A STUDY IN DEATH by Anna Lee Huber 

SENSE OF DECEPTION by Victoria Laurie

A STUDY IN DEATH

Book 4 in the Lady Darby Mystery series

by Anna Lee Huber

From the national bestselling author of A Grave Matter comes the latest riveting mystery featuring a most “unusual and romantic” (Judith Rock) sleuth…
 
Scotland, 1831. After a tumultuous courtship complicated by three deadly inquiries, Lady Kiera Darby is thrilled to have found both an investigative partner and a fiancé in Sebastian Gage. But with her well-meaning—and very pregnant—sister planning on making their wedding the event of the season, Kiera could use a respite from the impending madness.
 
Commissioned to paint the portrait of Lady Drummond, Kiera is saddened when she recognizes the pain in the baroness’s eyes. Lord Drummond is a brute, and his brusque treatment of his wife forces Kiera to think of the torment caused by her own late husband.
 
Kiera isn’t sure how to help, but when she finds Lady Drummond prostrate on the floor, things take a fatal turn. The physician called to the house and Lord Drummond appear satisfied to rule her death natural, but Kiera is convinced that poison is the real culprit.
 
Now, armed only with her knowledge of the macabre and her convictions, Kiera intends to discover the truth behind the baroness’s death—no matter what, or who, stands in her way.

MY REVIEW

Although I did go through a period when I read primarily Regency romances, I’ll admit that I doubt I would have ever chosen a historical mystery. But now like strong, independent female leads in the books I read. That being said, even though A STUDY IN DEATH is set in 1831, author Anna Lee Huber has penned a female protagonist with every bit the independence as a modern day woman. 

I found the series main character, Lady Kiera Darby, to be not only strong and intelligent, but an absolute delight. It was easy at times to forget when and where I was. I adored her relationship with her fiancé, Sebastian Gage, and loved that they work together as investigators.

Since this is the first book I’ve read in the Lady Darby Mystery series, I can’t compare it to the ones that came before. But I can say I found it to be an original and wonderful mystery. Ms. Huber has written a fascinating story that is more in line with the traditional mysteries of years pass. I look forward to reading more in this series.

If you’re a fan of lighter mysteries, and historicals, this book will be something you will truly enjoy.

And cozy fans who love cats . . . Lady Darby has a cat named Earl Grey! How adorable is that?

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SENSE OF DECEPTION

Book 13 in the Psychic Eye Mystery series 

by Victoria Laurie

In New York Times bestselling author Victoria Laurie’s newest Psychic Eye Mystery, Abby Cooper senses a convicted killer is innocent, but she’ll need hard evidence to save the woman before it’s too late… 

A ticked-off judge has tossed Abby in the slammer for contempt of court, and during her brief but unpleasant stay she learns the story of a condemned woman who is facing a far more serious sentence. Skylar Miller has been found guilty of murder and faces the death penalty. Everyone believes she’s guilty, including her own family and her ex-husband—everyone, that is, except Abby, whose finely honed intuition tells her this woman doesn’t belong behind bars.

With the help of her husband Dutch and her friend Candice, Abby launches into her own investigation to clear Skylar and find the real killer. But after a final appeal is denied and Skylar’s attorney scrambles for a stay of execution, time is running short—and the list of suspects keeps growing. There’s no margin for error as the life of an innocent woman hangs in the balance.

MY REVIEW

Congratulations to author Victoria Laurie for an original storyline. Having protagonist psychic Abby Cooper thrown in jail for contempt of court was a great way to start off SENSE OF DECEPTION. Having Abby share a cell with an accused death row murderer and Abby’s psychic sense telling her the woman is innocent when no one else believes she is, was simply inspired.

The story was full of energy and intrigue. There was lot of action and many road blocks as Abby and gang try to find the real murderer. What seemed an impossible uphill battle, was resolved in a surprising and satisfying reveal.  

For those who read book 12, FATAL FORTUNE, and were disappointed, I think you’ll find SENSE OF DECEPTION is back on track and up to the standards you have come to expect from this author.

I pointed this out in my last review of a book in this series, but it seems to have fallen into the “cozy” mystery genre. For readers who like their cozies on the true lighter side as cozies should be, this series may not be to your liking. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a hardcore thriller. However, anyone who enjoys an edgier mystery, that doesn’t mind some “language” and such, as well as a slight a paranormal flare, you’ll really like this book and the Psychic Eye Mystery series.

Both of these great titles release 
Tuesday, July 7
Pre-order today!

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