Naughty in Nice

Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen
4.5/5 stars
Berkley Prime Crime, 2011
328 pages
Historical Mystery; Cozy
A Royal Spyness Mystery #5

Source: Library

There really is nothing like reading a cozy by one of your favorite authors, especially once the series is established and you already have a good connection with the principals and especially when the setting is historical because it means the author gets to bring in all sorts of fun people.

I always anticipate a fun, fast read from Rhys Bowen and this is no exception. I am currently reading two mysteries series by her and I think this one might be my favorite because I adore the setting in 1930s England and Europe with accidental sleuth Lady Georgiana Rannoch. Georgie is a pretty down-to-earth young lady who just happens to be thirty-fourth in line for the throne. She's basically broke but it is expected of her to live a certain lifestyle even during these depression years (it is 1933 in this book). Luckily with a bit of luck, Georgia scrapes by, in this book, earning a trip to Nice along with many other members of her set to recover a priceless treasure for Queen Mary and to keep an eye on her cousin, the Prince of Wales, and *that* woman. Once there though, Georgia falls in with some new people and becomes implicated in a murder.

I did miss her friend Belinda and love interest Darcy, both of whom do make brief appearances in this book but not as much as they have in other books. I am a little tired of her will-they-won't-they with Darcy as I very much want Georgie to have a steady relationship and maybe even get married as is expected of her even if her adventures are a lot more possible when she's not tied down. But this was also the first book where I really liked her mother, a social-climbing actress who follows the money. Georgie's grandfather also makes a welcome appearance while the historical figures Coco Chanel and Vera Bate Lombardi were among the delightful new characters.

While I rarely figure out whodunnit in mysteries, I enjoyed the storytelling so much that I didn't even care although in this case I did have a few ideas. I wasn't able to piece everything together but I don't think that's the point. The point is to enjoy a light story with humorous details from Georgie's narration and to imagine yourself in the beautiful luxury of the French Riviera even if your real-life circumstances are far different.

Overall: One of my favorites in this series so far-a must-read for fans of Bowen and historical cozies!

A Marked Man

A Marked Man by Barbara Hamilton
Berkley Prime Crime, 2010
322 pages
Historical Mystery
3.5/5 stars
Sequel to The Ninth Daughter

Source: Library

After being intrigued by the premise of Abigail Adams as a detective, I knew I'd want to read the second book, hoping for an even better story.  I was rewarded because I thought this story was much tighter but with just as much historical detail and insight.

Mystery first.  Sir Jonathan Cottrell, Loyalist and would-be fiance to wealthy merchant's daughter Lucy is found murdered.  The arrested suspect is Henry Knox, Patriot and another would-be fiance to Lucy except that he actually loves her while Cottrell loves her money.  Of course Abigail knows Knox didn't do it because he was busy printing for the Sons of Liberty but she embarks on a quest to find legitimate outside proof that someone else committed the crime.  As Abigail investigates, she discovers many who want Cottrell dead but many red herrings and dead ends that slow her discovery of the true mastermind behind his death.

The role of women is again examined.  The ability of (wealthy, white) men to act largely without impunity is stressed as Cottrell was a notorious scoundrel who disgraced many a young woman, those with money and those without.  Bathsheba was a slave harassed by him who mysteriously disappeared around the time of his death, leaving behind two very young children.  Abigail believes it must has been forcible because a mother wouldn't leave her kids like that but not everyone agrees.  Lucy is in a difficult position as an heiress Patriot to an imperious Loyalist father who would do almost anything to prevent her from marrying someone he doesn't like.  Abigail also has her own struggles with guilt and her Puritan upbringing.  She knows that she should be at home, caring for her home and children but with the able assistance of Pattie, she frequently leaves the hated household chores in order to sleuth.  There are more instances, but these are a representative few that hopefully show why I liked this book.

The historical picture painted is also fantastic with a bit more John Adams than the first book as well as lots of Paul Revere and Samuel Adams in addition to fictional constructs who portray the varying opinions in the Boston of 1774.

My biggest problem, as with the first book, was the writing style, which I'm still having trouble with.  It seems very old-fashioned, which is good for a historical fiction novel, but I struggled with getting attached and fully immersed. I'm aware that this complaint is very much about me and my taste and I did find this easier going than the first book so I have hope for the third book being even better!

Unlike the first book, this one has a historical note at the end describing the life of Henry and Lucy Knox (yes, they are able to get married).  Among other roles, Knox was the first Secretary of War for America and he and Lucy had a long and devoted marriage.

Royal Blood

Royal Blood by Rhys Bowen
Berkley Prime Crime, 2010
305 pages
Mystery; Historical
3/5 stars

Source: Library

I was all set for the delightful further detective adventures of Lady Georgiana as she embarks on a trip to Romania (more specifically Transylvania) as a representative of the royal family for a wedding of an old school friend.  There are appearances by her brother and sister-in-law, her best friend Belinda, her mother, her love interest Darcy, and her would-be husband Siegfried.  But this book just did not do it for me.

First Georgie's imagination absolutely runs away with her, provoking her to imagine vampires, werewolves, and other creatures.  And not just once but multiple times.  I was so annoyed by those lunacies and normally I really love Georgie but I did not during those parts.

Second the mystery occurs at a snowed-in palace which is fabulous because I love when all of the suspects are gathered in one place.  However it took what felt like a long time until the mystery unfolded and I felt that there was not sufficient time to properly identify the murderer, which felt like a cheat to me.  I enjoy being confounded but I want it to be fair.  SPOILER: You can probably guess what he looks like but not his actual name or his motive END SPOILER.

Overall: A disappointing outing with Georgie but I hope the next, Naughty in Nice, will be better.

Read for Cozy Mystery Challenge and British Book Challenge.

India Black

India Black by Carol K. Carr
Berkley Prime Crime, 2011
296 pages
Historical Thriller
4/5 stars

Source: Won from Felicia at Geeky Blogger's Book Blog; Her review.

I saw several positive reviews of this and then was lucky enough to win a copy. I was hoping for a good mystery although I would classify this as more of a thriller.  India becomes deeply involved in the political intrigue of the late nineteenth century, especially the diplomatic differences between England and Russia.  This results in masquerades, debauchery, imprisonment, and gunfights among other thrills.

It starts off very bluntly with “My name is India Black. I am a whore” although technically she’s a former whore, who now runs her own brothel, not that most people would make that distinction.  Anyway a British governmental official dies while being “helped” by one of India’s girls.  As she attempts to move the body under cover of night, she is met by another official Mr. French, who, upon discovering that an important satchel has gone missing, blackmails India into helping him recover it, thereby beginning her thrilling adventure.

India was a hilarious, self-deprecating woman. She knows that most people look down on her but she’s proud of running her own business and of her brains (and justly so).  She’s self-sufficient and can look out for herself.  Her narration provided some hilarious moments and usually broke right through the tension and suspicion of some scenes.

I wanted more Mr. French-I’m predicting a bit of a romance eventually for the two of them and it will be delicious! I enjoyed his role as well as the appearances of Benjamin "Dizzy" Disraeli and William Ewart Gladstone, dueling prime minsters with very different aims.  Other characters provided additional color.

The sequel is listed on goodreads: India Black and the Widow of Windsor.  I haven't seen a summary and I don't like the cover as much as this one but it looks like it might involve Queen Victoria more which I would enjoy.

Overall: A great start to a series; can't wait to continue!

Cover: I love a gorgeous colorful dress on the color.

Vision in White

Vision in White by Nora Roberts

Berkley Books, 2009

325 pages

Romance; Contemporary

4/5 stars

1st in Quartet

Source: Library

Summary: Mackenzie and her three best friends run a wedding planner business. Mac is the photographer, an interest that stems from her broken childhood.  Both of her parents have been divorced and remarried several times and it created instability there.  Additionally her mother is emotionally manipulative of Mac.  So while Mac is surrounded by happy couples every day, she has not had success in that realm.  Until Carter Maguire runs in to her wall and they begin what could be a casual fling or something more.

Thoughts: When I saw the concept for this quartet, I knew that I would want to read it.  I love the preparations for weddings and I have never actually read any Nora Roberts so I thought this could also serve as an introduction. I really liked it so that was a good decision.

I wasn't sure about Mac at first; she seemed a bit prickly and I didn't immediately like her.  In fact I was more interested in her friend Parker who is heroine of the last book.  But I was able to sympathize with Mac as her issues with her mother block the formation of a healthy romantic relationship with Carter.  Hmmm Carter.

Carter is practically perfect; he's a teacher which means he loves kids and wants to help people.  He looks hot in glasses and tweed-I am only now starting to realize how hot guys can be in glasses.  He's supportive of Mac and he's basically been in love with her since high school.  He's adorably awkward around her because he likes her so much but he doesn't want to rush her in to anything that she's not ready for.  I'm so glad they were able to commit to each other and I'm hoping we'll see their wedding in one of the later books.

Note: I saw some reviews that said Roberts was repeating herself.  But I had never read any Roberts so I cannot comment on this.  If you have read any of her novels or read tons of contemporary, it may seem too familiar.  If you read more historical, it may seem more fresh like it did to me.

Overall: Pleasant start to the Brides Quartet; I'm definitely looking forward to the other stories.

Cover: I understand the theme obviously; Mac is a photographer (hence 'vision') and she loves shoes so maybe that's why it's peeking out from under the skirt?

The Secret Adversary

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie
Berkley Books, 1922
232 pages
Mystery; Tommy and Tuppence
4.5/5 stars

Source: Library

Summary: An exciting story following a pair of adventurers known as Tommy and Tuppence.  They work to stop a Bolshevik plot that could bring down the British government.

Thoughts: I wasn't sure what to expect (okay I had the thought that I'd be getting a good mystery because it's from Agatha Christie) but this was not quite that.  Tommy and Tuppence are quite young (early 20s) and speak in what seems a very affected style but may actually be true for the time period.  I find their words a little weird but mostly endearing.  They were FUN characters and I think I like them more than Miss Marple and certainly more than Poirot.

The plot was fast-moving, much to Tuppence's preference.  They are looking for a way to make a bit of money and end up entangled in a plot seemingly plotted by the Bolsheviks (I'm not entirely clear on that point).  They meet a variety of characters in a confusing but fun plot.  It definitely leans a bit more to the thriller side.

As to the ultimate mastermind, the so-called Mr Brown, there are two main candidates and I of course picked the wrong one because I liked him in his other guise so much.  The ending is quite satisfactory though.

Overall: A welcome change from the usual Christie! I will definitely be reading the other T&T books sooner rather than later.

Cover: Not my cover, which is super boring, but I really like this picture!  The black could stand out if surrounded by light colored books and it looks like a man is dashing around which fits the story.