An Act of Villainy

For once, Amory and Milo Ames are on the same page — virtually from the first page. Usually, Milo tries to deter his modern wife (modern for 1933 London, at any rate) from snooping, but it is Milo who allows an old chum of his, wealthy theater devotee Gerard Holloway, to saddle the couple in a mystery. Holloway is indulging himself with a play he’s scripted that he’s also directing and producing. But that’s not Holloway’s only indulgence: He’s cast his pretty blonde mistress Flora Bell in the title role of The Price of Victory. Miss Bell has been receiving threatening letters, and there’s no end of folks who wish her ill, not the least of which is the wronged wife, Georgina Holloway, a friend of Amory’s. Amory — show more naturally enough — hates the deception even if she’s intrigued by the mystery.

I won’t spoil the novel, the fifth in this fabulous series, by revealing any more; however, author Ashley Weaver has not lost her touch: sparkling dialogue, plenty of twists and a shocking ending make An Act of Villainy pure pleasure.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I received this book free from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books in return for an honest review. show less

A bucket full of meh.

It's been 5 books now, since Amory decided to take her rogue of a husband back, and frankly, I'm sick and tired of wallowing with her in her anxiety about her marriage. Trust him or don't; keep him or kick him out; fish or cut bait. I don't actually care either way, though I suspect the series would be a lot better without her lifeless husband around. That's right: the 'rogue', the ladies man apparently nobody can resist, is about as exciting as white paint.

The mystery this time around wasn't enough to distract me from the angst, as it was set in a theatre (which trope never appeals to me), and the mystery might have been clever, except it was just too ridiculous. The author set her plot for stun, but over geared show more it and overshot the mark, landing somewhere in between incredulous and you've-got-to-be-kidding-me.

It's not a bad book, it's just not a very good one either. Everything about it felt like an example of stretching a point too far. The series started strong, so this might just be the runt of the litter and the next one will improve. But I'm not rushing out to buy it.

I read this for the Halloween Bingo square Darkest London. show less

Amory Ames and her husband Milo find themselves involved with actors and the theatre when investor and writer Gerard Holloway invite them to view his latest play. They are asked to investigate the threatening letters that the leading actress Flora Bell has been receiving accumulating in a threat to kill her,
An enjoyable mystery, well-written, but I find it difficult to like the main couple in these stories.
A NetGalley Book

Another enjoyable murder mystery from Ashley Weaver, as fashionable couple Amery and Milo get involved in the death of the leading actress in a theatrical production who had been receiving threatening letters. Plenty of twists and the usual multitude of suspects - a fun, undemanding read set in the bright lights of 1930s London.

I liked the story, I pretty much like the series, but what I don't like and took one star off for was Armory's continual bitchy snide remarks to Milo about his past indiscretions. She seriously still never let's go nor misses an opportunity to let it go.... In this one manner she is a miserable rag and it wears me out!

A friend of the Ames is producing & directing a play, he is also having an affair with the leading lady, who is receiving threatening letters.

Milo & Amory are asked to investigate, but the actress refuses to call the police in.

All the actors have something to hide, the leading man is in love with the actress, there is something going on with the 2nd lead male, & the understudy is ugly.

During the gala which takes place show more immediately after the opening night performance Amory finds the actress on stage face to the curtains, hung dead by her neck.

This was a n interesting plot, one I have never come across before.... show less

Enjoyed reading this British cozy mystery book. I started with this book and want to start at book 1 in this series. Throughout the book you are trying to figure out who killed the leading lady. The wealthy investor and former actor has put together a new play and has cast his mistress Flora in the lead roll but on the opening night after a excellent performance she is found dead. In this story you are following Amory and her husband Milo while the figure out who the killer is.

This is a fun, light mystery series. This one seemed a tad long but still enjoyable.