The setting captured my attention. The Scottish castle, village, and characters delivered an engaging twist to the storyline. Such a great book. The pace was excellent and the vibrant characters were brought to life in a realistic plot. I had not read previous books in this series titled the Freddie and Grace Mysteries. This novel is book #4. I was able to jump right into the series and not miss a beat. This book delivers mystery, drama, action, and some fun dialogue. I appreciate the “can-do” attitudes of the protagonists. The ups and downs of the relationship between the two sisters is spot on accurate. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC to review and give my honest opinion. #TheHighlandHeist #NetGalley
Tragedies turn lives upside down with long reaching consequences. The dark shadows they cast are joy robbers. Sad individuals either succumb to the heavy weight of the event’s sadness or they find paths out to a new-found and unexpected sense of joy.
The main characters in After the Shadows, Emily Leland and Craig Ferguson are true overcomers. Both lost spouses. Emily was bound to a controlling and abusive husband. Upon his sudden death, she returned to her family home only to discover her father had just died. Now she experiences a double tragedy. Craig Ferguson’s wife, and mother to his son, was the apple of his eye. Her death due to a fatal accident, caused his world to unravel. Her memory was everywhere. He struggled to raise his son amidst the heartache and constant reminders. Trained as a school teacher, he accepted a job in Sweetwater Crossing Texas. The new job required him to relocate. He was thrilled to accept this change.The move offered a brighter future for Craig and his son, Noah.
Emily and Craig both forge a new path. Craig insists on respecting the students’ self esteem and turns heads in town when he refuses to make students stand in corners and wear dunce caps. He welcomes children of all abilities to join in and take part in his lessons. As a former public school librarian, I appreciated this up-to-date view of educators and this character’s commitment to working with students with a variety of learning styles.
Out of necessity, Emily uses her hospitality and baking skills to open a boarding house. Within days of returning to her family home, she has multiple boarders and guests willing to enjoy her meals. Soon a mystery is afoot. Older residents are dying sudden deaths. Even her father’s death seems suspicious. Emily and Craig join forces to uncover the truth.
There are clues that raise suspicion on a few characters. But the red herrings built into the plot keep you guessing until the very end. The mystery is eventually solved. The criminal’s motive is unique.
The author does a wonderful job weaving the dynamics of family relationships into the story. We can expect to see these characters in future books in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series.
The setting of this book is the late 19th century. It opens in 1882. One interesting twist to the plot involves morphine. We learn from historical accounts that injectable morphine was widely used during the U.S. Civil War to the point that many veterans at the war’s end returned home with drug addictions. For many, this habit of substance abuse became a tough obstacle preventing them from rebuilding a healthy post-war life. There are many subplots to this novel, and these facts play a role.
I look forward to the sequels in this series. I have read four Amanda Cabot novels. I’ve enjoyed each one. The setting of each novel draws me in. The books always have a great pace and a full roster of memorable characters.
This is the third book I’ve read by Elizabeth Goddard. This one delivered dramatic action in an interesting outdoor setting just like the previous novels. The characters were resilient and smart. They had multiple mysteries to solve. As you’re drawn deeper into the plot, these terrifying and near fatal events happen with greater frequency. You wonder how much more these characters can take. Elizabeth Goddard weaves a cross continent trail from sea-to-sea with a layover in Montana for some of the most dramatic action. It’s a breakneck race to the end to see the mystery solved.
The book is second in the Rocky Mountain Courage series and it flows seamlessly from book one. The story is based on the experiences of Erin Larson and Nathan Campbell, who were secondary characters in Book 1 of this series. Erin’s job as a criminal psychologist adds an interesting twist to the plot. Her sideline vocation is broadcasting a podcast on cold cases. She publishes each episode anonymously to protect herself and the identities of those involved.
I found the book well written. The roster of characters is interesting and I appreciated how you never knew for certain exactly who was 100% genuine or a fake with a hidden agenda. I received a print book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. #DeadlyTarget #RockyMountainCourage!
A mystery with great action and a sophisticated plot. Elizabeth Goddard’s Present Danger was a joy to read. It’s book #1 in her Rocky Mountain Courage series. At the story’s close, you’ll hope the release of book #2 is near. The main characters are experienced investigators working a search and rescue mission in Montana’s Gallatin National Forest. The original search mission ends positively, but the discovery of a body at the foot of a steep cliff sets in motion a new murder investigation. The veteran detectives on the case, Jack Tanner and Terra Connors, have a history together. In their youth they were a romantic couple but Jack left Terra cold for a FBI career. Terra moved on, but always carried the hurt Jack caused and never came to terms with the reasons that prompted his abrupt departure. Now with a case to solve, and plot details that put Terra in mortal danger, the couple are embroiled in solving the case, and find their feelings for one another rekindled.
A major clue to the mystery is a remote mountain cabin stocked with Native American artifacts and a remnant of a Middle Eastern tablet buried in the ground. If Terra and Jack can unravel the mystery surrounding the illegal network of trafficking these historic artifacts, they will find the guilty suspects responsible for two murders in addition to theft.
The Rocky Mountain setting adds an intense backdrop to the action. The mountain hiking required to investigate clues is both arduous and dangerous for Jack and Terra. The roster of suspicious characters expands to eventually cast doubt on Terra’s grandfather and brother. The suspicion of doubt hanging over their lives makes the investigation more personal for Terra.
Dogs and horses have great roles to play in this story. No spoilers here, but you’ll like how the author wove them into the action. Overall, readers will appreciate the intricate plot and dramatic ending with more than one surprise reveal. I received and advanced reader’s copy of from the publisher, Revell, in exchange for my honest review.
While listening to a recent podcast, a publishing rep gushed enthusiastically over this book. In the blink of an eye, I clicked over to NetGalley and submitted my ARC request. I was pleased to receive The Windsor Knot by SJ Bennett to review. Now that I’ve finished it, I understand his enthusiasm. Queen Elizabeth II and her assistant private secretary Rozie Oshodi are detectives. The Queen skillfully directs Rozie to track down clues while her majesty simultaneously carries out her royal duties. Each time Rozie reports her findings, new clues are unveiled and her task list grows. All of this is done in the background. It turns out, the Queen has been solving crimes since her coronation decades ago. At times she asks Rozie to enlist the help of Billy MacLachlan, a trusted former law enforcement officer. As she moves closer to the truth the Queen skillfully gets just enough info to the MI5 investigators to get them to see her point of view. The MI5 detectives have some of her staff high on their suspect list. They also consider a wild theory involving an unknown sleeper agent planted by Russia as valid. The Queen’s desire to prove them wrong launches her into this crime solving inquiry.
You may think the Queen is hoping to capture an art thief or a high level robber making off with the palace jewels. But it’s a murderer that must be caught. A young Russian pianist died after an evening of royal feasting and dancing at Windsor Castle. The guest list for the evening reads like a gathering of Who’s Who from Britain and Russia. Among them are a few individuals who look guilty. Due to the sordid circumstances of the young Russian’s death, a cloak of secrecy covers the investigation. Queen Elizabeth and her staff hope the solution will arrive before news of the event leaks to the tabloids.
It’s a contemporary novel with former US president Barack Obama and his wife visiting the castle. References are made to Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkle. The agendas of World Powers are called into question and the plot involves a good dose of international intrigue. You’ll have fun reading the uniquely British terms like bespoke and brio and deciphering the acronyms HRM and MBE. (Her Royal Majesty and Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s husband adds a touch of humor to the story. Their dialogue and his remarks are upbeat and quirky.
This book is due out on March 9, 2021. It’s available now as a pre-order. As stated at the opening, I read an advanced reader’s copy of this book supplied by NetGalley. I was under no obligation to publish a positive review. #TheWindsorKnot, #NetGalley
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