I’ve recently finished another wonderful historical mystery by Maureen Jennings, Poor Tom is Cold. In this third installment, Detective Murdoch is back to solve the murder of a fellow officer. You can read more of my thoughts here.
You know I’m a big fan of historical mysteries and in particular those set in Victorian times, and lately it seems like there are so many new ones being published. I don’t mind of course, just more for my list.
Two I’ve recently added are The Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldtone and The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte by Laura Joh Rowland. Isabel just sent me some pretty postcards announcing the Rowland book (thank you girl!). I’ve enjoyed Rowland’s Ichiro mysteries so I have high hopes for this one.
In the meantime I have started a new historical, The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes. A novel which begins with this:
“Be warned. This book has no literary merit whatsoever. It is a lurid piece of nonsense, convoluted, implausible, peopled by unconvincing characters, written in drearily pedestrian prose, frequently ridiculous and wilfully bizarre. Needless to say, I doubt you’ll believe a word of it.”
I’m not very far into the story yet but it does have a good dose of creepiness to it.
And, if you are like me and can’t get enough of these books check out The Historical Mystery site. It has a section specifically for Victorian mysteries. And, of course there’s the Lincoln City Libraries Murder by Gaslight site. I’m going to be having a lot of fun checking those out.
Read your review of Poor Tom Is Cold and think I need to add this series to my list. I also like the sound of The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte, and Rowland’s Ichiro mysteries look good, too!
jennings is a wonderful author. not sure if it is being shown in the states but we have been watching The Murdoch Mysteries on thursday nights and it is excellent. I even think bits of it are filmed here in Toronto where it is set!!!
I have sooo many books on my stacks, so let me know how the Rowland book is. It’s getting rave reviews.
For your mystery club, do you recommend books once a year or every few months? I think that once it’s in paperback, Rowland’s book would be great.
There’s something creative about trying to solve murders without the technology that exists today.
I’m interested in hearing about the Rowland book–sounds great. Let me know what you think!
I’m really going to have to try Maureen Jennings series soon. And thanks, I think, for those historical mystery links. I had to stop looking though as I fear they may be very bad news for my wishlist.
I would like to read the Maureen Jennings series as well. It sounds like something I’d really like. Thank you so much for the links!
jenclair – The Murdoch series is one of my favorite historicals. I do highly recommend it. And, for something very different I think the Ichiro mysteries are great.
Heather T. – I am pretty sure it was you who recommended the Jennings books to me! Thank you so much!! I love ’em. Unfortunately we don’t get the tv series here. Or at least I haven’t heard of it. Darn.
Isabel – I would love to read it but may not be getting to it for a while either. For mystery group we recommend books every couple of months. Our group has to be pushed into trying historicals or foreign settings though. I’m always voting for those type of books 🙂
Gentle Reader – When I get to it, you bet I’ll keep you posted! 🙂
tanabata – It’s such a good series. I like that she doesn’t romanticize the time period either. I know, I’ve been spending too much time looking at all those lists and adding more to mine! ha,ha.
Literary Feline – Enjoy the links and keep us posted if you find a good mystery series.
Iliana, I rarely read historical mysteries but after reading your review about Maureen Jennings’ book makes me want to read it. And thank you for the links.
Melody – I’ve read three of the books so far and they’ve been good. I think the character is really showing more depth and there’s more to the story than just the mystery. So hope you’ll add it to your wish list 🙂
I stopped by the bookstore last night and looked for a mystery by Maureen Jennings but they didn’t have any. I may have to order one (or stop by the Mystery Bookstore in town, though that could be dangerous!). I have The Somnambulist from the library, but I have a feeling I’ll have to get back in line for it as I can’t renew it. I wish I could read faster, but I just can’t start anymore new books right now! 🙂 Thanks for those links–I’m off to check them out!
The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte sounds interesting….
You wrote:
And, of course there’s the Lincoln City Libraries Murder by Gaslight site. I’m going to be having a lot of fun checking those out.
And I thought, hey, I wonder what Lincoln City she’s referring to. I clicked on the link and about fell off my chair! It’s MY Lincoln (Nebraska)! How did you ever stumble on this??? Great site, by the way. I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
Danielle – I could never find any of the Jennings books at my local bookstores so I had to order them. The Somnambulist is good so far but I had to put it away to read at night. Didn’t want any creepy stuff messing with my dreams! ha,ha….
Christine – Doesn’t that sound kinda cool? I’ll have to see.
Les in NE – I can’t even remember how I found it but I love that site! I’m addicted. I keep going back to check for more authors. When you go to your library tell ’em a bookgirl in Texas thinks they are awesome 🙂