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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2572 KP) rated Murder at Chateau sur Mer in Books

Mar 7, 2026 (Updated Mar 7, 2026)  
Murder at Chateau sur Mer
Murder at Chateau sur Mer
Alyssa Maxwell | 2017 | Mystery
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Was This Murder Political?
It’s July of 1897, and Emma is covering a polo match when she witnesses a strange scene – a young woman with a less than stellar reputation is insisting that she must talk to Senator Wetmore’s wife. The next morning, Emma is summoned to the Wetmore’s residence - Chateau sur Mer. The young woman from the day before is lying dead in their entry way. Emma has developed a reputation based on her past exploits, and Mrs. Wetmore wants Emma to investigate so that the whiff of scandal won’t haunt her family forever. But what is the victim’s connection to the wealthy family?

The book does a good job of putting us back in Emma’s world while also setting up the mystery. While there are great twists, I did feel a few things were rushed at the climax. Still, everything did make sense. I appreciated the updates we got on Emma and the other regulars, both real people and fictional characters. Speaking of which, I love how the two types rub elbows seamlessly. In fact, I was surprised to learn a couple I thought pure invention were real. Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end to find out the facts that support this fiction. As always, the summer setting gave me some relaxed vibes, and I felt like I was transported back in time. If you are looking for a fun historical series, this is one to check out.
  
Three Days in June
Three Days in June
Anne Tyler | 2025 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think of Anne Tyler books as being in my ‘Chatty’ genre. Three Days in June is like your friend telling you about how they’re getting on - and Gail isn’t having the best of days at the start. It looks as though she’s losing her job. And all at the beginning of the weekend where her daughter will be getting married. Or will she? Because it looks as though the wedding is hanging in the balance.

Gail and her ex-husband, Max, are staying together in Gail’s house, along with Max’s foster cat. A lot of the 165 pages are flashbacks to the early days of their marriage, their daughter’s childhood and the reason for the end of their marriage.

Nothing exciting happens. The story jogs along with us, the readers, getting the inside story of their lives and thoughts. I love this kind of book. Yes, I love an exciting Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Historical Fiction, but sometimes I just really like a story to be like real life should be - largely unexciting, with people who care about one another.

If that doesn’t sell this book, then I have no idea what will! The world is a crazy place at the moment, and it’s nice to think that there might be people just going about their daily lives, not thinking about the huge, scary things. Just normal, everyday drama is what I need sometimes, and Anne Tyler delivers so skilfully on that.