The Body in the Garden, Audiobook (2020) Katharine Schellman narrated by Henrietta Meire (Lily Adler Mystery) Set in London in 1815 I enjoyed listening to the story, although the narrator wasn’t as strong as others I’ve recently been listening to. But this is a first book in a series by a first-time author. “Plenty of […]
Nearly a Lady (2011) Alissa Johnson (Haverston Family #1) Set in England during the Napoleonic wars She pushed forward again, into the noise and smell and great wall of people. She’d never seen so many people. She felt as if she were on the verge of being trampled. Panic began to slither along her skin […]
Stiletto, Audiobook (2016) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk (Checquy Files #2) “I can summon and command wasps,” said Pawn Harriet Collinge, whom Odette suspected of being a little bit tipsy. “Roger disrupts mathematics, and Louis can draw wasps to him.” “Very cool,” said Odette. “Wait, so you can both do things with wasps? Are […]
The Siren of Sussex (2022) Mimi Matthews (Belles of London #1) Set in London in 1862 Ahmad Malik and his cousin Mira came to England after her mother died, and after her father died, Ahmad took whatever work he could to care for her. Now he is a tailor, hoping to make his marking designing […]
Death by Silver (2023) Melissa Scott & Amy Griswold (Lynes & Mathey #1) Mr Edward Mathey is a metaphysician hoping to get his new practice established. Mr Julian Lynes is his friend from school and a private detective. When Ned is consulted by an old school mate, he asks Julian to assist–despite the fact the […]
A Measure of Menace (2024) Jennifer Ashley (Kat Holloway #7.5) Set in London in 1883. Kat Holloway is once again asked to assist in a mystery–this time by Lady Cynthia’s father, Lord Clifford, who is more than a bit of a cad. Couldn’t you have used that to pay back the moneylender?” Lord Clifford regarded […]
Confounding Oaths (2024) Alexis Hall (Mortal Follies #2) Set in England in 1815. Mr. John Caesar wants his sisters’ coming outs to go well, so they can make good matches and be taken care of. But it won’t be easy, because they aren’t quite like the rest of society. Alexis Hall comes out the gate […]
The Masquerades of Spring (2024) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London) Set in New York City in 1926 This novella is everything. It’s NYC during the jazz age. Prohibition, that bizarre aberration of the American spirit, could be dashed confusing to someone raised in the free and easy metrop of old London. And Nightingale has come […]
The Rose Rent (1986) Ellis Peters (The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #13) Set in Shrewsbury in 1142 He had been in the cloister since he was three years old, and knew nothing outside it. Unacquainted with sin, he was all the more haunted by it, as by some unknown monster, and assiduous in confession, he […]
The Raven in the Foregate (1986) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #12) Set in Shrewsbury in 1141 “Domine, ne in furore—O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy displeasure … Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.” The vast inverted bowl of sky, dark blue almost […]
An Excellent Mystery (1985) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #11) Set in Shrewsbury in 1141 As a brother of the Order I would wish to keep my hands from violence against any, but for all that, I hope I would not turn my back if I saw innocence or helplessness being abused. He looked […]
The Pilgrim of Hate (1984) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #10) Set in Shrewsbury in 1141. “Then your only resort is confession and penance,” said Hugh lightly. “Not until Brother Mark is full-fledged a priest!” Young Mark was gone from his mother-house and from his flock at Saint Giles, gone to the household of […]
Murder on a Mystery Tour (1987) Marian Babson I had a lot of trouble getting into this story, because I could not figure out when it was set. Part of the setting is an old English manor turned into a hotel that hosts weekend murder mysteries set in the 1930s. That part I got. But […]
Dead Man’s Ransom (1984) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #9) Set in Shropshire, England and Wales in 1141 “If none of us ever fell short, or put a foot astray,” said Cadfael sadly, “everything would be good in this great world, but we stumble and fall, every one. We must deal with what we […]
A Scandal in Mayfair (2024) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler #5) Set in London in 1817 After receiving a letter begging “A Lady of Quality” to help her discover if her uncle is stealing her inheritance, Lily is blackmailed by the girl’s beau to seek out the will that supposedly left the inheritance to the uncle […]
The Rook, Audiobook (2012) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Susan Duerden I’m good in a crisis, but it’s not because I’m not afraid. I’m always afraid. I’m so stressed I want to throw up. But I am good in a crisis because I am very, very good at making preparations. I try to cover every angle, […]
The Devil’s Novice (1983) Ellis Peters (The Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #8) Set in Shropshire England in 1140 The other two, infant oblates given to God by their parents, are already twelve and ten years old, and are settled and happy among us, it would be ill-done to disturb their tranquillity. But I am not […]
Who Cries for the Lost, Audiobook (2023) C.S. Harris narrated by Jenny Sterlin (Sebastian St. Cyr #18) Set in London in 1815. Returned from France, but not yet fully recovered from injuries his received there, Sebastian balks at having to remain safe in England while those with whom he fought before are fighting Napoleon. But […]
When Blood Lies, Audiobook (2022) C.S. Harris narrated by Jenny Sterlin (Sebastian St. Cyr #17) Set in Paris in 1815 Sebastian and Hero have traveled to Paris in the hopes of finally finding Sebastian’s mother. Unfortunately, she is murdered before Sebastian can ask her her about his father, and so Sebastian and Hero search for […]
What the Devil Knows, Audiobook (2021) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr 16) Set in London in 1814. In 1811 two families were savagely murdered in what came to be known as the Ratcliffe Highway murders. When the corrupt magistrate who was in charge of that case is found dead in an […]
Who Speaks for the Damned, Audiobook (2020) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #15) Set in London in 1814 It’s a bad combination, in my experience—arrogance and wounded pride. It sours a man. You’d think at her age she’d be done with breeding, but she keeps popping them out. Claiborne says I’m […]
The Virgin in the Ice (1982) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #6) Set in Worcestershire, England in 1139 There had been other women, before her and after. He remembered them with gratitude, and with no guilt at all. He had given and received pleasure and kindness. None had ever complained of him. If that […]
Who Slays the Wicked, Audiobook (2019) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #14) Set in London in 1814 Content warnings: rape “Do you have any idea who might have killed him?” he asked Stephanie. “Someone who disliked him?” she suggested, her nostrils quivering with a pinched look. “That should narrow the list […]
Why Kill the Innocent, Audiobook (2018) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr # 13) Set in London in 1814 Content warnings: rape “I was hoping I’d find you here,” said Devlin pleasantly. Jarvis kept walking. “I wish I could say I’m delighted not to have disappointed you, but I fear that would […]
Where the Dead Lie, Audiobook (2017) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr # 12) Set in England in 1812 Content warnings: rape and torture of teenagers (off page) the brutalized body of a 15-year-old boy dumped into a makeshift grave on the grounds of an abandoned factory. One of London’s many homeless […]
An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder (2024) Dianne Freeman (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, #7) Set in Paris in 1900 Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George’s Aunt Julia has requested her nephew’s help […]
The Leper of Saint Giles (1981) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #5) Set in Shropshire England in 1139 “I hope she may be beautiful,” said Mark. “Prior Robert would be interested to hear you say so,” said Cadfael drily. blessedness is what can be snatched out of the passing day, and put away to […]
When Falcons Fall, Audiobook (2016) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr # 11) Set in England in 1813 Content warnings: rape (off page) Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, has come to this seemingly peaceful Shropshire village to honor a slain friend and on a quest to learn more about his own ancestry. […]
Who Buries the Dead, Audiobook (2015) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr # 10) Set in England in 1813. Content warning: rape, slavery (off page) The vicious decapitation of Stanley Preston, a wealthy, socially ambitious plantation owner, at Bloody Bridge draws Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, into a macabre and increasingly perilous […]
Hen Fever: A Sapphic Victorian Romance (2022) Olivia Waite Set in England in 1856 The Bickerton Christmas Poultry Show is the event of the year, but one that has driven apart the citizens of the town. They’d been fast friends once, until they’d caught the fancy. Now rumor was Miss Inch had trained her Pinwheel […]
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023) Alison Goodman (The Ill-Mannered Ladies) Set in England in 1812 Content warnings: spousal abuse, homophobia, cancer, rape (off-page), child abuse & sexual assault (off-page), detailed description of medical procedure without anesthesia. Gus and Julia, middle-aged twins who have never married, become involved in nefarious activities by accident, in […]
Saint Peter’s Fair (1981) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael) Set in Shropshire England in 1139 St. Peter’s Fair is a grand, festive event, attracting merchants from across England and beyond. There is a pause in the civil war racking the country in the summer of 1139, and the fair promises to bring some much-needed […]
An Impossible Impostor, Audio Edition (2022) Deanna Raybourn narrated by Angele Masters (Veronica Speedwell #7) Set in England in 1900. I did an awful lot of, waitwhat? and but… why? and that is just plain stupid on this listen. Characters: Veronica Speedwell, Stoker Templeton-Vane, Sir Hugo Montgomerie, Euphemia Hathaway, Jonathan Hathaway, JJ Butterworth, Julien D’Orlande, […]
A Deceptive Composition (2024) Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby Mystery #12) Set in England in 1832 Lord Gage has received a letter from his aunt Amelia, informing him that his Uncle Branok Roscarrock, is dead, she believes it was murder, and asks Lord Gage to come investigate–even though Lord Gage hasn’t spoken to his relatives […]
Why Kings Confess, Audiobook (2014) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #9) Set in England in 1813 Content warning: discussion of historical child abuse and imprisonment A contingent from France is rumored to be in London for peace talks, when the young doctor with the group is found brutally murdered–with his heart […]
A Dangerous Madness (2014) Michelle Diener (Regency London #3) Set in London in 1812 “I can’t marry you, Pheebs. I know that’s going to make things difficult for you and I want to go through with it, of course I do, it would solve a number of problems, but I don’t have the time for […]
What Darkness Brings, Audiobook (2013) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #8) Set in London in 1812 Russell Yates, Kat Boleyn’s husband, has been accused of the murder of Benjamin Eisler. Hendon asks Sebastian to help–not for Yates’ sake but for Kat’s. It seems that Eisler had a giant blue diamond he […]
A Grave Robbery (2024) Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell #9) Set in London in 1889 Lord Rosemoran has purchased an amazing wax figure that may or may not be an Anatomical Venus, and has asked Stoker to see if he can add a clockwork mechanism to simulate breathing. He gestured towards her midsection. “Well, if she […]
When Maidens Mourn, Audiobook (2012) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #7) Set in England in 1812 Sebastian St. Cyr’s plans to escape the heat of London for a honeymoon with his new bride, Hero Jarvis, are shattered when the murdered body of Hero’s good friend Gabrielle Tennyson is discovered drifting in […]
Monk’s Hood (1980) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #3) Set in England in 1138 The tide of civil war between King Stephen and the partisans of the Empress Maud had receded into the southwestern borders, leaving Shrewsbury to recover cautiously from having backed the weaker side and paid a bloody price for it. Pope […]
Where Shadows Dance, Audiobook (2011) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #6) Set in London in 1812 When Paul Gibson purchases his latest cadaver for research, he discovers the young man, Alexander Ross, did not die of a weak heart, but was instead murdered. Unable to report the discovery that his stolen […]
What Remains of Heaven, Audio Book (2009/2016) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr #5) Set in England in 1812. When the controversial, reform-minded Bishop of London is found bludgeoned to death in an ancient crypt beside the corpse of an unidentified man murdered decades before, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is asked […]
One Corpse Too Many (1979) Ellis Peters (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael #2) Set in England in 1138. This is set with the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud in the forefront of the story. In this early summer of 1138 the fratricidal strife, hitherto somewhat desultory, was already two years old, but never […]
Where Serpents Sleep, Audiobook (2008/2015) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr) Set in England in 1812. Oddly, on the same day, the book I was listening to and the book I read both had passages about the murder of Prime Minister Spenser Percival. I prefer the “solution” presented in the other book […]
The Emperor’s Conspiracy (2012) Michelle Diener (Regency London) Set in England in 1811. Once you accept the premise of the relationship between Charlotte and Lady Howe, this is a fantastic mystery and romance. Lady Howe really is marvelous. “There is no man in this house,” Catherine said into the silence. “So I’ll ask you as […]
Why Mermaids Sing, Audio Book (2007/2015) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr) Set in England in 1811. Several young men have been found dead, their bodies mutilated. As several are from prominent families who refuse to speak to the police, Sir Henry Lovejoy begs Sebastian for help. If I’m lucky, I’ll be […]
Banquet of Lies (2013) Michelle Diener (Regency London) Set in London in 1812. Another favorite. “We’ve been fattening Mavis up,” Iris said, and something in the way she said it made Gigi go very still. If this was evidence of Mavis with more meat on her bones, she must have been a walking skeleton when […]
An Unexpected Gentleman (2011) Alissa Johnson (Haverston Family) Set in the early 1800s in Scotland All Adelaide Ward wants is to marry for the security of her family: her sister, her nephew, and (probably) her brother. And if doing that means marrying Baron Robert Maxwell, she is willing to do so. But Connor Brice wants […]
Nearly a Lady (2011) Alissa Johnson (Haverston Family) Set in England and Scotland during the regency, after the wars with Napoleon. Gideon Haverston has returned home from war with both physical scars and mental ones. Gideon shifted his weight to his good leg, pivoted, knocked the barrel of the rifle away with one hand, and […]
When Gods Die, Audio Book (2006/2015) C.S. Harris narrated by Davina Porter (Sebastian St. Cyr) Set in England in 1811. At the Prince Regents dinner party, the beautiful young wife of an elderly marquis is found dead–stabbed in the back, her clothing partially undone. Jarvis immediately starts to cover up the prince’s involvement, but he […]