Curious Affair of the Witch at Wayside Cross

By Lisa Tuttle

When a hysterical man tumbles through the door of Jasper Jessperson’s home, pointing a finger at Miss Lane and proclaiming, “witch,” it would have been fuel enough to set them to investigate.  However, after discovering the identity of the fallen man as Charles Manning and locating the brother of the poor man, they are hired to find out who, in fact, poisoned him.  Was it really a witch or just the normal darkness that often surfaces when men come to face over a woman?

Tuttle’s Jessperson and Lane series is rather unique as she enjoys putting a paranormal or fantasy touch into her stories.  Though the hook here is witchcraft it is not what you would expect and she weaves in the natural practices of the wiccan within the plot.  The real surprise comes at the end and leaves you with a wistful wondering of folklore and fairytales of old.  At the heart of this sophomore offering is a good, old-fashioned mystery.  Many of the characters are dark and brooding.  Just what you would expect in a good Victorian mystery.  Tuttle’s descriptions of landscape and surroundings will have you curling up with a warm wrap and a hot cup of tea.  The following ISBN reference is for the ebook.  It seems they will not be offering it in print. I hope I’m wrong about this as I feel it would find a bigger audience in print. 

I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for approving the Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

Pub:  Random House/Hydra

Pub Date:  November 28, 2017

ISBN:  9780399182204 - ebook

Genre:  Victorian Mystery/Fantasy

Smoke & Mirrors

A Miss Barnum Mystery

by Casey Daniels

Evangeline Barnum, Evie to her friends and family, runs her brother’s museum in New York City.  This is as odd to polite society as all of the displays in her brother’s museum.  She enjoys the work there and has become friends with many of the people considered oddities by polite society.  When a friend from her home town shows up at the museum asking for her help, she refuses to him.  Believing she is being attacked, Jeffery Hollister, the Lizard Man, intervenes on Evie’s behalf.  Later, her friend is found dead in front of the Feejee Mermaid and Jeffery is no longer in residence.  Believing he is innocent, Evie sets out to discover who the real murderer.  Little does she know she is about to uncover an evil that will impact her loved ones.

In the character of Evie Barnum, Daniels has created a strong willed, independent young woman we all can embrace.  Though she moves through her day to day ritual following the boundaries and etiquette of high society, she is still driven to discover the reason a wrong has been committed against someone who is close to her.  She is happy to have more to give by working in the museum and many admire her for it.  The personality Daniels brings to light through Phineas Barnum is delightful.  Other characters are realistic and norms of the day come through clearly.  I enjoyed the way side characters interact with Evie. I believe no one will be surprised at the conclusion of this adventure but they will be wholly satisfied.  I enjoyed reading this and I hope we can have more delightful adventures with Miss Barnum. 

I wish to thank the publisher for generously providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy through NetGalley for my honest review.

ISBN:  9780727887252

Pub:  Severn House Publishing

Pub Date:  Nov. 1, 2017

Genre:  Historical Mystery