Fatal Flowers by Miranda Rijks (Dr. Pippa Durrant, Book 2)

The 2^nd installment in the Dr. Pippa Durrant series has the “human lie detector” once more working with the police to solve a murder.

A murdered man has been found at a popular garden center but no one seems to know who he is or why he was at the center after hours.  As the police and Pippa investigate the murder, another body is found – complete with a sinister flower calling card.  The Gowers, the family that owns the garden center, have deadly secrets that someone wants to make sure stay buried.

The story had enough characters and misdirection to keep the reader guessing until the end and the plot moved along at a fast pace.  Unfortunately, none of the characters were likable, resulting in little suspense as the reader doesn’t care if one is killed.  If Ms. Rijks had given me a character or two to care about, my rating would have improved as the story was well-written and included interesting information regarding detecting lies through micro expressions and about floriography, the language of flowers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Miranda Rijks and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

Rating:  3 stars

The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland (Victorian Mystery, Book 3)

The Hangman’s Secret is the 3rd book in Laura Joh Rowland’s Victorian Mystery series.  Sarah Bain and her friends, Lord Hugh Staunton and Mick O’Reilly are private detectives, currently working for Sir Gerald Mariner, the owner of The Daily World newspaper, photographing crime scenes.

While at one of their goriest crime scenes yet, the trio realizes that this is, in fact, the site of a murder and not the “suicide” that it appears.  The victim, bar owner Harry Warbrick, moonlights as England’s top hangman and he has just met his fate in the same manner as the hundreds of criminals he has executed.

When Sir Gerald is informed of the staged scene and the very real possibility that this was a murder, he announces that The Daily World will solve the crime before the police can.  This puts Sarah in direct competition with the man she loves, Constable Barrett, as they each race to solve the crime before the other.

During the course of their investigation, Sarah and her friends find connections between Harry Warbrick and his most famous execution, Amelia Carlisle, the “Baby-Butcher” who was sentenced for the murders of hundreds of infants placed in her care.  Something happened at this execution but due to the Official Secrets Act, those present are unable to discuss the event.  The cover-up extends much higher than originally thought and Sarah and her friends find themselves fighting for their lives and their freedom.

This book was well-written with interesting characters.  The storyline kept the reader guessing ‘til the end.  I recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Laura Joh Rowland who gave me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:  4 stars