Book Review: The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

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The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray is a historical fiction novel that spans many years and tells of the friendship between former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. I don't know if I would have picked up this book if it hadn't been the August selection for one of the book clubs I belong to in my area because I don't read a lot of historical fiction. However, I am so glad that I read it and was able to learn many things I hadn't learned about in any of my history classes.  I don't recall learning anything about Mary McLeod Bethune, and she is an important part of American history. The things she helped spearhead to provide African American people equal rights is quite impressive. One of the things I was horrified to learn about is Franklin D. Roosevelt's resistance to stop lynchings because he was afraid of losing the Southern Democrats backing for his New Deal Bill. Another thing that I fo...
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Book Review: The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

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Book Review The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict opens with Lily returning to her aunt's manor house and discovers that if she wants to inherit the house, she must play the traditional Christmas game with her cousins over a period of twelve days. When one of them is murdered and a snowstorm cuts them off from the rest of the village, Lily realizes she must fight for her life. Over the twelve days, twelve clues, and twelve keys, how many will perish?

First and foremost, I'd like to thank NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital copy of The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict. I was thrilled to receive a copy prior to it coming out in paperback on October 4, 2022 because it sounded intriguing.

Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None (a.k.a. Ten Little Indians) and the movie Clue, I found myself comparing The Christmas Murder Game to both. There were even parts that reminded me a bit of The Shining by Stephen King. However, this didn't detract from the storyline in my humble opinion.

All through the book I thought the killer was one person and potentially another, but then, I started second guessing myself. I began thinking it one of two other characters for no real logical reason other than I thought it was too predictable to have one or both of my original suspects be the murderer. With that being said, there were enough twists and turns to keep my interest. It was well thought out and well written.

I enjoyed reading The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict and like how the author tied up all the loose ends. I'd love for the author to write a sequel. Four out of five stars.

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