The Fashion in Shrouds by Margery Allingham

The Fashion in Shrouds by Margery Allingham

by Carol3 Comments
This mystery sees Albert Campion visiting his sister, Val, who is the top designer at a fashion house. Their family approves of neither of them, but the way. Val has been working on dresses for the actress Georgia Wells. Campion has found the skeleton of Georgia's former fiance in a garden, apparently suicide, and that story hits the news. Another death follows, another man connected to Georgia, and Val may be in trouble, dragged into the scandal. Campion must unravel the clues to get to the root of the mystery. My favorite part of this book is the return of Amanda Fitton. She is a joy and a wonderful crime-solving companion for Campion. The mystery is well-done and fair. I like the fashion/entertainment industry setting and the characters were an interesting mix. I wish the women had been dealt with a bit better. Val and Georgia are both independent women at the top of the careers. I wish they would spend less...
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The Curse of Braeburn Castle by Karen Baugh Menuhin

The Curse of Braeburn Castle by Karen Baugh Menuhin

by CarolNo Comments
Heathcliff Lennox (please call him Lennox) was in WW 1 and his butler Greggs, with whom he has an entertaining and humorous relationship, was his batman. Now back home, Lennox is having a bit of an adjustment to civilian life. He prefers solitary activities like fishing or walking his dog, Mr. Fogg, in the countryside around his slowly declining estate. However, he has friends and family that can bring him out into the world beyond his gates. Lennox is likable and intelligent, tongue-tied around women, but loyal and honest. The Curse of Braeburn Castle is the third mystery I've read featuring him and may be the best so far. This third one begins when Lennox's newly-married friend, former detective Swift, asks him to come to Braeburn Castle to help with the discovery of a centuries-old skeleton. The discovery of the skeletons has brought a team of archaeologists to the castle, a group Swift doesn't trust, and now the skull and it's...
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Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin

by Carol2 Comments
If you know me as a reader, you know a country manor house at Christmas is my favorite setting for a murder. After finding a dead man on his doorstep - apparently from natural causes - Lennox heads to his uncle's manor house for Christmas. Unfortunately, one of the other guests, his uncle's fiancee, is murdered and Lennox becomes the chief suspect. When the house gets snowed in and the police can't come, Lennox does his own investigating. He's a charming character. He fought in the war and is now mostly gathering debt, but he's intelligent and funny and willing to act in his own self-interests. He's a bachelor and has the most adorable dog. Of course one of the house party must be guilty. Lennox knows it's not him or his uncle, but is suspicious of almost everyone else. They all have secrets and potential motives. Even the servants come under Lennox' scrutiny, if only temporarily. It's a good set...
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Binding Dante Lovelace by Jennifer Rainey

Binding Dante Lovelace by Jennifer Rainey

by Carol2 Comments
My two favorite demons, Dante Lovelace and Iago Wick, are in trouble again. Definitely go back and read The Last Temptations of Iago Wick, the first in the series, before Binding Dante Lovelace though. It gives some extra background to the characters that I think it's better when reading this one. The first gives more attention to their jobs as demons, while this one's focus is a bit different. Dante has been bound by a witch, which Hell lets occur. They don't really have their demons' backs when it comes down to it. The witch needs his power to add to hers, but we don't find out why for a few chapters. Turns out the world is actually in danger and Dante has been forced to help save it. Of course, Iago leaves Boston to join him. Of course, saving the world is never easy, especially not for demons. The costs are high. I adore Dante and Iago. I love how...
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The Last Temptations of Iago Wick by Jennifer Rainey

The Last Temptations of Iago Wick by Jennifer Rainey

by Carol2 Comments
The Last Temptations of Iago Wick is such a fun book. Yes, Iago Wick and Dante Lovelace are demons, but they're not evil. Well, maybe a bit, but mostly it's because temptation and catastrophe are their callings. Lucifer gave demons a purpose. They really do enjoy people, like being on earth (it's way better than Hell, even for a demon). Iago is a tempter. The souls he's after are already well on their way to hell, he just gives the final push. His current assignment involves the men in a secret society. that has done some pretty nasty things to a lot of people over the years. But there's this inventor, relatively new in town, who realizes that the town's recent spate of deaths is due to a demon. And Iago might be in more danger than he expects. The book really is delightful. It's funny in a dry way. It's got demons with their own moral code and their own dilemmas....
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