Week 15 Reviews: This Side of Murder, Treacherous is the Night

From Goodreads:

The Great War is over, but in this captivating new series from award-winning author Anna Lee Huber, one young widow discovers the real intrigue has only just begun . . .

An Unpardonable Sin?

England, 19
19. Verity Kent's grief over the loss of her husband pierces anew when she receives a cryptic letter, suggesting her beloved Sidney may have committed treason before his untimely death. Determined to dull her pain with revelry, Verity's first impulse is to dismiss the derogatory claim. But the mystery sender knows too much—including the fact that during the war, Verity worked for the Secret Service, something not even Sidney knew.

Lured to Umbersea Island to attend the engagement party of one of Sidney's fellow officers, Verity mingles among the men her husband once fought beside, and discovers dark secrets—along with a murder clearly meant to conceal them. Relying on little more than a coded letter, the help of a dashing stranger, and her own sharp instincts, Verity is forced down a path she never imagined—and comes face to face with the shattering possibility that her husband may not have been the man she thought he was. It's a truth that could set her free—or draw her ever deeper into his deception . . .

From Goodreads:
In 1919 England, in the shadow of The Great War, many look to the spirit world for answers. But it will take an all too earthbound intrigue to draw in the discerning heroine of Anna Lee Huber's latest mystery . . .

It's not that Verity Kent doesn't sympathize with those eager to make contact with lost loved ones. After all, she once believed herself a war widow. But now that she's discovered Sidney is very much alive, Verity is having enough trouble connecting with her estranged husband, never mind the dead. Still, at a friend's behest, Verity attends a seance, where she encounters the man who still looms between her and Sidney--and a medium who channels a woman Verity once worked with in the Secret Service. Refusing to believe her former fellow spy is dead, Verity is determined to uncover the source of the spiritualist's top secret revelation.

Then the medium is murdered--and Verity's investigation is suddenly thwarted. Even Secret Service agents she once trusted turn their backs on her. Undaunted, Verity heads to war-torn Belgium, with Sidney by her side. But as they draw ever closer to the danger, Verity wonders if she's about to learn the true meaning of till death do us part . . .

My Review:

I had such a great time reading these books! I love her Lady Darby series, so I was really looking forward to starting this series. And oh, I did, it was so great to read about this period of time, after WWI, and with this cast of characters!

I did read the synopsis' of the future books in this series, which spoiled the reveal midway through This Side of Murder. I didn't know when it was going to happen, but I knew that her husband wasn't dead. But oh, the investigation to find the traitor was so entertaining to read! 

Both of these mysteries were really great, they were both personal, the first to Sidney, the second to Verity, both stemming from their time during the war. Watching them investigate was so interesting to read, the way they put the information together. Those ending were pretty fantastic! 

A big part of the second book was their relationship. It was heavily strained by the fact that he faked his dead, that he let her think he was dead for over a year. Which also lead her to make some choices, but if he had been dead, it wouldn't have been cheating-and that was what she though. So I can understand why things were rough, but I was really glad that they worked things out! 

These were so great to read, and I can't wait to continue the series! 

Author: Anna Lee Huber
Series: Verity Kent #1, 2
Read: April 14th, 14th, 2023
Source: Ebook.bike

Reason Why: Sounded really great and I've enjoyed her writing, and they're Historical Fiction 2023 Books and Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2023 Books! This Side of Murder is a RR Book!
Publisher: Kensington
Published: September 26th 2017, September 25th 2018

This Side of Murder:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Treacherous is the Night:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars