DEATH AT BERESFORD HALL

MY THOUGHTS:

Francesca Eve is so happy the Christmas season has arrived.  She has been selected as a participant in a baking competition.  Shortly after her arrival, trouble is brewing.  Miranda Appleby, the famous presenter turned chef is receiving some peculiar and unusual threats. And when a contest unexpectedly quits the competition, Miranda jumps in to fill the empty spot.  Fran has problems of her own when her mince pies burn and not to mention her runny cranberry sauce.  Fran finds Miranda in the kitchen with a cake slice through her heart.  Who would do such a horrible thing and, at what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.  Who could the murderer possibly be?  Is it the contestants, the crew or the producers themselves? The police arrive and take over the investigation and everyone is a suspect, and no one is allowed to leave.  But Fran begins her own investigation of the suspects, knowing that she has to find the culprit before it’s too late.

This was such a fabulous addition to the Adam and Eve Mystery Series.  The setting of this story was brilliant.  I love the idea of a Christmas cooking competition and haveing to solve a murder.  I loved the twists and turns of the story and I was so captivated by the characters.  They were so quirky and I could not figure out who-dun-it.  I liked all the characters and I didn’t want any of them to be the culprit.  This rapid and festive read was so entertaining and a rapid page-turner that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I was completely surprised at the ending as it was totally unexpected.  What a wonderful escape this book was. This installment to the series can be enjoyed as part of the series or as a stand-alone novel.  I highly recommend this must read for every cozy mystery fan. It is a lovely series.

Thank you Emma Davies for a wonderful addition to the series.  This cozy mystery was an absolute delight.  I loved it and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 

DEATH AT BERESFORD HALL
Author:  Emma Davies
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: December 7, 2022 
Pages: 333
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Francesca Eve, chef, caterer, and baker extraordinaire, has never desired the limelight. But when she’s accepted onto the country’s favourite cooking competition, she can’t help but wonder – what would it be like to win? The one thing she’d never imagined, though, was sharing the kitchen with a killer… 

When Francesca Eve arrives for the Christmas special of the country’s most popular baking competition, she knows she’s out of her depth. For not only is she there undercover, reluctantly investigating strange threats to Miranda Appleby, the famous presenter-come-chef, but she swiftly gets roped into competing herself when another contestant can’t cut the mustard and quits.

Cooking may be bread and butter to Fran, but under the bright lights her cranberry sauce won’t set and her mince pies burn. When the real reason she’s there ends in total failure and Miranda is found with a cake slice through the heart - ‘lights, camera, cook’ becomes ‘lights, camera, murder…’

Miranda may have looked like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, but looks can be deceiving… From her harassed PA to the rakish producer and even the disappointed contestants, everyone on set seemingly had reason enough to want to bump her off. But who would be nuts enough to cook Miranda’s goose in such an obvious way?

As the police arrive to take over the investigation, Fran can’t help but continue her own lines of enquiry. She’s come to know the crew and contestants and can’t believe that any one of them would be guilty. But Fran must harden her heart to her new friends and focus her mind.

Someone may have thought Miranda was justifiably given her just desserts, but what Fran uncovers takes things to a whole new tier. Can Fran uncover the truth before another death occurs, and before the spirit of Christmas (cake) is ruined forever?

ABOUT EMMA DAVIES

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: 'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well the job in the design studio didn't work out but she's now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time, and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It's a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.

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MURDER IN AN IRISH CASTLE

MY THOUGHTS:

Christmas time is finally here and Lady Eleanor Swift has received an invite to the village Christmas party.  Lady Eleanor happily accepts the invitation and is thrilled to trace her family history at her late uncle’s estate. Not to mention how excited she is to be celebrating Christmas in a castle in Ireland.  Lady Eleanor with Gladstone, her amazing bulldog, and Clifford, her butler, arrive late at night.  Imagine their surprise when they find a body laying in the snow just outside the estate.  When the constable arrives and sees Lady Eleanor and Clifford standing over the body, they are at the top of the list of suspects.  Lady Eleanor discovers the victim had an old key hidden in the heel of his boot, she immediately must find what it will unlock.  The villagers have their own speculations of who the murderer is.  And when there is a fire in the castle on Christmas Eve, Lady Eleanor wonders if she will make it out alive.  Her first Irish Christmas is turning out to be the opposite of what she expected.

This was such a fabulous addition to the Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery Series.  I loved the twists and turns of the story and I was literally on the edge of my seat trying to figure out who-dun-it.  This rapid, festive read was a wonderful escape to west Ireland.  The detailed description of the Castle and the quaint village made me feel like I was there in the midst.  Once again I loved Gladstone, the bulldog being right there front and center to all the happenings going on.  This installment to the series can be enjoyed as part of the series or as a stand-alone novel.  I highly recommend this must read for every cozy mystery fan. It is a lovely series.

Thank you Verity Bright for a wonderful addition to the series.  This cozy mystery set in Ireland is exactly the holiday escape I needed.  I loved it and I highly recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

MURDER IN AN IRISH CASTLE

Author:  Verity Bright 
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: November 28, 2022 
Pages: 342 
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Irish whiskey, rolling green hills, a traditional Christmas feast and… a murder? Lady Swift will need the luck of the Irish to survive this holiday season!

Christmas, 1923. Lady Eleanor Swift has received a rather unexpected invitation to the village Christmas party in the tiny, rural hamlet of Derrydee in the west of Ireland. Eleanor is thrilled about exploring her ancestral roots at her late uncle’s estate and spending the festive season in a castle. Packing Gladstone the bulldog’s coziest Christmas jumper, they set off to the Emerald Isle with her butler Clifford in tow.

Arriving late at night, Eleanor and Clifford are shocked when they find a body sprawled in the snow on the winding country lane outside the estate. The local constable is immediately suspicious and all but accuses the pair of murder. This isn’t the warm Irish welcome Eleanor imagined!

Clifford is certain he recognises the poor fellow from the funeral of Eleanor’s uncle – but what was their connection? Undeterred by the villagers’ lack of gossip on the matter, Eleanor is determined to get justice for the victim. The man’s pockets are suspiciously empty of personal effects, but closer inspection reveals an old key hidden in the heel of his boot. Could this unlock more than one mystery for Eleanor?

But when a fire breaks out at the castle on Christmas Eve, an even bigger question looms: is someone out to ensure the family line dies with Lady Swift? And will Eleanor’s first Irish Christmas be her last?

ABOUT VERITY BRIGHT

Verity Bright is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing partnership that has spanned a quarter of a century. Starting out writing high-end travel articles and books, they published everything from self-improvement to humour, before embarking on their first historical mystery. They are the authors of the fabulous Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery series, set in the 1920s.

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WE FLY BENEATH THE STARS

MY THOUGHTS:

Europe, 1942:  The war rages on throughout Europe and there isn’t a country that is unaffected by this horrible time.  Tasha is in love with Luca and when he joins the Air Force to fight the Nazi’s from the sky above, Tasha knows she must do the same.  Nadia, Tasha’s older sister, can't let her go.  Nadia too finds herself in a war plane flying high in the sky.  Nadia is shocked to discover that she loves being a pilot. When both sisters are shot down behind enemy lines, they are taken to a horrible prison camp. Never expecting to see their homeland again, they question whether or not they will survive.  

This is an absolutely phenomenal story of family, love and friendship in unprecedented time.  I was completely captivated by the storyline of Russian women military pilots doing everything they can to protect their homeland. I found the courage of the women pilots concurring the unimaginable was admirable. I was especially interested in this book because although it was fiction, it was based on actual events, and that made it real. This unputdownable and emotionally heart-breaking story was amazing on so many levels. The twists and turns in this story sent my emotions on a roller coaster, and I ran through a box of Kleenex like it was nothing.  I highly recommend this book, but make sure you have some tissues because you will surely need them.

Thank you Suzanne Kelman for a phenomenal story.  I learned so much history from this book and i am amazed at the research you poured into this book.  I loved it and I highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

WE FLY BENEATH THE STARS
Author:  Suzanne Kelman
Publisher: Bookouture 
Publication Date: November 30, 2022 
Pages: 416 
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1942, Europe: Based on the true story of a female-only bomber battalion, this is a totally heartbreaking and unforgettable story about sacrifice, sisterhood and a love that transcends war.

When the love of Tasha’s life, Luca, joins the air force to fight against the evil Nazi invaders, she knows she has to follow her heart—and him—into battle. Headstrong, impulsive and a daredevil, she’s the perfect recruit.

Tasha’s sensible older sister Nadia plans only to stop Tasha’s madness and bring her home. But a chance encounter puts her in a plane, soaring above the clouds, and she also finds her calling.

Underestimated by their superiors, Nadia and her sister find themselves in airplanes barely fit to fly, being sent on perilous missions with little hope of return. But before long their battalion is being nicknamed ‘the Night Witches’ by the Nazis, their ownership of the skies second to none.

But danger is up in the storm clouds with them, and when both sisters are shot down behind Nazi enemy lines, and taken to a brutal prison camp, they expect to never see their beloved homeland again.

Until Tasha’s eyes meet across the wire fence with someone she never expected to see again: the love of her life, Luca.

But with love comes peril… Will one sister have to sacrifice everything to save the other?

ABOUT SUZANNE KELMAN

Suzanne Kelman is an Amazon international bestselling author in America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia and her books have sold over 250,000 copies worldwide and have been translated into six languages. Her WW2 historical fiction books “A View Across the Rooftops”, “When We Were Brave, and Under a Sky on Fire” are published by Bookouture – an imprint for Hachette U.K.

She is also the author of the bestselling book, “The Rejected Writers’ Book Club”, published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, “Rejected Writers Take the Stage” and “The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding”.

Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.

In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.

As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, “Over My Dead Body”, had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.

Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.

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PARIS AT FIRST LIGHT

MY THOUGHTS:

Paris, 1944: Juliette is a secret agent and is assigned the most dangerous mission she has ever had.  Her children have been kidnapped and she will do anything and everything to get them back…no matter what it is.  She is forced to work with an American agent, Captain Daniel Diaz.  They are assigned to uncover a deadly Nazi plot.  Although Daniel and Juliette started off on the wrong foot, the more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other change.  When Juliette receives a ransom note, she must make a life changing decision, betray her country or save her children.

This amazing book is a phenomenal addition to the WW2 Resistance Series.  This is an incredible story of a mother’s unconditional love for her children, and a love for her country at a time when the world was falling apart.  I loved every minute I spent in the pages of this captivating book.  I couldn’t put down this heart-pounding read.  What an amazing escape to France and I literally went back in time.  This was a very thought provoking book, as I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do in the same situation.  It made me contemplate life well after I flipped the last page.  I was so engaged in the storyline, and invested in the characters, that I didn’t want the book to end.  This is book two of an incredible series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel, however, I suggest you read book one as well because it is every bit as good as this one.  I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Amanda Lees for a wonderful continuation to the World War 2 Resistance Series.  I loved it and highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

PARIS AT FIRST LIGHT
Author:  Amanda Lees 
Publisher:  Bookouture 
Publication Date: November 23, 2022 
Pages: 353 
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Paris, 1944: secret agent Juliette is on her most dangerous mission of the war so far. But then her children are kidnapped, and to get them back she may have to commit the ultimate betrayal – that of France itself… 

Four years ago, when France fell to the Nazis, Juliette made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind her two precious children to join the Resistance and defend her country. Now a spy in Paris, she must work with Captain Daniel Diaz – an American agent she’s taken an instant dislike to – on a dangerous mission to uncover a deadly Nazi plot.

As the pair play their parts, Juliette begins to see another side to Daniel, and their feelings for each other start to grow. But just as love blossoms, Juliette receives a ransom note that changes everything. Someone in Paris knows who she is. And they’ve kidnapped her little son and daughter. The message is clear: betray your country, or you’ll never see your children alive again.

Juliette has sworn a sacred oath to save France at all costs, but she could never sacrifice her children. So, against all the odds, she decides to attempt the impossible: rescue her children and continue her dangerous work fighting the Nazi threat.

But as the mission forces Juliette and Daniel to the very brink, will they succeed on all fronts? And if not, will France pay the ultimate price, or will Juliette?

ABOUT AMANDA LEES

She is the author of the bestselling satirical novels Selling Out and Secret Admirer (published by Pan) which have both received critical acclaim and have been translated into several languages. Her major YA thriller trilogy, Kumari, Goddess of Gotham, was written as a tribute to her mum, who died a couple of months before Amanda got the idea for a series which would reflect her own exotic childhood. Kumari was nominated for the Guardian Children’s Book Prize and the Doncaster Book Award. It featured as Redhouse Book Of The Month and Lovereading4kids Book Of The Month.

A broadcaster as well as an actress and novelist, Amanda appears regularly on BBC radio and LBC and was a contracted writer to the hit series Weekending on Radio 4. She researched and edited the leading directory for banks, The Banker’s Almanac, for Euromoney publications while also covering stories of shady dealings in the City for them. She has written for, or contributed to, The Evening Standard, The Times, New Woman, US Cosmopolitan, Bulgaria's Vagabond and Company Magazine as well as numerous online publications and has two non-fiction books published under a pen name. Amanda has conducted a love coaching phone-in from the sofa of Richard & Judy and wooed the viewers on Channel 5 Live. She won an award at the Hungarian Gyor Film Festival for a short film she produced, a psychological thriller called Pros and Cons. Her book, From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer: The Dictionary of Crime, was published by Robinson/Little Brown in July 2020 to excellent reviews. It was published in the US by Ulysses Press in May 2021. She has just completed the first in a romantic thriller series set at the end of WW2. 

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ALL THE COURAGE WE HAVE FOUND

MY THOUGHTS:

France, 1942: Kasia is leaving Poland to work as a radio operator in France during World War II.  She is working for the Resistance and is taking her life into her hands crossing the border.  But right before Kasia is to leave Poland she meets a little girl, Elodie who doesn’t speak.  Kasia can’t just leave her to fend for herself, so she decides to take Elodie with her to France to take care of her.  Once they arrive in France, she meets a man named Hugo that owns a farmhouse.  He knows the danger, but allows Kasia and Elodie to stay there.  Kasia sneaks around in the dead of night sending radio transmissions.  She knows that her mission is one, that if she is discovered, would surely get her killed.  Kasia’s mission will save countless lives of the soldiers, but she must consider the lives of those that she loves the most.

This phenomenal story of love, friendship, courage,  and survival was both heart-warming and heartbreaking.  I loved the message of forgiveness, trust and strength in such a difficult time in history.  The characters were very likable and I felt emotionally attached to them.  My heartbeat quickened as this story came alive and the words leaped off the page. This unputdownable story had me reading faster and faster as I felt the brisk night air on my face.  I felt every possible emotion within the pages of this story.  I wish I could give ten stars because five isn’t enough to express how fantastic this book is.  I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Carly Schabowski for another wonderful story.  This book was absolutely phenomenal.  I loved it and highly recommend it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

DESCRIPTION:

ALL THE COURAGE WE HAVE FOUND

Author: Carly Schabowski

Publisher:  Bookouture 
Publication Date: November 18, 2022
Pages: 335 
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France, 1942: An unforgettable, heart-wrenching and utterly unputdownable World War Two novel about one woman’s bravery in the face of darkness, and her heartbreaking decision to risk everything to do the right thing… 

As Kasia creeps out of the farmhouse in the dead of night to transmit an urgent message, her heart pounds in her chest. Gripping her radio tightly in her hand, she feels a terrible sense of dread. She knows that this message could be the one that finally leads the Nazis to her…

Crouching in the shadows, with trembling fingers she turns the dial on her radio and hears the familiar crackle of static. Shaking, she quickly taps out her message and, holding her breath, she waits in the darkness.

Suddenly, she sees a quick flash of light out at sea. Her message has been received by the Allied boats; now they know it’s not safe to come ashore tonight.

As she looks back towards the little farmhouse, her heart catches in her throat. Inside, the two people she loves most in this world are sleeping soundly. Because while Kasia knows her messages might save thousands of soldiers, she also knows that her radio signal could bring the Germans terrifyingly close, perhaps even straight to Hugo and Elodie…

ABOUT CARLY SCHABOWSKI

Carly Schabowski worked as a journalist in both North   Cyprus and Australia before returning to Oxford, where she studied for an MA and then a PhD in creative writing at Oxford Brookes University. Carly now teaches at Oxford Brookes University as an associate lecturer in Creative Writing for first and second-year English literature students.

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MURDER AT ST. SAVIOUR’S

MY THOUGHTS:

Sussex, 1956: Flora Steele bookshop owner and amateur sleuth is on the case.  Flora and crime writer Jack Carrington, arrive at the quaint St Saviour’s Church.  Upon their arrival and to their surprise, they find the body of curate, Lyle Beaumont, under the belltower.  He has a note clenched in his hand.  Flora is saddened that Lyle is dead and her super sleuth talents immediately kick into high gear.  There were many bell ringers at the church at the time of the murder, so how is it possible that no one saw anything?  Flora and Jack jump into action and begin their investigation.  But when one of the many suspects becomes the next victim, time is running out.  Flora and Jack must find the killer before they find another dead body.

This is the fifth installment in the amazing Flora Steele Mystery Series.  I enjoyed this book so much.  It was a quick read, with a fast paced storyline.  The plot twists and turns were interesting and entertaining, and kept me engaged in the story.  The characters were very likable and I enjoyed this wonderful addition to this series. This amazing read was well written and kept me guessing who the culprit was until the very end.  I loved it!  I definitely recommend this wonderful cozy mystery that can be read as part of the series or a stand-alone.

Thank you Merryn Allingham for yet another wonderful addition to the Flora Steele Mystery Series. It was so enjoyable, I loved it and highly recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

DESCRIPTION:

MURDER AT ST. SAVIOUR’S

Author:  Merryn Allingham
Published by: Bookouture 
Publication Date: November 21, 2022 
Pages: 273 
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Bookshop owner and amateur detective Flora Steele teams up with handsome crime writer Jack Carrington to unravel a curious murder in the village of Abbeymead!

Sussex, 1956: When Flora and her partner-in-crime-solving, Jack, arrive at the charming church of St Saviour’s the last thing they’re expecting to find is the curate, Lyle Beaumont, lifeless on the flagstone floor beneath the belltower, with a mysterious note in his hand.

Flora is dismayed to find the poor curate dead. But she can’t help being intrigued by the eclectic mix of bell ringers present at the old church – Mr Preece, the local butcher, Dilys Fuller, the busybody postmistress, and Stephen Henshall, a newcomer to the close-knit community. Any one of them could be the culprit – and Flora needs to act fast before someone gets away with murder…

When Flora and Jack begin their sleuthing, they quickly realise all is not what it seems with the victim, and the certainty of the dead man’s identity becomes the first twist in the investigation.

Just as they’re getting closer to the answer, the death of one of the suspects changes everything. As a series of unexplained accidents unfolds across the village, it seems no-one who was present at the church on the night of the curate’s demise is safe.

Has the bell tolled on Flora and Jack’s detective days? And will they work out the truth in time to save themselves?

ABOUT MERRYN ALLINGHAM

Merryn taught university literature for many years, and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringing the past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regency romances, wartime sagas and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery at their heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of time before she plunged into crime with a cosy crime series set in rural Sussex against the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

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