Blue Jeans And Teacups
HISTORICAL ROMANTIC COMEDY/MYSTERY-DRAMA *** 1887, New York. "Considering she'd once shot the man sitting across from her, Eunice Holbrook was beginning to get the sneaking suspicion her past had finally caught up with her." Great opening line and gorgeous cover! Arthur Livingston is a no-nonsense, black and white sort of aristocrat; or at least he thinks so, until he reunites with the one woman who tends to unhinge him. Eunice co-runs the Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency and is rather headstrong and direct. These two have several wonderful arguments and join forces to solve a long past murder. The part of the book where she goes undercover in had my gut clenching. I was rather glad it was not the major focus of the book because the conditions were abysmal. I enjoyed the twists and turns with her family members and their reuniting. The amount of money these people had was catastrophic even by today's standards! I was drawn to Chase Livingston, Arthur's younger brother {"I've always been old for my years, and I spend countless hours counseling men and women when I volunteer at a mission in Five Points."}, as well as their whimsical, eighty-two-year-old grandfather {"I don't believe I've ever seen a lady flee from you before. I suppose it's not very grandfatherly of me to admit that I found that amusing, but that was very amusing indeed," Lloyd said, his eyes twinkling}. I hope we hear more of them in a future series. I also enjoyed the star Pinkerton, Agent Cooper who has returned. I love that he trains the girls in self-defense and that female agents are proficient in firearms. "The pistol was mine. It's a very distinctive pistol, silver with an inlaid handle of mother of pearl and my initials carved into it..." There's also a bit of society and a bit of the old west in the book which was a fun change of scenery. *** Very few faith or tea moments this time. I could always do with more of those! ;) *** Very good read, 4 stars *** I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest opinion which is mine alone and without compensation or further expectation.
Meagan Myhren-Bennett
To Disguise the Truth The Blecker Street Inquiry Agency #3 By Jen Turano Eunice Holbrooke, one of the partners at the Blecker Street Inquiry Agency, is about to face the past she thought she'd left behind seven years ago. Sitting before her is none other than Arthur Livingston, the man her late grandfather had planned on her marrying and taking the reins of the family business. Thankfully Arthur has no idea who she is, thanks to her black widow's weeds and masking veil. And there is no way her agency is going to take on his case because she refuses to find herself. But Arthur is determined to find Eugenia Howland and return her to her home in Butte, Montana before she is declared dead. If Eugenia is declared dead, she will lose the fortune her grandfather left to her. But Eunice has vowed to never return to Montana, and she has very good reasons for not doing so. The main reason her grandfather's murderer just might be waiting for her. To Disguise the Truth is a Historical Fiction with mystery, romance, and humor running throughout. Eunice and Arthur have several exchanges that seem contentious but at times are rather amusing. And the Howland family, oy, what a mess. This is one book you most definitely have to read it is a most enjoyable diversion and the perfect way to escape from the stresses of the day. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.
Marilyn Johnson
This is book three in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. It is a stand alone book, however you do miss a lot of the history from many characters and two good reads if you jump right into this one. You will enjoy this book more fully if you do read the books in order. Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors, I love her spunky writing style, filled with humor, mystery and history. I literally laughed out load while reading this historical, mysterious, romance. The entire Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency is full of fun, unique women. I loved how even though this series are stand alone type reads, the books will continue to involve everyone, therefore your enjoyment will be magnified by reading them all. Book three we get to learn more about the mysterious Eunice Holbrooke and the handsome Arthur Livington. There is so much going on in this book and of course it is full of all I have come to expect from Jen Turano. I was given a copy of this book or my honest opinion.