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

A Lark’s Conceit by Lynn Messina

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Lark's Conceit (Verity Lark Mysteries #3)Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #3
Publication Date: 2/29/24
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 333

Verity Lark and her many alter egos are in a snit. If you remember, we ended the last book with Colson Hardwicke very boldly pledging to his pursuit of Verity. It seems he carried through on that pledge – until he didn’t. This book begins just a few days after the other one ends – and already Colson is feckless. Or is he? Verity has nothing but his own words to judge by – and those words say he is. First, he cancels their outing – then, he seemingly cancels their relationship. Oh! My! Word! Colson, Colson, Colson, you really should know better.

As Verity lies abed one evening, unable to drift off to sleep, she hears a floorboard creak. With all her senses alert, she lies there in the dark awaiting her attacker. She’s prepared and isn’t fearful, but maybe her attacker should be. She quickly disables the man and takes him captive. Since he won’t tell her anything, she contrives to hold him until she is prepared to follow, then allows him to escape. She follows him to, of all places, the French embassy. What in the world could they want with her?

Verity quickly begins her investigation into her attempted kidnapping only to discover Hardwicke is also investigating the goings-on in the embassy. Do their two cases intersect? Of course, they do. Can Verity relent enough to work with him? Maybe? To some degree anyway – but she will not trust him. Even after he gives his reason, she is unrelenting. Working together to thwart the French won’t be easy, but surely their combined talents will prevail.

So far, I am not a fan of Verity. I understand her horrible beginnings – but her friends had those same beginnings and they aren’t like her. I agree with Hardwicke when he says, “You are being deliberately obtuse and you bloody well know it. You think nothing is beyond your abilities. You think you can overcome any challenge, master any difficulty, solve any problem, find any buggering priest hole in any buggering cellar! You admit no frailties, allow no weaknesses, and are seemingly incapable of asking for help. And your confidence—it is astounding. I am sorry, Verity, but no, you are not as remarkable as you believe you are. Nobody is, for your conceit is beyond anything the human world can contain.” I was delighted to see what I thought could be some character growth for Verity in this book and I am looking forward to getting to know a more open and trusting Verity – if it lasts.

Filled with this author’s signature wit and humor, along with a first-rate mystery, this book will suck you in and not let you go until the last page. I believe there is character growth for Verity and that is a good thing for her because she cannot possibly live a happy life long-term with the kinds of trust issues she has. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. 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

Speculations In Sin by Jennifer Ashley

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

Speculations in SinSpeculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Below Stairs Mystery #7
Publication Date: 3/5/24
Period: 1883 – Victorian London
Number of Pages: 320

Oh! This is the most exciting, interesting, on the edge of your seat, read it in one sitting book I’ve read in a while. Most of the things Kat Holloway holds dear are under threat and it appears the deck is definitely stacked against her. With the rich and powerful working against those she holds dear, can she, a lowly cook, defeat them? I’ve just read the last page and I am already wondering how I’ll ever manage to wait for the next installment.

Kat was at the end of a wonderful day visiting her daughter Grace when she noticed something wasn’t right with her lifelong friend, Joanna Millburn. When Kat prodded, Joanna finally broke down and told her that her husband, Samuel, was being accused of embezzlement and threatened with dismissal from his position. Kat knew there was no way possible that Sam would ever embezzle. He was the sweetest, gentlest, and most loving soul Kat had the pleasure of knowing. He had a misspent youth, but he had turned his life around in the last 20 years. When Kat found herself with a dead husband and a newborn she had no way of supporting, Joanna and Sam offered to care for Grace in their home – and to treat her as one of their own. They had lived up to that commitment for the last twelve years and there was no way Kat would let anyone hurt Sam, Joanna, their children, or Grace.

Kat had just begun her investigation at Sam’s place of employment when Sam was arrested – right in front of her – and there was nothing she could do – nothing. No, the charges weren’t embezzlement – he was charged with the murder of a fellow employee. OMGoodness! How will Kat ever get him out of that when the judges and the police are against Sam as is his rich and powerful company? Luckily for Sam and Joanna, Kat calls in all of her friends – from above and below the stairs – and they mount an investigation of their own. Yes, there is Daniel, James, Thanos, Lady Cynthia, Roberta (Bobby), Lady Townsend, and even Daniel’s reprobate brother, Mr. Fielding, and many others who band together to protect the Millburn family and prove Samuel’s innocence.

There was excitement on every page and just when you thought you had it all figured out – you found out you really didn’t. I think this might be the best book so far – and I’m really excited to find out where Daniel and Kat’s relationship goes from here – and what Daniel’s big ‘final’ task might be for Mr.Monaghan. I can recommend this book and this series. I will, however, say that this is not a series you can just jump into the middle of and get a good feel for the characters and relationships. You really need to read the series from the first book forward. 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