What Angels Fear (Sebastian St. Cyr Mysery, Book One): C. S. Harris

"The year is 1811.  As old King George III sinks deeper into madness, and the threat of social unrest and revolution haunts the privileged classes, a beautiful young woman is found raped and savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient parish church not far from Westminster Abbey.  An ornate dueling pistol discovered tangled in the blood-soaked folds of Rachel York's cloak and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man, Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars.  When a vicious attack during his arrest leaves a constable near death, Sebastian must run for his life.

"Now a fugitive, Sebastian calls upon his experience as an agent during the war to embark on a desperate quest to catch a brutal killer and prove his own innocence.  Ranging from the glittering ballrooms and sedate salons of Mayfair to the squalid back alleys and fetid churchyards of St. Giles, Sebastian accumulates a band of unlikely allies, including a street urchin named Tom, an opium-eating Irish doctor, and a lovely but mysterious actress who calls herself Kat Boleyn.  Years ago, Kat broke Sebastian's heart.  Now she may hold the key to his salvation -- or doom him to destruction.

"For as he plunges into a world of intrigue and espionage, Sebastian discovers that Rachel York was more than what she seemed.  When the twisted path leads from a French spymaster to a Machiavellian power broker, and from there to the future Prince Regent, Sebastian begins to realize that Rachel's death holds ominous implications not only for Sebastian's own family, but also for the future of the British monarchy.

"Seamlessly weaving historical fact and an intimate knowledge of the period with a multilayered and compelling story, What Angels Fear is a stunning fiction debut by a powerful new master of mystery and suspense."

I stumbled across a later installation of this series on the New Release shelf at my local library.  Anyone who reads this blog knows I've been on a bit of a mystery/suspense kick as of late, and I particularly favor period mysteries.  This one fit in perfectly.  To my surprise, my local library actually had the first book in the St. Cyr series and I very much looked forward to cracking it open.  I was hoping that it would be a captivating blend of murder-mystery and period drama; I was not left disappointed.

Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, is implicated in the gruesome murder of a young actress in a church.  He's known to have some strange characteristics and abilities, making people suspicious of the young lord newly returned from the violence of the Napoleonic battlefields.  Perhaps the horrors of war have scarred him too deeply to allow him to walk freely amongst the people of London.  With the impending announcement of the Regency, England is uneasy and wary of any nobleman who might get away with such a violent, twisted crime.  There are calls for Devlin's blood and he does the only thing he can do:  He runs.  Though he knows the timeline for the murder is impossible -- he's entirely innocent of any such crime on English soil -- no one believes him.  And matters are only made worse when the unfortunate injury of a constable during Devlin's arrest appears to mark him as the violent animal everyone believes him to be.  Calling upon his skills attained on the Continent from his time spent as a spy for the British cause, as well as his unnatural physical abilities, Devlin manages to evade capture as he doggedly sets out to prove his innocence and seek justice for the slain young woman.

What Devlin does not expect to uncover is the complex web of lies and alliances, the network of political subterfuge, and the multitude of pawns in play on the intricate board that is Europe during the early nineteenth century.  Each fact he discovers seems only to reveal more questions, leading him down yet another wending path with blind turns and danger as his only companion.  Along the way, Devlin realizes that his family is more involved in the scandal than he originally believed.  Still, he remains determined to uncover the truth, even if it means the ruin of the St. Cyr name.

Along the way, we meet a band of lively characters.  The undercurrent of romantic tension with Kat Boleyn was a pleasant and tense layer to this multifaceted story.  The history between them is complicated, to say the least -- each of them extremely stubborn.  Devlin knows Kat has connections and skills which could very well save his life; however, he doesn't know the dark secrets Kat must withhold even from the man she secretly loves.  Though Devlin suspects she's somehow embroiled in the complex web, he has no idea just how deep the connection runs.  And Kat will do everything she can to keep it that way.  Tom is a street urchin Devlin meets when the boy tries to pick his pocket at an inn shortly after Devlin's initial escape from custody.  The boy has remarkable skill and drive, lending an air of complexity to his character.  He has a deep sense of loyalty and a seemingly endless supply in the belief that the truth triumphs, despite the hints that his past has proven anything but.  His sense of humor and quick wit lend levity to an otherwise dark and heavy plot.  Though Devlin resists at first, he quickly learns that Tom can come in handy.  Even with Devlin's skills and abilities, Tom has a way with people and a knowledge of the streets which Devlin puts to very good use.  Tom even manages to help Devlin out of a few close calls along the way.  In addition to these very prominent secondary characters (though Kat is a bit more complex than a simple "secondary character" because several chapters are, indeed, from her point of view), Devlin encounters several others whom liven up the plot and aid him in his search for the true killer.  His old friend, an opium-addicted doctor from the war, uses his medical knowledge to clarify the facts of Rachel's death, revealing truths which reveal hidden motives and startlingly grim truths about the murderer.  Devlin even forms a connection with a well-dressed grave robber, an expert at procuring bodies for medical and...personal...purposes.  Along with these men come a bevy of possible suspects ranging from Devlin's own family to those in the higher echelons of the monarchy; a Frenchman in exile who is more than he appears; an Italian artist with remarkable talent and a fascination with the beautiful dead woman.  Readers are left guessing almost until the very last chapter who is responsible for Rachel's death.

Harris weaves together an intricate fictional storyline with historical and political fact.  The settings are remarkably detailed and vivid, revealing the truly ugly sides of nineteenth century London.  Even with the filth and grime, there's a morbid beauty in these descriptions of London which call to mind the glorious poems of William Blake (see his works "London" and "The Chimney-Sweeper" for excellent examples, if you're interested -- I can absolutely see echoes of Blake's work here).  The marked differences between the suffering of the people and the privilege of the aristocracy are made painfully blatant in this book, adding notes of reality to the plot.  This is, perhaps, one of the things which pulled me in the most.  There were no romanticized depictions here, only harsh, bleak realism.  This was a very different approach than what I am used to when reading period fiction and I, for one, appreciated it, especially because it was handled so artfully.  I felt transported; sometimes in a way which made me uncomfortable.  It was a new sensation which, to be honest, made me start and stop a few times within the first half of the book.  The delay in my reading had nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the interesting nature of the story, and everything to do with the fact that it made me think and it made me experience emotions I'm not necessarily accustomed to when reading.  These ended up being what make this story so special.  The story is violent and dark, twisted and mysterious.  It's not going to be a book for everyone, but, man, does it end up being an exciting, thought-provoking read.

Devlin was a fantastic lead.  A lot of the mystery/suspense books I've read lately are told from the first-person; I ended up enjoying the fact that this book was not.  It's a format I'm more used to and I find that I'm more drawn to a narrator who is more removed from the story -- I don't always want to feel like "I" am the main character because it can sometimes read a little bit like a Fanfiction.  It was very interesting to see the way in which his mind worked and to experience his abilities as we do.  At first, I thought his yellow eyes, heightened senses and reflexes were a bit over-the-top (more like the author was attempting to create a cool, superhero-like main character than one who was realistic, which felt slightly out of place in the hyper-realistic setting), but I was very pleasantly surprised to discover in the Author's Note that Devlin's abilities and physical attributes are part of a very real genetic mutation (I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff).  This made me appreciate him all the more and it turned a once-unbelievable main character (though cool, nonetheless) into one who was perfectly suited for the life of a spy and to get himself out of what appears to be a hopeless and impossible situation.

As this book is the first in a series, the conclusion sets up the possibility for more adventures.  It also leaves a great deal of unanswered questions about the heavily-guarded secrets of Devlin's family history -- things for which some would be willing to pay dearly and others would do anything to protect.  With his drive and talents, I think Devlin makes a captivating main character and I really am looking forward to seeing where the series takes him.

While the story took me a few days to really get into (which I've already explained above), the plot moved at an excellent clip and contained so many twists and turns that I was often left spinning, just like Devlin.  I was invested in his search for the murderer, and I desperately wanted to see him clear his name.  The subplot of his complicated romance with Kat was an excellent touch and really fleshed him out.  It gave him a rich backstory even more intricate than his just having an uneasy relationship with his surviving family members, and the fascinating time he spent at war.  The hints of PTSD were a realistic touch to his character.  Devlin is strong and unique, but not infallible.

I will reiterate that this book will not be for everyone.  Like most murder-mysteries, it has some very intense violence and grim themes.  The vivid writing style, however, can make this even more disturbing to some readers, so I will caution you if you're weak of stomach or have an averse reaction to such things.  This is not a happy book on any level, but it is a fascinating one.  It keeps you guessing, it makes you think, and you don't see the end coming until it practically slaps you across the face.  Kudos to an author who managed to hide the truth from me for about 300 pages -- this is no easy feat.  I hope the same can be said of the other books in this series.  Another part of what makes this book so masterful is the fact interwoven with the fiction.  Harris is an accomplished scholar and it is certainly apparent in her knowledge of the time period in which this book is set.  I recommend this book to those with a strong continence, a love of intrigue, an admiration for strong male leads who have a soft spot for a strong woman, and who enjoy more than a little suspenseful mystery.  I'm sure you'll be seeing more of Devlin in reviews to come.

Mortal Arts (Lady Darby Mystery, Book Two): Anna Lee Huber

"Scotland, 1830.  Lady Kiera Darby is no stranger to intrigue--in fact, it seems to follow her wherever she goes.  After her foray into murder investigation, Kiera must journey to Edinburgh with her family so that her pregnant sister can be close to proper medical care.  But the city is full of many things Kiera isn't quite ready to face:  the society ladies keen on judging her, her fellow investigator--and romantic entanglement--Sebastian Gage, and ultimately, another deadly mystery.




"Kiera's old friend Michael Dalmay is about to be married, but the arrival of his older brother--and Kiera's childhood art tutor--William, has thrown everything into chaos.  For ten years Will has been missing, committed to an insane asylum by his own father.  Kiera is sympathetic to her mentor's plight, especially when rumors swirl about a local girl gone missing.  Now Kiera must once again employ her knowledge of the macabre and join forces with Gage in order to prove the innocence of a beloved family friend--and save the marriage of another..."




I was thrilled to find that my local library carried the second book in this series.  I'd initially begun to read another, but it's on loan from another location and the due date is fast approaching.  Rather than get too entrenched in a book I knew I'd have to return well before I was finished with it, I made the decision to, instead, pick up this book.  The first in this series was so wonderful and exciting that I came into this reading with very high hopes and expectations.  Though I'm only a few chapters in thus far, I have to admit that I am not disappointed in the least.  The vivid descriptions and very realistic characters remain.  We're introduced to the Dalmay family and the dark secret they've been hiding -- which also happens to be particularly poignant and relevant even though the plot takes place almost 200 years ago.  I'm looking forward to seeing what this book has in store and experiencing all of the twists and turns along with Kiera.




***


I'm nearly halfway through this book and I can safely say it's just as enthralling as the first book in this series.  I'm so happy I stumbled upon Huber in my endless Pinterest search for unique reading material.  I am still very much enjoying the complicated, simmering dynamic between Gage and Kiera.  The plot, itself, is filled with tension, mystery, secrets, and intrigue.  As with the first book, the setting really breathes life into this story.  Huber has made Scotland into a stunningly beautiful backdrop as wild and fascinating as her characters.  By contrast, the scenes which take place indoors are artfully crafted and really draw me in.  I love a rich setting and Huber has not disappointed.


There are already a great many layers to the conflict and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all plays out.  There are a number of characters involved -- similar to the first -- and I have a huge amount of anticipation for what lies around the next corner.  I can't wait to see what shocks Huber has in store.




***


I finished this book over the past weekend and I ended up flying through the remaining chapters.  There were indeed the twist and turns I suspected from another Lady Darby Mystery.  The simmering romance between Gage and Kiera -- while not the main plot (this is not technically a romance novel) -- is a delicious bit of underlying tension further complicating an already very serious situation.  Their banter is quick, displaying the depth of both of their intelligence, and their companionship is extremely enjoyable.  I'm impressed with how Huber has managed to create such a subtle thread of romance and so successfully continued it from one book to the next; continuing it in such a way that it's not in the forefront, and yet, readers devour it with anticipation.  It adds another note of tension to an already tense book.


The progression of this mystery is quite artful.  We are drawn into the story by our history with Kiera, her family, and Gage; however, we remain captivated by the depth and uniqueness of the plot.  I will admit that I was hoping this wouldn't turn into an episode of "Scooby Doo" where the plot is extremely similar, only the face of the villain has changed (e.g. there was another gathering of guests at a house and Kiera and Gage had to sort through a bunch of possible perpetrators in order to find the true villain).  As soon as we become more aware of the plot and prominent characters, we learn just how unique the plot really is.  Huber deals with some VERY heavy topics and, I feel, writes with a blunt eloquence which accurately displays the tragedy of Will's situation.  I couldn't help but feel a great deal of empathy for him, even when some of the evidence began to point in his direction.  To me, he was the very definition of a tortured soul.


I suspected the villain and "nefarious plot" about halfway through the book; the fact that Huber kept me enthralled and wanting to confirm my supposition is wonderful.  There were still some twists and turns to keep me on my toes.  I'm a particularly careful reader, so I don't think everyone will come to the same early conclusions that I read.  Huber writes as I believe a mystery writer should (though I don't profess to be a very seasoned writer of this genre):  She reveals just enough that a reader is engaged in discovering the clues right alongside the characters, but a very observant reader just might be able to make some educated guesses a bit earlier on.  This makes for a very engaging, rewarding read.


I won't give away the ending, but I will say that we're left with just enough of a tantalizing hanger that I'm extremely excited to pick up the next in this series.  The setting is going to change and I look forward to seeing how Gage comes back into Kiera's life...and what dangers lie ahead.  I am absolutely in love with this series.  It's a brilliant "bridge" for any reader curious about making the transition from romance to mystery, or even the other way around.  The period setting is fantastic for anyone drawn to this era of romance novels.  The characters are passionate, intelligent, fiery, unique, and lively.  The plots are captivating.  The undercurrent of romance between Kiera and Gage is fantastic and, while important, doesn't overtake the main plot of the story.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Lady of Conquest (Brides of Legend, Book Two): Teresa Medeiros UPDATED

 “He is called Conn of the Hundred Battles, the warrior-king who forged a nation from a land of isolated clans.  As High King of Ireland, he rides with the legendary Fianna, his elite band of warriors.  But a threat to the throne looms from a mysterious scourge who has vanquished several of Conn’s bravest warriors.  Conn rides out alone to face a seemingly invincible foe, never expecting that he will confront a grief-maddened hellcat with emerald eyes and hair like liquid flame….

 

“Wielding a sword called Vengeance, Gelina O Monaghan has sworn to defeat the man she holds responsible for her family’s ruin.  She never dreamed she’d be bested by him in combat…and lose her heart in the bargain.  Their forbidden passion will become a private war fought with swords and kisses, promises and betrayal—and surrender will be only the beginning….”

 

In addition to this being yet another book I finished on my vacation (believe it or not, it was only a week long), this is another re-read of a book I read quite some time ago; the original review can be found HERE.  Everyone here knows I’m a fan of Teresa Medeiros, but reading this book again only solidified my belief that I absolutely lean toward her newer works than her older ones.  Much like the first book in this duo, Shadows and Lace (the original review for which can be found HERE and the updated review can be found HERE), I didn’t end up a huge fan.  In hindsight, I think this was due in large part to the era in which these books were penned (thank you 1990s).  These books both had volatile, controlling relationships between the male and female leads.  There is a great deal of violence in this book -- yes, that includes violence Conn directs toward Gelina; yes, that includes physical violence.  I don't condone this in anyway, but I can see why it was a part of this story.  It, essentially, stayed true to the role Conn would have played during this time period, as well as the social mores of this era.  He was expected to be physically powerful and probably wouldn't have thought too much about demonstrating that power in a physical way.  That being said, here's a bit of a SPOILER:  There is a rape scene.  As a matter of fact, nearly all of the physical encounters between Conn and Gelina are rape-ish.  It feels so much less romantic.  There's a fine line between a male lead being powerful and breathtakingly masculine and being a brute to caves to his baser, more violent desires.  He ends up using sex as a weapon, and I found this a bit off-putting.  I noted it in my original review ten years ago (wow...I can't believe it's been that long), but this time around it made the story a bit of a struggle at times.  I chose not to re-read my original review prior to picking up this book again and I'm glad I didn't because it probably would have made me hesitant to read it.  END SPOILER

I liked Conn in the beginning; he seemed to be a good man and a good king.  He was powerful when he needed to be and merciful when necessary.  I would, however, have liked to see his perspective a bit more -- especially near the beginning of the story after we meet Gelina.  As soon as we start seeing Gelina's perspective, she seems to sort of overtake the narrative.  (This happened in Shadows and Lace, as well.)  I think it would have helped me to understand his motivations and appreciate his mercy a little bit better.  We discover that Gelina knew Conn when she was a child and how she admired him, but we don't really get to see those memories from Conn.  As the story progresses, I liked Conn less and less.  His desire for Gelina (a young woman who was supposed to be his ward) was powerful and consuming, but it takes him a painfully long time to accept his feelings.  When I say painful, I mean it.  I think this was because I didn't quite understand his hesitation.  She wasn't related to him in anyway and she was certainly putting out vibes that she was attracted to him and loved him.  He mentions the difference in age between them, but I don't think that should have been as big a deal as it was made out to be.  Then again, we're not given any good clues as to Conn's age (we find out pretty early on that Gelina is about sixteen) until nearly the end of the book.  By this time, a few years have passed and she's somewhere around eighteen or nineteen and I guess that he's about thirty-six.  There's such a big fuss over their ages, but in Ninth Century Ireland, I don't think it would have been as big a deterrent as Conn made it out to be.  Perhaps he was just making excuses and being stubborn?  (Again, a similar thing happened in Shadows and Lace.  Are we seeing some trends here?)

Gelina is as feisty as I remember.  She's brave -- if a bit rash -- and strong-willed enough to survive the had she's been dealt and to live in Conn's court beneath his oft-wavering moods and loyalties.  This was probably one of the most frustrating things because (since we see so much of her perspective, we know just how much she cares for Conn.  To see his lack of faith and trust in her is difficult to witness.  There was a cyclical pattern to her relationship with Conn (again, see Shadows and Lace).  Because the story is dragged out across several years instead of a snippet in the characters' lives, there is ample opportunity for them to fight/have a falling out/Gelina runs away or is sent away/Conn goes and retrieves her.  This happens more than a couple of times.  This certainly ups the dramatic tension, but it left me wanting more development of Conn and Gelina’s relationship.  All that time apart (for various reasons) can create bittersweet longing, but you also lose all of the closeness the characters could have been developing in the meantime.  Not to mention it hurt my opinion of Conn that he would have such little faith in Gelina.  I totally get that the circumstances of their meeting were less than ideal and he would have been well within his rights to kill her, but years have passed without her betraying him.  Cut the girl some slack!

As usual, there were some colorful secondary characters who really served to develop the plot and show us a side of Conn and Gelina that would have otherwise remained hidden.  The best example of this is Nimbus.  He was funny, witty, and irreverent.  While he got s little bit goofy at times, I enjoyed him nonetheless.  He provided a good outlet for Gelina’s childlike wonder and allowed Conn to have a sense of humor.  He also happens to become the source of one of the greatest conflicts between Gelina and Conn, though I won’t give this plot twist away.

Having a tangible villain in Eagon was a wise choice because it gave the story an outside source of conflict other than just what existed between Conn and Gelina.  It helped to place their story within a much larger framework of history, which is something I really appreciate.  Medeiros does this in some of her other books and, being the British history nerd that I am, I appreciate this touch.

In all, this was a well-written book (I always appreciate her writing style) and her descriptions of the scenery and characters are vivid and really help me escape into her books.  There were, of course, aspects of this particular story that I didn’t care for and this book will not be for everyone.  It’s a long read (though it only took me a few days) due to the timespan over which it takes place, though it’s interesting to see Gelina grow and change over the years.  Parts of it are frustrating (why can’t Conn just give into his feelings already?!) but other parts are tender.  There are moments of violence which literally made me cringe, but I persevered.  As part of a body of work, I recommend reading this book – even if you’re only curious to see how Medeiros has changed and developed her style over the years.  The comparison is a very interesting one.  This book was not really my favorite, but I am glad that I re-read it.

Hello Stranger (The Ravenels, Book Four): Lisa Kleypas

“A woman who defies her time

 

“Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one?  Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now.  Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery.

 

“A man who breaks every rule

 

“As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett.  Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet.  When the mission goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett’s skill and courage to save him.  As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he’s ever known.”

 

This is yet another book I took with me on my vacation (hence the quick succession of these reviews).  This is the newest installment in the series and I think I may have enjoyed it the most.

 

We were introduced to Garrett in two of the other books (if memory serves me) and she was always portrayed as cool, calm, intelligent, and no-nonsense.  It was nice to see another side of her in what is truly her love story.  I had a feeling Ethan would be her counterpart based on a few of their interactions in other plotlines, and I was certainly not disappointed.  I’ve said it before and I’m sure I will say it a thousand times more, but I love a strong female lead.  Garrett fit the bill.  Sometimes, female characters will tend to soften overmuch when they find their “missing piece,” but Garrett, in my opinion, remained strong throughout.  I admire her dedication to her craft, her father, and her desire to maintain the intense persona she’s created, despite the opposition she faces.  She can be a bit abrupt and abrasive, but that ends up making her unique and, dare I say, even a little bit charming.  I enjoyed getting to learn more about her background and how she came to be the woman she is (and I appreciate her even more because Kleypas based her off of a real woman).  The depth of emotion Ethan felt was, I think, one of the things that really made this book special.  He was so clearly in love with Garrett and had been for some time.  He found her beautiful, but he admired her for so much more than just her looks.  His life was terribly difficult and it made him unforgiving in some ways, but he didn’t lose all of his humanity.  He and Garrett save one another in so many different ways and on so many levels.  They turn out to be excellent counterbalances in their own unconventional ways.  Their banter is amusing and we really get to see their relationship blossom in such a fun way.

 

Through it all, there’s an ominous undercurrent of a political and terrorist plot which Ethan knows he might give his life to stop.  Though he resists dragging Garrett into this underworld, she is determined not to let him go—not when she fought so hard to let him into her life.  They are continually drawn to one another like magnets; though they may separate, they will inevitably collide once more.  And when they do, sparks will most certainly fly.

 

Ethan’s relationship with the Ravenels changes completely when he’s in his most desperate time of need and this truly allows West to shine.  Always a secondary character, he’s a prominent male Ravenel and a reformed London lush.  He has a fantastic sense of humor and provides an endless source of amusement and acerbic wit.  (To be honest, I enjoyed him far more than I did his elder brother in the first book in the series.)  We really get to see a lot of him in this book and I think that helped Ethan to come around more to the Ravenel side of his heritage.  There were some hints about a mysterious love interest for West and I sincerely hope that this is true and that his book is the next one I have to look forward to.

 

As always, Kleypas writes with a certain elegance and wit which mark her books with a unique voice.  Both the settings and the characters are vibrant and lively.  The romance is filled with exquisite tension and longing.  Again, this is probably my favorite book in the series, so it only stands to reason that I recommend it.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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!

The Children Act: Ian McEwan

"Fiona Maye is a leading High Court judge who presides over cases in the family court.  She is renowned for her fierce intelligence, exactitude, and sensitivity.  Bur her professional success belies private sorrow and domestic strife.  There is the lingering regret of her childlessness, and now her marriage of thirty years is in crisis.

"At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case:  Adam, a beautiful seventeen-year-old boy, is refusing for religious reasons the medical treatment that could save his life, and his devout parents echo his wishes.  Time is running out.  Should the secular court overrule sincerely expressed faith?  In the course of reaching a decision, Fiona visits Adam in the hospital -- an encounter that stirs long-buried feelings in her and powerful new emotions in the boy.  Her judgement has momentous consequences for them both."

This is the second book I've read by Ian McEwan, Atonement being the first.  Though I read that book back in 2014, I still recall McEwan's lyrical, artistic style -- quintessential modern British literature (and Modern British Literature happened to be the course for which Atonement had been assigned); I knew the possibilities and depth into which I was about to dive with this book.  It's fairly short (there aren't even 250 pages in the hardcover printing), but the amount of emotion indecision McEwan was able to cram into a book of this length was astounding.  I expected to like it, but I didn't expect to find it so easy to read or so moving.

Fiona is a brilliant judge and some of the cases she hears are impossible.  I realize this is fiction, but I'm sure some of those situations do make appearances in real courts from time to time -- maybe even more often than we realize.  It's no wonder her marriage had become so strained.  If I was emotionally drained from reading about her life, I can only imagine what someone in her position would feel like, having lived it.  The strains upon her relationship and her husband's restlessness were written in a remarkably realistic fashion.  He wasn't crucified, but nor was Fiona.  I found myself wanting to hate him for what he did, but Fiona's vacillations muddied the waters brilliantly.

Adam felt alive.  I should have guessed the illness was leukemia from the cover art on the book, but I didn't.  Leukemia has touched my family in a very personal way.  I was not around to experience it first-hand, I found McEwan's descriptions revealing a side of the disease of which I was unaware.  It made me nauseous, but only for its powerful reality; his ability to describe the illness and the side effects of the treatments in a way that was (oddly) both clinical and moving at the same time.  Adam lives in an impossible world.  On the cusp of manhood, he clings to the life he has always known, but he really is still just a boy -- a talented, brilliant, remarkable, boy.  Leukemia turns his world on its ear and calls into question his core beliefs and that of his family.  Any decision Fiona makes will alter his life forever.  The eloquence and rationality with which Adam and his family explain and support their religious beliefs really makes this book readable.  I was worried that there would be screaming matches and religious soapboxes, but I can appreciate their points (even if I do not necessarily agree with them).  This was probably one of the greatest achievements in this book.

The ending of the book felt very true to what I know of McEwan's storytelling.  He gives rays of hope, but mixes them with healthy doses of poignant sadness.

Overall, I found the book to be a moving story very relevant to today's climate (I won't get into debates here, but a quick Google search should assuage your curiosity).  There were moments where I wasn't sure of some of the procedures and/or terminology (the law is different on this side of the pond), but I managed to figure them out.  The pacing was excellent and it flowed extremely well.  This was a very quick read that packed a powerful punch.

Royal Affairs--A Lusty Romp Throughout the Extramarital Adventures That Rocked the British Monarchy: Leslie Carroll

"INSATIABLE KINGS. LECHEROUS QUEENS. KISSING COUSINS. WANTON CONSRTS.

"WELCOME TO NEARLY A THOUSAND YEARS OF NAUGHTY BEHAVIOR.

"Royal unions have always been the stuff of scintillating gossip, from the passionate Plantagenets to Henry VIII's alarming head count of wives and mistresses, to the sapphic crushes of Mary and Anne Stuart, right up to the scandal-blighted coupling of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Shoved into loveless arranged marriages for political and economic gain, many royals were driven to seek their pleasures outside the marital bed, engaging in delicious flirtations, lurid love letters, and rampant sex with voluptuous and willing paramours.

"This nearly pathological lust made for some of the most titillating scandals in Great Britain's history. Hardly harmless, these affairs disrupted dynastic alliances, endangered lives, and most of all, fed the salacious curiosity of the public for centutries.

"PEEK BETWEEN THE COVERS...."

I read this book when it was really quiet as work. At first, it was just something to do, but it very quickly turned into something I really enjoyed. The writing was fantastic; written almost like a modern romance novel. It was so much fun to read (as I imagine most all juicy gossip is). Though, this was not just a compillation of facts and rumors, but it was made much more interesting by snippets of first-hand accounts of the people themselves. There are even some lines from actual surviving love notes between the lovers. Not only that, but the author incorporated fascinating information about the royals' reigns which serves to make the people on the pages really come to life. In fact, I read this book with a pictoral history of the British Monarchy, which made the people--at least the monarchs--look more like real people. The descriptions provided by Carroll were enriched by the actual paintings and drawings of them.

Overall, this was a very fun book to read. I had a difficult time putting the book down when I was forced to get back to work. Everyday, I would constantly glance at the clock until I would allow myself a few moments of peace to read this book. I really, truly enjoyed the writing. It is not often that a non-fiction book will capture me as well as this one did. I highly recommend it to those looking for a fun read.