The Immortal Prudence Blackwood - Review

Title: The Immortal Prudence Blackwood

Author: Stephanie Grey

Synopsis:  “Justice watches from the shadows in this unique and suspenseful twist on a serial killer manhunt…

     “Throughout history, the world has witnessed cruel, gruesome, and twisted murders at the hands of the most notorious serial killers.  For those who were never caught – Jack the Ripper, the Atlanta Ripper, and the Cleveland Torso Murderer – their crimes will live on in infamy as their identities are forever chased, but never revealed.

     “It’s 1947 in Washington, D.C. and a dangerous murderer has boldly discarded two headless bodies nearby the White House and the Jefferson Memorial.  With no leads, Detective Clive O’Reilly is feeling desperate.  When a stranger convinces O’Reilly to join him at a local pub, he is treated to a wild tale about Prudence Blackwood, an immortal who seeks vengeance for those murdered by history’s most notorious serial killers.

     “Initially in disbelief over her existence, O’Reilly is surprised to discover that she’s very real and she’ll be assisting in the investigation.

     “But Prudence has unorthodox methods.  With the body count rising, O’Reilly will have to find a way to work with her to stop the most brutal killer in D.C.’s history before more victims are added to the list.”

Review:  I found the premise of The Immortal Prudence Blackwood interesting, and the story did keep my attention.  However, I only rated this book 3/5 stars because I found the writing sadly lacking in detail.  The character of Prudence was not fully brought to life for me. I found myself wanting more detail about her, and why she is actually immortal.  The book was fairly short, at only 208 pages, so there was definitely space to add in these details that would have fully fleshed out the story for me and added the depth that I felt was lacking. 

**I was provided this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Publisher:  BHC Press

If you this book interests you try reading these:

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

No Cure for the Dead - Review

Title: No Cure for the Dead

Author: Christine Trent

Series:  A Florence Nightingale Mystery #1

Synopsis:  “When a young nurse dies on her watch, Florence Nightingale must uncover the deep –hidden secrets someone will kill to keep buried.

     “It is 1853, Lady of the Lamp Florence Nightingale has just accepted the position of Superintendent of the Establishment for Gentlewomen During Temporary Illness in London.  She has hardly had time to learn the names of the nurses in her charge when she suddenly finds one of them hanging in the Establishment’s library.  Her name was Nurse Bellamy.

     “Florence’s mettle is tested by the dual goals of preserving what little reputation her hospital has and bringing Nurse Bellamy’s killer to justice.  Her efforts are met with upturned noses and wayward glances except for her close friend and advocate inside the House of Commons, Sidney Herbert.  As Florence digs deeper, however, her attention turns to one of the hospital investors and suddenly, Sidney becomes reluctant to help.

     “With no one but herself to count on, Florence must now puzzle out what the death of an unknown, nondescript young nurse had to do with conspiracies lurking about at the highest levels of government before she’s silenced too.”

Review:  I found No Cure for the Dead to be a highly entertaining read.  I appreciate historical novels with strong female main characters that also strive to maintain some historical accuracy.  The willingness of the police officers and several male members of the board who oversee the Establishment, to dismiss Florence’s concerns, simply because of her gender, is infuriating but also accurate to the time period of the novel. 

     I’ve been reading more historical mysteries since I’ve discovered my love for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and novels, which I will be discussing in an upcoming post later this month.  There are a few moments during No Cure for the Dead when the story lags due to some areas of large chunks of description where we are given vast amounts of historical nursing procedures all at once.  These sections could have been handled a bit differently as they are not truly relevant to the story, but they are relevant to the true story of Florence Nightingale, and you can easily skim past them and still retain all of the information that is pertinent to the story.  I did not guess who the murderer was before it was revealed, which is unusual for me.  Trent spends a lot of time bringing many of the nurses and patients of the Establishment to life and I appreciate that aspect of storytelling.  I truly came to care about the characters and look forward to reading the rest of the series.  I recommend fans of mysteries and fans of historical fiction give this new series a try. 

  

*****I was provided with a free copy of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*****

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

If you like this book you may want to read:

Lady of Ashes (Lady of Ashes Book #1) by Christine Trent (Read BookGirlR’s review here)

The Lion’s Courtship: A Dark Victorian Crime Novel (Anna Kronberg Mysteries Book #0.5) by Annelie Wendeberg

Lady of Ashes - Review

Title:  Lady of Ashes

Author:  Christine Trent

Series:  Lady of Ashes #1

Synopsis:  “In 1861 London, Violet Morgan is struggling to establish a good reputation for the undertaking business that her husband has largely abandoned.  She provides comfort for the grieving, advises them on funeral fashion and etiquette, and arranges funerals.

     “Unbeknownst to his wife, Graham, who has nursed a hatred of America since his grandfather soldiered for Great Britain in the War of 1812, becomes involved in a scheme to sell arms to the South.  Meanwhile, Violet receives the commission of a lifetime: undertaking the funeral for a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  But her position remains precarious, especially when Graham disappears and she begins investigating a series of deaths among the poor.  And the closer she gets to the truth, the greater the danger for them both…”

Review:  I really enjoyed Lady of Ashes.  There aren’t many novels out there about undertakers, much less a female undertaker in Victorian England.  Trent’s character building and world description was well done.  The descriptions of Victorian funeral practices, and etiquette was fascinating.   Violet is a likable heroine and I couldn’t help but feel for her.  I hated Graham and truly felt throughout the novel that Violet would be better off without him, despite her being a woman in a male dominated society. 

      I don’t read a lot of mysteries, because I can always guess what is going to happen and get bored.  Lady of Ashes was a perfect blend of history, mystery and romance.  I did not get bored and even stayed up past my bedtime to finish, because I just HAD to find out what happened.  A big thank you to my Tattooed Cupcake for recommending this outstanding novel to me.  I can’t wait to read the next installment!

Publisher: Kensington

If you like this book you may want to read:

Stolen Remains (Lady of Ashes #2) by Christine Trent

Jackaby (Jackaby #1) by William Ritter

A Deadly Affection (Dr. Genevieve Summerford Mystery #1) by Cuyler  Overholt

Depth - Review

Title:  Depth

Author:  Lev AC Rosen

Synopsis:  "When the polar ice caps melted, America's East Coast became an underwater graveyard -- except for New York City.  Today, a million people make their home among the skyscrapers poking through the ocean waves.   A million people who like to live by their own rules -- including Simone Pierce, one of the best private investigators in the city.

     "It starts out as a routine surveillance job: cheating husband, attractive blonde.  Something feels off, though, and when the husband turns up floating in the water with a hole in him, the cops like Simone for the murder.  If she can just find the blonde, she'll clear her name, but instead she stumbles onto a strange network of power brokers and art collectors, all looking for a treasure that can't possibly exist.  As she struggles to find the murderer, Simone is only sure of one thing: she can't trust anybody, not even herself, because the city she grew up in might have more secrets than even she knows."

Review:  As frequently happens for me, it was the cover that first caught my attention; then I read the description and decided that I had to read this novel.  I'm so very glad that I did.  I loved Depth.  This novel is the perfect mix of dystopian/ post apocalyptic fiction and mystery/noir.  I liked the characters.  Simone, Caroline and Danny are people I would like to meet and get to know. 

     The world is well developed and fascinating.  Depth takes place after the polar ice caps have melted, in a New York City that is mostly underwater.  People live on boats or in the above water sections of skyscrapers.  A mainland United States and other countries are hinted at and vague information is given; leaving me wondering what the rest of this world is like.  I hope that Rosen writes more novels set in this world, I would like to read more about the people of this NYC and learn more about the rest of Rosen's post-apocalyptic world. 

Publisher:  Reagan Arts

If you like this book you may want to read:

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson  (read BookGirlR's review here)

The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi (BookGirlR's review coming soon)

Day Shift - Review

Title: Day Shift

Author:  Charlaine Harris

Series:  Midnight Texas #2

Synopsis:  "There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves.  Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma.  She is seeing the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she's beautiful and dangerous.

     "Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day.  To make matters worse, one of Manfred's regular -- and very wealthy -- clients dies during a reading.

     "Manfred returns for Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press.  He looks to the mysterious Olivia for help; somehow he knows that she can get things back to normal.  As normal as things get in Midnight..."

Review:  I loved Day Shift just as much as I did Midnight Crossroad (read that review here).  I was on the edge of my seat the whole time wondering what was going to happen next.  I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the mysterious residents of Midnight, Texas.  A hotel opens in town.  Secrets about Joe and Chuy are hinted at, and finally revealed.  Manfred and Olivia are forced to learn more about each other and spend a lot of time together and help each other out of some tight spots.  And the reverend has a surprise visitor.  This installment of the new series is just as riveting as the first; and I read it in a single day.  Don't miss out!  Go get Day Shift now!

Publisher: Ace Books

If you like this book you may want to read:

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend

Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez (Read BookGirlR's review here)

Midnight Crossroad - Review

Title: Midnight Crossroad
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Midnight Texas #1

Synopsis: “Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and the Davy highway. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.
      “There’s a pawnshop (someone who lives in the basement is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).
    “Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth…”

Review: Midnight Crossroad is my current favorite book. I finished it last night and I’m still thinking about Midnight, Texas. I loved everything about it! This is the first novel in a new series by Charlaine Harris. The plot starts out a bit slow, but her writing is so interesting that it doesn’t matter and it’s because she is introducing us to an amazing cast of characters. I loved learning about Midnight, Texas and its secretive inhabitants. My favorite character is Mr. Snuggly, all of my LOL moments involved the cat (and I did actually laugh out loud several times. SuperSteve thought I was going crazy). And I had no idea “who done it” until it was revealed, the whole ending was perfect! If you haven’t read it yet go and get it now! If you only buy one book this month make it Midnight Crossroad! I don't regret it and you won’t either!

Publisher: Ace

If you like this book you may want to read:

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

 The Graveyard Queen Series by Amanda Stevens

Grave Sight - Review

Title:  Grave Sight

Author:  Charlaine Harris

Series:  Harper Connelly Mysteries Book 1

Synopsis:  “Harper and her stepbrother Tolliver are experts at getting in, getting paid, and then getting out of town fast, because the people who hire Harper have a funny habit of not really wanting to know what she has to tell them.  At first, the little Ozarks town of Sarne seems like no exception.  A teenage girl has gone missing, and Harper knows almost immediately that this girl is dead.  But the secrets of her death, and the secrets of the town, are deep enough that even Harper’s special ability can’t uncover them.  With hostility welling up all around them, she and Tolliver would like nothing better than to be on their way.  But then another woman is murdered.  And the killer’s not finished yet…”

Review:  I feel silly.  I had no idea that Charlaine Harris had written anything other than the Sookie Stackhouse series.  I found this gem by chance while perusing the shelves of a local used bookstore.  I snatched it right up!  Grave Sight was a really good book.  It wasn't a "stop everything and read until it’s done" kind of book that sucks you in and doesn't let go, but it was enjoyable.  Harper’s connection with the dead and her codependent relationship with Tolliver was well thought out and interesting.  The personal relationships that complicated things in Sarne, while rather predictable, were intriguing and kept me reading.  I recommend this light read and will be seeking out the rest of the series on my next trip to the used bookstore. 

Publisher:  Berkley Crime

ISBN:  078-0425212899

If you like this book you may want to read: 

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse Book 1) by Charlaine Harris

Don of the Dead (Pepper Martin Mysteries Book 1) by Casey Daniels