Deb Marlowe

This series just keeps getting better and better. The first book is still my favorite, but this one is a very close second. Kara and Niall, now the Duke and Duchess of Sedwick, have come so far in their personal relationship, all while gathering a wonderful array of chosen family and friends. I always love seeing those relationships grow and change while also enjoying an intriguing and engaging mystery. In this installment, you’re left guessing the villain’s identity well into the show more story—the only thing you know for sure is who the villain is not. 😊

Kara, Niall, Harold, Turner, and Gyda are spending time in Scotland to help Gyda heal from the loss of Lord Charles. However, the letters from their young friend Beth grow more and more troubling with each new missive. When a truly dire letter arrives, the group decides to return to London to offer whatever aid they can. Unfortunately, when they arrive at the Waif’s Wardrobe—a charitable society—they discover that the murder of Beth’s friend has already taken place, and the Metropolitan Police have already decided who committed the crime. The evidence certainly makes the man appear guilty, but Kara and Niall believe him when he proclaims his innocence.

The criminal in this story is sly, wily, and very skilled at covering his tracks, giving our friends a particularly arduous task as they work to bring him to justice. Not only must they conduct a thorough investigation, but they also have to avoid Inspector Everett Frye, who thoroughly dislikes Niall. As their inquiry uncovers more and more clues, they cannot share them with Frye—he has already decided who is guilty and would simply ignore anything that contradicts his view. Instead, they enlist Inspector Wooten to act as an intermediary. Fortunately, Inspector Wooten is up to the task and even assists in the investigation where he can.

This villain is especially vile, seeing no wrong in exacting his version of “justice” on those he deems deserving—who, unfortunately, are usually young women.

I particularly enjoyed this story, especially its tantalizing ending. I cannot wait for the next book to see where these characters go. I’ve especially loved the books since Kara and Niall married, and I hope there are many more to come. I hope you’ll give this author, this series, and this book a try—they are all excellent. Happy reading! show less

Fast-paced, intriguing story about two people brought together by a blackmailer. Anna's father recently passed away, with his title going to her profligate cousin and his fortune in trust for her. She spent most of her life at their country estate while her father stayed in London. While going through her father's study, Anna discovered that he was also a blackmailer. Complicating matters is the arrival of her cousin and his friends at the estate. Not satisfied with just the title, he wants show more Anna's fortune and is willing to do anything to get it.

When Elliott learns a family member is a victim of a blackmailer, he vows to retrieve the offending documents. Disguised as a servant, Elliott is searching the Earl's study when he encounters Anna. They join forces to find the papers. They are shocked to discover that even the infamous Mrs. Dove-Lyon was one of the Earl's victims. She offers to find Anna a husband in exchange for the return of those documents.

Anna and Elliott discover that one of the men at her cousin's house party is tracking her. They work together to find out why and grow closer in the process. Elliott wants to protect Anna from harm while trying to hide his feelings for her. He feels he is in no position to offer for her. Meanwhile, Anna's feelings about marriage change when she realizes that Elliott is one of the few good men in London. But can she overcome his fears?

The ending was intense as matters with the blackmail documents came to a head in a nail-biting confrontation. There was a twist to the ending that I didn't see coming but probably should have, given Mrs. Dove-Lyon's involvement. show less

This author normally writes historical romance – and does a great job of it – but I think she missed her calling because she does an outstanding job with historical mysteries as well. The author has captured the complexities of the time, the excitement of the Great Exhibition, and the mysticism of a Druidic society along with characters who are so much more than they seem on the outside. Kara is wealthy, independent, artistic, talented, and more than capable of taking care of herself and show more Niall is handsome, large, brooding, artistic, protective, and filled with secrets he cannot reveal. OMGoodness – what a team they make!

In the first book of the series, we met a number of members of the Order of Druidic Bards. The order studies and preserves the old ways – old manuscripts, old musical instruments, etc. In the opening scene of this book, Kara is inducted into the Order along with one other person, Miss Janet Ottridge. Kara is welcomed into the Order with smiles and open arms, but the other woman – not so much. Kara wonders at the differences in their welcomes and realizes that there is something ‘off’ about the whole thing with Janet. Each new member must perform some ‘task’ that shows their understanding and preservation interests. While Kara’s was creative and lovely, Janet’s was strange and hinted at dire things to come. So, when Janet dies an unnatural death, the police are immediately suspicious of the Order – particularly Magistrate Towland. Kara and Niall know the kindhearted magistrate isn’t guilty and since he was instrumental in helping Kara prove her innocence (in the last book), they’ll do all they can to prove his innocence this time.

I love the way Kara and Niall work together, each playing to their own strengths. They have total respect and trust in each other and work together like a well-oiled machine. Though the victim is not a savory person, Kara and Niall want to find justice for her. When the murderer is revealed, you’ll be surprised, but you’ll also wonder (just a bit) if maybe he/she should have gotten away with it.

During the investigation, we learn a bit more about Niall’s past – not much – just enough to whet our appetites for the third and final book of the series. You are left wondering what in the world could be in his past that causes him so much danger now – especially when he was not the one who did something wrong. I can hardly wait to find out.

The mystery is excellently crafted and delivered as is the subplot involving Niall and his secrets. There are also some lovely poignant scenes between Kara and Niall that make you wonder how the two will ever overcome all of the obstacles in the way of their HEA.

I can definitely recommend this excellently written, nicely paced mystery. I would also like to petition Dragonblade Publishing to extend the contract on this series to include more books. I’d love to have more of Kara and Niall to look forward to.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

Yet another outstanding entry into this author’s cozy mystery series, The Kier and Levett Mysteries. It has the perfect balance of mystery and romance and will keep you glued to your chair throughout. If you read the last book, you will know there was a shocking revelation about Niall’s parentage. Well, there is a shocking revelation in this book as well, but I won’t tell you what it is – you’ll just have to read it to see.

Josie Lowe, who helped save Niall’s bacon when he was show more captured by those nasty League men weeks ago, now needs saving. Josie’s riveting voice has been pulling patrons into the Rogues Hideaway for a while now and when she sings, the audience is rapt. They love her, and her wealthy patron, Mr. Frederick Cole, attends every performance. However, things change swiftly when, directly after her performance, Mr. Cole dies of poisoning and Josie is arrested for his murder.

With his ruthless business practices, Mr. Cole had no shortage of enemies, but would they be willing to kill? One of them must have because it surely wasn’t Josie. Could it be the wife who isn’t grieving at all? Perhaps it was the business partners whom he had made insanely rich, but who wanted more/different things? Could it be his illegitimate son who owns the Rogues Hideaway? With his acerbic personality, it could be anyone in London!

Kara and Niall have their work cut out for them when it comes to solving the mystery – but what of their romance? Well, Kara is ready to go forward, but Niall is still dragging his feet. Not that he doesn’t love Kara and wants to marry her – NO – it is that after the revelations about his parentage, he is afraid there may be reprisals against him and he doesn’t want anyone coming after Kara. So, no wedding in this book and I’m beginning to think there is a ‘no wedding’ theme here. 😊 I’m sure they’ll marry – I’m just not sure when. Do you realize Kara will become Kara Kier when they marry? Try saying that name quickly several times without putting a smile on your face. 😊 It sort of sounds medicinal, doesn't it? :)

I would love it if this became a long-running series, but that is up to the author and the publisher. I do wish they would get on with the wedding though as I would love to see them work on cases as a married couple and see how the dynamics of that relationship will work. I’d also like to see some stories where Niall’s past isn’t an issue woven throughout. However – none of that keeps me from absolutely loving the series. The writing is excellent, the mystery is engrossing and will keep you guessing, and we get to know the characters better and better with each new entry. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series – Carnage From The Cursed Crown. Oh! Doesn’t that sound exciting?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less