England, 1919. In Anna Lee Huber’s latest mystery, former Secret Service agent Verity Kent is finding that life after wartime offers its own share of danger . . . The Great War may be over, but for many, there are still obstacles on the home front. Reconciling with her estranged husband makes Verity sympathetic to her friend Ada’s marital difficulties. Bourgeois-bred Ada, recently married to the … Bourgeois-bred Ada, recently married to the Marquess of Rockham, is overwhelmed trying to navigate the ways of the aristocracy. And when Lord Rockham is discovered shot through the heart with a bullet from Ada’s revolver, Verity fears her friend has made a fatal blunder.
While striving to prove Ada’s innocence, Verity is called upon for another favor. The sister of a former Secret Service colleague has been killed in what authorities believe was a home invasion gone wrong. The victim’s war work—censoring letters sent by soldiers from the front—exposed her to sensitive, disturbing material. Verity begins to suspect these two unlikely cases may be linked. But as the connections deepen, the consequences—not just for Verity, but for Britain—grow more menacing than she could have imagined.
Praise for Anna Lee Huber’s Treacherous is the Night
“A thrilling mystery that supplies its gutsy heroine with plenty of angst-ridden romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“A splendid sequel. . . . Huber combines intricate puzzles with affecting human drama.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Masterful. . . . Just when you think the plot will zig, it zags. . . . Deeply enjoyable.”
—Criminal Element
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My Review
Amateur sleuth Verity Kent attends a fancy soiree with her recently returned-from-the-dead husband, Sidney, and is faced with the murder of her best friend’s husband the next morning- and she’s the chief suspect.
Another friend loses her half-sister to a supposed robbery, but nothing is taken. Verity and Sidney investigate the murders and soon begin to think they are somehow related and even worse, were used to cover other crimes committed during the great war.
There are many twists and turns in this novel that kept me guessing, but it was Verity and Sidney’s relationship that kept me turning pages.
The couple have been through a traumatic event and it’s had a profound effect on both of them. The author does a superb job of delving into their innermost thoughts and fears for their marriage. Sidney’s survivor’s guilt leads to PTSD and creates friction between the newlyweds- not helped by the villain who wants them to stop their investigation.
I give Penny For Your Secrets 4 lovely kisses- Love this cover!
“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”
Verity and Sydney are once again compelled to solve a mystery that may involve important people who don’t want to be held accountable. Huber re-creates the England of post-WWI beautifully and keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The period just after World War I is a frenetic time. Everybody seemed to be struggling with survivors guilt and deep, deep sorrow – they all probably knew more people who had died than who had lived. The times were stressful with the soldiers returning home and trying to resurrect some semblance of a normal life and the women who had flocked into the workforce to fill the gaps left by the men being forced out of jobs they had not only filled but excelled at. Is it any wonder that everybody turned to the clubs and dancing and drinking to fill the hours and avoid the pain.
Verity and Sidney Kent are two of those frenetic people trying to get past the guilt of surviving. Sidney is particularly hard hit because he feels so very much guilt – I won’t tell you a lot about it, but you’ll learn when you read the story. As we know from the first two books in the series, Sidney was declared dead and was left in a ditch. Somehow, he managed to survive and went into hiding in order to uncover a nest of viperous traitors. In the meantime, Verity was mourning him deeply and burying her sorrows in drink. She’d worked for the Secret Service during the war and was about as shell-shocked as Sidney. In the first book, This Side of Murder, Verity was drawn into a case where she discovered Sidney was still alive. Now, Verity and Sidney are slowly trying to patch up their marriage and make things work between them.
Verity and Sidney spent a very tense evening at the home of Verity’s friend Ada and her husband, the Marquess of Rockham. Everyone could tell that Ada and her husband had been at odds with each other and neither behaved very well. Verity and Sidney left early, only to be awoken by Ada requesting them to come right away because Rockham had been shot. Verity is sure that her friend can’t be the guilty party, but the police seem to be heading in that direction. Verity can’t do anything else, so she starts to investigate on her own – well – with Sidney.
Not long after Ada comes to Verity, another friend, Irene Shaw, comes to Verity about the death of her half-sister. The police are treating her sister’s death as if it was the result of a robbery, but Irene doesn’t believe that because nothing was taken.
As Verity and Sidney investigate the two cases, they soon come to suspect they might be related – but how and who or what is the common denominator. Their investigations take them back to France and on to the Isle of Wight – and introduces a master manipulator who will probably be a villain in a few future books at least. I hope not too many because I really don’t like him and I want him gone.
The story is masterfully written and the research is impeccable. From the first page, the reader is drawn into that time and place and doesn’t leave until hours after the last page has been read. The story is so compelling that you feel those repressed emotions, the grief, the guilt that Sidney and the other survivors feel. You also feel Verity’s anxiety for Sidney when he constantly closes her out and won’t talk.
I can definitely recommend this well-written, well-researched story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Penny for Your Secrets (A Verity Kent Mystery Book 3) by Anna Lee Huber is a Historical Mystery set in 1919 England. Verity was a Secret Service Agent in the Great War. This book continues with her adventures, mysteries and romance.
I love a great series that builds on past experiences of exciting characters with each new book. Historical facts and small details including the colors of clothing add so much to this book. The murders, motives, plots, witnesses and suspects are elements that keep the reader involved. Verity and husband Sidney must search for information to find the killer or killers. Were the murders committed because of love affairs and marriages gone wrong or to hide criminal activity. It’s never who you think it is, it could be almost anyone. Ms. Hubers writing has a flow that makes her books a pleasing read. I have enjoyed each book and series Ms. Huber has written but I find the Verity Kent series especially thrilling.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. 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
The latest edition (#3) in the Verity Kent mystery series set in 1919 England in which we find Verity investigating two seemingly non related murders, one of which a friend is implicated in.
The plot turns out to be more complex than first thought (surprise!), and we are introduced to a fiendish villain who appears above the law and will no doubt make future appearances (looking forward to that!). Some familiar faces are back, and I especially enjoyed getting to know Sidney (Verity’s husband) much better and watch as they continue to strive to heal themselves while rebuilding their marriage. Out 10/29
Another great addition to the series, as Huber provides in-depth research while continually developing flawed characters who we love (not always easy to do).
Thanks to #KensingtonBooks and #NetGalley for providing the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
post-WW1, historical-fiction, historical-research, cosy-mystery, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, war-is-hell, murder-investigation, England
The first thing to know is that the author has done an excellent job of filling the reader in on the relevant past, so you never feel like you’ve missed something important (but it did make me hunt up the earlier books because I really liked the characters!).
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 Sidney’s expected post war issues.
At a party, a rather dramatic friend is beyond tipsy and makes some peculiar statements about her husband while brandishing a pistol. But in the morning, said husband is found shot to death in his home office and Verity’s friend is the chief suspect. Let the sleuthing begin! Plot twists, red herrings, and misdirection follow including negative involvement by someone in Naval Intelligence.
Excellent read with good insights into PTSD and survivor’s guilt as well as good research into social problems of the day.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Loved it! Sparkling heroine, spanking good mystery, spot on narration, and unexpected depth provided by the poignant ex-soldiers—including Verity’s husband—struggling to forge new lives in the aftermath of WWI. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
My Rating: 4.5*
The book opens with an intriguing quote by Benjamin Franklin that sets the tone for this novel quite well: “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” And it doesn’t take long before murder rears its ugly head.
This is book three of the Verity Kent series and one I loved being back in. I strongly recommend you start with book one, “This Side of Murder”, as each book builds on the previous. Was thrilled to receive this one as a Christmas present!
The Great War has ended, but life for those who have survived is one of major adjustment. The loss of so many lives has rocked everyone’s world, especially for the men who survived…guilt for surviving plays a large part. The women who went to work to keep the factories and businesses going, were suddenly no longer needed. They had a purpose, but were now let go. To forget, they embraced partying, dancing, drinking and in some cases drugs. It was a wild time in trying to break free of the Victorian strictures.
Ms. Huber brings all of this to life before our eyes as Verity and Sidney work through their marital reconciliation, recent fame from their last investigation and being asked to help solve another murder or two, all against the backdrop of political intrigue.
“The lines and hollows of his features were more pronounced in the light cast by the lamp, the weariness and guilt that I knew still weighed on him evident in the stoop of his shoulders. It was like the shadow cast on the wall behind him, ever haunting him, when awake and at rest.” (quote from the book)
This story is deeply layered and determining the murderer(s) was some what complicated due to bluffs, tangents and secrets (though I had a good idea about one). Suspects were plentiful, but finding the proof was not. One of the things I love most, is that Verity and Sidney’s relationship is not quickly healed. It is realistic, incredibly poignant, and still a work in progress.
I am looking forward to book four coming out later this year!
I’ve been a fan of Anna Lee Huber since a friend got me hooked on her Lady Darby Series. When I discovered Verity Kent I was equally thrilled. From the get go I was drawn to her strength, loyalty and detective prowess and this third instalment of the story did not disappoint! As always there’s a fabulous mystery, lush detail to set the scene and plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I enjoy the touch of romance that finds its way into Huber’s books and I look forward to Verity and Sidney’s continued love story as more is revealed. From start to finish I was hooked and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series to join Verity’s next adventure!
A big thank you to Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #PennyForYourSecrets
** This review can also be found on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon
Verity has been asked to help not only one, but two close friends to help solve a murder. One is a sister and the other is her husband. She agrees to help with her husband and a police detective aiding.
This is a historical mystery set in the time period right after WWI in London, England. The characters are expertly crafted with distinct and engaging personalities complete with positive and negative attributes. The story is told from Verity’s point of view allowing us to be privy to her reasoning, reactions, motivations and emotional responses. The narrative is wonderful giving great descriptions that allow one’s imagination to make them feel they are in the post war era. The dialogue is witty and clever. The mysteries were spectacularly weaved together into a smooth flowing storyline full of suspicious suspects, a myriad of subtle clues, dead ends, danger and suspense. I enjoyed the complexity of the mystery, the side stories, the way the atrocity of war was acknowledged and of course the complicated and touching relationship between husband and wife. I can hardly wait for the next story featuring these great characters.
Penny For Your Secrets was a bit slow moving in the beginning for me, but it was a thrilling suspenseful mystery set in the 1920’s. This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I was impressed with the character she created in former British Secret Service agent Verity Kent. Verity is in an emotional turmoil having recently reunited with her presumed dead husband and having to try and prove her friend’s innocence in the murder of her husband. The ending will surprise readers and leaves the door open for another book in the series.
For the fullest impact, I suggest you start with book one in this series. (That said, this can be read alone.)
Once again the author has caught us up in the realities of post war Britain with the armed services people and their injuries (both visible and invisible) and the gradual unraveling of the class structure that ruled England since “forever”.
Two murder investigations begin to overlap and that adds to the confusion.
The characters continue to be engaging. The growth of Verity and her husband’s relationship is solid and believable.
Two good mysteries with lots of good characters.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Verity Kent and husband Sidney attend a party at the home of the Marquess of Rockham. There is clearly tension between Lord Rockham and his wife, Ada but when she pulls out a gun at the dinner table and makes a joke about killing her husband Verity knows there could be trouble ahead. When she receives a frantic call from Ada saying the Lord was dead, Verity fears her friend followed through on her statement.
Verity is also called on by a woman she met working with the Secret Service to investigate the death of her sister. Verity can’t say no, but as both investigations continue she sees her two cases may be connected and may have more deadly consequences.
___
What I really enjoy about this series in the depth of the characters. The war had profound effects on everyone, but we get a personal look at Verity and Sidney as they try to deal with his return and the PTSD and guilt he is fighting while dealing with the Verity’s independence has gained while he was gone. The struggle is real and told in a very believable way. They are surrounded by a cast of characters all dealing with issues of their own and again Ms. Huber gives them depth and their circumstances real.
I found both mysteries to be very interesting. I was more drawn to the Marquess of Rockham’s murder. It was a different time and marriages were made for stature and wealth instead of love. Ada really had trouble adjusting to the aristocratic ways and clearly isn’t happy. I didn’t condone her behavior but understood part of where she was coming from. Verity has to see something in this woman and I was trying to find some redeeming qualities.
The other death drew Verity back to her Secret Service sources. The victim had a tough job during the war which opened the case which was first classified as a bungled home invasion to so much more. Verity was pulled in several directions and I enjoyed following alongside her as she did her best to find answers, even putting herself in the line of fire.
Anna Lee Huber has a very detailed writing style. You know she has well researched this time in history and does a great job fictionalizing the time period and giving readers a story filled with imagery to bring the story alive. People and places were easy to see in my mind’s eye.
Each book in this series can be read on its own but I recommend reading them in order to really get to know Verity Kent.
Penny for Your Secrets is the best possible title for the current Verity Kent book. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has secrets, especially Verity and Sidney. The mysteries the book begins with go slow till ¾ in to the book, then they take off and are excellent. The first part of the book is Verity trying unsuccessfully to deal with Sidney’s PTSD. Sidney surprised me in the first book and I didn’t like him in the second book. In this book I felt sorry for him. PTSD is life-altering no matter what war causes it. Verity is tenacious not only with the mysteries but with helping Sidney. It isn’t a quick fix, so I hope for both their sakes she has helped him.
The atmosphere is very roaring 20s and is almost its own character, with its own secrets. And I am not even mentioning Max and Alec. This is not a standalone, reading the first 2 books are a definite plus, if not a nececssity.
I do recommend the third Verity Kent book.
This latest mystery involving Verity Kent has it all. First it’s a solid historical mystery, one of my favorite genres. It’s set in the days following the end of WWI and Verity and her husband, Sydney are trying to put the pieces of their oh so short marriage back together. They had been married mere days before Sydney went off to war and while in France he faked his death. Verity was first married, then widowed and now is married and, if that wasn’t enough, Sydney is dealing with was called shell shock or what we now know to be PTSD. Both of them harbor secrets which adds another hurdle to their fragile relationship.
One evening they attend a dinner party hosted by Ada, wife of Lord Rockham and, due to her ‘in your face’ flirtation with one of the guests and an all too handy gun that she jokingly says she might use on her husband, well she becomes prime suspect number one when he turns up murdered. Then Verity adds to her investigating – with Sydney’s help – a second murder., of Esther Shaw, She died in her own flat, the victim of a cat burglar or was it? Verity begins to suspect that the two murders might be connected.
.The mystery can be read as a stand alone and the mystery itself is complete. There is a cliff hanger in the mix when Verity has to deal with her own Nemesis with roots in her WWI Secret Service activities. So many excellent reasons to eagerly await the next challenge for Verity and Sydney.
Anne Lee Huber creates a very research-based world based on Mr. and Mrs. Kent and the aftermath of World War I. The challenges and struggles of this post war couple make them real while Mrs. Kent’s forays into sleuthing provide the plot.
This is the next book in the Verity Kent Series (#3). In this one, she and her husband are at a dinner party, and then decide to go home because the tension is a bit thick between the hosts. The next morning, they discover that the husband that was the host has been shot dead! The wife is a friend of Verity’s so they are asked to help solve the murder. They also have to help solve another murder of a friend, this time her friend’s sister. Verity and her husband go all over trying to solve both murders and discover some things that they just can’t put together. This is a great addition to this series, and as always I can’t wait for the next one.
Verity and Sidney Kent are celebrities now, their pictures showing up regularly in the newspapers. They are still working on their marriage and are becoming partners in the truest sense. Sidney is reconciled to the fact his wife performed dangerous and valuable espionage work during the war. When Verity finds herself drawn into two separate investigations Sidney pitches in to help with her inquiries. Verity continues to deal with issues related to her wartime work, as Sidney struggles with survivor’s guilt and PTSD. You can see a shift in their relationship as each begins to confide in the other. I was drawn in to the story right away as the author has made her characters so human and appealing. Not to mention two murders to solve!
Penny for Your Secrets by Anna Lee Huber is the third book in the Verity Kent Mystery series.
I have to admit this is my first entry into this young series and I am so glad that I stumbled upon it.
I am a huge fan of this genre (historical fiction/mystery), and of this time period (The Great War/post GW) as this book is a part of.
The main female character ( Kent) is trying to find herself again as a private investigator and a “normal” citizen in England in 1919 (she was a secret service agent during the GW).
I enjoyed the plot, the murder/mystery concept, and I love Verity. She is smart, resourceful, and a fighter. She is not perfect, but that is what makes her endearing. I cant wait to see where this series goes.
One does not have to read the previous two books to follow along on this novel quite nicely. However, I am now so drawn to this series, I have already ordered the previous two books to read. I am so excited to find a new series that I truly enjoy.
Hats off to Ms Huber for this awesome read.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
PENNY FOR YOUR SECRETS is marvelous!
As the third book in the Verity Kent Mystery Series, it picks up right where the second book, TREACHEROUS IS THE NIGHT, leaves off in 1919. Back home in London, Verity and her husband Sidney find themselves caught up in another murder investigation when Verity’s friend Ada is suspected of killing her husband. One of Verity’s former Secret Service coworkers also reaches out to Verity to look into her half-sister Esther’s death. The more Verity and Sidney uncover, the more they think the two murders are connected, and their investigating leads to a twisty tale of wartime secrets and a powerful new enemy for Verity.
Anna Lee Huber is one of my favorite authors, and both of her series are firmly among my most favorite historical mystery reads. But, PENNY FOR YOUR SECRETS is so much more than mere genre fiction with a grownup Nancy Drew of sorts. It takes a hard and serious look at the ramifications of World War I, both on the characters themselves and on a changing society. Verity and Sidney both struggle with reconciling their marriage and their post-war lives. Sidney finally starts to make some progress dealing with survivor’s guilt and PTSD, and he and Verity both seem to be doing relatively well considering neither of them is the same person they were before the war nor that they have spent little time together as a married couple. But, I think they will always need some adventure in their lives to stave off the boredom and tedium of “normal” life.
Though the mystery of Lord Rockham’s death is interesting, I enjoyed the puzzle of Esther’s demise more. I think this had to do with my dislike of Ada. She is terribly unlikable, and I struggled with Verity’s loyalty to her. I understand their war connection but do not see how Verity puts up with her pompous attitude and flippant actions. That said the weaving of the murder plots makes for a thrilling, satisfying read.
Well researched with vivid, sometimes gut wrenching, writing, I felt like I was there with Verity. These characters stay with you long after the last sentence is read. I cannot wait for the next installment. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC of this title from the author and Kensington Publishers through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.