Thursday, October 15, 2020

A Five Star Review


Five reasons I'm giving Five Stars to:
The Kat Holloway Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley.

1. The series - We are in 1880 London and Kat
Holloway is a cook in a posh house. There is
an interesting upstairs-downstairs scenario, there is
a mysterious Daniel, and there are of course bodies.

2. The protagonist - Kat is always the smartest, 
kindest and most capable person in the room 
AND she's a fantastic cook. But I'm not holding it 
against her because, relatively speaking, she is a
product of her time.

3. The sensibility - So many protagonists of historical 
mysteries are liberal feminists with modern 
sensibilities that you forget how difficult it was for
a single woman to make her way. These books
feel more authentic in this respect.

4. The domestic details - I love details of daily life
and these books take the time to let us know how
a cook in Victorian London went about her day.
There are a LOT of yummy food descriptions.

5. The atmosphere - If you are in the market for
a light and gentle read, fast paced but without gore, 
with a likeable heroine, a nice feeling for the period
and a bit of romance, this could be the series for you.


Featured: I made this granny square blanket
as a wedding present. Made with love to celebrate love.




44 comments:

VeggieMummy said...

Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll keep an eye open for it at the library. What a fantastic wedding present; I hope the Bride and Groom appreciate all the effort that went into it. I love it; it's a real keeper. xx

eileeninmd said...

Hello,Amalia,

Thanks for the review and book. I will see if my library has it available. The blanket is a beautiful gift, made with love.
Take care, have a happy day!

Louca por porcelana said...

Wonderful blanket,great gift!Thank you for the book's review. Have a lovely day!

A casa con Manu said...

Questo regalo sarà graditissimo, grazie per il consiglio del libro.
Un caro saluto
Emanuela

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh I know I would love these! My library doesn't have them but I may buy the first one to see how I like them! I try SO hard to stick with ebooks from my library but it's hard to find a good series. I'm reading a book in the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen right now and it is SO good!

Vee said...

Not a fan of the genre, but your review is so good, I wish that I were. 🙂 That's a lovely afghan...your creation I am sure.

Ygraine said...

Oh I must read this book...it sounds really intriguing!
I love your blanket too. What a fabulous gift!!😊😊

Have a lovely day!

Hugs xxx

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

You made such a beautiful colorful blanket. The book sounds great too! Enjoy the end of the week and weekend.

linda said...

It sounds like a great book thank you for the review. The blanket is lovely.x

Crafty in the Med said...

Very interesting review Amalia. I think I have to read that book :-) Beautiful colour combination very apt use of black in this blanket. Gorgeous gift!! Keep well Amanda x

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Your blanket is stunning. I am sure that the recipients were thrilled.

Rhodesia said...

Love the blanket. Stay safe Diane

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

I always enjoy your book recommendations. And that blanket is a beauty -- perfect for celebrating love.

Happy day....
Brenda xo

The French Hutch said...

Enjoyed your book review. It sounds like a really good beach read for my next trip. A beautiful granny square quilt, a lovely gift. Happy weekend.

Junkchiccottage said...

The book review sounds wonderful. Love love the beautiful Afghan. Made with your loving hands and heart. What a wonderful gift.
Happy Thursday. Have a great rest of the week.
Hugs,
Kris

MaryAnne said...

Beautiful blanket! The books sound fun, too.

EricaSta said...

Love the story... fantastisc to read. Your blanket looks wonderful. Stay healthy and well.

Heidrun xxx

Jeanie said...

I love mysteries and this period so I'm pretty sure I would really enjoy all of these. And I know they'd even be better if I was reading them snuggled up under that beautiful blanket.

Carla from The River said...

I always enjoy your book reviews.
Congratulations to the couple who are blessed to get your special gift.
Carla

Kim said...

What a lovely gift and a very lucky couple! And that sounds like a perfect read. I often enjoy your recommendations. I think I'll try this one, since I have a "Kat" of my own. And unlike her mom, she's also a very good cook! Hoping you're holding up...thinking about you often. xo

Lowcarb team member said...

Many thanks for the book review and recommendation.
Lovely colours in your granny square blanket, a very nice gift.

All the best Jan

Annie said...

Thanks for the recommendation! I am always on the lookout for good books to read once fall and winter are upon us. :)

And I am in love with your granny square blanket! I have an unfinished afghan from last winter patiently waiting for me to pick it back up and finish it.

Love,
Annie

Ageeth Mooij said...

Your granny square blanket stunningly beautiful <3

Conniecrafter said...

Your blanket is just lovely, I like how all those pretty colors are framed by black, let's them stand out all the more!
I am sure the lucky couple will love it!

Lorrie said...

Your book recommendation ticks a lot of boxes for me. I'll be looking it up! Your blanket is beautiful, and will be treasured by the recipients, I'm sure.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Pretty blanket. I always love pops of color edged in black. I am currently reading through books piled up around here and then will gladly pass them on. Stay well.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

What a lucky bride and groom. The blanket is beautiful. ..... I like to keep a light (cozy) mystery series going and so this sounds fun! I would enjoy the history and sense of place (and the food )). I used to enjoy the “ chase”.... hunting for books in the series I was reading at libraries, used book stores, and Book sales etc.... now I read almost exclusively on Kindle, usually checked out through our library.

Snowbird said...

That blanket!Just gorgeous! Wish I could produce something like that.Sounds like my kinda book.xxx

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Your blanket is lovely, Amalia, and I'm sure the lucky couple will treasure it! Thank you for the book recommendations - I think I would like these. I loved Downton Abbey and to add a bit of mystery sounds very fun. Hugs xo Karen

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

What a lovely gift! I am not sure I would have wanted to be a cook in Victorian London! We have so many kitchen gadgets now :)

Kinga K. said...

This blanket is perfect ❤

Elena said...

Hello Amalia! I loved the blanket flowers, the colors, and a beautiful gift.
Beautiful as everything, Kisses

DeniseinVA said...

I would be proud to receive your blanket as a wedding gift. It is beautiful! Thank you for the great book review also. Stay well and safe :)

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

What a beautiful wedding present, it is just full of love, hope, dreams and colorful things! I also enjoyed your book review, you made the book sound quite interesting! I don't care for gore either, but love reading about the details of life as it was then. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Good review -- sounds like a series I'd enjoy. And such a pretty blanket!

VENTANA DE FOTO said...

Me gusta ver tus buena labores de artesanía. Las realizas con gran esmero.

Besos

Red Rose Alley said...

This blanket is a wonderful wedding present. It has beautiful colors and it looks comfortable and cozy. Very nice, Amalia.

~Sheri

akiko hiramatsu said...

What a beautiful wedding present, Amalia!
The Kat Holloway Mysteries sounds so interesting, so I will read the series this fall and winter :)

akiko

Ela said...

Thank you for the interesting book review!
I love your colorful blanket!
Stay safe, Amalia!

Elena said...

Hi Amalia! Autumn is my favorite season!
The colors of the garden, vegetable garden are divine! Kisses!

Susan said...

Nice review! I'm sold! :) And the afghan is so beautiful. My grandmother made me one similar to that years ago, and my daughter made a very different one for me a few years ago with a cream background and colorful "round" pieces. Thank you for bringing so much cheer and joy to the internet, Amalia!

Becki said...

This blanket is gorgeous! :)

kathy b said...

What an amazing granny square blanket! WOW

baili said...

your blanket is stunning and exquisite as always dear friend :)))

thank you for the recommendation ,you made me fall in love with Kat :)
i would love to read her story if find around
blessings!