A gripping series involving murder. Adrian and Samantha Croft continue to work with Chief Constable Kendrick and his Runners. Bodies are turning up in the Thames. The connection of a missing maid and footman lead to a doctor performing experiments.
The integrity of Adrian and Samantha are dependent on their cooperation with Kendrick, even though they tend to jump ahead of him. Read the series in order to keep clarity of the characters and their continued connections.
Descriptive violence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was yet another fabulous book on the Crofts, Samantha, and Adrian. Things are looking up now that Adrian has been cleared of all charges. When several servants disappear mysteriously, Samantha and Adrian follow the clues and this time, they involve Kendricks as well. Kendricks, knowing that the pair are particularly good, even goes so far as to provide them authorisation to work on behalf of Scotland Yard. Lots of twists and turns and edge of your seat drama along with the new Miss Hastings who has been “assigned” to assist Kendricks with his paperwork and to provide a different perspective on the various cases. I am sure in future books, the chemistry and interest in these two will be explored in greater detail.

I thoroughly enjoyed this newest story of the Crofts and cannot wait to read the next instalment. I received an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I was thrilled to get one because I love this saga and the ongoing story of Adrian and Samantha Croft. I definitely recommend the series to new readers, and I highly suggest starting from the beginning. It’s not that you can’t figure out what’s going on, but you’ll miss out on the building of the relationship between Adrian and Samantha, and that’s really the crux of the story. You need this to truly know the characters.

In this installment, Adrian and Samantha have received pardons with the understanding that Adrian would turn in all of his files (read other stories to understand that) and will assist Chief Constable Peter Kendrick as needed. Someone is murdering people, and Adrian hears about it. Of course, whenever there are evil-doers in London, you can count on Adrian (and now Samanth) to investigate. The difference, now, is that they cannot exact extrajudicial justice. But they do want to solve the mystery and help apprehend the killer, so they work with Kendrick.

Kendrick has a new sidekick, Miss Hastings, the daughter of his boss. She is sent to help Kendrick decipher some clues and give him a different perspective. There is immediately an unspoken tension between Kendrick and Hastings, which he refuses to act upon and she refuses to recognize. It’s clear that something is slowly developing between them, and since Kendrick has proven himself to be a reliable ally to the Crofts, I imagine we’ll be seeing more of them.

This story isn’t quite as tense as the others in the series, and I suspect this is partly because the Crofts are working together as a team instead of as potential enemies. There is an injection of tension added toward the end when we are briefly able to see the POV of the shadowy person who wishes to keep Adrian busy working on administering justice in London. It’s stated that he won’t allow anything or anyone to keep him from that necessary work, and therefore, this person is willing to take out Samantha, if necessary, and dreads they may start a family. So, it looks like staving off potential life-threatening situations for Samantha may be in the next book, which I can’t wait to read.

Another great installment to Sophie Barnes’ House of Croft Series!. The book begins with Adrian being saved from death by a few influential men of the ton and the Chief Constable, of Bow Street, Peter Kendrick. As he and his wife, Samantha are moving on with their lives, a new string of murders and associated mayhem is taking place in London. As the mysterious deaths and disappearances of servants become known to them, they of course start investigating in attempt to find out if there is a new villain wreaking havoc on the people of London or if it is the same foe Adrian believes is responsible for the death of his beloved sister Evie. While there is a conclusion to their current case at the end,, the reader is left with a tease of the next installment surrounding Adrian, Samantha and the other characters including a new character from Adrian’s past. I am looking forward to reading the next episode in the House of Croft series to see what happens next.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

A great story of intrigue and mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat at parts of it. The author can write a story that is a fantastic read.. A little romance, but not too much. Just a story that will keep your interest. Now I would like to read the rest of the series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own choice.

A Deceptive Game Ensues by Sophie Barnes
House of Croft #4

~ Another late night for me ~ Could not put this book down and had to finish before turning the light off after 1am ~ Once again Adrian and Samantha work together assisting the police to find a serial killer ~ Excellent addition to the series ~

What I liked:
* Adrian: strong, resilient, bright, protective, was head of a generational crime syndicate, lives by his personal moral compass, made a deal with the government after being found not guilty of murder, madly in love with his wife Samantha
* Samantha: trained with four other girls as covert assets for the government, threatened for leaving the Nightingale project, lethal, protective, would die for Adrein - husband she loves, prefers to be in the midst of things rather than on the sidelines
* Chief Constable Peter Kendrick who had me feeling negative for a few books but is improving & now attracted to Miss Gabriella Hastings
* Miss Gabriella Hastings: youngest daughter of the chief magistrate, bright, sees connections, not easily intimidated, may be interested in Peter Kendrick in the future
* Supporting characters: Murry – valet & more, Isak – orphan taken in by the Crofts, the four women that were close as siblings and raised with Samantha: Melody, Holly, Tara & Hazel
* The potential romance between Edward & Melody
* The mysteries still in play – wonder who the mastermind who set Adrian’s sister up for death & the truth about Wrengate
* The medical aspects of the story and hearing my father talk about the origin of anesthesia – he was an anesthesiologist as was my brother
* The introduction of Finn O’Leary: he is a negative feeling addition to the series I want to find out about
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* That in spite of the twists and turns, the killers were found and dealt with

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the callous disregard the killers had for their victims and the warped reasoning they used to do what they did
* That it was not easy for people to make a life together if not from the same social status
* Thinking about Harlowe – the spy-trainer – and how cold he is proving to be

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Booksprout for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Adrian Croft escaped the noose in the last book but his desire to find the instigator of his sister’s death is as strong as ever in A Deceptive Game Ensues by Sophie Barnes. But first there are other deaths to look for the villain and provide justice. Adrian and Samantha Croft are happily together and solid in their relationship. When the missing servants become known, they are on the lookout helping Bow Street. New characters, old favorites and a villain I did not expect. As always this is a twisty tale with new dangers arriving before the old ones can be laid to rest.

The compelling read is as great as any of the series. I have kept up with the series but tried to look at it as a new reader to Adrian Crofts’ adventure and escapades. I do think a new reader could follow the plot with no problem but also reading in order would enhance the enjoyment of the entire series. Recommend to all who enjoy a great historical thrilling mystery.

I adore this series, so let me start by saying take whatever opportunity you can to read this series from the beginning, you will instantly be hooked! Adrian and Samantha have settled together after a tumultuous pairing. Adrian is still trying to find his sister's killer, yet making ever effort to stay out of the Bow Street Runners view. Samantha often steps back into her old ways, yet Adrian is always close by to steady the course. Now there are murders taking place that draw them both into a world of intrigue. A plot filled with twists, turns, tunnels, secondary characters (who are thrilling) and so much more. Don't miss it, this author is an amazing all in creative writer. Her characters aren't just people on a page, they draw you in as real as your friends in life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sophie Barnes for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Deceptive Game Ensues coming out June 17, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love Victorian murder mysteries. They can be so dark and crazy. I love it! Adrian and Samantha are so awesome as a married couple. The story gets better and better. I’ll definitely check out more books by this author!

I love this series and this book was not exception. With powerful friends and even more powerful and deadly enemies, the Crofts have their work cut out while solving rhe latest crime. As always it's great to see the romance continue to blossom and the camaraderie and team work between this couple.

Cannot wait for book 5

Loved reading the amazing and engaging story. When some servants go missing and one of the missing ends up dead, Samantha and Adrian are on the case helping Kendrick. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting story. Can't wait to read the next story in the series by the fabulous author, Sophie Barnes!

A Deceptive Game Ensues is a twisty, atmospheric mystery that blends historical intrigue with gritty suspense and just the right amount of emotional tension. Watching Adrian and Samantha navigate both their personal relationship and a dark, complex investigation made for a rich, layered story. The pace kept me hooked, especially when the plot turned underground—literally. I really enjoyed how the story kept me guessing without losing sight of the emotional stakes, and the ending left me excited for what’s next.

Secret tunnels? Murder? Married sleuths dodging bullets and betrayal? YES PLEASE. 🙌🕵️‍♀️

This book? Total banger. A Deceptive Game Ensues reads like Sherlock Holmes had a moody younger cousin with a dark past and a sassy, badass wife. The Crofts are goals—married, messy, and always getting dragged into murder mysteries they absolutely shouldn’t be part of (but I’m so glad they are). You get revenge plots, a secret society, AND a creepy hospital? Uh, yes. I was flipping pages like a maniac. Read it if you like your mysteries dark, clever, and full of delicious drama. 🖤🕳️

Love, lies, and lethal secrets—welcome to married life, Croft-style.

A Deceptive Game Ensues serves up murder, mayhem, and marital intrigue with a side of shadowy secrets—this twisty tale had me gasping, guessing, and gloriously glued to the page!

I am loving this series: the way it is written, the plot, the characters, all brings me back to a long gone time and to a twisted period.

In the fourth installment in the " House of Croft" series we deal with the aftermath of Adrian's pardon and the new path he and Samantha have to forge.

Crime is never too far away from the couple and they are sucked into a new investigation.

Nice addition of some new characters, can't wait for the next book!

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

Adrian and Samantha return home after receiving their pardon and are trying to settle down and enjoy their life together. But with these two, we know that is never going to happen! Meanwhile, Peter Kendrick has stepped back into his position at Bow Street but finds himself with a new assistant he doesn't want, but can't say no to. New murders and investigations ensue while the Croft's walk the tightrope of trying to keep their pardon intact, while helping Bow Street with the latest murder mystery. 4-1/2 Stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.