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Verity Kent Mysteries #6
A Certain Darkness
Set in Downton Abbey-era post-World War I England, this action-packed series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries is a treat for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Ella MacNeal.
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…
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…
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2022
About the author
Anna Lee Huber
27 books3,403 followersAnna Lee Huber is the USA Today bestselling and Daphne award-winning author of the Lady Darby Mysteries, the Verity Kent Mysteries, the Gothic Myths series, as well as Sisters of Fortune: A Novel of the Titanic and the 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. Visit her online at www.annaleehuber.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
September 11, 2022
This is book 6 in the Verity Kent mystery series and while most mystery series I can read in any order, this one was tricky to follow in the beginning especially since I haven’t read the other books. The mystery was still interesting and the story did pick up a fair bit, but I definitely recommend reading the other books before this one. The story is set in 1920 and focuses on Verity and her husband Sidney. Verity had a very active role with British Intelligence in the war and they both seem to have a nose for solving a mystery. The murders in this story both tie into the bigger picture so I won’t talk about them. The history felt very realistic and the writing was good. I definitely will give this series another chance with starting with book one this time. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for quality writing.
September 6, 2024
This series continues to keep my interest and attention as the layers are peeled back on secrets and culprits are revealed. The relationship between Verity and Sidney also continues to heal and get stronger the more they work together to find answers from the Great War. They only need to look at each other to know what the other is thinking. Some of the answers are devastating to hear and shakes their trust in their superiors from the war but it is also a time of healing for Sidney and his nightmares from the battlefield. They also find out that they are on the right track dealing with Ardmore, a very crooked man in the government of Britain, who is always one step ahead. I am amazed at the research and work that Ms. Huber had to do to bring this novel to fruition. I look forward to seeing the Kents as their next journey takes them to Ireland. I would recommend this series be read in order for the best enjoyment.
July 19, 2022
It’s 1920, and Verity and Sidney are summoned to the continent, where a prisoner says she will only confess to them. Her confession is expected to reveal war secrets and traitorous behavior. There is a possibility that there was hidden gold spirited away during the Great War, and some documents that people would literally kill for. This is definitely not a stand-alone read. I’ve read all of the books in this series, and I still had difficulty with following all of the intrigue and keeping track of the multitude of characters. I was also surprised and disappointed that it had a cliffhanger ending. I received an advance copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review A Certain Darkness. All opinions and comments are my own.
A very emotional outing for Verity and Sidney Kent awaits readers of A Certain Darkness, the sixth book in the post-WWI historical series by Anna Lee Huber. They are still after their arch-nemesis Lord Ardmore, and it’s not getting any easier.
In this entry they travel to the continent, following a long and convoluted trail of signs, signals and evidence involving spies and double agents from the war. Who’s an enemy, and who’s a friend? Verity and Sidney aren’t themselves sure anymore, and they involve us all in their misgivings. This book demands your attention on every page.
Along the way we get Verity’s thoughts and opinions, and she’s having to do a lot of it. Emotions are still high; Sidney’s disappearance rankles, even after the passage of time. And what Verity did doing the war plays its part; she’s still trying to clear her name and bring the real perpetrators to justice. Which will help to bring Ardmore down and solve everyone’s problems at the same time, because he’s about to cause some terrible trouble in Ireland, if they don’t get to him and his minions soon.
Just to be clear, there’s a strong anti-war message in this book. We gain more insight into Sidney and his struggles. The writer has given us a whole lot to think about, with quite the scenario (history is a harsh mistress; it's best to do your own research, too.)
But A Certain Darkness does call for a lot of tooing and froing, and once again, we’re almost back to where we started with Ardmore, the ending meaning yet another road trip. Am I on that path with the Kents? Of course; I’ve got to see this journey to its end.
A very emotional outing for Verity and Sidney Kent awaits readers of A Certain Darkness, the sixth book in the post-WWI historical series by Anna Lee Huber. They are still after their arch-nemesis Lord Ardmore, and it’s not getting any easier.
In this entry they travel to the continent, following a long and convoluted trail of signs, signals and evidence involving spies and double agents from the war. Who’s an enemy, and who’s a friend? Verity and Sidney aren’t themselves sure anymore, and they involve us all in their misgivings. This book demands your attention on every page.
Along the way we get Verity’s thoughts and opinions, and she’s having to do a lot of it. Emotions are still high; Sidney’s disappearance rankles, even after the passage of time. And what Verity did doing the war plays its part; she’s still trying to clear her name and bring the real perpetrators to justice. Which will help to bring Ardmore down and solve everyone’s problems at the same time, because he’s about to cause some terrible trouble in Ireland, if they don’t get to him and his minions soon.
Just to be clear, there’s a strong anti-war message in this book. We gain more insight into Sidney and his struggles. The writer has given us a whole lot to think about, with quite the scenario (history is a harsh mistress; it's best to do your own research, too.)
But A Certain Darkness does call for a lot of tooing and froing, and once again, we’re almost back to where we started with Ardmore, the ending meaning yet another road trip. Am I on that path with the Kents? Of course; I’ve got to see this journey to its end.
September 8, 2022
The Verity Kent series has been an exciting, addictive adventure! Verity and her husband Sidney have come a long way since reuniting after the end of WWI. Both have had to work through the traumas they experienced during the war. Verity served as an undercover agent, often crossing into enemy territory, and Sidney was on the front lines seeing untold horrors. These ordeals and more took a toll on their marriage, and it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, but it’s evident that Verity and Sidney are still very much in love, besotted knowing how easily they could’ve lost each other. They’ve got mixed up and then solved several murders, and continue to hunt the nefarious Lord Ardmore, a British Intelligence higher-up they believe played both sides during and after the war.
This is a series that should very much be read in order. A Certain Darkness would not make a good jump-in point since the history of Verity and Sidney’s romance, interactions with family and friends and the ongoing arc of the villainous Lord Ardmore wouldn’t make sense otherwise.
The war may be over, but Verity and Sidney are dragged into another situation where the sins committed during the war are coming back to haunt certain individuals and countries. Sins they want to keep hidden, but these things have a way of coming out. I had to wonder how much of the storyline was rooted in the actual events of WWI. It would be extremely sad if so. What an unnecessary loss of life! These discoveries cut Sidney deeply, and my heart hurt for him and Verity.
Verity and Sidney had to tread carefully! Things got edgy a few times! The murder and mystery were solved, but the ending left a character dangling in a dangerous situation with Verity and Sidney poised to make the next move. I’m looking forward to it!
A copy was kindly was kindly provided by Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a series that should very much be read in order. A Certain Darkness would not make a good jump-in point since the history of Verity and Sidney’s romance, interactions with family and friends and the ongoing arc of the villainous Lord Ardmore wouldn’t make sense otherwise.
The war may be over, but Verity and Sidney are dragged into another situation where the sins committed during the war are coming back to haunt certain individuals and countries. Sins they want to keep hidden, but these things have a way of coming out. I had to wonder how much of the storyline was rooted in the actual events of WWI. It would be extremely sad if so. What an unnecessary loss of life! These discoveries cut Sidney deeply, and my heart hurt for him and Verity.
Verity and Sidney had to tread carefully! Things got edgy a few times! The murder and mystery were solved, but the ending left a character dangling in a dangerous situation with Verity and Sidney poised to make the next move. I’m looking forward to it!
A copy was kindly was kindly provided by Kensington via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2022
“A certain darkness is needed to see the stars.” Osho
Darkness surrounds Verity and Sidney. Glimmers of hope are hard to see. The question is who will shine through?
Verity is once again swept up into the games Intelligent Agency plays. The war is over but the jockeying amongst the International Powers continue. Lord Ardmore continues to be a thorn in their side. He’s ruthless and in his pursuit of his goals the bodies are mounting up. The world is changing and Ardmore wants control over the various Intelligence Agencies.
Sidney takes a call from the Provost Gendarmerie. They have detained a Miss Adele Baverel for looting. She.will only talk to him. Sidney and Verity sense somethings wrong with her arrest and their search will take them to France, Belgium and Holland. What began as something simple becomes more complex. There’s rumours of a report is in the wind that if ever released holds upsetting news for the British forces and public in general. It certainly brings Verity and Sidney to their knees.
The politics are complex and trying to keep the various organisations straight in my head, who worked for which agency, who’s a threat, who’s aligned with their cause is challenging. Still this is an intriguing read, getting to the heart of Post Traumatic Stress as seen in Verity and Sidney, the sacrifices made during World War 1, the conditions in the trenches, all come alive for me. The secrecy, never knowing who to trust pulled at me. On top of that, there’s the post war wrangling about who does what where. Nations are in post war upheaval and certain people are pulling strings.
And let’s not forget Ireland! Verity and Sidney can’t.
A very insightful read.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Darkness surrounds Verity and Sidney. Glimmers of hope are hard to see. The question is who will shine through?
Verity is once again swept up into the games Intelligent Agency plays. The war is over but the jockeying amongst the International Powers continue. Lord Ardmore continues to be a thorn in their side. He’s ruthless and in his pursuit of his goals the bodies are mounting up. The world is changing and Ardmore wants control over the various Intelligence Agencies.
Sidney takes a call from the Provost Gendarmerie. They have detained a Miss Adele Baverel for looting. She.will only talk to him. Sidney and Verity sense somethings wrong with her arrest and their search will take them to France, Belgium and Holland. What began as something simple becomes more complex. There’s rumours of a report is in the wind that if ever released holds upsetting news for the British forces and public in general. It certainly brings Verity and Sidney to their knees.
The politics are complex and trying to keep the various organisations straight in my head, who worked for which agency, who’s a threat, who’s aligned with their cause is challenging. Still this is an intriguing read, getting to the heart of Post Traumatic Stress as seen in Verity and Sidney, the sacrifices made during World War 1, the conditions in the trenches, all come alive for me. The secrecy, never knowing who to trust pulled at me. On top of that, there’s the post war wrangling about who does what where. Nations are in post war upheaval and certain people are pulling strings.
And let’s not forget Ireland! Verity and Sidney can’t.
A very insightful read.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
May 19, 2022
Some series keep getting better and better as they go along, and this is certainly true with this one.
I love Verity and Sidney so much, and this book was so, so amazing!
At the start of the story, Verity and Sidney think they have some time off but they're soon called to investigate things in the continent. First, Verity and then Sidney, with seemingly different cases to look at in person. But the more they investigate, the more the cases are connected, and the more dangerous the situations become.
The premise/theory of what happened with one of the situations was historically chilling. It gave me so much to think about.
Can't wait for the next book! Highly recommend this one and the whole series!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I love Verity and Sidney so much, and this book was so, so amazing!
At the start of the story, Verity and Sidney think they have some time off but they're soon called to investigate things in the continent. First, Verity and then Sidney, with seemingly different cases to look at in person. But the more they investigate, the more the cases are connected, and the more dangerous the situations become.
The premise/theory of what happened with one of the situations was historically chilling. It gave me so much to think about.
Can't wait for the next book! Highly recommend this one and the whole series!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
August 30, 2022
Book 6, as this continues many themes which have developed over several books it may not be an easy read for someone new to the series.
It might be March 1920, but the Great War is still very much in the forefront of everyone's thoughts. While Verity and her husband Sidney Kent are trying to gather evidence against Lord Ardmore (boo hiss, how I wish he would just disappear in a puff of smoke), Sidney's assistance is requested by the French government, they have arrested a former acquaintance of Sidney's who was involved in trafficking British secrets to the Germans and claims to have proof of treason. The woman refuses to speak to anyone other than Sidney. After a short interview with the woman, in which she rambled nonsensically for parts, they leave to regroup, only to discover that she has allegedly committed suicide, with a women's scarf which the police believe was brought to the prison by Verity.
Meanwhile, Verity has been contacted by her Secret Service boss C to help with locating some very incriminating documents which a British informant was carrying. He has been found dead on a train (very Agatha Christie) but the papers are missing. Apparently they relate to the sinking of a Dutch ship which is claimed to have been carrying German gold to the US - if the papers aren't recovered there could be thousands of people treasure-seeking.
Together Verity and Sidney travel through the Netherlands, France and Belgium trying to identify the murderer(s), locate the missing papers, and find the 'evidence' which the French prisoner claimed to possess. All the while, Verity and Sidney are besieged by Ardmore's sidekicks Willoughby and Smith, and a Belgian intelligence officer. All three claim to be helping the Kents, but someone has made several attempts on their lives and the race is on to find the information first.
Do you remember the days when I used to moan about the on-again-off-again relationship between Verity and Sidney? Oh how I wish we could go back to those days. Now we have far too much smoochy-smoochy and mildly nauseating arch comments between them and we are beleaguered by the omnipotent and ever-present Ardmore and his henchmen - just like some cartoon Bond villain. I am heartily sick of Ardmore.
This seems to be a very well-researched novel which considers the plight of the Belgians and the Dutch in more detail than I (as a Brit) was previously aware, but it did feel a bit fact-heavy at times, as if the author wanted to ensure the reader knew how much research she had done.
Overall, the plot was good but the plethora of suspects, spies, factions, and subterfuge made it hard going and I don't honestly think I could explain it coherently to someone.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
It might be March 1920, but the Great War is still very much in the forefront of everyone's thoughts. While Verity and her husband Sidney Kent are trying to gather evidence against Lord Ardmore (boo hiss, how I wish he would just disappear in a puff of smoke), Sidney's assistance is requested by the French government, they have arrested a former acquaintance of Sidney's who was involved in trafficking British secrets to the Germans and claims to have proof of treason. The woman refuses to speak to anyone other than Sidney. After a short interview with the woman, in which she rambled nonsensically for parts, they leave to regroup, only to discover that she has allegedly committed suicide, with a women's scarf which the police believe was brought to the prison by Verity.
Meanwhile, Verity has been contacted by her Secret Service boss C to help with locating some very incriminating documents which a British informant was carrying. He has been found dead on a train (very Agatha Christie) but the papers are missing. Apparently they relate to the sinking of a Dutch ship which is claimed to have been carrying German gold to the US - if the papers aren't recovered there could be thousands of people treasure-seeking.
Together Verity and Sidney travel through the Netherlands, France and Belgium trying to identify the murderer(s), locate the missing papers, and find the 'evidence' which the French prisoner claimed to possess. All the while, Verity and Sidney are besieged by Ardmore's sidekicks Willoughby and Smith, and a Belgian intelligence officer. All three claim to be helping the Kents, but someone has made several attempts on their lives and the race is on to find the information first.
Do you remember the days when I used to moan about the on-again-off-again relationship between Verity and Sidney? Oh how I wish we could go back to those days. Now we have far too much smoochy-smoochy and mildly nauseating arch comments between them and we are beleaguered by the omnipotent and ever-present Ardmore and his henchmen - just like some cartoon Bond villain. I am heartily sick of Ardmore.
This seems to be a very well-researched novel which considers the plight of the Belgians and the Dutch in more detail than I (as a Brit) was previously aware, but it did feel a bit fact-heavy at times, as if the author wanted to ensure the reader knew how much research she had done.
Overall, the plot was good but the plethora of suspects, spies, factions, and subterfuge made it hard going and I don't honestly think I could explain it coherently to someone.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
September 6, 2022
I've been enjoying the Verity Kent series, which blend classic whodunit with post-WWI spy thriller, up to this point, but this sixth instalment was a bit of a drag for me, compared to the first five books. There are a lot of characters to keep track of (and three or four specifically that I had such a hard time keeping separated in my mind), a lot of information from earlier books to be retained, and yet somehow too much exposition. That sounds like a contradiction, but I could've used more (subtle!) reminders of who was who and what was what from the first books, and fewer paragraphs explaining the relevant pieces of history to me, information that too often felt pasted in from an encyclopedia, rather than integrated into Verity's own voice and perspective.
For a book with so many action sequences, it was just a little boring at times. I still enjoy the historical setting, and Verity & Sidney's interpersonal drama as they struggle to open up to one another about the trauma they each went through during the war, though there's considerably less of that in this than in earlier books. But this slightly too-complicated story didn't hold my interest quite as much as I wanted it to. (Maybe I secretly just want more Max and/or Alec Xavier, sorry Sidney.) I'll still happily anticipate the next book, but I hope it picks back up a bit - and I hope we finally make some progress on the overarching Ardmore plot.
Thank you to Kensington Books for the advance review copy!
For a book with so many action sequences, it was just a little boring at times. I still enjoy the historical setting, and Verity & Sidney's interpersonal drama as they struggle to open up to one another about the trauma they each went through during the war, though there's considerably less of that in this than in earlier books. But this slightly too-complicated story didn't hold my interest quite as much as I wanted it to. (Maybe I secretly just want more Max and/or Alec Xavier, sorry Sidney.) I'll still happily anticipate the next book, but I hope it picks back up a bit - and I hope we finally make some progress on the overarching Ardmore plot.
Thank you to Kensington Books for the advance review copy!
January 28, 2023
This is #6 in a series and I have not read #1 - #5 therefore my 2-star rating is only because I read the book to the end and should be no reflection on the author. I didn’t have a good sense of the characters and often was confused, but that was entirely my own fault.
August 16, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Verity Kent Mysteries #6
Publication Date: 8/30/22
Period: Post WWI - 1920
Number of Pages: 304
Goodness! What an exciting, page-flipping, suspenseful read this was! Verity and Sidney are, as always, dynamic, engaging, flawed, and troubled by the events each of them suffered through during the war. As we know (from reading the other books in the series), the war may be over, but the repercussions and espionage are not. Then, when we add the arch-villain Ardmore to that volatile mix – well goodness – be still my palpating heart.
As you probably know, Verity sustained a bullet wound at the end of the previous book, Murder Most Fair. She and Sidney have been leading a quiet life for five months since then in order to allow her to heal properly. That all ends when Sidney receives a request from the French authorities. They want him to come to France and help with a prisoner they have in custody – this prisoner claims to have proof of treason by a number of people during the war, and she won’t speak to anyone other than Sidney. Sidney has no idea who this woman is – he’s never heard of her – and still doesn’t have any idea who she is after he meets her. She is arrogant, but begs for Sidney’s help, even though he is inclined to refuse. However, she’s very enigmatic during their interview and is quickly found hanging in her cell after Sidney and Verity leave. That, of course, almost guarantees Sidney will get involved.
As they begin their investigation, Verity gets a message that she should check in with the English spymaster stationed in France – ‘T’. He needs Verity to solve the murder of a Belgian lawyer who worked for them during the war. The lawyer was murdered on a train as he was carrying important secret documents. The documents were missing and there are few clues to follow. Those papers are supposed to contain clues to a sunken German ship carrying a fortune in gold. T (and his boss ‘C’) need her to retrieve the papers and, if possible, solve the murder.
As the investigations proceed, Verity and Sidney come to realize that all is not what it seems and their two investigations are actually intertwined. The pieces of the puzzles begin to fit together in a way that will make Verity and Sidney question the very foundations of their belief in their government and all world leaders. Some of what they find are particularly troubling to Sidney who fought in some of the worst battles of the war.
As always with this author, I highly recommend this book and this series. You absolutely cannot go wrong with it. I have absolutely loved watching Verity and Sidney find their love again and rebuild their relationship as well as their firm determination to thwart the archvillain Ardmore. Their steadfast support of their friends is awe-inspiring.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Verity Kent Mysteries #6
Publication Date: 8/30/22
Period: Post WWI - 1920
Number of Pages: 304
Goodness! What an exciting, page-flipping, suspenseful read this was! Verity and Sidney are, as always, dynamic, engaging, flawed, and troubled by the events each of them suffered through during the war. As we know (from reading the other books in the series), the war may be over, but the repercussions and espionage are not. Then, when we add the arch-villain Ardmore to that volatile mix – well goodness – be still my palpating heart.
As you probably know, Verity sustained a bullet wound at the end of the previous book, Murder Most Fair. She and Sidney have been leading a quiet life for five months since then in order to allow her to heal properly. That all ends when Sidney receives a request from the French authorities. They want him to come to France and help with a prisoner they have in custody – this prisoner claims to have proof of treason by a number of people during the war, and she won’t speak to anyone other than Sidney. Sidney has no idea who this woman is – he’s never heard of her – and still doesn’t have any idea who she is after he meets her. She is arrogant, but begs for Sidney’s help, even though he is inclined to refuse. However, she’s very enigmatic during their interview and is quickly found hanging in her cell after Sidney and Verity leave. That, of course, almost guarantees Sidney will get involved.
As they begin their investigation, Verity gets a message that she should check in with the English spymaster stationed in France – ‘T’. He needs Verity to solve the murder of a Belgian lawyer who worked for them during the war. The lawyer was murdered on a train as he was carrying important secret documents. The documents were missing and there are few clues to follow. Those papers are supposed to contain clues to a sunken German ship carrying a fortune in gold. T (and his boss ‘C’) need her to retrieve the papers and, if possible, solve the murder.
As the investigations proceed, Verity and Sidney come to realize that all is not what it seems and their two investigations are actually intertwined. The pieces of the puzzles begin to fit together in a way that will make Verity and Sidney question the very foundations of their belief in their government and all world leaders. Some of what they find are particularly troubling to Sidney who fought in some of the worst battles of the war.
As always with this author, I highly recommend this book and this series. You absolutely cannot go wrong with it. I have absolutely loved watching Verity and Sidney find their love again and rebuild their relationship as well as their firm determination to thwart the archvillain Ardmore. Their steadfast support of their friends is awe-inspiring.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 5, 2023
For me, this is the best Verity Kent mystery to date! I enjoy this series, set post World War I, and this one grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go! Right from the first chapter the tension builds.
“Tonight, I had greater concerns. Tonight, I had other fish to fry. Namely, fileting a traitor.” (quote from the book)
In order to fully appreciate the characters, timeline and the overall story line, I feel it is necessary to start from the beginning with “This Side of Murder”. The overall plot slowly builds throughout each book. And Verity and Sidney’s relationship continues to deepen. For the horrors of war have deeply affected both, however, Sidney’s experiences on the Front have left an indelibly painful scar within his psyche. For how could you not be affected after losing so many of your men and friends in the trenches of the Western Front and yet you survived? Think of the battles of the Somme and Passchendaele.
“They were facts etched into our brains, dominos falling to trigger other even more calamitous events. If we allowed ourselves to continue to follow the cascading trail of wreckage forward, we would soon find ourselves emptying this bottle and then another and another, all in an effort to forget.” (quote from the book)
Not only was I riveted by the spy versus spy dynamics in this intricate and delicate mission that both are involved in, but the historical aspects of this series, especially in this book, were something I had not known nor ever learned about in school. It was shocking to the say the least what political intrigue and blind ambition took place. And through it all, Ardmore is the master chess player, moving and removing pieces from the board…but now Verity and Sidney may have something that will bring them closer to thwarting his ambitions and schemes.
I highly recommend this series and look forward to the next mission!
September 10, 2022
I was so excited when my request for this book was accepted. I have read this series from the beginning and love it! I love the time period and the main character, Verity. She's tough, courageous, yet vulnerable and flawed.
A Certain Darkness is the 6th book in this historical mystery series. Although the reader could jump right in with this book, this is a series that really should be read in order.
Someone from Sidney's past asks for help and Sidney and Verity head to France. I like the complex yet ultimately strong relationship between Verity and Sidney. A Certain Darkness has lots of action tempered with reflective, deeply emotional moments.
This book is fast-paced and smart with characters you really care about.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Certain Darkness is the 6th book in this historical mystery series. Although the reader could jump right in with this book, this is a series that really should be read in order.
Someone from Sidney's past asks for help and Sidney and Verity head to France. I like the complex yet ultimately strong relationship between Verity and Sidney. A Certain Darkness has lots of action tempered with reflective, deeply emotional moments.
This book is fast-paced and smart with characters you really care about.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 30, 2022
Anna Lee Huber is one of my most favorite historical mystery writers! I have read all of her books and called in love with her different characters and series. I cannot tell you how comforting it is to pick up a book and know that you are going to enjoy it. Perhaps some books more than others but overall, each of the books she has written have been entertaining, engaging and I have no problem escaping into them each time a new Huber book is released.
The Verity Kent series has been an interesting series for me. It’s a bit of a break in her usual style of heroine and historical setting. Her Lady Darby books are set in a different time period with the heroine being strong and independent but she still fits the traditional gender norms of the period that the book is set in. Her other series is a Gothic mystery series, also set in a similar period as the Lady Darby books. So reading the Verity Kent books takes us to a new time period, again with a heroine who fits the gender norms of the period but also stands out as brave and complex.
When series’ are in their early stages, it’s easier for readers to jump in without having to read the other books. But eventually, you reach a certain point where new readers miss larger parts of the story. For me, this is the book where this happened. This book opens with a back story already established from an earlier book and I would say if you are a new to the series, I would pause and go back to read the others first and then enjoy this one! If you are interested in the series, be sure to check my Instagram later today for a chance to win the entire set of this series!
Throughout the series, I personally have not warmed up to Sidney. Ever since the first book and his disappearance, I just can’t get past it and I kept hoping that throughout the series I would warm up to him but I just can’t. Even still with this book, where the author does a great job giving us more to think about and unpack when it comes to his character, I just can’t get past Sidney’s deception from book one. But at least with this book, I feel like I have more insight into his character and even if I cannot get past his backstory, I feel like I understand him a bit better as a character and I love how the author gives the characters space to explore their feelings, hurt, and pasts without crowding them or forcing it.
I really appreciated the history in this book. There was a lot of history about various countries coming out of Post WWI and how that massive event shaped the countries in many ways. This book focuses a lot on the Dutch and Belgian experience and I thought that was an interesting angle to take as it wasn’t an experience that I knew much about. While the historian in me loved reading about the historical impact and significance of the Dutch and Belgian people, other readers who might not be as interested in the history parts might find it a little heavy handed. Generally, I think historical fiction readers don’t mind the history parts—-I mean you have to know you are going to get history when you read a history book!
This book really pulled in some of the other characters from previous books which I found fun and exciting. I loved the mystery in this one and that Verity and Sidney’s arch-nemesis, Lord Ardmore, continues to be an ominous presence. I just love murder mysteries that also have a spy element to it and I did get my fix with this book. I love this series and it just continues to keep me entertained and engaged. I have loved watching the characters grow in this one and I am eager too see where Verity and Sidney end up next. Even if I don’t care for Sidney, I am invested enough in the series and them as a couple that I continue to keep reading and hope that eventually someday I will warm up to him. I know that for many readers of this series, you are either Team Sidney or Team Max—-I am fully Team Max!
The Verity Kent series has been an interesting series for me. It’s a bit of a break in her usual style of heroine and historical setting. Her Lady Darby books are set in a different time period with the heroine being strong and independent but she still fits the traditional gender norms of the period that the book is set in. Her other series is a Gothic mystery series, also set in a similar period as the Lady Darby books. So reading the Verity Kent books takes us to a new time period, again with a heroine who fits the gender norms of the period but also stands out as brave and complex.
When series’ are in their early stages, it’s easier for readers to jump in without having to read the other books. But eventually, you reach a certain point where new readers miss larger parts of the story. For me, this is the book where this happened. This book opens with a back story already established from an earlier book and I would say if you are a new to the series, I would pause and go back to read the others first and then enjoy this one! If you are interested in the series, be sure to check my Instagram later today for a chance to win the entire set of this series!
Throughout the series, I personally have not warmed up to Sidney. Ever since the first book and his disappearance, I just can’t get past it and I kept hoping that throughout the series I would warm up to him but I just can’t. Even still with this book, where the author does a great job giving us more to think about and unpack when it comes to his character, I just can’t get past Sidney’s deception from book one. But at least with this book, I feel like I have more insight into his character and even if I cannot get past his backstory, I feel like I understand him a bit better as a character and I love how the author gives the characters space to explore their feelings, hurt, and pasts without crowding them or forcing it.
I really appreciated the history in this book. There was a lot of history about various countries coming out of Post WWI and how that massive event shaped the countries in many ways. This book focuses a lot on the Dutch and Belgian experience and I thought that was an interesting angle to take as it wasn’t an experience that I knew much about. While the historian in me loved reading about the historical impact and significance of the Dutch and Belgian people, other readers who might not be as interested in the history parts might find it a little heavy handed. Generally, I think historical fiction readers don’t mind the history parts—-I mean you have to know you are going to get history when you read a history book!
This book really pulled in some of the other characters from previous books which I found fun and exciting. I loved the mystery in this one and that Verity and Sidney’s arch-nemesis, Lord Ardmore, continues to be an ominous presence. I just love murder mysteries that also have a spy element to it and I did get my fix with this book. I love this series and it just continues to keep me entertained and engaged. I have loved watching the characters grow in this one and I am eager too see where Verity and Sidney end up next. Even if I don’t care for Sidney, I am invested enough in the series and them as a couple that I continue to keep reading and hope that eventually someday I will warm up to him. I know that for many readers of this series, you are either Team Sidney or Team Max—-I am fully Team Max!
July 10, 2024
July 2024: I’m rereading before starting the ARC of the next book and Om still blown away by how Anna Lee Huber packs information into her stories. These are meticulously researched, but the storytelling doesn’t suffer at all from all the historical information shared. In to Ireland!
September 2022: As epic as expected. How does Anna Lee Huber write two books full of historical details every year? How do her series get better and better?
I thought the last book ended a “phase” of the series, but maybe that was premature. Verity’s nemesis continues to be horrible, but her Intelligence contacts are also less than trustworthy here. Verity and Sidney have a beautiful scene where they really dive into Sidney’s issues, but it’s hard to know how that will play out.
As usual, the book is full of detail and I find that I read the first time just to see what happens and the second to really enjoy the writing and attention to detail.
September 2022: As epic as expected. How does Anna Lee Huber write two books full of historical details every year? How do her series get better and better?
I thought the last book ended a “phase” of the series, but maybe that was premature. Verity’s nemesis continues to be horrible, but her Intelligence contacts are also less than trustworthy here. Verity and Sidney have a beautiful scene where they really dive into Sidney’s issues, but it’s hard to know how that will play out.
As usual, the book is full of detail and I find that I read the first time just to see what happens and the second to really enjoy the writing and attention to detail.
October 16, 2022
There are few things that make me more excited than the release of a new Verity Kent book! I also love Huber's Lady Darby series; but there is something about the re-establishment of the relationship between Verity and Sydney that keeps me wanting more. To add ,Huber writes such a unique perspective of a time period wedged between two wars. As per always, A CERTAIN DARKNESS deftly balances the mystery plot while furthering the empathetic relationship nuance of the series' continuation.
wonderfully immersive, romantic and expertly researched.
wonderfully immersive, romantic and expertly researched.
September 2, 2022
I'm a fan of Verity & Sydney & am always up for another smashing adventure!
August 10, 2022
I am a huge fan of this series and have read all of them in order. I definitely enjoy some installments more than others. The book before this one was my favorite of the series. Unfortunately, this one was not one of my favorites. While I loved getting another peak into Verity’s world, I found the plot confusing and hard to follow. I personally do not care for the increasingly intricate Lord Ardmore plot… even reading all of the books in order I can’t keep up with the backstory of that plot line or what is going on. I felt like the book before this one was light on Ardmore and more character driven, and I loved it.
This is definitely not a standalone. In fact, you probably need to reread the last three books before reading this one in order to know what is going on. I also wanted the downstairs characters to have more page time! However, the richly detailed accuracy of the time period is great and I love verity and Sydney’s backstories and relationship.
I will definitely continue on with the series. I just wish we were done with lord Ardmore and could have each book solve a more standalone mystery, like the previous book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
This is definitely not a standalone. In fact, you probably need to reread the last three books before reading this one in order to know what is going on. I also wanted the downstairs characters to have more page time! However, the richly detailed accuracy of the time period is great and I love verity and Sydney’s backstories and relationship.
I will definitely continue on with the series. I just wish we were done with lord Ardmore and could have each book solve a more standalone mystery, like the previous book in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
November 14, 2023
Spy vs spy…
Without a doubt, A Certain Darkness is my favorite in the Verity Kent series so far! I love how Ms. Huber continually mixes things up, particularly with her story locales and plot lines. This time, we are back in Europe, chasing down traitors and political secrets… and evidence of Lord Ardmore’s duplicitous actions.
The Great War may be over, but the espionage still continues…
November 9, 2022
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, Sydney is contacted by the French police that they have a prisoner who will only share what she knows to Sydney 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 Sydney. And, let’s not forget the attention to historical setting and backdrop. Sydney 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 Sydney 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.
I rec’d an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post on Nov 6th at Books of My Heart.
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, Sydney is contacted by the French police that they have a prisoner who will only share what she knows to Sydney 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 Sydney. And, let’s not forget the attention to historical setting and backdrop. Sydney 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 Sydney 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.
I rec’d an eARC through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post on Nov 6th at Books of My Heart.
August 8, 2022
4.5 stars
Verity and Sidney are off on another dangerous adventure. While World War 1 is over, not everything is over! There are still hang overs from that time in more ways than one. One of those left overs has the pair travelling to France and Belgium.
The journey is fraught with danger and a few murders along the way that they have to figure out who and why. It's hard for them to know who to trust and even those they may have trusted in the past - they too are in question.
What they eventually discover will send Sidney spiralling and have Verity thinking things she hasn't considered before. It brings into question too those in political power and how genuine they were in seeking peace rather than war.
It's only historical fiction I kept reminding myself. But... it could have some kernels of truth. As we well know in this age the power of being misinformed.
It is action packed and ends with another assignment in the future that will likely take this pair right into the heart of their ongoing quest. I'd advise starting with the first book in this series to fully understand what is at stake.
Verity and Sidney are off on another dangerous adventure. While World War 1 is over, not everything is over! There are still hang overs from that time in more ways than one. One of those left overs has the pair travelling to France and Belgium.
The journey is fraught with danger and a few murders along the way that they have to figure out who and why. It's hard for them to know who to trust and even those they may have trusted in the past - they too are in question.
What they eventually discover will send Sidney spiralling and have Verity thinking things she hasn't considered before. It brings into question too those in political power and how genuine they were in seeking peace rather than war.
It's only historical fiction I kept reminding myself. But... it could have some kernels of truth. As we well know in this age the power of being misinformed.
It is action packed and ends with another assignment in the future that will likely take this pair right into the heart of their ongoing quest. I'd advise starting with the first book in this series to fully understand what is at stake.
October 10, 2022
I've tried really hard to get interested in this book, and maintain interest in this series, but I give up. The language feels melodramatic and forced. The story never has a satisfactory conclusion, it just goes on and on. I love this author, but I'm giving up on this particular series.
September 4, 2022
A Certain Darkness is my first by this author. Thank goodness that cozy mysteries can be read standalone because this is book 6. Yep, I've done it again and found a book that isn't the first one in the series. 😂
I really enjoyed this one so I definitely need to go back and read the previous books. While this can be read standalone, I am curious about Verity and Sydney...their history, their relationship and previous adventures.
I love how Verity is portrayed and how her intellect and keen insight is at the forefront of the investigation. There are two mysteries to solve and while there were times it was hard to remember who was with who and what went with what 😂 it was enjoyable overall and comes together at the end.
This is a good one for both cozy mystery and historical fiction fans. I appreciate Kensington Books for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this one so I definitely need to go back and read the previous books. While this can be read standalone, I am curious about Verity and Sydney...their history, their relationship and previous adventures.
I love how Verity is portrayed and how her intellect and keen insight is at the forefront of the investigation. There are two mysteries to solve and while there were times it was hard to remember who was with who and what went with what 😂 it was enjoyable overall and comes together at the end.
This is a good one for both cozy mystery and historical fiction fans. I appreciate Kensington Books for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
September 11, 2022
A Certain Darkness is the 6th book in the intriguing Verity Kent series by Anna Lee Huber. You'd be hard pressed to find another historical mystery series better than this one! I started with book 3, and I've given all of them 5 stars. I do suggest reading from the beginning. I didn't, and it took me a while to fill in the holes of what I missed in the first two books. If I ever get close to close to clearing my nearly insurmountable to-be-read pile, I will definitely treat myself to the books I missed.
The Great War is over, but in March 1920 the after-effects are still very palpable. Former British Intelligence agent Verity Kent and her husband Sidney are still working their way through the trauma of being separated during the war when it was believed Sidney had died. However, things appear to be calmer now; of course, this being Verity and Sidney, that state doesn't last long! French authorities request Sidney's help with a former acquaintance of his who claims to have proof of treason during the war. Shortly after Sidney and Verity speak to the woman, she is assassinated. Verity is also tasked with an investigation into the murder of a Belgian attorney on a train. The man was connected to British Intelligence and is rumored to have information concerning the sinking of German ship carrying gold during the war. Their investigations are beginning to appear connected. The Great War is over, but apparently repercussions exist...
The publication of a new Verity Kent book is always a cause of celebration for me. The stories have it all: mystery, the effects of war, espionage, spies, action and romance, all wrapped up in one exciting package. This book is no exception. Both Verity and Sidney have been through hell and back. Verity worked for British Intelligence during the war, and she uncovered traitorous activity that put her in danger. She also struggled with Sidney being killed, only to discover that he actually wasn't, and dealing with the truth of the situation. Sidney dealt with his deception of being dead and how it hurt Verity; he was also dealing with PTSD from his service. They are growing closer than ever, but fate continues to batter them about. This case was especially intriguing; it seemed their cases were totally separate at first, but were soon revealed to be intertwined in ways they never imagined. Verity's faith in her former Intelligence boss and cohorts are shaken during this case, and secrets uncovered push Sidney's PTSD to the forefront. Shady characters Smith and Willoughby from previous books make an appearance here, and it's still hard to determine whose side they are on. The mysterious villain Ardmore lurks in he background, wreaking even more havoc. The espionage and mystery are exciting as ever, but it's Verity and Sidney's relationship that really makes this a perfect series for me and keeps me coming back for more.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely mine, and I have not received any compensation for my review.
The Great War is over, but in March 1920 the after-effects are still very palpable. Former British Intelligence agent Verity Kent and her husband Sidney are still working their way through the trauma of being separated during the war when it was believed Sidney had died. However, things appear to be calmer now; of course, this being Verity and Sidney, that state doesn't last long! French authorities request Sidney's help with a former acquaintance of his who claims to have proof of treason during the war. Shortly after Sidney and Verity speak to the woman, she is assassinated. Verity is also tasked with an investigation into the murder of a Belgian attorney on a train. The man was connected to British Intelligence and is rumored to have information concerning the sinking of German ship carrying gold during the war. Their investigations are beginning to appear connected. The Great War is over, but apparently repercussions exist...
The publication of a new Verity Kent book is always a cause of celebration for me. The stories have it all: mystery, the effects of war, espionage, spies, action and romance, all wrapped up in one exciting package. This book is no exception. Both Verity and Sidney have been through hell and back. Verity worked for British Intelligence during the war, and she uncovered traitorous activity that put her in danger. She also struggled with Sidney being killed, only to discover that he actually wasn't, and dealing with the truth of the situation. Sidney dealt with his deception of being dead and how it hurt Verity; he was also dealing with PTSD from his service. They are growing closer than ever, but fate continues to batter them about. This case was especially intriguing; it seemed their cases were totally separate at first, but were soon revealed to be intertwined in ways they never imagined. Verity's faith in her former Intelligence boss and cohorts are shaken during this case, and secrets uncovered push Sidney's PTSD to the forefront. Shady characters Smith and Willoughby from previous books make an appearance here, and it's still hard to determine whose side they are on. The mysterious villain Ardmore lurks in he background, wreaking even more havoc. The espionage and mystery are exciting as ever, but it's Verity and Sidney's relationship that really makes this a perfect series for me and keeps me coming back for more.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely mine, and I have not received any compensation for my review.
July 15, 2023
After the high of getting exactly what I wanted in the last book, it was basically inevitable that I wouldn't like this one as much. I did like it and I liked especially that we got some of what happened to Verity emotionally for Sidney in this book, but now we're very much back into the wider plot of the world and I am just very nervous about it is all.
August 28, 2022
I will follow Verity Kent anywhere she goes. This is one of my favorite series. Anna Lee Huber ‘s writing and plots are brilliant.
In this installment, we go with Sidney and Verity to France. An old acquaintance of Sidney asks for him to be present at her confession. Both Sidney and Verity are at the beginning confused by this desire. There are indications of lost gold, a murder on a train, and double dealing spies.
This leads Verity to places in Holland and Belgium. Even more than normal, Verity, as an old spy, does not know who to trust on either side of the English Channel. The title eludes a bit to the underlying theme of the book. I do believe it is darker in tone than the previous installments.
I highly recommend this novel. While you perhaps do not need to have read all of the books in the series, I would not go into this series at this point. I gave this novel 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.
In this installment, we go with Sidney and Verity to France. An old acquaintance of Sidney asks for him to be present at her confession. Both Sidney and Verity are at the beginning confused by this desire. There are indications of lost gold, a murder on a train, and double dealing spies.
This leads Verity to places in Holland and Belgium. Even more than normal, Verity, as an old spy, does not know who to trust on either side of the English Channel. The title eludes a bit to the underlying theme of the book. I do believe it is darker in tone than the previous installments.
I highly recommend this novel. While you perhaps do not need to have read all of the books in the series, I would not go into this series at this point. I gave this novel 5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 24, 2022
Wonderfully engrossing A Certain Darkness is set in the early 1920s as war hero Sidney is called to France to investigate possible treason. His wife Verity is an ex British agent with Intelligence and oodles of mystery solving experience. The two make a superb sleuthing team and we also see snippets into their new marriage with continued bantering and growing appreciation and respect.
The Great War has taken a toll and has dramatically changed the world, especially in Europe and historical descriptions are heart wrenching but beautiful and very real. At times I felt as if I alongside the couple. Not only is the story enlivened by a confession, espionage, murder, documents and hidden gold, Sidney's PTSD is explored a bit more. Lord Ardmore from the past makes an appearance, a welcomed twist. Verity is independent and confident yet approachable. But I do miss Max.
My favourite aspect is aftermath of WWI and what it meant for the past, present and future. Descriptions such as the social mores and fashion of the times are intriguing, as always. The ending is fantastic...the juicy carrot is dangling which leaves me hankering for more.
If you have yet to read books by Anna Lee Huber, now is the time! Her writing style is lovely, descriptive, witty, creative and thoughtful. It is obvious does her research and puts a great amount of care into crafting the impact of her words.
My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this immersive and refreshingly clean book, perfect for getting utterly and completely lost in.
The Great War has taken a toll and has dramatically changed the world, especially in Europe and historical descriptions are heart wrenching but beautiful and very real. At times I felt as if I alongside the couple. Not only is the story enlivened by a confession, espionage, murder, documents and hidden gold, Sidney's PTSD is explored a bit more. Lord Ardmore from the past makes an appearance, a welcomed twist. Verity is independent and confident yet approachable. But I do miss Max.
My favourite aspect is aftermath of WWI and what it meant for the past, present and future. Descriptions such as the social mores and fashion of the times are intriguing, as always. The ending is fantastic...the juicy carrot is dangling which leaves me hankering for more.
If you have yet to read books by Anna Lee Huber, now is the time! Her writing style is lovely, descriptive, witty, creative and thoughtful. It is obvious does her research and puts a great amount of care into crafting the impact of her words.
My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this immersive and refreshingly clean book, perfect for getting utterly and completely lost in.
July 15, 2022
I have a deep love for this series. The intelligence that Anna Lee Huber brings to the Verity Kent series keeps it far above the others in this genre. This series weaves the spy story with a historical setting of the period between the wars with a good mystery. There is always a lot going on in these books, and she does a tremendous job of keeping previous storylines connected and expanding.
In this book, we see Verity and Sidney being called to France because a former connection of Sidney's has been arrested and will only speak with him. The French police want this assistance, but that creates a tricky situation for him and his relationship with Verity as this woman posed as his wife during a time when Verity thought he had died. He wisely brings Verity along, as her spy training has given her an advantage he doesn't have. They are soon pulled into a deep and complex web of problems they need to solve that makes them question their commitment to their jobs and the sacrifices they have already made.
As usual, this series is a must-read for me. I love the characters, the intrigue, and the way she paces the story, and I am always left wanting the next one. I did find the big reveal a bit over the top and slipping into conspiracy theory territories with real-world historical events, but I liked how she used that to allow us deeper into the character's psyches and their relationship.
In this book, we see Verity and Sidney being called to France because a former connection of Sidney's has been arrested and will only speak with him. The French police want this assistance, but that creates a tricky situation for him and his relationship with Verity as this woman posed as his wife during a time when Verity thought he had died. He wisely brings Verity along, as her spy training has given her an advantage he doesn't have. They are soon pulled into a deep and complex web of problems they need to solve that makes them question their commitment to their jobs and the sacrifices they have already made.
As usual, this series is a must-read for me. I love the characters, the intrigue, and the way she paces the story, and I am always left wanting the next one. I did find the big reveal a bit over the top and slipping into conspiracy theory territories with real-world historical events, but I liked how she used that to allow us deeper into the character's psyches and their relationship.
June 19, 2023
I was a little lost when I first started this, which I expected, as this is the first Verity Kent book I've read. That didn't prove to be a detriment as Anna Lee Huber made it easy to figure out the implications of relationships and the like.
Verity and her husband Sidney are requested to talk with a prisoner and former agent for Germany, who is unwilling to share information about a set of papers proving treason with anyone else.
The prisoner's murder soon after and what little information they could glean from her sends them on a hunt for the papers, with various dangerous parties tailing them . The truth of the papers will blast a hole through Verity's and Sidney's beliefs, leaving them questioning much about the war, before they must leave for a new assignment in Ireland (in the next book).
Verity is a much more interesting person than I anticipated. Her spy training and experience in dangerous situations made her an interesting protagonist, and someone not to be dismissed, as several of the misogynist people in charge do.
The identity of the murderer was really easy to figure out, but the why of the murder was much more interesting.
What I particularly liked about this book was how messy and complicated motives and situations were post WWI, and how these play into the next World War.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Verity and her husband Sidney are requested to talk with a prisoner and former agent for Germany, who is unwilling to share information about a set of papers proving treason with anyone else.
The prisoner's murder soon after and what little information they could glean from her sends them on a hunt for the papers, with various dangerous parties tailing them . The truth of the papers will blast a hole through Verity's and Sidney's beliefs, leaving them questioning much about the war, before they must leave for a new assignment in Ireland (in the next book).
Verity is a much more interesting person than I anticipated. Her spy training and experience in dangerous situations made her an interesting protagonist, and someone not to be dismissed, as several of the misogynist people in charge do.
The identity of the murderer was really easy to figure out, but the why of the murder was much more interesting.
What I particularly liked about this book was how messy and complicated motives and situations were post WWI, and how these play into the next World War.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
April 24, 2023
Thank You 🙇🏽♀️ All Veterans 🙇🏽♀️ You have done your duty and given us Freedom 🙇🏽♀️ I must and will do mine to honor your sacrifice 💔🩸💧
This haunting historical fiction was breaking my heart. Sidney spoke for all of the veterans who were betrayed by their own government. . . ↙️
This book spoke for those who never returned home 💔🩸💧Maybe for the many more who will be deployed in the future 🙇🏽♀️
A certain darkness is needed to see the stars.
—Osho
. . . Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.
—Martin Luther Kings Jr."
This haunting historical fiction was breaking my heart. Sidney spoke for all of the veterans who were betrayed by their own government. . . ↙️
"So to hear that there had been a way out, one that had been instigated by our enemy, and yet it was brushed aside by the very people who should have been looking out for us . . .” His words rang with a righteous fury that then abruptly drained away. “That it wasn't taken . . . " . . . "All those men who died after. All . . . those men . . . who were killed. Their deaths weren't just senseless, they were thrown away like so much wastage." . . . “They . . . they were destroyed . . . for nothing!”
This book spoke for those who never returned home 💔🩸💧Maybe for the many more who will be deployed in the future 🙇🏽♀️
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