{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 47: The Drew Farthering Mysteries","description":"Why This Mystery Series Is One of My Favorites Mystery is probably my all-time favorite genre, and those from the \u201cgolden age\u201d of mystery are the most wonderful. So, when I found this series of six mysteries set in 1930s England that reads like those classic mysteries with an infusion of faith, well\u2026 how could I resist? While all books have some element of \u201cmystery\u201d to them, mystery as a genre is a very specific sort of book\u2013one that often is confused with a couple of others, namely suspense and thriller. Quite often, in groups and conversations, when someone asks for a mystery recommendation, the majority of suggestions will actually be suspense novels or thrillers.  Therefore, first I wanted to clarify what these genres are and what defines them. Mystery A \u201cmystery\u201d is a puzzle for the reader to solve along with the protagonist (usually a detective of some sort). While the mystery genre has many subgenres\u2013cozy, noir, detective, amateur sleuth, etc.\u2013the key element is always that puzzle.  From Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie, Nancy Drew to Mrs. Pollifax, the authors and characters vary as much as the storylines. Suspense While suspense may involve a mystery and vice versa, the key element of a suspense novel is emotion. The reader usually knows that the protagonist is in danger before the protagonist. I.e. woman in a white nightgown investigating a sound from the basement. We scream at her not to go down there\u2013to get out of the house!  Even when the character realizes they are in danger, some decide to confront it\u2013to overcome the evil.  This is when suspense turns into a\u2026 Thriller The difference between suspense and thriller is that not all suspenses include someone taking on the antagonist. Often, they\u2019re trying to figure out who they can trust and who to run from.  In a thriller, running is only a temporary solution to regroup so the character can take charge again. Many books in a wide variety of genres have some elements of all of these, which is why I think some readers become confused as to which is which.  A sweet romance has some suspense.  When will he finally ask her out?  When will she quit resisting\u2026?  All the stuff.  The mystery might come into play if it\u2019s a secret admirer trope.  And, of course, if there\u2019s some stalker Mr. Hero is probably out to stop said dude. This likely makes it more romantic suspense, because I doubt both protagonists are out to stop the dude. Usually one or the other is running. And these distinctions are important when you\u2019re writing a mystery series\u2026 or reading one! This week\u2019s sponsor is Liz Tolsma\u2019s The Silver Shadow.  Part of the True Colors Crime series, this novel is set in Colorado in the year 1900 and features a young woman out to prove herself as a reporter.  A local officer isn\u2019t as convinced of her story as she is, but things begin looking pretty sketchy. This book releases May first, so instead of a bouquet of flowers on your door, how about preordering a bouquet of words for your Kindle!  The book is on preorder now and I, for one, can\u2019t wait to read it. I\u2019ve reviewed Liz\u2019s other books in the series. You can find those reviews below: The Pink Bonnet The Green Dress The Gold Digger Additionally, Episode 9 of The Because Fiction Podcast features six of these books, including the first two by Liz Tolsma.   Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Why This Mystery Series Is One of My Favorites. As I said in this review, I found this series at the perfect time and quite by accident. With characters who are likable, flawed, and not too hackneyed, the Drew Farthering books have a lot to offer any lover of classical mysteries. Each book has a slightly different setting and since they\u2019re all in \u201cbetween wars\u201d England, the settings are both exciting and classic. From country manors to theaters to the wilds of Scotland, this series offers them all. I\u2019m not really sure why Julianna Deering (also writing as DeAnna Julie Dodson) only wrote the six mysteries, but I for one found them fabulous.  The first is even available on Audible (and FREE to Kindle Unlimited subscribers). I\u2019d love for folks to flood Bethany House with pleas for the rest of the series to be narrated! Additionally, we\u2019re talking some seriously stunning covers.   The series is as follows: Rules of Murder\u2013Drew Farthering loves to read mysteries and decides to use what he\u2019s learned to figure out what happened to the victim. Death by the Book\u2014 This time, Drew\u2019s lawyer gets involved and well\u2026 um\u2026 yeah. Not so good. Murder at the Mikado\u2014 Poor Drew can\u2019t even be engaged without bodies dropping and an old girlfriend popping up, begging for help! Dressed for Death\u2014 At a \u201cfancy dress\u201d house party, things go from Regency to death in shocking and terrifying ways! Murder on the Moor\u2014 Off to the wilds of Yorkshire, Drew finds himself in a land as brooding and mysterious as a \u201cBronte novel.\u201d Death at Thorburn Hall\u2014 On holiday in Scotland, Drew finds himself investigating an embezzling scheme that leads to murder. All in all, Julianna Deering has written one of my favorite series, and I really hope she\u2019ll write more. Additionally, I mentioned the Ever After Mysteries Cover releases\u2026 You can find out more about mine here (although the giveaway is over for that one) and today\u2019s release HERE. It\u2019s easy to win. Just keep watch on Amazon for the cover for Rebeka\u2019s book, The Lost Dutchman\u2019s Secret, to change from the plain \u201cplace-holder\u201d cover to the vibrant one. When it does, share somewhere online, take a screenshot or grab a link, and email to celebratelit@celebratelit.com ! Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Stitcher ","author_name":"The Because Fiction Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/becausefiction.libsyn.com\/website","html":"