Roberta Reads

  Review - 4 out of 5 stars: I’ve loved the Miss Underhay Mysteries series since the very first book (Murder at the Dolphin Hotel), so I was excited to read Murder on the French Riviera, the 16th book. This time, Kitty and Matt are on holiday in France, and so they don’t have their usual assistants and friends to back them up. I enjoyed seeing them work together in difficult circumstances. The mystery itself was intriguing, with plenty of suspicious characters to keep me guessing.  Overall, this was an intriguing mystery, with favourite characters. What more could you want? I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Book Description: A grand old hotel, fresh coffee on the balcony, a perfect view of the sparkling ocean and… surely not another murder? Thank heavens Kitty Underhay is on the case! Late spring, 1936. As Kitty Underhay steps onto the sun-drenched station platform in Nice, on orders from Whitehall to track down a missing man, she hopes there will still ...

  Review - 3.5 out of 5 stars: I love cozy crime, so I’m always excited to try a new author. I found it took me a little while to get into this book, all the different characters were a bit confusing to start with. However, once I’d finally got these established in my brain, I got involved in the story. I suspect my difficulty was down to my brain fog! The mystery itself is very interesting, and our amateur detectives solve it pretty much entirely without police assistance (or interference!). I didn’t guess who the murderer was until quite near the end. The cast of characters is different to any other cozy crime I’ve read, and I found Juno’s wild theories particularly entertaining. I didn’t really click with any of the main characters, but I did enjoy the emerging friendship between Phoebe and Juno. Overall, this was an interesting mystery with an unusual cast of characters.  I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: Welcome to the beautiful English villa...

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a big fan of Sarah Morgan’s books for many years now. So I couldn’t wait to dig in to The Summer Swap. This book was simply a joy to read. I loved all the characters, especially Lily and Cecilia. I particularly loved the relationship that grew between those two. I loved the romances too, and that people at different stages of relationships. I enjoyed watching people working out what they want, and learning to communicate better. The setting was lovely, I felt right at home in the cottage by the sea. I loved the theme of art too. Overall, this was a wonderful and heartwarming read. I highly recommend it. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

  I have greatly enjoyed all the books in this series so far, and I greatly enjoyed Death in the Crypt too. In this book, Cressida, Dot, Alfred, and of course Ruby, are in Winchester visiting Cressida’s aunt. Naturally, they very soon stumble upon a dead body.  I really enjoyed the fact that this mystery centres around Winchester Cathedral, which I’ve visited lots of times (though mostly the outside). I found the plot intriguing, to start with it just seemed like a collection of mismatched incidents, and I had a lot of fun putting it together alongside Cressida and her friends. Overall, this was a fun and intriguing mystery, with characters who feel like friends. I recommend the whole series to anyone who likes historical cozy crime. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

The Cottage on Strawberry Sands by Holly Martin My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been a big Holly Martin fan for many years now, so it’s always a happy moment to get absorbed in one of her books. The Cottage on Strawberry Sands was no exception. I loved this book, and once I’d picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. I love the setting of Apple Hill Bay, and the cast of characters that live there. I loved reading about the animal rescue centre, Little Paws, and the work they do. I also loved Pet Protagonist (can’t say any more about that because of spoilers). I loved the main characters in this book. Roo and Theo are both lovable, caring people, in spite of their pasts. I loved seeing how they got reacquainted and overcame the hurdles in their lives. If you’re looking for a warm hearted and fun romance, that is a joy to read, pick this one. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

  I’ve loved the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries since the very first book, A Very English Murder, came out. A Death in Venice was no exception. This time, Eleanor, Clifford, and their animal and human entourage are in Venice. It’s not long before Eleanor gets wrapped up in a mystery! I loved reading this book, the plot is intriguing, and I enjoyed watching Eleanor try and figure it out, especially as there didn’t seem to be much in the way of motive to start with. The setting was excellent, and really different to anything we’ve seen Eleanor and Co tackle before. The colourfulness and unusual landscape of Venice really came through. It felt like the ideal setting for the intrigue of this particular story. Overall, this was an intriguing and exciting mystery, in a unique setting. I can’t wait to see what Eleanor and her friends get up to next. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: Stunning views across the Grand Canal and a hotel suite fit for royalty… Lady E...