by Kathy Lynn EmersonRating 5/5
Book #8 in the Lady Appleton mystery series was most enjoyable.
Let me share a quote from Julia Spencer-Fleming that was on the back flap: "Kathy Lynn Emerson effortlessly transports us into a vividly-detailed 16th century, peopled with real human beings whose ambitions, fears, and crimes are authentically grounded in the politics, religious tensions, and mores of the elicited era. Emerson deftly slips her meticulous scholarship into a honeyed comfit of murder, malice, and manor houses."
In this novel Queen Elizabeth and her court are on the move and they are heading toward Leigh Abbey, where herbalist and widow Susanna Appleton lives. During the preparations two men are murdered. There are several twists and turns, several hidden secrets are revealed, and eventually an intricate mystery solved.
This may be the best of the series. After #7's disappointing read, I'm glad the series is back on track with this one. If you love mysteries this is a great one. If you like historical novels, you'll really enjoy this one. All and all, a good read.
13 comments:
Certainly sounds like a good read, Booklogged. It's a long title though; often discouraged by publishers.
I'm so glad this one made up for #7. BTW - I love Julia Spencer-Fleming's books!
Susan, you're right about the long titles and all of them in this series are long. All start out with Face Down...
SuziQ, thanks for the suggestion. Are her books mysteries?
Yes - they're mysteries - the first is In the Bleak Midwinter
The main character is a female Episcopal Priest who is also a former military helicopter pilot - she's now at a church in a small town in upstate New York. She and the town's police chief are great characters. I've only read the first of the series, but the next is high on my to be read list.
I can't believe I didn't know about this series.
I read Kathy Lynn Emerson years ago, when she was writing historical romance for Harper Monogram--see, I even remember the publisher! I had no idea she was writing this historical mystery series.
I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the info!
Ooh a new historical mystery series for me to look into!
My wife loves these kind of mysteries so I'll have to point these out to her.
The book cover on #8 is even a lot more interesting than #7. I would buy this book just for that cover. I will soon be reading one of these books. Does it matter that it's out of order?
I agree with framed, this cover is so enticing - I sat for a long time just marvelling at all the detail. This book sounds so appealing, booklogged, I know it is part of a series, but do they need to be read as such or could I just read # 8? Going back to enjoy the cover now.
Framed & Lotus, I think you could read any one in the series and be okay as long as it's not FD Across the Western Sea.
SuzieQ, I added Julia Spencer-Fleming to my mountain of books-to-be read.
Colleen, Iliana & Carl's wife, I think you'll be satisfied with this series. I may have to read it again someday and just make note of the interesting historical tidbits that you don't learn about in a history class.
I love the cover illustration!!! That alone would make me pick up this book and read it. I've never heard of this series but am going to have to find it. They sound similar to Karen Harper's. Have you read any of those?
Hello, Ex Libris! I haven't read Karen Harper, but if it sounds like this series I better be looking into them. Thanks.
I've just requested Face Down in the Marrow-Bone Pie from the library. Can't wait! md
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