Review: “Above the Bay of Angels” by Rhys Bowen

Just about any book written by Rhys Bowen will be a winner. Ms. Bowen’s voice and style of writing transcend the periods that she sets her novels.

Her latest novel, Above the Bay of Angels, is no different in that regard. From the beginning, you feel you are in Victorian England. The sights and smells are vivid. And the protagonist’s trials are at once believable, for they could happen in today’s time with only a slight difference. Being a single woman and making your way in the world has never been easy.

While reading, you find yourself rooting for the heroine. And wondering how will she proceed. Though that is normal in any book you read with ‘Above the Bay of Angels’, it is a bit different. Being a bit different is one of the points in this novel. Once you read it, you will see as I do not want to say more for fear of saying too much and spoiling the book.

For all that I enjoyed the book, I found it a tad slow to develop the storyline. At times, I wasn’t sure where the heroine was going. And one of the main villains was not well used in my opinion. So I was not as impressed as I usually am with this book of Ms. Bowen’s.

Read for the scenery, the environment, the historical details. You will find yourself there, enjoying the landscape in every way.

Recommended: 4 stars

#NetGallery #AboveTheBayofAngels #RhysBowen

Review: “Nogged Off” by Barbara Ross

‘Nogged Off’ was not my first book by Barbara Ross and not my first book from the series, ‘A Maine Clambake Mystery.’ Precisely the reason I wanted to read it.

I will say that I was not overly thrilled about the beginning of the book. It seemed a bit contrived and even soggy. I re-read the beginning to see if maybe I had somehow missed a bit of information or clue. No, sadly, I had not.

Every book in the series before had drawn me in quickly. So I had higher expectations, maybe. The soggy start, the start in another city, both threw me off. As the plot moved towards the middle, it seemed to form more of a reason for being. I kept reading because I wanted to see if there was a reason our heroine was going through the hoops and some loops. (Also, this is a NetGallery review, and I wanted to complete my task)

There was a reason, and it made more sense once I read to the end of the book. Still, I wish the story would have flowed better in the beginning as it did near the end.

Ms. Ross usually has a good plot and a well thought out story, unlike ‘Nogged Off.’ Will, I read the next book in the series, yes. I expect the next book to be back to the series usual goodness.

Only (three green books): 📗📗📗

Book Review: The Blue Bonnet Betrayal by Marty Wingate

The Bluebonnet Betrayal is the second book I have read by Ms. Wingate. I can tell you she only gets better in my opinion.

Pru is delightful as ever and she is a trooper. She and Christopher have a deep relationship and one I think many people would envy.

The Bluebonnet Betrayal puts a little bit of Texas in England and with surprising results that just seems work well. The intrigue of the plot plus the whole mystery of the renown flower show itself makes the book worth a read. Yet having Pru be herself and take us on London journey.

I will certainly be reading more books by Ms. Wingate.

Book Review: “Brighton Belle” by Sara Sheridan

This book captivated me. There is just no other way to say it. I was and am quite taken by the Belle. By about 20% of the book I had become immersed in the story. Then I was always reading, and I could not set the book down.
Belle is not your average woman from the post-World War II era. She is surprising on many levels. There were twists and turns that I do not even think Belle knew coming.
Read this book and you will thank me later. I will most assuredly be reading more books by Ms. Sheridan and I know you will too after you read about Brighton Belle.

Book Review: “Murder Past Due” by Miranda James

The cover of this book hooked me. I mean a cat, books, and well, books in a library! What is not to love?

Murder Past Due is set in a small Mississippi town named Athena. Athena is a small, quiet town where Charlie and Diesel live. Charlie had recently moved back and brought Diesel with him. As they walk the streets they make quite a pair. Charlie and Diesel tag team in the library. Charlie works there, and Diesel sleeps there. The perfect setup for the impending trouble.

Small town gossip flies as Geoffrey, the best-selling novelist, slides into town on a book tour. Then things and life become interesting for Charlie & Diesel.

This book is the first in the new (new to me) series, Cat in The Stacks. At first, I found the book sluggish. I believe it was the characters and not the plot. After a period of the time, the characters did develop, and the plot moved sufficiently forward that I could see the characters more clearly in my mind’s eye. In saying that, I did not find myself sympathetic to some of the characters as I knew I was supposed to feel. Those few characters had much to do and say in the plot, but I felt they were more two-dimensional than the book needed.

Let me add this, Charlie does an excellent job of sleuthing, and several people have taken notice. I will read the next book in the series. And if you read /follow my reviews you know that I will not complete a set if I do not like the first book I read whether it is the first book in the series or the last book in a series. So yes, I think ‘Cat in The Stacks’ books are worth my reading time and dollars.