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Thursday, March 15, 2018

Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose:  A wealthy lord who happens to be a brilliant scientist . . . an enigmatic young widow who secretly pens satirical cartoons . . . a violent killing disguised as a robbery . . . Nothing is as it seems in Regency London, especially when the Earl of Wrexford and Charlotte Sloane join forces to solve a shocking murder.

I read the first in this series last year, but I think this latest novel shows definite improvement in developing plot and characters.  

NetGalley/Kensington Books

Historical Mystery.  March 27, 2018.  Print length:  304 pages



Dead Fish started off very well.  Dr. Geoffrey Quinn is arrested for the murder of his wife.  Authorities suspect his children are dead as well, but no bodies have been found.
Allison hope takes Quinn's case, but she isn't sure if she believes him and is certain that he is holding something back.

Unfortunately, as the book became a bit convoluted with red herrings and shocking crimes, the original promise did not hold up for me.

NetGalley/Thistle Publishing

Crime/Legal.  March 29, 2018.  (First published in 1999) Print length:  376 pages.

11 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear Dead Fish didn't work for you!

    I want to read Murder at Half Moon Gate JUST because of that cover! and the blurb makes it sound so interesting!

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  2. That's great that the Penrose series seems to have gotten better with the sequel! Always something you hope happens with series books right? I'm looking forward to checking out this series.

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    1. Murder at Half-Moon Gate is better than the first one, although the Earl of Wrexford is still a bit of a cardboard character, it is a fun adventure. My favorite characters are actually Raven and Hawk, the street urchins! :)

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  3. Murder at Half Moon Gate sounds intriguing. And so disappointing about Dead Fish; the premise sounds interesting though.

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  4. Dead Fish is such a great title. Too bad the execution wasn't better. But how nice that the Penrose series is only getting better. :)

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    1. I did like it better than the previous one, but the repeated use of certain words and phrases annoys and distracts.

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  5. Murder at the Half Moon Gate has such a atmospheric cover -- it's a series I'll have to look up!

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    1. There are characters I enjoy, but while there are improvements from the first one to the second, I still have quibbles.

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  6. I love the cover of Murder at Half Moon Gate. I am glad you liked it better than the first one. That is too bad about Dead Fish though. The premise had sounded promising.

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