Step into the past through three historical mysteries that reach from Imperial Rome to Victorian London.Blood Debts(Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries)Leonidas, freedman, once the most popular gladiator in Rome and champion of the games, now must fight for his life outside the arena. A man who owed him money was murdered, and Leonidas is a prime suspect. With the assistance of Cassia, daughter of a … of Cassia, daughter of a Greek scribe who has been bestowed upon him as his slave, Leonidas fights for justice in the back lanes of Imperial Rome.
A Soupçon of Poison
(Kat Holloway Victorian Mysteries)
Kat Holloway, a young cook who is highly sought after by the wealthy of Victorian London, becomes embroiled in murder and must clear her name. Only the mysterious Daniel McAdam, who is much more than he seems, can come to her aid.
The Necklace Affair
(Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries)
Captain Lacey agrees to help a society matron discover what has become of her cherished diamond necklace and to clear her maid, who has been arrested for its theft. Lacey quickly becomes enmeshed in scandal and past secrets, and finds himself competing with the underworld criminal, James Denis, for the necklace’s retrieval.
This collection includes three novellas of 25,000-30,000 words each.
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found no feelings for anybody in book, they were flat could gather no empathy or sympathy, was glad when it was done .
Good read. I would like to read more by this author.
3 short stories did not compel me to continue the series.
A little odd. I liked the ancient Rome section. The other two were kind of boring. Characters were prim to the point of prude-ish.
I enjoyed it as a change from reading historical works.
Enjoyed all the short stories but one! Easy read!
I have read all the Captain Lacey books in the collections. I’m happy to note that this author has written more in the series, and also has two more series that I haven’t heard of before. They both seem to be as interested as Captain Lacey.
I already had at least one of the stories in this anthology, sadly, but re-read it. The other two were interesting.
Easy to read and enjoy.
This is a perfect sampler for those who have never read any books by this author (who writes under multiple names). Although each of the novellas (?) are introductions to their respective series, each is short enough to read in one sitting and functions as a stand-alone mystery. And each is set in a different era. Although I’ve never been a fan of fiction based in the ancient past, I was impressed with the author’s ability to write a mystery set in ancient Rome that wasn’t top-heavy with extraneous historical comments and references. If something was mentioned, it was mentioned because it was relevant.
The stories first and foremost are mysteries, with just enough romance applied in just the right amount by intriguing characters at just the right time. The result is more sensual than sexual which gives the characters and the plot more depth.
Excellent historic novels. These stories are intended to introduce the reader to three of the authors characters. My wife and I both love Lacey and have read the entire series about him and are anxious for more. I especially enjoyed the new gladiator character. We were in Rome a year ago and i found Gardner’s description of ancient Rome’s architecture, life style and habits to be quite fascinating since we had trod much of the same ground.
A fun introduction to this author.
Intriguing use of the way that the past contained the mystery and detective skills and experience!
Refreshing look on old London. Great descriptive style
These stories are designed to tease you into buying the complete novels. I did enjoy learning the style of the author and find her stories intriguing, however, I would never have read this book except that it was free. It does not provide the complete works, (except one story) but introduces you to the first few chapters of a book and requires you to buy the novel to complete the tale.
Very interesting in the Sherlock Holmes manner.
The book was okay. Three novellas, one of which took place in Ancient Rome and which I just could not get into. I would not recommend the book.
P
Nice period pieces, but they lack a little depth because of length.