An Inquiry into Love and Death

by Simone St. James

In 1920s England, Jillian Leigh is working to keep up her studies.  It takes all her time and energy and leaving at the beginning of term is not to be considered.  When her ghost hunting uncle is killed when he tumbles over a cliff, Jillian’s parents demand she take care of the arrangements, as they are too tied up in Paris.   She arrives in the small village of Rothewell to begin packing up her uncle’s things and is drawn into unsettling events that could be the activity of an angry spirit or is there something more sinister affecting the small town?  Was her uncle’s death an accident or murder?  The arrival of a handsome detective from Scotland Yard only adds more questions and Jillian isn’t sure who or what to believe. 

St. James writes great novels with otherworldly spirits that add to an underlying story line.  The ones I have read are historical and are good gothic reads.  Her books are excellent for climbing into when you have a day to just sit and read.  Her characters are well developed and the romances are just enough to keep you attentive.   

PUB:  Berkley Publishing/Penguin Publishing Group

PUB DATE:   March, 2013

ISBN:  9780451239259 – Paperback edition

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal

The Lost Traveller

by Sheila Connelly

As American Maura Donovan continues to deal with the intricacies of owning and running an Irish pub, a wrench is thrown into the works when she discovers a body at the bottom of the ravine that just happens to be part of her property.  Real problems arise when it is apparent no one know who the victim is or where he came from.  Unfortunately, this lack of information weighs heavily on Maura as it begins to impact the clientele of the pub.

Having read all the County Cork series by Connelly, I can only say they get more interesting every time.  Not only do I enjoy the characters of this series, I can get behind many of the insecurities Maura experiences trying to figure out her life in a different country.  The plots of her books are structured and read at an even pace.  She doesn’t feel the need to fill it with unrealistic drama but keeps the storylines contemporary and interesting.  I look forward to the next one.

#TheLostTraveller  #NetGalley

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me access to the digital Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Crooked Lane Books

PUB DATE:  January 8, 2019

ISBN:  9781683318903

Genre:  Cozy Mystery