Category: Historical Mystery

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.

View all my reviews

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor by Patricia Rice

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Historical Paranormal/Fantasy, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)3 Comments

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor (Gravesyde Priory Mysteries #1)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Gravesyde Prioy Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 7/11/23
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 334

The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor is the first book in the Gravesyde Priory Mysteries series, and it is an interesting blend of gothic romance and historical mystery, with just a tad of paranormal. The story mostly follows Clarissa (Clare) Knightly and American Army Captain Alastair Huntley (Hunt) as they search for Hunt’s grandmother’s diaries and attempt to save Wycliffe Manor for all of the beneficiaries of the Earl’s will. Hunt just wants to find his grandmother’s diaries and leave for America so he can give the diaries to his mother. Clare, on the other hand, wants a safe haven for herself, her nephew, and her best friend.

Little do they know the danger they are in nor the direction from which it comes. Yet, in order to save the Manor, they must face danger, find the diaries, chase down the clues, outwit the villain, and rescue themselves from danger. Whew! Can they do all of that? Will they survive? Just how many villains can there be?

I loved all of the supporting characters and the idea of this very open home, but I wonder how it is all going to work for future books. I sort of began to feel we were creating the non-Malcolm version of Wystan Castle with all of the loosely connected people who were – or might be in the future – residing in the manor. I’m definitely not opposed to that because I think it would make for some very interesting stories. So, I’ll be very interested to see where the series heads with the second book.

For me personally, I really need a romance with a HEA in my mysteries. I felt a little short-changed in that respect. We certainly had what appeared to be two romances, but no complete HEA at all. I was left with many questions, but I won’t list them because – well – plot points, or maybe we’ll get the explanation in the next book. Anyway, I have no clue if Clare and Hunt actually marry or not because it was all left sort of hanging. Then, there is the other implied romance between Daniel Walker and Meera Abrams which never seems to have come to fruition either.

I can happily recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. However, if you, like me, need a full-blown HEA romance in the story, then you’ll be a bit disappointed. I can make conjectures and say – Of course he stayed in England – Of course she didn’t go back to London – Of course they got married and settled happily into the manor, etc. but none of that was spelled out. Perhaps it will all be made clear in the next book. Happy Reading!

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

View all my reviews