February 3rd's Friday Post

Thanks to my vacation, it's been a few weeks since I did a Friday post, but I need to fix that.  I will be linking up to:

Book Beginnings
First Line Friday
Friday 56
Book Blogger Hop

This week, I will be pulling teasers for the first three from Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings.

This is the first in a new historical series set in 1885 England.  It's got an interesting premise, the person behind a newspaper advice columnist solving murders.

And here's how the book begins:

It should be known from the beginning, I am no flibbertigibbet. Nor am I inclined to the sorts of vapors which often envelop my half sister Sephora and cause her to swoon—usually when there is an attractive young man in the vicinity to offer assistance.

This sets a bit of a fun tone for the book.  However, things take an interesting turn at the 56% point in my eARC.

It was hard to come up with a plausible fiction to explain my presence so I opted for the truth. “I’ve come about your husband,” I told her. 

Marguerite’s bottom lip trembled, her knees gave way. She sank down upon the sofa. “Reggie? Why? He’s been dead these five years now.”

I'll leave you to discover why Violet, our narrator, is asking about someone who died five years ago.

I finished the book while I was on vacation, and I really enjoyed it.  It's official release day is next Tuesday, but I'll be reviewing it on Monday.

Meanwhile, let's do this week's Book Blogger Hop.  I had to make sure I did it since this week's question was one I had submitted.

What was your favorite genre to read a child? Do you still read that genre, or do you read something else now?

You'd think since I submitted this, I'd have a good, short answer ready to go.  I don't.  So we are going to get the long, rambling answer.

In third grade, I actually stopped reading the first Hardy Boys book I'd picked up (The Secret of the Caves) when I got hooked on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  That's right, I set down a mystery for fantasy.  Of course, I did get hooked on the Hardys a couple of years later.

As a kid, I read more of everything.  Some of my favorite books from childhood were more real life like Beverly Cleary or science fiction/fantasy.  However, I still read plenty of mysteries like Encyclopedia Brown, The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Trixie Belden.

It wasn't until I'd been out of college for a couple of years that I started reading more mystery than anything else.  And, obviously, that's where I am today.

So I'd say I don't know that I had a favorite genre as a kid, but I did read mystery back then.  Looks like I did have a short answer after all.

I'm looking forward to reading everyone's answers!

Have a great weekend.