Cover Reveal: Herringford and Watts Mysteries
Afternoon, dear readers. Today is a very good day. Today, I play a small role in introducing you to a debut author and the amazing series she’s written. Rachel McMillan is a fabulous blogger and writer who I met through the little online publication called Femnista. In the last year or so, I learned that she was going to be putting that writing talent to paper as a published author. Needless to say, I’m happy for her. As the months went by and we learned more and more about Rachel’s series, I grew more and more excited.
NOVELLA REVIEW | A Singular and Whimsical Problem by Rachel McMillan
Cover Reveal: Herringford and Watts Mysteries #FWarchives #BookLove Share on XLast week, Rachel’s series launched with the release of her novella, A Singular and Whimsical Problem. Let me tell you, I can honestly say, it’s smashing, friends. Lots of fun sleuthing and of course, plenty of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson vibes.
But that’s not all there is to today’s post (there is actually quite a lot), so let’s keep it going.
Herringford and Watts Mysteries: A Singular and Whimsical Problem
Christmas, 1910. Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts would be enjoying the season a lot more if they weren’t forced to do their own laundry and cooking. Just as they are adapting to their trusty housekeeper’s ill-timed vacation, they are confronted by the strangest mystery they’ve encountered since they started their private investigation firm.
In this bonus e-only novella, what begins as the search for a missing cat leads to a rabble-rousing suffragette and the disappearance of several young women from St. Jerome’s Reformatory for Incorrigible Females. From the women’s courts of City Hall to Toronto’s seedy docks and into the cold heart of the underground shipping industry, this will be the most exciting Christmas the girls have had yet…if they can stay alive long enough to enjoy it. – Goodreads, Add on Goodreads
The Bachelor Girls Guide to Murder
In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.
Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.
While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so. Amazon │ Goodreads
Rachel has a second novella cover to reveal, and she asked about featuring that here. Naturally, I say YES! Because a.) I’m a huge cover candy snob; and b.) the cover team at Harvest House couldn’t have designed a more perfect concept for the series. Before having a peek at that new cover, let’s hear from Rachel. I am really excited to share the first glimpse at the next novella-sized Herringford and Watts story releasing June 2016.
Rachel says…
I am an avid reader of Rissi’s blog and I thought it would be so fun to do a cover reveal here.
Of Dubious and Questionable Memory takes Jem Watts and Merinda Herringford from Toronto to Boston, Massachusetts and to Concord! Jem is especially excited because Concord was the home of Louisa May Alcott, writer of some of her favourite stories,
including Little Women.
Unfortunately, pre-order links are not ready for this fun novella yet but keep in touch on my twitter, facebook and blog and I will keep you posted! You can also follow me on instagram!
This is the FIRST place I am sharing this cover and draft of the unfinalized cover copy so I hope you enjoy this exclusive sneak peek.
The Herringford and Watts business is never lacking clients nor mysteries of the curious and the commonplace. Lately, however,
business has been a little less curious and a little more dull: with little beyond a missing necklace and a kidnapped rooster to keep Merinda in deductive mode. Merinda may be bored stiff; but the newly married Jem welcomes the reprieve from danger and the opportunity to improve her limited domestic skills. Excitement soon arrives in a telegram from the girls’ suffragette friend Martha Kingston. Martha’s school chum Miri Winthrop was entertaining her cousin Del in historic Boston when she went missing during a day trip to Concord.Receiving no help from the authorities state-side, Miri turns to Martha who, in turn, recommends Herringford and Watts. When Merinda and Jem arrive in America, they are plunged into a world of strange affairs, purloined letters and a baffling mystery that lies in the heart of Orchard House, the homestead made famous by its long-time resident, Louisa May Alcott.
Without further ado, let’s have a look at the cover.
COVER REVEAL: HERRINGFORD AND WATTS
…Drumroll please…
Don’t you love this cover? It fits perfectly with the other novels in the series not to mention with the stories themselves. BIG thanks to Rachel for sharing her cover reveal here and with us. It was such fun! What are your thoughts on this “Cover Reveal: Herringford and Watts” book? Comment all your thoughts.
Thank you for visiting, everyone!
So 'A Singular…' is a novella that is already out and 'Of Dubious..' is a second novella before the first book? Because these sound totally awesome and I want to read them! :)
Yes, "Singular" is out now, Alyssa and "Of Dubious" releases in July. The full length novel ('Bachelor Girls Guide to Murder') releases in March, so it will arrive in-between the two novellas. They books are amazing and I hope you enjoy them. :)
Ps; if you're entering let us know an email addy/Twitter handle where Rachel can contact you. :)
YES this is soooooooo confusing. There are three novels and three novellas in the series
A Singular and Whim Problem (released)
then Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder (releases April 1)
Then Of Dubious and Questionable Memory releases in the summer! :)
I do love the covers of these books!
Hayden_Wand @twitter
As do I, Hayden. They're amazing. :)
me too! wait til you see the inside formatting. it is soo gorgeous! they did an amazing job! :)
No need to enter my name (already have my copies and pre-ordered!), but I just have to say the covers and titles to this series are perfect!! Congrats again Rachel!
Me too, Jamie; I pre-ordered this one as soon as it was available because ohmygosh! It sounds and looks amazing, plus it's one I *need* on my shelf. :)
I really hope you guys enjoy reading as much as I love writing them ! Honestly, I don't think there is an author alive who can have this much fun with their characters!
I am 100% confident I will, Rachel. These characters already have my liking them SO (so) much. They're amazing. :)
This book looks so great. Can't wait to read it regardless *buuuut* it'd be awesome to win it. LOL
mmbbg72493(at)gmail(dot)com
I know that feeling, Meghan. No matter the outcome, I hope you enjoy these – and in the meantime, BEST OF LUCK! :)
awwww shucks!!! so glad that you are excited, Meghan! Jem and Merinda cannot WAIT to meet you:)
I'm excited to read these books. I always like reading new authors and this reminds me a bit of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Yeah!
These books are ah-ma-zing, Brittaney. Or the novella is and I'm 100& sure the full length novel will follow suit. There are some Miss Fisher compliments in there – mainly in the sassy heroines. :)
YES! it's funny! They kinda have that flavour. Funny thing is, I started writing before I met Miss Fisher (and JACK!!! :) :) ) but I immediately saw similarities!!!! :D:D:D:D love that series!
Ah, I love this cover! I'm a big fan of artsy covers. I just love the little elements shown that relate to the story (like the cat on A Singular & Whimsical Problem). Speaking of, Rachel's debut novella is fabulous. I can't wait for more from Jem and Merinda!
Thank you, ladies, for the giveaway!
Ditto, Courtney (on both the covers and the story). I cannot wait to read more of Jem's and Merinda's adventures. If the novella is an indication, they're going to be many and great fun too. :)
awww thanks Courtney. Ironically, the novella-sized books are harder to write than the novels because you have to cram a lot into a short period of time. Hopefully, you did get a good sense of the characters and their world. That was the most important part to me:)
Oh, these books do sound like fun—I do love a good mystery.
Looking forward to reading this new series!
pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com
These are fun and they look it too – I mean, those covers, right!? :)
Hope you enjoy, Pam – and best of luck.
Thanks, Pam! Hope you like them :)
These stories sound FANTASTIC. Thanks for the giveaway!
blacklaceblonde at yahoo dot com
Right now my current Sherlock obsession is the upcoming BBC Sherlock episode that takes place back in the Victorian period. (!!!) I'm so excited and curious to see how the actors translate the characters into a new time- and what mystery they'll have to solve!
These stories ARE indeed fantastic, Joni. :)
OhMyGosh! I cannot wait to see this Victorian episode of Sherlock. It has no choice but to be amazing. We won't let it be anything else. :D
I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE SHERLOCK SPECIAL!! I LOVE the series but I also loooove seeing Sherlock in the Victorian era :D
First- Rissi, your graphics are amazing, as usual. Second, oh-my-goodness I *need* to read these novellas!! I've had 'The Bachelor Girls Guide to Murder' on my TBR ever since I saw it on your site…it seriously sounds like it's going to be in my top favorites of 2016! And these covers are absolutely GORGEOUS. I can't wait to read these- checking out 'A Singular and Whimsical Problem' now. :) Thanks so much, ladies, for the giveaway. So much fun!
You already know my email, but- willbakeforbooks{at}gmail{dot}com ;)
RIGHT!? These covers ARE amazing and if this novella is any indication, it's going to be a smashing series. Like you, I know "Bachelor Girl" is going to be a favorite of 2016. I just know it. :D
Best of luck.
awww Bekah! That's so nice to hear! I do hope you end up enjoying Jem and Merinda's adventures. And, if you like a dollop of romance in your books, there's definitely a few men to counterbalance my girls' mystery-solving adventures :)
I'm excited to get a hold of these books – I love mysteries, and they're even better when in historical fiction! And I have to agree with everyone – the covers are fabulous. They stand out beautifully in their simplicity yet somewhat whimsical design. Thanks for the giveaway!
rachaeldalquist AT yahoo DOT com
The covers are indeed beautiful, Rachael. I agree. And I have a good feeling the books are coving to be equally beautiful – and whimsical. :)
oh hurrah, Rachael! I so hope you enjoy them!! :)
They both sound fun! I actually love the titles – whimsical is right! Thanks for the giveaway! justcommonly(at)gmail(dot)com. Annie JC
Thank you for entering – and yes! The titles are perfectly whimsical. That's so going to be part of the story's charm. Or I suspect this to be so. :D
HURRAH! :)
Is the contest still open. Enjoying the Tv series the Nurdoch Mysteries and this sounds interesting as it takes place in Toronto as well.
Bluenichols@gmail.com
We *just* closed it! Apologies. But if you like Murdoch Mysteries, you'd enjoy this series. I do hope if you have a chance to read it that you can, because Rachel's writing and characters are fabulous. :)