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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2206 KP) rated Murder at Morrington Hall in Books

Nov 20, 2021 (Updated Nov 20, 2021)  
Murder at Morrington Hall
Murder at Morrington Hall
Clara McKenna | 2019 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Life Upheaval and Murder
American Stella Kendrick is thrilled to join her father on a trip to England in 1905 until she learns that he has arranged for her marriage to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst. Before she can fully process this news, Stella and Lyndy find the body of the vicar who was supposed to marry them. What does this mean for their future? Can they figure out what is going on?

I might have passed by this series had I not won the first three in a contest earlier this year. I’m glad I did. The romance is a stronger part of the story than I would normally like, but I’m torn on that here since I really found it easy to root for Stella and Lyndy. The story is told from multiple points of view, and early on, it is the scenes from the local inspector’s point of view that really advanced the mystery. Ironically, I found myself wanting to get back to Stella and Lyndy when we got those scenes. There is a solid mystery here, and I appreciate how the clues were scattered throughout the story. While I loved Stella and Lyndy and some of the others, some of the characters fell into the love to hate category, which was actually fun. I definitely want to find out what is next for the lead characters, so I’ll be picking up the next book soon.
  
R(
Requiem ( Remington Carter book 2)
Emma Cole | 2022
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
111 of 230
Kindle
Requiem (Remington Carte book 2)
By Emma Cole
⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

My name is Remington Reese Carter, and I’ve had a really bad day. It should have been an excellent day, after the prior evening spent with Elliot McAdams.
The experience had been amazing, but then the front door of Eli’s place opened, along with the biggest can of worms ever. I mean, really, what were the chances that not one, not two, but all three boys—well, now men, I suppose—that I ever loved, or thought to love, would all live together? And that Eli would live there as well? All. Together.
My mind couldn’t fathom it.
So I did what any self-respecting girl would do when confronted with four guys she has a major thing for. I ran. Don’t act like you wouldn’t have, either. I went straight to my best friend for some serious girl time.

Oh dear I hate going lower than 3⭐️ ratings but this really started to get boring half way through it was a little repetitive too. It did pick up in the last few chapters but not enough to go up to 3⭐️. Yes we did find out more of what happened but these things were spread out over too many chapters and the stuff with her dad ect was left to the odd mention. I kinda needed more.
  
The Beautiful Ones: A Novel
The Beautiful Ones: A Novel
Silvia Moreno-Garcia | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How could I not enjoy The Beautiful Ones? It’s basically Jane Austen with added magic!

Nina has been sent to Losail for her debut into fashionable society - and more importantly, to find a husband. But the chances of her becoming one of the Beautiful Ones is remote. She has the reputation of being the Witch of Oldhouse, and struggles to control her telekinesis. Beautiful ones do not show off any gifts they might have in public.

However when Nina meets the mysterious entertainer Hector Auvray, she falls for him: his life experience and his ability to control his telekinesis. What’s more, he starts to help Nina control her own talents.

Nina is sheltered and naive. Everything she has learnt about romance has come from the pages of a book, and life just isn’t like that, especially for socialites who must marry for advantage and connections.

I could feel Nina’s frustration at her limitations (and agreed with her), and wanted so much to warn her. SO MANY TIMES!

Nina’s cousins wife is awful. Shes a sad, vindictive woman that I loved to hate.

The descriptions of clothing and etiquette were both captivating and frankly, mind blowing. I would most certainly have been a peasant- there’s no way I could have lived like that! The attention to ‘historical’ detail made me believe this could have genuinely happened. Just excellent world building!

I loved this book ❤️
  
A Raven's Touch
A Raven's Touch
Linda Bloodworth | 2016 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This story starts with Justice waking up from a dream, outside her home in her nightwear. Not only that, but she appears to have two 'muffins' growing out of her shoulder blades. She has no idea of what is going on, is afraid to tell her parents, and on top of that, needs to get ready to go back to the hell that is called high school.

A Raven's Touch includes some shocking (violent) scenes in the high school that are necessary to the storyline. So much happens in such a small amount of time, but it is well-written and paced so it doesn't feel rushed when you are reading it. There is a reference made in the beginning to Matt Smith's Doctor Who - or at least, I like to think so. This made me smile as I read through the beginning.

This is a story of friendships, hardships, love and hate. With vampires, witches, elves and angels who speak to "Him" on a daily basis, this is the start of a series that I am looking forward to continuing. Personally, I can't wait to read more about Darien and Justice, although Moira and Tom make me smile too. Definitely recommended.

* 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!
Feb 19, 2016
  
Knot Ready for Murder
Knot Ready for Murder
Mary Marks | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Hitch on the Way to Get Hitched
Martha Rose has finally agreed to marry her long-suffering fiancé, but Crusher has a shock for her. He’s just learned that a marriage he thought was annulled decades ago never was. Even worse, his wife is coming to LA to visit. When Hadas arrives, she quickly makes it obvious that she is not going to let Crusher go easily. But then she is kidnapped. Can Martha figure out what is going on? Or is Crusher now a widower?

The previously unmentioned spouse is a trope I hate for being too much like a soap opera, but once we get past that, this proves to be a good mystery. There are plenty of surprises along the way to a great climax. While we do get a new over the top character here, the rest of the cast have been toned down some, which I appreciated. On the other hand, I wish we’d seen more of some of them, especially since this is the final book in the series. Fans who have read the entire series will be delighted with the final chapter, which sends the characters out well. As always, I enjoyed seeing towns I recognized pop up, but I really enjoyed seeing a local pizza place show up. I’ll miss spending time with these characters, but I was smiling when I set the book down.
  
D(
Dishonour ( The Hallowed Crows 2)
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
20 of 220
Kindle
Dishonour (The Hallowed Crows MC 2)
By G.N. Wright
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Death. Distraction. Destruction.

That’s all my life consists of now.

It wasn't supposed to happen like this, but everything went wrong. I knew the game, the rules, the consequences, yet still I chose to play. And now he's dead. He killed him. I killed him, and nothing will ever be the same again.

I thought I could survive, that I could beat him, that I could turn to my best friend and everything would be okay, but I was wrong. Now I have blood on my hands and death in my heart.

I thought I had to fight before, that I had to watch my back, but that is nothing compared to now. Any chance of ever getting them on my side again faded the moment that bullet was fired.

My saviors

My tormentors

My salvation.

Now nothing but my enemies. I had their love, then their hate, now I have nothing but their rage.

It’s said that Crows won’t attack unless you give them a reason.

Guess I gave them one.

This is exactly as the author describes and has plenty of potential trigger warnings. It was a quick read and I did like it. Like the first it was a bit repetitive in parts and it’s the only thing that annoyed me. But make sure you read her warning’s first this is a dark reverse harem romance.
  
46 of 220
Kindle
Plague of the Shattered ( The Gateway Trackers 2)
By E.E. Holmes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When a spirit Shatters, no one is safe...
Once every five years, the Northern Clans of the Durupinen gather at Fairhaven Hall. There at the ancient castle, surrounded by the very spirits they are bound to protect and serve, the clans settle disputes and shape the laws that govern the Gateways to the spirit world. For the first time, Jess and Hannah Ballard have to represent their clan. It is an awesome responsibility—a great honor… and they are sure it’s going to be the most boring week of their lives.
Oh, how very wrong they are.
For something dangerous is stalking the halls of Fairhaven. It lies in wait, striking down victim after victim, undetectable and inescapable. No one knows what it is, or what it wants, but one thing is clear: no one is safe until it is captured.
As their fellow Durupinen fall victim one by one, it will be up to Jess and Hannah, the newest members of the Trackers, to solve the mystery before the entirety of the castle is possessed.

I’m so happy she decided to write this follow on series. I really enjoyed this one. Was great catching up with characters even those I grew to hate. Looking forward to more. Jess and Hannah are set to prove those that doubt them wrong again.