Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Needed firmer editing. Many misused words. Enough to be distracting.
A Pretty Deceit, the latest in Anna Lee Huber's post-WWI mystery series, is sure to please those who have already read and enjoyed the previous books starring Verity Kent, wartime spy turned peacetime detective. This fourth volume sees Verity and her war hero husband Sidney, along with an ensemble of characters established over the last few books, pursuing their ongoing investigation of the devious Lord Ardmore's treachery and murders. Along the way, they're entangled in another mystery or two - murder does seem to dog Verity's footsteps - as first some thefts and disappearances, and then corpses, cause her long-suffering aunt to demand Verity's assistance. Naturally, this being a solidly plotted mystery novel, these seemingly disparate mysteries have their connection with Verity's continuing investigations, all of which provides for both a satisfying conclusion (to the single-story mystery) and a strong lead-in to a future Book #5.
Verity remains an engaging heroine, surrounded by an ensemble of more or less interesting characters (some rather more than others; I find Alec Xavier intriguing, but servants Nimble and Sadie feel wasted so far), and the plot moves at a smooth pace, sprinkling clues here and there at just the right times. I wouldn't say the solution has the rich inevitability of an Agatha Christie puzzle, but it's more than adequate, and the historical setting, just post-war and rife with comments on demobbed soldiers' PTSD, secrets & treason that have continued into peacetime, and the hardship faced by those on the home front while despairing over their loved ones in the trenches, is successful at going far deeper than just set decoration.
All in all, it's a solid, enjoyable, and quick read for fans of historical mystery series, and I look forward to it continuing for several more books to come!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance review copy!
Verity remains an engaging heroine, surrounded by an ensemble of more or less interesting characters (some rather more than others; I find Alec Xavier intriguing, but servants Nimble and Sadie feel wasted so far), and the plot moves at a smooth pace, sprinkling clues here and there at just the right times. I wouldn't say the solution has the rich inevitability of an Agatha Christie puzzle, but it's more than adequate, and the historical setting, just post-war and rife with comments on demobbed soldiers' PTSD, secrets & treason that have continued into peacetime, and the hardship faced by those on the home front while despairing over their loved ones in the trenches, is successful at going far deeper than just set decoration.
All in all, it's a solid, enjoyable, and quick read for fans of historical mystery series, and I look forward to it continuing for several more books to come!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance review copy!
I enjoy all of this author's series. This may be the best of this series so far.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
I think I’m getting to burnout stage, so I am going to wait to read the next book in the series. I didn’t quite enjoy this storyline as much as I have the past several books. 3.5 stars.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What a captivating story. I really love Verity and Sidney and I always look forward to their next adventure.