Search
What Remains
Book
What Remains is a haunting dual-timeline mystery that bridges centuries-and secrets-between ancient...
Historical Fiction Dual Timeline Time Slip Fiction Historical Thriller Forensic Fiction Ancient Rome
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2456 KP) rated A Simple Murder (Will Rees, #1) in Books
Feb 9, 2020
Simple Time but Complex Murder
It’s 1795, and Will Rees has spent the last few years as a traveling weaver while grieving his wife. He’s left his son and his Maine farm in the care of his sister and her husband, but his most recent trip home leads to the discovery that they’ve been abusing that trust, and his son, David, has run away to a Shaker community over a day’s travel away. Will goes to try to repair their relationship only to find himself involved in a murder. One of the Shaker women has been killed in their community, and the Elders have asked Will to find the killer. His problem, however, is that he is an outsider. Will anyone trust him enough to share the information he needs to solve the case?
I’m always on the lookout for a good historical mystery, so I was quite eager to pick this one up. I’m not familiar with the Shakers, so that was also an interesting aspect of the book. The plot is good with plenty of twists and a logical conclusion, however, I felt like the pacing could have been better. That might have just been me since Will could only talk to a couple of people at a time if he had to travel far to talk to them. This is a historical mystery, after all. That travel time may have helped lead me to feel like things were slow. The characters are strong. I really came to care for Will and several of the others. The characters were just as strong, and I had no trouble keeping them apart. However, as Will begins to find complex family relationships, I had a hard time keeping all of those straight. The everyday details of life in the time period were strong and helped make me feel like I was back in time when I was reading the book. I am definitely planning to visit Will again to find out what happens to him next.
I’m always on the lookout for a good historical mystery, so I was quite eager to pick this one up. I’m not familiar with the Shakers, so that was also an interesting aspect of the book. The plot is good with plenty of twists and a logical conclusion, however, I felt like the pacing could have been better. That might have just been me since Will could only talk to a couple of people at a time if he had to travel far to talk to them. This is a historical mystery, after all. That travel time may have helped lead me to feel like things were slow. The characters are strong. I really came to care for Will and several of the others. The characters were just as strong, and I had no trouble keeping them apart. However, as Will begins to find complex family relationships, I had a hard time keeping all of those straight. The everyday details of life in the time period were strong and helped make me feel like I was back in time when I was reading the book. I am definitely planning to visit Will again to find out what happens to him next.
The Song of Names (2019)
Movie Watch
Tim Roth and Clive Owen star in François Girard’s (Hochelaga, Land of Souls) latest sweeping...
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 (13555 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
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated The Keys of the Watchmen in Books
Sep 7, 2017
The Keys of the Watchman is one really good book. Once I get into the book it, I can not put it down. It got all of what you would want in a book, it has action, mystery and time travel and romance all in one book. What a way to read a book.
The author does a wonderful job of tell the story of the of the historical facts. You get to feel as if you are part of it. You want to help the characters. You learn about christianity though this book as well. The Archangel Michael and Lucifer (Satan, Devil) and one of the fallen angels that is mention in the book is Abdon.
The book is about good and evil and saving the mount. We have a fallen angel Abdon and Nicolas and Katelyn. We are mostly in the year of 1424. We have Jean and Katelyn and Nicholas who are called Watchman but will they save Mount Saint Michael?
The author does a wonderful job of tell the story of the of the historical facts. You get to feel as if you are part of it. You want to help the characters. You learn about christianity though this book as well. The Archangel Michael and Lucifer (Satan, Devil) and one of the fallen angels that is mention in the book is Abdon.
The book is about good and evil and saving the mount. We have a fallen angel Abdon and Nicolas and Katelyn. We are mostly in the year of 1424. We have Jean and Katelyn and Nicholas who are called Watchman but will they save Mount Saint Michael?
So Great a Crime
Book
"Well-loved national hero, or predatory paedophile? So Great a Crime tells the true story of...
Nemesis: The First Iron Warship and Her World
Book
The Nemesis was the first of a generation of iron-clad, steam-powered naval vessels that established...