This Side of Murder

Set in England in 1919, this engrossing series launch from Huber (The Anatomist’s Wife and three other Lady Darcy novels set in 1830s Scotland) introduces war widow Verity Kent. Verity has decided to join a house party on Umbersea Island, ostensibly to attend the engagement party of Walter Ponsonby, an old army chum of her late husband, Sidney, and Helen Crawford, Walter’s exuberant fiancée. Verity’s real reason for accepting the invitation is the anonymous letter she has received, stating that the sender knows her big secret—that she worked for the Secret Service during the war—and hinting that Sidney might have been hiding a few secrets of his own. On the island, surrounded by men with whom he served, she begins to doubt that she really knew Sidney at all. When a young man is found hanged, Verity knows it is murder, not suicide. Evocative historical details complement the well-drawn characters. The intricate plot builds to a surprising conclusion. [em]Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Oct.) [/em]