Monday, August 30, 2021

Murder Most Fair - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Murder Most Fair (Verity Kent Mysteries #5) by Anna Lee Huber

Rating:  Really Liked It
Source:  Publisher

Description: November 1919. A relaxing few weeks by the seaside with her husband, Sidney, could almost convince Verity Kent that life has returned to the pleasant rhythm of pre-war days. Then Verity's beloved Great Aunt Ilse lands on their doorstep. After years in war-ravaged Germany, Ilse has returned to England to repair her fragile health—and to escape trouble. Someone has been sending her anonymous threats, and Verity's Secret Service contacts can only provide unsettling answers.

Even deep in the Yorkshire Dales, where she joins Verity's family for the holidays, Ilse encounters difficulties. Normally peaceful neighbors are hostile, seeking someone to blame for the losses they've endured. When Ilse's maid is found dead, Verity must uncover whether this is anti-German sentiment taken to murderous lengths, or whether there is a more personal motive at work. Could Verity's shadowy nemesis, Lord Ardmore, be involved? And if so, how much closer to home will the blow land when he inevitably strikes again?

Genre: Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  This is a series that I worked to catch up on this year and it's also one I really enjoy so of course I couldn't pass up the newest book!

My Impression: I really love this series but I did feel like it was starting to get a tad bit predictable in the last book.  The focus on Lord Ardmore as a all powerful nemesis can get a bit old.  This one was a really nice shake up and we got to see a more vulnerable side of Verity as she faced her demons which I really enjoyed.  There have been mentions of Verity's German family connections but I liked getting a bit more information there as well seeing a different scene of her war work. 

Verity's Great Aunt Ilse is an interesting narrator.  So often she's is the picture of reliability and then with a single statement that'll go out the window so it made for an intriguing mystery.  I was hooked by both the mystery of the 2nd deserter and the murder from the first page even though the murder doesn't occur until halfway through the book.

While there is a decent amount of action all throughout the book this is more of a character building book then a plot building book.  Seeing Verity among her family was interesting and eye opening.  As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed Anna Lee Huber's writing and really enjoyed this book.  I was so glad to see more development of the characters and to see them get more confidence in their relationship.  This is a reliable series and this one may just be my favorite yet!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read from this author and I will be looking for the next Verity Kent book.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would recommend this series though I strongly recommend starting from the beginning.  If you've been reading this series from the beginning I think you'll really enjoy this one.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

7 comments:

  1. I really want to read this author.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  2. Sounds like kind of a regrouping book which I give the author credit! It will probably strengthen things going forward.

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  3. I love the sound of this- and those covers are stunning!

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  4. I've never read this author and I want to. This sounds so good.

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  5. Now you have me looking forward to it. Reminding me this is where Verity goes home to face up to the loss of her brother.

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  6. Glad this one shock things up a bit. I love the time period and setting. Great review!

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  7. I think I have her on my list...🤔

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