Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #3
Publication Date: 2/29/24
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 333

Verity Lark and her many alter egos are in a snit. If you remember, we ended the last book with Colson Hardwicke very boldly pledging to his pursuit of Verity. It seems he carried through on that pledge – until he didn’t. This book begins just a few days after the other one ends – and already Colson is feckless. Or is he? Verity has nothing but his own words to judge by – and those words say he is. First, he cancels their outing – then, he seemingly cancels their relationship. Oh! My! Word! Colson, Colson, Colson, you really should know better.

As Verity lies abed one evening, unable to drift off to sleep, she hears a floorboard creak. With all her senses alert, she lies there in the dark awaiting her attacker. She’s prepared and isn’t fearful, but maybe her attacker should be. She quickly disables the man and takes him captive. Since he won’t tell her anything, she contrives to hold him until she is prepared to follow, then allows him to escape. She follows him to, of all places, the French embassy. What in the world could they want with her?

Verity quickly begins her investigation into her attempted kidnapping only to discover Hardwicke is also investigating the goings-on in the embassy. Do their two cases intersect? Of course, they do. Can Verity relent enough to work with him? Maybe? To some degree anyway – but she will not trust him. Even after he gives his reason, she is unrelenting. Working together to thwart the French won’t be easy, but surely their combined talents will prevail.

So far, I am not a fan of Verity. I understand her horrible beginnings – but her friends had those same beginnings and they aren’t like her. I agree with Hardwicke when he says, “You are being deliberately obtuse and you bloody well know it. You think nothing is beyond your abilities. You think you can overcome any challenge, master any difficulty, solve any problem, find any buggering priest hole in any buggering cellar! You admit no frailties, allow no weaknesses, and are seemingly incapable of asking for help. And your confidence—it is astounding. I am sorry, Verity, but no, you are not as remarkable as you believe you are. Nobody is, for your conceit is beyond anything the human world can contain.” I was delighted to see what I thought could be some character growth for Verity in this book and I am looking forward to getting to know a more open and trusting Verity – if it lasts.

Filled with this author’s signature wit and humor, along with a first-rate mystery, this book will suck you in and not let you go until the last page. I believe there is character growth for Verity and that is a good thing for her because she cannot possibly live a happy life long-term with the kinds of trust issues she has. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. Happy Reading.

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

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