D.R. Martin

Mary MacDougall is heiress with a passion for detective work. Having previously helped solve two cases, she is eager to jump into a case of her own and become a consulting detective. She gets her chance when a local police detective sends her a lead about a young woman who believes that her mother may have been murdered.

What starts out as a simple inquiry into the circumstances of the woman’s death leads Mary and her Aunt into fearsome adventure where all of may’s quick wits and tenacity will be needed.

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I LOVE great historical fiction and this book delivers. From the descriptions of the tableaux vivants in the beginning of the book to details of travel, dress, and healthcare, this book is written with a deep understanding of the time period that pulls the reader in. You can feel and commiserate with Mary and her confusion of how she fits into her society when what she wants seems to be at odds.

Despite being the pampered daughter of a millionaire, Mary is at once likable and relate-able. What makes a story though are the side characters. Each adds something into the mix. I love how Aunt Christene is not your typical “maiden aunt” of the time. The folks of Dillmont’s loyalty to the good Doctor Applegate was an interesting story point and I enjoyed the twist of not knowing if he was a good guy or bad guy until the very end.

I did like the fact that although Mary was able to use her persistence and determination to keep moving forward with her case, that there were real consequences to her actions. Cozy mysteries don’t often give the characters a chance to grow.

This is the third installment of the Mary MacDougall Mysteries and though many references were made to the previous two adventures, this book works well as a stand alone. I do plan on playing catch up with the first books.



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)

A zombie story for kids - can that work? It can with this latest installment in the Johnny Graphic series. Johnny is twelve and three quarters, working as a news photographer and able to see ghosts - which makes him destined to get in supernatural trouble. This time, he and his friends are up against some ghastly 'bog zombies' - corpses reanimated by being inhabited by ghosts.

I was somewhat reminded of Tin Tin and his adventures, but the classic comic series has more humor, while Johnny Graphic is darker. I'm not sure each scene in this book is really suitable for young readers, while on the other hand I doubt whether the classic writing style will appeal to all.

The plot was helped along by several convenient coincidences, which you sometimes find in children's books and which usually is ok, but may find adults roll their eyes. The dialogues sounded comically formal and cumbersome - which is how I'd imagine some snotty aristocrats and their butlers to express themselves rather than a young adventurer such as Johnny. Exclamations like "Holy Maroley" sound cute but definitely also weird.

This is an interesting alternative to the usual children's fantasy stuff out there, but you really have to adjust to its unusual antiquated style. No way to know but to give it a try.

(I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)… (plus d'informations)