Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Certain Darkness by Anna Lee Huber Series: Verity Kent Mystery #6
Published by Kensington Books on August 30, 2022
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 376
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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March 1920: Life has turned unsettlingly quiet for former British Intelligence agent Verity Kent and her husband, Sidney. But even that false calm is about to end. As threats remain, the French authorities soon request Sidney’s help with a suspect who claims to have proof of treason—shortly before she is assassinated. And Verity, too, is called to investigate a mystery.
The murder of a Belgian lawyer aboard a train seems at first to be a simple case of revenge. But the victim was connected to British Intelligence, and possessed papers detailing the sinking of a gold-laden German ship during the war.
As Verity and Sidney dig deeper, they discover their cases are intertwined—and a lethal adversary persists. Officially, the Great War may be over, but this is a battle of nerves and wits they cannot afford to lose…
Post WWI era intrigue and murder along with a slow build second chance marital romance are at the heart of the fabulous Verity Kent series. Each installment fills me with high anticipation when I pick up the latest release because I know I will devour the book and be left satisfied, but wanting more.
A Certain Darkness is the sixth in a series that must be read in order through the build of relationships, the series long suspense plot, and ongoing personal growth though yes, there are murder mysteries that wrap up in each book.
Still on the trail of the poisonous gas that is meant to be released in Ireland and the bringing down of an insidious powerful British mastermind behind the gas and other schemes of intrigue, Verity and Sidney agree to two separate missions back in the area of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands where they served during the war.
First, Sidney is contacted by the French police that they have a prisoner who will only share what she knows to Sidney and she happens to be an informant who played both sides during the war. Verity is contacted by her former spymaster boss to follow up on the murder of one of his agents and some volatile missing papers in the neutral ground of the Netherlands. The marital team do not separate, but help each other work their separate case and assignment only to find that someone- a few someones don’t want them finding answers and they discover the truth will be a game changer.
I love this series not just for the cunning murder mysteries and intrigue plotting, but for the sensational characters, their growth, and the relationship that is difficult though amazing between Verity and Sidney. And, let’s not forget the attention to historical setting and backdrop. Sidney is still dealing with the costs of war that haunt him and, in so doing, haunt their marriage while Verity is also dealing with the effect of working as a spy during the war and Sidney faking his death to get justice for his men and clear his name. They are getting there and it is precious to see them feel their marriage and love is worth the fight.
The mystery was twisting and got dangerous as they tracked the trail to discover the answer to murder and missing papers for two situations. I loved seeing some of their familiar opponents show up. The setting was mostly the Netherlands and I liked the change up, though the focus was the mystery and the cultural history was background while the war history was the focus.
All in all, that big reveal about their cases and the announcement of new trouble in Ireland at the end will make things interesting going forward and I am dying to see what comes next. Historical mystery fans who like a blend with spy thriller and second chance romance should definitely give these a try.
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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Glad to see you enjoyed this one as, I loved this installment too! Such a great series!
I was so bummed when it left off with that teaser, but wow, this was another fab one.
I love the combination of espionage and mystery all in a historical book! This sounds amazing.
Same here! This series has been sensational from the start.
Great review Sophia! I have been seeing great things about this one from the blogging community and happy to see that the mystery had plenty of fun twists for you to enjoy!
I have no doubt, Renee. I’m entranced with both her series, but especially this one. 🙂
Ooooo I do love mysteries and historical…..
You must try these, Carole. 🙂
This sounds fantastic. This is the second glowing review of this book that I have read. Adding this series to my wishlist!
I think you’d really get into these, Carole. 🙂
I love the sound of these and am going to start the series soon.
Yay, I hope you really enjoy it when you get the chance to start, Greg.
I really enjoyed this one as well and definitely agree this is a series that must be read in order.
Yay for another fan. And, now we have to wait for the Irish adventure. 🙂