Afternoon, dear readers. Today is a very good day. Today, I get to play a small role in introducing you to a debut author and the amazing series she's written. Rachel McMillan is a fabulous blogger and writer who I met through the little online publication called Femnista. In the last year or so, I learned that she was going to be putting that writing talent to paper as a published author. Needless to say, I was thrilled for her. As the months went by and we learned more and more about Rachel's series, I grew more and more excited. Last week, Rachel's series launched with the release of her novella,
A Singular and Whimsical Problem. Let me tell you, I can honestly say, it's smashing, friends. Lots of fun sleuthing and of course, plenty of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson vibes.
But that's not all there is to today's post (there is actually quite a lot), so let's keep it going.
NOVELLA REVIEW:
A Singular and Whimsical Problem by Rachel McMillan
Herringford and Watts Mysteries
A Singular and Whimsical Problem
Christmas, 1910. Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts would be enjoying the season a lot more if they weren’t forced to do their own laundry and cooking. Just as they are adapting to their trusty housekeeper’s ill-timed vacation, they are confronted by the strangest mystery they’ve encountered since they started their private investigation firm.
In this bonus e-only novella, what begins as the search for a missing cat leads to a rabble-rousing suffragette and the disappearance of several young women from St. Jerome’s Reformatory for Incorrigible Females. From the women’s courts of City Hall to Toronto’s seedy docks and into the cold heart of the underground shipping industry, this will be the most exciting Christmas the girls have had yet…if they can stay alive long enough to enjoy it. - Goodreads
The Bachelor Girls Guide to Murder
In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.
Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.
While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever--if they can stay alive long enough to do so.
Rachel has a second novella cover to reveal, and she asked about featuring that here. Naturally, I say YES! Because a.) I'm a huge cover candy snob and b.) the cover team at Harvest House couldn't have designed a more perfect concept for the series. Before having a peek at that new cover, let's hear from
Rachel.
I am really excited to share the first glimpse at the next
novella-sized Herringford and Watts story releasing June 2016. I am an avid reader of Rissi’s blog and I
thought it would be so fun to do a giveaway and a cover reveal here.
I have a digital copy of ASingular and Whimsical Problem to share with a lucky winner but also a
print copy of The Bachelor Girl’s Guideto Murder which releases March 1.
Of Dubious and
Questionable Memory takes Jem Watts and Merinda Herringford from Toronto to
Boston, Massachusetts and to Concord! Jem is especially excited because Concord
was the home of Louisa May Alcott, writer of some of her favourite stories,
including Little Women.
Unfortunately, pre-order links are not ready for this fun
novella yet but keep in touch on my twitter, facebook and blog and I will keep
you posted!
You can also follow me on instagram!
This is the FIRST place I am sharing this cover and draft of the unfinalized cover
copy so I hope you enjoy this exclusive sneak peek.
The Herringford and Watts business is never lacking
clients nor mysteries of the curious and the commonplace. Lately, however,
business has been a little less curious and a little more dull: with little beyond
a missing necklace and a kidnapped rooster to keep Merinda in deductive
mode. Merinda may be bored stiff; but the newly married Jem welcomes the
reprieve from danger and the opportunity to improve her limited domestic
skills.
Excitement soon arrives in a telegram
from the girls' suffragette friend Martha Kingston. Martha's school
chum Miri Winthrop was entertaining her cousin Del in historic Boston when she
went missing during a day trip to Concord.
Receiving no help from the authorities state-side,
Miri turns to Martha who, in turn, recommends Herringford and Watts. When
Merinda and Jem arrive in America, they are plunged into a world of
strange affairs, purloined letters and a baffling mystery that lies in the
heart of Orchard House, the homestead made famous by its long-time resident,
Louisa May Alcott.
Without further ado, let's have a look at the cover.
...Drumroll please...
Don't you love this cover? It fits
perfectly with the other novels in the series not to mention with the stories themselves.
(CLOSED)
- Giveaway Details -
But wait that's not ALL for today's blog post! Rachel is also giving away a copy of her novella, plus a copy of her debut novel, The Bachelor Girls Guide to Murder. What does this mean for you? All you have to do to enter is leave a comment (make sure your email addy is included) down below. Want to talk about your favorite Sherlock adaptation or story? Go for it! Have an amazing book your reading and you want to shout from the rooftops about it? That goes to. We're all about the amazing bookish and fangirl-y things here. So comment away. This one is open to U.S and Canada readers only.
And best of luck to all who enter.
