Recent Reads {Midsummer Night}

Midsummer Night by Deanna Raybourn - At long last, I had another Lady Julia novel (okay - really it's only a novella) to enjoy! And I was torn between devouring it all in one sitting, or forcing myself to slow down and make it last for at least a couple of days. I opted for the latter. This addition to the quirky Lady Julia Grey series tells about the Julia and Brisbane's wedding. Readers of the series will note that Julia and Brisbane are embroiled in a mystery while still on their wedding trip, but the wedding itself wasn't described. That happens in this shorter book.

The entire eccentric March family gathers at Bellmont Abbey to celebrate as Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane tie the knot at midsummer's. As always with this delightfully odd family, there are disagreements and humorous mishaps. There is not really a murder mystery here, although a past nemesis appears to threaten Julia. Mostly this is just a little bit of romantic comedy background to keep fans of Lady Julia satisfied until another full-length mystery is available. Which I hope is very soon!

By the same author: A Spear of Summer Grass, Silent in the Grave, Silent in the Sanctuary, Dark Road to Darjeeling, The Dark Enquiry, Silent Night, The Dead Travel Fast

©2008-2013 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads {Behind the Shattered Glass}

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Behind the Shattered Glass by Tasha Alexander - I have been waiting for what seems like a long time for the newest Lady Emily mystery, and it was a quick and entertaining read! Emily and her husband Colin are settled in the English country home, enjoying their little sons and hosting a couple of guests, when a quiet evening is interrupted by a man stumbling in the door and falling down dead. He turns out to be their neighbor, the Marquess of Montagu. Of course Emily and Colin are called upon to investigate, but it seems like almost everyone they talk to is lying about something. The list of potential suspects includes the cousin of the Marquess who thought she would inherit the title until another long-lost cousin showed up, and a vicar's daughter who had been in a relationship with the Marquess and claimed they were engaged. Neither is completely honest with Emily. The trail also leads them to several serving girls and their families that may have had a reason for revenge. 

One thing that makes this novel a little different is that the chapters alternate between Lady Emily's first-person narrative, and a third person narrative that describes what is happening 'downstairs' - with the servants of the household, particularly the housemaid Lily. I really enjoyed the glimpse of life below stairs, although the trouble-making kitchen maid didn't seem to have a real motive for being so nasty.

The solution to the mystery did come as rather a surprise to me, but after the reveal the story gets quickly and rather too neatly wrapped up with a couple of odd couple romances. All in all, an enjoyable mystery, but not the best in the series. Also? I have no idea how the title relates to the story. LOL

By the same author: Death in the Floating City, A Crimson Warning, Dangerous to Know, Tears of Pearl, A Fatal Waltz, A Poisoned Season, And Only to Deceive

  ©2008-2013 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/

Recent Reads {The White Princess}

The White Princess by Philippa Gregory - This latest in the series about the Cousins' War focuses on Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, as she is married to Henry Tudor after he claims the crown of England. Elizabeth is a York through and through, and she is also grieving the death of Richard III, her uncle and lover. The betrothal had been arranged many years earlier, and with the Lancastrian Tudors finally claiming the throne, the hope was that the marriage would be seen as a reuniting of the two rival houses. Henry Tudor and Elizabeth start out seeing each other as the enemy so their relationship is rocky at best. Still, Henry and his scheming mother cannot trust Elizabeth or her family, because of the possibility that one or both of the York princes are still alive somewhere and might come to challenge Henry for the throne. Rumors and plots are constantly swirling in the background, and even as Elizabeth keeps her distance from any plotting, she cannot help but hope that maybe there is some truth to rumors that her brothers are still alive. Eventually an affection grows between Henry and Elizabeth, especially as they have children, but Henry's ever-present fear of 'the boy' (a surviving York prince) and his mother's constant interference and control over him make their lives together difficult. As always, Gregory delivers history as it might have been seen from a woman's point of view, and her own possible explanation of one of the mysteries of English history - what happened to the York princes? 

By the same author: The Kingmaker's Daughter, The White Queen, The Red Queen, The Constant Princess, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance

©2008-2013 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/