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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The author recognizes in the acknowledgments that prior to this book she knew very little about this historical topic, thanking her researchers. I’m not well-versed in this period in history in Ireland, and there is no preface to give you a little background and get you up to speed before delving in. That would have been a significant plus to this book.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The setting of this book was fascinating as I've never read much about the Irish Revolution, and to have Verity "on the ground" witnessing the tensions and the build up was really interesting. Unsurprisingly, after Verity's experiences in the war she is concerned about how the Irish are treated and discomfited by the power differentials in the country.
There are a lot of different threads, as Verity is looking into what happened to a well-connected girl, searching for her old colleague Alec among the IRA, and wondering what Ardmore is going to do next. The book ends up being a lot of setup for (what I'm assuming is going to be) a major clash with the IRA and Ardmore's role in profiting from the chaos. We get more insight into Ardmore's motivations. As a result, the only mystery that gets solved feels a bit inconsequential when there's so much going on. I am very curious to see what happens next in the series though.
There are a lot of different threads, as Verity is looking into what happened to a well-connected girl, searching for her old colleague Alec among the IRA, and wondering what Ardmore is going to do next. The book ends up being a lot of setup for (what I'm assuming is going to be) a major clash with the IRA and Ardmore's role in profiting from the chaos. We get more insight into Ardmore's motivations. As a result, the only mystery that gets solved feels a bit inconsequential when there's so much going on. I am very curious to see what happens next in the series though.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Verity Kent and husband Sidney venture to Ireland on a secret mission in “The Cold Light of Day.” Anna Lee Huber’s research into Ireland’s fight for independence frames the search for a killer and Verity’s missing friend and fellow spy, Alec. It is a tense story with many twists and turns that leave Verity and Sidney questioning everything they believe to be true.
I love it when an author takes the time to establish background in a way that makes the reader curious about a specific period of time. Huber has done that by painting a vivid picture of what was happening in Ireland during 1920. Even better, the background was so good that I want to learn more about that period in history!
I also love how Verity and Sidney struggle to maintain their own moral compasses when faced with the reality of British policy in 1920. This makes the characters more complex and likeable.
This book is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and those who enjoy settings in the 1920s.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love it when an author takes the time to establish background in a way that makes the reader curious about a specific period of time. Huber has done that by painting a vivid picture of what was happening in Ireland during 1920. Even better, the background was so good that I want to learn more about that period in history!
I also love how Verity and Sidney struggle to maintain their own moral compasses when faced with the reality of British policy in 1920. This makes the characters more complex and likeable.
This book is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries and those who enjoy settings in the 1920s.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
slow-paced
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Historical Mystery set in 1920 Ireland in which a former English Secret Service agent and her husband go undercover to search for a fellow spy feared to have switched sides.
5/5 stars: This is the seventh entry in Huber's Verity Kent Mysteries series which is a Historical Mystery set in 1920 Ireland featuring a former English Secret Service agent and high-society darling and her war hero husband as they take on a covert mission to search for her fellow spy and friend who's vanished after infiltrating the IRA at its highest levels and feared dead or worse to have switched sides. In addition, the two uncover a conspiracy involving British Intelligence and continue their search for missing biological weapons and evidence to stop the slippery deadly mastermind behind the theft and more. With plenty of twists and turns, Huber has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I really appreciate how Huber's plot unfolds and it's clever resolution and the how the over-arching plot continues to progress... I love Huber's Moriarty-esque villain, Ardmore. Additionally, Huber's writing and character work are stellar; the main characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable and the secondary cast members are well crafted and uniquely voiced. It's great to catch back up with Verity and Sidney, their friends, colleagues and their many adventures. Huber's historical research is top notch; I found the look into the IRA and Michael Collins very interesting. Huber touches on some sensitive subjects, so take care and the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, [b:This Side of Murder|33019745|This Side of Murder (Verity Kent, #1)|Anna Lee Huber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488902573l/33019745._SX50_.jpg|53671204].
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and ARC provided by Kensington Publishing | Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
5/5 stars: This is the seventh entry in Huber's Verity Kent Mysteries series which is a Historical Mystery set in 1920 Ireland featuring a former English Secret Service agent and high-society darling and her war hero husband as they take on a covert mission to search for her fellow spy and friend who's vanished after infiltrating the IRA at its highest levels and feared dead or worse to have switched sides. In addition, the two uncover a conspiracy involving British Intelligence and continue their search for missing biological weapons and evidence to stop the slippery deadly mastermind behind the theft and more. With plenty of twists and turns, Huber has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. I really appreciate how Huber's plot unfolds and it's clever resolution and the how the over-arching plot continues to progress... I love Huber's Moriarty-esque villain, Ardmore. Additionally, Huber's writing and character work are stellar; the main characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable and the secondary cast members are well crafted and uniquely voiced. It's great to catch back up with Verity and Sidney, their friends, colleagues and their many adventures. Huber's historical research is top notch; I found the look into the IRA and Michael Collins very interesting. Huber touches on some sensitive subjects, so take care and the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, [b:This Side of Murder|33019745|This Side of Murder (Verity Kent, #1)|Anna Lee Huber|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488902573l/33019745._SX50_.jpg|53671204].
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and ARC provided by Kensington Publishing | Kensington in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, Colonisation
Minor: Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicide, Pregnancy