Genre: Historical Mystery

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The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains, by Stephanie Laurens

The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains, by Stephanie Laurens

Slow, plodding, and flat

What on earth has happened to Stephanie Laurens? She seems to have largely abandoned writing romances and turned to mystery. The problem is, she’s not always good at it, especially when she omits the passion, emotion, and spirited characters that epitomized her best romances. The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains is a case in point.

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This Side of Murder, by Anna Lee Huber

This Side of Murder, by Anna Lee Huber

The Verity Kent series gets off to a good start with This Side of Murder. Huber revisits the classic “trapped on an island with a killer” trope, but gives it tension and immediacy… Huber is skilled at plotting, characterization, and atmosphere. I found all three here, plus a believable, complex heroine.

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The Lantern’s Dance, by Laurie R. King

The Lantern’s Dance, by Laurie R. King

I was very excited to read The Lantern’s Dance, the first new Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes mystery since 2021’s Castle Shade. Once started, I could hardly put it down, staying up until 2:30 in the morning to reach the denouement. Like The Murder of Mary Russell, the novel alternates between past and present narratives, slowly revealing hidden connections that surprised and enchanted me.

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When She Dreams, by Amanda Quick

When She Dreams, by Amanda Quick

When She Dreams by Amanda Quick Series: Burning Cove #6 Published by Berkley on May 3, 2022 Genres: Historical Mystery, Historical romantic suspense Pages: 315 Format: Kindle or ebook Source: the publisher Purchase: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible Add to Goodreads Also in this… Read more »

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