[NOVEL] A Scandalous Deception by Lynn Messina

As much as Beatrice Hyde-Clare relished the challenge of figuring out who murdered a fellow guest during a house party in the Lake District, she certainly does not consider herself an amateur investigator.

So when a London dandy falls dead at her feet in the entryway of a London Daily Gazette, she feels no compulsion to investigate. It was a newspaper office, after all, and reporters are already on the case as are the authorities. She has her own problems to deal with anyway—such as extricating herself from a seemingly harmless little fib that has somehow grown into a ridiculously large fiction.

Truly, she has no interest at all.

Except the dagger that killed the poor earl seemed disconcertingly familiar… And so Bea is off to the British Museum because she cannot rest until she confirms her suspicion, while trying to allay her family’s concerns and comprehend the Duke of Kesgrave’s compulsion.

For the handsome lord has no reason to waste his time solving a mystery alongside a shy spinster. And yet he turns up everywhere she goes.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 2

I was fascinated by the first book, this is why I decided to proceed reading the second one.

As in the previous book the novel has two disticnt lines, one is the investigation and the other is the relationship.

And the relationship is developing quite steadily.

The thing is author does not apply the modern way of writing when in 1st person POV books we have to feel everything the person feels. Author of this book only explores a narration, which does describe Bea's feelings in far greater details, but it's not as overbearing. The feelings that Kesgrave might feel are quite a secret that is delivered in details. Only later during a more honest conversation Duke admits that he is not sure himself why he follows through the investigation and the reason is not only that her dismissal of him he finds intriguing and he wants to tweak her ego in return.

Not in anguish but Bea does go through several phases incomprehension of his actions and her own response to them. You really need to read the book to get the entire picture. But in general terms they are indeed of different status. When the previous case was over it was shaded with the appeal of future acquaintance, but Bea is too self-conscious of herself to believe in the possibility. So when they meet again she even creates some ridiculous sounding motives for him appearing in her life that have nothing to do with him just wanting to be in her company. Like they meet at the museum (spoilers) the scene and the reasoning he gave for appearing there I liked a lot, it was simple. Consequently at one of the balls she was talking to a man who was part of the Lake District gathering and she could not comprehend why Kesgrave appeared so stormy. Although to the reader it appeared obvious that Kesgrave might have saw her with another man laughing, which is far from her usual conduct and felt jealous, a feeling he might be oblivious to at this point in time.

But his attention and his actions showed Bea that her theories are nothing more but a ridiculous pile of assumptions, while the man in question might have wanted to be in her presence. But in dismay she realizes her feelings and the mournful prospects that things will not go anywhere from there. As if they won't develop romantically, because she is so below him.

As for investigation, it was quite interesting. Unlike other mystery novels here Bea's motivation is connected to er feeling so outside of her previous boxed up self. She is not some genius investigator, but she has a quick mind.

But again I won't spoil anything because it's a mystery after all and I'm not mad at it. I can understand that it may also sound convenient how they investigate it, but from another point - why not? why things in such a cozy mystery should be complicated.

Another interesting development is her relationship with her family, although one might find it ridiculous, but it also showed how self-conscious and afraid of any mistakes Bea was when growing up, which ended up making her duller than a second coat of paint. Now after she showed herself she became aware that she can make mistakes without grievous consequences of being sent away and no, for her cousins she became more interesting which allowed her to have a connection.

What can I say, in conclusion, the story is only 262 pages long, but it is concise and on point. It does not use embellishments or complicates things, but also stays interesting. It does not burden you to feel every micro-emotion of the characters, instead you are free to interpret their behavior yourself. Unless they openly admit to something. It's light, it's fast-paced, the dynamic is great and the chemistry is great too. It's really a fitting read when you seek something of a similar sort to just have a good time.

RATE: 4,75/5.

[NOVEL] A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina

Nothing ruins a lovely house party like bloody murder.

At the decrepit old age of six-and-twenty, Miss Beatrice Hyde-Clare has virtually no hope of landing a husband. An orphan living off her relatives' charity, her job is to sit with her needlework and to keep her thoughts to herself.

When Bea receives an invitation to an elegant country party, she intends to do just that. Not even the presence of the aggravatingly handsome Duke of Kesgrave could lead this young lady to scandal. True, she might wish to pour her bowl of turtle soup on his aristocratic head - however, she would never actually do it. But a lady can fantasize.

But, when she stumbles upon the dead body of another houseguest, all Bea's good intentions fly out the well-appointed window. Although the magistrate declares it a suicide, she knows better.

Time for some very unladylike behavior.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery. Book 1

This was surprisingly entertaining. The dynamics between Bea and Kesgrave are enjoyable and the banter is there (Hell, I think I don't even know his name, because no one would use it obviously). They have a thorny start, because she is prejudiced towards him and she is unhinged, the way she fantasizes hurling things at him, it's the first scene. Because she finds him a pedant who likes to provide a lot of info etc. As we later find out she misinterprets his intentions and changes her mind about it after they work on this murder mystery together.

Beatrice is shy in the eyes of others, but she is much more interesting in her own head and actually this incident let her to reveal her true colors. I would argue if she was truly shy or she was made shy by her relations. Beatrice is an orphaned girl, living with her uncle (her father's brother) and aunt and their two children who are younger by few years. But her aunt is the one who makes the situation as it is. She has a gazillion rules to follow that would dull anyone into oblivion, thus Bea is the epitome of those teachings outside, constantly preaches about their standing in society, especially how they of the lower station could not impose on those who are higher. E.g. she was appaled when Bea asked Kesgrave a question in the presence of others and her aunt would make any excuse and put all the blame on the head of her niece to get out of predicament. She also would often use such language that would is quite belittling towards her niece and you would think - isn't it bad? And I'll tell you, I practically hate that aunt. Partially (not included or openly said in the text) I believe it's because FMC's an orphaned girl, so she is stricter with Beatrice than her own children, because her own standing in their family is the lowest. At other times her aunt does come to the "rescue" although those moments seem rare and you might think - isn't it good? Though confusing but makes you think neutral about this aunt. Most confusing character of all.

But I digress. Beatrice is now unmarried and unpopular, already 26 yo spinster, others made her think she is not pretty (though I have no idea we don't get such a detailed description I think, she is an unreliable narrator, because those idea were intilled within her since young age by her aunt) and she is in this place just to be a pendant to her relations, a very sensible and dull girl.

But then a murder happens. And you'll think she is the last person who will be involved, but not to mention she found the body, but she found Kesgrave who found the body first.

Maybe because she is so lively and interesting on the inside and maybe she is innately in search of some unimaginable thrill she does not falter. I'm kidding, she has quite an imagination and she conjured so many plots when she saw the duke, very melodramatic.

But you know what surprised me the most? It's the first FMC who was actually analytical about everything she saw. Even if her wild fantasy made her create additional plots, but we can't deny the fact that she makes some thoughtful remarks. E.g. seeing the poor Mr Otley on the ground she noticed several things, like direction of the wound, the perpetrator's clothes should be soiled.

Although it is normal to notice those things, but my point is, I've read several "mysteries" that have a female protagonist, I admit not all of them do the investigative work, but it's the first time someone was so detailed and analytical. I know one thing, when I was reading the previous book, Raven & Wren Book 2, there was a mrder in bedchamber, but I was thinking to myself - won't there be noise? why no one heard anything? And by the end I got my answer and this detail is brought up, but no one mentioned it among the characters from the beginning and they paid it no attention and they should be investigators.

So this dull girl actually goes to rooms of people in search of proof, proceeds to reach the truth among the guests. And has late night meetings with the Duke to discuss the progress.

You can feel that their relationship takes quite a place among other things and it is that something that slowly changes her, because slowly she feels the camaraderie she never felt before and not to mention he is a duke. And when things are done and over she might return to her previous life but she for sure will never be the same. And refuses to succumb to it.

You can see Kesgrave will be our MMC, dashing tall and handsome with blonde hair and blue eyes, hard not to notice their chemistry sizzling. And she reached the stage of liking him, not yet romantically in all specter of emotions, but from the first impression to this, it was a great progress. I would call it in several stages: I want to hurl food at him he is so insufferable; he irritates me; he is not so bad as I thought; this guy is handsome why I never noticed.

In no way shape or form I say it's the perfect mystery, but I think it was entetaining and good, with enough dynamic. The most unhinged is how everyone else acted in this scenario, because I can imagine people talking like that in their time actually. But I also consider it a bit of a satire or irony. E.g. when the above-mentioned aunt came to tell the news she almost phrased it as if it's bad manners to die in such a hospitable house. The entire company danced around this topic and trying to use the most correct and appropriate language. Sounded a bit unhinged.

Another biggest irony throughout the book is the theme of one's standing in society, because they had a duke among them and he has the highest status, others would make it feel like his words are the rule because he is a duke. Even Bea's aunt felt like she is servile towards the duke when talking, just because he is a duke. They were ready to believe his word no matter what.

What I catch from book 2 is that it will have something to do with the lie she conjured in this book. She created it only to make an analogy, because at that point she suspected Miss Otley had an intimate relationship with her father's associate who was below her station. Thus she created this elaborate lie how she loved a man also out of reach, but they were not fated to be together and they were separated. But she did not consider one fact - that her secret after that won't be her secret anymore. Everyone at that party found out about it so the lie grew out of proportions.

PS: This series has 13 books.. so far. Oh boy.

PPS: I am happy that it delivered, because I really was entertained by the beginning, but was kinda scared it will fall flat later on. I enjoyed it.

RATE: 4,75/5.

[TV] AnnE with an E (2017) (S1E2-3)

This show can easily spiral me into being quite upset. Even if it uplifts you afterwards and gives you the feeling of walking hand in hand through dark till dawn. 

How hard it is to fit when you have no idea how.

Well, the second episode continues where the first left off and that is Anne being sent back to the orphanage or whatever you might call that establishment. And I must say, it takes guts and resourcefulness to do what she did. And even if she returned, she was still shunned by the local gentry let's call those snobs. I mean kids can be brutal, but the stigma of orphans is something. No one of those who express their utmost distaste have feelings of compassion whatsoever. They don't care if, for example, it's an orphan of someone worthy of respect or is it something unfortunate. Sympathy just walked out the door, end of story.

While the third episode shows Anne going to the local school for the first time.

And I mean... first of all they've seen the flirting between the teacher and the student, it won't be blamed on the man, it's a period drama and woman's reputation was as fragile as glass. Of course no one will go to the teacher to support the claim of inappropriate behavior (though you could just sack him and beat him up), but Anne for spreading what she saw, oh she'll take it all for it.

And isn't Matthew the sweetest and most awkward? Because I would feel angry too that a young girl has no idea about things she talks about, but she witnessed those things anyway. She has no boundries on what to share and what not. Who would teach her that when she was used as labor?

She might be intelligent and read a lot, but she can still be ignorant.

Around the area maybe Cuthberts are the only decently sympathetic people. Who do not scrape the ceilings with their raised snobish noses.

This is the result when you don't know the books, you sit and think - when will this get better, this is so...

[NOVEL] A Whisper at Midnight by Darcy Burke

Private investigator Matilda Wren’s new client is a woman seeking evidence to divorce her husband. She is also the former fiancée of her last client—and dear friend—Lord Ravenhurst. Though he has enthusiastically offered to aid Tilda with future investigations, she can’t very well accept his help in this matter. Especially when her client’s husband is murdered, and Ravenhurst is a suspect.

Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst has never felt more alive than when he was solving a mystery with Miss Wren, even when suffering headaches from using his newly acquired ability to touch an object and see a person’s memories. He wants nothing more than to continue their professional association as well as deepen their friendship. Except now he must prove he isn’t guilty of murder, even if that includes working against his former partner.

Tilda can’t believe Hadrian is capable of harming anyone, but how well does she know him? She must rely on her intellect and investigative skill—and not allow her affinity for him to cloud her judgment. When the killer strikes again, Tilda sees that the danger is not to their friendship after all, but to their very existence.

Raven & Wren. Book 2

I can't even emphasize you enough how bored I was. I livened up only at the last 15% and I'm surprised by my own tenacity to reach that far.

The biggest problem of this book is - being stuck in one place.

It felt like the plot isn't going anywhere for a long time. The same as our main characters feels like they haven't moved much with their investigation.

Picture this. Tilda is investigating for a divorce case, target is Hadrian's former fiancée. Hadrian received a note from her (her name is Mrs Beryl Chamber), quite desperate call for help.

But the day they ought to meet they find police and Mr Chamber ...dead in his chambers.

Pun intended.

There are several suspects, for some reason Ravenhurst is one of them just because his former fiancee left him for the murdered man and this man was openly hostile towards him. The others are obviously his wife and a bunch of unknown people we need to call upon to investigate.

Hadrian once again hires Tilda to clear his name, but his desire is more to be together, to conduct investigation together and also help Tilda in her endeavors (financially).

And funnily enough, even if they kinda go around and ask people but there are few instances that got on my nerves:

1. Repetitive mentioning of what happened in the first book. Not constructive to plot development. I believe those who picked it up actually know the content of the first book (either they don't care). I really hope their memory is not that short like that of a fish.
2. I even left notes while reading when I came across scenes where Tilda asked about things she already knows. The most glaring example to me was when they talked about Padgett, investigator who closed Hadrian's case and she is asking - is it that inspector who investigated your stabbing case? Girl, you know about him! There are many instances when she acts as if she hears it for the first time.
3. Repetitive actions over and over again. To give an example, they need to visit a home where former maid resided (the one who was pushed down in the plot, happens almost right after the murder) and they say to the coachman - we need 15 minutes, return in that time. Then they exit and almost repeat the same info - we have 15 minutes. I don't quote directly, but it is described in similar fashion. And there are many instances that feel like the info is repeated again and again.
4. How many times they complimented each other. It's great they have great feelings and appreciate each other so much, but it becomes tiring when they did nothing so far, but they can always pat each other on the back and say - you did amazing, I'm amazed by your talent as investigator etc. But they said it so many times that it starts to get on your nerves, especially when they did nothing substantial.  
5. Characters feel like they are too good. Only getting angry at appropriate times. I can't even describe it well. My best example would be with the Mrs Chamber, she does not feel that remorseful because of her husband because she sticks to Hadrian with her tears early on (she indeed made a move on him). She often tried to pass as if they're closer than they actually are. She also led another man on who was her actual brother-in-law. Her husband may have beend a piece of shit, undoubtedly, and she got a lot of sympathy points, but when Tilda witnessed her making a move on Hadrian of course she felt unsettled, but later on she returned to her pity spectrum of emotions, as if any new information, that Mrs Chambers is not so good does not taint her perception of her. Hadrian was kinda the same, although he said that he was not happy about the whole situation but was he too of a gentleman to think anything of a woman. It felt so weird I don't know. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine even if Mrs Chamber is the reason he was shot in the end, because she couldn't help her impulsive ass.

But honestly, most of the book was like.. about nothing.

They're like NPCs that move to several locations and just ask questions and then when alone analyze it, repeating the same info.

I only finished and it already slips my mind what had happened after all those interviews.

Anyway, the suspicion aspect is not engaging, it almost feels like cozy mystery, but it's boring.

They find out that Louis Chamber had several relationships (including maids), was a spendfrift and was bad at business ventures.

The one who was pushed down, former maid, was dismissed because she became pregnant and he was the father. But there is still a mystery about that, we know she was visited by a woman wearing veil the evening she died. Police were too preoccupied to send anyone for questioning I guess, becase our duo finds the info first and a brooch, confirming the maind either took it or was given it as a benefit.

Our duo interviews everyone, of course, starting from Beryl Chambers, to everyone serving and also the business associate, person who was supposed to open a shop with him. Some of teh info throws a shade on many characters etc.

But then the inquest is postponed because Mr Chambers was found to be poisoned by arsenic as well. So we have at least two people who are not connected.

Beryl gets arrested because the knife - the murder weapon - was found in her drawer after teh funeral. Honestly, anyone could have put that down there.

By this point Hadrian wasn't a big help with his visions because he only saw few glimpses of Louis and his paramours. One was maid, another unknown.

But at the most crucial point, this is where the final 15% kick in and Hadrian gets not one but several visions tha pin on the truth. Convenient.

[TV] AnnE with an E (2017)(S1E1)

S1EP1

I have not read the books, I heard this show is good. Looking at the choice of the girl for the main role I'm amazed, because she's so good at her craft. So engaging.

Honestly, I weeped. Not a good idea to watch something so emotional when your head aches half a day and crying certainly doesn't help. 

At first you find Anne's chattering quite annoying, because she doesn't take a clue she just keeps on going and she's a child (with an imagination like no other), but then you realize how scared and insecure the girl is and it breaks my heart, because when you are old enough to be someone's mother that just hits so hard.

And cinematography is insane.

[NOVEL] The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Note: Ongoing joke for me, naturals in my language would be close to a word used to describe heterosexuals, so imagine me reading this.

I'll be honest, before reading I might have gotten the wrong idea, because I had the impression from all the people recommending this book that first the team of teens has some abilities and this is a fantastic read. In both cases I was wrong.

By abilities they mean that the teens' analytical ability in certain aspects is far superior to average citizen (profiling, reading emotions, statistics), but the way others talked about it led me to think it was on the edge of supernatural. It's not.

And it's a questionably okay read, I wouldn't call it "fantastic".

It has a very peculiar taste of an American movie where for some reason teens that were gathered around for some special program (training) are way better than adults at their job. Younger mind may be less compromised by the years of experience and can give a fresh look, but in some cases experience matters more. And when these teens think better of themselves than agents, well, it just explains the character of those teens (FMC). The book was released in 2013 and it shows.

Some say it's like a Criminal Minds fanfic. Never watched.

It has a very cliche setting for such a script, we have a special girl who is suddenly picked up from a crowd, she has some top-notch profiling skills. She is offered to be a part of a special group - Naturals.

Teens trained in a specific field they excell at. And what do you know they are to go through old / cold cases to give a fresh view. Unbelievable, but it's a teenage fantasy, so we'll let it go for now.

Funnily, to me these Naturals did not create any value to be in awe. It felt like they were just spending time together bonding and being teens. I heard of school programs that were stricter than what they had and it was just a public school. 

Anyway, while Cassie has been out there being trained for a week or two it felt like no one is doing anything. Should it be like that? I have no idea, the book doesn't answer.

Funnily, Cassie is the narator so we know that she hasn't done anything yet, but she sure is pretty natural with calling herself  a Natural and "Because I'm a Natural" is her direct quote. Where is the confidence and pride coming from though?

Note: Later on when Cassie meets the director he mentions a case (they supposedly solved) and I was surprised - have they solved something? when did it happen? I had no idea, because I'm reading about teens in a house doing teen stuff. 

Because there is an on-going case both agent Briggs and Locke are partially present/absent. Later our team gets too interested in this case and they find the case is connected to Cassie's mother, especially the individual in question decided to send Cassie a present. I was sitting and thinking while reading - of course it would all happen like that, after all we start from here and I feel like I'm really watching a movie like that.

But I suppose author actually had given the answer from the beginning. The moment you reach the part where they talk about profiling Locke says along the lines "Don't say he or she, use UNSUB or YOU" and the killer's part is titled YOU. This is where I thought.. aren't they talking like a profiler then? 

But you know why I never thought about Dean or Locke? Dean may be the son of a serial killer (oops spoilers~) but he is always under FBI's nose, it'd feel dumb. Locke was always in the picture.

But when it was revealed it was...

[Historical Romance] Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke

Delicious. This book made more for the first book than the first did for itself.

ONE TRYST WAS ALL SHE WANTED ...

From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.

ONE TRYST JUST WASN'T ENOUGH ...

Aidan is supposed to be looking for a bride, yet his scandalous liaison with Julia is all he can think about. Hot, erotic memories of kissing her skin, falling into her bed, pulling her naked body on top of his own continue to torment and tempt him. What is it about this brazen seductress that he finds so hard to resist? And how can he stop himself from falling into her bed a second time?

Abandoned at the Altar. Book 2

By my short impression of this book when I reached around 60% this is genuinely how I felt. It has a bit of perspective (actually quite a few moments) when Julia mentions Beatrix and her family situation. I have no idea why it impacted me much more than when I was reading the first book myself.

Back then I thought to myself - what a good conflict for a book. Both people love each other deeply, but they face a certain choice that is based on their current convictions and Beatrix had it harder, because her life was stiffled by the upbringing and hardcore control of her father and despite his despotism she loved him, so it was very conflicting, but I suppose the execution wasn't enough for me. Funnily, I feel quite complete after having few instances from Julia's perspective. After all the 3rd person opinion does have an effect.

Now back to this book and its' inhabitants.

The basic situation was - after he broken off his engagement and after Julia was at her wit's end about her husband always on her heels, she returned to a path she thought would definitely secure her a divorce - an affair. It might be a false affair but she needed her husband to witness herself in bed with another man and the only person she could allow near herself was only Aidan.

Their fate might be described as tragic. Because you can feel they're those fated lovers who were destined to miss each other each time.

The first time they met was 12 or 13 years ago (according to Aidan's reminiscence), he saw her on a footbridge, she had her eyes closed, lying down, her hair tumbling down and her feet in the stream. She felt like a dream, before she opened her eyes and started talking. And all the dreams shattered.

But Aidan still knew that it was the first and only woman who awakened all his passions.

Yet she was betrothed to another for her behavior (she escaped after a young man she loved).

They both felt that fatal attraction for each other, but it fealt like - not meant to be, for now.

The second time they met ten years later, she was very unhappy in her marriage, all her finances were strangled by her husband in attempts to control her, she basically was escaping him everywhere, but it wasn't as critical. And she met Aidan again and he evoked a plan - he is the only man she'd allow to touch herself to construct the scene so believable, so her husband will finally let her be free.

But unfortunately the same ball Aidan met Beatrix and they became engaged soon after (contents of the first book). Aidan found Beatrix agreeable, but not evoking something deeper.

Later their engagement fell through and here Julia's chance arrived as she was close to desperation.

And she hated herself for what she's done, but she'd do it again if it promised her the freedom.

I think the portrayal in this one is better. Although it does sound like it starts from passion, but you can't skip on the fact that they felt something for each other, of course painfully oblivious (not my fave thing :) but). It also has several flashbacks, which hints on different stages of their character-building.

Aidan is very proper and disciplined and has all the right views, but he feels a bit stiff to outside world, especially Julia. But she feels he has a bit of a more adventurous streak about himself.

Julia should be complete opposite, very social and fun.

But all of their traits have roots in the past. In modern times it is called - family trauma?

The two are like bright stars that never meant to allign when the two meet again.

A year after her divorce, a public trial and being out of sight. Julie tries to restore some of her reputation and Aidan can't help but think about the duty. He's very responsible, okay. At least he doesn't want people depending on him enter the darkest age if his everything will be inherited by the closest irresponsible male relation.

And the phrase - Julia needs money - would evoke intrigue. But Aidan simply hires her for social engagements (filtering anyone and everything, so he won't waste his time with people he might not need to meet in the first place, but who could also pose a trouble, everyone wants a Duke in their family).

Of course their previous incident is the elephant in the room sooner or later they're going to make their own judgements about or make moves.

I'll be honest I like how it was resolved, there was a brooding emotional conflict that leads to the finale and is repeated time and time again that Julia doesn't see her marrying again, but I see it a great ending that she basically confessed to many things, to see the support from him, reasonably freak out of course and make her mind. After all, petal is so honorable, she couldn't see him unhappy :)

RATE: 5/5.

[TV series] COLUMBO (Season 1)

(using this screenshot because I found it intriguing how his brain almost clicked the moment he knew the pre-recorded call could have been made from that machine)

Or - ONE MORE QUESTION.

I consider Columbo as one of the greatest TV shows of all times in the detective genre. Peter Falk and the entire team created this untidy and very persistent leutenant, who is easily underestimated.

It is actually interesting to watch Columbo at different ages. When I was younger I definitely cared more about theatrics and overall impression. Now that I'm older and watch it again, of course I pay more attention to details and analyze more. But isn't it intriguing, in many cases you don't know when Columbo actually is on the main culprit, you can guess his suspicions by his questions and sometimes by random things he talks about, but you can feel - he is onto something. And he came to that conclusion at some point earlier. He always acts in awe of things and maybe it feeds the ego of people who try to show off and say more than needed, but he is incredibly sharp. He will stick to details like a plaster. And will appear anywhere and anytime as if he's like a fairy godmother, but with silver handcuffs.

Also Columbo follows the path of we see the murder first and the intrigue instead of "whodunnit" is actually about "how we got them". Columbo says and repeats - there is no perfect murder. So we see the duel of wits between the culprit and Columbo.

I love the part that sometimes it is in the details. It's always in details.

Would like to note that I, like many others, prefer the earliest Columbo, like first 7 seasons or so. It is shot well, it's not bloody at all, yet it's dramatic.

But my poor ears, the soundtrack I think is great and unsettling, yet I always get my head on the verge of a headache when it comes to high-pitched sounds.

LIST OF EPISODES:

1. Prescription: Murder (pilot)
2. Ransom for a Dead Man (pilot)
3. Murder by the Book
4. Death lends a hand
5. Dead weight
6. Suitable for framing (I like the wordplay, because it is about a frame-up but also involves art and paitings)
7. Lady in waiting (surprised to see Leslie in here in a serious role)
8. Short Fuse (couldn't help making a joke how smoking is dangerous to health when watching)
9. Blueprint for murder (Will forever remember this episode, also the scale, I wonder which place they used for it)

TV shows of that period really differ, it's interesting how almost the entire cast are those who are older (and they look the part) and no one is botoxed to heaven.

[SHORT REVIEWS] #22 or Will I want to read it after the first passage.

There is a thing about the first passage don't you think?

Sometimes the attraction starts with first few sentences. You get quite intrigued. This actually showcases the writer's ability to start at least. Some books have very simple, but very intriguing beginnings that will make you want to inquire about - what is going to happen next?

My TBR; is already extensive I think and it might look intimidating. But what to choose? As a person who reads mainly according to their mood I am not a good judge of those things. I just find that there is no need to really stress it out, read what you want, never follow trends, explore on your own it's fun.

So this is why I was in the mood to open a lot of potential reads and check out just first few passages to see, will there be magic?

Here is the list of books I opened:

A skeleton in every house by Isabella Duke

Catriona Winters. Book 1

I already mentioned this book previously. I read up to 12%. And I'll be honest, I'm not completely sold on it, but actually A Whisper of Death that I reviewed earlier also had a rough slow start. Here it feels a bit the same. Catriona is a lady actually, her father own a publishing house/newspaper. She aspires to have her own investigation during the time when a body is found at the docks.

The detective who is following the case is called Thomas Marlowe, but he is pretty tight-lipped not to let the "press" in the face of Catriona know more details she ought to know.

I'll see how it goes, I want to give it justice, it's not bad at all.

Also Marlowe is not her first interest (if she will ever develop one in him), because she is attracted to a man and it might be another plotline along the investigation.

Accomplice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Assistant to teh Villain. Book 3

It recently came out and I'm onto it, because as I mentioned when I reviewed book 1 and 2 that I want to get to the center of it all.

I liked Book 1, I let a lot of things slide when it came to the first in the series, but I was not tender with a second one and ripped it to shreads, at least in my imagination, because it was too much of pining, too little of the world or the plot, everything felt weird, underwater cell scene still haunts me till this day. And their dumb relationship development. And the fact that the storyline and main event that could have happened in few chapters actually takes so long and we see it at the very end of the book. But I do want to find out what happens next. Even if it's my pile of trash I need the answers.

A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell. Book 2

I did not like the first book and thought it was kinda not great. Veronica felt hypocritical in her pursuits of female freedom, while she herself did not risk her reputation as well. In a way she felt insuffarable in her actions and thoughts. But this series has so many books and so much positive feedback I want to give it aother chance, maybe it will become my next guilty pleasure of hate-reading it.

I want to give it a try also because the "mystery" of the first book was not it, it was more about the origins of Victoria which kinda dragged on and the result was brought by a coincidence imo, but if they plan to be actually investigating cases from now on, it might become more exciting. Especially the task mentioned in the summary to this novel - save a man who is accused of murder.

Even if I read the first few pages and Veronica is still insufferable lol.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Regency Faerie Tales. Book 1

I want to read one of the books by Olivia Atwater is because she and her husband (if I'm not wrong) helped Jacquelyn Beson with her Raiders of the Arcana series that I fell deeply in love with and will not stop recommending. So when a person likes and mention another person with such warmth, I want to read their books, also I saw this series mentioned so many times on Booktube.

This is a story of a girl, well, with half a soul. Just like the title. It also has a magical element to it and those who read it all rave about it.

And the first few lines inspired to follow through.

The Fire in the Glass by Jacquelyn Benson

The Charismatics. Book 1

Speaking of Jacquelyn Benson. While waiting for the 3rd book in Raiders of the Arcana series I want to try out her previous series called The Charismatics. Because it is her and I have so much faith in her already ahaha.

It's a story about a girl named Lily, who has visions and wishes to stop the killer. For that she must confide to someone she does not wish to and let them give a helping hand in catching the culprit.

It also has a paranormal aspect to it which is present in Raiders as well.

Edit: Following Jacquelyn on IG I found out that the series is getting new covers in few weeks. The spoilers are blurry but not completely illegible and the colors are something. Plus it has the overall aesthetic of the Raiders of Arcana style and I love those covers. I must admit they attracted me at first and I was SO skeptic about them, since they were pretty. A lot of pretty covers are used as a hook, while the book isn't good. 

Murder at the Mayfair Hotel by C.J. Archer

Cleopatra Fox. Book 1

Another detective girl. Cleopatra has to move into a hotel owned by estranged uncle after the death of her grandmother. Basically alone she has to depend on others now and has no idea what to expect from the future. Then there a murder happens (by poison). 

Cleo, I suppose, wishes to find the murderer before things get really dreadful, because it also affected the hotel's reputation where it all happened. Cleo does not trust anyone and wants to get to the truth.

I've read the first chapter or so and it felt quite interesting.

The Wedding Bargain by Victoria Alexander

Effingtons. Book 1

It is a re-read for me. I've read this book a long time ago and read few books and I remember I liked them, they were quite fun. But still time passed and I can't recall it or where I stopped lol. I can only recall the good feelings.

I love when the series is about a family and is inter-connected. And Effingtons is an extensive series just right for the task. It had some interesting an non-typical FMCs.

The first book talks about a Pandora Effington and her "bargain" or offer to Maximillian Wells. I remember the plotline was light-hearted, a bit silly, but fun. As if - you wanna get me? Try to impress me hottie~.

Released in 1999, before trends of what is popular nowadays kicked in. It's all about the society, balls, romance and burning passions.

Because I love that period of writing I want to read it.

The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux

Montgomery /Taggert. Book 1 (by publication order)

Talking about books from older ones. Another "oldie" is this book which is also the first in the series about Montgomery/Taggert series. I wonder if it was in this one where it is mentioned - this book is written in British English lol. Just IMAGINE someone reads a book and later sends a letter - you have some serious editing to do, I saw so many typoes. And they have to make sure.

I also read the intro of this one. But the summary says it's a stormy romance and marriage first, but later the characters go through trials of time and lies of others.

FMC is called Lyonene but MMC nickname is Black Lion, so yeah very 1980 ahaha

But I want to read some of older books for this purpose - to get a different taste of HR.

A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina

Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 1

The beginning. She thinks about how a man she dislikes would look like if she threw some of the meals served at the dinner would look on this man's head. And it was described with quite a wit that I was sold in a second.

It's another Murder Mystery set in historical setting. 

Quote: "Nothing ruins a lovely house party like bloody murder."

She stumbles upon a body during a party and well, becomes a suspect? Intrigued. Especially when the guy she wants to throw food at is MMC.

Edit (21/8/25): It has a great beginning. The FMC is kinda unhinged inside, she has a pretty rich inner world compared to her "mousy" interior of being terribly shy. Due to her growing up under someone else's care. The first scene is literally her imagining throwing food at who I am assuming will be the MMC and they both stumble upon the dead body in the library. Must say they don't have the best beginning because she is so against his personality. Which is her own perception, while from what he says he was trying to tone down the bragging man. So yeah, they're kinda thorny, at least she is for sure. I think the descriptions are fine and the language is okay. I cross my fingers, because the beginning sounds promising, I knocked on the wood.

Shadow at the Morgue by Cara Devlin

Spencer & Reid. Book 1

Another Murder Mystery but with couples. Although cover looks not good.

Honestly, in first few passages she works on a body in a morgue and a guy rushes in with a knife and threatens her to give him a bag that belonged t the person, but she continues to do her work nonchallant lol. This kinda impressed me.

Also because I fell for Dr Julia Lewis, another lady connected to similar profession was most welcomed.

Edit (17/8/25): I read a bit of it, well, let's say the girl is indeed special, first few chapters and we know that she is a survivor of some gruesome murder, she was also picked up by an investigator and he cared for her a lot, before she was picked up by her relatives. She helped her adoptive relative in the morgue, though sh eis not supposed to (not even licensed for that..).

This inspector also adopted a boy. Who is the MMC of the book.

Anyway the gist is that the man in question who demanded the bag, shut her in the closet but stayed a moment and took away a locket from another victim who has no connection to the man and the bag.

oh yeah, forgot to mention FMC has really good memory.

I'll return to the story some day, it's not a long story, but I wasn't as involved. It's my thing and my headaches. 

A Whisper at Midnight by Darcy Burke

Raven & Wren. Book 2

I do want to continue with these two. Although the first book was an okay one, but the last phrase in the book 1 was a catchy one. I didn't mention it in the review.. well, it's kinda a spoiler but the official summary will say it all - Tilda is called to investigate a divorce case of a woman who dumped Ravenhurst. I did not read the summary for this book, I only know that one phrase and this is the point where the novel starts from. So we continue~!

Edit (17/8/25): 39% in, and I must say, it feels like the first book, the progress feels really slow. You know I feel almost demure while reading by the way they act, which certainly creates atmosphere of that time. So it lacks dynamic for sure. But also can feel kinda repetitive.

The starting point is the case involving murder of Mr. Chambers, the man Ravenhurt's fiance cheated with and later married. And it's not really subtle how she almost hangs herself on Hadrian all the time since he appeared. Found it so weird, because even if this lady had a horrible relationship with her husband but he just died. I bet the girl thought she meant something. While Ravenhurst would not admit out of good manners that he was glad he never married her.

Because Darcy Burke is mainly a romance novel author, it feels, there are already some emotions going on between Hadrian and Tilda. Like being jealous seeing another woman trying to get his attention, inner interest if the other person is interested in them or smth like that.

And also like in the first book as soon as we find a name and a person in question who could shed a light, we find that something happened with them, same trick.

Edit: Completed. Read the review❤

Nine Rules to break when romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

Love by Numbers. Book 1

I've seen MacLean in recommended a lot, so I decided to try it out. Good old cheap-looking Avon covers from 2010 ahaha But I'm not sure if I ever read her books or not, this is why I treat it as a first-time experience.

And a story about a girl who wants to break rules after following them for so long and (getting humiliated in first few sentences, according to her))) what brought her nothing good. And for that she finds herself a rakish partner. The book really starts from above-mentioned 9 rules, which are close to what a man would do. And what women are not supposed to do. 

A wicked husband 악인 남편 by 사하

I actually easily read like first 60 chapters of this one.

FMC has a deep psychological trauma, but she is still quite good-natured. You really need to read more to get her motivation, otherwise she will feel kinda weak.

MMC is a reborn person, from his verbal outbursts we can deduce what exactly happened in the past life, which was quite horrid. Not the best way to deliver to the reader how things turned out in the past, but this is how we have it, also almost everyone repeated the same thing over and over how he changed. He is quite possessive now, obviously, and wants to protect FMC at all costs, but he also doesn't want her continue living in a glass castle and be the same, this is why he allows, almost encourages something to happen to her.

The story has flaws, but so far it's an easy read. But mainly concerns their relationship and several incidents that from MMC's pov will help FMC grow. 

I won't be abandoned twice by 세리안

Pretty cover, but I easily DNF'd it after first chapters. It's the type of story that screams - I will be bad - from the get-go.

FMC was led by her nose almost, we have another character, a hysterical Empress who ruined her sister (FMC), who acts like not the smartest person.

I just can't with FMC like these.

When her husband returns she asked like three times the same thing. Not to mentioned she acted weirdly before. You don't go around telling people you have something going on.

But I decided to mention it anyway, because my instinct screamed "bad" with flashing red alarms.

I Won’t Pick Up The Trash I Threw Away Again 버린 쓰레기는 다시 줍지 않는다 by 배고픈

This feels like the thing I would hate to read, but might enjoy. And it also has a word 'trash' in title, my inner raccoon is here. Plus tags like drama and revenge~ but the synopsis starts from FMC fiance taking back a woman and a child back. And I instantly can smell it.

Sigh, what are they doing, these gorgeous covers are killing me.

The downside it hasen't been translated for a long time, I'll look out for spoilers if I decided to start it.

The Tyrant’s Aide Wants To Resign 폭군의 보좌관은 퇴사가 하고 싶다 by 김미카

I wanted to try it out because it seems like a traversin girl who became an aide, which sounds very much like a modern secretary type of story that gets fed up with her boss. I tried seevral stories with similar premises and I want to see a Korean take on it with their beloved European ambience.

Also I do not include any fancy summaries here, because official ones are shite anyway and they leave me with absolutely nothing.

When the Bitter Wind Blows 삭풍이 불어오면 by 우유양

Well, this had an interesting premise, FMC was falsely accused and sent to the northern regions where a lot of rumors originated, but she might find a far better place for herself and even love.

This is surprisingly shorter than anyone else.

[MOVIE] The Princess Bride (1987)

This movie should be watched, should be re-watched. It is so quotable, so hysterical, has so many great parts that when you start to quote them and when you realize you quoted the whole thing.

I still want to know how they did that scene when Buttercup falls in/under the sand during the Fire Swamp scenes. 

I LOVE the movies of that period, so much of love and soul. 

[Animation] Wyrd Sisters (1997)

When Duke Felmet murders King Verence and takes over the small country of Lancre on the Discworld, three witches are involuntarily tasked with protecting the king's baby son.

Wyrd Sisters is the animated version of Terry Pratchett's book which goes by the same title and is the sixth book in his Discworld cycle.

I confess, I think I never read a book by him. Or maybe I have (I know that in my childhood we got a lot of popular books read, but that memory is hazy). Pratchett stays a big name in the fantasy world.

This animation doesn't look the best (although it stands out, meaning you won't mix it with something else, I suppose?), but I swear, the dialogues and voice acting is what made it work for me. Especially the play on words etc. And the characters are very distinctive, not because they look different, but it's how they act. The drunk Nanny omg.

I know the Discworld is very massive and basically doesn't follow the singular plotline in which case the books can be read as stand-alones. And I'm aware that the animation may be the adaptation that does not follow the book to a t.

But I'm super glad I stumbled upon this by accident and gave it a chance. I won't set flags by saying - I will try reading Pratchett. Maybe I should, after all it promises a better read than a lot of trashy stuff I feed my brain.

And I miss fantasy as a genre. I always feel that I'm not really lucky with it, the epic fantasy I mean, since I've read book and reviewed some that had fantasy elements (meaning I don't pick up books that will make me feel close to what I want to see in epic fantasy), also I miss the type of fantasy that has magic and spells and all types of creatures and lots of it. And immersive colorful world that will not be heavy, more exciting. I wish too much ahaha

[Historical Romance] The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:

- They will be husband and wife by night only.

- No lights, no kissing.

- No questions about his battle scars.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:

- They will have dinner together every evening.

- With conversation.

- And unlimited teasing.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Girl Meets Duke. Book 1

Was it a trashy novel? Unmistakenly.

But did I have fun? Absolutely.

The thing is this novel hardly passes as a historical romance. Outside the fact that author confessed to name badminthon earlier than the real name of it appeared, this book reads as modern one.

It's not only about the words they use, it's about how they talk.

But modern contemporary romance would not allow a plotline like that. Which is absolutely bonkers.

The relationships in this one are quite shallow, although author tries to insist on the opposite.

I still had my fun with this ridiculous novel because of those dialogues between FMC and MMC. They are not realistic at all, my brain simply separated them from the plot that is so ridiculous.

I'm the raccoon of my pile, I can sniff the trashiness, because basically the story starts right away and it's outside the scope of my imagination. Emma comes to him demanding to be paid for her work on his ex-fiancee's dress (don't question details from here on out, because there's too much to ask) and she refused to back down in front of a duke whose face (by his own words) scares children into hysterics. On the contrary our girl is unlike anyone else and sees him as manly or a good ass.

Ash needed a wife and soon (what's the hurry who knows, we don't even know his age..I believe, but I repeat, don't question the details) and Emma seems to be just right.

Seamstress to Duchess doesn't surprise anyone.

His reason for this marriage may not be that dumb, but hers is. You go girl. She knows she may get a house where she can help a young girl who was deceived to.. basically deceive others. Because she was pregnant, couldn't confess to her loving father and wanted to conceal the fact of her pregnancy and birth. No exploration from Emma's side into the loving father, she acts just because of the girl's words. Just because she was thrown out like that once. Remarkable, but as turned out off the mark.

So they marry within a week. And they procede to procreate (not my word, direct quote).

Honestly they have that insta-lust from the first touch. Which eventually turns into love because well, they don't need much, they just treat each other as human beings, while other wither betrayed or did something hurtful.

The only good side to modernity of their conversations from the get-go is the fact that they communicated a lot and did not have misunderstandings. The two times they did it felt so forced, like please. I laughed so hard. But they needed a conflict to confirm their feelings so here we are.

Ash acted like a mixed media, sometimes he's an utter ass, sometimes he can be nice.

In the end both admitted that all the previous rules they decided to invent for their marriage did not work and they love each other.

I have no idea why someone mentions Pride and Prejudice, because of his smashed mirror I thought of Beauty and the Beast. She comes, she heals, happy ending.

What I also find quite flat is Emma's relationship with future protagonists of their own books. Honestly, we know nothing about them outside of bare minimum, their name and occupations. But the friendship aspect that author tried to promote fell flat to me, because their connection was so thin. Penny invited Emma just out of the blue, Emma liked this small circle of "outcasts" thus she stayed. I always find the supporting female friendship cute, but I honestly wished more, but since this novel is the level of flat floor surface I couldn't do anything if it felt shallow.

Very contrasting experience. Maybe because I switched off my perception of everything else outside of joke. You can't convince me that this is something more than an average fun book that is totally not serious. If one will find the jokes and everything else crude, I can see that too. I kinda clicked with the humor, so I was done with this book in no time.

Maybe later I will collect another post for short reviews, I've been on a search lately and had more to the collection of historical mystery with couples (as I call it). And I think I will do it after I'll filter through several Korean novels I found lately. As for Chinese novels as my main food, I'm not in the mood for any of the bookmarked I have.

RATE: 3/5.

[NOVEL] A Slash of Emerald by Patrice McDonough

London, 1867: Among the genteel young ladies of London society, painting is a perfectly acceptable pastime—but a woman who dares to pursue art as a profession is another prospect, indeed. Dr. Julia Lewis, familiar with the disrespect afforded women in untraditional careers, is hardly surprised when Scotland Yard shows little interest in complaints made by her friend, Mary Allingham, about a break-in at her art studio. Mary is just one of many “lady painters” being targeted by vandals.

 

Painters’ sitters are vanishing, too—women viewed by some as dispensable outcasts. Inspector Richard Tennant, however, takes the attacks seriously, suspecting they’re linked to the poison-pen letters received by additional members of the Allingham family. For Julia, the issue is complicated by Tennant’s previous relationship with Mary’s sister-in-law, Louisa, and by her own surprising reaction to that entanglement.

 

But when someone close to them commits suicide and a young woman turns up dead, the case can no longer be so easily ignored by ‘respectable’ society. Layer after layer, Julia and Tennant scrape away the facts of the case like paint from a canvas. What emerges is a somber picture of vice, depravity, and deception stretching from London’s East End to the Far East—with a killer at its center, determined to get away with one last, grisly murder . . . 

Dr. Julia Lewis. Book 2

I must say I don't agree with this official synopsis. It's better not to read it all-together. Partially it's true what is said, but partially it gives attention to something that wasn't the central part of the book for a very long time.

There are several episodic instances that lead us to what we explore in this book:

- Julia is asked by Tennant to observe a girl Annie O'Neill who was arrested and was suspected to prostitute, but happened to be a female model for painters;

- A horrific incident on the lake in Regent's Park (real incident) where Julia comes across the Allingham family (fake characters of course);

- Mary Allingham's studio has been vandillized by the unknown person, there are blackmailing letter addressed to almost every female painter and as we know - sitters too (above-mentioned Annie O'Neill) So the story starts from a slash of emerald;

And then happened the suicide, which was the first layer to scrape off.

I find this book more interesting in general. First book was more a book of revenge with a pretty depressing tone. Doesn't mean this has fun topic, on the contrary. But author doesn't shy away from them to produce some posh literature without any of the gruesome details. First book pretty much reflected the script of a movie where the main perpetrator won't be discovered until the very end, because they need to finish what they started. It kinda made sense in my head. With this one we have no killer's POV, we have a real case that developed pretty fast with the help of many.

A plethora of characters move this plto forward.

Of course if you're keen on things you will notice some of those early on and have your answer.

I will repeat myself but I love this idea of connecting reality and fiction. Some of events are real, as well as participants, some simply inspired this book.

Although it is indeed sad, but this book at least was not without some positive sides.

I just don't want to spoil it too much, because at least some of it came as a surprise for me and in mysteris it's essential to keep the main secret.

Also Julia and Richard may have some progress, but again it's very subtle, fitting their era.

And it's not as dramatic as the synopsis showed. Julia had no idea about the real connection between Richard and Louisa Allingham. All she knew that they knew each other and Louisa relied on Richard a lot when they met again. Indeed, she had her own thoughts on this, which again were subtle and not straight to the point. (e.g. she would never look at Louisa hanging on Richard's arm and say - bitch, get away from my man, I was eyeing him first).

But both of them were kinda circling around undecided. You might find it annoying, I don't. This book is at least more opened on affection instead of subtlety of the first one, especially Richard who dreams of Julia, nothing dirty, just him thinking how it would look like if she was by his side in a daily life. Yet I will repeat myself that I'm really not mad at their lack of "progress". Their progress is also a progress. They need time, even if they feel connection.

The third book will be the final ("Murder by Moonrise" I believe), planned release next year in February (at least that's in acknowledgements that Patrice signed for three books, if this series will get a continuation after that who knows).

RATE: 5/5.