Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Doyle & Acton #15
Publication Date: 3/10/22
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 236

I’m not sure why I am addicted to this series, but I am. The male lead – Acton – is flawed (big time) and I honestly don’t care. The female lead (Doyle) is a bit over the top with the uneducated Irish vernacular – still, I honestly don’t care. The plots are convoluted and you really need to have read the whole series in order to understand what is going on – and yet I still don’t care. It just all works for me – all of it – from the fey, angelic Doyle, to the scheming Acton and all of the cohorts who support him. You’d think Acton would have learned by now – Doyle will always figure out what plot he has going and she’ll throw a wrench in the works – for his own good of course.

There is a LOT going on in this book, and I’m still not sure I followed all of it – at least not to the appropriate conclusion. We have murders being staged so that police would think they were open and shut cases – but they aren’t. We have Acton’s half-sister being deceived by a con artist even though Acton specifically warned her. We have those involved in the money-skimming plot from the last book trying to scramble and cover their rears. We have Acton and Savoie at odds with each other (aren’t they always?) Goodness – it keeps your head spinning and your fingers flippin’ pages so you can see what happens next. In the end, two people were supposed to die. One did die but the other was still alive and well when the book ended. The ending HINTED their impending demise – but – did it really happen? I guess we’ll learn in the next book.

If you love quirky characters, twisted mysteries, and an obsessive romance, this is the book and series for you. Frankly, I didn’t think I was the kind who would love those things in a book, but – I’ve found I LOVE them, but only in this series. It is really well written and well delivered. I hope you’ll give the series a try and that you’ll love it as much as I have. Remember though, if you start in the middle of the series, you’ll only end up confused and not liking it. Happy Reading!

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Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Doyle and Acton #14
Publication Date: 9/26/21
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 255

I have read and loved every book in this delightfully quirky series. I love that the happy, open, honest, straight-forward Doyle always manages to throw a wrench into whatever plot the secretive Acton has in the works. Yes, the delightful duo of Doyle and Acton are here again, and it is wonderfully entertaining. The writing is always good and the mysteries are well-plotted and delivered. You could jump into the series at this point and enjoy the read, but I believe you really need to read at least the first couple of books to get a foundation for the characters – especially Acton and Doyle and their relationship. As I mentioned, the characters are quirky, and to understand them, you will probably want more background.

Doyle has never been comfortable at Trestles, Acton’s estate outside London, so she is anxious to return to their home in London. The overprotective Acton has had her cooped up so she can rest and recover from their last case. Acton knows he has to keep her occupied so she’ll stay and rest as long as possible, so he gets her to volunteer to teach a bible studies class at the local prison. Doyle is grateful but is very surprised by the action because Acton usually wouldn’t want her anywhere near the place.

While she’s sure Acton is up to something, she cannot figure out what it might be. Then, one of the inmates in the class mentions something that sets Doyle’s curiosity off. When she starts questioning it she learns there is a lot going on inside the prison – and she suspects Acton might know what it is, but he won’t share with her. Is he protecting someone? She knows he isn’t involved in it – but – he knows – he knows. Some of the people in that prison – and even in her bible class – are there because of her and Acton. Are they planning something? Is Acton’s life in danger?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.

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