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Becoming Rain (Burying Water, #2)

K.A. Tucker

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

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The second novel in nationally bestselling author K.A. Tucker’s breathtaking romantic suspense...

A Woman Scorned (Hartford Manor #5)

Marcia Clayton

(0 Ratings) Rate It

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1886 North Devon, England Lady Lilliana Grantley has been seriously ill with typhoid, a disease...

Historical Fiction Family Saga Victorian Historical Romance

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2318 KP) rated Forget Me Knot in Books

May 25, 2019

Forget Me Knot

Mary Marks | 2014 | Mystery

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Can Martha Solve a Knotty Murder?

Martha Rose and her friends Lucy and Birdie was considering expanding their Tuesday quilting group, but when they show up to Claire Terry’s house that Tuesday morning, they find Claire’s dead body. Then, one of her quilts is stolen from an expo that weekend, and Martha really begins to wonder what is happening. Is the quilt theft related to Claire’s death?

I don’t tend to pick up as many crafting cozies as I do other sub-genres, but I’m glad I made an exception for this book. The pacing was a little uneven early on, but the book is setting up a great second half, and that half completely had me hooked as the twists began to come quickly, leading to a great climax. The book does venture into some darker waters for a cozy, but I felt it handled them well. The characters, both series regulars and suspects, are all strong, and I really began to like the main trio by the end. I did find the very occasional political sniping in the first half a little off putting. I suspect it was supposed to be funny, but I didn’t find it that way. Hopefully, this is dropped as the series progresses. Unlike many cozies, this one is set in the suburban sprawl of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. This is just south of where I live, so I enjoyed seeing places I recognize in the book, and I still felt this had the cozy charm despite the larger setting. It is easy to see why this series has done well, and I hope to find time for the sequel at some point soon.

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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated A Certain Threat (Merriman Chronicles #1) in Books

Nov 11, 2019

Set at the end of the 18th Century just before the Napoleonic Wars, this follows the exploits of Lietenant Merriman. Injured in a battle with Barbary pirates he is given leave and returns to his family's home near Chester. He learns of a gang of smuggers who have taken a Customs ship. Before long he is summoned back to London and given command of his own ship to investigate this theft and also rumours of Irish and French involvement.

What follows is a cracking story that combines Naval adventure in the age of sail with investigation into the mystery around the loss of the Custom ship. Merriman is a strong lead character, a capable officer who looks after his men as best he can at a time when the navy was hard and brutal work, with many seamen ending up dead or injured on even the most routine missions. He is also relentless and imaginative, using the information and resources at his disposal to maximum effect to uncover the true purpose of the smugglers.

Burnage shows tremendous ability in his writing. The tone and dialogue feel very authentic, the characters well drawn and memorable. Every scene drives the plot forward or builds Merriman's character and there is a real sense of momentum and drama in the story. The descriptions of the naval encounters are a real highlight, exciting but clearly showing the danger that existed at the time, as well as the skill required by every member of the crew to ensure victory in any engagement.

Overall this was a terrific book and I would recommend it to readers of any age as a thrilling story. An easy 5 stars and an introduction to what promises to be a thrilling series.