Mutt Cafe

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan Thomas Nelson--FICTION Thomas Nelson Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 28 May 2019 Review Murder in the City of Liberty is an astoundingly good historical thriller set in pre-WWII Boston. Not only does it capture the feel of the time, it accurately captures the social unrest and ingrained bigotry that was common. While it doesn’t pull punches when showing antisemitism, corruption, and the rise of pro-nationali

A Murder Unmentioned A Rowland Sinclair Mystery #6 by Sulari Gentill Poisoned Pen Press Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 12 Feb 2019 Review If I could pick only two terms to describe A Murder Unmentioned, they would be intricate and well-researched. Sulari Gentill’s mysteries immerse you in pre WWII Australia - its politics, class struggles and response to the world of the time - a time we can and should learn from. Rowland Sinclair has made enemies a

Death at the Wychbourne Follies by Amy Myers Severn House Publishers Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 01 Mar 2019 Review The return of Lady Ansley’s old Gaiety theater group to Wychbourne court is intended to be a happy occasion, a chance to relive memories of triumphs. But a spanner is thrown into the works by Lord Richard, Lady Sophy and Lady Helen’s plans for a show. Not everyone amongst the aging actors and actresses are thrilled with the idea, particularly when it is determ

The Gold Pawn by L.A. Chandlar Kensington Books Historical Fiction Pub Date 25 Sep 2018 Review L.A. Chandlar’s historical thrillers continue to be amongst the best of the genre. Chandlar’s fiction deftly weaves historical events and people into the main plot, allowing them to interact with the central characters - making the novels “feel real”. While you don’t have to read the books in order, I strongly recommend you do, in order to understand the longer term aspects of

The Poisoned Chalice Murder A 1920s English mystery by Diane Janes Severn House Historical Fiction Pub Date 01 Nov 2018 Review Diane James’s second 1920s mystery, The Poisoned Chalice Murder, is even more enjoyable than her debut - a stunning accomplishment. Frances Black and Tom Dod are a charming pair of amateur detectives, working well together despite a frisson of attraction they dare not act upon. Frances is the more perceptive of the duo, and the novel focuses on

Treacherous Is the Night by Anna Lee Huber Kensington Books Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 25 Sep 2018 Review Treacherous is the Night is an amazing piece of historical fiction. Not only does it provide insight into the changing role of women after WWI, it doesn’t shy from discussing the effects of time in the trenches on soldiers or from portraying the callous “patriotism” of those not directly involved in the war. The effects of war play a central ro

Murder Flies the Coop by Jessica Ellicott Kensington Books Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 25 Sep 2018 Review Murder Flies the Coop, Jessica Ellicott’s new 1920s mystery, has charm in abundance as well as a distinctly British character. Beryl Helliwell, the American adventuress, and her friend Edwina are opposites in many ways, but they are also fast friends with a talent for solving mysteries. But being independent women has a downside - a dire lack of

Murder at Ochre Court by Alyssa Maxwell Kensington Books Kensington Historical Fiction Pub Date 31 Jul 2018 Review At the turn of the century, few women had careers outside of service. Emma Cross, a poor relation of the Vanderbilt’s, has been trying to make her way as a reporter, but papers hire her for her society connections and her links to gossip. Society reporting is lucrative but far from what Emma wants for herself. Her return to Newport coincides with the socie

The Death Beat by Fiona Veitch Smith Lion Hudson IP Limited Lion Fiction Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 20 Oct 2017 Review The Death Beat is a fantastic historical mystery set in the 1920s. Part of the novel occurs on the boat from Britain to the US, but the bulk of the novel is set in the US. Although The Death Beat is a historical mystery, it brings up issues that are important today, including the treatment of immigrants, human trafficking, the use of immigrants as sl

The Corpse at the Crystal Palace A Daisy Dalrymple Mystery by Carola Dunn St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 03 Jul 2018 Review The Corpse at the Crystal Palace is a charming 1920s mystery set in Britain. Unlike many set in the time period, it doesn’t focus on glamorous flappers and decadent society, instead focusing more on middle and upper class family life. The entire Dalrymple clan, as well as quite a few friends and relatives, play ma