Category: Historical Mystery

Betrayal from Beyond by Deb Marlowe

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Betrayal from Beyond (The Kier and Levett Mystery, #6)Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Kier and Levett Mystery #6
Publication Date: 4/14/25
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 276

After their honeymoon trip on the continent, Kara and Niall have finally returned to London. They loved their relaxing days filled with love and laughter, but – AH! Being home is exquisite. There is nothing like the comfort, safety, and love surrounding them at home with their ‘found’ family. However, they’d hardly gotten their bags into the house before real life intruded – in the form of archvillain Petra Scot.

Petra is out for revenge against Kara and Niall, and she wants them to suffer unimaginably before she finally puts them to death in the most awful way possible. Petra will happily hurt, maim, and murder all they hold dear before bringing them down – and at the same time, she’s going to bring England to its knees. YIKES!!!

Petra tauntingly stays just out of reach as Kara and Niall dash around London trying to find her and unravel the mystery. Everyone is involved in this fast-paced story with Stayme, Turner, Gyda, and even little Henry contributing their talents to the search. As bodies keep turning up, and the danger circles closer and closer, Kara and Niall begin to wonder if they’ll ever prevail. However, they are as skilled and determined as Petra is – more!

These stories are always interesting and entertaining. They’ll make you hold your breath – and then let it out slowly. The Kara and Niall world is wonderfully developed with endearing characters and wonderful mysteries. If you enjoy a fast-paced mystery with unique protagonists and vile villains, you’ll want to try this book.

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A Pernicious Fabrication by Lynn Messina

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

A Pernicious Fabrication (Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries, #13)

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery #13
Publication Date: 3/7/2025
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 328

Beatrice (Bea), Her Outrageousness, the Duchess of Kesgrave, has another murder to solve, and it hits close to home. Mortimer Matlock, the Duke’s first cousin, has been brutally murdered in his art studio – with one of his own implements. How did they learn of Mortimer’s demise? Well!! The notorious criminal Hell and Fury Hawes, known as the King of Saffron Hill, has visited them and asked them to solve the murder because it might appear he committed the crime – and he did not. No, they would never do Hawes any favors, but this is a crime they must solve because the Duke’s grandmother deserves justice for her other grandson.

Both Bea and Kesgrave suspect Hawes wants more than a solution to the murder, but they don’t know what it could be. Asking for their help will cause them to look into much of his criminal enterprise, and he would never do that without a very compelling reason. What else might he want?

Their inquiries lead them into a fake antiquities scheme that even extends to the British Museum. Nobles and criminals are involved in the scheme, and Bea and Kesgrave must navigate it all while keeping themselves safe.

I absolutely love this series! Quirky, humorous, warm, interesting Bea keeps the bad guys and Kesgrave guessing about what she’ll do next – and her leaps of logic are priceless. If you like an interesting mystery with wit and humor, then you’ll love this book and this series.

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