I can't get enough of this series, I enjoyed book 1 and have already read book two twice,

Kara and Niall are complicated characters and complement one another beautifully. The historical context, including the Great Exhibition and the Crystal Palace adds to the interest. The author doesnt reveal all about the characters in the beginning rather we are learning about their past as the story unfolds.

The cozy mystery has a number of interesting twists and turns (though this time I had a sense of who the murderer was). I can't wait to see what's going to come next. After all the Great Exhibition is over,

Its five out of five for me.

My thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Historical Murder Mystery

A woman is poisoned, but no one seems to know why. As Niall and Kara investigate, they discover a history of blackmail. Did one of her victims kill the woman? Then, their investigation uncovers something much more gruesome, and the story gets more complicated. This is a twisted story of revenge, blackmail, and murder. If you like historical murder mysteries, you might enjoy this entertaining tale. It is a tangled maze, and you might find it impossible to find the killer on your own.

Death from the Druid's Grove by.
Deb Marlowe

Marlowe’s portrayal of Kara Levett, the rather stunning young woman with position and riches, who lives the life she want. Niall Kier, the rather gorgeous and mysterious Scot who forges masterpieces, panels of wrought iron, is equally as fascinating.
Together they sparkle. Their friendship asks nothing and gives everything. Last we met they were tracking down a killer in the Crystal Palace whilst avoiding the police and in particular Mr. Lionel Wooten, an inspector with Scotland Yard.
Here, Kara is being inducted into the Order of Druidic Bards, along with another candidate Miss Janet Ottridge, whose rendition of a poem is somewhat threatening.
How threatening is later demonstrated when Miss Ottridge is found dead, having drunk a tea laced with poisonous plants from the Druid’s grove!
Members of the Druid’s group come under scrutiny when an accounting notebook with details of what looks like amounts of money is listed next to some prominent names about town. The ugly thought of blackmail is mooted. A reason for her death, and a list of suspects!
Kara and Niall work together with their friend Inspector Wooten, to find out all they can about Janet Ottridge. The trail leads into the past and a deplorable, murky event that had shocked the public.
Kara has noticed a particular woman watching them. It seems this person is not involved with the current case but has ill feelings towards Kara. The plot captivated me! As the story ended I was left wondering just how quickly her pen can produce the next in the series? Soon, I hope!

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.
For my honest opinion

This delightfully intriguing historical mystery set in the Victorian era is book two in the Kier and Levett mystery series by author Deb Marlowe. It follows the slow-burn friends to potentially lovers budding romance of Kara Levett and Niall Kier, as they become involved in lending their assistance in solving a murder. I enjoyed the historical tidbits of the era and the stories behind some of the practices that the Druid Society works to preserve. I look forward to the third book in this series and uncovering more of the mystery that is Niall Kier!

I received an E-ARC from the author via NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

This series is so good! A historical mystery that is the second in the series. This book was better than the first in my opinion. I was completely hooked from the beginning to the end. I couldn't put the book down! 5 stars!!!
I just reviewed Death from the Druid's Grove by Deb Marlowe. #DeathfromtheDruidsGrove #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I love an author with imagination, very important in the mystery genre. This author uses her vast creativity to give us a story has enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the end. Whodidit? There certainly are lots of potential suspects to go around, but which one is the culprit. Then there is the mystery within the mystery, that of one Niall Kier. Just who is he, other than the stuff young (and old) girls' dreams are made of? Do we get any closer to the conundrum that is Niall? We do get some hints, maybe enough to make a guess. Hummm! And just where is the more than friendship between him and Kara going? Will it ever become more? This is book 2 in the series, but they are not standalones. You really need to read book 1 to understand what is going on in this book. You will not be sorry. I don't want this series to end!

Death From the Druid’s Grove by Deb Marlowe is a mystery and the second in the series featuring Keir and Levett. Miss Kara Levett was brought up unconventionally and is now living an unconventional life as a single lady, not searching for a husband. Her friend and partner is Niall Keir who keeps a bed in a loft above his blacksmith shop on Kara’s property. He uses it when he doesn’t use his quarters in town. He doesn’t sleep in the house, not wanted gossip and ruin for Kara. She has recently been inducted into an organization: the Order of the Druidic Bards, which is mainly for intellectuals and creative people. They have become good friends but recently they have been feeling more. So much more that Niall feels he must depart. Then there is a murder. An unpleasant woman named Ottridge. She had been killed at Druids Grove, by poison. Why and by whom was the mystery. Fingers were pointing at Arthur Towland, a magistrate of the police courts, and Kara and Niall agree they must prove his innocence before the accusations destroy his reputation. What a lot of information they uncovered as they investigated.

Kara was a curiosity and many did not hesitate to tell her so. She was an excellent character, more indicative of her time than many realized. She was an artist, she built sculpted automatons. She read and made her way through society, at least as much as she cared to. She was proud of her independence. She was a wonderful and thoughtful character. Her partner in investigations was a mysterious man who traveled and seemed to have no base. He kept very quiet about his past, although there were indications he had one. And, that it was about to return in full force. The plot was a good one, the mystery deeply rooted in the past. The storytelling was elegant and forceful. The pacing was perfect and the theme, if there was one, was that lawful wasn’t always just. I look forward to more in this series.

I was invited to read Death From the Druid’s Grove by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #DebMarlowe
#DeathFromThe DruidsGrove

"Death from the Druid's Grove" is a mystery set in 1851 in England. It felt like the series moved from a historical to a fantasy version of London. Yes, the mystery was based on historical problems of the time. However, the Druid’s Grove club was just bursting full of talented, outspoken women. Suddenly Kara seemed like just one of the crowd rather than uniquely talented, especially as so few of her skills were used to solve the mystery.

The clue-based mystery was still interesting, and whodunit wasn't obvious. Kara and Niall asked good questions. They used logic and their unique resources to find clues and solve whodunit. They worked well together and built each other up. There was no sex, but they had some rather intense kissing that made me think the next book might not stay sex-free. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this story to fans of historical mysteries.

I enjoy this series about Kara, a wealthy, unique woman in mid 19th century Britain, who has taken to investigating mysteries. And she’s helped in her investigations by the mysterious Kiall. They are both members of an intellectual club, Druid’s Grove. After an evening there, one woman who had just joined the club was murdered at the famous Crystal Palace exhibition. As Kara and Kiall investigate the life of the murder victim, they uncover a deeper mystery.

I enjoyed following along with their investigations. Kiall clearly has some mysterious background that prevents him from acting on his growing feelings for Kara. There are little hints throughout the book but, clearly, the author is planning to keep this mystery going through the series. I’d prefer to have this explained sooner rather than later, but I’m enjoying the basic mystery stories that she is writing.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Murder and more!

Marlowe’s portrayal of Kara Levett, the rather stunning young woman with position and riches, who lives the life she wants constructing automations in Victorian England is brilliant!
Niall Kier, the rather gorgeous and mysterious Scot who forges masterpieces, panels of wrought iron, is equally as fascinating.
Together they sparkle. Their friendship asks nothing and gives everything. Last we met they were tracking down a killer in the Crystal Palace whilst avoiding the police and in particular Mr. Lionel Wooten, an inspector with Scotland Yard.
Here, Kara is being inducted into the Order of Druidic Bards, along with another candidate Miss Janet Ottridge, whose rendition of a poem is somewhat threatening.
How threatening is later demonstrated when Miss Ottridge is found dead, having drunk a tea laced with poisonous plants from the Druid’s grove!
Members of the Druid’s group come under scrutiny when an accounting notebook with details of what looks like amounts of money is listed next to some prominent names about town. The ugly thought of blackmail is mooted. A reason for her death, and a list of suspects!
Kara and Niall work together with their friend Inspector Wooten, to find out all they can about Janet Ottridge. The trail leads into the past and a deplorable, murky event that had shocked the public.
Kara has noticed a particular woman watching them. It seems this person is not involved with the current case but has ill feelings towards Kara. Why?
The plot captivated me! As the story ended I was left wondering just how quickly Deb Marlowe’s pen can produce the next in the series? Soon, I hope!

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is book 2 of 3 in the Kier-Levitt mystery series. Again, as in book 1, this is a mystery series with a hint of romance. Although in this book the chemistry between Niall and Kara is definitely growing in intensity.
In book 1 we learned about Kara and her story, while at the same time solving a murder.
In this book , the story concentrates on the murder while giving out little tidbits about Niall.
The story starts out a little slow, but picks up steam midway and finishes with a flourish, setting up book 3 perfectly.
Book 3 will be Niall and Kara's story. I can't wait!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

This picks up a few months after the conclusion of the first book and finds our favorite innovators knee deep in another investigation. I love that this book focuses most of its attention on the murder investigation while giving some insight into the relationship forming between Kara and Niall. And as with the first book there are so many possible killers that you are kept on your toes and guessing until the big reveal. Although the actual killer was on my list of potential suspects, the entire story and motive were a surprise. The author does a great job of creating a victim that is pretty impossible to like, but one that you can still feel some sympathy for. There is definitely something big from Niall's past about to come out and I cannot wait to find out what it is. We get a little hint of it at the end of this book, but there is way much more going on. I am very much looking forward to book 3!

This has been a great series and this addition will keep you turning the pages!!

Image being at the Great Exhibition! Exciting and wondrous and Niall and Kara are keeping busy with their involvement. Of course nothing ever goes smoothly and a murder happens.

Their investigation ties is to the Druid's Grove, the secret society Niall and now Kara are members of.. Then a friend is accused of the murder.

Secrets emerge with intrigue that will lead the two on a merry chase!!

October 1851. After millions of visitors and months of success, the Great Exhibition is winding down. Mr. Niall Kier and Miss Kara Levett are busy with the celebrations planned for the last weeks—and with all the commissions their involvement has brought them. Kara is inducted into the Order of Druidic Bards at the same time as Janet Ottridge is. Kara is openly welcomed but the same can’t be said for Janet. Then back at the exhibition Janet collapses & dies in suspicious circumstances. A friend is under suspicion and the murder has been linked to the Druid’s Grove. Niall & Kara dive in, hoping to quickly clear their ally’s name, except nothing is simple in the Grove and no one is exactly who they seem to be.
The second book in the series & I’d recommend reading in order. A very well written engrossing, captivating read that had me glued to my kindle. It’s fast paced, it’s intriguing & there are twists & turns I didn’t see coming. The denouement is a surprise. I love Niall & Kara there is chemistry between them, they feed off each other, they trust each other & they work so well together. In this book more is learnt about Niall’s backstory, not a lot but enough to make me need the third part of the series – so I’m now impatiently waiting for it.
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Kara is not your usual Victorian era lady. She is capable of a lot more than just Society gossip and when a friend is a suspect in a murder, she will do anything to help.

I love a good mystery and combined with the Victorian setting and the interesting secret society flavor, this book did not disappoint! I loved the vivid detail the author uses throughout the book, whether she is describing art, setting or characters. The murder mystery itself is brilliant and full of unexpected twists, and there is a good deal of mystery in the characters' backgrounds. The romance is tasteful and built on a strong foundation of friendship, which I appreciated.

I only realized afterwards that 'Death from the Druid's Grove' is part of a series. I will definitely be looking out for the other books!.

Niall and Kara are again together to try to solve a murder that their friend is accused of. Being close together, they realize that their attraction is strong, but Niall must complete some unfinished business (in the next book) before he can fully commit. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

This is a great continuation to the first book A killer at Crystal Palace. The fascinating couple are back, as are the secondary characters that form their inner circle and best of all we see some development in the romance between Niall and Kara as they solve yet another murder. This follows on right after the first book and are best read in order for this reason. Can't wait for the next book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I confess I must read too many books, if it is possible but the opening scene lost me at a time, I did not really understand at first its meaning, then we get to the murder scene and all the hints aligned. I was much afraid the story would have a sour taste for me like some I recently read, but I should have known the author would not disappoint. Whether she writes a romance or a mystery, it is engrossing and gripping.
I felt definitely invested in Kara Niall’s story.

As Kara and Niall partner again, at first to help clear their friend’s name, some of Niall’s past comes knocking at his door, making him rethink his need to flee. What he would have done usually easily. But knowing now Kara, he is torn between what he believes he should and what he wants.

They work so well together, she listens to him and accepts his silence while he sees the real her and praises her unusual talents.
The mystery is well crafted and I did not see who would be the culprit until the very end.
And for Niall and Kara’s relationship, it turns just wow. And while we are left with a new conundrum, I loved how Kara is not one to back down. She follows her heart and refuses society’s strictures when it would mean loosing people who meant a lot to her.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kiss

I have been granted an advance copy by the author and publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Death at Druid’s Grove is the second in Deb Marlowe’s historical mystery series featuring Kara Leavitt, a wealthy and eccentric heiress and engineer, and Niall Keir, an enigmatic metalworker/artist. Kara and Niall met in the previous book as fellow exhibitors at the Great Exhibition of 1851; when Kara was thought to have been involved in a crime, they teamed up to prove her innocence and became good friends in the process. In Death at Druid’s Grove, Kara has been inducted into a semi-secret society to which Niall already belongs. When a fellow initiate who may have blackmailed her way into the society is poisoned shortly thereafter, Kara and Niall once again investigate, first to ensure a mutual friend is not accused but then in order to find justice for this unlikeable women with a tragic past. Meanwhile, Niall’s secrets are threatening to surface and he has to decide whether he can leave Kara and their burgeoning feelings behind in order to protect them both.

I am really enjoying this series so far and found Death at Druid’s Grove to be even more enjoyable than the first installment. While there are a lot of books with the unlikely lady detective and her male investigative partner who eventually becomes more storyline out there, I appreciate the unique take on the characters presented here. In addition to being a brilliant engineer, Kara had a unique upbringing—after a kidnapping as a child her father, obsessed with keeping her safe, ensured she was taught to defend herself/identify and avoid tricky situations, skills that make her uniquely qualified as investigator but also have kept her isolated and somewhat ostracized from the rest of high society. Niall is one of the first people she meets who admires her eccentricities rather than admonishing her for them or encouraging her to try to be someone she’s not. While Niall’s own background is a bit of a mystery (though there are enough clues here to form a theory—let’s just say I think he and Veronica Speedwell may have some things in common), Kara never pushes him to reveal more than he is ready to. They respect and accept each other just as they are. I also appreciated that Marlowe allowed them to acknowledge their feelings for each other rather than letting that wait for future books. Although it’s clear that the road to an actual relationship is going to be complicated to say the least as a figure from Niall’s past arrives to cause trouble. I can only hope they find their way to each other sooner rather than later (and we don’t end up with any sort of love triangle or even a “I have to be with this other person I hate in order to protect you” situation)!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade for an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

This author normally writes historical romance – and does a great job of it – but I think she missed her calling because she does an outstanding job with historical mysteries as well. The author has captured the complexities of the time, the excitement of the Great Exhibition, and the mysticism of a Druidic society along with characters who are so much more than they seem on the outside. Kara is wealthy, independent, artistic, talented, and more than capable of taking care of herself and Niall is handsome, large, brooding, artistic, protective, and filled with secrets he cannot reveal. OMGoodness – what a team they make!

In the first book of the series, we met a number of members of the Order of Druidic Bards. The order studies and preserves the old ways – old manuscripts, old musical instruments, etc. In the opening scene of this book, Kara is inducted into the Order along with one other person, Miss Janet Ottridge. Kara is welcomed into the Order with smiles and open arms, but the other woman – not so much. Kara wonders at the differences in their welcomes and realizes that there is something ‘off’ about the whole thing with Janet. Each new member must perform some ‘task’ that shows their understanding and preservation interests. While Kara’s was creative and lovely, Janet’s was strange and hinted at dire things to come. So, when Janet dies an unnatural death, the police are immediately suspicious of the Order – particularly Magistrate Towland. Kara and Niall know the kindhearted magistrate isn’t guilty and since he was instrumental in helping Kara prove her innocence (in the last book), they’ll do all they can to prove his innocence this time.

I love the way Kara and Niall work together, each playing to their own strengths. They have total respect and trust in each other and work together like a well-oiled machine. Though the victim is not a savory person, Kara and Niall want to find justice for her. When the murderer is revealed, you’ll be surprised, but you’ll also wonder (just a bit) if maybe he/she should have gotten away with it.

During the investigation, we learn a bit more about Niall’s past – not much – just enough to whet our appetites for the third and final book of the series. You are left wondering what in the world could be in his past that causes him so much danger now – especially when he was not the one who did something wrong. I can hardly wait to find out.

The mystery is excellently crafted and delivered as is the subplot involving Niall and his secrets. There are also some lovely poignant scenes between Kara and Niall that make you wonder how the two will ever overcome all of the obstacles in the way of their HEA.

I can definitely recommend this excellently written, nicely paced mystery. I would also like to petition Dragonblade Publishing to extend the contract on this series to include more books. I’d love to have more of Kara and Niall to look forward to.

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