Initial thought:

 

Good writing, but too silly characters (especially the h who went from a prudish spinster to a sexy siren the moment she met the H, her transformation was the most hilarious of all -_-) and situations made it difficult for me to take anything seriously in this book. In fact it started out quite intriguingly and I thought I'd found a new author I'll be checking out often. Unfortunately, it also went downhill soon. I only kept going to see how the author resolved a particular twist regarding the H. There was no big surprises there in the end either. Sigh.

 

Thought I won't do a full review. Then I decided to add a bit more... :-<

Though I'm as into popular, bestselling books as the next gal, I think it's a special feeling to discover an underrated gem, an author or book that didn't break out and land on everyone's radar.  Every Friday I will post about one of mine.

 

The Nora Gavin / Cormac Maguire series by Erin Hart

 

 

This wonderful series is by no means unknown, but I'm such an evangelist for Erin Hart's novels that I'd love to see them hitting bestseller lists.  The only downside to them is that they don't come out annually, but rather every 2-3 years.  The novels pair American pathologist Nora Gavin with Irish archaeologist Cormac Maguire in mysteries set mostly in Ireland, and mostly involving bodies found in bogs or at archaeological digs--bodies that are not historic finds.  Hart's prose is lovely, and she excels at characterization, both of her protagonists and of the surrounding castmembers in each novel.  The mystery plotlines are carefully drawn.  And Hart clearly backs up each novel with significant research, though she never dumps information on the reader just for the sake of showcasing her knowledge.  If you appreciate literary mysteries in the vein of Jacqueline Winspear or Kate Atkinson, this series is for you.

 

 

 

Skimmed only the juicy parts which was about the last third of the book. This hero was pre-tay nas-tay to say the least. HUGE hypocrite who knew his wife wasn't dead but carried on with his mistress while shipwrecked. Yeah, yeah, yeah, he was on that deserted island a year, but still. He should've at least gave the missus a break considering he was the true adulturer. But not only didn't he, but he brought the ditzy OW home and rubbed his long suffering wife's face in their relationship. If you want to be utterly pissed off, then you've hit gold! This book deserves a 5 in that department.

This historical romance set in the wild west had lots of action but it was kind of unrealistic. The heroine initially acted more like a ten year old and I almost quit reading but I did finish and overall it was an enjoyable story. Marshall Travis manages to catch the youngest outlaw Sam after the gang robs the bank.

What can I say? This book was even better than the first. It's delicious. It makes you want to eat it until the very last bite, and long for more :) I've had a hard week and really needed some sleep yesterday - but couldn't close my eyes until I read the last page.Ireland. Mystery. A lot of mystery. Mysterious characters. Mysterious details.Bloody murders. Ancient history. Bog bodies. Romance. Suspense. On top of that, beautiful writing. What else can a person want from a good quality entertaining story?Some books are destined to be made into films. This one is simply perfect to be made into a computer game. I can already see it: Lake Of Sorrows Quest - discover the murderer before it is too late! Beautiful graphics. You play both for Cormac and Nora, collect evidence, do research, interview people. If such game ever appears, count me in, I want to buy it!