Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin

Murder by Candlelight is a light reading whodunnit in the golden age style of locked room whodunnits. It nostalgically reminds the reader of villages like St Mary Mead.

This cosy detective story with engaging characters and lots of gossip is set in the Cotswolds, England in the 1920s. 

Arbuthnot Swift (Arbie) is a young man who has recently published a best seller, The Gentleman's Guide to Ghost Hunting. Miss Amy Phelps, the wealthy owner of and old estate, The Forge, asks him to investigate a possible haunting in the house. When Miss Phelps is murdered Arbie and his friend Val are drawn into their own investigation. 

The mystery has plenty of red herrings, but all the clues are there to solve the murder.

Maybury-in-the-Marsh is the quaint village that forms the charming backdrop and setting the atmosphere with its gossipy and charming characters.

It is not just written in the style of Agatha Christie’s cosy who-dunnits but includes tongue in cheek references to the ‘Belgian chap’.

At first I was not keen on the main character, Arbie, he came across as self centred and lazy but I did warm to him. The vicar’s daughter, Val, is his long time school friend and off sider in the investigation was delightful and more likeable initially.

They are a perfect pairing with Val pushing him and constantly nagging him.

The dialogue was witty and in keeping with the era.

Murder by Candlelight is a light easy read. It is entertaining but I didn’t find it compelling reading. 

I’m not sure if it was written tongue in cheek to appear Victorian or not well written – either way it was still enjoyable.

Rating 3*

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing an early copy of Murder by Candlelight.

#MurderByCandlelight #NetGalley #harpercollins

No Gun Intended by Britt Malka

No Gun Intended by Britt Malka is a quick read cosy detective story with a touch of romance.

Jennifer has fallen and hurt her hand. She visits the new doctor. All is well until she discovers her bag missing and a murder mystery begins with Jennifer a possible suspect.

The setting of an idyllic seaside town is well portrayed but the writing is stilted. The scene in the waiting room is very drawn out.

The two main characters are likeable and well developed but we don’t get to know the other characters well enough.

The basic story is good but needs more mystery and the ending was rushed. It is short enough to include deeper moments.

The most frustrating part of reading the book was the constant typos. It desperately needs a good proofread for both technical errors and story.

My rating 2*

PAWsitive Vibes Dogs

PAWsitive Vibes Dogs by Kathleen J. Shields is a collection of motivational stories based on the habits and behaviours of dogs.

 

Here is an example:

 

Can You Dig?

Digging is an instinctual activity, written deep in a dog’s DNA. It is especially strong in terrier breeds. Dogs in natural packs will dig to hide food or to uncover food such as small rodents. A den dug in the cool earth can also provide shelter from the heat.

Dogs like to dig, even though my husband is not fond od of the holes in the lawn, the mud in their paws, or the flying dirt they kick our from underneath them flying onto the porch.

But sometimes, you just have to go for what is calling you and dig in. Can you dig it?

 

Kathleen J Shields loves dogs and had rescue dogs as part of her family. Her observations of their antics is the basis behind these inspirational one page stories.

 

I recommend the beautifully presented PAWsitive Vibes to any dog lover looking for positive reinforcements. Whether you sit and read it in one go or dedicate time to one or two stories a day you will get much from your reading.

 

My rating 5*

Snowball Unwrapped is a light romantic read set in a perfect Christmas backdrop.

There are earlier books about Snowball and her matchmaking. I haven’t read them but this one is certainly a standalone story.

 

Ilse is the host of a TV show called Home and Hearth that features cooking and craft segments. Her fiancé is double timing her, so she convinces her identical twin sister Jocelyn to stand in for her while she sorts her personal problems.

 

Not only do they have vastly different personalities, but Jocelyn also lacks the craft and culinary skills of Ilse.

 

The episodes are to be filmed in the grand Victorian building Weber Haus that has been converted to a up market B&B.

 

Ilse is always at odds with her male co-host, Ben, who she thinks is trying to take over the show. Whereas there is a romantic spark between Ben and Jocelyn. Snowball recognises the signs and sets out on her matchmaking endeavours.

Ilse’s career is on the line but will Jocelyn’s lack of talent and friendship with Ben completely destroy Ilse’s future.

Many amusing moments threaten to
expose the secret Jocelyn is trying to hide and foil Snowball’s
matchmaking between Jocelyn and Ben, all set in a picture-perfect winter
wonderland.

The story is so much fun it is easy to forget you are reading a romance novel. I loved the intrigue surrounding Jocelyn’s deception and the comical moments it produced.

 

Living in Australia we don’t get to experience the perfect white Christmas (or even a cold one) but we can dream. The Christmas themed setting with snow falling Christmas lights and holiday shopping is beautifully portrayed around the Victorian.

 

The story line moves along smoothly with no slow patches. The dialogue is believable. For the most it is told in the 3^rd person with a scattering of 1^st person paragraphs by Snowball.

 

Characters are relatable and well portrayed. The nice ones are fun and easy to like, and the nasty ones perfectly depicted.

 

Snowball, the resident cat is very sweet and makes you want to pick her up for a cuddle but be warned there is an evil look alike lurking.

I rarely read romance these days but love animal stories. It is a book I was happy to relax and ignore problems around me while being transported to a Christmassy winter wonderland. 

I loved the characters and the delightfully different storyline.

Highly recommended for romance readers.

Even though I’m not a great romance reader I’ll be keeping an eye open for books by this author.

My rating 4* as a light holiday read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the advance reader copy.

#netgalley #kensingtonpublishing