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:

  1. 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

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  2. 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!

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

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

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  5. 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!

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  6. 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.

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  7. 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

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

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

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  10. 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

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

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  12. Love the blanket. Stay safe Diane

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

    Happy day....
    Brenda xo

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  14. 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.

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  15. 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

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  16. Beautiful blanket! The books sound fun, too.

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

    Heidrun xxx

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  18. 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.

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

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  20. 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

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

    All the best Jan

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  22. 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

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  23. Your granny square blanket stunningly beautiful <3

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  24. 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!

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  25. 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.

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  26. 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.

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  27. 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.

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

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  29. 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

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  30. 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 :)

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

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  32. 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 :)

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  33. 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. :)

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

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

    Besos

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

    ~Sheri

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

    akiko

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

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

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  40. 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!

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  41. What an amazing granny square blanket! WOW

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  42. 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!

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