Death From High Places by Benedict Brown

 

Christopher and Lord Edgington investigate the death of one of Albert's friends. Christopher faces a fear of jumping out of an air balloon. Unfortunately someone doesn't make it. Which one of the friends is a murderer and why?

A fast read since this is a novella. Even though it was short it was still well-written and entertaining. I enjoyed it very much. 

Emma A Modern Retelling by Alexander McCall Smith

 

Emma by Jane Austen was not my favorite Austen book. I have managed to get through it only once and that took me a couple of tries to finally buckle down and finish it. I don't know why that is. But anyway, this modern retelling by Alexander McCall Smith seemed to move faster and be more interesting even though it followed Austen's book very well. I really like Alexander McCall Smith's writing. If you have never read his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series you are missing out! He did this retelling justice and made it much more easy for me to get through it. The story was easy to follow, and modern enough to keep reading, but not so modern that it detracted from the authenticity of the original. There wasn't any gratuitous cursing or sex scenes, which was much appreciated! An enjoyable read and well done retelling!

Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey

 

Riley's friend has disappeared. Now she and Greyson must go undercover as a couple to the spa that Kelly was last seen. Throughout their search Riley knows they are heading to the one place she never wants to return to. Grey is fighting his own battles. His feelings are beyond brotherly concern for Riley, but he has convinced himself he can never act on those feelings. As the two fight their feelings for each other they get closer and closer to a killer. 

I liked both Riley and Greyson's characters. I did get a bit frustrated with the baggage that they both carried, but more-so with Greyson's unwillingness to let go of his. The danger they faced was intense and made for a great suspense. The conclusion totally leaves us hanging for the next book in the series! I hope that it comes out quickly.

Blood on the Banisters by Benedict Brown

 

Christopher's brother Albert is finally getting married. It is tradition that the bride and groom trade houses the night before the wedding. Albert, Christopher and Lord Edgington go to the bride's family home. Albert finds that his fiance's family are completely horrible, but he still wants to marry Cassandra. When Cassandra's mother is murdered in the middle of the night it is a good thing that Christopher and his grandfather are there and on the case as it looks like Albert may be the murderer! Will they be able to solve the case before the wedding? 

Oh my! Suspects are coming out of the woodwork in this one. Could one of Cassandra's brothers have killed their mother? She was a completely awful woman to all of her family. So throughout the story I was wondering which one finally cracked enough to kill her. I was a little disappointed in Christopher this go-round because he seemed to not have as many insights as he has in the past. But for this case I think he can be forgiven. I too was confused and led astray by so many suspects. By the time I got to the end of the book I never would have guessed who-done-it! Never fear though, Lord Edgington does not seem to be at a loss as to what is going on and manages to wrap the case up quite tidily. Christopher and his grandfather are the perfect detective duo and I look forward to more adventures with them!