Tag: Detective Novel

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

Review: A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Grave Robbery (Veronica Speedwell #9) by Deanna Raybourn

I discovered author Deanna Raybourn many years ago. I love all her books. She has written some wonderful historical mystery series that I will forever cherish, this series being at the top of that list. Veronica is such a wonderful character and I have loved watching her and Stoker grow together as a couple and in their friendship throughout the course of the series.

Naturally this was on the TOP of my TBR list for this year. There have been times though where I have felt like maybe this series could have wrapped up but it is hard to say good bye to characters that you have become attached to. I do think that once a series goes past about 5-6 books it gets to be a little much—not always but occasionally. I definitely felt that way when I read book 8 in this series. But I love the characters so much that I felt compelled to come back to this series for another installment.

If you are finding this series for the first time with this book, I HIGHLY suggest going back to read the books from beginning to end as this book especially would be a challenge to jump into as there are other threads from previous books in this one. I am excited that this isn’t the last book in the series yet, I think there is still more to be had in the narratives—-plus I love this series and even if I feel like it could wrap up, that doesn’t mean I want it to!

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Special Feature: The House on Prytania (Royal Street #2) by Karen White

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Special Feature: The House on Prytania (Royal Street #2) by Karen White

Over the years I have read some of Karen White’s collaborations and standalone novels. I have also jumped around a bit in her other mystery series and always find her writing well thought out and enjoyable. I enjoy smartly written novels and White’s books have that as well as a little bit of a paranormal element. It’s not so much that it takes the book to a full on paranormal or horror story but it’s enough to make the books memorable and fun.

This latest series by White will have many of the things that her Tradd Street books had, mystery, ghosts, charming houses, and great characters. I haven’t started this series yet but it is on my TBR if for nothing else beside the fact that I have loved a lot of her books, not to mention I love the old houses on the cover! This book promises atmosphere, mystery and all the Southern hospitality that White is known for! I cannot wait to dive into this book as well as the first in the series!

If you love old houses, ghosts, mystery, and a charming story then this book is going to need to get on our TBR list. I have seen some of the early reviews and everyone is raving about this book! I am thrilled to bring a bit about this book to you guys today and I encourage you to check it out. Most of the reviews are saying that while reading the first book is helpful, White does a good job orientating readers who might be picking up book two first. I don’t know about you guys but I plan on reading this one later on this summer or early fall and I will be sharing a review when I do but until then check this one out!

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

Review: Who Cries for the Lost (Sebastian St Cyr #18) by C.S. Harris

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Who Cries for the Lost (Sebastian St Cyr #18) by C.S. Harris

Over the years I have jumped around in the Sebastian St Cyr series, until I finally decided about a year ago to go back and read all the books in order. Some of the books can be read out of order, others not. This book has some carry over from the last book so I would say this is probably not the one to start with if you are new to the series. I have loved this series and I am so glad to see that it’s going strong. If you love historical mysteries but want something with a bit more grit, this is an excellent option.

Every spring I look forward to a new Sebastian St Cyr book. The mysteries are smart, fast paced and enjoyable. I rarely find myself bored with the characters or plot, though some books I like more than others, overall the series is solid. I really like how not fluffy this series is too. The author doesn’t back down from discussing the conditions of the poor in London during this historical time and she also isn’t afraid of discussing some of the more grizzly murders.

If you haven’t yet discovered this series, it’s an absolute must. I have recommended it to many of my friends and family over the last few months. I read all of the books in the series in a matter of a few weeks. They are quick reads that will leave you feeling satisfied and like you just read something intelligent and well researched. Now that I am done with this book, it has a Napoleonic Wars flair and I felt compelled to read more books about France and the Revolution. I love that this book managed to grab my interest in other areas of history too!

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Review: Murder in PostScript (A Lady of Letters Mystery #1) by Mary Winters

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Murder in PostScript (A Lady of Letters Mystery #1) by Mary Winters

When I see books with any mention of “Bridgerton-like’ in the summary or taglines, I am at once skeptical and yet can’t pass up on said book based on hope of finding another wonderful series that is indeed like Bridgerton! I often get asked what books would I recommend for Bridgerton fans, and that is such a hard question because there are so many historical romances out there that have a Bridgerton feel but aren’t necessaitly Bridgerton like if that makes sense. So sometimes when I see this statement on books, I become skeptical because there is nothing like Bridgerton but yet like so many others I can’t resist finding then next Bridgerton like book to fall in love with.

That’s how this book came to be on my review radar. It was described as “… the first novel in a new historical mystery series perfect anyone who loves the secret identity intrigue and swoon-worthy romance of Bridgerton“. So naturally I couldn’t resist even though I was skeptical. The idea of a new murder mystery series with a hot romance even if it didn’t quite live up to the Bridgerton claim, intrigued me enough that there was no way that I would pass on this!

I am a huge fan of historical mysteries and romances and any time that the two cross over is a win-win for me. I am always on the look out for new lady detectives and sleuth series to dive into. There are so many good ones out there—-Veronica Speedwell, Lady Darby, Lady Sherlock—and new female detectives are hitting shelves everyday so when I saw this was a debut and a new series, I knew it must be worth checking out if it had already been acknowledged as an upcoming series rather than just a standalone.

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Review: A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: A Tempest at Sea (Lady Sherlock #7) by Sherry Thomas

This series started out as a DNF for me. I couldn’t get into the first book when I picked it up the first time so I put it down as a DNF and almost wrote the series off all together. But it bugged me so bad that I didn’t like this series! So many of my friends around the blog-o-sphere loved it and honestly it SHOULD be a series that I love. So after some consideration, I picked up the first book and decided to try again. I am so glad I did because I loved it and binge read all the books that had some out at that point so I could be ready for more in the series!

Sometimes that happens with readers—it’s like the right book and the wrong time and it can be so hard to decide if it was that I wasn’t in the mood for that book or if I really just didn’t care for it. Some books I can absolutely tell that I just don’t like it but with others it could be that I am just not in the right headspace for a particular book, which is why this series needled me so bad! I am glad I decided to give it another go as it has been a very enjoyable series and this book was another great installment.

If you haven’t checked this series out yet it’s great for fans of Sherlock Holmes but with a feminine twist! Author, Sherry Thomas, does a great job staying true to the character of Sherlock Holmes but with a gender bender, but the methods and problem solving that Holmes is known for is seen reflected in these charming characters. If you love historical mysteries this is a great place to start! Both familiar but new!

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