Tag: mystery

Mini-Reviews: Tiger, London, Coffee

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Philip Pullman, The Tiger in the Well

Two years after the events of The Shadow in the North, Sally Lockhart is doing well; her business is thriving, and she’s built a happy life with her daughter, Harriet, and their household. So she’s shocked when she receives divorce papers from Arthur Parrish — a man she’s never met — and he demands custody of “his” daughter. As Sally tries to fight back, she is overwhelmed by the evidence against her, including a forged marriage certificate. Her troubles turn out to have roots in the distant past, and they’re also connected to a larger plot against the Jews in London. Like the other books in this series, this one is a page-turner, but I found Sally’s plight almost too stressful to read about! The depictions of the seamier side of London life are vivid and fascinating. I missed some of my old favorite characters, particularly Jim Taylor, but I liked the new cast as well. That said, I don’t think this series will be a keeper for me, but I’m certainly looking forward to reading the final book next month!

Catherine Lloyd, Death Comes to London

This second book in the Kurland St. Mary series finds Lucy Harrington traveling to London with her sister for the Season in hopes of finding a potential husband. Meanwhile, Major Robert Kurland is also in London at the Prince Regent’s command; he’s to be made a baronet for his heroism at Waterloo. There he reconnects with an old army acquaintance, Lieutenant Broughton. When Broughton’s grandmother suddenly dies in the middle of a ball at Almack’s, both Lucy and Robert suspect foul play, so they once again team up to solve the mystery. Like the first book, this is a pleasant historical mystery with likable main characters and a world I enjoy spending time in. The mystery itself is a bit thin — I guessed the culprit fairly early — but it’s well presented and the solution makes sense. As a romance reader, I also enjoyed the development of Lucy and Robert’s relationship and am eager to see what happens next! I’ll definitely be seeking out book #3 soon.

Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Before the Coffee Gets Cold (trans. Geoffrey Trousselot)

Somewhere in Tokyo there is an old basement cafe with an unusual quality: If you sit in a particular seat, you’re able to travel back in time. But nothing you do in the past can change the present, and you must return before your cup of coffee gets cold. Because of these rules, the cafe isn’t overrun with would-be time travelers, but occasionally someone arrives who wants to sit in that seat. And despite not being able to change the present, those who visit the past usually come back with a new perspective and a lighter heart. This is a quiet, contemplative read that’s short on plot but full of relatable, poignant moments that emphasize our common humanity. Some of the time travelers’ stories are heartbreaking, but the book is ultimately hopeful. It’s not my usual type of read, but I’m definitely glad I tried it!

Mini-Reviews: Midnight, Counterfeit, Blonde

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Lauren Willig, The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla

It’s 1806, and the successful publication of Miss Gwen’s gothic novel has sparked a vampire craze in London society. Rumor has it that Lucien, the reclusive duke of Belliston, is one such creature of the night. Sally Fitzhugh thinks that’s nonsense and seeks out an acquaintance with the duke to prove it. Meanwhile, Lucien is determined to discover the truth behind his parents’ tragic deaths several years ago. When a young woman is found dead with red “fang marks” on her neck, it seems clear that someone wants to frame Lucien for murder, so he and Sally team up to investigate. I find myself with nothing much to say about this book. It’s a cute, fun read, like the other Pink Carnation books, but nothing about it stands out to me. The villain is pretty easy to spot, and Sally and Lucien, while likable, feel a bit generic. I did enjoy seeing Turnip and Arabella again, though!

Darcie Wilde, A Counterfeit Suitor

In this fifth book in the series, Rosalind Thorne continues her work as a a “useful woman” helping society matrons. A rich widow with social aspirations has asked Rosalind to investigate her daughter’s suitor, fearing the man may be a fortune hunter. But Rosalind is distracted by the news that her forger father has fallen into the clutches of Russell Fullerton, a blackmailer with a grudge against Rosalind. Family drama and murder ensue, with a side helping of possible Bonapartist intrigues. I’m conflicted about this series; I like the main characters, particularly Rosalind and Adam Harkness (her Bow Street Runner beau), but the mystery plots are always too long and overly convoluted. There’s currently one more book in the series, and I’ll read it in December, but I doubt I’ll continue with the series after that.

Ally Carter, The Blonde Identity

A woman wakes up on the snowy streets of Paris with no memories. Then a bunch of people start shooting at her, but fortunately one man comes to her rescue. He calls her Alex and thinks she’s a spy — which is how she learns that she has an identical twin who’s managed to piss off a bunch of intelligence agencies, not to mention some very dangerous criminals. Now the woman and her rescuer must team up to outrun the bad guys and find Alex, all while navigating their strong mutual attraction. I read this book with the most enormous grin on my face! I love the blend of spy adventure plus romantic comedy, and the novel gleefully embraces all the tropes of those genres: only one bed, amnesia, kissing “to maintain our cover,” etc. It’s funny, breezy, and just a delightful romp. I think the first half is better than the second, which becomes a little too bogged down in relationship angst. But if you’re in a reading slump or just looking for something fun, I highly recommend this one!

Mini-Reviews: Fight, Familiar, Village

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Maureen Lee Lenker, It Happened One Fight

Joan Davis has worked hard to become a famous and beloved movie star, and her goal is nearly in sight. Her only problem is her costar, Dash Howard. Audiences love “Davis and Dash” films, but she can’t stand him, and he’s constantly pranking her on set. When one of his pranks goes spectacularly awry, leaving Dash and Joan legally married, the answer is simple: move production of their current film to Reno, where they can divorce after residing there for six weeks. But as Joan and Dash get to know each other better, they reconsider their plan to separate. This book is obviously inspired by the screwball comedies of the 1930s, and I enjoyed the setting and the movie allusions very much. However, the romance itself fell a bit flat. Mostly, I thought the book dragged on too long — there were several points when Joan and Dash overcame a big conflict and the book could have ended, but instead they had to confront yet another obstacle. I just got a bit tired of it. I’d love to read more historical romance set in this time period, but this one wasn’t as enthralling as I hoped it would be.

Lish McBride, A Little Too Familiar

This cozy paranormal romance centers around Declan, a werewolf, and Lou, an animal mage who specializes in bonding humans to animal familiars. When Declan moves in with Lou and her housemates, the two are immediately attracted to each other, but Declan has a traumatic past that’s left him distrustful of animal mages. When that past comes back to haunt him, he and Lou (and their other housemates and friends) must team up to stop Declan’s enemies. I don’t read a lot of paranormal romance, but I liked this book a lot. All the main characters are kind, well-intentioned people, and the “found family” vibe is strong. The romance worked for me (though it’s definitely racier than I’d prefer), and the suspense plot provided some stakes for the novel, but it’s pretty low-conflict overall. Some of my favorite scenes were when Declan, Lou, and their friends were just hanging out and bantering. There’s at least one sequel to this book, and I definitely plan on picking it up at some point!

Catherine Lloyd, Death Comes to the Village

After being seriously injured at Waterloo, Major Robert Kurland is back at his estate near the village of Kurland St. Mary to recover. One night, looking out his bedroom window, he sees an unidentified figure carrying a heavy load. Meanwhile, Lucy Harrington, the vicar’s oldest daughter, is disturbed when one of the young female servants disappears without even collecting the wages she’s owed. When Lucy visits Robert (an errand of mercy on her father’s behalf), they compare notes and team up to discover what’s going on, soon uncovering evidence of theft and murder. I really enjoyed this cozy historical mystery! While Lucy seems to have a bit more freedom than is period-appropriate (conversing with the major in his bedroom, gasp!), she’s not just a progressive 21st-century heroine in period garb. The mystery is solid, though not brilliant, and I appreciated that the plot wasn’t overly convoluted. I’m definitely interested in continuing with the series; it looks like there are seven more books, and luckily my library seems to have them all!

Mini-Reviews: Widow, Conspiracy, Rake

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John Dickson Carr, The Red Widow Murders

“Do you believe that a room can kill?” The people gathered at Lord Mantling’s London home are about to answer that question. One particular room in the house, dubbed the Widow’s Room, has been the site of four previous violent deaths. All the victims were alone in the room and apparently poisoned, though no one could discover how the poison was administered. Now Lord Mantling and his guests draw lots to see who will spend two hours locked inside the Widow’s Room — and when the unlucky loser dies like his predecessors, detective Sir Henry Merrivale must figure out how, and by whose hand, the death occurred. I have mixed feelings about this book. The solution to the locked-room puzzle is ingenious, but the book really plods. Also, none of the characters feel or behave like real human beings, and the murderer’s plan is incredibly farfetched. This is my second encounter with Carr’s work, and so far I’m not really clicking with him, but I hope that future reads will work better for me.

Michelle Diener, The Emperor’s Conspiracy

Charlotte Raven started life on the streets, but she was rescued from poverty by a warmhearted noblewoman. Now she lives among the upper classes, but she still maintains ties to her roots. When she warns a society friend about a vicious gentleman she encountered in her old life, she’s plunged into danger, along with the friend’s brother, Lord Edward Durnham. Charlotte and Edward team up to figure out who’s trying to do them harm, falling in love in the process. But Charlotte’s oldest friend, who is now a London crime boss, isn’t ready to let her go. So many things annoyed me about this book, from the utter implausibility of Charlotte’s situation to the anachronistic prose to the insta-love between Charlotte and Edward. What kept me reading was the fast-paced plot, and I’ll admit I was mildly entertained. But I definitely wouldn’t recommend this one and won’t be keeping my copy.

Mary Balogh, The Notorious Rake

Mary, Lady Mornington, has been terrified of thunderstorms ever since a traumatic event in her past. So when she’s caught in one with only Lord Edmond Waite for company, she clings to him in terror, even though she despises him because of his terrible reputation. Desperate to block out the storm, she sleeps with him — but when the intrigued Edmond wants to pursue a relationship with her, she wants nothing more to do with him. As he persistently seeks her out, however, she slowly discovers there’s more to him than meets the eye. This book definitely has its flaws: The thunderstorm thing is a bit ridiculous (although Balogh does a pretty good job of selling it), and Edmond is a problematic hero in that he keeps bothering Mary even after she repeatedly tells him to back off. And yet, I can forgive a lot in a romance novel if I find the central relationship believable, and I definitely bought the connection between Edmond and Mary. Plus, Edmond grows a lot throughout the book and reveals surprising depths, which for me redeems him as a hero. Balogh’s books can be hit or miss, but this one is a winner!

Mini-Reviews: Christmas, Compromised, Morgan

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Kerry Winfrey, Faking Christmas

Six months ago, Laurel interviewed for a social media job, and to demonstrate her skills, she showed some Instagram posts she’d done for her sister Holly’s farm. But her boss mistakenly assumed the farm belonged to Laurel, and because she desperately needed the job, she didn’t correct him. Now he’s invited himself to “Laurel’s” farm for Christmas, and she has to scramble to sustain the lie. The most awkward part is that she needs a fake husband, and the only option is her brother-in-law’s best friend, Max, whom she’s always hated. But as she spends more time with Max, she’s forced to reevaluate her opinion. This book is a frothy holiday read that will likely appeal to fans of Hallmark Christmas movies. But even as a fan of those movies, I found the book a bit too lightweight. The “comedic” hijinks of Laurel’s struggles to maintain her fictional persona get too much page time, at the expense of the romance and any deeper character development. It’s a cute story with plenty of Christmas spirit, but ultimately I wish it had been a little more substantial.

Darcie Wilde, A Lady Compromised

This fourth book in the Rosalind Thorne mystery series sees Rosalind traveling to Devon Winterbourne’s ducal estate. Ostensibly she’s there to help his cousin, Louisa, with her upcoming wedding; actually, she and Devon hope to decide whether they want to rekindle their romance. But Rosalind is soon distracted by another mystery: Louisa’s friend Helen has unanswered questions about her (Helen’s) brother’s recent death, and finding those answers could imperil Rosalind’s life as well as her relationship with Devon. I liked this series installment, which moves the setting from London to the country and also expands the narrative by increasing the number of point-of-view characters. I was also happy to see some progress in Rosalind’s romantic life. But as with the other books in the series, the plot is a bit slow and the mystery is unsolvable until almost the last moment. I’m still planning to continue with the series, but I’d call myself mildly interested rather than enthusiastic.

Amy Barry, Marrying Off Morgan McBride

As the oldest McBride sibling, Morgan has been like a parent to his younger siblings since Ma died. While he loves them dearly, he’s also tired of the responsibility. Now that his brother Kit is married and settled, he finally feels free to leave, but his little sister, Junebug, refuses to let him go. In desperation, she once again advertises for a mail-order bride. Epiphany “Pip” Hopgood has been rejected many times for her “plain” looks and views Morgan as her last chance. They’re immediately attracted to each other, but Morgan is adamant that he doesn’t want a wife. Can Pip change his mind? I really enjoyed the first book in the series, and this installment is very similar in tone. Junebug is a hilarious character, and I especially enjoyed the scenes with all the McBrides and their friends together. The romance itself was a little disappointing; though both Morgan and Pip are interesting, complex characters, they don’t really get to know each other very well. This book is also significantly steamier than the last one, which I found disappointing. Overall, though, I’m definitely still planning to read the next book when it comes out!

Mini-Reviews: Daughter, Marry, Devil

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Juliet Marillier, Daughter of the Forest

Sorcha has lived an idyllic life with her father and six older brothers at Sevenwaters, a small Irish estate in the heart of a magical forest. But things change when her father marries Lady Oonagh, whose malicious sorcery soon tears Sorcha’s family apart. When Oonagh ensnares her brothers in a dreadful curse, Sorcha must perform an impossible task to save them — and she must remain silent till the task is complete. As she struggles with her task, she suffers many trials, including abduction by Britons and life among a hostile people. This was a reread for me, yet the book still completely sucked me in. The pace is incredibly slow, but I think the languorous plot adds to the dreamy, immersive nature of the world Marillier creates. It also lets readers get to know Sorcha well enough to find her extraordinary endurance believable. I love the book’s romance and its hopeful, yet not entirely happy, ending. I’ve enjoyed a few other books by Marillier, and I’m now inspired to dig deeper into her backlist!

Anne Gracie, Marry in Haste

Major Calbourne Rutherford has just returned to England after the Napoleonic wars, only to find that his brother has died and he’s inherited an earldom. Cal intends to discharge his necessary duties quickly and then leave the country, but his plans change when he learns that his teenage half-sisters are getting into mischief. Unable to curb their behavior himself, he seeks out their former teacher, Emmaline Westwood, for help. She refuses his offer of employment, so in desperation he offers her a marriage of convenience instead. This Regency romance isn’t reinventing the wheel; it’s just a solid, fun, formulaic example of the genre, and that’s not a bad thing! Part of the joy of reading romance — and genre fiction in general — is that you know what you’re getting, and there’s comfort in that familiarity. I’m also a fan of the marriage-of-convenience trope, so I am definitely interested in continuing with the series. Recommended for historical romance fans!

Richard Osman, The Last Devil to Die

The Thursday Murder Club is back in business when Kuldesh Sharma, an antiques dealer who helped them on their previous case, is shot in what appears to be a drug deal gone wrong. Kuldesh was temporarily in possession of a box of heroin worth £100,000, but now it’s gone missing. Who has the heroin, and did that person also murder Kuldesh? As always, the characters and humor make this series a delight; at one point, Joyce describes the bracelet her daughter’s boyfriend gave her as “a nice thought.” One of my favorite aspects of the series is that every character is portrayed as a real, complex human being — even the drug dealers and other bad guys. This book is a bit heavier than usual because it deals more with Elizabeth’s husband Stephen’s struggles with dementia. But it’s still a very good read, and I’m eagerly awaiting the net book — though the author has announced he’s taking a break and writing about new characters right now, alas!

Mini-Reviews: Good, End, Nobody

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Kristan Higgins, Too Good to Be True

Grace Emerson is in a tough spot: Her ex-fiancé is now dating her perfect younger sister, and everyone in her close-knit but meddlesome family is pitying her. To get them off her back, Grace invents a fake boyfriend, a kind and handsome pediatric surgeon. She also attempts to find love in the real world, but the dating pool in her area is slim until handsome Callahan O’Shea moves in next door. Grace is attracted to Callahan, but he’s nothing like the ideal man she’s imagined. Will she continue to pursue the fantasy or take a chance on a real relationship? I like Kristan Higgins’s romances, but I’m learning that most of them are not keepers for me, and this one is no different. Grace’s judgmental attitude toward Callahan annoyed me, and I couldn’t see why he was interested in her. I felt Grace’s family dynamics were more interesting than the romance, but the “humor” in the family interactions was a bit forced. Overall, I’m glad I reread this one, as now I can remove it from my shelves.

Agatha Christie, Death Comes as the End

In this novel, Agatha Christie puts a unique spin on her usual formula by setting the story in ancient Egypt. Young and beautiful Renisenb has recently been widowed and has returned to her father’s house. There she finds comfort in familiarity among her brothers and their wives and children. But when her father brings home a concubine, Nofret, things change: The family becomes discontented and quarrelsome, and Nofret delights in making them all miserable. When Nofret falls from a cliff and dies, most of the family is happy to accept it as a “tragic” accident, but Renisenb suspects murder — and then more people start to die. I’ve reread this particular Christie novel a few times and always enjoy it. I remembered the killer’s identity, so it was fun to spot the clues throughout the narrative. I also liked the introspective Renisenb and was happy with how her story turned out. If you haven’t tried this Christie book yet, I’d definitely recommend it!

Diane Farr, The Nobody

Unconventional Caitlin Campbell is in the midst of her first London Season and feels stifled by some of the rules of propriety. In defiance of social norms, she decides to walk home alone from a ball, where she immediately gets into trouble: A man, fleeing from a gang of ruffians, grabs her and kisses her in order to evade pursuit. Caitlin knows she should be outraged, but the man’s friendly, playful manners disarm her despite herself. She is shocked to encounter the stranger again — he is in fact a viscount, as well as her new friend’s brother. The attraction between them seems to be mutual, but the gentleman is unfortunately already engaged. I’ve been hunting down used copies of Diane Farr’s novels, and this one, her debut, is quite charming. It’s light and frothy, despite the existence of a murder plot, and there are a couple cute secondary romances as well. The character development isn’t particularly deep, and I would have liked more interaction between Caitlin and her hero. Nevertheless, I definitely enjoyed the book and would recommend the author to fans of light historical romance.

Mini-Reviews: Guide, Wicked, Kit

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Maureen Johnson and Jay Cooper, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village

This charming, humorous little book presents itself as a guidebook for travelers in the English countryside who may unexpectedly find themselves in an English Murder Village. As everyone knows, such villages are fraught with peril, from the sinister antique shop to the overly violent cricket match to the local inn full of mysterious strangers. The book enumerates various people and places to avoid, both in the village itself and at the neighboring manor, such as the pond (“full of the skeletons of Victorian children and, if you are unwise, you”) and the kitchen (“no”). I got a few giggles out of this book, and the Gorey-esque illustrations really enhance the material. It does go on a bit too long for what is essentially a single joke, but I think fans of Agatha Christie novels and British mystery series like Midsomer Murders will enjoy it.

Elizabeth Bright, The Duke’s Wicked Wife

After years of rakish living, Sebastian Sinclair, the duke of Wessex, decides it’s time to marry and produce an heir. He plans to invite some marriagable ladies to a house party, and he asks his longtime friend, Eliza Benton, for help with the guest list. However, as the party commences, it’s Eliza herself whom Sebastian can’t stop thinking about. I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy romance heroes whose conflict is basically, “I’m having a feeling and I don’t like it!” I also like characters whose frivolous facades conceal hidden depths. That’s definitely Sebastian here, and he is by far the best part of the book, though Eliza is also a strong heroine and a great match for him. The book is billed as a stand-alone, but I’m not sure it totally works…characters from previous books in the series have prominent roles, and without having read their books, it was hard for me to keep everyone straight. I did enjoy the central romance here, but I don’t find myself particularly tempted to try more by the author.

Amy Barry, Kit McBride Gets a Wife

Junebug McBride is tired of doing all the chores for her four older brothers in the tiny town of Buck’s Creek, Montana, so she decides to advertise for a wife for her brother Kit. The woman must “expect neither doting nor compliments” and must be an excellent cook. A widow from St. Louis answers the ad, dragging along her disillusioned Irish servant, Maddy. Complications ensue when Kit has a meet-cute with Maddy and mistakenly thinks she’s his prospective bride. I’m not terribly interested in Westerns or cowboy romances, but I found this book unexpectedly charming! Some of the chapters are from Junebug’s point of view, and I really enjoyed her hilarious perspective on events. The romance between Kit and Maddy is sweet, though not terribly unique, and there aren’t many scenes with just the two of them. So if you like your romance to focus heavily on the central couple, this book might not be for you; but if you like a large cast of quirky characters and a unique setting, I’d recommend this one! I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Mini-Reviews: Agreeable, Dangerous, Ruby

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Julia Seales, A Most Agreeable Murder

In the English village of Swampshire, everyone is governed by the strict rules of etiquette handed down by its founder. Women are expected to pursue only ladylike occupations such as embroidery, but Beatrice Steele has a secret fascination with crime-solving. She knows she must hide her interest, lest she be stigmatized as a “morbid creep” and rendered unmarriageable. But when an eligible bachelor is murdered at a local ball, Beatrice can’t help enthusiastically pursuing an investigation, with the help of a surly yet handsome detective. This is a fun historical mystery set in a heightened reality: Swampshire is beset by comically terrible weather and infested with “squelch holes,” and Beatrice’s youngest sister might be a werewolf. It’s all very silly, but I enjoyed the book’s colorful characters and its skewering of various historical romance tropes. If there’s ever a sequel, I will definitely seek it out!

Darcie Wilde, And Dangerous to Know

The stakes are higher than ever in Rosalind Thorne’s latest case: Lady Melbourne, a leader of London society, has hired her to recover some stolen letters. Lady Melbourne’s daughter-in-law is Lady Caroline Lamb, whose shocking love affair with Lord Byron has led many to believe she’s insane, so it’s especially important that the letters’ potentially scandalous contents are never publicized. Complicating matters is the fact that a woman was murdered at the gates of Melbourne House, and Rosalind suspects that the two incidents are connected. I liked this book a bit more than the previous one in the series; the mystery hangs together pretty well, although it’s almost peripheral to the intrigues swirling around the Melbourne clan. I’m also glad that things seem to be moving forward in Rosalind’s personal life (and in those of her friends as well). While I’m pretty confident that this series won’t be an all-time favorite, I’m looking forward to the next book!

Philip Pullman, The Ruby in the Smoke

Sixteen-year-old Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father’s tragic death overseas. When she receives an anonymous note telling her to “beware the seven blessings,” it’s the first of many strange mysteries Sally must unravel. For instance: Who burgled her room, and what was he or she looking for? How did her father really meet his end? Where is the priceless Indian ruby that apparently belongs to Sally? And why does the evil Mrs. Holland want Sally dead? This is a compelling YA adventure novel that apes the drama and sensationalism of Victorian penny dreadfuls. Some of the plot machinations feel a bit over the top, and there’s some unpleasant stereotyping of Chinese characters. But the depiction of the seamier side of Victorian London is fascinating, and Sally and her friends are intelligent, courageous, interesting characters. I’m excited to read more of their adventures in subsequent books!

Mini-Reviews: Red, Rom-Com, Garden

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Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp

Professor William Porter has recently inherited a seaside house from his Uncle Horace. He decides to stay there during his summer vacation, along with his wife Jane, niece Edith, and Edith’s beau Warren Halliday. When they arrive, they immediately learn that the house is reputed to be haunted, and they soon witness strange occurrences themselves, such as a red light shining from the supposedly empty house. Then sheep start dying with their throats cut, and a police deputy goes missing. Are evil spirits responsible for these tragedies, or is human malice at work? This is my first book by Rinehart, and I wasn’t terribly impressed. The novel tries hard to create an atmosphere of eerie suspense, but I never fully felt that; instead, William’s constant musings on possible supernatural explanations just irritated me. In terms of moving the mystery plot forward, not much happens till almost the end of the book. I felt like there weren’t enough clues for readers to grab hold of, and I’m not quite sure the solution all hangs together. Still, Rinehart’s writing is good, and I’m interested to try more of her work; maybe this one is an uncharacteristic dud.

Jayne Denker, The Rom-Com Agenda

Eli has just been dumped by his girlfriend, Victoria, but he’s convinced she’s the one. While she’s on sabbatical in Europe, he and his friends devise a plan to win her back: He’ll give himself a makeover, basing his new look and personality on the heroes of classic romantic comedies. When he meets Leah, a lonely young woman who quickly gets absorbed into his friend group, they immediately hit it off and begin watching the rom-coms together. But as Eli and Leah grow closer, he must decide where his heart truly lies. This contemporary romance is predictable but sweet, and I enjoyed the allusions to some of my favorite movies, like Better Off Dead and The Princess Bride. I liked Leah’s quiet strength and Eli’s exuberant, genuine nature. The book also has a low steam factor with no explicit sex scenes, which is a plus for me. Overall, though, this is a fun read but not a standout, and I don’t feel particularly compelled to seek out more by the author.

Lauren Willig, The Garden Intrigue

Augustus Whittlesby is widely regarded as the worst poet in Paris, but he’s also secretly a British agent working with — and infatuated by — the Pink Carnation, a.k.a. Miss Jane Wooliston. Jane’s friend, Emma Delagardie, constantly ridicules Augustus’s terrible poetry but is also maybe a tiny bit attracted to him. When Augustus and Emma are thrown together to write a masque for Bonaparte and his court, they develop a deeper relationship. But Augustus is conflicted, both because of his feelings for Jane and because he’s using Emma to learn more about Bonaparte’s plans for invading England. Augustus has been a frequently recurring character throughout this series, so I’m glad he finally got his own story. I liked that both he and Emma ultimately have the same conflict: they have to choose between guarding their (relatively) safe, self-protective lives and taking a chance on real love. This book isn’t quite as light and fun as earlier installments of the series, and it isn’t one of my favorites, but it’s still an enjoyable read.