Roberta Reads

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: I’ve been enjoying Cressida McLaughlin’s books for quite a few years now. So when I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Secret Christmas Bookshop, I jumped on it. I loved this book. I loved the setting, which is beautiful and comes across really well. I loved the mix of people who live there, and how they affect Sophie. I love how they work together for the community. I really loved Sophie, who has not had the best upbringing, and so protects herself. I loved the fact that she makes handmade notebooks. I also loved Harry. He seems like a bit of a grump, but is actually lovely. And I was really pleased by the fact that Sophie didn’t fall for him because of the grumpiness, but because of the loveliness. I loved the way their relationship was written - you could feel the caring, rather than just being told it was there. I also loved how Christmassy this book was. The festive atmosphere just oozed out.  Overall, this was such a lovely, f...

  Review - 5 out of 5 Stars I absolutely loved The Missing Maid, so I was thrilled to get my hands on an early copy of The Cursed Writer. It exceeded even my high expectations! This time, Harry receives a telegram to Sherlock Holmes, and thus starts a truly excellent mystery.  I love Harry, who is both courageous and realistic about what she can achieve. She is also clever and compassionate, and is fast becoming my favourite sleuth. I loved this mystery too. It was really compelling, I couldn’t put it down. I loved the way it all seemed so unfathomable to start with, and small clues gradually revealed what was really happening. The setting was excellent. The house is mysterious and slightly creepy, and the fens even more so. They definitely added to the atmosphere of the story. Overall, this was a compelling and excellently written mystery that I just couldn’t put down. If you pick up just one book I’ve recommended this year, make it this one. Holly Hepburn is just getting bet...

  Review - 3.5 out of 5 stars: I do enjoy a cozy crime, and I thought Death at the Old Curiosity Shop sounded interesting, so I decided to give it a try. I liked Alice, though I found her a little naive for her age. The village was also full of odd characters who added plenty of interest to the story. The setting was good - Little Proud was an interesting village, with all sorts of fun quirks.  Unfortunately, Alice doesn’t actually start investigating until about 70% of the way through. Luckily I enjoyed reading about her settling in to her new home and sorting out the shop. And the mystery was interesting once it really got going. Overall, this was a fun introduction to a new series, with an interesting mystery. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: When Alice Carroll steps into Curiosity Cottage, a picture-perfect former bric-a-brac shop in the Cotswold Village of Little Pride, she thinks she’s found the perfect place to start the new phase of her l...

  Blurb: Homemade baubles, reindeer-shaped cookies and snowy walks across the rolling moors… but Lady Swift’s festive plans are ruined when a body turns up! Winter 1924.  When  Lady Eleanor Swift  unexpectedly finds herself a guest of the reclusive  Duke of Auldwyke , she’s determined to enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings at his sprawling manor house. And that includes kisses under the mistletoe and cozying up by the fire with her fiancé, dashing detective  Hugh Seldon . Instead, the season of goodwill turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s studious secretary,  Mr Porritt , dead in the storeroom. Clasped in his chilly hand is a golden pendant in the shape of a rose. The Duke denies ever having seen the necklace before. But Eleanor can see the lies in his eyes… Did it belong to his mysteriously absent wife? Hugh and Eleanor must ditch relaxing with hot cocoa in favour of interviewing the Duke’s holiday guests. Every suspect has a secret they’d kill to...

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: I’m a big fan of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries, so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of Murder on the Nile, the 19th book. Eleanor has taken her retinue (including the terrible two) to Egypt for a holiday, and naturally people start dying.  I loved reading this book. Eleanor and co feel like old friends now. I loved reading about them all having fun in Egypt, as well as about the mystery.  I loved the setting, Egypt is a favourite location since reading the Amelia Peabody series, so this book was extra fun for me.  The mystery was intriguing, and I had no clue who the culprit was in advance of the big reveal. I enjoyed trying to figure it out though. Overall, this was another fun and fascinating mystery in an excellent series. I recommend them all! I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Book Description: A cruise down the Nile, a camel ride around the pyramids, lunch in the shadow of the Sphinx… And a very dea...