I love a good Agatha Christie-style whodunit and this one was right up my alley! So often fiction authors tackling a historical setting really don't do their homework but the care and research that went into accurately portraying the spirit of the 1920's was so evident in this book.
Dora was up against a brick wall from the very get-go but her determination and sleuthing skills allowed her to break through barriers and take on a staid old boy's club with aplomb.
A charming and well-conceived mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Reviews and Comments
Ryan Stevens is a former figure skater and judge from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has been writing about figure skating history since 2013, on his blog Skate Guard. He has also written for U.S. Figure Skating's magazine "Skating", the oldest continuously published skating periodical in the world. He has been consulted on figure skating history by numerous museums, as well as by television programs on CBC, NBC and ITV.
Ryan's fourth book "Jackson Haines: The Skating King" will be released on November 1, 2023 and is available for pre-order:
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SkateGuard rated A skating life: 5 stars
SkateGuard rated Robin Cousins: 4 stars
SkateGuard rated Ice Breaker: 4 stars
SkateGuard rated Donald Jackson: 5 stars
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5 stars
SkateGuard reviewed Darkness Surrounds Us by Gail Lukasik
Review of 'Darkness Surrounds Us' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
From its gripping and heartbreaking opening in post-Great War era America to its surprising climax, Gail Lukasik's new Gothic mystery a beautifully crafted and alluring page turner. Nellie Lester is a character that readers can get behind. I really enjoyed this book immensely and I think anyone looking for a good mystery would love it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
SkateGuard reviewed Heinous by Melina Druga
Review of 'Heinous' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Melina Druga's book "Heinous: Forgotten Murders From the 1910s" is a fascinating anthology of lesser-known true crime stories curated from the back pages of dusty old newspapers. The author's research skills are second only to her storytelling ability. The first chapter, which offers an overview of crime in general during the Edwardian era and Great War, is an excellent overview. I especially appreciated the fact the author included a bibliography to appeal to academic audiences. They really did their homework, and as a result, the stories of these victims will not be forgotten. An outstanding read.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
