Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle: Ariadne Winter Mystery by Ellen Butler

 

Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle: Ariadne Winter Mystery by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is set in Ireland. I've always wanted to go there and I felt like I was there in a way as I was reading this story.

Ariadne is visiting with her cousin to celebrate her engagement when a body is found on the grounds of the castle. Ariadne is a journalist and an "amateur" sleuth. The actions that Ariadne takes has me believing that she's more than just an amateur and that maybe opening a PI business would be in her best interest.

I struggled a bit with the different POVs presented, simply because Ariadne's was in first person and everyone else's was in third person. I struggle with these formats but it did not take away from me enjoying the overall story.

There were a few times I thought I had it figured out, but in true Ellen Butler style, there is always a fun and exciting twist that will throw off the most discerning sleuth readers.

I'm looking forward to more stories about Ariadne and her adventures!

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Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (Ariadne Winter Mystery Series) by Ellen Butler

 

Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great historical fiction read with a bit of an Agatha Christie vibe. Ariadne (love this name!) wants so desperately to be an investigative journalist. However, this is set in 1958 when women were expected to have a far more different role than the women of today. A unique situation presents itself for Ariadne and she's able to be a journalist, but is it going to be without controversary? You can bet not!

A very enjoyable read by an author that I'm becoming more familiar with. I've read two other books of hers that I've enjoyed. This is the first book in a new series and I look forward to reading more!

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Operation Blackbird (Brass Compass Series Book 2) by Ellen Butler

 

Operation Blackbird by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a riveting follow up to The Brass Compass in which CIA operative Miriam Becker is doing all she can to prevent WWIII. The setting is East Berlin and the KGB is crawling all over the place. It's her job to rescue a rocket scientist and get out of East Berlin without being detected. She knows that one wrong move can change the outcome of this mission and possibly history itself.

This is another great read with very historically accurate references! I enjoy this author's writing style and how she chooses strong female leads in her stories. This is a true page turner filled with a lot of action, some romance, and a story for the ages.

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The Brass Compass by Ellen Butler

 

The Brass Compass by Ellen Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoy a good WWII novel and this one did not disappoint. Ellen Butler is a new-to-me author and I look forward to more of her work!

Lily Saint James has lived a life of privilege being able to attend the best schools and receive proper training in how to be a lady. Her father's job has allowed much of this to happen. It's Lily's senior year and she's excited to be able to finish school and be back home with her parents and possibly start searching for a proper suitor. When her mother becomes very ill after an extended stay in Africa, Lily travels to reach her but she's too late. This absolutely crushes Lily and has her desiring to enter into service to her country, but in a more back door way.

Lily becomes an OSS agent and finds herself in the middle Germany, which she needs to escape, but not before gathering as much intel as possible.

This book is exciting, full of action, a little bit of romance, and great historically accurate references. I found this book very enjoyable and will be reading book 2 next!

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