"The Blasphemers" By Annamaria Alfieri: Review/Giveaway

Review by Sarah Erwin

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Historical mystery fans who haven’t yet discovered Annamaria Alfieri’s Vera and Tolliver series should be sure to get their hands on the newest entry, The Blasphemers. This is my first introduction to the series and it reads well as a standalone. I am, though, looking forward to going back to books one and two and picking up Vera and Justin Tolliver’s back stories.

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Image Source Stonesong Digital

The year is 1913 and Vera and Tolliver (Justin) are happily married with a darling baby boy and living on the property of Vera’s father, a local Scottish missionary. Justin is a member of the police force in British East Africa, and while he enjoys solving mysteries, he is ready to step down and enjoy life as an African farmer. The couple is scouting out land for possible purchase and are eager to start this new phase. Although they must delay this new phase a bit as Justin is called in for a few more days of police work before his retirement becomes official. What seems like a straightforward assignment is anything but when not one but two people are murdered.

This mystery novel opens with vivid descriptions of the setting and of Vera’s and Justin’s life in East Africa and pulls readers in. It is easy to imagine the beauty and the danger present in this rural area. The build up to the action takes a bit of pages so be sure to start this mystery when you have time to settle in. Once the action occurred, though, I could not stop turning the pages. Readers should note, though, some cultural and social issues around how girls came of age in Africa are discussed, and it is difficult to read about. Annamaria’s storytelling allows for balancing reactions to these issues, highlighting the cultural and social issues prevalent with British colonial rule.

In addition to the lovely romance between Vera and Justin, there’s a blossoming romance between Justin’s sister and an Italian duke that makes for an entertaining side story.

I found the ending of the novel to be multi-layered and heart pounding. I felt a mixture of sadness and relief as I closed my Kindle. I’m curious to see where life takes Vera and Justin and the other characters next. There are several storylines that I am anxious to follow. A strong entry in the genre of historical mystery.

To enter to win an ebook copy of The Blasphemers, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "blasphemers,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 17, 2024. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter.  If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

 
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.