Book Review: The Book of Beloved by Carolyn Haines

Title: The Book of Beloved (Pluto's Snitch #1)
Author: Carolyn Haines
Genres: Mystery| Historical fiction| Fantasy| Paranormal
Print length: 332 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Publication date: August 9, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Format: e-galley
Author's website: http://www.carolynhaines.com/

As a young woman widowed by World War I, Raissa James is no stranger to ghosts. But when an invitation arrives from Caoin House, her uncle’s estate in Mobile, Alabama, she’s finally ready to cast off the shadows of her past. And what better way to do so than with a grand party in her honor? An aspiring authoress, Raissa’s eager to soak up more of life—and immerse herself in the dark history that haunts the estate. 

But the revelries come to an abrupt end when one of her uncle’s guests takes a deadly plunge. And when a ghost from the property’s past, a Confederate soldier, reveals himself to Raissa, she’s more determined than ever to get to the heart of the mysterious deaths that plague Caoin House. Enlisting the help of Reginald Proctor, a self-proclaimed medium, she holds a séance to shed light on old secrets. But she discovers that some secrets, even those long dead, still have a startling hold on the living…Goodreads

My Review: Historical fiction and (obviously) mysteries are two of my favorite genres, so when you combine the two and do it well, I am on board. There's just something about the genteel South and Victorian-era England that really draws me in. Probably something to do with the various social strata and all the machinations needed to survive during that time, especially as a woman. 

I enjoyed the fact that Raissa, our protagonist, wasn't particularly  beholden to the ideals of a woman's place, although there were times I wondered if she wasn't a little too forward-thinking for her time. As much as I agreed with her values, it occasionally felt like a modern writer imposing their ideals on a very different time. 

What makes this story particularly interesting is the ghost aspect. It added just the right amount of spookiness and suspense to keep me turning the pages. While I figured out who the killer was fairly early on, the various mysteries contained within this story took so many twists and turns that I was very happy with the ending.

Highly recommended.

Rating:  4.75/5

It's Monday! What are YOU Reading? #5

Hey everyone, it's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry for disappearing for like, two weeks, but I still haven't found the right balance between work/writing/social life just yet. 

 

Hosted @ The Book Date

I may not have been doing a lot of writing, but I've been doing a WHOLE lotta reading. This Monday meme is where I talk about what I have/am/will be reading this week.

What I Read Last Week:

Review later this week

Loved it! Review later this week

 

What I Am Currently Reading:

Trying to complete my group reads and whittle down my NetGalley list.

August 2016 Group Read for Women of Mystery

Review later this week
NetGalley

Review next week
NetGalley

What's Up Next:

All upcoming NetGalley picks

NetGalley

NetGalley

NetGalley

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What are you reading? Which of these reads appeals to you?

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros #6 - Behind Closed Doors, Terror in Taffeta, Book of Beloved

How's everyone's summer going? Mine has been pretty crazy so far. Unlike most teachers, since I work in the education/tourism industry, summer is peak season, so I haven't been able to slow down and relax at all. Throw in weddings and wedding-related activities, birthdays, festivals, author events, etc., and you can imagine how exhausted I've been lately.

Unfortunately, that's definitely affected my writing. I started this blog after I got sick of staring at my manuscript and needed a break, but wanted a way to write every day, even if just a short blog post. Somehow even that has become a bit of a chore, as all I want to do when I get home is lie on the couch with a cup of tea, a book, and an episode of The Great British Baking Show in the background.

I'm trying to get out of my funk, since I really want to finish the first draft of my novel by November, but it's proving to be a bit of a challenge. What do you guys do when you get in a writing funk?

In better news, I got two packages yesterday: one was a book I won in a Goodreads giveaway and the other was the cutest tea infuser ever. Nessie will definitely brighten up my reading time ^^

Seriously, how cute is that?

Cup of tea, zucchini bread, and a suspenseful read

Hosted by Diane @ Bibliophile by the Sea

Every Tuesday, I share the opening paragraph(s) of my reads for the week.

First up is the book I won on Goodreads, and also the August read for the Women of Mystery group.

Behind Closed Doors; B.A. Paris

MIRA - 2016

PRESENT 

The champagne bottle knocks against the marble counter, making me jump. I glance at Jack, hoping he won't have noticed how nervous I am. He catches me looking at him and smiles. 

"Perfect," he says softly.

Ooh, so simple and yet it already hints at so much.

Next up is my NetGalley pick for the week:

 The Book of Beloved; Carolyn Haines

Thomas & Mercer; 2016

In Savannah, George, two things could be counted on without question - the heat of summer and Alfred the mail carrier's regular arrival six days a week. I had come to anticipate his knock at four each afternoon, as regular as the milkman and the daily newspaper delivery. I looked forward to Alfred's arrival, not because I carried on a great correspondence with anyone, but because I needed regularity, routine. Death had taught me the power and stabilizing influence of routine. Alfred's arrival meant the world continued in an ordered fashion.

Hmm, a bit of a slower start, but there's potential.

Lastly, a book that I won during the Save Our Cozies Readathon:

 Terror in Taffeta; Marla Cooper

Minotaur Books - 2016

The sea-foam green bridesmaids' dresses had been a mistake. Not for the obvious reason - that seafoam-green bridesmaids' dresses are almost always a mistake - but because they added a sickly tinge to Nicole Abernathy's three very hungover bridesmaids.  

I'd warned them not to overindulge the night before the wedding, begged them to have their bachelorette party back home instead of waiting util they got to San Miguel de Allende, but no one listens to the wedding planner when it's time to start drinking.

Always gotta throw a cozy in the mix, and for once, not a culinary cozy. I won this one in the Save Our Cozies Readathon, so here's hoping I can give it a positive review. 
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What books are you most looking forward to? And don't forget, give me your tips on how to break out of the writing blahs!