Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

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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Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

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

Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, #1)Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: The Crinoline Academy, #1

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Euphemia Flite “Effie” has been recalled to England by Artemisia Corvus, the founder and director of Miss Corvus’s Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies (but called the Crinoline Academy by the locals). Effie has been in Paris for the last five years working as a companion, but she owes Miss Corvus her loyalty and returns with the hope of finally repaying her debt to her and earning her freedom and pursue her dream of independence and a home of her own with her poodle Franc. She quickly learns her mission will require her to move in society, so she can collect information to ruin Viscount Compton. All she knows is that Lord Compton ruined a young lady’s life by jilting her and stealing her fortune, and while that ship has sailed, Miss Corvus is sure that he has done the same to other women and wants the proof to bury him and if Effie succeeds, she will be free of the Academy and will be given a generous stipend to start her new life. Sounds easy enough, especially since Miss Corvus has called in a favor and has a well-respect society matron to sponsor Effie. But that was before she met Gabriel Royce, a man who is bent on protecting Lord Compton. He is clearly her enemy, so why does she find him so enticing when she knows he will do nothing but destroy her chance for independence?

Gabriel Royce was not born in the Rookery, but he has lived there most of his life and has fought his way to the top. He has a successful betting shop and has made a decent fortune, but he knows that the Rookery is shrinking and without the support of parliament to revitalize it, it will soon be gone, along with his business. Lucky for him, he has a nobleman in his pocket, thanks to some incriminating letters that came into his possession. He knows what Lord Compton did to his former fiancée and has used the knowledge to force the viscount to help him by keeping the police from raiding his not quite legal betting shop, but now that is not enough, he needs to save the Rookery and will need more than Compton’s support to do it, so he once again forces Compton to help him, by introducing him to other parliament members who could support his efforts. Sounds easy enough, but that is before he met Effie Flite, a woman bent on destroying Lord Compton. She is clearly his enemy, so why can’t he get her out of his mind when he knows that she will do nothing by destroy his life?

What a great start to a new series, this was a well-written, nicely paced story with wonderful world building and likable characters. Effie and Gabriel have an instant chemistry, and it was a delight to read their story. This book has a lot going on and it is filled with secrets, lies, betrayal, heartbreak, amazing secondary characters, an adorable poodle named Franc (he is a poodle NOT a dog!), some levity, low-steam love scenes, surprising revelations, and finally a well-earned HEA complete with an epilogue. I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly looking forward to the next installment! If you are a fan of strong heroines and heroes who fall hard – this is the book for you!

*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. *