A history lesson amid polished writing and an exciting mystery
595070
Bess Crawford is working near the front lines to heal the wounded in France. She is trusted by her co-workers, so when the man in charge of burying the bodies pulls her aside and shows her that there is on extra body in the queue with a broken neck, she knows it is her responsibility to make sure the murder is righted, especially because the man is one that she knows. However, the following day she succumbs to the ravages of the Spanish flu and is laid up for a month. When she becomes lucid, Bess discovers that the man who tipped her off to the murder has mysteriously hung himself, but she is convinced that he was also murdered because of what he knew. It is now her mission to avenge these men's deaths by finding the killer, but at her own risk.

Charles Todd's writing is a treat because it is so effortless. This mother/son writing team churns out novel after novel and each are enjoyable and exciting. This one is no exception. They combine history with mystery so while we're blowing through pages trying to get to the solution, we're also learning something about an often neglected era in history.
2963595
The author made an interesting and entertaining juxtaposition between early 1800 history and characters with a modern mystery.  This is a unique and educational way to highlight problems facing our country and its citizens.
2972329
Two different settings and time frames--the waning days of the Third Reich in Germany and Portugal, and contemporary Portugal, with some of the same characters--allow the author to overlap both a complex historical thriller with a traditional murder mystery in unique and fascinating ways. Klaus Felsen, forced to work for the Nazi SS near the end of World War II, is sent to Portugal to buy as much wolfram (tungsten) as he can get, to be used in the manufacture of armor-piercing weapons. He is also responsible for privately smuggling out a great deal of German gold and some stolen art when it appears that Germany will lose the war, a job made more palatable when he realizes that he and his partners can profit greatly in the years after the war if they are careful to avoid discovery.

All these details come into play when a young Portuguese girl, seemingly unconnected with any of this, is found murdered fifty years later in contemporary Lisbon. Inspector Ze Coelho is assigned to solve the mystery of her death, a death which eventually reverberates throughout Lisbon society, the migr population, the police department, the federal Justice department, political parties past and present, and even the foundations of the present government.

If all this seems like a lot to take on, it is. Although the book is beautifully written with fully developed, imperfect, and quirky characters one grows to like and understand, fine and vivid description, and a fast-paced plot with something happening all the time, ultimately it is difficult to make all the connections required by the fifty year chronology of the plot. Although I worked hard at this, and thought I had succeeded as I approached the conclusion, the last twenty pages had me reviewing and revising everything I had previously observed about the possible motivations of the main characters. Surprising twists are expected in mysteries. This one takes complexity to new levels. Mary Whipple
2226353
This captivating historical mystery set in the 1870s lured me into not putting this book down from the first madcap adventure to the last soulfully satisfying page.  This book appealed to me on many levels, there was an intriguing mystery, rich historical details, and a tinge of romance. Often for me it is the characters in a mystery that hold my attention, and the young Mycroft Holmes and his closest friend Cyrus Douglas, a native of Trinidad, prove to be a formidable duo as they seek to solve the mystery of sinister happenings in Trinidad and why this caused the disappearance of Mycrofts fianc&eacute;. I loved how the duo played to each other strengths and their bantering shows the respect and loyalty between them. While the setting begins in London, it quickly moves from a harrowing ocean-crossing and then onto Trinidad. It is the time spent in Trinidad that provides an original freshness to the plot as the reader not only sees the events from a world view but becomes immersed in the local culture and customs. The plot is filled with secrets and mind games that are entertaining and thought-provoking.
Overall the crisp storytelling, intelligently constructed plot with good pace and nicely crafted characters makes for a compelling read. This gem is a wonderful addition to the historical mystery genre and I am hoping this is the beginning of a series and I want to see the remarkable duo again and again.
93996
Steven Saylor is one of my favorite authors. As a history lover, I have thoroughly enjoyed the incredible history lesson you get while reading his novels and being completely entertained by a well thought out and well executed story. Through his Sub Rosa series, you get to travel through the history of Rome, learning about their customs, politics, festivals, justice system, ways of dressing, social structure and you meet some of the most important and notorious persons in Roman history. The way Saylor weaves a history lesson into a gripping mystery is nothing short of genius. This novel precedes the Sub Rosa series in time when our hero is coming of age. It is more choppy and less fluid that the other novels, but is still gripping and educational as Saylor takes you to the wonders of the ancient world in a way that allows you to visualize, feel and almost smell the place, the people and the traditions related to the place. This novel is a masterfully executed guided tour of the wonders of the ancient world.
3456781
This mystery laid the historic setting, first in India when the crime was first committed, then years later with Bess Crawford grown up and nursing during World War I. She travels where she is needed, near the front, in convoys, back in hospital, or on brief leaves, back in England. There's the missing (or dead) man accused of murder. She hears rumors, sees someone, chases down information at home and abroad. If the accused is really alive, is she in danger? Will the truth reflect on her fathers military reputation? Someone is trying to hide the truth in every way possible, including further murder.
A Question of Honor combines an engrossing mystery, gradually chased to the end, with historic accuracy reliving another time and place.
(This was a Christmas gift book. Thank you!)
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
3214890
Elizabeth Peters' "The Hippopotamus Pool" offers an exciting adventure and an archaeology lesson for the careful reader. Three parts mystery, one part Egyptology lesson, "The Hippopotamus Pool" is fun reading for anyone who loves a good msytery, Egyptologist or no.  Peters' heroine, Amelia Peabody, works alongsdie her husdand Emerson (as an  equal, she'll have us know) at archaeological digs in Egypt at the turn of  the century.  Both are accomplished Egyptologists.  Emerson is approached  by a mystery man offering him a map to the tomb of the Queen Tetisheri.  Before the man can give him the map, he disappears.  Son Emeron, Peabody,  their son Ramses and adopted daughter Nefret are in the thick of a deadly  mystery, as thieves swarm eagerly around the tomb, hoping to raid its  treasure.  Soon they begin to suspect that the evil Sethos may be back at  work.  The suspense is artfully built, and the mystery is carefully laid  with clues. The historical information about ancient Egypt (Peters is an  Egyptologist) is blended smoothly into the story so that it enriches the  story, instead of distracting from it.  Among the fascinating tid-bits  discussed in the book was the meaning of the Hippopotamus to the Egyptians.  The hippo, like many other symbols, had more than one posible  signifigance.  The hippopotamus could reprsent both the goddess of  childbirth in one turn, and the evil Set, enemy of the sun-god Re, who took  the form of the Hippo when he fought Horus, son of Osiris.  The story also  made for an interesting lesson about the Queen Tetisheri.  Amelia makes a  fascinating argument at the end of the book that Queen Hatsheput, the first  woman to rule Egypt, reburied Tetisheri in a better tomb.  Conversely, in  her book, "Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs," Barbara Mertz  (another name Elizabeth Peters uses for herself) writes of a stela that  records pharoah Ahmose's decision to build his grandmother Tetisheri a  bigger tomb and burial chapel.  One factor that detracted from the books  enjoyability was Amelias habit of constantly patting herself on the back.  It's difficult to root for someone who's so busy rooting for herself.  While her confidence is charming, she has a tendency to constantly remind  herself how talented and wonderful she and her family are, and that grows  tiresome.  Still, on the whole the book is enjoyable, the main characters  are both likable and entertaining, and the villians are sufficiently  threatening. Pick it up for fun summer reading, and try not to think about  the fact that you're learning something.
4677855
This elegantly written page-turner has a lot to offer. It has mystery: Is Karolina the long lost Jewish child who was hidden by her father, Jake Landau, with a Polish family during the Holocaust or is she a conniving Pole trying to gain the recently deceased Jake's inheritance?. It has international intrigue: The Landaus assign Jake's cynical, skeptical nephew, Philip, to unearth the truth of Karolina's story which takes them to Poland where they meet surprising resistance from both the Catholic Church and the Communist Party.  It has romance: Can the strong attraction between Karolina and Philip blossom into a love affair despite their enormous differences in background--she brought up as a Catholic in antisemitic Poland, and he, a New York Jewish lawyer who was brought up to believe that the Poles were as bad as the Nazis?  And it has moral significance: Can a Jew and a Pole overcome the terrible history of suspicion and hatred that has characterized their peoples for so many centuries? Most readers will, I believe, be moved and enlightened by this book, and have a good time along the way to an ending that is unexpected, even shocking, yet true to the lives we've come to know so well.
1650037
I am a keen student of history and have read many of Ms. Hunt's books, all of which have been carefully researched and brilliantly written histories and all of which I recommend.  They created tapestries of history interweaving facts with lucid prose, creating eminently readable tomes.

When a friend told that there was a new book out by Ms. Hunt with the title The Constitution Murders, I logically expected a detailed historical study of a heretofore unknown piece of history regarding "who knocked off whom," among the raucous debaters at the Constitutional Convention in the bilious heat of summer which was Philadelphia, PA, 1787. It also occurred, did this effect the voting?

The author fooled me, for here was a rollicking murder mystery, crackling with intrigue and plot upon plot carefully woven into an entirely unexpected ending which leaves the reader satisfied and yet perplexed.  Where does this tale next lead?  I am already savoring what must be a volume two, and  Ms. Hunt's fertile mind must already have it in process. . .
4818666
An avid reader of historical fiction and historical mystery, I found this book to be just the way I like my mysteries.  It's full of details (I hope accurate) about life in 1700s China and has an engaging mystery to go along with it.

The protagonist, Li Du, is an exiled librarian who, 5 years ago, lost his prestigious job at the library in the Forbidden City and now, disgraced and banished, lives a wandering, solitary life and is perhaps headed out of China.  However, he wanders into Dayan, frontier town where his cousin is magistrate and finds himself unwillingly drawn into events surrounding the long-awaited visit of the  Kangxi Emperor, who, as the divine ruler of the world, will "command" an eclipse of the sun in a special ceremony upon his arrival in Dayan.

Li Du arrives six days before the expected arrival of the Emperor and of the eclipse.  There's much hustle, bustle and preparation, many people both foreign and Chinese, merchants, priests, ambassadors, businessmen, traveling entertainers, etc., visiting for the event and an air of celebration abounds.

We have a large cast of characters in addition to librarian Li Du.  There's Li Du's cousin Tulisten, magistrate in Dayan; Tulisten's beautiful consort Lady Chen and his assistant Jia Huan; Dayan librarian Mun Gao; traveling storyteller Hamza;  Brother Pieter and Brother Martin, two Jesuit priests; Sir Nicholas Gray, ambassador of the English East India Company, and more.

Then Brother Pieter dies suddenly.  Foul play?  The magistrate says no, not wishing anything to interfere with the Emperor's visit, but Li Du suspects murder.  And off the story goes.  Li Du has six days to solve the mystery.  There's politics, waning Jesuit influence in China in the face of Dominican interests, foreign trade, diplomacy, astronomy and botany of the day, intrigue; you name it, you may find it here, even some very fun stories told by Hamza within the author's story.  The mystery and the characters are intriguing and the end of the book leaves you with the hope that the author will be writing more Li Du mysteries to make him an 18th-century Chinese Hercules Poirot.
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
2662261
This is a rare type of mystery novel: one that gives the reader an interesting plot to attempt to solve, but that also insructs that same reader on an aspect of history that is not normally known to the average person today. The plot involves the posible murder of several people, and the atempt by the son of one of them to find out who did it, and why. Intersperced within the plot, and quite relevant to it, is the role of stock-jobbing in England in the early 18th century, when trading was done in coffee houses. There is also a lot of information about the tenuous situation of Jews living in England during that period. The characters are all finely drawn, and the mystery is sufficiently full of twists and turns, and red herrings, that it will keep the reader turning pages far into the night. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel to this excellent book quite soon!
3838502
I enjoy murder mysteries and enjoy history, so when I ran across this title and its historic characters, I was hooked.

As with the other works, the husband-wife authors have worked magic with their thorough research of the period in which they have set their action.  Susan Wittig Albert is a former professor of literature--I assume it is she who is primarily responsible for the writing--and this is abundantly apparent from the skillful use of the English language and the principles of composition; this is very readable literature, not just a "who-dunnit."

Also evident is the extent to which there is attention to the details of the period.  The research has to have been pretty immersive, since little that creates an authentic ambiance has been neglected.  I presume, although I could find out very little about him, that Bill Albert is responsible for the research, and I suspect a degree of at least some level in history.  Whatever the case, it seems to be quite thorough, which makes the books the two write together very authentic.

In this case the murder is set in the family seat of the Marlboroughs and involves the historic individuals that owned it, including a 20 something Winston Churchill and a teenage Thomas Edward (or T.E.) Lawrance, later known as "Lawrance of Arabia."  The characterizations are very engaging, and make the reader aware that the figures we know from history had a youthful beginning and were not always the icons they became.

Interesting too is the sense of political and cultural change going on at this time.  Europe and Great Britain have yet to go through the turmoil that brought about the modern era, but some of the attitudes and behaviors presented in the book show why what followed occurred.  Being privileged to the knowledge of WWI and WWII and the changes that these wars introduced and the part that each of the more central historic characters in the book played in both wars, the reader can almost sense how close to the precipice the characters are, and what characteristics they posessed that put them into the roles they later played in history.

Definately intriging,too, are the cultural/social structure of the period and the constraints that existed on the lives of upperclass individuals, particularly women.  The cat and mouse game played by the later Dutchess of Marlborough with the encumbant of the title were particularly dramatic, as were the encumbant's observations regarding the life her rival would lead when she acheived her goal.  Very astute reading of character by the authors.

I particularly enjoy what amounts to historical notes by the authors at the end of the book.  Not being familiar with many of the historic characters I found it informative to learn what actually became of them.  History is in the position of telling us the "beginning, middle, and end" of the story, so to speak, and it was nice to have had the information presented--along with a bibliography, no less--for the reader's convenience.

Excellant fiction
1780169
Fans of Conan Doyles great detective, Sherlock Holmes, are going to want to give this fast-paced page-turner a read. The well-crafted pastiche is no easy task to pull off as it requires a deft touch, but Richard Ryan might well have been channeling Watson himself when he composed this clever mystery.

The author actually gives us two stories instead of one. The Vatican Cameos opens in 1901 with Holmes agreeing to travel to Rome and come to the aid of Pope Leo XIII. Then in the second chapter, we find ourselves in Renaissance Italy where Michelangelo has just been summoned to the court of Pope Alexander VI, the last of the Borgia popes. The action then toggles back and forth between the two plots.

Fans of both Dan Brown and Doyle will appreciate this fast-paced narrative. Not only is it filled with a generous helping of obscure but interesting facts about both the papal court in 1501, but its also a fascinating tutorial in the Italian unification movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, made far more interesting than any classroom lecture. Add to that an array of fully-rounded characters, many of whom have a well-earned place in the history books, and you end up with a truly compelling story that features plenty of twists and turns, but one that is never too far from the spirit of the Holmes Canon.
3872136
Having ready many historical novels, I would class this one with the best.  There was so much wonderful historical details that I was unaware of, i.e., the way that executioners and their families were shunned and feared.  Despite the bleakness of the people's day to day lives, people still had honor and a sense of right and wrong.  Plus, this is a mystery novel that will keep you turning the pages!
4406311
Clever, well-written, informative, fun, and a mystery.