The Mapmaker's Apprentice by C.J Archer

The commissioner that helped Matt out in the last book needs help now. A mapmaking apprentice has gone missing and the commissioner would like Matt and India to help him out. In order to do so, they pretend to be a married couple. 

While visiting the guilds, they discover that the mapmaker's guild is also trying to suppress the knowledge that magicians exist. That leads to a very desperate situation where the pair barely survive. They also discover that their enemies may be more numerous than they thought.

Three and a half stars

This book came out October 25, 2016

Glass and Steele #2

Follows The Watchmaker's Daughter

Followed by The Apothecary's Apprentice

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Watchmaker's Daughter by C.J. Archer

Down to her last penny, about to be thrown out of her lodgings, India Steele does the only thing she can think of. She goes to the shop of her former fiance (the one who dumped her after her father died) and tells the customers not to buy from him. While she makes a scene, it doesn't do much. Except that one man takes notice, Matthew Glass. He immediately hires her on to find a watchmaker known only to him as Kronos.

Matthew needs to find Kronos soon. We don't learn much about it in this book but it is a life-or-death situation tied to a watch that the man made for him. But is Matthew Glass all he seems to be? Or is he possibly the American fugitive known as the Dark Rider.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 28, 2016

Glass and Steele #1

Followed by The Mapmaker's Apprentice

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder at King’s Crossing by Andrea Penrose

Sheffield and Cordelia are finally married. But the day is marred when news of a dead man carrying an invitation to their wedding arrives. At first, Cordelia fears it is her cousin. She is just as heartbroken to learn it is a man with whom she grew up. Her friend, Jasper, was the one who helped dress as a man to attend university. He was also an inventor and the prologue lets us know that he has just stumbled upon something incredibly important. Something big enough to be killed for.

At the same time, Peregrine has been sent home from Eton giving Wrexham and Charlotte a chance to get the third Weasel under their roof. 

Lots going on in this book. I don't know that it would be a good book to start the series with but is a good addition for those who have already reading.

Four stars

Wrexford & Sloane #8

This book came out September 24, 2024

Follows at Murder at Merton Library

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Dead Lions by Mick Herron

Dickie Bow has been out of the game for awhile. But when he sees a familiar face, he follows it off a train and onto a bus. But Dickie doesn't make it off the bus. And Jackson Lamb wonders why. Yes, Dickie was an alcoholic and ate terribly but something just feels off. And his suspicion is confirmed by the one word that Dickie has left typed in his phones draft messages.
Suddenly, the members of the Slough House are off and running. But is someone talking out of school and giving information to those outside the unit? And will all of the slow horses be alive at the end of this book?

Three stars
This book came out 

Slough House #2

Follows Slow Horses

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce is back! And this time, it's someone close to her who's been accused of murder. In fact, the opening scene is Inspector Hewitt interrogating Mrs. Mullet. It turns out, a man she's been cooking for, General (a minor government employee by his own words), has died. The coroner is saying it's mushroom poisoning. But Flavia is on the case.

What she uncovers is actually deeper than a mistaken mushroom picking. In fact, what she discovers is going to upend her world. 

I go back and forth between enjoying these books. Flavia believes that she knows all and that she is always right about everything? Are there people in the world like that? Yes. Do I mind reading books about people like that? No. As long as they seem like they are growing in some way. Flavia... does not. Also, Undine is so annoying. That may be because Bradley is a deft writer who makes you feel his characters emotions but I do not like her even when Flavia does.

Three stars

This book came out September 3, 2024

Flavia de Luce #11

Follows The Golden Tresses of the Dead

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinion
s are my own

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

At the beginning of the book, Evie is dead. Apparently. At least, The Villain sure thinks she is. And he's devastated. But, as the blurb mentions, she is not dead. In fact, she's leading the revolution to release The Villain. He's been tortured in the cellars of the castle only to be brought upstairs to be unmasked and accused of killing Miss Sage. 

Why should The Villain be unmasked? It's part of a prophecy. One that will maybe bring magic back to Rennedawn and stop the mysterious illness that is killing so many people. There are two other parts, one which includes finding Evie's mother.

In the course of the story, we have two different someones coming back from the dead, one person who does evil for the greater good, and one magic dagger. 

Didn't love all of the world building in this one but I was dying laughing and also wished I had pencil and paper to write down some rather poignant quotes.

Four stars

This book came out August 8, 2024

Assistant to the Villain #2

Follows Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

It's Christmastime but that doesn't mean much to Roman. Usually he gets some time off from being the Black Volhv for Chernobog, God of Destruction, Darkness, and Death. But this morning he's woken up to no eggnog and no cookies. Also, there are a wounded boy with a German Shepard puppy (sort of) who are seeking sanctuary in his house. Because he's not already full up with evil animals. But he can't abide the fact that there are a number of men trying to hunt this boy down for no discernable reason. Plus, the hunters are just pissing him off. 

This series is adjacent to Kate Daniels and doesn't have as strong a start as the Iron Covenant but I think it's going to grow into some great books.

Three stars

This book came out July 30, 2024

Roman’s Chronicles, #1

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Medici Manuscript by C.J. Archer

Sylvia is still working in Glass Library with Professor Nash and they've discovered an interesting manuscript. There are markings that seem like the book may have come from the well-known Medici family. But there are other markings as well. Some that seem like they might point to some potent magic. 

The whole gang is there again, Sylvia's friend, Gabe, Gabe's aunt, and his friend. And they're all trying  to figure out what they mean. But then the book disappears. Plus, there's the whole "people trying to kidnap Gabe" issue and him discovering more about his own magic.

An interesting addition to the series and at least one impediment to the path for Sylvia and Gabe gets removed. But that plot point could come back later.

Three stars
This book came out March 7, 2023

Follows The Librarian of Crooked Lane

Followed by The Untitled Books

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Slow Horses by Mick Herron

I heard about this one of my podcasts. For the first fifty pages, I wondered why I kept reading it. Then, I was hooked.
What do they do with spies that aren’t good enough for the field but aren’t bad enough to be fired? They’re sent to the Slough House. And that’s who we’re following, the occupants known as the Slow Horses. There are the screw ups, the alcoholics, and the people who no one likes. But one of them obviously isn’t as slow as everyone believes because they’re all about to be plunged into a mystery. Parallel stories tell us about a young British boy of Pakistani descent who’s been kidnapped. The kidnappers have promised to cut off his head on a live internet feed. Then there’s the betrayal in Slough House. But who’s done the betraying and why is one agent dead and another one near to it?

Four stars

This book came out June 1, 2010

Slough House #1

Followed by Dead Lions

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer

Sylvia Ashe is all alone in the world. Her brother died in the war and her mother in the flu that followed after. She was lucky to get a job in a library, even if the boss is a raging misogynist. Most women have lost their jobs after the men returned from war. Now she only has her friend Daisy.
It’s Daisy reading a newspaper one day that sets them off on a grand adventure. There is a picture of an heir to a title, Gabe Glass. He has a connection to her brother and Sylvia would like to know what it is.
While she doesn’t find out all of the information in this book, she does get to help Gabe figure out who is creating forgeries of magic paintings. She also gets a job in a library on Crooked Lane, one that specializes in book on magic.

Four stars

This book came out September 6, 2022

The Glass Library #1

Followed by The Medici Manuscript

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Playing the Witch Card by K.J. Dell'Antonia

Flair Hardwicke is in the middle of a divorce and has moved home to Rattleboro, Kansas to take over her grandmother's bakery. She had run away from the family legacy (magic) and still doesn't really want to be a part of the town's celebrations around Halloween. But she's been pulled into the festivities and now her mother is in town along with Flair's bespelled ex-husband.

Throw in an old boyfriend who is now completely successful, his sister who REALLY doesn't like Flair, and a family history that is not only complicated, it may not be as historical as they think. 

This book felt a bit disjointed. About halfway through it got better for a little bit when Flair and the boyfriend started talking more but then fell apart.

Three stars

This book came out September 12, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens

I had wanted to read this book since it was in a Goodreads giveaway but it took me awhile to get a copy. And I have to say I am a little disappointed as I found Daisy quite annoying. I'm not sure how other readers will feel but she was a know-it-all and didn't listen to Hazel. We do get some back story in that, not only is Daisy the daughter of a peer, but she is used to being the smartest person in the room. Hazel seems to be the only person who has figured that out though as Daisy tends to pretend that she is vapid and vane. 

I did like that there were a lot of slang words thrown in and we learned a bit of history along with the girls.

Before Hazel even stumbles over the body of one of the teachers, the two girls have the detective club. Most of it seems to be devoted to digging up gossip. But one of their teachers IS dead and no one seems to notice or to believe them.

Three stars

This book came out June 5, 2014

Wells and Wong #1

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers

Genevieve Timmons is trying to make a living by faking seances. Until the day that one is invaded and Genevieve is arrested. She's certain she's not going to die by hanging like the constable threatens because a fortune teller long ago told her she would die by drowning. And it turns out to be true. She is taken out of jail by Mr. Lockhart. He is a lawyer for Lord Chadwick (most often referred to as Mr. Pemberton by our narrator). Mr. Pemberton's fiancée died under suspicious circumstances the night before their wedding. Mr. Lockhart believes that a seance will help the house with some healing. So Genevieve goes with him to Somerset House. Also in the house are the obligatory housekeeper with an iron heart as well as a former ward of the previous lord, some assorted servants (including Flora who Genevieve befriends), and the new lord's best friend. 

This was a good book until the very end when it went off the rails a bit. Just a little too much for me. But overall, an enjoyable read.

Three and a half stars

This book came out August 23, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates

Adrienne is down to her last twenty dollars when she arrives at Ashburn House. She doesn't remember much about her Aunt Eleanor and she's not sure why the house was left to her. What she does have is hazy memories of fleeing the house in the arms of her mother when Adrienne was young. 

But, her mother is now dead and Adrienne is in reduced circumstances so a free place to stay is a godsend. But the house is eerie. Set apart from the rest of the village and old, Adrienne is trepidatious about staying in this place. Especially when she realizes there are no mirrors. And there are words etched into tables, walls, and even her aunt's headboard that, without a context, are confusing.

I really enjoyed this book which was odd because I'm not much for thrillers but this one was a really fast read and I was almost halfway through when I realized this wasn't a straight-up mystery.

Four stars
This book came out July 20, 2016

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson

This book is told mainly from the third person omniscient for Kat and Dorothy, both of whom live in Shelley House. Kat has only recently moved in but Dorothy has lived their most of her life. What brings the two together? The threat of eviction. Well, Dorothy doesn't believe it will happen and Kat is cynical about what they can do. But then someone in the building is attacked and the two, as well as the other people in their apartment building will band together and form a community.
I don't love time jumps but, other than that, this was a nice, easy read even though it dealt with some tough topics.

Three and a half stars

This book came out 

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

A number of people are gathered at the Manor in Tome. Francesca Meadows has refitted her family mansion to be a fancy health spa and this is the opening weekend. But there seem to be a number of things going wrong. Not with her new husband of course; she and Owen Dacre are just perfect. Aren't they? But there are little cracks starting to show everywhere. Not everyone is who they seem to be and the past may be coming back to haunt her.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 18, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakias

Imagine you're an evil wizard. You've worked hard your whole life to be evil: set people on fire for fun, set people on fire for thwarting you.... done other things to people that aren't great. But, then you wake up one morning and all of your memories are gone. And maybe you decide... you don't want to be evil. In fact, you're going to stop it right now. But that just seems to confuse everyone around you. And then there's the problem that you seem to be in the middle of a Big Scheme. A Big Scheme that includes kidnapping a princess. Perhaps she's not quite as princess-y as you originally assumed. But then, as you are fumbling your way around, you discover that no one in your castle is quite as they appear.

I quite enjoyed this book and hope that it will be a series. 

Four stars

This book came out May 28, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from library

Opinions are my own

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Evie Sage lost her mother and brother in a tragic accident so now the only ones left are she, her younger sister, and their ailing father. When she loses her job, it could be catastrophic for their family. But she does find employment again quickly. Too bad it's with The Villain. But as she works with him more and more, she starts to wonder, really, what makes him so villainous? 

There are also a cast of other characters working there and, while Evie establishes herself as orderly and imperious, she makes friends as well as enemies at work. 

It took me awhile to get into this book but the characters grew on me, the plot was fun, and now I can't wait for the next book.

Four stars
This book came out August 29, 2023

Assistant to the Villain #1

Followed by Apprentice to the Villain

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo , Chi-Young Kim (Translator)

The NPR Best Books of 2022 made this book sound so intriguing. It took me a long time to get into the story and I quit it several times but, it was short, so I powered through.

The idea of the story is certainly an interesting one. We never learn the old woman's name but the story opens with her on the subway. Then we follow her through her days and her memories. As more and more of her story unfolds, her character develops. It is a rich story and her character is really well-developed which is finally what kept me reading. 

An interesting premise and way of writing but ultimately, not my favorite.

Three stars
This book came out July 19, 2013

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan

Ali Morris has three kids, a dead mother, and has just gone through a divorce. She is depressed but still talking to her mother. And her mother (at least in Ali's mind) is still responding. Ali is finally starting to come out of the haze (and wear "real clothes" which is so dumb to me, sweats are real clothes and who likes wearing hard pants) when her dog pees on a man's foot. And, oh, what a man. She meets Ethan who turns out to be not only handsome, but smart and caring as well. There are definitely some issues between them and the third act interruption in their HEA was expected. I would have given this three stars but the scene with her neighbor and the coming to terms of grief over her mother's death were beautifully written.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 4, 2024

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own