fluffyturtle's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
spinebrreaker's review against another edition
4.0
I can't imagine a time when I could not love this series. Give me 40 years of Keira and Gage and....ANDELEY AND BREE?!?!? Please I need a novella from the POV of one of them at least -sobs-
hezzann's review against another edition
2.0
They're getting more and more slow and overwritten as the series progresses. I may be done after this.
zombeesknees's review against another edition
5.0
Full review can be found here: https://www.criminalelement.com/book-review-a-stroke-of-malice-by-anna-lee-huber/
robynrambles's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tita_noir's review against another edition
4.0
These books are comfort books for me and this one hit at just the right time. Also a wee bit prophetic in that it takes place during a cholera epidemic and Keira and her husband Gage are kinda stuck inside at a house party.
I liked this one because it is a bit of a call back to the first book where Kiera and Gage first meet, at a house party where a dead body is discovered and they investigate. Of course in that book, Gage isn't impressed with Keira at first and she is a scandal ridden outcast.
In this one, things are very different. They are married, deeply in love and expecting their first child. They are a well known investigative team and Keira has finally come out on the other side of the scandal thanks in part to the events of the previous book where her powerful father-in-law exercises some of his deviousness to her benefit.
This is a nice whodunnit that also doubles as a who-is-it for part of the book, largely because for most of the book they have a body but can't definitively say who it is (rats have eaten a lot of the face). They proceed with the investigation based on who it most likely is and as a result uncover a lot of hidden secrets about the lively and notorious family who is acting as their hosts for the house-party.
There are some twists and turns and yummy secrets that unfold and in the end they solve their mystery. I found the Ducal family interesting with some fun personalities.
As is typical with this series, it ends on a future tease that points to their next case. Also there are a couple of unresolved personal issues that I hope (am sure) we will see in the next book. Both are family issues, one involving Gage and one involving Keira and her sister. One is big and potentially serious and I am looking forward to seeing how that unfolds. The other one is small and not as serious but still I hope that gets resolved satisfactorily.
I listen to this on audio and it is narrated by Heather Wilds. I like her narration in this although I know some don't. Her voice is very mannered and she speaks with a definite cadence. I find that it fits with this particular story and mood very well. I absolutely associate these stories with her voice now and would be disappointed if anyone else narrated.
I liked this one because it is a bit of a call back to the first book where Kiera and Gage first meet, at a house party where a dead body is discovered and they investigate. Of course in that book, Gage isn't impressed with Keira at first and she is a scandal ridden outcast.
In this one, things are very different. They are married, deeply in love and expecting their first child. They are a well known investigative team and Keira has finally come out on the other side of the scandal thanks in part to the events of the previous book where her powerful father-in-law exercises some of his deviousness to her benefit.
This is a nice whodunnit that also doubles as a who-is-it for part of the book, largely because for most of the book they have a body but can't definitively say who it is (rats have eaten a lot of the face). They proceed with the investigation based on who it most likely is and as a result uncover a lot of hidden secrets about the lively and notorious family who is acting as their hosts for the house-party.
There are some twists and turns and yummy secrets that unfold and in the end they solve their mystery. I found the Ducal family interesting with some fun personalities.
As is typical with this series, it ends on a future tease that points to their next case. Also there are a couple of unresolved personal issues that I hope (am sure) we will see in the next book. Both are family issues, one involving Gage and one involving Keira and her sister. One is big and potentially serious and I am looking forward to seeing how that unfolds. The other one is small and not as serious but still I hope that gets resolved satisfactorily.
I listen to this on audio and it is narrated by Heather Wilds. I like her narration in this although I know some don't. Her voice is very mannered and she speaks with a definite cadence. I find that it fits with this particular story and mood very well. I absolutely associate these stories with her voice now and would be disappointed if anyone else narrated.
lastobbe's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
occupational_hazard's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0