Reviews

For this and all my other reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author for an advanced reader’s copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’ve listened to a few of the Wrexford & Sloane books in the past and have enjoyed them, so I was all in for volume #7, Murder at the Merton Library. This is one series where it is helpful to have read at least one of the previous books for background.

I really enjoyed the latest entry in the series, which is a mix of upper crust society people interacting with the lower classes. It was a little slower than some of the other stories, but maybe because I was so anxious to solve the mystery. Wrex’s backstory gets filled in a bit more, including his relationship with his dear departed brother. There’s also some interesting info regarding Mac’s backstory because her history starts to get involved with the case Wrex and Charlotte are investigating.

The scientific aspect of this book that is delved into is the race to develop the steam engine and how important that would be for trade and the military. To be honest, as much as I normally geek out on the science in the Wrexford & Sloane books, this time around, it didn’t grab me like it normally would. However, I love a good info dump in a book that’s entertaining as well as educational, just like a Nancy Drew book, so I at least appreciate the effort.

The best thing about this book is the atmosphere. You really get a feeling for the time period. And I loved the surprise ending–totally didn’t see it coming! Another job well done by the author in this delightful series. Four stars!

saynay_bakeromi's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

jbpenn21's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

ewil6681's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

bettyg's review

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5.0

I absolutely love this series and this installment is no exception. It is another wonderful addition to the series. There are two mysteries in the story-line, one involving solving the murder of a family friend that served with Wexler’s brother during the war. While Charlotte’s mystery has a maritime connection as she delves into the advancement of ocean-going steam engines and its potential economic impact. Could there be a connection between them, if so, what is the link. The story allows the reader a view into the social disparities of the Victorian periods along with the scientific advancement of the industrial revolution.

This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in sequence to get a better understanding of this family of characters and their back stories. I appreciate the author’s ability to connect historical and scientific advancement of the times into the narrative along with the vivid description of Victorian society. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing the digital arc of Murder at the Merton Library for review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.