[NOVEL] Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer by Colleen Gleason

Leave Sherlock Holmes alone ahaha

The widowed marchioness of Darling has successfully married off all of her children, and her son’s wife is the new marchioness—making her the dowager, and giving her absolutely no responsibilities. As a woman who was not born into the peerage, but, against the mores of Victorian London society wed Lord Darling in a love match thirty years ago, Lady Darling chafes at the restrictions of the gentility and is looking forward to her “retirement” to the country—at least until the grandchildren come along.

Unfortunately, fate has other plans for her. When an old friend implores her to sponsor her daughter into society, Lady Darling agrees. Not long after she commences with this project, Lady Darling and her charge, Miss Bedwith, attend a dinner party where a man is found dead.

Lady Darling, an aficionado of Sherlock Holmes (and friend of Arthur Conan Doyle) and Wilkie Collins’s work, dives into the investigation simply because she can.

During her investigation, she employs the assistance of her housekeeper and butler—the Josephs, who are also her close friends (another impropriety! being friends with servants!)—as well as her favorite modiste, Monsieur Claude—to help her track down clues to the killer. When the investigation takes her into the dingy streets of Seven Dials, she encounters a mysterious and dangerous man who seems to know an awful lot about her. Maybe too much. Still, even at her so-called advanced age of fifty, Lady Darling finds him interesting and titillating. But can she trust him?

Lady Darling Mysteries. Book 1

I would have edited some parts for sure.

Well, I really wish Arthur Conan Doyle would be left alone, but this author just stuck with the idea of making Lady Darlking into Sherlock Holmes wannabe where she often mentions his name. I could understand the sentiment, I really do, for example in times of something "trending" like the peak of fashion you can see the splurge in popularity of certain things, it's the same as trendy fashion nowadays. I have a basic example, when a manga about basketball like Slam Dunk became popular, there was a rise of basketball being the most popular among Japanese teens as a result (same with other popular manga and sports).

For example, when a certain book became popular it dictated a popular trend when it comes to genre, so you can see more dystopia, romantasy, books about vampires for the next few years.

I mean people could have copied a limp, because someone from a royalty had it and it was considered trendy.

But there is still a limit to how many times you can mention Sherlock in your story. Not to mention one thing is to just mention the fictional character, but the whole fantasy about our FMC being acquainted with ACD, not to mention the hint of Irene being a prototype of one of the characters i beyond the limit for me.

I don't like the use of real people in books. Of course it's harder to create an author for your own universe for reader to care, but others did it splendidly, I have no idea why Gleason decided otherwise.  And this is why I shaved off stars for that. 

I know historical fiction is possible without involving real people to this extent, as I previously reviewed Patrice McDonough who used some real events to her advantage, but did not impose too much on it.

Otherwise Lady Darling was an interesting woman of certain age. With her own perks of course.

She is 50 and her aching hip won't let you forget the fact.

She also fairs quite well for her age, but being of certain age I can relate to some of the things she says.

Though some of it does sound quite modern-thinking.

I'm not sure if author wanted us to remember how Lady Darling was once a travelling girl who crossed the seas and is so daring and saw/experienced a lot or we should see her version that also switches back to marchioness, although eccentric but quite haughty if you ask me, who knows her status and uses it to her advantage, even if it sounds snobbish of her.

By this I mean the fact that she decided to investigate the case, because she wants to and because she can (as if it's a common thing to do). I know some people might be upset because her approach and others act as if it's not something gruesome that happened. But actually not everyone mops around all day, especially people who were not close. This happens a lot more than you think. The only thing that is off-putting for real is how she calls herself intelligent and smart etc. Truly smart people don't do it. But the thing is she has no prior experience of solving cases, it's good this one was rather simple for her. Even if she absolutely excluded the work of Scotland Yard as inadequate (in attempts for it to sound like Sherlock Holmes) and after it was over considered her own work done brilliantly.

Another part is how she had no qualms in basically facing off everyone she suspects of doing it. It's like she interrogates people in public and asks all the questions and waits for the reaction. "Did you do it?" As a person with experience of reading people she might have done it, but again, she has no experience in solving cases. It'd be silly to wait and see whose facade will crack from unexpected questioning. In the end it was the conclusion of both murders that had a natural exclusion to help her solve the case, if it was just a singular case, who knows how long she'd waste on it.

I honestly liked the lively beginning and her eccentric personality, but then Conan Doyle appeared in a picture and she couldn't stop bringing him up. Not to mention she had some not appealing thoughts about other people around her. Even her ward - Priscilla Bedwith. Pris actually was also a bit annoying at the beginning, but then I realized it's a bit like a caricature and not a character with how she was scared of the feelings of her childhood friend and decided she will strive for a man with the highest title, this included her delulu as if she's going to be a sensation. As if she's supposed to be this young delulu girl. She also served as a constant reminder at first how different and shocking Lady Darling is.

The consequent haughtiness and the feeling of superiority and constant reminder "I'm brillian, I'm the smartest" also toned the excitement down. Which otherwise would have been a nice character.

The mystery itself was not that impressive. Maybe because it got lost at the constant mention of Holmes. If you isolate it, it might sound not that bad, but again it was overshadowed by everything else.

RATE: 2,75/5.

[NOVEL] Murder at the Mayfair Hotel by C.J. Archer

Why a character can't just be smart when sleuthing?

December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest on Christmas Eve throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos.Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager. With the New Year’s Eve ball approaching fast and the hotel’s reputation hanging by a thread, Cleo must find the killer before the ball, and the hotel itself, are ruined. But catching a murderer proves just as difficult as navigating the hotel’s hierarchy and the peculiarities of her family.Can Cleo find the killer before the new century begins? Or will someone get away with murder?

A Cleopatra Fox Mystery. Book 1

Fell flat. And I have a lot to say.

The plot is too obvious and also too convenient. A lot of forced parts. There is a biggest plothole in there. The establishment of characters is flat. And the main character despite impressive name did not impress me. Although a lot of things happened it left me with the feeling like I don't care.

Also the story is told from 1st person POV, which I dislike.

Let's dissect.

Part 1. Arrival. Character introduction. 

Cleopatra Fox is a "poor relation" of her uncle and aunt Ronald and Lillian Bainbridge. Here she finds out that uncle sponsored her for all these years and she had no idea (why establish this fact, who knows). Her two cousine Florence and Floyd are people who are the most basic youth among the wealthy, quite carefree and positive.

Cleopatra meets several main figures of the hotel that will play a role in the consequent development. The manager Mr Hobart, his nephew Mr Harry Armitage (whose father is a detective inspector of Scotland Yard). She also witnesses how Mrs Kethering, a housekeeper reprimands a maid Edith who wasn't supposed to go to 5th floor. I have no idea how more obvious you should be to establish that one of the characters has illicit relationship with one of the guests. 

I hope I didn't butcher their names, because this is how some of the characters are forgetful.

because Cleo is now part of the family she is given room to occupy on the 4th floor with the rest of the family. Her maid is called Harmony.

Part 2. Murder.

The one murdered is called Mrs. Warrick. We have to rewind back to introduction of this character. I had no idea how old she is actually, they say she is old enough. Cleo first met Mrs Warrick in passing in front of the lift, where Mrs Warrick turned back and commented to herself that "this person shouldn't be here". Meaning she recognized someone, but who for some reason couldn't be here in the hotel in her opinion. This is what I call convenent, it works for the story, but if we were in the universe that comment might mean nothing at all and can't be used as a solid lead, but will be used as such.

The other convenience that happens is that there are only 3 men that she could have talked about - Mr Armitage, Mr Hookly and Mr Duffiled.

This happened on Christmas Eve and the next morning Mrs Warrick is found dead, poisoned in her own room.

Honestly, if Poirot was here he'd crack this case in a nanosecond if I'm being honest, but what followed is what got on my nerves the most - the false lead. While to readers I think it becomes apparent who is at fault.

The circumstances of Mrs Warrick death: The door locked, found by maid Edith around 7 AM, all signs of poisoning, she did not dine the previous evening and only consumed hot chocolate (which was taken for testing). For a reader it becomes obvious that the two points of her recognition of someone and her death are connected. Which leaves three suspects, which can be reduced to one because of the two following scenes.

Part 3. Investigation.

It is known that police interviewed the staff and especially one footman who brought the chocolate. Now they need to establish what contained poison, time of death etc. All under the wing of Armitage's father who is brother to Manager Mr Hobard.

For some unknown reason, the above-mentioned maid Harmony asks Cleo to investigate. Absolutely no clue why, because Cleo just arrived, she had no prior cases to solve etc. Just because she is a relation and also does not believe the footman did it, or at least wants to prove the innocent.

What baffled me is how she discussed the details with all the staff, while being naively sure that none of them could have done it. Amateur mistake.

Now about the two scenes and why Mr Armitage couldn't have been the culprit but Cleo still took this false lead anyway.

Firstly, I was under the impression that Mrs Warrick stayed in the hotel not once. Proof: they talked about her "routines" about the time when she drinks her hot chocolate or tea, which means she stayed at this hotel several times and because Mr Armitage is a visible figure she should have noticed him on her prior visits if he was at fault. And Cleo followed this false lead for half a book, digging the past of Harry and actually exposing it to her uncle, which eventually led to his dismissal and she regretted it horribly, but honestly.. She felt so stupid at that time. Her leads were so flimsy, she thought that everyone would cover up for him (because of his relationship with his father). Anyway, her imagination got the best of her.

Edit:  I cam back to the book and found this quote, which proves why I was under the impression Mrs. Warrick was a regular:

"I was delivering her tea at seve this morning, as I have done ever since she arrived. She has a regular order, you see; tea delivered at seven by a maid, not a footman. She doesn't want men seeing her in her nightgown." Explained by Edith about Mrs. Warrick's usual order.

It felt forced because now Harry can do what he wanted to do, he found himself attracted to being a private detective type. Because the reason he was shifty and Cleo suspected him is that he was also trying to find who was steling the silver from the hotel. Honestly so forced just to make your two character do the investigative work later on.

Other two suspects:

Scene 1. Mr Duffield who dined with Cleo because she needed to ask him questions or at least hear his story of what and why. She finds he is dressed in worn clothes despite telling her he had an estate. Later we find out tha 1) he indeed lied about his estate; 2) he was a neighbor to Mrs Warrick; 3) he sold gossip to paper for a reward. None of which are a solid motive.

Scene 2. Smoking room with Mr Hookly. Again Cleo was just talking and hears a story from Mr Hookly that he just returned from Africa after selling his mine. She noticed he has no tan and was rather pale but thought he wore a hat *facepalm*. Later on she learns from the post that Mr Hookly receives a lot of parcels from different places. Very early on she also found that he orders from different places in bulks, without paying the bill, the only thing he has is a letter from some noble or smth.

It becomes obvious that he is a fraud. And they find out later that he is a fraud because real Mr Hookly died months ago. At least this is suspicious. I don't say the characters should have connected him to murder right away, would have been too much, but at least thought that guy is a fraud. Could have been connected to murder later. But no.

I don't deny that some of the suggestions by Cleo were solid. Because no poison was found in chocolate or in her items, meaning she somehow digested it. She found who ordered a portion enough for two. Even if it led to nothing, but it connected her and Mr Hookly who is not Mr Hookly. It also meant that someone from the staff was indeed responsible and the first to raise questions is of course - Edith, who found the body. Because the spare keys that could have been taken from senior staff were all locked and there was no sign of breaking, which means only maids could have done it. One who was also present when they discussed theories and what police found etc. Conveniently only later Cleo remembered the first meeting with Edith and Mrs Kethering. Connected it to the fact that fake Mr Hookly was living on the 5th floor where Edith was found. And when they all came to these conclusions Edith was nowhere to be seen.

If you put it together and put the pieces apart it's not a bad idea, but I just felt like the order to reveal things was odd.

Part 4. Conclusion.

Fake Mr Hookly was apprehended and his identity was out. He was a footman of real Mr Hookly and his idea was to get all the things and money and leave.

Edith was a woman madly in love (though honestly we don't care because it suddenly is revealed at the very end) and believed all those sweet nothings how they're going to be together. The reasoning of this fake Mr Hookly to involve Edith is a story that Mrs Warrick was his past lover who threatens his life and hers too, so she believed it's kills or be killed. We absolutely don't care as readers and it sounds ridiculous. Because Edith was a nobody among other staff so far.

Characters.

Honestly, I wish Cleo would give me more. She is quite basic to me. She is said to be intelligent, but one thing is to say rather than show. Same as when she mentions her parents and suddenly has tears in her eyes. Honestly, I couldn't care, there were no bits and pieces to showcase at least something that would make her emotions more vivid, like even if it's a jealousy of the warmth others have while she lost it and it'ss till raw as she says. Sometimes these moments were a miss, sometimes they hit.

She said she wanted to prove herself, well, she got ahead of herself too.

Mr Armitage who will be the main lead later is also not that interesting, sure described as handsome, but basically they have little interactions with Cleo and it's always different in her impression from good to bad. We had no idea he was investigating something just to make him suspicious. How do they manage to make a character present and so background at the same time.

The only thing that was nice to me is how united the staff were in the face of this incident, they wanted to solve it, they felt close, they were rather interesting.

Cleo's family is okay, instead of her worst nightmares they're pretty close to her, though I agree it feels weird that they were not present in her life for all these years, but now they're close and it might have been to do with her grandparents, but who knows, not explained, left for later..maybe.

Well, yeah, I don't regret just spoiling the whole thing, could have been better, but it is what it is.

I really need a smart female lead, but not someone who is too boastful.

RATE: 3/5.

[NOVEL] Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace

I was surprised to find it was such a fun read.

A lady never reveals the true extent of her decay...

Hannah Miles lives a quiet existence, helping her parents conduct research into a most terrible affliction - until a gruesome murder during her best friend's engagement party pulls her from the shadows. With her specialist's knowledge and demure disposition, Hannah is requested to aid the investigation.

Except Hannah discovers her role is to apologise in the wake of the rude and disgraced man tasked with finding the murderer. The obnoxious Viscount Wycliff thinks to employ Hannah purely as a front to satisfy Whitehall, but she'll have none of that.

The two must work together to find the murderer before the season is ruined. But the viscount is about to meet his greatest challenge, and it's not a member of the ton with a hankering for brains.

Manners and Monsters. Book 1

Alternative history where magic is present. Imagine timeline past 1812, war between England and France, Napoleon is defeated, but it all sprinkled with supernatural.

As a plan for England's demise from within a batch of snuff and facial powder was stopped from the spread among the ton, but part of it still foound its way to the vanities of aristocratic ladies, this is how few hundred people were cursed to die, but not be dead.

It took me a moment to realize that I'm reading about zombies while they're not called such in the book. Despite the cover being obvious haha It's just the angle this book takes on living dead is really interesting.

Back to the story. Since few years back all cursed were called Afflicted. New rules were made for them (like they can't legally marry since they can't produce a heir, they can't inherit etc. because they're practically dead), so there was a substantial shift in lives of many ladies who found themselves victims of such a vile curse. These are same women (and men) but their hearts don't beat, they live among others and some are obviously Afflicted, but others can be masked among others, it all depends on how well they're "fed". The point is, there is no full list of people who are Afflicted, the information can be acquired partially only through the supplier of "pickled cauliflower".

It's just to express few points in short, while the book to me was much more.

So Hannah's mother is one of the first Afflicted, since she is a mage (former, since her death), she partially siffered from the effects of this curse (decay), but her family works tirelessly to find how to reverse the process.

Hannah is the type of wallflower, her family is now nothing much, her mother is now in the past for others and her father stopped being a famous surgeon and concentrated on Afflicted and how to cure his wife. An exception among many men who either discarded their spouces or broke off engagements with loved ones who became Afflicted.

Then at the beginning of the book a murder happens and the victim was found with their brain missing, something only a deprived and very hungry Afflicted would do.

Viscount Wycliff is appointed to solve the case and also he was present at the scene. Hannah found herself tagging along because 1 - this topic concerns Afflicted and 2 - someone dared to spoil the engagement ball of her friend (honestly this is the worst part that was mentioned, because at the beginning it was said that they're great friends etc. although some of the details rubbed me the wrong way, but throughout the whole book no sign of her friend was present). Hannah found herself a mediator between those who were baffled by Wycliff's rudeness.

Having a list of people present at the ball the list of suspects is narrowed down. Some seem suspicious, but some feel as if they have no reason to commit anything.

You can read the Afflicted as an allegory to something else too. Because partially it does not directly comment on Afflicted, but while the two of our protagonists interview people we meet different women and listen to their different situation, like Mrs Albright, very much walking and talking but tossed aside by her husband for younger wife (I reeeaaally have a strong feeling that he might have found about the powder and used it to get rid of his wife, I have no proof, but the things he said). Like Lady Emma whose fiance ditched her, but her parents do everything for their child. Or mean Lady Gabriella whose outlook completely changed after losing the shackled of being preceived as a woman.

Although it felt like their stories won't mean much, but they still paint a full picture and an interesting take on how society treats those who may be walking and talking, but are partially cast aside.

It's not just a zombie apocalypse where zombies run the streets like mindless menace.

I found that the story is well-paced and well-balanced, it's not an info dump, we get to know about the curse and Afflicted step by step, our characters are not some all-powerful minds that got it all solved, because the study of Afflicted continues. A lot is laced through.

As for the relationship between the two main characters, I do not agree with peopel commenting that someone out of the two is in love with the other, totally don't agree. For the first half they almost loathed each other and later just found the company of each other agreeable enough, they have a long way to go. She finds him so because he may be the one to stir her mind. He is still broody like a heavy cloud, the fact that he finds more sides about her that are better among other women is a common trope. I would cut some of his parts to let him simmer a bit more and so they could develop more in later books, others did this too and  found it quite successful.

Overall was pleasantly surprised.

RATE: 5/5. 

[NOVEL] A Perilious Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

Why is this novel titled like that is beyond me, they never did any undertaking.

London, 1887. At the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task--saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Ramsforth, accused of the brutal murder of his mistress, Artemisia, will face the hangman's noose in a week's time if the real killer is not found.

But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural-historian colleague, Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer. From a Bohemian artists' colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed....

Veronica Speedwell Mystery. Book 2

I would call this an adventure rather than a mystery, even if the sleuthing does take part of it, but honestly, I always feel so detached when reading this.. I'm saying as if I've read ten books and not simply two.

I actually finished it few days ago, but forgot to pour all my frustration out I suppose. So here it is.

Before proceeding with my annual criticism of Veronica and her antics, I must admit, I like Stoker as a character, he is the logic of this team, he gives more sound ideas and when it comes to action he is truly a man to rely on.

Some may point out that he gives way to Veronica a ot, but it does not look good for her that he is basically - let her do whatever she wants, because that girl is stubborn af.

Veronica is the Victorian adventuress-lepidopterist. She is stuck in England with Stoker because their planned expedition was cut short because their patron (and also the man who provides them with shelter) had broken his leg, so instead they use their services of cataloging everything the generations of this family collected.

When suddenly Lady C. asks Veroica to visit the Curiosity club with her where she meets none other than Lady Sunbridge, but who is also Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise.

She tasks Veronica to impossible, figure out the real murderer, because Princess Louise swears she knows the man did not kill his mistress.

I don't know how to feel about involving real people in novels and portraying them as you see fit, but basically Princess Louise is one insufferable ass, considering I think of Veronica the same, I guess it's a family trait then.

Veronica agrees for nothing else but the idea that she might meet her real bio dad, though she knows it's impossible. There are no real ties between Veronica and the man she tries to save, but they portray it as if she is going to do it, as if she suddenly has this just heart and she gives a damn about a man she never even saw in her life.

Soon things become apparent that there is something going on with the murder, because someone sends them a threatening letter not to dig into this matter, which sounded so stupid, the perpetrator could have as well proclaimed it at every corner. Of course this leads our duo to investigate the case with conviction that Ramsworth should be saved. My only matter with such books is that.. there is no feel of urgency, even if they had like a week for solving the case.

And again Veronica and Stoker are not pro sleuths, just both of them reading some detective stories they often mention is not enough. And it shows. They always have a great deal of suspects, but they fail to narrow it down.

The book doesn't make a secret of who did it because author can't help but mention several times that a certain character wore white so it removes them from the list of suspects. Which was the stupidest thing I've heard, because you can change. As it happened, I was right.

I have no idea how these two sleuths have read some books but forget one major point when it comes to solving the case - person of interest. We starts from closest people and those they were involved with. But it always baffled me how two protags just let it slide past them.

Anyway, we have a short but still a list of people we suspect. I found this part like other parts a bit forced, since the above-mentioned Louise did not think of being discreet and announced she gave the go to our main characters, and she said it among countless witnesses in the place which we'll shortly call Art House (which isn't its' real name of course), which lodges and connects people of the ton and artists.

So we have several people who act suspiciously or catch our attention, but was I disappointed with the outcome, surely I was.

The revelations that followed after we know the whodunnit moment were not impressive to me. Not impressed and don't really care.

As for the characters.

I already said that Princess Louise acted as insufferable b. She basically acted on emotions when they first met to make Veronica yield. Veronica called her bluff, which honestly is one great part about her character. Later she demanded things like report on progress and such, which honestly, you gave the task and gave nothing and thought it's going to be solved in two days or what? Lol might I add that she always said about friendship and loyalty and honor, but honestly, she wanted investigation more for herself imo, because her name was on the ledger, which was a prove that she visited the naughty grotto Ramsforth kept. And she knew he didn't do it because they were there when things happened, but no one could say a word about it.

Veronica doesn't change much from the first book, still stubborn to do her own thing, it's a bit wild how she basically was so THIRSTY in this book, but she was noticing everyone, not only Stoker. Honestly, the girl should have toned it down. It's like she notices every man, but still names them "male species". She is not giving them any respect, but is always ready to use their services. Maybe sometimes she had good moments, but often time I was simply so over with her antics. It always feels like she thinks she is above the rest. She talks so much about freedom, but I am mad at her for basically degrading other women, changes are not something that can be done in a day or two. And I will stand by my previous conviction that she is so freedom-loving for no one's sake. She helps no one. The fact that she is so free to do whatever she wants, how she flaunts her escapades and romantic relationships exists only for herself.

Also I always found it hypocritical how she "does not bed Englishmen", basically because she knows the consequences of that. She can be hush about it, but she basically confessed to multiple characters in this book that she is not a virgin and had multiple lovers.

Poor Stoker, he is stuck with this menace. He is a brooding man, but honestly he is gentlemanly in a good way, has some really good qualities and is always there for the rescue. I felt like I need more of him.

The rest of the cast is.. well, they're there, have no idea what was the point of some characters getting so much attention.

Now the mystery.

[NOVEL] Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Unhinged, but fun.

Welcome to Cape Carnage! Visit Once, Stay Forever.

Cape Carnage is a seaside town of colorful houses, quirky shops, and an unusually high body count. But with tourists comes trouble, and Harper Starling won’t let anyone ruin her picture-perfect home. A skilled gardener with killer instincts, Harper protects her sanctuary at any cost—especially for her aging mentor with a fading memory.

Troublesome tourists don’t check out of Carnage. They compost beneath Harper’s award-winning flowerbeds. But Nolan Rhodes isn’t your average tourist. Devilishly handsome, disarmingly charming, and skilled with a blade, Nolan is relentless in the pursuit of revenge. On every anniversary of the hit-and-run accident that fractured his life, Nolan slays another target. And he’s saved the best for last: the undeniably beautiful Harper Starling.

The problem? Harper isn’t the monster he expected. And she won’t go down without a fight. When an amateur true crime investigator comes to Cape Carnage on the trail of a long-lost serial killer, Harper and Nolan strike an uneasy truce. If Nolan helps Harper protect her town, she’ll keep quiet about his hunting habits . . . for now. But their alliance soon spirals into obsession, one that threatens to shatter every secret in Carnage—including their fragile love.

The Seasons of Carnage. Book 1

For sure it was bloody and fun. From the author of Butcher & Blackbird I never read.

I'm no fan of toxic traits, but if you can wrap it up nicely and add some dark humor and not make it super serious, I can deal with it.

The two main characters are totally unhinged, the story doesn't take itself seriously, although it has some good moments of friendship and care.

The plot itself is super easy, Nolan comes to town with a goal, but then he meets Harper and he did not expect to meet this type of Harper, so things got complicated, tied together they try to navigate how to get rid of Sam Porter, the head of amateur sleuth group, who had too much get in his head that he can do anything for fame. That means coming to Cape Carnage and tying the name of Harper's mentor and a serial killer named La Plume together (spoiler, not the same person). Harper wants to protect one person so dear to her, so she is ready for some blackmail. Nolan doesn't want Harper to get caught before he deals with her himself, so it's all in his interest to make it work.

Honestly, they didn't do much in that direction.

But the forced proximity kinda works and both have conflicting feelings. Nolan loathes himself for feeling anything towards a woman who killed his brother and yet to find out that she is not real Harper.

Harper had no one else except her mentior who knows her true self and a person she could rely on, slowly (very slowly) she tries to trust Nolan.

Although the plot is a bit predictable, but it's those bits and pieces of fun that make the picture going. Oh, and a bit of gore. Or not a bit.

I honestly had a feeling that maybe the entire Cape Carnage is on what's really going on but they stay silent because they're not that against of getting rid of few scumbags. Like the dude who pushed the pregnant nurse. Small towns may be weird. But it's fun to think that way.

Spoilers section~

To me the ending had a bit of a cliffhanger feel tbh, because by that time Nolan came to terms that he fell in love with a woman he came to kill, only to uncover at the very last chapter of this book that she is not who he thought she was, she said it herself but tbh it was cryptic. So what should he do with all that avalanche of emotions.

And not to mention the sleuth group acted as if they're ready to get into Cape Carnage the very next second since they got news of Sam and his companion deaths. But it's left for later.

I was also a bit surprised (not really) about the epilogue. I had a feeling they dealt with La Plume in the past, but it happens not to be the case, I wonder about this backstory.

Honestly, Sheriff always gave you the feeling that HE KNOWS EVERYTHING, but does nt get involved for some reason.

Anyway, I do wish to see maya with her talent for mixtures in the next book, won't it be fun? I think so. I have a feeling the girl cracked the two open the first time she saw them with severed head and hands, but because she is also from the same type of people she played along.

RATE: 3,75/5.

[NOVEL] The Ties that Divide by Sandra and Taylor Preisler

ooh, this was rough

In the heart of Regency London, where the gulf between the opulent upper class and the squalid streets is as wide as the Thames, Zoe Demas, a young French woman entangled in two worlds, finds herself at the center of a chilling mystery.

When her lady's maid, Lucy, is found dead in the notorious district of Whitechapel, Zoe refuses to accept the verdict of a tragic accident. Determined to uncover the truth, she enlists the help of Quinton Huxley, a man whose expertise lies in navigating the murky waters between legality and the underworld.

Alongside a cast of characters as diverse as they are mysterious—Zoe's stepfamily, a Bow Street runner, a resurrectionist, and a gangster among them—Zoe and Quinton unravel a tale of forbidden love, jealousy, and betrayal that threatens to consume her.

Q&Z Regency Mysteries. Book 1

Well, this started well, but soon enough it became another case of - let me tell you, not show you.

We start from Zoe Demas, she and her mother escaped France, the imagery of her past still haunts her, she still feels out of place even if her life went well when her mother re-married when she was nine.

Zoe is a talented artist (I wish there was more of it) and has a bit of accentric temperament (very cliche thing to say about a French woman), so she has a bit of a temper even with servants.

But one day her maid is reported to be dead, no one takes upon themselves the investigation. But Zoe feeling guilt for her rude words before she last saw her maid made her turn to private investigator Quinton Huxley. This is where Q&Z come from.

He promises to find some leads, but the investigation to me was quite bleak, as if it wasn't even the important part of it all. We heard more about secondary characters, the inevitable and sudden pull between the two character, although I was sitting and thinking to myself "why are the attrackted to each other again?" I was not mad when we get to see more of Zoe's change, although at other times I thought why should I care?

I don't know about the tags on goodreads, but is this supposed to be a cozy mystery, because this was kinda... slow too.

I guess the fact that I got a really bad headache when I finished impacted my reading. But even before that I started feeling like we don't go anywhere.

Quinton finds his brother (how convenient) he is not blood-related, they just grew up in same place, who now rules some worst part of the London city. Another convenient acquaintance, Scottish resurrectionist Rory helps them to figure the maid actually gave birth. This is not the lead, but her connection to the killer. Because the one responsible is obviously the father of her child. I don't even mind this info, it's just too obvious.

Conveniently someone Quinton knows is murdered in the same manner and who is connected to the maid Lucy. Too many conveniences. Anyway, it becomes personal.

But again, too much time is spent on others.

Like the connection between Quinton and his two friends. They connect often and start discussing the past so the reader will know they have a strong brotherly bond. I call it info dumping.

Next is Quinton's attraction to Zoe...why? He calls her stubborn and many other names, but there is no particular reason that shows his attraction, it just comes in suddenly, the same sudden effect as how others around Quinton tell him - ooh, boy, you in love.

And of course they can't be together because now she belongs to a good family and he is some bastard born by an actress, so they're not meant to be. This is for later, but the book already gives a hint that he's not some low-born dude.

Sigh.

The writing at the beginning was comfortable and it's the type of book that is easy to read. And it feels liek the story progresses well. We exclude the obvious fact that some jargon was too modern.

But the way the story lacks depth and character just instantly like each other and many other details made me feel disappointed. For others it may have been a good read, but it's not enough for me, I wanted some thrill instead of a slow park walk. Also too convenient.

RATE: 3/5.

[SHORT REVIEWS] #26

NOVELS

CHINESE

Not much catch since I have no new stuff. I wait for the completion of 无间 by 二月竹

I already mentioned this book once. Author previously wrote Backtracking I once reviewed and liked a lot (it was about a boy who was murdered on a graduation trip, but actually survived and returned 10 years later for revenge). The new story is about investigation as well, since the main character Shen Qiao is connected to recently dead young people and the ML is investigating into it. I've been waiting for its' completion.

Next one is the very new article 人， 撸了毛得负责哦 by 挠时光, previously author wrote "Abnormal relationship" I also reviewed (about two men from prominent families who accidentally slept and realized they're compatible in bed, but they always were like enemies in life). The new story is about a young man Ou XiaoJiang who inherited a house which is claimed to be haunted, but the young man's side hustle is haunting ghosts. ML is a demon king whose lair was in this house. The synopsis has a light-hearted and humorous tone, maybe the story will be the same. After all the previous book also was like this. *new = basically only started publication on JJ.

Next very new one should be 天降老公[娱乐圈] by 沙舟踏翠

I previously reviewed this author too. Forgot the title I used, since it was obviously changed, the current title is 软饭硬吃[重生] (I think previous was connected to white rice or smth, the play on a saying since the main character was reborn and basically lived off his newly acquired husband, having a pretty fulfilling life). This new article is about main character Chen Yuxi, who is unknown celebrity, young guy who sells his music and is suddenly invited to a star-studded program, which catapults him into stardom.

No covers because they're all default and pointless.

The rest is only two that I keep by my side. Because they're spooky. Yes, I still read Welcome to Nightmare Live, I make a big pause while reading, but the story is so good it's impossible to forget what it's about. And the second has been waiting for me for some time, since it's also spooky 玄学大佬是罪仙 which I mentioned before. But again, when you're not into mood for spooky you can only let it wait. But I know that unlike other books I mentioned this one I really want to read.

US

Time for some detective stuff.

A Murder in Mayfair by Magda Alexander.

This one wasn't bad. I had my issues with it, but it's not entirely bad.

My pet peeve is how this is also written from 1st person POV, at least we have few POVs instead of just being in the FMC's head all the time. Mikaela (FMC) gets involved in the murder of her cousin's husband, since she can't let the scandal swipe the poor woman. Although I had my issues exactly with how fervent Mikaela described her own feelings, while I was thinking you have total nine kids at home, including yourself and your brother who inherited the title, but you are responsible for all of them. Are you sure? Anyway, comparing this to others this wasn't half bad. Pretty short, easy to read.

Edit: At least this was short and dynamic, the other books I saw this time around made me re-think my initial impression.

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna

Or Stella and Lyndy Mystery, Book 1.

I admit I was brought in by the cover. It looked "different". Who knew there's quite a number of similar ones. But I digress.  This is a DNF btw.

I decided to put it down at the beginning. Maybe the mystery is worth it, but I checked reviews after being buffled by the characters and it did not improve my impression.

Stella is an American heiress from Kentucky, she is taken with her father to visit England without knowing that her father arranged her marriage to a lord. She is against it, her father is a douch who can raise his hand against his daughter.

Lyndy, or Lyndhurst did not mak the picture better, because of how he thought about Stella from the beginning, he wasn't even thinking about her. He was thinking about thoroughbred horses he will get in this deal. Like it's the most important thing. Others mentioned that he is also in the same situation as Stella, being part of the deal, no he's not. Just listen to his thoughts on horses and you won't feel like he got the shorter end of the stick. Not to mention he is a man.

When he notices Stella's beauty he also feels about her like if he won a prize - oh my future wife isn't half bad. Which is also not good.

Honestly, they are young, I'll give them that. But he especially reads as absolutely not mature young man. He still needs to wipe milk around his mouth tbh.

Also everyone around Stella is either snarky or snobbish. I mean even if the American guy comes with money. Makes me think, Americans are considered rude around the world now, but back then, they simply didn't know the etiquette "rules" of Englishmen. So how rude is that?

Anyway, Lyndy spoiled it all for me  completely, since we know he's going to be the main part. I know I didn't read much, but I just sat and thought - why should I continue then? The writing is a bit all over, Stella is the only good character, Lyndy's thoughts made me think the worst of him, all character are bad.

Honestly the beginning read as if I'm reading some melodramatic historical romance, not mystery haha

Oh the mystery is about who got poor vicar who was there to wed Stella and Lyndy. Honestly, if I were them I'd say bad luck.

The Ties that Divide by Sandra and Taylor Preisler

Or Q&Z Regency Mysteries.

'Q' stands for Quinton, he is a hired investigator and 'Z' stands for Zoe, she wants to know the truth about the death of her maid.

Zoe lives in a reconstructed family I'd call it. She and her mother escaped France, while her father couldn't make it. Around when she was 9 her mother met her current husband. They live comfrotably and Zoe from time to time has a bit of a fit, she's a young talented artist who also has a bit of identity crisis due to her origins. But she had no idea the next time she hears from her maid is that the poor young woman will be dead. Zoe feels there is something wrong here and decides to hire a help. This is the premise of it all.

Good thing it's written normally. Also the flow is nice so far, I just tried out the beginning and you know when it's "comfortable" to read. 

Edit: The review is up, it's one of those cases where I change my mind halfway through. It's hard to describe it shortly, but I was disappointed with it. A lot of it was treated as introduction to all the characters, though honestly we didn't need all of their backstory in one book. Also main characters have instant attraction to each other and the book already spoils there is some of future development about ML's birth because so far they can't be together since their standing is so different~ FMC does a lot of impulsive things for her own good. The book did not feel special.

A Whisper and a Curse by Darcy Burke

Raven and Wren, Book 3.

I know I said I might put this series for good, but I might give it another try. I don't knwo why. I already said they got to me in the last one when they continuously complemented each other how good they are etc. But in general the books moved at a very slow pace and lacked thrill.

Ngl I like the color schemes of these covers, they make the series stand out among others.

The Body in the Garden by Katharine Shellman

Lily Adler Mystery. Book 1

I can also say a word or two about this one, because I opened it and was surprised that authors wants to make their FMC sound as if she was Sherlock Holmes. Find it ironic since her last name is Adler.

Lily, our FMC, is returning to life by coming to the city. She is still grieving after the loss of her husband whom she really loved.

In the first scenes she kinda sounds a bit smug too, the way she explains how she guessed and it really sounds like Sherlock version. Everyone is impressed. It kinda put me off a bit and I decided I'll put it down and come back when I'm ready for this type of stuff.

But the mystery is about how she decides to investigate the case that is obviously buried by paying off the police, so the police won't investigate further.

Tourist Season by Brynne Weaver

Or The Seasons of Carnage. Book 1

Comes from the author of infamous Butcher & Backbird. Which I never read, but I kinda want to try this book. You know when you're intrigued by something. It's better to scratch that itch.

Well, because I never read dark romance.

Edit: Started it, it's actually fun? I'm just surprised. Although I still dislike 1st person POV. But in general this is promising.

Edit2: 41% Shit, this is fun.

Edit3: Finished, the review is posted. But in general it was fun and unhinged. I liked that it had dark humor and didn't take itself serious. The plot is nothing fancy, but at least it's wrapped up not in a bad way. Was surprised it had such a strong "to be continued" feel, since partially the story left readers with some questions. Can't say anything about the love line in this book, since it's quite unealthy, but honestly baffling is how some things are nice if we separate them from their unhealthiness.

WEBTOONS
MANHWA

On your knees, Your Highness!

This one is HYSTERICAL. At least it is drawn as a full-blown comedy, even if some undertone is a bit serious. You can read it on Webtoons for free.

It's just a walking meme. I have no idea why I like reading this type of stuff, when things have a lot of meme material. But in general it's a pretty nice story. Not very new in the concept, but the story itself is okay. Sudden arranged marriage to shield the Duke from the King / Emperor who is this irksome old dude and can't let go, so instead of doing some serious stuff he spends it on schemes against the Duke. But I really like the FMC, she is strong and collected and does not have some fits, it's satisfying seeing her going into dark and oppressive mode where she unleashes at others. Even the Duke is on the receiving end of it all at times.

It's based on a novel, but I find manhwa works better for me. Still manhwa is ongoing of course.

The only funny thing is those 3D models they use, like her tiara that looks like it's for kids because of its' small size, I have no idea why sometimes they don't do more even with things that exist. I can understand it saves time and it's efficient, but have you seen those hilarious horses they always use? Or how all jewelery looks 2D flat. Everything is just either a pre-set pattern or 3D model that already existed. Even some art I've seen several times. I don't mention the decorative stuff like flowers etc. it's all from the obviously same pack, only the art style and the manner of decorating pannels makes things different.

OTHER MENTIONS: 

- I Never Abandoned the Tyrant (holy shit this is the weak type of FMC) The story is nothing spectacular, but honestly FMC stroke me as this weak poor fragile entity that is afraid of anything. Skipping on it.

- Enemies meet at the engagement ceremony. Interesting premise where characters do have a reason to hate on each other. At least doesn't treat enemies-to-lovers trope as some promotion stunt. Also the art is pretty and very vivid in bold colors.

- Stepmother's Märchen. What is it with characters drawn with their hair let down when other don't do it. I feel like every time it's a European ambience etc. but FMCs always let their hair down. It looks weird because others do not do the same thing. But I digress. Anyway, pretty decent and emotional story about FMC's rebirth and different choices made. At least it has some stakes and you see it unfold.

- Mary Psycho, or Her Merry Obsession I think that's the title. Pretty crazy story, which led me to consider others, which depicts an FMC who figures while she was blinded with medicine, she has no idea who was the man she considered her husband and why he did what he did. She goes on fully throwing her good wife persona and her screws get loose, so she was never completely healthy mentally and her goal is to find the man who pretended to be her husband.

- It's my first time being loved. Omg this is kinda heartwarming. I did not read much, but it was lovely and the art as well. Story about a girl who was reborn a 100 times and every life she must have sacrificed herself and never had a decent life. But now she has a loving family. FMC is still a baby when the story begins, so her expressions are priceless.

Edit: I needed to mention this because I haven't seen such a moronic FMC in a while

- Marchioness Maron, or Marquis Moron I'd say. FMC is a transmigrator and the OG girl really did some horrible things for three men, but they ditched her at the first sign of trouble. Now she is thrown into the contaminated area (actually they literally wanted to kill her first, but she survived), but then starts the moronic acts on her side. She is OP since she can survive and absorb and manipulate miasma, which is a big deal. But she wants to spend her time in seclusion, valid. But later when she appears here and there it's annoying how she wants to push the protag heroine to become a saintess, even if it's half-empty title. It's one thing to inform the heroine, but you put into her head that she's the protagonist of this world and one must love her and later when she appears to be doing good among people of her secluded place she starts to mop around as if she was replaced.. It's all over the place. Also a lot of details that are not good. You can get that maybe the original idea wasn't that bad, but the execution is simply bad. 

DRAMA

Agatha Chritie's SEVEN DIALS

Adaptation? I want to watch it since I love all the mystery stuff. But it's Netflix.... says it all. It can end up being simply bad / boring. But I want to give it a try regardless. After all it's a mini-series and has some good actors in it.

ANIME

Ooh~ I have a lot more things I want to check out compared to previous years combined. This Winter season basically only started with just few episodes out. So it's more like "I'm checking these out" if it's not a series I watched previously and am simply continuing like

Sousou no Frieren. Season 2.

Excuse me, but favorite anime. Fell in love with it. It has such an interesting atmosphere about it.

Edit: GLORIOUS!! Fuck, I love this anime. It's still the best, such a delight to return to this world.

Jujutsu Kaisen Shimetsu Kaiyu Zenpen (which season is this again)

Well, I'm watching anyway. I don't know how it happened that I was impressed by season 1 and when it came to Shibuya incident it was okay, still had wow moments, but in general felt shallow? Certainly things will change once again due to the plot. But I know for sure that I'll wait before binging.

Jigokuraku

Want to try it out. I think I saw some opening sequence? I have a feeling I did and was impressed. You know Tumblr is always ready to present you few gifs that will tickle your interest

Edit: I surely saw the OP theme from this one. It's really beautifully done. I saw the 1st episode and figured the overall tone of this anime and where it's going, thus decided to put it away for a bit and return when I'm into it, since it looked pretty good. I'm just into very light-hearted things right now.

Seihantai na Kimi to Boku

Unlikely choice, watched some introduction into the story on YT shorts, will try it out and see if it's good. Because YT shorts can just use all the best parts and sell it to me, but it might end up not being a good anime. How is it that in every anime the male character is a nerdy boy that looks like everyone else ahaha

Edit: Watched Ep.1 IT'S FFUCKING CUTE

Edit 2: Watched a bit more and it's still frigging cute, they are adorable, it's such a nice anime and campus love story done right. If it was a book, I would certainly skip it since I find the genre boring, if it was manga or anime I'd see it first to decide if it's up my alley or not. Polar opposites proved to be very positive and lovely.

Suzuki is a creature, I agree. This is so cute.

Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki

Choice was simple, I think I also saw the introduction, but also have you seen the poster? It kinda hooked me up. Like what is going on, right? My boy, are you flirting, are you trying to start something? I want to know.

Edit: ME TOO GIRL, ME TOO. The way girls oggled her on the train. But it went the way it's predictable, no one sees her as a female anymore outside MMC who finds her really beautiful.

Edit2: I watched up to latest 4th episode and yeah I was right about more serious tone, I mean if you compare to Seihantai. It's more girlhood, first feelings, exploration. A guy who dated before but doesn't know what love is is the same shocked by his feelings when it comes to Yoi-chan, while Yoi-chan who never dated or even been treated as a girl explores her feelings for the first person who saw her for who she was - a girl.

The only thing I was like - no~ is how 4th episodes introduces another potential guy who may become a new love interest and he is also Ouji, that's a name, which also means Prince... why this drawing style seems so familiar, I feel like I need to dig into who drew the manga, I feel like they had previous works and they might have been animated too.

Gorrgeeee

Isekai no Sata wa Shachiku Shidai

We're supporting BL in this house, will check this out as well. More and more BL works started to appear and they are openly BL and BL can also be good and compelling.

Like what is this, why is there some nerdy glasses and a dashing looking black cloak that look good together, stop it. I hope it's a real anime, otherwise I'll be pissed. You know how sometimes they put a full-blown anime poster but the story is basically animated cutouts or something of that sort.

Edit: It's the first episode day, where I watch every anime I chose. So far so good, all coice prove to be cute. Creation from the DEEN studio, studio that was never afraid to make BL anime even before the fangirls were gushing over Yuri on Ice, I just remember how everyone thought it changed history etc.. I mean, other animes appeared and influenced the sphere even before that, it was a process and YoI was just a part of it imo.

Anyway, an office worker sees a girl being sucked into some weird magic circle and tried to help, so both of them ended up being transported into another world. The girl is treated as Holy Maiden and he.. asked to work. He works as an accountant who also assessed the situation with ore logic than the girl. I mean yeah they asked her to be the maiden and she's the naive little girl said yes, but the dude is more experienced asking all the right question - how do you know they say the truth? Was not appreciated lol. But I'd like to see where it goes, if there will be stakes or it will be more tame.

Edit2: Honestly seeing it up to ep5 I was not expecting it will go by simple route of - we have to be intimate for you to survive, in other words forced proximity. Seiichiro is honestly working his ass off for this kingdom, his more modern view actually has benefits. It has some really dumb cliche moments which was surprising. I saw that manga had a bit of chibi moments to make it cuter, anime does it but rarely. Honestly, the development is a bit flat. Although I bet many will say stuff liek this is cute. Animation is also crude at times, but I never expected much.

Last but not least, actually it's not last, I have another three I want to see but I'm not going to include them so far.

HANA KIMI ANIME WTF

lol I saw the manga years ago, somewhere I might even have exclusive wallpapers the author posted on her web page. Later I watched the drama. But anime version? How many years ago this was published? It was one of the first mangas where a girl dressed as a boy in manga. Which started the whole gender bender thing. Also I wonder if they will make sensei gay or they will play it safe like in drama (they changed the photographer's gender to female in the drama, while the manga was so gay~). So I'm watching, even if I saw this story several times already.

Makes me remember that it got adopted and other countries get their own version and basically there were one or two other popular dramas that had the same vibe of gender-bender and girl pretending to be a boy.

Right now it looks quite silly, let's admit it, that no one noticed the girl was there, otherwise she needs to be an androginous icon.

[NOVEL] A Deadly Affair by Carla Simpson

Care to expmail why the main character is described as dark-haired but what I see on the cover is red hair ahaha. It's not the only question I had after reading.

London 1889 — Murder, mystery, and two people in a most unlikely partnership.

She's an unconventional lady who has traveled the world, practices the art of self defense most excellently, and has an interesting tattoo in, ahem... a very unusual place.

He's a former member of the Metropolitan Police, now a private investigator, who grew up on the poverty ridden streets of Edinburgh and has worked the dangerous back alleys of London's notorious East End.

A vicious murder brings them together in a race against time that takes them from the sordid back streets of London into the elite private clubs of the powerful and rich, to find the killer before he strikes again and prevent a deadly scheme.

A scandalous affair, deceptions, and secrets will challenge what they know and what they believe.

Come along as the lady and the detective join forces in an amazing time of new inventions, startling discoveries, and unexpected revelations, where a young woman who doesn't rely on anyone is forced to trust the irascible Scot who is a tough as they come and just might learn a thing or two from her... if they both don't end up dead!

Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery. Book 1

The book is mid. The one redeeming quality I can mention is that it's easy to read. But I wonder if those grammar errors and typoes are only my thing.

I certainly would not lash out at it like some reviewers, because some of their arguments are basically pretty common things that we come across and it's a matter of preference.

Point main to make - never wait for hystorical accuracy from such books. It reads more like a antasy of authors decided to have and it's a pretty common trait among books that should be set in historical settings.

Now onto personal evaluation.

For me this book suffered the most because it used 1st person POV, we are in Mikaela's head and I'm pretty sure we don't need that. The girl has a bit of main character syndrome and is not bothered by the dangers she may find herself involved in. She is also a bit too headstrong. I think according to plot she had all the right to be so, but author did not dig deeper into it for me. Many pointed out that she tried to make herself useful and prove herself for this investigation, but I think that if we heard more about her and her sister's relationship as a reason, maybe it's give us a different impression. At times I forgot that the reason they're doing this is the fact her sister disappeared. And it's the start of this investigation.

because we're in her head we hear a lot of bits and pieces about her adventures, how she traveled the world and saw many things and also explored some that are considered forbidden or inappropriate for women. The society Mikaela lives in is very forgiving to women I guess, because otherwise she would be riddled with scandal, since her writing endeavors are like an open secret anyway.

I don't know, maybe if she was described as some sort of novelty or interesting entity others find fascinating it would redeem the situation, but for this we need author's voice.

Also we find how many skills she picked up during her travels. I really wish this was in 3rd person POV, because she could have just mentioned in passing as understatement her achievements in protecting herself, instead it sounded like she showed off. I'll be honest I would have been more impressed if she was described as some enigma instead of all the info. Ironic is how Angus said in the novel - it's what they didn't say. Author should take advice from their own character I think.

It's not the first person in historical settings that I find picking up eastern martial arts and I see nothing bad about it, but there's a difference in how you present readers with the information.

I would find it funnier if she would say that she tried cigarettes and whiskey and did not find them appealing ahaha instead she smokes and drinks a lot I think.

Yeah so she was too headstrong and too impulsive, sometimes not in a good way. It felt like she can't rely on others. Well, she admitted it, which was good.

As for Angus Brodie, he is interesting and I'd like to know more about him and his past, but again 1st person POV won't allow some subtlety unless they speak it out.

Unlike others I wasn't mad how Mikaela said too many times that he was a Scot. Because in life I had similar situation when you don't know how to describe a person but they're typical.

But my main thing would be two "plot holes" or how you should call them, for this I need to dive into spoilers.

So the story starts when the sister is missing but we find her maid dead, framed as other murders. Mikaela wants to find her sister Lenore or Lennie, while Lenore's husband does not seem as agitated as her because his wife went missing. For this their influential Aunt Antonia offers a person she thinks is perfect for the job. Private investigater Angus Brodie and Mikaela start their investigation by collecting info. Mikaela tried very hard to insert herself basically everywhere she could. But honestly sometimes she was damn impulsive.

They come into contanct with a person who found the maid, but the person was obviously lying. How convenient that the maid had a resudue under her nail, I wonder if chemical analysis existed in 1889 I have no idea. Anyway they figure she had some chemicals that are not common. Most "recent" would be connected to explosion incident. How two come together and why her sister?

So it happens they find ties to some anarchist group. One of theirs is a woman named Marie, who became involved with Lennie's husband (not really explained or had a deeper dive). Marie and another man deemed to be dangerous, but Mikaela heard their names when visiting a private theater performance by her dear friend (and actress, Mikaela knows everyone) in front of Prince of Wales and also, Lennie's husband. Suspicious.

During the performance tey tried to abduct the Prince, but Mikaela intervened, but was shot in the process. Which is the root of loopholes I think about.

Just a day or so later when they figured where the two escapees went, they gathered forces to arrest them, but Mikaela figured there is no time since she realized there will be something connected to gas, royal family and that radical group. 

Because there was no one around she brought it upon herself to go there and interfere with the plans.

There is not much said about the final scene, I wonder if it ever was important how shallow it looked, but during the Crystal Palace event when things solved pretty quickly, with few apprehended, including Marie (who Mikaela shot dead actually you go girl).

In their lair they found Lennie, who was still alive.

So here are the loopholes, why did they try to kidnap the Prince, if they had grand plan for he Crystal palace poisoning with gas?

And why Lennie was still alive when they had no need for her (don't get me wrong, but they sprinkled London with dead bodies and they didn' use her life to blackmail her husband, though it looked so at first). So Deadly Affair is about her husband getting into contact with wrong people, but this part did not get enough attention and was quite shallow.

Lennie was saved, Mikaela Frenched Brodie as a parting gift and everything was solved nicely.

But unfortunately mostly the book reads as quite shallow. Like who are these forces, will they ever appear again, should we even care?

Mikaela often did some impulsive things (most of the time) and did not think about anything at all, but there was not enough emphasis to me to why she did so. Yeah she mentioned how their parents were dead too many times, but it just wasn't enough for me. Although one could applaude for her bravery to rescue her sister no matter what.

Anyway, pretty filler story. I admit again that this read very fast. But still I think it was not without troubles. The only good hook that I might continue (not sure) is that the second book is about the actress, which was quite a character and the way it was described that she is accused in murder, but the only thing left of the gentlemen is the foot. I laughed, read as black humor to me.

RATE: 3/5.