Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2021 Go the Distance Challenge
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Emma’s Go the Distance challenge
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Prompt #48Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates
Finished 15 April
This book was a pleasant surprise and I really enjoyed it. Will definitely continue the series.
Prompt #39The Strings of Murder
Finished 24 April
I enjoyed the interactions between the two main detectives and also between their members of staff. It was nice to see Edinburgh rather than London as the setting for this series.
Prompt #24Religious setting
Memento Mori
Finished 29 April
I thought this was not very good. I’m surprised because I normally love this series. It is set in Aquae Sulis, the modern Bath. I actually used to live there and the baths are a really special and sacred space so I’m doubly disappointed not to have liked the book more.
Prompt #51Medieval times
An Ancient Evil
Finished 1st May
Meh.... I don’t know why but all Doherty’s books seem the same to me. I was lured in to this story by the medieval vampires.
Prompt #52Water on cover
Yesternight
Finished 7 May
Annoyingly I’ve had this on my kindle for ages and was really looking forward to it as I’ve read quite a few of Cat Winters work and enjoyed it all. So I’m pretty sad to report this didn’t really work for me at all. The mystery involves reincarnation- characters meet in 1925 who have known each other in a previous life. The book is far fetched and overly dramatic. #you’vebeenwarned
Prompt #29Madame Koska and the Imperial Brooch
Finished 8 May
The Russian emigres angle was interesting.
Emma wrote: "Prompt #29Madame Koska and the Imperial Brooch
Finished 8 May
The Russian emigres angle was interesting."
It was okay, but I'm not really interested in the sequel.
Me neither John. To be honest, it was pretty underwhelming. The emigre angle was the only thing of interest!
Prompt #11Intriguing or inspiring first line
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Finished 9 May
I AM DOOMED to remember a boy with a wrecked voice – not because of his voice, or because he was the smallest person I ever knew, or even because he was the instrument of my mother’s death, but because he is the reason I believe in God; I am a Christian because of Owen Meany.
Yes. John Irving wrote a whole introduction about the importance of crafting the opening sentence of the book!
Prompt#33A book recommended
A Deadly Fortune
Finished 19 May
This wasn’t a bad book but my expectations were too high.
Prompt #17Book by an author of colour
Midnight at Malabar House
Finished 21 May
This was a very accomplished, highly enjoyable 5 star read. Recommended!
Emma wrote: "Prompt #17Book by an author of colour
Midnight at Malabar House
Finished 21 May
This was a very accomplished, highly enjoyable 5 star read. Recommended!"
I had trouble with the rather remote main character, but would be interested in a sequel.
I really liked Persis’ character. They have arcs available for request on Netgalley for the sequel. I have requested it but don’t know how likely I am to get it!
Prompt 22The House of Silk
Finished June 9th
Really enjoyed this book. Horowitz got the tone just right.
Emma wrote: "Prompt 22The House of Silk
Finished June 9th
Really enjoyed this book. Horowitz got the tone just right."
I realize it's modern, but I loved Magpie Murders!
Yes me too, John- that’s what prompted me to buy House of Silk. I’ve now bought its sequel Moriarty too.
Loved that too! I really like him as an author.
Prompt 2A Wolf at the Gate
Finished 13 June
I found this one a bit convoluted but still rate the series highly. Lexie Cunningham has a way of integrating fascinating details into her story, seemingly effortlessly. I found some interesting discrepancies in the Christian vikings system of social justice.
Prompt 36Author with my initials
The King's Justice
Finished 15 June
I had to go with only my first initial ‘E’ as I couldn’t find an author with the initials EB. I wish I hadn’t found Thais one either!
So not highly rated in your opinion! Thanks for the warning.
Following up on the Flavia series:There might be only 10. See John's post in "recommendations" and then following the link to the book. One of the questions is rather there will be more and a 10-book contract is mentioned in the answers.
I’ve just read Roman Blood as the start of a reread of the series. I don’t think I appreciated how good this series was when I first read it- I’d been looking for something to take the place of the completed Falco series. Anyway, recommended if you’re new to the author or due for a reread!
Prompt #1The Dying Day
Finished July 26.
This was even better than the first book. This was a real thinking woman’s mystery and Persis , the lead character and only female detective in the IPS, shone as the person who solved the case. The book also underlines the misogyny and sexism of the Indian culture at this time, as she never gets any credit for this case. I also learned a lot about WWII from the Indian perspective. Recommended series.
Emma wrote: "Prompt #1The Dying Day
Finished July 26.
This was even better than the first book. This was a real thinking woman’s mystery and Persis , the lead character and only female detectiv..."
I liked the first book overall, though found Persis a bit... wooden. Will save this one until next year for new challenges, if applicable.
Historical Mystery Lovers
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The Winter Queen
Finished 11 April
This was a 5 star read. The story had everything- it was witty, an interesting location (St. Petersburg) in pre- Revolution R..."
I’m so glad to have discovered the series.