Recent Reads - Black Fog

Black Fog by KT McWilliams - Elizabeth Bowmar is a young woman in 1618 London hoping to earn her midwife's license. It is early on a foggy morning when she and fellow midwives are attending a mother in a very difficult birth, one that will require assistance from the inventors of a mysterious birthday device, but that will cost money. Elizabeth is tasked with finding the father and getting him to pay, and with finding the inventors and convincing them to come help. After the successful delivery of the child, it is discovered that the father, Master Prowler, has been murdered, and that Elizabeth was one of the last to see him alive. This will mean she is likely to be a suspect, and even being questioned could mean the loss of her midwife license.

With help from her trusted friends and some new allies, Elizabeth hurries to find and outwit the murderer before the disgruntled inventor goes to the sheriff to cast suspicion on her. They are constantly surrounded by the black fog, and in danger from the likely murderer and those who do his bidding, but Elizabeth holds on to her hope that all will unfold according to God's plan, and faces all the challenges and uncertainty with as much courage and confidence as she can manage.

There is a prologue that hints at a harrowing experience from Elizabeth's past, and there are some references throughout the story linking this terrible event to her attitudes and to the unusual training she has in using knives to protect herself. Snippets of this backstory are teased into the narrative, creating a curiosity about it and providing some explanation for Elizabeth's unconventional and independent approach to solving the dilemma she finds herself in. The bits and pieces of the backstory didn't always satisfy as an explanation, leaving me with more questions about how it could possibly fit together.

Although this isn't a detective story, there is a mystery that must be solved, and the characters must be resourceful in their pursuit of answers. I enjoyed this creativity and the unusual characters, though I was sometimes a little unsure of their relationships and uncertain of the plausibility of all the events and their happening during the given timeframe. I felt like there was an awful lot to fit into just one day, stretching believability at many points. Some of the threads of the story didn't get woven together in a way that felt natural. The black fog is mentioned often in the narrative, and its ubiquitous presence in the city is important to the setting and mood, and necessary to the plot as it obscures clear vision. In my opinion, it is mentioned too often - it felt too obvious. As this novel is a debut and an introduction to a series, I'm curious about how the subsequent stories with connect to this one, and hope that some of these characters might be featured and further explored in the next installment, and as the author develops her storytelling voice.

I read an Advance Reader Copy, so I understand that punctuation and minor errors will probably be corrected before publication.

Note: This review will be updated with a link to purchase once available on Amazon.

From the publisher:

Where kindness battles cruelty, a woman's quest for truth is a fight for survival & divine justice.

In the heart of 1618 London where the shadow of the past lingers, join Elizabeth Bowmar, a young, aspiring midwife, as she navigates the complexities of birth, betrayal, and a chilling murder.

Elizabeth faces the impossible: convincing two irascible men to accept life altering change to save the life of a mother and her child.

But as life and death hang in the balance, one is murdered, and the other seeks revenge against Elizabeth.

Elizabeth must rely on her wit, strength, and unwavering faith to uncover the truth before time runs out.

Black Fog is the introduction to the On The Wings Of Angels series. Experience a world where true kindness lifts souls, and God's plan guides the journey. Dive into this historical fiction enriched with Christian suspense and immerse yourself in KT McWilliams' latest novel.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a book with a title of 10 letters or less  (#13) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

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This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot, and at  the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2025 hosted by The Intrepid Reader and Baker.

#histficreadingchallenge

©2008-2025 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. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Frauds on Favourite

Frauds On Favourite by PJ Fitzsimmons - Teddy Quillfeather is back in another lighthearted caper in which she must investigate just about everyone involved in Middleditch horse racing in an effort to protect her uncle's stable from being banned. Some questionable betting and results in recent races led to questions about race fixing and possible conspiracies. Teddy and her friend Stilts see that there are some very dodgy and unlikely odds and outcomes, and Uncle Markham's explanation for his horse's sudden improvement on the track is completely unbelievable to everyone but himself.

Teddy is brilliantly observant and practical, but her bright wit and unserious demeanor allows her to question suspects, make everyone her ally, glean information, and cleverly resolve situations. In short, she is a truly unflappable flapper. The characters are all delightfully ridiculous and even the 'villains' have a sense of fair play and good humour. Even the young racehorse Spoons is a point of view character in some sections. Both narrative and dialogue are fast-paced and full of wit, puns, clever alliterations, and comedic turns of phrase. Descriptions of characters and actions made me feel like I was watching a hilarious but sophisticated cartoon. 

With stable owners, bookmakers, jockeys, tea ladies, touts, leg men, the vicar, the butler, and others involved in the story, the narrative was a challenge to keep track of in some places, especially when there was a lot of racing or betting lingo, but the story fit together for me. There were several mysteries or conspiracies to be unraveled ― whether the races are being fixed in the first place, who is giving the incredible betting tips, who the potential swindlers or conspirators were, and how it benefitted those involved ― but the solutions were surprisingly simple when all was revealed. Another clever cozy that I truly enjoyed. 

From the publisher:

Fun-loving, fast-talking, fraud-flipping flapper Teddy Quillfeather is off to the races in this multi-layerd multiplier mystery of dark horses and sharp courses, dodgy jockeys, unstable stables, impossible odds, crooked bookies, and a track-wide conspiracy to deny the punter an even chance. That's more than enough to invite a counter-swindle from Teddy, but when the family paddock is implicated in race-fixing, she does what she does best when the odds go against her ― she raises the stakes.

When Teddy's dotty uncle's eccentric efforts to encourage his horses to faster finishes results in a steward's inquiry that could get the entire stable ― and Teddy ― banned from racing for life, she steps in to prove him innocent against all charges and against tall odds, only made longer by Uncle Markham's vexing habit of confessing.

Further complicating the conspiracy is a series of seemingly random disqualifications, a mysterious little old lady with the unerring ability to pick winners, a spy in the stable, and a vast cast of jockeys, bookies, leg men, touts, and a forgetful racehorse named Spoons.

To save the family paddock, a beloved horse, and the wagered fortunes of family and friends, Teddy must race unknowable and uncountable swindlers and cheats to the finish in her fastest-paced fiddle yet.

Like all of Teddy's titles, Frauds on Favourite is a clean and clever cozy in the canon of Quillfeather and Boisjoly, and will appeal most to those who like a little comedy in their crime.

By the same author: Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall

I received a digital copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a book with a pun in the title (#1) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot, and at  the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2025 hosted by The Intrepid Reader and Baker.

#histficreadingchallenge

©2008-2025 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. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall

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Hardy Haul at Hardy Hall (Teddy Quillfeather Mysteries Book 1) by PJ Fitzsimmons - From the first page, this cozy is full of snappy narrative and plenty of humour. It starts off with a prologue that sets the tone and explains how Theodora acquired her quirky sidekick Tuxedo Bird. The real mystery begins when Teddy arrives at the country manor Hardy Hall, to reconnect with some old friends and with instructions from her mother to choose one of the eligible bachelors present so she can settle down to a respectable marriage.

Teddy's goal for the weekend is to have a good time but to avoid a betrothal. Turns out she doesn't need to come up with her own distractions, because the hostess's distinctively ugly but valuable necklace is stolen sometime during dinner on the first evening. The manor is surrounded by a moat so clearly the thief is one of the guests and not a drifter, as was the case in a previous theft . . . and in that situation, almost all the same guests were present . . . so Teddy is presented with a fascinating conundrum to solve. She does so with a mischievous sense of humor, quick wit, and inventive theories. 

As a lead character, Teddy is a delight. She has a razor-sharp wit and while she is cheerfully avoiding a marriage her defiance of her parents' wishes seems gentle and not disrespectful. She is a buoyant and light-hearted heroine, and even when challenging the stories or actions of other characters, she does so with a surprising amount of kindness, grace, and good humour. 

The characters are all so likeable and each one has hilarious quirks and mannerisms that continually add laugh-out-loud humour to the fast-paced narrative. There's no murder and everyone is polite and well-meaning, and the solution to the mystery brings wonderful satisfaction, especially after enjoying the witty repartee and comedy of errors along the way. The narrative is so clever and humorous in a very sophisticated way, while describing characters and situations that had me picturing the action as if in a crisp animation style. I'm already looking forward to the next adventure of Teddy Quillfeather!    

From the publisher:

The theft of an immensely valuable, immensely ugly necklace is only the beginning of the intrigues and idiosyncrasies of a country weekend at Hardy Hall where Teddy Quillfeather's mother has sent her with strict instructions to select an eligible bachelor from a shortlist of aristocrats, plutocrats, and copycats.

But when Teddy sets out to discourage the suitors and discover the looters with her natural knack for applied shenanigans she instead uncovers countless conspiracies, complicated by country house courtesies. It's a comedy of manners and caper of manors and the only solution, if you're Teddy Quillfeather, is obviously another heist . . .

This series starter is a clean, clever cosy that will appeal, obviously to readers of Anty Boisjoly but also PG Wodehouse, Agatha Christie, and Dorothy L Sayers, and above all to those who like a little, or, ideally, a lot of comedy in their cosies.

I received a digital copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a locked-room mystery (#1) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

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©2008-2024 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Silencing The Siren

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Silencing the Siren (Ever After Mysteries) by Denise L. Barela - This novel is part of the Ever After Mysteries, a series of fairytale retellings with a mystery element. It is also a debut novel for author Denise L. Barela. It is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in 1920s New York City. I was curious as to how the character Annabelle would be similar to a mermaid, and how figurative that aspect would be. Annabelle has a disability - she has a deformity in her legs which confines her to a wheelchair, but as part of a Coney Island "freak show" she dons a costume and performs as a mermaid. Andrew Grayson is the "prince" who is mesmerized by the mermaid's beauty and quickly falls in love with her. Since he is from a wealthy upper crust family with domineering, controlling parents, he sneaks away from home to visit Coney Island and spend time with his little mermaid and her troupe. 

It's the prejudice and snobbery of Andrew's parents and the young lady they want him to marry that puts the challenges in the way of his relationship with Annabelle. The Graysons view Coney Island and the freak show troupe as being socially so far beneath them that they are horrified that Andrew spends time there. They are especially repulsed by Annabelle's disability. Andrew, however, has found friendship and acceptance with the troupe, and is determined to marry Annabelle. Instead, the Graysons arrange a marriage for Andrew to a wealthy socialite, Valerie. Andrew is trying to figure a way out of his dilemma when Annabelle suddenly goes missing and her father is told she is dead. In his grief, Andrew determines to find out what really happened, and he has to finally stand up to his parents to do so.

I loved that the female lead character, Annabelle, was shown as a strong and gracious heroine who happened to have a disability and was in a wheelchair. I also loved that despite his pretentious and sheltered upbringing, Andrew was a kind young man who wasn't deterred by Annabelle's much lower socio-economic standing or her disability. Both are likable and sympathetic characters who rise above the limitations and obstacles they face. In contrast, Andrew's parents and Valerie were more like stereotypical and one-dimensional fairytale villains. Andrew's age was a bit of a puzzle to me, as he was old enough to drive and to be married, but at times he acted like a very young teenager in his compliance with his parents' demands. He withdrew his own funds from a bank and opened a new account of his own, and engaged an investigator, but obeyed when he was sent to his room as if he was a small child. I would have liked to see his character developed with a bit more emotional depth and consistent with his age and circumstances.

I felt that I did need to keep in mind that this is a fairytale retelling, and as such, the characters were not as fully developed as one might expect in a novel, and there were plot devices that were coincidence straight out of a fairytale rather than fully believable occurrences in a more realistic world. It's a sweet and clean fairytale quality romance, and in my opinion would be suitable for young readers.

From the publisher:

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything . . . until he met her.

The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it - clothes, gadgets . . . even a car! What more could a young man desire?

Enter Annabel Thompson. Freakshow mermaid extraordinaire . . . in a wheelchair!

Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can't help but fall for her.

Annabel's connection with the freakshow repels his parents and their society friends. They want him to sever all ties with her and his new friends. Oh, and marry the "right" girl with the "right connections." But he won't do it. He'll defy them and marry his little mermaid.

When Annabel turns up missing, declared dead, things don't add up, andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, "What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?"

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of "the Little Mermaid" that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold.

I received a digital copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a book that includes a wedding (#44) for The 52 Book Club's 2024 Reading Challenge.

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©2008-2024 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Bridges

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Bridges by Linda Griffin - Neil, a middle-aged chauffeur, and Mary Claire, a blind college student, have little in common when they meet, but they both love books and Mary Claire finds Neil an ally in her grandfather's household. Mary Claire and Neil don't even share similar faith as he claims to be an atheist and she is a devout Catholic. She has been summoned from her college to be with her grandfather during his final hours.  Mary Claire's aunt, who has been running the grandfather's household, is rude and condescending and bullies Mary Claire, and Neil wants to protect her. Mary Claire appreciates that Neil always treats her with respect and recognizes that she is intelligent and capable.

When the grandfather's will is read, he leaves his mansion and most of his wealth to Mary Claire . . . with two provisions. She must allow Aunt Edna to live at the mansion, and she must marry within a year and stay married. If she does not, everything will go to the state. Mary Claire has no desire to be married, and has trouble standing up to her aunt, and frequently talks to Neil about her dilemma. When Aunt Edna insists on arranging a marriage to a man Mary Claire can't stand, she finally pushes back, refusing her aunt's choice, and instead she arranges a marriage of convenience to Neil so that Mary Claire can keep the house and continue to employ all the servants.

What neither of them expects is that they could learn to truly love each other. And if they act on that love, what will it mean for their friendship and for their other relationships?

While this short novel tells an intriguing and sweet May-December love story, the narration is spare and the relationship moves very quickly from respectful distance to trusted confidantes. The dialogue moves the story along effectively, but given that this is a shorter story I had a sense that the characters lacked some dimension. Neil is the viewpoint character and it's through his perspective that we see how Mary Claire matures, and how Neil grapples with his changing attitude towards her. He struggles with the idea that he could be romantically involved with a girl so much younger, but doesn't seem to give much thought to any other personal dilemmas. Aunt Edna's role is rather like a stereotypical wicked stepmother, and other supporting characters are little more than names on the page. Overall, I enjoyed this story as a quick read with a new twist on the marriage of convenience theme, and I liked that the ending was left somewhat open as to how Neil had come to terms with himself and his choices.

From the Publisher:

In 1963, Neil Vincent, a middle-aged World War II veteran and "Christian atheist," is working at Westfield Court as a chauffeur. He spends most of his spare time reading.

Mary Claire DeWinter is a young, blind, Catholic college student and reluctant heiress. To secure her inheritance, she has to marry within a year, and her aunt is pressuring her to marry a rich man who teased and bullied her when she was a child.

Neil and Mary Claire shouldn't even be friends, but the gulf between them is bridged by a shared love of books. Can they cross the bridge to more?

I received a digital copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book features an inheritance (#2) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

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©2008-2023 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Obedient Unto Death

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Obedient Unto Death by Liisa Eyerly - In ancient Ephesus the first generation of the Christian church is growing, but it is considered an outlawed religion in the Roman Empire. Sabina is a devoted Christian, but as a young woman living in her father's household, she must be especially careful that her movements don't draw attention and put the church at risk, because her father is a Roman magistrate.

During a church meeting, a young scribe dies suddenly, the victim of poisoning, and the church bishop is arrested for murder. Sabina knows that Apollos is not guilty, but confessed in order to protect the rest of the church, so she is determined to find the true killer so Apollos can be set free. Her father reluctantly allows her a few days to find the murderer before Apollos is executed.

Sabina begins tracking down information about the dead scribe and his contacts, and eventually enters into a tense partnership with his brother to find the answers. They uncover several possible suspects, and realize that not everyone is telling the truth about their interactions with the scribe, or even about their religion and loyalties. Sabina's pursuit of the truth puts her in danger of being exposed as a member of an outlawed religion, and puts her very life in danger.

This was an interesting mystery, because without reliable eyewitnesses or a confession, how could murders be investigated in a time before DNA evidence or time-stamped surveillance videos? Sabina must be creative and use logic and intuition to figure out who might have motive and opportunity, and how to prove it. The contentious interactions with her father, the scribe's brother, and others complicate her search. She also finds out that Apollos has some information related to her mother's death, and must decide whether to press him to reveal what he knows about that; and there's a suitor likely to propose to her, so she must navigate through those expectations and her own feelings about it. There are a lot of threads to weave together for the story to work, and overall I felt that it worked well and kept me interested in all facets of her journey of discovery. The answer to the murder mystery made sense but I wasn't completely convinced about the proof, and although the wrap-up didn't neatly tie up every loose end with appropriate justice, it was believable because rarely does a real tragedy get wrapped up in a neat and perfect ending. I also appreciated the elements of faith and the history of the early Christian church that were woven into the narrative and figured in the mystery itself.

From the publisher:

Murder, intrigue, and treachery in ancient Ephesus.

Sinister forces are at work to destroy the fledgling Christian faith in Ephesus, and Sabina is in their way.

A young scribe is murdered during a covert Christian worship service. Sabina, a member of this outlawed religion, can't believe a member of this new faith could be the killer. But when her Roman magistrate father arrests the church bishop for murder, she reluctantly admits all is not brotherly love and harmony among the faithful.

Racing to stop the bishop's imminent execution, Sabina plunges into the private world of the dead scribe, searching for proof of the bishop's innocence. Mystery, intrigue, and treachery meet her at every turn. Will she discover the truth in time, or will she be thrown in prison herself for her faith in Christ?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a book I meant to read last year (#35) for The 52 Book Club's 2023 Reading Challenge

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©2008-2023 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

Recent Reads - Price of a Rose

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Price of a Rose by Byrd Nash - In this short and sweet fairytale retelling, three sisters are drawn into the magical world of the reclusive Sir Griffin and his odd household. Their father was caught trying to steal a rosebush from Sir Griffin's garden, and agreed to a card game to settle his debt. In the morning the young ladies discover that he lost one or all three of them - he's not sure - in a wager. The oldest, Lily, goes over to Thorn Hall immediately to negotiate and takes the position of housekeeper, while the middle sister, Rose, is determined to bring the gardens of Thorn Hall back to beauty. Eventually the youngest, Poppy, makes her way over as well, lured by the extensive library and her interest in magic.

The servants at Thorn Hall are a strange lot, but Lily takes them in hand. She finds rooms switch around at will, and at one point is trapped in one of the rooms by the magic. Rose finds the same magic at work in the gardens and grounds, but also notices that her beastly employer is becoming more human as time goes on. Just as they are all settling into a routine, one of the neighborhood gossips brings a young lady to visit, and this Miss Amaranth has clearly set her cap for Sir Griffin. She inserts herself into life at the estate time and again, to the annoyance of all. And Rose realizes her own jealousy, which Miss Amaranth taunts.

Of course the fairy magic will be undone eventually, and there will be a happy ever after, because it is a fairy tale!

This is a sweet and clean fantasy story, with a budding romance between Rose and Sir Griffin. The reason for the spell on the household is revealed a bit at a time, and the author cleverly weaves the magic into the story. Because it's a fairy tale and more of a novella, there is not much character development and it felt as though details were missing. Either the reader must assume that fairy magic and all its effects are common enough that the young ladies are not shocked, frightened, or disgusted by a half-beast lord of the manor, or the reactions are notably missing. Although the original attempted theft and card game introduce the characters and give a reason for the girls entering the household, Sir Griffin doesn't seem to realize they are there in payment of their father's debt and they are not captive in any way, nor does Sir Griffin behave in particularly beastly ways, so the premise seems a bit weak.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and found it well written, but it is definitely light reading with a very simple plot and no dramatic character arcs or intrigue.

From the publisher:

The Beast is about to be tamed by three determined ladies.

When their father loses a card game to the local recluse, his three daughters step in to determine their own fate. The oldest, Lily, rolls up her sleeves to take the strange household in hand even if the house keeps moving the rooms. The youngest, Poppy, devours his books on magic while playing secretary.

But it's Rose, the middle daughter, who works magic in his forgotten garden. She could be the key to unraveling his curse, if he can recognize what's real behind fairy magic.

A Victorian England, 1890, Beauty and Beast fairytale retelling like you've never read before.

A novella featuring a delightful, clean and sweet romance. Perfect for fans of historical romances who also like a fairytale fantasy with humor.

This short story ebook is a friendly read for teens and adult readers who love the grand period of the Late Victorian time period.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a an Author with X, Y, or Z in their name (#23) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

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©2008-2022 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

Recent Reads - The Curse of Morton Abbey

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The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood - Vaughan Springthorpe has been training under her father as a solicitor, and following his death she is determined to succeed on her own rather than live with her mother and sisters. She accepts employment to prepare the Yorkshire estate of Morton Abbey for sale, grateful that Sir Peter Spencer had no qualms about hiring a woman to handle legal matters and for the suspiciously large salary.

When Vaughan arrives at Morton, she finds it in disrepair and the library and documents in complete disarray. The only other residents are Nicholas Spencer, his personal servant Bedford, and the housekeeper Mrs. Wilson. Nicholas and Bedford are openly hostile to her presence, and Mrs. Wilson is hiding something. And someone is trying to scare her away - she hears crying during the night, gunshots outside her window, someone tries to get into her room, and her work of organizing the library is maliciously destroyed.

Vaughan finds a friend in the handsome gardener, Joe Dixon, and after confronting the invalid brother Nicholas she establishes a truce and understanding with him. But the mysterious crying and other strange occurrences continue, and Vaughan is determined to uncover whatever sinister secrets Morton Abbey is hiding. Who can she trust, and who poses the most threat?

This novel is set in the Victorian era, and is full of Gothic and Jane Eyre atmosphere. The main character Vaughan is a bit of a misfit in society - not only is she trying to succeed in a business that is not open to women, she also has a lame foot which puts her at disadvantage and in danger from whomever is trying to harm her. Joe Dixon seems to be too good to be true, but she finds herself relying on his kindness and welcoming friendship. Nicholas is a fascinating character, full of contradictions - is he friend or foe, disabled or deceptive?

The story is told from Vaughan's point of view, but there are hints to the reader in her first-person narrative as she observes or comments on details that she doesn't understand until later. The mystery and suspense are well developed, with suggestions that there is madness or something supernatural involved.  I felt that I needed to be willing to accept that everyone was involved in the most fantastic deception and conspiracy, and that the villains had been able to get away with their evil deeds for years without raising any real concerns. I was kept engrossed and turning pages by the sense that none of the characters were quite what they seemed, and by the unexpected twists here and there.

From the publisher:

Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer's offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself.

Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself.

To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer's irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

©2008-2021 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/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

 

Recent Reads - Heart of a Runaway Girl

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Heart of a Runaway Girl by Trevor Wiltzen - Mabel Davison owns the motel and diner in a sleepy little mountain town with only a mine and a sawmill for industry. She's a single mom with a big heart and a gift for reading people, so she takes notice of a young couple one day - they seem to be arguing but not angry with each other, and the young woman is obviously very upset about something. Later Mabel hears the young woman was brutally murdered - and that the young man was arrested. She recognizes the young man, Winston, as one of the local pot dealers, but isn't convinced he would be a murderer. Winston is black, and the town has a large racist element, so Mabel even has to step in to get the state police involved when the white supremacists show up at the jail intent on a lynching!

Mabel visits Winston at the state prison and is convinced that he didn't murder the girl. With some unwitting and some reluctant help from the sheriff, Mabel sets out to find some real evidence that will lead to the real killer. With only her determination and her instinct to lead her, she gets into one scrape after another, and all the while she must also protect her two young sons from danger.

The racist drug lord of the town, Larson, is none too pleased with Mabel's meddling, and his warnings become more pointed as Mabel continues with her investigation. Despite the danger, Mabel realizes that things will never get better for her, or for her boys or anyone else, in her town unless Larson is challenged. 

Mabel is a homey, warm-hearted character who wants what is best for her kids and wants fairness and justice for the people of her town. She offers hospitality and a sense of family to those who come to her diner, and is ready with some sass and momma-bear attitude when needed too. As the viewpoint character, her observations about life and the people of a rather dead-end town are both pointed and poignant at times. She carries the reader along in her quest to find the real killer, and the social issues (racism, drug abuse, crime and justice, broken families) that form the backdrop to the mystery are relevant in today's world even though the 1980s setting has a nostalgic feel.

The writing is very good and the characters are believable and balanced. There are a couple of unintentional viewpoint character shifts but overall an impressive debut. I'm not sure the title is a good representation of the story itself, but the setting and the characters are the real deal! It looks like this is the first of a series, and I'm looking forward to reading more about Mabel and the town of Blue River.

From the publisher:

In a 1980s mountain town fueled by the drug trade, a young couple gets into an argument at Mabel's Diner. Then the teen girl winds up brutally murdered, and the black boyfriend automatically jailed. Haunted by the tragedy, big-hearted, big-haired, single mom and waitress, Mabel Davison steps in and asks questions few want answered. But she's unprepared for the secrets she uncovers, and now more lives may be destroyed. including her own.

Get your small-town mystery with a twist today. Fans of original, character-driven investigative mysteries love it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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