Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars

I didn’t necessarily really like or dislike the romance of this story, but I found the historical facts and the author’s note very interesting. I think I noticed more about that then their romance/relationship. As for the content of the serial killer, I wouldn’t consider it gruesome unless you have an active imagination. Or you look up pictures of the victims (I highly discourage doing this even if you have a strong stomach). This was an easier read because of the short length and it was fun that it was set around Christmas during part of the book.

This is book 7 of the True Colors series. This book is part of the fiction based on strange but true history of American Crimes and covers Jack the Ripper serial killer murders back in 1889. When Anne, great-granddaughter to the Queen teams up with Isaiah, detective from Texas to solve if these crimes are being done by the same person in America and England. They start to investigate and find clues that match a mysterious Midnight Assassin group, can they be the ones that know who the killer is? Anne also doesn't want anyone to know her true identity and tries to keep it a secret, can she keep who she is away from reporters and everyone she is associated with?


I would recommend this to anyone that likes a good mystery. I love these books and this one didn't let me down. This story has so many twist and turns it was hard to give a full review of all that was going on and also to be careful not give away any spoilers. The ending of this book is a shock and not what you expect at all. It is (as told in the back of the book, fictional with some true events and some added changes to this story.) a drama with a bit of romance that keeps you page turning until the end.... I could not put this down.... great read and would suggest to all......

This was a fun read! At first, I thought I missed the first book of a series, but then I realized that the story has two different settings - Austin, Texas and London, England. Annie and Ike are Pinkerton Detectives tasked with finding a killer that could be the Midnight Assassin and Jack the Ripper. In the meantime, they are trying to deny their feelings for one another. Did I mention that Annie's great-grandmother is Queen Victoria? Very enjoyable.

The Black Midnight kept my attention from start to finish. I loved the Christmas scenes in the story. The characters had so much fun with the decorations. I enjoy Annie and her investigating of the killer. Will she be able to figure out who the killer is?

The Black Midnight is another excellent book in the True Crime Series. I enjoyed it very much. A blend of romance while solving a crime.

Alice Anne von Wettin (great granddaughter of Queen Victoria) is asked by her grandmother to try to solve the Jack the Ripper murder case. Alice (AKA Annie) returns to Austin, TX to ask her past Pinkerton agent partner Isaiah Joplin to help her solve the case. Five years previously she had tried to solve the Midnight Assassin case in Austin with him but was unsuccessful. Most of this book was set during Annie's Midnight Assassin investigation back in Austin, but it does flash forward again to Annie's Jack the Ripper murder investigation near the end of the book.

Since neither one of these true crime cases were ever solved, it was interesting that the author was able to successfully make a plausible case for connecting the two murder sprees to one fictional murderer. As usual, after reading a book from this series, I was able to come away with a little more knowledge of unknown American history that I didn't know. I didn't find this book to be as suspenseful as compared to other books I have read in this series, nor did I find the romantic story line to be very gripping. I think I would have found the book to be a little more believable if the main character wasn't related to the queen. However, the book was still fun to read and I look forward to reading future books in the series.

Thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book.

I found this book to be interesting and fast paced, the way the two merge is done extremely well. Another brilliant book for the True Colours Series. The characters draw you in and hold you captive as the story rolls on. Though based on fact the author is upfront about what she had created and what is fact.
Thank you to Netgalley/ Kathleen y’Barbo/ Barbour Publishing inc for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

"The Black Midnight" by Kathleen Y'Barbo is part of the True Colors series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

This series blends truth and fiction as we turn through history pages to ponder what might be. That is the journey that the author of "The Black Midnight" takes us on. Queen Victoria's Granddaughter, Annie, who works for Scotland Yard, has been investigating the Whitechapel murders. There is a series of killings happening in Texas that are very similar. Annie arrives in Texas to ask her former partner and beau, Isaiah, to help determine if her uncle is the culprit.

The mystery in "The Black Midnight" was more far-fetched than I would have liked. Anyone who is hoping to find an intriguing twist to Jack the Ripper Lore will be disappointed. Still, I could suspend disbelief enough to enjoy the story, and there is plenty to enjoy. The romance was fantastic. Not too heavy or dramatic. The language and the content were clean, as this is a Christian series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a dash of mystery and romance. I give "The Black Midnight" 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of "The Black Midnight" in exchange for an honest review. The views I’ve expressed are my own.

Okay, I’ll be honest. There are flaws with this book. There. I said it. The ending is a bit rushed, there are a few inconsistencies, the royalty aspect (which I was really excited about) was interesting but stretched the suspension of disbelief, and the way the “we don’t know what happened” was handled… eeeeh.. not so much.

Okay, now that I got the honest criticism out of the way, how about we talk characters? Loved them. Queen Victoria cracked me up. I love when people write her as a person instead of just a personage. Y’Barbo DID.

What about settings? Great! I loved that the author both gave Austin, Texas its best setting possible (snow!) while acknowledging that the actual snowfall was a year before or behind (can’t recall which). That kind of transparency makes storytelling so much better!. We can accept it if we’re not expected to ignore fact without acknowledgment.

I think what I loved most about the book was that the author didn’t try to create conclusions that would alter history while presenting possibilities that, if proven, would. Add to that the sheer fun of juxtaposing Victorian London with Austin, Texas and two crimes that could have been connected, and you have a book you don’t want to put down.

Recommended?
If you enjoy true crime stories, Jack the Ripper stories, and clean fiction without the gore that usually goes with both of those, I think Kathleen Y’Barbo’s The Black Midnight is perfect for you. Not recommended for people who expect every historical reference to any person or event to be perfectly verifiable. This is a novel and is presented as one.

These books are all so good! This time, the story revolves around Jack the Ripper, and The Midnight Assassin. I love how these authors bring history to life. These stories are always so well written. I have always been fascinated by the Pinkerton Agency as well, and loved that focus in this storyline. I thought the balance between history, suspense, and romance was well done. Nothing about any of those aspects felt corny or forced. This was a highly enjoyable read, especially for those who love historical fiction. Definitely recommend it, and will look for more books by this author.

I have read several books by Kathleen Y'Barbo and I have enjoyed all of them.... except this one. The premise was okay. The writing was okay. The characters were okay. To be honest, I struggled to finish this one. I felt like I couldn't connect with the characters and I kept having to force myself to finish the book. I really hated that I didn't love this book, because I really do enjoy Ms. Y'Barbo's work. I will continue to read her work, just not from this series or sub-genre.

I love a good book that makes me think! Sometimes the challenge of trying to figure out who-dun-it makes for a very satisfying and engaging read - even if I turn out to be wrong! Couple that with historical fiction and that makes for a winning book!

I actually read this book twice. I read it the first time when I first got it a month or two ago (I requested the book, received it for free, and am giving my honest opinion) and then again last night (which is a little more than a week before this book review is published). I enjoyed it the first time, and I really enjoyed it the second time!

The Black Midnight was a very engaging book! Even though much of it is fiction, there were enough historical details to make it seem real. Neither the Midnight Assassin nor Jack the Ripper was ever identified in real life and the story reflects this; however, I did enjoy the author's unfolding of who might have been involved (again, fictional, but believable).

I really enjoyed "meeting" Queen Victoria in this book. There were one or two other secondary real-life characters, but she was the one who intrigued me the most with such characteristics as her using her third-person "we/us" instead of "I/me." I noticed in reviewing my highlights of the book that she only uses the third-person when she speaks of herself as Queen; other times, she uses I/me when she is speaking on a personal level - for example, to Annie whom she calls Kitten.

In my second reading of the book, I realized that Annie is very much like her great grandmother Queen Victoria in this book: commanding, in control, imperious in manner, yet very, very likable.
"She is the queen, Isaiah." Annie sighed. "She can do whatever she wants. Just be thankful that she does not."
Another character that I liked (because I disliked him) is a journalist who does anything he can to get the scoop on the case of the Midnight Assassin. Annie, who is extremely perceptive, catches onto him at once and puts him in his place:
"Thank you for that insight. I see you are intent on proving yourself as good a detective as you claimed at dinner. I fail to be impressed, but you have my permission to continue trying. Good night, Mr. Blake."
Don't you just love that? I would love to be as witty and direct as she is!

Annie's partner Isaiah is also very insightful and very thoughtful. I love what he said to Annie:
"I see you in there," he said, his eyes on hers. "I don't know who you are yet, but I want to. And I am willing to wait."
I also love this interchange between Isaiah and the Queen:
"I have learned that patience is a virtue." He paused. "And that what is meant to be will be."
One dark brow lifted. "And what cannot be?"
"Takes a little longer, ma'am," he said in his Texas drawl.
The Black Midnight is like a character in itself; as a matter of fact, it ..... I just realized that might be a bit of a spoiler. Just get the book and read it. You won't be disappointed!

I have been looking forward to reading The Black Midnight for awhile and love that I finally got the chance. The Jack the Ripper or Whitechapel murders have always been a fascination with me, especially since they remain unsolved to this day, so reading about the Pinkerton detectives trying to solve these cases was a treat.

I was instantly charmed by Alice Anne, or Annie as she is known throughout most of the book. Though she is a member of the royal family, and great-granddaughter to Queen Victoria, she is not stuffy or pretentious, but is a woman with her own mind, and refuses to not live what she isn't passionate about, even if that means hiding the truth from the monarchy, her family.

Being paired with fellow Pinkerton detective Isaiah "Ike" Joplin is sheer perfection, their partnership filled with playful banter and undeniable chemistry. The description of the murders are tastefully described and there are multiple players that keep the story shrouded in mystery and intrigue, keeping you constantly guessing who the killer could be.

My only complaint about the entire novel is my disappointment with the ending. Building up on the hunt for the killer, as well as the will they/won't they of Ike and Annie's relationship, I was expecting more fireworks, so to speak. The end of the investigation was lackluster at best, and Ike and Annie's story felt incomplete. When I read the last sentence and turned the page to see the author's note I was heartbroken, having to leave many details to my imagination instead of the author's pen. I would've loved to have heard her views instead of having to rely on my own.

Despite my disappointment, I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Midnight! It was a quick read for me with wonderful characters, decent writing, and a story that captures the imagination and makes me want to completely nerd out and do more research, not only on the Whitechapel Murders, but the famed midnight assassin as well.

Alice is the great-granddaughter to the Queen of England and a Pinkerton detective. She and Ike (fellow Pinkerton) are working to solve the murder spree that moved from London to Texas. Bodies are piling up and they have yet to determine the killer. The Midnight Assassin leaves no clues--only dead bodies. Alice and Ike have work to do!

i really enjoy Ms. Y'Barbo's work, and I really enjoyed reading this mystery. It had what I was looking for in this type of book.

I absolutely loved the merging of two different societies for this novel - the author successfully brings together the terror plaguing both cities in an enjoyable, suspenseful read about Jack-the-Ripper-esque killings and two headstrong, heart bound agents fighting to solve these historical crimes. In true series fashion, I learned more about these awful occurrences than I had previously even considered. This series, True Colours, wonderfully entwines historical true crime with tender romance and this title is no exception. The pacing lends an element of racing against the clock and the elements of intrigue and danger up the risk factor.

I have to admit upfront, I'm a huge fan of Kathleen Y'Barbo. There's something about her writing style that always completely engages me from the first page.

This book was no different. She hooked me as soon as she opened with the scene of the heroine having tea with her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, in Buckingham palace! How awesome is that????

The story jumps to Austin, Texas, and a series of late 19th century murders that I hadn't heard about before this book. The theory that the Austin murders are connected to the Jack the Ripper murders was really fascinating.

I really liked the heroine, and the kinds of issues she was struggling with. She had the burden of being expected to help contribute to her family's financial needs through an acceptable marriage, and the values instilled in her by her upbringing warred with her own desires for her career and marriage. She also found it difficult to keep such a huge secret from her Pinkerton agent partner as they grew closer and she wanted to share more of herself with him, but couldn't share everything. She also had to deal with trying to succeed as an investigator in a very male-dominated environment where women are often looked down upon, and I thought she did a good job in standing up for herself but not being bullheaded or arrogant or pushy, but being respectful, firm, and kind. She responded as a Victorian woman would, rather than a 21st century woman, which made the story more authentic.

Unfortunately, the hero was a little bland to me, but maybe that's because he was contrasted with the heroine and her colorful background. He was certainly good, kind, and admirable. His only flaw was in his impulsive confidence with his emotions that the heroine simply couldn't match, with her more subdued personality.

I also thought the pace of the novel was a bit rushed. I never felt I really got a good feel for the atmosphere of Austin or London.

However, the storyline was so interesting that I actually stayed up late to read the last 25% so I could find out how it ended. I really enjoyed the mystery and the suspects they had to collect and eliminate. The ending was not 100% conclusive, but enough was implied and obvious from the characters' actions that it made for a very satisfying ending to the mysteries.

Overall, another good book by Kathleen Y'Barbo with a neat take on the Jack the Ripper murders.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Black Midnight is part of a fictional series, based on true crime. I have read others in this series and enjoyed them.

This story is based on the Jack the Ripper murders in London, and a serial killer in Austin Texas, and whether or not they are connected. Add in the fact that the detective is royalty, develops a relationship with her partner, and a web of mystery surrounding the murders, you’ve got a great story.

I like that the story begins in the future, and then goes to tell the story of their past. I also found the ending a little abrupt. No gory or graphic details, very clean.

If you’re a fan of mystery and historical fiction, this series is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

When I started the book, I didn’t expect it to contain more than one true historical event and a secret society. I also thought that it would take place more in the timeframe of Jack the Ripper and London rather than the majority of it being a recounting of sorts with Alice Anne and Isaiah’s past working The Midnight Assassin case. Going into The Black Midnight I knew nothing of The Midnight Assassin (aka Servant Girl Annihilator) or the secret society from London. Like many, many others I am at least familiar with the broad aspects of the Jack the Ripper case in Whitechapel.

Annie is a woman whose honest wish is to be able to follow her heart – in all things. Since she is the great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria that limits her options severely, so she’s had to become a little bit more sneaky in her endeavors. Isaiah is a hard-working and devoted detective who just happened to get blindsided by a certain lovely British Pinkerton detective. The romance aspect of this book is PG – just a wholesome love story. I loved Miss Hattie and her lazy impish wolfhound.

Every time I pick up a book from the True Colors series I end up learning at least one thing. So far this book is my favorite of the three that I’ve read. I connected more with Annie and Isaiah than the previous sets of characters. I enjoyed the historical setting of Austin which isn’t something that I usually find in the books I read and I enjoyed yet another trip to historical London.

This is the third book in the True Colors series that I’ve read and they have all been excellent. I would highly recommend this book (and series) to readers who enjoy historical fiction, Christian fiction, crime fiction about true events with a dash of old fashioned romance. I would like to thank Barbour Publishing, NetGalley, and Kathleen Y’barbo for the opportunity to read this excellent book – all opinions are my own. *Rounded from 4.5 stars*

Kathleen Y'Barbo does exceptional writing in "The Black Midnight". The characters come to life as Alice and Isaiah work together to find the killer that is terrorizing homes. Citizens live in fear not knowing when the killer will hit again. The story is full of suspense, thrilling, intrigue, wit and great investigation scenes. There is even a few appearances of Queen Victoria and who can pass that up. It is a great book with a view of what happened during the times of Jack the Ripper, not knowing the identity of that person. From Texas plains to London Royalty, a commoner and a royal granddaughter will keep you turning the page to see if the two can find the perpetrator. READ THE BOOK!!

Blessings,

Karen

Rating:5*

I requested a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

"The Black Midnight" is an Engrossing, Inspirational Romantic Thriller, by Kathleen Y'Barbo. This Story is written about 2 actual real, and similar series of unsolved murders; that occurred in Austen, Texas, then in London, England. KY wondered: "What if Jack the Ripper committed both sets of murders?"

Isaiah meets Annie/Alice Anne on her Austin, TX murder case. He falls for her, without knowing she's a member of England's Royal Family. Should he work with Annie again in London, when she asks? Can he keep her safe, as they close in on the murderer?

Alice Anne fell for Isaiah in Texas; but hated that he got hurt by her secret identity. She needs Isaiah's smarts to help her solve the Jack the Ripper murders; and she trusts him. Can she keep her heart safe, by keeping Isaiah at an emotional distance, as they work the case?

Are Isaiah & Annie fated to be "star crossed lovers"? Do they identify the murderer? I Highly Recommend You Read This Story to find out! ❤️📖 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟