Tag: 2023 vintage mysteries

Mini-Reviews: Highway, Seven, Roughest

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Hannah March, The Devil’s Highway

Former tutor Robert Fairfax is about to begin a new position as Sir Edward Nugent’s secretary. As he and Sir Edward travel to the latter’s country estate, they encounter an overturned stagecoach whose coachman and passengers have all been shot to death. Public opinion assumes a local highwayman is to blame, but Robert isn’t so sure — especially when one of the victims is incorrectly identified, and a woman who was supposed to be on the stagecoach is nowhere to be found. I enjoyed this book at least as much as the first in the series, if not more. Robert Fairfax is a sympathetic sleuth, and the Georgian setting is well realized, with this book touching on the state of mental asylums and the rise of Methodism. The mystery itself is perhaps a bit too convoluted, so I think this series is more for historical fiction fans than mystery buffs. But as a lover of both genres, I’d recommend it!

J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead

A petty thief breaks into Haven House hoping to steal a few valuables — but instead he stumbles upon seven corpses in a locked room. Who are they, how were they killed, and what brought them to Haven House? The local police are on the case, assisted by journalist and amateur yachtsman Thomas Hazeldean. The investigation takes Hazeldean to Boulogne in pursuit of the house’s absent owners, where he becomes embroiled in additional mysteries — and falls in love. I’ve tried a couple of Farjeon’s books in the past, with mixed results, but I liked this one a lot. The mystery isn’t particularly shocking in terms of whodunit, but there are plenty of twists and turns as readers learn just how horrible the culprit really is. Despite some dark elements, the book also has a fair amount of humor (plus the romantic subplot), which keeps it from getting too depressing. Recommended for fans of Golden Age mysteries.

Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, The Roughest Draft

Katrina and Nathan met at a writers’ workshop and instantly became writing partners and friends. They wrote two books together, the first moderately successful and the second a huge best-seller. But then they had a falling-out, and they haven’t spoken to each other in four years. Unfortunately, they still have a contract with their publisher for another co-written book. Reluctantly, they agree to work together one last time, but they’ll have to finally confront the issues that drove them apart. I liked the premise of this book, but in practice I was underwhelmed. Neither Katrina nor Nathan is very likable; they’re both extremely privileged (she lives in a $4 million house, he has a trust fund, neither has to work an actual job), and they’re mean to each other for a significant chunk of the book. The novel also focuses so narrowly on Katrina and Nathan that it feels somewhat claustrophobic — don’t they have any healthy relationships (family, friends) in their lives? The central romance is somewhat compelling if you like a lot of angst, but overall this book just wasn’t for me. I would consider trying something else by these authors, though.

Mini-Reviews: Birds, Artists, Masque

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Katie Cotugno, Birds of California

Ten years ago, Fiona St. James starred on a successful TV show, but she had a very public breakdown (shoplifting, public intoxication, etc.) that caused the show’s cancelation. Now she’s no longer acting, just trying to avoid the limelight. Meanwhile, her former costar Sam Fox is still struggling to make it in Hollywood, so when his agent calls him about a potential reboot, he’s eager to sign on. He just needs to convince Fiona to get on board, which she absolutely refuses to do. But the more time Sam and Fiona spend together, the closer they reluctantly grow. I really enjoyed this book, with caveats. It’s well written and the characters are relatable, though not always likable. But I wish there had been more resolution to a lot of the storylines: What about Sam’s relationship with his family? How will his career turn out? Fiona decides to publicly reveal the cause of her breakdown, but what happens in the aftermath of that decision? While I bought the central romance, I wanted more about the rest of the characters’ lives. So, I do recommend the book, but be forewarned that the lack of resolution in some areas is frustrating!

Ngaio Marsh, Artists in Crime

When Inspector Roderick Alleyn meets talented painter Agatha Troy, he’s immediately drawn to her, but she doesn’t seem to like him. They’re destined to meet again, however, when a murder occurs in the midst of an art class Troy is teaching. The victim, a model, is stabbed by a dagger that’s been hidden under the chair she was posing on, and it seems only one of the artists could have placed the dagger there — but which one? And can Alleyn maintain his impartiality as an investigator if he’s fallen in love with one of the suspects? This is another enjoyable installment of the Alleyn series; I feel like, six books in, his character is finally starting to gel. The mystery is fair play, and of course I enjoyed the element of romance as well. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series!

Lauren Willig, The Masque of the Black Tulip

This second book in the Pink Carnation series features Henrietta Selwick, Richard’s younger sister, and Miles Dorrington, his best friend. A dangerous French spy known only as the Black Tulip has recently arrived in London, and both Miles and Henrietta are trying to discover the spy’s identity. They’re also beginning to have confusing feelings for one another; their longtime friendship suddenly seems to be taking a romantic turn. Can they work together to capture the Black Tulip and, more importantly, realize they’re in love? As with the first book in the series, this is a fun historical romp with a charming central romance. Miles is a particularly delightful hero, endearing in his obliviousness. The spying stuff was not as interesting to me (especially given the fact that both Miles and Henrietta seem extremely incompetent), but I still had a good time with this one!

Mini-Reviews: Rogue, Widening, Carnation

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Virginia Heath, Never Rescue a Rogue

Giles Sinclair and Diana Merriwell have delighted in vexing each other ever since his best friend married her sister. Everyone thinks their teasing banter is masking a mutual attraction, but they both vehemently deny it. Yet when Giles finds himself in trouble, it’s Diana he turns to for help, and eventually they’ll have to admit to themselves — and each other — that their friends were right all along. There’s a lot in this book that requires suspension of disbelief (Giles might be illegitimate but no one knows! Diana is secretly a hard-hitting investigative journalist!). But if you can roll with the implausibilities of the plot, as well as the characters’ modern attitudes and language, this is a fun book. I liked it more than the first in the series, and I’ll definitely seek out book #3 when it comes out.

W. Bolingbroke Johnson, The Widening Stain

This vintage mystery novel, originally published in 1942, is set in a fictional university library. A French professor is found dead in the stacks, apparently having fallen off a high ladder. But Gilda Gorham, the library’s head cataloger, suspects foul play — especially when another member of the faculty is later strangled and a priceless manuscript goes missing. I liked this book well enough; the writing style is brisk and humorous, gently satirizing the world of academia and providing several limericks (of varying quality) as a bonus. The mystery itself isn’t terribly satisfying, as the motive hinges on some dubious psychology. But still, I found it an enjoyable read and a pretty good start to 2023.

Lauren Willig, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

It’s 1803, and the Scarlet Pimpernel (who’s a real person in this universe) has inspired several other heroes with flowery names to spy against Napoleon. Lord Richard Selwick, a.k.a. the Purple Gentian, is on a mission to thwart Bonaparte’s invasion of England when he meets Amy Balcourt, an impetuous young lady who wants to join the Gentian’s league. As Amy and the Gentian fall in love, Richard struggles with when and how to reveal his true identity. I’m really glad I decided to revisit this series, because this book is a delightful romp of a historical romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you’re looking for historical accuracy and period-appropriate dialogue and manners, this is not the book for you. But if you’re in the mood for some light-hearted, swashbuckling fun, I would definitely recommend it! Now I’m really looking forward to book #2, as I remember it being one of my favorites in the series.