Shattered Bonds, Audio Book (2019) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #13) “This isn’t a chalice,” I said, straight-faced, holding it up. “This is a silver shot glass.” “If I say it’s a chalice, it’s a chalice,” Molly said, her eyes narrowing. Holy crap. You know where my soul home is. Beast did […]
Secrets Typed in Blood, Audio Book (2022) Stephen Spotswood narrated by Kirsten Potter (Pentecost & Parker #3) Set in NYC in 1947 “I’ll say this, though—she refused to meet my eyes. That screams someone with something to hide.” My boss shook her head. “I don’t think that was intentional,” she said. “I believe she is […]
No Wind of Blame (1939) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hemingway #1) She was a large woman, who had enjoyed, in youth, the advantages of golden hair and a pink-and-white complexion. Time had committed some ravages with both these adjuncts, but a lavish use of peroxide and the productions of a famous beauty specialist really worked wonders. […]
The Unfinished Clue (1934) Georgette Heyer Set in England in 1934 They disliked one another with equal cordiality. The General said that Dinah was an impudent hussy. Whereas Dinah drove him to the verge of an apoplexy by remarking with an air of naive wonder: ‘What odd expressions people of your generation do use! I […]
Dark Queen, Audio Book (2018) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #12) Eli sawed. Bra came loose and Eli peeled bra down Beast legs. Bra was dead. Jane should kill bras. “However, I prefer QaStaHvIS yIn ‘ej chep.” I stopped with the beer held in the air, ice water dripping from my fingers. […]
Why Shoot a Butler? (1933) Georgette Heyer Set in England in 1933 Mr Amberley left the breakfast table in the middle of Sir Humphrey’s dissertation on hooliganism in These Modern Times. One of the young constables had retired to the ditch. The other stood his ground, but he did not look very happy. The sergeant […]
Footsteps in the Dark (1932) Georgette Heyer ‘No, don’t tell me I can go without you, Charles. I may be a bad wife, and wake you up to look in the wardrobe in the small hours, but I am not such a bad wife that I’d go away and leave you with a ghost and […]
Lady Mechanika Volume 6 Sangre (2020) Joe Benítez, Marcia Chen, Brian Ching (Lady Mechanika #6) Well damnit. This is a rerelease, not the newest volume. Weirdly, I remembered the historical Mesoamerican parts rather than the current timeline. Publisher: Image Comics Rating: 8/10
A Blunt Instrument (1938) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hannasyde #4) Set in London in 1938 A stern glance was directed towards him. ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain,’ said Glass deeply. This admonishment was more comprehensible to Simmons, who was a member of the same sect as PC Glass, […]
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey (2018) Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please! #2) Publisher: First Second Rating: 10/10
They Found Him Dead (1937) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hannasyde #3) Set in England in 1937 Clement, who was a partner in the firm of Kane and Mansell, was a man of considerable substance and, since he was heir to his uncle’s private possessions, a man of large expectations also. Miss Allison supposed that Rosemary must […]
Behold, Here’s Poison (1936) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hannasyde #1) Set in England in 1936 Stella, unable to feel that Gregory Matthews’s nature when a little boy could compensate her aunt for all the subsequent years of strife, was impatient of this facile grief. ‘I shall never forgive her, never! I have been ordering meals for […]
Death in the Stocks (1935) Georgette Heyer (Inspector Hannasyde #1) Set in London in 1935 ‘Know how the body was sitting when you found it?’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘All right. Put it back as near as you can. Ready with that flashlight, Thompson?’ Constable Dickenson did not care much for the task allotted him, but he […]
Murder Under Her Skin, Audio Book Stephen Spotswood narrated by Kirsten Potter (Pentecost & Parker #3) Set in Stoppard VA in 1947 I had some preconceived notions of what to expect from the Pig’s Hole, and it did not disappoint. It had clearly started life as a cheaply made shotgun shack and had only gone […]
Husband Material (2022) Alexis Hall (London Calling, #2) Oliver had been seeing a trained professional for nearly two years because of his parents so I did my best to be sensitive and not poke anything that might be the emotional equivalent of a bear or a mine—or a bear-mine, which would be a bear that […]
Boyfriend Material (2020) Alexis Hall (London Calling, #1) “I’m conscious this could be rather burdensome to hear, but you remain the thing I have most chosen for myself. The thing that’s most exclusively mine. The one that brings me the deepest joy.” if we let happy things make us unhappy when they stopped, there would […]
All the World’s an Undead Stage (2018) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes Book 6) “What is it you can’t bring up in front of the squad, Loveless? Tell me you haven’t screwed up again.” “No, ma’am. It’s nothing to do with investigations.” He hesitated, fighting against foot scuffing. “My mother called this morning…” “Gods preserve us,” […]
Jackalopes and Woofen-Poofs (2017) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes, #5) Unless Wolf’s squad had interesting specimens to send, State usually acted like the 77th wasn’t worth the attention a mosquito would rate. “Audacity, you should keep your head down. I don’t think wolf cubs are allowed here normally.” Miw. Her answer was little more than a […]
Feral Dust Bunnies (2017) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes, #4) Vikash pulled a glove from his pocket, which made Wolf wonder if he always came to parties prepared for a crime scene. Probably. This was Vikash, after all. “It’s all right to be anxious about things sometimes. And you know it’s okay to ask for help. […]
Skim Blood and Savage Verse (2017) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes, #3) How could he have even thought about not celebrating his thirty-fifth birthday? Especially if it meant it gave her an excuse to invite all the old money and local officials to the affair. And outside? Of course it had to be outside. The weather […]
The Pill Bugs of Time (2015) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes, #2) It was the first time Vikash had experienced Greg’s particular talent being useful. He heard emotions, but only negative ones and only avian ones, and not just any birds, but only waterfowl. It was one of the most absurdly specific paranormal talents Vikash had […]
Lime Gelatin and Other Monsters (2015) Angel Martinez (Offbeat Crimes, #1) (T)he pink and neon-blue raven folded his wings and waddled over to snap at Carrington’s pen. “Stop it, Edgar.” “You couldn’t get laid at a clusterfuck!” “I don’t really do anything,” Soren answered as he hefted the empty coffeepot. “Guess I’ll make fresh since […]
Shadow Rites, Audio Book (2016) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #10) I leaned around Wrassler, to Brenda and Eli. “Which pocket?” “I couldn’t spot a thing,” Brenda said. “Right,” Eli said. He had a fifty percent chance of being right. And he was. “Good guess,” I said. “Not a guess. Wrassler’s got […]
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey (2018) Ngozi Ukazu (Check, Please! #1) Publisher: First Second Rating: 8.5/10
In Defense of the Queen (2013) Michelle Diener (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #3) Set in London in 1525 Susanna’s brother has come to London, but something is wrong, and a crossbow bolt emphasizes that point. As Henry plants to make his illegitimate son heir over his legitimate daughter, intrigue and plot swirls once more […]
Dark Heir, Audio Book (2015) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #9) “There is job-bound, there is emotion-bound, and there is blood-bound—all kinds of binding. Then there is stupid-bound. In this case, I think you’re stupid-bound.” The vibes the place gave out said it had not been a happy place, while the décor […]
In a Treacherous Court (2011) Michelle Diener (Susanna Horenbout and John Parker #1) Set in London in 1525 Although the main characters are based upon real people, almost nothing is known about Susanna Horenbout and John Parker except for their court positions and that they were married to each other. Additionally part of the story […]
A Little Light Mischief (2019) Cat Sebastian (The Turner Series #3.5) Set in England in 1818 Molly had spent many an hour wondering what good it was for Miss Stapleton to call herself a lady, when as far as Molly could tell, all it meant was that she was unfit to work for wages. Justice […]
Broken Soul, Audio Book (2014) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #8) “Other than proper etiquette, there are few rules,” Gee said, his blade slowing. “One may fight with one blade or two, though two is more common. And most formal challenges are to first blood, though some few are to true-death. Deception […]
The Devil in Music (1997) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries #4) Set in Lake Como, Italy in 1825 He knew he had been testy and ungracious—had not really given Europe a chance. But how could he, when home tugged insistently at his heartstrings, and a cruel voice kept whispering in his ear: Don’t stay away […]
A Scandal in Mayfair (2024) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler Mystery #5) Set in London in 1817 “Do you wish for advice or a distraction?” Simon sighed. “Would that there was a way to detect a poison hiding in a bottle or meal. But alas, our scientists have not yet gained such insight.” “Do you think […]
Whom the Gods Love (1995) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries #3) Set in London in 1825 He glanced around this part of the churchyard, which they had entirely to themselves. “I come here every day, and no one disturbs me.” He shrugged sadly. “No one knows what to say.” People of intense imagination are apt […]
Murder at Midnight (2023) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler Mystery, #4) Set in Hertfordshire in 1816 Peter, in spite of having six elder sisters, had long been accustomed to managing the finances of his whole family as his sisters married and moved away one by one. But Lily couldn’t help resenting the implication that, three years […]
A Broken Vessel (1994) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries #2) Set in London in 1824 “I don’t know what there is to thank me for. Did you expect I should throw her into the street?” “No, sir, I knew you’d treat her uncommon fine. That’s why I sneaked her in when I thought you was […]
Cut to the Quick (1993) Kate Ross (Julian Kestrel Mysteries #1) Set in England in 1824 Julian Kestrel had first appeared in London society a year or two ago, and hardly anything was known about him. … If he had been anything but a dandy, such vagueness about his pedigree would have been fatal, but […]
Death at the Manor (2022) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler Mystery #3) Set in England in 1815 “My aunt and Miss Clarke were at school together as girls. When neither of them had married after a few years, they began to talk of setting up their own household together, rather than remaining with their families in […]
Silence in the Library (2021) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler Mystery #2) Set in London in 1815 Lily knew others thought her father handsome, but she never could—whenever he looked at her, lines of disapproval appeared between his eyes. They were there now. Laying aside the visual reminders of her grief felt too much like leaving […]
The Body in the Garden (2020) Katharine Schellman (Lily Adler Mystery #1) Set in London in 1815 Lady Adler, Freddy’s mother, had encouraged Lily to go to town “to begin living your life again, my dear,” and, when Lily had protested that she had nothing fashionable to wear, had called in her personal dressmaker and […]
Band Sinister (2018) KJ Charles Set in England in the 1810s I do love this story. First and foremost because of Guy. Philip’s candle had only been a stub. It guttered now, and went out in a soft sigh, and he stood in the darkness, listening to a sick woman moaning, while her brother wept […]
Black Arts, Audio Book (2014) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #7) It’s still annoying that Angie is written both older and younger than her age of 7. Characters: Jane Yellowrock, Beast, Eli Younger, Alex Younger, Leo Pellissier, Molly Trueblood, Evan Trueblood, Angelina Trueblood, Little Evan Trueblood, Rick LeFleur, George Bruiser Dumas, Aggie […]
The Soldier’s Scoundrel (2016) Cat Sebastian (The Turner Series #1) Set in England in ~1815 It was always an unexpected pleasure when the truth aligned with what he wanted to say. This was anarchy. He had witnessed firsthand what happened when people felt entitled to deliver their own justice, and he absolutely wouldn’t stand for […]
A Christmas Dance (2014) Alissa Johnson It was a nightly ritual for them. Mrs. Meldrin would have her glass of warm milk, Mr. Meldrin his brandy and the two of them would sit before the fire and share a few quiet moments alone, discussing the events of the day. Patience sometimes left her door open […]
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting (2021) KJ Charles (Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune #1) Set in London in the Regency(?) Era The siblings had agreed that Alice needed a little town-bronze, which was to say a little knowledge of humanity’s infinite capacity to disappoint, before it became common talk that the plain girl came with […]
Phantom Pond (2023) Juneau Black (Shady Hollow #4.5) Mischief Night, or Gate Night as some folks called it, was an annual tradition throughout the woodlands. She jumped in surprise but then realized it was only a spider dangling from a silken thread. The spider must have come inside during the day, looking for a warmer […]
Not So Cookie Cutter (2019) Aidan Wayne He clasped his hands behind his back, at-ease stance so he wouldn’t cross his arms. He’d been told enough times that it made him look like a thug, so he tried to avoid doing it. He tended to hyper focus when it came to certain subjects, and to […]
Off the Grid, Audio Book (2015) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #7.5) Security was so much easier in the modern day, with access to so many public records protected by such poor security. (B)est of all, she knew where the armaments were stored. “They keep ’em here”— she tapped the uneven rectangle […]
Blood Trade, Audio Book (2013) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Jane Yellowrock #6) I hacked in amusement. I am bigger. I like bigger. Would like to be a holy hellcat too. Characters: Jane Yellowrock, Beast, Leo Pellissier, Eli Younger, Alex Younger, Soul, Sylvia Turpin, George Bruiser Dumas, Rick LeFleur, Reach, Bobby, Misha, Charlie, Evan […]
The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal (2015) KJ Charles Set in England in 1894- “I inherited it from my uncle three months ago. The house has stood empty for many years because of its evil reputation. I felt that was an absurd superstition, and I need to sell the place, so I thought I could […]
Flight of Magpies (2014) KJ Charles (A Charm of Magpies #3) 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 […]
Evergreen Chase (2021) Juneau Black (Shady Hollow #3.5) The committee selects promising trees years in advance and assigns someone to tend each one right up until it’s cut down. … “Wow, that’s more serious than I’d guessed. I thought someone just went for a walk and picked one out.” “No way. Other towns can do […]