I love historical mysteries and so I was keen to read and review this book and it didn't disappoint. The writing was engaging and held my interest, i loved the characters and the storyline kept me hoooked. An enjoyable read and an author that I will look out for

When I saw this book on Netgalley, I thought it looked really good. A historical fiction in Napoleons time that was also a murder mystery? Sold! But, I will say it wasn’t my favorite.

I’ll start with the things I liked. I did NOT see how this was going to end. It was definitely a plot I couldn’t necessarily parse apart and guess where it was going. Additionally, I liked that there was a slight magical element to the story as well.

Now, unfortunately, there was quite a bit about the book I didn’t love. And I am going to preface all of this with: this is mostly all based on my personal reading preference. I didn’t love the writing style. It felt a bit verbose and pretentious. Because of that, at times, I had a hard time following the plot. I think it was also a bit too historically accurate in how it was written then what I am used to, and prefer. Which, once again, is mostly personal preference. Additionally, I didn’t feel like the characters were ones I connected with.

Overall, I gave the book 3 stars. I think the book was well written, and could be enjoyable to the right crowd, but I think that I just was not the crowd.

I like historical mysteries, and I was intrigued by the cover design, description, and title of this book.

I found the historical context interesting, and the general tone of the book was pleasant, light and entertaining. In places, something about the writing reminded me a little of Joanne Harris books, though I'm not sure how many readers would agree with this comparison. Either way, I liked it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

As the Revolutionary fervour of France moves from internal politics to European conquest a rising general, one Napoleon Bonaparte, is based in the Villa Mombessa just outside Milan. He is there to celebrate the marriages of two of his sisters but a series of frightening events culminate in the murder of a local aristocrat. Bonaparte calls in magistrate Gracchus to investigate.
I admire those writers who try to create a historical mystery novel as it means that have to provide a novel which satisfies the fans of one genre as well as those of another. Here Howard is partially successful. I did get a real sense of time and place around the early years of Bonaparte and the conquest of Italy. However I found the mystery part very convoluted and I tended to lose focus on the plot at times. It's a solid enough book but I would hope for more from the next in teh propsed series.

1797 Villa Mombello, Milan. The owner of the villa the Comte Mombello has gone missing and guest General Bonaparte instructs retired Commissaire of Police Felix Gracchus to investigate, aided by Lt Dedmide Vanderville. But when a body is discovered it will not be the last.
An interesting and entertaining historical mystery. This well-written story with its cast of varied and likeable characters is a good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this well plotted, entertaining, and gripping historical mystery. Felix and Dermide are an unusual couple of investigator, two different personality that are able to solve the riddle.
It's fast paced, the historical background is vivid and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Can't wait to read the next story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

This accomplished debut introduces us to Felix Gracchus, retired police, and Dermide Vanderville, Aide to the General of the Army of Italy. These very differing, but complimentary to each other characters are brought together to investigate the death of Comte Rene Mombello, host of the Bonaparte family. Was it death by misadventure or was the elderly Comte murdered by one of the vast number of occupants at his estate.

There is an element of supernatural running through this mystery that is very enjoyable. Talk of phantoms, ghouls, dream hunters and other horrors lurking which cause both disruption and over excitement to the vivid characters portrayed.

The level of detail is impressive. It is clear the author has a vast amount of historical knowledge which really shines throughout the book, but doesn't weigh it down with facts. It flows perfectly.

We are provided with a conclusion of a sort to book one, but its very much left open for new Gracchus & Vanderville adventures, which I am very much looking forward to.

Thank you NetGalley & Canelo for the ARC, and allowing me to review. I am very grateful :)


**Review has been posted to Goodreads. A posted will also be made on Instagram in due course (@stitch_and_reads)**

Historical fiction at its best!

As a dysfunctional Bonaparte family is gathering outside of Milan at the Villa Monbello for the forthcoming nuptials of two of its members, an unexpected murder and its sinister consequences will soon open up a large Pandora's box of long buried family secrets, very deadly threats and lots of very unsavory surprises.....

Set in Lombardy during the Italian campaigns of the French Revolutionary Wars, Blood and fireflies is a magnificent fictional romp that kept me completely enthralled from start to finish.

A captivating historical whodunit full of dangerous twists and turns, sparkling dialogues and blessed with a delightful cast of exquisitely drawn characters, this highly entertaining novel really deserves to be discovered and enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Canelo and Netgalley for this terrific ARC!

Such a rich historical mystery! I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and the mystery itself captured my attention. I would highly recommend this book! Especially if you like your historical mysteries heavy on history!

B M Howard’s debut novel Blood & Fireflies is a whodunnit set during the Napoleonic Era. It revolves around some sinister goings-on, including murders, at a villa in Italy that Napoleon is using as a headquarters for his campaign. Napoleon forces an embittered, cynical, failed magistrate Felix Gracchus to investigate. Paired with Gracchus is Dermide Vanderville, a military officer who wants to move up the ranks but hasn’t achieved much yet. These two mismatched men team up with Napoleon’s sister Paolette. The investigation brings them into contact with the hornet’s nest that is Napoleon’s family. We meet a cast of colourful characters, including Napoleon’s wife Josephine and his mother Letizia, and members of his inner circle such as Generals Berthier and Dumas.
The first thing that struck me on starting to read the book is the amount of detail Howard has crammed into it. The book is awash with period details that are otherwise available only in history textbooks. Which makes eminent sense as Howard is a historian. The mystery itself unfolds at a good pace, aided by grisly murder scenes and the constant backstabbing in Napoleon’s inner circle and family. The protagonists are expertly developed. Howard uses his scholarship to bring to life people who are seldom seen and almost never heard in the bestselling popular history titles.
If I have one gripe, it’s that the details are a little overwhelming at times. Don’t get me wrong. As I said before, the period details are critical in developing the milieu. But, I think he went a tad overboard in a few places with the details.
Overall, Blood & Fireflies is a solid first entry to the Gracchus and Vanderville series. I am looking forward to the second and third books.

This is the first book in a new series set at the time of Napoleon's conquests in Europe. A family gathering of the Bonaparte family in a villa in Italy is marred by the death of their host. Napoleon calls on failed magistrate Gracchus to investigate.
The historical setting is interesting and well-researched. The story is a little bizarre, featuring stories about ghouls and strange human afflictions. This was a fairly entertaining read but I found the writing style not to my taste. The pace was slow and the writing didn't flow. The characters at times felt like they were becoming interesting but then tailed off and became almost comic.
A reasonable start for the series which will hopefully pick up as it progresses.

An interesting window into the Napoleonic era. Equal parts mystery and history, "Blood and Fireflies" presents a tale involving gruesome murder of both humans and animals, twisted family connections, and a disturbing portrayal of sleep-walking. This is a book that one has to read twice. The first time, you will zip through because of all that is happening. The second time will be slower, allowing for more intentional observation of the characters and events. Definitely a page turner.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo Publishing for access to this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.