This author is renowned for her historical mysteries, often set against the backdrop of English history. Her writing is characterized by meticulous attention to historical detail and psychologically rich characters. While celebrated for her mystery novels, she also explores other genres, consistently delivering compelling narratives and strong protagonists. Her works transport readers to the past, offering intriguing puzzles to unravel.
Set against the backdrop of mid-seventeenth century Colonial Rhode Island, this narrative follows Mahershallahashbaz, the daughter of Samuel Gorton, a contentious figure in early American history. As Gorton faces imprisonment for heresy after an attack on his colony, the story explores the uncertainty and challenges his family endured in his absence. Through Mahershallahashbaz's perspective, readers experience the struggles of a young girl navigating a tumultuous period marked by religious and political strife.
Set in 1563, this historical mystery follows Susanna, Lady Appleton, as she investigates the murders of Southwark prostitutes, known as "Winchester Geese." With her husband, Sir Robert, implicated as a suspect, Susanna leverages her knowledge of poisonous herbs to uncover the truth and prove his innocence. However, as she delves deeper, she discovers unsettling secrets that suggest her husband may be involved in a more sinister crime than murder. The narrative intertwines personal stakes with the darker elements of society.
Set in the sixteenth century, Susanna, Lady Appleton, faces a dire predicament when her husband, Sir Robert, is poisoned, leading to her arrest for his murder. As an expert in poisonous herbs, she embarks on a quest to uncover the true killer, delving into the past of Robert's former mistresses who may have motives. This newly edited trade paperback edition revives a captivating blend of mystery and historical intrigue in the Face Down series.
After making her sleuthing debut in "Face Down in the Marrowbone Pie", herbalist Susanna is back--ordered by Queen Elizabeth to complete a new book on botanical decorations. She realizes there is more to the royal request when a house guest is found murdered--face down upon the very book she authored. Martin's Press.
Left alone to handle the uproar following the poisoning murder of the steward, Lady Susanna Appleton, an expert herbalist, seeks to identify what killed the steward while unmasking the killer.
Sir Anthony Shelby lies poisoned in a Strasbourg tavern and his daughter Cordell vows vengeance. Cordell must return home to England, but to do so, she is forced to take safe passage as the bride of the arrogantly handsome courtier Roger Allington. It is to be a marriage in name only.Although Roger was her father's friend, Cordell fears he is a traitor to the Crown. And Roger, honor-bound to protect Sir Anthony's daughter, has no liking for her reckless ways. Yet his heart tells him he must pursue this mettlesome beauty - through a maze of plots and into the shadow of the Tower - to win her love and ignite their smoldering passion.
The Finder of Lost Things is the name Blanche Wainfleet's three sisters bestowed on her when they were young, not only for her ability to locate missing handkerchiefs and runaway pets, but also because she was so good at finding solutions to all manner of puzzles. Now, in the winter of 1590-1, twenty-eight-year-old Blanche, a London merchant's wife whose husband is traveling abroad, is faced with a much more serious mystery, one she is desperate to solve. Late Elizabethan England is an era rife with treason and conflicting political and religious loyalties. Priest-catchers target Catholic households in the hope of being able to arrest and execute priests. The householders themselves have to pay ruinous fines if they do not attend Anglican services. And yet leaders of both faiths agree that a bewitched person can be cured by exorcism. When Blanche's youngest sister, Alison, fell in love with a Catholic gentleman, she converted to Catholicism and went to live at Otley Manor as Lady Otley's companion. Arrested for illegally hearing mass, she died under mysterious circumstances while imprisoned in Colchester Castle. Some say she was bewitched to death. To discover the truth about how Alison died, Blanche contrives to have herself confined with Lady Otley and other members of the Otley household in Colchester's dungeon. She tells no one of her connection to Alison, but does pretend that she, like her sister, wishes to convert. Still without answers when a royal pardon sets all women prisoners free, Blanche accepts Lady Otley's invitation to join her household and take instruction in the Catholic faith. She's just begun to make progress when a second murder puts her in mortal danger from powerful figures on both sides of the religious divide.
In rural Maine during the summer of 1986, 12-year-old Kim Hanlon finds herself reluctantly immersed in bagpipe music while her father attends classes. When a set of antique bagpipes goes missing, suspicion falls on her new friend Woody. Unwilling to accept his guilt, Kim embarks on a quest to uncover the true thief, showcasing her determination and resourcefulness. This engaging mystery unfolds against the backdrop of a quirky estate and a family camping trip, appealing to young readers with its themes of friendship and justice.
The narrative explores Julia's journey of recovery and personal growth as she navigates her evolving family dynamics and forms an unexpected friendship with her cousin Grace, whom she initially perceives as "beastly." Julia's self-reflection leads to a realization of her past snobbery and self-centeredness, marking her maturation. Set against a vividly portrayed 19th-century backdrop, the story is characterized by a light, seamless writing style that effectively captures the nuances of Julia's transformation.
A Collection of Essays by a Writer of Cozy Mysteries
292 pages
11 hours of reading
This compilation features 115 essays by Kathy Lynn Emerson, exploring a wide range of topics from writing challenges to personal anecdotes about her cat and family quirks. Emerson, known for her cozy and historical mysteries, shares insights into her creative process and the unique eccentricities of her life in rural Western Maine. The collection reflects her diverse experiences as a prolific author and offers a glimpse into her writing journey and the inspirations drawn from her surroundings.
