Penny for Your Secrets
by Anna Lee Huber
Pub Date 29 Oct 2019
Kensington Books, Kensington
Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers


I am reviewing a copy of Penny For Your Secrets through Kensington Books and Netgalley:



Get ready to be transported back to England, 1919, where we meet former Secret Service agent Verity Kent, who is finding that life after wartime offers its own share of danger.



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



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




I give The Great War five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Still liking the series, but I am starting to wish for a more finesse in the department of sleuthing.
What still works for me (with some concerns) is the marriage on rocks the main characters Verity and Sidney are having. I like the way the authoress is going deeper there - because while all is fine in the physical attractiveness between them, that is not all that is important in marriage, really. While some issues have been discussed and forgiven, there are still dark places in both of their souls (mostly in Sidney's, really) that need to be brought into the light and healed. My aforementioned concerns are that Sidney is in the danger of becoming another brooding, sexy hero - and while there is nothing wrong about that:), I simply wish for him to be more, because there is risk of one-dinmensionality at play.
But definitely read that and see for yourself!

Verity is such an exciting character and the mysteries she stumbles upon are really engrossing. I have to admit, when I first got into this book, this mystery seemed a little less exciting as compared to Book 2. Book 2 saw Verity and Sidney go international where the stakes were markedly higher. Or so it seemed. This book was like peeling back the layers and then figuring out that a bigger enemy than the one we thought exists.

Initially, I got really bored with Ada's mystery. She was a typical brat and there were many occasions where I wanted to spank her really hard for how she was acting. But that again is a reflection of how well the author writes because all of these things make the book so much better.

Once again, I have to remark at the astute social observations that the author makes through Verity. I love the perspective of a returning soldier, women who have to now deal with psychologically damaged husbands or children, and a society that wants to move on from its formerly aristocratic set up. There are so many layers here. At the same time, I can see how Verity being a person of importance actually helps us see the British society with a deeper lens. Had she been someone who was hand to mouth, perhaps, that would not have left time enough for her to make these sort of observations. I also recognize the privilege that a person has, when they don't have to think of money all the time. So, all in all, the book makes me think a lot and on a lot of different levels. That I really enjoy. I enjoy books that give me fodder to think.

I couldnt help but get sucked in to this and like the other books, I just jumped into the next one after I finished this. I am literally taking 2 or 3 days to read these because they are so engrossing, I just can't stop.

I am so glad I picked this on NetGalley, because it was an amazing read. Once I discovered this was Book 3, I jumped to Book 1 so I could get context and that was the best decision I made. Easily one of the best series of this year.

I wasn't able to download and read this book due to a bad flare up of lyme disease. I apologize to Netgalley and the publisher and author.

This novel was not as good as the previous books in the series. This is because it seems more like a filler novel that is laying out what is to come in the future. Still, it was a worth a read! I recommend this for fans of Maisie Dobbs!

I loved "The Anatomist’s Wife" by Anna Lee Huber so much so that I wanted to read everything she wrote. Including the Verity Kent series. The third instalment in the series is, I’m sad to say, the one I struggled with the most and liked the least.

I’ve put off writing this review. I just…don’t know what to say. The things that bothered me about the second book are even more prominent in this one. Or maybe since it’s been awhile since I read the second book, "Treacherous Is the Night", I had forgotten that there was something about the series that was starting to hinder my enjoyment of it. I looked on my Goodreads and I rated that one 4 stars, and yet for some reason "Penny For Your Secrets" was never going to be that for me.

I think it started with the use of a British slang for a cigarette that can also be used as an incredibly hurtful and derogatory term for the LGBTQ+ community. Given that she also just…uses the word cigarette, I fail to see why she included the other term more than once. I don’t remember if she used it in the previous books, but every time that term was used it gave me pause and made me uncomfortable. I think that, especially now, authors and publishers need to be aware that some slangs are just not acceptable to use in books.

The other thing that I struggled with is the romance. If you’re reading my review, I’m going to assume you’ve read the first book in the series. If you haven’t, stop reading now. I’m going to discuss some pretty big spoilers for book 1.

In the first book, Verity meets Max. They grow close and there’s definitely indications that they have feelings for each other. I shipped it. So much. And then when it was revealed that Verity’s husband, Sidney, is actually alive after all I really struggled to pull myself out of the Max/Verity ship. Because she chooses her husband. The relationship with her husband is much harder to root for given that we’re meeting them during a rocky time in their relationship…and given how much Max is set up as a love interest. I don’t feel that Verity and Sidney have much chemistry on the page most of the time. Sometimes, I get that the author is going for a more seasoned relationship struggling amidst and after the war. But we don’t spend enough time with them just being a couple for me to care about them, or even like Sidney. I’m not sure if it’s just me, or if it’s the writing. It doesn’t help that Max is mentioned repeatedly.

But what about the mystery, you ask? It was okay. It was frustrating at the best of times. I can see how the author was trying to craft a complex mystery to keep readers guessing, but I had a hard time with how females are often pitted against each other. I also felt that the threads of the mystery were so numerous as to be confusing. There were moments where I genuinely enjoyed seeing Verity and co question people, search for clues, and make discoveries. I found myself being swept away into the story and wanting to know who the culprit was. I also really like historical fiction set in this time period.

I’m sad that this book just wasn’t the book for me. It may still be the book for you, so I don’t want to dissuade you. Unless, of course, you also find the term I mentioned above unnecessary and/or upsetting. I’m sad to say the book was okay, but it didn’t live up to my expectations.

The murder is a secondary plot to the reuniting of Verity and Sidney. It moves slowly but I love the 1920’s background this series benefits from being read in order this being the 3rd book.

I really enjoy the Verity Kent series and this book really continues for what I liked in the series. The writing was good and I look forward to more in the Verity series.

The first third of this book was a bit slow and took some time to get into. However, once the two mysteries were clearly shown to be linked (as we knew they would), the pacing and my interested increased. I think this book acts as a bridge to the next book in the series. With the introduction of Ardmore, I believe we're being introduced to Verity's nemesis that will play a larger role in books to come. I her perhaps her Moriarty? Look forward to seeing where this goes.

A very satisfying mystery. This third book in Anna Lee Huber’s series of mysteries featuring the intrepid Verity Kent sees our eponymous heroine and her recently returned husband Sidney investigating not one but two murders. The ending of this book is intriguing, because while the murders are solved, there are enough untied threads to set up the next book in the series very neatly.

This sequel in the Verity Kent series was worth waiting for. Set in post WWI England, Verity is gaining a reputation for solving mysteries. Now that her husband Sidney, thought to have been killed in the war, has been reunited with her, she has a partner to solve mysteries with while they try to navigate the traumas of a war veteran returning home.
Anna Lee Huber's plots are intriguing and her characters have depth. The relationship between Verity and Sidney is real and adds depth to the story.

Ada, newly married to the Marquess of Rockham, is overwhelmed trying to find her place in the aristocratic world. When Lord Rockham is discovered shot with Ada’s revolver, Verity Kent strives to prove Ada's innocence. And when the sister of a former Secret Service colleague is killed in a suspected home invasion gone wrong, Verity believes the 2 cases may be linked. Verity and her husband Sydney work together to solve the 2 seemingly unconnected murders.

This is the 3rd book in Anna Lee Huber's historical murder mystery series. Though I've not read the 1st two books, I still enjoyed this one. This is my 1st time reading a historical murder mystery and I can definitely say this won't be my last. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

One of my favorite mystery series! I recommend it to everyone mystery reader I know. The characters are fascinating, the plots intricate and the way the author keeps the romance fizzing is so perfect. I've included the series in sevreal NYPL blog posts and as a staff pick.

Penny for Your Secrets

by Anna Lee Huber

I do so enjoy historical fiction with more than a touch of mystery. Penny for Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber is that kind of book. Unfortunately, and perhaps it was just me, but this novel seemed to drag a bit. The premise is interesting and becomes increasingly complicated as more murders occur. The Kents, Verity and Sidney, can’t get away from their heroic pasts. Each played a critical undercover role in World War I, and their friends, the media, and their own souls will not let them forget it. In this book, issues from World War I resurface in various ways and involve current MI5 operatives as well.

Although I like the Kents, their relationship issues play a role that is too prominent at the expense of the plot. I understand their angst over past decisions, but sometimes I just wanted to tell them how lucky they are: they emerged from a horrific war with no major physical injuries, considerable financial wealth, and a marriage intact. So many could not claim any of those benefits after World War I.

Kudos to the author for an intricate plot, an appealing setting, and historical accuracy. It will be interesting to see what adventures await the fashionable Kents next.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Notes: #3 in the Verity Kent Mystery Series, but works as a standalone

Publication: October 29, 2019—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

My skin prickled at being in such close proximity to so much anger, as if the daggers aimed at others had been deflected on to me.

“…my father always did have a different standard when it came to what he and his peers were allowed to do as opposed to the rest of the world.”

“In some situations, there is no winning. No right way. You can only make the best choices you can, and hope the people your decision might have harmed will forgive you in the end.”

I received a free ARC of this through NetGalley, in return for an unbiased review. And upfront - I really, really liked this. Huber is a new author to me, and one I’ll definitely be looking for more of with her Verity Kent series. You got to know the characters very quickly, they were real and vivid, lots of historical research and references without beating you over the head with them to show off, a thorough and complex plot, and thoughtfully written survivor’s guilt for those who made it back from the war. Very nicely done.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43871782-penny-for-your-secrets

Penny for Your Secrets is the newest book in the Verity Kent series. This one centers on the murder of the husband of a close friend of Verity's and everyone is a suspect. I always find these books enjoyable! I feel like it's a solid entry in a series that keeps getting better.

While not as good as the first two books in the series, this was a fun read. This particular mystery wasn’t as page turning as the others and the characters experienced some of the same issues as the previous two. I felt like there wasn’t enough change or continuation in the main character development so it was like reading the same thoughts and emotions as before.

Penny for Your Secrets is the third book in the Verity Kent series. This one revolves around the murder of Verity's friends husband. Did her friend Ada kill her husband or did one of their dinner guests stick around after the party.

Verity is a former security service's agent during the Great War and now that it is over she uses her skills in private investigations. These characters are enjoyable to read about help make the stories quick reads.

There are several series out there of female detectives and this one is actually a good one. If you have already read the previous novels in the series, keep it going with this one. And if you are looking for a new one to start pick this one up, it is only three books in so it is easy enough to start from the beginning and catch up in time for the next one to come out.

This is a stand alone series and has not disappointed me in the mystery and spy world This is just one of many spy rings during WWII, on the fight against the Nazis!!
You will be drawn into this circle of spies and the different characters that really lived this life. You will not be disappointed in this action filled book and when you do finish you are ready for more!!