Historical Mystery Lovers discussion
2023 - Settings Challenge
>
John's 2023 Settings Challenge
date
newest »
newest »
Book 1: Edwardian England A. Setting: England 1904
B. Book read: Dr Potter's Private Practice: A Vita Carew Mystery set at Christmas in Cambridge
C. Date read: 1/1/23
D. Comments: Rather grim, doesn't stand alone - read the series in order.
Book 2: Georgian EnglandA. Setting: England 1804
B. Book Read: The Body, the Diamond and the Child
C. Date Read: 1/10/23
D. Comments: Rather than go into details, I'm going to say this idea, in the end, I found poorly executed, requiring too much suspension of disbelief. Became a chore to get through it.
Book 3: Early 20th CenturyA. Setting: London 1922
B. Book Read: Death In Soho
C. Date Read: 1/11/23
D. Comments: first in the Mrs. Augusta Peel series. I've started the sequel, finding her an interesting character. However, I don't have a thorough picture of her, the Mrs. makes me imagine someone older though there were plenty of young war widows around. The (mysterious) emphasis on her mostly implied spy-in-Belgium past seemed a possible rip-off from the successful Verity Kent series? Moreover, the police instructor she works cases for is implied to be in love with her though now married to someone else. Unlike others, I thought the ending of this story quite clever.
Book 4: Regency EnglandA. Setting: fictional Ebensport (year unspecified)
B. Book Read: An Inescapable Conclusion
C. Date Read: 1/19/23
D. Comments: final episode of this six-part story that absolutely must be read in order. Gothic-y elements not fully effective here, but Jane is likeable and intelligent. Works well for passing time.
Book 5: Victorian England A. Setting: London 1882
B. Book Read: Watchers of the Dead
C. Date Read: 1/20/23
D. Comments: I read the first book a while ago, recalling that I really liked it. This one, however, I'm declaring a mess. The main character and his colleague, Huldah were fine, but the rest of were either forgettable, or in large part unlikeable. The "cannibals" angle should never have been accepted by the publisher, obvious that premise was never going to come out right. Changing the narrator was fine with me as I'm a fan of Thorpe's work.
Book 6: Early 20th CenturyA. Setting: England 1922
B. Book Read: Nobody's Sweetheart Now
C. Date Read: 1/22/23
D. Comments: At first I wasn't sure where it was headed since I find wealthy women like this a bit of a trope, but grew to like Lady Adelaide quite a bit; narrator got across her sense of humor well. Dead, philandering husband Rupert took getting used to, but it became clear he was trying to help, showing remorse. Racial angle of Anglo-Indian detective avoided the "Let's have a character of color!" trap; Dev's personality came across on its own besides that. He wasn't present for the only insensitive remark with Lady A. handling it well. Looking forward to the next one.
I too just finished it and also found it enjoyable. Good character development.
Book 7: Victorian EnglandA. Setting: London 1900
B. Book Read: Murder at the Debutante Ball
C. Date Read: 4/10/23
D. Comments: I like Cleo Fox, so was pleased to read another of her adventures. The reluctant romance with Harry seemed a focus here, which was okay as it's handled well. Not sure how I felt about the same-sex angle in this one? The gay characters were sympathetic, but the bisexual villain seemed a bit of a trope. Leads me to the point that their investigation of his murder a bit complicated for me to follow; reference made to events in the previous book which I hadn't read for months. Here's hoping they find a way to break her aunt's "tonic" addiction!
Book 8: Early 20th CenturyA. Setting: an English seaside holiday
B. Book read: The Wooden Witness: A cozy 1930s English seaside murder mystery
C. Date Read: 6/1/23
D. Comments: The vicar-sleuth and the series cop with whom he works are a good team. However, the plots are not the strong point. Lost interest pretty much partway through, about the time the vicar sensed the (initial) resolution wasn't quite right, so carried on investigating. Final scene with villain was well done.
Book 9: Ancient GreeceA. Setting: ancient Athens
B. Book read: Death Comes by Amphora: A Mystery Novel of Ancient Athens
C. Date read: 7/4/23
D. Comments: in some ways, more of a historical fiction novel containing a suspicious death plotline. I had trouble distinguishing the secondary characters, so that by the end I really didn't care so much about who did it. Found the idea of a 15 year old widow a bit unsettling from a modern point of view.
Book 10: Roman EmpireA. Setting: Rome c. 90 CE
B. Book read: A Comedy of Terrors
C. Date read: 7/16/23
D. Comments: Last year's title in the Flavia Albia series, which wasn't as gory as others have been. Falco and Helena make rare appearances here.
Book 11: British EmpireA. Setting: Singapore 1910
B. Book Read: Singapore Sapphire
C. Date Read: 7/21/23
D. Comments: Well done setting and characters, with mystery angle that kept me interested. However ... not sure what kind of romance angle intended for the series? That aspect left me confused.
Book 12: Gilded Age AmericaA. Setting: Chicago 1887
B. Book Read: The Twelve Thieves of Christmas
C. Date Read: 7/25/23
D. Comments: I've really liked the series, but this one seemed too long, complicated. Focus on two neighboring familes in their mansions, had trouble telling which characters belonged where at times. Romance angle a bit awkward I felt.
Book 13: Regency EnglandA. Setting: England (1815 - 1820)
B. Book Read: Lady Violet Investigates
C. Date Read: 7/29/23
D. Comments: audio narration captures main character's snarky tone perfectly. This one centered on identifying a thief so that the wrongly accused man would not face transporation or hanging. Romance angle a bit awkward, but there are several books to go.
Book 14: 16/17 Century EuropeA. Setting: Netherlands 1672
B. Book read: The Noose's Shadow
C. Date Read: 12/18/23
D. Comments: Fourth in the Master Mercurius series, first for me in print as only first three available as audiobooks, worked out okay in that regard. Mercurius can be a funny guy, sizing up suspects well. Author gave a bit of insight into the Reformed minister - Catholic priest 'double agent' thing, although it still seems like an idea that proved a dead end after it was too late.
Historical Mystery Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Noose's Shadow (other topics)The Noose's Shadow (other topics)
Lady Violet Investigates (The Lady Violet Mysteries) (other topics)
Lady Violet Investigates (The Lady Violet Mysteries) (other topics)
The Twelve Thieves of Christmas (other topics)
More...
CATEGORIES:
- Ancient Egypt
- Ancient Greece
- Roman Empire
- Early Japan
- Shogunate Japan
- Medieval England
- Medieval Europe
- Tudor / Stuart England
- 16th-17th Century Europe
- Georgian England
- Regency England
- Victorian England
- Edwardian England
- Colonial America
- Antebellum America
- American Civil War
- Gilded Age America
- British Empire (any century, countries other than England)
- 19th Century Europe
- Early 20th Century