Murder Roils a Twelfth Night House Party

Kiera, Lady Darby, and her husband, Sebastian, have been invited to the Twelfth Night Party at Sunlaws Castle, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Bowmont. Although Kiera prefers to avoid large parties, particularly one reputed to be as raucous as the one at Sunlaws Castle, she’s looking forward to seeing her new friend the Duchess of Bowmont and finishing her portrait.

When they arrive at the castle the atmosphere seems strained. This feeling is amplified during the festivities when the Lord of Misrule proposes a tour of the castle dungeons. The dungeons are suitably eerie for a ghost tour, but no one expects to find an actual ghost or in this case a decomposing body.

Because of the state of the corpse, it is impossible to make an identification, but Lady Eleanor’s husband has been in Paris and hasn’t communicated for weeks. Could this be Lord Helmswick, and if so how did he get back to the castle unnoticed?

This is another delightful mystery where Kiera and Sebastian have to overcome obstacles, including the reticence of the family, to discover the identity of the murdered man. I love these characters. Sebastian is very solicitous of Kiera, particularly since she’s pregnant, but he listens to her ideas and treats her as a full partner.

The descriptions of the castle are opulent but also unsettling. It’s a great setting for a ghost walk. Bree and Anderly, Kiera and Sebastian’s personal servants, play role and a romance is brewing. If you’re a fan of this series or of historical mysteries, this is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

This episode begins at a Twelfth Night party hosted by the Duchess of Bowmont. This isn't normally the kind of thing Keira enjoys but she does like the Duchess and is in the process of painting her portrait. The castle is full of hijinks, merriment, drunken excesses, and secrets. It is well known that the Duke and Duchess each have lovers and that the youngest four of their children do not have the Duke as their father though he has acknowledged all of them.

When a tour of the crypts beneath the castle uncover a decomposing body, Keira and Gage are asked to investigate. At first glance, he seems to be Lady Eleanor's husband Lord Helmswick who supposedly dropped off his wife and children before going off to Paris. Their marriage is not good. She hasn't heard from him and doesn't find that unusual or undesirable. In fact, she has taken a lover herself in Marsdale who is a recurring mysterious character from earlier books in the series. It turns out he was her first love though they were split apart when he did something stupid.

As Keira and Gage investigate and question those who were in residence at the castle when the murder likely took place, they learn about a Mr. Patrick Renton who had called looking for Lord Helmswick. Apparently he was blackmailing him for something or other.

Gage dispatches his valet and assistant sleuth Anderley to Helmswick's home to investigate. This is concerning to all of them because the reason Lady Eleanor and the children are at the castle is that cholera is spreading where they have their home. Fears are that Anderley might contract it.

Apparently Keira is getting close to some answers because she is pushed down a flight of stairs which partially dislocates her right shoulder and damages her ribs. She is very concerned that it might have done harm to the baby she is carrying.

As Keira investigates, she also learns a secret that has implications on her own new family which she very much wants to share with Gage but gives the other party a chance to share the information with him before she does. The story ends with that plot thread dangling.

I like this series very much. I like the setting and I like the marriage that Gage and Keira are building which is rather different than the upper class marriages all around them. Of course, this does cause some conflicts with her own sister who fears for her safety and causes an argument between the sisters.

I like that Keira tells the story and that we see the world through her eyes. Fans of the series won't want to miss this excellent entry.

Six months into her pregnancy, Lady Kiera Darby has been invited to Duchess of Bowmontʼs Twelfth Night party. She and her husband Sebastian Gage are looking forward to relaxing and having some fun. But some of the relationships among the Bowmont family seem strained and it only gets worse when a body is discovered in the catacombs below the house.
No one can identify the corpse but suspicion is quick that it is that of the Duchess's son-in-law who has supposedly been in France for almost a month. But is that really who it is? And why is somebody stealing the evidence that points to that being the case?
The mystery was a little convoluted but I enjoyed getting to know Kiera a little better in this book and seeing how her husband respects what it is that she does.

Three stars
Follows an Artless Demise
This book comes out April 7th
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

The latest book in one of my favorite historical mystery series reminds me of the very first Lady Darby Mystery, The Anatomists Wife. The two books have in common a country manor, a house party and a murder.

I’ve always like the country manor setting for a mystery. In A Stroke of Malice, it is not necessarily a locked room mystery, because the murder happened before the party even started. But one assumes that all the pertinent suspects are present.

And there are plenty of suspects. The Duchess has a large family with many connections that may or many not make them suspects. In their usual discreet yet insistent investigative manor, Kiera and Gage sift through the family members and all their possible connections. You will want to pay attention, there are many suspects!

Through the 8 books of this series, I have come to love Kiera. Due to her past, she is can be plagued with self-doubt and fear, but her intelligence, courage, and tenderness help her overcome and make her special. Gage supports his wife in her unorthodox activities, making him just as lovable. I also appreciate the author’s historical research, providing details and dialog that take me back in time.

Anna Lee Huber shines again, giving us suspense, romance, history and heart in A Stroke of Malice.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

While attending a house party celebrating Twelfth Night, the revelers discover a body in the castle’s crypt. Too badly decomposed to be able to tell the deceased’s identity, their host, Duchess of Bowmont, implores Kiera and Gage to investigate. They soon find the notorious Bowmont family has secrets on top of their secrets, and everyone assumes the body is Lord Helmswick, Lady Eleanor’s husband, but Kiera and Gage want to know for sure and face danger to find the truth.

A STROKE OF MALICE, the striking eighth Lady Darby book, just might be the best yet of the series. It has a wonderful Golden Age of mystery locked room feel to it and gothic elements to make it even more spine tingling. The castle setting is both opulent and foreboding. Huber’s attention to detail envelops readers in early nineteenth century Scotland. The mystery is captivating with plenty of suspects, clues, and puzzles to figure out. Kiera and Gage are as charming as ever, and I love how much Gage cherishes and respects Kiera. Their working and personal relationships continue to grow and change.

A STROKE OF MALICE is a wonderful historical mystery. Highly recommended.

I received and ARC of this title from the author/publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

Series: Lady Darby Mystery #8
Publication Date: 4/7/20
Number of Pages: 384

With each new entry in the Lady Darby series, I think it just can’t get any better – but then, it does. This author never fails to intrigue and delight and she has quickly become one of my favorite historical mystery authors. While it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, I would suggest reading at least the first book or two in the series to really understand Kiera’s history.

After their harrowing and intense recent visit to London, Kiera (Lady Darby) and Gage are attending a Twelfth-Night celebration in Scotland at Sunlaws Castle, the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Bowmont. It is their intent to celebrate the holiday and for Kiera to finish the painting she had already begun for the duchess before traveling on to Edinburgh for the birth of their child.

During the Twelfth-night celebration, the Lord of Misrule decided to take everyone on a ghost tour where, of course, a body was discovered. Who was it? There were no identifying features, no personal possessions, and nobody was missing from the area. Then, how did he even get there? Could it be Lady Eleanor’s husband, the Earl of Helmswick? He is supposed to be in Paris, but he’s sent no communications to anyone since he’s been gone. Except, that isn’t unusual for the Earl, so surely it isn’t him. But, if not him, then who?

What an exciting rollercoaster ride of a tale. It is hard to tell who is an enemy and who is a friend or who is a victim. You will be scratching your head from beginning to end and the wrap-up will surprise you. The only constant is Kiera and Gage’s love and respect for each other.

I read this book in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down. Now, it is hours after I read the last page and it is still on my mind. So, of course, I cannot wait for the next book which is set in cholera ridden Edinburg. Will we finally get to meet the new baby?

I hope you will love this book as much as I did – shux – I’m sure you will love it as much as I did because it is an exceptional read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love the Lady Darby series. The mayhem started during the Twelfth Night party. The mystery was engrossing and enjoyable. Although the mystery is stand alone, I feel like it would best be enjoyed if one read the previous books.

Anna Lee Huber has hit another home-run with A Stroke of Malice.

One of my favorite fictional sleuthing couples, Lady Darby and Sebastian Gage, discover a body at a house party and the stage is set for danger as they seek answers. The beautiful setting of a Scottish castle and abandoned abbey provide a marvelous backdrop for intrigue with a cast of complex characters filling the pages of this captivating story.

The depth of Ms. Huber's writing is remarkable. The pacing and unraveling of the plot is superb, allowing the author to dig deeper into the human spirit and the many relationships we share with one another as a parent, child, sibling, spouse, lover or friend. As the seams of these relationships unravel, Huber addresses the innermost motivations of love, loyalty and the consequences of long buried secrets.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

I love this series but this installment felt slow and heavy. I put down the book several times and really had to force myself to pick it back up. However, the mystery was solid and I love the characters.

My visits with Kiera and Sebastian in the Lady Darby series are always such fun and unfortunately much too short. This is one of my favorite auto-buy mystery series that I find myself recommending to everyone I know...so glad I discovered it!

This adventure finds them celebrating Twelfth Night at a duke’s castle and stumbling upon an unknown murder victim during a ghost tour in the underground tunnels/catacombs. The duke’s rather large and unorthodox family are prime suspects, and Huber’s descriptive writing and plot kept me riveted (as usual).

I especially love that she usually surprises her readers with interesting plot twists for some of her regular characters...no exception here! Her characters are so real and engaging I don’t ever want to leave them (even if only for the next installment).

This was yet another wonderful addition to a fabulous series, and I’m now anxiously awaiting the next one.

A big thank you to #BerkleyPublishing and #NetGalley for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

This book has all of the elements I have come to expect and love in Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby series. I love the suspense, the period details and the character development. I like that Kiera does the heavy lifting in solving the cases. A Stroke of Malice has a couple of surprises I hadn't expected too.

This was a fun, enjoyable read.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc in return for an honest review.

"We do have a tendency to trip over murdered corpses and befriend people who find themselves in trouble".

Such a joy to read a Lady Darby mystery! In A Stroke of Malice, Lady Darby has been contracted to paint the portrait of a duchess. Instead, Lady Darby and Mr. Gage find themselves heading a murder inquest. The duchess and her children have secrets aplenty and just when I thought I'd figured things out, there was another twist in the story. I especially loved the chapter ending cliff hangers.

The entire Lady Darby series is highly recommended for readers that enjoy historical mysteries.

Honestly, the Lady Darby series is getting a bit tired for me, especially with the continued rehashing of her scandalous past.
Anyway, on to the story. While on a ghost tour during a house party, Lady Darby and her husband Gage find a unidentified dead body and are asked to help solve the case. Despite being heavily pregnant, Keira cannot help but spend all her time trying to get to the bottom of who the dead body is and how he came to be where he was.
I found it quite appalling that, on a complete hunch, Keira informed the Duke and Duchess's daughter that they thought the dead body was probably her husband. I didn't find the mystery or its resolution to be particularly interesting or satisfying; I was never gripped to keep reading to find out more.
I also wish Keira saw herself more as a painter who occasionally dabbled in solving murders instead of constantly reminding us that she is an "inquiry agent".
Overall the book was fine and I would recommend it to people who enjoy historical mysteries.

Kiera and Gage are visiting Sunlaws Castle for a Twelfth Night party. They are touring a relatively inaccessible area of the castle when a body is discovered. The Duke and Duchess request that Kiera and Gage investigate, but it becomes clear that almost everyone has secrets, and something to hide. Is Lady Eleanor’s faithless husband dead? If not, why has he been incommunicado for so long? Who is the dead man? The expectant Kiera and her husband aim to discover the truth, although it is clear that their personal safety may be at risk, since someone seems bound and determined to keep them in the dark. Another excellent historical mystery from Anna Lee Huber, this novel is recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction. Thanks to Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC.

I love the character transformation/growth in the book compared to the last. Since the last book, Kiera has come more into her own, is more comfortable with herself and her past, and is much more confident. Gage and Kiera continue to work well as a detective team. The mystery was interesting though I felt the culprit was easier to deduce in that in previous books....perhaps I'm just getting smarter. Anything Huber writes I'm going to read.

Another great book in the Mrs. Darby series. The action and mystery is packed tight and kept me guessing until the end. Once I thought I figured it out but then I was thrown a curve ball. Kiera and Gage are still a power couple solving mysteries together.

I wish for a short story about Bree, her lady's maid. The book teases that Kiera doesn't really know her and how she feels about doing the detective work. It would be nice to find out.

When I read Anna Lee Huber's very first Lady Darby mystery, I was hooked, and I eagerly await each next book in the series. I have never been disappointed. In this eighth book in the series, Sebastian and Kiera Gage are happy to be celebrating the new year with friends in 1832. But, as always happens when they are around, a dead body turns up. Which means no relaxing holiday for them. So, together with Gage's faithful valet, Anderly, and Kiera's loyal maid, Bree, the inquiry agents make it their business to solve yet another gruesome murder. Only now, Kiera is six month's pregnant and must take it easy, as she learns to her detriment in this sprawling castle in which they've been invited to and must now investigate the murder. And there are a host of suspects at the Duchess of Bowmont's Twelfth Night Party!

Huber is very skillful at engaging her readers in each crime she invents for these wonderful books. I particularly enjoy being invited inside Lady Darby's (Kiera's) mind as she delves into the murders she and Gage solves. And then Huber takes us deeper and deeper into the lives of those invited to the party and we soon find out that nearly everyone had a motive for being the perpetrator of the deadly crime. And, of course, each book ends on a note that makes us eager to read the next book. If only it weren't so long between them! Recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion expressed here is entirely my own.

They are invited to a big celebration at the Duke's and they accept the invitation. They'll soon wish they hadn't. While playing assigned parts in an evening game. one of the Duke's boys takes them down in the cold, dark basement area that used to be the dungeons and now holds the bones of their ancestors. Only one body is too fresh for that and it appears to be murder...

Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you). It will be published April 7th.

The Duchess asks them to investigate. It appears that someone at the party might be the killer. The problem is the majority of them are family members so it may be hard to weed out the killer.

They think it might be one lady's husband. As they try to track him down, they find other family secrets. Then someone pushes Lady Darby down the stairs. She doesn't fall but she dislocates her shoulder and she worries about her unborn child. Her child is fine and her shoulder will heal but who pushed her?

Her husband and brother escort her about to keep her safe. But it's not very safe as they get closer to the killer.

This is a tangled web of a story where love has nothing to do with some marriages and where love can destroy others...

An Artless Demise, the previous book in this series, is one of my favourite books so I was nervous about this one. No need for that!

A Stroke of Malice is set at a house party, where a body is discovered in a sack in the cellar during a ghost tour. Kiera and Gage are present during the tour, and the duchess asks them to investigate. However, they have a body, unidentified, time of death unknown, location of murder unknown, murder weapon unknown. Also it's set in the 1830s so limited investigation options.


Unfortunately, as they both predict, the Duke and Duchess, their hosts are eager to get the whole unpleasantness over with, and the entire family does not cooperate well with the investigation, even though it may be their son in law, who hasn't been seen or heard from since leaving for Paris over a month earlier. The Duchess is eager for the corpse to be declared a missing vagrant or, if it is her son-in-law, to blame his valet (also missing) for the deed and moving on. A Stroke of Malice looks at the bonds of family and how class protects on one hand and can destroy others not protected by it. It also analyses how society functions to protect itself (its rules) instead of those in it.

The mystery is unsettling on its own and it becomes darker as Kiera is threatened and harmed by an unknown person. Her brother Trevor becomes more protective of her and her pregnancy and works with her and Gage to help solve the mystery. 

It was really enjoyable to have a near blank slate as to what had happened - and if they're even going to find answers - among all the family secrets. Every time a potential scenario presents itself, doors are shut in their faces. Are there family secrets related to this murder or is it an accident of fate that lead to the corpse in the basement?

The mystery keeps its reader on their toes as they can trust no one and begin with no real clues other than the boots and clothes found with the body. It's quite a challenge that will take everything Kiera and Gage can find to piece together. Once again, Anna Lee Huber delivers a well crafted mystery that will keep readers in suspense as they search for clues.

In this installment of the Lady Darby mysteries, Kiera and her husband, Sebastian Gage, find themselves at the Duchess of Bowmont's estate, to celebrate at her notorious Twelfth Night party, before Kiera finishes painting the Duchess' portrait. As usual, a dead body appears to spoil what should be a joyous occasion. This mystery has more twists and turns than usual, as no one is actually sure who the body belongs to for much of the book, and nearly all of the suspects are close friends of Kiera and Sebastian. I thought the impact of Kiera's pregnancy on her ability to do her work, and on her mental and emotional state, was particularly well-thought-out and well-handled. And, of course, there were more revelations that raise questions about and deepen our understanding of certain recurring characters. A very enjoyable read in a very enjoyable series!