My 5 Favourite February Reads

Compared with previous months, February was relatively slow on the reading front  with nine books finished. I’m going to blame the short month and being on holiday for two weeks, not all of which was spent reading by the pool.

You can keep up to date with my reading in 2019 here and find a complete list of all the books I read in 2018 here, with links to my reviews.  If we’re not already friends on Goodreads, send me a friend request or follow my reviews.

First up is A Killer’s Alibi by William L. Myers, Jr., the third book in his ‘Philadelphia Legal’ crime thriller series.  Full of convincing detail about police, investigatory and legal procedures, the book has a dual story line structure.  I described it as fast-moving, intricately plotted and compelling.  Read my full review here.

Staying with crime but this time of the historical variety, there’s Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Mantle). Set in 18^th century London against the background of the slave trade, war hero Captain Harry Corsham investigates the disappearance of his best friend and passionate abolitionist, Tad Archer.  I thought it was an impressive debut with great  period atmosphere and an elaborate plot full of twists and turns.  Read my full review here.

Talking of atmosphere, I really enjoyed The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea (Michael Joseph).  Set in 17^th century Iceland it has the feel of a Gothic mystery.  I described it as ‘a story of cruelty, forbidden love, madness born out of grief and unfulfilled desire, dark nights and even darker deeds’.   Read my full review here.

Discovering a new historical crime series is always a delight. The Horseman’s Song by Ben Pastor (Bitter Lemon Press) is the sixth book to feature Captain Martin Bora but since it’s a prequel it meant I could go back to where it all began. Set in 1937, The Horseman’s Song is a crime story built around the real life mystery of the death during the Spanish Civil War of poet and playwright, Federico Garcia Lorca.  Part fascinating history lesson, part astute psychological study, part intriguing historical crime mystery, I really enjoyed it and will be looking out for other books in the series.  Read my full review here.

Finally, a new book by an author whose previous book, The Black Earth, I absolutely loved. Set in 15^th century Tuscany, The Phoenix of Florence by Philip Kazan (Allison & Busby)is a compelling, multi-layered historical mystery that serves up one unexpected delight after another. Read my full review here. It’s definitely in the running for one of my books of the year and should be on every historical fiction fan’s wishlist.

What books did you love in February?