Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Wicked Deceit by Anna Lee Huber Series: Lady Darby Mystery #9
Published by Berkley on April 6, 2021
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Edinburgh, Scotland. March 1832. Kiera and Gage have been eagerly awaiting their bundle of joy, but trouble has been brewing in the form of the roguish criminal, Bonnie Brock Kincaid. A new book and subsequent play features some of Kincaid's daringly heinous exploits, although he swears he had nothing to do with it or the characters which are obvious representations of Kiera and Gage. While the scoundrel's fury seems genuine, as well as his determined quest to uncover the real identity of the author, the Gages still hold doubts about his innocence.
A rash of crimes break out across the city, seemingly inspired by the play and book. When the publisher is found brutally murdered—in an imitation of a gruesome scene—the finger not only points to Bonnie Brock as the possible culprit, but also the Gages, who have been outspoken in their condemnation of the tale. Now, the Gages are on a hunt to unmask the killer. Between the infamy garnered by the play, the cholera outbreak still wreaking havoc throughout the city, and the impending birth of their child, they will need all the resources they can garner.
But family quarrels and the revelation of a secret Kiera has been keeping from Sebastian threaten to undermine everything they have overcome. When they find themselves in the crosshairs of the killer, trapped in the squalid underground vaults of the city, they will soon discover that the truth does not always set you free, and death can lurk around any corner.
Edinburgh is whispering behind their hands about Kiera once again, but this time it because her name is tied to the town’s most infamous criminal, Bonnie Brock Kincaid. This is a series I eagerly jump on each new installment for the colorful characters, the riveting plot, and the well-drawn historical backdrops.
A Wicked Conceit is the ninth in a series that works best read in order. In fact, it references earlier books and even the most recent novella, so readers get a better experience when they have already read the scenes that were being addressed.
Only three weeks before she is due, Kiera doesn’t need the added stress of an unauthorized book about “Bonnie” Brock Kincaid and featuring her and Gage in a bad light taking Edinburgh by storm, even as cholera is still raging strong. Her sister is bugging her to leave the mystery-solving and her artwork behind now that she is to be a mother and the secret she is keeping from Gage is churning inside her.
But, Kiera has come a long way and is hurt by Alana’s lack of understanding that, detective work with Gage and her art, are part of who she is and being a mother will add to that and not replace it. Gage doesn’t expect her to suddenly turn into the little woman who stays at home. He does expect complete honesty, but she still can’t bring herself to tell him the truth she discovered over the Christmas holiday about Lord Henry.
The mystery in this one took a bit to get underway because much of this book was focused on Kiera’s life. I’m not a big fan of people keeping secrets from those they are in relationships with so I was not well pleased with that aspect of the story. I also found myself barely tolerating Kiera and Alana’s sisterly squabbling. It was starting out rocky for me, but then the mystery side finally kicked into high gear and my usual pleasure in the Lady Darby mysteries was back.
I shouldn’t complain about all the personal plot developments because the blend of character, relationship-building, and mystery plots are what drew me to the series and was a strong part of this book.
The author wrote a note that she did not write the cholera epidemic in because she was writing during our own pandemic. It was always going to be part of whatever book happened at this time, but it did have greater significance to me as a reader as a result.
The murder mystery was not very challenging to me. I figured out swiftly who was behind the author learning about Brock’s life, how a certain gambling aristocrat fit in, and it wasn’t long after the murder that I knew who did it and a little of why. But, the deeper motive was what surprised me later in the book. That said, I loved trotting along with Kiera and Gage as they worked it all out.
It ended on a high note and left me eager for the next book. There was one confrontation after a certain secret was revealed that didn’t happen in this book and I’m curious how that will go. And, naturally, I can’t wait to see what mystery will come their way next. Those who love historical mystery with solid historical background and engaging characters really need to try this book/series.
About Anna Lee Huber
Anna Lee Huber is the Daphne award-winning author of the national bestselling Lady Darby Mysteries, the Verity Kent Mysteries, the Gothic Myths series, and the forthcoming anthology The Deadly Hours. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in psychology. She currently resides in Indiana with her family and is hard at work on her next novel.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Kiera’s sister got on my very last nerve and I just wanted her to stand up for herself! Yeah, wasn’t pleased with the secret keeping, but that didn’t bug me as much as the sister squabbles. I still love this series, however. I didn’t know there was a novella. I’ll have to look it up. Fab review, Sophia! 🙂
I was waiting for her to really let Alanna have it for butting in all the time.
Yes, the novella is part of the Deadly Hours anthology. I don’t know if she is planning to release her novella separately some day, but the other three stories were pretty good, too, so the antho was worth it.
Sorry to hear the mystery wasn’t much of a challenge, but at least the story ended on a high note.
I love this series so I was disappointed, but I was glad it ended well. 🙂
Lovely! This series is on my maybe one day list. Thanks!!
Well worth it, Jen!
This is on my list of historical mysteries to binge.
Luckiest, Anne! I binged it last year. 🙂
Oh I always love stories like that!
The series is a definite fav for me. 🙂
This series is new to me but I do love a good historical mystery. I am glad that you enjoyed this one in the end, Sophia Rose!
Definitely a series you want to put on your wish list, Carole. Yeah, I wasn’t keen on some of the squabbling and drama, but then the mystery kicked in and it was back to business as usual which I loved.
Sounds like a solid read. I am not a fan of characters keeping secrets either. That’s nice there was still a surprise related to the mystery even tough you managed to figure it out quickly.
A few hiccoughs for me, but overall it was great getting the next book in the series.