#murder on black swan lane

[bangbangwhoa]

books I’ve read in 2024 📖 no. 112

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose

“One learned early that it was best not to put a hex on the things one cared about.”

[peregrinefiction]

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose My rating: 3 of 5 stars I had possibly higher hopes for this book than I should have allowed myself, so it was a bit of a let-down when this was just fine. My major complaint is that there is no strong sense of historical place—although ostensibly set in the regency period this book reads like it could be set any time between the 1780s and the 1920s, apart from a few specific details, and most of it feels incredibly modern (especially the language), which is not what I am looking for in historical fiction. The mystery itself was fine, and the chemistry elements were intriguing, although it did seem as though the author was trying to juggle too many elements to really develop all of them thoroughly. Overall, I was left feeling fairly ambivalent, though I may give the next book in the series a try since the characters were developed enough to keep my attention. View all my reviews

[annafromuni]

Murder On Black Swan Lane - How To Start A Historical Fiction Series

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose, the start of her Wrexford and Sloane Mystery Series, is a great example of how to set up a compelling Regency-era world to start sleuthing in. I will explain why in due course, but first let me preface this by saying that during my reread of this book, because I didn’t have a written review in my book journal and I wanted to put fresh eyes to this, I…

[somebluenovember]

Not sure if this qualifies as a review, but: I've only read the first book in the series, what was it...two weeks ago, and I ordered the 2nd book about 2 hours after finishing reading the first on Libby, and after realising I can't get it from a library, and there's no Kindle version available...

It's definitely a fun read. The characters sound true, and the plotting worked for me. The first book left plenty of story threads to pick up in later books (albeit some of those hints were doing so much hinting I'm not sure they should be called 'hints').

I'm a huge fan of Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell series, and Wrexford and Sloane is what I found when I tried to find something similar. W&S is a little quieter I guess – the Speedwell books are all about grand adventures, dramatic gestures and over-the-top storylines, which makes it endlessly entertaining. W&S has a lovely found family arc going on, which is a personal favourite, so I was easy pickings for this book.

Now I just have to figure out how to pressure my local library to order books 3 to ......

Anyone have any reviews on the Wrexford & Sloane series by Andrea Penrose?

Quite interested in starting this as I have been on a regency kick and always down for a murder mystery, but as with any series where it’s a long term character investment (at least 7 books at this point), I am hesitant.

[nerd-english-teacher]

About Me 

Hi there, I’m Murphy! I’m not really new to tumblr, but I am new to the bookish side. As my blog name says I’m a middle school English teacher who loves to read in her spare time. I’m looking to meet some cool and friendly mutuals.

Here are of my favorite genres and fandoms:

Genres:

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

Historical Fiction/Romance

Mystery

Occasional Modern Romance

Occasional Poetry

Fandoms:

Jane Austen 

Shakespeare

Shadowhunters

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Grishaverse

The Raven Cycle

I'm Currently Reading:

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose

[philcollinsenjoyer]

hello auguste do u have movie recommendations.. just like any movies

helloooo how are you<3 i sure do i can give you a few based on genres if you want since you didn't specify! i don't really have any deep cuts i'm not a big enough cinephile yet💔 you'll forgive me if you've seen some:

romance and romcoms:

bringing up baby (1938) - some like it hot (1959) - when harry met sally (1989) (i know it's a tumblr classic but just in case i can't stress enough how much you need to see it) - 4 weddings and funeral (1994) - whisper of the heart (1995) - dirty dancing (1987) (again. but you need to see it.) - pride and prejudice (1995) (i insist on the date. watch all 5 hours.) - amélie (2001) - two weeks notice (2002) - saved! (2004) (wasn't sure where to put it exactly i guess i'll say romance but it's so much more) - rye lane (2023)

horror:

rebecca (1940) - the red shoes (1948) - rear window (1954) - psycho (1960) - rosemary's baby (1968) - suspiria (1977) - alien (1979) - the thing (1982) - child's play (1988) - final destination (2000) - saw (2004) - house of wax (2005) - black swan (2010) - the cabin in the woods (2011) - unfriended (2014) - train to busan (2016) - happy death day (2017) - nope (2022) & get out (2017)

thrillers dramas and action movies :

dial m for murder (1954) - donkey skin (1970) - dog day afternoon (1975) - ...and justice for all (1979) - amadeus (1984) - karate kid (1984) - the last temptation of christ (1988) - dead poets society (1989) - boyz n the hood (1991) - speed (1994) - la haine (1995) - heat (1995) - practical magic (1998) - velvet goldmine (1998) - fight club (1999) - 28 days (2000) - erin brockovich (2000) - billy elliot (2000) - panic room (2004) - kung fu hustle (2004) - mysterious skin (2004) (look up the triggers for this one) - brick (2005) - julie & julia (2009) - a single man (2009) - shutter island (2010) - inception (2010) - the girl with the dragon tattoo (2011) (look up triggers as well) - gone girl (2014) - the handmaiden (2016) - thoroughbreds (2017) - hustlers (2019) -

musicals (with the note that i generally don't like musicals that much so👍)

singin' in the rain (1952) - yellow submarine (1968) (💗) - jesus christ superstar (1973) - grease (1978) - a monster in paris (2011)

fuckass roadtrip movies :

it happened one night (1938) - the outsiders (1983) - my own private idaho (1991) - thelma & louise (1991) - my cousin vinny (1992) - little miss sunshine (2006) - stardust (2007) - the voyage of the dawn threader (2010) - the green knight (2021) (i'm putting this one in for the bit don't actually watch it it's bad)

[cabeswaterdrowned]

Thank you @sergeantpixie for tagging me! rules: list 5 of your favourite books on a poll, so your followers can vote which book they think captures your vibe the best

But I decided to cheat and have it be 6 so that I can include 3 series and 3 stand alones, because that just felt right to me

Goodreads Summaries of the latter four books bellow (since the first two are a tumblr staple and a classic so I don’t feel the need)

The Diviners:

Evie O’Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City—and she is pos-i-tute-ly ecstatic. It’s 1926, and New York is filled with speakeasies, Ziegfeld girls, and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that she has to live with her uncle Will and his unhealthy obsession with the occult. Evie worries her uncle will discover her darkest secret: a supernatural power that has only brought her trouble so far. But when the police find a murdered girl branded with a cryptic symbol and Will is called to the scene, Evie realizes her gift could help catch a serial killer. As Evie jumps headlong into a dance with a murderer, other stories unfold in the city that never sleeps. A young man named Memphis is caught between two worlds. A chorus girl named Theta is running from her past. A student named Jericho is hiding a shocking secret. And unknown to all, something dark and evil has awakened…

Black Iris:

It only took one moment of weakness for Laney Keating’s world to fall apart. One stupid gesture for a hopeless crush. Then the rumors began. Slut, they called her. Queer. Psycho. Mentally ill, messed up, so messed up even her own mother decided she wasn't worth sticking around for.

If Laney could erase that whole year, she would. College is her chance to start with a clean slate.

She's not looking for new friends, but they find her: charming, handsome Armin, the only guy patient enough to work through her thorny defenses—and fiery, filterless Blythe, the bad girl and partner in crime who has thorns of her own.

But Laney knows nothing good ever lasts. When a ghost from her past resurfaces—the bully who broke her down completely—she decides it's time to live up to her own legend. And Armin and Blythe are going to help.

Which was the plan all along.

Because the rumors are true. Every single one. And Laney is going to show them just how true.

She's going to show them all.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone:

Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Blanca & Roja:

The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they're also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.   

But when two local boys become drawn into the game, the swans' spell intertwines with the strange and unpredictable magic lacing the woods, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them. Blanca & Roja is the captivating story of sisters, friendship, love, hatred, and the price we pay to protect our hearts.

no pressure tagging: @badthingtwice @snixx @pinkhysteria @telumendils @immaterial-pearl @quantummeep @undergroundash

[enbycrip]

A transcript of the trial of Ann Duck for highway robbery on 14 January 1743, at the Old Bailey high court, London.

From the Proceedings of the Old Bailey open-access database www.oldbaileyonline.org

This is a really interesting case; the trial of a mixed-race black disabled woman sex worker, for violent robbery of a man.

(Some query over her disability; she describes herself as “crippled with only one hand” and a witness describes that her arm was bound up and seems unusable; it is not clear if this was an acute, chronic or permanent impairment).

I’m glad to say that Ann was acquitted. My guess from the witness statements is that the man who accused her was a client. Modern sex workers are sadly just as vulnerable to accusations of theft or other crimes, whether by clients, police officers or others, and often face injustice.

“Ann Duck was indicted, with another Person to the Jurors unknown, for assaulting William Cooper on the Highway, putting him in fear, and taking from him a Money-bag, Value 1 d. and 35 s. in Money , his Property, Dec. 28 .

William Cooper . Dec. 28th. As I was going into Shoe-Lane , to look after my Waggon, I met the Prisoner in Eagle and Child Alley , between Shoe-Lane and the New-Market. She laid hold of me, and cried out for Nan, Nan came in a Minute. - Not this Nan Duck . There were two Nans. Then they both laid hold of me, the Prisoner with her Right-Hand , and the other with her Left. The Prisoner had one Arm round me, and dived with the other into the left Pocket of my Breeches; and she pulled my Shirt out before she got to my Pocket. Then they both cried out for George, but George did not come. I cried out Murder, but no Soul came. - When she found my Shirt was not a Bag, she put her Hand into my Breeches Pocket, and took hold of the Bag. There was in the Bag 35 s. She got the Bag out. I got hold of the Bag as well as she: But she had got hold of the Money part. She gave it a Jerk out of my Hand, and gave it to the other Woman, and she run away with it. Then I takes fast hold of her. God gave me more Strength then, I think, than I have had for some Years. She cried out for George ; but, thank God, George did not come. I cried out, Murder, and dragged her quite down the Alley. And just at the end of the Alley stood three Men. I said to them, Gentlemen , I am robbed by this Creature, and beg your Assistance to help me to the White-Swan-Inn at Holbourn-Bridge, where my Horses were. Two of them would not. They asked, what I would give them. I told them, I would give them what Drink they would; but as to Money, I had none. One of them said, he would take the Country Man's Part, and he went along with me; I never let go my hold of the Prisoner, 'till I came to the Tap-house at the Swan ; and there I gave him part of two Pints of Beer. I thanked him, and craved his Name. But he said, he dared not tell it me, for he should be knocked on the Head by her Bullies if he should. She was that Night carried to the Counter: And next Morning, when she came before my Lord Mayor, she said I was suddled, and that my Shirt hung out of my Breeches; and that I took her up without any Reason. - My Pocket was then buttoned up, as it is now, that one would have thought it impossible for her to have got her Hand into it. - I looked in the Bag two or three Days before, and the Money was in then. I have had no Occasion to open it since, and I am sure the Money was in it. - I always lay my Breeches under my Pillow, so that no body could get to it. - I am sure the Bag was in my Pocket when she came up to me. - The Man that assisted me said, he lived in White Fryars . I enquired at 20 Houses, and could not find him.

Prisoner. The Man came running down the Alley with his Shirt out, and said he was robb'd ; says he to me, you are the Woman that robb'd me, for I can find no Body else. I did not touch the Man.

Sarah Basset . I went down into the New Market on Tuesday after Christmas-Day, to buy my Husband something for Supper, and I saw that old Gentleman come and pull the Prisoner up Eagle and Child Alley, in a very indecent; Manner; his Breeches

were down, and his Shirt hung out, and he said, I am robb'd, and you are the Woman that robb'd me. He had hold of her by the Arm, and cried out Murder; says she, you hurt my Arm, what would you have with me; he said, she had robb'd him, and he would give any Body a Dozen of Beer to go to some Inn with her. - He was hawling her into that Part of the Alley that comes into the Market; there was abundance of Mob in two or three Minutes, and there was a Gentlewoman that came down the Alley, and said, Master, do not murder your Wife. - I saw their Faces very plain; I took Notice of her, because she is a black Woman, and so the more remarkable; and I thought it a little strange, that an old Man should want a Woman. - It was about a Quarter after eight at Night. - I did not see the Man till he cried out Murder; I was among the other Mob; there was a Lamp which he hawl'd her up to, which was as nigh as the Candle is to you.

Ann Phillips . That old Gentleman was in Eagle and Child Alley the Tuesday in Christmas Week, with two other Women. - Both fair Women; one in a Cloak, and the other without: (I keep a House, or my Husband does, in Eagle and Child Alley, next Door to Mr Pauley's, an Alehouse-keeper, at the Sign of the Three Compasses.) They were first under the Lamp; and as the People came down, the Women mov'd backward and forward, and the old Gentleman stood with his Back to the Corner: I only speak this to show that there were two Women with him, and his Shirt hung a little indecently out of his Breeches; I had no Business to see what they were doing of, because it was immodest: I had a Candle in my Hand at my own Gate, and I had a thorough Sight of the Women, and I heard somebody say, Do not murder your Wife. Said he, G - d d - n her, I do not murder her. - You, honest Man! can you deny these Words?

Cooper. Yes, I can; I am sure I never said so.

Phillips. Did not you ask me to help you?

Cooper. Why did not you help me then?

Phillips. Then the Mob cried, What's the Matter, honest Man? And he said, I am robb'd! I am robb'd! I will give you a Gallon of Beer to take her away to some Place; where he said, I cannot tell. - The Woman he was pulling up the Alley was a black Woman. - There were abundance of People, black-guard Boys and Girls: Her Arm looked very big, as if it was swell'd.

Q. to Cooper. Did you see this Woman in Eagle and Child Alley that Night?

Cooper. No, I wish this Hand may rot off if! did.

Mary Forrester . I have known the Prisoner from a Child; I never heard any Thing amiss of her before: She did go to Service, but she has not been at Service for a great while.

Ann Judge . I have kept a House sixteen Years , and have trusted her in my Shop with all I had , and she never wrong'd me of a Penny; I have known her from a Child; her Father was a Black Man , and used to teach Gentlemen to Fence. - I cannot tell how long she has been from her Father and Mother. - I believe I have not seen her this Year or two, - and by what I know of her, I would trust her again with any Thing.

Mary Barret . I knew the Prisoner from a Child; her Mother is an honest good Woman; as to the Prisoner's Behaviour of late, I know nothing.

James Townsend . I am Church-Warden of St Sepulchre's , and at that Time I was obliged to be Church-Warden, Constable, Beadle, Watchman, and all; she came into the Watch-House indeed with her Arm bound up, that is true.

Cooper. I am sure I never hurt her Arm.

Townsend. I do not believe you did. - It was bound up from the Elbow to the Wrist; she said to the Prosecutor, how could I clasp you with both Arms, when I am a Cripple with one. - She did offer to have her Arm unbound, but I did not do it. - She did not give any Account what was the Reason of its being bound up. - The People at the Watch-House thought it was bound on Purpose to deceive them. I do not believe there was any great Matter of a Wound.

Prisoner. Doctor Lee gives me Stuff for it now: and when I was before the Lord-Mayor, I could not stir Hand nor Finger.

Charles Pickfat . I live upon Holbourn-Hill , I have lived there all my Life Time; and our Neighbourhood is become now so notorious, that we have more Thieves between our Parts and Deputy Nash's , than in any Part of the Town: The Prisoner at the Bar I know to be a common Street-Walker, and has been so a great many Years. - Plying between my House and Fetter-Lane, decoying and seducing Mankind.

Joshua Smith . I kept a Publick-House a little while ago, and Mrs Phillips, the Witness, who lives next Door to the Three Compasses in Eagle and Child Alley, and her Husband, frequented my House, and I never saw any Ill by them; but I have heard a bad Character since: As to the Prisoner at the Bar, her Character is very vile, as bad as can be at all ; she is very notorious, I believe.

Acquitted.”

[bookwyrmshoard]

My Favorite Books of 2023

I had very few 5-star books this year, but quite a few 4.5-star and 4-star books. I limited this list to books I read for the first time this year (with one exception—an audiobook which I had read in print, over 10 years ago.) I also decided not to base the list entirely on the number of stars I gave each book at the time I read it. Instead, the books on this list are the ones that shine brightest in my memory at the end of the year.

Spinning Silver (Naomi Novik) – 5 stars. Probably the best book I read all year. Not only did I love it, I was also blown away by her mastery of the writing craft.

Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries (Heather Fawcett; ARC) – 5 stars. Absolutely delightful! Emily Wilde is a grumpy academic who is brilliant at research but terrible with people. When she travels to a remote Scandinavian island to research the local fae, she is drawn in to the townspeople’s lives and troubles, as well as the machinations of the fae. And her charismatic and interfering colleague, Wendell Bambleby, is a complication she neither wants nor needs. Or does she? (reviewed here)

Without a Summer (Mary Robinette Kowal) – 4.5 stars. Third in a historical-fantasy series, and possibly the best yet. Kowal’s magic system (“glamour”) is unique and fascinating, and her use of actual historical events and trends is meticulously researched, but it’s the relationships, particularly between plain Jane and her handsome, highborn husband, that really make the book shine.

An Enchantment of Ravens (Margaret Rogerson) – 4.5 stars (though I may raise it to 5) Enchanting. The Fae are properly fae (unpredictable, tricky, and largely indifferent to human emotions), yet the author made the love story totally convincing.

Identity (Nora Roberts; ARC) – 4.5 stars. Well-written contemporary romantic suspense, but simultaneously a character-driven novel about a woman rebuilding her life after her best friend was murdered and her own identity stolen by a serial killer. All the characters are compelling, and there are strong family relationships on both the hero’s and heroine’s side.

Murder on Black Swan Lane (Andrea Penrose) – 4.5 stars. A strong start to a historical mystery series that became a highlight of my reading year. The Wrexford and Sloane mysteries are set during the Regency era, mostly in London, and involve both high society and the middle and lower classes. There’s a long, slow-burn romantic arc, strong friendships, and found family. I absolutely love them. I’m letting book #1 stand in for the entire series, though book #2 might actually be my favorite by a hair.

The Curse of Penryth Hall (Jess Armstrong; ARC) – 4.5 stars. I would have given this marvelous gothic mystery 5 stars, were it not for the frequent sentence fragments that sometimes threw me out of the story.

Role Playing (Cathy Yardley) – 4.5 stars. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this grumpy-sunshine romance between 50-ish online gamers. The author’s portrayal of both the bi demi hero and the Asian-American single mom heroine is sensitive and perceptive, and the ending is pure satisfaction.

Bound for Perdition (Celia Lake) – 4 stars. Celia Lake‘s historical-fantasy romances are my latest obsession (since 2022). She published 5 (!) novels or novellas in 2023, and Bound for Perdition was my favorite of this year’s releases that can stand on its own. (I should probably add that I reread her entire Albion oeuvre once this year, and reread about 2/3 of the books twice. Something about her characters, setting, and style really appeals to me.)

Hounded (Kevin Hearne; audiobook) – 5 stars. This is the exception to the “new-to-me” books. I read Hounded in paperback about 11 years ago, but listening to it on audiobook was a different and better experience. And as with Andrea Penrose’s mysteries, I’m letting the first audiobook stand in for the rest of the series. (Well, most of them. I’m not quite to the end of the series yet, and book #3 really irritated me, but other than that, I loved them.) (reviewed here)

I am embarrassed at how few of these I actually reviewed. I’ll try to do better in 2024!

[genius-species]

What I Read in 2024

I read 44 books in 2024.

I did not meet any of my 2023 goals - I read no Spanish language picture books, no poetry, no translated books, and did not finish any books by Sudanese, Ukranian, or Palestinian authors.

For 2025, my goal is to fall in love with reading again! I think downloading my library's SimplyE app is going to help--now I'm not locked into borrowing only Kindle books or hard copies.

Highlights of 2024 reading include the newest KJ Charles novel and T. Kingfisher's latest Paladin book (Shane, my beloved). A friend introduced my to Joanna Lowell's work (historical romance featuring lady fine artists! heck yes!). I also enjoyed learning more about Edith Hamilton (pour one out for when 'public intellectual' was an actual career path, seriously).

What did you read and enjoy this year?

My full list below the cut:

Romance

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles

The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

Diamond Ring by K. D. Casey

For Her Consideration by Amy Spaulding

The Hate Project by Kris Ripper

To Marry and To Meddle by Martha Waters

The Duke at Hazard by KJ Charles

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian

The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

Pansies by Alexis Hall

For Real by Alexis Hall

Waiting for the Flood by Alexis Hall

A Shore Thing by Joanna Lowell

The Duke Undone by Joanna Lowell

Mystery

Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose

Murder at Kensington Palace by Andrea Penrose

The Late Mrs. Willoughby by Claudia Gray

Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen

YA

Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi

Fantasy / Sci Fi

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldtree

The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly

Witchmark by C. L. Polk

Stormsong by C. L. Polk

Soulstar by C. L. Polk

Wolfsong by TJ Klune

Ravensong by TJ Klune

The Hopkins Manuscript by R. C. Sherriff

Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher

Paladin's Grace by T. Kingfisher

Paladin's Strength by T. Kingfisher

Paladin's Faith by T. Kingfisher

Swordcrossed by Freya Marske

Historical Fiction

All the World Beside by Garrard Conley

Nonfiction

Ask a Queer Chick: A Guide to Sex, Love, and Life for Girls Who Dig Girls by Lindsay King-Miller

Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections by Emily Nagoski

American Classicist: The Life and Loves of Edith Hamilton by Victoria Houseman

A Year's Turning by Michael Viney

The Race to be Myself by Caster Semenya

A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm by Edwin Way Teale

Your House in the County by Henry and Eugenia Mins

[loversonalphacentauri]

☆ Introduction !! ☆

Name (s): Kay/Star (nickname) :3

Pronouns: They/Them, He/Him, Vamp/Vamps, Xe/Xem, Star/Stars.

Gender Identity: Non-Binary, Genderfluid, Xenogender, Transmasc.

Romantic Orientation: Aromantic, Queer.

Sexual Orientation: Asexual.

Birthday: August 18th.

Style: Alternative, Ouji Fashion, Steampunk, Alternative.

Favourite Colours: Black, Purple, Red, Chartreuse, Green.

Symbol: Stars, Swans, The Moon.

Religion: Hellenic Pagan.

Fandoms: A Party To Murder, Good Omens, The Prom, Big Brother UK, Rebecca Das Musical, Chainsaw Man, Chucky, Beetlejuice, Fantastic Beasts/Harry Potter, and more!!

People I like: Lauren Jones, Ali Bromley, Jodie Steele, Melanie Bright, Kara Lane, Jeremy Jordan, Lachlan Watson, Ezra Butler.

Singers/Bands I like: Mindless Self Indulgence, Queen, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Marina, Mitski, VIPERA, Insane Clown Posse, Green Day.

[NOTE: I do not support Jimmy Urine or his actions, and any other controversial people within the bands/music I like/listen to.]

Other notes about me !! :

- I am neurodivergent !

- I'm British !

- I am a devotee to Lady Aphrodite !

- My favourite animal is a Bat !

That's all, thank you for taking time to read this, have a good day/night !! <33

[e-b-reads]

Books of the month: Dec 2022

Happy belated New Year! Here's the books I read in the last month of the last year that I would recommend.

Babel (R. F. Kuang): Every now and then I read a book that I picked up because it was all over tumblr, which then feels a little superfluous to recommend back to tumblr, but I'm still gonna do it! What I like about Babel is that it says: "isn't the idea of hiding away in academia and studying things forever nice?" and then eventually: "unfortunately this is impossible without the subjugation of other nations and peoples as both a foundation and an outcome of this studying." Kuang is definitely a little--maybe not heavy-handed, but--pointed in some of her asides and footnotes especially, but she isn't wrong. I don't think everyone will love this book, but I think it's worth reading even if you don't end up loving it, just to get some of the aspects of it.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (Ocean Vuong): Another book I recognized because of tumblr. I will say less about this one; I just think there are some books that people should read to learn about specific experiences they will never have. This is one of them. If you often check content warnings for books (or even if you don't), definitely look some up for this one before starting.

Murder on Black Swan Lane (Andrea Penrose): Now back to my usual fare: this is first in a regency-set mystery series. As of writing this, I'm on book five, so you can tell I'm enjoying it! The prose might be a little florid and repetitive in spots (maybe more so since I've read a few in a row) but the mysteries are on the cozy side (while still a lil spooky), the romance that builds across the series is very equal, and the growing found family is very sweet.

[lakecountylibrary]

Series Rec: Wrexford & Sloane

Start with book one: Murder on Black Swan Lane

The Earl of Wrexford, known for his bad temper, and scientific mind, is accused of murder. An unconventional artist and her wards, along with several other friends, band together, to try to prove the Earl innocent. There are plot twists and turns, and memorable characters that develop not only through this first book, but through the rest of the series.

This Regency Era (1811-1820) series goes on to follow the Earl of Wrexford and Mrs. Sloane as they solve other murders. Each book is different and has a unique plot. So far there are five books in the series, with a sixth set to premier in September 2022.

What I like about this series:

Each book takes place mainly in London, and the descriptions and historical information make me feel transported back to the Regency Era.

There is character development for individual characters, and growing complexity in their relationships with each other.

The plots are complex enough to keep me guessing about the identity of the villain(s).

The narrator, James Cameron Stewart, is the same for the first five novels, which is important to me.

Fans of Charles Finch's Lenox Mysteries will probably enjoy this series as well.

Check out the Wrexford and Sloane Mysteries as audiobooks, print books, or ebooks at LCPL

See more of Brenna's recs

[xibalbaa]

"Mrs. Sloan and I will go by a differente route." "I'm not in need of an escort, sir," she murmured. "Nonetheless, I'm coming with you. Gentlemanly scruples, you see." "You don't have any gentlemanly scruples -or you've told me so yourself several times." "On occasion I lie."

Murder on Black Swan Lane, Andrea Penrose 

[princelysome]

Set in Regency London, this story takes its own sweet time building up any sympathy for any character in the reader. If you can stick it out, the book winds up in pretty good fashion. The first of a series known as the Wexford and Sloane Mysteries. Time will tell.

[dead-weird]

Horror Movie Genres: Complete List

BODY HORROR

A horrific change of the body, be that through mutation, disfiguration, or any other disturbing transformation. Differs from gore due to the existential dread that comes with losing yourself.

“A Cure for Wellness” - 2016 “Videodrome” - 1983 “Uzumaki” - 2000 “Black Swan” - 2010

MELT MOVIES

A specific type of body horror that includes the melting of flesh and bone.

“The Blob” - 1988 “The Evil Dead” - 1981 “Gremlins” - 1984 “The Beyond” - 1981

FOUND FOOTAGE

But where was it found?

“Cloverfield” - 2008 “Grave Encounters” - 2011 “The Blair Witch Project” - 1999 “REC” - 2007

PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR 

Horror that plays with your mind.

“His House” - 2020 “10 Cloverfield Lane” - 2016 “Cube” - 1997 “Silence of the Lambs” - 1991

HOME INVASION

Where you’re most vulnerable. 

“Us” - 2019 “Don’t Breathe” - 2016 “Hush” - 2016 “The Purge” - 2013

SLASHER

Surrounding a killer stalking and murdering a group of people. 

“Halloween” - 1978 “A Nightmare on Elm Street” - 1984 “Friday the 13th” - 1980 “Fear Street Part One: 1994″ - 2021

REVENGE HORROR

The perpetrators of an injustice getting their dues. 

“May” - 2002 “I Spit on Your Grave” - 2010 “American Mary” - 2012 “Ma” - 2019

GORE

What it says on the tin. Gore was very big in the ‘00s. 

“Martyrs” - 2008 “Saw” - 2004 “Hostel” - 2005 “Audition” - 1999

FOLK HORROR

Surrounding the darker side of “folk” - anything anti-modern and regionalised. Includes cults, lore, and sometimes ancient magic.

“In the Earth” - 2021 “Blood on Satan’s Claw” - 1971 “The Lighthouse” - 2019 “A Field in England” - 2013

WITCH-BASED FOLK HORROR

“The Blair Witch Project” - 1999 “The VVitch” - 2015 “Suspiria” - 2018 “Gretel and Hansel” - 2020

CULT-BASED FOLK HORROR

“The Ritual” - 2017 “Midsommar” - 2019 “Wicker Man” - 1973 “Kill List” - 2011

CANNIBAL HORROR

Horror surrounding the consumption of human flesh.

“Raw” - 2016 “Green Inferno” - 2013 “Cannibal Holocaust” - 1980 “The Hills Have Eyes” - 1977

GRINDHOUSE (AKA EXPLOITATION HORROR)

Often cheaply made, seen as trashy by some, uses sensationalist violence to draw in an audience.

“House of Whipcord” - 1974 “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” - 1974 “Frightmare” - 1974 “Death Proof” - 2007

GIALLO

Heavily stylised Italian suspense/horror movies that feature shocking scenes of gore.

“Suspiria” - 1977 “A Lizard in Woman’s Skin” - 1971 “Deep Red” - 1975 “Blood and Black Lace” - 1964

VAMPIRE HORROR

The bloodsucking undead.

“Let the Right One In” - 2008 “30 Days of Night” - 2007 “Thirst” - 2009 “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” - 2014

GOTHIC HORROR

Gothic themes such as old manors, vampires, and dreary weather.

“Crimson Peak” - 2015 “The Others” - 2001 “Dracula” - 1958 “The Whip and the Body” - 1963

SUPERNATURAL

Unexplainable phenomena. Can include ghosts, but doesn’t have to.

“The Exorcist” - 1973 “It Follows” - 2014 “The Omen” - 1976 “The Babadook” - 2014

GHOST/SPIRIT HORROR

The one does need to have ghosts.

“Ringu” - 1998 “Veronica” - 2017 “The Conjuring” - 2013 “The Grudge” 2004

ZOMBIE HORROR

Remember when everyone was really into the idea of a zombie apocalypse? What changed...

“Night of the Living Dead” - 1968 “28 Days Later” - 2002 “Little Monsters” - 2019 “Planet Terror” - 2007

CREATURE FEATURES

I count this as anything with an animal threatening your life, to differentiate it from a monster movie - killer bees instead of Godzilla, a massive bear instead of Frankenstein’s monster. 

“Crawl” - 2019 “Jaws” - 1975 “The Birds” - 1963 “Lake Placid” - 1999

INDIE HORROR

Usually made for a lower budget, independently from a larger studio. 

“The Void” - 2016 “Creep” - 2014 “V/H/S” - 2012 “Resolution” - 2012

ALLEGORICAL

A film that has one story on the surface, but is a metaphor for another.

“Hereditary” - 2018 “The Platform” - 2019 “District 9″ - 2009 “They Live” - 1988

SCI-FI HORROR

A mixture of science-fiction and horror. 

“Event Horizon” - 1997 “The Fly” - 1986 “Alien” - 1979 “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” - 1978

COSMIC HORROR

Surrounding the unexplainable phenomena of deep space/alternate dimensions. Notoriously hard to represent visually.  

“The Endless” - 2017 “The Thing” - 1982 “Annihilation” - 2018 “in the Mouth of Madness” 1994

AQUATIC HORROR

The scary deep sea. Or other body of water.

“The Abyss” 1989 “Underwater” 2020 “Sea Fever” - 2019 “Sphere” - 1998