Review - A Certain Darkness

 Set in post WWI we find out about the this pivotal war from the perspective of a spy now decommissioned but somehow drawn back into the game again and again.

1) This Side of Murder (click here)

3) Penny for Your Secrets (click here) 

Author guest post (click here)

Author: Anna Lee Huber

Copyright: August 2022 (Kensington Books) 370 pgs

Series: 6th in Verity Kent Mysteries

Sensuality: Perilous situations

Mystery Sub-genre: Intrigue, Suspense

Main Character: Verity Kent, former British spy and married into money

Setting: 1920, London

Obtained Through: Publisher ( Netgalley) for honest opinion

Book Blurb: "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 . . ."

My thoughts:  Verity Kent is back in another case of intrigue that takes her across Europe with her husband Sidney. Verity may no longer be a spy but she still needs nerves of steel for this case.  I think the relationship with her husband has healed and better than the last book I read.  This series has developed an arch-nemisis of Verity and that person is active in this novel as well.

The book creates a dilemna for Verity when what is at stake is far more than what she or Sidney had been told. They follow what cryptic clues they have dodge bullets while searching for the truth.  The pacing slowed at times, but picked up again before long.  The climatic confrontation is well done and not predictable, so good job there.

This is a well done novel and the historical aspects of the first world war are always appreciated because not many novels cover it.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Review - Penny for Your Secrets

“No sooner are Verity Kent and her dashing but troubled husband, Sidney, back from solving a mystery in Belgium (Treacherous Is the Night) than they are confronted with one at home in London…Touching details of the Kents’ struggle to overcome Sidney’s anguish add to the stellar mystery here, making this a great read for fans of the series and for all who enjoy Downton Abbey–era fiction.”  —Booklist

Of all the mysteries available, I tend to default to historical mysteries often.  Today I review the newest in the Verity Kent mysteries.  Previously I reviewed book one "This Side of Murder" (click here), I read book two "Treacherous Is The Night" but didn't review it at the time.  Now I am reviewing the third in this series.

Author: Anna Lee Huber

Copyright: Oct 2019 (Kensington) 336 pgs

Series: 3rd in Verity Kent Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild and innuendo

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth with espionage touches

Main Character: Verity Kent, former Secret Service Agent married into money.

Setting: 1919 London England

Obtained Through: Publisher ( Netgalley) for honest opinion

Cover blurb:  "The Great War may be over, but for many, there are still obstacles on the home front. Reconciling with her estranged husband makes Verity sympathetic to her friend Ada’s marital difficulties. Bourgeois-bred Ada, recently married to the Marquess of Rockham, is overwhelmed trying to navigate the ways of the aristocracy. And when Lord Rockham is discovered shot through the heart with a bullet from Ada’s revolver, Verity fears her friend has made a fatal blunder.

While striving to prove Ada’s innocence, Verity is called upon for another favor. The sister of a former Secret Service colleague has been killed in what authorities believe was a home invasion gone wrong. The victim’s war work—censoring letters sent by soldiers from the front—exposed her to sensitive, disturbing material. Verity begins to suspect these two unlikely cases may be linked. But as the connections deepen, the consequences—not just for Verity, but for Britain—grow more menacing than she could have imagined." 

Verity and newly returned husband Sydney are back.  I particularly enjoy Verity's character and find her a great heroine.  There is an appearance from Max, Sydney's former commanding officer and briefly an interested suitor of Verity's. This book we have more on Verity's loyal maid and housekeeper Sadie.  Also, we have the addition of Nimble, a battle scarred (literally) former serviceman of Sydney's who becomes his valet.  I really enjoy these two characters and would like more of them.

The setting is mostly in England with a trip for questioning.  The period details are vivid and encompassing so I felt transported in time. It is just after WWI, when a generation has been stripped of their innocence and over indulges in drinks and parties to dull the hardships, horrors, and mourning they have endured. 

The pacing seemed slow in spite of there being two murder investigations.  I contribute this, at least in part, to there being no sense of urgency, no ticking clock or hurry to stop a killer but rather a mindful pursuit of the culprit that felt endless.

The two mysteries are solved and there isn't a nail biting killer reveal.  There were a few brief moments of struggle that ended in a flash.  I personally much prefer a heart pounding reveal but that isn't always how it works out.  There is a manipulator behind the mystery that will likely appear again as a powerful enemy.

I found this book a mixed bag overall.  I particularly appreciate that this takes place right after World War I, which truly is the Forgotten War. But, Verity working through marital problems as they get to know each other after being separated by the war just doesn't work for me.  I find myself wanting the trope of a romantic interest which would at least provide a little light-hearted break, but rather we get tension between the two.  Relationships in the story can put some zing into the plot, but instead this just drags the whole story down in my opinion.  I appreciate the light shining on PTSD of the returning soldiers, I just don't need it as a recurring tension between Verity and her husband.  I also grow weary of hubby having such a hard time with accepting Verity worked as an agent and was in danger when he was getting shot and bombed. I feel there is an unspoken double standard in this book in hubby's suspecting Verity was unfaithful while he was gone because soldiers in war are notorious for sexual escapades (live it up when and where you can for tomorrow you might die sort of idea). Besides the fact she had been notified he was dead.  If it seems like this is mostly about Verity and hubby Sydney, that is what stayed with me from the story and not the mystery.  The mystery seemed to be a backdrop for Verity and Sydney to go through their personal issues.

I will provide a caveat that this is my opinion and I recognize that there are many others who found this book a wonderful outing in the series.  I'm just saying it didn't strike the right notes for me and why.  If you enjoy Downton Abbey and a lot of drama, this could be for you.

Rating:  Good - A fair read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.