Thursday, September 16, 2021

Review & Guest Post - - Farewell Blues - - Birthday Giveaway #16

Farewell Blues
by Maggie Robinson
Lady Adelaide Mysteries - Book 4
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Release Date: September 14, 2021
Reviewed by PJ




The Society Scandal of the Season...

Lady Adelaide Compton had prepared herself to say goodbye forever to Detective Inspector Devenand Hunter. It would be a welcome relief not to get mixed up in any more murders, even if it meant never working alongside the handsome detective again...wouldn't it?

But then Addie's prim and proper mother, Constance, the Dowager Marchioness of Broughton, is accused of murdering her secret lover, and there can't be enough gentlemen detectives on hand to find the truth. The dead Duke of Rufford appeared to lead a blameless life, but appearances can be deceiving. And unless Addie and Dev work together, Constance will hang—which is no one's idea of a happy ending.



PJ's Thoughts:


If you've been following my reviews, you know how very much I've enjoyed the first three books in this delightfully entertaining, cozy mystery series. Maggie Robinson brings Addie's journey to a close with this fourth, and final, book in the series and I admit, I've grown immensely fond of these characters (yes, even Rupert). However, as difficult as it may be to bid them adieu, surely Rupert has done enough to earn his wings by now and Addie should be able to joyfully live out her life without her late husband looking over her shoulder. But first, there's another murder mystery to solve and this time Addie's mother is at the heart of it. How ironic that Dev is the one Addie's mother turns to when all of London is convinced of her guilt. 


Farewell Blues is another page turner that, once I began reading, was impossible to put down. Humorous, suspenseful, witty, and poignant, this story was a wonderful farewell to one of my favorite recent series. The mystery is tightly plotted with a myriad of twists, turns, and possible suspects that kept me guessing (about both the murder and Dev and Addie's HEA) right up until the reveal. If you've been reading the series, you know there are also a couple secondary (potential) couples who have also been traveling a twisty path. Never fear, Robinson neatly ties up all three relationships in a manner that left me sighing happily. 


The mystery in each of the four books of this series stands alone so you don't have to read the books in order. However, to watch Addie's evolution play out in real time, as well as the progression of her relationship with Dev, and the ghostly Rupert, you may want to begin with book one: Nobody's Sweetheart Now. Whichever way you choose to read them, I predict you will have a rollicking good time! 


I'll also add that I don't know what Robinson has planned next but I do hope she will return to this cozy mystery genre at some point. She clearly has a gift for this type of writing. 



~~~~~~




Singing the Blues

by Maggie Robinson

 

Thanks so much to PJ and the Romance Dish for having me on this bittersweet occasion. Farewell Blues is the fourth and final Lady Adelaide Mystery, and I’m kind of sad about it. I’ve been with the same characters through four books, and I’ll really miss them. When I was writing four different historical romance series, the cast changed for each book/novella. As much as I loved all thirty-two (!) heroes and heroines, Addie, Dev and Rupert have worked their way indelibly into my heart.


People always ask, “Where do you get your ideas?” and I can honestly say I haven’t a clue. This is not so great for a mystery writer, LOL. I always wanted to write cozies (no suspenseful tension or gore for this scaredy cat), but wasn’t sure I could plot one. I usually never plotted anything, just sat down at the computer and…stuff happened.


That was fine for my romances, but mysteries need more structure. Like Hansel and Gretel, somebody needs to drop the clue breadcrumbs through the forest. Somebody has to be the baddie. Somebody else has to look like the baddie to trick you, gentle reader. Somebody else, poor thing, has to die.


Much to my surprise—and Addie’s—her husband Rupert turned up on the first page of Nobody’s Sweetheart Now, and Rupert was already dead. Yes, it seemed I was writing a ghost book, which I hadn’t planned to do at all. I’m not really a paranormal person, but Rupert didn’t care. He was there and I had to deal with it. Which, I think, I did, and had a lot of fun along the way redeeming him. And that was the dilemma. Rupert helped solve murders and saved lives, unbeknownst to handsome Scotland Yard detective Dev Hunter, and became pretty darned efficient. Why wasn’t he on his way to Heaven after all his good deeds? Rupert began to complain, and was justifiably tired of wearing the same pinstriped suit he was buried in through four books.


So the series had to wind up and give him his celestial wings and a fresh set of underwear. And being a reformed romance writer, I thought everyone else needed a happy ending too. So Addie and Dev, her sister Cee, and cheeky maid Beckett all get their HEAs. I hope you’ll agree!


In your opinion, how many books should the “perfect” series have? What’s your favorite long series?


Birthday Giveaway #16:


Today's giveaways are brought to you through the generosity of today's featured author, Maggie Robinson. Thank you, Maggie! Winners will be randomly chosen from comments posted before 11:00 PM, September 18. 


Three book giveaway! 


One commenter will get a signed trade paperback of Farewell Blues (U.S. only).


One commenter will receive a download of Farewell Blues.


One commenter has their choice to download any previous book in the series: Nobody’s Sweetheart Now (Book 1), Who’s Sorry Now? (Book 2), or Just Make Believe (Book 3). All can be read as stand-alones. 



For more info on the Lady Adelaide Mysteries, please visit my website: www.maggierobinson.net Happy reading!


39 comments:

  1. PJ, thank you so much for the wonderful, thoughtful review! I'm delighted to visit again and hope it won't be the last time! I'm working on another 1920s-era mystery series, very slowly but surely, LOL. Looking forward to stopping in during the day. :)

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  2. Would love to win them. sarahmom335@yahoo.com

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  3. I forgot to include the fact that if you are an Amazon Prime member, the 1st book in the series, Nobody's Sweetheart Now is FREE! So you can test-drive the series without pain to your pocketbook, LOL. The 2nd, Who's Sorry Now, is $3.76 today.(Yesterday it was $2.93...who can understand publishing?)

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  4. What a fascinating and captivating post today. Maggie's series sounds intriguing and interests me greatly. The era and story is unique. A series that is a real treasure. My favorite long series is the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. Thank you for your wonderful giveaway.

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    1. Oh, I love the Maisie Dobbs books too! I think I've read most of them. :)

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  5. Congratulations on conpleting the series Maggie! I'm looking forward to reading the entire series in order now that it's done (I'm one of those people - especially when there is an overall story arc throughout a series.) I'm looking forward to your next mystery series as well!

    To answer your question, I really don't have a set number of books that make up a perfect series size in my mind. It all depends on the characters and whose story needs to be told. That said, I do appreciate when storylines get tied up in 3-4 books. If we're talking 10 books it gets intimidating and expensive....

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    1. I usually lose interest and can't make a commitment to long-running TV shows or really long series. Mysteries are supposed to go on forever, but Rupert was irritated, LOL. Happy reading!

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  6. Sounds like a fantastic series!
    Great review PJ!
    Love that the husband returns as a ghost to earn his wings!
    Going to buy book 1 now!

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  7. Maggie Robinson's writing gives me great enjoyment. A lengthy series which is wonderful is the Ruth Galloway series. Maggie, you are the best.

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    1. Thank you! I LOVE the Ruth Galloway mysteries. Such real, imperfect characters. Have you read Elly Griffiths' Magic Men books too? Set after WWII and very good.

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  8. Three-Five is a good number, but that's not set in stone.

    denise

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  9. I love looong series...the longer the better! :) A current on-going favorite is the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb and the C.S. Harris "Sebastian St. Cyr" series. Romance-wise I loved the Bridgerton series and also JAL's Pennyroyal Green series...it'll always be a top favorite!

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  10. I've read all of those except for the J.D. Robb books. How many of them are there--over 20, right? I need to look into them. Love the C.S. Harris books, tho they're pretty dark and grim in spots.

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  11. I think 3 to 5 would be a good series length. But guess it depends on the characters. JD Robb has the In Death series and it doesn't show any signs of ending. I'm definitely going to check out Nobody's Sweetheart Now

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    1. I just looked up the Robb books--over 50 of them!!! How does Nora do it? Hope you like NSN!

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  12. I loved this series. I loved each of the books. But, I do believe this one was the best. I understand the 4 books in the series. I understand that mysteries have more structure going on. But, even knowing all that, I am so sorry to see everyone go.

    I have read some long series, and loved them. The most recent Mary Balogh comes to mind. I also loved the mystery/romance books that were Amelia Peabody stories. (that series knocked me out) And as I said This Series Is Terrific.

    Ms Robinson, you did everything exactly right. And I thank you so much.

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    1. Oh, you are the sweetest! Thank you so much. The books really were a joy to write and I hope that shows. I'm going to miss these characters more than any I've written. I'll just have to fall in love with someone new, LOL.

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  13. My favorite long series is a toss up between Virgin River and Fools Gold. I think a perfect length to a series is 6 books.

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    1. Have you watched the TV adaptation of Virgin River? What did you think?

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  14. Looking forward to reading this series.

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  15. Hi! I would love a chance to win a paperback book! Thanks!

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  16. This sounds like a wonderful cozy series. I have no set limit on a series. I loved the Virgin River series with 30 books as well as some trilogies. I think a series finds its own length.

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    1. "I think a series finds its own length." That's an interesting thought. I guess both the writer and reader will know when the story ends. Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. I like series that are 3 to six books long, with 3 to 4 being the perfect length. At present I am not following any long series. I did enjoy the Virgin River Series, but didn't make it through all of them. Right now, I am reading some historical romance western series by Linda Broday. I like the way she has done her series. She has several connected 3 or 4 book series. Each series alone works fine, but if you read them in order, they are so much richer.

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    1. It's so hard when you write mysteries not to refer to earlier books--if you mention the villain in a later one, it spoils it for a reader if they read out of order. I've tried to be so careful, not even saying "he" or "she." The books can be read as standalones, but you're right--I think when you read in order you see the development of the characters better.

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    2. I meant to comment on the cover of this book. It is the perfect last book of a series cover with them walk off into the future, arm in arm, to whatever awaits them.

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  18. I can’t say what number of books would make the perfect series. Frankly, I tend to read different authors/genres so even a longer running series feels pretty fresh. My favorite long series is Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series.

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    1. I read Outlander and some Lord John (?) books, I think. Have not read them all! My husband is addicted to the TV show. :)

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  19. 3-5 is a great number of books in a series but I'm reading a series that has 18. As long as each can be read as a stand alone a lone, I'm god with it.

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  20. Yes, the standalone aspect is really important, especially if you miss books here and there. 18! That's a lot!

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  21. I've really enjoyed this series and I'm really sad to see this end. I adored Rupert.

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    1. If I get lucky, then I would like this in print, please.

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    2. That Rupert. He does have a way to worm his way into your heart doesn't he? I had so much fun with him! Thanks so much, Diane!

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