This a great series and while each book can be read as a standalone, you get the full flavor of the main protagonists by reading in order. In more ways than one their partnership is great and synchronized.

Solomon and Constance have been busy and in their case distance does not make them fonder but brings out each of their vulnerabilities and doubts.

Finally a new case has them back on their footing and they set off to solve the case of kinda malicious letters in a village. Besides this they are trying to solve the mystery behind David's claim that he may have murdered a man. Lots of characters, intrigue, tw8sts and turns bring this book to a reasonable conclusion.

Exciting and a fast read.

#netgalley #WordoftheWicked

Great mystery. A wonderful slow burn romance. I truly enjoyed the characters and their growth. I love this author. Never can predict what happens next. That is what makes this series so entertaining and suspenseful.

Word of the Wicked by Mary Lancaster is another enticing Silver and Grey story. Constance Silver is a courtesan, a madam, if you will, but she is more about protecting these women and helping them find new lives. Solomon Grey is a Jamaican who has made good in London and is now a wealthy man. They are quite the duo. And they turn heads wherever they go. They are about to depart for a village out of town to solve the conundrum of some letters being sent to residents, more of an intimidation factor than actual crime. Into the office walks a man who introduces himself as David Grey. Solomon had already met his brother, but the man had to come around that he was, in fact, the long lost David Grey. Now here he was, memories returning, in pieces, running from a murder accusation. The biggest problem being that the man murdered had already been dead.

Constance and Solomon left for their case and David stayed at Solomon’s London home, masquerading as Solomon. The matter of the letters was a confusing one, made worse as they got to know people in the village. Plenty of characters there. After several days Solomon returned to London for a day to see where matters stood with his brother. Between memories that had come to him and the work his employees had done, he had ascertained the name of the killer. He turned it over to the police so they could arrest the man, got a special license to marry, and found a house for him and Constance. When he returned she was thrilled to see him and they finished up their remit, determining who and why the letters had been sent, as well as a series of thefts that had been going on in the village for years. It turned out to be quite a successful week. These two are quite the pair and make these books worth the effort. A beautiful courtesan and a black man. Both clever, and stubborn. Both needing the other in their loves. It is a good mystery as well as a compelling love story, however unlikely.

I was invited to read Word of the Wicked by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #MaryLancaster #WordOfTheWicked

Absolutely loved it. I liked that this mystery was different. Plenty of red herrings and suspects to go around. I also liked that we continued to get to know Solomon better in this book. The personal aspect dealt more with his story again. I liked that his brother made another appearance.

The ending was very sweet I am so happy for our couple. I like that the people they surround themselves with seem to really care for them and their happiness.

I am glad that there are more in this series and I can't wait to read the next one.

Taking on a new case results in more than one angle to be investigated, especially when Solomon's brother unexpectedly arrives on his doorstep, having remembered more of his past.  As I read this mystery,  it struck me how closely research and investigative work follow the same pattern.  If one train of thought does not yield results, one needs to keep asking questions until the right one sparks the desired outcome.  Arriving in the village of Sutton May, Solomon and Constance stir up a hornet's nest, and with their combined skills, they quickly sift through truths, half-truths, and lies.  It becomes obvious that the reason they were tasked with finding the sender of the anonymous letters is far less serious than the actual series of crimes that have been committed. However, David's problems are quickly getting out of hand, and Solomon feels the urgency to get to the bottom of the death of an unsavory character.  David may well feel less capable than Solomon when it comes to solving a murder, but when it counts, they discover that they still think alike. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

If I didn't know that there are more books to come, this story would be the culminating conclusion to this slow burn romantic suspense series about this likable sleuth couple. The company Constance Silver and Solomon Grey set up flourishes, Solomon's private investigations come to an end and the couple take the big step towards a future together. This time they work on two cases at the same time. On the one hand, they investigate the writer of accusatory letters in the small town of Sutton May, and on the other, they have to solve the murder of a businessman in order to prove Solomon's brother's innocence. There are again twists, action, suspense and tender moments between the protagonists and I'm pleased that this time I was right in my suspicions about the letter writer and their motive.

I definitely recommend this entire series!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

Silver and Grey Investigations has been very busy. So busy that Constance and Solomon have had to investigate separate cases. When a client seeks their help with a case outside of London, Solomon insists that they investigate together. Before they leave town, David Grey comes to the office bringing another case with him. This case involves the murder of a man he believed already dead. How will they handle both cases? The way they always do, together. This is another engaging story of the intrepid duo, with two mysteries to solve, the developing relationship between Solomon and David, and, finally their wedding. This already awesome series just keeps getting better.
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This historical romance is another visit with our Victorian Investigators, Silver and Grey. This pair of characters have come from two very different backgrounds. They came together quite by accident a few books ago to solve a mystery and discovered a talent for it. It helps that they each bring a different viewpoint that works even better when combined. This time the mystery seems to be no more than a nuisance, but could lead to something else. Personal difficulties will complicate things.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each of the books in this series and eagerly wait to find out if there will be more.
I like more than just romance from a book and these certainly deliver.
Great fun.

I love this series, it's like watching a TV mystery series with a new episode each week. You wait in anticipation for the next book/episode to drop so you can devour it before you wait again. Book five has us involved in two mysteries at once. David is back and into trouble. Engeniously written and fully worth binging on over and over.

💋Book: Word of the Wicked

☕Rate: 5 Stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🦄Praise: This was a very entertaining read! Being introduced to Solomon and Constance I immediately was drawn to them! I haven't read a romance before with a couple was already engaged!


📚 This was really drawing me in magnetically from the start! What starts out as this couple missing each other wanting to be more close to one another before they tie the knot they end up working a case together! (I felt like I was watching Murdoch Mysteries with William and Julia!!)

📖 They are investigating a case of a mysterious letter involving a doctor! A letter that was not endearing but that one of danger! Throwing some mysterious small towns people, hidden agendas, and family relations going weary??! Oh my!!!

❤️ Characters: honestly the author Mary has such a talent for developing characters I felt as if I was dressing them up in my mind and it came to life more and more through each word and sentence that she wrote down! I always love a mystery where a letter is the lead! The author thought of a really good subject in order to lead everyone astray and to the answer!

😎Extra: I have to say being introduced to the author to this one book has made me a fan!

💋Bravo!!!

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

I love Mary Lancaster’s latest mystery series, Silver and Grey, so I’m trying not to fall behind. The latest (book 5) is Word of the Wicked.

Solomon Grey and Constance Silver are now engaged to be married, but they are prioritizing the private investigator business that brought them together. The business has grown so successful that the two have taken to divvying up the jobs, which is professionally satisfying but personally miserable. They miss each other, but are left wondering if the missing is mutual.

Fortunately, a case comes along that they both jump into in order to work together again. A physician from a small country town hires them to look into an anonymous letter sent to his wife. It is mildly insulting and lightly threatening. He can’t imagine who could have sent it or why. His wife is upset. And although he doesn’t truly think there is any danger, he wants to know who was behind it.

His wife is not the only one to have received a letter. In each case, it’s the same. A small chastisement followed by a vague threat.

Constance and Solomon go off to the countryside to investigate, but soon find themselves as baffled as the doctor. Questioning the townspeople, they uncover small-town secrets, but the identity of the letter writer continues to elude them.

At the same time, Solomon is caught up in the investigation of a murder at a London tavern that may or may not have been committed by his long-lost (and newly found) twin brother.

The letter mystery is well-plotted and kept me guessing along with the detective pair. The relationships (Constance and Solomon; Solomon and his brother) continue to grow. I’ll have to wait for the next installment to see where they go next!

Whew another rollercoaster ride with an ending long awaited!
We have two mysteries running simultaneously! One with David who has returned (hopefully for good) because there is a man deceased that he believes died twice!
Another case involving a small town has several letters delivered that are not malicious promising harm but very unsettling!
The doctor who hired them wants an unbiased investigation from people outside the community! Constance and Sol go to investigate the mystery in Sutton May in Surrey for Dr Chadwick believing it will be a simple case!
But as usual with a small town it is much more complex as are the suspects! With both cases pulling them in several directions at once it leaves almost no room for personal interactions! Constance is ready to marry but they have been flooded with work with several small cases! Now they have two. Who would send these confirming letters and why? What do they have to prove? The local vicar is preaching fire and brimstone sermons to draw people out and put an end to the whole fiasco! Secrets come to light as they get close to a resolution of both mysterious!
David memory resurfaces with a vengeance and it paints a clearer picture of how they got separated years ago!
Will these two solve both cases and still concentrate on their personal life and relationship? Bravo well done the couple stays with you long after the last page!

Silver and Grey’s inquiry service is proving so popular that Constance and Solomon have been working apart on separate cases and missing each other. So, they jump at the opportunity to investigate together in the village of Sutton May, where a spate of anonymous letters is causing problems. Only then Solomon’s twin David turns up with an unlikely tale of killing the same man twice, and suddenly they have two mysteries to solve.
The fifth book in this brilliant series & whilst it could be read on its own, the relationship between Sol & Constance has developed, changed & deepened throughout the series – a lovely slow burn romance. I love the mix of mystery & romance. This time there are two cases for the couple to solve & working together brings them closer as both were starting to question the others feelings. There were a couple of highlights for me, the wedding of course but also how Solomon & David’s relationship seems to be being mended. A very well written engrossing book
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Like the previous book, I loved this one more for the chemistry between Constance and Solomon. I was not sold on this couple initially unlike the Tizsas or the Petterils whom I adore.

The mystery itself is decent but its solving is too repetitive. Our sleuths (but mostly Constance) go over every suspect thrice and dismiss them all until the appropriate page count has been reached and one epiphany and the mystery is solved. There is at least one character who in their POV refers to something and that is never explained. The theme of this book is also a lot darker then the previous one.

Another nice entry to the Silver and Grey universe, in this book the couple gets to untangle two separate mysteries, with one of them that hits really close to home.

With the usual perceptiveness and wit, Constance and Solomon unravel both and finally find out more about themselves and their relationship.

The characters continue to grow throughout the series and I really like the development I see in them.

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

Another great read
This was the continuing story of Solomon and Constance journey to love.
They are asked to investigate some anonymous letters and at the same time now Solomons brother has reappeared in his life trying to clear his name of a,murder charge.
I loved the way both seem to doubt each other but that is a lack of confidence in them selves but eventually at the end of the book they can declare their love in public and marry
I love reading anything by this author and always look forward to her next novel

I was glad to find this book so soon after the last installment. Well written, entertaining and captivating story, as always with this author.
It was good that at least one case did not involve murder. There are other exciting puzzles, aren't there? Amybe that is also why Inspector Harris doesn't make an appearance here.
We also get a glimpse, or more an enumeration, of the Crime&Passion characters in the last scene where also the conundrum of the business name is categorically solved. As always, it still would be nice to see more of the C&P characters involved in the stories, but we will see how the two will navigate their new status first.

A cozy and cooling read for the summer on the porch or wherever you chose to relax.

Thanks netgalley for the arc. Opinions are my own.

A very satisfying read in which Constance and Solomon advance their relationship! Good for them! I've been waiting for things to heat up!

In this book they investigate two cases. Someone is writing threatening letters in a nearby town, and David, Solomon's brother, is back and may have committed a crime.

I'm here for the romance!

Thank you to Mary Lancaster and Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

Silver and Grey go to the countryside to solve a mystery of whom is sending nasty letters to the various people in the town. At the same time Grey's twin shows up asking for help to solve a murder he is not sure he committed. I enjoyed this book, I hope it is not the last in the series! I received an AR C from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

Two cases in one story.
Silver and Grey’s caseload is getting heavy, so heavy that they are having to undertake separate investigations. However this time Solomon is adamant that a case that means leaving Town will be a joint effort and then another case arises, one with close ties to him!
This series keeps getting better and it was lovely to have Constance and Solomon get married at the end. I wonder whether they will be solving a case on their honeymoon in Venice?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.