Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Kier and Levett Mystery #3
Publication Date: 8/25/23
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 262

This riveting, attention-grabbing book is the best of the series so far. Seriously, I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down! The characters are deep and rich and so very relatable and the mystery is filled with suspense and breath-holding excitement. The writing is excellent, the pacing is perfect, the villains are vile, and the supporting characters are witty, intelligent, and endearing. So, what is not to love?

We’ve been waiting for the revelation of Niall’s tightly-held secret and boy did we get it. This whole mystery is about unscrupulous villains nosing around to discover the very well-hidden secret – and being willing to commit any atrocity – murder, kidnapping, robbery, to discover the secret. Or, more importantly, to find the proof of the secret. What is it about this secret that makes it worth all the villains have done – hmmm – you’ll just have to read the book to find out.

The murder of lady’s maid, Sally Doughty, during a ceremony at Lake Nemi, is what piques Kara’s interest. With Niall’s absence, Kara has concentrated on healing from her injury on their last case and catching up with her many orders for custom automatons. However, this murder, it was on her property and she just simply cannot leave it to the police to solve – especially when they are off in all the wrong directions.

As she investigates, she comes to learn the murder has something to do with Niall and his secret. Thank goodness Niall secretly returns to London and they begin to work together to solve the murder and to find who is behind the push to find the documentation of Niall’s secret.

It is harrowing, death-defying, heart-pumping excitement from the first page till the last and I highly recommend the book. Along with our previous supporting cast, we finally get to meet – and love – Niall’s best friend, Rob McRae. I’ll look forward to seeing more of him in future books. I’ll also be looking forward to seeing what villain pops up to beg for a take-down in the next book.

I was happy to see Niall and Kara’s relationship grow – with promises given. I can hardly wait for the next book to see what happens in the romance department. In the meantime, think about Niall’s description of the two of them together – he’s comparing their relationship to a diptych painting.

“I feel like it’s what we are. Both of us complete. Functioning and effective. Creative. Whole, in and of ourselves. But place us together and the world expands. Everything becomes bigger, more beautiful and powerful.”

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Kier and Levett Mysteries Series #2
Publication Date: 5/26/23
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 261

This author normally writes historical romance – and does a great job of it – but I think she missed her calling because she does an outstanding job with historical mysteries as well. The author has captured the complexities of the time, the excitement of the Great Exhibition, and the mysticism of a Druidic society along with characters who are so much more than they seem on the outside. Kara is wealthy, independent, artistic, talented, and more than capable of taking care of herself and Niall is handsome, large, brooding, artistic, protective, and filled with secrets he cannot reveal. OMGoodness – what a team they make!

In the first book of the series, we met a number of members of the Order of Druidic Bards. The order studies and preserves the old ways – old manuscripts, old musical instruments, etc. In the opening scene of this book, Kara is inducted into the Order along with one other person, Miss Janet Ottridge. Kara is welcomed into the Order with smiles and open arms, but the other woman – not so much. Kara wonders at the differences in their welcomes and realizes that there is something ‘off’ about the whole thing with Janet. Each new member must perform some ‘task’ that shows their understanding and preservation interests. While Kara’s was creative and lovely, Janet’s was strange and hinted at dire things to come. So, when Janet dies an unnatural death, the police are immediately suspicious of the Order – particularly Magistrate Towland. Kara and Niall know the kindhearted magistrate isn’t guilty and since he was instrumental in helping Kara prove her innocence (in the last book), they’ll do all they can to prove his innocence this time.

I love the way Kara and Niall work together, each playing to their own strengths. They have total respect and trust in each other and work together like a well-oiled machine. Though the victim is not a savory person, Kara and Niall want to find justice for her. When the murderer is revealed, you’ll be surprised, but you’ll also wonder (just a bit) if maybe he/she should have gotten away with it.

During the investigation, we learn a bit more about Niall’s past – not much – just enough to whet our appetites for the third and final book of the series. You are left wondering what in the world could be in his past that causes him so much danger now – especially when he was not the one who did something wrong. I can hardly wait to find out.

The mystery is excellently crafted and delivered as is the subplot involving Niall and his secrets. There are also some lovely poignant scenes between Kara and Niall that make you wonder how the two will ever overcome all of the obstacles in the way of their HEA.

I can definitely recommend this excellently written, nicely paced mystery. I would also like to petition Dragonblade Publishing to extend the contract on this series to include more books. I’d love to have more of Kara and Niall to look forward to.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

View all my reviews