Reverend Annabelle and Sister Mary step into a tangled web of mystery and murder
597375
I read this book awhile ago and thought that I made my review, but can't seem to find it. So here is my honest review. I think I'm suppose to say that because I recieved a free copy in PDF form. I'm the type of person that believes most people write honest reviews, me included. I truly enjoyed this book, it was well written and had well developed characters. The main character, Annabelle Dixon, is a Reverend and a pretty fiesty detective as it turns out. This was a fast paced, keep you guessing, page turner. I loved this book and will read the rest of the series. I am now reading Grave in the Garage. I love Allison Golden's writing style and have many of her books, I'm reading as fast as I can. lol
2181754
Interesting mystery that has a dash of the occult, a little romance, and a murder. Set near New Orleans this is a story about a woman seeking to communicate with her usuband who is murdered during the seance. Who committed the murder? The medium, her stepdaughter, her companion, or the ghost of her husband? Really funny and light hearted novel that will have you on the edge of your seats at time. Highly recommend.
2910692
This is well-written crime fiction that begins with the brutal murder of a nun and along the way exposes  convent life  and a  fallible Catholic Church. But what makes this book special and much more than a whodunit is Sister Sarahs search to find herself.
2299187
In the middle of the winter in a small village in the Bavarian Alps, a parish priest unearths an amazing discovery during renovation of his church. Realizing the significance of the long-buried secret, the dutiful priest sends a dispatch informing his superiors of his finding. When his letter falls into the wrong hands, a gang of dark strangers with evil intent descends upon the village.

On a dark winter night, Father Koppmeyer is poisoned and dies. Schongau's diminutive medic, Simon Fronwieser, is called to investigate. It doesn't take long for him to determine that the cleric has been murdered. To track down the killer, Simon solicits help from the much-feared but surprisingly compassionate hangman, Jakob Kuisl, and Kuisl's attractive, but fiercely independent daughter, Magdalena. Their hunt intensifies when the late priest's sister, Benedikta, arrives on the scene and demands to find out what who is responsible for her brother's death.

In the course of their investigation, the team discovers clues and riddles that lead them to dark days in the Catholic Church's history --- to the times of the Crusades --- and a treasure hidden by the outlawed Knights Templar. To throw the hangman off his pursuit and thwart his progress in tracking down the real murderer, a city official assigns him to round up roving gangs of desperate and starving robbers hiding in the woods. Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows, a secretive and treacherous group of zealots follows Simon and Benedikta with the intent of preventing them from taking possession of the treasure.

THE DARK MONK, the follow-up to Oliver Ptzsch's THE HANGMAN'S DAUGHTER, has all the elements of a compelling story --- a fascinating setting, rich historical events, dark secrets and intrigue. (An interesting fact: Kuisl is based on an ancestor of Ptzsch.) While the time period and historical details undoubtedly have been carefully researched, some awkward translations, along with a huge cast of characters, slow down the action. For example, a 17th-century European woman referring to herself in dialogue as a "businessperson" detracts from the story's authenticity. Moreover, it is difficult to keep track of the characters, when even the lesser ones are given full names and some names are similar or the same: Magda, Magdalena, Martha, Maria, two Michaels, two Jakobs.

Despite these distractions, THE DARK MONK certainly will appeal to lovers of historical fiction peppered with mystery and suspense, as well as readers interested in a dark period of European history.

Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt
3262783
"These our actors, as I foretold you, were all spirits, and are melted into air, into thin air..." (from Shakespeare's "The Tempest").  This is one of the best mysteries I have read in recent years.  It is an intriguing tale that revolves around the mysterious Visitor to Poe's grave who, every year, leaves three red roses and a half bottle of cognac.  It is January 19. Baltimore private investigator Tess Monaghan and her boyfriend, Crow, are among the spectators keeping watch at Poe's grave.  A cloaked figure appears, and then another.  A shot is fired and a cloaked figure falls, mortally wounded.  The second cloaked figure escapes in the commotion, fading into the shadows.
The case becomes complicated.  There are people trying to identify and find the visitor for personal agendas.  There are charges that the murder was a hate crime - the victim identified as a ... waiter.  Tess is drawn into the case, willing or not, because other players think she may have information.  Mysterious notes appear, along with roses or rose petals, from an unknown individual attempting to enlist her aid.  There are questions about thefts of rare books and memorabilia.  And there is collateral damage.
Along the way there are tidbits of information about Baltimore, and about Edgar Allan Poe including a pertinent poem ("From childhood's hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring." - from Poe's "Alone").  The case gradually unfolds as information develops about various players.  Some people become unlikely allies, and relationships between people are revealed as the case is solved.  Tess becomes the guardian of another dog, a friendly doberman named Miata.
But that is not the end of the story because the Visitor is still involved, a mysterious cloaked figure of many faces, and there must be a meeting before the visitor fades into thin air.  And will the Visitor be back next year?  You might have to go to Baltimore next January 19, if you are willing to spend a cold night at a graveyard.
2528378
During one of her few days off, Maisie decides to do a little exploring. When Maisie tells the Desk Clerk, Clarissa, that she is going to the Holy King Church, she learns that the church is haunted and has a gruesome history.  Not believing in ghosts, Maisie decides to explore the church any way.  In the creek behind the church, Maisie sees an unconscious young woman lying on a rock.  Fortunately, the woman is still alive and Maisie calls 9-1-1.

Back at the hotel, one of the guests, William Clarke, is found unconscious and is also rushed to the hospital.  At the hospital, Maisie learns that the woman she found is her best friend, Ruby's cousin, Natalie Fairchild.  After catching a glimpse of a man who looks exactly like William, Maisie begins to wonder if ghosts are real and if so, is she seeing one?

Who wanted to harm Natalie and Why?  Who wanted to harm William?  Are the two incidents related?  Is there any truth to the rumors of the church being haunted?  Is Maisie really seeing ghosts?  Will Maisie be able to solve the mysteries?

The story has interesting characters, both good and bad.  There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing clear up to the end.
3297578
This is the third book in the Victorian Mystery series. Kate, an American who has inherited her aunt's estate and  Sir Charles Sheridan have been invited to the Earl and Countess of Warwick's estate for a country retreat. The esteemed guest of the party is the Prince of Wales, who has the Countess (Daisy) as his mistress. The book opens with the death of a stable boy, initially thought of as an accident.  There is another death as the book progresses. We get to see a fascinating take on how the upper-upper crust lived at the time and what they could get away with that would be scandalous elsewhere.  While there is much bedroom intrigue and multiple suspects, we get to see that Daisy is more than just a silly woman and is passionate in her causes to help the poor which endears her to Kate.  Intermixed with the murder mystery is the relationship between Kate and Charles, who both realize that they love each other, but each has reasons to believe that a marriage is impossible.  This was a good mystery, and had nice development of the main characters. The historical characters and elements were well reseached and excellently portrayed.
3177795
It reads almost like an Agatha Christie play: a group of houseguests at an old abbey in Sussex for the Christmas holidays suddenly become suspects when the vicar's assistant is found dead in the chapel. By sheer luck, a snowstorm has rendered everyone homebound. But when strange poisonings start occurring, each person is left to wonder who the culprit is, and whether they will get out alive.

This is the setup for "Silent in the Sanctuary", Deanna Raybourn's sequel to "Silent in the Grave". About six months after the conclusion of the earlier book, this one begins with Lady Julia Grey preparing to leave Italy and return to England for the Christmas holidays. With her is her brother Ly and his new wife, Violante; their brother Plum; and Alessandro Fornacci, an Italian count who has eyes for Julia. But when the arrive at her ancestral home, Bellmont Abbey, they realize that the festivities are to include more than just immediate family. In addition to the travelers arriving from Florence, guests include long-lost cousins Lucy and Emma, seemingly senile Aunt Dorcas, and private investigator Nicholas Brisbane. Brisbane and Julia had worked together to solve her husband's murder earlier in the year, and despite leaving things strained, they are quickly thrust together to solve this crime.

Unfortunately, it seems that fate may be slightly against them. The main suspect is poisoned, along with her sister and Julia's dog. Aunt Dorcas has disappeared. A pair of pearls are missing and other jewelry is discovered. And to top it off, someone is wandering the corridors at night dressed as a ghost. Are all of these events related? Julia isn't sure. But she does know one thing: Brisbane's presence at the abbey is the work of her father, and his being there has to do with a political riot a few weeks prior. Can this have bearing on the case? Or are all of these things a random series of coincidences?

Like "Silent in the Grave", this one is a page-turner, though I will admit that it was a bit slow-starting. The murder doesn't occur until the end of chapter eleven, but once it picks up, it does so with a bang. And once you get into this one, you won't be able to put it down until you've read the last surprise.
2649317
In this intricate suspense, multiple pieces of a puzzle are laid out  a cold case, a murder of a teenager, the bizarre death of a woman made up to look like a doll  that leave your on the edge of your seat as the author slowly connects all those pieces for shocking conclusion.

The main players are Virginia State Police Agent Dakota Sharp who is the half brother of the cold case victim. Her death years ago still consumes him and cost him his marriage. He is like a dog with a bone when he gets a case which is great for his job but not for his personal life. Tessa McGowan is a forensic pathologist who has just returned to Virginia to take a job in the ME office and is also the estranged wife of Dakota. Her intentions were to return to town and try and work on her marriage. But Dakota stubbornness in wanting to work things out and the eventual identity of the dead woman made to look like a doll brings up her past in college that could have deadly results for her today.

The author also gives us a front row seat into the mind of The Dollmaker  this is one creepy dude that has some sick fetishes.

As with the first book the characters are mainly from the Virginia State Police and Shield Security so we get to see all the characters from the first book back again along with getting to meet characters that will be in future books. If you like suspense series with a touch of romance and some evil bad guys I recommend this series.
3650950
This is an Ellen McKenzie mystery set at an estate just outside Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  Ellen has traveled across the country with her Aunt Mary because Mary's good friend, Elizabeth has called and ask for help.  Elizabeth has seen a ghost in her house and someone, perhaps the ghost, has tried to kill her.  Since Mary never goes anywhere, let alone fly that far changing planes, etc., Ellen and her new husband decide she needs to go along.

From the time they arrive, they are confused.  They keep getting half stories and being interrupted by people they don't know.  Elizabeth is newly widowed and now the owner of an estate which has a main house connected by passageways to guest houses on either side of it.  She lives in one of the guest houses which she and her husband had completely remodeled, and she plans to fix up the main house in eighteenth century style to use as a place to give teachers an authentic experience which hopefully will enhance their teaching.  It's a great idea, but apparently Elizabeth's ghost is determined it won't happen.

Meanwhile, her late husband's stepson is trying to lay claim to the estate so he can sell it off to developers.  There is also the matter of Noah and his mother Mildred who have always lived in a house there but have no deed.  They are descended from slaves owned by the original owner.  Elizabeth had promised to give them title to their house but has apparently forgotten.  If  she loses the lawsuit, they will lose everything.

The story is a cozy mystery and occasionally drags just a bit as Delaney describes colonial furnishings and cooking.  That feature of the book is very interesting, especially to a history buff like me, but someone else might not enjoy it so much.  The characters are either endearing or outrageously funny.  No one goes foolishly down into the cellar or out in the darkness alone, or anything other than what normal people would do in the situation.  It's hilarious when Elizabeth, her sister-in-law, Ellen and Aunt Mary go to the main house to find the ghost.  The four of them are scared to death and armed only with a cane and a flashlight - great scene that made me laugh out loud.

I really enjoyed this book.  It was perfect after finishing a long nonfiction book and when I wasn't in the mood for more serious reading material.

Recommended
Source:  Publisher, through Partners in Crime Book Tours
3858116
A mystery from beginning to end with a startling conclusion.
3598525
Jeanette Windle incorporates mystery, suspense, politics, religion, and romance into an engaging tale that rings with truth and awakens curiosity.
4921448
Doctor Dody McCleland and her sister Florence were residing at a country house near Piltdown when bones were discovered by Tristram, young master of the house and Florences beau. At first thought to be ancient, Dodys autopsy discovered they were instead the bones of a young woman, whose death would have occurred within the past ten years  but it was the discovery that the death was murder which set in motion the events of the following weeks.

With Chief Inspector Matthew Pike by her side, Dody began the investigation. Their resultant discoveries shocked them both  from ghostly hauntings, black dogs and superstitions that were rife in the area, to the inclusion of the workhouse, orphans and corruption within the local constabulary, the danger to Dody, Pike and Florence was immediate

The Scent of Murder by Aussie author Felicity Young is the third in the Dr Dody McCleland series and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The deepening relationship between Dody and Pike continued; and Florence, with the sisters being out of London, is seen in a different light in this episode. The Scent of Murder is a great historical mystery which I loved and highly recommend.
270336
Seeking "spiritual entities" to act as their guides,  Wiccan Maria Sanchez and two disciples break into  Tolomato Cemetery in St. Augustine, Florida to perform a ritual designed to summon the spirits of the dead.  Expecting a benign reception, the trio is shocked to learn that they've summoned a demon, an ancient being intent on perpetuating its evil by impregnating human hosts.  Although the two disciples escape,  Maria is raped by the demon, who, discovering she is to weak to serve as a vessel for his offspring, kills her, leaving her tattered corpse among the tombstones.
Her remains are discovered by Jack Colvin, a Detective working on the St. Augustine police force.  Stunned by the violence done to Maria Sanchez, Colvin believes it to be an isolated incident.  Then, other bodies turn up, all torn to shreds.  His investigations lead him to the conclusion that he is dealing with something out of the ordinary.  He becomes even more convinced of this when he meets tour guide Ssabra Onih,  who tells him she has been drafted by the spirit of Indian Chief Tolomato to combat the demon.  At first dismissive, he begins to see that Onih does indeed have unique insight into recent events, later teaming with her in an effort to destroy the demon.
Horror aficionados will no doubt recognize the plot, as it has been used many times over the decades, most recently, for example, in Edo Van Belkom's Martyrs.  As with that novel, readers' enjoyment of Breed  will vary according to just how many ancient burial ground stories they've read over the years.  For those with little exposure to this type of material, Breed will provide a pleasant diversion.  For those with a bit more familiarity with this sub genre, Breed might seem a bit tired, a reworking of overused plot elements with a predictable (but still satisfying) ending.
A writer of considerable gifts, Goingback delivers a well-crafted, highly readable tale, featuring characters that most readers will come to care about.  He also displays a sly sense of humor, as demonstrated by the witty repartee between Ssabra and Chief Tolomato, who seems pretty hip for someone who's been dead for a couple of centuries.  If there's any knock on his writing, it's his habit of telling rather than showing.  Sometimes, this works to his advantage, as when he is describing St. Augustine, a town on which he's obviously done extensive research.  Most of the time, however, readers will get the odd sense that Goingback doesn't really believe they are capable of filling in any blanks (one glaring example is that he's still referring to his hero as "Detective Jim Colvin" late in the book, at a point where "Jim" or even "Colvin" would do).  In the end, though, this is a relatively minor flaw in an otherwise competent horror novel.
2175353
A couple of intriguing mysteries that leave you wondering whats next
3543116
Too wicked to Kiss is a book has it all a gothic, a spooky dark Blackberry Manor, a brooding hero and a supernaturally gifted heroine.  Gavin Lioncroft is our brooding hero was accused of his parents murder and now his sister has invade his sanctuary and have a house party. Evangeline Pemberton has run away from her evil step-father and ends up being invited to a country house party. Evangeline is conflicted as she has been brought to the mansion to help Susan trap Gavin into marriage.  Evangeline who has a talent of "seeing" people's secrets when she has contact with their skin. Theres a murder occurs at the house party suddenly her skills are tested to discover the killer. Evangeline and Gavin are drawn to each other from their first meeting, but the murder investigation keeps getting in the way of a little romance.  There are several suspects, but Evangeline is not able to see any visions from their host Gavin to see if he is really guilty of killing anyone past or present. A very good murder and romance book.
I received an ARC copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
3918994
This is the second in the THOMAS AND CHARLOTTE PITT series of romantic mysteries set in the Victorian era. There is a strong overall story arc to this series so reading these novels in order is highly recommended.

It is two years after the events of the CATER STREET HANGMAN, Charlotte and Thomas are married as is Charlotte's younger sister. Emily. Once again a respectable London neighborhood has been struck with scandalous tragedy, this time it is the discovery of the bodies of two long dead infants buried in a garden. Thomas has been assigned the case, the details of which he shares with Charlotte. Deeply disturbed by the case, Charlotte tells Emily about the matter and the two sisters begin their own inquiries. Emily cultivates the friendship of one of the residents of the square and manages to get Charlotte a position assisting the woman's father to write a family history. Both women begin to seek out the neighborhood secrets, Emily above stairs and Charlotte below. Between the two of them they discover many bits of information that Thomas then uses to further his own inquiries. The question is whether they will be able to ferret out the truth before another infant is buried in this, or another respectable neighborhood.

This is a very well written series, one that now stretches to 30 books, and is still growing. Unlike many series where the characters are cardboard figures that exist only to move the plot along Perry has taken the time to craft characters worthy of any genre. In this one, as in the first novel, Charlotte and Emily are the focus, although we do learn a bit more about Thomas as well.  The various residents of Callander Square are also introduced, some of whom will return in later stories. Perry gives insight as to the motivations of those involved in the murders as well as providing a view into the complexities of Victorian society.