Great historical mystery!
588154
This was my 2nd book in the series and I enjoyed both of them.  Posie is a great character, very driven, and insightful.  The plot development here was fantastic and it kept me guessing until the very end.  Even when she solved it in the end, it was full of surprises.  Really enjoy the historical context.
2274689
Set in the Summer of 1200 A.D. Lincoln, England, this mystery is the first in a series of which I shall definitely be reading more.
It is well-researched. The historical details are amazing. The main character, Bascot de Marins, is a Templar Knight who is on leave from the Order after returning to England from being kept prisoner by the Saracens. He is burnt out and disillusioned, wounded in body and spirit. Being literate in an age when few are, he gives steward's service to the chatelaine of the castle where he is recovering, Lady Nicolaa de Hayes (an actual historical figure, as is her husband, Sheriff Gerard Camville).
When four people are discovered brutally murdered in one of the town's alehouses, two of them strangers, one a Jewish moneylender, the last the aleman himself, Lady Nicolaa, to placate her husband, offers to handle the investigation under her own aegis rather than suffer him the cost. She turns to de Marins for the investigation. Onion-like, the mystery unfolds. Clues are discovered. Witnesses are questioned and details come to light. More murders ensue. The reader is tantalized. The wealth of historical detail is astounding, yet unobtrusive. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the identity of the killer. There were so many with a motive and the opportunity, each as plausible as the next. The end is a bit of a twist.
All of the characters are well-fleshed out and engaging. The language is at once true to the era and understandable in context for the modern reader. I was recommended this book because of my interest in the Brother Cadfael Mysteries. I am glad I took the bait. I will be purchasing the rest of this series as budget permits.
4313588
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!  It has numerous plot twists and I couldn't guess how it was going to end so it kept me intrigued.  Very interesting historical context and details.  It will keep you engaged. I recommend it!
3349820
I loved this one. Can't wait for the next in the series.

It was a bit grotesque, the details of the main characters experiences through her marriage to a anatomist.
Wonderful historical mystery with a great cast of characters, all stuck in a large castle in Scotland, after a murdered woman is found.

It did remind me a bit in feeling of the Lady Grey series by Deanna Raybourn.

** read July 2013
2635703
A good adventure mystery with interesting characters and inter-relationships. I enjoyed it.  If you like mysteries in historical settings, you will most likely enjoy this one.  Recommended.
2066382
I am a great fan of historical fiction, especially mysteries.  I am really looking for to reading the next book and was very pleased to see that there are several more for future reading.
2679245
I'm a mystery reader and I love historical fiction. The women's perspective was also interesting. For me this book was great. I look forward to many more books in this series!
1487680
I thought the historical aspect of this story was fascinating and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. Fun read!
2393632
This is the first of Suzanne Adair's novels that I've read, and all I can say is that I'm definitely hooked! Adair has masterfully combined  the elements of a historical novel with the twists and turns of an investigative mystery.

I also like how the books in this series can be read chronologically, or as stand-alones. Can't wait to read the next one!
1172305
This page-turning historical mystery fascinates with a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns, and a wealth of historical and period detail that transport you to Abe Lincoln's time.
The author made the inspired decision to take us to a little-known period in Lincoln's life -- his early years as a country lawyer -- and include plenty of historical truth, but without making Lincoln the main character. Instead the tale is told by Lincoln's (real-life) friend Joshua Speed, who plays Watson to Lincoln's Holmes as they solve a murder together.
Lincoln's frequent appearances are inevitably compelling as his wit and wisdom are consistent with the historical figure we know. The plot also turns
on a fascinating historical occurrence of the slavery years, which are depicted in all their brutal horror. Putnam clearly threw himself into researching the life and times of Lincoln, and fascinating details abound, particularly regarding the steamboat trade on the Mississippi. It's this aspect that really sets Perish from the Earth apart from other mysteries, even other historical fiction.
Overall, a great read on many levels. Looking forward to the next installment!
3854228
This is a great book for anyone who enjoys mysteries or likes historical fiction.  Though the prose is a bit slow and uneven at the beginning, the characters quickly develop into colorful personalities whose dilemmas you follow with interest.  The backdrop of the Prince's affair with Wallis Simpson provides a fun look at this scandalous time in British society, and behind-the-scenes look into the fictional influence-peddling and deception of the high courts.  Definitely recommend!
363270
Oliver Potzch is quite a talented writer for he has here produced a fine historical mystery. The time is late January, early February 1672; the place primarily Munich and its environs.  The cast is a crew, with one exception, of well defined, believable people.  The exception? The doctors and other healers seem a bit too modern for the time, but their modernness is needed for the plot.  The mysteries involved  include finding who has been murdering , execution style,  many young women, who has and how have coins been counterfeited, and what happened to the prince's dog.  Obviously many things are going on in this book - even more than the mysteries - and Oliver Potzsch keeps all the plots moving with a sure hand. The villains are quite villainous and all members of the hangman's family contribute to the mystery's solution.  The pages turn quickly and interest never lags.

The Council of Twelve is the seventh in the Hangman's Daughter series.  It read easily as a stand alone book.  Highly recommended
493295
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 since the author does a good job introducing all of the characters and I was able to pick right up and understand what was 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 Malloy, a private detective. His wife, Sarah, a former midwife. Franks 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 now 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 authors 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 Penguins First-to-Read program for providing me with a digital copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.
3001290
I really enjoyed this book.  A lot of interesting historical information wrapped up in a fast paced mystery.  Great read.
2341441
If you like history with your mystery, this book is for you!
Set in Richmond, CA during the tumultuous era of WWII, Adler's novel In the Shadow of Lies introduces the reader to a cast of fascinating characters who are dealing not only with the changes brought about by war, but with murder and mayhem in their own back yards. Adler does a masterful job of weaving little known historical facts about prejudice, suspicion, and even violence prevalent in the Bay Area during this time while creating a first rate page turning mystery. This is a jewel of a book. I cannot wait for the next one in this series!
3443103
I enjoyed is very much.  Good historical mystery with a plot that I could not anticipate.  Character are well developed.. not flat but with foibles
1752674
I enjoyed the mystery along with the historical facts. Dan Brown keeps the story moving with twists & turns that keep you thinking. I definitely recommend this.