The Bloodied Cravat by Rosemary Stevens

The Bloodied Cravat
Rosemary Stevens
291 pages
Rating 3.0 stars
Read For:
RYOB Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge
A to Z Challenge
What An Animal Challenge

Synopsis:
The arbiter of fashion attends the Duchess of York's birthday party. But when a guest is murdered-with one of the Duchess' hairpins-Beau must clear her name and find the culprit.

My Review:
In this third Beau Brummell mystery, the story begins at Oatlands, The Duchess of York's country home. The Duchess is celebrating her birthday and Beau has bought a special present for her, one that his valet, Robinson, is bringing up in a separate carriage. Unfortunately, Robinson's carriage is set upon by highwaymen. The highwayman steal something precious to the Beau, something that, if brought to light, could ruin his life as well as The Duchess'.

The Bloodied Cravat was enjoyable, though not as good as books one and two in the series. Beau's a bit "off his game" in this story, though rightly so as what is happening to him. Once Mr Lavender and his daughter Lydia enter the story it picks up the pace again. I enjoy Beau's relationship with Lydia, and hope it continues in book 4.
I would still recommend The Bloodied Cravat for fans of Historical Mystery and Regency period enthusiasts.
3 stars.

The Companion by Ann Granger

The Companion
Ann Granger
320 pages
rating 4 stars

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
Victorian Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge
What's In A Name Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
New Author Challenge


My Amazon Review:

Synopsis:

“In the corners of the room the shadows cast velvety veils. It would not be too difficult to imagine someone stood there and watched. I thought of Madeleine Hexham.... I glanced around me. It was likely that I'd been given my predecessor's room and that it was here she had planned her flight into the arms of her mysterious lover.”

When Lizzie Martin arrives in London in 1864 to become a lady’s companion, her first impressions are disturbing. She’s barely out of the station when her cab encounters a wagon carrying the remains of a young woman recently dead.

At her new home, Lizzie learns that her predecessor, Madeleine Hexham, disappeared without a word of warning. Despite rumors of immoral behavior surrounding the girl’s departure, Lizzie is soon persuaded that there’s a deeper mystery here. Her suspicions are tragically confirmed when Inspector Benjamin Ross delivers shocking tidings.

Lizzie is determined to unravel the truth about the lost Miss Hexham. As, too, is Ben Ross: a man who cares about justice, whatever the class of victim. But they must tread carefully, as a cornered killer is the most dangerous of all...

My Review:
The companion was a well written, accurate and intriguing historical mystery. Set in Victorian England, the story is told through Lizzie Martin, a country doctor's daughter, left penniless by his death, and Benjamin Ross, a young Scotland yard detective who is tied to Lizzie through a past association. Lizzie must now be a Lady's companion, after living her entire life of more affluent means, and has problems with not speaking her mind, much to Lady Parry's dismay. Lizzie and Benjamin are both calm, thoughtful and resourceful characters. The mystery was a good one, and solved very much as a crime would have been solved in that time period.

The mystery surrounding the former companion points out the moral judgements and flaws of the times-that more condemnation is placed on the female victim than her cold hearted murderer, just because she was naive and trusting.

A good solid Victorian mystery-4 stars.

Sherlock In Love by Sena Jeter Naslund

READ FOR:

• RYOB CHALLENGE
• Historical Fiction Challenge
• New Author Challenge
  

My Amazon Review:

Sherlock In Love....,

January 5, 2009

Sherlock In Love is one of the best Sherlock Holmes homages~pastiches I've read. This intelligent, thought provoking, and moving story of an unknown love in Holmes' life takes place two years after his supposed death.

Watson, melancholy and lonely since Holmes' death, decides to start writing Sherlock's biography. Watson, through a series of anonymous threats, is let known in no uncertain terms he must not write the biography.

Through an investigation of the present events, and unpublished past cases, Watson is drawn into a shocking secret from Holmes' past, one that tears apart everything Watson thought he knew of his beloved friend as well as resurrecting a failed case with disturbing new clarity.

The author's suppositions are intriguing, emotionally written and humanizes the brilliant sleuth known for his dislike of women, making Watson and the reader wonder if Holmes' dislike stemmed from a much more painful source than once realized.

Be forewarned-Sherlockian "purists" who are devout in their belief that Holmes was non-romantic to the point of asexuality will not like this book. I'm a unapologetic romantic who likes her Holmes of the "Jeremy Brett" variety, so this story was right up my alley.

Finally if you are like me, and like to delve into pastiches simply for the fun and novelty of revisiting Holmes/Watson, then give this short story a go.

4 stars-Recommended!

Historical Fiction Challenge-FINISHED!

join HERE:

• Read 3 historical fiction books in 3 months from 1st Jan 09 - 31st March 09.
• Historical fiction will be counted as anything set or written prior to World War II. This will include classic novels, time travel novels or anything you feel fits the genre.

For an extra bit of fun, you can choose to participate in one of the following themes:

• The Royal Twist - Read 3 based on or inspired by 3 different royals. Emporers, Queens, Kings whatever inspires you!
• The Twilight Twist - Read a selection of 3 of the classic novels that inspired the Twilight Saga. There's Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte or A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare.

To join the challenge simply give your name to the comments section of this post.

My three books:

• 1-Sherlock In Love by Sena Jeter Naslund-DONE-5 stars.
  
• 2-The Companion by Ann Granger-DONE-4 stars.
  
• 3-The Bloodied Cravat by Rosemary Stevens-DONE-3 stars.