Location: Canada
Member Since:
May 28, 2013
Vesper Meikle
Vesper Meikle's favorite authors on Smashwords
Riana Everly
Latest book:
The Mystery of the Missing Heiress: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella.
Published June 30, 2020.
Published June 30, 2020.
Smashwords book reviews by Vesper Meikle
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Two Days Before Christmas: A Pride and Prejudice Novella
on Jan. 06, 2023
The Bingley party leave Netherfield, but Bingley is fraught, Darcy in unhappy but Georgiana is determined. Determined to help her brother, as he helped her with Wickham. And so she and Mrs Annesley make plans. I really like Georgiana's character in this enjoyable, well-written story.
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His Beautiful Bea
on Jan. 06, 2023
Beatrice Tierney believes she loves Everett Clayton, the younger brother of Graeme. But the feelings are not returned. Graeme believes his brother to be a fool for not doing so. With the added presence of the Felicity and Grace Love, cousins to the Tierneys can anyone have a happy ending. This enchanting novella is a nod to Mansfield Park.
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A Battle of Wills and Words
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice story, at a dinner at the home of the Fitzwilliams Elizabeth is put to the test - can she cope with the ladies of the ton. Her evasive answers mean an interrogation from the Colonel. Results in an Elizabeth more clever than canon though still an entertaining and well-written story.
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The Beginning of Prudence
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice variation Darcy and Bingley meet the two oldest Bennet daughters with the Gardiners while at the theatre. Resulting in Bingley asking to call on Jane. While Darcy looks forward to seeing Elizabeth at Rosings in three weeks time, while also calling at the Gardiners. Will happy endings be given to all. Another entertaining and well-written story in this series. With its very likeable characters but especially the Colonel.
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Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy
on Jan. 06, 2023
Henry Crawford late of Mansfield Park wishes to reform and marry. But can a rake every reform. An enjoyable story, well-written with the introduction of new characters.
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Addie: To Wager on Her Future
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this sequel, Adela Atwood or Addie, of Silverthorne Court, just to the south of Mansfield Park is inroduced to the brother of Tom Bertram's betrothed. Like Addie, Robert Eldridge has a great interest in horses. But her younger brother James has brought trouble to their home in the shape of gambling debts due to an unscrupulous Mr Camden. Can a solution be arranged, and a happy ending ensured. Although I felt you could read this as a standalone I would recommend reading the series in order to get a feel of the characters involved as they develop. Another delightful well-written story in this series with its cast of very likeable and well-drawn characters.
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Arguing with Mary
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice variation the house party at Netherfield continues. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mary Bennet continue to argue with each other. Thankfully for them neither is looking for marriage, or are they. A well-written and delightful story
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Midnight with Mary
on Jan. 06, 2023
A Pride and Prejudice variation. December 1811. Elizabeth and Mary Bennet have returned to Longbourn while the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families stay at Netherfield. Will my favourite couple of the Colonel and Mary get their heart's desire. Or will circumstances get in the way. A delightful and well-written Pride and Prejudice sequel.
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Moonlight, Mistletoe, and Mary
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this Pride & Prejuive sequel, Colonel Fitzwillian is visiting Hertfordshire looking for a different life. But another reason slowly matures, he becomes aware that he would like to have a wife, but who. Can he avoid the matchmakers and find his happy ending. A delightful and well-written story, with is very likeable characters. It can easily be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the prequel - Matching Mr. Darcy (Sweet Possibilities, #1) first.
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Christmas in Gracechurch Street
on Jan. 06, 2023
November 1811. In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Mr. Collins is visiting Longbourn, and Mr Bennet decides to take action. Soon an invitation from the Gardiners arrive for Elizabeth and Mary. Meanwhile Darcy has gone to town hoping to forget Elizabeth. But he has not bargained for Bingley's initial action and the results it brings. An enjoyable and well-written story, a delightful re-read with its interactions of various characters.
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From Tolerable to Lovely
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this P&P variation, what if before Darcy could finish his insult about Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly he is interrupted, and they start to dance and converse. Could their relationship develop from that situation. A delightful well-written novelette.
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Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this Pride and Prejudice variation Bingley surprisingly, as far as the Bennets are concerned, has returned to stay at Netherfield. He comes with a request, and a plan to secure the happiness of his closest friend. But will it work? I liked this version of Bingley as he has a backbone. An entertaining and well-written novelette
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Two Days in November
on Jan. 06, 2023
In this Pride & Prejudice variation, after their stay at Netherfield, Elizabeth and Darcy happen to meet. She tells him a tale and between them they seek an answer. An enjoyable and well-written short story.
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Blood and Parchment: The Secret Life of Mary Bennet
on Jan. 06, 2023
This Pride & Prejudice sequel is set two years after the marriages of the three Bennet sisters. One day Mary Bennet is walking back from Lucas Lodge to Longbourn with her sister Kitty, when Kitty is attacked. Attacked by a vampire. Only with the help of vampire hunter, Benjamin Gordon, can Kitty be saved aided by Mary if they can kill the master vampire. Very enjoyable, well-written Mary Bennet story. The first I have read of Mary and vampires.
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The Gentlemen Are Detained
on Aug. 13, 2023
In this P&P variation, Bingley and Darcy are attending a dinner party at Longbourn post Lydia's elopement. Can Bingley and Darcy speak to their loves and have a happy ending. An enjoyable and well-written short story
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The Curse of Dr. Cagliari
on Aug. 13, 2023
February 1900 and Dr.,Watson and the Countess have arrived in Venice in time for Mardi Gras and a holiday from murder. Then they are asked by the Marchesadi Malaga to investigate the death of a groom on his wedding night and prove that the wife is innocent. An enjoyable story of the locked room variety.
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The Sherloch Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
28th December 1900. Invitations to the most sort after New Years Eve party have been received. But Irene Norton is still concerned about the threat to her life because of her past. Inspector McWhirr is travelling to the area, renowned for its ferns, as a body of a female has been discovered. He recruits the Countess and Watson as his amateur detectives in the house party, though Shelby Greene 12 year old son of the resident botanist Mrs Greta Greene, is on par with them. Another enjoyable historical mystery with its likeable characters.
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The Curse of the Snark
on Aug. 13, 2023
1900 The Countess with Dr. Watson are invited by the Nortons to spend Christmas with them at the Queenscliffe Hotel. Arriving by boat the Countess notices a body in the water. This is not the first death, and will not be the last. What is going on in the area. Why is Irene Norton so nervous. With help the Countess and Watson investigate. Another enjoyable historical mystery in this series with its likeable characters.
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The Reichenbach Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
ts 1900 and Dr. Watson and the Countess have arrived in Switzerland to visit the Reichenbach Falls. When staying at the Englischer Hof Hotel they discover, happily, that it is hosting a hot air balloon festival. But events take a fatal turn as one balloon is consumed by fire. They both decide to investigate. Another enjoyable mystery with these likeable characters. Hopefully there will be more in the series.
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The Styrian Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
1900 and Dr. Watson and the Countess have been invited to a christening by an old schoolfriend of the Countess, Mignon, in the Waldenwulf Castle. Mignon fears for the life of her child and needs the help of the Countess. Mulitated bodies start being discovered and the explanation given is wolves suffering from rabies unfortunately the locals prefer their superstitions. Another enjoyable story in this series
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The Curse of Mont Saint Cloud
on Aug. 13, 2023
January 1900 and Dr Watson and the Countess are sailing across the English Channel to help an old friend Inspector de Guises, when they are diverted to Mont Saint Cloud and solve their first mystery on their journey. On arriving at Brittany they help the Inspector find the person who is killing off his family. Another enjoyable read.
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The Curse of the Rainbow Serpent
on Aug. 13, 2023
October 1900 and the Countess has returned to the Boobook homestead with Dr. Watson. Five years previously at the nearby Hanging Rock her step-aunt had died from a snake bite. Now with another picnic at the site another death occurs. But will it be the last. Another enjoyable mystery with these two likeable characters
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The Clairvoyant Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
England 1899. and a group of people are travelling to the World Spiritualist Congress when the Countess decides that she and Dr. Watson will travel with them on the SS Pleiades. Just before they leave a murder occurs but the passengers are allowed to leave, but another murder occurs and when Dr Watson is accused the Countess is determined to find the guilty party. Although I enjoyed the story I did get annoyed with the pidgin English of Dr Hu. I felt it could have stopped after a few sentences to help the story flow.
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The Curse of the Hansom Cab
on Aug. 13, 2023
November 1900 Melbourne. The Countess and Watson are staying at her mansion, Ripponly, when they read about a murder, that of the captain of the Cremorne Cricket Club, Hiram Bennet. The suspect is Ted Gadney, driver of the Hansom cab where the body was discovered. Defending him is Godfrey Norton, husband to Irene Adler, married since 1888, mother to the Countess. But Dr Watson has his own concerns, namely that of a brother Henry who seems to be still alive. But soon the Countess and Irene investigate. An enjoyable historical mystery with its likeable characters
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The Curse Of The Diogenes Club
on Aug. 13, 2023
Although this is book 8 in the series, it is the first that I have read. It is London 1899 and we start with the death of Princess Paraskovia, who has been separated from her husband the Russian ambassador. But later at a New Year’s Eve ball, there is an attempt on Mycroft Holmes' life, which he later admits is not the first attempt. Are these events related. In this book I was introduced to Colonel Moriarty (brother to the Professor) and to Mycroft's ADC Nash. I enjoyed the mystery in the book, and I liked both Moriarty and Nash's characters and hope they appear in other books in the series, not sure yet about the Countess.
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The Curse of the Singing Wolf
on Aug. 13, 2023
Biarritz, France 1899 and Dr Watson and Countess Volodymyrovna have finally arrived. While staying at an inn owned by an ex-opera singer - the Singing Wolf - the kitchens catch fire and she invites the inhabitants tp her castle. Then their troubles start when their hostess disappears. I really enjoyed this and I liked the introduction of Colonel Moriarty.
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The Penny Dreadful Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
York, 1899 and Inspector Bird is glad of the help offered by Watson and the Countess with the five murders he is investigating. They soon realise that all the dead are writers of penny dreadfuls. An entertaining mystery with a style of writing that I like.
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The Lammas Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
In Scotland, 1899 the Lammermoor Golf Course is holding a tournament but when 3 bodies have been found the Countess takes an interest. Soon she and Dr. Watson are on there way north. But these are not the last of the deaths and what is the real motive behind them. Carrying on straight from the first story in the series, I enjoyed this one as well. Getting to like the Countess and Watson is a solid character behind her.
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The Baskerville Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
t has been ten years since Holmes solved the Baskerville case and now Sir Henry's wife has called upon Doctor Watson for help. Are the following deaths, accidents or murder. Some lovely twists in this good mystery with some interesting characters. Look forward to next in the series
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The Curse of Christmas
on Aug. 13, 2023
As the year 1898 approaches its end the Countess and Watson at the request of Mycroft Holmes investigate the disturbed graves at the Crossbones Cemetery in Southwark as a blind to discover who has the potential to blackmail the Prince Regent over is visits to the local prostitutes nearby. I continue to enjoy this series, the characters, the mystery, the entertainment value and look forward to the next.
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The Curse of the Grand Guignol
on Aug. 13, 2023
France 1899. and Watson and the Countess are asked by the previously met Inspector de Guise to consult on the investigation of the bizarre four (so far) murders in Paris. An enjoyable and interesting read.
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The Khamsin Curse
on Aug. 13, 2023
April 1900 and Dr. Watson and the Countess have been sent to Cairo by Mycroft to expose an espionage ring, but they discover more. Again another easy to read, enjoyable mystery with a good set of varying characters.
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The Burdens
on April 13, 2024
He has awakened into a nightmare or is it even real. How will he survive the creatures, and who and what are they. An entertaining story.