The Ian Hamilton Mysteries / Carole Lawrence
As a new century approaches, Edinburgh is a city divided. The wealthy residents of New Town live in comfort, while Old Town’s cobblestone streets are clotted with criminals, prostitution, and poverty.
Detective Inspector Ian Hamilton is no stranger to Edinburgh’s darkest crimes. Scarred by the mysterious fire that killed his parents, he faces his toughest case yet when a young man is found strangled in Holyrood Park.
With little evidence aside from a strange playing card found on the body, Hamilton engages the help of his aunt, a gifted photographer, and George Pearson, a librarian with a shared interest in the criminal mind. But the body count is rising. As newspapers spin tales of the “Holyrood Strangler,” panic sets in across the city. And with each victim, the murderer is getting closer to Hamilton, the one man who dares to stop him.
"The author paints a deliciously sensuous portrait of late 19th-century Edinburgh in this darkly atmospheric story peopled with vivid, quirky characters, from Ian’s spirited Aunt Lillian (a loving light in his life) to the story’s unfortunate victims and the ruthless killer always lurking just out of sight. One of the book’s many pleasures is accompanying the perpetrator as his murders unfold, all leading to the final dramatic scene between the 'Holyrood Strangler' and Ian, who is the ultimate prey. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this entertaining, beautifully written series. Highly recommended." — The Historical Novel Society
A wicked Scottish winter has just begun when pioneering female physician Sophia Jex-Blake calls on Detective Inspector Ian Hamilton to investigate the suspicious death of one of her patients — a railroad lineman savagely beaten in a church courtyard during a blackout.
The most provocative aspect of the case doesn’t escape Hamilton: the married victim’s numerous sexual transgressions.
Now, for the first time since the unexplained fire that killed his parents, Hamilton enters the Royal Infirmary to gain the insights of brilliant medical student Arthur Conan Doyle. Then a second poisoning occurs—this time, a prominent banker who died in the bed of a prostitute. It appears that someone is making Edinburgh’s more promiscuous citizens.
As the body count rises and public panic takes hold, Hamilton and Doyle delve into the seedy underbelly of the city, where nothing is as it seems, no one is immune to murder, and even trusted friends can be enemies in disguise.
Spiritualism has captured the public’s imagination. Séances are all the rage, and Detective Ian Hamilton’s otherwise sensible aunt Lillian is not immune to their allure. But for Ian, indulging her superstitions has its limits. When members of Lillian’s circle of séance friends begin turning up dead, Ian doesn’t need a medium to tell him these aren’t freak accidents.
With the help of his friend Arthur Conan Doyle, Ian investigates, and he is soon drawn into a dark world of believers and tricksters, and a puzzling series of murders with no pattern, no motive, and no end in sight.
Most alarming, the crimes conjure up the ghosts of Ian’s own past, including the mysterious deaths of his parents, which have haunted him for years. As two cases converge, science collides with the uncanny, and Ian must confront truths that are more disturbing than he could ever have imagined.
Jane Austen Society Mysteries / Elizabeth Blake
In a quaint English village, an antique bookstore proprietor uses her sense and sensibility to deduce who killed the president of the local Jane Austen Society
Erin Coleridge’s used bookstore in Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England is a meeting place for the villagers and, in particular, for the local Jane Austen Society. At the Society’s monthly meeting, matters come to a head between the old guard and its young turks. After the meeting breaks for tea, persuasion gives way to murder—with extreme prejudice—when President Sylvia Pemberthy falls dead to the floor.
Poisoned? Presumably . . . but by whom? And was Sylvia the only target?
Handsome—but shy—Detective Inspector Peter Hadley and charismatic Sergeant Rashid Jarral arrive at the scene. The long suspect list includes Sylvia’s lover Kurt Becker and his tightly wound wife Suzanne. Or, perhaps, the killer was Sylvia’s own cuckolded husband, Jerome. Among the many Society members who may have had her in their sights is dashing Jonathan Alder, who was heard having a royal battle of words with the late president the night before.
Then, when Jonathan Alder narrowly avoids becoming the next victim, Farnsworth (the town’s “cat lady”) persuades a seriously time-crunched Erin to help DI Hadley. But the killer is more devious than anyone imagines.
Bookstore owner Erin Coleridge seeks the scoundrel who silenced a conference's keynote speaker in Elizabeth Blake's second charming Jane Austen Society mystery.
When the quaint English town of York hosts a Jane Austen Society conference, bookseller Erin Coleridge is glad to get out of Kirkbymoorside for a while--until featured speaker Barry Wolf suddenly perishes from what appears to be a heart attack.
Erin is suspicious, since Barry had no history of heart disease. But who did him in? Was it the decedent's assistant, Stephen, who was observed chatting to Barry's young wife Luca earlier that night? Might it have been Barry's ex-wife Judith, who was seen arguing with her erstwhile betrothed at the bar? Meanwhile, conference co-chairs Hetty and Prudence have been at one another's throat since the conference. Is one of them the culprit?
Matters of the heart are putting Erin off her guard. Both Detective Inspector Peter Hemming and schoolteacher Jonathan Alder have made gestures of romantic interest, but Erin isn't sure who is her Willoughby and who is her Colonel Brandon. DI Hemming tries to persuade Erin that her entanglement in the murder investigation is far from sensible, but his entreaties come to naught. Dauntlessly, Erin joins forces with Kirkbymoorside's cat lady, Farnsworth, to ferret out the guilty party.
Praise for Death and Sensibility:
“Christie-style plot . . . A good time.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“An ingenious plot and an appealing setting . . . Jane Austen fans will look forward to seeing more of Erin and friends.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Enjoyable . . . solid mystery.”
—Gumshoe Review
Praise for Pride, Prejudice, and Poison:
"[A] winning series launch from Blake...The village is rife with scandals and secrets, as well as both shocking and delightful romances."
—Publishers Weekly
“Wickedly devious...highly recommended for mystery connoisseurs.”
—Midwest Book Review
“With a perfect English setting and characters who leap off the page, Elizabeth Blake’s Pride, Prejudice, and Poison is one of the most delightful and bookish books I’ve ever read. Don’t miss this debut.”
—Paige Shelton, New York Times bestselling author of the Scottish Bookshop mysteries
“Utterly charming, and as cozy as a cup of tea by a crackling fire. A must read for Jane Austen fans—and anybody else who enjoys a witty, well-crafted mystery. I loved it!”
—Laura Levine, author of the Jaine Austen mysteries
"Elizabeth Blake hits the ground running with this new series...A fast read with believable characters and good pacing. If you are a Jane Austen fan, you will love this book."
—MyShelf
"For Austen fans, the liberal scattering of Austen quotes and references will delight."
—Booklist
Pride, Prejudice and Poison is a fantastic, fun read that introduces the reader to Erin and a host of other characters….most of whom are suspects in Sylvia’s murder. I loved it!
- Mike Pihlman, TracyReaderDad: Book Reviews
The Claire Rawlings Mysteries / Carole Buggé
Who Killed Blanche DuBois? New York mystery editor Claire Rawlings spends her days scrutinizing the motives and methods of fictitious criminals, and her precocious thirteen-year-old friend Meredith Lawrence has a keen eye for the facts of crime. So, when she comes to New York to visit, the two mystery buffs work together to sleuth the truth about a real-life murder.
When Claire's star author, the ferociously flirtatious Blanche Dubois, is found dead after eating a poisoned apple, there's no shortage of suspects. Many who knew her were jealous of her success–and just as many were put off by her haughty, demanding demeanor.
"Who Killed Blanche Dubois" is an absolutely delightful and wonderfully clued story ... captures the reader's imagination."
-- Romantic Times
"Amateur sleuths may come and go. But few will remain as memorable as New York mystery editor Claire Rawlings and her precocious protégé, thirteen-year-old Meredith Lawrence . . . WHO KILLED BLANCHE DUBOIS is the work of a seasoned professional, and it shows."
- Remember the Alibi
"Bugge fills this duo's debut with exquisite plotting, sure to keep the reader engshadows of past wrongs. After reading WHO KILLED BLANCHE DUBOIS?, only one question remains: where's the next one?aged from first page to last. Her characters are so real that the readers worries for their innocence and their moxie. This one is pure entertainment at its best for it dazzles the senses while making the reader consider the long " - Geraldine Galentree, Web Review
“A thinking person’s mystery . . . highly readable . . . the creation of one of the most interesting amateur sleuths in recent history.”
- Ohioana Literary Quarterly
Who Killed Dorian Gray? "While teaching writing at an artist's colony, mystery editor Claire Rawlings gets some bad vibes from the writers there. It only gets worse when she finds the colony's resident beauty — dead in the bathtub.
“Entertaining . . . the Woodstock setting has been captured very well . . . interesting and complex . . . Claire and Meredith will be an interesting pair to watch as their relationship changes and they both settle into their new lives.”
- Jennifer Winberry, The Mystery Reader
“Her crisp writing style and ear for dialogue . . her prose delights . . . highly readable . . . Meredith is a delightful concoction of youth, savy, ego and inexperience; she liberally quotes Einstein and Hawking while emoting through cartwheels.” - Ohioana Quarterly
“Bugge has got a hot mystery series on her hands. The plot in WHO KILLED DORIAN GRAY is cunning. She knows how to spin a web and to ensnare the reader’s attention. I enjoyed the characters - especially Meredith. Quick chapters and enjoyable dialogue make the book move at a perfect pace for a leisurely read.” - Phillip Tomasso III, Charlotte Austin Review
Who Killed Mona Lisa? Claire's editor-in-chief tells her to visit a cozy New England inn to spend Thanksgiving weekend with her new boyfriend, Wally Jackson, and young Meredith tags along. Work delays Wally, and a surprise snowstorm forces Claire and Meredith to entertain themselves inside.
They find a pile of old letters addressed to the Secret Drawer Society--a Wayside Inn tradition. For years, anonymous guests scribble their deepest secrets for others to read. Bodies start turning up and dead letters become clues to the inn's dark past–and darker present.
"Who Killed Mona Lisa?" is the latest offering from Carole Bugge, and it is no less satisfying than her previous two books, "Who Killed Blanche DuBois?" and "Who Killed Dorian Gray?" This time, Claire and Meredith are visiting an historic New England inn for Thanksgiving when a storm leaves them stranded. And if that's not bad enough, there's a murder. And then another death... Filled with suspense and excellent plotting, this book is definitely a worthy addition to an already enjoyable series. - Mary Poppins Reviews
Who Killed Mona Lisa? is a fast-paced, light-hearted read that is reminiscent of a traditional closed room mystery, where all the suspects are present and accounted for. The inn makes a wonderful setting and the Secret Drawer Society adds an extra charming touch. Meredith and Claire are developing into a formidable duo. . . . the clues are well laid out. The history of the inn and town add to the overall atmosphere of the mystery. One of the stronger additions in this fledgling series will have readers eagerly waiting for the next Claire and Meredith outing.
- Jennifer Morahan, The Mystery Reader
“There are enough suspects to keep you guessing in this charming whodunit,
but it is the wonderfully alive characters which set this mystery apart. Claire, the editor who is starting to question everything in her life, and Meredith the incredibly annoying, yet somehow endearing, child is extremely well-done. New York and its environs make an excellent setting
for the mystery, and even if you figure out who the murderer is it won't make a bit of difference; this would be an inventive and entertaining tale even if there were no mystery at all.
- Writers Write, Inc.
What can I say about Claire Rawlings? I love her! She's an amateur sleuth after my heart. With Claire's dry wit, faithful teenage sidekick, Meredith, and handsome boyfriend, Wally, Who Killed Mona Lisa? delivers the whole kit and caboodle. Humor, romance, quirky characters, and the ever-popular remote setting for murder.
Who Killed Mona Lisa? will appeal to Agatha Christie and Sue Grafton fans alike. Carole Bugge manages to cover such a broad spectrum of tastes with her writing, blending them effortlessly into a fast paced, addictive mystery. You won't be able to put it down until you've figured out exactly who did kill Mona Lisa!
- Ali Seay, Mystery Reviews
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes / Carole Buggé
Holmes and Watson find themselves caught up in a complex chess board of a problem, involving a clandestine love affair and the disappearance of a priceless sapphire.
Professor James Moriarty is back to tease and torment, leading the duo on a chase through the dark and dangerous back streets of London and beyond.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless creation returns in a new series of handsomely designed detective stories. The Further Adventures series encapsulates the most varied and thrilling cases of the worlds’ greatest detective.
"First novelist Bugge captures the essence of Holmes as well as the spirit of the time. For all Sherlock fans." - Library Journal
"Lately, there seems to be several writers resurrecting the legendary literary figure, but this is certainly one of the best and most interesting."
-- Chattanooga Times
"The humor, the clever plotting, and the infectious love for the canon, along with a refreshing absence of gimmicks, permit this entertaining first novel to be highly recommended." - Ellery Queen Magazine
"Watson, do you believe in ghosts?"
With this question, Sherlock Holmes shatters the calm of a quiet evening in their London flat and, with Dr. John Watson at his side, embarks upon a particularly strange case. Holmes has received a request for aid from Lord Charles Cary, whose family is seemingly being threatened by ghosts in and around the family manor.
The manor is Torre Abbey, a twelfth-century monastery in Torquay, Devon, and it has a long history of hauntings. While skeptical of the supernatural, Holmes does believe that the Cary family is in danger-a belief which proves to be horrifyingly accurate when, shortly after they arrive at Torre Abbey, a household member dies suddenly, mysteriously, and seemingly of fright. As strange sightings and threatening apparitions become almost commonplace, Holmes must uncover the secrets of the haunted abbey and the family that lives there if he is to have any hope of protecting the living and avenging the dead.
In a case that taxes his wits, and seems beyond the reach of his usual methods, Holmes must grapple with his most deadly and unforgiving foe.
"Lovers of the Holmes canon will feel they've unearthed a treasure, so successfully is Doyle's style and atmosphere reproduced in this constantly absorbing story. First-class work." -- Starred Kirkus Review
“There have been many reincarnations of Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson, but most have been rather disappointing. I’m glad to say that this is not the case in The Haunting of Torre Abbey. Bugge has skillfully caught the personalities of Holmes and Watson. Although there are differences with Conan Doyle’s presentation of the famous detective, this did not distract from the entertaining storyline and the delightful opportunity to revisit my favorite detective. A nostalgic and delightful trip back to 221B Baker Street and the evils that swirl in the mists of Victorian England.”
- Nancy Mehl, Charlotte Austin Review
“A credit to the string of Sherlock Holmes mysteries . . . vintage Holmes . . . a fun read for people who enjoy mysteries that don’t rely on excessive blood and violence.” - Ken Sullivan, Cedar Rapids Gazette