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e_clair301's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laura_keoski's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.75
mugsmr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
** spoiler alert ** This is my favorite book in the series so far!
After uncovering Lord Rockham's murderer in the last book, Verity and Sidney travels to her aunt's house after hearing about a series of (supposed) thefts and a missing maid. They go very begrudgingly, as they uncovered a sinister plot involving Lord Ardmore and a ship missing most of her crew/cargo. But as Verity's father insisted, they put their primary investigation on the backburner to help her aunt. The house is very big and beautiful, so was used to billet airmen during the First World War. The story starts slow, because it seems that the maid ran off to pursue bigger dreams and the "thefts" weren't anything suspicious. However, a murder occurs on the grounds, forcing Verity to investigate.
The story covers the investigations of two cases, with the murder and Lord Ardmore appearing to be connected. Verity and Sidney travel between London and her aunt's house in the countryside, splitting their attention between them. But when Max's (a close friend and Sidney's commanding officer during the war) deceased father sends them on a dangerous scavenger hunt, placing clues at Roman-era buildings close to airfields, some connections between the two cases emerge. The aunt's house is close to an airfield, with rumors that there's an ancient fortification buried somewhere on the grounds, which is seemingly supported by the discovery of Roman coins. There's also a serious suspicion that Lord Ardmore was involved in the death of Max's father, who was involved in a potential drug smuggling operation aimed at the Irish revolutionaries. As the case gets more and more dangerous, both Verity and Sidney do their best to keep up their guard and protect their friends, despite continuously needing their help.
We discover more of Verity's service during the First World War in this book, with the very first chapter involving one of her missions to deliver a message to a General close to the fighting about a possible traitor among his staff. This occurred not long after Sidney's reported death, so Verity struggles to complete it due to her immense grief. She successfully delivers the message, but a shell hits the HQ soon after she leaves, throwing her against the ground and killing everyone inside. This event lays the foundation for the rest of the novel, as Verity's trauma keeps her awake at night and leaves her wondering why it didn't seem right as she looks back at the memory. She also meets the officer who hunts her down throughout the story, believing her to be the one responsible for the deaths of the men inside the HQ.
But despite the plot being slow initially, I really loved the action once it got going. The mysteries kept me intrigued and excited to find out more, with the characters and post-WWI setting being the main reason why I love this series so much. Sidney is still my favorite character despite his flaws. He still struggles with his PTSD, making it difficult for him to even share anything about his experiences of the Western Front with Verity. However, he's a very loyal husband, and very protective over her, never allowing her to face danger alone. However, upon being confronted with her work in the Secret Service during the war, he's unable to fully get over the danger she was in, even expressing horror after finding out she was sent on that mission so close to the ever-fluid frontlines (as this was in the spring of 1918, after the stalemate had been broken), and so soon after his reported "death".
Another aspect that I really liked was the inclusion of Verity's cousin Reginald, who was blinded by a shell while fighting at the front. I find him a likeable character, strong yet frustrated due to losing his independence and being treated as helpless. Verity seems to be the only character who doesn't treat him differently. In fact, she unconsciously empowers him, even asking for his help in her investigations despite his inability to see. He tries to do as much as he can on his own, even performing his duties towards his house
and family behind his mother's back, as she insists that he not be bothered with the responsibility (much to his annoyance and frustration). It's really nice to see the author include a strong disabled character, especially since so many men became physically disabled due to the war.
I also really like the inclusion of airmen and airfields in the main plot, as I love everything to do with WWI aviation. Seeing what looks to be a Sopwith Pup/Camel on the front cover makes me very happy!
After uncovering Lord Rockham's murderer in the last book, Verity and Sidney travels to her aunt's house after hearing about a series of (supposed) thefts and a missing maid. They go very begrudgingly, as they uncovered a sinister plot involving Lord Ardmore and a ship missing most of her crew/cargo. But as Verity's father insisted, they put their primary investigation on the backburner to help her aunt. The house is very big and beautiful, so was used to billet airmen during the First World War. The story starts slow, because it seems that the maid ran off to pursue bigger dreams and the "thefts" weren't anything suspicious. However, a murder occurs on the grounds, forcing Verity to investigate.
The story covers the investigations of two cases, with the murder and Lord Ardmore appearing to be connected. Verity and Sidney travel between London and her aunt's house in the countryside, splitting their attention between them. But when Max's (a close friend and Sidney's commanding officer during the war) deceased father sends them on a dangerous scavenger hunt, placing clues at Roman-era buildings close to airfields, some connections between the two cases emerge. The aunt's house is close to an airfield, with rumors that there's an ancient fortification buried somewhere on the grounds, which is seemingly supported by the discovery of Roman coins. There's also a serious suspicion that Lord Ardmore was involved in the death of Max's father, who was involved in a potential drug smuggling operation aimed at the Irish revolutionaries. As the case gets more and more dangerous, both Verity and Sidney do their best to keep up their guard and protect their friends, despite continuously needing their help.
We discover more of Verity's service during the First World War in this book, with the very first chapter involving one of her missions to deliver a message to a General close to the fighting about a possible traitor among his staff. This occurred not long after Sidney's reported death, so Verity struggles to complete it due to her immense grief. She successfully delivers the message, but a shell hits the HQ soon after she leaves, throwing her against the ground and killing everyone inside. This event lays the foundation for the rest of the novel, as Verity's trauma keeps her awake at night and leaves her wondering why it didn't seem right as she looks back at the memory. She also meets the officer who hunts her down throughout the story, believing her to be the one responsible for the deaths of the men inside the HQ.
But despite the plot being slow initially, I really loved the action once it got going. The mysteries kept me intrigued and excited to find out more, with the characters and post-WWI setting being the main reason why I love this series so much. Sidney is still my favorite character despite his flaws. He still struggles with his PTSD, making it difficult for him to even share anything about his experiences of the Western Front with Verity. However, he's a very loyal husband, and very protective over her, never allowing her to face danger alone. However, upon being confronted with her work in the Secret Service during the war, he's unable to fully get over the danger she was in, even expressing horror after finding out she was sent on that mission so close to the ever-fluid frontlines (as this was in the spring of 1918, after the stalemate had been broken), and so soon after his reported "death".
Another aspect that I really liked was the inclusion of Verity's cousin Reginald, who was blinded by a shell while fighting at the front. I find him a likeable character, strong yet frustrated due to losing his independence and being treated as helpless. Verity seems to be the only character who doesn't treat him differently. In fact, she unconsciously empowers him, even asking for his help in her investigations despite his inability to see. He tries to do as much as he can on his own, even performing his duties towards his house
and family behind his mother's back, as she insists that he not be bothered with the responsibility (much to his annoyance and frustration). It's really nice to see the author include a strong disabled character, especially since so many men became physically disabled due to the war.
I also really like the inclusion of airmen and airfields in the main plot, as I love everything to do with WWI aviation. Seeing what looks to be a Sopwith Pup/Camel on the front cover makes me very happy!
cam411's review against another edition
5.0
Another great installment in a terrific series. I have really enjoyed this series so far. I would recommend reading all the prior books in this series since the books really do have a lot of carry over from one to the next. This fourth book has a lot of carry over from the third book, A Penny for Your Secrets. That being said, I would really recommend reading at least the third book before this one.
I really enjoy Anna Lee Huber’s writing. Both the Verity Kent series and Lady Series are very well researched and written.
I really enjoy Anna Lee Huber’s writing. Both the Verity Kent series and Lady Series are very well researched and written.
mreach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
4.0
A Pretty Deceit is an excellent addition to the series by Anna Lee Huber.
Verity Kent is once more embroiled in a new mystery and also still pursuing an old one from Book 3, the two threads merging together expertly to give an engrossing and deliciously complicated narrative, that ensures all the old favourites make an appearance at some point throughout the book.
Thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy.
Verity Kent is once more embroiled in a new mystery and also still pursuing an old one from Book 3, the two threads merging together expertly to give an engrossing and deliciously complicated narrative, that ensures all the old favourites make an appearance at some point throughout the book.
Thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my review copy.