Murder on the Golden Arrow by Magda Alexander

 I was sent this book as an ARC and just finished it. (Yes, after the publication date. 😞) I really liked it.

About: "England. 1923. After a year away at finishing school where she learned etiquette, deportment, and the difference between a salad fork and a fish one, Kitty Worthington is eager to return home. But minutes after she and her brother Ned board the "Golden Arrow," the unthinkable happens. A woman with a mysterious connection to her brother is poisoned, and the murderer can only be someone aboard the train.

When Scotland Yard hones in on Ned as the main suspect, Kitty sets out to investigate. Not an easy thing to do while juggling the demands of her debut season and a mother intent on finding a suitable, aristocratic husband for her.

With the aid of her maid, two noble beaus, and a flatulent Basset Hound named Sir Winston, Kitty treads a fearless path through the glamorous world of high society and London’s dark underbelly alike to find the murderer. For if she fails, the insufferable Inspector Crawford will most surely hang a noose around her brother’s neck.

A frolicking historical cozy mystery filled with dodgy suspects, a dastardly villain, and an intrepid heroine sure to win your heart, Murder on the Golden Arrow is the first book in The Kitty Worthington Mysteries. For lovers of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey alike."

I would add for lovers of Scarlett and the Duke which was on PBS earlier this year. 

I thought it was very well written, grabbing my interest right away. The author does a great job of taking us through the solving of the mystery, sharing bits and pieces as it all escalates towards the end. Besides a great story, I like the historical aspects; describing Kitty going to finishing school, what is now expected of her, being presented to society, obtaining the right wardrobe, who may be an appropriate husband (after all that is what finishing school is for isn't it?), the dinners, the parties...I have always been interested in that time period, reading what life was like. This is a good look into London high society in 1923.

The second book in the series, Murder at Westminster, is coming out June 3, 2022. I was ready to read it. Will have to wait.

About the author: 

"Magda Alexander is the USA Today bestselling author of several books, including the popular STORM DAMAGES series. She's equally at home writing historical mysteries and sexy contemporary romances. When she's not glued to her laptop writing her next book, Magda loves to bake and try out new recipes in her Instant Pot. A lifelong learner, Magda earned her degree from the University of Maryland and now resides in a Maryland city whose history dates back to colonial times."

Visit Magda Alexander website at: https://www.magdaalexander.com/

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The Girl From Widow Hills by Megan Miranda

 Our Mystery Book Club read The Girl From Widow Hills for our October selection. 

We were able to meet in a park in the evening again, although a little earlier since we are loosing daylight earlier. We had nine that attended. Not they usual 15-20 when we meet in in person but a good number to have decent discussion. We actually only had about that many attend when we did virtual meetings. The weather is pretty nice here right now, so it is good to get outside. 

 

About: "Arden Maynor was just a child when she was swept away while sleepwalking during a terrifying rainstorm and went missing for days. Strangers and friends, neighbors and rescue workers, set up search parties and held vigils, praying for her safe return. Against all odds, she was found, alive, clinging to a storm drain. The girl from Widow Hills was a living miracle. Arden’s mother wrote a book. Fame followed. Fans and fan letters, creeps, and stalkers. And every year, the anniversary. It all became too much. As soon as she was old enough, Arden changed her name and disappeared from the public eye.

Now a young woman living hundreds of miles away, Arden goes by Olivia. She’s managed to stay off the radar for the last few years. But with the twentieth anniversary of her rescue approaching, the media will inevitably renew its interest in Arden. Where is she now? Soon Olivia feels like she’s being watched and begins sleepwalking again, like she did long ago, even waking outside her home. Until late one night she jolts awake in her yard. At her feet is the corpse of a man she knows—from her previous life, as Arden Maynor.

And now, the girl from Widow Hills is about to become the center of the story, once again, in this propulsive page-turner from suspense master Megan Miranda."

I thought it was pretty good. I did wish for more of the back story at the beginning but that is told during each chapter with a news article from the past. It is a page turner, quick read. The tension escalates as the story goes on. We are wondering if Olivia is mentally unstable, or is everyone around her. There are several characters that I questioned there motives and behavior. Several "bad idea" moments for me. The ending was a little confusing to me.

What the group thought: There was actually mixed reviews. I would say half liked it also and actually wanted more at the end, hoping for a follow up book or at least another chapter. Some thought it was ok and a couple did not like it, thinking it was confusing and not plausible. One person had brought another book by the author with her that she had started. 

One thing that struck me and one other person mention was that it reminded me of Baby Jessica from 1987. A true event that happened in West Texas. Jessica was 18 months old and fell into an open well accidently. It took 56 hours to get her out. The story consumed the news here. I remember that it felt longer than 56 hrs. There are a couple similarities to that story and this book. We wondered if the author drew on some of that story. You can read her story in Wiki if interested.

 

Murder at Sea Captain's Inn, Onyx Webb: The Ghost Circus/Kindle Vela, A Lost Claus, All The Light We Cannot See

Well...looks like September was a baaaad reading month. And it all happened so fast. That old story of a coworker retired and wasn't replaced and another one retires tomorrow - so why don't you all split up the work etc. etc. Luckily someone realized this is not going to work and they are planning on hiring, but meanwhile....

Looking at back at my Goodreads account where I track my books, I read one novel, two short books and listened to one novel- not even a mystery. Hmpf.

Murder at Sea Captain's Inn is the 2nd in the Book Magic Mystery series by Melissa Bourbon. I received it as an ARC. I had read the first book and like it a lot. I like to read something fun after some serious mysteries.

About: "Pippin Lane Hawthorne’s grand opening of Sea Captain’s Inn is tainted when a scholar studying the Lost Colony of Roanoke is brutally murdered. Like the black crow that hangs around the old house, could the untimely death be a harbinger of dark things to come? When her twin brother, Grey, begins bucking the curse by risking his life in the waters of the Outer Banks, Pippin lives in terror that he’ll be the next Lane male to be swallowed by the sea. Now she must use her gift of bibliomancy to save her brother, solve the murder, and end a two thousand year old pact." 

I like the underlying thread of a family curse. The Lane's are an old Irish fishing family with some interesting folklore. I love the idea of bibliomancy. It is a real thing, not really like how it is portrayed in this series. 

Wiki: Bibliomancy is the use of books in divination. The method of employing sacred books (especially specific words and verses) for 'magical medicine', for removing negative entities, or for divination is widespread in many religions of the world.

My thoughts: Everything is looking up for Pippin and Grey (after book 1). The Sea Captain's Inn renovation as a B&B is complete and the first guests are expected any minute. Grey has ventured out on his own and is starting up a wood working business. Pippin has found a great employee in Zoe, to help with the day to day running of the Inn. And the best is Pippin's rescue of Sailor the dog. The opening coincides with an archaeological dig in the area for things associated with Sir Walter Raleigh's quest to colonize. One of her guests is in town for the dig. Dr. Baxter is quite odd with several "demands" for her stay. A married couple also at the Inn, is interesting and quite busy site seeing. One other single man rounds out the first guests. He keeps to himself. The story progresses with someone being murdered at the Inn. A significant archaeological item find in Pippin's safe, and a strange man with clear eyes showing up and disappearing. He is quite unnerving. Someone has broken into Pippin's private room and she seems to be in danger. An ongoing thread from book one is Pippin using her gift of bibliomancy to try to find out how to stop the curse of the Lane family.  We learn more about the locals in Devils's Cove. Jamie the bookstore owner and his family. Ruby the owner of the local winery. We also learn more about the very interesting family history of the Lane family. Sneak peek at book three looks to be very interesting.

Do you remember a few years ago I read the Onyx Webb series? The authors have a sequel on the new Kindle Vella platform. What is that?

Kindle Vella is a new Amazon platform, "a new way to read serialized stories by your favorite authors. Kindle Vella short episodes go with the breaks in your day." You unlock each episode with "tokens". 200 tokens cost $1.99. I can't remember how many episodes or tokens it took to read The Ghost Circus. Maybe because I was a first time user of the product, I had 150 free tokens and then had to purchase more at the end. But the fee was nominal.

Anyhoo, I was happy to read more about Onyx. 

About: A ragtag traveling circus sits outside a small California town. 200 miles to the north, the myth of the ghost woman, Onyx Webb, is alive and well in the seaside hamlet of Crimson Cove, Oregon. After mysterious deaths occur in both places, the FBI gets involved. When the circus relocates to Crimson Cove, FBI agent Newt Drystad arrives just as the entire town is starting to unravel. It's one thing to stop people from committing crimes, but how do you stop a ghost?" 

What I said:   Everyone loves a circus. Problem with this circus is, the performers are all ghosts? Familiar characters from the original series are back; Onyx and Noah, Newt, Pippi, the Sheriff and even Ulrich "makes an appearance". I love how the story is paranormal but throws in real, contemporary things, computer technology, and the FBI (better look closely there).

I don't want to say too much and spoil anything. If you like quirky paranormal and quick reads, try the Onyx Webb series. Good time of year for it. :)

A Lost Claus is the 3rd in Mona Marple's Christmas Cozy series. Barely over 100 pages, it is a novella.

About: As Christmas approaches in Candy Cane Hollow, it's time for the annual Claus Family ice fishing trip.

Holly Wood (yes, that's her real name) is a ball of nerves about meeting all of Nick Claus' relatives, until the trip ends in disaster.

One Claus doesn't return home, and as everyone begins to fear the worst, an old grudge between the Lost Claus and Nick makes his actions look suspicious. 

Can Holly get to the truth, before anyone else is hurt?"

My thoughts: A Lost Claus is a fun holiday book to read but with a mystery. As Holly and Nick get more serious into their relationship, it is time to meet the Claus family. Father Christmas, Mrs. Claus, uncles and nieces and nephews. The large family gathering brings out the good and bad in the family. Yes even the Claus family has its ups and downs. An annual fishing trip turns deadly. Holly once again investigates and has some doubts if this is the family for her to join. 

And finally I listened to:

About: "Marie-Laure lives in Paris near the Museum of Natural History, where her father works. When she is twelve, the Nazis occupy Paris and father and daughter flee to the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, where Marie-Laure’s reclusive great uncle lives in a tall house by the sea. With them they carry what might be the museum’s most valuable and dangerous jewel. 

In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another.

From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, the stunningly beautiful instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II."

This is not a mystery and was recommended by a friend. It is good story about survival during terrible times: WWII. Parts of it are not easy and I suspect they really happened. It didn't really end like I wanted but again, that's how things probably went. I call these stories Oregon Trail books. Do you remember that computer game from the 90's? The character/pioneers s were traveling the Oregon Trail and one thing after the other happened to them and you wondered how anyone ever made it.

Tomorrow our Mystery Book Club meets again in a park. We read The Girl From Widow Hills by Megan Miranda. I will let you know how we liked it.