Do you remember this one? It is pure musical happiness for me.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Music Monday - "Lovely Day" by Bill Withers (1977)
Do you remember this one? It is pure musical happiness for me.
Book Review and Giveaway: A Gilded Grave by Shelley Freydont
First in Series
Cozy Mystery
Series: NEWPORT GILDED AGE
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Berkley (August 4, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425275849
Synopsis:
In 1895, the height of the Gilded Age,
the social elite spend their summers in Newport, Rhode Island. Within
the walls of their fabulous “cottages,” competition for superiority is
ruthless … and so are the players.
During her first Newport season, Deanna
Randolph attends a ball given in honor of Lord David Manchester, a
Barbadian sugar magnate, and his sister, Madeline. The Manchesters are
an immediate success—along with their exotic manservant and his
fortune-telling talents.
But on the nearby cliffs, a young maid
lies dead—and suspicion falls on Joseph Ballard, a member of one of the
town’s most prestigious families.
Joe humiliated Deanna when he rebuffed
an engagement to her, but while he may be a cad, she knows he isn’t a
killer. Now the reluctant allies must navigate a world of parties,
tennis matches, and séances to find the real murderer. But a misstep
among the glittering upper classes could leave them exposed to something
far more dangerous than malicious gossip…
My Review:
I love historical mysteries and am fascinated by the Gilded Age, so of course I enjoyed A Gilded Grave.
Deanna is a strong, intelligent protagonist who determines to solve the mystery of a servant's death in a time where such independent behavior was not expected (or desired) for women. I like her camaraderie with her maid, Elspeth. I also like Joe, her former romantic interest. Although he is from a very moneyed background, he wants more and starts a shop to work on mechanical inventions (like a machine to bag sugar). I especially enjoyed all scenes including both Deanna and Joe.
This mystery is rich in historical details and nuances. We glimpse the life "downstairs" of Elspeth and the late Daisy. The scene where Elspeth and Deanna go to Daisy's small room to pack her meager belongings is moving. We see the police automatically pursue a working class man as the suspect in Daisy's tragic death because they cannot consider a man with an upper class background as a suspect. We see Deanna and Elspeth reading "penny novels" about lady detectives that pique their interest in mystery. We see Deanna longing to play tennis at a party, but having to watch instead because she is a woman.
A Gilded Grave is such an intelligent, well written mystery. There are wonderful characterizations in this book, with lively dialogue. I felt I really got to know these characters through the novel.
I hope this is the first book in a series, because I want to read more! I enthusiastically recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, historical mysteries, and anyone interested in the Gilded Age.
I love historical mysteries and am fascinated by the Gilded Age, so of course I enjoyed A Gilded Grave.
Deanna is a strong, intelligent protagonist who determines to solve the mystery of a servant's death in a time where such independent behavior was not expected (or desired) for women. I like her camaraderie with her maid, Elspeth. I also like Joe, her former romantic interest. Although he is from a very moneyed background, he wants more and starts a shop to work on mechanical inventions (like a machine to bag sugar). I especially enjoyed all scenes including both Deanna and Joe.
This mystery is rich in historical details and nuances. We glimpse the life "downstairs" of Elspeth and the late Daisy. The scene where Elspeth and Deanna go to Daisy's small room to pack her meager belongings is moving. We see the police automatically pursue a working class man as the suspect in Daisy's tragic death because they cannot consider a man with an upper class background as a suspect. We see Deanna and Elspeth reading "penny novels" about lady detectives that pique their interest in mystery. We see Deanna longing to play tennis at a party, but having to watch instead because she is a woman.
A Gilded Grave is such an intelligent, well written mystery. There are wonderful characterizations in this book, with lively dialogue. I felt I really got to know these characters through the novel.
I hope this is the first book in a series, because I want to read more! I enthusiastically recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, historical mysteries, and anyone interested in the Gilded Age.
Shelley Freydont is the author of the Liv Montgomery Celebration Bay Mysteries, Foul Play at the Fair
, Silent Knife
, Independence Slay
as well as the Kate MacDonald Sudoku Mysteries and the Lindy Haggerty
dance company mysteries, and the upcoming Newport Gilded Age Mysteries,
beginning with A Gilded Grave 
(6/15)
, Silent Knife, Independence Slay
as well as the Kate MacDonald Sudoku Mysteries and the Lindy Haggerty
dance company mysteries, and the upcoming Newport Gilded Age Mysteries,
beginning with A Gilded Grave (6/15)
As Shelley Noble, she is the NYTimes Best selling author of women’s fiction (Beach Colors
, Stargazey Point
, Breakwater Bay, and Whisper Beach
as well as several novellas. A former professional dancer and
choreographer, Shelley lives at the Jersey shore and loves puzzles,
light houses and antique carousels. She also loves to hear from readers.
, Stargazey Point, Breakwater Bay, and Whisper Beach
as well as several novellas. A former professional dancer and
choreographer, Shelley lives at the Jersey shore and loves puzzles,
light houses and antique carousels. She also loves to hear from readers.Author Links
Website www.shelleyfreydont.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ShelleyFreydont
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Freydont/e/B001HCUVP4
Twitter – https://twitter.com/ShelleyFreydont
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Cover Reveal and Giveaway - Never Been Texted by Linda Joy Singleton
Title: Never Been Texted
Author: Linda Joy Singleton
Publisher: Leap Books
Release Date: August 31, 2015
When Ashlee’s stepdad completely forgets her birthday she takes matters
into her own hands to get the one thing she really wants: her own cell
phone. But text messages start rolling in from a broken-hearted boy, and
though Ashlee knows not all stories end happily, she’s determined to make hers
the best it can be.
Author Bio:
Linda Joy Singleton has published over 35 YA & MG books about Goths,
psychics, mermaids, aliens, cheerleaders, clones, parallel worlds, spies,
dogs and ghosts. Her YA series, REGENERATION, THE SEER and DEAD
GIRL, were honored as YALSA Popular Paperback/Quick Picks. Her series for
younger readers includes, STRANGE ENCOUNTERS and 2015 release, CURIOUS
CAT SPY Club.
When she was 8, she wrote animal stories and by age 14 she was writing
mystery novels. In 1986, she had the unique experience of
co-writing a mystery, THE TALKING SNOWMAN, with her favorite childhood
author, Margaret Sutton (Judy Bolton mysteries). Her goal was to have a
mystery series of her own that that happened in 1994: MY SISTER THE GHOST series/Avon
Camelot Books. Recently she’s crossed genres to publish her first picture
book, SNOW DOG, SAND DOG (Albert
Whitman 2014).
When Linda isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, movies, country walks,
camping, bowling and reality shows (she’s never missed a season of Survivor,
Amazing Race or Big Brother). She also collects vintage girl series mysteries
like Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton and Trixie Belden and in 2014 spoke at a Nancy
Drew convention. She’s a longtime member of Sisters in Crime and SCBWI, and
enjoys speaking at school, libraries and writing conferences.
She lives with her husband, David, in Northern
California, in a country home where she’s surrounded by horses,
peacocks, dogs, wild turkeys and demanding cats. Follow Linda on her website, Twitter, and Facebook.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Never Been Texted
by Linda Joy Singleton
Giveaway ends August 31, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)