historical fiction – Page 10

Today I’m reviewing Kelly Oliver’s fabulous new Golden-Age crime mystery, The Case of the Christie Curse #newrelease #cosycrime #blogtour

Today I’m reviewing Kelly Oliver’s fabulous new Golden-Age crime mystery, The Case of the Christie Curse #newrelease #cosycrime #blogtour #boldwoodbloggers @BoldwoodBooks #TheCaseofTheChristieCurse @KellyOliverBook @rararesources @theboldbookclub

Today I’m reviewing Kelly Oliver’s fabulous new Golden-Age crime mystery, The Case of the Christie Curse #newrelease #cosycrime #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

The BRAND NEW page-turning, historical cozy mystery series from Kelly Oliver 🏝️🏺☠️

Mesopotamia, 1930: When Agatha Christie invites fellow members of the Detection Club to witness the famous excavations at the ruins of Ur, Dorothy L. Sayers, her quick-witted assistant Eliza Baker, and Theo Sharp expect ancient wonders – not fresh corpses.

But when an archaeologist is found dead in the sand, whispers of a deadly curse sweep through the camp. Eliza suspects something far more dangerous than superstition. Amid glittering artifacts and fragile alliances, every guest harbors the Woolleys, whose marriage is shadowed by tragedy; a journalist hungry for scandal; even academic Max Mallowan, whose loyalties are not what they seem.

As theft, forgery, and coded messages surface, the line between archaeology and espionage blurs. And when Eliza and Theo find themselves in danger, they must face not only the truth about the murder – but also the truths they’ve long denied about each other. Can they uncover the killer before the desert claims another victim? Or will this dig unearth secrets too dangerous to survive?

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/CaseChristieCurse

My Review

The Case of the Christie Curse is the third book in the Detection Club series of cosy historical crime novels, in which our beloved crime writers from the 1920s and 1930s feature as characters.

This time, we’re off to Mesopotamia to discover why Agatha Christie has summoned Dorothy, Eliza and Theo to assist her. And what they discover when they arrive is a tangled web of lies and conspiracy, which some suspect is really the Queen’s Curse from the excavation site.

I thought the mystery was trundling along at a reasonable rate to begin with, and I was enjoying it, but then, suddenly, the storyline really escalated in the second half of the book, and I just had to sit and read it until its conclusion.

The author often writes slightly flippant characters, but in this book, we do start to see something deeper from Theo and Eliza, which is a great change, and I do hope it might mean we get a little less ‘will they, won’t they’ and a whole lot more thrilling mystery to solve in future books.

A thrilling new addition to the series of historical, cosy mysteries. (I’ve also been rewatching all of the David Suchet Poirot series, and I must say, this reads very close to the episodes set in exotic locations – huzzah.)

Check out my review for The Case of the Christie Conspiracy and The Case of the Body on the Orient Express.

Check out my reviews for the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery books Chaos at Carnegie Hall, Covert in Cairo, Mayhem in the Mountains, Arsenic at Ascot and Murder in Moscow by the same author.

Meet the Author

Kelly Oliver is the award-winning, bestselling author of three mysteries series: The Jessica James Mysteries, The Pet Detective Mysteries, and the historical cozies The Fiona Figg Mysteries, set in WW1. She is also the Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University and lives in Nashville, Tennessee

Connect with Kelly

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly-oliver

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KellyOlivernews

Posts

Stay up to date with the latest from the blog.

I’m delighted to welcome The Silent Resistance by Anna Normann to the blog, with a fascinating extract #BlogTour #NewReleaseBook #WW2

I’m delighted to welcome The Silent Resistance by Anna Normann to the blog, with a fascinating extract

Here’s an extract from The Silent Resistance

For centuries, the people living along the coast of Norway, made their living from fishing or shipping. The women were used to their men being away for long periods of time, and managed as best the could. There were letters, telegrams, some ways to stay in touch. During the war, the fleet stayed away, and the families had to survive on their own. Sometimes a letter or message came through, and sometimes the news was life shattering.

Extract

‘I’m Lars’ wife,’ she muttered. And soon, maybe even this year, the war will be over, and Kerber will be gone for good. And … and Lars will come home, and life will be as if the war never happened.

Anni stared at the Christmas tree. She knew she should take down all the decorations, and use the tree for firewood, but she didn’t have the heart to do it yet.

She wrapped the knitted rug around herself, and felt warm and contended. Soon, she fell asleep on the sofa.

When someone hammered on the door, she almost fell on the floor. Confused, she hesitated to go to the door. Could it be soldiers? Perhaps Kerber had decided to show his true self, and had sent them to arrest her.

She realised Ingrid would wake up if she didn’t put a stop to it. She pulled the rug tighter around the shoulders, and hurried out of the lounge.

When she came out in the hallway, she closed the door behind her, and put on her coat. She knew it would be freezing out there.

She opened the door and the cold wind woke her up. There wasn’t anyone on the doorstep. There were no signs of the dreaded soldiers.

What the hell is going on? she thought.

Anni looked around again, and caught sight of Martin in the shadows.

‘What are you doing here?’ she said, walking over to him. ‘What if Kerber had been in the house?’

Martin shook his head. ‘I know he’s not, Anni. He’s gone to Bergen. They said so at Hagland.’

Anni shook her head. ‘You have to be quick, Martin. He’s coming back tonight, and he could be here any moment.’

Martin looked concerned. ‘This couldn’t wait,’ he said.

‘What’s the emergency?’ Anni sighed. ‘It’s Guri, isn’t it? She did something foolish. Is she okay? Should I go to the farm?’

‘No, no, nothing is wrong with Guri. This is something else,’ he said, looking more and more uncomfortable. ‘I have a letter for you. I thought you would want it as soon as possible.’ Martin didn’t meet her eyes. Something was off.

Anni felt a sharp pain in her stomach. ‘It’s Lars, isn’t it? Is he dead? Did a torpedo sink his ship?’

‘No, as far as I know, he’s fine, but Anni, I’m sorry.’ Martin looked took a deep breath. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘Stop saying that.’ Anni touched his arm. ‘What’s going on? Is Lars sick, is that it?’

Martin handed her a thin envelope. ‘Read the letter, Anni. Please.’

Anni looked at the envelope, scared to open it. It had been such a long time since they last had heard from Lars. She didn’t want to read it. Judging from Martin’s face, it was bad news. If Lars wasn’t sick or dead, then what?

‘Did you read it, Martin?’ Anni’s mind was racing with horrible scenarios.

‘No.’ Martin looked horrified at the thought. ‘I would never do that.’

‘But you know what it’s about? Because why else would you apologize to me?’

Martin nodded. ‘You’re right. I do know.’

Anni opened the letter. She could see from the date that it was written over a year ago. ‘Damn,’ she said. ‘This isn’t a response to my letter. He hasn’t received the photos of Ingrid.’

‘I don’t know how this letter found its way to Shetland. You know how it is,’ Martin said.

Anni nodded, not looking up from the letter. Lars’ handwriting was so familiar, it made her want to cry. Guri will be delighted when she sees this, she thought and started reading.

Dear Anni,

I hope this letter finds you well.

The rest of the letter made no sense.

Here’s the blurb

Occupied Norway, 1944. Anni endures the war alone, aiding the resistance while longing for news of her sailor husband. Her daughter, Ingrid, is her joy, and Anni is determined to keep her safe. But when a German official is billeted at their home, danger escalates, and Anni faces an agonising dilemma.

London, 1952. Ingrid has been trying to understand her mother’s mysterious disappearance at the war’s end. Clinging to Anni’s promise that she would always come back for her, Ingrid sets out to discover what happened all those years ago.

Purchase Link

http://tinyurl.com/2n6sr5b6

Meet the authors

Anna Normann is the pseudonym of authors Anan Singh and Natalie Normann, and it all happened because of a bet. Sometime in the nineteen eighties, while watching a movie with a so-so plot, they started arguing about improving the plot and how they could write a better story than that mess. And then Anan’s wife said ‘I bet you can’t’ …

Since then, they have published seven books together in Norwegian, exploring different genres. Their first novel, set in WW2, won a competition in 1995 for ‘Norway’s best entertainment novel’.

https://linktr.ee/NatalieNormann

Posts

Stay up to date with the latest from the blog.

I’m reviewing The Secrets of Morgarten by LS Mangos #historicalfiction #bookreview #blogtour #fourteenthcentury

I’m reviewing the Secrets of Morgarten by LS Mangos #historicalfiction #bookreview #blogtour #fourteenthcentury

Here’s the blurb

A young nation in peril.
A web of deception.
A triangle of forbidden love.

The year is 1315. The fledgling nation of Switzerland – the Helvetic Confederation – is under threat from the Habsburgs. In France, the Knights Templar have been disbanded and declared heretics by the king.

Magda, a beautiful weaver living near the alpine village of Morgarten, befriends Walter, a messenger who is the son of the legendary Wilhelm Tell. Walter and Magda’s budding romance is threatened by the arrival of Sébastien, a French fugitive.

What secrets is this foreigner hiding? Can Walter solve the mystery of a murder and a stolen religious artefact before a mighty battle with the Habsburgs ensues? And who will be the victors in their turbulent triangle of love?

https://amzn.to/46Gxr2G

My Review

The Secrets of Morgarten is a historical fiction/romance novel set in the early 1300s, following three main characters through about a year of their lives. The characters of Magda, Wilhelm and Sebastian all offer different, if not strictly, opposing, viewpoints of events as they unfold.

It is a story of conflict and love against a backdrop of intrigue and approaching war, and the narrative moves quickly between the twin storylines, so that the conflict occurs between the characters as well as in the wider world.

It is a slower-paced novel, rich in detail and complex political machinations that builds towards its conclusion (the theft not occuring until quite late in the book) which thrusts our three main characters into the midst of the unevitable conflict where decisions must be made that will have far-reaching consequences. It’s an intriguing novel, depicting events I’ve not previously read about before.

Meet the author

Louise Mangos grew up in the UK but has spent more than half her life in Switzerland. Her debut psychological suspense Strangers on a Bridge was a finalist in the Exeter Novel Prize and long listed for the Bath Novel Award. She has published four further psychological suspense novels – The Art of Deception, The Beaten Track, Four Fatal Flaws and The Girl in the Doorway.

She lives in the foothills of the Alps, a stone’s throw from the site of the Battle of Morgarten, with her Kiwi husband and two sons. When she’s not writing you can find her on the cross-country ski trails or wild swimming in the lake by
her home, depending on the season. Louise also writes short fiction which has won prizes and been published in more than twenty print anthologies. She holds a Masters in Crime Writing from the University of East Anglia.

Find her on Twitter, Instagram or BlueSky
@LouiseMangos and Facebook @LouiseMangosBooks

Posts

Stay up to date with the latest from the blog.

I’m delighted to welcome Clare Flynn and Under a Southern Sky to the blog #NewReleaseBook #BookCompetition #HistoricalFictionBook

I’m delighted to welcome Clare Flynn and Under a Southern Sky to the blog

Here’s the blurb

After a German fighter sinks her husband’s ship in the icy Atlantic, grief-stricken Hannah Kidd flees the rubble and ration queues of wartime Liverpool for a new life on the other side of the world. In sun-soaked Sydney, she discovers more than just refuge from nightly bombing raids—she finds unexpected family connections, meaningful work, and the handsome Eddie Greenbank.

As Hannah explores the golden beaches of Sydney’s eastern shores, the misty valleys of the Blue Mountains, and the rolling scenery of the Hunter Valley, she begins to believe that happiness isn’t lost forever. But even in Australia, the war’s long shadow threatens everything she’s begun to rebuild. Hannah must decide: will she let grief define her, or will she fight for the future she never thought she’d have?

A sweeping story of resilience and renewal set against the dramatic backdrop of wartime Australia, Under a Southern Sky explores how far we must sometimes travel—both in miles and in spirit—to find our way home.

Purchase Link

https://books2read.com/u/47oMPq

Meet the author

Clare Flynn is the award-winning author of nineteen historical novels. She is the 2020 Selfies Adult Fiction prize winner for The Pearl of Penang and the 2022 Indie Champion for the Romantic Novelists Association. Clare is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Historical Writers’ Association and the Romantic Novelists Association. She lives in Eastbourne on the south coast of England.

Giveaway to Win a a signed paperback of The Star of Ceylon (Open to UK Only)

https://gleam.io/0uZWS/win-a-a-signed-paperback-of-the-star-of-ceylon-open-to-uk-only

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Blog banner for the Under A Southern Sky blog tour by Clare Flynn

Check out Clare’s last visit to the blog here.

Posts

Stay up to date with the latest from our blog.

I’m welcoming Susan D Levitte to the blog with an excerpt from her new book, The Secrets in the Woods, 1871Fire #PeshtigoFire #WIHistory #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

I’m welcoming Susan D Levitte to the blog with an excerpt from her new book, The Secrets in the Woods

Here’s a snippet

The assignment was going to mark the anniversary of a tragic period in the region’s history. The Peshtigo Fire, or the Great Fire as those on this side of the bay often referred to it, killed at least fifteen hundred white people and countless American Indians in a few hours.

Because it had happened sixty years ago, there were not many people left to tell their stories. Many of those still alive had just been small children at the time, with memories dimmed and shaded by stories they had heard in hushed tones during their lives.

When Edna Mae was told she would be interviewing a woman who had been fifteen when the fire happened…

Here’s the blurb

On October 8, 1871, fire turned night into a living hell.

While Chicago’s blaze claimed the headlines, a fiercer and more devastating inferno swept across Wisconsin’s Green Bay peninsula-obliterating farms, forests, and families in its path.

Here, among immigrant settlers carving new lives from the wilderness, survival came down to split-second choices: to run, to hide, to fight the flames. Mothers shielded children with their bodies, fathers vanished into smoke, and neighbors faced the firestorm with nothing but faith and will.

Inspired by forgotten accounts and newspaper fragments, Secrets in the Woods brings to life the untold human drama of one of America’s most harrowing nights-a story of resilience, loss, and the fragile hope that rises from the ashes.

Triggers: Corporal punishment, spousal abuse, deaths by natural disaster, death in childbirth.

Purchase Link

books2read.com/u/4AB0oA

Meet the author

Susan was born and raised as the fifth generation to live on the family land in Northeast North Dakota (nearly Canada). She moved to Wisconsin in 1997, living in Door and Manitowoc County and now resides in the pastoral Kewaunee County. Married to Quentin, they share their home with Olive and Penny, their silly Labrador retrievers, and Gil, their ever-lazy cat.

As a devoted reader of historical fiction and nonfiction, she brings her passion for history and desire to educate readers into her work. With twenty-five years of experience in global advertising and marketing, she holds a master’s degree in communications and currently contributes her expertise to the Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.