Book review : The Secrets of a Moonlit Night by Elisa Braden

The Secrets of a Moonlit Night
by Elisa Braden
GENRE : #Victorian-ghost-romance #novella

My rating: ★★★☆☆
I'd actually give this one a 3.5!

This was a super quick and pleasent read, easily finished in just a few hours.

___ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE STORY:

Elizabeth Nightingale, a governess with a swindler's past, finds her world shifting. When her neighbor shows up at her doorstep on a rainy day, she's not rattled by the scars on the left side of his face. What does unnerve her is that he immediately sees through her efforts to hide her good looks and realizes she's keeping a secret.

Meanwhile, architect Thomas Warwick is busy renovating an ancient abbey, which is challenging enough without dealing with village gossip, workmen spooked by ghosts, and curious neighborhood kids. Things get even more complicated when he finds himself trapped in his cellar with the bewitching governess from next door.

As they battle a blazing attraction neither expected, Thomas and Elizabeth must learn to trust each other. But can two hearts with so many past scars find a match made in moonlight? Or will the abbey's haunted history threaten a love that's just beginning?

_________*********________


Overall, this was a nice read, even if it wasn't particularly memorable. Of course, I didn't expect too much from such a short story. It felt like it lacked a bit of coherence at times, but then again, trying to weave together so many different elements into just a few pages – lively children, a ghost, two main characters with painful pasts, and open-door love scenes – is definitely no easy feat!

Personally, I would have preferred a shorter opening scene, especially the conversation with the children. It was starting to bore me a little, and I was almost ready to give up on the story right there.
A few more pages, though, could have really helped flesh out the ghost's connection to the story. That was probably the least satisfying and least plausible part for me.

The sudden lack of inhibition due to drunkenness also felt a bit forced. However, overall, I really liked the couple in love. This makes me think that if this short story didn't fully showcase the author's skills, a longer novel probably would. So, I'll definitely be giving this author more chances!

Something important, at least for me: the sex scene was explicit but thankfully never vulgar, which I genuinely appreciated.
Honestly, if it had been otherwise, I probably would have given this only 1 star.
The way the male character approached the act of love – slowly and delicately – not only made the moment really enjoyable but also kept the tension high, both for his beloved and for me as a reader.

I really, really loved Thomas and Elizabeth as a couple.
He's a bit introverted and incredibly respectful towards her, but can be fiery when the moment calls for it.
She, on the other hand, is a bit cynical about the world, yet deep down she just yearns for true love, a place where she can unleash her passionate nature and reveal an almost childlike sweetness.
In my opinion, they're a perfectly matched couple who, despite their rather unbelievable 'insta-love,' completely captivated me. Even though it was a short story, these characters are still on my mind even now that I've moved on to another book.

To wrap things up, while you might find more exciting or original stories out there, this one still gave me a few hours of fun, passionate, and sweet reading all at once.

I'd recommend it for those times when you have a few free hours and haven't quite decided which long novel to dive into yet.

Thanks for reading my thoughts! :-)

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Book review : The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

The Square of Sevens
by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Standalone
GENRE : #Historical-mystery #Gothic-vibes

My rating: ★★★★★
5 FULL STARS !! :-D

Well, hello there, fellow bookworm!
If you're looking for a historical mystery that will completely sweep you off your feet and keep you guessing until the very last page, then you have to pick up Laura Shepherd-Robinson's "The Square of Sevens."

I'm usually someone who gravitates towards shorter reads, but this magnificent, lengthy novel captivated me from start to finish. It’s a rich blend of historical mystery fiction, set in the 1730s and 1740s, with just the right touch of magical realism and a delightful gothic flair that truly made it shine.

While the Goodreads introduction suggests a Dickensian style, I actually found myself thinking more of Wilkie Collins. He’s often regarded as the father of the mystery genre and, fun fact, was a great friend of Charles Dickens himself!
Collins' knack for intricate plots and psychological depth feels very much alive in this book.

I wholeheartedly gave "The Square of Sevens" a full 5 out of 5 stars, and it truly earned every single one.

Yes, it’s a long book, but let me assure you, it’s never boring!
It's packed with so many unexpected twists and turns that you’ll constantly be on the edge of your seat.
And speaking of the ending – wow! It was completely different from what I’d imagined, and 100% unpredictable for me as a reader ( and I guess to every other reader too ).
The end was, I must admit, a bit disconcerting at first, but in the best possible way.
The characters and the story have genuinely stayed with me, lingering in my thoughts days after I turned the final page. That, for me, is the mark of a truly great book!


But let's dive into THE PLOT:

The journey begins in Cornwall, England, in 1730.
We meet a young girl known only as Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller. Together, they eke out a living predicting fortunes using the ancient system of the Square of Sevens.
But their life takes a dramatic turn when her father suddenly dies. Red, now an orphan, becomes the ward of a kind-hearted gentleman scholar.

Fast forward a bit, and Red is being raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendor of Bath. Her fortune-telling skills, once a means of survival, are now a charming amusement for high society.
Yet, beneath this polished facade, burning questions gnaw at her: Who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the mysterious enemies her father was always so terrified would find him?

Her relentless pursuit of these family secrets takes her on an incredible odyssey. From the rugged beauty of Cornwall and the refined elegance of Bath, she travels to the bustling streets of London and the picturesque landscapes of Devon.
Her quest leads her through the rough and tumble bawdiness of Bartholomew Fair and into the grand, imposing houses of two of England’s most powerful families. While Red’s journey offers the tantalizing possibility of great reward, it also plunges her into grave danger…

___________ *************** ___________


THE TROPES: A Familiar Path, Expertly Retread

Now, you might think the tale of an orphan who loses her father, searches for her mother, and faces countless misfortunes, including serpentine relatives who wish her ill, sounds a bit familiar. But let me tell you, this story is anything but unoriginal!

It's so brimming with surprises, both good and bad, that constantly shift and evolve without pause, keeping you utterly gripped.
You'll never be bored, not even during the descriptive passages that beautifully set the mood and scene, allowing you to gather your thoughts and immerse yourself fully.


TWISTS, TURNS, and TAROT CARDS:

The author has brilliantly structured the novel into four main parts, each containing 21 chapters.
And here’s a fantastic touch: every single chapter begins with a card and a prediction!
This not only crafts a wonderfully surreal atmosphere, where life is seemingly read through the cards, but it also cleverly foreshadows what's about to unfold within the chapter.

Each chapter feels like a discovery, revealing a new "truth" that then gets completely overturned by the events of the next.
It’s a dizzying dance between reality and appearance, truth and lies, dark secrets and equally dark threats.
You'll find yourself clinging to faint glimmers of hope for the future, while witnessing a desperate struggle to solve the overarching mystery.
I deliberately chose this as my Halloween read, and I absolutely adored the gothic vibes and how seamlessly cartomancy was woven into the fabric of the story.
The continuous transformation of truth into lies, lies into truth, good characters into villains, and suspected villains into heroes (and back again!) creates a continuous whirlwind of emotions that kept me glued to the pages, devouring them with eager anticipation.

I truly believe Laura Shepherd-Robinson has done a superb job crafting such an intricate mystery.
The events intertwine and overlap with incredible precision, and we discover that many characters, seemingly disparate, are all connected by an invisible thread, which will become truly clear only towards the end of the story.

The author also excelled at making the read captivating, which is no easy feat, especially in such a long novel, and remarkably comprehensible despite the complexities and the many names of characters, both past and present in the narration. (At first, you might feel a little overwhelmed trying to keep track of everyone and their connections, but trust me, after a while, thanks in part to the author's helpful diagrams, everything falls into place and becomes wonderfully clear!)


THE MAIN CHARACTERS :

__ Red (or Rachel Antrobus): Our protagonist, who partly narrates her story in the first person.
We meet Red as a child and watch her grow up, witnessing her make impulsive, sometimes poor, choices, and then courageously face the consequences.
There might be moments where you feel a bit frustrated with her, she’s a passionate, headstrong teenager, after all! But it's only towards the very end that you truly uncover Red's authentic nature and understand how life's adversities shaped her fight for survival.

__ Lazarus Darke: The other intriguing protagonist, a man who believes himself to be a servant of truth.
His story is told sometimes in the third person, and sometimes in his own first-person voice.
It takes many chapters and a multitude of events to truly understand who Lazarus is.
This very "not knowing much about him" and his relentless "search for the truth" makes his chapters utterly fascinating.
Not knowing if he was good or evil, I tried to keep my thoughts neutral, yet I couldn't help but constantly speculate and place bets on his true character as I read!


THE SUPPORTING CAST:

You'll encounter completely positive characters who, surprisingly, harbor dangerous secrets ( but you'll find out only in the very end ).
And then there are those whose sheer malevolence will genuinely shock you; when their true nature is revealed, it will disappoint and even hurt you.
I can't say too much about characters without risking spoiling all the wonderful surprises!

What I can say, however, is that every single character, no matter how minor they seem, plays a very specific and fundamental role in the story.
Each personality is incredibly well-drawn, bringing them vividly to life and making you root for one, then another, only to be suddenly surprised and find your feelings changing toward them.

In any case, the author has made them unforgettable.
Much like a classic novel by Charles Dickens or Wilkie Collins, I loved this book so much that it has stayed with me even now, more than a week later, after I've already moved on to two other books! In fact, as soon as I finished it, I bought an Italian copy for my mother, who is now halfway through and equally thrilled!


FASCINATING CONNECTIONS TO TRUE HISTORY:

The historical setting of "The Square of Sevens" doesn't necessarily feature famous historical figures or major celebrated events, but it weaves in some incredibly interesting links to real past history that truly enriched the narrative:

__ Witchcraft and Fortune-Telling Laws: While death sentences were a thing of the past, the laws on witchcraft and fortune-telling (like card reading) meant prison and the pillory for those accused of fraud.

__ Superstitions and Societal Brutality: The story vividly portrays the prevalent superstitions and the raw brutality of society at the time towards those condemned to the pillory, including the slanders invented to fuel that cruelty.

__ Popular Electrical Experiments: The fascination with early experiments in electricity (which didn't truly become widespread until the late 19th century) and the public demonstration shows that became a genuine craze of the era.

__ The Clockwork Universe: This concept, which posits that the universe operates with predictable, mechanical regularity, an idea born from the scientific works of figures like Isaac Newton, plays a subtle but significant role.

__ Ingenious Mechanical Objects: The era's passion for intricate mechanical objects whose ingenious mechanisms made them move and operate as if by magic.

__ Real Historical Places: Descriptions of buildings and squares are directly inspired by real historical locations, meticulously researched and detailed in the author's invaluable historical notes at the end of the book. (And here’s a crucial tip: DO NOT READ THESE NOTES before finishing the book—you'll spoil all the surprise and emotional tension of the story!)

__ The well known Bartholomew Fair: a historically significant London event that began in 1133 and lasted until 1855, initially as a cloth market and later evolving into a massive, multi-week festival known for its rowdy entertainment and crowds.

__ Corruption and Inspiration: The corruption of a real political figure, and an architect inspired by a real historical figure: Nicholas Owen, renowned for creating "priests' holes" and other hiding places for Catholic gentry.

__ Hired Hermits: Something that seems absolutely absurd but is completely true: did you know that in the 18th century, "hermits" were actually hired and paid as attractions? Of course, the condition was that they had to live on noblemen's lands, never speak to anyone, and truly live as hermits. Absolutely wild!

__ A Historical Court Case: a case debated in court in the early 18th century, is cited during the trial in the book and it is a case still cited in courtrooms in modern times!

__ In the historical notes there is also something that I cannot reveal without spoiling all the fun, because it is the secret of the whole story itself.


IN CONCLUSION:
Is This Book Worth Reading?
My answer, as a reader who adores mystery and intrigue, but who in recent years has only chosen short books and dared to read a very long one simply because the plot thoroughly intrigued her: YES, ABSOLUTELY, YES! You will not regret picking this one up. And as for me, I honestly can't wait to read more books by this fantastic author!


A LITTLE NOTE ON CONTENT:
The language is clean, and there are no explicit sex scenes or gruesome depictions, making it suitable for all ages.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my opinion ! :-)

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Book review : The Mosaic of Shadows by Tom Harper

The Mosaic of Shadows
Demetrios Askiates Book #1)
by Tom Harper
GENRE : #Historical-action-mystery

My rating: ★★★★★

😃Wow ! It’s an absolutely amazing historical mystery!

I’m giving it 5 out of 5 stars, but honestly, I’d give it 6 out of 5 if I could. Alongside the gripping and complex mystery, there are several other intriguing subplots that really add depth to the story.
This historical novel kept me hooked from the very first page all the way to the end.

It nails everything—suspense, tension, action, nonstop twists and turns, a fast-paced historical setting, and even a touch of romance that fits perfectly without feeling out of place.

____Before I dive into the details, let's take a look to the SUMMARY OF THE PLOT:

In the year 1096, in Byzantium, an unknown killer directs his lethal shaft toward the emperor. His target is not merely a man, but the crucial foundation of a realm teetering on the brink of collapse. If the emperor should perish, the most formidable Christian state on Earth faces utter fragmentation.

Recognizing the gravity of this crisis, the emperor engages Demetrios Askiates, renowned as the revealer of secrets, to identify and apprehend the potential murderer. Yet, Demetrios is stepping into an entirely unfamiliar realm, a chaotic mix of princes, slaves, mercenaries, pimps, and eunuchs... And he has to navigate a tangled web of betrayal and lies before time runs out.

The danger isn’t just inside the city walls: with the Turks advancing across Asia, the emperor called for mercenaries from the west. But what he gets is a massive army of tens of thousands at the gates—the first Crusaders, who are out for their own gain and hold no loyalty to the empire ...

____________******____________

MY THOUGHTS:
Like I said, the story grabs you right away. We jump straight into the action when Demetrios is taken from his home and summoned by the eunuch Krysaphios, who assigns him the task of finding the assassin targeting the emperor.


___CHARATCTERS____

The author does a fantastic job introducing the main characters—Demetrios and his daughters, Krysaphios the chancellor, and Sigurd and Aelric, the Varangian guards—with just a few lines and scenes.
It’s done in such a clear and effective way that you instantly feel connected to them.

As the story moves forward, more characters come into play—some are clearly good people like Anna, the woman doctor and some are obvious villains, others shrouded in mystery until the very end like the young Frank named Thomas, plus real HISTORICAL FIGURES like Emperor Alexius Comnenus and his brother Isaac, along with crusaders Baldwin and Godfrey of Bouillon.

Sometimes novels with a large cast get confusing, but not here.
Every character has a meaningful role that ties into the events and their relationships with others.


____ DEMETRIUS is MAIN CHARATER of the story:

He’s a regular young man with strong principles. Once a soldier, he now uses his smarts to solve cases like thefts and disappearances. He cares deeply for his daughters and always stands up for the weak, even though he’s not a super warrior and knows he might be outmatched by dangerous enemies. That makes him all the more relatable.

I really liked him because he’s not perfect, he shows his vulnerabilities, like the hesitation of a loving father about marrying off his daughter, or the quiet attraction a 35-year-old widower feels toward a female doctor after years alone. Demetrios is open-minded, even toward foreigners called “barbarians”, i.e. all the people born outside the empire.
He’s forgiving and knows when to offer a second chance. He’s decisive but also empathetic, understanding the pain behind betrayal.
He’s a positive, easy character to root for, and the author brings him to life so vividly that he feels like someone who really could have existed.

___SETTING and HISTORY:____

The story takes place in the Byzantine Empire (also known as the Eastern Roman Empire) in 1096 under Emperor Alexius Comnenus, who dreamed of restoring the empire to its former glory.

The empire faced threats from Turks, Normans, Bulgarians, Germans, and Venetians.
Alexius’s call for help from the Pope backfired a bit when the first Crusaders arrived: a huge armies looking to claim lands for themselves, bringing famine and hardship to many villages.

The book talks about Byzantium, but during Alexius’s reign, the city was actually called Constantinople (named after Emperor Constantine I in 330 AD), built on the site of the ancient Greek colony Byzantium.

I know a bit about this history since I'm Italian and our schools cover the Roman Empire and the Popes, but I'm no expert. So don’t worry if you’re new to this era, the book is easy to follow even if you know nothing about it.
It’s actually a great starting point to explore more through blogs or Wikipedia.
Everything is explained in an engaging, never boring way :-)

----> One moment I really enjoyed was during the chariot races, where four teams in white, red, green, and blue competed. I pictured Demetrios and his new friend Sigurd, captain of the Varangian guards, cheering and joking from the stands.
It was fun experiencing that with the characters, learning about entertainment back then, and it even inspired me to watch some YouTube videos to dive deeper.

The author keeps the tension high by showing the greed of some Crusaders and the oath Alexius and his brother Isaac forced them to take before continuing their crusade.

Another fascinating part involves the Varangians, the emperor’s elite guards, introduced through two characters who become Demetrios’s friends.
These northern soldiers were prized for their loyalty, ferocity, and fighting skills, serving as bodyguards, shock troops, and police.

The book also introduces the Patzinacks (or Pechenegs), a group of Turkish mercenaries I had never heard of before. The emperor hired them for their loyalty and impressive horsemanship.


___ THE MYSTERY PART:____

The mystery itself is brilliantly complex, full of twists, surprises, and characters who seem to bring you closer to the truth only to lead you down new confusing paths.

---> The title fits perfectly, the truth is like a mosaic made up of countless pieces and shadows, until it suddenly clicks in a way that left me speechless but totally satisfied.

The action scenes balance perfectly with the detective work, so there’s never a dull moment. Every chapter grabs your attention and keeps your curiosity fired up.

The pace is mostly fast, but the last 30% of the book?
I read it all in one sitting, I just couldn’t put it down!

:-) For me, it’s the best historical mystery I’ve read in 2025!


___ A TOUCH OF SENSUALITY:___

Like I mentioned, there’s a subtle romantic subplot, but don’t worry, male readers: there’s no cheesy, over-the-top lovey-dovey stuff.
It’s hinted at gently and done with just the right touch of charm and spice, making it easy to understand and connect with Demetrios.

----> This book is the first in a three-part series called "Demetrius Askiates," and I’m definitely planning to read the next two.

-----> The great news is that it has a SATISFYING ENDING with NO CLIFFHANGER, so you can enjoy it as a standalone novel if you want.

By the way, I recently realized I’ve already read another book by the same author, writing under the name Edwin Thomas. That one’s set during the Napoleonic Wars and I really liked it too (I gave it 4 stars).
It was more adventure-focused with a bit of humor, it's called The Haunted Cliffs (The Reluctant Adventures of Lieutenant Martin Jerrold, #1).

WOULD I RECOMMEND "THE MOSAIC OF SHADOWS" TO A FRIEND WHO LOVES HISTORICAL MYSTERIES? Absolutely, yes!

Thanks for reading my opinion, I hope this can be helpful in some way in choosing your next reading.
If you'll read the book I hope you'll love it as much as I did!

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