Tag: Anita Davison

I’m delighted to share my review for Murder at the Wedding by Anita Davison #bookreview #blogtour #historicalmystery #newrelease

I’m delighted to share my review for Murder at the Wedding by Anita Davison #bookreview #blogtour #historicalmystery #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

Hannah Merrill is about to marry the love of her life…

The couple are determined their low-key celebration will go without a hitch, but there can’t be an ‘I do’ while the vicar is missing. And when he’s found dead – a victim of a poisoning – in the crypt behind the church, Hannah knows only she and Aunt Violet can find out who did it.

Hannah’s beloved thinks she shouldn’t interfere. But if he fails to remember that an independent woman in 1918 doesn’t do what she’s told to by a man, the dead vicar may be the least of his worries…

Then the vicar’s own fiancé appears on the scene, even though nobody knew he was engaged. And suddenly it becomes clear someone has a secret, one shocking enough to kill for.

Will the intrepid pair of amateur sleuths catch the murderer before they kill again? Or will it be til death parts them all?

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/MurderattheWedding

My Review

Murder at the Wedding is a fabulous new mystery in the Miss Merill and Aunt Violet mystery series.

Hannah is finally married but no sooner has she said, ‘I do,’ than she finds a body. (What a horror on her wedding day). What they determine is a matter of suicide becomes something much worse as murder is soon suspected. Hannah and her aunt determine to find the solution because the new police inspector isn’t up to the task.

It’s good to see Hannah and Violet working together in this book. They’re a great team (I felt in the previous book that there wasn’t quite enough of Aunt Violet). The mystery is well structured, seemingly impossible to solve for much of the novel and I didn’t guess the resolution, which I always appreciate.

This is another enjoyable read in the on-going historical mystery series.

Check out my reviews for the earlier books in the series, beginning with Murder in the Bookshop, Murder in the Library, Murder at Midwinter Manor and Murder in Covent Garden.

Meet the author

Anita Davison is the author of the successful Flora Maguire historical mystery series.

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I’m delighted to share my review for Murder in Covent Garden by Anita Davison #bookreview #blogtour #historicalmystery #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

Nobody should be in the market… for murder!

Even though its famous opera house has shuttered its doors for the war, Covent Garden remains one of the most exciting, bustling areas of London. It’s where Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet have their bookshop and, in spite of the recent spate of burglaries in the area, it’s generally thought to be a good neighbourhood.

So Hannah is surprised when she sees a fellow shopkeeper – a jeweller named Jacob Cornelis – having a heated argument with a stranger. Especially when the next day Cornelis is found dead in his shop, apparently the victim of another burglary.

But what shocks Hannah more is when she meets the policeman supposedly there to investigate the crime. Because he is none other than the man who Hannah saw arguing with Cornelis the day before.

Hannah knows it’s up to her and Violet to investigate. But they don’t know they’re about to uncover a secret underworld of theft, murder and blackmail. And they must act fast, before the Covent Garden Killer strikes again…

A gripping and unputdownable Golden Age cozy crime mystery, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Helena Dixon and Verity Bright.

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/MurderCoventGarden

My Review

Murder in Covent Garden has everything we’ve come to expect from a Miss Merill and Aunt Violet Mystery – a crime to solve, Hannah determined to discover the truth, and of course, Aunt Violet being her usual enigmatic self in World War 1 era London.

This time Hannah manages to get her herself into all sorts of difficult situations, which she somehow manages to escape from, as well as more than her fair share of possible perpetrators. Again, the ending wasn’t expected, and I always appreciate that.

Check out my reviews for Murder in the Bookshop, Murder in the Library and Murder at Midwinter Manor.

Meet the author

Anita was brought up in London, a city with a history that has always fascinated her and influenced her first attempts at writing. Her first three novels featured a 17th Century West Country family on the losing side of the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Other previous work includes an Edwardian Cosy Mystery series featuring amateur sleuth, Flora Maguire set in early 20th Century London and Cheltenham. Anita’s most recent work is the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet Mysteries set in WWI from Boldwood Books. 

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I’m delighted to share my review for Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison #bookreview #blogtour #historicalmystery #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

Escaping the city doesn’t mean escaping the criminals…

1916, Midwinter Manor: Desperate for a Christmas weekend break from war-torn London, Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet take Bartleby the cat and themselves off to visit Hannah’s sister, in her beautiful country estate, deep in the English countryside.

The huge house is full of relatives, friends and merrymakers, and everyone’s excited to have a Christmas to remember.

But then, when a fellow-guest’s body is found in the library – apparently bludgeoned to death – and a precious ruby is stolen from another guest, it appears that it’s going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

With the house snowed in, and the rural police force completely incapable of finding a single credible suspect, Hannah and Aunt Violet realise that once again it’s going to be down to them to get to the bottom of it.

Because whoever’s behind the crimes must be at Midwinter Manor… And if they’re not found, who knows what their next ‘gift’ will be?

A totally unforgettable Golden Age, country house, cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.

Graphic showing the cover for Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison

Purchase Link

 https://mybook.to/midwintermanorsocial

My Review

Murder at Midwinter Manor is the third Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet mystery book, and I’ve read all of them.

This story takes us to Hannah’s sister’s house for a Christmas party. Some of the guests are family, and some of them are not (Oh dear for them).

While we get to know the members of the party, there are strange goings-on in the background, and when Hannah is left with not one but two mysteries to solve, things start to become more interesting.

As we watch Hannah and her aunt, alongside their two male sidekicks, at work, we’re treated to everything we’d expect from a Golden Age country-house-style murder. (I was somewhat jealous about all the Afternoon Teas they managed to consume.) The mystery is intricately connected to the era of First World War Britain, and the events are believable and enjoyable to read about.

When they come, the conclusions are both satisfying after suspicion has fallen on just about everyone.

As a huge fan of this genre of fiction, I really enjoyed Murder at Midwinter Manor and the glimpse given of a divided society in a single house between servants and masters.

Check out my reviews for Murder in the Bookshop and Murder in the Library.

Cover image for Murder atMidwinter Manor by Anita Davison

Meet the author

Anita Davison is the author of the successful Flora Maguire historical mystery series.

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I’m delighted to share my review for Murder in the Library by Anita Davison #bookreview #blogtour #historicalmystery #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

A body in a hospital isn’t so unusual. Unless they’ve been murdered!

1916, London: Keen to support the war effort, bookshop manager and sometime amateur sleuth Hannah Merrill has taken a volunteer role in the library of the nearby military hospital. But arriving at the hospital one cold winter’s morning, she is horrified to find the body of a dead soldier in the library.

What’s more, a beautiful young nurse confides in Hannah that she thinks she’s being followed, and then she abruptly disappears. Hannah can’t shake the suspicion that the two cases are connected, but she can’t solve the case alone. She’ll once again need to call upon her delightful, demanding, only-occasionally devious aunt, Violet. The two women know they must find the missing nurse before it’s too late… but they don’t realise they’re now both in the killer’s sights.

Purchase Link

 https://mybook.to/MurderLibrarySocial

My Review

Murder in the Library is the second book in the Miss Merill and Aunt Violent cosy crime mystery series. I have read the first book.

Events begin quickly in this one when Hannah finds a body in the hospital library where she volunteers. Although she doesn’t intend to, Hannah quickly finds herself embroiled in the investigation to uncover who killed the dead man and why. Along the way, she finds herself involved in a few tricky situations as the toll of World War I begins to be felt in Britain.

All the familiar characters from Book 1 reappear, and I’m enjoying the relationships that are developing between Aunt Violet and Hannah.

The mystery is intriguing, although it seems to be resolved fairly quickly. Although, fear not, for there is more at play and more to uncover.

It’s a really enjoyable historical mystery. Hannah is a fun character, as is her aunt, and I’m enjoying reading about the two women flouting the social constraints of the era.

It’s sure to appeal to fans of a good historical who dun it.

Check out my review for Murder in the Bookshop.

Meet the author

Anita Davison is the author of the successful Flora Maguire historical mystery series. Previously published by Aria, she is writing a new cosy mystery series for Boldwood, the first title of which, Murder in the Bookshop, will be published in August 2023.

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I’m excited to share my review for Death on Board by Anita Davison, the first book in a new cosy historical mystery series #newrelease

Here’s the blurb

NEW YORK,1900: A captivating cozy crime novel set on-board the maiden voyage of the S.S. Minneapolis, featuring series character Flora Maguire. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey.

Young governess Flora Maguire is on her way home from America on the maiden voyage of the S.S. Minneapolis with her young charge Eddy, Viscount Trent, when she discovers a dead body.

Unconvinced when the death is pronounced an accident, Flora starts asking questions, but following threats, a near drowning and a second murder, the hunt is on for a killer. Time is running out as the Minneapolis approaches the English coast.

Will Flora be able to protect Eddy, as well as herself?

Is her burgeoning relationship with the handsome Bunny Harrington only a shipboard dalliance, or something more? And what secrets must Flora keep in order to stay safe?

Purchase Link

https://amzn.to/3PMHqui

My Review

Death on Board is a historical mystery set onboard a transatlantic crossing in the year 1900.

Our main character, Flora, is a governess escorting her young charge home to begin school. Unsure of herself, as her employer has purchased her a First Class ticket, Flora avoids meeting many of them until the unexpected death of a member of her table, whose body she’s unfortunate to discover early one morning.

What ensues is a twisted tale of secrets and half-truths as Flora finds herself drawn into the reason behind the man’s death, proclaimed as an accident, but which Flora sees in a very different light. She mingles with all those on board, from the snooty upper-class dam and her companion to the actress seeking a new life in England, as well as the handsome Bunny, and his motorcar, Matilda, as she attempts to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the murder.

Death on Board is stuffed with period details, and the mystery itself is well-constructed, with a very satisfying resolution. Fiona is a fantastic creation, as is Bunny, and while I’m not unconvinced they wouldn’t have sunk the ship with the quantity of tea consumed, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more of the series.

I’m delighted to share my review for Murder in the Bookshop by Anita Davison #bookreview #historicalmystery #newrelease

Here’s the blurb:

Someone’s been read their last rites…

1915, London: Working in the dusty bookshop that her Aunt Violet mysteriously inherited, Hannah Merrill is accustomed to finding twists in every tale. But discovering her beloved best friend Lily-Anne – with a paperknife through her heart – in the middle of the bookshop, is not a plotline she saw coming.

The case is anything but textbook. With the discovery of a coded German message, and Hannah’s instinct that Lily-Anne’s husband is keeping secrets, she determines to get to the bottom of it.

She can’t do it alone though. To crack this case, Hannah will need to enlist the help of her outrageous, opinionated, only-occasionally-objectionable Aunt Violet.

They think they’re making progress until one of their chief suspects is found dead. And Hannah realises that she is herself now in the murderer’s sights. Will the final chapter be the ending of a killer… or just a killer ending?

A totally addictive, WW1-set cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Verity Bright, T.E. Kinsey, and Agatha Christie.

My Review

Murder in the Bookshop is a cosy historical fiction story set in 1915 in London, England.

Well grounded in the events of the day – the Great War hasn’t been as easy to win as all believed – there are fears of bombs being dropped by the Germans via Zeppelin – the realities of the war are starting to make themselves known with food shortages – this is a really well-envisioned study of the period. Added to which, we have a Murder in the Bookshop.

Our main character is Hannah, who having lost her fiance during the war, now lives with her aunt and helps her run a bookshop. She’s a fiesty character, very much a woman of her day. Aunt Violet is a suffragette and that’s just the beginning of the scandals that surround her. Hannah’s mother wants her to marry, but Hannah isn’t at all interested in doing what her mother wants, and indeed, her mother never actually makes an appearance in the story – which is probably for the best.

Instead, Hannah finds herself determined to discover the culprit behind the murder, and this forces her to come to terms with some truths she’s never known about her friends.

What follows is a really well-constructed story of murder, conspiracy, suspicion and indeed, some peril for our main characters as well.

I read this book in about 2 sittings. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the mystery and the resolution, which I didn’t guess at all.

A fabulous war-time mystery sure to thrill fans of the historical mystery genre.

Meet the author

Anita Davison is the author of the successful Flora Maguire historical mystery series. Previously published by Aria, she is writing a new cosy mystery series for Boldwood, the first title of which, Murder in the Bookshop, will be published in August 2023.

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