#BookReview for Mind Of A Killer by Simon Beaufort @severnhouse @Joni2345zb #VictorianMystery #HistoricalMystery

Book Details
Title: Mind of a Killer
Author: Simon Beaufort
Publisher: Severn House
Publication Date: April 1, 2018
Pages: 278

About the Book

Newspaper reporter Alec Lonsdale discovers that a series of seemingly random murders may be connected in this absorbing historical mystery.

1882

Following up a story about a fatal house fire, newspaper reporter Alec Lonsdale discovers that the victim’s death was no accident. But why would someone murder a humble shop assistant and steal part of his brain? Alec is about to uncover evidence of a shocking conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of Victorian society.

My Rating
🔍🔍🔍🔍 out of 5 

My Review
What a great historical mystery by author Simon Beaufort (pseudonym of a husband and wife writing team). Mind of a Killer is the first installment in The Alec Lonsdale Victorian Mystery Series. The story takes place in London in 1882.

I have always loved reading books set during the Victorian time period. Simon Beaufort’s rich and descriptive writing brings the story to life, especially the city of London and its different social classes. The main character was Alexander Lonsdale, a reporter for The Pall Mall Gazette. Lonsdale spent most of his adult life as one of Queen Victoria’s faithful representatives in Africa. He returned to London and announced to his family he was going to be a reporter. Needless to say the family wasn’t happy about his new career move. Lonsdale wishes to be hired full-time at the Gazette and he begins investigating what he believes are a series of connected murders.

Lonsdale is a well-developed character, very smart and witty. I love the interactions and dialogue between Lonsdale and the other reporters at the Pall Mall Gazette. I especially liked Hulda Friederichs, the only female reporter for the paper. Hulda is a strong aggressive female character who speaks her mind usually without thinking it through first. She does not let anyone or anything intimidate her. Hulda and Lonsdale have an interesting working relationship…sometimes even posing as husband and wife while trying to solve the mystery. Hulda’s personality is to just wing it while Lonsdale prefers to be more cautious. They make a great team!!

I felt the mystery itself was original and creative. The author had me guessing until the end. 🔍🔍🔍🔍 out of 5 for me. I would definitely read more from this series and would recommend this book to everyone who loves historical mysteries and stories from London’s Victorian Period.

Thank you Simon Beaufort, Severn House, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read.

#BookReview An Unquiet Ghost by Linda Stratmann #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #Series @LindaStratmann @SapereBooks

 




About the Book
 
Brighton, 1871

Mina Scarletti is becoming well known for unmasking fraudulent psychics. So it is no surprise to her when a young couple write to her seeking her advice.

George Fernwood and Mary Clifton, betrothed distant cousins, have a family secret that is preventing them from getting married. Twenty years ago, their alcoholic grandfather died in his bed and since then rumours have been circulating that someone in the family murdered him.

Desperate to find out the truth, they have decided to seek out a medium to communicate with their grandfather, and they want Mina to help them find one who is genuine.

Though she is not a believer in ghosts, Mina is intrigued by the family mystery and decides to help them in any way she can.

Could one of the new mediums advertising in Brighton really be genuine? Will they help George and Mary find the answers they are looking for?

Or will this Unquiet Ghost ruin the chance of happiness for future generations …?

AN UNQUIET GHOST is the third cosy mystery in Linda Stratmann’s intriguing historical series, the Mina Scarletti Mysteries, a traditional British detective series with a feisty woman sleuth set in Victorian Brighton.
My Review
4 out of 5 🔍🔍🔍🔍

An Unquiet Ghost is the third installment in the Mina Scarletti Mystery Series and my first read of author Linda Stratmann. Although I do want to go back and read the first two books in the series, I was able to pick up and read this one as a standalone. An Unquiet Ghost was a great read with a perplexing mystery that had me gripped right from the start.
 
This well-written story is set in Brighton, England in the year 1871. The author Linda Stratmann has come up with a clever, fresh, and interesting storyline. Early on readers are introduced to a simple crime of murder by poison with a short list of suspects. But things don’t end up being that simple and the mystery begins…
 
Mina Scarletti is the main character and my favorite. Mina has some physical health issues but she doesn’t let any of that stop her. What she may lack in physical ability she more than makes up for it with her mental attributes. She makes no excuses and proves to be a strong female protagonist. Mina is persistent and inquisitive in her investigation of the mystery. The interactions Mina has with the supporting characters are compelling and realistic. Being a nurse, I love reading about past medical ideas and practices. The interaction between Mina and Mr. Marriott, the oculist, was one example of this. They were discussing the idea regarding people that see apparitions may have a medical condition of the eye or brain.
 
The truth about the killer’s identity is cleverly concealed until the novel’s surprising conclusion. I suspected the actual killer about halfway through but then convinced myself that it wasn’t, then it was, then it wasn’t. I just couldn’t figure it out but the author does a good job of wrapping it all up in the end. I enjoyed every minute of this “new to me” mystery series. I will definitely read more from this entertaining author. Fans of the historical mystery genre will surely enjoy An Unquiet Ghost the third installment of the Mina Scarletti Mystery Series. I give this one 4 out of 5 🔍🔍🔍🔍!
 
Thank you Linda Stratmann and Caoimhe O’Brien of Sapere Books for providing me with a review copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Murder in the Bowery by Victoria Thompson

Murder in the Bowery by Victoria Thompson
Book Details
Publisher: Berkley Books, Kindle,320 pages
Publish Date: May 2, 2017
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery
Source: Penguin First-to-Read digital edition
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SynopsisFrank Malloy’s latest client is the well-dressed Will Bert. He’s searching for his brother, a newsboy named Freddie, so he can share his new financial good fortune. Frank makes quick work of the case and locates Freddie, but a happy reunion between brothers is not in the cards. When Will’s name is mentioned, Freddie runs off—only to be found dead a short time later. Suspicious, Frank tracks down Will who spins a tale of lust and deceit involving a young society woman, Estelle Longacre, also recently deceased. Frank can’t be sure if Estelle’s risky behavior and the company she kept was to blame, or if her own ruthless family had a hand in her death. Frank will need Sarah’s help to unearth the dark secrets of the wealthy Longacres and to discover if there is a connection between Estelle and Freddie’s death. Together they must navigate a perilous underground web of treachery to find the truth. ~Goodreads

My Review

I totally LOVED Murder in the Bowery by Victoria Thompson. This was my first read by this author and I have added her to my favorite author list. The book is #20 in the Gaslight Mystery Series. I believe it can be read as a stand-alone. The author does a good job introducing all of the characters and I was able to pick right up and understand what is going on. There were a few times the author mentioned a certain character had been involved in other mysteries in the series but it wasn’t something that you needed to know to enjoy this one.

This is a historical mystery set in 1899 in New York City. The main characters are Frank Mallow, a private detective. His wife, Sarah, a former midwife. Frank’s partner in the detective agency, Gino Donatelli, and Maeve Smith, nursemaid for the Malloy children. All four of these characters work together to solve the mystery. I loved the characters in this dialogue-rich book.

The story starts with a man hiring Frank to find a newsboy that he claims is his younger brother. He says they were separated about six years ago when they were sent to Minnesota on an Orphan Train but the man thinks his brother is back in New York City. Once Frank begins investigating, he soon realizes there is much more to the mystery. This is a fast-paced read that held my interest throughout. I loved the author’s note at the end where she shares what characters were real and what events in the book were true historical events.

I would recommend this book to those who love historical mysteries. After reading this I ordered the first three books in the series. I am now a Victoria Thompson fan!! I am giving this one 5 STARS *****

Thank you Victoria Thompson, Berkley Books and Penguin’s First-to-Read program for providing me with a digital copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.