Vanessa Riley

It’s Hard to Kill Purple

Vanessa Riley writes a classic historical mystery filled with drama and danger in Murder in Westminster. Lady Abigail Worthing wants nothing more than to find her wayward sister, and focus on attending secret abolition meetings while her husband Lord Worthing is out to sea. When a dispute with her quarrelsome neighbor Stapleton Henderson, concerning her rambunctious terroir Teacup, reveals the murder of his estranged wife. Juliet Henderson may have been an show more intolerable flirt, but was loved by almost everyone. Abbie will have to face and learn to use her second sight to solve this, before she is next.

At first Abbie is reluctant to get involved, and unwilling to acknowledge her second sight as anything but an inconvenience. She struggles with her current loneliness, and worry about her sister Dinah Carrington. Vanessa Riley gives Abbie all the high spirits of a Jamaican and Scottish heritage with all the “logic and stubbornness” she needs to solve a mystery. Abbie is constantly evasive with what she does or does not know, often inpatient, and a touch melodramatic with those around her. Which Vanessa Riley emphasizes with her to the point writing style. All of which create a smart, and exciting character that is a fun contrast to Stapleton Henderson’s darkly sarcastic character.

Henderson is full of contradictions both wanting to financially support his wayward wife, while letting her divorce him. He is determined to make Abbie help, even if it means accusing her of murder. Both desperate to find out who murdered his wife, while being secretive and misleading. Together they uncover a scandalous plot, and a dark secret. When everyone is hiding a secret, finding a murderer will prove to be easier said than done. show less

Elegant writing, witty interaction, strong lead characters who've endured much!

Wow! I just loved this Regency romance! Sterling storyline, with mysterious and humorous twists. Scenes with Busick Strathmore, the Duke of Repington relating with baby Lionel were a joy with real endearing moments. In fact, for me, those scenes almost stole the show.
Widowed West Indian heiress Patience Jordan's ducal husband has committed suicide, her newborn son Lionel has been whisked away by her husband's show more guardian, the odious Markham, and Markham had Patience committed to Bedlam. With the help of a secret organization, The Widow's Grace, Patience escapes. The Widow's Grace is a 'secret society of avengers, women of all sizes, all shape,' looking to help mistreated women.
We first meet Patience when she's disguised herself as a footman and stolen back into Hamlin Hall just to see her darling baby boy. Unfortunately, at that very moment Busick Strathmore, her husband's cousin, the Duke of Repington, and Lionel's real guardian arrives at the Hall. Patience has to think quickly, and not loose her nerve to survive this moment without exposure. Patience and Busick's first meeting is so farcical as to be heartily funny. I loved it. This was my other 'almost stole the show' moment.
A bit of trickery played by Lady Shrewsbury, leader of the Widow's Grace, and Patience is inserted back into the Hall as the wet nurse and nanny for Lionel.
Busick is wonderful. He brings his own troopers, mostly injured and disabled men from Napoleonic battles, to assist him in keeping Lionel and the property safe. He falls in love with young Lionel and plans the baby's regime with military finesse, expecting baby and the nanny/wet nurse to fall in line. That's his second mistake! So? The next might just be his growing attachment to the nanny!
Bubbling underneath the storyline are issues relating to this historical period. Through the medium of story Riley is 'showcasing a sliver of the diversity of the Regency, the treatment of the disabled, and the power structure afforded women.' The Widow's Grace society shines a light on these issues for us as readers, and just maybe a few characters in the series become more enlightened as time goes by.
As Riley's explains in her very informative author's note, the series is
'about women taking control of their destinies and the men who love and support them, and how united they make their worlds better by partnering in grace and joy.'

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley show less

A military strategist with a disability, a widowed immigrant, and an infant against a dastardly villain. Props to Riley for following the standards for a Regency romance (titled gentlemen, handsome officers in uniform, a spirited young woman) while also grounding the novel in elements Austen glossed over. Here are veterans adjusting to severe war wounds, widows denied their rights, and wealth from the colonies more welcomed than the people of color who possess it. There's plenty of gothic show more elements and to my delight, a strong set-up for a series. I don't think there's anything here inappropriate to publication in Good Housekeeping of the 70s but with the more inclusive cast of the 2020s.
And a recipe.
And a distinctly different voice. First person for Patience and third person for the Duke works well. Riley manages to distinguish the characters from one another without stereotype or dialect, which is awesome and a bit magical, too.

Library copy show less

The Glimmer of Gems

Vanessa Riley explores the historical landscape of 1800’s Hayti, to tell the indomitable story of Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid. The story of the Queen of Exiles begins in 1821, as Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid flees with her two daughters to England after the Haitian Revolution. In fear of her future, Louise holds on to her dignity and strength to overcome the many prejudices facing black women during her time.

Louise reflects on the many remarkable events of her life, show more often skipping through time. The reader follows Louise’s train-of-thought as she contemplates her past life as it affects her future. Vanessa Riley’s attention to the details of Louisa’s family and history, give depth to an otherwise quiet narrative. As Louise is an introspective woman. Throughout the book there are snippets of newspaper clippings. Each covering Louise’s life from 1811, the year before she is crowned queen, through 1847. This is a story of how Louise struggles to comes to terms with the loss of her family, as the freedom of Hayti is lost. As well as her current struggle to share her story with the newspaper reporter David Michelson.

Louise is described as “unassuming and composed,” but she is more than just that. She is wise to the events that shaped her life, loyal to her husband and country, a loving mother, and enduring woman. Vanessa Riley writes about Louise’s strong heart, as she seeks to be worthy of Hayti, and those who rely on her. From beginning to end, through all of her struggles, Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid is an inspiring woman. With a story that should be known, and shared. show less