Clara McKenna does it again in this book, it had that dark romance going on that I was looking for and was enjoying the concept. It was a strong seventh entry in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series. The characters had that feel that worked in this universe and thought they were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed how the characters continued the story. It was everything that I was hoping for from this type of book and am excited for more.

Stella and Lyndy head west to her mother’s ranch, where Lord Atherly is excavating with Professor Gridley. As series of un explained deaths occur, threatening the dig. Stella and Lyndy decide to investigate with unexpected results.
I did not enjoy this book as much as previous books in this series. Stella and Lyndy are happy but she is worried that she is not expecting yet. The relationship with her newly found mother is still new and Stella has high expectations. I couldn’t really relate to the rest of the new characters. The setting of the Wild West did not serve the story or character development well.

A truly solid mystery, with a bad guy and a resolution I did not see coming. Experiencing the wilds of 1906 North America, I love that Lyndy realizes just how difficult the culture shock must have been for Stella arriving in England six books ago. He’s definitely had the most character growth throughout the series. Can’t wait for more! Thanks to Kensington for the ARC.

Stella and Lyndy have traveled to Montana to spend time with her mother but also to visit the dig sight which Lyndy's father is funding as well as working. Stella envisions a relaxing visit getting to know the mother who let when she was young. However, thefts from the dig and a questionable death are impossible for her to ignore

I really enjoyed the 7th book in the Stella and Lindy mystery series, this time there is a further change in scenery and our favorite couple is in Montana at her mother's ranch, where Lord Atherly is already busy digging fossils.

The book is beautifully written, the setting perfectly detailed and we get to know more and more about the practices in Montana at that time.

I could really not guess the culprit of the murders, so good was the story.

I loved how the dynamic between Stella and Lindy is changing and their relationship growing even stronger.

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

Two and a half stars.

Stella and Viscount 'Lyndy' Lyndhurst go to Montana to visit her mother Katherine whose husband Ned is hosting Lyndy's father, Lord Atherly on a paleoethological dig for fossils of long extinct creatures. Although theirs was a love match it can't be denied that Stella's fortune rescued Lyndy's family from the brink that his father's mismanagement of the estate had brought them, now the estate is in Lady Atherly's hands and Lord Atherly is happy as a pig in clover.

Then one night the man that was guarding the dig is found dead in a creek bed, was it an accident as the town coroner insists, or was it murder? Throw in professional rivalries with another palaeontologist, a journalist desperate for a scoop, an unscrupulous coroner who is looking to sell a parcel of land, a gold mine, and horse rustling and you've got yourself a good old fashioned cowboy mystery.

Except you haven't. This was really odd, it was as if all the interesting things happened off stage (Lord Atherly disappears twice and *bang* he's found - what was the point?). It felt like the real story was in another book. Also, I've only read two of the seven books, but their family lives are getting VERY complicated. Overall a lot of detection which led nowhere, other than red herrings, and a disappointing discovery of the murderer by chance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I enjoyed this so much. Historical mystery is one of my favourite genres but books in this genre are usually so expensive on Kindle so I'm always grateful when I receive the opportunity to try a new series through NetGalley.

I'd never read any books in the series but I didn't feel lost in the least and a quick look at the synopsis of the book filled me in on the relationships between the main characters. Stella and Lyndy visit Montana where Lyndy's father is indulging in his passion for paleontology on Stella's mother's ranch when a series of murders stop them in their tracks.

I loved the paleontology parts - Lord Atherly focuses on extinct horse species, which I found fascinating (I ended up looking this up and it was quite interesting) and, prior to this, I don't think I'd realised paleontology wasn't only about the study of whole animals who'd disappeared but could also look into specific breeds of animals which are still very much around, like horses. Everyone in this book is obsessed with horses and I love them too so that was a treat.

I also absolutely loved reading about the differences between England and the US at the turn of the century. Lyndy's an English lord and Stella, his wife, an American heiress, and it's the first time (in seven books) that he realises just how much of a culture shock England must have been for her when they married for he experiences it himself here when visiting America for the first time. Seeing Lyndy acclimate to America's casualness, obsession with money and vast expanses of land was entertaining.

This is also a book about broken families and how to mend them - Stella's mother left her when she was very young and yet Stella does her utmost to create a healthy and lasting relationship with her mum, which I found very touching. I loved Stella as a heroine so much.

The mystery was fine but I was more impressed with the interpersonal relationships and the backdrop of American desert. I'd really like to read more of the books in the series one day, I loved spending time with these characters.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC!

Thanks to Kensington and Net Galley for this ARC. Finally Lindy and his dad letting their hair down! Was a great idea to set this book in Montana, loved the change of scenery and pace. Very god mystery too. Looking forward to the next

The Stella and Lyndy mysteries have become one of my absolute favorite historical mystery series, and I couldn’t wait for the next installment! As much as I love the series’s’ New Forest setting, I enjoyed the change in scenery to a ranch in Montana as well. Not only is this an engaging mystery, there’s a lot of fascinating information about the history of paleontology and just how far some of these scholars would go to achieve their goals. And I loved the development of Stella’s relationship with her mother!

I think I liked this book better than some of the first ones in the series. I LOVED that Stella was finally able to go to Montana to see what her mother's life was like and meet her brother. Lyndy was wonderfully supportive the whole time, and it made me like him more. Getting both he and his father out of their expected "stuffy" roles in England was really fun to read about. It made Lord Atherly more likable, and whether there are more books set in the US or England, I will care about what happens to him. I also am now invested in what happens to Stella's mother and would like another book focused on that relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.

This is a very mysterious historical fiction novel that follows thevadventures of two english nobles in the American west. i thought itbwas a quick and easy read.

Thanks for the advanced copy!!! Stella and Lyndy did it again! Yet another great mystery, this series is AMAZING!! This time it takes place in Montana. But was still fantastic!! Loved all the new and old characters! Can’t wait to see what happens next!