Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Cozy Mystery Series Holds Promise of Good Reads to Come!

Not only does Julianna Deering's new release Rules of Murder take place in the thirties, but the story is written in the style of English mysteries from that period. Not to mention that the cover absolutely invites you to settle in with a spot of tea and get lost in the story.

As an avid mystery reader from the time I first learned to read chapter books and feasted on Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries, I've loved a good mystery. When I grew older I started reading mysteries that were penned in the thirties and forties from Agatha Christie and Mary Roberts Rhinehart. Thus, I picked up this book with great anticipation.

I found the beginning to be a bit slower paced than I generally like and the opening chapter had so many characters that I became confused more than once and found myself going back to double-check who someone was. For that reason I'd give the book 4 stars if I used the star system here.

But once the dead body (don't all cozy mysteries require a dead body??) was discovered the pace picked up, the cast became less confusing. The main character named Drew Farthing partners up with an American named Madeline and together they try to get to the bottom of the mystery - who is the murderer?

I recommend this read for anyone who likes a good mystery of the cozy variety.

The book was provided to me by the publisher for review purposes. The opinions are completely my ow

 JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage. This, along with her keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness and triumph over adversity. A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey. Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries set in 1930s England debuts with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, Summer 2013) and will be followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House, Spring 2014) and Murder at the Mikado (Bethany House, Summer 2014). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency