The Immortal Prudence Blackwood

by Stephanie Grey

In post war Washington, D.C. the citizens have had enough killing and death. However, someone is leaving dismembered bodies around presidential monuments. The police are struggling to put what clues they have together to find a suspect when Detective Clive O’Reilly receives a call from someone who claims they might have the name of a woman that can give them viable assistance.  O’Reilly listens to the story of Prudence Blackwood with patience, not believing a word of it.  But as the bodies continue to pile up, O’Reilly begins to hope the story of Prudence Blackwood is true.  Stephanie Grey has created a highly entertaining and engaging story that is part paranormal and all mystery.  Though the novel is not overtly long, she packs a lot of details within the pages.  Some of those details are descriptions of the crimes and crime scenes, so if you have a weak stomach you might want to skim those.  The storyline flows nicely, and the characters are well defined and flawed as humans are, even Prudence.  I had a very hard time putting this one down.  I liked Prudence and though this is probably a stand-alone, I wouldn’t mind reading another novel about this interesting woman.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to the electronic Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  BHC Press

PUB DATE:  September 12, 2019

ISBN:  9781643970325

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal

The Clockmaker

by Jane A Adams

This is my first leap into the world of DCI Henry Johnstone.  He’s a haunted man whose anchor is his older sister and his sergeant, Mickey Hitchens.  He is approached by Abraham Levy to locate his missing nephew, but the young man has disappeared outside Johnstone’s jurisdiction.  As the story unfolds, so do many the many threads of the case, or should I say cases?  Adams’s talent at bringing threads of a story from many different directions and creating a complete tapestry at the end is pure artistry.  One of her many threads is taken from the headlines of the present.  Those who escape the persecution in their homeland and try to build a new life peacefully in a new land.  She gives us complex characters and intricate plotlines delivering a story of some who are doing the wrong things for the right reasons.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me access to the electronic Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

PUB:  Severn House

PUB DATE:  September 1, 2019

ISBN:  9780727888884

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery