The Sanctuary Sparrow by Ellis Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Below is why I love this series so much:
The last lines of the book (no spoilers):
“And now, I suppose,” he said, seeing his friend’s face still thoughtful and undismayed, “you will tell me roundly that God’s reach is longer than man’s.”
“It had better be,” said Brother Cadfael very solemnly, “otherwise we are all lost.”
The Adventure of the Bloody Tower: Dr. John H. Watson’s First Case by Donald MacLachlan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The question of who murdered the Princes in the Tower (Edward V and his younger brother, Richard) has puzzled historians for centuries. Richard III, their uncle, has long been the leading suspect for those murders. In an interesting twist on the puzzle, the author has decided that Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson should try and solve it. It then becomes Dr. Watson’s first case to solve on his own.
The author is a gifted writer and endeavors to emulate the tone of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books while creating an individual voice of his own. Dr. Watson comes across convincingly as an earnest and intelligent man, a bit unsure of himself in this academic environment, but wanting to solve the mystery. Sherlock Holmes does not play a significant role in the book and comes across as a kinder, better friend than he does in Conan Doyle’s books.
The historical mystery itself is well researched, and the author does an impressive job being as even-handed regarding the evidence as possible.
The book flows well, and Richard III buffs will enjoy the historical analysis. I am looking forward to Dr. Watson’s second case!
Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second in my newest mystery series discovery, the Maisie Dobbs series. This time, Maisie is looking for a woman who has disappeared on behalf of the woman’s father. She discovers that the daughter’s disappearance is somehow linked to the murders of the daughter’s friends from boarding school.
Intertwined with the mystery are historical details about post-World War I Britain and how people are coping with both the new economic order and the impact the war had on the relatives and friends of the dead and wounded. The historical period details are integrated with a deft touch and never seem heavy-handed or lecturing.
The mystery is also interesting, and Maisie’s character is further developed in this book.
I really enjoyed this book, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first in a mystery series that takes place after World War I in Britain. I really loved this book. Maisie Dobbs is an intrepid young woman who, through intelligence and hard work and determination, moves from the lower class into the embryonic middle class that was developing in Britain after World War I. Maisie herself is a lovely character–spunky, determined, and original.
Maisie is called upon to investigate the movements of a woman whose husband suspects she is being unfaithful. This investigation takes on a life of its own and touches upon the issues–physical and mental–of the soldiers returning from World War I and how to treat them. The horrors of warfare and the impact that war has on both the soldiers and their families are depicted with unusual eloquence and passion. It is the most touching part of the book, and it resonated with me, especially given our own society’s struggles with the same issues.
Oh, and there is also a mystery to solve and several flashbacks to help flesh out Maisie’s life and how she came to be what she is.
The main characters are fully developed, three dimensional characters, and the mystery is interesting, although the evolution of Maisie is even more interesting. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Covenant with Hell by Priscilla Royal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you’ve read my reviews of Priscilla Royal’s previous 9 books, you know that I love this series. This 10th addition to the series is no exception. The book takes place at Our Lady of Walsingham shrine, and there is a lot of great background explaining the shrine and its origins. Our two main characters, Prioress Eleanor and Brother Thomas, are back, although since the mystery takes place at the shrine, none of the other regulars make an appearance.
The mystery itself is relatively straightforward. A young nun has been killed, there is a plot to assassinate Edward I (I’m sure fans of the Welsh trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman wish it had succeeded, but I digress), and the question is whether the two events are related and, if so, who is the killer, and who is the assassin?
There is also plenty of historical detail about the medieval attitude towards religion and religious artifacts. The author, as always, does a fabulous job of integrating these details in a seamless way with the story, so you never feel like you’re being lectured–you just absorb the details while reading the story.
The mystery is wrapped up in a satisfactory fashion with a convenient dangling hook that I hope means many more books in the series to come!
Sup with the Devil by Barbara Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is book #3 in a historical mystery series with Abigail Adams as the protagonist. I have enjoyed this series immensely so far, and this book is no exception. A student at Harvard College has been murdered, and his slave is accused of the deed. Abigail is convinced of the slave’s innocence and sets out to find the real killer.
Integrated into the mystery is the increasing tension between the British and the patriots stemming from the dumping of tea in Boston Harbor. Characters such as Sam Adams and Paul Revere dot the story as well as Abigail’s husband, of course. Given the fact that I think the best thing John Adams ever did in his entire life is to marry Abigail, he is drawn fairly, although probably in a more positive light than I would be inclined to do (I am not a fan). That being said, I enjoy the author’s depiction of Abigail immensely and have no problem with her depiction of Abigail’s husband, as the book is told from Abigail’s point of view, and no one doubts the couple’s love for each other.
I also very much liked the book’s portrayal of the philosophical dilemma regarding the impending war and what methods are justified morally to win the war. It is a topic that is still relevant and is eloquently discussed in the story without being heavy-handed.
The mystery is reasonably interesting, and the historic backdrop is well-drawn, accurately depicted, and well integrated into the story.
I started out as a fan of the author’s fantasy books (writing as Barbara Hambly), but this historical mystery series is a strong addition to her work. I highly recommend them!
The Leper of St. Giles by Ellis Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am a huge fan of the Brother Cadfael novels, but this one deserves special attention. The plot itself is rather weak in comparison to the author’s previous Brother Cadfael mysteries as is the love story and the characterization of the secondary characters. The reason I like this particular book so much is the author’s description of how leprosy was dealt with in the Middle Ages. Her descriptions of the leper colony and how lepers were treated are fascinating and lend a depth and majesty to the book that it would otherwise not deserve.
One of the reasons I like historical mysteries so much is that when well written, they allow you to painlessly absorb historical detail. “The Leper of St. Giles” may not be the best written of the Brother Cadfael mysteries from a mystery standpoint, but its historical detail about lepers, leprosy, and leper colonies is what makes this book so memorable.
The Murders of Richard III by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody series. This was my first foray into the Jacqueline Kirby series, and the book just didn’t resonate with me. It’s a fine line that an author walks: I adore Amelia Peabody–she’s smart, opinionated, stubborn, and strong-willed. Jacqueline Kirby shares many of the same characteristics, but in her, the traits are annoying instead of endearing.
The mystery itself is great fun for fans of Richard III. A society of Richard III enthusiasts meet at a country estate to present papers and see a letter written by Elizabeth of York that proves Richard III’s innocence. A series of cruel practical jokes are played on the members, culminating in attempted murder. Jacqueline Kirby figures out who the culprit is and succeeds in rescuing the victim just in time. It’s a cute mystery in the format of a traditional English cozy. Or, rather, it would be cute if the main character weren’t so freaking annoying!
I plan to be content with the Amelia Peabody series. 🙂 (Which I highly recommend!)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have really loved this series, whose premise is centered on Sherlock Holmes coming out of retirement and marrying a young woman very much his intellectual equal, named Mary Russell.
Unfortunately, as of late, the series has gotten a bit inconsistent. The eleventh book of the series, “Pirate King” is an excellent example of this inconsistency.
The premise of the book is a whimsical one: Mary Russell masquerades as a director’s assistant of a film about the making of a film of “Pirates of Penzance” (the Gilbert & Sullivan operetta). There’s a question of some drug smuggling and gun running taking place during the filming of previous films, and Mary decides to help out her Scotland Yard friend, Lestrade, and investigate (and also avoid her brother-in-law, Mycroft, who is planning a visit).
The interweaving of the “Pirates of Penzance” plot with the mystery is fanciful and well done. The secondary characters are well-rounded and interesting. But the book is a little…boring. The mystery isn’t particularly compelling or convincing. And there was very little interplay between Holmes and Mary, which is the strength and charm of the series. There were a few unexpected plot twists, but, in the end, the book’s ending was a bit anti-climactic (and, to tell the truth, I stopped caring about who had done it several chapters before the book ended). In fact, the best part of the book was the inclusion of a “prequel” short story called “Beekeeping for Beginners,” which was a charming story of how Mary met Holmes, from Holmes’s perspective. That was fabulous!
Monk’s Hood by Ellis Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This third installment in the Brother Cadfael mysteries lives up to its predecessors. A man is poisoned with one of Brother Cadfael’s concoctions, and his stepson is suspected of his death. Brother Cadfael is the only one who believes in the stepson’s innocence, and he unravels the truth about the murder step by step.
As with the first two mysteries, the period detail is well-researched and accurate, but so well integrated into the book that you do not ever get the sense that you’re reading a history book. The secondary characters are well-rounded and three dimensional. To my delight, one of my favorite characters, Hugh Berengar, who appears in the second mystery, makes an appearance in this book as well.
I’ve been so delighted with this series and am looking forward to reading Brother Cadfael #4!
