Search This Blog

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Dead Drop by Marilyn Todd, The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood, Fates Ransom by Jeff Wheeler

 More December books.  


I enjoyed the first three books in this series about a female photographer who has inherited the studio of her mentor, but who needs to pretend he still lives because her clientele remain leery of a woman as a photographer.

The first book (Snap Shot) introduces Julia McAllister, who takes normal photographs, including some of the recent dead, a Victorian custom, but is supplementing her income with risqué pictures.  First one, then another of her models are murdered, and Julia comes under suspicion.  Her knowledge of Alphonse Bertillion and his use of photography to solve crimes.

I liked this use of a female photographer and the inclusion of the first uses of crime scene photography and liked the first books.

Unfortunately for me, Dead Drop did not live up to what I was expecting.  The book seemed to have lacked something with the traveling "wild west show."  Disappointing, but hope the next book will be better.

None of the covers have much to do with the contents.

NetGalley/Sapere Books
Historical Mystery.  Dec., 2021.  


Every once in a while, I enjoy a cozy, and I did find The Marlow Murder Club fun, in large part because the main character is 77, wears a cape, and loves good whiskey.   :)  

I'm drawn to older eccentric protagonists and Judith Potts fits the description.  Having introduced the characters and setting, this new series has the potential, but isn't quite there.

NetGalley/Poisoned Pen Press
Cozy Mystery.  Jan. 7, 2021.  Print length:  340 pages.





Jeff Wheeler has written a number of series in related kingdoms and worlds:  Muirwood, Mirrowen, and Kingfountain, and I've read and enjoyed many of these series.  The Kingfountain books are a mixture of alternate history, fantasy, and excellent story telling.

  Fates Ransom is the fourth and final book in the First Argentine series and is set in Kingfountain.  

My favorite is The Queen's Poisoner, the first in the six book Kingfountain series, but each series is full of great characters and exciting adventures and each book  is hard to put down.  Wheeler's characters have depth--he excels at creating the kind of characters that the readers want to know more about.

I recommend starting with The Queen's Poisoner to become acquainted with the kingdom and see if you might become as addicted to Wheeler's books as I've become.

NetGalley/47North
Fantasy.  Jan. 4, 2022.   

14 comments:

  1. The Marlow Murder Club sounds like a fun read! Adding it to my list. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the older protagonist and hope Judith and are developed more in the next entry.

      Delete
  2. I've got The Marlow Murder Club lined up to read soon. It will be the second book by Thorogood that I've read. I know him better as the writer behind a British TV series called Death in Paradise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't read anything by Thorogood before, but I do hope that now that he has the basic background for Marlow and its inhabitants, we will see more of the "murder club."

      Delete
  3. Once again you have introduced me to authors I had not heard of before. I really do need to read more mysteries.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) I love mysteries. They don't require much thinking, but they entertain and distract me. They are candy and when I need escapism, they provide exactly that.

      Delete
  4. I like the sound of the Marilyn Todd photographer series; I'll have to check out the first book. And I've got The Marlow Murder Club on my TBR list already. Feisty, older eccentric protagonists are always fun, especially in a cozy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snap Shot, the first book in Marilyn Todd's series, was entertaining and twisty. I was aware of Bertillion and his many innovative approaches to crime solving and loved that a female protagonist was able to use his methods involving photographing crime scenes. I liked, but didn't love, The Marlow Murder Club, but hope for more anyway! :)

      Delete
  5. I've been really curious about Jeff Wheeler's books but didn't know where to start, so thanks for the recommendation! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I enjoyed The Marlow Murder Club mostly because of the main character. :) I hope the author will feature her again for his future releases.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like Judith, too! She has so much potential for future books, cape and whiskey and mystery. :)

      Delete
  7. Your reading list recently has certainly had an interesting mix of books and genre. That is how I like to read, with a finger in lots of pies, I mean books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good stories in all kinds of genres and settings--that's the ticket, isn't it? I agree, the best way to read.

      Delete