This was a strong entry in the Lady Darby Mystery series, it worked with what I was expecting from this series. The overall concept worked with what I was looking for, it continued the story perfectly and the characters were everything that I wanted. Anna Lee Huber has a great writing style and I’ve enjoyed all the entries in this series.

I’ve been eager for this one if only to see more of a less-querulous Lord Gage. A good edition to the series with all the historical touches we expect from this author.

There were many characters and family relationships to keep track of in this one. Lots of repeated phrases too. Enough to make me remark on them to myself as I read. Brace of candles. Blue-black hair. Emma is sweet. This is still great for fans the series, but I don’t know if the it would bring in a new readers. Since I’m a fan of the mysteries and Kiera and Gage, I’ll be eagerly back for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for this earc

Another addition to the Lady Darby series. This one was full of mystery, family drama and betrayal. I definitely enjoyed it more than the previous one. The mystery was twisted and kept you guessing which is always fun. And I really enjoyed how the ending was all “heart and flowers”. Definitely ended true to the story.

It was a little had to keep track of all the family members of both sides but as long as you know the main players, you should be fine.

Nothing interesting happened in this whole book and the twist could be seen from a mile away. I've long been a fan of Huber but this book was boring enough to make me seriously reconsider her autobuy status.

Gage and Lady Darby (and Lord Gage) head to Cornwall after Lord Gage's estranged family (on his mother's side) reach out for help with a suspected murder. The family lives in Cornwall, and are notorious smugglers - although they claim to be reformed. It's an emotional and charged reunion for Lord Gage, who was betrayed by this side of the family as a young boy, and hasn't seen them for 50 years.

Another excellent book in the Lady Darby Mystery series. I love this time period, and the characters are so realistic. This is a page-turner that you won't want to miss. I enjoy the interaction, and how Kiera deals with her daughter and can still sleuth, too. A great addition to this wonderful series!

Set on the Cornish coast, this 12th book in the Lady Darby Mystery series does not disappoint. In the Fall of 1832, Keira and Sebastian Gage are enjoying their infant daughter Emma while they visit Sebastian's father, Lord Gage. While recuperating from a recent attempt on his life, Lord Gage is summoned to solve a murder in his Roscarrock relatives - a family of infamous Cornish smugglers. Keira and Gage, along with little Emma, have little choice when Lord Gage is reluctantly pulled into his painful past. Evocative descriptions, captivating settings, and well-drawn characters complement this beautifully written period piece.

Kiera and her husband join her father-in-law in visiting relatives he has not seen in 50 years. They have been invited because it is possible the head of the family has been murdered. But secrets abound and the mysteries escalate.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as others in the series. For a lot of the book, it just seemed like nothing was happening. The investigation is so stymied that it can't really get going until about two thirds of the way through the book -- Keira et al are just having conversations that go around and around in circles. And for a story featuring Cornish smuggling, so much of that action happens "off-screen"! Felt like some missed opportunities and strange pacing.

When I started reading, I was actually really confused about who I was (first person present tense) and what was happening, which is never really fun. Then we shifted into some pretty heavy exposition. Not the book for me, and I stopped after chapter 1 (5%).

I’m not a huge reader of historical romance but it seems like it will be a middle-of-the-road three stars, four for the right reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.