Killer in the Carriage House (Victorian Village #2) by Sheila Connolly

 Killer in the Carriage House (Victorian Village #2) by Sheila Connolly-288 pages in print; Audiobook 7 hours on 6 discs

I listened to the audiobook edition of this cozy mystery. Audiobooks are great for road trips. I enjoy a good cozy mystery (especially M.C. Beaton, Carlene O'Connor, and Agatha Christie) and this was a pretty good one. Kate Hamilton is back in her former home town of Asheboro, Maryland to pitch a new idea to save the quaint old town. It is in financial ruin and needs a miracle and fast. Her plan is to turn back the clock on the town. She wants to restore it to a Victorian era village circa 1900 to attract tourists. Whilst looking for more papers and clues as to what the local factory baron Henry Barton was doing around 1900 a startling discovery is made that could change the course of Asheboro, Maryland and its restoration. Kate partners with Joshua Wainwright, a somewhat local professor and expert on the Victorian era, who is the temporary caretaker of the Barton Mansion. She also brings in Carol, who is an archivist and cataloging expert. Whilst searching for more on Henry Barton and his work a murder occurs and Kate and her friends must help solve it. This was a fun, short read (listen). I would recommend it to those who enjoy cozy mysteries. 

Black Butler by Yana Toboso

Black Butler by Yana Toboso, 176 pages

Most definitely worth the wait. Ceil and Sebastian finally get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding the disappearance of several students and who the headmaster is. The only disappointment is the cliff hanger ending and long wait before the next volume is out.

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

By Gillian Gill

460 pages

The marriage of Queen Victoria of Great Britain (1819-1901) and her husband, Prince Albert (1819-1861) of Saxe-Coburg & Gotha was a marriage of love at a time when loveless marriages among royalty were all to common.

Victoria’s reign began in 1837, when she was just 18 years old. The Queen married a few years later. Although the marriage was fundamentally arranged, Victoria and her husband, now the Prince Consort of Great Britain, cherished and worked to insure the happiness of the other. As with all married couples they had multiple arguments and endured lows in their marriage. However, they were faithful to each other and valued each others’ company.

The British people loved Queen Victoria. Her reign was eventually known as the Victorian Era, a time of prosperity.  However the people never embraced Albert, a German.  He was an extremely intelligent man and after winning the Queen’s confidence helped manage the Queen’s household, among other duties.

The couple had nine children together.