Book Corner News & Reviews: Historical Mystery

Showing posts with label Historical Mystery. Show all posts

Monday, March 31, 2025

Historical Mystery Book Blitz: The Victorian Locket by Elefair King

Today, I have a historical mystery to share in our book blitz spotlight! Check out The Victorian Locket and learn about author Elefair King!

A Galveston Historical Mystery

Cozy Mystery

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About the Book

Sarah Anne Law, affectionately known to family and friends as Sam, was playing the stalking game with her cat when she inadvertently discovered a secret compartment in her haunted Victorian home. Not only did Sam find a hidden treasure, but she also realized that their playful game aroused a long-dormant spirit. Perhaps the newly awakened spirit and one of the more disturbing hauntings in her beautiful home were connected. Did a murder occur? As Sam followed clues to unravel the 125-year-old mysteries, she unveiled the true horrors of Galveston’s deadly and gruesome past.

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About the Author

Elefair King, a native Texan, grew up in Houston. Retired, she now lives in The Woodlands, Texas. Married for 40 years, she has one son who lives nearby. Driven by her compassion to serve others, she founded several non-profit organizations as well as served on committees and boards of many local and regional charities. Elefair loves history, especially about her beloved Texas. She frequently stops along its country roads to read historical markers when seeking new adventures.

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Friday, July 14, 2023

Angela Thompson 8:26 AM 0

Historical Mystery Spotlight: In the Shadow of the Kingmakers by Vahid Imani

Today, I have a historical mystery thriller in our book spotlight! Check out In the Shadow of the Kingmakers and learn about author Vahid Imani!

Historical Mystery / Thriller

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about the book

In this historical thriller inspired by true events, a British espionage plot spirals out of control—with devastating consequences.

It’s the aftermath of WWI and imperialist powers jostle for influence in Tehran, capital of Persia and heart of the Middle East. James Malcolm is a ruthless British spy set on undermining his American and Russian rivals, but when an act of sabotage escalates into an international incident, the kingmaker becomes the pawn.

Rose Pearce works in the English Consulate with her friend Ali, a sweet boy of fourteen. Their simple existence is shattered the day Ali shares the details of a troubling conversation he’s overheard. Rose encourages him to stick to what he knows best: serving tea and trimming roses in the consulate gardens, but Ali is filled with a sense of duty and takes matters into his own hands, changing their lives forever.

Caught in the shifting sands of shadowy espionage, international agendas, and a lust for Western dominance at all costs, James, Rose, and Ali must fight for what they believe in—if they manage to survive at all.

In the Shadow of the Kingmakers is a vivid, heart-stopping exploration of a moment in history that shaped the world we know today.

about the author

Vahid Imani was born in Tehran, Iran, and made the United States his home in 1979. He earned his master’s degree in 1980 from Gonzaga University’s School of Business in Spokane, Washington. At the turn of the century, he transitioned to the world of fine arts after a career in high-tech as a business executive. His opinions and insights about the arts, history, and international politics have been shared in articles, public lectures, and mass media.

In 2014, he debuted as an author with his award-winning middle-grade novel "Naji and the Mystery of the Dig". In February 2019 he released his historical thriller, "In the Shadow of the Kingmakers". In May 2020 he released his Memoir, "Like the Wind I Go, A memoir of Iran, America, my struggle to freedom" Imani is the father of three children, grandfather of three, and lives with his wife in California.

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Thursday, June 15, 2023

Angela Thompson 8:35 AM 3

Historical Cozy Mystery Review: The Pryce of Conceit by Kari Bovee

This morning, I have a historical cozy mystery to share! Check out The Pryce of Conceit by Kari Bovee, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Book Title: The Pryce of Conceit - An Historical Ghost Cozy Mystery by Kari Bovee
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 270
Genre: Historical Ghost Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Bosque Publishing
Release date: May 23, 2023
Content Rating: G - Book has no bad language, sex, or violence on the page

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About the Book

Someone’s trying to frame this ambitious theater performer for murder. Can she get back to her adoring public and escape the noose?

1885. Arabella Pryce is struggling with heartbreak. And with her recently deceased husband’s will demanding she leave her celebrity behind and refurbish her namesake hotel in Colorado, the distressed actress is forced to board a westbound train. But she’s barely arrived at the haunted, broken-down lodge when the town beauty shows up dead in one of the rooms… and Arabella is named the prime suspect.

Already feeling the sting of the community’s disapproval, she grits her teeth and works with a mischievous ghost to help prove her innocence. But with blood-stained evidence, handsome sheriffs, and libelous journalists turning her investigation into a dangerous drama, this determined thespian fears she’s missed her cue for survival.

Can she shine the spotlight on a killer before more than her reputation dies a horrible death?

The Pryce of Conceit is the suspenseful first book in The Arabella Pryce Historical Cozy Mystery series. If you like driven heroines, atmospheric settings, and dashes of humor, then you’ll love Kari Bovée’s lighthearted twists and turns.

Buy The Pryce of Conceit to put the guilty party at center stage today!

My Review

The Pryce of Conceit is a Fun Historical Mystery. I love the author's writing style--and the time period she has chosen for this novel. She does a beautiful job creating the world for her characters in the novel's Colorado Western setting. While it took some time for me to warm up to the main character, the author kept me engaged with a page-turner of a storyline and a well-built, well-paced mystery. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions. Since this is the first novel of a series, I hope to see more of them--even the ones I didn't necessarily love!

Readers Will Find a Light Mystery That Keeps Them Guessing. In cozy mystery fashion, the murders and surrounding mysteries are light and clean--but that doesn't make them necessarily obvious or easy to unravel. Again, the author's writing style makes the action and mystery-solving feel believable in their historical setting. There are even some romantic elements popping in along the way.

Would I Recommend The Pryce of Conceit by Kari Bovee? I enjoy Bovee's books. She does a wonderful job creating her characters for this novel and building a mystery that entertains through the last pages.

I look forward to future books in the series. This novel is a unique historical cozy mystery that both historical fiction fans and cozy mystery fans can enjoy. The ghost element makes a fun addition to this series opener too.

Buy the Book
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Meet the Author

When she’s not on a horse, or walking along the beautiful cottonwood-laden acequias of Corrales, New Mexico; or basking on white sand beaches under the Big Island Hawaiian sun, Kari Bovée is escaping into the past—scheming murder and mayhem for her characters both real and imagined in her award-winning historical Annie Oakley Mystery series, Grace Michelle Mystery series, and Pryce Murder series.

In her past life, Bovée worked as a technical writer for a Fortune 500 Company, has written non-fiction for magazines and newsletters, and has worked in the education field as a teacher and educational consultant.

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Monday, October 31, 2022

Angela Thompson 7:09 AM 4

A Spying Eye Book Review & Book Tour Giveaway

Book Title:  A Spying Eye: A Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novel by Michelle Cox
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 256 pages
Genre:  Historical Mystery
Publisher:  She Writes Press
Release dates:   Oct 25, 2022
Content Rating: R: There are some swear words peppered throughout (not many) and 2 explicit sex scenes (tasteful, but more than a PG-13 scene)

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About the Book

In A Spying Eye, Clive and Henrietta return to Europe in an attempt to resurrect their failed honeymoon. While in London, they are approached by their old friend, Inspector John Hartle, who convinces them to search for the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece, a famous Renaissance painting, of which Hitler’s top men are also in pursuit.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Oldrich Exley threatens to cut off financial support for the entire Von Harmon brood if Elsie continues with her plan to marry Gunther―a situation made worse by the sudden appearance of one Heinrich Meyer, who claims to be little Anna’s father and threatens to take her away. Desperate, Elsie seeks the help of Clive’s sister, Julia, who is herself the victim of domestic abuse and who has fallen under the spell of a handsome Texas millionaire bent on acquiring a rare painting from the Howard collection.

Clive and Henrietta’s search takes them to Chateau du Freudeneck in Strasbourg, France―the ancient seat of the Von Harmons and home to three eccentric distant relatives. What begins as a wild goose chase turns decidedly more deadly when several Nazi officers also arrive at the chateau in search of a “valuable item.” When Henrietta and Clive attempt to flee after Henrietta uncovers a shocking truth, they are forced to trust themselves to a suspicious French servant who seems all-too willing to help . . .

My Review

A Spying Eye Transports Readers to Another Place and Time. A Spying Eye takes readers back in time to pre-WWII in Europe and in Chicago as Henrietta and Clive tackle a mystery in Europe on their second honeymoon, and the supporting characters at home in the states have some suspenseful events play out as well. The author puts a lot of effort into capturing the political and social aspects of the time to create historically realistically placed settings and plot twists. If you haven't read the earlier books in the series, the characters often face social class dilemmas within the novels' subplots--and this one is no exception. This novel is no exception, as the characters face challenges in the author's blend of fact and fiction.

A Spying Eye is stand-alone--but readers may want to start from the beginning. This novel is a stand-alone mystery--although readers of the series may appreciate the Chicago "side of the story" a bit more if they have read previous books. As always, the author does give some character and backstory recaps to help readers understand some of the connections. You won't feel lost or confused if you have yet to read the previous novels--but you may not feel as in tune with some of the characters' decisions and actions.

A Spying Eye is impossible to put down. This novel covers two stories on two continents--so readers have a lot happening as the stories progress. There are characters that I like--and characters that I don't like very much. Oddly, I am not a fan of Harriet most of the time, but even if I don't love her sometimes immature actions and personality, I find myself so invested in the story that I need to see the characters' roles out. The book isn't loaded with action and does slow down a bit through the middle--but the writing style keeps readers engaged as the scenes move between characters and storylines.

Would I recommend A Spying Eye by Michelle Cox? This book is an excellent read for historical romance and historical mystery fans. The author does a beautiful job transporting readers to another time and place--but giving her characters and situations enough modern drama to keep the story interesting and relatable! I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to mystery/suspense fans as well as those with an interest in fictionalized, historical looks at social classes and life in a Pre-WWII world. I look forward to reading future books from the author.

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Meet the Author

Michelle Cox is the author of the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents. Her books have won over 50 international awards and have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Foreword, Elle, Redbook, Brit&Co., POPSUGAR, Buzzfeed, and many others.

Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade. She lives in Chicago with her husband, three children, and one naughty Goldendoodle and is hard at work on her latest novel.

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Friday, September 30, 2022

Angela Thompson 7:36 AM 19

The Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novels Series Spotlight & Giveaway

This morning, I have a historical mystery series in our book spotlight spot! Check out the books of the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series, learn about author Michelle Cox and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Book Series:  The Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novels by Michelle Cox
Category: Adult fiction (18+), 200-400 pages each
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mysteries
Publisher:  She Writes Press
Release date:  April 2016; April 2017; April 2018; April 2019; April 2020, Oct 2022
Tour dates: Sep 26 to Oct 21, 2022
Content Rating: This book series is rated R. Books 1 - 2 do not have sex scenes, but they are implied and the content is mature (prostitution, gambling, alcohol, murder, serial killer). Book 3 introduces tasteful sex scenes between a married couple and there is one rape (not graphic at all). Books 4 - 6 usually have 2 tasteful sex scenes in each Swearing is present in all 6 books, but is minimal.

“Downton Abbey meets Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries!”

“Henrietta and Clive are a sexy, endearing, and downright fun pair of sleuths. Readers will not see the final twist coming.” ―Library Journal, starred review

“Fans of spunky, historical heroines will love Henrietta Von Harmon.” ―Booklist, starred review

“Henrietta and Inspector Howard are the best pair of sleuths I’ve come across in ages. A fantastic start to what is sure to be a long running series.” ―Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author

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About the Series

A GIRL LIKE YOU

Beautiful Henrietta Von Harmon works as a 26 girl at a corner bar, Poor Pete’s, on Chicago’s northwest side. It’s 1935, but things still aren’t looking up since the big crash and her father’s subsequent suicide. Left to care for her antagonistic mother and seven younger siblings, Henrietta is persuaded to take a job as a taxi dancer at a local dance hall. Henrietta is just beginning to enjoy herself, dancing with men for ten cents a dance, when the floor matron suddenly turns up murdered. The aloof Inspector Clive Howard then appears on the scene, and Henrietta unwittingly finds herself involved in unraveling the mystery when she agrees to go undercover for him in a burlesque theater where he believes the killer lurks.

Even as Henrietta is plunged into Chicago’s grittier underworld, she struggles to still play the mother “hen” to her younger siblings and even to the pesky neighborhood boy, Stanley, who believes himself in love with her and continues to pop up in the most unlikely places, determined, ironically, to keep Henrietta safe, even from the Inspector if needs be. Despite his efforts, however, and his penchant for messing up the Inspector’s investigation, the lovely Henrietta and the impenetrable Inspector find themselves drawn to each other in most unsuitable ways.

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Friday, March 25, 2022

Angela Thompson 10:20 AM 0

A Kind and Savage Place Book Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

This morning, I have a historical mystery in our book spotlight! Check out A Kind and Savage Place, learn about author Richard Helms and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Historical Mystery

Date Published: 03-01-2022

Publisher: New Arc Books / Level Best Books

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About the Book

It's 1954. The place is Prosperity, North Carolina, a small farming community in Bliss County. Three teenagers, the 1953 championship-winning offensive backfield for Prosperity High, are unwilling participants in a horrific event that results in a young man’s death.

One of the friends harbors a tragic secret that could have prevented the crime. Divulging it would ruin his life, so he stays quiet, fully aware he will carry a stain of guilt for the rest of his life.

The three buddies go their separate ways for almost a decade, before another tragedy brings them back to Prosperity in 1968. Now in their thirties, it is a time of civil and racial unrest in America.

They discover the man who committed murder back in ’54 is now the mayor, and rules the town with an autocratic iron fist. He’s backed by his own private force of sheriff's deputies and forcibly intimidates and silences any malcontents.

Worse, now he's set his sights on Congress.

A Kind and Savage Place spans half a century from 1942 to 1989 and examines the dramatic racial and societal turmoil of that period through the microcosmic lens of a flyspeck North Carolina agricultural community.

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About the Author

Richard Helms is a retired college professor and forensic psychologist. He has been nominated eight times for the SMFS Derringer Award, winning it twice; seven times for the Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award, with a win in 2021; twice for the ITW Thriller Award, with one win; four times for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award with one win: and once for the Mystery Readers International Macavity Award. He is a frequent contributor to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, along with other periodicals and short story anthologies. His story “See Humble and Die” was included in Houghton-Mifflin-Harcourt’s Best American Mystery Stories 2020. A Kind and Savage Place is his twenty-second novel. Mr. Helms is a former member of the Board of Directors of Mystery Writers of America, and the former president of the Southeast Regional Chapter of MWA. When not writing, Mr. Helms enjoys travel, gourmet cooking, simracing, rooting for his beloved Carolina Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers, and playing with his grandsons. Richard Helms and his wife Elaine live in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Angela Thompson 9:08 AM 0

A Kind and Savage Place Book Release Blitz & Giveaway

Today, I have a historical mystery to share! Check out A Kind and Savage Place, learn about author Richard Helms and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Historical Mystery

Date Published: 03-01-2022

Publisher: New Arc Books / Level Best Books

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About the Book

The three buddies go their separate ways for almost a decade, before another tragedy brings them back to Prosperity in 1968. Now in their thirties, it is a time of civil and racial unrest in America.

Worse, now he's set his sights on Congress.

Buy the Book

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About the Author

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