Search
The Woman in the Wallpaper
8.0
Rate It
Book
Paris, 1789. The Oberst Factory, which crafts exquisite wallpaper for the most fashionable French...
Historical fiction French Revolution
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2444 KP) rated A Killing Way in Books
May 8, 2025 (Updated May 8, 2025)
Tracking a Painting Stolen by a Dead Man
When famed silent film cowboy William S. Hart hires Nate Ross, he is looking for a portrait that was recently stolen from his home. He even knows who stole it. The catch? The thief was killed in a suspicious accident that has deeply divided the community of cowboy actors. Can Nate navigate the controversy and find the painting?
Since I live in the town that William S. Hart called home, I got a kick out of seeing a couple places I know well show in this historical mystery. The plot and pacing were great, and I had a hard time putting down this PI novel. Speaking of being a PI novel, there is a little more content than I might normally read, but it was a small amount. The characters are good overall. A few could be stronger, but fans will be happy to spend more time with everyone. If you haven’t started this fun series yet, fix that today.
Since I live in the town that William S. Hart called home, I got a kick out of seeing a couple places I know well show in this historical mystery. The plot and pacing were great, and I had a hard time putting down this PI novel. Speaking of being a PI novel, there is a little more content than I might normally read, but it was a small amount. The characters are good overall. A few could be stronger, but fans will be happy to spend more time with everyone. If you haven’t started this fun series yet, fix that today.
Ravens Hill (The Atheling Chronicles #5)
Book
In 1030 C.E. — When Harald, the second son of King Cnute, returns from fighting the king's enemies...
Historical Mystery Vikings
The Puzzle Universe: The History of Math in 315 Puzzles
Book
A renowned puzzle master and game inventor presents 315 new and traditional puzzles. The Puzzle...
Merissa (13481 KP) rated The Du Lac Chronicles (The Du Lac Chronicles #1) by Mary Anne Yarde in Books
Dec 17, 2018 (Updated Jun 8, 2023)
This is a young adult, historical romance, set after Arthur and Lancelot. Alden is Lancelot's son and, at eighteen years of age, is King of Cerniw. However, he is King in name only as he has just had his fortress and country razed by Cedric. The story starts with him tied to a whipping post, facing death and generally not in the best of health! Annis is Cedric's daughter and makes the decision to save him, for reasons that you learn about as the story progresses.
Full of action, chases, betrayal and mystery, this is a wonderful story that will keep you on your toes as you try to figure out just who will do what next.
If I had anything negative to say, it would be that Alden and Annis both change their minds so often, it gets both hard to follow and also a tad monotonous. Basically, both of them love each other, neither thinks they are good enough, and both try to do 'the right thing' - even to the detriment of their own feelings. This is just a small part of the larger story though, so it doesn't distract too much.
All in all, this was an epic historical saga with well-rounded characters and situations. Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, I would have no hesitation in recommending this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 20, 2016
Full of action, chases, betrayal and mystery, this is a wonderful story that will keep you on your toes as you try to figure out just who will do what next.
If I had anything negative to say, it would be that Alden and Annis both change their minds so often, it gets both hard to follow and also a tad monotonous. Basically, both of them love each other, neither thinks they are good enough, and both try to do 'the right thing' - even to the detriment of their own feelings. This is just a small part of the larger story though, so it doesn't distract too much.
All in all, this was an epic historical saga with well-rounded characters and situations. Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that I found, I would have no hesitation in recommending this.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 20, 2016
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated House of Thieves in Books
Feb 21, 2018
How far would you go to save the life of a loved one? Thats the question that architect John Cross is forced to ask himself after being confronted with evidence of his sons gambling problem and subsequent debt. The amount is more than his son, or he himself, could ever hope to repay. To keep his son from being killed by the gang holding the debt, John uses his specialized knowledge of local buildings to help the gang plan burglaries, with the understanding that with each job, some of the debt will be forgiven.
I admit that I was expecting a little more of a mystery element after reading the blurb, but even without the mystery this book takes you on an enjoyable trip to the past. The story takes place in New York, 1886, and is rich with descriptions of society life, rat baiting, etiquette, gambling dens, and almost anything else you might want to know about the time period. I did like the way that almost every member of Johns family, without his knowledge, flaunted tradition and expectations to pursue happiness in their own way, even though to be found out would have meant their ruin and social outcast. It was hard not to root for them even when you knew they were doing wrong.
If you are a fan of historical fiction (or if you enjoyed the movie Gangs of New York), then I highly recommend this one.
Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I admit that I was expecting a little more of a mystery element after reading the blurb, but even without the mystery this book takes you on an enjoyable trip to the past. The story takes place in New York, 1886, and is rich with descriptions of society life, rat baiting, etiquette, gambling dens, and almost anything else you might want to know about the time period. I did like the way that almost every member of Johns family, without his knowledge, flaunted tradition and expectations to pursue happiness in their own way, even though to be found out would have meant their ruin and social outcast. It was hard not to root for them even when you knew they were doing wrong.
If you are a fan of historical fiction (or if you enjoyed the movie Gangs of New York), then I highly recommend this one.
Note: I was provided with a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Christmas Carol Murder (A Dickens of a Crime #3)
Book
The latest novel from Heather Redmond’s acclaimed mystery series finds young Charles Dickens...
Historical Mystery
Merissa (13481 KP) rated Lost Shores of Thonis in Books
Oct 14, 2025
LOST SHORES OF THONIS is a standalone historical mystery with a touch of the supernatural, based on the real lost city of Thonis-Heracleion. Now, I say this is a standalone, but it doesn't feel like it. It feels as though it is the first book in a series, as not everything is explained, finished, or tied up neatly with a pretty little bow.
Told from Azizi's perspective, you find out how she and two others became 'Blessed', what happened to Meryt, and how she finds out the 'truth'. There are a multitude of characters here that aid and abet with Azizi, or are against her. I'll leave it to you to figure out which.
I did struggle with parts of this as Egyptian history isn't one of my fortitudes. Not only that, but the tales of Nubia and the secrets revealed didn't always make much sense to me. However, the mystery of the story itself was intriguing, and I couldn't wait to learn more as each chapter unfolded. I also could have done with an Egyptian translation to figure out the meaning behind certain words, but I made it through.
This was a great read by an author I admire, so I'm definitely happy that I read it, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 13, 2025
Told from Azizi's perspective, you find out how she and two others became 'Blessed', what happened to Meryt, and how she finds out the 'truth'. There are a multitude of characters here that aid and abet with Azizi, or are against her. I'll leave it to you to figure out which.
I did struggle with parts of this as Egyptian history isn't one of my fortitudes. Not only that, but the tales of Nubia and the secrets revealed didn't always make much sense to me. However, the mystery of the story itself was intriguing, and I couldn't wait to learn more as each chapter unfolded. I also could have done with an Egyptian translation to figure out the meaning behind certain words, but I made it through.
This was a great read by an author I admire, so I'm definitely happy that I read it, and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 13, 2025
The Dutch Muse (A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #4)
Book
A ruthless thief leaves a private Dutch gallery with a coveted seventeenth-century painting. The...
Historical Mystery Art Dual Timeline Dutch
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2444 KP) rated Murder Comes to Call in Books
Oct 28, 2020
Thefts and Murder
When Beryl Helliwell goes to court for reckless driving, she meets Declan O’Shea, an Irish immigrant trying to start a life for himself in the English village of Walmsley Parva. However, being Irish, he is viewed with suspicion, and the string of thefts happening in the village only make things worse. When the police start to question him about the thefts, he hires Beryl and Edwina Davenport to clear his name. The stakes are only raised when a dead body turns up at the scene of the latest burglary. Couple that with another client who needs his case solved right away, and Edwina and Beryl have their work cut out of them. Can they figure out what is really happening?
While this is the fourth book in the series, you could easily jump in here. You would miss out on the growth in the characters and their relationships, which is definitely part of the charm of the series. Plus these are just great characters to spend time with. Fans will be delighted to check in with these friends and catch up with the latest going on in their lives. The plot seemed to be a bit scattered early on, but I suspected that events would tie together, and my faith was rewarded. In fact, I was impressed with just how everything came together by the end. The setting, both location and historical, come to life well. We get a great feel for the impact of World War I on this village without it ever slowing things down. I was fully absorbed in another time and place as I read, and if you are looking for a great historical mystery, you will be, too.
While this is the fourth book in the series, you could easily jump in here. You would miss out on the growth in the characters and their relationships, which is definitely part of the charm of the series. Plus these are just great characters to spend time with. Fans will be delighted to check in with these friends and catch up with the latest going on in their lives. The plot seemed to be a bit scattered early on, but I suspected that events would tie together, and my faith was rewarded. In fact, I was impressed with just how everything came together by the end. The setting, both location and historical, come to life well. We get a great feel for the impact of World War I on this village without it ever slowing things down. I was fully absorbed in another time and place as I read, and if you are looking for a great historical mystery, you will be, too.