An Artless Demise

A Lady Darby Mystery, Book 7

By: Anna Lee Huber

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

November 1831. After fleeing London in infamy more than two years prior, Lady Kiera Darby's return to the city is anything but mundane, though not for the reasons she expected. A gang of body snatchers is arrested on suspicion of imitating the notorious misdeeds of Edinburgh criminals Burke and Hare - killing people from the streets and selling their bodies to medical schools. Then Kiera's past - a past she thought she'd finally made peace with - rises up to haunt her.

All of London is horrified by the evidence that "burkers" are, indeed, at work in their city. The terrified populace hovers on a knife's edge, ready to take their enmity out on any likely suspect. And when Kiera receives a letter of blackmail, threatening to divulge details about her late anatomist husband's involvement with the body snatchers and wrongfully implicate her, she begins to apprehend just how precarious her situation is. Not only for herself, but also her new husband and investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, and their unborn child.

Meanwhile, the young scion of a noble family has been found murdered a block from his home, and the man's family wants Kiera and Gage to investigate. Is it a failed attempt by the London burkers, having left the body behind, or the crime of someone much closer to home?

©2019 Anna Aycock (P)2019 Tantor

Wonderful story by amazing author

I really enjoyed this book. the narrator does a beautiful job with the varied accents and the story was deep and well written, exploring more deeply Lady Darby's past while keeping the joy of the future to balance out the grimness. love it!!!

very emotional investigation

London, England, November, 1831
Very emotional story as it touches on what Keira suffered and endured being married to the anatomist Lord Anthony Darby. With her personal and professional relationship with Enquiry Agent Sebastian Gage, she has been able to turn her un-asked-for knowledge to the pursuit of justice. A need that almost rivals her love of painting. Now there’s a new gang of resurrectionists murdering young men. Keira is again attacked by society’s gossip, egged on by Gage’s malicious ex-almost-fiancee Lady Felicity Spencer. All while trying to deal with her pregnancy.

The expertise of the author

This is one of the best, if not THE best, historical fiction series I have ever read or listened to. The character development and story line are enhanced by the author’s in-depth inclusion of details, details that set a visual scene as well as an accurate one. Her research skills are notable and crucial to the success of her stories. Bravo!

Great, but...

You have to read the previous books to understand the character motivations. If you have the time and the credit, you should go for it. Very “a la Sherlock Holmes” but with a Lady Artist who has deep understanding of human Anatomy.

The Past Revisits

Another outstanding story as the past comes back to haunt Keira.

Murders begin happening and it looks like a repeat of years gone by.

Cannot wait for more!

Not her best

I felt the plot was uninteresting. We didn’t seem to get as much historical information as she usually gives us.

Love this series

This is one of the best historical mystery series I’ve read. Can’t wait for the next book.

Thrilling

Step back into time to try to solve few murders like Gage and Kiera. I actually solved it before they told us. I don't usually do it but I did. I like solving puzzles. I like all the characters Kiera, Gage, her sister Alanna, Trevor. Lookimg forward to the next day Darby mystery .

Best yet

Each entry in this series is better than the last. I’m particularly drawn to painlessly learning a bit more history in a fictional setting. The narrator’s tone is perfectly suited in for these historical mysteries. Looking forward to the next.

Wonderful

I can’t get enough of this series. I always look forward to the next book.