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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2658 KP) rated A Royal Affair in Books

Sep 4, 2024 (Updated Sep 4, 2024)  
A Royal Affair
A Royal Affair
Allison Montclair | 2020 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Protecting Royal Love
Someone has sent Princess Elizabeth a letter hinting at a scandal in the past of Prince Philip. The letter was intercepted, and Iris Sparks and Gwen Baingridge have been approached to find out if there is any truth to the scandal or not. Since it is believed that the two royals are heading for an engagement by the end of the summer, time is of the essence. When Iris and Gwen begin digging in to see if there is truth behind the insinuation, they hit dead ends and uncertain connections. Can they find out if someone is about to out a royal scandal?

I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get back to this series. This was a fun second visit. The characters are sharp, and I love how Iris and Gwen complement each other so well. The mystery was good, although it was a little overly convoluted at the end. It all made sense, however. The real world fits well into this historical mystery, and, even though I knew how history actually played out, I was hooked. I’d forgotten just how much humor there was, especially the banter between the leads. Hopefully, it won’t be so long before I am able to visit them again.
  
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ClareR (6256 KP) rated The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3) in Books

Mar 30, 2021  
The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3)
The Summoner’s Sins (Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #3)
Keith Moray | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Summoner’s Sins is a really engaging historical fiction set in the 14th century. I really liked that real historical people were used in the narrative, and the attitudes of medieval people towards religion and witchcraft always fascinates me. The average medieval person was a very superstitious type - which I suppose was an understandable way to make sense of the world without science. Curses shouted out from the gallows abound in this story, and there are plenty of rebels in the background who are only too happy to make it look as though they are curses that have come true.
Richard Lee is a reasoned and logical man, and able to tell a curse from an actual murder - and thank goodness for him! I really liked the characters that Keith Moray has written in to this story, and Richard and Hubert are great lead characters. Richard is a god-fearing man, but he doesn’t let religion get in the way of the truth. Hubert is ever faithful to Richard and their pursuit of the truth.
I really very much enjoyed this book - I do like historical fiction (you’ve probably guessed this by now!) and I enjoy a good mystery. This delivered in spades on both counts.
Many thanks to Sapere Books for providing me with an e-ARC.
  
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starwarsluvr (236 KP) rated Her Gilded Prison (Daughters of Sin #1) in Books

Jan 30, 2018  
HG
Her Gilded Prison (Daughters of Sin #1)
Beverley Oakley | 2013
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Historical isn't one of my favorites when it comes to genre but this one had enough romance and mystery to keep me interested. The writing was intriquing and very well done. It made me feel as if I could see and feel what was happening to and with the characters. Stephen was a bit odd at first, I didn't know what to think of him but he made me laugh and smile. And then I fell in love with him and with Sybil. The secondary type characters also made me smile and feel good. Which is always fun because sometimes the other characters get put into the background and you don't feel them, but not in this story. I am so glad I got to review this one
  
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Pawel Pawlikowski recommended Ivan's Childhood (1962) in Movies (curated)

 
Ivan's Childhood (1962)
Ivan's Childhood (1962)
1962 |
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"The Mirror was the closest cinema came to poetry. Tarkovsky abandoned narrative and mixed up different perspectives, stitching together the personal and the historical in a totally unique way. He made some other powerful films, but for me The Mirror is the one I keep going back to for air and inspiration. Its collage, fractured-mirror approach and refusal of anything literal and linear make sure the film will always keep its power and mystery, not unlike Eliot’s Waste Land. I have a problem these days getting through Tarkovsky’s more linear films, with these long, slow tracking shots that have spawned so many imitators (mainly male directors who love to exercise their power over a captive audience for hours). The other Tarkovsky film I can watch repeatedly and keep discovering anew is Ivan’s Childhood."

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