Harriet ‘Harry’ White continues her work replying to Sherlock Holmes’ correspondence. Mostly she sends a polite letter to decline further involvement but the arrival of a telegram sparks the whole bank’s interest. A writer is suffering from bizarre symptoms, possibly driven mad by a curse…
The Cursed Writer is the second book in The Baker Street Mysteries. I have previously read and reviewed the first book The Missing Maid. There is enough information to catch up on Harry’s situation and no spoilers about the criminal plot although some personal plot strands do lead on from those in the initial story.
This book has the feel of The Hound of the Baskervilles, as confirmed in the author’s note at the end. The desolate fens and the fears of the supernatural are effectively evoked. Plus the book features a large dog!
The style of writing is easy to read and I liked the twists of Harry’s investigation. There is a classical feel to the plot and I was kept guessing. I like the personality of Harry; she is a fab lead character full of compassion and gumption. Her caring side comes through clearly in this book as she sees the adversity faced by others. There are also lighthearted moments and the overall tone of the book is warm.
The Cursed Writer is an enjoyable historical cosy mystery.
The Cursed Writer
Harriet White is no stranger to odd correspondence. Ensconced in the basement of the Baker Street building society, her job is to reply to the mail they receive on behalf of Sherlock Holmes.
But while letters to the fictional sleuth may be plentiful, telegrams are rare, and so when she receives one describing the grave situation of celebrated author Philip St John, her interest is piqued. The writer describes St John as being consumed by terror, seeing ghostly apparitions on the fens, and only at ease in the company of his loyal wolfhound.
Before long, Harry finds herself in Cambridgeshire under the guise of being Holmes’ assistant. The residents of Thurmwell Manor believe their master is cursed. Harry is sure there must be a logical explanation, but inside the echoey halls of the grand gothic house, her confidence in science and reason begin to crumble…
Can Harry solve the mystery before the fens claim their next victim?
Join Harriet White in 1930’s London for another glorious Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery, for fans of Nita Prose and Janice Hallett.
Holly Hepburn writes escapist, swoonsome fiction that sweeps her readers into idyllic locations, from her native Cornwall to the windswept beauty of Orkney. She has turned her hand to cosy crime inspired by Sherlock Holmes himself. Holly lives in leafy Hertfordshire with her adorable partner in crime, Luna the Labrador.
A figure skater is found dead in her dressing room after a gala. Detective Amanda Steele was in the audience so is first on the scene. The deceased is the niece of a friend which gives an extra incentive for them to catch the killer. A handwritten message shows the murder was personal…
Her Deadly Rose is the 12th book in the Detective Amanda Steele series of crime thrillers set in America. There are no spoilers about previous cases but Amanda’s personal life and relationships have developed over the series.
Michaela Glover was a skater with a bright future. But that is abruptly ended when she is killed backstage with a cunning killer using her peanut allergy to murder her. Amanda and her partner Trent begin to look for motive and face a variety of suspects.
Amanda has issues in her private life to contend with as well as the murder investigation. She has a romantic tension with her partner while her boyfriend is talking about wanting a baby. Meanwhile the trauma of her past and that of her adopted daughter are also prominent in her mind.
The book begins with a prologue from the killer’s perspective so we are instantly drawn into the narrative. The style of writing is easy to read and the chapters are reasonably short to push the plot and the investigation onwards. I was kept guessing as so many characters seemed to have a potential grudge and have to be eliminated through tireless and dedicated police work.
Her Deadly Rose is an enjoyable crime thriller with a strong female lead.
The girl’s lifeless body lies next to a scattered bouquet of crimson roses, the petals around her head like tiny pools of blood. Gripped in her hand is the note that came with the flowers, sent by someone who wanted her dead.
When champion figure skater Michaela Glover returns to her hometown of Woodbridge for a special performance, Detective Amanda Steele is part of the cheering crowds. But when Michaela is discovered dead in her dressing room after the show, Amanda is the first to investigate the shocking scene.
There is no sign of foul play, and the room is overflowing with flowers from Michaela’s adoring fans. But Amanda’s heart stops at the sight of a few roses tied with black ribbon and a note that reads “You’ll be sorry”. And when forensic tests reveal the ribbon was laced in something Michaela was deathly allergic to, Amanda is certain this is cold-blooded murder.
Desperate for a lead, Amanda dives into Michaela’s life to find out who could possibly want this sweet girl dead. She soon discovers that despite having a glittering future ahead of her, Michaela had a troubled past, and was surrounded by people jealous of her success.
When someone close to Michaela is discovered brutally murdered, Amanda is terrified there could be yet more innocent victims to follow. Can she uncover the twisted killer’s identity before they strike again?
A completely gripping crime thriller that will have you racing through the pages! Perfect for fans of Angela Marsons, Robert Dugoni and Rachel Caine.
Author Bio
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CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has many published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy mysteries, police procedurals, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
The dogs are never knowingly helpful! Simple chores become much tougher when they get involved! As you can see, I started folding the towels and Chas climbed on. I started another pile and Wurzel joined in. Wurzel has also run off with the washing ball, pegs and socks this week.
Have you seen the new maths and music lessons on Duolingo? I find the maths quite tricky due to the way it subitises but the music course is fab (except for the timing which I struggle with). I have been able to read sheet music since I learned the recorder at infant school so I think it is fab for teaching the notes for beginners like Zach.
Lale is a Slovakian Jew. He hands himself in for deportation when his government collaborates with the Nazi regime. He is sent to Auschwitz where his skills and knowledge offer him a degree of protection. Lale is moved to the relative safety of the gypsy camp and is responsible for tattooing every new arrival. One woman catches his eye and love blossoms in the most terrifying place imaginable…
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a fictional account of the true war experiences of Lale. There has been some controversy about alleged errors but I think this book brings the camp to life and it is clearly fiction and not intended as a factual account.
I have read several books set in Auschwitz as well as non fiction books. Most of the fiction centres upon women and their experiences so I enjoyed reading about a man’s perspective especially as he worked with the author to give his account.
Hope and horror intermingle as the plot unfolds. Luck plays a huge role in Lale’s story as does the determination to survive at any cost. Love gives him a purpose but he also relies on the kindness of others and not getting caught doing dangerous transactions to secure better conditions for himself and his friends.
The book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of the camp. A certain amount of detachment is required by the characters to survive the trauma of their experiences. This translates into a simple narrative style to focus on events rather than emotion.
The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a gripping story, made more poignant by its basis on real life events.
Book blurb
In April 1942, Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, is forcibly transported to the concentration camps at Auschwitz-Birkenau. When his captors discover that he speaks several languages, he is put to work as a Tätowierer (the German word for tattooist), tasked with permanently marking his fellow prisoners.
Imprisoned for more than two and a half years, Lale witnesses horrific atrocities and barbarism—but also incredible acts of bravery and compassion. Risking his own life, he uses his privileged position to exchange jewels and money from murdered Jews for food to keep his fellow prisoners alive.
One day in July 1942, Lale, prisoner 32407, comforts a trembling young woman waiting in line to have the number 34902 tattooed onto her arm. Her name is Gita, and in that first encounter, Lale vows to somehow survive the camp and marry her.
A vivid, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful re-creation of Lale Sokolov’s experiences as the man who tattooed the arms of thousands of prisoners with what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is also a testament to the endurance of love and humanity under the darkest possible condition
Martha is a TV celebrity and her latest project is a programme investigating the disappearance of her teenage best friend Juliet almost 20 years ago. She makes contact with the third friend in their trio, Liv to help her solve the mystery. But Liv never gets her messages as they are intercepted by a lonely woman Casey…
Beautiful Liars is a psychological and mystery thriller set in the UK.
Juliet vanished and days later a local man David Crown disappeared too. The police decided that the pair had run away together or that David had killed her and gone on the run. Now her former best friend Martha wants to do a show about Juliet’s disappeance and find out if David was connected. She tries to get in touch with the third friend Liv but she doesn’t know that Liv moved house and her post is read by the new occupant Casey.
The book is narrated by Martha and Casey. Martha’s parts of the story drive the plot forwards as she investigates. Poor Casey, I felt just so sorry for her and her unhappy life. She is lonely and has mental instability, medical and weight issues. She believes she has an opportunity to make friends and help Martha but this delusion makes the investigation harder.
At times, I thought the pace was a little slow, then pow! There are some great twists that were completely unexpected. Both Martha and Casey are haunted by the past and their secrets are gradually revealed over the course of the book. There is plenty of emotion surrounding serious topics of alcoholism and eating disorders. I thought that the tension was maintained well and I was kept guessing until the end.
Beautiful Liars is an intriguing mystery with strong emotional and psychological elements.
Book blurb
Eighteen years ago Martha said goodbye to best friend Juliet on a moonlit London towpath.
The next morning Juliet’s bike was found abandoned at the waterside.
She was never seen again.
Nearly two decades later Martha is a TV celebrity, preparing to host a new crime show… and the first case will be that of missing student Juliet Sherman. After all these years Martha must reach out to old friends and try to piece together the final moments of Juliet’s life.
But what happens when your perfect friends turn out to be perfect strangers…?
