Lady Odelia’s Secret, Audio Book (2018) Jane Steen narrated by Elizabeth Klett (Scott-De Quincy Mysteries #2) Set in Sussex, England in 1882 I felt Michael—who hated to touch, or be touched by, other people—flinch as I rested my fingertips as lightly as possible on his arm. “I enjoy reading about people who are real to […]

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (2021) India Holton (Dangerous Damsels #1) Set in alternative Victorian England “I’m flattered. She has actually employed an assassin?” “Yes,” the man said in a dire tone. “And does this assassin have a name?” “Eduardo de Luca.” “Italian,” Cecilia said, disappointment withering each syllable. “You need to be a […]

After the Scrum (2016) Dahlia Donovan Since Devlin started to speak, he’d tried to teach the lad to call him Uncle Brute. It backfired spectacularly when he became a bastardised version of his own nickname. Uncle Boo. Taking on his nephew had forced him to take a crash course in cooking. Before now, the best […]

Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood, Audio Book (2022) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam Candy from a Vampire #11.75 Make It Snappy #0.75 It’s Just a Date #9.3 Life’s a Bitch and Then You Die Black Friday Shopping How Occam Got His Name Shiloh and the Brick […]

Come Unto These Yellow Sands (2011) Josh Lanyon To seek out a new therapist, to admit that he still might need help, was too much like acknowledging failure. Swift had never thought of happiness as a weight before, but that’s what it felt like. Something solid and real to steady him, ground him. It would […]

Agents of Winter (2022) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency #2) “I’m sorry, which one is B-837?” “Romantic or sexual involvement with another agency employee or contractor.” “I… um…” Arthur felt his cheeks flush and didn’t know what to say. It had never crossed his mind to fill out the “Fucking Form” as it was referred […]

Merlin in the Library (2018) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency #1.5) He was still getting used to asking for things he wanted as opposed to providing for himself the bare minimum of what he needed. He wanted to make the cream sauce himself. He wanted to feel the warm heat of the pan and witness […]

His Quiet Agent (2017) Ada Maria Soto (The Agency #1) He could also remember being desperately lonely and wanting someone else’s weirdness to match with his. “Well, come on, I’ll show you to them. He’s got them trained to all show up ten minutes early and get everything set up.” Arthur was confused, but had […]

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Audio Book (2009) Alan Bradley Narrated by Jayne Entwistle (Flavia de Luce #1) Set in England in 1950 I hated Mrs. Mullet’s seed biscuits the way Saint Paul hated sin. Perhaps even more so. I was nabbed. There was nothing else to do but burst into tears. […]

Spells for the Dead, Audio Book (2020) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Soulwood #5) For some reason, parts of this story really stuck with me, and I was surprised to realize this wasn’t a book I’d listened to repeatedly (one reading, one listen). “Which is why you’re down here with us,” T. Laine said […]

Lady Helena Investigates, Audio Book (2018) Jane Steen narrated by Elizabeth Klett (Scott-De Quincy Mysteries #1) 1881, Sussex A recurring theme of my childhood memories was drawing or reading quietly while Michael embarked on his fifth or sixth tantrum of the day. And yet I, a year and a half older than Michael, was always […]

The Lights on Knockbridge Lane (2021) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run #3) Adam had never once regretted forgiving someone. Because forgiveness was about him, and not about them at all. He’d always preferred going out at night. Not because—as his neighbors believed—he was a vampire or a witch or whatever the rumor of the moment was. […]

Best Laid Plans (2021) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run #2) He looked at the situation and chose to acknowledge all the dimensions of it. Dimensions (as he thought of them) weren’t positive or negative. They were simply the truth of how he felt about things. “Jesus Christ,” he said, and scrubbed hands over his face. “Guess […]

Better Than People (2020) Roan Parrish (Garnet Run, #1) Every day had dilated to a month, every night to a year, and Jack found himself wishing for anything—anything—to break the monotony of lying on the couch all day long and in bed all night. This part was always the hardest. The moment when he could […]

Two Rogues Make a Right (2020) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks #3) Set in Sussex, England in 1818 Will had four shillings and a bottle of laudanum, and barely enough self-control not to drink it himself. It had been two years since he showed the first signs of consumption, which he had acquired in circumstances […]

Circle of the Moon, Audio Book (2019) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Soulwood #4) The farm had seemingly figured out that if I was a tree, there would be no one to work the soil and it liked me around. Now, as I worked, the leaves on my neck and hands broke off and […]

A Gentleman Never Keeps Score (2018) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks #2) Set in London in 1817 I feel like you all know you’d be contaminated by touching anything that comes from my purse. It makes me feel so dirty. How could anyone sleep under these conditions? Sadie might die. Her baby might never live. […]

It Takes Two to Tumble (2017) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks #1) Set in England in 1817 Every day he visited the poor and the housebound, trying to find small ways to improve their lot or at least their outlook. That was why he had gone into the church. When people needed help, they went […]

Grilled Cheese and Goblins: Adventures of a Supernatural Food Inspector (2018) Nicole Kimberling Keith had investigated orgy sites where there had been twenty or more witnesses all standing and watching some victim being dismembered just because a cameraman was filming it. The presence of a camera implied fiction and a sense that some authority was […]

Dead in the Shop (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Grasmere Cottage #3) “I’d let it all fade away into history if I had my way.” “Our name? Our legacy?” Her lack of insight blew Valor’s mind. How did she not see their family had offered zero value to the world? Their name meant nothing; they had no […]

Dead in the Pond (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Grasmere Cottage #2) Bishan found it very difficult to force himself to do anything without understanding the reason. “Would you rather stay?” Yes. “Yes, but if I do it’ll make leaving harder the next time.” Bishan enjoyed photography because it put distance between the world and himself. They […]

Dead in the Garden (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Grasmere Cottage #1) (T)hey’d always assumed Bishan’s traditionalist parents would be the disapproving ones. It seemed being gay and dating an Anglo-Indian had been one step too far for the son of an earl. … (H)is father, mother, and elder brother hadn’t spoken to him in over a […]

Flame in the Dark, Audio Book (2017) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Soulwood #3) Every branch of law enforcement wanted this case except the sheriff, who had too much political acumen to want anything to do with a United States senator, three rich dead VIPs, multiple wounded, and vampires. “Thank you for joining us, […]

Paladin’s Faith (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel #4) Apparently one of the problems they had solved was bribery. You couldn’t bribe a Rat-priest. (Well, you probably could, but only by offering to donate the money to the poor.) Stabbing a man in the kidneys was a remarkably good way to make him think […]

Curse on the Land, Audio Book (2016) Faith Hunter narrated by Khristine Hvam (Soulwood #2) “Nellie, you’un got big brass ones, that’s all I got to say.” I had learned what the saying meant at Spook School, and thought it was silly, as testicles were small, easy to remove, and easily injured. mortal sins were […]

Paladin’s Hope (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel #3) “Anything’s possible,” said Piper, in a tone that hopefully conveyed, “Not a chance in hell.” His thoughts were so jumbled that he hardly knew what to pray for, so he settled on a general, Do you see this whole mess, gods? Please just fix it! […]

Paladin’s Strength (2021) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel #2) Istvhan waved to them, thinking what a disgusting group of people they must be, to enjoy watching beasts and men be torn to shreds by the corpses of their countrymen. You know, in some countries, they just have oiled naked men wrestle each other and […]

Paladin’s Grace (2020) T. Kingfisher (The Saint of Steel #1) After finishing The Vampire Gideon’s Suicide Hotline and Halfway House for Orphaned Girls I needed something to made my brain feel better, and since after reading Daggerbound I wanted to read more Kingfisher, this seems the perfect choice. He and Istvhan had exhausted the weapon […]

The Murder of Mr. Ma, Audio Book (2024) John Shen Yen Nee, S.J. Rozan narrated by Daniel York Loh (Dee & Lao #1) London, 1924 Dee stayed in the shadows of the horse stall for some minutes, until, as he told me later, the visions from the trenches had begun to fade. For this was […]

The Missing Page (2022) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers #2) Set in Cornwall in 1947 “The letter from the solicitor said the uncle’s will stipulated that all legatees attend the reading at the family home in Cornwall or forfeit their bequest.” Leo’s eyebrows shot straight up. “Was it his uncle’s dying wish to reenact a […]

Hither, Page (2019) Cat Sebastian (Page & Sommers #1) Set in England in 1946 Even Edith Pickering and Cora Delacourt, who had lived with Mrs. Hoggett, didn’t seem terribly moved, but then again they had a good deal of practice in losing people, having lived through the last time the world decided to kill off […]

Destined To Last (2010) Alissa Johnson (The Providence Series #4) Set in England in 1815 He glanced at her. “Is it necessary for you to practice?” “In a general sense you mean?” she guessed, then continued when he nodded. “Of course. How could I improve otherwise?” “I hadn’t thought it possible for you to improve.” […]

McAlistair’s Fortune (2009) Alissa Johnson (Providence #3) The forest would be his home still if he’d had his say in the matter, but William Fletcher, his one-time employer and current thorn in his side, had been steadily pushing him back into the world over the past few months. “Evie has, with my permission, been quietly […]

Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories: Volumes I and II (1914) Arthur Conan Doyle Set in England from 1881 to 1914 A Study In Scarlet 1881 “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” Stamford, Mr. Lestrade, Enoch J. Drebber, […]

Tempting Fate (2009) Alissa Johnson (Providence #2) Set in England in 1813 Whit considered getting foxed with the idea that if he was going to be just as useless as his father, he might as well be just as drunk to boot. But he didn’t pour the drink. He just stood at the sideboard in […]

As Luck Would Have It (2008) Alissa Johnson (Providence #1) Set in London in 1811 She pushed herself up with her elbows before anyone could stop her. The quick movement was a mistake. She knew it would be. Really, anyone would think this was the first time she had been knocked unconscious. “I said stop […]

Loud and Clear (2016) Aidan Wayne So Caleb was set for a designated driver for every Tuesday night until this stupid drink-night thing got canceled. … Which was another reason why he actually had to attend. For all the drinking, until people got too shit-faced, they actually talked about work. Missing this was the equivalent […]

Pack of Lies (2022) Charlie Adhara (Monster Hunt #1) Not everything had to be about hope and love and trust to be worth doing. Sometimes it was just the desire to not feel so terribly alone. I don’t think anyone could ever see you as inept. Not at anything. You positively ooze…ept. It was something […]

Cry Wolf (2021) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf #5) “Did you know the cat is being more cordial than either of you right now? And I know for a fact she was raised in an alley.” “Also, he said to tell you you’ve been demoted to fourth rank.” “We don’t do ranks,” Park protested. “We’re […]

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (2020) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf #4) I couldn’t justify throwing out sixty years of data. It wasn’t the science that was bad. It was the way he used it. The reasons he used it. “I think I’m going to give therapy another try. You know, real therapy and not informal […]

Thrown to the Wolves (2019) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf #3) Just like any power-hungry man, deep down he was a coward. In her lap Boogie was curled up and purring so loudly the sound practically echoed through the barn. Helena couldn’t have looked more like an evil mastermind if she tried. He comforted himself […]

The Wolf at Bay (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf #2) This book opens with possibly my favorite scene ever. “Birthday, anniversary, or apology?” … “You’ve been standing here staring at that flower shop for fifteen minutes. So is it for her birthday or anniversary, or are you making up for a fight? Because I’ve […]

The Wolf at the Door (2018) Charlie Adhara (Big Bad Wolf, #1) The old-fashioned investigative work Cooper had dreamed of doing when he got recruited to the FBI wasn’t really applicable these days. … After cases like Bethesda he felt like a glorified bounty hunter, and that wasn’t why he’d wanted to get into law […]

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 […]