ABL Review At-A-Glance
Ø Title: A Murder by Any Name
Ø My Rating: 4
Ø Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Ø Author:
Suzanne M. Wolfe
Suzanne M. Wolfe
Ø Format:
Ebook*
Ebook*
Ø Publication Date: October 9, 2018
Goodreads Synopsis
When a brutal murder threatens the sanctity of the
Elizabethan court, it’s up to a hot-tempered spy to save the day.
Elizabethan court, it’s up to a hot-tempered spy to save the day.
The court of Elizabeth I is
no stranger to plotting and intrigue, but the royal retinue is thrown into
chaos when the Queen’s youngest and sweetest lady-in-waiting is murdered, her
body left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Solving
the murder will require the cunning and savvy possessed by only one man. Enter
Nicholas Holt, younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell—spy, rake, and owner of
the infamous Black Sheep tavern in the seedy district of Bankside. Nick quickly
learns that working for the Queen is a mixed blessing. Elizabeth—salty-tongued,
vain, and fiercely intelligent—can, with a glance, either reward Nick with a
purse of gold or have his head forcibly removed.
no stranger to plotting and intrigue, but the royal retinue is thrown into
chaos when the Queen’s youngest and sweetest lady-in-waiting is murdered, her
body left on the high altar of the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. Solving
the murder will require the cunning and savvy possessed by only one man. Enter
Nicholas Holt, younger brother of the Earl of Blackwell—spy, rake, and owner of
the infamous Black Sheep tavern in the seedy district of Bankside. Nick quickly
learns that working for the Queen is a mixed blessing. Elizabeth—salty-tongued,
vain, and fiercely intelligent—can, with a glance, either reward Nick with a
purse of gold or have his head forcibly removed.
When a second lady-in-waiting
is slain at Whitehall, the court once again reels with shock and dismay. On the
trail of a diabolical killer, Nick and his faithful sidekick—an enormous Irish
Wolfhound named Hector—are treading on treacherous ground, and only the
killer’s head on a platter can keep them in the Queen’s good graces.
is slain at Whitehall, the court once again reels with shock and dismay. On the
trail of a diabolical killer, Nick and his faithful sidekick—an enormous Irish
Wolfhound named Hector—are treading on treacherous ground, and only the
killer’s head on a platter can keep them in the Queen’s good graces.
My Thoughts…
It’s not secret here on ABL that I love
historical fiction. Especially
historical that is thoroughly researched and accurate. As far as I know, AMBAM fits the bill. This
book was filled with historical facts, pertinent information, and a whole lot
of mystery.
historical fiction. Especially
historical that is thoroughly researched and accurate. As far as I know, AMBAM fits the bill. This
book was filled with historical facts, pertinent information, and a whole lot
of mystery.
As this was the beginning of a series, the
author spent some time world building with lots of character insight. I like the main character, Nick, a lot, but I
had some trouble relating to him at times.
I admired his courage and intelligence, but couldn’t understand how he
felt about the two main love interests in the story. Let’s be clear though, the point of this book
is not romance, as the chief motivator for almost all the action is catching
the killer. In trying to do an accurate
and thorough review, I thought I should mention my confusion, but in no way was
the focal story affected by it.
author spent some time world building with lots of character insight. I like the main character, Nick, a lot, but I
had some trouble relating to him at times.
I admired his courage and intelligence, but couldn’t understand how he
felt about the two main love interests in the story. Let’s be clear though, the point of this book
is not romance, as the chief motivator for almost all the action is catching
the killer. In trying to do an accurate
and thorough review, I thought I should mention my confusion, but in no way was
the focal story affected by it.
At times, I also felt that Nick tended to veer
off into tangential thoughts, which took me out of the story for a minute. His contemplations usually contained
fascinating or relevant information, though not always necessary for the
story.
off into tangential thoughts, which took me out of the story for a minute. His contemplations usually contained
fascinating or relevant information, though not always necessary for the
story.
My favorite character was probably, as usual,
the dog. Hector was hysterical and very
well trained. It was fun imagining him
in each of the situations, and I was very impressed that the author always
explained where he was so that the reader didn’t lose track of him.
the dog. Hector was hysterical and very
well trained. It was fun imagining him
in each of the situations, and I was very impressed that the author always
explained where he was so that the reader didn’t lose track of him.
The pace AMBAM was really good, perfect for this
type of historical fiction. I felt like
I could see and hear almost everything that happened, which is quite impressive,
because I have obviously never been to Elizabethan England.
type of historical fiction. I felt like
I could see and hear almost everything that happened, which is quite impressive,
because I have obviously never been to Elizabethan England.
* Special thanks to Suzanne Wolfe, Crooked Lane Books, and HF
Virtual Book Tours for providing a copy of A Murder by Any Name in exchange for an honest review.
Virtual Book Tours for providing a copy of A Murder by Any Name in exchange for an honest review.
AMAZON | BARNES
AND NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | CHAPTERS | INDIEBOUND | KOBO
Suzanne M. Wolfe grew up in
Manchester, England and read English Literature at Oxford University, where she
co-founded the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society. She served as Writer in Residence at
Seattle Pacific University and taught literature and creative writing there for
nearly two decades. Wolfe is the author of three novels: A Murder by Any Name,
The Confessions of X, and Unveiling.
Manchester, England and read English Literature at Oxford University, where she
co-founded the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society. She served as Writer in Residence at
Seattle Pacific University and taught literature and creative writing there for
nearly two decades. Wolfe is the author of three novels: A Murder by Any Name,
The Confessions of X, and Unveiling.
Thirty years ago, she and
her husband, Gregory Wolfe, co-founded Image, a journal of the arts and faith.
They have also co-authored many books on literature and prayer including Books
That Build Character: How to Teach Your Child Moral Values Through Stories, and
Bless This House: Prayers For Children and Families. Her essays and blog posts
have appeared in Image and other publications. She and her husband are the
parents of four grown children. They live in Richmond Beach, Washington.
her husband, Gregory Wolfe, co-founded Image, a journal of the arts and faith.
They have also co-authored many books on literature and prayer including Books
That Build Character: How to Teach Your Child Moral Values Through Stories, and
Bless This House: Prayers For Children and Families. Her essays and blog posts
have appeared in Image and other publications. She and her husband are the
parents of four grown children. They live in Richmond Beach, Washington.
For more information,
please visit Suzanne M. Wolfe’s website. You can also find her
on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
please visit Suzanne M. Wolfe’s website. You can also find her
on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
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