Category: Interwar Period (Nov 1918 – Sep 1939)

The period between the end of WWI and the beginning of WWII

Two Weddings and a Murder by Alyssa Maxwell

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), New To Me Author, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Two Weddings and a Murder (A Lady and Lady's Maid Mystery #9)

Barbara’s rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Lady & Lady’s Maid Mystery #9
Publication Date: 2/25/25
Period: Inter-War (1922)
Number of Pages: 272

I enjoy reading historical mysteries and am always on the lookout for new-to-me authors. When I saw this book, I just had to try it and the author. I didn’t notice that it was the final book in the series, but that was not a problem. I had no trouble reading this as a standalone and following the characters and storyline.

Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her betrothed, Owen Seabright, are celebrating their wedding with friends, relatives, and servants and it is a joyous occasion for all. Eva Huntford, Phoebe’s lady’s maid, is especially joyful because she has served as both maid and close friend for many years – and she has a romance of her own. Speaking of Eva’s romance, why was he a no-show at Phoebe’s wedding ceremony?

Constable Miles Brannock finally arrives only to announce the murder of Chief Inspector Isaac Perkins had caused his delay. Oh! My! While Perkins was not well-liked, who would dislike him enough to murder him? Miles quickly begins his investigation only to be supplanted by a brutish Inspector from Scotland Yard – AND – that inspector quickly decides Miles is the murderer and arrests him.

Lady Phoebe and Owen quickly postpone their honeymoon to help Eva investigate because they are all positive Miles is not the murderer. There are many suspects – including Phoebe’s elderly aunt, Phoebe’s uncle Greville, a local farmer, a gypsy, and more. With many disparate suspects and no clues, the investigation is filled with twists, turns, and surprises.

I enjoyed the mystery and the characters, but, for me, the story seemed to drag. It was not a fast-paced, exciting mystery; but more of a slow-paced investigation. I also enjoyed seeing the storylines for the series all neatly tied up with the appropriate HEAs and good feelings all around. I would have liked to see a wrap-up for Uncle Greville and his wife Giovanna since they were front and center throughout much of the book. We learn the motives for their appearance in England, but there is no wrap-up. I would have liked to see Grampapa deal with them, but now we will never know.

While I enjoyed the mystery and the characters, I wasn’t inspired to go back and read the first books in the series. Perhaps that is because I wasn’t already invested in the characters due to that lack -I don’t know.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Cold Light of Day by Anna Lee Huber

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

The Cold Light of Day (Verity Kent, #7)Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Verity Kent Mysteries #7
Publication Date: 9/24/24
Period: June 1920, Dublin, Ireland
Number of Pages: 384

This was a gut-wrenching, breath-holding, rollercoaster ride of a story set in Dublin, Ireland in 1920. In most books, we see one side as good and the other as bad. However, this author presented a very realistic picture of the struggles of both sides where neither was all good nor all bad. This author’s impeccable research and even-handed treatment of the time the story was set made the reader feel as though they were walking down those fearful streets not knowing where an attack might happen.

At the end of the last book, Verity’s friend Alec is sent to Ireland to infiltrate the Irish rebels. This book begins with Verity and Sydney being sent to Ireland to find Alec because he has disappeared and hasn’t reported to any of his fail-safe locations. His handler thinks Alec has become a traitor and is now working for the other side.

Verity is very frightened for Alec because she knows how dangerous the Irish rebels can be. Yet, when they arrive, the city – and country – are in turmoil. It is almost war on the streets and Verity and Sydney have no idea where to begin looking – especially as she doesn’t believe his handler is trustworthy. It appears there is no one to trust except each other. How will they ever find Alec or at least discover what happened to him? Has Alec survived and is hiding somewhere? Has he been murdered or imprisoned?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well-written, exciting story. While it is slower-paced than some of the previous books, it still pulls you into the story and won’t let you go. You feel the fear and anxiety on the streets as well as the exasperation the citizens feel at the government. This author deals with it all very sensitively, but I will mention that the book deals with some fearful and sensitive subjects – so just be mindful.

There is a nice set-up for the next book – or at least it appeared that way. The phosgene cylinders are still missing and are believed to be in Dublin and Ardmore is also there. Therefore, I assume the next book will also be set in Ireland and I can hardly wait to read it.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.