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thephdivabooks's review against another edition
4.0
A Victorian mystery with everything you could want—a strong leading lady, a murder in London’s art world, a meticulous detective, and a missing painting. A Trace of Deceit is a gripping and complex mystery set in the world of Victorian London’s art scene that historical mystery fans will not want to miss!
Though it’s the second in a series by Karen Odden, A Trace of Deceit definitely works as a stand-alone mystery. The series is based on the time period and our leading detective Matthew Hallam. Though Hallam is the detective here, I felt that this mystery is truly about Annabel Rowe, the mystery of her brother’s murder, and the art world.
I’ve always loved mysteries involving art! Art is rare in a way that a dollar worth can’t quite capture. It is part of history, it is passion, it is intelligence, and it is creation. If there is one thing this mystery shows, it’s that secrets in the art world are worth killing for…
Annabel is an art student and she has spent a long time feeling somewhat estranged from her brother Edwin. Edwin has served time for art forgery in the past, so when Annabel finds Scotland Yard in his apartment one afternoon, she worries he is up to his old tricks again. Edwin has been murdered and the search for clues reveals a famous painting that he was restoring is missing from his flat. To further complicate matters, the painting was alleged to have burned in a fire several years earlier. Was it a forgery or the real painting?
I liked the focus on Annabel and her relationship with her brother. Edwin’s past was very troubled, but there were years in childhood where Annabel and Edwin were close. When they got older and Edwin had troubles with alcohol and ultimately with drugs, he stopped being the same brother she once knew. This added to the complexity of the mystery, because Annabel sought not just to discover who murdered Edwin, but also to understand who he was and what was happening in his life that led to his death.
Not only did I find the mystery to be completely gripping, but I found Annabel herself to be such a great character. I like to see a progressive Victorian woman, and Annabel seems to have that liberal nature that we want, but also authentic to the time.
The book itself is filled with intrigue, tension, and suspense. I didn’t want it to end!
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Though it’s the second in a series by Karen Odden, A Trace of Deceit definitely works as a stand-alone mystery. The series is based on the time period and our leading detective Matthew Hallam. Though Hallam is the detective here, I felt that this mystery is truly about Annabel Rowe, the mystery of her brother’s murder, and the art world.
I’ve always loved mysteries involving art! Art is rare in a way that a dollar worth can’t quite capture. It is part of history, it is passion, it is intelligence, and it is creation. If there is one thing this mystery shows, it’s that secrets in the art world are worth killing for…
Annabel is an art student and she has spent a long time feeling somewhat estranged from her brother Edwin. Edwin has served time for art forgery in the past, so when Annabel finds Scotland Yard in his apartment one afternoon, she worries he is up to his old tricks again. Edwin has been murdered and the search for clues reveals a famous painting that he was restoring is missing from his flat. To further complicate matters, the painting was alleged to have burned in a fire several years earlier. Was it a forgery or the real painting?
I liked the focus on Annabel and her relationship with her brother. Edwin’s past was very troubled, but there were years in childhood where Annabel and Edwin were close. When they got older and Edwin had troubles with alcohol and ultimately with drugs, he stopped being the same brother she once knew. This added to the complexity of the mystery, because Annabel sought not just to discover who murdered Edwin, but also to understand who he was and what was happening in his life that led to his death.
Not only did I find the mystery to be completely gripping, but I found Annabel herself to be such a great character. I like to see a progressive Victorian woman, and Annabel seems to have that liberal nature that we want, but also authentic to the time.
The book itself is filled with intrigue, tension, and suspense. I didn’t want it to end!
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for my copy. Opinions are my own.
heidenkind's review against another edition
3.0
First I’d like to thank the author for sending me this book to read, it was very nice of her! I really liked Annabelle and how art was integrated into the story. Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot going on and the pacing felt off. The beginning was good, but then all of the clues felt stuffed in at the very end, and the middle was a lot of walking and talking. I also didn’t sense any romantic chemistry between the two main characters. I just wish there had been more stuff happening throughout the book.
littletaiko's review against another edition
4.0
This follow up to the first in the Victorian Mystery series satisfied and seemed to be a tad tighter in terms of plot. The focus now is on Annabelle, an aspiring artist, who shares artistic tendencies with her troubled older brother Edwin. When Edwin is murdered she forms an alliance with Matthew, the Scotland Yard detective from the first book in the series. The author establishes the time period really well through the happenings in the art world and auction houses of the time.
reneesmith's review against another edition
5.0
This story takes me back to high school and the books I loved to lose myself in! Karen Odden has become a favorite author. In its review of this book, Publisher’s Weekly wrote: “Odden keenly evokes the physical as well as cultural milieu of Victorian England, and peoples her setting with fully realized and intriguing characters.”
(clean read)
(clean read)
mareebaird's review against another edition
4.0
Finished this on my birthday hehe. Officially in my reader era. Great book, a little slow overall but very well researched and interesting for historical fiction!
storiedadventures's review against another edition
4.0
Full review on my blog, Storied Adventures!
I don't know how else to say it except that this was a relaxing and cozy read. It was perfect to wrap up my year with. A perfect Winter read. I loved learning a bit about the art world and art itself. This is one of those instances where I can really say I learned something from reading a fictional book! I loved Annabel's determined, yet kind spirit. Matthew was a great fit for her! And I hurt really badly after finding out Edwin's secret. So sad!
I don't know how else to say it except that this was a relaxing and cozy read. It was perfect to wrap up my year with. A perfect Winter read. I loved learning a bit about the art world and art itself. This is one of those instances where I can really say I learned something from reading a fictional book! I loved Annabel's determined, yet kind spirit. Matthew was a great fit for her! And I hurt really badly after finding out Edwin's secret. So sad!
txpeach's review against another edition
I could have given it a longer trail but I simply wasn't in the mood.
The personality of the police inspector/ love interest wasn't what I was expecting so I was already slightly disappointed.
And I didn't care for the way the author was always likening everything to being a painter; colors, smells, etc. As if to reinforce the fact that our heroine was, in fact, a painter.
The personality of the police inspector/ love interest wasn't what I was expecting so I was already slightly disappointed.
And I didn't care for the way the author was always likening everything to being a painter; colors, smells, etc. As if to reinforce the fact that our heroine was, in fact, a painter.
cglanton12's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ruba0327's review against another edition
4.0
My first time reading a book by this author, even though this is the 2nd book in a series. I had trouble getting into the story at first, I think it is because, although well written, there seemed to be a lot of unnecessary details that slowed the pace of the story. But I was curious enough to continue, and enjoyed this Victorian art mystery very much. The main characters were relatable, so I was invested in their story. A good novel to start my new year of reading.
whiskeyinthejar's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Annabel has been working to trust her brother again after he is released from jail for counterfeiting paintings but when she arrives at his flat to find two plainclothes detectives, she knows something is direly wrong.
With her art world knowledge, Annabel could be a tremendous help to Inspector Matthew as he searches for an art thief and murderer but it's getting increasingly hard for him to put her in danger.
Suspects are lining up, plots are thickening, and buried secrets are getting revealed in this Victorian murder mystery.
“I think all our memories have a trace of deceit in them,” Matthew said, his expression regretful.
A Dangerous Duet, first in the Victorian Mystery series, introduced readers to the heroine's brother Matthew. A broody, overworked Inspector who took time and care with his thoughts and actions. I enjoyed watching him think and deduct in this continuation of the series. However, this is very much Annabel's story. Reader's come up on her as she has a sinking feeling about her brother Edwin, but as he has disappointed her in the past about turning his life around, she arrives at his flat annoyed that she is worried about him. This makes the impact of learning he was murdered hit her harder as guilt takes over. As this story is told from Annabel's point of view, readers really get into her head and I found her to be a calm, thoughtful, and intelligent heroine.
The murder mystery plot has Matthew trying to solve who and why murdered Edwin and possibly stole a painting he was cleaning. Was the murder random, was the painting the crux of the murder, or was Edwin targeted because of instances in his past? The author did a good job providing us with red-herrings: Felix is a friend of Annabel and Edwin and he gave the painting to Edwin to clean for his auction house. When it comes out that the painting could be a forgery, his reputation and livelihood are on the line. The seller of the painting, a widow, claims the painting was supposed to be a gift for her anniversary from her late husband but she is also in need of money. The step-son of the man who supposedly sold it to the widow's husband, claims it was burned in a fire and the painting has to be a forgery but if not, he wants it back; his relationship was very contentious with his step-father. Then lastly, possible enemies from Edwin's childhood school days.
I thought the author's strong suit was in providing these possible suspects and developing their reasons, slowly revealing them to the reader. This kept me guessing, involved, and locked into the mystery. Tying in and keeping Annabel involved with the investigation, through her art world knowledge, got a bit too in depth for me at times. I'm not a particular art connoisseur but others that are would maybe enjoy the name dropping and dive into paintings and painters that were popular or emerging during this time period. The author also includes some political background and tied in some real events, the Pantechnicon burning down, that helped set the period feel and gave the story more authenticity for me.
The focus of the story is very much on the art world and wadding through facts, backstories, characters, and revealed secrets to find out who and why Edwin was murdered, the romance between Annabel and Matthew is probably only around 3% of this stories focus. I was surprised, though, that the last 10% was so emotional for me, be prepared to have some of the slow, steady reveals from the murder mystery to hit you hard at the end. With the way the author hit me with this emotional writing, I was a little disappointed I didn't feel it throughout the story; the art world talk eclipsed it. Regardless, if looking for a Victorian murder mystery immersed in the art world, A Trace of Deceit delivers with meaningful red-herrings and an affecting end.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Annabel has been working to trust her brother again after he is released from jail for counterfeiting paintings but when she arrives at his flat to find two plainclothes detectives, she knows something is direly wrong.
With her art world knowledge, Annabel could be a tremendous help to Inspector Matthew as he searches for an art thief and murderer but it's getting increasingly hard for him to put her in danger.
Suspects are lining up, plots are thickening, and buried secrets are getting revealed in this Victorian murder mystery.
“I think all our memories have a trace of deceit in them,” Matthew said, his expression regretful.
A Dangerous Duet, first in the Victorian Mystery series, introduced readers to the heroine's brother Matthew. A broody, overworked Inspector who took time and care with his thoughts and actions. I enjoyed watching him think and deduct in this continuation of the series. However, this is very much Annabel's story. Reader's come up on her as she has a sinking feeling about her brother Edwin, but as he has disappointed her in the past about turning his life around, she arrives at his flat annoyed that she is worried about him. This makes the impact of learning he was murdered hit her harder as guilt takes over. As this story is told from Annabel's point of view, readers really get into her head and I found her to be a calm, thoughtful, and intelligent heroine.
The murder mystery plot has Matthew trying to solve who and why murdered Edwin and possibly stole a painting he was cleaning. Was the murder random, was the painting the crux of the murder, or was Edwin targeted because of instances in his past? The author did a good job providing us with red-herrings: Felix is a friend of Annabel and Edwin and he gave the painting to Edwin to clean for his auction house. When it comes out that the painting could be a forgery, his reputation and livelihood are on the line. The seller of the painting, a widow, claims the painting was supposed to be a gift for her anniversary from her late husband but she is also in need of money. The step-son of the man who supposedly sold it to the widow's husband, claims it was burned in a fire and the painting has to be a forgery but if not, he wants it back; his relationship was very contentious with his step-father. Then lastly, possible enemies from Edwin's childhood school days.
I thought the author's strong suit was in providing these possible suspects and developing their reasons, slowly revealing them to the reader. This kept me guessing, involved, and locked into the mystery. Tying in and keeping Annabel involved with the investigation, through her art world knowledge, got a bit too in depth for me at times. I'm not a particular art connoisseur but others that are would maybe enjoy the name dropping and dive into paintings and painters that were popular or emerging during this time period. The author also includes some political background and tied in some real events, the Pantechnicon burning down, that helped set the period feel and gave the story more authenticity for me.
The focus of the story is very much on the art world and wadding through facts, backstories, characters, and revealed secrets to find out who and why Edwin was murdered, the romance between Annabel and Matthew is probably only around 3% of this stories focus. I was surprised, though, that the last 10% was so emotional for me, be prepared to have some of the slow, steady reveals from the murder mystery to hit you hard at the end. With the way the author hit me with this emotional writing, I was a little disappointed I didn't feel it throughout the story; the art world talk eclipsed it. Regardless, if looking for a Victorian murder mystery immersed in the art world, A Trace of Deceit delivers with meaningful red-herrings and an affecting end.