Category: Part of a Series

The Gravesend Murder by Lana Williams

On By TracyIn Historical Mystery, Mystery, Part of a Series, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's Reviews, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

The Gravesend Murder (The Field & Greystone Series, #3)The Gravesend Murder by Lana Williams

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Field & Greystone, #3

Release Date: March 25, 2025

Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Field is shocked to learn that Benjamin Norris, a man he had interviewed days ago about a cold case has been found murdered in his Gravesend home. He was shot and the only clue Henry found was an Egyptian gold scarab beetle hidden in the sofa. Benjamin Norris was an import-export merchant with a shop on Threadneedle Street, just like his cold case murder victim Matthew Greystone, making Henry wonder if the cases are connected. A thought that gains ground when Matthew’s widow Amelia contacts him with some troubling news. Henry wants nothing more than to solve Matthew’s murder, not just for himself but for Amelia, a woman he has begun to care for, but feels unable to pursue while Matthew’s murder is yet unsolved. But as he steps up his investigation of Benjamin’s murder, the bodies begin to pile up, secrets unravel, and a new villain emerges – one who has set his sights on Amelia.

Widow Amelia Greystone has not had an easy time the last few years, first her young daughter died from scarlet fever, then her husband was murdered. But she has done her best to carry on and her friendship with Inspector Field has helped her more than he could possibly know. When Amelia gets a letter from a criminal that she helped Henry capture, stating that she knows who killed Matthew, Amelia immediately contacts Henry. She goes to see Elizabeth Drake in prison, but the woman refuses to tell her who killed her husband, but she makes it clear – Matthew was not an innocent victim. Amelia is more determined than ever to find out who killed Matthew and knows that Henry is the only person she can truly trust. When their investigation leads to a dangerous crime lord, she realizes her husband was not the man she thought he was, making her question everything, including her feelings for Henry. Despite the risks, Amelia continues to aid in the investigation and ends up in the crosshairs of the man responsible for Matthew’s death.

This was another wonderful installment of the Field & Greystone series. This story sucked me in from the very first page and held me in thrall until the last word! The story has story has strong ties to the previous books and nicely sets up the next book. The ongoing relationship between Henry and Amelia continues to deepen but still remains firmly on the back burner. This book definitely gives some closure and the mystery is superb. I loved it and would happily recommend this book to my fellow Historical Mystery lovers! This is the third book in the series and while it could be read as a standalone title, I would recommend reading the series in order for the best reader experience.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Love, The Duke (Say I Do, #3)Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey

Tracy’s Rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Say I Do, #3

Release Date: April 1, 2025

While on a much-needed getaway with his two best friends, Drake “Hurst” Kingsley, the Duke of Hurstbourne, receives an urgent message from an old and dear childhood friend, Winston Stowe. Winston is dying and asks Hurst if he would consider marrying his sister Ophelia. Hurst is a romantic and has always believed that he would know immediately when he meets the woman he should marry. So, despite his love for his friend, he tells him he cannot marry Ophelia sight unseen but promises to visit soon. A promise he intended on keeping, but one that got pushed off when he returned to London and had to deal with dire circumstances on his estate. Weeks later he receives a late-night visitor who arrives in disguise. The young “man” is actually Ophelia Stowe, and he learns the sad truth that Winston has passed away and Ophelia needs his help. A chalice from the parish has been stolen and she needs to find it before a new vicar takes over and Winston is labeled a thief. Hurst is stunned by Ophelia and in his unsettled state, he refuses to help her. But Ophelia won’t take no for an answer and eventually, Hurst agrees to help her. The more time he spends with her, the more convinced he is that she is “the one” and he offers marriage. But if he thinks marriage will tame his stubborn wife, he obviously doesn’t know her and it is clear that their road to HEA won’t be the fairy tale that Hurst always thought it would be.

When her brother Winston dies, Ophelia and her mother find out that a priceless relic has been stolen from the church’s inventory and know that her dear brother’s memory will be slandered and besmirched unless they can find it before the new vicar arrives and discovers the thief. Her housekeeper witnessed the thief leaving and saw the family crest on the carriage, but she didn’t get a good look at the man. With this clue, Ophelia and her mother go to London, hoping to find the Chalice, but she knows she will need help and despite her anger with him for not visiting her brother, Ophelia decides to ask Hurst to help her. When he refuses to go along with her plan, she is more determined than ever to find it, but Hurst isn’t as easy to manage as she assumed. She can’t deny her attraction to him or the deeper feelings that are forming, but nothing will alter her course – not even love. Will she find the chalice and restore her brother’s reputation, or will she lose everything, even the man she loves?

This installment of the “Say I do” series was the best of the bunch, but honestly, it still didn’t wow me. I loved Hurst, but I found Ophelia much harder to like. I understood her desire to protect her brother, but I thought she was too abrasive and unyielding, not to mention foolish. I also had a hard time believing they were “in love” – why? Everything he did made her angry and everything she did annoyed him – it just didn’t feel like falling in love to me. Overall, I thought the mystery was pretty good, but I found the romance lacking. This is the third and final book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *