Roberta Reads

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: I have been enjoying the Lady Eleanor Swift series since the very beginning, and Death at a Paris Hotel is no exception.  This time around, Eleanor, Hugh, Clifford, and Gladstone are in Paris celebrating. Naturally, people start dying, and our favourite characters start investigating! I really enjoyed the setting. The different areas of the city, and the Chateau, all had their different atmospheres. It was fun exploring so many places through the characters eyes. The mystery was most, well mysterious! It’s hard to say very much without any spoilers, but every time I thought I might have some idea what was going on, they found out something else that threw a new light on things.  As always, it was a joy to spend time with some of my favourite characters. I missed the ladies and Tomkins, of course, but I very much enjoyed spending lots of time with Eleanor, Hugh, and Clifford. And seeing them starting to function even better as a team. It was al...

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: The Miss Underhay Mysteries is one of my absolute favourite series, so I was thrilled to be invited to review the 20th book, Murder at the English Manor. Kitty and Matt are called in by Mrs Craven, who is worried about the disappearance of her maid’s sister.  I loved this book. There’s a fine collection of characters for Kitty and Matt to investigate, and things are not always as they seem. I had a lot of fun following along as they tried to figure out what has been going on. I liked the setting too. The rather dilapidated house, with its mausoleum and lake, was an excellent place for a murder mystery.  I can’t say too much more without spoilers, but the culprit was not who I expected, which is always a fun outcome. Overall, this was an excellent mystery, in a great setting, alongside characters who feel like old friends. What could be better? I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Book Description: A glamorous engagement cel...

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: I very much enjoyed Lydia Travers’ Scottish Ladies’ Detective Agency series, so I was thrilled to discover she had started a new series - the Lady Poppy Proudfoot series. I was not disappointed. This series is set in my favourite decade for cosy crime - the 1920s. The physical setting was also enjoyable - a country house party, though the first murder occurs before most of the guests arrive. I liked Poppy - she’s very confident and quite pushy, but is also kind. She’s determined to be useful, and does her best to be so.  There’s a good selection of characters who make good suspects, and I very much enjoyed seeing Poppy investigating them.  Overall, this was an excellent start to a new series, and I can’t wait to see what Poppy gets up to next. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Book Description: Move over, Inspector! Lady Poppy Proudfoot is here to solve her very first case. Scotland, 1924:  When  Lady Poppy Pro...