I am not a cover designer but I can agree that cover layouts play an important role in the overall presentation of books and I must admit, often times I first judge a book by its cover.

The Blackhouse

Pub Date: August 5, 2014

From acclaimed author and dramatist Peter May comes the Barry award-winning The Blackhouse, the first book in the Lewis Trilogy–a riveting mystery series set on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

When a grisly murder occurs on the Isle of Lewis that bears similarities to a brutal killing on the mainland, Edinburgh detective and native islander Fin Macleod is dispatched to the Outer Hebrides to investigate, embarking at the same time on a voyage into his own troubled past.

As Fin reconnects with the people and places of his tortured childhood, the desolate but beautiful island and its ancient customs once again begin to assert their grip on his psyche. Every step toward solving the case brings Fin closer to a dangerous confrontation with the dark events of the past that shaped–and nearly destroyed–his life.

From acclaimed author and dramatist Peter May comes the Barry Award-winning The Blackhouse, the first book in the Lewis Trilogy-a riveting mystery series set on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

When a grisly murder occurs on the Isle of Lewis that bears similarities to a brutal killing on the mainland, Edinburgh detective and native islander Fin Macleod is dispatched to the Outer Hebrides to investigate, embarking at the same time on a voyage into his own troubled past.

As Fin reconnects with the people and places of his tortured childhood, the desolate but beautiful island and its ancient customs once again begin to assert their grip on his psyche. Every step toward solving the case brings Fin closer to a dangerous confrontation with the dark events of the past that shaped–and nearly destroyed–his life.

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I’m all about reading more stories with male protagonist. Woman’s Fiction has flooded the market and I have been needing a serious change up of late. I stumbled across this book on Pinterest and made my way over to Amazon to check it out. I love mystery stories and ones that take place in Scotland, so this is right up my alley.

The title and cover go perfectly together! Adding this book to my to-read pile!

Stephanie M. Hopkins

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More Great Cover Crushes!

Cover Crush is a weekly series that originated with Erin at Flashlight Commentary.

Other great book bloggers who cover crush:

Heather @ The Maiden’s Court-Coming Soon!

Magdalena @ A Bookaholic Swede

Holly @ 2 Kids and Tired Books

Colleen @ A Literary Vacation

More cover crushes over at indieBRAG!

I am not a cover designer but I can agree that cover layouts play an important role in the overall presentation of books and I must admit, often times I first judge a book by its cover.

PENGUIN GROUP Penguin

Penguin Books

Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 04 Oct 2016

In Nicci’s French’s thrilling fifth book, London psychotherapist Frieda Klein herself becomes the prime suspect in a murder

A bloated corpse turns up in the Thames, throat slashed, and the only clue is a hospital wristband reading Dr. F. Klein. Frieda is taken to see the body and realizes with horror that it is Sandy, her ex-boyfriend. She’s certain that the killer is Dean Reeve—the man who has never stopped haunting her. But the police think he has been dead for years, and Frieda is their number one suspect. With few options, Frieda goes on the run to save herself and try to uncover the truth.

Praise for the Frieda Klein Mystery series:
 
“Fierce, fascinating, and full of insight, Frieda Klein is irresistible.” —Val McDermid, bestselling author of Splinter the Silence

“Sophisticated, gripping, addictive. Crime novels that stand head and shoulders above the competition.” —Sophie Hannah, bestselling author of Woman with a Secret
 
“Complex psychological suspense at its best.” —Booklist (starred review)

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I can so relate to the title and the picture of the woman taking a stroll with I’m sure is her in deep thought about Friday to come…

What dangers could she face? Could Frieda be faced with a crime she did not commit?

Great cover and atmospheric. I’ve added this to my reading pile. Looking forward to it.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

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More Great Cover Crushes!

Cover Crush is a weekly series that originated with Erin at Flashlight Commentary.

Latest Cover Crush by Flashlight Commentary HERE 

Other great book bloggers who cover crush:

Heather @ The Maiden’s Court

Magdalena @ A Bookaholic Swede

Holly @ 2 Kids and Tired Books

Colleen @ A Literary Vacation

More cover crushes over at indieBRAG!

Have a Merry Christmas and may your new year to come be blessed and full of happiness and joy!

See you in the New Year! God bless.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Layered Pages

Last week I thought I would start an Oldie but Goodie Series of older book reviews that I had previously written. Since it has gone well so far, I thought I would go ahead and post another one sooner than I planned. It’s great fun to look back at older reviews. Or maybe sometimes it’s not? *laughing* Though I have to say in the review below my opinions are still the same of Equilibrium and I like what I wrote just fine. Be sure to take a look at my other posts on Layered Pages and help support book bloggers!

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Review: Equilibrium by Evie Woolmore

Equilibrium is an evocative tale of two Sisters-Epiphany and Martha-who are mediums performing on stage in a theater in London, England in the early 1900’s. A Lady Adelia Lyward sees the performance and wants Epiphany to give her a private reading. She wanted to learn the truth of her brother’s death not knowing the sisters have a connection to her household. Martha was a housemaid to the Lyward’s two years previous and fell pregnant by Adelia’s husband, Lord Rafe Lyward. In disgrace Martha left the Lyward’s household, gave her child away and attempted suicide in the River Thames, she survived… But there is more to the Lyward’s household then meets the eye.

The beginning of the story starts slowly but I was pleasantly surprised as I read on to discover how the mystery surrounding Adelia’s brother’s death is revealed. However, I would have liked to have seen the historical elements to be stronger and expanded further on-such as the social changes in England during this period and I wanted to have a clearer picture on the details as to why Adelia’s brother went to South Africa during the Boer War then what was told.

Overall, this story is rich in complex characters with remarkable depth despite their shortcomings. Epiphany’s voice gave- what I believe- a comfort to those she was interacting with at times and I thought she gave the story a calmness and a delicate reality to this tragic and harsh story that was unfolding. I recommend Equilibrium to readers who enjoys historical fiction with spiritualism influences.

~Stephanie
Layered Pages

Review previously published on the Historical Novel Society website.

I rated this story three stars!

Hardcover, 352 pages

Expected publication: November 15th 2016 by Mulholland Books

THE NOTORIOUS OPIUM-EATER RETURNS IN THE SENSATIONAL CONCLUSION TO DAVID MORRELL’S ACCLAIMED VICTORIAN MYSTERY TRILOGY.

Like David Morrell’s previous De Quincey novels, Ruler of the Night blends fact and fiction to an exceptional degree, this time focusing on a real-life Victorian murder so startling that it changed the culture-in this case, the first murder on an English train. The brutality of the crime stoked the fears of a generation who believed that the newly invented railway would “annihilate time and space.”

In Ruler of the Night, readers feel they’re actually on the harrowing fogbound streets of 1855 London as the brilliant Opium-Eater, Thomas De Quincey, and his irrepressible daughter, Emily, confront their most ruthless adversary. The stakes couldn’t be greater: both the heart of Victorian society and De Quincey’s tormented soul.

The fast-paced narrative matches the speed with which the railway changed Victorian life. It brings back Scotland Yard detectives Ryan and Becker, along with Lord Palmerston, Queen Victoria, and Prince Albert, and introduces a host of new characters from this fascinating era. Master storyteller David Morrell transports readers back in time, away from the modern world and into the dangerous shadows of the past.

My thoughts on this series and book cover:

I’ve said this before and I will say it again. I am not a cover designer but I can agree that cover layouts play an important role in the overall presentation of books and gladly admit I judge a book by its cover.

I am big fan of David Morrrell’s, De Quincey stories. Huge fan! I highly recommend them if you are into Victorian crime thrillers.I am really looking forward to his latest installment, Ruler of the Night.

I love this cover because it gives an atmospheric feel to the time and place of the Victorian era. The train on the cover depicts the Railroad/Train during this era and we know that was a popular means of travel. I’ve heard that some Victorian railways are still in use. Anyhow, as the book description says the first murder is on an English Train. The design team got this right.

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Cover Crush is a weekly series that originated with Erin at Flashlight Commentary.

Other great book bloggers who cover crush

Heather @ The Maiden’s Court

Magdalena @ A Bookaholic Swede

Holly @ 2 Kids and Tired Books 

Colleen @ A Literary Vacation -Coming soon

More cover crushes over at indieBRAG!

Many of you know I’m working on a fiction book about the Reconstruction of the South. What a terrible and tragic time in our history. Many people do not know how the south was rebuilt after the war and what the people went through. It affected everyone. One of the things I am doing while researching is also reading fiction books about the war and aftermath. One needs to be immersed!

The Spy Mistress came to my attention a while back and I have been drawn to the cover ever since. The woman in the picture allures such grace, intelligence, mystery and deep in thought. One wonders at the paper in her hand and what it says. Obviously it has made an impression on her. Not only that the cover truly draws in the atmosphere of the past.

Below is the book description of the story.  Though I hear often, that this book is completely one-sided, that is glorifies the north and the characters are lacking depth. Though I can’t stand the political correct, I am curious about the story!

Stephanie M. Hopkins

Born to slave-holding aristocracy in Richmond, Virginia, and educated by Northern Quakers, Elizabeth Van Lew was a paradox of her time. When her native state seceded in April 1861, Van Lew’s convictions compelled her to defy the new Confederate regime. Pledging her loyalty to the Lincoln White House, her courage would never waver, even as her wartime actions threatened not only her reputation, but also her life.

Van Lew’s skills in gathering military intelligence were unparalleled. She helped to construct the Richmond Underground and orchestrated escapes from the infamous Confederate Libby Prison under the guise of humanitarian aid. Her spy ring’s reach was vast, from clerks in the Confederate War and Navy Departments to the very home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Although Van Lew was inducted posthumously into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame, the astonishing scope of her achievements has never been widely known. In Chiaverini’s riveting tale of high-stakes espionage, a great heroine of the Civil War finally gets her due.

Be sure to check out my Wish-List 5: The American Civil War!

Check out this week’s other cover crush over at

Flashlight Commentary-Cover Crush 

2 Kids and Tired Books-Cover Crush 

A Bookaholic Swede-Cover Crush 

The Maidens Court-Cover Crush