4.5/5

Number 7 in the Lady Darby series and another winner from Huber! Rich in historical details and fact, this one revolves around the deaths of 3 noble heirs while also mixing in the resurrectionist trade and Keira’s frightening history with it. I continue to ♥️ the development of Keira’s and Sebastian’s love story...Huber does this especially well. The reader doesn’t feel as if they are being presented with a full-blown romance but rather that they are watching a careful wooing unfold of what promises to be an epic love match.

Keira, as a heroine, is not perfect but rather heartbreakingly human, and that’s what makes her so compelling to me. Yes, she’s intelligent, yes she’s strong, but there are nightmares and monsters in her past that can also render her afraid and guilt-ridden. And that’s where Sebastian becomes her rock and her helpmate. They, both separately and as a couple, are fascinating to watch as they grow.

I will never tire of reading anything by Huber...period. 😊👏👏👏

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Berkley for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own. Out 4/2.

A historical fiction mystery that is based on a historical event, The Italian Boy, which occurred in London in 1831.
Lady Darby and her husband, Gage, are once again involved in murder which doesn't seem to have any rhyme nor reason. The killings seem to be the doing of the burkers [body snatchers for doctors] who society thinks involves Lady Darby who illustrated her cruel first husbands' 'illustrated anatomy book. Read and see how events unfold.

Another great installment in the Lady Darby Series. Anna Lee Huber knows how to artfully write a mystery and keep the reading stringing along with her sumptuous details and characters we can't get enough of. I wait for the next book with baited breath. Who knows what will happen?

Much as I enjoy the relationship of Kiera and Gage, I felt that it had lost something in this newest book in the series...possibly because the two are now husband and wife and the romantic tension is gone. Overall, while I emjoyed An Artless Demise, I didn't love it. I do look forward to the next title in the series.

Anna Lee Huber's "An Artless Demise" was a fast, fun read. I struggled with the names of people and their titles at first - this book is the 8th book in the Lady Darby mystery series, but it was easy to catch on quickly and I was not lost or held back by not having read the other 7 (which I plan to do as soon as possible!).

The story opens on a newly pregnant Lady Kiera attending a Guy Fawkes party with her dashing husband Sebastian Gage. Kiera is snubbed by many of the society matrons, although she has plenty of good, loving friends and family. Kiera was married previously in Edinburgh, to Sir Anthony Darby, a horribly abusive anatomist who forced her to create illustrations from the surgeon's dissections. The dissections were conducted on bodies bought illegally from men like the notorious Burke and Hare who smothered people from the streets to sell to local anatomy schools. It now seems that in London, street people, especially children, are disappearing and several men stand accused of the same crime - know as "burking." Even though Sir Anthony died years ago and Kiera is happily married to a respected man, London society is looking to blame Kiera as well - assuming she knows the trade and is somehow involved. Kiera's husband and father-in-law are asked to help with the investigation, and Sebastian in turn relies on Kiera's experience and their intelligent and helpful servants, to help solve the case. To top this off, shortly after the Guy Fawkes ball, a young heir is murdered. The perpetrator tried to make the murder look like a burking, playing on the public fear and thirst for justice to cover his crime. Several more heirs are killed, finally causing the higher castes to notice what is going on.

I have only superficial knowledge of the history during that time but it seems to me that the author did extensive research. She painted a very vivid picture of 1800's London and its colorful culture and language. The characters are well-developed and easy to relate to - especially Kiera's experiences of early pregnancy. She also deftly described Kiera's shame at her past and subsequent liberation from it with the help and support of a loving (and romantic) husband, siblings and friends. The ending was well though out and true to the story. I enjoyed reading An Artless Demise and I'm looking forward to picking up the previous novels in the series.

In 1883 Lady Darby has returned to London with her husband, Sebastian Gage to London for the season. The city is uneasy as parliament is trying to pass the reform bill and the new police were formed to handle crime in London. Shortly after arriving, a couple of "burkers" have been arrested for killing people and selling their bodies to the medical field. Lady Darby past has come to haunt her and she is starting to be snubbed by polite society.
Keira and Gave become involved with the death of a young scion of the Nobility. A couple more death occurs on heirs to the peerage. In order to find the killer, Keira and Gage get caught in the mob scene at the hanging of two of the burkers. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.

Disclosure: Thanks to Berkley Publishing Groups for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

An Artless Demise takes place in London during a time when people were selling corpses to medical schools for the study of anatomy ("Burking.") Lady Darby has a reputation in society, associating her with these criminals, although she was not directly involved. Her first husband's corruption made her the subject of gossip and prejudice. She is now happily remarried, and expecting her first child.

A burking incident at the beginning of the novel causes many people to gossip about her and speculate that Lady Darby must be the cause. Meanwhile, she and her husband work hard to solve this murder, as well as a few more.

I enjoyed the characters, dialogue, and descriptions enough to look for the first six titles in the series, so I can start from the beginning. I would recommend this to anyone interested in historical mysteries.

I received an advance review copy of An Artless Demise from Netgalley. I did notice a few minor grammatical errors here and there; I hope they are corrected before the final version is published. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40788353-an-artless-demise

This book is GREAT. I immediately wanted to re-read it and the whole series leading up to it. So I did! It's my favourite of the series so far.

There are two primary mysteries running through this book, first, the murder of the Italian Boy and the burkers, and then the murder of Lord Feckenham, who everyone hated. It's assumed it was a personal attack until another young lord, whom was generally admired, is also murdered with plaster left at the scene to insinuate it's burkers. The third mystery is who is blackmailing Kiera with threats about her first husband's activities?

Gage and Anderley are investigating the Italian Boy whose body was sold by the body snatchers, while Kiera deals with the suspicion that falls on her because of her late husband's work and her involvement as his artist. It shows her that Society has forgotten nothing, though she does have some friends and supporters as she loses the portrait commissions she had set up and whispers surround her at each event they go to. Kiera is pregnant thought it doesn't articulate how far along, she is starting to show, but it is still early enough that it can't be her excuse from retiring from social events for her confinement.

As Kiera and Gage look into the murder of the young men, they have problem of too many suspects with the first and then trying to find a connection with the second. They are following the news of the burker trial and it's bringing back a lot of unpleasant memories for Kiera of her time with her first husband and the legal trouble she had after his death. In addition to the blackmail, one of her first husband's colleagues is threatening to publish Sir Anthony's journals, which she realizes means that Society's censure would never end for her family and unborn child.

Perfect for lovers of historical mysteries, An Artless Demise covers many fascinating topics from that period of English history, including the Reform debate that is occurring the background. It is carefully balanced so the mysteries move along well and don't overwhelm or lag behind. The character growth continues and Kiera and Gage contend with what her past means for their future. After rereading the others in the series, it stands out even more how much Kiera has grown since their first encounter.

The next Lady Darby mystery is scheduled for April 2020, and I look forward to it. Hopefully there are more to come.

This series continues to get better and better as Gage and Kiera return to Londa during the Italian Boy murder and subsequent resurrectionist trials in 1831. . Kiera is faced with having to deal with her past and first husband's 'activities.' It's great to see how it all comes together - real history colliding with Kiera's history and how the family comes together towards the end. I definitely recommend reading this!

Yes, yes, 1000 time yes!

This book was a worthy addition to the Lady Darby series. It takes her back to the metephorical scene of the crime for her scandal, and immerses her in a world she had hoped to leave behind. The scandal is still there, but with the help of some old and new friends, she learns how to hold her head high and turn the tide of opinion back in her favor.

I loved the full circle moment of her using what horrific things her husband did to her into the new mystery of the "body snatchers". Sebatian *swoon* Gage is a worthy companion of our heroine, and the mystery they solve further cements their bond.

I enjoyed this book immensely.

Another fun read in this well-written series. This one focuses on the historical Italian Boy murder and subsequent resurrectionist trials in 1831. Kiera and Gage's return to London was a bit of a let-down, though...Kiera spent most of the time feeling persecuted and depressed, and her eventual "stand" against her detractors in London society was pretty tame and unsatisfying.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. An Artless Demise finds Kiera and Gage in London following the events of A Brush With Shadows; Kiera has avoided London for several years after the scandal resulting from the death of her first husband and the revelation that Kiera was the artist behind anatomic drawings of corpses. Despite her reservations, she is just beginning to settle into Society and find acceptance when a group of body snatchers are accused of murdering a young boy to sell to anatomists. All of London, including member of the Ton are fearful of being a victim of body snatchers and the events of Kiera's past are once again the subject of scandal; it begins with Lady Morely cancels the portrait Kiera had been working on. The rest of Society follows suit and Kiera begins to feel like an outcast and fears the impact of her scandal on Gage. Although Gage is aware of Kiera's past, he never had to face it and the impact it has on her. Kiera has to decide if she want to stay and fight or flee to the country.

On the mystery front, Gage is determined to find out the true identity of the Italian boy with the help of his valet. Kiera and Gage also find themselves investigating the death of Lord Fleckenham in what the killer wants to appear to be a potential murder by body snatchers. Lord Fleckenham was quite vile and there are no shortages of suspects who may have wished him harm including his brother. Before the killer can be identified, another young nobleman is attacked, but he has nothing in common with Fleckenham and was well liked.

I loved the developments in Gage and Kiera's relationship as they faced the scandal of her past; although Gage had heard tales of what happened, it is another for him to actually see the toll it takes on Kiera. Gage also is discovers details of Kiera's first marriage that she had not shared; her first husband treated her treated even worse than she disclosed. The mysteries are well done and kept me guessing until the end; I couldn't put this one down. I can't wait for the next book and the birth of Kiera's baby.

One of the many pleasures of this series is seeing the evolution of Kiera and Gage, both as individuals and as a couple. An Artless Demise finds them investigating the death of a much hated society heir while also battling the re-emergence of Burkers who illicitly provide bodies to anatomists. Unfortunately, rather than grave robbing, the London Burkers are not waiting for death to occur naturally and are creating their own corpses, most famously with the notorious murder of the Italian Boy.

Naturally, these events dredge up the scandal brought upon Kiera by her abusive first husband who forced her to use her artistic skills to document the anatomy of the corpses he illegally acquired. Kiera finds herself the object of society gossip, unfounded rumors, and, ultimately, blackmail, even as she and Gage rejoice in her pregnancy and await the birth of their first child. Nevertheless, with Gage's support, Kiera begins to shed the role of victim and develops new relationships with those around her, especially Gage's disapproving father.

Author Anna Lee Huber expertly blends historical events with Kiera and Gage's pursuit of a serial killer who is using the Burkers as cover for his own crimes. The inequities of England's class system are also addressed in ways that drive home its injustices. This series is intelligent, respects its audience's intelligence, and is simply a joy to read.

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

We have been searching for Historical Fiction for our library collection and the one's that are most popular are the mysteries and this one really lived up to that expectation. It is always wonderful to return to your hometown especially after you married the love of you life but when stranger things started to happen, a well deserved homecoming is short-lived. This book had drama, action and really leaves you thinking on your feet. Our readers love it when books have a bit of a twist to them and really keeps them attentive throughout the story. An enticing novel that is sure to leave you speechless in excitement.

We will definitely consider this title for our Historical Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Pregnant and happy, Kiera returns to London with her husband Gage. Unfortunately the spectre of her late husband, Lord Darby, rises when London is beset by disappearances and murders attributed to bodysnatchers. An Artless Demise is a very twisty, emotional story that is impossible to put down.

This was the best one in the series, which has had its ups and downs at times. Well plotted and thrilling, the story also greatly highlighted the main character, who continues to grow. I’m curious how many more of these there will be. This particular story, while dark, was done really well, and I could see more being written without exhausting the premise.

Anna Lee Huber's 7th trip into the Lady Darby mysteries is as thrilling as the first, THE ANATOMIST'S WIFE. Only more so. Kiera and Gage's mysteries (yes, plural) in ARTLESS DEMISE have everything: murder, blackmail, kidnappings, forbidden love, riots, hangings, need I say more. I loved the expanding roles of reoccurring characters. Yet there is even more character growth, especially between Kiera and Gage. My heart hurt for Kiera and the emotional pain she is still not free of.

Of course, Ms Huber leaves her readers with a trail of breadcrumbs leading us to Lady Darby #8. Which seems a long way off. I most definitely recommend ARTLESS DEMISE.

I received this book free from NetGalley as an ARC reviewer in exchange for a true and honest review.  And so it has been.