Title: Butterfly Palace
Author: Colleen Coble
Genre: Christian Historical Mystery
Plot: Lily Donaldson goes to Austin, Texas for a job as maid at the Marshalls home. Soon after Lily arrives she sees Andrew Hawkens, her former fiance , who abandoned Lily four years ago.
When Andrew tells Lily some dangerous secrets, she doesn't know is she believes him. Can Lily learn to trust again?
My thoughts:
I have read many of Colleen Coble's books and I have enjoyed most of them. This, however, isn't one them. I hate to write a negative review, especially when it's a Christian book, but I have to be honest.
I had two major problems with this book. The first being it was too violent, in my opinion. Several murders took place in this book and most of them where described too much for my tastes.
The killer was creepy and the way he murdered people was weird.
The second problem I had was inappropriate content.
Two unmarried characters had had an intimate relationship with each other in the past. They both repented of it and asked each other for forgiveness, but they still struggled with lustful thoughts throughout most of the book. That tended to make the book a bit suggestive at times.
I'm sad that this latest book by Colleen Coble wasn't great. I hope that her books in the future will be better.
My rating: 1.5
Title: The Dark Unwinding
Series: The Dark Unwinding
Number in Series: 1
Author: Sharon Cameron
Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction
Plot: Katherine Tullman is sent to her Uncle George's estate to discover if he is truly insane and is squandering his fortune.
Katherine begins to unravel some of the mysterious surrounding her Uncle's estate, some of which hold life and death.
Can Katherine find the right solution that will help her uncle, his servants, and herself?
My thoughts:
I didn't know much about this book before reading and I'm glad I didn't. I suggest not reading an in-depth synopsis because it could give away things involved in the mystery.
This book is very different from other YA historical books I have read. It has a gothic, sci-fi feel to it, not unlike Doctor Who episodes set in the Victorian era. Yet, the story seemed plausible, if that makes sense.
At first I didn't really care much for the characters; they didn't seem anything special or unique. My opinion changed half-way through the book. Because the author did a good job of character development in the second half, I began reading it eagerly.
There is some content: God's name is used as a exclamation by certain characters. Alcohol and opium are mentioned often, but in a negative way.
My rating: 3.5
Title: The Woman in White
Author: Wilkie Collins
Genre: Historical Mystery
Plot: When Walter Hartright is offered a job teaching art to two half-sisters at Limmeridge House he believes that his financial worries are over. Walter's students are the practical Marian Halcombe and the sensitive Laura Fairlie. Walter soon falls in love with Laura, but Laura is engaged to Sir Percival Glyde. Heartbroken Walter leaves Limmeridge house and returns to London.
It soon appears that Laura's marriage to Sir Percival is not what it seems. Can Walter and Marian help Laura before it's too late?
What I liked about this book: This was a very complex, well written, and thought provoking mystery.
There were many characters, all with different personalties, that you got to know in this story.
There were many plot twists that made it hard for you to figure out how things would turn out.
What I didn't like about this book: This is a very long book. If some parts had been left out this would have been a much faster read.
My rating: 3
Title: The Frightened Whisper
Series: None
Author: Helen Girvan
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
Plot: Laurel 'Lolly' Sinclair is a student at Beechcroft, an a girls boarding school. Many of the girls have had things taken from their rooms, only to have most of the things returned later. When a very valuable document is taken it is up to Lolly to find the document before any of her fellow classmates can be wrongly accused.
What I liked about this book: This was a nice vintage read. The style of the book is similar to that of The Nancy Drew mysteries.
What I didn't like about this book: The mystery wasn't super hard to figure out.
Would I recommend this? I would recommend this to tweens who like Nancy Drew.
Note: This book was written in the 1960s and has not been reproduced to my knowledge. Fairly inexpensive copies of this book are available on ebay, if you would like to buy it.
Title: Words Spoken True
Series: None
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Plot: Adrianne Darcy grew up helping her father with his newspaper The Tribune in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Tribune's rival The Herald has been taken over by Blake Garrett. Blake and Adrianne soon are bitter towards one another. Can they come together to help Louisville?
What I liked about this book: The first half was really interesting. I learned a lot about how newspapers work.
What I didn't like about this book: I didn't like the second half of the book. The characters started acting really different then they had previously.
A married couple discuss intimacy in marriage. The intimate scenes go into way too much detail.
Would I recommend this? If the second half would have been better I really would have liked this book. But because of that I don't recommend it.
Title: Rosemary Cottage
Series: The Hope Beach Series- book two
Author: Colleen Coble
Genre: Mystery Christian Fiction
Pages: 336
Plot: Amy Lang is seeking a new start after the death of her brother. Soon after arriving at Hope Beach Amy learns that her brother may have been murdered.
With the help Of Curtis Ireland, who's sister also died mysteriously, Amy finds the truth, but can she accept it?
What I liked about this book: It was a very hard mystery to figure out; it really kept me guessing.
What I didn't like about this book: It can be a bit overly dramatic.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Title: Jane and the unpleasantness of Scargrave manor
Series: Jane Austen Mystery book one
Author: Stepahie Barron
Genre: Historical Mystery
Pages: 289
Plot: Jane Austen is visiting her newly married friend Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave, after Jane refuses a marriage proposal.
At first Jane believes Isobel to be happily married, that is until Lord Scargrave dies suddenly. At first everyone believes Lord Scargrave died naturally, but soon it is pronounced that he was murdered.
Jane's wit may just help her find out who the murderer is.
What I liked about this book: This is one of the most complex mysteries I have ever read!!! Chances are, like me, you won't know who the murderer is until the end of the book.
What I didn't like about this book: The is a gory book, if you are squeamish you probably wouldn't enjoy it.
There is also a lot of talk of adultery, mistresses, and out of wedlock pregnancies.
Would I recommend this? Yes, to those who love a thrilling mystery.
Title: Tidewater Inn
Series: The Hope Beach series- book one
Author: Colleen Coble
Genre: Mystery Christian Fiction
Pages: 320
Plot: Libby Holladay, who restores historical buildings, believes that her Dad died when she was five, but it turns out she was wrong. Libby learns he died only a few months ago and has willed Libby Tidewater Inn.
Libby is delighted to learn she has two half siblings, but they aren't happy to hear that Libby inherited Tidewater Inn.
When Libby's friend gets kidnapped Libby begins to wonder if it has anything to do with her inheritance.
What I liked about this book: It was a really good mystery.
What I didn't like about it: It has a good bit of kissing, like Colleen Coble's other books.
Would I recommend this? Yes!!!
