Posts labeled Historical
Review - Dead Egyptians by Del Blackwater
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While touring Egypt as a young boy with his archaeologist father, Albion sees his first spirit. It’s not the last ghost the boy will encounter, but the memory of that first one sticks with him. More than a decade later, Albion has graduated from Cambridge and is determined to return to Egypt in search of answers. However, the first person of note he encounters in Cairo is a young Aleister Crowley.
Tags: Paranormal Egypt Historical
Review - Fever by Jordan L. Hawk
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Colin and his older brother Doug have been making a living as con men since they left home to escape from their abusive father. They’re in Seattle when the first miners return from the Klondike, laden with gold from the newly discovered strike. Doug instantly sees an opportunity for a new con and soon the brothers are on their way with a new mark. Getting to the Yukon as winter closes in proves harder than expected, but Colin makes friends with Steve and his family, who are also out to strike it rich.
Tags: Thriller Supernatural Historical Nineteenth Century
Review - The Curse of the Blue Scarab by Josh Lanyon
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In this retelling of the original 1912 classic “The Mummy”, Dr Quentin Armiston is a middle-aged physician whose Edwardian-era London practice consists mainly of the cooks, chauffeurs, housekeepers and other assorted servants of the upper classes. He is single, but has never really felt lonely, and besides, his true desires are the kind that could land you in jail. One day, a young gentleman comes to get Armiston to attend the death of his friend.
Tags: Thriller Mystery Historical
Review - Games of Rome by J.P. Kenwood
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This second book of the five-part Dominus series picks up exactly where the first installment left of: with the death of Gaius’ old friend, and sometimes lover, Lucius. The mystery of who killed Lucius, and why, is a major theme of this book, although the relationship between Gaius and Allerix remains the core of the story. Allerix seems resigned to his fate as Gaius’ slave, although he still plots his revenge against the Roman emperor, and Dominus takes steps to protect his slave’s true identity, a secret that could mean death for both of them if it becomes known.
Tags: Historical Ancient Rome
Review - If I Were Fire by Heloise West
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Kindly note: a proof copy of this book was supplied by the author in exchange for a review. A world-weary adventuring count trying to salvage his family estate, a bad boy who wants to be good, a local gangster, and a search for hidden treasure. All this is packed into this very short novelette, running less than 60 pages. Salvesto is the rather down-on-his-luck count. He has returned to Siena upon the death of his father, hoping that the acts which forced him into exile have been forgotten.
Tags: Historical Novelette
Review - The Pirate Witch by Damian Serbu
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Alexander is born at the worst possible time and place for someone to be different, in early seventeenth century Salem, Massachusetts Colony, where the Puritans are still on the hunt for witches. Alexander’s mother is brutally murdered by the townspeople, who think she’s a witch, and his father dies of the shock of it. The thing is, she really was a witch, and so is Alexander. His mother’s dying wish is that Alexander survive, hiding his powers from prying eyes.
Tags: Historical Fantasy
Review - Dominus
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General Gaius Fabius returns to Rome in triumph from the Dacian wars, but soon finds himself restless for a new challenge. Somewhat bored with his current stable of pleasure slaves, Gaius finds his challenge in the form of Allerix, a Dacian prisoner put up for auction. Gaius decides to make Allerix his new boy toy, but taming the young man may be more of a challenge than Gaius bargained for.
Tags: Historical Ancient Rome
Review - The Dark Farewell
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Reporter David Flynn is on his way to Little Egypt. He wants to see how feelings run a year after the Herrin massacre, and it’s a good opportunity to pay his respects to Amy, the widow of his old mentor. Amy’s boarding house, where Flynn will stay, is full of eccentric characters, from the matronly Mrs Hoyt and her daughter Joan to the local doctor, Pearson. And then there’s Julian and his grandfather, who travel the small towns putting on shows where Julian pretends to talk to spirits.
Tags: Mystery Historical
Review - The Affair of the Porcelain Dog
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In Victorian era London, former rent boy Ira Adler is living the high life as ‘secretary’ to Cain Goddard, also known as the as the Duke of Dorset Street, a notorious crime lord, although his activities are kept well away from the genteel house on York Street where he has brought Ira to live. In the two years since Goddard invited him into his home, the illiterate child of the streets and workhouses has learned to read and write, and speak like a gentleman.
Tags: Victorian Era Historical
Review - The Master of Seacliff
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Andrew Wyndham dreams of escaping his mundane life of working in his aunt and uncle’s New York shop to become an artist in Paris. It’s the turn of the twentieth century, and the likes of Monet are shaking up the art world. When Andrew’s friend arranges for him to be the tutor for the son of wealthy Duncan Stewart, it seems he is well on his way to realizing his dream.
Tags: Mystery Historical