A Dark Fantasy Based on the Nutcracker

 

Twins, Clara and Natasha, are born on Christmas Day. Droselmeyer, a magician, appoints himself their godfather. He declares that Clara is light, and Natasha is dark. In spit of Droselmeyer’s ploys to turn the girls against each other, they grow up close. Things come to a head on their seventeenth birthday. Natasha has had a passion of Conrad for years, but on this birthday it is announced that Clara will marry him.

One of Droselman’s gifts is a nutcracker that he gives to Clara which will allow her to enter the magical kingdom of sweets. Furious, Natasha follows her sister into the kingdom and meets the Sugar Plum fairy who is also full of secrets.

This is a dark retelling of the Nutcracker fantasy. The story is filled with greed and selfishness. I can’t say that I liked any of the characters. I felt sorry for Natasha always living in Clara’s shadow, but she didn’t rise to the height of a sympathetic character.

The plot is somewhat slowed by the author’s repetition of the girls’ background. For me it detracted from the story. The setting in the Kingdom of Sweets was marvelous. I thought the descriptions of the delights were the best part of the book.

Thanks for the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Murder Among British Socialites

 

On his morning run in Hampstead Heath, Detective Caius Beauchamp finds the body of a young woman clad in a party dress. She is Clemmie, a social influences and long time girlfriend of Rupert, a wealthy young man. He celebratied his 30^th birthday the night before Clemmis’s body is found at McDonalds with his cronies. There’s plenty of champagne, cocaine and other drugs of choice.

Detective Beauchamp with with his fellow officers, DS Matty Cheung, and DC Amy Noakes, are given the case. To solve the case they are forced into the world of the incredibly wealthy and well connected where Rupert and friends don’t think the rules apply to them.

The case itself is an interesting police procedural. I like Detective Beauchamp and is crew. They work hard under difficult circumstances. If this novel is prelude to another book featuring these characters, I would like to read it.

The socialites making up Rupert’s circle are another matter. I found them all quite unpleasant. They don’t seem overly bothered by the murder of one of their circle. The author sharpens her satirical pen on these characters to good effect.

The early chapters of the book are slow due to meeting so many characters. Once the police begin to investigate the pace picks up. One of my criticisms is the ending. The plot has several loose ends. This may be the prelude to another novel, but, for me, it was an unsettling way to end.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A Headstrong Regency Heroine

 

In 1815, titled ladies were supposed to be decorate adjuncts to the men in their lives. When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé dies before the wedding, she announces that she will remain unmarried. Although her father supports her decision, her uncle and other members of the ton are aghast. Whatever others think, Lady Petra remains true to her decision.

When she learns her friend Gwen has died of melancholia, Petra decides to investigate. She learns that Gwen’s physician was questionable. She also learns of a private asylum where wives and daughters who displeased their husbands and fathers were locked away. Undeterred, Lady Petra investigates and finds evidence of murder and danger to herself.

Lady Petra is a strong character. I liked her and thought she had made a good decision to live her life as she saw fit in spite of the rules of society. I believe this book is the start of a new series. Lady Petra will make a fine central character.

The description of the Regency Period was detailed and historically accurate. My only complaint is the setting of the scene slowed the beginning to the book. If you love historical romance, this should not be a deterrent. However, it you’re looking for the mystery, it may be a bit too slow.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this review copy.

A WWII Love Story

 

In 1929 Bettina, an artist, and Max, and architect, meet and fall in love. Although Bettina is German, and Max, Jewish, they plan to spend their lives together. It is not to be. With the advent of the Nazis, Max is sent to a concentration camp. He is a skilled artist and ends up at the porcelain factory at Dachau, a special project of Himmler.

In 1993, Clara Vogel is looking for the father she never. With her mother’s death, she feels its time to find out about her family. Buying some porcelain pieces at an auction, she traces their origin back to the porcelain factory at Dachau. Following the history of the figurines Clara begins to unravel her parent’s tragic story.

This is a beautifully written, if tragic story. Max and Bettina are wonderful characters. You can’t help admiring their courage under terrible circumstances. Clara is also likable for the dogged ways she pursues her quest to learn about the father she never knew.

One of the most interesting parts of the book was learning about the porcelain factory at Dachau. I knew nothing about the factory before reading the book. The author did an outstanding job of making it come to life in vivid detail. This is a sad story, but so beautifully told, I couldn’t put it down.

I received this review copy from Net Galley and the publisher.