Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The Anatomist’s Wife (Lady Darby Mystery, Book One): Anna Lee Huber


Scotland, 1830.  Following the death of her husband, Lady Kiera Darby has taken refuge at her sister’s estate, finding solace in her passion for painting.  But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

 

“Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the houseguests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage—a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent.  While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn’t about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.  When their search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges her to give up their inquiry.  But Kiera is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…”

 

This book was another Pinterest find and I devoured it in the matter of a couple of days on my vacation (I read a lot…).  I wish I’d had the opportunity to do some of my RAIR (reviewing as I read) process, but, alas, my memory will have to serve here.

 

I’ve been on a bit of a kick with new genres/authors/subjects and this one looked right up my alley—especially with my tendency as of late to be drawn toward anything remotely Sherlock-esque (just take a look at my Pinterest account).  I was right.  This book was AMAZING!  Anyone who even spares a glance at my reading history will instantly realize that I gear toward period books (specifically 1800s Great Britain).  Not only was the setting perfect for my tastes, but I have a think for quirky, intelligent female leads.  What I didn’t expect to find was a very palpable romantic undercurrent—what a pleasant surprise!!!  This made the book perfect for someone with similar tastes to mine, but wants to branch out into other genres (it’s a good “segue”).

 

There are murder and intrigue, tension and mystery, elegantly crafted settings and vibrant characters.  There’s a rich backstory which seamlessly collides with the present setting of the book, creating powerful clashes and intense tension.  Kiera, herself, is an extremely strong character—an excellent female lead.  She is witty and fiery, all while retaining something uniquely feminine that one would expect of a well-bred woman of this era.  She’s also extremely talented and intelligent, things which other guests at the house party overlook in favor of their own prejudices.  She navigates their malice and suspicion with enough strength and determination to make any reader proud.  Her sister and brother-in-law are well-developed, excellent secondary characters.  Amidst the turmoil following the murder of one of their houseguests, they suffer their own concerns and fears, which is a good part of Kiera’s intense determination to solve the mystery (along with her understandable desire to clear her own name).

 

We are first introduced to Gage as a handsome rake of a houseguest whom Kiera looks down upon for his dissolute ways and—seeming—claim to fame while riding his father’s coattails as a prominent investigator.  Along with Kiera, we soon learn that not all of the hype is for naught.  While Kiera assists in the investigation, the two of them come to an uneasy truce of sorts, both of them bringing their own set of talents, knowledge, and strengths to the table.  It turns out that Gage is not quite who Kiera expects him to be.  Were this a “traditional romance novel,” he would be considered the male lead; however, this is not your average book and it’s not your average story.  The narrative style lends to a certain sense of mystery about Gage and the other characters and this was a refreshing point of view.  It keeps the tension (both romantic and otherwise) very high and makes it nearly impossible to put this book down.  The attraction between Gage and Kiera becomes nearly as palpable as another person in the room as they work together to solve the gruesome crime.

 

All of this is set against a stunningly crafted backdrop of the Highlands.  Kiera’s sister’s home is a beautiful castle nestled in the striking wilds of Scotland; the characters are surrounded by the natural beauty and wonder of the place, lending an air of beauty to an otherwise rather dark novel.  I appreciate very little more than I do a good setting and this book certainly delivered.  For me, at least, the mark of a good book is one where I become utterly immersed in the setting, characters, and plot.  A bad or boring setting will only throw the veil off of the imagination (perhaps even more so when the narrator is first-person; there’s nothing more difficult when one cannot picture herself in the narrator’s shoes).

 

I absolutely, wholeheartedly recommend this book.  It’s a mystery filled with intrigue, gruesome murder, and nefarious plots, all with twists and turns that kept me guessing.  The setting and the characters really make this story something special.  While it’s absolutely a mystery, there’s definitely enough romance in it for someone looking for a bit of a different dimension to this genre (or for someone like me who is more used to reading romance than mystery and needs a way to help her “branch out.”)  This is a period mystery with all the tension and drama one could hope for.  I am tickled pink that there are more books in this series and I’m looking forward to seeing more of Lady Darby and Gage.

 

Side Note:  I didn’t realize it when I picked up this book to pack away for my vacation that Huber resides in Nashville, Tennessee.  This just so happens to be where I went on my vacation, so it seemed rather apropos.  What a happy coincidence!

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