The Queer Principles of Kit Webb (2021) Cat Sebastian Set in England in 1751. After a carriage hold up that cost him the full use of his leg as well as his best friend, Kit Webb decided to take over the running of his coffee shop. There might be some planning and deals and fencing […]
Pierced Peony (2021) Dahlia Donovan (Motts Cold Case Mystery Series) When an inspector from London comes to visit Motts about a cold case from her childhood, the two unexpectedly discover another body–opening another cold case. “You’ll never guess what I’ve learned.” “Marnie.” Motts was amused at how everyone around her, aside from the policemen in […]
Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake (2021) Alexis Hall (Winner Bakes All) Rosaline Palmer gave up medical school to become a single mother. “The last bold thing I did was decide I was keeping the baby, and while I’m glad I did, as decisions go it’s not exactly been without consequences.” She loves her daughter, and […]
Poisoned Primrose Dahlia Donovan (2020) Poisoned Primrose (Motts Cold Case Mystery) Motts is a 39 year-old asexual, biromantic autistic who is living on her own for the first time in a house left to her by her aunt. Unfortunately, when digging up the untended garden, remains are discovered, which causes no end of problems for […]
Subtle Blood (2021) KJ Charles (The Will Darling Adventures) Set in London ~1924 Will Darling is finally somewhat comfortable in his relationship with Kim Secretan, even if they continue to have to hide they are more than just acquaintances. Will is also finally doing a decent job with the bookstore he inherited–due in part to […]
An Unsuitable Heir (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities) Set in London in 1873 “What does he do?” Pen paused. “He didn’t say, actually. We mostly talked about, well, me.” “No wonder you think he’s charming.” Pen blinked. “You’re an anarchist about the laws of nature?” “I’m not an anarchist at all, same as […]
An Unnatural Vice (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities) Set in London in 1873 He looked like the sin of angels, like the sweetest fruit at the goblin market, and Nathaniel despised everything about him. Justin stayed upstairs until he heard the door shut. Some people would call it flagrant physical cowardice to leave […]
An Unseen Attraction (2017) KJ Charles (Sins of the Cities) Set in London in 1873 (T)hey said the eyes were the windows to the soul, and Clem didn’t feel comfortable peering into people’s windows. Clem was not a man you could read like a book, or if you could, the book was in an unfamiliar […]
Cards & Caravans (2015) Cindy Spencer Pape (The Gaslight Chronicles) Set in Scotland in 1859 Connor–who had been certain he’d been in love with Wink for decades, has gone off to Scotland. And instantly falls in love. As does the woman he ends up rescuing from being burned at the stake as a witch. Yes, […]
Moonlight & Mechanicals (2012) Cindy Spencer Pape (The Gaslight Chronicles) Set in England in 1858 I have zero memory of reading this story. You’d think I’d have remembered, considering how pleased I am that she put in the many dangerous side effects of a coal-based steampunk society. Every day, Londoners too poor to employ air […]
Kilts & Kraken (2012) Cindy Spencer Pape (Gaslight Chronicles) Set in Scotland in 1858 Dr. Geneva MacKay has worked hard to become a physician, but will still occasionally help out her father, who believed in her and helped her reach her dreams. Magnus, Baron Findlay is the Laird of Torkholm Island, and tied intimately to […]
Photographs & Phantoms (2011) Cindy Spencer Pape (The Gaslight Chronicles) Set in England in 1855 Kendall Lake has gone to Brighton to check on the great-niece of Lord Drood, who has reported a strange happening at her photography studio. She didn’t consider her photos a labor—they were an extension of her very soul. Giving it […]
Steam & Sorcery (2011) Cindy Spencer Pape (Gaslight Chronicles) Set in London in 1851 Sir Merrick Hadrian is a Knight of the Order of the Round Table–a secret organization going back to the days of King Arthur, tasked with keeping England safe from supernatural threats. Miss Caroline Bristol has been working as a governess since […]
Short Stories: KJ Charles “Five for Heaven” (2019) A Charm of Magpies 3.5 Set in Nagasaki, three years after A Flight of Magpies (15 pages) “A Confidential Problem” (2016) Society of Gentleman 2.5 Set in England in 1820 (14 pages) “A Private Miscellany” (2016) Society of Gentlemen 3.5 Set in London & Berlin in 1821 […]
Tales from the Folly: A Rivers of London Short Story Collection (2020) Ben Aaronovitch narrated by: the author, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Ben Elliot, Felix Grainger, Sam Peter Jackson, Alex Kingston, Shvorne Marks, and Penelope Rawlins PART ONE: THE PETER GRANT STORIES The Home Crowd Advantage The Domestic The Cockpit The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Granny King […]
Stiletto (2016) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Moira Quirk “But where did you get my urine?” she asked. “The Checquy has samples of everyone’s everything,” said Odgers cheerfully. “Remember, during your time at the Estate, they kept taking specimens of your every fluid and solid?” “That was for scientific research!” exclaimed Felicity. “And it was years […]
Flight of Magpies (2014) KJ Charles Stephen stuffed his hands in the pockets of the topcoat that Crane had insisted on buying him for this chilly winter. It had been a great deal more expensive than Stephen, who accepted gifts with startling gracelessness, had wanted; a great deal cheaper than Crane would have preferred; unsatisfactory […]
Spectred Isle (2017) KJ Charles (Green Men) Set in England in 1923 Saul’s professional instincts were shaped by his doctorate in archaeology from Oxford and two years working on excavations in Mesopotamia. Major Peabody believed that if the ravens left the Tower of London, the city would fall. He hadn’t given a damn about Saul’s […]
The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal (2013) KJ Charles Set in England 1894 to 1914 He was covered in writing. It was scrawled in black and red ink, from wrist to shoulder of both muscular arms, across his broad, powerful shoulders and chest. None of it was in a language I recognised, or could read, […]
Equal Rites (1987) Terry Pratchett (Discworld) “So you’re going to sort of die?” “Oh yes.” The cat purred as the fingers tickled it behind the ear. The smith looked embarrassed. “When?” The wizard thought for a moment. “In about six minutes’ time.” “Oh.” “Don’t worry,” said the wizard. “I’m quite looking forward to it, to […]
A Case of Possession (2014) KJ Charles (A Charm of Magpies) “An honest mandarin.” There was a dubious murmur at that. Most of those present regarded bribery as something between a handy tool and a form of tax; none of them had high opinions of mandarins of any nationality. “I beg your pardon,” he began, […]
The Magpie Lord (2013) KJ Charles (A Charm of Magpies) I can’t bear it. He’d never said the words in thirty-seven years, not even in the times of hunger and degradation. He wanted to say them now. Merrick frowned. “Got to fight it, my lord.” “Fight what? Give me something to fight, and I’ll fight […]
That Kind of Guy (2019) Talia Hibbert (Ravenswood) (N)ecessity was the mother of every skill Zach had. Growing up poor with a busy single parent and a missing older brother had led him to learn a lot of practical shit at a very young age. The hard way. And those skills had never been allowed […]
Untouchable (2018) Talia Hibbert (Ravenswood) “So, just to be clear,” she said slowly, “you are not concerned by my numerous criminal convictions.” “Nah. I’m used to having a convicted criminal in the house.” “You… are?” “Yeah.” He leaned in close, his expression conspiratorial, and she couldn’t help it— she leaned in too. Then he whispered, […]
Damaged Goods (2018) Talia Hibbert (Ravenswood) The worst thing about Samir’s parents— worse than the cruelty, the manipulation, the toxicity— was the fact that Samir had loved them. She was pregnant, and pregnant people were like the Pope, right? You had to treat them with total respect, even in your own head, just in case […]
A Girl Like Her (2018) Talia Hibbert (Ravenswood) Avoiding conflict was his mode of operation. They’d taught him that at basic training, once they’d figured out his hair-trigger temper. Always avoid conflict. That was what they called it. Distant. Words like depressed were for girls with English mothers. She wasn’t graceful. She was, in fact, […]
Band Sinister (2018) KJ Charles Set in England ~1811 “It’s all perfectly decent,” Amanda said. “Or at least, if it isn’t, the indecent parts are only hinted at, which means they’re in your head. I can’t be held responsible for your thoughts going awry.” “Oh yes you can,” Guy said with feeling. “What do you […]
Shadows of the Heart (1996) Tracy Grant (Lescaut Quartet Book) Set in Scotland in 1817 Only a woman accustomed to servants would have so many tiny fastenings on the back of her dress. Wilkins stared at the flock. At the other huts they’d searched, the sheep had been grazing farther afield. But the day was […]
The Rook (2012) Daniel O’Malley narrated by Susan Duerden Dear You, The body you are wearing used to be mine. The scar on the inner left thigh is there because I fell out of a tree and impaled my leg at the age of nine. The filling in the far left tooth on the top […]
Shores of Desire (1997) Tracy Grant (Lescaut Quartet) Set in Scotland, Belgium, and France in 1815 “I’m sorry.” Melton’s eyes warmed with sympathy. “I wish there was more I could say. But if there are words that ease such a grief, I have yet to discover them.” “Don’t worry, Em. Leave it to the men.” […]
Whom the Gods Love (1995) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries) Set in England in 1825. So there you have it, Mr. Kestrel. I’m appealing to you as a father, as a man of law, as a British subject— Why can I never say anything simply? After twenty years at the Bar, a man forgets what […]
Dark Angel (1994) Tracy Grant (Lescaut Quartet) Set in Spain and England in 1813 Caroline had not understood why he chose instead to go to India as private secretary to a private citizen of scholarly bent who could offer him no hope of riches or advancement. “The Company don’t employ men of mixed blood,” her […]
A Broken Vessel (1994) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries) Set in England in 1824 “I know you think my life is somewhat lacking in purpose.” “I think you fritter away your time, if that’s what you mean.” “I liked the way I put it better.” “We require them to confess their sins, as the first […]
Cut to the Quick (1993) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries) Set in England in 1823. “If everyone who died with unpunished sins on his conscience came back as a ghost, the living would be crowded out of every home in England.” “You’re cynical. I thought you would be. Can you sneer?” “With terrifying effect.” “Oh, […]
The Unknown Ajax (1959) Georgette Heyer Set in England in 1817 Lord Darracott’s eldest son has died, and now he (and the family) must accept the Major Hugo Darracott, son of Lord Darracott’s next oldest son, who none of met because Hugo’s father was in disgrace. I collect that the weaver’s son is the offspring […]