cozy myster

Emma Jameson’s Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series invites readers into the captivating world of Anthony Hetheridge, the ninth Baron of Wellegrave, who juggles his aristocratic duties with the demanding role of Chief Superintendent at New Scotland Yard. Alongside him is DI Deepal “Paul” Bhar, flawed but with emotional depth and astute investigative skills. But it’s Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield who truly steals the show, bringing her own baggage of familial responsibilities to the table – custody of her 7-year-old nephew and mentally disabled older brother Ritchie.

Set against the backdrop of London, these novels weave unique and entertaining tales of crime-solving, showcasing the trio’s prowess in cracking London’s most baffling cases. What truly sets this series apart is its well-developed characters, each with intricate backstories that add layers of depth to the narratives. And, of course, there’s a smidge of romance sprinkled throughout, adding an extra dimension to the already rich tapestry.

The Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series is a must-read. Each book in the series delivers satisfying crime mysteries while maintaining a cohesive overarching storyline. From “Ice Blue” to “Untrue Blue,” readers are taken on a thrilling journey filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations in this seven-book series.

So, if you’re a fan of crime fiction with well-rounded characters, engaging plots, and a touch of romance, look no further than the Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series.

Flowers of Evil is set in the era of King Tut and follows the adventures of two well-educated noblewomen as they try to solve the mystery of a flower seller’s death. The storyline is intriguing, and the fact that it is based in a culture I know little about during a period I know even less about makes for good reading.

I had a few reservations, however. First, the book starts with some historical tidbits that could have been explained to the reader during the course of the story, rendering this section unnecessary. Also, there’s a glaring typo in this section (circumscribed rather than circumcised), which immediately caused me to question the wisdom of continuing this book.

Another drawback I found while reading is this book is a sequel to a series of books about the main character’s father, Lord Hani. At times, the story referenced events found in those books but weren’t fully explained in this one, leaving some gaps in the information given to the reader. As this is meant to be the first in the series about Hani’s daughter, it wouldn’t be remiss to review pertinent events more fully.

The final item I found issue with was the character development of Lord Hani’s daughter, Neferet, the woman of her heart, Bener-ib, and the rabble of children the two had adopted. I found Neferet to be a spoiled and obstinate child, much younger in action than her purported age in the story. It’s hard to get into the story if the main character irritates the reader, although I’m sure this annoyingness is subjective, and other readers might disagree. Then, although Neferet and Bener-ib were lovers, there was no depth to their relationship described in the story. And finally, the passel of orphaned children was given no more than a vague mention here and there. I couldn’t tell you any of their names or describe them in any detail.

The previous issue aside, I found the cozy mystery element delightful, making it a wonderfully light and enjoyable read. So, if you’re looking for an ancient history cozy mystery, Flowers of Evil fits the bill!