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Verity Kent Mysteries #1
This Side of Murder
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
The Great War is over, but in this captivating new mystery from award-winning author Anna Lee Huber, one young widow discovers the real intrigue has only just begun . . .
England, 1919. 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 . . .
The Great War is over, but in this captivating new mystery from award-winning author Anna Lee Huber, one young widow discovers the real intrigue has only just begun . . .
England, 1919. 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 . . .
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
About the author
Anna Lee Huber
31 books3,460 followersAnna Lee Huber is the USA Today bestselling and Daphne award-winning author of the Lady Darby Mysteries, the Verity Kent Mysteries, the Gothic Myths series, as well as Sisters of Fortune: A Novel of the Titanic and the anthology The Deadly Hours. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in psychology. She currently resides in Indiana with her family and is hard at work on her next novel. Visit her online at www.annaleehuber.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,161 reviews
April 25, 2023
I’ve discovered a new favorite series!
Verity Kent is on her way to an engagement party..one that she had considered not attending, but relented as the groom-to-be was a dear friend of her husband. I say was as Verity is still feeling the anguish of her husband, Sidney’s death 15 months ago. Sidney didn’t make it back from the war in Europe.
Verity’s feelings are all mixed up. It’s more than just missing Sidney, Verity has been encouraged to attend the festivities by an unknown source who questions why Sidney died.
A possible mystery, longing for her lost husband, and “partying” with people that she would rather not be around make for quite the Verity soup.
Intelligently written, interesting character development and collar-grabbing twists and turns make this first of a Verity Kent series well worth the read.
Verity Kent is on her way to an engagement party..one that she had considered not attending, but relented as the groom-to-be was a dear friend of her husband. I say was as Verity is still feeling the anguish of her husband, Sidney’s death 15 months ago. Sidney didn’t make it back from the war in Europe.
Verity’s feelings are all mixed up. It’s more than just missing Sidney, Verity has been encouraged to attend the festivities by an unknown source who questions why Sidney died.
A possible mystery, longing for her lost husband, and “partying” with people that she would rather not be around make for quite the Verity soup.
Intelligently written, interesting character development and collar-grabbing twists and turns make this first of a Verity Kent series well worth the read.
September 29, 2017
AN EXCERPT: 'You might question whether this is all a ruse, whether I truly have anything to reveal. But I know what kind of work you really did during the war. I know the secrets you hide. Why shouldn't I also know your husband's?'
THE BLURB: 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, 1919. 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 . . .
MY THOUGHTS: 'Who of us really knows what's coming? Or what secrets will come back to haunt us in the end? The war might be over, but it still echoed through our lives like an endless roll of thunder. '
This Side of Murder is an excellent beginning to a new series, Verity Kent, by Daphne Award winning author Anna Lee Huber. I must rather shamefully admit that I had never heard of her prior to reading this book. I intend to remedy that, and sooner rather than later. She has two other series available, The Lady Darby Mysteries and Gothic Myths. Both sound equally appealing.
Huber had me hooked from the beginning. Set in post WWI England, Huber has written an absorbing and thrilling tale of spies, murder, treason and a little romance with a strong young female lead. The plot is complex, but not confusing, and the characters are magnificently portrayed. Like Verity, I never even came close to suspecting who was pulling the strings until all was finally revealed.
Full of action and suspense, This Side of Murder, is an excellent read on many levels. It is both humorous and poignantly sad in places. It reveals the toll of the war from both sides; those left at home - '..how I had dreaded those letters. Each one seemed to relay news of another death, another tragedy. '; and those away fighting for their country - 'they'd had no clue how dreadful the conditions were at the front, or the horrors their men had faced almost daily. The press never told the truth; propaganda at its finest. And the men didn't want their loved ones back home to know it anyway, even though it caused countless divides and misunderstandings. They didn't want the terrors they'd confronted to touch those they'd loved and gone to war to protect and preserve. '
This Side of Murder is both a touching and thrilling read.
Thank you to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
THE BLURB: 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, 1919. 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 . . .
MY THOUGHTS: 'Who of us really knows what's coming? Or what secrets will come back to haunt us in the end? The war might be over, but it still echoed through our lives like an endless roll of thunder. '
This Side of Murder is an excellent beginning to a new series, Verity Kent, by Daphne Award winning author Anna Lee Huber. I must rather shamefully admit that I had never heard of her prior to reading this book. I intend to remedy that, and sooner rather than later. She has two other series available, The Lady Darby Mysteries and Gothic Myths. Both sound equally appealing.
Huber had me hooked from the beginning. Set in post WWI England, Huber has written an absorbing and thrilling tale of spies, murder, treason and a little romance with a strong young female lead. The plot is complex, but not confusing, and the characters are magnificently portrayed. Like Verity, I never even came close to suspecting who was pulling the strings until all was finally revealed.
Full of action and suspense, This Side of Murder, is an excellent read on many levels. It is both humorous and poignantly sad in places. It reveals the toll of the war from both sides; those left at home - '..how I had dreaded those letters. Each one seemed to relay news of another death, another tragedy. '; and those away fighting for their country - 'they'd had no clue how dreadful the conditions were at the front, or the horrors their men had faced almost daily. The press never told the truth; propaganda at its finest. And the men didn't want their loved ones back home to know it anyway, even though it caused countless divides and misunderstandings. They didn't want the terrors they'd confronted to touch those they'd loved and gone to war to protect and preserve. '
This Side of Murder is both a touching and thrilling read.
Thank you to Kensington Books via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
November 9, 2017
Let me start out with, I love Anna Lee Huber as an author. Her Lady Darby series is a favorite of mine. I also do like the character Verity Kent. She's created an extremely interesting, multifaceted, and strong female heroine in Verity. The story itself was a great classic British murder mystery. Stormy nights, a house party, guests with more emotional baggage than the luggage they brought, and murders. I was thoroughly enjoying the book and thought nothing of recommending it.
However. A plot turn straight out of The Young and The Restless just utterly ruined it for me. Then a slipshod rush to the end just left me shaking my head. I know Anna Lee Huber is great writer and it just didn't seem to fit with what I had come to know and love. I will definitely keep reading the series, I do really like Verity Kent and love that Huber is addressing the post war PTSD and adjustment to civilian life by soldiers, their wives, and the women who served. She has created characters with depth, mystery, and seem believable. I just am struggling with the soap opera turn the book took that just was awful, in my opinion.
However. A plot turn straight out of The Young and The Restless just utterly ruined it for me. Then a slipshod rush to the end just left me shaking my head. I know Anna Lee Huber is great writer and it just didn't seem to fit with what I had come to know and love. I will definitely keep reading the series, I do really like Verity Kent and love that Huber is addressing the post war PTSD and adjustment to civilian life by soldiers, their wives, and the women who served. She has created characters with depth, mystery, and seem believable. I just am struggling with the soap opera turn the book took that just was awful, in my opinion.
January 21, 2024
This is a very interesting read and yet disturbing how stories of war can be. It is the end of WWI in England. Verity Kent is invited to the engagement party of one of her husband Sidney's best friends. She doesn't plan to go until she receives a letter telling her that Sidney committed treason before he was killed by a German in a trench raid. She cannot stay away. Everyone there served as officers with Sidney other than wives, girlfriends, or single women. It is awkward with some injured physically and others emotionally. Someone left a written note in her room to trust no one. So, she did not. She does trust a couple of the men, although not completely, but enough they are able to work together to find answers. There are secrets and mysteries to unravel but not before a couple people die. I am looking forward to reading more of this series. I read this free with Prime Reading.
October 17, 2017
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars
With two series of historical mysteries already on the go – Lady Darby and Gothic Myths – Anna Lee Huber jumps into her new Verity Kent series with This Side of Murder, a smashing and engrossing tale of deceit, murder and betrayal set just after World War I. As with Ms. Huber’s other books, the story is told in the first person from the heroine’s PoV, and there is plenty of astute observation and historical flavour that puts the reader firmly into the world of post-war England some seven months after the Armistice. The isolated island setting and disparate group of individuals who comprise the secondary cast list are most definitely reminiscent of some of the works of Agatha Christie, but this is no copy-cat story, and it will certainly work for fans of historical mysteries whether they’re fans of Christie or not (for the record, I’m not, and it certainly worked for me!).
Mrs. Verity Kent is about to decline an invitation to a house party to celebrate the engagement of one of her late husband’s closest friends when she receives an anonymous note indicating that Sidney Kent may have been a traitor. The sender clearly knows that Verity worked for the Secret Service during the war – something she had never even told her husband – so intrigued, angry and wanting desperately to find out the truth, Verity changes her mind about the party and plans to attend, intending to see what she can find out from Sidney’s former comrades.
She is on her way to Poole Harbour at the wheel of her late husband’s prized possession, his Pierce-Arrow, when she almost collides with a Rolls Royce coming in the opposite direction. Having ascertained no damage has been done or injury sustained, the driver of the Rolls, a handsome gentleman a few years Verity’s senior, introduces himself as Max, Lord Ryde. During the course of their short conversation, Verity learns that not only is Max on the way to the Ponsonby house party, but that he had known Sidney and, for a short time, been his commanding officer.
Verity and Max jump back into their respective cars and head for the harbour, where the rest of the party is awaiting their arrival. It’s a fairly disparate group; a few single men and women, three couples… none of whom appear – at first – to have a great deal in common, although it emerges that all of the men had served together in the same battalion as Sidney Kent, the “unlucky” Thirtieth – so-called because it was all but wiped out at the Somme. Relations are strained and tensions run high as harsh words are exchanged and unpleasant accusations fly around; it’s clear this group of men doesn’t want to speak of or be reminded of their wartime experiences and actions – and just as clear that there are dangerous secrets being kept, secrets that someone is prepared to kill to protect.
Anna Lee Huber has crafted a truly captivating mystery here, one which has its roots in the trenches and on the mud-laden, bloody battlefields of northern France. She very skillfully builds the tension and atmosphere of paranoia among the characters and does a superb job of portraying the post-war mood in England where so many people were coping with so much pain and loss and attempting to move past the horrible things they saw and did during the conflict. There’s a real sense that the characters are barely able to contain their emotions beneath a thin veneer that could crack at any time, and while Verity is no exception, she’s a thoroughly likeable character; clever, resourceful and resilient. She married Sidney Kent shortly before he left for France and had been looking forward to beginning their lives together, but it was not to be. They only managed to spend a few short periods of time together during his army leaves, and the fact that she never really had the chance to get to know Sidney has made her grief even more difficult to cope with. Like many others in her situation, she tried to numb the pain by drinking too much and partying too hard, using forced high spirits and plenty of booze as a survival mechanism. But unlike many young women of her class, she was able to ‘do her bit’ during the war by working for the Secret Service, which did at least give her something to focus on besides her grief in the time immediately following Sidney’s death. Now the war is over, she is struggling not only to cope with his loss, but also with the loss of the sense of purpose she had gained as a result of her work.
She’s a very relatable heroine and I very much enjoyed following her as she and Max try to work out who is murdering house-guests while she is quietly pursuing her own investigations into the accusations levelled at Sidney. Verity is a little confused – and perhaps feels a bit guilty – about the fact that she is attracted to Max, but a sudden and very unexpected development gives her no time to contemplate it and instead causes her to question everything she knows about Sidney and her marriage and sends her investigation off in a different – and dangerous -direction.
The mystery is very well-constructed and kept me guessing throughout as I eagerly turned the pages, anxiously awaiting each new twist, turn and clue. It’s wrapped up most satisfactorily by the end of the book and the evil-doers are brought to justice – but Verity is left with a completely new set of challenges to face, and I am eager to find out just how she confronts them.
This Side of Murder is a terrific start to this new series of historical mysteries and is a book I have no qualms about recommending to all, whether you’re a fan of the genre, the author, or are new to her work.
With two series of historical mysteries already on the go – Lady Darby and Gothic Myths – Anna Lee Huber jumps into her new Verity Kent series with This Side of Murder, a smashing and engrossing tale of deceit, murder and betrayal set just after World War I. As with Ms. Huber’s other books, the story is told in the first person from the heroine’s PoV, and there is plenty of astute observation and historical flavour that puts the reader firmly into the world of post-war England some seven months after the Armistice. The isolated island setting and disparate group of individuals who comprise the secondary cast list are most definitely reminiscent of some of the works of Agatha Christie, but this is no copy-cat story, and it will certainly work for fans of historical mysteries whether they’re fans of Christie or not (for the record, I’m not, and it certainly worked for me!).
Mrs. Verity Kent is about to decline an invitation to a house party to celebrate the engagement of one of her late husband’s closest friends when she receives an anonymous note indicating that Sidney Kent may have been a traitor. The sender clearly knows that Verity worked for the Secret Service during the war – something she had never even told her husband – so intrigued, angry and wanting desperately to find out the truth, Verity changes her mind about the party and plans to attend, intending to see what she can find out from Sidney’s former comrades.
She is on her way to Poole Harbour at the wheel of her late husband’s prized possession, his Pierce-Arrow, when she almost collides with a Rolls Royce coming in the opposite direction. Having ascertained no damage has been done or injury sustained, the driver of the Rolls, a handsome gentleman a few years Verity’s senior, introduces himself as Max, Lord Ryde. During the course of their short conversation, Verity learns that not only is Max on the way to the Ponsonby house party, but that he had known Sidney and, for a short time, been his commanding officer.
Verity and Max jump back into their respective cars and head for the harbour, where the rest of the party is awaiting their arrival. It’s a fairly disparate group; a few single men and women, three couples… none of whom appear – at first – to have a great deal in common, although it emerges that all of the men had served together in the same battalion as Sidney Kent, the “unlucky” Thirtieth – so-called because it was all but wiped out at the Somme. Relations are strained and tensions run high as harsh words are exchanged and unpleasant accusations fly around; it’s clear this group of men doesn’t want to speak of or be reminded of their wartime experiences and actions – and just as clear that there are dangerous secrets being kept, secrets that someone is prepared to kill to protect.
Anna Lee Huber has crafted a truly captivating mystery here, one which has its roots in the trenches and on the mud-laden, bloody battlefields of northern France. She very skillfully builds the tension and atmosphere of paranoia among the characters and does a superb job of portraying the post-war mood in England where so many people were coping with so much pain and loss and attempting to move past the horrible things they saw and did during the conflict. There’s a real sense that the characters are barely able to contain their emotions beneath a thin veneer that could crack at any time, and while Verity is no exception, she’s a thoroughly likeable character; clever, resourceful and resilient. She married Sidney Kent shortly before he left for France and had been looking forward to beginning their lives together, but it was not to be. They only managed to spend a few short periods of time together during his army leaves, and the fact that she never really had the chance to get to know Sidney has made her grief even more difficult to cope with. Like many others in her situation, she tried to numb the pain by drinking too much and partying too hard, using forced high spirits and plenty of booze as a survival mechanism. But unlike many young women of her class, she was able to ‘do her bit’ during the war by working for the Secret Service, which did at least give her something to focus on besides her grief in the time immediately following Sidney’s death. Now the war is over, she is struggling not only to cope with his loss, but also with the loss of the sense of purpose she had gained as a result of her work.
She’s a very relatable heroine and I very much enjoyed following her as she and Max try to work out who is murdering house-guests while she is quietly pursuing her own investigations into the accusations levelled at Sidney. Verity is a little confused – and perhaps feels a bit guilty – about the fact that she is attracted to Max, but a sudden and very unexpected development gives her no time to contemplate it and instead causes her to question everything she knows about Sidney and her marriage and sends her investigation off in a different – and dangerous -direction.
The mystery is very well-constructed and kept me guessing throughout as I eagerly turned the pages, anxiously awaiting each new twist, turn and clue. It’s wrapped up most satisfactorily by the end of the book and the evil-doers are brought to justice – but Verity is left with a completely new set of challenges to face, and I am eager to find out just how she confronts them.
This Side of Murder is a terrific start to this new series of historical mysteries and is a book I have no qualms about recommending to all, whether you’re a fan of the genre, the author, or are new to her work.
September 9, 2023
This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber is compelling and engaging.
It introduces 'A Verity Kent Mystery' series.
Set after World War I, something is amiss. A classic whodunit historical fiction.
It introduces 'A Verity Kent Mystery' series.
Set after World War I, something is amiss. A classic whodunit historical fiction.
March 17, 2019
This whole book was just off. The setting is right after WWI, a period that usually interests me, but these characters never came to life, and the whole thing was boring. Only sheer stubbornness got me to the end of it, and I am not amused.
Verity's husband was killed in the war. In her grief at his loss, she has sought forgetfulness in drinking and partying, with a little substance abuse on the side. To her surprise, she receives an invitation to a house party/engagement party with several members of her late husband's battalion, but decides not to attend because it just brings back memories of the man she lost. But then (da-da-dum!), she receives a mysterious letter accusing her husband of treason, intimating that she would find out more if she goes to the party. So, of course, she goes, dashing down to the coast in her husband's sporty car that she drives too fast. On the way, she nearly crashes into a car driven by - gasp! - another member of the party! Max turns out to be her husband's former commanding officer, and a very attractive man. They flirt. Yawn.
Verity is the only war widow present - the other members of the group are her husband's best friend, fellow officers, and several women she doesn't know. None of the people at the party like each other, and it's difficult to see why any of them came, much less stayed. Time is passed by drinking, playing croquet, and sniping at one another. And finding dead bodies. What fun!!
In bits and dribbles - and mostly when mentioning it works into the plot - it comes out that Verity worked for the Secret Service during the war, operating all over Europe when she would have been only 17 or 18 years old, which I found hard to believe. Her job is supposed to be a deep secret, and she never told even her husband, but everyone seems to know about it anyway. Her history just didn't have a ring of authenticity. In fact, none of the book did. The plotline depended on the circumstance of a terrible storm, and the company being stranded in a lush mansion on an isolated island. Beyond descriptions of EVERY SINGLE outfit Verity wore along with those of the other women there just wasn't anything there. I doubt if I'll bother with the next book in the series.
If you like this period, a much better series is Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear.
Verity's husband was killed in the war. In her grief at his loss, she has sought forgetfulness in drinking and partying, with a little substance abuse on the side. To her surprise, she receives an invitation to a house party/engagement party with several members of her late husband's battalion, but decides not to attend because it just brings back memories of the man she lost. But then (da-da-dum!), she receives a mysterious letter accusing her husband of treason, intimating that she would find out more if she goes to the party. So, of course, she goes, dashing down to the coast in her husband's sporty car that she drives too fast. On the way, she nearly crashes into a car driven by - gasp! - another member of the party! Max turns out to be her husband's former commanding officer, and a very attractive man. They flirt. Yawn.
Verity is the only war widow present - the other members of the group are her husband's best friend, fellow officers, and several women she doesn't know. None of the people at the party like each other, and it's difficult to see why any of them came, much less stayed. Time is passed by drinking, playing croquet, and sniping at one another. And finding dead bodies. What fun!!
In bits and dribbles - and mostly when mentioning it works into the plot - it comes out that Verity worked for the Secret Service during the war, operating all over Europe when she would have been only 17 or 18 years old, which I found hard to believe. Her job is supposed to be a deep secret, and she never told even her husband, but everyone seems to know about it anyway. Her history just didn't have a ring of authenticity. In fact, none of the book did. The plotline depended on the circumstance of a terrible storm, and the company being stranded in a lush mansion on an isolated island. Beyond descriptions of EVERY SINGLE outfit Verity wore along with those of the other women there just wasn't anything there. I doubt if I'll bother with the next book in the series.
If you like this period, a much better series is Maisie Dobbs, by Jacqueline Winspear.
September 16, 2017
This Side of Murder is a cleverly written and highly entertaining tale. When I started reading, my initial thought was that the story reminded me a fair amount of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. People assemble at a remote house, and then they start dying. While the stories begin similarly, the plots significantly diverged as I continued reading This Side of Murder. The mystery was clever, the characters amusing and well-drawn, and the plot resolution quite believable and a pleasant surprise. My only complaint about the book was Verity’s occasional “bosom heaving” and wishy-washy behavior; it didn’t happen all the time but too much for my liking. Hopefully in the next installment, Verity’s character will gain a bit more strength and depth of character and join the ranks of Maggie Hope, Veronica Speedwell, Ruby Proulx and Maisie Dobbs. I look forward to reading Huber’s next book. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 13, 2017
This Side of Murder is everything a mystery should be: suspenseful, atmospheric, and beautifully written, with rich historical detail and a heroine you really want to cheer for. I enjoyed every page, and I can't wait to see more of Verity Kent!
May 10, 2019
I initially felt quite excited about this one but the very details that drew me in eventually left me wishing it would just end already.
First, the level of historical detail. Lovely detail. From name-brand clothing descriptions to different types of cigarettes, you can tell the author did her research. It adds to the atmosphere and really brings another level of depth and character to the plot. But it also bogs down the story. I grew quite exhausted with it all. I just wanted to get on with the murdering.
Second, the spooky atmosphere. This is an And Then There Were None type island where there is no getting off and no one to help. Find the murderer or die trying...dun dun dun! But spooky only lasts so long. The eternal rain and constant storms--while descriptive and atmospheric--eventually just left me feeling wet and grumpy. It dragged on too long. I think the problem is that the characters remain relatively calm and collected and so though my 'senses' were telling me it was time to Freak Out, the reactions of the characters felt too calm to back up that feeling.
Third, the characters. There were too many characters. It took me a while to figure out who everyone was and it took at least two deaths before I finally didn't go 'wait, who is that?' whenever someone voiced an opinion. I'm still I'm not sure I could name all the female guests. All the characters are quite similar. Stiff upper lip and lets-not-talk-about-the-war. It made the villain quite obvious, in my opinion. And because I figured out whodunit, I then felt impatient waiting the endless pages for everyone else to catch up.
Fourth, I did not care for the 'great twist' halfway through. I found it obvious. And I just...didn't care for what came of it. But this was likely more more personal taste than anything else.
The story came with quite a bit of merit and I won't lie, I enjoyed the rich slowness of it. But I also got weary of that same richness and wanted a bit more spark and panic from the characters. I might track down a sequel...if only because I want more of Sam and Mabel. (The best characters, IMHO.)
First, the level of historical detail. Lovely detail. From name-brand clothing descriptions to different types of cigarettes, you can tell the author did her research. It adds to the atmosphere and really brings another level of depth and character to the plot. But it also bogs down the story. I grew quite exhausted with it all. I just wanted to get on with the murdering.
Second, the spooky atmosphere. This is an And Then There Were None type island where there is no getting off and no one to help. Find the murderer or die trying...dun dun dun! But spooky only lasts so long. The eternal rain and constant storms--while descriptive and atmospheric--eventually just left me feeling wet and grumpy. It dragged on too long. I think the problem is that the characters remain relatively calm and collected and so though my 'senses' were telling me it was time to Freak Out, the reactions of the characters felt too calm to back up that feeling.
Third, the characters. There were too many characters. It took me a while to figure out who everyone was and it took at least two deaths before I finally didn't go 'wait, who is that?' whenever someone voiced an opinion. I'm still I'm not sure I could name all the female guests. All the characters are quite similar. Stiff upper lip and lets-not-talk-about-the-war. It made the villain quite obvious, in my opinion. And because I figured out whodunit, I then felt impatient waiting the endless pages for everyone else to catch up.
Fourth, I did not care for the 'great twist' halfway through. I found it obvious. And I just...didn't care for what came of it. But this was likely more more personal taste than anything else.
The story came with quite a bit of merit and I won't lie, I enjoyed the rich slowness of it. But I also got weary of that same richness and wanted a bit more spark and panic from the characters. I might track down a sequel...if only because I want more of Sam and Mabel. (The best characters, IMHO.)
January 21, 2018
2.75 stars
Verity Kent showed promise as a lead character and her journey as a recovering widow in the aftermath of WW1 also had a lot of potential. I didn't even mind the somewhat slow start. However, a plot twist at over the halfway mark ultimately spoiled this series for me and I find I'm not really interested in the direction this book chose to go.
Verity Kent showed promise as a lead character and her journey as a recovering widow in the aftermath of WW1 also had a lot of potential. I didn't even mind the somewhat slow start. However, a plot twist at over the halfway mark ultimately spoiled this series for me and I find I'm not really interested in the direction this book chose to go.
October 27, 2017
I first noticed this author's regency era mysteries and they seemed good. Then I noticed that she was starting a whole new series of historical mysteries and they were to be set post WWI with a clever former Secret Service heroine. Immediately, I chose to go with the shiny new series though after reading, This Side of Murder, I do very much need to go back for the older, Lady Darby series, too.
The book was an engaging blend of history and mystery with a whiff of romance. The heroine, Verity Kent, is a war widow who is living on the edge as a way to push back the shadows of grief. This island house party hosted by a friend of her dead husband is not one she would have attended save for the cryptic letter accusing Sidney of treason. Nothing feels right about the party from the atmosphere to the other guests to the hosts themselves and then someone dies...
I was bowled over by this author's gift for time, setting, and atmosphere. I had no trouble believing this story was from the '20s or that the characters had all been touched by the horror of war in their own ways. Verity was a character gem and I enjoyed exploring her world and watching her backstory and personality develop as things progressed. She wants to move on with her life after Sidney and the war, but she can't seem to let go. And now there is Max who seems to awaken feelings in her even while he is also a suspect in the current situation and so cannot be trusted entirely.
The mystery was complex. It was a current murder mystery that was strongly connected to a secret past incident that ties all the house party guests together and makes them suspects. Just when I thought I had a grip on the answer there was this huge twist at the end that showed me I only had a partial answer.
All in all, I was thrilled with my first encounter with the author and her new lady sleuth. I will definitely be exploring further mysteries with Verity and also want to go back for the Lady Darby ones as well. Historical mystery fans should definitely give this a try.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The book was an engaging blend of history and mystery with a whiff of romance. The heroine, Verity Kent, is a war widow who is living on the edge as a way to push back the shadows of grief. This island house party hosted by a friend of her dead husband is not one she would have attended save for the cryptic letter accusing Sidney of treason. Nothing feels right about the party from the atmosphere to the other guests to the hosts themselves and then someone dies...
I was bowled over by this author's gift for time, setting, and atmosphere. I had no trouble believing this story was from the '20s or that the characters had all been touched by the horror of war in their own ways. Verity was a character gem and I enjoyed exploring her world and watching her backstory and personality develop as things progressed. She wants to move on with her life after Sidney and the war, but she can't seem to let go. And now there is Max who seems to awaken feelings in her even while he is also a suspect in the current situation and so cannot be trusted entirely.
The mystery was complex. It was a current murder mystery that was strongly connected to a secret past incident that ties all the house party guests together and makes them suspects. Just when I thought I had a grip on the answer there was this huge twist at the end that showed me I only had a partial answer.
All in all, I was thrilled with my first encounter with the author and her new lady sleuth. I will definitely be exploring further mysteries with Verity and also want to go back for the Lady Darby ones as well. Historical mystery fans should definitely give this a try.
I rec'd this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2022
Book 1
The Verity Kent Series
This book is full of War, Treason, Secrets, Lies, Betrayal, Murders, Love and all that you expect in a British Mystery Book.
The author put a lot of detail into this book, the characters are well developed, their performances are good and the Narrator is Amazing.
I am looking forward to reading all the books in this series.
And of course I am a True Fan of a Great Book Cover❤
The Verity Kent Series
This book is full of War, Treason, Secrets, Lies, Betrayal, Murders, Love and all that you expect in a British Mystery Book.
The author put a lot of detail into this book, the characters are well developed, their performances are good and the Narrator is Amazing.
I am looking forward to reading all the books in this series.
And of course I am a True Fan of a Great Book Cover❤
October 21, 2022
Not impressed, starts okay, but then I lost track of the very convoluted plot and I skipped pages to reach the ending. I won’t be reading the next boks in this series
July 21, 2017
The Lady Darby Series set in 1830-31 Scotland has been pure delight. The Verity Kent Series begins in 1919 England. Verity, as expected, is a very different heroine than Lady Darby. Verity is a likeable character with intelligence, heart and grit. The time period is an interesting one. It's set just after the end of WWI.
Beyond Verity, there was one other interesting character. For the most part though, I wasn't terribly interested in the cast of characters. There was quite a large focus on alcohol in the early part of the novel. I understand soldiers, wives and girlfriends had been through so much and found relief in alcohol and drugs, however, the emphasis on this piece of the story was rather heavy in the early part of the novel. This focus did lessen substantially later on. There was then a section on seance, tarot cards, etc. While other readers may not have blinked about the focus on alcohol and occult, it stood out as not adding to the novel for this reader.
The mystery itself was o.k. With my limited interest in the characters, this took away from the appeal of the mystery.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the Lady Darby series.
My gratitude to the publisher Kensington for a complimentary Net Galley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
Beyond Verity, there was one other interesting character. For the most part though, I wasn't terribly interested in the cast of characters. There was quite a large focus on alcohol in the early part of the novel. I understand soldiers, wives and girlfriends had been through so much and found relief in alcohol and drugs, however, the emphasis on this piece of the story was rather heavy in the early part of the novel. This focus did lessen substantially later on. There was then a section on seance, tarot cards, etc. While other readers may not have blinked about the focus on alcohol and occult, it stood out as not adding to the novel for this reader.
The mystery itself was o.k. With my limited interest in the characters, this took away from the appeal of the mystery.
I am looking forward to the next novel in the Lady Darby series.
My gratitude to the publisher Kensington for a complimentary Net Galley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
September 29, 2024
A smart and sophisticated mystery that takes place right after the end of WWI. Verity Kent is invited to attend an engagement party and many of the guests include men her deceased husband fought beside. The party turns deadly when former soldiers start dying and Verity receives a coded message that may explain why. I enjoyed this very much and will be reading the next one in the series.
October 18, 2017
I'm willing to overlook a few annoying details, in this case, mostly repetitiveness. Certain phrases were repeated too often ("humorless smile" and "not ungently") and I lost track of how many times I was told that veterans are sensitive about their injuries and don't want to talk about their experiences with everyone back home. I got it the first time.
What I can't get past is when (SPOILER ALERT) a character is described one way in the first part of the book, and when he shows up the reality is completely different. And those differences couldn't be explained away as war experience. I almost stopped reading at that point but decided to finish it, hoping that this plot twist could be construed as a "Well, I thought I knew him" thing, he'd be killed in the end, and Verity would end up with the better man.
For me, Sidney's character was unsalvageable because of the selfish, heartless, and completely unnecessary way he treated Verity. What kind of husband scares his wife into attending a house party she doesn't want to go to? Lets her believe that he is dead? Shows up suddenly in the dark like a murderer? The real Sidney wasn't "a good man" as people kept saying about him, he was manipulative, deceitful, and ruthless. I also didn't believe he "had to desert" in order to stay alive. And even if he had, I can't see any reason not to let her know he was safe but hiding - if for no other reason than to keep her from falling in love and marrying someone else!
Another disappointment was the coded letter which, in the end, didn't seem to have anything to do with plot. And finally, a rather unbelievable set of villains.
What I can't get past is when (SPOILER ALERT) a character is described one way in the first part of the book, and when he shows up the reality is completely different. And those differences couldn't be explained away as war experience. I almost stopped reading at that point but decided to finish it, hoping that this plot twist could be construed as a "Well, I thought I knew him" thing, he'd be killed in the end, and Verity would end up with the better man.
For me, Sidney's character was unsalvageable because of the selfish, heartless, and completely unnecessary way he treated Verity. What kind of husband scares his wife into attending a house party she doesn't want to go to? Lets her believe that he is dead? Shows up suddenly in the dark like a murderer? The real Sidney wasn't "a good man" as people kept saying about him, he was manipulative, deceitful, and ruthless. I also didn't believe he "had to desert" in order to stay alive. And even if he had, I can't see any reason not to let her know he was safe but hiding - if for no other reason than to keep her from falling in love and marrying someone else!
Another disappointment was the coded letter which, in the end, didn't seem to have anything to do with plot. And finally, a rather unbelievable set of villains.
December 14, 2017
As many of you know, I binge read almost all of Anna Lee Huber’s books this year. I love the Lady Darby books and I also loved her Gothic Myths book as well!
Huber rapidly became a favorite author of mine and I was eager to read her latest book series about Verity Kent. I saw a lot of this book on Twitter so I tried to procure a copy before it’s release but sadly I waited too long! So I had to resort to my local library….which I waited like 3 weeks for it to come in.
By then I had almost lost interest in reading it but when I found that I couldn’t renew it because there were other holds, I figured I better get to reading!
This book had all the makings of a great series….I loved Verity. She was vulnerable and real and I loved that about her. She wasn’t afraid to show pain and sadness about her husband’s death and I felt that she genuinely loved her husband, at least for the initial period. I had a hard time though buying that she loved him so unconditionally by the end of the novel though.
I don’t want to give a ton away for those who haven’t read it but let’s just say that I did NOT trust a certain character who happens to come into the narrative a little too conveniently and I felt like that was a frustrating tactic by the author. I couldn’t even warm up to said character because I felt wrong and betrayed. That’s all I am going to say on that so the rest of the book was uncomfortable for me on this account.
In the beginning I thought there were too many characters for my taste and I didn’t like the use of the first names and last names interchangeably. I kept forgetting who was who. I also felt like I had either read or seen something similar in the past…..a host of strange characters all linked by a common secret come together under extraordinary circumstances and people start coming up murdered.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the mystery and the complex secret I especially loved the whole WWI war crimes elements….that alone drove the narrative for me. I love war history and crime and this was the perfect mixture.
At times I felt like the author kept reminding the reader how much the soldiers had suffered and how ‘broken’ many of them were or how many memories they had….it bordered on excessive and by the end I felt myself saying ‘ok we got it’ more times in my head…..but ironically that didn’t hinder the progress of the story for me. In fact, even though it was a lot sometimes I found it comforting if that makes sense.
I am interested to see what direction Verity goes in the future, the author pretty much left it wide open. I don’t know if she will go on to be a ‘detective’ or go work for the war department or secret service but whatever she does I am looking forward to her future and seeing how she develops. Personally I like Lady Darby better, maybe because there is more romance, but this wasn’t a bad book by any means!
This was a great start to an interesting heroine and I look forward to seeing where Huber takes her in future books!
See my full review here
Huber rapidly became a favorite author of mine and I was eager to read her latest book series about Verity Kent. I saw a lot of this book on Twitter so I tried to procure a copy before it’s release but sadly I waited too long! So I had to resort to my local library….which I waited like 3 weeks for it to come in.
By then I had almost lost interest in reading it but when I found that I couldn’t renew it because there were other holds, I figured I better get to reading!
This book had all the makings of a great series….I loved Verity. She was vulnerable and real and I loved that about her. She wasn’t afraid to show pain and sadness about her husband’s death and I felt that she genuinely loved her husband, at least for the initial period. I had a hard time though buying that she loved him so unconditionally by the end of the novel though.
I don’t want to give a ton away for those who haven’t read it but let’s just say that I did NOT trust a certain character who happens to come into the narrative a little too conveniently and I felt like that was a frustrating tactic by the author. I couldn’t even warm up to said character because I felt wrong and betrayed. That’s all I am going to say on that so the rest of the book was uncomfortable for me on this account.
In the beginning I thought there were too many characters for my taste and I didn’t like the use of the first names and last names interchangeably. I kept forgetting who was who. I also felt like I had either read or seen something similar in the past…..a host of strange characters all linked by a common secret come together under extraordinary circumstances and people start coming up murdered.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the mystery and the complex secret I especially loved the whole WWI war crimes elements….that alone drove the narrative for me. I love war history and crime and this was the perfect mixture.
At times I felt like the author kept reminding the reader how much the soldiers had suffered and how ‘broken’ many of them were or how many memories they had….it bordered on excessive and by the end I felt myself saying ‘ok we got it’ more times in my head…..but ironically that didn’t hinder the progress of the story for me. In fact, even though it was a lot sometimes I found it comforting if that makes sense.
I am interested to see what direction Verity goes in the future, the author pretty much left it wide open. I don’t know if she will go on to be a ‘detective’ or go work for the war department or secret service but whatever she does I am looking forward to her future and seeing how she develops. Personally I like Lady Darby better, maybe because there is more romance, but this wasn’t a bad book by any means!
This was a great start to an interesting heroine and I look forward to seeing where Huber takes her in future books!
See my full review here
June 13, 2022
2022 - RATING: 4 STARS
I reread this one so I can continue the series, and I have not read the second book yet, but am looking forward to it when I do. I think my 2017 review is great and would still agree with it.
2017 - RATINGS: 4 STARS
I have been wanting to read Anna Lee Huber for a few years but could never get my hands on the first book (well, at the price I could afford). Alas, I finally have the first book (yay!). Before then, I saw that This Side of Murder was book one in a new series. I was excited when my request was approved and dove into this one.
Verity is a World War I war widow. The loss of her late husband, Sidney, is renewed when she receives an anonymous letter vaguely stated that her husband may have committed treason before he died. She would love to dismiss this note, but the sender is aware that Verity actually worked for the Secret Service. Very few knew about this, not even Sidney. She feels she must uncover the truth and accepts the invitation to Sidney's fellow officer. As soon as she steps onto the island she senses this may be a bad idea, but she wasn't expecting it to be so dangerous...and heartbreaking.
I love historical mysteries, and this one was right up my alley. It is more than a cozy mystery as it is pretty realistic, but also is not graphic. I loved the characters and emotions. This one reminds me of Maisie Dobbs series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
I reread this one so I can continue the series, and I have not read the second book yet, but am looking forward to it when I do. I think my 2017 review is great and would still agree with it.
2017 - RATINGS: 4 STARS
I have been wanting to read Anna Lee Huber for a few years but could never get my hands on the first book (well, at the price I could afford). Alas, I finally have the first book (yay!). Before then, I saw that This Side of Murder was book one in a new series. I was excited when my request was approved and dove into this one.
Verity is a World War I war widow. The loss of her late husband, Sidney, is renewed when she receives an anonymous letter vaguely stated that her husband may have committed treason before he died. She would love to dismiss this note, but the sender is aware that Verity actually worked for the Secret Service. Very few knew about this, not even Sidney. She feels she must uncover the truth and accepts the invitation to Sidney's fellow officer. As soon as she steps onto the island she senses this may be a bad idea, but she wasn't expecting it to be so dangerous...and heartbreaking.
I love historical mysteries, and this one was right up my alley. It is more than a cozy mystery as it is pretty realistic, but also is not graphic. I loved the characters and emotions. This one reminds me of Maisie Dobbs series.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
August 27, 2017
As a first book in the series, and as an arc before publication, I think this was quite a solid beginning. It certainly had me guessing and I suspected everyone at various points, so from that point of view, it was absolutely solid.
A few things that niggled at me where the overly detailled descriptions of every item of clothing Verity wore, was a tad too much down to the brand of Mackintosh and wool coat. I appreciate that she knows that stuff about the era, but I felt it was lowering the overall very good writing style a little bit.
There was also a bit confusion about Helen and Walter's relationship, it was their engagement party, but then further on they were referred to as husband and wife. I am sure, they picked that up during the editing. All in all, I shall pick up books by this author in future.
A few things that niggled at me where the overly detailled descriptions of every item of clothing Verity wore, was a tad too much down to the brand of Mackintosh and wool coat. I appreciate that she knows that stuff about the era, but I felt it was lowering the overall very good writing style a little bit.
There was also a bit confusion about Helen and Walter's relationship, it was their engagement party, but then further on they were referred to as husband and wife. I am sure, they picked that up during the editing. All in all, I shall pick up books by this author in future.
August 9, 2018
The first book in a new historical series featuring Verity Kent. This is a new author for me and I will read her again. The characters are developed in depth and become friends. The description of you at the house party and you feel the emotions of each individual, especially Verity. I found I couldn't put the book down and need to finish it.
It is 1919, the war is finally over and Verify is slowly recovering from her grief on the death of her husband in the final days of the war. She received an invitation to a house party to celebrate the engagement to be married to a childhood friend of her husband. She accepted it after learning that there is new information her husband complete treason.
When Verity arrives at the house party, she finds the male guests all fought with her husband and there is unexplained tension. She also received a book her husband requested that contains a code letter. Verify had worked for the Secret Service during the war and has training breaking codes. There is a death of one of the men that look like a suicide. A violent storm begins and the group is maroon on the island. The telephones are not working.The twists and turns that this tale makes will spell bound you. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book.The opinions expressed are my own.
It is 1919, the war is finally over and Verify is slowly recovering from her grief on the death of her husband in the final days of the war. She received an invitation to a house party to celebrate the engagement to be married to a childhood friend of her husband. She accepted it after learning that there is new information her husband complete treason.
When Verity arrives at the house party, she finds the male guests all fought with her husband and there is unexplained tension. She also received a book her husband requested that contains a code letter. Verify had worked for the Secret Service during the war and has training breaking codes. There is a death of one of the men that look like a suicide. A violent storm begins and the group is maroon on the island. The telephones are not working.The twists and turns that this tale makes will spell bound you. I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy Kensington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book.The opinions expressed are my own.
September 27, 2017
Fun, “Clue” style mystery where characters are housed up together and slowly start to die off. You try to figure who’s responsible from the hints revealed, but they can be misleading!
Verity is a Great War widow who is still grieving and trying to move past her losses as the country is beginning to recover. She has secrets, and she’s finding out her husband apparently did too. She tries to find out truth, and it becomes quite dangerous and deceptive. Look for a big twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I think this will make an interesting series and look forward to where it goes next. I took to Verity quickly and found the writing clever and atmospheric!
—Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for an ARC to read & honestly review. I was so excited to be approved!—
Verity is a Great War widow who is still grieving and trying to move past her losses as the country is beginning to recover. She has secrets, and she’s finding out her husband apparently did too. She tries to find out truth, and it becomes quite dangerous and deceptive. Look for a big twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat! I think this will make an interesting series and look forward to where it goes next. I took to Verity quickly and found the writing clever and atmospheric!
—Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for an ARC to read & honestly review. I was so excited to be approved!—
December 22, 2017
I enjoyed the writing and the setting was done in an interesting Agatha Christie's fashion. I'm not a huge fan of WWI fiction but that is not what made me dislike this book. It was that I found distasteful.
Not really interesred in the sequel.
Not really interesred in the sequel.
September 6, 2023
Anna Lee Huber’s This Side of Murder is a sheer delight and her main character is reminiscent of Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody, another English whodunit heroine of mine, with her wit and cleverness at deducing a crime! Bristling with atmosphere and sharp dialogue of the post-Great War of 1919, Ms. Hubert has crafted another wonderful sleuth in Verity Kent. From the first page the tension slowly mounts as Verity is invited to engagement party filled with the former war comrades of her late husband, only to discover that there is more to her invitation than meets the eye, and before long she is elbow deep in intrigue, innuendos, accusations, secrets, and murder—and all of them involve her late husband. But why? An excellent start to a new series! I look forward to reading the next volume! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
November 22, 2019
Verity is in the process of grieving the loss of her husband, Sidney, and with the war over she no longer has her job as spy for the Secret Service to keep her mind off the grief.
Now Verity must contend with a house party celebrating the engagement of Sidney’s good friend, a man who fought side by side with him. Verity would’ve passed on except an anonymous letter promising information about her husband’s death and possible treasonous activity to be revealed if she shows. Upon arriving Verity discovers that the guests all knew her husband or served with him during the war, and if that wasn’t unsettling enough, sinister accidents begin to happen.
Verity Kent was a captivating introduction to the series. Set in the Post-World War I era, the ravages of war haven’t left many unscathed, and the country is still putting itself back together. As Verity tries to identify the culprit there’s a big surprise revealed that I knew going in.
Verity is clever in her deductions, and it’s easy to see why the Secret Service recruited her during the conflict. She puts her skills to use getting to the bottom of this mystery and it is wrapped up by the end. There is a romance, one that continues into the second book, it’s not an easy one, but one I’m really rooting for even if I was upset with the man for his insensitivity. I get it, but still…
You can get This Side of Murder with Kindle Unlimited, but I borrowed a library copy of the audiobook. I’m already half-way through the second book and loving it! Heather Wilds is an excellent narrator with a beautiful English accent.
Now Verity must contend with a house party celebrating the engagement of Sidney’s good friend, a man who fought side by side with him. Verity would’ve passed on except an anonymous letter promising information about her husband’s death and possible treasonous activity to be revealed if she shows. Upon arriving Verity discovers that the guests all knew her husband or served with him during the war, and if that wasn’t unsettling enough, sinister accidents begin to happen.
Verity Kent was a captivating introduction to the series. Set in the Post-World War I era, the ravages of war haven’t left many unscathed, and the country is still putting itself back together. As Verity tries to identify the culprit there’s a big surprise revealed that I knew going in.
Verity is clever in her deductions, and it’s easy to see why the Secret Service recruited her during the conflict. She puts her skills to use getting to the bottom of this mystery and it is wrapped up by the end. There is a romance, one that continues into the second book, it’s not an easy one, but one I’m really rooting for even if I was upset with the man for his insensitivity. I get it, but still…
You can get This Side of Murder with Kindle Unlimited, but I borrowed a library copy of the audiobook. I’m already half-way through the second book and loving it! Heather Wilds is an excellent narrator with a beautiful English accent.
June 8, 2022
I told myself I’d do a slow reread of this series to refresh my memory for when the new book comes out in two months. Well, I just couldn’t go slowly. I did notice some differences between my first read and second…
The first time around, I didn’t find Verity completely likable. A few books later, I realized that I was forgetting that the kind of woman who could work undercover during WWI would have to be a tough, bold, highly competent fighter, not a sweetheart. On top of that, she clearly has PTSD (as does everyone in this book) and is self-medicating with alcohol. This time around, I love Verity. She’s a badass. She’s a fighter.
No one likes Sidney after reading this book. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. He’s obsessive and self-centered, though he convinced himself that he’s doing his duty by tracking down traitors. It’s no surprise that I was on Team Max for at least the first 2-3 books. I can laugh at it now, but I was perplexed during my first read, wondering if I should continue with a book whose main characters weren’t all that appealing. The answer is yes.
I rated this four stars the first time and now it’s a five star read for me.
The first time around, I didn’t find Verity completely likable. A few books later, I realized that I was forgetting that the kind of woman who could work undercover during WWI would have to be a tough, bold, highly competent fighter, not a sweetheart. On top of that, she clearly has PTSD (as does everyone in this book) and is self-medicating with alcohol. This time around, I love Verity. She’s a badass. She’s a fighter.
No one likes Sidney after reading this book. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. He’s obsessive and self-centered, though he convinced himself that he’s doing his duty by tracking down traitors. It’s no surprise that I was on Team Max for at least the first 2-3 books. I can laugh at it now, but I was perplexed during my first read, wondering if I should continue with a book whose main characters weren’t all that appealing. The answer is yes.
I rated this four stars the first time and now it’s a five star read for me.
July 13, 2018
Another great read by historical fiction writer, Anna Lee Huber. This first in series story takes place in post WWI England year 1919. Our heroine, Verity Kent, widowed by nearly a year and a half still carries a torch for husband Sidney - lost to the war on a French battlefield.
One of Sidney's comrades is celebrating his engagement and has invited a number of war mates and surviving widow, Verity, to his island retreat for fun and festivities. As it turns out, it's an odd mishmash of guests - all initially jovial and eventually sullen and subdued. Perhaps due to the discovery of two guests having lost the good fight at the sinister hands of an unknown assailant. But the only folks on the island are those invited guests to the engagement party. Our feisty Verity seems to have a good head on her shoulders and is eager to ferret out the perpetrator(s). She and fellow guest, Max, are on the trail and uncovering the deceits layer by layer.
Tension, suspense, mystery, history - this book has it all!.
One of Sidney's comrades is celebrating his engagement and has invited a number of war mates and surviving widow, Verity, to his island retreat for fun and festivities. As it turns out, it's an odd mishmash of guests - all initially jovial and eventually sullen and subdued. Perhaps due to the discovery of two guests having lost the good fight at the sinister hands of an unknown assailant. But the only folks on the island are those invited guests to the engagement party. Our feisty Verity seems to have a good head on her shoulders and is eager to ferret out the perpetrator(s). She and fellow guest, Max, are on the trail and uncovering the deceits layer by layer.
Tension, suspense, mystery, history - this book has it all!.
June 25, 2021
I love Anna Lee Huber and I will probably read all of her books. This one is very different from The Anatomist Daughter. It is set after WWI and is all about spies and secrets. Set on a private island with a whole bunch of potential killers. I love the couple in here almost as much as Kiera and Gage and can't wait to read more about them in the future books.
January 25, 2020
Even better the second time—thanks to the way narrator Heather Wilds brings Anna Lee Huber’s creations to life!
September 16, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Verity Kent lost her husband, Sidney, in The Great War. She has been trying to move on, probably not in the best ways, but then she receives a letter saying he may have committed treason before he was killed. The letter invites her to an engagement party for one of his fellow officers on Umbersea Island. At first, she doesn’t plan to go, but she needs to find out what proof the letter sender has. The group attending the party boards the ship to the island. Verity knows some of the attendees but realizes the mystery letter writer could be someone she knows or someone she will meet at the party. As the weekend progresses one guest is found dead and then another. She starts to believe her husband may be guilty and people are dying because of it. She is going to use everything she learned as part of the Secret Service to try to find out the truth. Hopefully, hers won’t be the next body found.
Verity Kent is a strong, smart, feisty and independent protagonist. Not even her husband knew she was working for the Secret Service during the war. She also has a really cool car! Meeting her husband’s fellow officers she finds that his battalion suffered a large number of casualties. She just can’t imagine her husband was a traitor, everything in her being tells her that is a lie. She meets Max Westfield, the Earl of Ryde, on her way to the ship, she is wary of him but as things start to spin out of control they start to work together to not only find the letter writer but a killer.
When the secondary characters are introduced we find it is a unique group. The soldiers are clearly suffering a malady of injuries, mentally and physically, setting a somber tone, but the fiancee goes over the top to create a party atmosphere. Some of the other ladies go along at first but one game idea turns the tables and fractures the group.
Ms. Huber captures the time period expertly, from the ship to the cars, the house, and the island. The imagery she creates with her words brings everything crystal clear in my mind. While reading the scenes in the pouring rain I found myself all crouched up in a blanket, like I was right there.
Basically a closed room mystery with a set number of suspects, everyone except Verity, it was not easy to solve. Everyone is hiding something. When the guests start dying, and a storm takes over the island the tension starts to rise and a surprising moment twists the story all around. This all sets up a very exciting finish.
This series is off to a marvelous start. I can wait to read Treacherous Is the Night, coming out September 25.
Verity Kent lost her husband, Sidney, in The Great War. She has been trying to move on, probably not in the best ways, but then she receives a letter saying he may have committed treason before he was killed. The letter invites her to an engagement party for one of his fellow officers on Umbersea Island. At first, she doesn’t plan to go, but she needs to find out what proof the letter sender has. The group attending the party boards the ship to the island. Verity knows some of the attendees but realizes the mystery letter writer could be someone she knows or someone she will meet at the party. As the weekend progresses one guest is found dead and then another. She starts to believe her husband may be guilty and people are dying because of it. She is going to use everything she learned as part of the Secret Service to try to find out the truth. Hopefully, hers won’t be the next body found.
Verity Kent is a strong, smart, feisty and independent protagonist. Not even her husband knew she was working for the Secret Service during the war. She also has a really cool car! Meeting her husband’s fellow officers she finds that his battalion suffered a large number of casualties. She just can’t imagine her husband was a traitor, everything in her being tells her that is a lie. She meets Max Westfield, the Earl of Ryde, on her way to the ship, she is wary of him but as things start to spin out of control they start to work together to not only find the letter writer but a killer.
When the secondary characters are introduced we find it is a unique group. The soldiers are clearly suffering a malady of injuries, mentally and physically, setting a somber tone, but the fiancee goes over the top to create a party atmosphere. Some of the other ladies go along at first but one game idea turns the tables and fractures the group.
Ms. Huber captures the time period expertly, from the ship to the cars, the house, and the island. The imagery she creates with her words brings everything crystal clear in my mind. While reading the scenes in the pouring rain I found myself all crouched up in a blanket, like I was right there.
Basically a closed room mystery with a set number of suspects, everyone except Verity, it was not easy to solve. Everyone is hiding something. When the guests start dying, and a storm takes over the island the tension starts to rise and a surprising moment twists the story all around. This all sets up a very exciting finish.
This series is off to a marvelous start. I can wait to read Treacherous Is the Night, coming out September 25.
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