by Philip Eliot | Feb 10, 2026 | Action & Adventure |
Years after a shattering wartime betrayal, an ex-agent embarks on a quest for revenge in this powerful thriller by the New York Times –bestselling author . . . Nineteen years ago, Richard Gardiner was a British agent who was captured and tortured by the Gestapo after a bitter betrayal. Now, during a visit to France, he sees a face that triggers his rage—and his thirst for revenge. All that he learned from his former career in espionage will be put to use as he sets out on a murderous new mission. Meanwhile, MI6 chief Kenneth Aubrey is on his own hunt for a double agent inside the NATO Senior Joint Intelligence Committee. As both men pursue their targets, secrets will be revealed—and blood will be spilled . . . “Classic espionage.” — The London Times “Machinations within machinations.” — The New York Times
by Philip Eliot | Feb 10, 2026 | Mystery |
Winner of the Nero Wolfe Award It is 1921 and Mary Russell–Sherlock Holmes’s brilliant apprentice, now an Oxford graduate with a degree in theology–is on the verge of acquiring a sizable inheritance. Independent at last, with a passion for divinity and detective work, her most baffling mystery may now involve Holmes and the burgeoning of a deeper affection between herself and the retired detective. Russell’s attentions turn to the New Temple of God and its leader, Margery Childe, a charismatic suffragette and a mystic, whose draw on the young theology scholar is irresistible. But when four bluestockings from the Temple turn up dead shortly after changing their wills, could sins of a capital nature be afoot? Holmes and Russell investigate, as their partnership takes a surprising turn in A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King.
by Philip Eliot | Feb 10, 2026 | Crime Fiction |
As Gemi Kittredge starts her morning run along Kahului Bay, she expects this will be a day like every other. A reasonable thought. Her too-busy, scheduled-to-the-minute life never changes much. Then she finds the brutally beaten body of a young woman on the beach. Worse, Gemi knows her. She just saw Heleena at the gym last night. How could she be dead? After giving her statement to the police, she listens to their vow to find the killer, but Gemi doesn’t trust cops. She’s still bitter about their broken promises from thirteen years ago. Determined that this case won’t go unsolved, Gemi sets off on her own to hunt down Heleena’s attacker. But as she gets closer to uncovering the truth, Gemi’s deepest fears rise to the surface. If she’s right about who the killer is, nowhere in her world is safe.
by Philip Eliot | Feb 10, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
Murder, mystery and a dog of distinction. Heathcliff Lennox investigates.’ Book 6 in the Heathcliff Lennox series A suspicious accident, a dead man’s gun and a lost tomb. Strange events disturb the peace of Lanscombe Park, the magnificent country seat of Lord Godolphin Sinclair. Adventurer, gold prospector and arms dealer, Sinclair has spent a lifetime amassing a fortune with ruthless determination. He’s a man frightened of nothing, until he receives a package from the distant past. Someone knows his secrets, they kill, and then they kill again. A game of cat and mouse is afoot, Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex Inspector Swift are called to Lanscombe Park to investigate. Major Heathcliff Lennox, ex-WW1 war pilot, six feet 3 inches, unruly dark blond hair, age around 30 – named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother – much to his great annoyance. Laineshots 5.0 out of 5 stars I love this series. I have loved all of the books in it. But this one is just delicious! It has everything: a sumptuous English estate, a complicated hero, an antagonist you love to hate (is he hero or villain?), frustrated romance, beautiful surroundings, adorable animals, and a full set of quirky characters. It has spine-chilling ancient stories and modern (well, 1920s modern) threats, and fascinating bits of real history. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough to be a darn good read, and I’m sure I’ll read it again. I can’t wait for the next one; this one left some tantalizing loose ends. I enjoyed seeing Lennox begin to face some details of his own personal history that have made him a bit difficult. He has a long way to go, but he’s getting there, and I suspect he is about to begin to accelerate. Donna 5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! I love everything about this series. The stories and dialogue just flow and it’s hard to put down until the last word has been read. The descriptive text makes me feel like I’m in the characters very presence. How fun it is to envision each of their little quirks and foibles and to be comforted by Mr. Fogg and Tubbs. Amazon Customer 5.0 out of 5 stars love these books. Love these books. Light, Funny, sweet and nostalgic . Even though they bring to mind Wodehouse they are totally their own creation and landscape. I only hope the next book arrives soon. Selfish I know. The fact is– it was such a relief to disappear into the world of Heathcliff Lennox this past year. I know I am not alone in loving these books and author. I belong to a mystery page on face book that has been raving about them too ..
by Philip Eliot | Feb 10, 2026 | Romantic Comedy |
He’s a no-nonsense businessman. She’s a free-spirited baker. But the magical building they live in seems to think they’re a perfect match… When billionaire Archer Gaines needs to escape his father’s corrupt shadow and a related scandal, he purchases The Serendipity, a historic apartment building far from New York City. He believes in bottom lines and big business deals, definitely not in the local folklore surrounding the town of Serendipity Springs. So he’s eager to move forward with plans to flip the building into luxury lofts. But The Serendipity doesn’t particularly care what Archer believes, and the building has plans of its own. Willa never believed in the rumors about her “magical” building. But that was before she walked into her closet looking for a sweater and found herself in another apartment altogether–in the penthouse closet of the grumpy and unfortunately attractive new building owner. This is less of a meet cute than a meet ugly, and things only go downhill from there. When Archer announces sweeping changes that include a rent increase, he becomes public enemy number one for the residents. And by charging Willa for use of the commercial kitchen, he puts her fledgling baking business at risk. With his progress being (magically) blocked at every turn, Archer grows desperate for help. But the bewitching woman he found hiding in his closet seems to present both the answer and a larger problem: because Archer never planned to fall in love or stay in Serendipity Springs forever … The Serendipity is a standalone book in the Only Magic in the Building series. These closed door, whimsical romance books are all set in the same historic building, which has a habit of playing matchmaker with its residents. There are light magical elements, but no spells, shifters, or dark magic of any kind.
