[RC #1] Readers' corner - first edition

Day 4,956, 06:06 • Published in Romania Romania • by Lexutza

I wanted to start a series of articles about book for some time now but always got stuck at the same point. I felt that in order to do this properly I should have a reason for it, have an explanation for why I want this... but I don't really have a reason.

I've always enjoyed reading, ever since I was barely able to do it properly and would take a lot of time and effort. I was able to discover new worlds, new adventures, learn about all kinds of subjects and grow with the characters I read about. I never stuck to one genre and enjoyed discovering new authors, new stories, new writing styles and different cultures. For me, it's the safest place to explore and grow. It's something that brings me joy, contentment and freedom.

So maybe I have my reason ... I want to share something that makes me happy in the hope some of the happiness extends to others. I'm planning to do this a series, writing an article whenever I have the time, about a book or a series that I've read and enjoyed.

I would love if you guys shared with me the books you love, if you read any of the ones I'll approach in this series or if you have any recommendation for what I should read next.



Kendra Donovan Mystery Series - by Julie McElwain



From the author's page for the first book:
When brilliant FBI agent Kendra Donovan stumbles back in time and finds herself in a 19th century English castle under threat from a vicious serial killer, she scrambles to solve the case before it takes her life—200 years before she was even born.

Beautiful and brilliant, Kendra Donovan is a rising star at the FBI. Yet her path to professional success hits a speed bump during a disastrous raid where half her team is killed, a mole in the FBI is uncovered and she herself is severely wounded. As soon as she recovers, she goes rogue and travels to England to assassinate the man responsible for the deaths of her teammates.

While fleeing from an unexpected assassin herself, Kendra escapes into a stairwell that promises sanctuary but when she stumbles out again, she is in the same place - Aldridge Castle - but in a different time: 1815, to be exact.

Mistaken for a lady's maid hired to help with weekend guests, Kendra is forced to quickly adapt to the time period until she can figure out how she got there; and, more importantly, how to get back home. However, after the body of a young girl is found on the extensive grounds of the county estate, she starts to feel there's some purpose to her bizarre circumstances. Stripped of her twenty-first century tools, Kendra must use her wits alone in order to unmask a cunning madman before he kills again.

I'm not sure why I chose this series for the first article. I stumbled upon it in 2019 and reread it twice since then (not even in order since I don't like them all the same amount). In each of them, Kendra finds herself having to solve a murder following the rules of 19th century England. We're missing DNA samples, finger prints... and the freedom to go anywhere without a chaperone. I've learnt a lot about lives of women in the 19th century and about making the best out of your circumstances and out of the resources you have at your disposal. I've got frustrated, sad, happy and hopeful right alongside Kendra and I hope I've inspired you to try it.


What have you been reading lately?