A Crimson Warning

Alexander, Tasha. (2011). A Crimson Warning. New York, NY: Minotaur Books.

ISBN: 9780312661755

Pages: 324

Genre: mystery, historical fiction

Annotation: A villain is bringing disgrace and death to high society.

Summary: Lady Emily is horrified to find a man was burned to death while she and her husband were at a ball. Determined to find the truth Lady Emily and her husband, an agent of crown, investigate. They find the man’s home was vandalized with red paint before his death. Horror follows this revelation when other homes are painted red and terrible secrets are told. Kidnapping and murder soon follow. Unless Lady Emily and her husband can find the truth no one is safe: not even them.

Evaluation: excellent read

Summary: This is the only book my local library had for this series, so I decided to risk starting so late in the series. After reading this, I am going to get the other books and then reread this one. The characters are likable: the determined and compassionate Lady Emily, the loyal but also mysterious due to his job Mr. Hargreaves, the irreverent but loyal Duke of Bainbridge, etc. The storyline was very well put together: there are several possibilities of who the villain could be which kept me guessing. The path to the solution was an intriguing treasure hunt as clues were gathered and deciphered. Alexander paints a vivid picture of how double standards abounded in Victorian Society: between men and women, between social classes, etc. Lady Emily’s argument with her husband about whether ends justify means, especially in regards to potential actions of one of the characters, makes me wonder if it will be carried into the next book. An excellent read for fans of the Victorian Era, strong heroines (Lady Emily is very unconventional) and wife-husband detective duos.

What else to read:  

Other books by Tasha Alexander.

Robin Paige’s A Victorian Mystery series for another Victorian Era female and male detective team.

Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia series features a Victorian era lady and detective who keep running into each other during mysteries.

For those who would like to see more husband and wife teams, regardless of era, the Wakefield Public Library has a list of them from different eras. I have not read any of the books on this list, but I have watched The Thin Man and thought the husband-wife team was effective and hilarious.

The Rosetta Key

Dietrich, William. (2008). The Rosetta Key. (Ethan Gage series). New York, NY: HarperCollins.

ISBN: 9780061239557

Pages: 352

Genre: historical fiction

Annotation: Ethan Gage searches for lost treasure and a lost love.

Summary: After the events of Napoleon’s Pyramids Ethan Gage doesn’t know what he wants more: to pursue a treasure and love he lost or to forget them both. The choice gets taken from him when he is given the “choice” of pursuing them while getting political information for the English. His search is not easy: searching for information in the Holy Land during the chaos of Napoleon’s invasion is not the safest occupation. The information he finds catapults him into a quest which will take all his ingenuity to survive let alone regain what he has lost.

Evaluation: excellent read

Ethan Gage is a scoundrel, but a likeable one. He pursues his own ends, but gives respect where it is earned. He also tries to do right by people…as long as it fits in with his quest of course. The villain, Count Silano, is one that can seem perfectly reasonable right when he is trying to pull the wool over one’s eyes, kill them or both. The character of Astiza is intriguing: pulled by destiny without seeming like a crackpot and making the reader wonder with Gage where her loyalty lies. The other characters are likable, intriguing or both. The storyline is paced well: slow enough for the reader to get immersed in the world of 1799 Holy Land without slowing down too much on the action and adventure. The chain of events keeps the reader interested and the clues are not so many, or obtuse, that the reader feels overwhelmed. The atmosphere is excellent: the chaos, beauty and history of the Holy Land come across quite clearly. The attitudes of the English and French are shown through the attitudes of Napoleon, the English commander Sir Sydney and others. This book is an excellent read for those who want to a treasure hunting story, to learn more about the Holy Land during Napoleon’s invasion or just want an adventure to slip into.

What else to read:

Other books by William Dietrich especially Napoleon’s Pyramids.

Napoleon in the Holy Land by Nathan Schur for history.

Bonaparte in Egypt by J. Christopher Herold for history.

The Last Cavalier: Being the Adventures of Count Sainte-Hermine in the Age of Napoleon (The Sainte-Hermine series book 3) by Alexandre Dumas, translated by Lauren Yoder, for adventure in the time of Napoleon.  

Soulless

Carriger, Gail. (2009) Soulless. (Parasol Protectorate series). New York, NY: Orbit.

ISBN: 9780316056632

Pages: 373

Genre: steampunk, fantasy, romance, alternate history

Annotation: Alexia Tarabotti’s life is complicated by a plot against supernaturals.

Summary: Alexia Tarabotti goes to a ball for food, fun and maybe conversation. Instead, she has to kill a vampire who wants her for dinner. This leads to encounters with a handsome, and frustrating, werewolf investigator and being targeted by a plot against London’s supernatural citizens. Alexia has a gift which can save her if the fact she has it doesn’t get her killed.

Evaluation excellent read

The details about fashion, science and society made me think I was in an alternate steampunk and supernaturally influenced London. The characters are a lot of fun. Alexia is calm with a determined attitude that has the reader rooting for her. Lord Maccon is blunt but also caring and determined to protect London and Alexia. The minor characters are engaging as well: Lord Akeldama is amusing, Professor Lyall is urbanely capable and Alexia’s mother channels Mrs. Bennett. The storyline flows at a quick pace while also allowing for relationship development between Alexia and Lord Maccon. Some aspects of their relationship got a little too detailed for me, but that is just personal preference. The plot against the supernaturals ends smoothly while also leaving room for continuation. (What does the octopus mean?) This book is an excellent read for romance, supernatural, steampunk, alternate history and strong heroine fans. What else to read:

Other books by Gail Carriger.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen because the romance, and Alexia’s mother, reminded me of it.

The Iron Duke (Iron Seas series) by Meljean Brook for steampunk, strong heroine and romance.

Phoenix Rising (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series) by Phillipa Ballentine for steampunk and a strong heroine.

One for the Money

Evanovich, Janet. (2006). One for the Money. (1^st in Stephanie Plum series.) New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.  

ISBN: 978-0312362089  

Pages: 338  

Genre: mystery

Annotation: Stephanie Plum needs money, so she becomes a bounty hunter.

Summary: Stephanie Plum got laid off from her job six months ago and her bank account reflects it. Desperate, she takes a job collecting court date skippers for her cousin’s bail agency. She soon learns she knows nothing about the tricks of the trade, so she turns to help from an experienced bounty hunter. She needs the knowledge fast because a $10,000 bounty is on the books and she needs that money. As she struggles to apply the tricks of the trade, among them staying alive when dealing with a psychotic boxer with women issues, she learns the man she is hunting may be innocent. Her determination to bring him in, and find the truth, puts her life in danger. She will find herself with a final exam of sorts where the only passing grade is surviving.

Evaluation: excellent read

The main character, Stephanie Plum, is believable and hilarious. Her narrative voice effectively shows the reader what is going on from her point of view. Her reactions to the situations she faces are not too scared or too brave. The other characters are human: evil, helpful, desperate and nosy. The storyline is excellent as well. The problems Stephanie runs into are plausible considering the high end case she takes. The mistakes she makes are believable ones for a novice: the reader can imagine themselves doing the same things. The reader also can be lulled into thinking they have a clear idea of who is behind everything, but then learn otherwise. Some of her run-ins with her bounty, Morelli, might seem too coincidental but they are necessary for the story to move forward. The mystery is revealed and solved at a believable speed. The details of people and location are told in an offhand way which makes the reader feel they are in New Jersey. This is an excellent read for people who want a plucky heroine and/or to learn about bounty hunting.

What else to read or watch:

Other books by Janet Evanovich. 
This book has been made into a movie. 

AE has a TV series about bounty hunting called Dog the Bounty Hunter.

A Woman Called Sage : A Novel by DiAnn Mills for a female bounty hunter.

A is for Alibi (Kinsey Millhone series) by Sue Grafton for a strong heroine.

The Spellman Files (The Spellman series) by Lisa Lutz for a strong heroine.

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

Klassen, Julie. (2012). The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House.

ISBN: 9780764207099

Pages: 414

Genres: Christian, historical fiction, Regency romance 

Annotation: Margaret goes incognito as a servant at Fairbourne Hall. 

Summary: Margaret Macy decides to trade upper class life for life as a servant after learning her guardian wishes to steal her fortune by forcing her to marry. She learns to be a servant while keeping her identity secret from the other servants and her employers the Upchurches. Her relationship with Nathaniel Upchurch deepens into love. This love is challenged by misspoken words and a trap by her guardian.

Evaluation: excellent read.

Margaret’s reactions to her life and the changes in her character are believable. The thoughts and actions of the other characters are also plausible. The storyline is an interesting mix of everyday and dramatic events that holds the reader’s attention. The atmosphere feels well thought out due to plenty of details (such as reactions to chamber pots). Quotes from books about servant work during the 1800s create a feeling of authenticity about the details. The pace of the story is perfect for a reader who wants to immerse themselves in this world. All of these elements add up to a book that the reader will want to read in one sitting if possible. This book is an excellent read for those wanting to learn more about life in 1800s England and wanting a sweet romance.

What else to read?

Other books by Julie Klassen which also focus on this time period.  

The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer is a well-loved sweet romance taking during this time.

Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and other writers who lived and wrote in 1800s England.

The writer's guide to everyday life in Regency and Victorian England by Kristine Hughes can provide more information about this era.

An elegant madness: high society in Regency England by Venetia Murray can also provide more information about this era.

The Eyre Affair

Fforde, Jasper. (2003). The Eyre Affair. New York, NY: Penguin.

ISBN: 9780142001806

Pages: 374

Genre: fantasy, sci-fi, adventure

Annotation: Thursday Next must save Jane Eyre among other challenges.

Summary: Thursday Next, a dedicated Literary detective, is jolted out of her routine when a supposedly secure book is stolen. This brings her into disastrous contact with a villain who wants to use literature for his own gain. His plan is to use a device which literally allows people to step into the pages of books, and if they have the original story, change them forever. As if this is not enough, Thursday also comes into contact with the man she loves but also feels betrayed her ten years ago. A jaunt into the pages of Jane Eyre can help her with both problems.

Evaluation:  Excellent read.

The characters are engaging. Thursday is a lot like Jane Eyre: dependable and struggling to deal with emotions. Hades is an over the top villain the reader loves to hate. Landen Park-Laine is at once a romantic and/or someone the reader wants to yell at depending on the interpretation. The storyline keeps the reader interested: the premise of being able to step into a book alone is worth it. Thursday’s encounters with Hades, Goliath Corporation, Landen and those in Jane Eyre provoke laughter and/or thoughtfulness. The literary allusions, the mentions of societies and other elements help the reader to feel they are in a world where literature is king. The use of jarring elements such as dodos, airships versus airplanes and the Crimean War lasting over a century show the reader this is a world much different from our own. This book is an excellent read for readers who love books, retold tales, alternate history and humorous fantasy.

What else to read:

The other books in the Thursday Next series.

The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moer, translated by John Brownjohn, for another book about books.

The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey for a retold tale.

Heroics for Beginners by John Moore for humorous fantasy.

Harry Turtledove is a master of alternate history who has various “what if” scenarios from different time periods.