Meshes History, Romance, and Mystery
579936
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Soul Seekers. Despite Emma's young age, she was a mature, well developed character. And William was witty and gorgeous. Is highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an adventure with romance thrown into the mix.
1168239
This is the first book Ive read by this author and I found a great deal to admire.  The mystery is definitely good, as is the world and character building.  I like the characters and would like to get to know some of the secondary characters better, so I expect Ill at least go back and read the first book in this trilogy.

However I did have an issue with the romance.  Kate is in town for her younger sisters wedding.  Shes an archeologist with an interest in the Celtic and Adena cultures and hopes to prove that the two are related and the best man in the wedding just so happens to have an unexplored Adena mound on his property.  Kate and Grant are instantly attracted, but he has his owns secrets regarding the mound and won't let her open it up.  Yet she never stops harping on it, especially as she finds clues as a number of tragedies happen, that lead her to believe that Grant is covering something up.  I just wanted to shake them both.

As I said, the mystery itself is good and I was surprised when the how and why was revealed.  And were provided with an unresolved issue with a religious cult in the area that I expect will be addressed in the last book.  The more I think about it, the more I want to read the next book to hopefully see this guy brought down.
1675911
Fun books to read. Enough historical reality in the background to give the book a dimension beyond the story itself. I like it when a microcosm of history is opened up in a new way that gives me a different perspective on the past. All this wrapped in a fun mystery!
3874084
I like learning about the history of Bavaria through a mystery novel.
3346049
I loved this book. Why? I grew to care about the characters, especially the various Johnstown girls in the book. The author mixed history with some romance, some intrigue and a compelling mystery of sorts. The ending is worth it yet leaves an opening for a sequel possibly or even companion books bringing us into the lives of other Johnstown girls that were mentioned briefly. As an added bonus, actual historical photographs are included at the beginning of each chapter along with a detailed list of sources at the end if interested in learning more of the real history of the floods this town suffered.
4765708
This is a delicious read for anyone who loves mysteries, romances, and the eccentricities of Britain then and now.  Daniel Victor sculpts and massages his characters, so they mature and morph as you read.  His decscriptive detail reminds one of more famous 19th Century English authors, but his pace is fast, humorous, and deft.  Todd Stringer, the hero, grows on you.  His romance with Meg evolves nicely, without 19th Century euphemisms, but without distracting from the principal plot line.  Victor shows considerable versatility in conveying pastoral Cotswolds, staid locals, the racy romance, and the details of police work.  He also weaves in his fiction within a fiction, set in Holmesian England, in a manner that heightens the suspense for his modern day protagonist.  The clues and false clues keep your attention, and the climax is both stunning and satisfying.  I recommend A Study in Scynchronicity highly as a bedside or vacation read.
1196751
A fascinating setting and captivating time period blend together to create an unusual mystery. I found the pre-war Southern politics intriguing (though unpalatable). I have definitely read more books with the North's perspective so the historical details of this Southern time period really added to the reading experience.

The story is told exclusively from Celia's point of view which is definitely a switch from the more common hero/heroine viewpoints I'm used to reading. I found I missed that masculine POV, though, and as a result, Sutton felt more like a secondary character to me. I'll admit that is partly our fearless heroine's fault. She's so intent on protecting her family's name and solving the mystery herself she gives Sutton little opportunity to rise up to the hero challenge. And she confides in all the wrong people which set my heart into palpitations a number of times. Such an infuriating minx.

I really enjoyed the mix of history and mystery. Historical details really shone through in the suspense plot and brought an added dimension to my armchair sleuthing.
4343663
This was a solid read featuring romance, mystery, and redemption set in 1900 New York. It highlights the movement of land-rich/cash-poor English peers who needed to marry wealthy American heiresses (very Downton Abby-esque!). It was also interesting to learn about the Tuxedo Park area. Catherine is trying to make up for her past mistakes but Tristram keeps dogging her with his belief that she has stolen the Bisterne family jewels. Although I was interested in the mystery of the stolen jewels, the romance was a bit of a stretch. Both characters were fine on their own but I couldn't quite accept why they would be attracted to each other when Tristram kept accusing her of various things. However, I kept reading because the mystery had me hooked. The resolution was a little rushed in the end but still was a satisfying conclusion. Overall, I enjoyed the mystery but didn't warm up to the romance as much.
* I received this book free of charge from NetGalley.
2061115
If you love a spunky heroine and a great historical fiction with a mystery thrown in here and there, this is a series for you!
616915
"The Geographer's Library" skilfully weaves together two story lines: the first being a present-day mystery about a deceased college professor, and the second a series of historical vignettes about fourteen antiquities that were stolen from a geographer's library in the twelfth century.  The geographer al-Idris also dabbled in alchemy, and the ancient objects were all used in this science.  From the first pages of the novel, I was hooked on both stories, and the pages simply flew past.

The editorial review here on Amazon compared this book to "The DaVinci Code", but in my opinion this book is far more enjoyable.  The characterization of the Connecticut protagonists is well-done.  But my favorite part of the book is the background on the fourteen objects that were once part of the famous scholar al-Idris' library in Sicily.  I whole-heartedly disagree with the reviewer who dismissed this part of the book as "too much information."

Author Fasman carefully develops the plot, tying together the connection between the ancient alchemical tools and the death of the mysterious Estonian professor in Connecticut.  This story is full of beautiful prose and is a finely crafted mystery.  I'd recommend it to all.
1981583
I enjoyed this book on two fronts - the romantic relationship that King Arthur has with his lover Guinevere, which is about to be snapped in two when Arthur decides to marry another woman for political reasons and to secure his power. The other aspect of the book is the mystery - the killing of young women which may or may not be a challenge being made to the new Christian faith supported by Arthur and opposed by pagan beliefs. The ritualitic style murders were a little overwhelming in their violence. The setting is steeped in history and legend - an excellent novel for lovers of the Arthurian storie and especially to medievel mystery buffs.
3434367
Interesting combination of history and mystery with romance thrown in for good measure.  Good growth of characters through the series.
562854
This book is a mystery, laced with two love stories, that hops back and forth from the days of WWII to the present. There is family drama cloaked in secret identities that you have to finish the book to fully understand. The tension between good and evil and lies versus the truth permeate the book.  It is tied together with a strand of faith.  I would like to read another book by this author.
4177523
History, mystery, sophistry--a beautifully written who-dunnit that takes you into Victorian times. The characters pop off the page and some are popped off. Teases and twists all along the way.
4484462
I liked reading an adventure story rooted in history that also delved into relationships and trust. I enjoyed the complexity and the hints to her previous work. Plus there is an element of magical realism, which is a fun stretch of the imagination.
2792230
While this is the second book in the Blake & Avery series, it is the first one I have read.

The two protagonists are newly returned from the wars in Afghanistan, and widely touted as heroes.  As a result, they are hired to investigate a murder that the police are ignoring, but which has captured the attention of a well-known reformer, Lord Allington.

The murders continue apace, with methodology and the victims' occupations as printers tying them together.  Blake and Avery find themselves entangled in not only the murders, but rival political factions as well.

The book is peopled with places and names straight out of history, and the mystery is well-constructed.  The author has clearly done his research, given the lengthy historical notes at the back of the book.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy a historical mystery
1672654
This historical mystery moves between the present, where the main character Annaliese is drawn into trying to solve her family's secrets, and the past where the mystery unfolds. The mystery is interesting, and there's a sweet romance woven through it. I also learned a little more about the Dutch during World War II. The book has Christian/spiritual elements and will appeal to people who like historical/WWII mysteries and genealogy