This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
In Murder in la Famille: A Charles de la Forȇt Mystery by Phillip L. Wray, readers are taken back to 17th-century France, where musketeer Charles de la Forêt is drawn into a tangled web of murder, noble secrets, and aristocratic deception. While wearing a squirrel mask at a masked ball, Charles is pulled into a case that involves a gruesome death within the de Lorme family. As he probes deeper, the charming yet sharp-witted musketeer uncovers family scandals, vendettas, and more than a few cleverly concealed motives behind velvet drapes and powdered wigs.
Phillip L. Wray's prose can be described in a couple of words: elegant and evocative. It is filled with historical detail without ever sacrificing pacing. The atmosphere of pre-revolutionary France is conveyed artfully, from lavish estates to the tension beneath aristocratic civility. The dialogue in Murder in la Famille is full of sparkle and wit, particularly in the banter between Charles and his companion Roland d’Arthon. The characters are colorful and nuanced—Charles is a blend of bravery and insight, while Roland adds comic relief and loyalty. The plot is full of intrigue and steadily unfolds, balancing moments of levity with genuine suspense. Fans of C.S. Harris’ Sebastian St. Cyr series or those who enjoy Andrew Taylor’s period mysteries will feel right at home here. Murder in la Famille is an engaging blend of classic whodunit, cloak-and-dagger adventure, and subtle social commentary—all wrapped in a well-tailored doublet. Readers who appreciate smart historical sleuthing with flair will find Phillip L. Wray’s novel an excellent choice.
