Where has the time gone? I am surrounded by books. Read and unread. So I need to do a little less reading and a lot more writing. Where to to begin, I( wonder. Always a quandary. And since a quandary suggests a mystery, I will start there.
This pot pourri includes historical mysteries, mysteries in foreign locales, and best selling authors.
If you enjoy reading books set in the past there is DARK ROAD TO DARJEELING by Deanna Raybourn (Mira ISBN 13-978-0-2820-9) as well THE DEMON'S PARCHMENT (Minotaur Books 978-0-312-62104-9. The Raybourn book features Lady Julia Grey in another of her investigations with her recently wed husband, Nicholas. They have been racketing about the Mediterranean on an extended honeymoon and are a bit bored. While Nicholas is off on business,Lady Julia is confronted by her brother and sister , Brisbane and Portia, who need her to go with them to India to come to the aid of Portia's former lover Jane who is now a pregnant widow. Sounds a bit complicated doesn't it? Well it is. The family of the dead husband has plans of their own and other local elements play roles as well. The author has provided a lot of amusing and witty conversation for her characters as well as an entertaining and suspenseful plot. There is also a lot if detail of how life may have been lived in India in Victorian time. There is intrigue, possible murder, sinister plots, family secrets,as well as a good love story. This is a clever book
of manners as well as an entertaining read. about a rather unconventional couple. THE DEMON'S PARCHMENT (Minotaur Books 978-0-312-6214-9) is a bit darker. Set it 14th Century London, this tale features Crispin Guest , If you have not met him before, he is a disgraced knight who was accused of treason. He has lost his land, his titles, his standing ,but not his courage, cleverness or some of his friends. And of course he is really a good guy - just a flawed hero. He has become famous as the Tracker and solves problems, mysteries, and what have you for hire. And of course he has the help of a street urchin and orphan, Jack, who is clever and wily beyond his years. This time the investigation involves the murder of young boys throughout London and seems to involve a Jewish doctor and his son who are with the court of the King. And this even though all Jews were supposed to have been expelled from England at that time. The murders are gruesome and all is not as it seems in the good doctor's household. Also some of Crispin's enemies get a bit of a comeuppance as well. This book is high on atmosphere and sense of place. It also has a few interesting tidbits of historical lore to add.
