Silent in the Grave is the book that introduced readers to Lady Julia Grey. While it has its romantic moments, I wouldn’t say it’s strictly romance. It’s more a historical mystery with strong romantic elements – and rather a good one. The book opens as Lady Julia becomes a widow following events that at the…
Jayne Ann Krentz is the author who turned me into a romance reader in the late 1990s. While I’ve liked many of her recent books, I never expected I would give another a DIK, until I read When All the Girls Have Gone. It’s truly one of my favorites of hers. Charlotte’s Sawyer’s sister is…
A DIKlassic review review originally published on May 6, 2001 Following on the heels of her The Cat’s Fancy, her delightful single title contemporary debut romance, Aphrodite’s Kiss has made Julie Kenner’s books an autobuy for me. I found this book a total delight and absolutely unique. For those looking for something different, Kenner has…
Cat Sebastian’s début historical romance, The Soldier’s Scoundrel is a thoroughly enjoyable, extremely accomplished piece of work that sees a prickly former-thief-turned-investigator working with the son of an earl to establish the identity of a blackmailer and falling in love along the way. This is no light-hearted romp, however; during the course of the story,…
A combination of urban fantasy, alternate history, and paranormal romance (minus the werewolves or vampires), Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews marks the first in a new series following an in-debt private investigator attempting to negotiate a world where her targets possess magical powers. For some quick background, in 1863, scientists discovered a serum that…
Girl detectives have always been a big thing in the reading world. From Nancy Drew to the more recent Flavia de Luce, we can’t seem to get enough of youthful sleuths. This novel channels Veronica Mars a bit, combining that character very gently with Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to deliver a fun, entertaining mystery. Strawberry…
After reading The Last Renegade, the first book in this series, I couldn’t imagine how Goodman could possibly follow up such a delightful and enjoyable tale with anything better. Now I know since she’s outdone herself with this book. Set again in Bitter Springs, Wyoming, the story opens with detective Cobb Bridger being hired in…
This is a follow-up to an earlier book and features the best friend of the author’s previous heroine. I didn’t catch the first book, but this one had me laughing from the start, filled with some funny dialog and hilarious situations. Despite that, I never felt the humor was over-the-top, nor did it take away…
“I see dead people” has got to be one of the most famous movie lines of all time. Recounting the number of puns I have seen made of this infamous line would be nigh on impossible. But imagine if you actually did see dead people. All the jokes probably wouldn’t be as funny then. Charley…
Filled with complex adult characters, beautifully evocative prose, and an intriguing mystery, the latest entry in the Lady Julia Grey series does not disappoint. If you’re a fan of historical mysteries with a strong romantic thread, I highly recommend you read Silent in the Grave, the first book in the series. You will not want…