About the Book:
MISTRESS OF LIES
Mistress of Fortune #2
Author: Holly West
Release Date: Sept, 29 2014
Publisher: Carina
London, 1679
Isabel, Lady Wilde, mistress of King Charles II, has made a good living disguised as fortune teller Mistress Ruby, counseling London's elite. But after the murder of one of her customers, business has taken a downturn, and Isabel is on the verge of accepting the king's offer to move into the palace.
Isabel's plans are interrupted when a beggar girl named Susanna shows up at her home, claiming to be her niece. Isabel always believed that her older brother, Adam, died alone during the plague. When Susanna reveals that Adam was actually murdered, Isabel is compelled to take up an impossible task: discover the truth about her brother's death, twelve years after it happened.
Isabel's investigation leads her through the gamut of London society, from bear-baiting matches and brothels to the realm of wealthy bankers. But as she uncovers her brother's dark secrets, Isabel begins to wonder whether the past is better left buried, especially when uncovering the truth could lead to her own funeral.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22602631-mistress-of-lies?from_search=true
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mistress-of-lies-holly-west/1119740520?ean=9781426899058
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Lies-Fortune-Holly-West-ebook/dp/B00KV62MPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411390105&sr=8-1&keywords=mistress+of+lies
Review:
Mistress of Lies picks up three months of Mistress of Fortune. Lady Isabelle is confronted by a girl in rags who claims to be her niece, the child of her brother Adam who Isabelle believes died of the plague. At first Isabelle thinks that the story is all made up, but the girl called Susanna has compelling evidence that Adam is indeed her father. Susanna wants Isabelle's help, she says her father did not die of the plague, but was murdered. When Susanna disappears, Isabelle is compelled to find her and solve the case of her brother's murder.
Another fun, fast-paced historical mystery. Isabelle manages to get herself into trouble again as she uncovers all the layers surrounding her brother's death. I enjoyed learning more about Isabelle's family and childhood as she dug into her brother's past. This murder mystery is intriguing and delves into the intricacies of the goldsmithing trade and the beginning of banking. This was really interesting to me, I had no idea that goldsmith's became responsible for deposits of valuables. A bit of the plague years are also looked into. I wish Isabelle's relationship with King Charles would develop more, I really want to know what Isabelle decides to do about the important question that is asked of her! Maybe we'll find out in another book...
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Review of Book 1: Mistress of Fortune
During the reign of King Charles II of England, Lady Isabelle Wilde is one the King's many mistresses. She also leads a double life as Mistress Ruby, a fortune teller and wise woman. When one of Mistress Ruby's clients, Sir Edmund Godfrey, comes to her for advice with knowledge of a plot to kill the King, Isabelle knows she must do something. When Edmund is found dead, Isabelle and her aliases become embroiled in the plot.
A fun, historical mystery with a strong female lead. Though Isabelle is a mistress to the King, she is determined to make her own way in the world, even if that means donning a wig and makeup and reading a palm. She also manages to help many other women with herbs and good advice. I was pleased to learn that the murder of Sir Edmund Godfrey is a real historical mystery. Many of the plot points within the story are true to history, with the exception of Isabelle's involvement. William Bedloe's character is woven in quite interestingly, as a real player in the history, his fictional counterpart completes his role well.
A nice look into the rule of King Charles II and one of the many plots that took place during this time in history.
This book was received for free in return for and honest review.
MISTRESS OF LIES
Mistress of Fortune #2
Author: Holly West
Release Date: Sept, 29 2014
Publisher: Carina
London, 1679
Isabel, Lady Wilde, mistress of King Charles II, has made a good living disguised as fortune teller Mistress Ruby, counseling London's elite. But after the murder of one of her customers, business has taken a downturn, and Isabel is on the verge of accepting the king's offer to move into the palace.
Isabel's plans are interrupted when a beggar girl named Susanna shows up at her home, claiming to be her niece. Isabel always believed that her older brother, Adam, died alone during the plague. When Susanna reveals that Adam was actually murdered, Isabel is compelled to take up an impossible task: discover the truth about her brother's death, twelve years after it happened.
Isabel's investigation leads her through the gamut of London society, from bear-baiting matches and brothels to the realm of wealthy bankers. But as she uncovers her brother's dark secrets, Isabel begins to wonder whether the past is better left buried, especially when uncovering the truth could lead to her own funeral.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22602631-mistress-of-lies?from_search=true
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mistress-of-lies-holly-west/1119740520?ean=9781426899058
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Lies-Fortune-Holly-West-ebook/dp/B00KV62MPE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411390105&sr=8-1&keywords=mistress+of+lies
Review:
Mistress of Lies picks up three months of Mistress of Fortune. Lady Isabelle is confronted by a girl in rags who claims to be her niece, the child of her brother Adam who Isabelle believes died of the plague. At first Isabelle thinks that the story is all made up, but the girl called Susanna has compelling evidence that Adam is indeed her father. Susanna wants Isabelle's help, she says her father did not die of the plague, but was murdered. When Susanna disappears, Isabelle is compelled to find her and solve the case of her brother's murder.
Another fun, fast-paced historical mystery. Isabelle manages to get herself into trouble again as she uncovers all the layers surrounding her brother's death. I enjoyed learning more about Isabelle's family and childhood as she dug into her brother's past. This murder mystery is intriguing and delves into the intricacies of the goldsmithing trade and the beginning of banking. This was really interesting to me, I had no idea that goldsmith's became responsible for deposits of valuables. A bit of the plague years are also looked into. I wish Isabelle's relationship with King Charles would develop more, I really want to know what Isabelle decides to do about the important question that is asked of her! Maybe we'll find out in another book...
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Review of Book 1: Mistress of Fortune
During the reign of King Charles II of England, Lady Isabelle Wilde is one the King's many mistresses. She also leads a double life as Mistress Ruby, a fortune teller and wise woman. When one of Mistress Ruby's clients, Sir Edmund Godfrey, comes to her for advice with knowledge of a plot to kill the King, Isabelle knows she must do something. When Edmund is found dead, Isabelle and her aliases become embroiled in the plot.
A fun, historical mystery with a strong female lead. Though Isabelle is a mistress to the King, she is determined to make her own way in the world, even if that means donning a wig and makeup and reading a palm. She also manages to help many other women with herbs and good advice. I was pleased to learn that the murder of Sir Edmund Godfrey is a real historical mystery. Many of the plot points within the story are true to history, with the exception of Isabelle's involvement. William Bedloe's character is woven in quite interestingly, as a real player in the history, his fictional counterpart completes his role well.
A nice look into the rule of King Charles II and one of the many plots that took place during this time in history.
This book was received for free in return for and honest review.
About the Author: Holly West is a crime fiction writer based in Los Angeles. Her short stories appear in several anthologies and her debut historical mystery, MISTRESS OF FORTUNE, will be published by Carina Press in 2014.
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