Author of Saxon historical fiction and non-fiction, 20th-century historical mysteries, and Norse-inspired historical romantasy. Book reviewer and blog host.
Author: MJ Porter, author
I'm an author of historical fiction (Early England/Viking and the British Isles as a whole before 1066, as well as five 20th-century mysteries), a non-fiction title about the royal women of tenth-century England, and historical fantasy.
I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Husband is Hushed Up #bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader @rararesources @rachelsrandomresources @helengoldenauthor
Here’s the blurb
A fatal fall. A duchess determined to uncover the truth. And barely any time for tea.
Fenshire, 1891. It was meant to be a birthday celebration weekend in the country—cucumber sandwiches, polite conversation, and maybe a waltz or two. But when the Duke of Stortford is found dead in a crumpled heap at the foot of the stairs everything goes dreadfully sideways. The police declare it a tragic accident. His wife, Alice, has her doubts. After all, only hours before, the Duke had promised to give up his mistress and make a go of their marriage. Now he’s inconveniently deceased.
Driven by a need for answers, and helped by her fiercely loyal maid Maud, her observant footman George, and her childhood friend Lord Rushton, Alice sets about uncovering the truth. But as she navigates a house full of secrets, simmering tensions, and more than one guest with murderously bad manners, her suspect pool grows to include those closest to her. Can she piece together the truth? Or will her husband’s murderer get away with it after all?
The guests are leaving. The killer may be among them. Time is running out…
A Husband is Hushed Up is the first full-length novel in Helen Golden’s new historical mystery series (I have read the prequel).
The first book takes readers to a very familiar location, and alas, also quite a familiar tragedy as a body is discovered on the staircase early one morning. Alice determines to find the truth of what happened, even though everyone else is sure it’s simply a tragic accident. While she’s driven by the need to discover the truth, it is quite possible that she might regret her actions as the story unfolds.
This is another well-plotted mystery from Helen. I do love her mysteries. They’re always a sure-fire hit for me, and a treat because a bit of a curse of also writing mysteries is that I often realise the threads and clues along the way. For this one, my suspicions were leaning in the right direction, but I’m not going to say why. That’s a writer trick:)
Another excellent mystery, and I look forward to the series continuing.
Check out my reviews for the books in Helen Golden’s Right Royal Mystery series, featuring one of Lady Alice’s descendants.
Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.
With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.
Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.
If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.
I’m sharing a fab post from crime novelist Ian McFadyen about writing ‘The Twist’ to celebrate the release of The Corpse Bell #blogtour #newrelease #mystery
The Twist
Having a clever and enticing plot and introducing a range of vivid, life-like and interesting characters are paramount for any successful murder story. However, in my view, the kernel of all the best and most memorable whodunits has to be the twist.
I read once that ‘plot twists can be a thrill for the reader, but they’re overwhelming for the writer’. I’d agree with that.
If the novel is constructed in such a way that the reader has absolutely no inkling it’s coming, and when it’s revealed to the audience it is as plausible to them as it is surprising, then the twist will elevate the story to a new level.
And why just have one twist, if the book has sub-plots or a series of red herrings, why not introduce a little twist with those, to add even more intrigue and, dare I say, confusion in the reader’s mind – particularly if your twist reveals that a character high on the reader’s list of suspects is, in fact, innocent of the main crime and there’s a credible reason why they have been behaving in a way you ( the reader) thought was suspicious.
If you don’t agree with me, I’d ask you to just think of your favourite murder mystery books. I’m sure they all will have many, many truly wonderful elements – the setting, the use of language, the plot, the characters for example. However, I’d wager it’s the twist that you remember.
When thinking about a new Carmichael book it’s the twist that almost always comes first. Whether it’s a character who isn’t all they seem to be, a misunderstanding which only comes to light late on in the story, or a lie that’s not unearthed at first, the twist is my starting point.
For my books, it’s only once the twist is fleshed out in my head that I feel I can then create a storyline. A plot that builds up to that twist being revealed to the reader. Then using my team of ever-present detectives and introducing new characters, I attempt to take the reader on a journey that leads to the twist.
One of my favourite twists is in ‘The Death of Roger Ackroyd’ by Agatha Christie. I’ll not share the details here, for obvious reasons, but if you’ve not read that particular book, I’d recommend you give it a whirl.
However, if pushed, I’d say my favourite twist was in the TV programme, Tales of the Unexpected in 1979. In an episode written by Roald DahI, called ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’; the twist is delicious! If you haven’t seen it, look it up on YouTube.
I’ll obviously not be sharing the twist in my latest book, ‘The Corpse Bell’, but I hope you enjoy it when it arrives.
Here’s the blurb
The last thing Penny Carmichael expected when she joined the local bellringing group was for her debut to be thwarted by the discovery of a body just yards from the belfry door. As her husband and his loyal team painstakingly sift through the evidence and delve deep into the dead man’s past, it’s clear that solving Peter Mackenzie’s murder may prove a challenge, even for someone with DCI Carmichael’s renowned detective prowess.
What was a man who’d lived for decades in North London doing in Moulton Bank? Was his chequered past a factor?
And what about the other members of Penny’s bellringing group. Did any of them have a reason to do Peter harm?
As the case unfolds, DCI Carmicheal and his trusty team seek answers to a complex puzzle which leads them along various paths and, at times, way outside the comfort zone of their rural Lancashire surroundings.
This fast-paced, cleverly crafted whodunit is the eleventh murder mystery in the gripping Carmichael series from the pen of Ian McFadyen.
IIan McFadyen was born in Liverpool and enjoyed a successful career in marketing before becoming a writer. Ian’s titles are available in Italian and Czech and, although the author isn’t totally convinced it’s true, he’s been favourably compared with Wilkie Collins and Colin Dexter. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife but spends a great deal of his time writing in his bolthole retreat on the Norfolk / Suffolk border. The Corpse Bell is the eleventh in his series featuring DCI Carmichael.
Suzannah is at home with her fiancé, Alec, talking about choosing a name for the baby that is growing in her stomach. Alec is explaining that he wants to name their little girl her after she is born because he doesn’t want people to know until she has arrived, and he hates keeping secrets.
Alec reaches for his mug and slurps his tea. “How’s Blair? I hope I get to meet her before the wedding. I’m sorry that my work keeps me so busy, and I haven’t managed to make time for her, yet, but I promise I will when this little one is born. You’ll see a new me.”
“I can’t wait. I’m going to enjoy having you around more.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and wonder how on earth I’ll manage to visit Mason when Alec takes a step back from work. I’ll have to think of a better excuse than a non-existent friend. Maybe my boss at work will need me for meetings or a slight change of duties that require some office-based days. Oh, I don’t know, I’ll come up with something.
The doorbell rings. “I’ll get it.” I stand up and my belly rumbles. “Why don’t you get started on dinner—we’re starving.”
Alec glugs the rest of his milky beverage then picks up both mugs and walks out to the kitchen. I head to the door.
The doorbell rings again. “OK. OK. I’m coming.”
I lift the chain and unlatch the door, pulling it open and holding it ajar. My heart stops.
“Breck!”
“Suzannah.”
I glance towards the kitchen. The tap is running and Alec has switched on the speaker to play some rather hectic dance music.
I turn back to Breck, his tall, slim frame and curly brown hair still the same; it’s only the look in his eyes that’s different. “Shit, Breck, what are you doing here? I thought you were back in Ireland with your parents.”
“I am. I was. I just need to talk. Please. You can’t keep ignoring me.”
“There’s nothing to say. Nothing has changed.”
“Mason is in prison. He confessed to being an accomplice to a serial killer. Jesus Christ, Suzannah, that changes everything.”
I put a hand on my stomach. “I’m moving forward with my life, Breck. You left, remember. Ran away. Abandoned me. Please, leave me alone. If I ever find out anything about Lily, I’ll tell you. I promise. Please, just go.”
Alec hollers out from the kitchen. “Everything alright, Suzannah?”
I call down the hallway. “Just a delivery driver looking for an address. He got the wrong house.”
I eyeball Breck, one hand on my hip. “Goodbye, Breck.”
I close the door and lean back against it, praying he will leave and never come here again.
Excerpt From
The Other Mother
Heidi Field
This material may be protected by copyright.
Here’s the blurb
Suzannah is pregnant with her third child. The first is in prison. The second is dead. How far will she go to keep her unborn baby safe?
When Suzannah learns she is pregnant, she feels like safety and happiness are finally within reach. Her handsome, successful fiancé, Alec, is over the moon about the baby. He proposes and pampers her. He thinks this is Suzannah’s first marriage and first child, but she’s keeping a few secrets. Actually, a lot of secrets. And they are dangerous…putting Suzannah in a position where she must choose who and what she’s willing to sacrifice to keep her baby and her freedom.
Drowning in her lies, Suzannah is desperate to bury her past, but her ex-husband, who abandoned her years ago, returns, stalking her and demanding to know what really happened to their daughter. When the imprisoned serial killer who lured and groomed her son, threatens to sell his story to the press, Suzannah feels like the life she’d built and the precious one she’s growing, teeter on a precipice. Now the two children she’s hidden from Alec may be the least of her worries.
Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters. In her twenties she was a freelance Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and became the stepmother of three more young children. She still lives near her family home with her partner, their Great Dane and the children that have yet to fly the nest. In her early forties Heidi completed a Masters in Creative Writing at Winchester University. She entered the course hoping she would become a children’s fantasy writer and left with a burning desire to write contemporary mysteries and thrillers. Heidi wanted to put relatable people in extraordinary situations, challenge them, push them to their limits and watch them fight for their sanity. The Other Mother is Heidi’s second novel, the next book in The Peasedale Woods Killers series.
I’m delighted to welcome Debra Borchert and her book, Her Own Legacy, Book 1, the Chateau de Verzat series, to the blog. Here’s the blurb A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts Determined to inherit her family’s vineyard, Countess Joliette de Verzat defies society’s rules, only to learn of her illegitimate…
I’m delighted to welcome Judith Arnopp and her new book, A Matter of Time: Henry VIII, the Dying of the Light (Book Three), to the blog with a snippet. Snippet: November 1541 Henry prepares for mass It is good to be home, and my spirits remain high. I jest with my gentlemen as my beard,…
It’s been a while since we’ve been in the saddle with Coelwulf and his foul-mouthed fellow warriors. I’ve missed them, and I think others have as well. I thought it would be a good idea to offer a brief recap. I know I had to reread The Last Seven to make sure everything was as…
‘m sharing my review for The Accidental Plus One Down Under—Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) by Alison Ripley Cubitt #blogtour #travelmemoir #bookreview
Here’s the blurb
New Year’s Eve, 2019
While everyone else is popping champagne corks and ringing in a new decade, Alison—The Accidental Plus One—is crammed into a flying tin can somewhere over the Equator, obsessing over whether she remembered to lock the front door.
Can she really uproot her life halfway across the world—again?
Rural calm was sweet while it lasted, but when her partner’s job prospects dwindle, the lure of a new adventure on the far side of the planet proves irresistible.
This time, she promises herself it’ll be easy. Fewer things to pack. No dog to uproot. Renting rather than buying.And before she knows it, Alison is heading for a land of giant spiders, the world’s longest lockdown and a place where strangers call you mate.
The Accidental Plus One Down Under is a heartwarming and humorous memoir that proves sometimes love leads us on the most unpredictable journeys.
Perfect for fans of:
. Real-life expat tales
. Heartwarming stories of starting over
If you love stories about the ups-and-downs of life far from home, you won’t want to miss this next hilarious chapter!
The Accidental Plus One Down Under is a memoir of the author’s time living in Australia and her many travels while there, to New Zealand, the UK and Canada. For those who like food, travel, and knowing how much everything costs to achieve those goals, this could well be the book for you.
The memoir is at its strongest in the closing chapters, where the author is saying a farewell (for now) to Australia and takes a journey across the vastness of Australia via train. There, I feel the author’s love for the location really shines through.
I also found the chapters on Australia’s Lockdown intriguing, but lacking in enough detail for my nerdy need to equate my experiences in the UK with those in Australia.
This is a book for those who love to travel, or for those who love to travel from their armchair.
Meet the author
Alison Ripley Cubitt is a multi-genre author who started her writing career by winning first prize in a writing competition with a pony book. Some years later, she left New Zealand with the ability to make a white sauce without a recipe, carry three plates at once, and ride a horse (though not at the same time). Dreaming of becoming a copywriter, she landed a job as the receptionist in an advertising agency in Sydney that made the TV series Mad Men’s work culture look tame.
But after two and half years, the lure of London proved too hard to resist, and she left Australia. Landing in London at the right time, she got her break in television production and lasted 15 years, working on Channel 4’s anarchic The Big Breakfast and at Walt Disney and the BBC.
For the past five and a half years, she has divided her time between Melbourne, Australia and Jane Austen country, England.
Her published non-fiction includes travel guides and memoirs. Her fiction includes screenplays, short stories and thrillers. The Accidental Plus One Down Under: Travel Tales from a Trailing Spouse (Book 2) is her tenth book.
I’m delighted to share a post by Lucy Elena about her new romcom, The Starling Dance #newrelease #blogtour #blogpost #romcom
Shining a light on Rome’s street artists: The ‘invisible’ performers hiding in plain sight
Street artists and performers feature prominently in my novel The Starling Dance. As the evening sky over Rome turns pinky-purple, there’s something special about seeing musicians, mimes, jugglers and acrobats transform the ancient piazzas into their stage to delight passing tourists.
Today’s street artists are not a modern phenomenon. They were a familiar sight in the thriving multicultural metropolis of Ancient Rome, flocking to bustling market squares or busy roads, hoping to be compensated for their entertainment. Some were migrants from faraway lands, others were freed slaves, and some were simply dreamers hoping to make it big by being ‘scouted’ by a member of Roman high society. Then, as today, it was unstable work, dependent on the generosity of passersby.
I first noticed the street artists while working in Rome as a journalist. My walk to the office took me past the Colosseum and the ancient Fori Imperiali and, on the way, I passed many street performers. That ‘commute’ is something I often dream about now when I’m crammed into the tube at rush hour!
I’m someone who just can’t sit still, so I was particularly intrigued by the ‘human statues’, who, wearing creative disguises, hold poses for hours on end. There were ‘floating’ genies, cupids, and men with hats, sunglasses but no heads, among many others. I wondered what they thought about while they worked.
Some mornings, I would catch a glimpse of their real faces as they changed into their costumes. I speculated about their lives and what led them to perform.
By that time, I had developed an initial idea for The Starling Dance – a lonely woman in a foreign country spying on her neighbours – but I needed a love interest to, potentially, turn this character’s fortunes around. I started to imagine chapters filled with colourful street artists to add a magical touch. Perhaps the love interest could be a charming street performer, I thought.
Like most people who pass by, I didn’t know anything about street artistry, so, before creating a character, I wanted to find out more. I visited the ancient squares and spoke to some of the performers who worked there. At the time, I was thinking that The Starling Dance might be a film so I asked if I could film them, with the idea of compiling an atmospheric montage of their work.
First, I met a jazz band from Eastern Europe who had been performing in Piazza Navona for years. They could find alternative work, they told me, but they loved music and the freedom performing gave them. They explained about the difficulties they faced with stricter controls on performers and ever-increasing competition.
I also spoke to a charismatic Charlie Chaplin impersonator. He’d moved from Venice to Rome following restrictions on street artists there. I planned to film his performances but one day he disappeared from the square and I never found him again.
Then, there was the cowboy who stayed impossibly still in his costume – moving only occasionally and deliberately to impress passersby. He told me about his wife and child back home in Southern Asia, where he sent the money he made. In his spare time, some of the other artists were teaching him to paint with aerosols and stencils – apparently more lucrative than performing. One day, after I’d filmed his work on several occasions, he invited me for coffee and proudly showed me photos of his family. He insisted on paying for my drink – a gesture I will always remember!
Following my research, I decided to make a street artist a key character in the book – I won’t say too much for fear of spoilers, but I knew I wanted to portray him as a talented person with an interesting and credible backstory.
Including this character allowed me to introduce a vibrant cast of street performers – from the veteran clown who has been performing for decades in Rome’s old town, to the bubble blowers, impersonators and daring flame throwers. The artists in Rome add a touch of sparkle to the ancient city and I hope that I’ve managed to bring that to life in The Starling Dance.
Here’s the blurb
In a sweltering Roman summer, Laure is trying to start a new life. But can she manage in a city where walls have ears, trees have eyes and even the birds are acting strangely?
It’s been exactly one year since the shit hit the fan and Laure’s anxiety exploded into a full-blown burn out. In search of a new start she’s moved to Rome – pasta, Aperol and sunshine should make everything better, right?
But with her 30s around the corner, la bella vita isn’t going to plan.
Her boyfriend, the dreamy Davide, has disappeared (Either Laure’s been ghosted or he’s accidentally fallen off a cliff – hopefully)
She wants to murder her neighbours: their arguments are keeping her up all night.
In her local café, Laure meets a handsome stranger and the sparks fly, that is until she finds herself caught in a big lie.
‘Hmmm, it’s not ideal,’ says her best friend Eva, as she puffs on a spliff in the bathtub.
Just as things are heating up, a talking tree enters the fray (as if this Roman summer wasn’t weird enough, just ask the birds).
That tree is Viviano, a dynamic and adventurous street performer who poses around the Eternal City dressed as a tree, well, sometimes a cat too and sometimes a ripe tomato. He could be thriving in life but something is holding him back. One thing is certain though: he wants to meet Laure.
Will Laure find her path? Will she accidentally put pineapple on a pizza? And is there a real love story to be found in the surreal swirls of the Italian capital?
The Starling Dance is a love story full of quirk, humour and heart-warming characters, each trying to overcome their personal obstacles and demons to give themselves a chance at life and love.
Lucy Elena is a journalist who has worked across Europe and Latin America. The Starling Dance is her debut novel. It was initially dreamt up as a film while Lucy was working in Rome and became interested in the street artists she passed every day on her way to work, eventually getting to know them. The artsy film of her imagination never materialised but The Starling Dance was born in the form of a book, with a big dose of love, fun and healing thrown in for good measure.
Lucy Elena is a Londoner with a love of languages and exploring new different cultures. For most of her career she has been a journalist reporting across Europe and Latin America. But she has also experimented with career forays into pasta making (yes, like an Italian nonna) and teaching. Lucy has always loved dreaming up and telling stories and The Starling Dance is her debut novel. When not writing or working, Lucy enjoys spending time with friends and family, trying out new foods and pretending she can play the ukulele.
