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Lady Evelyn Mystery #1
A Poisonous Journey
The year is 1925, a time that hovers between two catastrophic wars, a time of jazz and sparkle, and a time of peace and reflection. For Lady Evelyn, struggling to outrun the ghosts of her tragic past, it is a time of transformation. Left orphaned after a fire when she was only four, Lady Evelyn Carlisle was raised in London by her stern aunt and uncle. Now, twenty years later she has grown restless and is keen to escape her chaperone's grasp. A letter from her cousin, Briony, living with her husband on Crete, comes at just the right time. Packing what she can, Lady Evelyn makes off for foreign shores.
Welcoming her are not only Briony and her husband, Jeffrey, but also his handsome and mysterious friends, Caspar Ballantine and Daniel Harper. Though the latter carries with him tragic memories of the Great War, Evelyn is glad to be in their company. With the sun warming her back and the dazzling sea in her sights, this fresh start seems destined for happy days ahead. Little does she know . . . What starts off as a sunny holiday quickly turns into a sinister nightmare, when Evelyn stumbles across the corpse of one of her cousin's houseguests. Drawn into the mystery surrounding the murder, Evelyn embarks on a mission to discover the truth, forcing her to face her own past as well as a cold-hearted killer. With the help of her cousin, the handsome local police detective, and the mysterious Daniel Harper, will she uncover the truth, before another life is claimed?
Welcoming her are not only Briony and her husband, Jeffrey, but also his handsome and mysterious friends, Caspar Ballantine and Daniel Harper. Though the latter carries with him tragic memories of the Great War, Evelyn is glad to be in their company. With the sun warming her back and the dazzling sea in her sights, this fresh start seems destined for happy days ahead. Little does she know . . . What starts off as a sunny holiday quickly turns into a sinister nightmare, when Evelyn stumbles across the corpse of one of her cousin's houseguests. Drawn into the mystery surrounding the murder, Evelyn embarks on a mission to discover the truth, forcing her to face her own past as well as a cold-hearted killer. With the help of her cousin, the handsome local police detective, and the mysterious Daniel Harper, will she uncover the truth, before another life is claimed?
394 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2015
About the author
Malia Zaidi
7 books631 followersHello and thanks for stopping by!
I am the author of the Lady Evelyn Mystery series and an avid reader, always happy to discover new books to add to my toppling pile:-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 31, 2022
Given two of my favorite genres include historical fiction and cozy mysteries, I expected to enjoy A Poisonous Journey, the first book in the Lady Evelyn series, written by Malia Zaidi in 2015. I was definitely thrilled with this book and pleasantly surprised to learn there were already 3 published in the series. What a great find for this enthusiast of history, detective stories, and charming characters set in foreign lands.
Lady Evelyn, a mid-20s former orphan (her parents died young and she was raised by a strict aunt) who escapes to Greece to visit her best friend and cousin, Briony, is the star of this caper. She's intelligent, funny, kind, and open-minded, and those are just the surface traits worth mentioning... there's so much more. Longing to find a purpose for her life, she settles in with her cousin and begins meeting many of the Greek neighbors and townspeople in 1920s Crete. When one of the group is found dead, the suspect list is at first empty, but as more comes to light on the deceased, it begins to grow larger and larger. Although she isn't investigating the mystery, events unfold where she asks questions and thinks out loud to a few people, thus opening and closing doors as to who the possible culprit could be. When a few side stories (antiquities theft, romance, clandestine affairs, and secret pregnancies) begin to collide, Evelyn finds herself in the middle of it all with a dashing suitor willing to help find the answers.
Zaidi has created a very strong protagonist who jumps off the pages despite the century time difference between when the story was written and when it takes place. Among the language, setting and relationships, readers find charming connections and introspective thoughts about the beauty of life nearly 100 years ago. With no Internet, DNA or quick-n-easy access to get answers, she has to use deduction and behavior to understand what's happening around her.
What appealed to me the most in this story is how although the mystery is front and center, the book is really a story about 'a few weeks in the life of a character we can all identify with on some or multiple level(s).' Whether she's having a conversation with the maid, relaxing at a picnic with friends, or corresponding with her aunt to explain the rushed exit, I want more Lady Evelyn. Zaidi matches the style and tone of her word choice with the time period, the relaxed and casual setting with the quiet island life, and the descriptions with the lyrical flow of a single woman from a well-to-do family learning about real life outside her immediate circle of experience.
Many of the supporting characters are well-developed, too. They feel real and shine as either sounding boards or a pivotal and unwitting distributor of clues to Lady Evelyn. I felt a steady stream of low-key suspense (that's exactly how this type of story was meant to be shared) that kept me turning the pages with keen interest in how it would all unfold. When a key 'chase scene' puts Evelyn in the line of dangerous fire, we worry despite knowing she'll be okay in the end. Although the different sub-plots help direct the main one, they also stand on their own as key stories within the book to help build the world in which Evelyn resides. It's part of the way Zaidi generates interest in each chapter, all leading to a very appropriate conclusion for what would likely have happened during this time period.
Kudos to the author for making quite a splash for me with this book. I look forward to reading the next book later this year!
Lady Evelyn, a mid-20s former orphan (her parents died young and she was raised by a strict aunt) who escapes to Greece to visit her best friend and cousin, Briony, is the star of this caper. She's intelligent, funny, kind, and open-minded, and those are just the surface traits worth mentioning... there's so much more. Longing to find a purpose for her life, she settles in with her cousin and begins meeting many of the Greek neighbors and townspeople in 1920s Crete. When one of the group is found dead, the suspect list is at first empty, but as more comes to light on the deceased, it begins to grow larger and larger. Although she isn't investigating the mystery, events unfold where she asks questions and thinks out loud to a few people, thus opening and closing doors as to who the possible culprit could be. When a few side stories (antiquities theft, romance, clandestine affairs, and secret pregnancies) begin to collide, Evelyn finds herself in the middle of it all with a dashing suitor willing to help find the answers.
Zaidi has created a very strong protagonist who jumps off the pages despite the century time difference between when the story was written and when it takes place. Among the language, setting and relationships, readers find charming connections and introspective thoughts about the beauty of life nearly 100 years ago. With no Internet, DNA or quick-n-easy access to get answers, she has to use deduction and behavior to understand what's happening around her.
What appealed to me the most in this story is how although the mystery is front and center, the book is really a story about 'a few weeks in the life of a character we can all identify with on some or multiple level(s).' Whether she's having a conversation with the maid, relaxing at a picnic with friends, or corresponding with her aunt to explain the rushed exit, I want more Lady Evelyn. Zaidi matches the style and tone of her word choice with the time period, the relaxed and casual setting with the quiet island life, and the descriptions with the lyrical flow of a single woman from a well-to-do family learning about real life outside her immediate circle of experience.
Many of the supporting characters are well-developed, too. They feel real and shine as either sounding boards or a pivotal and unwitting distributor of clues to Lady Evelyn. I felt a steady stream of low-key suspense (that's exactly how this type of story was meant to be shared) that kept me turning the pages with keen interest in how it would all unfold. When a key 'chase scene' puts Evelyn in the line of dangerous fire, we worry despite knowing she'll be okay in the end. Although the different sub-plots help direct the main one, they also stand on their own as key stories within the book to help build the world in which Evelyn resides. It's part of the way Zaidi generates interest in each chapter, all leading to a very appropriate conclusion for what would likely have happened during this time period.
Kudos to the author for making quite a splash for me with this book. I look forward to reading the next book later this year!
June 14, 2017
Full disclosure: I wrote this.
I spent so much time with these characters, I am very fond of them, and hope you will be, too:-)
I spent so much time with these characters, I am very fond of them, and hope you will be, too:-)
March 30, 2016
This is a beautifully written, languidly paced story wherein a murder mystery is largely subordinate to character building and exploration and a burgeoning romance. Zaidi’s prose is a feast for the senses (I would call it “sensual,” but that word carries with it a provocativeness that doesn’t apply here; I’m not quite sure we have a single word that suits), evoking an exotic locale (Crete) in the not-so-distant past (1925). The mystery is well constructed (albeit methodically paced—which suits me fine, but may not work for readers who like their mysteries in more of a thrillerish vein), though one of the suspects , but it’s the writing and the characters that make this a very strong debut novel.
Also, it made me hungry for spanokopita, and I don't even like spanokopita, so there's that. It IS a fun word, though. Is it weird to be hungry for something because of how it sounds rather than how it tastes? If not, bring on the rhubarb, zucchini, and kumquats...
Also, it made me hungry for spanokopita, and I don't even like spanokopita, so there's that. It IS a fun word, though. Is it weird to be hungry for something because of how it sounds rather than how it tastes? If not, bring on the rhubarb, zucchini, and kumquats...
June 20, 2019
I should have enjoyed this book a lot more than I did because in theory it is everything I look for in a book! In practice however it somehow missed the mark.
I was a fair way in and feeling uncomfortable when I realised it was because it was written in the first person/present tense. This is just a small pet hate of mine and I can and do look past it in many books. In this one however the author used it to delve at length into the main character's feelings which became tedious and took up many unnecessary pages.
On the other hand the descriptions of Crete were beautiful and some of the meals they ate sounded mouth watering. The mystery was very mysterious and I did not come close to guessing who the murderer would be.
Overall it was an enjoyable enough read but it could have been better:)
I was a fair way in and feeling uncomfortable when I realised it was because it was written in the first person/present tense. This is just a small pet hate of mine and I can and do look past it in many books. In this one however the author used it to delve at length into the main character's feelings which became tedious and took up many unnecessary pages.
On the other hand the descriptions of Crete were beautiful and some of the meals they ate sounded mouth watering. The mystery was very mysterious and I did not come close to guessing who the murderer would be.
Overall it was an enjoyable enough read but it could have been better:)
February 7, 2017
When Lady Evelyn Carlisle gets an invitation from her cousin Briony to stay with her and her husband at their home in beautiful Crete she knows this is her chance to finally break free from her stern Aunt's grasp at their home in London. What she wasn't expecting was for her adventure to begin with murder. When another guest of her cousin is found poisoned, Evelyn and company set out to find the culprit. Was it an outsider, or could the killer be close to home?
Well this was absolutely delightful. Zaidi's descriptions of Greece were so beautifully written I felt as if I were there walking the streets with Evelyn and she even throws in some interesting details about Greek myths and history. While I did like Evelyn and Briony I found them to be a little.. well.. square. I guess many women of those times had certain ideals of what womanhood should be but for me it was slightly frustrating at times. Not enough to put me off, I just wished they were a little spunkier and free thinking. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this one, especially those who love historical fiction and Zaidi's writing is certainly enough to keep me interested in reading the next book.
*Thank you to the author, Malia Zaidi for this review copy.
Well this was absolutely delightful. Zaidi's descriptions of Greece were so beautifully written I felt as if I were there walking the streets with Evelyn and she even throws in some interesting details about Greek myths and history. While I did like Evelyn and Briony I found them to be a little.. well.. square. I guess many women of those times had certain ideals of what womanhood should be but for me it was slightly frustrating at times. Not enough to put me off, I just wished they were a little spunkier and free thinking. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this one, especially those who love historical fiction and Zaidi's writing is certainly enough to keep me interested in reading the next book.
*Thank you to the author, Malia Zaidi for this review copy.
February 18, 2016
I have recently read mystery novels by Wilkie Collins and Agatha Christie, so when I began this novel by debut Goodreads author Malia Zaidi, I was expecting....well, not to be disappointed necessarily, but something just average let's say. But what I found, almost immediately, was a brilliantly conceived mystery, intriguing characters, a refreshingly different setting, and most importantly, very good writing. Not just structure and style, but insight into life and human nature, things you would not necessarily expect in a young writer.
I enjoyed this one from beginning to end. Well done Malia. I look forward to reading more adventures of Lady Evelyn.
4+ stars.
I enjoyed this one from beginning to end. Well done Malia. I look forward to reading more adventures of Lady Evelyn.
4+ stars.
October 19, 2015
Full of energy!
Malia Zaidia's triumphant debut takes us into a type of 'wonderland'...capturing a solid sense of
place through her lush poetic narratives.
Fluid - rich - writing- vivid characterizations: mystery, closeness, and camaraderie develops with a group of young bright attractive interesting people. Cretan hospitality is stupendous.
Food of all sorts - delicious - plentiful - delicacies -[absolutely lovely healthy -freshness in each of the meals were prepared for the guests]
Just image for a second being on the island of Crete in an exquisite large house --the sea
surrounds, ( staying for a summer with friends)...with all your needs and more at your finger tips....( driver, maid, cook, parties, wines, brandy, dancing, music, the village, the gardens, beautiful clothes, books, great conversations)......
And "ripe apricots and kumquat ice cream". ( YUM!!!). I want a taste, please!!!! This was 'that'
type of reading experience ---plus a murder mystery!
Malia Zaidia has a great gift for conveying everyday life - capturing the era of the times...(more wealthy than poor)...the intimacy between the relationships...and suspense.
The blurb gives a good description of the names of the major characters and that there is a mysterious murder - "who killed Casper and why?" ...
Yet, until I read this compulsively readable book myself, no blurb or review came close to my
own flavorful enjoyment.
Secret trysts...blackmail... domestic distress....and glamorous fondness.
Evie...(Lady Evelyn Carlisle)...will return in book 2!!!! (lucky us... she is an awe-inspiring character). I hope most of the characters come back. I miss them already.
This book is SPARKING ALIVE..... ( written by Goodreads friend to many)
Congratulations, Malia!!! Really Fantastic!
Malia Zaidia's triumphant debut takes us into a type of 'wonderland'...capturing a solid sense of
place through her lush poetic narratives.
Fluid - rich - writing- vivid characterizations: mystery, closeness, and camaraderie develops with a group of young bright attractive interesting people. Cretan hospitality is stupendous.
Food of all sorts - delicious - plentiful - delicacies -[absolutely lovely healthy -freshness in each of the meals were prepared for the guests]
Just image for a second being on the island of Crete in an exquisite large house --the sea
surrounds, ( staying for a summer with friends)...with all your needs and more at your finger tips....( driver, maid, cook, parties, wines, brandy, dancing, music, the village, the gardens, beautiful clothes, books, great conversations)......
And "ripe apricots and kumquat ice cream". ( YUM!!!). I want a taste, please!!!! This was 'that'
type of reading experience ---plus a murder mystery!
Malia Zaidia has a great gift for conveying everyday life - capturing the era of the times...(more wealthy than poor)...the intimacy between the relationships...and suspense.
The blurb gives a good description of the names of the major characters and that there is a mysterious murder - "who killed Casper and why?" ...
Yet, until I read this compulsively readable book myself, no blurb or review came close to my
own flavorful enjoyment.
Secret trysts...blackmail... domestic distress....and glamorous fondness.
Evie...(Lady Evelyn Carlisle)...will return in book 2!!!! (lucky us... she is an awe-inspiring character). I hope most of the characters come back. I miss them already.
This book is SPARKING ALIVE..... ( written by Goodreads friend to many)
Congratulations, Malia!!! Really Fantastic!
September 23, 2015
I have to say that crime mystery is not a genre that normally entices me. However the Poisonous Journey was a very pleasant and exciting read. My feeling is that crime fiction enthusiasts will find this book a great experience.
As a Greek person I was curious to test the validity of the Greek background that the author chose for her narrative that takes place in Crete. I have to say that the details of the location are well researched and it passes with flying colours. The author provides accurate and rich cultural descriptions and elements of classical history and mythology.
The characters are all very plausible and well constructed, the plot is slow burning towards the clever resolution and the author definitely possesses the craft of unfolding a good mystery in methodical steps in order to sustain ad prologue suspense. Lady Evelyn is an attractive character, complex enough to be humane but not enough to alienate.
This is an upper class mystery that I would guess is influenced by Agatha Christie's work but sustaining its own originality written with eloquence and insight.
As a Greek person I was curious to test the validity of the Greek background that the author chose for her narrative that takes place in Crete. I have to say that the details of the location are well researched and it passes with flying colours. The author provides accurate and rich cultural descriptions and elements of classical history and mythology.
The characters are all very plausible and well constructed, the plot is slow burning towards the clever resolution and the author definitely possesses the craft of unfolding a good mystery in methodical steps in order to sustain ad prologue suspense. Lady Evelyn is an attractive character, complex enough to be humane but not enough to alienate.
This is an upper class mystery that I would guess is influenced by Agatha Christie's work but sustaining its own originality written with eloquence and insight.
September 20, 2015
IT’S DELICIOUS, IT’S DELIGHTFUL, IT’S DE-LOVELY
The immortal words of Cole Porter are an apt introduction to this first novel by Malia Zaidi in which we meet the dashing and delectable brand-new sleuth Lady Evelyn Carlisle.
London, March 1925. The rain is beating against the windows of the Belgravia townhouse where Evelyn lives with her ‘rigid and old-fashioned’ Aunt Agnes, chafing at the boredom and restrictions of a respectable English upper class society and longing for some event which will break the tedium of her existence.
It could well be the start of an Agatha Christie whodunnit set in the misty green English countryside, with guests arriving at the manor for a weekend of murder and mayhem.
But the setting for this murder mystery is far more exotic.
Receiving an invitation from her favourite cousin Briony, now living in Crete with husband Jeffrey, Evelyn, imbued with the rebellious spirit of her deceased parents, makes a mad dash for freedom and escapes to blue skies and thyme-scented air of this Greek island. Happily for the reader, she doesn’t forget to pack her silk Patou dress, stunning wide seafoam linen trousers and straw cloche in preparation for an indefinite stay at the Markham’s elegant villa in Miklos. Arriving at the villa she is immediately plunged into the social world of the island at a dinner party where she meets house-guests Daniel Harper and Caspar Valentine, plus other characters who will have an important role to play in the story.
From the very first evening there are hints and signs of something amiss–her maid, the enigmatic Niobe, fallingto the floor in a faint; the strangely silent blank-eyed guest, Rosie Vanderheyden; a half-witnessed scene with house-guest Caspar Ballantine, over-familiar and drunk. There is a sense too that others inhabit this setting, where owls hoot, leaves rustle, and countless stars stud a black sky. Evie has spent two years at Oxford reading classics, and the spirits of Odysseus, Poseidon, Zeus and Dionysus hover in the background.
Of course Evie is the first to admit to having ‘a riotous imagination’ but even she doesn’t anticipate her gruesome discovery on the second day of her visit, and the repercussions it will have. Secrets come to light, ghosts of the past return.
The vivacity and freshness of the writing, the beautiful sensuousness of the descriptions, and the development of the captivating character of Lady Eveline are a real treat (and seduced me into skipping over the occasional typos, rather in the style of Lady E herself). The change of tone too, from light-hearted insouciance to philosophical reflections on life, shadowed by melancholy memories of the past and its lingering heritage, lends a depth and interest to this first book in the Lady Evelyn series – the first, but, one hopes, not the last.
The immortal words of Cole Porter are an apt introduction to this first novel by Malia Zaidi in which we meet the dashing and delectable brand-new sleuth Lady Evelyn Carlisle.
London, March 1925. The rain is beating against the windows of the Belgravia townhouse where Evelyn lives with her ‘rigid and old-fashioned’ Aunt Agnes, chafing at the boredom and restrictions of a respectable English upper class society and longing for some event which will break the tedium of her existence.
It could well be the start of an Agatha Christie whodunnit set in the misty green English countryside, with guests arriving at the manor for a weekend of murder and mayhem.
But the setting for this murder mystery is far more exotic.
Receiving an invitation from her favourite cousin Briony, now living in Crete with husband Jeffrey, Evelyn, imbued with the rebellious spirit of her deceased parents, makes a mad dash for freedom and escapes to blue skies and thyme-scented air of this Greek island. Happily for the reader, she doesn’t forget to pack her silk Patou dress, stunning wide seafoam linen trousers and straw cloche in preparation for an indefinite stay at the Markham’s elegant villa in Miklos. Arriving at the villa she is immediately plunged into the social world of the island at a dinner party where she meets house-guests Daniel Harper and Caspar Valentine, plus other characters who will have an important role to play in the story.
From the very first evening there are hints and signs of something amiss–her maid, the enigmatic Niobe, fallingto the floor in a faint; the strangely silent blank-eyed guest, Rosie Vanderheyden; a half-witnessed scene with house-guest Caspar Ballantine, over-familiar and drunk. There is a sense too that others inhabit this setting, where owls hoot, leaves rustle, and countless stars stud a black sky. Evie has spent two years at Oxford reading classics, and the spirits of Odysseus, Poseidon, Zeus and Dionysus hover in the background.
Of course Evie is the first to admit to having ‘a riotous imagination’ but even she doesn’t anticipate her gruesome discovery on the second day of her visit, and the repercussions it will have. Secrets come to light, ghosts of the past return.
The vivacity and freshness of the writing, the beautiful sensuousness of the descriptions, and the development of the captivating character of Lady Eveline are a real treat (and seduced me into skipping over the occasional typos, rather in the style of Lady E herself). The change of tone too, from light-hearted insouciance to philosophical reflections on life, shadowed by melancholy memories of the past and its lingering heritage, lends a depth and interest to this first book in the Lady Evelyn series – the first, but, one hopes, not the last.
December 31, 2016
More than a mystery
This book is rich in the beauty of Crete,it's people and the lives of the protagonists. It is beautifully written and philosophical. It is also an interesting mystery which is not contrived but very well plotted. If you are looking for a light book this isn't it,but a delightful read none the less.
This book is rich in the beauty of Crete,it's people and the lives of the protagonists. It is beautifully written and philosophical. It is also an interesting mystery which is not contrived but very well plotted. If you are looking for a light book this isn't it,but a delightful read none the less.
March 25, 2019
You can read all my review on Blog - Books Teacup and Reviews
A Poisonous Journey was cozy murder mystery set in Crete, in 1925. Apart from murder mystery and armature sleuthing skills of main character, Evelyne Carlisle, book covered historical and archaeological aspects, effects of Great War on character, social values and prejudice, scandals and humanity.
Characters-
Evelyn was emotive, empathetic character who felt for other characters around her. The grief she faced at younger age was still lingering in her life clouding her otherwise lively nature. But she was much stronger than she believed. She discovered a new self on foreign land and I loved how she was portrayed, how she did and said right thing like a proper English lady. She was honest, open and free spirit that quickly grew on me.
Briony was perfect host, wife, and sister but not happy because of childless life. Jeffery, Briony’s husband was workaholic and blunt-natured who failed to see his wife’s loneliness and suffering but otherwise was lovely husband and brother-in-law.
Daniel was gentleman who has gone through lot in life. And losing his best friend soon after arrival of Evelyn was tough blow but I liked how he remained strong, in control of himself and his emotion. Like Evelyn, his life was also interesting aspect of the story.
There were many other characters in the book- suspects, inspector, Evelyn’s relatives- they all fit perfectly in the story. They were developed, realistic and I loved to read about them.
what i liked-
Writing was rich and exquisite fitting the setting of the book. English land and weather, Crete- its geographical aspects and festivity, delicacies, weather and people, mythical interest of character was flawlessly written. 1925, a time period soon after WWI reflected distinctly in the story.
Book started with intriguing prologue and 17 years later Evelyn’s escape from aunt Agne’s constraining life and nature to her cousin sister’s place in Crete, to enjoy her freedom and life but her holiday plans soon turns into a murder mystery that changed her life and perspective.
Characters’ emotions were realistic and relatable. Sisterly bond of Evelyn and Brinoy was another cozy relation that I loved to read. Growing friendship of Evelyn and Daniel was sweet and charming which gave life to story and uplift their spirit during their melancholy grieving situation. I’m eager to see development in their relations in next books of the series.
What I loved most about the book was intermittent deep thoughts of Evelyn and Daniel towards life and humanity, conversations between characters, their way of presenting thoughts, understanding each other’s emotion, and less technology era that allowed characters and as well as readers to appreciate beauty of Crete. (I so want to go back to letter writing period after reading this book.)
First 30% of the book was mainly character introduction, building the setting and a murder of Casper, one of the guest at Briony’s villa. We get to know past of Evelyn and Daniel more closely in just few pages, Briony’s married life issue and bits about secondary characters who might be suspects. I couldn’t figure out the motive of murder but it was very clear Casper was no saint.
I was shocked by what Evelyn and Daniel discovered about Casper at around 45% of the book, the first clue that cleared the motive. Story became more interesting from here. As it progressed the scandals, secrets, and polite social behavior were unraveled. One by one I saw each characters as suspect except Evelyn and Briony. I couldn’t even trust Daniel completely. Whether it was conversation, sightseeing or day to day routine, murder was all that took focal point of the story that kept me impatient as well as curious to solve this complicated mystery.
Climax was great. I honestly didn’t expect that person to be murder and I almost felt bad for culprit but finding out the real motive apart from what was confessed was shocking that instantly made me change my thoughts. End was great. I can’t wait to read next book.
Overall, it was steady paced, interesting, historical, cozy murder mystery with developed characters and insights. I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the author via damppebbles blog tours, in exchange for an honest review. ***
A Poisonous Journey was cozy murder mystery set in Crete, in 1925. Apart from murder mystery and armature sleuthing skills of main character, Evelyne Carlisle, book covered historical and archaeological aspects, effects of Great War on character, social values and prejudice, scandals and humanity.
Characters-
Evelyn was emotive, empathetic character who felt for other characters around her. The grief she faced at younger age was still lingering in her life clouding her otherwise lively nature. But she was much stronger than she believed. She discovered a new self on foreign land and I loved how she was portrayed, how she did and said right thing like a proper English lady. She was honest, open and free spirit that quickly grew on me.
Briony was perfect host, wife, and sister but not happy because of childless life. Jeffery, Briony’s husband was workaholic and blunt-natured who failed to see his wife’s loneliness and suffering but otherwise was lovely husband and brother-in-law.
Daniel was gentleman who has gone through lot in life. And losing his best friend soon after arrival of Evelyn was tough blow but I liked how he remained strong, in control of himself and his emotion. Like Evelyn, his life was also interesting aspect of the story.
There were many other characters in the book- suspects, inspector, Evelyn’s relatives- they all fit perfectly in the story. They were developed, realistic and I loved to read about them.
what i liked-
Writing was rich and exquisite fitting the setting of the book. English land and weather, Crete- its geographical aspects and festivity, delicacies, weather and people, mythical interest of character was flawlessly written. 1925, a time period soon after WWI reflected distinctly in the story.
Book started with intriguing prologue and 17 years later Evelyn’s escape from aunt Agne’s constraining life and nature to her cousin sister’s place in Crete, to enjoy her freedom and life but her holiday plans soon turns into a murder mystery that changed her life and perspective.
Characters’ emotions were realistic and relatable. Sisterly bond of Evelyn and Brinoy was another cozy relation that I loved to read. Growing friendship of Evelyn and Daniel was sweet and charming which gave life to story and uplift their spirit during their melancholy grieving situation. I’m eager to see development in their relations in next books of the series.
What I loved most about the book was intermittent deep thoughts of Evelyn and Daniel towards life and humanity, conversations between characters, their way of presenting thoughts, understanding each other’s emotion, and less technology era that allowed characters and as well as readers to appreciate beauty of Crete. (I so want to go back to letter writing period after reading this book.)
First 30% of the book was mainly character introduction, building the setting and a murder of Casper, one of the guest at Briony’s villa. We get to know past of Evelyn and Daniel more closely in just few pages, Briony’s married life issue and bits about secondary characters who might be suspects. I couldn’t figure out the motive of murder but it was very clear Casper was no saint.
I was shocked by what Evelyn and Daniel discovered about Casper at around 45% of the book, the first clue that cleared the motive. Story became more interesting from here. As it progressed the scandals, secrets, and polite social behavior were unraveled. One by one I saw each characters as suspect except Evelyn and Briony. I couldn’t even trust Daniel completely. Whether it was conversation, sightseeing or day to day routine, murder was all that took focal point of the story that kept me impatient as well as curious to solve this complicated mystery.
Climax was great. I honestly didn’t expect that person to be murder and I almost felt bad for culprit but finding out the real motive apart from what was confessed was shocking that instantly made me change my thoughts. End was great. I can’t wait to read next book.
Overall, it was steady paced, interesting, historical, cozy murder mystery with developed characters and insights. I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers.
*** Note: I received e-copy of this book from the author via damppebbles blog tours, in exchange for an honest review. ***
September 15, 2020
I would like to start this review off by saying two things. 1) This is my first ever review of any kind online and 2) If I am being honest, I am not someone who reads often and when I do, I generally don't grab a mystery novel (despite initial resolve, I always end up skipping to the end to find out who did it!). However, when this book was given to me I flew through it in just two days because it is not only a thrilling and clever mystery, it has something for any reader to enjoy. For fans of historical fiction, it paints a vivid, descriptive picture of Greece in the roaring and glamorous 1920s. For fans of mystery, it intricately unwraps thrilling backstories all leading to that pivotal, shocking end. For those who normally go for something more girly (like me), enjoy the fashion and adorable love triangle of leading lady Evelyn Carlisle. And, in my opinion, what any reader regardless of preferences is sure to appreciate is that this is a tale of familial bonds, good friends, and characters you would want to know in real life. I would honestly recommend this book to any reader, even those of us who don't identify as readers (like me) because it is a picturesque pleasure from start to finish. So, for my first review ever, I am happy to say this novel comes highly recommended not only because of its sparkling plot, elegant story-telling, and relatable characters, but most of all because it is fun for any and all types of readers to follow the witty Lady Evelyn on her poisonous journey.
April 8, 2022
This may be a murder mystery set in the 1920s with a feisty, aristocratic, female protagonist but it is not, as I had initially feared, just a Phryne Fisher clone. Lady Evelyn is very different t0 the more famous Phryne and this book plays out very differently to one of her adventures.
My wife and I enjoyed this one (we read it together) with its somewhat leisurely pace, punctuated by moments of genuine peril. It’s also very moving at times, particularly if, like my wife and I, you share the tragedy of two of the supporting cast (I guess the modern phrase would be ‘trigger warning for childlessness’).
I have to say, though, that it does read like the first novel it is, but I’ll be continuing with the series as I’m quite sure the author will level up as she gains XP.
Not to nitpick (who am I kidding? I live to nitpick) but the novel could have done with a better proofreader as it is plagued by missing punctuation and sometimes even missing words. I occasionally had to reread a sentence to work out which word or punctuation mark I needed to mentally insert to have it make sense.
As I say, though, despite its small flaws, I’m looking forward to starting book two in the series.
My wife and I enjoyed this one (we read it together) with its somewhat leisurely pace, punctuated by moments of genuine peril. It’s also very moving at times, particularly if, like my wife and I, you share the tragedy of two of the supporting cast (I guess the modern phrase would be ‘trigger warning for childlessness’).
I have to say, though, that it does read like the first novel it is, but I’ll be continuing with the series as I’m quite sure the author will level up as she gains XP.
Not to nitpick (who am I kidding? I live to nitpick) but the novel could have done with a better proofreader as it is plagued by missing punctuation and sometimes even missing words. I occasionally had to reread a sentence to work out which word or punctuation mark I needed to mentally insert to have it make sense.
As I say, though, despite its small flaws, I’m looking forward to starting book two in the series.
November 9, 2017
In 1925, a young lady is invited to spend some time in Crete and is soon drawn into a murder mystery.
The location and feeling of Crete were vividly brought to life and the descriptions of the culture and mythology of the region were good. The characters were well drawn and the story had a good plot - with the feel of an Agatha Christie piece.
My overall rating is 4 stars, as I found the pace a bit too slow and some of the writing didn’t flow seamlessly.
If you enjoy period crime dramas this book maybe worth a look.
The location and feeling of Crete were vividly brought to life and the descriptions of the culture and mythology of the region were good. The characters were well drawn and the story had a good plot - with the feel of an Agatha Christie piece.
My overall rating is 4 stars, as I found the pace a bit too slow and some of the writing didn’t flow seamlessly.
If you enjoy period crime dramas this book maybe worth a look.
January 21, 2018
For those of you who love retro cozy mysteries, this one is a charmer! The author has a lovely, wispy style that immediately draws you into the story and holds your attention until the last page. The story is set on the island of Crete, which I suppose is a beautiful place for a murder. A truly engaging tale!
December 16, 2016
With A Poisonous Journey, I am reminded of the quote from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey: "If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own neighborhood, then she must seek them abroad."
One of my favorite plots for an old-style historical romantic suspense reminiscent of Victoria Holt or Mary Stewart is a young, determined lady who finds herself on a travel adventure when a murder happens. Lady Evelyn has lived sheltered and confined up until this point. She longs to prove herself so in some ways this is a coming of age story more than anything else.
I had fun getting to know the intrepid heroine who has sense, but it is the sense of youth who is convinced that only they can know best and must learn to temper speech and actions before rushing impulsively forward. She has a kind heart and a curious mind. And best of all, she is a prize snoop, but a loyal friend
The author did a worthy job of creating her cast of characters and the mystery. Loved that it was set in Post-WWI Crete. Local color along with historical situation added just the right balance to the mystery. There is a murder and the ugliness behind the victim and the situation comes out to reveal more motives and a surprise reveal.
Evelyn is out in the world for the first time and up to her neck in a murder mystery so the tentative awakening romance is just that. She barely realizes that is what is happening and I liked that it was just a whiff of something that, along with her maturing in her own, will come along slowly with the series.
All in all, I enjoyed this first outing with a new to me author and new series. I look forward to more of Lady Evelyn's mystery adventures. I can easily recommend A Poisonous Journey to those who enjoy historical mysteries with a heroine detective who will grow as the series progresses.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of my favorite plots for an old-style historical romantic suspense reminiscent of Victoria Holt or Mary Stewart is a young, determined lady who finds herself on a travel adventure when a murder happens. Lady Evelyn has lived sheltered and confined up until this point. She longs to prove herself so in some ways this is a coming of age story more than anything else.
I had fun getting to know the intrepid heroine who has sense, but it is the sense of youth who is convinced that only they can know best and must learn to temper speech and actions before rushing impulsively forward. She has a kind heart and a curious mind. And best of all, she is a prize snoop, but a loyal friend
The author did a worthy job of creating her cast of characters and the mystery. Loved that it was set in Post-WWI Crete. Local color along with historical situation added just the right balance to the mystery. There is a murder and the ugliness behind the victim and the situation comes out to reveal more motives and a surprise reveal.
Evelyn is out in the world for the first time and up to her neck in a murder mystery so the tentative awakening romance is just that. She barely realizes that is what is happening and I liked that it was just a whiff of something that, along with her maturing in her own, will come along slowly with the series.
All in all, I enjoyed this first outing with a new to me author and new series. I look forward to more of Lady Evelyn's mystery adventures. I can easily recommend A Poisonous Journey to those who enjoy historical mysteries with a heroine detective who will grow as the series progresses.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2015
A wonderful start for this debut historical mystery series. Author Malia Zaidi set's the scene of the 1920s with it's clothes and sounds, and a gives us sunny Crete as a backdrop for Lady Evelyn to embark on a life unchaperoned. But the discovery of a body in her best friends garden sets her on an unlikely path to solve the crime.
Unlike several female historical mystery sleuths, she is not a plucky former battlefield nurse. Instead, she is a lovely educated women that at times, seems almost frozen by her continued struggles with the early death of her parents when she was four.
For a young women who has spent two years reading the Classics at university, I was surprised at Lady Evelyn's lack of, for a better term, grit. I kept (unfairly) comparing her to the very real Vera Brittain, whose memoir Testament to Youth encompasses her time at Oxford when few women were accepted and enrolled before World War One. Vera Brittain is the definition of pluck and grit and feminist resolve to have successful completed her education at that time--and her fellow academic sisters were likely the same.
I wanted Lady Evelyn to prowl around the village and hunt through an ancient ruin. She does finally get the courage to follow a hunch with dire consequences, but it almost felt too late in the plot.
Then again, maybe the series is really about the journey. Too many times, we get our lead characters fully-formed with lots of bad habits and baggage. Lady Evelyn is on her own journey-- trying to reconcile a world that is not always fair and beautiful, and wondering where her place is in it.
I look forward to seeing Lady Evelyn grow and challenge herself. The Thirties are coming with the Great Depression looming, and I have a suspicion that she is going to surprise herself (and us) with her pluck after all.
February 27, 2018
Lady Evelyn’s inner voice is going to make her a one of a kind detective.
What works for me ?
In this particular book the unexpected gifts (beyond the bright skies of crete) have to do with grief, loss and what next - but what sets this book apart is the way loss is turned all about like a rubic’s cube - by the time you put the book down you’ll know a few lessons it can take a lifetime to learn - that grief and loss are everywhere - behind the brightest smiles, the biggest freedoms, the longest memories and more.
-it’s not just our protagonist’s or our vitctim’s experience with grief or loss that we encounter - we click and clack our way rubic’s-cube-like through everyone’s losses and griefs before we’re done reading, but it’s so well done we don’t even get distracted from the whodunnit while we’re at it!
Ever heard someone offer the feel-better self help phrase: “there’s always someone worse off than you ?” Get ready to check ✔️ a bunch of those someones off your list:
A child orphaned young ✔️
A parent who loses a child, and another ✔️
A husband who loses his wife ✔️
A son who loses his brothers then his parents then his best friend ✔️
A man who loses his co-workers ✔️
A woman who loses her lover ✔️
A woman who loses her mind ✔️
A woman who loses her job ✔️
A chief inspector who loses his good night’s sleep ✔️
A woman who begins to lose her heart ✔️
what didn’t work for me? T Y P O S
What works for me ?
In this particular book the unexpected gifts (beyond the bright skies of crete) have to do with grief, loss and what next - but what sets this book apart is the way loss is turned all about like a rubic’s cube - by the time you put the book down you’ll know a few lessons it can take a lifetime to learn - that grief and loss are everywhere - behind the brightest smiles, the biggest freedoms, the longest memories and more.
-it’s not just our protagonist’s or our vitctim’s experience with grief or loss that we encounter - we click and clack our way rubic’s-cube-like through everyone’s losses and griefs before we’re done reading, but it’s so well done we don’t even get distracted from the whodunnit while we’re at it!
Ever heard someone offer the feel-better self help phrase: “there’s always someone worse off than you ?” Get ready to check ✔️ a bunch of those someones off your list:
A child orphaned young ✔️
A parent who loses a child, and another ✔️
A husband who loses his wife ✔️
A son who loses his brothers then his parents then his best friend ✔️
A man who loses his co-workers ✔️
A woman who loses her lover ✔️
A woman who loses her mind ✔️
A woman who loses her job ✔️
A chief inspector who loses his good night’s sleep ✔️
A woman who begins to lose her heart ✔️
what didn’t work for me? T Y P O S
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2016
Actual rating 4.5
I posted this review on my blog as well. You read this review and many others, here.
Declaimer: I’ve received this book from the author herself in exchange for an honest review. I would like to send big thanks to Malia Zaidi for sending me this book!
The book, or at least my version, needs to be edited. There are words that are missing, or spelled wrong. It needs to be cleaned up a little bit. This has nothing to do with the author’s writing, or the story’s quality. However, it will improve the reader’s experience.
World Building
The book is set in 1920s, and most of the action takes place in Crete. I’ve never read a fiction set in Crete; most books are set in USA or UK, which is a pity really. The author makes a very good job at describing the place, and she also makes the island more real by offering some information about Crete. For example, we read, through Evelyn’s eyes, the information provided in a travel guide. The writer also describes the locations, and houses very well. It was very easy for me to imagine Briony’s house, the villages, the town, even the road itself.
I would’ve like to read about Crete’s most recent history. What happened in Crete during the Great War? What happened after Greece was finally freed from the Ottoman Empire? Also, I would’ve love to read some description of Cretans national clothes, customs and traditions. This is a personal preference. The book is not about Crete’s history, therefore it was not mandatory to include this information. For me, the book would’ve been even better than it was if more history was included.
Overall, the information provided about Crete and Greece is correct, which is a great. It shows that the author did some research, and she didn’t limit herself to Wikipedia.
Except, maybe, the orphanage scene. Was that monastery Catholic? I am asking because Orthodox monasteries, be it in Crete, Greece, Russia, Romania etc., are very different than Western monasteries. They’re purpose is not to take care of orphans, or do social things in general, therefore is not very often that you find an Orthodox monastery that takes care of orphans. That’s what civilians are for. Anyway, it is not a major sub-plot, or anything like that. As I said, in general the information is correct.
For the world building, I give a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Plot
The story is written in the first person, present tense. Therefore, there were some inner rambling on Evelyn’s part, but other than that everything was fine.
The book has 50 chapters. Some of them are short (4-6 pages), some longer (10+ pages). In the beginning, the story was a little bit slow for me. It took me a few chapters to get pulled in by the story. It’s not a bad thing; there are great novels out there that are not fast reads.
I think the story is slowed down by Evelyn, Briony and others eating. There are many chapters with scenes where the characters are eating breakfast, dinner or lunch. Granted, Evelyn and her friends are always having conversations while eating, and some information is revealed during those scenes. However, when you read scene after scene with them eating, it gets a little bit boring. Plus, since they eat so much, the food is also described. Some people like reading about food, and are not bothered by it. Personally, I don’t care much what the characters are eating.
The bath scenes and the clothes descriptions are also slowing down the plot, but these are not necessarily a bad thing. It was interesting to read how women washed themselves in the 1920s, and what kind of clothes they used to wear. I think these scenes were necessary to take the reader back to the 1920s; to help him or her picture those times.
The main plot of this novel is Evelyn discovering who committed a murder.I didn’t know who the murder is until the author decided is time for the reader to find out. I had my own theories, but they were wrong. It was fun trying to guess to killed the guy, or who cheated on whom. I needed to keep reading to find out what happened, and why that man was killed. I loved the plot twists, and the way everything played out.
There are some sub-plots as well, like Briony’s marriage, or Evelyn relationship with her aunt. This book also tackles adultery, thus adding more suspense to the story.
Overall, the book has an interesting plot, and I liked it. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
Characters
The main character is Evelyn, an English young women who had to live with her aunt, since her parents died in a fire. I liked Evelyn; she is smart, energetic, curious, a loyal friend, and independent. Evelyn is also haunted by her past; she never get passed the fact that her parents died, and her cold relationship with her aunt didn’t help much. The reader gets to read her inner thoughts about this, and about her sad moments. On the bright side, she’s not the kind who whines and mops because of what happened to her. Evelyn doesn’t want to stop living, and she is trying her best to move forward. I also think that the scenes about her past and emotions help the reader understand Evelyn; she is not just a shell who catches the criminal. In other words, Evelyn is a dynamic character, not a static one. She changes, she grows, she learns, she falls, she stands up. Evelyn from the beginning of the story is not the same person at the end.
Briony and Jeffery. Briony is Evelyn’s cousin, and also her best friend. She is a kind, lovely young women. However, she is a little bit sad due to the fact that her marriage is not what she expected. Mostly because of her husband, Jeffery. Now, Jeffery is not a bad guy; he’s self-absorbed and doesn’t see that his wife is not happy. Briony is also a dynamic character; there is more to her than being Evelyn’s best friend. Jeffery is a little bit static, and is not that complex, but there are some layers to him.
Daniel, Casper’s friend. An orphan, just like Evelyn. He went to war, his best friend got killed, he doesn’t have a family. Poor guy. He is determined to find out who killed his best friend, even though he found out that his friend was not a great person. I like Daniel, especially because he didn’t give up on Casper after he realized what kind of man Casper was. Daniel chose to remember Casper as his good friend, and see the good in him.I also liked the fact that he was kind and sweet with Evelyn. He treated her as an equal, and he admired her determination and will to find the killer. Daniel and Evelyn made a perfect team.
Overall, the character development was excellent. The author did a good job at creating them. I give a rating of 5 out of 5.
Romance
Yay, no romance! :D
Not really. There is some romance in this novel, but it is a sub-plot, and not an important one. The romance is subtle, and you can see it blossom between Daniel and Evelyn. They don’t kiss, hung, or drool over each other, but they do have some nice moments together. They talk about themselves, their past, their opinions; they also team up to find out Casper’s killer. In other words, they get to know each other as persons. There is no “OMG, he’s so hut! I love him!”, which was awesome.
There is another side of romance in this book. As I mentioned above, the book talks a little bit about adultery, and unhappy marriages. Couples trying to move on after infidelity; Briony trying to work on her marriage with Jeffery; a selfish man who stays with his wife because of money.
In other words, the romance is real. It shows all sides, not just the pink ones. I loved it.
I give a rating of 5 out of 5.
Reader’s Experience
There is a difference between quality and experience. You can enjoy a book that is poorly written, and/or with bad character development. Sometimes you need to read something easy, relaxing, and fluffy. But just because you enjoy it, that does not mean you will turn a blind eye to the problems, especially when you review it. I’m saying this in general.
entertainment =/= quality
This does not apply to Malia’s book. Her novel is well written.
I enjoyed reading this book. I wouldn’t say it was a fun read, since it deals with serious subjects, which is exactly what I wanted to read.
As I mentioned above, sometimes it was a little bit slow and some scenes, like the food descriptions, were a bit boring.
I liked the fact that it tackled several subjects, such as family, marriage, adultery, crime, Crete, friendship, orphans and so on. It does make you questions life, and its purpose, death, your own choices, and what you want in life. Some moments were sad, but I loved them. In a way, the novel is like life; you have good moments, so-so ones, terrible days; you have good friends, and bad friends; love and death.
For the reading experience, I give a rating of 4 out of 5.
General Thoughts
I think this novel is underrated. It deserves more attention. I also think that the author has a lot of potential, and I will read other novels written by her. I am not sure if this book is a stand alone, or part of a series. It would be nice to read about Evelyn’s next adventures. Or maybe a small novel about Briony and her life before and after Jeffery.
I recommend this novel to everyone. It has a little bit of everything. However, those of you who like mystery, crime, history will definitely enjoy this book.
I posted this review on my blog as well. You read this review and many others, here.
Declaimer: I’ve received this book from the author herself in exchange for an honest review. I would like to send big thanks to Malia Zaidi for sending me this book!
The book, or at least my version, needs to be edited. There are words that are missing, or spelled wrong. It needs to be cleaned up a little bit. This has nothing to do with the author’s writing, or the story’s quality. However, it will improve the reader’s experience.
World Building
The book is set in 1920s, and most of the action takes place in Crete. I’ve never read a fiction set in Crete; most books are set in USA or UK, which is a pity really. The author makes a very good job at describing the place, and she also makes the island more real by offering some information about Crete. For example, we read, through Evelyn’s eyes, the information provided in a travel guide. The writer also describes the locations, and houses very well. It was very easy for me to imagine Briony’s house, the villages, the town, even the road itself.
I would’ve like to read about Crete’s most recent history. What happened in Crete during the Great War? What happened after Greece was finally freed from the Ottoman Empire? Also, I would’ve love to read some description of Cretans national clothes, customs and traditions. This is a personal preference. The book is not about Crete’s history, therefore it was not mandatory to include this information. For me, the book would’ve been even better than it was if more history was included.
Overall, the information provided about Crete and Greece is correct, which is a great. It shows that the author did some research, and she didn’t limit herself to Wikipedia.
Except, maybe, the orphanage scene. Was that monastery Catholic? I am asking because Orthodox monasteries, be it in Crete, Greece, Russia, Romania etc., are very different than Western monasteries. They’re purpose is not to take care of orphans, or do social things in general, therefore is not very often that you find an Orthodox monastery that takes care of orphans. That’s what civilians are for. Anyway, it is not a major sub-plot, or anything like that. As I said, in general the information is correct.
For the world building, I give a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Plot
The story is written in the first person, present tense. Therefore, there were some inner rambling on Evelyn’s part, but other than that everything was fine.
The book has 50 chapters. Some of them are short (4-6 pages), some longer (10+ pages). In the beginning, the story was a little bit slow for me. It took me a few chapters to get pulled in by the story. It’s not a bad thing; there are great novels out there that are not fast reads.
I think the story is slowed down by Evelyn, Briony and others eating. There are many chapters with scenes where the characters are eating breakfast, dinner or lunch. Granted, Evelyn and her friends are always having conversations while eating, and some information is revealed during those scenes. However, when you read scene after scene with them eating, it gets a little bit boring. Plus, since they eat so much, the food is also described. Some people like reading about food, and are not bothered by it. Personally, I don’t care much what the characters are eating.
The bath scenes and the clothes descriptions are also slowing down the plot, but these are not necessarily a bad thing. It was interesting to read how women washed themselves in the 1920s, and what kind of clothes they used to wear. I think these scenes were necessary to take the reader back to the 1920s; to help him or her picture those times.
The main plot of this novel is Evelyn discovering who committed a murder.I didn’t know who the murder is until the author decided is time for the reader to find out. I had my own theories, but they were wrong. It was fun trying to guess to killed the guy, or who cheated on whom. I needed to keep reading to find out what happened, and why that man was killed. I loved the plot twists, and the way everything played out.
There are some sub-plots as well, like Briony’s marriage, or Evelyn relationship with her aunt. This book also tackles adultery, thus adding more suspense to the story.
Overall, the book has an interesting plot, and I liked it. I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.
Characters
The main character is Evelyn, an English young women who had to live with her aunt, since her parents died in a fire. I liked Evelyn; she is smart, energetic, curious, a loyal friend, and independent. Evelyn is also haunted by her past; she never get passed the fact that her parents died, and her cold relationship with her aunt didn’t help much. The reader gets to read her inner thoughts about this, and about her sad moments. On the bright side, she’s not the kind who whines and mops because of what happened to her. Evelyn doesn’t want to stop living, and she is trying her best to move forward. I also think that the scenes about her past and emotions help the reader understand Evelyn; she is not just a shell who catches the criminal. In other words, Evelyn is a dynamic character, not a static one. She changes, she grows, she learns, she falls, she stands up. Evelyn from the beginning of the story is not the same person at the end.
Briony and Jeffery. Briony is Evelyn’s cousin, and also her best friend. She is a kind, lovely young women. However, she is a little bit sad due to the fact that her marriage is not what she expected. Mostly because of her husband, Jeffery. Now, Jeffery is not a bad guy; he’s self-absorbed and doesn’t see that his wife is not happy. Briony is also a dynamic character; there is more to her than being Evelyn’s best friend. Jeffery is a little bit static, and is not that complex, but there are some layers to him.
Daniel, Casper’s friend. An orphan, just like Evelyn. He went to war, his best friend got killed, he doesn’t have a family. Poor guy. He is determined to find out who killed his best friend, even though he found out that his friend was not a great person. I like Daniel, especially because he didn’t give up on Casper after he realized what kind of man Casper was. Daniel chose to remember Casper as his good friend, and see the good in him.I also liked the fact that he was kind and sweet with Evelyn. He treated her as an equal, and he admired her determination and will to find the killer. Daniel and Evelyn made a perfect team.
Overall, the character development was excellent. The author did a good job at creating them. I give a rating of 5 out of 5.
Romance
Yay, no romance! :D
Not really. There is some romance in this novel, but it is a sub-plot, and not an important one. The romance is subtle, and you can see it blossom between Daniel and Evelyn. They don’t kiss, hung, or drool over each other, but they do have some nice moments together. They talk about themselves, their past, their opinions; they also team up to find out Casper’s killer. In other words, they get to know each other as persons. There is no “OMG, he’s so hut! I love him!”, which was awesome.
There is another side of romance in this book. As I mentioned above, the book talks a little bit about adultery, and unhappy marriages. Couples trying to move on after infidelity; Briony trying to work on her marriage with Jeffery; a selfish man who stays with his wife because of money.
In other words, the romance is real. It shows all sides, not just the pink ones. I loved it.
I give a rating of 5 out of 5.
Reader’s Experience
There is a difference between quality and experience. You can enjoy a book that is poorly written, and/or with bad character development. Sometimes you need to read something easy, relaxing, and fluffy. But just because you enjoy it, that does not mean you will turn a blind eye to the problems, especially when you review it. I’m saying this in general.
entertainment =/= quality
This does not apply to Malia’s book. Her novel is well written.
I enjoyed reading this book. I wouldn’t say it was a fun read, since it deals with serious subjects, which is exactly what I wanted to read.
As I mentioned above, sometimes it was a little bit slow and some scenes, like the food descriptions, were a bit boring.
I liked the fact that it tackled several subjects, such as family, marriage, adultery, crime, Crete, friendship, orphans and so on. It does make you questions life, and its purpose, death, your own choices, and what you want in life. Some moments were sad, but I loved them. In a way, the novel is like life; you have good moments, so-so ones, terrible days; you have good friends, and bad friends; love and death.
For the reading experience, I give a rating of 4 out of 5.
General Thoughts
I think this novel is underrated. It deserves more attention. I also think that the author has a lot of potential, and I will read other novels written by her. I am not sure if this book is a stand alone, or part of a series. It would be nice to read about Evelyn’s next adventures. Or maybe a small novel about Briony and her life before and after Jeffery.
I recommend this novel to everyone. It has a little bit of everything. However, those of you who like mystery, crime, history will definitely enjoy this book.
October 12, 2015
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
A Poisonous Journey: The First Lady Evelyn Mystery is a historical sleuth mystery written by Malia Zaidi. Evelyn's bored with her life in London, especially now that the city is in its cold, gray and drizzly late-winter weather pattern. Life with Aunt Agnes is predictably bleak, as it has been ever since Evelyn came to stay with her as a four-year-old orphan. Aunt Agnes is a brusque, stern and overly protective guardian. When Evelyn receives a letter from her cousin, Briony, she's thrilled to read her cousin's invitation to come visit her and her husband, Jeffrey, in their new home in Crete. As it was, Evelyn only got to read the letter due to the kindness of Harris, the butler, who was able to sneak it past the eagle eyes of her aunt. Even though Evelyn is now in her mid-twenties, Aunt Agnes still feels it necessary and proper to keep her niece under control. And so it was that Evelyn surreptitiously made her plans to depart London on an early train some days later, with Harris there to wish her farewell. After a tumultuous journey aboard a not entirely safe feeling ship, Evelyn is thrilled to step foot on the sunny isle of Crete where Briony's chauffeur, Yannick, is waiting for her.
Malia Zaidi's historical sleuth mystery, A Poisonous Journey: The First Lady Evelyn Mystery, is a fascinating classic mystery tale set in Crete in 1925. Evelyn is a credible and intriguing character whose college training in the classics stands her in good stead as she visits her cousin, Briony, and her scholarly husband whose employment is with the Historical Museum in Heraklion. There's a hint of a burgeoning romance between Evelyn and one of Briony's other house guests, Daniel, and the murder of yet another house guest is a puzzle that the intellectually minded Evelyn cannot resist trying to solve. Overshadowing all is the spectre of the Great War which decimated an entire generation of British youth and left survivors who were physically or mentally scarred. Zaidi's plot is marvelous, with lots of red herrings for the reader and Evelyn to consider, and an exhilaratingly lovely setting. I enjoyed reading about the cousins' trips to Crete’s historical sites and their other sightseeing adventures on the island. Evelyn is a natural at sleuthing, and it's a good thing that her creator has future mysteries planned for her to solve. A Poisonous Journey is highly recommended.
A Poisonous Journey: The First Lady Evelyn Mystery is a historical sleuth mystery written by Malia Zaidi. Evelyn's bored with her life in London, especially now that the city is in its cold, gray and drizzly late-winter weather pattern. Life with Aunt Agnes is predictably bleak, as it has been ever since Evelyn came to stay with her as a four-year-old orphan. Aunt Agnes is a brusque, stern and overly protective guardian. When Evelyn receives a letter from her cousin, Briony, she's thrilled to read her cousin's invitation to come visit her and her husband, Jeffrey, in their new home in Crete. As it was, Evelyn only got to read the letter due to the kindness of Harris, the butler, who was able to sneak it past the eagle eyes of her aunt. Even though Evelyn is now in her mid-twenties, Aunt Agnes still feels it necessary and proper to keep her niece under control. And so it was that Evelyn surreptitiously made her plans to depart London on an early train some days later, with Harris there to wish her farewell. After a tumultuous journey aboard a not entirely safe feeling ship, Evelyn is thrilled to step foot on the sunny isle of Crete where Briony's chauffeur, Yannick, is waiting for her.
Malia Zaidi's historical sleuth mystery, A Poisonous Journey: The First Lady Evelyn Mystery, is a fascinating classic mystery tale set in Crete in 1925. Evelyn is a credible and intriguing character whose college training in the classics stands her in good stead as she visits her cousin, Briony, and her scholarly husband whose employment is with the Historical Museum in Heraklion. There's a hint of a burgeoning romance between Evelyn and one of Briony's other house guests, Daniel, and the murder of yet another house guest is a puzzle that the intellectually minded Evelyn cannot resist trying to solve. Overshadowing all is the spectre of the Great War which decimated an entire generation of British youth and left survivors who were physically or mentally scarred. Zaidi's plot is marvelous, with lots of red herrings for the reader and Evelyn to consider, and an exhilaratingly lovely setting. I enjoyed reading about the cousins' trips to Crete’s historical sites and their other sightseeing adventures on the island. Evelyn is a natural at sleuthing, and it's a good thing that her creator has future mysteries planned for her to solve. A Poisonous Journey is highly recommended.
January 9, 2019
Lady Evelyn Carlisle flees London where she lives with her stuffy, Victorian aunt and heads to the sunny Greek island of Greece to join her cousin Briony. Briony and her husband Jeffrey have a few other guests staying with them and are hosting a dinner party for other local notables and expats. Evie is drawn to the brooding Daniel Harper but appalled by the drunken behavior of his friend Caspar Ballentine. There's trouble in paradise for Briony and Jeffrey as well and Evie intends to stay as long as her cousin needs her support. Soon Evie discovers a new reason to stay when she stumbles across the dead body of Caspar Ballentine in the garden! The local inspector feels this is a case of poison! Who would have done such a thing? The cousins and their guests were not at home when the death occurred and Daniel, a war veteran, is shaken by the death of his oldest friend. Evie takes the lead in trying to help the inspector solve the mystery
This story had a lot of potential. The setting is absolutely fabulous. I could easily picture the beautiful island of Crete and all the ancient wonders. Like Evie, I was eager to see the places where gods and heroes roamed. Unfortunately, the wonders of the ancient world are few and far between, despite Briony's husband Jeffrey working for the museum. Most of the action takes place at the villa or in the village of Miklos. The period details are shown by way too much introspection by Evie. The Great War casts a pall over everyone and Evie's past tragedy losing her parents as a young age also colors her worldview. She tends to get philosophical and morose, ruminating on the past, present and future. There are lots of descriptions of fashion and of course a motorcar. The story is also weighed down by Briony's struggle with infertility.
The mystery was difficult to figure out. I never in a million years guessed who the murderer was. I was thinking along the same lines as Evie. The first suspect was too obvious and too easy. That person would have a better way of killing someone without anyone knowing. Plus prologue made it clear that something else was involved. I did figure out who was behind the thefts. That was obvious. A villain gets a little cartoonish at the end and I kept invisoning Gollum! There's also a slight romance plot as Evie and Daniel grow close - but never acknowledging feelings. She also seems to have caught the attention of someone else.
The writing style is decent but this book is riddled with grammatical errors, typos, spelling mistakes and missing words. At one point the spelling of Caspar's name is wrong. I was shocked these errors were left uncorrected. No one should have to pay money for a book with so many mistakes. I didn't care at all for the present tense narration. Also, the author doesn't seem to know the correct British styles and inheritance laws. Evie wouldn't inherit a title or the ruined manor house.
The main characters are all very English. Evie is spared the flapper girl treatment by her dark past and because she grew up with an aunt who resembles Marilla Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables. Evie has spent her whole life chafing against her aunt's Victorian restrictions and keenly resenting the lack of affection shown by Aunt Agnes. I probably would too. Aunt Agnes is the worst sort of English maiden aunt type. Only Aunt Agnes is a widow, not a spinster. Her husband seems to have treated Evie more kindly. Evie is intelligent and intensely empathetic towards others. She seems to have some post-traumatic stress from the fire that killed her parents. I liked her but I didn't love her. She asks impertinent questions of someone she only just met that dredge up old, painful memories. I found that a little rude. Briony is very different from Evie. Briony is an English rose with beautiful blond curls and a sheltered upbringing. I found Briony to be very whiny and selfish. I couldn't relate to anything she did or wanted. What she plans for Areta is shockingly patronizing. A child is not a doll to be dressed and played with on a whim. Like Evie, I wanted to knock Briony and Jeffrey's heads together.
Jeffrey is a decent sort. Very English. He is passionate about archeology and his work. I believe he loves his wife, he's just clueless about what she needs. He doesn't seem to have much understanding of women. He's also older and has had different life experiences that may make him closed off or accepting of come what may. Daniel is brooding for good reason. A war veteran with a tragic past, he is haunted by past deeds and losses. He is also watching his oldest friend turn into a drunken cad. Caspar is a horrible person. Daniel refuses to admit this, only seeing the past friend who played and fought by his side. I liked that Caspar seemed to have more depth than the average cozy mystery murder victim. He didn't deserve to be killed despite his really despicable behavior.
The other party guests include a married couple, Dutch archeologist Paul Vanderheyden and his wife Rosie who is in a vegetative state due to a hit and run accident. Rosie's story is so horribly tragic. It's handled with sensitivity. Paul is sweet and kind to her. He's also a good friend and colleague of Jeffrey's. The local doctor, Nikolas Zarek and his wife Laria are not quite so devoted. He is hardly in the story but seems a bit arrogant. Laria is nice but nervous and having a tough time balancing housewifely duties and motherhood with being a good wife. The museum curator, Darius Calandra, is a pompous man who is devoted to antiquities. The ladies don't really like him but the men do.
Detective Inspector Adriano Dymas is in charge of the investigation with limited resources and political pressure to not accuse any locals. He seems very fair and a really decent man. He is good at his job and doesn't do the usual cozy mystery cop accusing wrong person thing. I really liked him. Another local is Niobe, Evie's maid. Niobe is shrewd but Evie treats Niobe fairly and Niobe rewards that with loyalty and openness. I guessed her secret pretty quickly. I quite liked her and felt sorry for her. Yannic, the chauffeur is a Polish man in love with Niobe. He's a nervous sort.
I didn't like this book enough to want to read more about Evie's adventures in Crete. The book was too long and too maudlin with far too many fixable errors.
This story had a lot of potential. The setting is absolutely fabulous. I could easily picture the beautiful island of Crete and all the ancient wonders. Like Evie, I was eager to see the places where gods and heroes roamed. Unfortunately, the wonders of the ancient world are few and far between, despite Briony's husband Jeffrey working for the museum. Most of the action takes place at the villa or in the village of Miklos. The period details are shown by way too much introspection by Evie. The Great War casts a pall over everyone and Evie's past tragedy losing her parents as a young age also colors her worldview. She tends to get philosophical and morose, ruminating on the past, present and future. There are lots of descriptions of fashion and of course a motorcar. The story is also weighed down by Briony's struggle with infertility.
The mystery was difficult to figure out. I never in a million years guessed who the murderer was. I was thinking along the same lines as Evie. The first suspect was too obvious and too easy. That person would have a better way of killing someone without anyone knowing. Plus prologue made it clear that something else was involved. I did figure out who was behind the thefts. That was obvious. A villain gets a little cartoonish at the end and I kept invisoning Gollum! There's also a slight romance plot as Evie and Daniel grow close - but never acknowledging feelings. She also seems to have caught the attention of someone else.
The writing style is decent but this book is riddled with grammatical errors, typos, spelling mistakes and missing words. At one point the spelling of Caspar's name is wrong. I was shocked these errors were left uncorrected. No one should have to pay money for a book with so many mistakes. I didn't care at all for the present tense narration. Also, the author doesn't seem to know the correct British styles and inheritance laws. Evie wouldn't inherit a title or the ruined manor house.
The main characters are all very English. Evie is spared the flapper girl treatment by her dark past and because she grew up with an aunt who resembles Marilla Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables. Evie has spent her whole life chafing against her aunt's Victorian restrictions and keenly resenting the lack of affection shown by Aunt Agnes. I probably would too. Aunt Agnes is the worst sort of English maiden aunt type. Only Aunt Agnes is a widow, not a spinster. Her husband seems to have treated Evie more kindly. Evie is intelligent and intensely empathetic towards others. She seems to have some post-traumatic stress from the fire that killed her parents. I liked her but I didn't love her. She asks impertinent questions of someone she only just met that dredge up old, painful memories. I found that a little rude. Briony is very different from Evie. Briony is an English rose with beautiful blond curls and a sheltered upbringing. I found Briony to be very whiny and selfish. I couldn't relate to anything she did or wanted. What she plans for Areta is shockingly patronizing. A child is not a doll to be dressed and played with on a whim. Like Evie, I wanted to knock Briony and Jeffrey's heads together.
Jeffrey is a decent sort. Very English. He is passionate about archeology and his work. I believe he loves his wife, he's just clueless about what she needs. He doesn't seem to have much understanding of women. He's also older and has had different life experiences that may make him closed off or accepting of come what may. Daniel is brooding for good reason. A war veteran with a tragic past, he is haunted by past deeds and losses. He is also watching his oldest friend turn into a drunken cad. Caspar is a horrible person. Daniel refuses to admit this, only seeing the past friend who played and fought by his side. I liked that Caspar seemed to have more depth than the average cozy mystery murder victim. He didn't deserve to be killed despite his really despicable behavior.
The other party guests include a married couple, Dutch archeologist Paul Vanderheyden and his wife Rosie who is in a vegetative state due to a hit and run accident. Rosie's story is so horribly tragic. It's handled with sensitivity. Paul is sweet and kind to her. He's also a good friend and colleague of Jeffrey's. The local doctor, Nikolas Zarek and his wife Laria are not quite so devoted. He is hardly in the story but seems a bit arrogant. Laria is nice but nervous and having a tough time balancing housewifely duties and motherhood with being a good wife. The museum curator, Darius Calandra, is a pompous man who is devoted to antiquities. The ladies don't really like him but the men do.
Detective Inspector Adriano Dymas is in charge of the investigation with limited resources and political pressure to not accuse any locals. He seems very fair and a really decent man. He is good at his job and doesn't do the usual cozy mystery cop accusing wrong person thing. I really liked him. Another local is Niobe, Evie's maid. Niobe is shrewd but Evie treats Niobe fairly and Niobe rewards that with loyalty and openness. I guessed her secret pretty quickly. I quite liked her and felt sorry for her. Yannic, the chauffeur is a Polish man in love with Niobe. He's a nervous sort.
I didn't like this book enough to want to read more about Evie's adventures in Crete. The book was too long and too maudlin with far too many fixable errors.
October 27, 2015
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoy mysteries and this one was very satisfying. I liked the characters and the story and the setting, in a past time. I also really enjoyed the philosophical thoughts sprinkled throughout the book, making it more meaningful than just a mystery story. This is a great first novel and I wish the author much success in this and the future adventures of Lady Evelyn. I will look forward to reading them.
September 16, 2015
This is a fun and exciting book that picks up quickly and then moves at a fast pace. If you like mystery’s this book truly delivers with a great plot and extensive character development.
The main character Lady Evelyn is a witty adventurous type that keeps you wanting more. This author did some great writing here, would highly recommend this book.
The main character Lady Evelyn is a witty adventurous type that keeps you wanting more. This author did some great writing here, would highly recommend this book.
September 10, 2015
I received an early copy of this book and greatly enjoyed reading it. Lady Evelyn is an interesting character one would like as a friend.
Her adventures and thoughts on life are making me look forward to the next installment of the series.
Her adventures and thoughts on life are making me look forward to the next installment of the series.
March 22, 2016
What a treat.
September 17, 2016
Excellent, excellent, excellent. Malia has a complete understanding of the universe and impeccable observation of human behavior and body language.
September 27, 2015
A Poisonous Journey: The First Lady Evelyn Mystery (The Lady Evelyn Mysteries Book 1) by Malia Zaidi starts with an intriguing prologue, Crete 1908. Andros and his brother are in a tunnel when the light they have goes out and they are left in darkness like blind men. The well-written eerie feeling the tunnel projects comes through in description and dialogue as Andros tells his brother to watch his step or it may be his last. When their light goes back on, they have reached a destination and Andros is in joy, relief but his brother tone is strange and before the reader has a chance to know what they happened upon the blackness returns, this time endless. Here the story skips to London March 1925 and I’m hooked on wanting more, wanting to know what did Andros and his brother find and what happened to them. It’s off to a great start.
London 1925: Lady Evelyn Carlisle secretly runs away from her suffocating Aunt Agnes that raised her after she was orphaned in a fire when she was very young. A timely letter from her cousin, Briony, and she is off for a visit to Crete. (I’m wondering how this will tie in with the prologue—no spoilers) What starts out as a breath of fresh air, getting away from her claustrophobic existence in England, turns into a murder mystery her second day at the villa. On the backdrop of the lush roaring twenties, descriptions of nature that bring imagery from the page, and characters like Briony’s husband Jeffrey and other house guests Daniel Harper and Caspar Ballantine, etc. scenes are introduced and the story comes alive. As clues and oddities surface, Evelyn imagination goes into overdrive in wanting to discover what happened, the truth, and mysteries/things fall into place right down to another murder and surprising ending.
From the first word on the page, I love Lady Evelyn whose voice flow like honey in a time appropriate manner and I am reminded of the classics: Jane Austin and Charlotte Bronte come to mind. This is a lovely read—prosaic literary music, and I moved through the story with ease and enjoyment. I’m looking forward to move from the very talented Malia Zaidi.
London 1925: Lady Evelyn Carlisle secretly runs away from her suffocating Aunt Agnes that raised her after she was orphaned in a fire when she was very young. A timely letter from her cousin, Briony, and she is off for a visit to Crete. (I’m wondering how this will tie in with the prologue—no spoilers) What starts out as a breath of fresh air, getting away from her claustrophobic existence in England, turns into a murder mystery her second day at the villa. On the backdrop of the lush roaring twenties, descriptions of nature that bring imagery from the page, and characters like Briony’s husband Jeffrey and other house guests Daniel Harper and Caspar Ballantine, etc. scenes are introduced and the story comes alive. As clues and oddities surface, Evelyn imagination goes into overdrive in wanting to discover what happened, the truth, and mysteries/things fall into place right down to another murder and surprising ending.
From the first word on the page, I love Lady Evelyn whose voice flow like honey in a time appropriate manner and I am reminded of the classics: Jane Austin and Charlotte Bronte come to mind. This is a lovely read—prosaic literary music, and I moved through the story with ease and enjoyment. I’m looking forward to move from the very talented Malia Zaidi.
December 3, 2016
This was an enjoyable mystery novel. It was full of more twists and turns than I expected. I was able to figure out some of the mysteries, but others came as a surprise. The author has created a very interesting and diverse cast of characters and she does a wonderful job of describing the people and places featured in the book. Lady Evelyn, curious Englishwoman and amateur detective of sorts, is an intriguing character. I was glad to learn that the author plans more adventures for her.
One thing I particularly liked about the book, and which sets it apart from most other mystery novels, is that Evelyn, especially in her thoughts, is often very philosophical about life and its hardships and joys. A great example is the closing paragraph: "Pandora has closed her box again, just in time. When Hades walks among us, in times of darkness and despair, we are left with the infinite gift of hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, for change, for humanity. Treading this stage that is life, we are fragile, vulnerable, flawed, human, but we are not alone. The sun falls below the horizon, and our world is dipped into darkness, until it returns, dependable and true, warming us and lighting our way."
I received a copy of the e-book from Reading Alley in exchange for a review.
One thing I particularly liked about the book, and which sets it apart from most other mystery novels, is that Evelyn, especially in her thoughts, is often very philosophical about life and its hardships and joys. A great example is the closing paragraph: "Pandora has closed her box again, just in time. When Hades walks among us, in times of darkness and despair, we are left with the infinite gift of hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, for change, for humanity. Treading this stage that is life, we are fragile, vulnerable, flawed, human, but we are not alone. The sun falls below the horizon, and our world is dipped into darkness, until it returns, dependable and true, warming us and lighting our way."
I received a copy of the e-book from Reading Alley in exchange for a review.
August 21, 2017
Set in the post-World War one 1920s, ‘A Poisonous Journey’ is a classic whodunnit. Evelyn finds living with strict Aunt Agnes overwhelming, she yearns for some freedom, a chance to find her true self. She seizes the opportunity and flees to Crete to meet up with her friend and cousin Briony, maybe she will find the direction in life she yearns for. The idyllic Crete Township of Milkos is the perfect setting.
Within days of arriving Evelyn’s dream is shattered, the discovery of the body of one of Briony’s houseguests is undoubtedly murder. Evelyn is driven to discover the truth, unearth the killer and hopefully resurrect her holiday. Every possible suspect appears to have a rock -solid alibi, but she quickly discovers many are hiding a nefarious past.
The reader is drawn into Evelyn’s world, they experience through her eyes, her troubled past and her vivid assessment of the possible suspects. This is a book that consumes you, you live in Evelyn’s world, you are compelled to keep turning the pages.
October 21, 2017
Have you ever looked at a book cover and thought that it would be an exciting read. Well, that was my reaction to this book. And, boy did it hit on every cylinder. This was a well-written book, from start to finish. The attention to detail and description was something that made you feel immersed in the book's time period. You felt as if you were really in London and witnessing the marvels of 1925. Can you imagine the fashion? Wow. The characters were as lifelike as I've ever read. The author did a fantastic job of making you feel as though you knew them.
There was a great balance of mystery, intrigue and a bit of romance. It was well paced and had me hooked from the jump. The sleuth bug has hit Evelyn, and there is no stopping her now. For some reason, it made wonder if this is how Jessica Fletchers' character was born...hmm.
Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book to any sleuth in the making. Gonna start on the second part right away!
There was a great balance of mystery, intrigue and a bit of romance. It was well paced and had me hooked from the jump. The sleuth bug has hit Evelyn, and there is no stopping her now. For some reason, it made wonder if this is how Jessica Fletchers' character was born...hmm.
Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book to any sleuth in the making. Gonna start on the second part right away!
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