Month: July 2023

The Dead Betray None by J.L. Buck

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The Dead Betray None

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Viscount Ware Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 7/12/22
Period: Regency – 1811
Number of Pages: 302

Finding this book was the happiest of accidents – and I believe it is the author’s first book. I am thoroughly happy to have found both the book and the author and I already cannot wait for the next book. The mystery is excellently done and the characters are very relatable. One of the things I loved was that it is period correct – from the manners through the way they spoke, it was spot on.

1811 was a very turbulent time for England with Napoleon’s war in Europe, the conflict with America, and civil strife and unrest at home in England. Lucien Grey, Viscount Ware, is the son and heir to the Earl of Salcott. Lucien is a very honorable man who does his best to protect his king and his country – though his father thinks he is a worthless ne’er do well. Lucien and his best friend Andrew Sherbourne (Sherry) served as spies on the continent until they were betrayed and only barely managed to escape with their lives. Now, back in England, both Lucien and Sherry have been recruited by the Marquess of Rothe to be part of the Crown’s secret spies within England.

Lucien and Sherry were a bit perplexed by the assignment given to them by Roth. What could the theft of a few bits and baubles from a house party have to do with the security of England? The thefts don’t make sense – until they do. Finally, they discover what was really taken and what it means to England to find it. The trail leads them through the dregs and dirtiest parts of London and the glittering ballrooms of the elite and right into Whitehall itself.

During his investigation, Lucien meets the lovely Lady Anne Ashburne who is witty, intelligent, and could easily have been a general if she had been a man. Anne provides invaluable assistance to their investigation though Lucien wants to keep her protected and away from danger.

Lucien, Sherry, and Anne face great danger to uncover the French spy among them and to thwart his plot against England. Can they stop him in time? Will he escape and carry many of England’s secrets with him? Can they recover the cipher that was stolen at the house party? Will Lady Anne decide she wants to work as one of the Crown’s secret spies? Ah! So many questions and you’ll only find the answers when you read the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story with so many twists and turns, red herrings, and secrets as well as delightful characters. I love historical cozy mysteries and this book fits that just perfectly. However, I also require those mysteries to have a romance and this one doesn’t have that – though there is a hint of one. Hopefully, that hint will blossom within the next couple of books. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did should you choose to read it.

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No Dukes Allowed by Jess Michaels

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

No Dukes Allowed (The Kent's Row Duchesses #1)No Dukes Allowed by Jess Michaels

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Kent’s Row Duchesses, #1

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Shortly after the death of her husband, Silas, the Duke of Gooding, Valaria St. Clare, the Duchess of Gooding, takes up residence in Kent’s Row and immediately meets two other young widowed duchesses who also live on the street (apparently it is a dumping grounds for widowed duchesses). She longs to befriend the ladies, but Valaria has secrets that are not hers alone and can’t risk getting too close to anyone. Especially her late husband’s best friend, Callum Osgood, the Duke of Blackvale. Unfortunately for her, Callum feels responsible for her and wants to help her (and kiss her), so she tries to keep him at bay, but she feels a desire for him that she had never felt. She decides that it is better to keep your enemies close and a secret affair ensues, but soon she is falling for him and knows that if he ever learns the truth, he will hate her.

At first Callum Osgood’s, the Duke of Blackvale, main concern is ensuring that Valaria is taken care of, he feels that as Silas’ best friend, he would want him to see to her needs, but later he learns from his good friend Theo, the Duke of Lightmorrow, that Silas was not the man Callum believed him to be, that he was cruel and abusive to others and most likely to Valaria. Callum is appalled and though he has tried to stay away from her, he needs to know the truth about her marriage. But the truth just serves to make him feel guilty, for not seeing what was happening and that guilt only gets worse when he finally admits that he has always desired Valaria. But the desire is not as one-sided as he believed and they soon embark on an affair, and tender feelings will blossom into love, can this burgeoning love survive Valaria’s secret?

This was a good story, if somewhat predictable, I knew her secret before the end of the first chapter, but it isn’t revealed “on page” until nearly the end of the book, which I felt caused the story to drag a bit. I am not sure I completely believe that Callum didn’t know Silas’ propensity for abuse, it seems a bit of a stretch considering they were “best friends” since childhood and spent a considerable amount of time together, I don’t see how a person could hide their true nature, especially when drinking or that Callum never heard whispers about him. That issue aside, I did enjoy this book, it is filled with secrets, great characters, steamy love scenes, emotional healing, true love, and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. This is the first book in the series and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*