Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my copy of Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber in exchange for an honest review. It published August 31, 2021.
This was another interesting book in the Verity Kent series. I appreciated the exploration of hatred toward Germans after WWII, and the exploration of grief. I felt like these were deep and important topics to tackle in this book.

Book #5 in the Verity Kent series. The era directly following WW1 left many households feeling the loss of one or more family members and remembering the traumas dealt to them from the Germans. Verity has so many blessings to be thankful for that when her German aunt and her ladies maid show up at her door, she's not turning anyone looking for a restful retreat from the stresses of the war. But Verity's British neighbors are not forgiving and harbor suspicions of any Germans. When the ladies maid is murdered, Verity must find out if her death was because she's German or other dastardly reasons.

I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting read and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me reading until the end. I highly recommend.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an advanced review copy. I don't often read historical novels about this turn of the century period so I appreciated the nuances and detail weaved into a compelling plot and characters.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good mystery novel. Cover is really cute. Highly recommend

Murder Most Fair

by Anna Lee Huber

What is the best way to grieve? Murder Most Fair weaves that theme throughout a captivating mystery by Anna Lee Huber. This novel has its basis in the spy and undercover operations of the Great War (WWI). The espionage secrets of that period are held close by those involved because of the Official Secrets Act which binds them through honor and legalities. It is in this atmosphere that Verity Kent, a spy, and her husband Sidney Kent, a war hero also engaged in undercover work, pursue what appears to be the frivolous, carefree lifestyle of the young rich.

In reality, like so many of that period, Verity and Sidney are working through grief—for Verity, the personal loss of her beloved brother Rob and for both of them, the witnessing of many soldiers and civilians killed or maimed in the conflicts. The couple is also struggling to avoid the clutches of the evil Lord Ardmore in a different type of war fallout. Meanwhile, we get a first hand view of the hatred many in England felt for all Germans. Verity’s great-aunt Ilse manages to obtain legal entry to Great Britain along with her German maid. Ilse is but a shell of her former self after surviving the war in a country where even if you had money, there was nothing to buy. Malnutrition and starvation were rampant.

The mystery becomes deadly as it progresses. Sidney and Verity are asked to investigate on the side as the local law officer has never handled a murder case. Verity’s relationship with her family is highly stressed as she has not been home in five years, including for her brother’s funeral. Her absence was quite painful for her mother.

Huber’s descriptions are outstanding, evoking a visual and emotional picture. She places the reader in the middle of the setting along with the characters. Her plot is intricately crafted with threads that seem to go nowhere…until they do. This is a good historical novel with suspense to keep you turning pages.

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

Rating: 5/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Notes: #5 in the Verity Kent Mystery Series. I haven’t read all the books in this series, but Huber provides needed background information, so this book could be read as a standalone.

Publication: August 3, 2021—Kensington

Memorable Lines:

I wrapped my juniper-green woolen jumper tighter around me and breathed deeply of the air tinted with the smoke from the hearths burning inside, the earthy aroma of autumn decay, and a faint tinge of saltiness from the sea a short distance away. The breeze sawed gently through the trees overhead, rustling the leaves like castanets…

“Well, the Jerries weren’t happy to sit in their mudholes and cesspits any more than we were. We were both just cogs caught up in the higher-ups’ wheels of madness.”

Most of the war dead, of course, had not been repatriated, instead being buried in France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Palestine, and other far-flung places on the globe. But nonetheless I could feel their absence like the missing notes of a song or the lost verse of a poem.

DNF'd. I just couldn't connect with the characters or the writing. No rating will be given due to DNF'ing this book early.

World War I may have ended, but the after affects of that war continues to disrupt the lives of Verity Kent and her husband Sidney. While spending time with close friends at the seashore they receive a very unexpected visitor. With Germany ravaged by the war, Verity’s great-aunt Ilsa fled to England, along with her maid Bauer, to the only family she has left. Ilse had also been receiving vague threats while in Germany, threats which follow her to England; threats that may be tied to Verity and her espionage work during the war. Knowing that anti-German sentiment is rampant in post-war Britain, and that Verity has enemies who would use Ilsa’s presence against her, they take her to Verity’s family estate in Yorkshire. Unfortunately, even there hostility exists, and the presence of Germans in the area is met with a great deal of resentment. And the Bauer is found dead. Is the murderer someone from Verity’s wartime past, or possibly someone closer to home?

This was my very first Verity Kent Mystery and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a fondness for mysteries set in Britain during the first half of the 20th century, so this was a perfect fit for me. The plot was interesting and intricate. Is the murder targeted at Verity, or was Bauer a troubled young woman with secrets that resulted in her death? But what makes the story so much more is Huber’s focus on the long-term ramifications of war on the men and women who served, and those left behind. The interpersonal dramas woven through the story made it easy for me to engage with the characters, even the most unlikable.

So, in short, this is definitely a book which I recommend. I’m looking forward to reading the remainder of the series, and any upcoming.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy made available for my review.

Verity Kent is a secret agent. She did much to aid her country in World War I. Her husband, Sidney, is a distinguished war hero. You would think that her work was completed. But she continues to be called into matters of intrigue.

She is surprised to be visited by her great-aunt, Ilse, from Germany. Her aunt tells the harrowing story of mysterious visits after she took in a deserter brought to her by Verity. Verity takes her great-aunt to stay with her family. But, while there, Ilse's maid is murdered. Verity sets out to solve the case.

This book is well written. It keeps your attention throughout. The characters are well developed. The only criticism I had was the repeated references to her nemesis, Lord Ardmore. For regular fans of the series, this would be no problem. But for those who are new to the series, this proved to be a challenge. We got repeated glimpses of the situation, but never got a full explanation. Despite that one flaw, this was a very enjoyable book.

Murder Most Fair is the fifth novel in the Verity Kent series. I’m a huge fan of Anna Lee Huber! I think she is an excellent mystery author! This novel did not disappoint! Verity Kent is an intelligent and capable protagonist as usual. I like the mystery because it was full of twists and turns! Thus, this is a novel that must not be missed for fans of Anna Lee Huber!

Another good detective outing in this rather unique genre. A little slower than previous but still as good.

If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction set in post-World War I England, I think you will like MURDER MOST FAIR by Anna Lee Huber— Book Five of Six in The Verity Kent Mystery Series.

The novel opens in November 1919 at a leisurely getaway in Seaford, Sussex. Verity Kent and her husband Sidney are finally falling into a routine of what I would call a resemblance of their version of normalcy—considering Verity’s role in the British Secret Service—when her Great-Aunt Ilse lands on their doorstep.

‘After years in war-ravaged Germany, Ilse has returned to England to repair her fragile health—and to escape trouble. Someone has been sending her anonymous threats...’

‘When Ilse’s maid is found dead, Verity must uncover whether this is anti-German sentiment taken to murderous lengths or whether there is a more personal motive at work. Could Verity’s shadowy nemesis, Lord Ardmore, be involved? And if so, how much closer to home will the blow land when he inevitably strikes again?’

MURDER MOST FAIR is an intriguing-slow-burn-murder-mystery with the right amount of back story. The mystery of the whodunit simmers in the background as suspects pop up throughout the narrative. At the same time, we wait and perchance predict the highly anticipated boiling point known only as of the reveal…

‘Colonel Mustard did it with the Candlestick in the Billiard Room!’

*winks*

Technically, there are candles, and Billiard Room is mentioned in the book, soooooo not out of the realm of possibility—Amirite?

Seriously, though, and speaking of backstory…

Can you recall, Dear Readers, when you read a book that hits you in all the feels? For me, at this moment in my life, MURDER MOST FAIR is that book, and let me tell you why.

As the reader, I’ve gotten to know Verity Kent in a short time; having read three of the six books in the middle of the series, I know enough to say she is relatable on so many levels, from the troubled relations and love she has for her family and the unimaginable pent-up grief she feels at the loss of one of her brothers.

That one scene, no spoilers, but—My Heart! I will say have lots of Kleenex on hand for all the facial leakage; you’re gonna need it.

I have yet to read the first two books in the series, though I plan to. I am eager to see what’s next for Verity and Sidney Kent in Book Six, A CERTAIN DARKNESS, scheduled for release on August 30, 2022, though subject to change.

MURDER MOST FAIR—Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp., for providing me with an eBook of MURDER MOST FAIR at the request of an honest review.

Murder Most Fair is the 5th Verity Kent mystery by Anna Lee Huber. Released 31st Aug 2021 by Kensington, it's 384 pages and is available in library bound hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the others in the series) are currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a sophisticated romance / mystery set in the very early interwar period in England with espionage and drama and short forays into mainland Europe. The series protagonist is a part time spy who, along with her husband and occasionally the home office, chase down murderers and powerful bad guys including powerful government officials who are supposedly on the same side. In between, they sip cocktails, dance, and try to maintain a work - life balance.

There is less international intrigue and more family and interpersonal relationship exploration in this installment, as Verity's German Aunt Ilsa comes into her life again in England and for safety reasons, Verity and husband Sidney return to Verity's family estate with their entire entourage after a long estrangement. Mystery and intrigue follow the couple no matter where they are and they're soon on the trail of skullduggery and an overarching multi-book political mystery with international implications.

The mystery is self contained, but this is a series book with spoilers for earlier installments in the series if read out of order. There are now 5 books available with a 6th releasing in a few months, so it's a good candidate for a binge read. The language is slightly anachronistic with shades of "drawing room stage plays" of the time. It's full of period cocktails and flannel pants and indoor cigarette smoking and casual sexism. The author does have quite a lot of facility with the fashions and mores of the time and place, and I can only imagine the prodigious amount of background research which goes into writing these books.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours and 47 minutes and is narrated by Heather Wilds. I found her voice almost unbearably plummy, very much like a modern rendition of a period drawing-room stage production of The Importance of Being Earnest. She does, however, do a wonderful job of various other accents, such as German and Afrikaaner South African and characters of a broad range of ages and both sexes. I admittedly stopped wincing over her accent for Verity about a third of the way through the read.

Four stars for both the print and audiobook versions. Definitely one for interwar British historical mystery readers who enjoy romance and political intrigue. The language is clean and there's light implied consensual physical contact (between married people) as well as references to past relations.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is a tight series with great action and characters.
This is a good addition with the new relative added in.
Lots of questions as to who is threatening her and why and who did the killing?

or those who are fans of light historical thrillers, award winning and bestselling author, Anna Lee Huber, has released Book 5 in the Verity Kent Series,
Murder Most Fair. Like the previous books in the series, this is an excellent novel with plenty of historical facts that take readers back to post WW1. Lady Verity, (who worked for the secret service during the war and is from an aristocratic family) and her husband Sydney are visiting her family for the holidays when Verity’s adored great-aunt Ilse comes from Germany to recover her health. Great-Aunt Ilse brings her maid, and when her maid is found murdered, Verity and Sydney find themselves involved in a mystery as to why and who the murderer is. While investigating, Verity becomes endangered, since there are strangers in their small village, and the prejudice against Germans is so strong that a German stranger is automatically suspected of the murder.

Huber is an excellent storyteller, and the historical aspects are fascinating. She has captured the culture and feelings of people at the time and readers will actually feel like they are there living it. Verity, who as a lady would normally not get involved in something like this, uses her contacts at the Secret Service to get to the bottom of it. Huber also does a good job of developing her characters and they seem very real.

Although this novel is fairly light and contains no graphic violence, language, or sex, it should be categorized as a viable thriller rather than a fun cozy. There is ever-building suspense and serious scenarios that make this historical novel worth reading. The historical aspects are true to historical accounts; only the characters are fictional, so this is a novel that readers will learn of history from in addition to enjoying an excellent novel. Most readers will want to go back and read the previous novels in this series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

I enjoy these characters. Both Verity and her husband Sidney were touched by the war and yet neither can tell the other what they actually did for King and Country because of the Secrets Act they both signed. Verity’s brother did not come home from the war and she had been staying away from her family home because of the memories she might find there. Verity’s aunt arrives from Germany and the welcoming to a German citizen after the war was not welcoming so they decide it is time to finally head home. But trouble has followed them and they need to work on their relationship with each other as well as a murder. This was a good read. I like the characters. They are like friends I wish I had. The pacing was good. The reserve both of them hold from the secrets they have seemed real and well written. I want to read more.

This novel was a great addition to the series. The author brings to light all of the post war emotions and she masterfully tells the story. Her writing is very descriptive and draws the reader in.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Anna Lee Huber involves Verity Kent in another murder in 1919 English countryside when she is visiting her family with her war hero husband. Her German aunt is visiting with her maid who is murdered by persons unknown.
Verity has unresolved issues with her family and her grief from the death of her brother in the war. In addition there are still mysteries from deaths that occurred while she was serving as a secret agent for the government in the war. An exciting historical cozy.

In Anna Lee Huber's Murder Most Fair, the 5th installment in the Verity Kent historical mystery series, this newest edition would raise eyebrows and keep you in suspense. It all started for Verity Kent, a former Secret Service Agent for Winston Churchill, when she relaxed by their London home to enjoy their time together in November 1919. For five long years, the war was tiring to fight their enemies, even when she thought her husband was presumed dead. But when her German great-aunt Ilse arrived at their doorstep, claiming she'd thought she'd seen a second deserter from the war. To calm her great-aunt down, she talked to her about how she was afraid for her life back home in Germany and how someone threatened her life. From London, Verity returned to her hometown of Hawes, when her homecoming was nothing more than bittersweet with her family. The tension was high in the air, even when her great-aunt was ill, and she still mourned her late brother Rob who died in the war a few years ago. In the midst of this all, one of her great-aunt's maids was acting suspicious among the family and was later found dead in the barn by a pitchfork. Now it was up to Verity and Sidney to find out who killed her and why, even if it brought her answers close to home and closer to danger to find out the answer in the end.

This latest adventure takes Verity and her husband Sidney to Verity’s family manse in the countryside of England. The visit is hard on Verity as she has purposefully not returned home because she cannot bear to face the death of her brother Rob. Joining the Kents is Verity’s German aunt, Tante Ilse, and her maid, Fraulein Bauer. The Germans receive a chilly welcome in the countryside of England, as its citizens are still reeling from World War I and blaming all Germans for their suffering. The chill welcome escalates into something more when Fraulein Bauer is murdered, and although Verity is struggling with her grief, she throws herself into the mystery, hoping to get to the truth before Bauer’s killer claims another victim.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. There wasn’t as much “action” as in previous Verity Kent mysteries, which definitely took some getting used to, but I was really pleased that author Anna Lee Huber dedicated so much of the book to character nuance and development. Murder Most Fair is definitely a book that examines more of the inner world of our characters and their interrelationships, exploring the nature of grief, the ties between family, and how the war affected different people in different ways. It definitely gave me a lot to think about, and it was quite engrossing, seeing the way each character dealt with things. I admit that at turns Verity was quite exasperating, and I understood her family being cross with her for not seeing them for 5 years. However, this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

I loved seeing the relationship between Verity and her family members. I’m glad it looks like we will be seeing more of Grace and Tim, and I hope Freddy as well. Reuniting Verity with her family gives her more nuance, and shows more of her faults, which makes her a richer character. This added depth to the heroine really makes for compelling reading and I hope we see more of this in future books.

Murder Most Fair was released on August 31, 2021.