Tabitha Hart earns a scandalous living in London, with whichever gentleman has enough coin for her company. But in the summer of 1752, her mother urgently summons her home to the village of Netherlea and, with reluctance, she returns. However, she is greeted by the news that her mother has died in disturbing circumstances.
Finding cryptic notes in her mother’s almanack, Tabitha is determined to discover the truth, but the superstitious villagers are wary of her. Only the enigmatic Nat Starling is prepared to join her, as she sets out to uncover her mother’s killer. But soon the summer draws to a close and snow sets in, cutting off Netherlea from the outside world. As an unknown killer prophesies their deaths, Tabitha and Nat now face the darkest hours of their lives.
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
Thanks to Black Thorn Books for a review copy.
The Almanack, is set in England during the 1750s. London is full vice and over indulgences. From the moment Tabitha wakes at an inn on her journey to Netherlea, finding that she has been robbed by her companion for the night, left with nothing other than the underclothes she’s wearing and a purloined watch shaped as a silver skull. Tabitha is summoned home by a cryptic message from her mother. Arriving in the sleepy village of Netherlea, Tabitha finds her mother has died and is determined to find out just how and why. Finding cryptic notes in her mother’s almanack, Tabitha is determined to discover the truth, but the superstitious villagers are wary of her. Only the enigmatic Nat Starling is prepared to join her, as she sets out to uncover her mother’s killer.
Bailey skillfully weaves romance, meticulous historical details in a mystery plot to create this incredible storyline. The Almanack’s setting is richly described and you get a real sense of being there with the characters. The characters themselves are well fleshed out and and the plot keeps you engaged in this twisty novel to keep you guessing right to the end.
Bailey explores themes of time, mystery the novel takes place in the year the Gregorian calender is introduced in England. Days are lost but knowledge is gained, by reading Tabitha’s mothers Almanack. Captivating riddles add an extra layer in historical, murder mystery
The author has created a beguiling well constructive historical fiction, a stunning atmospheric mystery set in the mid-18th-century England. Martine Bailey book, has perfected her writing to catapult the reader to another era. Her meticulous research is evident in her luscious wonderful descriptive details.
A wonderfully rich and beguiling historical fiction, a stunning atmospheric mystery set in the mid-18th-century England.
Here is a riddle
I’m a strange contradiction: I’m new and I’m old, I’m sometimes in tatters and sometimes in gold, Though I never could read, yet lettered I’m found, Though blind, I enlighten, though free, I am bound. I often die young, though I sometimes live ages, Like a Queen I’m attended by so many pages.*
Answer:: A BOOK
An Almanack is a printed yearbook containing dates and events for the coming year, more detailed than a calendar or a diary it would contain notable festival dates, sunrise and sunset times, tide tables and other information invaluable, especially to country folk, farmers and the like. Some are still printed every year to this very day,
Exciting News for HistoricalFiction Fans, Alison Weir will be at Margate Bookieon Sunday 24 November at 11.30am, at the Turner Contemporary, Margate. She will be speaking about her new book Anna Kleve and doing a q&a. The friendly lit fest by the sea!
November 24 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Alison Weir is the top-selling female historian in the United Kingdom, selling over 2.7 million books worldwide.
Alison Weir has published eighteen history books, including Elizabeth the Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Lady in the Tower and Elizabeth of York, and seven historical novels. Her latest biography is Queens of the Conquest, and her latest novel is Anna of Kleve: Queen of Secrets.Rich in detailed research, Alison’s engaging prose has captured the interest and imagination of countless people, instilling a love of history that has influenced the career paths of historians, historical novelists and teachers, while also greatly increasing knowledge of medieval and Tudor English history among people throughout the world. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an honorary life patron of Historic Royal Palaces.
Go on, treat yourself to one of our super ticket offers.
Inspiration Special
A ticket for the Bookie Slam, Vanguard Readings and Happiness, Creativity and Writing – a tenner to you!
Saturday Ticket
A Sense of Place, Vanguard Readings, Postcards from the Past Podcast, a Love of Two Halves AND Louis de Bernieres . You’ve got the lot for twenty notes!
Sunday Ticket
Alison Weir, Elise Valmorbida and Vanessa King, Mark Billingham, Self Made Hero and a wee dram at One for the Road. Twenty-four quid!
Today I am featuring a wonderful book review by the lovely author
M.J. Rose
From M.J. Rose,
Cartier’s Hope
A Novel
by M. J. Rose
PublisherFrom M.J. Rose,: Atria Books , Simon and schusterFrom M.J. Rose,Press
Publishing Date: 28 Jan 2020
Length: 336 pages
@mjroseauthor #simonandschuster #atriabooks
From M.J. Rose,New York Timesbestselling author ofTiffany Blues, “a lush, romantic historical mystery” (Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale), comes a gorgeously wrought novel of ambition and betrayal…
SetFrom M.J. Rose, in the Gilded Age.New York, 1910: A city of extravagant balls in Fifth Avenue mansions and poor immigrants crammed into crumbling Lower East Side tenements. A city where the suffrage movement is growing stronger every day, but most women reporters are still delegated to the fashion and lifestyle pages. But Vera Garland is set on making her mark in a man’s world of serious journalism.Shortly after the world-famous Hope Diamond is acquired for a record sum, Vera begins investigating rumors about schemes by its new owner, jeweler Pierre Cartier, to manipulate its value.
From M.J. Rose,Vera is determined to find the truth behind the notorious diamond and its legendary curses—even better when the expose puts her in the same orbit as a magazine publisher whose blackmailing schemes led to the death of her beloved father.From M.J. Rose,Appealing to a young Russian jeweler for help,
From M.J. Rose,Vera is unprepared when she begins falling in love with him…and even more unprepared when she gets caught up in his deceptions and finds herself at risk of losing all she has worked so hard to achieve.From M.J. Rose,Set against the backdrop of New York’s glitter and grit, of ruthless men and the atrocities they commit in the pursuit of power, this enthralling historical novel explores our very human needs for love, retribution—and to pursue one’s destiny, regardless of the cost.
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
*Cartier’s Hope*
In this latest masterpiece by author M. J. Rose, we are met by Vera Garland, a young lady of the upper crust in New York in the early 1900’s, She’s bold, and sometimes impulsive, yet still has a kind hearted . She searches out the injustices of life, and fights diligently for those she considers to be harmed. Yet she still dreams of love. After a series of tragedies befall those closest to her, she sets out to avenge them in a rather unconventional way. Vera begins investigating rumors about schemes by its new owner, jeweler Pierre Cartier, to manipulate its value.
The character development is wonderful, with some notable characters, Jacob Astor, a Russian Jewish jeweler working for Cartier.
Jacob is a quiet, secretive man, with more than a few secrets of his own.
When Jacob and Vera finally meet, these two will discover that their interests may not be that different.. This story is absolutely incredible. I seriously had great difficulty putting it down for more than a minute or two.
This stunning book is set against the backdrop of New York’s glitter and vile, ruthless men and the atrocities they commit in the pursuit of power, this enthralling historical novel explores our quest for love, to gain retribution. One most strive for the pursuit of destiny, regardless of the cost.
A captivating novel, about redemption, and the hope and desire that one can be redeemed. Overall, it’s fascinating and engaging, and beyond entertaining
Photo Courtesy of authors Facebook page
Praise
“I’m a long-time fan and MJ Rose never disappoints. With crisp, addictive prose,Cartier’s Hopegives readers a smart, compelling heroine trying to make a career in a man’s profession while unraveling family scandals at the same time. A beautiful tale with tantalizing twists.”—Stephanie Dray,NYTBestselling author ofAmerica’s First Daughter
“A twisting tale of greed, revenge, and masked identities that put love and lives at risk…that shines with as much intrigue and mystery as the Hope Diamond itself.” —New York Timesbestseller Kristina McMorris, Sold on a Monday
“Nobody conjures up historical mystery like M.J. Rose, and this brilliant, absorbing novel has it all, immersing readers in an unforgettable world that beguiles to the final page. Rose proves once again that her superb storytelling and powerful prose are second to none.” —New York Timesbestseller, Beatriz Williams,The Golden Hour
“Perfectly melds fact and fiction into an unputdownable tale. A true gem.” —National bestseller Fiona Davis, The Chelsea Girls
“Sparkles with intrigue, romance and passion and surprises with an inspiring journalist heroine… timely, relevant, and sure to resonate with readers.. ends with a shocking twist you won’t see coming. Unputdownable!”—New York Times bestseller Laura Kamoie, My Dear Hamilton
“M.J. Rose soars withCartier’s Hope. A page-turning quest for the truths that are both intimate and universal. Brava!” —New York Timesbestseller Pam Jenoff, The lost Girls of Paris
Buy from the Indie Bookstores that LovedCartier’s Hope
“Fierce female reporter Vera Garland is the heroine of M.J. Roses’s latest gorgeous historical drama. Set in early Twentieth Century NYC,Cartier’s Hopecontains all the rich beauty and tantalizing danger of a city and period on the verge of change. Rose’s attention to detail and lush description had me enthralled. Buy this gem of a novel.”—Pamela Klinger-Horn, Excelsior Bay Books
“I really enjoyedCartier’s Hope; M. J. Rose paints a portrait of 1910s New York City with which I was unaware. Most surprising was the large number of female reporters that were working at that time. Vera/Vee is a smart, interesting character; I liked her double-life, very Scarlet Pimpernel…most of all, I want Vera’s apartment over Garland’s Department Store!”—Meaghan Beasley, Island Bookstore
Photo taken from authors website
About M.J. Rose
M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She believes mystery and magic are all around us but we are too often too busy to notice… Books that exaggerate mystery and magic draw attention to it and remind us to look for it and revel in it.
Rose is aNew York Times,Wall St. JournalandUSATodaybestseller as well as an international best seller. She has published more than a ninetten novels and 3 books on marketing. She has been published in more than 30 countries and sold over 1.5 million books. The Fox TV show,Past Lives, was based on Rose’s novel,The Reincarnationist.
In 1998, her first novel Lip Service was the first e-book and the first self-published novel chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club as well as the first e-book to go on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house.
Rose has been profiled in Time magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Working Woman, Newsweek, and New York Magazine. She has appeared on The Today Show, Fox News, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, and features on her have appeared in dozens of magazines and newspapers in the U.S. and abroad, including USAToday, Stern, L’Official, Poets and Writers, and Publishers Weekly.
Rose graduated from Syracuse University and spent the ’80s in advertising. She was the Creative Director of Rosenfeld Sirowitz and Lawson and she has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
Gwendalyn’s Books 