just the BEST cozy Agatha-Christie-style mystery (with additional romance), and the best cozy wintertime read. I loved the first book in this story (where the series couple first met - Hither, Page), but I loved this one even more, and I loved watching their romance develop in the sweetest, most natural and compelling and yet wonderfully stress-free way.
Cat Sebastian writes really wonderful characters, always, and this time it was all set at a dramatic houseparty where an estranged family has been gathered together for the first time in decades for the reading of a will - and the mystery of one missing family member has been echoing through that big, Gothic house for twenty-seven years. Now it has to be resolved within about 48 hours if anyone's going to claim a big inheritance - but there are still people determined to leave that mystery unsolved. Luckily, James Sommers is one of those gathered relatives, he truly loved the cousin who went missing, and he's determined to do the right thing. Even more luckily, unbeknownst to the rest of the family, he has a loving partner who's also a spy, determined to keep James safe, and VERY good at ferreting out deeply-buried secrets.
The whole thing is delicious from beginning to end, and while it could very easily stand alone (and you could certainly leap into the series with this book!), I'm now going to go back and re-read Book 1 (Hither, Page) for the sheer pleasure of spending more time with James and Leo (and I may very well re-read this book again directly afterwards, to enjoy both stories in tight succession). I have no idea whether Cat Sebastian is planning any more books in this series, but every one of them has felt like a real gift, and I'd happily read about James and Leo solving mysteries and taking care of each other forever.
Cat Sebastian writes really wonderful characters, always, and this time it was all set at a dramatic houseparty where an estranged family has been gathered together for the first time in decades for the reading of a will - and the mystery of one missing family member has been echoing through that big, Gothic house for twenty-seven years. Now it has to be resolved within about 48 hours if anyone's going to claim a big inheritance - but there are still people determined to leave that mystery unsolved. Luckily, James Sommers is one of those gathered relatives, he truly loved the cousin who went missing, and he's determined to do the right thing. Even more luckily, unbeknownst to the rest of the family, he has a loving partner who's also a spy, determined to keep James safe, and VERY good at ferreting out deeply-buried secrets.
The whole thing is delicious from beginning to end, and while it could very easily stand alone (and you could certainly leap into the series with this book!), I'm now going to go back and re-read Book 1 (Hither, Page) for the sheer pleasure of spending more time with James and Leo (and I may very well re-read this book again directly afterwards, to enjoy both stories in tight succession). I have no idea whether Cat Sebastian is planning any more books in this series, but every one of them has felt like a real gift, and I'd happily read about James and Leo solving mysteries and taking care of each other forever.
January 22, 2022
4.25 stars
This book makes feel nostalgic and content at the same time. I used to consume Agatha Christie's books when I was younger. The vibe of The Missing Page brought me to those days. As James and Leo trying to uncover the mystery of James' cousin who went missing two decades prior. The mystery is engaging - and just like Agatha Christie's, it also involves family secrets.
But the romance... GAH... it's so sweet and tender and OMG James and Leo are definitely my favorite Cat Sebastian's couple! Each think that the other may be their better halves... and their longing but rather tentative desire to be together forever under the same roof. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!
This is a winner from Sebastian, for sure!
This book makes feel nostalgic and content at the same time. I used to consume Agatha Christie's books when I was younger. The vibe of The Missing Page brought me to those days. As James and Leo trying to uncover the mystery of James' cousin who went missing two decades prior. The mystery is engaging - and just like Agatha Christie's, it also involves family secrets.
But the romance... GAH... it's so sweet and tender and OMG James and Leo are definitely my favorite Cat Sebastian's couple! Each think that the other may be their better halves... and their longing but rather tentative desire to be together forever under the same roof. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!
This is a winner from Sebastian, for sure!
February 1, 2022
Cat Sebastian + Joel Leslie = Perfection
This was just what I needed today. I didn't stop listening until it was done because it is that good.
1. Historical
2. Mystery #Whodunnit
3. Secret relationship and secret touches
4. Romance
5. Sexy scenes
6. Strong HFN
And I didn't even have an inkling what the solution of the mystery is.
Not to mention Joel's performance which is always a gift. ❤
This was just what I needed today. I didn't stop listening until it was done because it is that good.
1. Historical
2. Mystery #Whodunnit
3. Secret relationship and secret touches
4. Romance
5. Sexy scenes
6. Strong HFN
And I didn't even have an inkling what the solution of the mystery is.
Not to mention Joel's performance which is always a gift. ❤
February 27, 2022
There's a date, it's available for pre-order. Clickety-click 😁😁
-- -- --
I loved this as much as the first; the classic mystery setup of a will reading yet there's a gentle humour at it, openly acknowledging the absurdity, but without mocking. There's a gothic building for atmosphere and a mixed selection of characters adding colour without too much impolite drama.
Leo and James are great characters. The first greeting and intimacy between them in this was so them, said so much of their relationship and characters.
James facing his family shows his strength, how he's accepted how life has changed his goals but is content not hiding in the village life he has now. He really is a good decent man, smart but gentle where as Leo can be sharp behind his charm. Leo so clever and capable but slow to see how James' people are now his people too. The book ends in a good place but I'd love another book to see his next steps. To see more of their village.
Audio is good too, though possibly partly accent, he tends to sound overwrought to me.
-- -- --
I loved this as much as the first; the classic mystery setup of a will reading yet there's a gentle humour at it, openly acknowledging the absurdity, but without mocking. There's a gothic building for atmosphere and a mixed selection of characters adding colour without too much impolite drama.
Leo and James are great characters. The first greeting and intimacy between them in this was so them, said so much of their relationship and characters.
James facing his family shows his strength, how he's accepted how life has changed his goals but is content not hiding in the village life he has now. He really is a good decent man, smart but gentle where as Leo can be sharp behind his charm. Leo so clever and capable but slow to see how James' people are now his people too. The book ends in a good place but I'd love another book to see his next steps. To see more of their village.
Audio is good too, though possibly partly accent, he tends to sound overwrought to me.
February 2, 2022
This second book in the series gives me what I'd hoped to see, for James, the lonely country doctor, and Leo, the increasingly reluctant spy. James is called back to the home of an uncle he hasn't seen in over a decade, for the reading of the old man's will. Since Leo is out of the country on a mission, and James has a mild curiosity (layered over old pain) about his once-family, he decides to go.
At the old mansion, he encounters people who were once important to him. And discovers that the reason the dead man brought them together was to bequeath his estate to the person who can solve the disappearance of James's cousin Rose, who vanished the last summer he spent there. It's likely that one or more of the folk assembled have knowledge of what happened to Rose, and since she was the person kindest to him in that painful year of his childhood, he wants to know too.
Leo returns and immediately follows James because "family gathered in an old country house" is a traditional recipe for blackmail and murder. And he's not letting James wade into that, or into the emotional morass it might turn out to be, without him. Between them, with Leo's skills and experience, they might also solve the mystery of Rose.
The mystery turned out to be interesting, and the solution unexpected. But the pleasure of this book is watching James find his strength against the insinuations of a man he once respected and identify his love for Leo. And even more, of watching Leo come to the realization that what he has with James isn't a moment in time, isn't too good to be true, and that whether or not he deserves it is immaterial to whether it's being offered. The men are lovely together, reticent and careful, and yet deeply bonded, if they can only recognize and accept that.
The first book's tentative HFN urgently needed this book to solidify the romance. This could serve as their HEA, but I would be delighted to see more of Leo and Jamie, diving into another cozy mystery together.
At the old mansion, he encounters people who were once important to him. And discovers that the reason the dead man brought them together was to bequeath his estate to the person who can solve the disappearance of James's cousin Rose, who vanished the last summer he spent there. It's likely that one or more of the folk assembled have knowledge of what happened to Rose, and since she was the person kindest to him in that painful year of his childhood, he wants to know too.
Leo returns and immediately follows James because "family gathered in an old country house" is a traditional recipe for blackmail and murder. And he's not letting James wade into that, or into the emotional morass it might turn out to be, without him. Between them, with Leo's skills and experience, they might also solve the mystery of Rose.
The mystery turned out to be interesting, and the solution unexpected. But the pleasure of this book is watching James find his strength against the insinuations of a man he once respected and identify his love for Leo. And even more, of watching Leo come to the realization that what he has with James isn't a moment in time, isn't too good to be true, and that whether or not he deserves it is immaterial to whether it's being offered. The men are lovely together, reticent and careful, and yet deeply bonded, if they can only recognize and accept that.
The first book's tentative HFN urgently needed this book to solidify the romance. This could serve as their HEA, but I would be delighted to see more of Leo and Jamie, diving into another cozy mystery together.
June 30, 2022
Why are there no more!
No review cuz it's book two. You read the first one, you either want another or you don't.
No review cuz it's book two. You read the first one, you either want another or you don't.
January 16, 2022
several things:
1) leo's angst about how he is simply TOO violent, TOO dark, TOO twisted to be with james is actually hilarious when we never see him doing anything worse than asking mildly uncomfortable questions. I'm sure his off-page exploits are very exciting.
2) this is a nitpick, but I do not believe that a gay man (or anyone else) in 1948 would refer to "queer people" as a group. that's just not how the word was used at the time. on a similar note, referring to someone as "a lesbian" was also not really how people talked back then. the word was known, but they would have been more likely to use a euphemism.
3) I get the concept of cozy mysteries, but this is seriously a mystery novel where the worst things that happen are for the love of god, can we have some stakes here!
4) this is a minor nitpick but it's something I've seen in multiple romance novels: if you're writing characters of colour, go to the effort of actually writing them. having a one-off character who appears only by phone call and exists purely to provide one of the heroes with information isn't diversity. neither is a character whose attributes are entirely informed (she . . . paints?) and who, again, is offered zero interiority. it's wishy-washy; either commit, or don't bother.
1) leo's angst about how he is simply TOO violent, TOO dark, TOO twisted to be with james is actually hilarious when we never see him doing anything worse than asking mildly uncomfortable questions. I'm sure his off-page exploits are very exciting.
2) this is a nitpick, but I do not believe that a gay man (or anyone else) in 1948 would refer to "queer people" as a group. that's just not how the word was used at the time. on a similar note, referring to someone as "a lesbian" was also not really how people talked back then. the word was known, but they would have been more likely to use a euphemism.
3) I get the concept of cozy mysteries, but this is seriously a mystery novel where the worst things that happen are for the love of god, can we have some stakes here!
4) this is a minor nitpick but it's something I've seen in multiple romance novels: if you're writing characters of colour, go to the effort of actually writing them. having a one-off character who appears only by phone call and exists purely to provide one of the heroes with information isn't diversity. neither is a character whose attributes are entirely informed (she . . . paints?) and who, again, is offered zero interiority. it's wishy-washy; either commit, or don't bother.
February 21, 2022
I've given this a B at AAR.
The Missing Page is the second book to feature country doctor James Sommers and spy Leo Page, whom we first met in Hither, Page, a cosy mystery (sort of – true cosies aren’t supposed to include sex or swearing and there’s a little bit of both here!) set in a sleepy English village a few years after the end of World War II. That book came out in 2019, so we’ve had a bit of a wait for this sequel, but it was worth it; The Missing Page is a charming, clever and none-too serious riff on the classic Country House Mystery in which we learn more about James’ past when he visits the childhood home to which he hasn’t returned in twenty years.
By the time the book begins, Leo has been ‘lodging’ in James’ house in Wychcomb St. Mary for over a year, and they’ve settled into a kind of domesticity neither had ever thought to have, although Leo’s job as a government agent takes him away fairly often. James is eagerly awaiting Leo’s return from his most recent mission – but shortly before he’s due back, James receives a letter advising him of the death of his uncle, Rupert Bellamy, and asking him to be present at the reading of the will at the family home in Cornwall. James spent many summers at Blackthorn as a child following the death of his parents, but was whisked away following a family tragedy in 1927 and was never invited back.
James is greeted by his cousin Martha, who had kept house for their uncle for as long as James can remember, and finds Rupert’s surviving daughter, James’ cousin Camilla, her husband Sir Anthony – a Harley Street doctor – and their daughter Lilah, whom he’s surprised to recognise as a famous actress, already gathered together, as well as a woman he doesn’t know at all, who is introduced as Madame Fournier. The bequests are surprisingly small, until the very end, when the family solicitor reads the final appendix stating that the bulk of the estate will go to whoever can discover what really happened to Rupert’s other daughter Rose on 1st August 1927. Rose is widely believed to have drowned that day, although there were lots of other rumours in circulation – she took her own life, she ran off with the chauffeur or the vicar, she was murdered – among them, but Rose’s body was never found and nothing conclusive was ever discovered.
When Leo – exhausted after a very long journey – returns to Wychcomb St. Mary to find James gone, he pays a visit to their friends, former spies Cora and Edith, hoping that perhaps he’ll find James there. When the ladies tell him where James has gone and why, Leo becomes concerned, especially at learning James had been present on the day that Rose Bellamy is thought to have died, worried at what memories being back there might stir up. Leo wastes no time in following James to Cornwall, determined to do whatever he can to help.
Cat Sebastian has crafted an intriguing story full of difficult family dynamics and long-held secrets, and she sustains the mystery right up until the last moment; I certainly didn’t work out the truth until just before the reveal. There’s a strongly defined set of secondary characters, from Martha the drab poor-relation, to Sir Anthony, the know-it-all who clearly looks down on James, and the mysterious Madame Fournier – and James and Leo themselves continue to be easy to enjoy and root for. James is a genuinely good man, quiet and easy-going, happy with his quiet country life after the horrors of war and with Leo, while Leo operates more in shades of grey than in black and white and has been struggling more and more to reconcile the life he has with the life he wants. Leo still finds it difficult to credit that a man as good as James could actually want to be with someone with such a murky past as his, but the obvious care and affection they have for each other permeates every page, and I loved watching them working together on the investigation, their different approaches and outlooks complementing each other. The author cleverly explores James’ past through his interactions with his family members, and I particularly enjoyed Leo’s typical cynicism and the way he’s so protective of James. As far as their relationship goes, they’re at that awkward stage where both of them want more but aren’t sure what the other is willing or able to give, but thankfully, there are no silly misunderstandings and they both realise that although they still have issues to work on, they want to work through them together.
The Missing Page is one of those books that’s easy to sink into and feels almost like a warm hug, but I do have a few niggles. It’s generally on the slow side and doesn’t have the same kind of forward momentum as Hither, Page and while I did like the mystery, it’s not very high-stakes, especially not for our heroes. As with the last book, the author has done a very good job with the English setting, but the odd Americanism still creeps in (“muffler” instead of “scarf” for example). Finally, I was confused as to the timeline; Hither Page takes place in 1946 and the date for this is given as 1948, but then I read James thinking of Leo: “They had only met a little over two months ago”. To be fair, I did have an ARC, so I’m hoping this will have been corrected/clarified in the finished version, but it did make me scratch my head.
All in all, however, The Missing Page is an easy, enjoyable read featuring two engaging leads, and I’m pleased to recommend it to anyone who likes their mystery with a side of romance. I hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Mr. Page and Dr. Sommers.
The Missing Page is the second book to feature country doctor James Sommers and spy Leo Page, whom we first met in Hither, Page, a cosy mystery (sort of – true cosies aren’t supposed to include sex or swearing and there’s a little bit of both here!) set in a sleepy English village a few years after the end of World War II. That book came out in 2019, so we’ve had a bit of a wait for this sequel, but it was worth it; The Missing Page is a charming, clever and none-too serious riff on the classic Country House Mystery in which we learn more about James’ past when he visits the childhood home to which he hasn’t returned in twenty years.
By the time the book begins, Leo has been ‘lodging’ in James’ house in Wychcomb St. Mary for over a year, and they’ve settled into a kind of domesticity neither had ever thought to have, although Leo’s job as a government agent takes him away fairly often. James is eagerly awaiting Leo’s return from his most recent mission – but shortly before he’s due back, James receives a letter advising him of the death of his uncle, Rupert Bellamy, and asking him to be present at the reading of the will at the family home in Cornwall. James spent many summers at Blackthorn as a child following the death of his parents, but was whisked away following a family tragedy in 1927 and was never invited back.
James is greeted by his cousin Martha, who had kept house for their uncle for as long as James can remember, and finds Rupert’s surviving daughter, James’ cousin Camilla, her husband Sir Anthony – a Harley Street doctor – and their daughter Lilah, whom he’s surprised to recognise as a famous actress, already gathered together, as well as a woman he doesn’t know at all, who is introduced as Madame Fournier. The bequests are surprisingly small, until the very end, when the family solicitor reads the final appendix stating that the bulk of the estate will go to whoever can discover what really happened to Rupert’s other daughter Rose on 1st August 1927. Rose is widely believed to have drowned that day, although there were lots of other rumours in circulation – she took her own life, she ran off with the chauffeur or the vicar, she was murdered – among them, but Rose’s body was never found and nothing conclusive was ever discovered.
When Leo – exhausted after a very long journey – returns to Wychcomb St. Mary to find James gone, he pays a visit to their friends, former spies Cora and Edith, hoping that perhaps he’ll find James there. When the ladies tell him where James has gone and why, Leo becomes concerned, especially at learning James had been present on the day that Rose Bellamy is thought to have died, worried at what memories being back there might stir up. Leo wastes no time in following James to Cornwall, determined to do whatever he can to help.
Cat Sebastian has crafted an intriguing story full of difficult family dynamics and long-held secrets, and she sustains the mystery right up until the last moment; I certainly didn’t work out the truth until just before the reveal. There’s a strongly defined set of secondary characters, from Martha the drab poor-relation, to Sir Anthony, the know-it-all who clearly looks down on James, and the mysterious Madame Fournier – and James and Leo themselves continue to be easy to enjoy and root for. James is a genuinely good man, quiet and easy-going, happy with his quiet country life after the horrors of war and with Leo, while Leo operates more in shades of grey than in black and white and has been struggling more and more to reconcile the life he has with the life he wants. Leo still finds it difficult to credit that a man as good as James could actually want to be with someone with such a murky past as his, but the obvious care and affection they have for each other permeates every page, and I loved watching them working together on the investigation, their different approaches and outlooks complementing each other. The author cleverly explores James’ past through his interactions with his family members, and I particularly enjoyed Leo’s typical cynicism and the way he’s so protective of James. As far as their relationship goes, they’re at that awkward stage where both of them want more but aren’t sure what the other is willing or able to give, but thankfully, there are no silly misunderstandings and they both realise that although they still have issues to work on, they want to work through them together.
The Missing Page is one of those books that’s easy to sink into and feels almost like a warm hug, but I do have a few niggles. It’s generally on the slow side and doesn’t have the same kind of forward momentum as Hither, Page and while I did like the mystery, it’s not very high-stakes, especially not for our heroes. As with the last book, the author has done a very good job with the English setting, but the odd Americanism still creeps in (“muffler” instead of “scarf” for example). Finally, I was confused as to the timeline; Hither Page takes place in 1946 and the date for this is given as 1948, but then I read James thinking of Leo: “They had only met a little over two months ago”. To be fair, I did have an ARC, so I’m hoping this will have been corrected/clarified in the finished version, but it did make me scratch my head.
All in all, however, The Missing Page is an easy, enjoyable read featuring two engaging leads, and I’m pleased to recommend it to anyone who likes their mystery with a side of romance. I hope this isn’t the last we’ll see of Mr. Page and Dr. Sommers.
March 10, 2022
FTB MM detective romance. 3.5 stars
This book has had a few mixed reviews - but I had just DNFed a book that was really not me, so it was lovely to read something soothing and understated. I went in with low expectations - I couldn't remember anything about Hither, Page except that I got a bit bored reading it - so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Sommers and Page were so soft and I loved how the care they had for each other was depicted.
The Missing Page was a very bittersweet read, and like all good mysteries, used the central whodunit to explore deeper themes - what it means to have a family that isn't really all that great and queer identity in an unaccepting society. Running alongside the mystery plot were Page and Sommers' efforts to define who they were to each other - It is very much a book about that stage in a relationship where you are both deciding whether to move in together. I think this was the part I enjoyed most, seeing both of them struggle to articulate what they wanted and what they were afraid of, whilst still caring deeply for each other, before finally getting to the point of committing to each other. It was all very gently romantic.
This book has had a few mixed reviews - but I had just DNFed a book that was really not me, so it was lovely to read something soothing and understated. I went in with low expectations - I couldn't remember anything about Hither, Page except that I got a bit bored reading it - so I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Sommers and Page were so soft and I loved how the care they had for each other was depicted.
The Missing Page was a very bittersweet read, and like all good mysteries, used the central whodunit to explore deeper themes - what it means to have a family that isn't really all that great and queer identity in an unaccepting society. Running alongside the mystery plot were Page and Sommers' efforts to define who they were to each other - It is very much a book about that stage in a relationship where you are both deciding whether to move in together. I think this was the part I enjoyed most, seeing both of them struggle to articulate what they wanted and what they were afraid of, whilst still caring deeply for each other, before finally getting to the point of committing to each other. It was all very gently romantic.
October 11, 2022
Be gay, SOLVE crime
February 10, 2022
*4.5 Stars*
* MM-romance, Historical, Mystery, Low Heat *
I enjoyed the second book in Page & Sommers series, especially the relationship growth.
There is something special and precious about a deadly spy who frets about being worthy of love and melts at tender looks and the idea of home.
"I like you so much that I feel certain you shouldn't allow it. Somebody, at least, ought to stop me."
I could possibly read endless continuations of Page and Sommers' lives and what they'll do with their future together.
* MM-romance, Historical, Mystery, Low Heat *
I enjoyed the second book in Page & Sommers series, especially the relationship growth.
There is something special and precious about a deadly spy who frets about being worthy of love and melts at tender looks and the idea of home.
"I like you so much that I feel certain you shouldn't allow it. Somebody, at least, ought to stop me."
I could possibly read endless continuations of Page and Sommers' lives and what they'll do with their future together.
March 25, 2022
5 starry-eyed Stars
I love these stories so much!
I did notice some repetition, but that was the only flaw in this otherwise flawless, warm, heartfelt story. May there be a million more stories of Leo and James teaming up and generally being perfect for each other. Also, this was one of those rare times I was actually intrigued and invested in the mystery. And it was satisfying too!
So this author has managed to write a historical romantic mystery, two in fact, that are among my top favorites for the year - ME, who is usually nonplussed by mysteries, and is a certified Romance Grump™.
Highly highly recommended for sterling quality romance, mental health rep, queer rep, and endless cups of perfectly brewed tea. And sometimes, piglets.
***
GR Personal Rating System:
★★★★★ 5 Stars ~ LOVED
★★★★☆ 4 Stars ~ ENJOYED
★★★☆☆ 3 Stars ~ LIKED
★★☆☆☆ 2 Stars ~ MEH
★☆☆☆☆ 1 Star ~ NOPE
I love these stories so much!
I did notice some repetition, but that was the only flaw in this otherwise flawless, warm, heartfelt story. May there be a million more stories of Leo and James teaming up and generally being perfect for each other. Also, this was one of those rare times I was actually intrigued and invested in the mystery. And it was satisfying too!
So this author has managed to write a historical romantic mystery, two in fact, that are among my top favorites for the year - ME, who is usually nonplussed by mysteries, and is a certified Romance Grump™.
Highly highly recommended for sterling quality romance, mental health rep, queer rep, and endless cups of perfectly brewed tea. And sometimes, piglets.
***
GR Personal Rating System:
★★★★★ 5 Stars ~ LOVED
★★★★☆ 4 Stars ~ ENJOYED
★★★☆☆ 3 Stars ~ LIKED
★★☆☆☆ 2 Stars ~ MEH
★☆☆☆☆ 1 Star ~ NOPE
February 16, 2022
Perfectly aligned.
Each others' sexy, safe home.
(Queer) Christie homage.
Each others' sexy, safe home.
(Queer) Christie homage.
February 4, 2022
This is so cute and cozy, with interesting historical social commentary.
ETA 10/18/21: THANK GOODNESS, WE HAVE A TITLE AND A VAGUE PUBLICATION DATE! (I will take that vague publication date with glee!)
ETA 10/18/21: THANK GOODNESS, WE HAVE A TITLE AND A VAGUE PUBLICATION DATE! (I will take that vague publication date with glee!)
January 18, 2022
Good. Where’s the next one?
July 31, 2022
I need more of ✨James and Leo✨
January 20, 2022
Very interesting to learn more of James’ history. I, also, enjoyed seeing Leo reveal more of his self. I hope Sebastian will continue this as a series. I’d love to see more of these men.
January 22, 2022
England, 1948: Semi-retired spy Leo Page and country doctor James Sommers team up to solve a decades-old mystery.
When James learns that an uncle he hasn’t heard from in ages has left him something in his will, he figures that the least he can do is head down to Cornwall for a weekend to honor the old man’s parting wishes. He finds the family home filled with half-remembered guests and unwanted memories, but more troubling is that his uncle has tasked his heirs with uncovering the truth behind a woman’s disappearance twenty years earlier.
Leo doesn’t like any of it. He’s just returned from one of his less pleasant missions and maybe he’s slightly paranoid about James’s safety, but he’s of the opinion that rich people aren’t to be trusted where wills are concerned. So he does what any sensible spy would do and infiltrates the house party.
Together they unravel a mystery that exposes long-standing family secrets and threatens to involve James more than either of them would like.
Review.
Dear Cat Sebastian,
I reviewed the first book of this series previously and I really liked it, but I think I liked this one even more. Leo and James stole my heart once again and I think that mystery a la Agatha Christie was really well executed.
James' uncle died and left him something in the will as blurb tells us and while Leo is away on the mission, James goes to visit his family and hear the will. James does not have the best memories about interacting with some of the family members for various reasons, but goes anyway because family is family I suppose.
Apparently his uncle's last will was written in a rather eccentric way - uncle decided to leave most of his fortune to the person who will solve the mystery of the close relative who disappeared/ allegedly had a swimming accident two decades ago. Lovely close door mystery investigation takes place. In the meantime once again as blurb tells us, Leo comes back to James' house, and goes after him because he is worried about James. Of course Leo takes rather significant part in the investigation and I thought it was well done and believable. I did not figure out what happened and author absolutely left clues throughout the story. I thought the settings of the story were dark at first mostly because James did not have many very pleasant memories about the house he came back to and some family members he had to meet again.
However once Leo came, I thought the mood of the story lightened even though it was still an investigation of potential murder or suicide. I don't even know why I felt that the mood lightened - Leo is full of his own self doubts about where to go next with his career/ life in general. I guess I just felt that both of these men were really well suited to each other.
I often don't tolerate very well the conversations about who is more worthy or deserving in the couple and whether one deserves each other, but in this book I even liked some of their talks about this topic - it was just gentle and sweet enough for me and more importantly I believed that the characters were trying to navigate their real worries and not just something author wanted them to say for the sake of adding some angst to the story.
““If I say ‘looking after you,’ are you going to take it as an insult? Because I don’t mean it that way. I don’t really know how to be a friend, let alone…” He made a vague gesture between them. “That fire’s never going to take.” “Ye of little faith,” Leo muttered, and prodded a coal with a rolled-up piece of newspaper. James sat beside him before the empty hearth. “You seem to be doing a fine job. Not at building the fire. At…” He made the same vague gesture between them, accompanied by a wry smile. “Not that I have all that much experience. But I don’t have any complaints.” “That’s because you have low standards and you let people walk all over you.” James looked like he wanted to argue, but instead he sighed. “No, it’s because you’re a lovely man.” Leo snorted. “Now I know you’re full of it. Anyway, this is not the time to have this conversation. We’re both tired and it’s been a trying night.” “What conversation?” Leo blamed weeks of exhaustion catching up with”
I was very pleased with where the book left Leo and James .
Grade: 4.5 stars
When James learns that an uncle he hasn’t heard from in ages has left him something in his will, he figures that the least he can do is head down to Cornwall for a weekend to honor the old man’s parting wishes. He finds the family home filled with half-remembered guests and unwanted memories, but more troubling is that his uncle has tasked his heirs with uncovering the truth behind a woman’s disappearance twenty years earlier.
Leo doesn’t like any of it. He’s just returned from one of his less pleasant missions and maybe he’s slightly paranoid about James’s safety, but he’s of the opinion that rich people aren’t to be trusted where wills are concerned. So he does what any sensible spy would do and infiltrates the house party.
Together they unravel a mystery that exposes long-standing family secrets and threatens to involve James more than either of them would like.
Review.
Dear Cat Sebastian,
I reviewed the first book of this series previously and I really liked it, but I think I liked this one even more. Leo and James stole my heart once again and I think that mystery a la Agatha Christie was really well executed.
James' uncle died and left him something in the will as blurb tells us and while Leo is away on the mission, James goes to visit his family and hear the will. James does not have the best memories about interacting with some of the family members for various reasons, but goes anyway because family is family I suppose.
Apparently his uncle's last will was written in a rather eccentric way - uncle decided to leave most of his fortune to the person who will solve the mystery of the close relative who disappeared/ allegedly had a swimming accident two decades ago. Lovely close door mystery investigation takes place. In the meantime once again as blurb tells us, Leo comes back to James' house, and goes after him because he is worried about James. Of course Leo takes rather significant part in the investigation and I thought it was well done and believable. I did not figure out what happened and author absolutely left clues throughout the story. I thought the settings of the story were dark at first mostly because James did not have many very pleasant memories about the house he came back to and some family members he had to meet again.
However once Leo came, I thought the mood of the story lightened even though it was still an investigation of potential murder or suicide. I don't even know why I felt that the mood lightened - Leo is full of his own self doubts about where to go next with his career/ life in general. I guess I just felt that both of these men were really well suited to each other.
I often don't tolerate very well the conversations about who is more worthy or deserving in the couple and whether one deserves each other, but in this book I even liked some of their talks about this topic - it was just gentle and sweet enough for me and more importantly I believed that the characters were trying to navigate their real worries and not just something author wanted them to say for the sake of adding some angst to the story.
““If I say ‘looking after you,’ are you going to take it as an insult? Because I don’t mean it that way. I don’t really know how to be a friend, let alone…” He made a vague gesture between them. “That fire’s never going to take.” “Ye of little faith,” Leo muttered, and prodded a coal with a rolled-up piece of newspaper. James sat beside him before the empty hearth. “You seem to be doing a fine job. Not at building the fire. At…” He made the same vague gesture between them, accompanied by a wry smile. “Not that I have all that much experience. But I don’t have any complaints.” “That’s because you have low standards and you let people walk all over you.” James looked like he wanted to argue, but instead he sighed. “No, it’s because you’re a lovely man.” Leo snorted. “Now I know you’re full of it. Anyway, this is not the time to have this conversation. We’re both tired and it’s been a trying night.” “What conversation?” Leo blamed weeks of exhaustion catching up with”
I was very pleased with where the book left Leo and James .
Grade: 4.5 stars
January 20, 2022
Great mystery sequel
I continue to adore James & Leo! 😍
This time they find themselves at an big old house gone slightly to seed and full of fractious relations, investigating an old disappearance. It's a well-worn mystery trope but for good reason, and Sebastian uses it to great effect here. The mystery moves along at a steady pace with new revelations and clues, and leads to a satisfying conclusion.
A highlight of this book for me was seeing James and Leo's relationship develop further. On the surface they might not make much sense as a couple, but on page they work in a way that feels realistic but also delightful, and I adored getting to see that exploded further.
There's a focus particularly on Leo's doubts about whether he deserves a relationship - especially with James - and though at times you want to shake him and shout 'he adores you, you idiot!', it also feels like a response that makes sense for a character of his personality and background.
Overall, a great read for fans of queer historical mysteries!
I continue to adore James & Leo! 😍
This time they find themselves at an big old house gone slightly to seed and full of fractious relations, investigating an old disappearance. It's a well-worn mystery trope but for good reason, and Sebastian uses it to great effect here. The mystery moves along at a steady pace with new revelations and clues, and leads to a satisfying conclusion.
A highlight of this book for me was seeing James and Leo's relationship develop further. On the surface they might not make much sense as a couple, but on page they work in a way that feels realistic but also delightful, and I adored getting to see that exploded further.
There's a focus particularly on Leo's doubts about whether he deserves a relationship - especially with James - and though at times you want to shake him and shout 'he adores you, you idiot!', it also feels like a response that makes sense for a character of his personality and background.
Overall, a great read for fans of queer historical mysteries!
November 6, 2022
This was a nice, low stakes, additional mystery in the world with Leo and James, and it was enjoyable but unfortunately a bit forgettable. Joel Leslie carried the team through that narration.
I really enjoyed the little slips each lead make to the other, with small terms of endearments, being supportive of the other, and constantly thinking about the other and how one would fit into the other's life. I definitely associate Cat Sebastian with more 'vibes' in her historical romances, and this managed to fit that. There's less focus on the plot to figure out the mystery situation, and more just watching Leo and James watch other people and slowly piece together random puzzle pieces that kind of fit together. Not everything is tied up in a bow, and some random plot lines faded away. It worked for me, since it didn't feel like this was a high stakes/high angst situation in the book as it was a 20 year old cold case, and the people competing to solve it didn't really have much to gain (or lose.) No harm no foul if there was a different outcome than what the original case determined.
As the first book wrapped up the romance for Leo and James, this kind of felt like one epilogue where they stumbled into a mystery together and got to hangout and be more in love with each other. Again, enjoyable but not the most memorable, which isn't a bad thing at all.
I really enjoyed the little slips each lead make to the other, with small terms of endearments, being supportive of the other, and constantly thinking about the other and how one would fit into the other's life. I definitely associate Cat Sebastian with more 'vibes' in her historical romances, and this managed to fit that. There's less focus on the plot to figure out the mystery situation, and more just watching Leo and James watch other people and slowly piece together random puzzle pieces that kind of fit together. Not everything is tied up in a bow, and some random plot lines faded away. It worked for me, since it didn't feel like this was a high stakes/high angst situation in the book as it was a 20 year old cold case, and the people competing to solve it didn't really have much to gain (or lose.) No harm no foul if there was a different outcome than what the original case determined.
As the first book wrapped up the romance for Leo and James, this kind of felt like one epilogue where they stumbled into a mystery together and got to hangout and be more in love with each other. Again, enjoyable but not the most memorable, which isn't a bad thing at all.
January 14, 2022
Here's what I texted to a friend partway through:
"No spoilers, but one of the things that makes James and Leo so lovely is that Leo thinks he's twelve ducks in a trench coat with no real identity or personality at all, and meanwhile James could spot him in any disguise at a hundred yards and go, 'Oh, of course that's Leo' "
anyway, somehow this is a cozy murder mystery that is EVEN MORE WHOLESOME than the first one in the series, which I adore! It doesn't have quite the same narrative momentum, but it's still Very Good and the resolution is even more satisfying than the first book. And watching James and Leo together is, as always, a joy and a pleasure. Love this.
"No spoilers, but one of the things that makes James and Leo so lovely is that Leo thinks he's twelve ducks in a trench coat with no real identity or personality at all, and meanwhile James could spot him in any disguise at a hundred yards and go, 'Oh, of course that's Leo' "
anyway, somehow this is a cozy murder mystery that is EVEN MORE WHOLESOME than the first one in the series, which I adore! It doesn't have quite the same narrative momentum, but it's still Very Good and the resolution is even more satisfying than the first book. And watching James and Leo together is, as always, a joy and a pleasure. Love this.
February 5, 2022
I love the atmosphere in these books. And how CS writes each generation convincingly. Narration was almost constantly good. Still, more mystery than romance, although they are sweet together.
January 22, 2022
Якщо "Hither, Page" був затишним детективом з усіма тими містечковими плітками, то "The Missing Page" — це детектив закритого приміщення, де ми розворушуємо клубок давніх сімейних таємниць. Наш премилий сільський лікар Джеймс Соммерз прибуває до будинку на корнвольському узбережжі, де колись гостював у сім'ї свого дядька, на оголошення його останньої волі та заповіту. Востаннє Джеймс був там, коли йому було 12 — того літа загадково зникла його 21-річна кузина Роуз, бунтарка і опортуністка, але вона завжди була доброю до малого кузена, сімейне життя якого не склалося. Що сталося з Роуз, ніхто точно не знає. Нібито потонула, але тіло не прибило до берега, як то зазвичай відбувається з потопельниками. Дядько у своєму заповіті просить з'ясувати, що ж відбулося насправді і той, хто знайде відповідь, отримає у спадок будинок і левову частку дядькових статків.
Мені сподобалося, що тут розслідують "холодну" справу, цікаво спостерігати, що люди готові відкрити, а що все ще приховують після 20 років. Це тихий детектив, тут ніхто не бігає із зарядженою зброєю (хоча дехто таки помирає), тут лише розмови, спогади і перегляд старих фотографій. Джеймс, а з ним і Лео, просто хочуть дізнатися правду, якою б химерною вона не була.
Мені сподобалося, що тут розслідують "холодну" справу, цікаво спостерігати, що люди готові відкрити, а що все ще приховують після 20 років. Це тихий детектив, тут ніхто не бігає із зарядженою зброєю (хоча дехто таки помирає), тут лише розмови, спогади і перегляд старих фотографій. Джеймс, а з ним і Лео, просто хочуть дізнатися правду, якою б химерною вона не була.
February 7, 2022
I liked this better than the first in the series - the mystery was more compelling to me, and it was so sweet to see Leo and James grow as characters and in their relationship.
January 22, 2022
I love that I didn't solve the mystery correctly because I was reading like a mystery reader and not a romance reader. That doesn't mean that the mystery wasn't good - this still absolutely reads like queer Christie. It just also happens to be 100% a romance novel, and Sebastian blends the two genres with a beautiful seamless quality. I hope there's eventually a third book.
January 25, 2022
4.5
Absolutely lovely.
I think "Hither, Page" will always be my favourite out of two (you just can't beat village murder mystery with a dash of romance and will-they-won't-they and lots of quirky and endearing characters), but "The Missing Page" was definitely a solid read.
It's more thoughtful than the previous one, more introspective: James and Leo have been together for a few months now, but Leo's job and hi insecurities about his own worth and his right to a home with James are standing in the way of them fully commiting to forever kind of relationship. So in some ways, this one is much more satisfying in romance terms: now that they both know one another better, now that they more or less live together, James and Leo need to have some very deep and necessary conversations about what they should expect and want in the future and it was glorious to witness their love story developing in such a way. This book is less about the mystery (even though it IS a mystery) and more about two people, two very neurotic, very insecure people (so 100% relatable) slowly understanding their worth, slowly coming to terms with the fact that they have been chosen freely and fully by the other, flaws and all. I think I highlighted half of the book because some passages really resonated with me: Cat Sebastian is so good at portraying deeply insecure, anxiety-riddled, deeply human people and I absolutely loved both James and Leo, possibly even more than the first book. Leo showed a surprisingly protective side and the way he was always trying to keep James safe and sane? God, I might have swooned. He's a flawed, morally compromised character but he's also sweet and shy and lovely and ruthlessly and cheerfully commited to doing whatever it takes to keep James and keep him happy. James, on the other hand, I think he might be my favourite: he's absolutely lovely and nice and decent and I too, if I was in Leo's shoes, would cheerfully do anything to keep him happy and safe. Gah, he's just so lovely.
So why not a full 5 star rating? I think I missed Wychcomb St. Mary and the usual village shenanigans. And I definitely missed Cora and Edith and Wendy. I'm always a fan of a good ol' dinner party murder mystery in a creepy mansion, but I missed the village setting and I missed seing James in his competent-country-doctor element. It was a twisty mystery though, one with lots of loose threads and lots of suspects and lots of discoveries and secrets, and I definitely gasped a few times (as usual I was completely hopeless at guessing the truth!), but I think something was missing. I'm not sure what though. But nevermind, I still loved it.
All in all, it was a very lovely, romantically satisfying novel: we, finally, get a full-blown HEA and even though I'll be joining the chorus of readers clamoring for a summer holiday epilogue, I'm very happy with how things turned out for James and Leo. I'm not sure if Cat Sebastian has any plans to revisit, but in the meantime I'll be happy to re-read these two books time and time again.
Absolutely lovely.
I think "Hither, Page" will always be my favourite out of two (you just can't beat village murder mystery with a dash of romance and will-they-won't-they and lots of quirky and endearing characters), but "The Missing Page" was definitely a solid read.
It's more thoughtful than the previous one, more introspective: James and Leo have been together for a few months now, but Leo's job and hi insecurities about his own worth and his right to a home with James are standing in the way of them fully commiting to forever kind of relationship. So in some ways, this one is much more satisfying in romance terms: now that they both know one another better, now that they more or less live together, James and Leo need to have some very deep and necessary conversations about what they should expect and want in the future and it was glorious to witness their love story developing in such a way. This book is less about the mystery (even though it IS a mystery) and more about two people, two very neurotic, very insecure people (so 100% relatable) slowly understanding their worth, slowly coming to terms with the fact that they have been chosen freely and fully by the other, flaws and all. I think I highlighted half of the book because some passages really resonated with me: Cat Sebastian is so good at portraying deeply insecure, anxiety-riddled, deeply human people and I absolutely loved both James and Leo, possibly even more than the first book. Leo showed a surprisingly protective side and the way he was always trying to keep James safe and sane? God, I might have swooned. He's a flawed, morally compromised character but he's also sweet and shy and lovely and ruthlessly and cheerfully commited to doing whatever it takes to keep James and keep him happy. James, on the other hand, I think he might be my favourite: he's absolutely lovely and nice and decent and I too, if I was in Leo's shoes, would cheerfully do anything to keep him happy and safe. Gah, he's just so lovely.
So why not a full 5 star rating? I think I missed Wychcomb St. Mary and the usual village shenanigans. And I definitely missed Cora and Edith and Wendy. I'm always a fan of a good ol' dinner party murder mystery in a creepy mansion, but I missed the village setting and I missed seing James in his competent-country-doctor element. It was a twisty mystery though, one with lots of loose threads and lots of suspects and lots of discoveries and secrets, and I definitely gasped a few times (as usual I was completely hopeless at guessing the truth!), but I think something was missing. I'm not sure what though. But nevermind, I still loved it.
All in all, it was a very lovely, romantically satisfying novel: we, finally, get a full-blown HEA and even though I'll be joining the chorus of readers clamoring for a summer holiday epilogue, I'm very happy with how things turned out for James and Leo. I'm not sure if Cat Sebastian has any plans to revisit, but in the meantime I'll be happy to re-read these two books time and time again.
January 29, 2022
A cryptic bequests sends Jamie back to a troubling place (and time) of his childhood, full of unspoken secrets, suspect longings and a mysterious disappearance/death of a woman. Leo is back from his latest MI6 mission feeling rather out of sorts and upon learning where Jamie has disappeared to, sets off to ensure no harm befalls his lover at the rural weekend will reading ... especially when he is of the opinion that when "heirs gather together, they immediately started putting exotic poisons into one another’s tea. They simply couldn’t help themselves."
This is largely a cozy mystery ... there's no gore, lots of tea and long walks, awkward teatime conversations and slightly more tension-ridden dinners, a suspiciously planted tree and barely two M-M action scenes of the 'tamer' variety. Readers are given substantially more background info to Jamie's past and heritage which broadens our understanding of the man. Jamie and Leo are adorably engaged in working out their relationship/living arrangements whilst attempting to pry open the vault of family secrets. All observations, clues and revelations were nicely sewn together by the ending - with a positive and hopeful opening of horizons for our MCs. A lovely engaging read that warrants 4.5 stars.
This is largely a cozy mystery ... there's no gore, lots of tea and long walks, awkward teatime conversations and slightly more tension-ridden dinners, a suspiciously planted tree and barely two M-M action scenes of the 'tamer' variety. Readers are given substantially more background info to Jamie's past and heritage which broadens our understanding of the man. Jamie and Leo are adorably engaged in working out their relationship/living arrangements whilst attempting to pry open the vault of family secrets. All observations, clues and revelations were nicely sewn together by the ending - with a positive and hopeful opening of horizons for our MCs. A lovely engaging read that warrants 4.5 stars.
February 9, 2022
09 Feb 2022
1. I think I know what Cat Sebastian is trying to do with this series. She's using all the motifs and tropes and settings that can be found in an Agatha Christie novel, but making everything a lot queerer. And you know what, I can appreciate that.
2. The last one was the murder in the sleepy English town (my favorite setting by far) and I admit I'm a little miffed we didn't keep solving murders in the town. This is mostly because I have fallen in complete and utter love with Wendy, who was one of the side characters. She's wonderful. I would marry Wendy in a heartbeat and I am not a marrying person. Wendy had one scene in this book and that scene contributed nothing to the plot but I was just so happy to see her. My baby.
3. *cough* Anyway. Unassuming country doctor is summoned to his Uncle's will-reading. His uncle's will leaves the estate to whoever can solve the mystery of his daughter's disappearance from 20 years ago. The doctor and his assorted relatives are joined by his secret agent boyfriend and everyone goes around talking to people and trying to recreate the day of the disappearance. Standard Christie fare.
4. What is un-Christie about this is the focus on the main relationship. James and Leo (the doctor and the secret agent) are just so incredibly soothing? They are such a lovely couple- so little drama, so much support and comfort. There are just so many wonderful little lines that show how much they care for each other, all in some really low-key, domestic ways. So very soothing. I ship these two. I want them to both be wrapped up in scarves and blankets nodding off in front of a fire on a cold night. They deserve it.
5. I was not expecting that resolution to the disappearance. I thought for sure we were and I am so very glad we did not. Rose was an excellent way to resolve the whole thing. 10/10. Let me have my triumphs.
6. Content warning-ish for some really insensitive discussions of mental illness and suicide. There are no bad doctors worse than asshole psychiatrists.
1. I think I know what Cat Sebastian is trying to do with this series. She's using all the motifs and tropes and settings that can be found in an Agatha Christie novel, but making everything a lot queerer. And you know what, I can appreciate that.
2. The last one was the murder in the sleepy English town (my favorite setting by far) and I admit I'm a little miffed we didn't keep solving murders in the town. This is mostly because I have fallen in complete and utter love with Wendy, who was one of the side characters. She's wonderful. I would marry Wendy in a heartbeat and I am not a marrying person. Wendy had one scene in this book and that scene contributed nothing to the plot but I was just so happy to see her. My baby.
3. *cough* Anyway. Unassuming country doctor is summoned to his Uncle's will-reading. His uncle's will leaves the estate to whoever can solve the mystery of his daughter's disappearance from 20 years ago. The doctor and his assorted relatives are joined by his secret agent boyfriend and everyone goes around talking to people and trying to recreate the day of the disappearance. Standard Christie fare.
4. What is un-Christie about this is the focus on the main relationship. James and Leo (the doctor and the secret agent) are just so incredibly soothing? They are such a lovely couple- so little drama, so much support and comfort. There are just so many wonderful little lines that show how much they care for each other, all in some really low-key, domestic ways. So very soothing. I ship these two. I want them to both be wrapped up in scarves and blankets nodding off in front of a fire on a cold night. They deserve it.
5. I was not expecting that resolution to the disappearance. I thought for sure we were and I am so very glad we did not. Rose was an excellent way to resolve the whole thing. 10/10. Let me have my triumphs.
6. Content warning-ish for some really insensitive discussions of mental illness and suicide. There are no bad doctors worse than asshole psychiatrists.
January 18, 2022
3,5/5*
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love Hither, Page and when I saw the sequel is coming, I was overjoyed. I'm very happy I could meet Leo and James again and it is a solid sequel but I missed the comfort of the first book.
I don't care much for the mystery tbh because I read Cat Sebastian's books exactly for the lack of suspense and for the cozy feels. So I have nothing much to say about that, except that I didn't see the resolution coming which is probably a good thing in a mystery. The villain was sufficiently villainous and the relatives sufficiently un/pleasant.
For the romance plot, I liked Leo and James together very much and they had important things to solve between them but their interactions seemed, for lack of a better word, rushed. The constricted time frame of just a few days filled with the relatives made me feel like they didn't have enough time for anything, for talking properly and absorbing things. Maybe an epilogue sometime later in their life together would smooth this for me.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love Hither, Page and when I saw the sequel is coming, I was overjoyed. I'm very happy I could meet Leo and James again and it is a solid sequel but I missed the comfort of the first book.
I don't care much for the mystery tbh because I read Cat Sebastian's books exactly for the lack of suspense and for the cozy feels. So I have nothing much to say about that, except that I didn't see the resolution coming which is probably a good thing in a mystery. The villain was sufficiently villainous and the relatives sufficiently un/pleasant.
For the romance plot, I liked Leo and James together very much and they had important things to solve between them but their interactions seemed, for lack of a better word, rushed. The constricted time frame of just a few days filled with the relatives made me feel like they didn't have enough time for anything, for talking properly and absorbing things. Maybe an epilogue sometime later in their life together would smooth this for me.
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