4.5 rounded up to 5. The score is high because as well as being an interesting plot, we see the personal and professional development of Aldo in a way4.5 rounded up to 5. The score is high because as well as being an interesting plot, we see the personal and professional development of Aldo in a way which promises a new direction for the series from now on. I don’t want to say much more to avoid spoilers but if you’ve enjoyed the series so far, read on! Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book....more
Loving the fact that Julian has managed to inadvertently collect a whole entourage of people to help him in his enquiries. I approve of the interplay Loving the fact that Julian has managed to inadvertently collect a whole entourage of people to help him in his enquiries. I approve of the interplay between Julia’s and Hyperia (even if her sensibilities seem a bit modern for the time). I like the way each book ends by leading into the next mystery....more
This series is developing in a very interesting way and I enjoy many aspects of it- beyond Julian and Perry’s relationship, the relationship between JThis series is developing in a very interesting way and I enjoy many aspects of it- beyond Julian and Perry’s relationship, the relationship between Julian and his brother is moving in good direction. Also I enjoy the fact that (so far) murder has not played a part, rather scheming and plots. Attention has been paid to why Julian has skills suitable to sleuthing. Will definitely be continuing on with this series....more
Despite the pretty thin and weird motive for murder, I still enjoyed this story. I like the simmering atmosphere between Audrey and Hugo and also thatDespite the pretty thin and weird motive for murder, I still enjoyed this story. I like the simmering atmosphere between Audrey and Hugo and also that neither have acted on it -yet. Looking forward to meeting them next time....more
The focus of this was the Mexico-Texan wars which was great for context in relation to what was going on in New Orleans at the time. Benjamin and RoseThe focus of this was the Mexico-Texan wars which was great for context in relation to what was going on in New Orleans at the time. Benjamin and Rose take a road trip to rescue their friend Hannibal from an allegation of murder in Mexico. A whole cast of new characters bumped me out of the story a few times despite the interesting context. They’re on their way home now so the next book will be a breeze!...more
I found this book rather disjointed and somewhat lacking in the anticipated gothic vibe. The main character Catherine was not compelling in any way. TI found this book rather disjointed and somewhat lacking in the anticipated gothic vibe. The main character Catherine was not compelling in any way. The most interesting parts were actually about the miners. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Flavia Alba story and I was worried about reading this out of order, having paused at book 8. I needn’t have worriIt’s been a while since I’ve read a Flavia Alba story and I was worried about reading this out of order, having paused at book 8. I needn’t have worried: it was easy enough to pick up and absorb the overall arc of Flavia Alba’s family development. This story interested me because it picked up on parts of Flavian’s backstory from way back when in the Falco stories. It also involved gang warfare in Rome. I enjoyed the flashes of Falco and Helena’s involvement in the family without them actually making an appearance. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
This was a well translated and written book. It has a charm to it, filled with characters who are well developed and endearing, even the awful ones! IThis was a well translated and written book. It has a charm to it, filled with characters who are well developed and endearing, even the awful ones! In the midst of a very unstable and politically fraught era, the cultural revolution underpins the goings on in the village. A worthwhile read. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
I found this story strangely flat. On reading the blurb and seeing the cover, I expected a gothic and atmospheric read, but I didn’t feel that either I found this story strangely flat. On reading the blurb and seeing the cover, I expected a gothic and atmospheric read, but I didn’t feel that either the writing or story delivered. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
This has fast become my currently favourite historical mystery series. I love the idea of the main character; capable of violence when necessary, flawThis has fast become my currently favourite historical mystery series. I love the idea of the main character; capable of violence when necessary, flawed, but with his own sense of honour. In this book there are repercussions from an earlier instalment in the series- while not strictly necessary, it would be better to start reading the series from the beginning. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
This was an entertaining read. I am a fan of historical mysteries and I haven’t read that many (if any) set in Greece. This is aimed at the YA market This was an entertaining read. I am a fan of historical mysteries and I haven’t read that many (if any) set in Greece. This is aimed at the YA market but it was nevertheless a worthwhile read even by an old codger like me! From the afterword it seems the author knows a great deal about Ancient Greece, but I found some of her vocabulary annoyingly anachronistic. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book....more
Maitland always manages to evoke a real sense of time and place but the plot was convoluted, the pacing was off, bogged down in detail and the charactMaitland always manages to evoke a real sense of time and place but the plot was convoluted, the pacing was off, bogged down in detail and the character of Daniel Pursglove was not terribly compelling. Admittedly I might be missing her wonderful medieval stories....more
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