The Northern Witch's Book Blog

The Haunting of Roderick Usher by Colin Garrow 1 out of 5 Synopsis An invitation. A ghostly spectre. A criminal mastermind. When Sherlock Holmes is invited to visit an old school friend, he and Doctor Watson are plunged into the first of three adventures involving the Dark Arts and the supernatural. From the ghostly spectre of a dead sister to the search for an ancient book of spells, the detecting duo learn that each case is connected, leading them into a final showdown with their deadliest adversary yet. Adult humour throughout. ‘The Watson Letters – Volume 6: The Haunting of Roderick Usher’ is book #6 in this Victorian comedy adventure series set in a not quite Post-Victorian, steampunk parallel universe. If you love historical mysteries, buy something else instead, but if you're into murder, fart-gags and innuendo, this'll be right up your Victorian street. Review Sherlock and Watson visit an old friend, and get to the bottom of the supernatural stories circling his house. ...

The Strange Imagination of Pippa Clayton by Claire Gallagher 5 out of 5 Synopsis Pippa Clayton is a grown woman with an imaginary friend. Her daily life is accompanied by a soundtrack that she hears in her head. Pippa envisions fantastical scenes unfolding day-to-day, from travelling on the Hogwarts Express to using her trolley to bowl offenders who block supermarket aisles out of the way like skittles. Clumsy but caring, Pippa is always there for her friends and always willing to raise money for a good cause. She lives alone with her cat, Mr. Fluffles, and works as a receptionist for an advertising agency where she has a huge crush on the new creative director, Tom Arnold, but when potential client Max Wild spots her hidden talent and asks her out on a date, Pippa has to be brave enough to leave the comforting world she has created for herself following an unexplained tragedy in her past and learn to face up to stark reality. With the help of her family and friends, ranging from her B...

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan 4 out of 5 Synopsis A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm. Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind. Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor's son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince. To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when...

Resurrection Men by Steven Harper 2 out of 5 Synopsis Two men become friends in a graveyard in this moving novel of love, loss, and redemption. Arthur Tor steals the dead for a living. As a resurrection man, he creeps around graveyards with his shovel, hoping to dig up corpses so he can sell them to the local medical college and pay his tuition there. He also holds a strange position in underground society. If someone is dying a slow, painful death, the family members come to Arthur and beg him to end their loved one's pain. Arthur can never refuse, and he helps the dying painlessly cross the threshold in a process he calls the Black Rounds. Unfortunately, a local judge has gotten wind of Arthur's activities and has sworn to send him to prison—or the hangman's noose. Jesse Fair has fled his corrupt family in Baltimore and landed in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he becomes the town gravedigger and undertaker, and he works hard to help grieving families through their pain with w...

The Watson Letters Volume 6: The Haunting of Roderick Usher An invitation. A ghostly spectre. A criminal mastermind. When Sherlock Holmes is invited to visit an old school friend, he and Doctor Watson are plunged into the first of three adventures involving the Dark Arts and the supernatural. From the ghostly spectre of a dead sister to the search for an ancient book of spells, the detecting duo learn that each case is connected, leading them into a final showdown with their deadliest adversary yet. Adult humour throughout. Purchase Link - https://geni.us/dymvutk Author Bio: True-born Geordie Colin Garrow grew up in a former mining town in Northumberland and has worked in a plethora of professions including taxi driver, antiques dealer, drama facilitator, theatre director and fish processor. He has also occasionally masqueraded as a pirate. Colin’s published books include the Watson Letters series, the Terry Bell Mysteries and the Rosie Robson Murder Mysteries. His short stories have ...

The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan 3 out of 5 Synopsis The Justice of Kings, the first in a new epic fantasy trilogy, follows the tale of Sir Konrad Vonvalt, an Emperor’s Justice – a detective, judge and executioner all in one. As he unravels a web of secrets and lies, Vonvalt discovers a plot that might destroy his order once and for all – and bring down the entire Empire.  As an Emperor's Justice, Sir Konrad Vonvalt always has the last word. His duty is to uphold the law of the empire using whatever tools he has at his disposal: whether it's his blade, the arcane secrets passed down from Justice to Justice, or his wealth of knowledge of the laws of the empire. But usually his reputation as one of the most revered—and hated—Justices is enough to get most any job done.  When Vonvalt investigates the murder of a noblewoman, he finds his authority being challenged like never before. As the simple case becomes more complex and convoluted, he begins to pull at the threads that u...

Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair Before Baker Street, there was Montague. Before partnership with a former army doctor recently returned from Afghanistan, Sherlock Holmes had but the quiet company of his own great intellect. Solitary he might be but, living as he did for the thrill of the chase, it was enough. For a little while, at the least, it was enough.  That is, until a client arrives at his door with a desperate plea and an invitation into a world of societal scandal and stage door dandies. Thrust deep in an all-consuming role and charged with the safe-keeping of another, Holmes must own to his limits or risk danger to others besides himself in this the case of the aluminium crutch.  ~Review~ Purchase Links  Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DXQVT56/   Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DXQVT56/ Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sherlock-holmes-the-singular-affair-m-k-wiseman/1140115651?ean=9781734464146 Kobo: https://www.ko...

Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair by M.K. Wiseman 5 out of 5 Synopsis Before Baker Street, there was Montague. Before partnership with a former army doctor recently returned from Afghanistan, Sherlock Holmes had but the quiet company of his own great intellect. Solitary he might be but, living as he did for the thrill of the chase, it was enough. For a little while, at the least, it was enough. That is, until a client arrives at his door with a desperate plea and an invitation into a world of societal scandal and stage door dandies. Thrust deep in an all-consuming role and charged with the safe-keeping of another, Holmes must own to his limits or risk danger to others besides himself in this the case of the aluminium crutch. Review Sherlock shares a case of a missing person who is not missing. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This is the second Sherlock Holmes book by M.K. Wiseman, but I felt at no disadvantage for not having read The Ripper of Whitechap...

 Dead in Tune It’s nearly Christmas, a time for peace and goodwill. Or maybe not. First the house of a young Spanish family is burned down, and then a Dutch clog dancer is battered almost to death with his own footwear. On the night of the carol service, at which the Worldwide Friendship Club’s choir is singing, a Scottish bagpiper is found dead. By Martha, who has come across enough dead bodies already this year to last her a lifetime. Convinced there’s a link to the choir, Martha and best friend Lottie set out on the trail of the murderer. Their unconventional sleuthing methods land one of them in rather a lot of trouble… ‘Dead In Tune’, the sequel to ‘Hate Bale’, is an entertaining, festive cosy mystery set in rural France. ~Review~   Purchase Links Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNC68N6B/   Amazon US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNC68N6B/   Author Bio I’m an English immigrant living in France with my family, after many years in Ireland. We have a seve...

Dead in Tune by Stephanie Dagg 3.5 out of 5 Synopsis It’s nearly Christmas, a time for peace and goodwill. Or maybe not. First the house of a young Spanish family is burned down, and then a Dutch clog dancer is battered almost to death with his own footwear. On the night of the carol service, at which the Worldwide Friendship Club’s choir is singing, a Scottish bagpiper is found dead. By Martha, who has come across enough dead bodies already this year to last her a lifetime. Convinced there’s a link to the choir, Martha and best friend Lottie set out on the trail of the murderer. Their unconventional sleuthing methods land one of them in rather a lot of trouble… ‘Dead In Tune’, the sequel to ‘Hate Bale’, is an entertaining, festive cosy mystery set in rural France. Review Martha has joined a local club, and has been roped into doing a carol service in the run-up to Christmas. When several members of the club are attacked, she and Lottie must find out who is behind the violence. I recei...

Steven Harper has a new MM historical romance out: Resurrection Men. And there's a giveaway. Arthur Tor steals the dead for a living. As a resurrection man, he creeps around graveyards with his shovel, hoping to dig up corpses so he can sell them to the local medical college and pay his tuition there. He also holds a strange position in underground society. If someone is dying a slow, painful death, the family members come to Arthur and beg him to end their loved one's pain. Arthur can never refuse, and he helps the dying cross the threshold without more pain in a process he calls the Black Rounds. Unfortunately, the local judge has gotten wind of Arthur's activities and has sworn to send him to prison—or the hangman's noose. Jesse Fair has fled his corrupt family in Baltimore and landed in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he becomes the town gravedigger and, eventually, the undertaker. He works hard to help grieving families through their pain with warmth and compassion. Som...

Edale Lane has a new FF alt history mystery romance book out: Sigrid & Elyn . Attracted by passion, repelled by war. Can two shieldmaidens navigate battlegrounds of the sword and the heart? Pre-Viking Scandinavia. Sigrid the Valiant is legendary throughout the kingdoms of Norvegr, along with her twin brother, for their many heroic deeds, but her heart has not found a home. Now, racing on the heels of their father’s murder, a neighboring kingdom’s raids threaten to cause an all-out war. Elyn is a young shieldmaiden with a score to settle, fighting her own insecurities along with enemies who threaten her homeland, but she remains unconvinced all is as it seems. When the two clash on opposite sides of their shield walls, sparks fly from both their swords and passions. But when they talk, the two fierce women discover an antagonist’s plot has pitted their kingdoms against each other. Will Sigrid and Elyn move past their suspicions and differences to forge a relationship and foil the vi...

Sigrid and Elyn by Edale Lane 5 out of 5 Synopsis Attracted by passion, repelled by war. Can two shieldmaidens navigate battlegrounds of the sword and the heart? Sigrid the Valiant is legendary throughout the kingdoms of Norvegr for her heroic deeds, but her love has yet to find a home. Now, racing on the heels of her father’s murder, a neighboring kingdom’s raids signal an all-out conflict. Elyn is a young shieldmaiden with a score to settle, fighting her own insecurities along with enemies who threaten her homeland. However, she suspects a more menacing danger lurks in the shadows. When the two clash on opposite sides of their shield walls, sparks fly from both their swords and passions. But when they talk, the fierce women discover an antagonist’s plot has pitted their kingdoms against each other. Can Sigrid and Elyn move past their suspicions and differences to forge a binding love and foil the villain’s scheme, or will the enemy’s assassins end their search for the truth? Action, ...

The Darkest Sin by D.V. Bishop 5 out of 5 Synopsis The Darkest Sin is an atmospheric historical thriller by D. V. Bishop, set in Renaissance Florence and is the sequel to City of Vengeance. Florence. Spring, 1537. When Cesare Aldo investigates a report of intruders at a convent in the Renaissance city’s northern quarter, he enters a community divided by bitter rivalries and harbouring dark secrets. His case becomes far more complicated when a naked man’s body is found deep inside the convent, stabbed more than two dozen times. Unthinkable as it seems, all the evidence suggests one of the nuns must be the killer. Meanwhile, Constable Carlo Strocchi finds human remains pulled from the Arno that belong to an officer of the law missing since winter. The dead man had many enemies, but who would dare kill an official of the city’s most feared criminal court? As Aldo and Strocchi close in on the truth, identifying the killers will prove more treacherous than either of them could ever have ima...

Narco Hotel by Wilmar Luna 5 out of 5 Synopsis Cindy Ames thought her days of assassination and crime fighting were over. Then the DeMarcos Cartel invaded New York City. Day by day they spread their corruption throughout the five boroughs, leading to a rise in beheadings, shootouts, drug overdoses, and police murdering innocent citizens. Even with the city decaying all around her, Cindy was terrified of transforming into the Silver Ninja. It would mean returning to a life of barely controlled rage and endless violence. Unfortunately for her, Commissioner Gates knows who the Silver Ninja is and her dark secret. If she doesn’t suit up and help him stop the DeMarcos, her secret will be exposed, and her family will suffer the consequences. The price for peace is blood. Review Cindy is back, and despite trying to avoid trouble and putting the Silver Ninja behind her, she is coerced into facing the gangs in her home city. I was a beta reader for this book, and my review is for the beta versi...