An Artless Demise (A Lady Darby Mystery Book 7)

This well-crafted book is a wonderful blend of mystery and history and a romance between one of my favorite couples. The series just keeps getting better and better with each new addition to it. While this is the seventh book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. However, I highly recommend that you read the series in order – from the beginning – in order to learn more of Kiera’s history and see how far she’s come and to watch the romance between Kiera and Gage blossom.This book was so suspenseful that my heart was in my throat the whole time I was reading – and yet I couldn’t put it down. There is murder, resurrectionists, blackmail, social unrest and – well – a tad of fatigue and queasiness while dealing with the early days of pregnancy. As with all of the Lady Darby books, there are multiple things happening for Kiera and Gage to unravel. The ‘things’ in this book are only loosely related and each would be a good mystery on its own – but when you put all of them in one book – well – WOW!Kiera fled London a little over two years ago thanks to her first husband’s perfidy. Everyone thought Kiera was as guilty as her husband – just by association. After Kiera’s formal charges were dismissed, her brother and brother-in-law just barely managed to get her out of London before the incensed mobs attacked her. Now, she and Gage have returned for a visit and what raises its ugly head again? Resurrectionists! Everybody in society looks at Kiera and wonders – even outright accuses – her of being involved with them. Then, a body turns up in Mayfair – the heir to one of England’s oldest and most venerable titles. The murder was committed in a manner reminiscent of the resurrectionist murders that happened in Edinburgh a few years earlier. Then a second and third murder committed in the same manner.In the midst of the murder investigations and trying to assist with the resurrectionists trial, someone is blackmailing Kiera. The blackmailers are threatening to go to the papers and accuse Kiera of helping them and her husband. Kiera can’t let that happen because it wouldn’t be just her that it would ruin – Gage, Kiera’s sister, brother, brother-in-law, and unborn child would also suffer.When all is wrapped up, you will be surprised to find who the murderer is and the reasons for the murders.This is a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

Another perfect additon to the Lady Darby series! Easily one of my favorites of the series. We have three mysteries for the price of one here, all wrapped up in the neat little package that is An Artless Demise; a blackmailing, a trail of murdeers, and a gang of burkers. I love this book, it calls us back to the very first in the series, as it has a lot of parrallels. The burkers around London have hit the headlines again and Kiera's past is back to haunt her again. Weathering the physical demands of pregnancy and the animosity directed towards her from the majority of London society, Kiera is investigating alongside her husband again and battling the demons from her first marriage.We get an even deeper glimpse into the hardships and ill treatment that Kiera suffered through during her marriage to Sir Anthony Darby. For herself, her husband, and her child she is ready to stand tall against her nay-sayers and all the spiteful rumors. Her hand is forced a little into making this decision by the threat of the blackmail and the journals, but it was for the best that this happened. It really helps Kiera to confront and overcome some lingering issues and guilt that she has been harboring. This also provides those around her to get a deeper understanding of what she endured and can now those relationships can be stronger/better.I was worried that maybe now that Kiera and Gage have been married for a bit that their relationship would change for this book, but there relationship is the same as it has always been; they both make the other better. I'm looking forward to the next book when (I assume) we'll get to meet their baby.I was glad to see Lorna and Charlotte back in this book too, both because I like them and because it's great to see Kiera have a support system outside of her family.I recommend this book, as well as the entire series, to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and a good mystery. As always, we get a small hint about the next in the series on the last page. And I must say I am already looking forward to the next book and their next adventure. The wait begins.

Arrived on schedule. Very enjoyable read. Book in good condition.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction with murders thrown in, along with good characters and a good story line, would like this book, part of the Lady Darby mysteries. I'm enjoying the entire series.

Great book worth reading

This is another installment in an excellent series of books. The characters are engaging and life like. The time period is one of my favourites. Lady Darby and Gage are the consummate while with their own issues but rise above any conflicts they might have to bring their intellects and intuition to bear on the crimes they are set to investigate. This one hits closer to the painful memories of her first husband.

Dieses Buch wirkt etwas unfertig, es fehlen zum Teil Überleitungen, die mich irritiert die vorgehenden Seiten wieder lesen lassen haben. Die Geschichte wäre an sich spannend, aber irgendwie hat es mich dennoch nicht überzeugt. Es las sich sehr gut, aber da hat immer etwas gefehlt, deshalb 4.3 Sterne.

One of my favourite historical mystery series. Gage and Keira still have great on page chemistry and I look forward to reading the newest instalment.

Excellent story, well written and compelling. It was difficult to put down. Look forward to next adventure.