Author: The Lit Bitch

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay

Tatiana de Rosnay writes beautiful novels, usually set in Paris, that capture the hearts and minds of readers.

I read Sarah’s Kay back in 2011 and wasn’t terribly as impressed as I had hoped. I find that I am in the minority when it comes to this opinion. But since then I’ve seen a number of her books climbing the bestseller lists with speed—though I haven’t read any others.

Could it have been the mood I was in at the time that made me not love her book? Sure. So while I kept an open mind about her other books, I wasn’t moved enough by their descriptions to pick any of them up. But that all changed then I got the pitch for this one.

The Rain Watcher is a powerful family drama set in Paris as the Malegarde family gathers to celebrate the father’s 70th birthday. Their hidden fears and secrets are slowly unraveled as the City of Light undergoes a stunning natural disaster. Seen through the eyes of charismatic photographer Linden Malegarde, the youngest son, all members of the family will have to fight to keep their unity against tragic circumstances. Continue reading “Review: The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell

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This was a book that I wasn’t really that excited to read when it initially came up for review. In my mind all I kept thinking was….ugh another WWII book. Don’t get me wrong, WWII is one of my favorite periods to read about, but lately I’ve read a lot of WWII books and I just wasn’t in the mood for another when it was time to review this one.

But this one set itself apart with the Japanese interment camps angle. Everyone is so focused on the holocaust that they forget that Japanese interment camps were yet another unfortunate by product of a very ugly war.

My brother in law’s grandparents spent time in Japanese interment camps during the war so I have heard about these camps through my brother in law’s stories. That was why I agreed to review this book—I was intrigued by the possibly of something different when it came to WWII stories.  Continue reading “Review: Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Gilded Shroud (A Lady Fan Mystery #1) by Elizabeth Bailey

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I fell in love with the cover of this new mystery series. I love the stunning house and the richness of the scene. Without so much as a backward glance I eagerly agreed to review it.

Plus it is the first in a new series and I love getting in on the ground levels when it comes to new detective series.

1789, London

When Emily Fanshawe, Marchioness of Polbrook, is found strangled in her bedchamber, suspicion immediately falls on those residing in the grand house in Hanover Square.

Emily’s husband – Randal Fanshawe, Lord Polbrook – fled in the night and is chief suspect – much to the dismay of his family.

Ottilia Draycott is brought in as the new lady’s companion to Sybilla, Dowager Marchioness and soon finds herself assisting younger son, Lord Francis Fanshawe in his investigations.

Can Ottilia help clear the family name? Does the killer still reside in the house? Continue reading “Review: The Gilded Shroud (A Lady Fan Mystery #1) by Elizabeth Bailey” →

Books, Reading

Special Feature: Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World’s Most Famous Detective Writer by Margalit Fox

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World’s Most Famous Detective Writer by Margalit Fox

I think it’s safe to say that most of us have heard of Sherlock Holmes and his famous creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

So what do we know about Conan Doyle beyond his famous detective? For me—nothing. Conan Doyle was clearly a crime buff and had a unique mind for solving mysteries but I didn’t know that he actually helped solve a real life murder!

When this book came up for review, I was so bummed that I couldn’t fit it into my summer reading—fortunately I am going to review it in October for my mystery month so be watching for that. I couldn’t let the summer go by and not give my readers a little preview for what sounds like an outstanding piece of non-fiction! It’s on sale NOW so be sure to pick up a copy for yourself!

In this thrilling true-crime procedural, the creator of Sherlock Holmes uses his unparalleled detective skills to exonerate a German Jew wrongly convicted of murder. Continue reading “Special Feature: Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World’s Most Famous Detective Writer by Margalit Fox” →

Books, Reading

Special Feature: The King’s Justice by E.M Powell

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Special Feature: The King’s Justice by E.M Powell

The King’s Justice
by E.M Powell

Publication Date: June 1, 2018
Thomas & Mercer
Paperback & eBook; 288 Pages
ISBN-978-1542046015

Series: Stanton and Barling #1

Genre: Historical Mystery

 

 

A murder that defies logic—and a killer on the loose.

England, 1176. Aelred Barling, esteemed clerk to the justices of King Henry II, is dispatched from the royal court with his young assistant, Hugo Stanton, to investigate a brutal murder in a village outside York.

The case appears straightforward. A suspect is under lock and key in the local prison, and the angry villagers are demanding swift justice. But when more bodies are discovered, certainty turns to doubt—and amid the chaos it becomes clear that nobody is above suspicion.

Facing growing unrest in the village and the fury of the lord of the manor, Stanton and Barling find themselves drawn into a mystery that defies logic, pursuing a killer who evades capture at every turn.

Can they solve the riddle of who is preying upon the villagers? And can they do it without becoming prey themselves?

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Continue reading “Special Feature: The King’s Justice by E.M Powell” →