📖Book Review ~ A Curse in Nuala by Harriet Steel

January 2026
Inspector de silva Mystery Book #16

My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book

Ceylon has gained its independence from Britain and Inspector Shanti de Silva is adjusting to his new boss, Police Commissioner Fernando, who much to Shanti’s annoyance hints that he doesn’t have enough to do. Fernando is soon proved wrong when a deposed Indian maharajah who has come to live at the former Residence is murdered, and the Star of Ceylon, a priceless sapphire from his royal collection, is stolen. The jewel is reputed to be cursed and when more suspicious deaths occur, fears that supernatural forces are at work mount. With his wife Jane’s help, can Shanti break the spell and prove his worth to Fernando?

📖My Review..

With Ceylon’s new found independence things are inevitably changing for Police Inspector Shanti de Silva who is, sort of, getting used to working for a new Police Commissioner. When an Indian Maharajah is found dead in suspicious circumstances it takes de Silva back to the Residence where he used to meet his former boss, Archie Clutterbuck. With memories of previous visits to the Residence de Silva must concentrate on finding who could have wanted the Maharajah dead, and with the added complication of the disappearance of a priceless jewel, which is believed to be cursed, the case proves to be more complex than de Silva could have imagined.

Once again de Silva is plunged into a shady world of crime and with quite a few of the inhabitants of the Residence having reasons for wanting the Maharajah dead there are lots of twists, turns and red herrings to be negotiated before the complex crime investigation can be concluded. I always enjoy spending time in de Silva’s world which is brought so cleverly to life by an author who has created such lovable and believable characters that being with Shanti and his lovely wife, Jane is like spending time with old friends.

I found it interesting to see the changes which are being brought about by Ceylon’s independence and how it affects de Silva’s place in Nuala. The new Police Commissioner is an interesting addition and I hope to discover more about him. Although de Silva is perhaps starting to tinker on the edge of considering his eventual retirement, I really hope that there are still a few more cosy mysteries for him to solve before that day comes.

About the Author

Harriet Steel wrote four historical novels before turning to crime with the Inspector de Silva mysteries, inspired by time spent in Sri Lanka (the former Ceylon)). Her work has also appeared in national newspapers and magazines. Visit her blog to sign up to her monthly newsletter for news of new releases and great offers, Blog 

Harriet is married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When Harriet is not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

Facebook page: Harriet Steel Author

 Website

Blog 

Amazon UK

📖 Book Review ~ The Harbour Lights Mystery by Emylia Hall

 

Thomas and Mercer
October 2023

My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book

As The Shell House Detectives try to solve a family mystery, their investigation runs dangerously close to a murder case. Are the two linked?

It’s December in Cornwall, and Mousehole harbour is illuminated with its famous Christmas lights. Ally Bright is among the crowd listening to the carol singers—and then to the piercing screams that rip through the darkness. A body has been found, brutally murdered and dumped in a fisherman’s boat.

The victim is chef JP Sharpe and there is no shortage of people who might have wanted him dead. Eager for a new case for The Shell House Detectives, Ally calls ex-cop Jayden, but he’s keen to leave it to the police—until a letter in Sharpe’s pocket draws them into a seemingly unconnected family mystery. As they take on this highly charged mission, the duo can’t help scrutinising the murder suspects. Who among the close-knit community has reason to kill, and how far will they go to protect themselves?

As fear spreads, Ally and Jayden need answers—fast. Could the letter offer a clue to the murder case or will it reveal a terrible truth? And when a new witness comes to light, Jayden closes in on a desperate killer…but can he warn Ally in time?

📖 My Review..

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this cosy crimes series so it has been a real pleasure to return to Cornwall to see what The Shell House Detectives get up to in this latest offering from this talented writer.

The discovery of a murder victim in the festively decorated Mousehole harbour upsets the local community during their annual carol singing in December and when the identity of the victim is known there are people in the community who have no reason to mourn JP Sharpe's tragic demise. With the local police doing what they can to find the murderer, private detectives, Ally Bright and her Shell House detective partner, Jayden Weston are tasked with finding the identity of someone who hasn't wanted to be found for over thirty years and in doing so they become inextricably linked to the murder case. With more questions than answers this complicated plot veers off in several different directions and I had enjoyed trying to put together all the jigsaw puzzle pieces in this complex murder mystery. The Harbour Lights Mystery flows well, the many twists and turns of the plot certainly keep up the momentum and the characters who flit into and out of the story bring their own special brand of Cornish warmth, wit and charm.

As always, Cornwall forms an integral part of the story, we learn of the challenges facing local fishermen, the anguish of not having enough money and the constant worry of businesses who need to thrive during the tourist season so that they may survive the leaner months of winter. I've thoroughly enjoyed my visit back to Cornwall and love spending time with The Shell House Detectives and look forward to the next book in the series, which I hope is coming soon.

About the Author

 

Twitter @emyliahall #TheHarbourLightsMystery

@AmazonPub

📖 Book Review ~Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang

 

Inkshares 
June 2023

My thanks to the publishers and Claire Maxwell for my copy of this book

Sir Lawrence Linwood is dead. More accurately, he was murdered—savagely beaten to death in his own study with a mediaeval mace. The murder calls home his three adopted children: Alan, an archeologist; Roger, an engineer; and Caroline, a journalist. But his heirs soon find that his last testament contains a strange proviso—that his estate shall go to the heir who solves his murder.

To secure their future, each Linwood heir must now dig into the past. As their suspicion mounts—of each other and of peculiar strangers in the churchless town of Linwood Hollow—they come to suspect that the perpetrator lurks in the mysterious origins of their own birth.

📖 My Review..

The book cover certainly captures the jigsaw nature of the murder mystery which is contained within its pages as this slow burning drama is characterised by several twists, turns and red herrings, all worthy of an interesting locked room mystery.

Returning to Linwood Hall, the adult children of Sir Lawrence Linwood, are faced with an impossible dilemma, as not only must they cope with the aftermath of their father's seemingly violent death but also as stipulated in his last will and testament the estate around Linwood Hall will be bequeathed to the child who solves his murder. As the story gets underway, we learn more about Alan, Roger and Caroline Linwood and of their unconventional upbringing by their tyrant of a father and the way in which their shared past influences their future going forward.

Unnatural Ends is a story of many parts, some of which are disturbing but the author's ability to recreate time and place is done well and the unnatural ends of the tale are accomplished with clear attention to detail and an ability to draw the reader into a story which is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie whodunit.

About the Author

Christopher Huang was born in Singapore. He migrated to Canada at the age of seventeen, but returned the following year to complete his two years of military service in the Singapore Army. He studied Architecture at McGill University, and lived for many years in Montreal, Quebec, before moving to Calgary, Alberta.

Twitter @misericordius #UnnaturalEnds

@inkshares 

@crudites_

📖 Publication Day Book Review ~ Swindled by S E Shepherd

 

Hobeck Books
7 September 2021

Sandlin PI  series #1

My thanks to Rebecca at Hobeck Books for my copy of this book

Lottie

Beautiful, but a little spoilt, Lottie Thorogood leads a charmed life. Returning home from horse riding one day, she finds a stranger, drinking tea in the family drawing room – a stranger who will change her life, forever.

Hannah

After a bad decision cut short her police career, Hannah Sandlin is desperate to make her mark as a private investigator. She knows she has the skills, but why won’t anyone take her seriously? She’s about to become embroiled in a mystery that will finally put those skills to the test and prove her doubters wrong. It will also bring her a friend for life.

Vincent

Vincent Rocchino has spent his life charming the ladies, fleecing them and fleeing when things turn sour. How long can he keep running before his past catches up with him?

📖 My Thoughts..

Swindled is the first in a new series of crime fiction which features Hannah Sandlin, an ex-rookie police officer, now turned private investigator. In Hannah's first big case she meets with Lottie Thorogood who, after a privileged and wealthy upbringing, is now pretty much at rock bottom and is determined to find the man who brought her family down. Sandwiched between the story of what brings these two women together is the story of Vincent Rocchino, a complicated man who, it must be said, is an out and out bad 'un, and whose who escapades and antics make for enjoyable reading.

The story moves around in time, gradually revealing different perspectives and shows why these three very different people are bound together, and it does so with lively dialogue and a good sense of mystery. Everything worked well, the characterisation is great, the plot is well thought out and maintains its credibility from the start, and there are nice touches of humour amongst the twists and turns. I especially liked the unfurling of the relationship between Hannah and Lottie, each have had their share of difficulties but it was good to see them support each other through some difficult experiences. Vincent should have been unlikable, but for all his faults, he has a certain Italian charm which made me smile whenever he appeared on the page.

The author writes this cosy crime genre well, and I sense that the crime series is going to go from strength to strength in future adventures for Sandlin PI.

About the Author

Twitter @thatsueshepherd #Swindled

@HobeckBooks

📖 Review ~ The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

 

Penguin
2020

Four septuagenarians with a few tricks up their sleeves

A female cop with her first big case

A brutal murder

Welcome to…

The Thursday Murder Club

In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves The Thursday Murder Club. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves.

When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it’s too late.

📖 My Thoughts...

Ok, so I'm a bit late to the party with this one as it came out in a flurry of excitement in September last year and I've no excuse for my tardiness other than using the saying too many books, too little time. So despite having an ecopy copy of the book lingering on my kindle, when I spotted the audio version narrated by Lesley Manville, well, I couldn't delay any longer.

Setting the story in a retirement village is such a great premise for a story, and to have four 'old folk' who have too much time on their hands, and who enjoy trying to outwit the local police detectives, well, it's a match made in heaven. I loved every minute of The Thursday Murder Club and am hard pushed to figure out amongst the four septuagenarians who my favourite character was, but I think, on reflection, Joyce is the one who I really looked forward to seeing on the page, her intuitive ponderings really brought the story to life, but equally, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim brought such a sparkle to the story, they are, by a mile, some of the best fictional sleuths I've met in a long time. 

The audio version is expertly narrated by Lesley Manville who brings each of the characters alive in such a lovely, meaningful way that I became so immersed in the story I didn't notice time passing. Also at the end of the narration is a wonderful interview/chat between Richard Osman and Marian Keyes, which is absolutely worth listening too for a glorious insight into Richard's inspiration for the book and the sheer joy of listening to Marion.

The Thursday Murder Club is witty and funny, tender and compassionate, and the most joyous, murder mystery I have read in a long time. All I can say is read it, and then bring on book #2 in September 2021.

About the Author

Richard Osman is an English television presenter, producer, director, and novelist.

Twitter @richardosman

@PenguinUkBooks

🎄 High Wire in Nuala by Harriet Steel

Independently Published
October 2020

Inspector de Silva Mysteries #9

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

Much to the delight of the locals, a colourful Russian circus rolls into Nuala, but the fun ends abruptly when, on the opening night, a tragic accident takes place. Shanti de Silva and his wife, Jane are among the crowd to witness the accident. Or was it an accident? Inspector de Silva senses murder, and soon, he’s juggling with the evidence. Will the trail lead to the circus’s dashing stunt rider and master of horse, Alexei Goncharov, or to Alexei’s brother Boris, its boisterous ringmaster? Throw a string of jewel thefts and some deadly snakes into the mix and the list of suspects grows.

De Silva will need to keep his wits about him to unravel yet another absorbing puzzle in this charming and addictive mystery series set in the 1930s in exotic Ceylon.

My thoughts..

When an exotic Russian circus arrives in Nuala it is cause for much excitement that is, until a tragic accident occurs which leads Inspector Shanti de Silva to suspect foul play. The circus people are naturally reticent about the accident and don't give up their secrets easily but, as always, the intrepid inspector is determined to uncover all the clues even if it means upsetting a few people along the way.

The author brings the colourful world of 1930s Nuala alive and treats us to another well considered murder mystery that has all the trademarks of delicate writing which we have come to expect from this talented writer. The story rolls out gently, and the mystery is allowed to unfold at entirely its own pace, nothing ever feel rushed or hurried in Nuala, there's always time to stop for tea or a lovely dinner, however, with Inspector de Silva at the helm every investigation comes to a satisfactory conclusion.

I've loved this series of cosy crime novels from the beginning and have enjoyed getting to know Inspector de Silva and his wife, Jane, so that every return to Nuala feels like a meeting up with old and treasured friends. Whilst the colonial rule seems set to continue there's a definite hint in this novel that times are changing with the threat of a possible war in Europe looming on the horizon.

High Wire in Nuala is now the ninth book in the series and it is every bit as good as the previous books, and whilst it can be read quite comfortably as a stand alone story it really is better to appreciate this crime series from the start.

About the Author

Harriet Steel wrote four historical novels before turning to crime with the Inspector de Silva mysteries, inspired by time spent in Sri Lanka (the former Ceylon)). Her work has also appeared in national newspapers and magazines. Visit her blog to sign up to her monthly newsletter for news of new releases and great offers, Blog 

She’s married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

Facebook page: Harriet Steel Author

 Website

Blog 

Amazon UK

Blog Tour ~ The Art Fiasco by Fiona Veitch Smith

 

Delighted to take part in this Blog Tour today

Lion Hudson Ltd
October 2020

#Poppy Denby

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour today

It’s 1924 and Poppy Denby is heading up to Northumberland to celebrate her father’s sixtieth birthday. She stops off in Newcastle en route to visit her Aunt Dot, who has temporarily relocated from London to renovate a house she’s inherited. One of Aunt Dot’s guests is the world-renowned artist, Agnes Robson, who is staging an exhibition at the Laing Art Gallery. Reluctantly, Poppy is roped in to help when the artist’s press liaison man falls ill. She soon discovers that the local press has dug up some dirt on Agnes relating to the tragic death of a young art teacher in Ashington Colliery, twenty-seven years earlier. As she tries to suppress the story, Poppy begins to suspect that the teacher might have been murdered and that the killer may still be on the loose…

What did I think about it..

Journalist, and amateur sleuth, Poppy Denby is staying with her Aunt Dot in Newcastle, and whilst there she meets with renowned artist, Agnes Robson, who is back in the North East, to celebrate her artistic success by showing some of her art collection in an exhibition at the prestigious Laing Art Gallery. When Agnes’s press assistant is taken ill, Poppy steps in to help out, with devastating consequences when secrets from Agnes’s past threaten to be exposed.

Poppy Denby is a likeable amateur crime investigator as she has the right amount of tenacity to get to grips with a situation and yet she is also a little bit ditzy which I rather liked as all sleuths should have some flaws. There’s no doubt, though, that Poppy also has sound common sense and even when the investigation goes off in an unexpected direction, Poppy is there to pull everything together. 

The story flows well and the setting in 1924 gives something of a ‘flapper’ feel about it with the idea of fashionable young women enjoying themselves and yet, they're also making their mark in a typically male society. However, it's not all about froth and trips to the theatre and games of tennis, there’s also quite a dark element at play concerning something tragic which happened long ago in Agnes Robson's past which is explained well and gives an interesting dimension to the story.

This is the fifth book in this cosy crime series and even though I haven’t read any of the four books which had gone before, I was soon able to pick up some pointers about Poppy’s past and didn’t feel that I struggled too much in not knowing much about some of the characters. The Art Fiasco is a lively, cosy crime mystery which has interesting characters, and enough excitement, to keep you entertained from start to finish.

About the Author

Fiona Veitch Smith is the author of the Poppy Denby Investigates novels, Golden Age-style murder mysteries set in the 1920s, about a reporter sleuth who works for a London tabloid. The first book in the series, The Jazz Files, was shortlisted for the CWA Historical Dagger, while subsequent books have been shortlisted for the Foreword Review Mystery Novel of the Year and the People’s Book Prize. She is formerly a journalist, having worked on the arts and crime beats of a Cape Town newspaper, and lectured in journalism in the UK for over a decade. She is currently the Deputy Editor of the CWA’s Red Herrings Magazine. www.poppydenby.com.

Twitter @FionaVeitchSmit #TheArtFiasco

@LionHudson

Book Review ~ Taken in Nuala by Harriet Steel

18 April 2020

Inspector de Silva Mystery #8

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

When an American millionaire and his glamorous daughter visit Nuala, the splendour they bring to the town's high society is soon tragically tarnished by a vicious crime.With many avenues of inquiry to follow, including the involvement of a mysterious fortune teller, Inspector de Silva will need all his resources to unravel the evidence and avert further disaster.A gripping mystery with lots of twists and turns set in the colourful and fascinating world of 1930s Ceylon.

What did I think about it..

Whenever I step back in time to 1930s Ceylon in the company of Inspector de Silva and his lovely wife, Jane, I know that I am in for a real treat, as not only is the history of the time beautifully recreated, but also I know that there will be a sharp mystery for the intrepid Inspector to solve.

Taken In Nuala focuses on a mystery surrounding the daughter a wealthy American businessman and from the very start it is obvious that there is more to this investigation than at first appears. The Inspector and his associates have to get to grips with a particularly intricate crime and as always it's fascinating to see the Inspector working alongside all the regular characters we have come to love and appreciate from reading the other novels in the series.

For those who haven't read the series, and Taken in Nuala is now the eight book, each story can be read as a standalone mystery as the author includes, at the start of the book, a useful description of each of the major characters. That Inspector Shanti de Silva is the star of the series is without question, his attention to even the smallest detail of the crime ensures that there is no stone unturned in his quest for justice. His lovely wife, Jane, is the still small voice of calm in Shanti's world as she helps him make sense of the complicated crimes he invariably gets drawn into, but it is the homely interludes between them which work so well, along with the sumptuous descriptions of Shanti's favourite meals and his beautiful garden.

This series really has caught my imagination and I look forward to the next story in this cosy crime series. For a sleepy Ceylonese town there is much going on and I am sure that before too long, this talented author, will involve the intrepid Inspector in another complicated crime mystery.

About the Author

Harriet Steel wrote four historical novels before turning to crime with the Inspector de Silva mysteries, inspired by time spent in Sri Lanka (the former Ceylon)). Her work has also appeared in national newspapers and magazines. Visit her blog to sign up to her monthly newsletter for news of new releases and great offers, Blog 

She’s married with two daughters and lives in Surrey. When she’s not writing, she likes reading, long walks and visiting art galleries and museums.

Twitter @harrietsteel1

Facebook page: Harriet Steel Author

 Website

Blog 

Amazon UK

Publication Day Book Review ~ In My Attic by Lina Hansen ☼

Literary Wanderlust
1 July 2020

Magical Misfits #1

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

Aunt Eve is dead - murdered - and Myrtle has inherited the Witch’s Retreat, a Bed and Breakfast in the idyllic British village of Avebury. As Myrtle bumbles along in search of a murderer, she uncovers secrets more shocking than death: a hidden magical relic, a coven of amateur witches, and modern witch hunters on the prowl.

In My Attic is a new take on the cozy mystery. Think trainee Miss Marple channelling the twenty-first century - with a paranormal twist,

What did I think about it..

Myrtle Coldron is informed that her aunt Eve has died in mysterious circumstances and she must hasten to the wonderfully named, Witch’s Retreat, in order to pick up the reigns of her aunt’s B&B business which is close to the atmospheric village of Avebury. Once there, Myrtle gets involved in a complicated hunt for her aunt’s killer, which will see, not just Myrtle, but also those close to her get caught up in a deadly plot.

In My Attic is a wonderfully quirky cosy crime mystery which is both fun and serious in equal measure. Plenty of times I found myself laughing out loud at some of Myrtle’s more adventurous antics only to be then plunged into the waywardness of a crime investigation which, as it progresses, seems to take on a life of its own,

The author has a brilliant sense of time and place and brings the whole concept of witches and magic to life in a very believable way. I loved Myrtle and really rooted for her throughout the whole of this crazy time, she is a wonderfully incompetent amateur sleuth but that really doesn’t matter as her wholesome personality carries her through some pretty tough situations. Of course, every amateur witch needs a cat, and the rather flatulent, Tiddles really made me smile, along with Petunia the Primula, who each have a starring role in this cosy crime mystery.

The author writes well and shares her love for storytelling and quirky sense of humour in this first book in the Magical Misfits series. I do hope that we get to meet Myrtle and Tiddles in future stories as there’s still so much to discover about her and the goings -on at the Witch’s Retreat.

About the Author

LINA HANSEN has been a freelance travel journalist, teacher, bellydancer, postal clerk and science communication specialist stranded in the space sector. Numbed by factoid technical texts, she set out to write the stories she loves to read— cozy and romantic mysteries with a dollop of humour and a magical twist. After living and working in the UK, Lina, her husband, and their feline companion now share a home in the foothills of Castle Frankenstein. Lina is a double Watty Award Winner, Featured Author, and a Wattpad Star.

In My Attic is the first book in the Magical Misfits series of mysteries. 

Twitter @lhansenauthor

Website

Amazon UK

Social Media Blast~ A Body in the Bookshop by Helen Cox

Delighted to be part of this  Social Media Blast

Quercus
19 March 2020

Kitt Hartley #2

My thanks to the publisher for my cop of this book
and the invitation to be part of this social media blast

Librarian Kitt Hartley and her friend Evie Bowes thought their life had gone back to normal after the shocking events of Murder by the Minster. Then DI Malcolm Halloran breaks some bad news: DS Charlotte Banks has been suspended from duty, on suspicion of assaulting the suspect in the burglary of a local bookshop.

Evie wants justice for Charlotte, who she is sure was not the attacker, and how could any self-respecting librarian turn down the chance to find missing rare books? The two friends team up once again to investigate the rarefied world of York's bookshops and antiques dealers and find out just who has framed their friend.

But Kitt and Evie will soon learn that there are some books people will kill for - will this story have a happy ending?

What did I think about it..

Kitt Hartley is most usually found tucked away in the library but occasionally her sleuthing skills are needed and never more so than in this second book in the series which sees Kitt, and her friend, Evie drawn, into a dark mystery which involves none other that DS Charlotte Banks, a police officer who we met in book number one in this cosy crime series. That the same characters are evident in this second book makes this a real coming together of old friends, and I especially enjoy how the author brings them all to life in such a realistic way.

In this latest novel, DS Banks is suspected of the assault of a suspect, and has been arrested and reported to the Professional Standards Department. It is now up to Kitt, Evie, and their old friend DI Malcolm Holloran, to prove Charlotte's innocence. This is easier said than done and, of course, as with all crime fiction, the investigation is never going to be straightforward however, this intrepid group of people are determined to do all they can to prove Charlotte's innocence. It's interesting to see more of Evie and Charlotte's friendship developing alongside that of Kitt and Malcolm Holloran.

The story moves along at an interesting pace and it is entertaining to see that, as in the first book, there is never a dull moment for any of the characters. A Body in the Bookshop is fun, light hearted, cosy crime mystery, and is one of those entertaining crime series which would lend itself perfectly to a Sunday night TV drama.

About the Author

Helen Cox is a Yorkshire-born novelist and poet. After completing her MA in creative writing at the University of York St. John Helen wrote for a range of magazines and websites as well as for TV and radio news. Helen has edited her own independent film magazine and penned three non-fiction books. Her first two novels were published by HarperCollins in 2016. She currently hosts The Poetrygram podcast and works for City Lit, London. Helen’s new series of cosy mysteries stars librarian-turned-sleuth Kitt Hartley, and is set in York. Helen’s Mastermind specialism would be Grease 2 and to this day she adheres to the Pink Lady pledge.

Twitter @Helenography #ABodyintheBookshop

@QuercusBooks

Blog Tour ~ A Messy Affair by Elizabeth Mundy

Delighted to be hosting today's stop on this Blog Tour

Constable
2 January 2020

My thanks to the publishers and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of this blog tour

The only way is murder... 

Lena Szarka, a Hungarian cleaner working in London, is forced to brush up on her detective skills for

a third time when her cousin Sarika is plunged into danger. 

Sarika and her reality TV star boyfriend Terry both receive threatening notes. When Terry stops calling, Lena assumes he’s lost interest. Until he turns up. Dead. Lena knows she must act fast to keep her cousin from the same fate. 

Scrubbing her way through the grubby world of reality television, online dating and betrayed lovers, 

Lena finds it harder than she thought to discern what’s real and what’s just for the cameras.

What did I think about it..

Lena Szarka is a full time cleaner who works in London, however, her access into the fascinating lives of her clients also lends itself to Lena's other fascinating pre-occupation, which is that of part-time sleuth. Her occasional, and sometimes reluctant, helper is her cousin Sarika whohas recently become involved with a young man who is something of a reality TV star. When Terry Tibbs, Sarikas’s boyfriend, is found dead in a hotel in very suspicious circumstances, Lena has to put all of her sleuthing skills to good use in order to find out just what has happened to Terry. 

What then follows is a light crime mystery which looks at the strange and unrealistic world of the ‘celebrity’ TV star, and of the depths that people will sink to in order to cover up a crime. The story is filled with all sorts of shenanigans and Lena has her work cut out in order to discover just what is going on in this strange world that she has inadvertently uncovered. I have enjoyed getting to know Lena, she's a feisty and determined heroine, and her, sometimes, unorthodox sleuthing skills made me smile. There's a quirky sense of atmosphere, and with more than enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, the story was entertaining right until the end. 

A Messy Affair is the third book in the Lena Szarka series of mystery/crime novels and, whilst I think it would have been better for me if I had read this series from the beginning, I was able to quickly pick up the story, and I soon discovered that Lena’s idiosyncrasies are easily observed and her quirky personality is nicely explained.

About the Author

Elizabeth Mundy’s grandmother was a Hungarian immigrant to America who raised five children on a chicken farm in Indiana. Elizabeth is a marketing director for an investment firm and lives in London with her messy husband and two young children. She writes the Lena Szarka Mysteries, featuring a Hungarian cleaner as detective.

Website

Twitter @ElizabethEMundy

Facebook

Amazon UK

Book Review ~ Imposter by L J Ross

Dark Skies Publishing
31 October 2019

My thanks to the author and The Book Trail for my copy of this book

There’s a killer inside all of us…

After an elite criminal profiling unit is shut down amidst a storm of scandal and mismanagement, only one person emerges unscathed. Forensic psychologist Doctor Alexander Gregory has a reputation for being able to step inside the darkest minds to uncover whatever secrets lie hidden there and, soon enough, he finds himself drawn into the murky world of murder investigation.

In the beautiful hills of County Mayo, Ireland, a killer is on the loose. Panic has a stranglehold on its rural community and the Garda are running out of time. Gregory has sworn to follow a quiet life but, when the call comes, can he refuse to help their desperate search for justice?

Murder and mystery are peppered with dark humour in this fast-paced thriller set amidst the spectacular Irish landscape.

What did I think about it..

When a violent murder devastates Ballyfinny, a small Irish community, Dr Alexander Gregory is drafted in to prepare a psychological profile of the murderer in the hope of bringing the investigation to a swift conclusion. Doctor Gregory is initially viewed with suspicion by the locals as they are distrustful of a doctor who has come all the way from London to delve into their deepest, darkest secrets.

The suspicion of a small community as they look inwards to see who amongst them could be the perpetrator is done with a fine eye for detail, and as individual personality traits come alive so there are a few characters who stand out from the crowd, both in terms of where they stand with the investigation, and also in the strength of their connection to the crime.

The story gets off to a really strong start and there is much to take in, both in terms of plot and malice, and I think that the author does a great job in bringing together all the complicated clues which together form this fast moving crime thriller. The writing flows easily and there are more than enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. So many times I thought that I had the perpetrator sussed only for the story to veer off in another exciting direction, and I was completely wrong in the end!

Imposter is the first book in a proposed new series which feature Alexander Gregory's skill as a psychologist and it has been fascinating, in this first novel, to learn a little bit about the man himself. He's quite an enigmatic character, supremely flawed like all good crime sleuths, and yet Gregory also has the ability to draw people out of themselves and can glean information from even the smallest of clues. He also has a deep understanding of what makes people act in the way they do, and the reason for his astute observation of the vagaries of human nature become apparent as the story progresses.

I've really enjoyed spending time in County Mayo with this clever criminal psychological, and can only see this new series going from strength to strength in future crime thrillers.

✨ Imposter is published in ebook and paperback on the 31 October 2019 ✨ 

About the Author

L.J. Ross is the author of the international bestselling series of DCI Ryan mystery novels. Her debut, Holy Island, was released in January 2015 and reached number one in the Amazon Kindle UK bestsellers chart.

LJ Ross was born in Northumberland, England. She studied undergraduate and postgraduate Law at King's College, University of London and studied abroad in Paris and Florence. She spent much of her working life in London, where she was a regulatory lawyer for a number of years until taking the decision to change career and pursue her dream to write. Now, she writes full time and lives with her husband and son in Bath. 

Imposter is the first book in the Alexander Gregory series of crime thrillers. 

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