Tag Archives: historical mystery fiction

Mini-Book Review — The Easter Sepulchre

19 Mar

I love a good mystery, and the historical series by Mel Starr featuring bailiff and surgeon Sir Hugh de Singleton is always a good choice. I chose book 13 in the series, The Easter Sepulchre, because of the title. I thought the book would be set during Holy Week, and it started there on Good Friday and continued quickly to Easter Sunday, but the majority of the sleuthing done was in the following weeks and months. With a lack of modern forensics, Hugh has to take his time solving these 14th century felonies. I love the historical detail that Starr brings to this series. Everyday life in medieval England is well-researched and presented in a way that the modern reader feels that they can be a part — minus the plagues and lack of antibiotics. LOL. The novel is narrated by Hugh himself as he chronicles the puzzling case. I guessed the culprit about midway through the book, but that didn’t spoil the plot. I loved how Hugh doggedly pursued every clue and theory.

I think anyone who loves a good whodunit will enjoy The Easter Sepulchre, but those who love a good dose of history with their mystery will be intrigued and swept away to the life and times of Hugh. Please note: while this book is 13th in a long-running series, anyone new to series will not have any issues jumping right in. I do recommend starting at the beginning though — the books are great!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Mel Starr was born and grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated from Spring Arbor High School in 1960, and Greenville College (Illinois) in 1964. He received an MA in history from Western Michigan University in 1970. He taught history in Michigan public schools for thirty-nine years, thirty-five of those in Portage, MI, where he retired in 2003 as chairman of the social studies department of Portage Northern High School.

Mel married Susan Brock in 1965. They have two daughters, and seven grandchildren.

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Book Review — The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

23 Oct

I am a big fan of Agatha Christie. Having read so many of her novels, I almost feel like I grew up in the small town in which Miss Marple lived. LOL! So I was hooked from the opening pages of The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens. Although set a few years later than the Miss Marple series, this 1950s-era novel set in a small town in England had all the makings for a great mystery. Louisa Everly is faced with quite a problem — either her twin brother had set fire to the church in which her father had served years before and then disappeared or he was framed and met with foul play. She chooses to believe in his innocence and begins an investigation in which she runs head long into a number of dangerous situations. Her childhood friend and now detective is on the case as well. You can probably guess where that relationship heads. 😉 I loved the small English village setting, the many twists and turns that the case takes, and the lovely romance that grows between Louisa and Malcolm. Plus, I never saw the ending coming! That’s huge for one who reads so many mysteries.

If you like a historical setting for you mystery reading, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey is a great choice.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she’s about to uncover their secrets.

1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents’ tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection—she felt her twin’s death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.

Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul’s closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.

Naomi Stephens is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. She received a B.A. in English from Concordia University in Ann Arbor and an M.A. in English from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Her first novel, Shadow among Sheaves, was an Inspy Award shortlister and winner of the 2020 Carol Award in Debut Fiction. In bookstores, Naomi gravitates towards 19th-century British novels—the broodier the better (i.e., Jane Eyre)—but she can also be found perusing the young adult, mystery, and fantasy sections. Anything that keeps her turning pages past midnight. Though she has called many places home over the years, she currently lives in New York with her husband, her two children, and a rascal of a dog named Sherlock. When not writing or having adventures with her family, she can be found drinking tea, practicing photography, and pining for London.

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Book Review: The Highland Heist

18 Sep

Pepper Basham does it again in her latest Freddie and Grace Mystery, The Highland Heist. The two daring newlyweds are embroiled in mayhem and intrigue as only they can be. History and mystery combine in a very fun read.

Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister
 
Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.
 
The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.
 
With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.

Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at http://www.pepperdbasham.com.

My Impressions:

I fell in love with Frederick and Grace in their first historical mystery, The Mistletoe Countess. The two have managed to fall into mysteries 4 times now, and their latest investigation is another fast-paced, fun romp from Virginia to the highlands of Scotland. For those who haven’t read the historical mysteries by Pepper Basham, Frederick and Grace are a newlywed couple whose marriage of convenience has turned into a very satisfying love match. Their first days of marriage through their extensive honeymoon have been filled with a growing love and a fearful amount of mayhem! In The Highland Heist, Grace and her sister have inherited a castle in Scotland. But nothing is easy where Grace and Freddie are involved. Stabbings, bangs on the head, hidden treasures, and sneaky villains keep the two on their toes. I really like this series, and The Highland Heist is a great addition. I recommend reading the books in order to experience all the fun!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Spotlight on Regency Mystery/Romance — A Scheming in Parliament

4 Sep

A Scheming in Parliament JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

A Scheming in Parliament

Title: A Scheming in Parliament
Series: Of Cloaks & Daggers #2
Author: Erica Vetsch
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Genre: Regency Mystery Romance

Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.

Miss Philippa Cashel’s mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend’s past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?

Bertie’s and Philippa’s missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England’s government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.

Excerpt

“One of the reasons I love it at Eleos is that we’re all the same. None better or worse than any other. There’s no judgment or shame, just a chance to be different than we were before.” Mary sat back, looking out the window. “Being your lady’s maid is the safest and happiest I’ve been my whole life. I don’t imagine there could be anything better.”

Philippa studied Mary’s profile, noting her pretty features and clear skin. She might not aspire to being anything beyond Philippa’s maid, but Philippa hoped there was better in store for her somewhere, someday. Perhaps even love, marriage, and a family? Surely there was someone out there who would appreciate Mary Rush for the treasure she was. (p. 107)



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

More in This Series:

A Thieving at Carlton House

About The Author

Erica Vetsch

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota. Learn more about Erica at ericavetsch.com.

Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Scheming in Parliament and a $20 Amazon gift card!

A Scheming in Parliament JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 3, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 10, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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First Line Friday — The Highland Heist

27 Jun

Happy Friday! Today I am featuring the newest book in Pepper Basham‘s Freddie and Grace Mystery series, The Highland Heist. This series is delightful — history, mystery, and romance abound. I love that Pepper focuses on married romance — Frederick and Grace never seem to end their honeymoon!

Here’s the first line:

June 23, 1914

Perfect husbands were rare, except perhaps in fiction, but Grace Percy, Countess of Astley, had married the real life equivalent, she was certain.

Grace Storms a Scottish Castle to Save her Sister
 
Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace’s sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister’s they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother’s inheritance.
 
The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.
 
With a ghost from Frederick’s past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.
 
The Highland Heist is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess, The Cairo Curse, and The Juliet Code.

Pepper Basham is a best-selling author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at http://www.pepperdbasham.com.

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Spotlight on Dual Timeline/Historical Mystery Fiction — The Dutch Muse

19 Jun

The Dutch Muse JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Dutch Muse by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Dutch Muse

Title: The Dutch Muse
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #4
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Genre: Clean Historical Dual-Timeline Mystery with a touch of romance

A ruthless thief leaves a private Dutch gallery with a coveted seventeenth-century painting. The owner lies unconscious on the floor. Art historian Fabiola Bennett is on vacation in Holland and takes on the case.

Amsterdam, 1973.

It’s late summer, and Fabiola and Pippa join their friend, Cary, for a few days of sightseeing, museums, and riding bikes around the beautiful city.

For the first time in her life, Fabiola feels a pang of jealousy, and rude comments from a gallerist make her doubt her own abilities.

Then, unexpectedly, Cary’s Dutch client, Lennard van de Hoek, is brutally struck down and a baroque portrait by Ferdinand Bol is stolen. Fabiola pushes aside her problems and jumps into danger without hesitation. The list of suspects is long, and with a cold-blooded criminal at large, they must constantly be on the alert.

Amsterdam, 1641

Ferdinand Bol has completed his five-year training with Master Rembrandt van Rijn and is ready to set up his own studio. The future looks bright, and Ferdinand sets a goal to become a widely sought-after and, hopefully, prosperous master portraitist.

Just when Ferdinand’s career starts to flourish—and patrons and customers discover his exceptional talent—one of his models confesses she’s in deep trouble, and he drops everything to help her.

This is a fast-paced and captivating who-done-it set in the Netherlands—the fourth installment and a spin-off from the Soli Hansen Mysteries. Perfect for fans of Kathleen McGurl, Louise Penny, Deborah Swift, Anna Lee Huber, Lucinda Riley, Sherry Thomas, Ellery Adams, and Jennifer S. Alderson.

Excerpt

Amsterdam, 1973

“I told you before, I want you to investigate this case. Only you. The entire art community doesn’t need to know that my father’s Ferdinand Bol piece has been stolen.”

“But why? I’m sure you have a sizable insurance policy that covers the artwork.”

“Oh, we do. But that’s not important now. I want to keep this situation quiet. You may let your two female friends tag along if you think they’ll be of any use.”

“Fabiola and Pippa normally take the lead in any case we work on together. I wear the badge, but those two are the real masterminds. I could give you a long list of art crimes that Fabiola Bennett solved using a combination of her knowledge of ancient artwork, her intelligence, and her ability to skillfully deduce the meaning of each clue. If not for her and Pippa, most of those villains would still be running free.”

Famke put her nose in the air. “Alright then. Whatever… Let them help you.”



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

Trouble in Assissi

About The Author

Heidi Eljarbo

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive their choice of any one paperback from the Fabiola Bennett series plus a $20 Amazon gift card!

The Dutch Muse JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 24, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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Top 10 Tuesday — Summer Titles

3 Jun

Happy June! While summer has not officially commenced, here in the Sunny South it is definitely in full force! Today’s TTT challenge is a Summer Freebie. I am listing books with Summer in the title — I can’t believe I haven’t done this before. I have read most of the books on the list, but there are a few that are still on the TBR wishlist. Hope you find one to love.

For more Summer-y book lists, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Summer Titles

The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

Jane And The Year Without Summer by Stephanie Barron

Just for The Summer by Melody Carlson

On A Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

Summer Island Book Club by Ciara Knight

The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh

The Summer of You And Me by Denise Hunter

Summer Plans And Other Disasters by Karen Beery

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Mini-Book Review: Man of Shadow And Mist

26 Dec

Michelle Griep is fabulous at melding mystery and history together. Her novel Man of Shadow And Mist was a wonderful gothic-delight! Inspired by the Dracula legend, this historical mystery set in Victorian-era England was an intriguing and well-researched exploration of finding one’s place in the world, in spite of prejudice. Main character Rosa Edwards works for her father in his subscription library (an interesting bit of history) but dreams of more than the place she seems destined for — a married woman with children. When the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his home, rumors of vampires swirl around him. Mystery, intrigue, and double-dealing abound in the small town. Gossip and innuendo, rumors and violence are whipped up by misinformation, ignorance, prejudice, and good-old fashioned evil intentions. Rosa and James join forces to counteract the misplaced fears that threaten their relationship and James’s life. I really, really loved this book. I fell in love with Rosa and James and rooted on their growing romance. I found the medical information behind vampirism to be intriguing and eye-opening. The addition of Bram Stoker to the cast of characters added a unique historical detail to the story. And the journeys of the two main characters to find their place in the world and in God’s kingdom was inspiring.

If you love history, mystery, and intrigue I highly recommend reading Man of Shadow And Mist.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

England, 1890
 
Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.
 
James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.
 
When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.
 
Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?

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Spotlight on Historical Mystery — The Paris Portrait

13 Nov

The Paris Portrait JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Paris Portrait by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Paris Portrait

Title: The Paris Portrait
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery, Dual Timeline, Fiction

Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?

Paris, France, 1973.
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family.

On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.

Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time.

But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before.

Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.

Excerpt

An hour after they’d left Paris, Élisabeth’s carriage rolled into Versailles. The horsedrawn carriage had sped along the dirt roads past open fields with woodland and small farmsteads on either side. Now, cobblestones rattled the vehicle. In the town, they met beggars along the roadside, children without shoes running in the street, and a scanty market square with meager products. Élisabeth looked out the carriage window. The stark contrast between the poor and the grand palace up ahead caused a heaviness in her chest every time she arrived.

As the driver pulled into the Cour d’Honneur, the opulent royal palace came into view. No words could truly describe the impression it made; overwhelming, extravagant, and massive came to mind. By order of King Louis XIV, Versailles—once a prosperous village popular with hunters—had become a royal city. He had moved the aristocracy and the administration out of Paris. In Versailles they could both hunt and live in lavish luxury.

The guards welcomed them into the courtyard and opened her door.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books in This Series

Trouble in Assissi

About The Author

Heidi Eljarbo

Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history.

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard + a paperback of one Fabiola Bennett Mystery of your choice!

The Paris Portrait JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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Spotlight on Historical Mystery — An Ode to Poison

4 Nov

An Ode to Poison JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Ode to Poison by Lisa E. Betz, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

An Ode to Poison

Title: An Ode to Poison
Series: Livia Aemilia Mysteries #3
Author: Lisa E. Betz
Publisher: Breakthrough Christian Publishing
Release Date: October 21, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery

What do death by poison, a ruthless senator, and a poetry party have in common?

They combine to draw Livia Aemilia into her most dangerous investigation yet. She must risk setting foot in the house of her worst enemy, Senator Tiberius Gracchus, to investigate the death of his wife. (Don’t worry, she has a plan.)

The victim’s sister is convinced Gracchus is the killer. If so, proving his guilt in Rome’s law courts could put a stop to his nefarious threats forever.

Livia is sure this investigation is God’s plan to protect her family from their malicious enemy. And maybe it will finally convince her husband Avitus that God is real.

The more Livia and Avitus dig, the more it looks like they will finally bring Gracchus to justice. Until another victim is poisoned, and everything they think they know is turned upside down.

Excerpt

Livia was not fond of poetry. Let that be stated from the start. She was not looking forward to tonight’s celebration of stuffy poetry in flowery language recited by snooty women and hosted by a friend of her sister-in-law, Hortensia, the snootiest of them all. Worse yet, their hostess had insisted every attendee pen at least one brief ode or epigram. Even Livia. 

“You like flowers,” Hortensia had said when she’d invited Livia. “You can write a nice ode to a rosebush.” 

Like that was going to happen. 

But Livia had married into this exalted stratum of society and the sooner she got to know these women the better. She couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity to mingle with Hortensia’s peers at a function where no men were present, providing a rare opportunity to observe these women when their husbands weren’t watching. 

 So Livia had written the stupid poem. It wasn’t an ode to a rosebush. Or a marigold. Or a butterfly. Since poetry was a deadly bore, she’d written an ode to deadly poison (a topic intended to disqualify her from the “honor” of reciting her literary masterpiece). 

The hostess gathered the women and started the recital with a brief ode to Erato, the muse whose inspiration the poets relied upon tonight (although Erato might deny responsibility for some of the poems that were offered). 

The poetry was as tedious as Livia had anticipated, but Calida supplied an irreverent whispered commentary that had Livia stifling chuckles. Between poems, Salvia and Livia worked out an arrangement for communicating without their husbands’ knowledge. By evening’s end, they had a plan and a budding friendship. 

The hours spent composing the deadly ode hadn’t been wasted after all.



PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

More Books in This Series

About The Author

Lisa E. Betz

Lisa E. Betz is an engineer-turned-mystery-writer, entertaining speaker, and speaking coach. She inspires others to become their best selves, living with authenticity, and purpose, and she infuses her novels with quirky characters who thrive on solving tricky problems. Her Livia Aemilia Mysteries, set in first-century Rome, have won several awards, including the Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (2021). She and her husband reside outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Scallywag, their rambunctious cat—the inspiration for Nemesis, resident mischief maker in her novels. Lisa directs church dramas, hikes the beautiful Pennsylvania woods, eats too much chocolate, and spoils her grandsons.

Connect with Lisa by visiting lisaebetz.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed set of all 3 Livia Aemilia Mysteries in paperback!

An Ode to Poison JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 4, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 11, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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