Roman Blood by Steven Saylor

Synopsis:

Elena asks that you come to the House of Swans at once . . . Compelled by this message, the wealthy, sybaritic Sextus Roscius goes not to his harlot, but to his doom—savagely murdered by unknown assassins. In the unseasonable heat of a spring morning in 80 B.C., Gordianus the Finder is summoned to the house of Cicero, a young advocate staking his reputation on this case. The charge is patricide; the motive, a son's greed. The punishment, rooted deep in Roman tradition, is horrific beyond imagining. Gordianus's investigation takes him through the city's raucous, pungent streets and deep into urban Umbria, unraveling layers of deceit, twisted passions, and murderous desperation. From pompous, rouged nobles to wily slaves to citizens of seemingly simple virtue, the case becomes a political nightmare. As the defense proceeds toward a devastating confrontation in the Forum, one man's fate may be threaten the very leaders of Rome itself.

My Review:

Overall a good book but SLOW going for me. I stuck it out to finish it though it took me over a week to finish. The book could have been just as enjoyable but about 100 pages shorter. I won't be reading the rest in the series.

2.5 stars

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
A to Z Challenge


Synopsis:

It's 1811, and the threat of revolution haunts the upper classes of King George III's England. Then a beautiful young woman is found savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient church near Westminster Abbey. A dueling pistol found at the scene and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man-Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experience in the Napoleonic Wars

My Review:
This Regency era Historical Mystery really pulls you into the lives of St. Cyr, the main character, Tom, a street urchin who helps St Cyr in trying to solve who killed the victim, and Kat Boleyn, St. Cyr's former love, an actress who St. Cyr was willing to throw his title away for in order to marry six years before.

The lead is very much an "hero", but with moments of anti hero when needed. This book did well at setting up the relationships for future books, while still holding your interest. A good mystery too!
4 stars.

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.

Murder At God's Gate by Lynda S. Robinson

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
2nds Challenge
A to Z Challenge

My Amazon Review:

disappointing second novel....,

January 24, 2009

this second novel in the Lord Meren Ancient Egyptian series, was not as good as the first. It took me a week to slog through this book, and towards the end I had to practically force myself to finish it. The storyline was much more "court intrigue" than mystery. The main problem was the author introduced so many new characters, that it was hard to tell which was which as well as taking away from the relationship between Lord Meren and his adopted son Kysen, which was the most enjoyable thing about book one.

I'll still try the next book in the series as I've already invested so much in the series, but I wouldn't suggest this particular book as a stand alone.
2 stars.