Hosted by Lipsy Lost & Found my Wednesday post gives you a taste of what I am reading this week. A similar meme is run by Taking on a World of Words
At the moment I am reading The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, an unusual presentation of the age-old mystery story.
Blurb
Somebody’s going to be murdered at the ball tonight. It won’t appear to be a murder and so the murderer won’t be caught. Rectify that injustice and I’ll show you the way out.’
It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.
But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden – one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party – can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.
The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath… Amazon
The last book I finished was the brilliant The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards which has been a fantastic resource in building my list for The Classic’s Club.
Blurb
This book tells the story of crime fiction published during the first half of the twentieth century. The diversity of this much-loved genre is breathtaking, and so much greater than many critics have suggested. To illustrate this, the leading expert on classic crime discusses one hundred books ranging from The Hound of the Baskervilles to Strangers on a Train which highlight the entertaining plots, the literary achievements, and the social significance of vintage crime fiction. This book serves as a companion to the acclaimed British Library Crime Classics series but it tells a very diverse story. It presents the development of crime fiction-from Sherlock Holmes to the end of the golden age-in an accessible, informative and engaging style.
Readers who enjoy classic crime will make fascinating discoveries and learn about forgotten gems as well as bestselling authors. Even the most widely read connoisseurs will find books (and trivia) with which they are unfamiliar-as well as unexpected choices to debate. Classic crime is a richly varied and deeply pleasurable genre that is enjoying a world-wide renaissance as dozens of neglected novels and stories are resurrected for modern readers to enjoy. The overriding aim of this book is to provide a launch point that enables readers to embark on their own voyages of discovery. Goodreads
Next I plan on reading 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan a book that has been on the TBR since March 2011 and one I was reminded of by the fabulous blogger from The Book Trail who reminded me it was there!
Blurb
Who killed Dr. Harvey Burdell?
Though there are no witnesses and no clues, fingers point to Emma Cunningham, the refined, pale-skinned widow who managed Burdell’s house and his servants. Rumored to be a black-hearted gold digger with designs on the doctor’s name and fortune, Emma is immediately put under house arrest during a murder investigation. A swift conviction is sure to catapult flamboyant district attorney Abraham Oakey Hall into the mayor’s seat. But one formidable obstacle stands in his way: the defense attorney Henry Clinton. Committed to justice and the law, Clinton will aid the vulnerable widow in her desperate fight to save herself from the gallows.
Set in 1857 New York, this gripping mystery is also a richly detailed excavation of a lost age. Horan vividly re-creates a tumultuous era characterized by a sensationalist press, aggressive new wealth, a booming real-estate market, corruption, racial conflict,economic inequality between men and women, and the erosion of the old codes of behavior. A tale of murder, sex, greed, and politics, this spellbinding narrative transports readers to a time that eerily echoes our own. Amazon
What does your reading week look like? Have you read any of my choices? Are you planning to?
Please leave your comments in the box below.
I’ve been hearing a lot about The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Enjoy, and thanks for sharing. Here’s MY WWW POST
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Thanks for returning the visit – The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is definitely a different take on a crime novel.
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I really want to read The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle too! Great post!! 🙂
Have a great week!!
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Thank you for stopping by 🙂
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I have the Seven Deaths on pre-order and can’t wait. My Netgalley request was denied. Twice. 😂
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Oh no!! I hope you enjoy it, not long to wait now!
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I’ve read the classic crime book as you know, and I’m thinking of suing Martin Edwards for damage to the TBR! The ones I’ve read so far have been mixed – some great, some… well, let’s just say not to my taste. But they’ve all been interesting for the insight into the range of vintage crime fiction. I think you should read all 102 of them…
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I think you’ve done enough damage to my TBR without joining forces with Martin Edwards – I’m hoping the ones I picked are to my taste but I have no intention of signing up to reading all 102!
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I reviewed ‘The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle’ recently. The book was great, the ended could of been a little better though. Not heard of the classic crimes book, but I do like the look of it.
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I’m not very far through The Seven Deaths yet but I’m enjoying what I’ve read so far. The Classic Crime book is great and I can see I’ll be using it for reference for years to come.
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I’m interested in the classic crime book – Martin Edwards is really a marvel with all his latest work bringing older mysteries into the light of day – he and the Poisoned Pen Press. I’m also wanting to read the Evelyn Hardcastle book. It sounds very interesting.
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He has done a brilliant job of bringing these stories back to prominence and I will be using this book as reference way into the future.
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The Seven Deaths… sounds really unusual, Cleo, and intriguing. I’ll be especially interested in what you think of that one. And Martin Edwards’ book is a great exploration of such a fascinating sub-genre. I’m glad to see it here. You’re having a good book week!
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I’m enjoying the little bit that I’ve read so far Margot – I’ll let you know my conclusions 😉
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I want to read the Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books so badly! This is a great WWW.
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Thank you 🙂
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Best wishes with 31 Bond Street, a bit of spring de-cluttering of the TBR list sounds good.
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I found a few more lurking from 2011 so I’m not stuck for something to read 🙂
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My copy of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has arrived from Hive Books so that’ll be on my soon to be read list!
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Excellent stuff!
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The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards is for me! I always feel so lost when we talk about classic crime!
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It is full of information I will be using it as a reference guide for years to come.
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Oh I wanna read The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and 31 Bond Street now….I find all the fab mystery books on your blog Cleo!
Here’s my WWW – https://bookboodle.co.uk/2018/01/31/www-wednesday-january-31st
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Seven Deaths sounds like my kind of book. I’ve probably got books on my TBR going back that far also!
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31 Bond Street looks so good! 🙂 Have a fabulous week, Cleo!
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Well, of course, I want to read the classic crime book. I expect it’ll be a classic crime book in its own right – it sounds most impressive.
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I haven’t heard of these books before, but they sound awesome!
Here’s my WWW Wednesday:
https://rabbitearsblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/www-wednesdays-12-january-31-2018/
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I’m intrigued by The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I’ll definitely be looking out for your review of this when you’ve finished it. I hope you’re enjoying it.
My WWW post: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2018/01/31/www-wednesdays-31-jan-what-are-you-reading-this-week/
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I feel like I need to read the Seven Death of Evelyn Hardcastle simply because I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Both titles just grab me and I have to know.
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Seven Deaths reminds me so much of the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (even the name of the character!). And for the love of books about books. I have to be careful reading them though, my TBR always doubles when I read the author’s references! My WWW for the week was small but mighty: https://reachingwhilerooted.com/2018/01/31/www-wednesday-01-31-18/
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Nice post. The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books sounds really interesting!
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It’s a great read and will be useful for reference 😊
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Oh my goodness, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle looks amazing. Such an intriguing plot!
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I’m hoping to read the Stuart Turton book soon, look forward to reading your review.
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I think I had put the first book on my TBR when you had mentioned it at a different time. The last is intriguing. I can imagine widows being used as scapegoats like unmarried women were during the Salem Witch trial days.
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Indeed Stefanie 🙂
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