The author has done a wonderful job of capturing the time, as the world is on the cusp of war, the year is 1914, and fear is everywhere. The story is set in Toronto, and we are there as their parent England declares war and now reality has hit.
Our detective teams of Jem and Merinda, our own female Sherlock Holmes, are soon at it again and this time there is a little white feather left on the bodies, coward?
One thing that is really upsetting is what is happening in the minority communities, so sad, but not something that happened in Canada only.
While this book is the third in this series, the author gives us enough information that we can read alone. Although this is the final book in the series, I am looking forward to the next book by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harvest House, and was not required to give a positive review.

This is the third novel in this series. While it reads relatively well on its own, the plot is definitely character driven. It is important to know about the two women and their previous exploits to fully enjoy this story. I would highly suggest the previous books in the series be read first.

The style of this novel is reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Merinda is the brains of the duo with a sharp mind and a bent to investigation. She carries a magnifying glass and likes to perform experiments that aid in her investigative knowledge. Jem is her side kick. She's a quiet soul, trying to juggle a family and her drive for adventure.

The setting is Toronto in 1914. Canada is just considering getting into the war. Some of the plot revolves around the feelings some have toward recent immigrants from Germany or nearby countries. It is also a time when women were becoming more interested in their equality with men. Some are even taking up Merinda's habit of wearing trousers.

The plot revolves around several murders where a white feather was left. The feather is known as a symbol of cowardice in the Boer War. I felt the mystery aspect of the plot was not as interesting as the historical information included. McMillan has done her research and, as she shares in the Author's Note, she portrays well a turbulent time in the city's history.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy a character driven mystery in the style of Holmes and Watson. You'll be entertained and find out about an interesting time in Canada's history.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

The White Feather Murders is a great book with a fantastic plot, setting and characters. I have not read the previous book yet but I enjoyed this author's style of writing so I probably will be reading in the future.

Enjoyed this mystery...have recommended this novel to all of my reading friends.

I have been enjoying this series so much! I love Rachel McMillain's witty and classical voice. I've come to enjoy adventures alongside Jem and Merinda (and Ray and Jasper, of course) so much that I was torn when I held this last installment. The war has changed the world and life personally has come with its own changes to our dear characters. Ray and Jem our now learning to balance their life as parents. Merinda and Jasper have some personal issues to question. How much can they sacrifice? What if their calling is to be different?
Our dear detectives will face with probably their most enigmatic enemy, while learning to hold on to each other despite the turning tides.
Now to patiently wait for Hamish Deluca's story :)

The White Feather Murders

by Rachel McMillan

Harvest House Publishers

Christian , Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 01 May 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of The White Feather Murders through Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley:

Rachel McMillan takes us back to 1914 Toronto and introduces us to Merinda Herrington, the world is changing around her, the world is on verge of war.

Jem and Merinda have crimesolving skills, but when Mayor Montagoue adopts a war measure it puts a target.

A series of murders occurs, where the victims are all left with a white weather on your chest.

Will they be able to find the killer, or will they become the next victims.

I give The White Feather Murders five out of five stars.

I can no longer remember my life before Herringford & Watts! Rachel McMillan continues to deliver stories that are both engaging and exciting. Set at the beginning of The Great War, residents of Toronto see their city turned upside down and inside out in this, the third full length novel of the series.

Cracker Jacks! I adore this series. Full of unique characters, creative words, a beautiful setting, and an original storyline. Herringford & Watts will drag you off of your feet and into their world of mystery, murder, and adventure.

Jasper Forth takes on a much more prominent role in The White Feather Murders and I am so SO glad! Move over Ray there is a new dream boat in town. I have always loved Jasper, but this book just sealed the deal for me. As Jem and Merinda whisk us away on yet another daring adventure, things have definitely changed. Both in their beloved city and in the dynamics of their partnership. It was so good to see all four of our characters work through things together and individually.

I can (and will given the opportunity) go on for an extended length of time about all of the reasons I find this book and series utterly delightful. However, you don't have time for such things, for you must purchase a book (the novellas are FREE) and begin reading IMMEDIATELY! Your heart and your brain will thank you for it. The books themselves are gorgeous! Beautiful silhouettes depicting parts of the story on the cover. Footnotes for the reader. Quotes from books that McMillan has created herself. But above all, LADY DETECTIVES in Toronto, 1914. Until our next adventure from Rachel McMillan comes out, enjoy discovering the five other books/novellas in the series! Jem and Merinda are sure to become some of your closest friends, as they have become to me.

I received a complimentary copy of The White Feather Murders from the publishers (Harvest House) through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Merinda Herringford and Jemima Watts are no longer in the sights of the morality squad. In fact, their success as female detectives has become a symbol of the changing times in Toronto. But a world on the brink of war brings out the worst in some residents.

Rachel McMillan doesn't shy away from difficult subject matter such as unfounded prejudices. In "The White Feather Murders," Jem and Merinda deal with life outside of crime solving as they learn that friends have falling outs, marriages have rough patches, those we love sometimes get hurt, and sometimes, love remains unrequited.

With McMillan's trademark wit, flashes of humor, and a whole lot of mystery, "The White Feather Murders" offers a fitting farewell. The final installment of the Herringford and Watts mysteries is a combination of satisfaction (for the success of these two friends and amateur sleuths) and sadness (for the goodbyes that must be said.)

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

Hang onto your bowler hat, the intrepid pair of Herringford and Watts (Deluca) are at it again! Toronto in 1914 at the brink of war adds an extra layer of tension to the continuing corruption in the city, ramping up fear and prejudice against anyone with a foreign accent. Add a few murders on top, and the team of detectives, along with their favorite policeman and journalist, find themselves in the thick of it all, sometimes as targets.

Another fast and furious adventure in this fun series, which has been a delight to follow! An added addition of a new little Deluca made for more conflict between Jemima and Ray, finding a balance between career and responsibilities at home, a relevant struggle for many today too. The theme of reconciliation was prevalent between many characters, some set up for tender moments, and others ending bittersweet. The prejudice issues hit a spot sadly true still today. There is a glimpse of hope though through some coming together in the cosmopolitan community and compassion shown in key moments. A few points of faith added a little inspiration too. The author adds that Proverbs 31:8, 9 is a basis for her stories, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Recommend reading this series in order, or at least the first one, A Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder, to get a better feel for the duo's dynamics. You will be hooked and want to read them all after that, including the novellas, to not miss any of their adventures. Hoping there will be more!

3 stars to Rachel McMillan's The White Feather Murders, her third historical cozy in the "Herringford and Watts" mystery series. This book was a tough one for me to review as I had a hard time staying focused, but I did like the story-line. Something about it said "keep trying" but ultimately, in the end, I wasn't too keen on it.

Why This Book?
After joining NetGalley last month, I looked for books I could read immediately through automatic requests, as I needed to increase my review % and receive newer releases I wanted to read. When I saw the description of this book, and the cover, I thought it would be a good new series to read, even though I usually start with Book 1. It landed in my queue and I read it over the last few days.

Story
The book (and I assume the series) takes place in the early 20th century in Toronto, Canada, just prior to England entering World War 1. There is a lot of tension in the air over whether immigrants from Germany and Italy are truly becoming Canadian citizens, or if they are secretly helping their home countries back in Europe. (Sounds familiar, eh?) Everyone was suspected of being an alien enemy!

Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts DeLuca are "lady detectives" who have become popular for solving crimes in the last few years, and they are called in by Miss Mueller, a German-Canadian woman, who fears for her brother's life. He's being beaten and harassed because he is German, even though he supports England and Canada in the war. The local police and the Mayor tolerate Merinda and Jem's investigations, probably more than expected for the time period when women were foolishly not allowed to do much expect mind the home and children; however, the corrupt Mayor really thinks both are frustrating and troublesome.

Suddenly, several men they know are found dead with a white feather strewn across their bodies. And then the German boy they were investigating is found dead with the same type of feather. But it's when a car rams into Merinda and Jem that they realize someone is after them. Their families try to get the ladies to stop investigating, but the women are determined to solve the crime. And in the end, they do. But the path along the way is dangerous and misleading, especially when corruption lurks behind every stone they turn over.

Strengths
The story feels real and the setting is clear. You feel a connection because this happened, even if you don't hail from Canada. It's good to see two female leads, especially in historical fiction. Their actions feel accurately depicted. The book has several small story arcs supporting the main investigation, which helps create a more robust world to read about.

Why I Struggled
There were too many characters who weren't properly described or given enough distinction. I often felt confused as to who was on which side, finding myself skimming a few pages now and again to get to the end. I never connected with the characters. The book felt too plot-driven with little focus on likability for the plight other than knowing it was unfair. I wanted the underdogs to win because that's just who I am, but it wasn't the writing that drove me to that conclusions. I had high hopes but it felt too flat. I would have liked to see more drawn out scenes to help me understand why certain things happened. It was as if in the matter of one page, a body was found, they decided who did it and moved on. I still don't understand the end and how the killer just gave up. I won't give away spoilers, but it must have been an old-fashioned villain's way of doing things. Not what I expected!

Final Thoughts
Overall, the book had some good parts, and I wanted to like it more. I don't think I'll go back and read the rest of the books, but I might check out reviews on each of them, and this one, to see what I am missing. I admit I read more quickly than usual, and didn't stay invested in it like I normally do. It may have been my fault that I didn't like it that much. On a side note, I watched the "Julie Bowen" episode of "Who Do You Think You Are" this week... as I love my genealogy. And she was researching two ancestors; one from Civil War days and one for WW1 where her great grandfather ran the national office of the American Protective League where they registered "alien enemies." Reading about it in a book (in Canada) and watching it on TV (in America) happening at the same time nearly a century ago... made me think... we never learn our lessons, do we?

Fear, this is the ruler of this book; fear of imminent war (world war two); fear of inequality and much more. Fear drives the prejudices and hatred to new and uncomfortable heights. This book has a good story line, but, I think that Merinda does more broadcasting of herself as a sleuth than actually finding and solving the mysteries behind the murders. Too much talking and little or no sleuthing; it’s an okay book, but the story line needs added padding. The difficulties and inequalities affecting minority families and women in the war time period was well written, I really love those segments. I believed the sleuths, Merinda and Jem, could have had a greater role in solving the crimes instead of presuming too much. The culprits were figured out simply by presuming, there was no evidence of proof, their role was not too impressive.

On the brink of World War I, Rachel McMillan's newest book The White Feather Murders captures the world of Toronto with all its underlying tension and chaos. I have enjoyed McMillan's previous two novels, A Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder and A Lesson in Love and Murder, and felt wrapped in comfort the moment I opened this addition. Even though McMillan relies on the conflict of World War I to set the time period, she still uses a murder to bring in Jem and Merinda. This time around, the story focuses more on Jem than Merinda. Jem struggles with raising her son and taking care of her home or working beside Merinda. A conflict women today still fight with. The novels' pace moved along quite rapidly, causing me to rush along with the hunt for the White Feather Murderer. While the story does not have the constant hunt for clues like a modern day thriller, the audience needs to remember that McMillan write a story like Arthur Conan Doyle. In that regard, I think she does an excellent job. I really enjoyed this series, and I'm sad to see it end. Even though this series might be over, I'm anxiously awaiting for what McMillan composes next.

I received a complimentary copy of The White Feather Murders from Harvest House Publishers, and the opinions stated are all my own.

I wrote this book! But I wanted to see what it looked like on netgalley <3