Vengeance in Venice - A Review

 Review

VENGEANCE IN VENICE by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Seventh Jane Wunderly Mystery

After an impromptu wedding in Scotland, nearly getting killed on a business trip in India, and becoming bored back in London, Jane Wunderly and Redvers decide to go on an actual honeymoon. Traveling to Italy their romantic trip takes an unexpected turn when Aunt Millie and her husband check into the very same hotel! They have been invited to Venice and a costume party by Millie's new friend, socialite Clara Morton, and insist that Jane and Redvers accompany them to the event. Surprised by the dilapidated looking palazzo they're stunned by what waits for them inside. It's a carnival with acrobats and even a Tarot reader, who just happens to be a young woman Jane met years ago in India. Even more shocking than the half dressed hostess with a boa constrictor draped around her is the dead body of her ex-husband in the garden. With Clara accusing Deanna, the Tarot reader, of murder Jane and Redvers find themselves spending their honeymoon on the hunt for a killer. 

I absolutely love this series and one of my favorite things about it is the various places I get to visit vicariously. Visiting Venice was a real treat with descriptions of the canals ancient streets, and architectural details, not to mention the food, even though I dislike seafood. It was fascinating as it didn't dawn on me that people could rent boats and travel via the canals alongside the gondoliers.

VENGEANCE IN VENICE is filled with unforgettable characters. Aunt Millie is back, making me laugh at her outlandish ways, but its the scandalous Clara Morton who is truly one of a kind. Revealing clothing that leaves her practically nude, exotic pets ( I love Carmine!) and avante garde behavior make her truly memorable, if not very likeable. What's even more amazing is that this character is based on a real person! The cast of unconventional and generally unpleasant characters became a hodgepodge of suspects and motives and made Jane and Redvers all the more appealing in their steadfast approach to their investigation and each other. 

A honeymoon turned murder investigation VENGEANCE IN VENICE brings 1920s Venice to life. I look forward to seeing what exploits our intrepid couple encounter next!

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the seventh in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and will be released next week.

After an impromptu wedding in Scotland, nearly getting killed on a business trip in India, and becoming bored back in London, Jane Wunderly and Redvers decide to go on an actual honeymoon. Traveling to Italy their romantic trip takes an unexpected turn when Aunt Millie and her husband check into the very same hotel! They have been invited to Venice and a costume party by Millie's new friend, socialite Clara Morton, and insist that Jane and Redvers accompany them to the event. Surprised by the dilapidated looking palazzo they're stunned by what waits for them inside. It's a carnival with acrobats and even a Tarot reader, who just happens to be a young woman Jane met years ago in India. Even more shocking than the half dressed hostess with a boa constrictor draped around her is the dead body of her ex-husband in the garden. With Clara accusing Deanna, the Tarot reader, of murder Jane and Redvers find themselves spending their honeymoon on the hunt for a killer.

Homicide in the Indian Hills - A Review

Review

HOMICIDE IN THE INDIAN HILLS
By Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Sixth Jane Wunderly Mystery 

Accompanying her husband to Ootacamund in the mountains of India Jane Wunderly is at a bit of a loss. While Redvers is on a diplomatic mission for the Crown, Jane, for once, has nothing to do. At their first diplomatic meal she meets Gretchen Beetner who points out all of the key players. With her wit and keen intellect Jane was looking forward to getting to know the woman better, perhaps even becoming friends. That hope was dashed the following morning when it was announced that Gretchen was killed, mauled by a tiger. Knowing that a tiger attack was extremely unlikely Jane and Redvers suspect murder. Was her death tied to her belief in Indian self rule? Being on the outer edge of politics who could possibly benefit from her death? As Jane and Redvers investigate they soon discover that someone is willing to do whatever is necessary to stop them. 

A wish for a mystery to solve comes at a steep price for Jane in this, the sixth Jane Wunderly Mystery. As ever, I love how she and Redvers work together. I liked the methodical investigation, with necessary and humorous break ins, as well as the background of British/Indian politics in the 1920s. Secrets, ambition, and an adrenaline pumping race to save a loved one produced an exciting and exotic adventure. 

Political intrigue, romantic liaisons, and a fight for independence combine to make HOMICIDE IN THE INDIAN HILLS an engrossing mystery fraught with drama as well as a few laughs.

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Homicide in the Indian Hills by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the sixth in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and was released earlier this year.

Accompanying her husband to Ootacamund in the mountains of India Jane Wunderly is at a bit of a loss. While Redvers is on a diplomatic mission for the Crown, Jane, for once, has nothing to do. At their first diplomatic meal she meets Gretchen Beetner who points out all of the key players. With her wit and keen intellect Jane was looking forward to getting to know the woman better, perhaps even becoming friends. That hope was dashed the following morning when it was announced that Gretchen was killed, mauled by a tiger. Knowing that a tiger attack was extremely unlikely Jane and Redvers suspect murder. Was her death tied to her belief in Indian self rule? Being on the outer edge of politics who could possibly benefit from her death? As Jane and Redvers investigate they soon discover that someone is willing to do whatever is necessary to stop them.

Secrets of a Scottish Isle - A Review

 Review

 

SECRETS OF A SCOTTISH ISLE by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Fifth Jane Wunderly Mystery

Robert Nightingale wants to become an agent of the Crown and it's up to Jane Wunderly to see if he's a viable candidate. Since Redvers is known to the man, Jane is the one going undercover for this assignment. She's infiltrated Nightingale's branch of the society known as the Order of the Golden Dawn. Staying on a remote Scottish isle, Jane hopes to quickly prove that Nightingale is unsuitable and leave the stark windswept place. Believing the paranormal is a lot of hooey, some inexplicable experiences leave her with more questions than answers. Especially once she finds the dead body of a woman from the Order. Jane will have to resolve matters before something even more dastardly occurs.

The Jane Wunderly Mystery series is one of my most favorite and I was absolutely ecstatic when I discovered the latest book featured the Golden Dawn! I've had a fascination with the group for decades. I loved that historical people were actually featured in the book and especially loved the role a certain well known poet played. 

The mystery was well conceived with shifty characters and an aura of foreboding. One of my favorite characters was Mrs.McCrary. This stalwart matron with secrets in her pantry is both sensible and otherworldly. She knows enough not to take things for granted, including the paranormal. Of course, I'm also a fan of that poet, another logical person open to the wisdom of the universe, and practical enough never to play the fool. It goes without saying that I love Jane and Redvers too. I appreciated that Jane had to walk across the island to speak with people and give her fiancé updates, but the continual walking and descriptions of such walks slowed the pace and was a bit much. 

A hint of mysticism with the mystery makes SECRETS OF A SCOTTISH ISLE an intriguing atmospheric novel full of historic detail.

Murder Under the Mistletoe - A Review

 Review

MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Fourth and a Half Jane Wunderly Mystery 

It's Christmastime and Redvers has decided to bring his fiance, Jane, to his ancestral home to meet his father. While Jane is well aware the two aren't close, the couple are surprised to learn that his father is engaged and plans to wed the widow Evelyn on Christmas Day. Evelyn runs hot and cold, but there's no mistake that Redvers' aunts dislike the woman. The aunts also intimate that the deaths of the widow's previous two husbands may not have been entirely natural. After Jane and Redvers start asking questions an accident occurs followed by a murder. Coincidence? The couple must get to the truth to save Redvers' father and possibly their own future wedding. 

It's always a challenge meeting the family of your significant other, especially when your fiance isn't close to his father, there's a surprise woman in the wings, and energetic aunts are nearby. I loved the glimpses we got of Redvers childhood and the boy he once was. I absolutely adore Redvers' aunts and hope we get to see more of them. I also love how they mesh with Aunt Millie!

I love everything about the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and this Christmas novella is the sprig of holly on the plum pudding! It's delightful in every way. The relationship, dare I say partnership, between Jane and Redvers is wonderful and I enjoy the manner in which they work together.

MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a delightful holiday novella featuring a house full of relatives, surprises, and Christmas cheer.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder Under the Mistletoe by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the fourth and a half book (it's a novella) in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series. 

It's Christmastime and Redvers has decided to bring his fiance, Jane, to his ancestral home to meet his father. While Jane is well aware the two aren't close, the couple are surprised to learn that his father is engaged and plans to wed the widow Evelyn on Christmas Day. Evelyn runs hot and cold, but there's no mistake that Redvers' aunts dislike the woman. The aunts also intimate that the deaths of the widow's previous two husbands may not have been entirely natural. After Jane and Redvers start asking questions an accident occurs followed by a murder. Coincidence? The couple must get to the truth to save Redvers' father and possibly their own future wedding.

Intrigue in Istanbul - A Review

 Review

INTRIGUE IN ISTANBUL by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Fourth Jane Wunderly Mystery

After traveling abroad Jane Wunderly is finally returning to Boston. While she never thought she'd remarry, she's happily engaged and looking forward to introducing Redvers to her father. However, instead of a warm welcome they find a cold empty house and concerning letters. With the threat of losing her family home looming, the couple quickly head back to Europe in search of her father. Once in Istanbul they discover that he has been hunting for a fabled treasure and has gone missing. Is he in danger? Will they be able find him and save the family home in time? Solving these puzzles is a race against the clock with friends and foes popping up to help and hinder when least expected.

With a little bit of romance and a lot of intrigue INTRIGUE IN ISTANBUL is one adventure after another. What starts as a simple bring the fiance home to meet dad becomes a cross continent race to find a father and save a home while also solving an ancient mystery. I love how the mystery develops from a "simple" missing person to a hidden historical artifact, a possible scam, and spies thrown in for good measure.

The characters are wonderfully complex and I love how the relationship between Jane and Redvers continues to evolve. They make such a fantastic team in just about every way possible. Aunt Millie continues to make me laugh and I appreciate the calming presence of her beau.

At times funny, at times pulse pounding, INTRIGUE IN ISTANBUL has puzzles to solve, characters to love, and rich historical and geographical detail. I adore this series and was completely enthralled with this latest addition.

Danger on the Atlantic - A Review

 Review

DANGER ON THE ATLANTIC by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Third Jane Wunderly Mystery

Jane Wunderly finally has her chance. Redvers' supervisors have allowed her to officially be part of an investigation. She and Redvers, posing as husband and wife, have boarded a ship headed to America. Their mission is to find a spy selling secrets to the Germans. Jane soon gets involved with another passenger, a woman who claims her husband has disappeared. While the crew thinks she's just a hysterical woman whose husband never existed, Jane saw the man and is determined to help, despite Redvers' misgivings. Certain she can pursue both mysteries at once, Jane's not as confident in her ability to deal with her relationship with Redvers, a prospect that's both thrilling and frightening.

An elegant cruise across the Atlantic in 1926 in first class accommodations with a dashing man who values your intelligence and instincts; what's not to love? Indeed I love everything about this book. From the detailed descriptions and the well developed intriguing characters to the finely plotted mystery, the third Jane Wunderly novel had me enthralled from start to finish. 

While the mystery, well, mysteries, are at the forefront, what's just as compelling is the character and relationship development. When doubts were cast I felt the disillusionment and heartbreak, and hoped things would right themselves. Jane is savvy and self sufficient, yet also vulnerable making her a protagonist you admire and feel for. Redvers continues to be a dashing man of mystery, but we get to learn more of what makes him tick. All of the secondary characters, and I do mean all, are finely crafted, each suspicious and worthy of note.

With memories of World War I and the sinking of the Titanic still fresh in their minds, a hunt for a spy aboard a luxurious ocean liner is at once glamorous and worrying. DANGER ON THE ATLANTIC delivers an emotionally charged, perception challenging, thrilling adventure at sea. I can't wait to see what happens next!

 

Murder at Wedgefield Manor - A Review

 Review

MURDER AT WEDGEFIELD MANOR by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Second Jane Wunderly Mystery

After their trip to Egypt Jane Wunderly and her Aunt Millie decide to spend some time in England, staying at Wedgefield Manor. Millie is getting reacquainted with her old friend, Lord Hughes, while Jane takes flying lessons, much to Millie's dismay. Yet it's an automobile that proves deadly when the estate's mechanic is killed in a crash. His death was no accident, however. With a household full of suspicious people, Jane, assisted once again by the mysterious Redvers, is involved in yet another murder.  

I absolutely loved MURDER AT WEDGEFIELD MANOR. The characters, the setting, and a perplexing mystery make this historical mystery a treat. I love Jane's zest for life, whether it be learning to fly or rushing headlong into another murder investigation. As for her relationship with Redvers...their understanding of each other, the uncertainty, and the desire just under the surface is compelling and addictive. I can't wait to watch their relationship unfold and see where it leads.

The second Jane Wunderly Mystery has the feel of a country house party with an interesting mix of people staying together in a posh isolated estate. The upperclass mingle more freely with the workers, a practice that is not to everyone's liking. Pretty much the entire household of Wedgefield Manor was acting suspiciously leaving me unsure of who to trust while I attempted to deduce who the murderer was as well as the motive. Yet I enjoyed having so many possibilities as much as it frustrated Jane.

Incorporating veterans from the Great War, a golf mad young woman, and a simmering romance just waiting to come to the boil MURDER AT WEDGEFIELD MANOR is a top notch mystery. I adore this series and can't wait to see where Jane winds up next!

Murder at the Mena House - A Review

Review

MURDER AT THE MENA HOUSE by Erica Ruth Neubauer

The First Jane Wunderly Mystery

In 1926 Cairo Jane Wunderly is looking forward to the prospect of visiting the pyramids and enjoying a cocktail or two with her aunt. But her aunt is acting oddly, drinking even more than usual and spending time with two young women, leaving her niece to fend for herself. With a hotel full of guests, Jane is not alone for long. Although she has no time for good looking men, a disastrous marriage cured her of any romantic notions, Jane can't help but be intrigued by the enigmatic Brit, Redvers. The brash young socialite Anna Stainton does have eyes for him though, as well as all of the other handsome fellows in the vicinity, and takes an instant dislike to Jane, causing more than one scene. Thus when Anna is murdered, police immediately see Jane as the prime suspect. With other hotel guests acting suspiciously, and in order to save her own neck, Jane is determined to discover the truth, wherever it leads!

I knew from the first sentence that I'd love this book, and love it I do! Jane is charming and someone I'd like to call a friend. A nightmare of a marriage has left residual effects, but has not dampened her spirit or outlook on life. Redvers is a perfect mysterious man, charming, but possibly dangerous. Is he too good to be true? Several subplots gave me plenty of suspicions about what was going on, most of which were proved wrong, thereby creating a complex and intriguing mystery.

MURDER AT THE MENA HOUSE is imbued with plenty of charm, a dash of romance, and historical detail set in an exotic local. Along with a cerebral puzzle, there are plenty of laughs as well as a pulse pounding, adrenaline fueled climax!

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the first in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and will be released March 31, 2020.

In 1926 Cairo Jane Wunderly is looking forward to the prospect of visiting the pyramids and enjoying a cocktail or two with her aunt. But her aunt is acting oddly, drinking even more than usual and spending time with two young women, leaving her niece to fend for herself. With a hotel full of guests, Jane is not alone for long. Although she has no time for good looking men, a disastrous marriage cured her of any romantic notions, Jane can't help but be intrigued by the enigmatic Brit, Mr. Redvers. The brash young socialite Anna Stainton does have eyes for him though, as well as all of the other handsome fellow in the vicinity, and takes an instant dislike to Jane, causing more than one scene. Thus when Anna is murdered, police immediately see Jane as the prime suspect. With other hotel guests acting suspiciously, and in order to save her own neck, Jane is determined to discover the truth, wherever it leads!