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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2097 KP) rated The Last Illusion (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #9) in Books

Mar 9, 2018  
TL
The Last Illusion (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #9)
Rhys Bowen | 2010
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The summer of 1903 finds Molly Murphy going undercover to help find out who is threatening Houdini. Can she do it before there is another accident at the theater? This book struck just the right balance between historical detail and mystery. I enjoyed every page.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/03/book-review-last-illusion-by-rhys-bowen.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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Sensitivemuse (246 KP) rated Falconer's Crusade in Books

Apr 7, 2018  
Falconer&#039;s Crusade
Falconer's Crusade
Ian Morson | 2018 | History & Politics, Mystery
5
5.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Great historical aspect, mystery not so much
This is a pretty short mystery to read through. Looks can be deceiving though. Despite being short, it’s packed in with some heavy duty stuff.

The setting for example. Very rich in detail and gives you a sense on how it was back then in William Falconer’s time. Add in some political intrigue, a Jewish Quarter, and some rioting and it gets pretty exciting. I really can’t get over how great the setting is. It’s so descriptive you can feel the darkness and the dampness that permeates throughout the novel. Morson also does an excellent job to stay close to historical accuracy here in this novel as well. Forensic pathology is frowned upon, and you even get to see Falconer try on a strange contraption that looks a lot like Medieval opera glasses at the time. :)

The plot is pretty straight forward although there is not much of a secret mystery element in it. The suspect list is not extensive (thankfully! You’ll see why as you read further into this review) and when revealed it’s not much of a surprise or an a ha! Moment. There isn’t much personality to the characters except Falconer and his student Thomas. Thomas is a particular dolt. A Farmer boy who managed to be gifted and chosen to study and be a Scholar, well, for all the idiotic moves he makes, you have to wonder how the University chose this guy to let him attend their school. He fumbles and stumbles at the worst times and always manages to get himself into some life threatening situations (and doesn’t learn from it). It was funny the first few times, but after a while it gets annoying and you want to slap this boy upside the head. (You don’t deserve Hannah’s attention, you twit).

I’m going to assume it will get better with other books in this series, and this one serves as an introduction to the series. Since I really do love the historical aspect I will stick with this series and see where it takes me. Historical mystery lovers will love the setting and theme of this book, the mystery part, not so much.
  
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Lindsay (1706 KP) rated Saffire in Books

Sep 7, 2017  
Saffire
Saffire
Sigmund Brouwer | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Saffire is a really fun and mysterious book. There the main character is brought to Panama Canal to do something and to have chat with General. You get a good history about the time period. You also get a romance and action packed.
 
What will happen to Holt? There are some historical characters in the book. Sigmund does a wonderful job of tells the facts about 1909. The year may be a bit off but the facts stated are true. You will find that at the end of the book.

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this book. It tells of the building of the Panama Canal. I like that fell. It also gives a little mystery along with the action in the book.