“A Moment’s Shadow” is the 8th book in the Verity Kent series.

Verity and her husband are still in Ireland looking for a hidden cache of phosgene gas. They are walking a thin line as their investigation at this point is officially unofficial. Add to that clandestine meetings with Michael Collins and other IRA agents…who are known to Verity and Sidney. A series of jewel thefts give the couple a legitimate reason to stay in Ireland, but secrets abound. While Verity and Sidney hunt for the thief, they are also being hunted.

Anna Lee Huber’s meticulous research shines through in this novel. The reader gets an insight into the Ireland of the 1920s and makes the reader think deeply about what it means to rebel against the government.

This book is great for readers who enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those that capture the years between the wars.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Three and a half stars.

Verity and Sidney are still pursuing the stolen phosgene cylinders that Lord Ardmore had stolen three years ago. They are also still in Dublin as hostilities between the Black and Tans and the IRA continue to escalate with murders, beatings, and retaliations.

Verity and Sidney are in a precarious situation, she is working unofficially for the secret service, whilst concealing the fact that their friend Alec Xavier has gone to work for Michael Collins. Ardmore and his minions are everywhere and could easily spot them together and have her arrested (or worse).

At one of the parties they attend they discover that there has been a series of jewellery robberies, which the victims are refusing to report to the police because their insurance companies believe they have a chance of recovering the jewellery themselves. The establishment ask Verity and Sidney to investigate the robberies. convinced the IRA are using the jewellery to fund their rebellion, although Verity isn't so sure.

Whilst I didn't feel like this was a a lot of historical research being regurgitated (as I complained about for the last book) this did feel very history-heavy, totally overshadowing the jewellery thefts

TBH Lord Ardmore has been Verity's sworn adversary for so long I've totally forgotten why he stole the phosgene in the first place and what is motivation is.

I know I say this every time I review one of these books, but I think this may be the last for me - what I loved was the little historical details not the big picture political stuff and that seems to have been overwhelmed in the most recent books. However, if you are looking for an easy-to-read explanation of the events as they unfolded then this could be a good place to start.

Also, I was surprised (because her use of British English is usually very good) to see Verity frequently referring to 'circling the block', or being a 'few blocks' away from something.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I am officially done with this series. This makes me very sad and I will be in book-mourning for some time I think.

I have loved this series from book 1 [and was so glad I took a chance on it as it really was my jam], BUT the continued nonsense of chasing the Lord Ardmore [HOW many times can we say his name and/or phosgene gas in each book? MANY MANY times apparently] over the course of F I V E books [can this storyline PLEASE be wrapped up? I might start reading these again if that happened ASAP], the devolution of Verity from a badass secret agent/spy to essentially just window-dressing [I will say I am grateful there is a LOT less focus on her clothes and jewelry than there was in #7], and back-to-back CLIFFHANGERS [which screams to me that 1. the author has NO IDEA how to wrap this all up, and/or 2. the author is engaging in both lazy {which was becoming obvious as far back as book #6} AND baiting writing {if your writing is good, you don't need the tricks of cliffhangers to get your readers to read the next book in the series IMO} ], and I am afraid my love of the books and my patience for nonsense-writing is at an end, which again, makes me very sad and also very frustrated as a reader.

I will say I HAVE loved the Irish history of books #7 & #8 [even though the story, as well as Verity and Sidney get completely lost in all that history and the names and places and activities amidst The Troubles] and it reminded me that I really want to find books on both Michael Collins and that time period. Unfortunately, the overall story gets really lost in this rich [and important] history and ultimately this benefits no one [especially the invested reader] and because of that, everything [even when they finally DO find and intercept the phosgene gas] else feels flat and meh.

What a disappointing read.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rich in the history of Ireland post WWI, this mystery takes us on a ride of the darker side of Irish history as the Kents struggle to find hidden phosgene before it is used for mass destruction. The book kind of gets tangled in so much historic detail, I kind of lost the thread of the story as they add the mystery of a jewel thief to the mix. Ends on a cliffhanger, which is not my favorite kind of book.

I love Verity Kent. She is fun, tough, smart, and glamorous. I will keep reading these books.
I love Irish history. I especially love reading and learning about The Troubles.

You know what I don't love? Lord Ardmore or phosgene. Enough. I am sick of both of them.

This book and the previous should have been one book with less backstory on The Troubles. While I appreciate the author's intention to provide a rich history, the last two books have been really slow. Then, the last 25% was a runaway train. I can't wait for the next one!

Definitely start this series from the beginning if you have not yet read one of Verity's books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Dangers await as forces foment a revolution

In August of 1920 the tensions between the British authorities and the Irish Republican Army and its supporters are mounting. Against this backdrop Verity Kent, well-known British socialite and former Secret Service agent, and her husband Sidney, a decorated war hero, have just brought an unofficial investigation to a close. The mission which was the main reason for their stay in Ireland remains unresolved, however...canisters of poison gas have been smuggled into the country and are going to be used, though by which side is unclear. The man who is orchestrating whatever is planned is both extraordinarily careful not to leave behind tangible evidence of his involvement and well-connected enough that it will be hard to accuse him publicly without solid proof. Verity and Sidney are walking a delicate line, working both with those affiliated with the British Crown forces (even though they both have their reservations about how the British are conducting themselves) and with the IRA and its leader Michael Collins, with a former colleague of Verity's (who has unbeknownst to her bosses back in London switched his allegiances) as a prime contact, Drawn in by both sides to also look into a string of jewelry thefts amongst those in their social circle, the couple works to discover whether the thief is in fact connected with the IRA and is committing the crimes to raise needed cash, or whether someone is taking advantage of the unrest that exists to cover their tracks. Can they solve those crimes and also track down the poison gas shipment before a catastrophic event takes place that could ignite all-out war?
This is the eighth Verity Kent mystery, and the second finding its way to post-WWI Ireland. (Note: It can be read as a standalone, but having read at least some of the previous installments will deepen the reader's understanding of the characters' backstories and relationships with one another.) It is a blend of historical fiction and a mystery with two intersecting plots. Author Anna Lee Huber does an excellent job of portraying the charged atmosphere in Dublin during those times...the attitudes (often condescending) of the British aristocracy who control much of the land and the government and the Irish people who must contend with the two groups battling for control of the country. There are some clear villains, but neither side is completely evil nor totally pure...most characters are operating in a moral gray zone as they try to survive amidst the increasing agitation. Verity and Sidney's relationship continues to develop...she is clever and resourceful, not one to clutch her pearls and fade into the background, and Sidney respects her talents enough t0 (mostly) support her and work in tandem with her. For readers who enjoy stories that blend history, mystery and romance, including fans of Susan Elia MacNeal, Kate Quinn and Jacqueline Winspear, this is an enjoyable read in a series well worth the time to follow. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this entertaining novel in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn’t finish this book. I didn’t really enjoy the last one but had hopes for this one because I’ve loved the series overall. I just don’t like the overarching Ardmore issue and the mystery in this one felt forced and flat.

I just couldn’t get excited about this episode in Verity and Sidney’s life, even though it’s set in Dublin during the Troubles. This time in Irish history has always been fascinating for me but I was not that sold on Verity in the mix, although she did voice some interesting thoughts.

An enjoyable read with several things going on. The setting is true to the time and place, the author did great research. Its slow to start and then leaves you on a cliff. Look forward to the next.

I have been a fan of Ms. Huber's for years. Her books are filled with historical details and she has to have spent many hours pouring over historical books to be able to write her tales! I always learn something when I read her books and will admit to summoning Google so I can see if the details are true or poetic license on the part of the author. They're pretty much all historically accurate!

A Moment's Shadow has Verity and Sidney once again trying to track down the phosgene gas that was stolen by Lord Ardmore, and figure out what he wants to use it for. Add in jewelry theft and the turmoil between the Irish and English and you have a brilliant thriller.

Beware! There is a cliff-hanger at the end. As I was reading the last bit of the book I let out a yell and my sweetheart came into the reading room and asked if everything was OK. I responded with...it would be OK if I had the next book NOW! Absolutely CANNOT WAIT to see what happens next!!

I really enjoy Anna Lee Huber’s Verity Kent mysteries. The setting of 1920s Dublin is unique and one I know little about. I really appreciate how she was able to distill the violence and chaos of the time into a series of art thefts—something concrete which the Kents could investigate while navigating the shifting loyalties of the era. Great detail and pacing, and I would really recommend it readers looking for serious historical mysteries with a female protagonist.

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

This book kept me on my toes, so many characters and plot twists. Almost felt I needed a road map to keep track of all the ins and outs. These books are well researched, I’ve learned so much history reading about verity Kent and the countries she’s traveled to and the work she does.

In book 8 of Anna Lee Huber’s post WWI era Verity Kent mystery series, we find our intrepid heroine, Verity Kent, and her husband Sidney, in Ireland trying to navigate the growing conflict between the British government and Irish citizens seeking independence. In the previous book, Verity and Sidney came to Dublin looking for friend/missing agent Alec Xavier only to learn that their nemesis Lord Ardmore may be planning some type of wide scale attack so they have stuck around to figure out where and what he may be planning. Given his reputation/power among British government/elite, Verity and Sidney have to walk a fine line of tracking his movements/seeking information while not making unproven accusations. They are similarly walking a fine line trying to stay neutral in the British-Irish conflict—balancing loyalty to the country they have both given a lot to with their conscience and distaste for how the Irish people are being treated.

I really enjoy the Verity Kent series; that said, this one was perhaps my least favorite of the series so far. In part, I think that might be because it was not as enjoyable a reading experience—everything was so fraught and I felt the entire time I was holding my breath waiting for the other shoe to drop for Verity/Sidney as they work with both British government officials and Irish revolutionaries. Huber usually does a masterful job balancing the book specific mystery (here a series of robberies that Verity/Sidney were asked to investigate) with the larger Ardmore arc but in this one the jewel heists just didn’t capture my attention as much as the broader arc. And yet… I am already counting the months until the next installment, especially with the cliffhanger Huber left us with!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the e-ARC; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.25/5 stars

Huber does such a good job of weaving history with fiction that it's almost seamless in its flow. This book is no exception. This book finds Verity and Sidney still in the volatile environs of Ireland straddling the fence between their sympathies for the IRA's initiative and their own British allegiance.

I enjoyed the sense of danger and the craftiness of the subterfuge in this one. Verity and Sidney's tenacity and intelligence were in ample view as well (per usual). My only caveat (and it was a personal one) was the sheer number of characters to keep up with. But I managed as the narrative gave me hints and reminders along the way.

And just one shout out about the ending...wow...what a cliffhanger.

As always, Verity can't grace my Kindle again soon enough.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing / Kensington for providing the free early arc of A Moment's Shadow for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This was a tense thriller set in the bloody days of the Irish War for Independence after WWI. Verity and Sidney Kent are working to find a deadly gas that their dastardly opponent plans to deploy against Irish citizens protesting the violence the British authorities have unleashed against them. The Kents do a lot of talking to people trying to uncover clues while searching a lot of blind leads. But the aura of tension pervades the whole novel.

Meanwhile, they are also tracking down a jewel thief who is robbing the rich English women of their expensive jewels.

And, alas, like other books in this series, it ends on a cliff-hanger. It helps if you’ve read the previous books or else you won’t know who the characters are and the back story leading up to this novel. So if you like a thriller set during a historical period that doesn’t show up in many historical fiction, this is for you. If you don’t like the tension and the cliff-hanger, you might give it a pass. I like Huber’s novels, but I can see why this wouldn’t be for everyone.

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.

I received this title from the publisher; all opinions expressed in this review are my own. A Moment's Shadow is a continuation of the prior book as Verity and Sydney are still in Dublin searching for the phosgene gas before Lord Ardmore can use it. Additionally, it ends on a big cliff hanger which isn't surprising as the author has described this book and the one before and after it as a trilogy. Readers should keep both of these facts in mind when deciding when to read it. In addition to the frantic search for the gas, Verity and Sydney are called to investigate a serious of jewelry thefts amongst the British set in Dublin. I was tense throughout the entire time I was reading it just waiting for something bad to happen just like Verity who clearly is unraveling throughout the book as she feels responsible for preventing the use of the gas. I continued to learn more about the push for Irish independence from Britain and the costs that civilians paid for actions on both sides as this is something I'm not very familiar with. I'm desperate to read the last book to see what happens next.

I have very much enjoyed the Verity Kent series by this author and this was no exception. Huber did a good job of really illustrating what a tumultuous and dangerous time this was in Ireland. Danger could come from all sides and the tension that rules Verity and Sidney's time is clear and almost palpable.
This is a series that is important to read and order and especially in this book. Even if you are familiar with some of the previous Verity books unless you had read the previous book I think you'd be a bit lost. There is some wrap up of the previous book in the beginning and the new mystery doesn't really get off the ground until almost 20% of the book. The pacing isn't slow if you're familiar with the events of the previous book but I can't imagine how confusing it would be if you were coming in with this book.
As usual I enjoy my time with Verity and Sidney. I enjoy Verity's style and I find the challenges of going from a working official role to being completely sidelined and cut out just because the war is over and she's a woman interesting. I imagine there were a lot of women in similar positions (though less glamorous than Verity) so I like the perspective. As well, I liked how the author handled this period of time in Ireland. Neither side is romanticized or villainized and while Sidney and Verity do have their opinions as to what side is in the right there are bad actors on both sides.
I really enjoy this author and this series. I do recommend starting at the beginning with Verity as her character and her world develop with each story. If you're looking for a between the wars era mystery series this is one to pick up - but read it in order!

This story continues with Verity and Sidney Kent still visiting Dublin in 1920 following WWI. Verity is a former secret agent for the British War Office and Sidney is a war hero. Her former boss C sent them to find their friend and missing British agent Alec who was working to infiltrate the IRA in the prior book. They found him but he is has gone to the other side. This story has a rich tapestry of historical events that took place in Ireland with hunger strikes, reprisals, lies, deception, and violence between the rebels and the British government. Against this backdrop, the Kents are thrown into investigating a thief who is hitting the British society parties in Dublin and grabbing jewels during the events. They are also still looking for phosgene gas cylinders stolen by their nemesis Lord Ardmore, afraid of what he plans to do with it. Tensions are high and this kept the story suspenseful and edgy. They don't know who to trust and for good reason as events turn out. The story ends with quite a cliffhanger that I didn't see coming. Another good, intense read with history, emotion, and conflict.

A Gripping, Emotionally Charged Historical Mystery

This intense, nail-biting, heart-wrenching story has everything it needs to hold your attention and keep you turning the pages. The author masterfully evokes the fear, tension, and emotional complexity of a turbulent, war-torn time. I’m always cautious about how writers handle stories set during politically sensitive eras, but Ms. Huber treats both the British and the IRA with fairness and nuance.

Verity and Sidney remain in Dublin, racing against time to locate the deadly phosgene gas cylinders before the arch-villain Lord Ardmore unleashes devastation. They don’t know whether he intends to use it against the Irish or the English—only that the danger is imminent and widespread. With Lord Ardmore’s influence reaching deep into the police and government, Verity and Sidney are on their own, navigating a minefield of danger, betrayal, and uncertainty. Will they find the gas in time? Will they bring Ardmore down—or walk into a deadly trap?

The story grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go—not even after the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers at the end. Days later, I’m still thinking about the suspense and emotional stakes. I especially love Alec, whose divided loyalties add another compelling layer to the narrative, and I’m hopeful for a positive turn in his arc as the series continues. Sidney and Verity are facing greater danger than ever, and the uncertainty of their fate makes this a truly unforgettable read.

If you love a well-paced, immersive mystery with rich historical detail and morally complex characters, this book is for you. A thoroughly excellent tale!

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! That was unexpected!
In this between-the-wars series, Verity and Sydney Kent are in Ireland as the clash between the ruling British and the Irish (who were promised independence if they fought in WW1) is heating up. In the previous book, In the Cold Light of Day, the Kents were sent to find Verity's fellow agent, Alec Xavier. They found him, but he had decided to ally with the Irish and fake his death. He convinced them to go along with his plan.
Also, they are all looking for the poison gas cylinders stolen from the military and sent to Ireland by the evil and powerful, Lord Arden. Then there is the brazen series of jewel robberies that they are asked to look into. They are met with dead ends and scary situations as they sneak around Dublin and evade the curfew and roadblocks.
The thief is unmasked by a trap at the Kents's house. The gas is found and lost again. It all comes down to a shattering conclusion that could change all their lives forever.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Verity is a great "strong woman" character. Her job as a spy behind enemy lines during the war and Sydney's work after the war finding the traitor who betrayed him make a great background for these books.
The story arc with Lord Arden as the monster in plain sight makes for a wonderful, if heart-pounding, battle of wits.
The friends and allies of the Kents are well-rounded as real people, not just characters to move the plot along.
Highly recommend!