Keith M. Souter

I love anthologies. It’s a great way to try on new authors before coughing up the big bucks for their full length novel on spec. It’s also nice to have something you can dip into when you’ve got a few spare minutes to read a short story.

This is a collection from Sapere featuring 11 authors giving their takes on mysteries set around Christmas. Some are period pieces, some are set in present day. There’s a real mix here & as with all anthologies every reader will have their personal show more favourites.

So I’m just going to mention the three I thought were standouts.

“Will Power” by Marilyn Todd is set in 1895 London & features Julia McAllister, a smart independent woman who makes her living as a photographer. The narrative is pacey & atmospheric & full of witty dialogue & sharp humour I really enjoyed. She’s a new author for me & after reading this shortie I picked up the first book in the series.

“Secret Santa” by Kim Fleet features Eden Grey, a private investigator in Cheltenham. Another new author, another great story & another series I’ll be checking out (I think my TBR pile just burst into tears).

And last but not least, one that reunited me with a character I’m very familiar with…the one & only Lieutenant Josef Slonský. “Away in a Manger” by Graham Brack takes us to Prague for Xmas where we follow the gang as they deal with some festive pickpockets. As usual, the dialogue kept me grinning through the whole story.

There’s something here for all mystery lovers & at only 99¢ for kindle, it’s a screamin’ deal. show less

The Pardoner’s Crime by Keith Moray
Sandal Castle Medieval Thrillers #1

Based loosely on the Robin Hood myth this book introduces Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law. He has been sent by the king to dispense justice in the northern realm of England and that is just what he plans to do. He is well versed in what is and is not legal as well as what justice requires when laws have been broken. At his side travels Hubert of Loxley, his assistant.

As the two make their way to where they will be show more posted they encounter a variety of people, rumors of laws broken, information about the place they are going and the man who has been in charge of maintaining order – with a heavy hand – until Richard arrives.

In the year 1322 religion was a big part of the lives of people and there were scrupulous and unscrupulous people working on behalf of God. One such position held by some was to be a pardoner – a man you could tell your wrongs to instead of the priest, buy a dispensation/pardon from or perhaps purchase a relic with which to keep yourself safe. One such man, Albin of Rouncivale, was such a man.

This story weaves in the characters we all know from animated, written and screen stories of Robin Hood. They may not have the same names that we know them by but they are definitely in the story. Life is not easy in the 1300’s. People work hard, laws are strict, punishments are brutal and life is often short.

The beginning of this series does a good job of introducing the main characters. The court scenes play out dramatically as Richard seeks the truth of matters that are illegal. The flavor of the times is experienced through all of the senses and the twists and turns in the story were intriguing. I have to say it took me awhile to begin to see who was behind the deaths that were occurring. And, along with the evil, the courtroom scenes and introduction to this series set long ago there is a hint at future romance for more than one character in the book.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Sapere Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars show less

Moray knows how to write a compelling mystery.

The residents of Kyleshiffin are like family, most have grown up there, some moved away and then returned. They all look out for each other and there is the occasional good natured ribbing.
Inspector Torquil McKinnon is away on leave after the death of his girlfriend Fiona. While he is away constable Ewan McPhee goes missing and Sergeant Morag Driscoll is trying to hold the office and is eager for Torquil to return.

The setting of Kyleshiffin West show more Uist in the Scottish Hebrides is an Island with a tight knit community cut off from the mainland where the residents are used to dealing with problems on their own.

Moray layers one mystery on top of another. An assassin kills a family, the new Laird of Dunshiffin Castle arrives and starts making enemies immediately, threats start to fly and the body count rises. Always in the back of their minds is the missing constable and friend, Ewan.

I really enjoyed the first in the series The Gathering Murders with the introduction to Torquil McKinnon and his uncle the Padre. There are plenty of regulars that will appear in book 2 and also a few new comers to West Uist. It’s not paramount, but I would recommend you read book 1 which gives much character insight on McKinnon and his team. It’s also a darn good read.

Moray uses the contentious issue of wind farms to create conflict in the community. There are also those for and against the culling of hedgehogs and animal protection. Some people may not be who they appear to be!
Not everyone survives the battle and the locals of West Uist may be mourning more than one of their own by the end of the book.
Everything is wrapped up nicely, with a few surprising revelations, making this a perfect stand alone read.

Deathly Wind is an evenly paced story that I read in one sitting. The mysteries are compelling and the characters are well drawn.

Highly recommended show less

''I think you can let the baby Jesus go'', Slonsky said. ''He's innocent, just like the real one.''

Behind the shiny ornaments, the bright lights, the laughter, the flowing wine, and the presents, dark intentions may find a fertile ground to flourish. Winter is a time for being cautious, Christmas is a time for gatherings. And gatherings sometimes bring disputes. And who knows where disputes might lead...Small wonder that a plethora of mysteries takes place during the holidays.

This show more collection includes 11 short stories whose setting varies from Prague to Brighton, from the 17th century to 2019. Lost relationships, strange felonies, apparitions, mistakes create an interesting array of mostly well-written stories with a distinctive Christmas aura and vivid settings.

Away In A Monger by Graham Brack: A funny story of pickpocketing set in the Old Town Square of a festive, crowded Prague.

''The clock in the hall struck three. Charles Dickens did not sleep again
that night.''

Footsteps In The Snow by J.C.Brigss: Charles Dickens finds himself face-to-face with an inexplicable premonition and a strange death. The atmosphere in this tale is outstanding.

Lost and Found by Keith Moray: The story of a death in the family on Boxing Day, in the company of bagpipes. Set in West Uist, Scotland, the folklore element is very vivid and makes this story much more than a death mystery.

The Spirit of Christmas by Cora Harrison: A mystery set in Victorian London, taking place close to the amazing Hamley's toy shop. Clever boys, a dog and a constable battling with the perplexities of the metropolis in an era of changes.

The Stolen Santa Sack by Sean Gibbons: A story set in Galway, Ireland, in our time. This one was pretty horrible. Ridiculous plot, jokes of the lowest quality possible, vulgar language to the point of disgust. Pure trash.

Will Power by Marilyn Todd: A moving tale of a brave young woman who almost falls victim to a man's exploitation and an intelligent crime scene photographer.

Christmas Spirit by Gaynor Torrance: The second story/garbage that reads like an awful cop-movie. The Welsh slang and swearing didn't really help...

The Essex Nativity by David Field: Two police officers battle crime in the streets of Essex, during the 1890s.

Secret Santa by Kim Fleet: A story of Christmas hope and the past that refuses to be put to rest, set in Cheltenham.

Stir Up Sunday by M.J. Logue: The mystery of a stolen recipe book set within the political and religious turmoil of the 17th century.

The Christmas Ghost by Linda Stratmann: A touching story of a bereaved mother and a woman with a special gift, of deathly mistakes and reconciliation, set in Brighton in 1871.

Even though Mystery and Crime aren't amongst my favourite genres, Christmas calls for a cozy or two (or more...) and this collection is definitely a satisfying company.

''Charles Dickens started out at the snow which lay thick and shining under a great lamp of a moon. The moon seemed unusually large to him, yet it was peaceful, seeming to light the way to the heavens.''

Many thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ show less