“A historical mystery to delight fans of Agatha Christie or Daphne du Maurier.” —Bookpage In the aftermath of the Great War, the line between friend and foe may be hard to discern, even for indomitable former Secret Service agent Verity Kent, in award-winning author Anna Lee Huber’s thrilling mystery series. Peacetime has brought little respite for Verity Kent. Intrigue still abounds, even … Verity Kent. Intrigue still abounds, even within her own family. As a favor to her father, Verity agrees to visit his sister in Wiltshire. Her once prosperous aunt has fallen on difficult times and is considering selling their estate. But there are strange goings-on at the manor, including missing servants, possible heirloom forgeries, and suspicious rumors—all leading to the discovery of a dead body on the grounds.
While Verity and her husband, Sidney, investigate this new mystery, they are also on the trail of an old adversary—the shadowy and lethal Lord Ardmore. At every turn, the suspected traitor seems to be one step ahead of them. And even when their dear friend Max, the Earl of Ryde, stumbles upon a code hidden among his late father’s effects that may reveal the truth about Ardmore, Verity wonders if they are really the hunters—or the hunted . . .
Praise for Anna Lee Huber’s Penny for Your Secrets
“Stellar mystery . . . a great read for fans of the series and all who enjoy
Downton Abbey-era fiction.”
—Booklist
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Series: Verity Kent #4
Publication Date: 9/29/20
Number of Pages: 304
This might be the best book in the series so far. All of them have had great mysteries and all of them have furthered the investigation into the overarching villain – but this one shows further character growth that I really appreciated. For me, it has been a slow go to warm up to Sidney – read the first book in the series, This Side of Murder, to learn why. Speaking of that, you can read this as a stand-alone book and you’ll definitely appreciate the single mystery contained within it, but to gain a good understanding of the overarching mystery as well as the character’s relationships with each other, you really ought to read the series in order.
Verity and Sidney are preparing to leave for Falmouth to further their investigation into Ardmore whenever Verity received a call from her parents asking her to travel to her aunt Ernestine’s estate, Littlemote, in northeastern Wiltshire. There were some issues that needed handling at the estate. Many soldiers from the nearby airfield were billeted at Littlemote during the war and caused a lot of damage to the structure. Along with that, several small items have disappeared and a number of the more valuable paintings have now been identified as forgeries.
When Verity arrives, she learns that not only are items missing and paintings forgeries, there is a maid missing. Verity quickly comes to a solution on the paintings, but the body of one of the employees turns up in a wooded area. Oh! My! Sounds like a job for the local constabulary.
As Verity, Sidney, and company zip around the countryside investigating Ardmore and the mishaps at Littlemote, we have more bodies, more danger, car chases, you name it. Solving this one won’t be easy and it certainly won’t be safe for Verity or her friends. Things are really beginning to heat up with Ardmore. Oh! Heart Palpitations!
I thoroughly enjoyed the read – the writing is excellent, the pacing is exciting, and the plot is interesting and keeps you wondering until the last moment. I am also coming to like Sidney much better – especially with the way that he allows Verity to take the lead on investigations and he’s even accepting of her friendships with the males in the group – even though it gives him a bit of a pang, he shows his trust and faith in her. So, I’m thawing toward him.
I hope you will enjoy the read as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
post WW-1, historical-fiction, historical-research, cosy-mystery, murder-investigation, espionage, survivor-s-guilt, suspense, blindness, England
Sidney and Verity have been married for five years but spent most of the time apart because of the war, so those problems are a large part of the plot. Included in that aspect is, (1919, eleven months after the Armistice) that Verity spent much of that time working in the Intelligence Division. Enhanced her detective ability but made for some problems in home life considering the time as well as their post war issues.
Verity and Sidney have been ordered off to her aunt’s estate to resolve some problems that the aunt will not turn over to fully capable son who was blinded in the war. While there, a groundskeeper is murdered and some other oddities surface. As the police appear to be managing, the couple hare off to London to celebrate her birthday with friends but become embroiled in finding proof that another peer has been and still is a traitor.
This is a very busy book going back and forth between complicated issues an might be a tad difficult for a reader who is coming to the series cold. I am not, so I thought it was really well done!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Another fabulous instalment in the Verity Kent series!
I have loved how Verity and Simon’s relationship has developed over these last few books; how through shared war experience they can with one look comfort and understand each other. This book gives us more of these awesome moments between this couple. The stunning visuals Huber creates across the pages will have you imagining you’ve travelled back in time.
When Verity & Simon are called to Wiltshire to investigate disappearing servants and heirloom forgeries we realize this is just the tip of the iceberg. As the body count rises and the clash with adversary Lord Ardmore continues, will the Kent’s be able to decipher the truth of what’s going on? As always with Anna Lee Huber, the mystery woven throughout these pages hooks you in. If you haven’t already read this series I have one question… what are you waiting for? Grab this book and get cozy, you’re in for a delightful read.
A big thank you to Kensington Books for providing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #APrettyDeceit #Goodreads #BookBub
** This review can be found on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon
I’m a huge Anna Lee Huber fan and I love this series. A Pretty Deceit is the fourth installment to the Verity Kent series. It will work as a stand alone novel but I highly recommend reading the entire series as characters and plots are revealed in book 1. This series takes place in post WW1 England.
A Pretty Deceit picks up where the investigation of Lord Ardmore left off in the last book. Only Verity’s family prove a major distraction by enticing her to go to her Aunt in the Countryside. We find a series of problems plaguing her aunt and cousin (home from the War). Their estate has been damaged by the use of the Royal Air Force, a servant is missing, Items have been replaced with forgeries and other items have gone missing. Her Aunt and Cousin Reg are great characters new characters! Sidney, Max and Alec are back as well! I also love the additions of her Mother and Father over the phone!
The entire novel is a grand, suspenseful adventure. And this wouldn’t be a Verity Kent mystery if there weren’t a couple murders sneaking up. I love how there are two cases going on at once and keeping pulling Verity’s attention. Huber is masterful in the details. The descriptive settings and fashions put us right there into the action.
What I found to be unique to other mysteries is how Huber captures the characters grappling with post-war mental health. She out does herself in this installment. The best examples of this are her cousin Reg who blinded and is building new dynamics with his family as the heir. Another emotional and historical example is Mrs. Green. Through the novel I learned that many women were driven to alcoholism due to overpowering fear and anxieties during wartime.
I’m so looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing and Anna Lee Huber for the chance to read an ARC in exchange for a fair review. #netgalley #aprettydeceit
Holds your attention from start to finish.
1919 October. Verify and her husband Sidney are asked by her father to visit her Aunt Ernestine and her cousin Baronet Reginald Popham, who was blinded in the war. Their home, Littlemote House, was requisitioned by the RAF during the war and was badly treated and she believes that they deserve compensation. Also Lady Lionel is convinced that some of the heirlooms have been stolen, and some forgeries replacing others. But then a body is discovered.
But the Kents have other problems as Lord Ardmore and his schemes continue. As this story is the series arc, I would recommend reading the others in the series first.
Another enjoyable mystery, a well-written story with its very likeable characters. A good addition to the series.
A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber is a Verity Kent Historical Mystery Thriller set in post World War I England. Old foes, traitors and plenty of intriguing mysteries in this latest Verity Kent book. Murders by unusual methods and motives, with plenty of excitement and unexpected twists. Characters and past situations are revealed with insights as to what really happened. Verity and husband Sidney continue to be involved in British Intelligence post war with assignments in the present and flashbacks to their past missions.
I have enjoyed every book in this series and with each book more of Verity Kent’s story is revealed but the mysteries deepen.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars
I think this may be my favorite of the series so far…and I’ve loved them all!
Huber has a way with developing 3D characters that pull you into their worlds and leave you bereft at having to leave.
This one boasts action, two interconnected mysteries (only one of which is resolved), an arrogant, nasty villain and all of Verity’s friends/former love interests.
I devoured this and am now hating that I blew through it so swiftly. Recommend this entire series.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Absolutely amazing mystery and intrigue abound in this fourth book of the series set right after WWI. Twists and turns galore – make sure to hold on tight because this book takes you for a ride. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.