Category: Part of a Series

Murder in Reproach by Anne Cleeland

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Murder in ReproachBarbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Series: A Doyle & Acton Mystery #19 (I think)
Publication Date: 2/21/24
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 220

I have come to realize that I really like reading books with quirky characters – even when those quirks might not be ‘lovable’ quirks. Go figure. This series is filled with quirky characters – some lovable quirks – some not. If you like quirky adventures, this book and this series might be for you.

Doyle and the newly promoted Munoz have been called to the scene of what would appear to be a cut-and-dried suicide. Except, there is a strange item at the scene and the housekeeper insists the victim would never, ever take her own life. So, is there more to it than meets the eye? Hmmm. They decide to leave it open for the moment and will try to gather a bit more information before they close the case.

With further investigation, they discover another suicide with the same item left at the scene – and that victim had a tie-in with a highly publicized public-servant scandal. Could this new case also have a tie-in? Are there more public-servants left who were involved in the scandal, but didn’t get rooted out? Could it be revenge someone is after?

The tension steps up when there is yet another murder and then more when Doyle, her family, and several friends, including children, are all put in harm’s way. How can they all escape – or can they? You’ll just have to read this fun, entertaining book to see what everyone is up to this time.

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A Perilous Desire by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Part of a Series, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Perilous Desire (The Mayfair Literary League #6)A Perilous Desire by Lana Williams

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Mayfair Literary League, #6

Release Date: February 28, 2024

Almost a year ago, Becca Hamilton died in a boating accident off the coast of Chesire, leaving behind her conniving uncle and her cruel betrothed, Edwin, heir to the Earl of Fanthorpe, and on the same day, widow Rebecca Hatch was born, and escaped to London, where she moved in with the best friend of Becca’s late mother. Rebecca forged a new life for herself, joining the Mayfair Literary League and trying to put her past to rest. But when she crosses paths with Nathaniel Roth, a solicitor from Chesire in the employ of the Earl of Fanthorpe, her new life is threatened. Secretly, she always admired him and even held a tendre for him, but she can’t risk him discovering the truth. But when she learns her uncle has died and that she has a large inheritance from her father, she has to trust someone with her secrets, can that someone be Nathaniel, or will his allegiance be to the Earl?

Nathaniel Roth is the son of a wine merchant and he believed he was destined for the same, but one day the Earl of Fanthorpe came into their shop and took an interest in Nathaniel, paid for him to go to school, and even helped him set up his law practice, in exchange Nathaniel has acted as his solicitor in several matters, some that he found questionable, but Nathaniel’s loyalty is absolute, but when will his debt to the man be repaid? When by chance he sees a woman whom he is almost certain is Becca Hamilton, but is calling herself Rebecca Hatch. The closer he gets to her, the more his loyalty is challenged. Will his heart overrule his head or will a misplaced loyalty cost him the love of a lifetime?

This was a well-written, nicely-paced intriguing story with wonderful characters that you can’t help rooting for. This is by far my favorite story (so far) in the series, I loved Nathaniel & Rebecca, they are truly a wonderful couple and one I won’t soon forget. The book is filled with secrets, insecurities, lies, friends, cameos from previous characters, loyalty, warmish love scenes, betrayal, heartache, and finally a well-earned HEA completely with a very sweet epilogue. This is the sixth book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title. I loved this book and would happily recommend it to my fellow HR readers.

*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.*