Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Berkley (2012), 369 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Mystery. Historical Fiction. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage-a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down, as accusations and rumors swirl. When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim.
User reviews
LibraryThing member slavenrm
As usual I received this book from GoodReads as part of a giveaway. Also as usual, despite the very kind and generous consideration of getting a free book, I give my candid opinions below.
The year is 1830 and there is murder most foul afoot at an isolated Scottish estate. A young woman has been
Our author's debut novel offers us many of the enticements that one seeks in a mystery novel. Her characters are unique and her plot lines are complex without becoming hopelessly tangled and beyond unraveling. The reader is quickly sympathetic with this willowy widow as she tries to work her way out of a shadowy past not of her own making. For the romantically inclined, she weaves enough of a love interest through her narrative to be interesting without being distracting.
For historical perspective, she gives us several curiosities along the way but falls short of making these the focus. Her prose is readable and at times not entirely appropriate for the period but one finds it easy enough not to mind very much.
In summary, The Anatomist's wife is an amusing long day of reading. It lacks some of the depth and detail of other period novels but has at its heart a tale of resolve and redemption. I look forward to the further adventures of Lady Darby.
The year is 1830 and there is murder most foul afoot at an isolated Scottish estate. A young woman has been
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brutally murdered and her fetus stolen from her very abdomen as she lies bleeding. The suspects are detained and it's up to a dashing but inexperienced son of an Edinborough investigator and the widow with a speckled past to find the criminal before they strike again.Our author's debut novel offers us many of the enticements that one seeks in a mystery novel. Her characters are unique and her plot lines are complex without becoming hopelessly tangled and beyond unraveling. The reader is quickly sympathetic with this willowy widow as she tries to work her way out of a shadowy past not of her own making. For the romantically inclined, she weaves enough of a love interest through her narrative to be interesting without being distracting.
For historical perspective, she gives us several curiosities along the way but falls short of making these the focus. Her prose is readable and at times not entirely appropriate for the period but one finds it easy enough not to mind very much.
In summary, The Anatomist's wife is an amusing long day of reading. It lacks some of the depth and detail of other period novels but has at its heart a tale of resolve and redemption. I look forward to the further adventures of Lady Darby.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
Anna Lee Huber has given us an excellent blend of mystery and historical detail wrapped up in a country house party. There's even a touch of romance as the story unfolds. The mystery is a complex one due to the background of the victim and the victim's interactions with everyone else at the country
Lady Darby's married life has given her some of the skills needed to be a good investigator. Already a talented artist, her husband nevertheless honed her skill by forcing her to notice minute details while he dissected and she drew. She also learned much in the way of medical matters, and by the same token she learned how to persevere through extremely unpleasant tasks.
Now that she and Gage have learned to value each other's investigative skills, it's going to be interesting to see them work together again. The rogue and the recluse. The private inquiry agent and the artist. The sought-after and the universally reviled. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book in this series.
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house. It takes time to sort through everything, and while I was sorting, I was enjoying Huber's look at high society in the year 1830. Having Kiera be so utterly reviled by everyone gives us a chance to see how the rich and shameless behave around her, and their behavior tells a great deal about them as people and as suspects. Lady Darby's married life has given her some of the skills needed to be a good investigator. Already a talented artist, her husband nevertheless honed her skill by forcing her to notice minute details while he dissected and she drew. She also learned much in the way of medical matters, and by the same token she learned how to persevere through extremely unpleasant tasks.
Now that she and Gage have learned to value each other's investigative skills, it's going to be interesting to see them work together again. The rogue and the recluse. The private inquiry agent and the artist. The sought-after and the universally reviled. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book in this series.
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LibraryThing member carlyrose
I can't quite decide how to rate this. In a nutshell, I would say it had an interesting premise, but mediocre execution. Other than the horror the other characters had of Lady Darby because of her "assisting" her anatomist husband, I really didn't feel that I was in the 1800s at all. The
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characters' behavior and speech was frequently anachronistic. Still, it was interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookswoman
It is Scotland, 1830 and Lady Kiera Darby is living with her sister, Alana and brother-in-law, Philip, the Earl of Cromarty. Alana and Philip are having a house party when Lady Godwin is found dead in the maze.
Kiera is immediately drawn into the murder investigation because of her past. Kiera was
This is a book full of fascinating information and turns the traditional "man as early forensic detective" on its head and the woman is the one doing the forensic detecting and Sebastian Gage acting as the cop who is learning from her.
I plan on reading the next in this series, it was a quick, fun read and I loved all of the main characters.
Kiera is immediately drawn into the murder investigation because of her past. Kiera was
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the wife of Lord Darby, an anatomist who was working on an anatomy textbook. He married Kiera because she is an amazing artist and he needed someone to do the drawing that he was incapable of doing himself. After Lord Darby's death Kiera is a social outcast who endured a trial to prove she wasn't involved in resurectionist activities.This is a book full of fascinating information and turns the traditional "man as early forensic detective" on its head and the woman is the one doing the forensic detecting and Sebastian Gage acting as the cop who is learning from her.
I plan on reading the next in this series, it was a quick, fun read and I loved all of the main characters.
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LibraryThing member JaneSteen
Where I got the book: purchased at indie bookstore at an author event. Signed. I know Anna Lee Huber in person.
I enjoy the historical mystery sub-genre, and I'd place this book in company with Tasha Alexander's or Lauren Willis's; a fairly fluffy, enjoyable escapist read. I say "fairly fluffy"
With the recent uproar over Burke and Hare's business of providing themselves with bodies to sell by the simple expedient of killing them, Keira's experiences have left her with traumatic memories of a trial and social scandal, and she is hiding away at her brother-in-law's castle in Scotland. During a house party one of the guests is murdered and rather insensitively her brother-in-law offers her help with the investigation on the grounds that she's used to bodies. But she doesn't get to investigate alone; she's partnered up with one Sebastian Gage, a sort of amateur sleuth who, realistically enough for an 1830 setting, takes charge of the case. Naturally, sparks fly.
1830 falls into that weird trough of history between the Regency and the accession of Queen Victoria, when the Industrial Revolution was just starting to get going but otherwise more seemed to be happening outside Britain than inside it. Perhaps it's for that reason that I had trouble grasping a sense of the time period; the setting of the novel seemed vaguely Victorian rather than specific to a decade, except that I'm not sure Victorians would have been quite so open about their bed-swapping habits. Also I found that the characters often sounded fairly modern, but that's the historical fiction writer's constant dilemma; you can sound like yourself or you can try to sound like Jane Austen or Mrs. Gaskell and fail...
I also noted in passing some errors that should have been caught in editing, the French phrases in particular. But those minor matters didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, which was considerable. I liked the main characters very much, Keira especially (apart from the name, I can't STAND Keira Knightley, but I digress) because of the depth provided by her backstory, her artistic talent, and her combination of bravery and femininity. I'm hoping that Gage's background will be more fully developed in the next book, and I'm a little sorry that the action is all seen from Keira's point of view because such lively writing cries out for a dual POV to complicate the action. I enjoyed the fast-moving plot and found the mystery sufficiently intriguing to keep me interested as it moved through the progression of clues and accounts by possible suspects.
The novel ends with a blatant come-on for the next book but I was OK with that; for one thing I'd already bought the next book (support your local indie bookstore, people!) and for another it was obvious from the outset that this was going to be a series. I'm looking forward to the next one; I'm engaged by the characters and want to know more. Recommended as an easy read with a little extra depth.
I enjoy the historical mystery sub-genre, and I'd place this book in company with Tasha Alexander's or Lauren Willis's; a fairly fluffy, enjoyable escapist read. I say "fairly fluffy"
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because Huber has given her heroine, Lady Keira Darby, a darker background than most; her late husband was an anatomist who married her for her artistic skills and then obliged her to make drawings of the cadavers he was dissecting. With the recent uproar over Burke and Hare's business of providing themselves with bodies to sell by the simple expedient of killing them, Keira's experiences have left her with traumatic memories of a trial and social scandal, and she is hiding away at her brother-in-law's castle in Scotland. During a house party one of the guests is murdered and rather insensitively her brother-in-law offers her help with the investigation on the grounds that she's used to bodies. But she doesn't get to investigate alone; she's partnered up with one Sebastian Gage, a sort of amateur sleuth who, realistically enough for an 1830 setting, takes charge of the case. Naturally, sparks fly.
1830 falls into that weird trough of history between the Regency and the accession of Queen Victoria, when the Industrial Revolution was just starting to get going but otherwise more seemed to be happening outside Britain than inside it. Perhaps it's for that reason that I had trouble grasping a sense of the time period; the setting of the novel seemed vaguely Victorian rather than specific to a decade, except that I'm not sure Victorians would have been quite so open about their bed-swapping habits. Also I found that the characters often sounded fairly modern, but that's the historical fiction writer's constant dilemma; you can sound like yourself or you can try to sound like Jane Austen or Mrs. Gaskell and fail...
I also noted in passing some errors that should have been caught in editing, the French phrases in particular. But those minor matters didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story, which was considerable. I liked the main characters very much, Keira especially (apart from the name, I can't STAND Keira Knightley, but I digress) because of the depth provided by her backstory, her artistic talent, and her combination of bravery and femininity. I'm hoping that Gage's background will be more fully developed in the next book, and I'm a little sorry that the action is all seen from Keira's point of view because such lively writing cries out for a dual POV to complicate the action. I enjoyed the fast-moving plot and found the mystery sufficiently intriguing to keep me interested as it moved through the progression of clues and accounts by possible suspects.
The novel ends with a blatant come-on for the next book but I was OK with that; for one thing I'd already bought the next book (support your local indie bookstore, people!) and for another it was obvious from the outset that this was going to be a series. I'm looking forward to the next one; I'm engaged by the characters and want to know more. Recommended as an easy read with a little extra depth.
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LibraryThing member bgknighton
A nice beginning to this series. I like Lady Darby. She has been sheltered but not protected. But she has spirit. Gage has potential. Secrets are bad.
LibraryThing member KateBaxter
Imagine that; a woman in 19th c. England who can actually think for herself (even when it's not socially acceptable). Here is Lady Darby, a much maligned, talented artist, who had been sold down the river by her father just to get her married off. She got the short end of that stick and is hiding
The story is told through Lady Darby's voice and observations. What an amazingly bright and courageous woman, and one who could easily steal the show but that's just not her style. I cannot wait for the next installment in this delightful and well-written series.
Synopsis:
Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.
Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage--a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.
When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim...
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out at her sister's Highland Castle following the untimely death of her calculating husband. There's a big social "do" up at the country estate and someone winds up dead. It's a four-day ride before the officials will make it to the hinterlands. The laird asks a guest with interrogative experience to lead an unofficial investigation with the assistance of capable and highly observant Lady Darby. The story is told through Lady Darby's voice and observations. What an amazingly bright and courageous woman, and one who could easily steal the show but that's just not her style. I cannot wait for the next installment in this delightful and well-written series.
Synopsis:
Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.
Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage--a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.
When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim...
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LibraryThing member Nero56
If you like C.S. Harris' Sebastian St. Cyr series, you will love Anna Lee Huber's Lady Darby series. A great mystery with just the right touch of gothic romance.
LibraryThing member quiBee
This was an enjoyable murder mystery set in Scotland on an estate in the 19th century. Lady Darby is there recovering from the destruction of her reputation because she was involved in her deceased husband's dissections as an illustrator and everyone in society knows she is "unnatural" and possibly
Lady Darby gets involved in helping look in to solving the murder and there is a typical romantic subplot as well.
A nice sense of atmosphere. Fast paced.
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involved in murder as well, though that was never proved.Lady Darby gets involved in helping look in to solving the murder and there is a typical romantic subplot as well.
A nice sense of atmosphere. Fast paced.
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LibraryThing member pennsylady
soft cover
4 ★
debut novel....Scotland 1830...historical mystery....looking forward to book 2
4 ★
debut novel....Scotland 1830...historical mystery....looking forward to book 2
LibraryThing member les121
The Anatomist’s Wife, the first book in the Lady Darby series, is a period mystery in the same vein as Deanna Raybourn’s Julia Grey books, just not quite as well executed. The mystery is fast paced, but very predictable. The culprit becomes obvious midway through the book. It’s also a tad
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heavy on the romance for my taste, or perhaps my real qualm is that the romance felt like it was missing something. We don’t really learn about the hero’s backstory or his motivations, so the intensity of Kiera’s fascination with him doesn’t always seem well founded. Kiera herself is an interesting heroine, if a bit melodramatic at times, and I love her determination and strength of will. Overall, The Anatomist’s Wife is an entertaining read if you’re in the mood for a romantic historical mystery - just don’t expect the brilliance of Julia and Brisbane. Show Less
LibraryThing member yoder
The Anatomist's Wife is the first book in the Lady Darby series by first time author Anna Lee Huber.
The story take in the Scottish Highlands of 1830 at the home of Philip, the Earl of Cromarty, the brother in law of Lady Darby. Lady Darby has recently been widowed. Her husband had been an anatomist
A party is being held at Philips home for the cream of London's society. A shrill scream is heard coming from the garden and when Lady Darby arrives she find Lady Godwin dead with slashed throat. What with accusations that had been lodged against Lady Darby and with her being first on the scene, there is speculation that she had had a hand in it. Also a guest at the party is Sebastian Gage, the son of Lord Gage, a London gentleman inquiry agent. Sebastian takes charge of the scene and starts forward in an investigation into what had occurred, until the local authorities can arrive. Lady Darby, being under close scrutiny from many of the guests and not being sure of how experienced Sebastian is, proceeds to convince him she will be of value to him in finding the murderer.
This is a wonderfully told story and the author does a great job of developing the character a bit at a time. Without developing the character on introduction of them, I felt added to the mystery and kept me thinking of the storyline.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see where Lady Darby and Sebastian go or don't go, in regards to a possible relationship. Either way, I think they will be a formidable duo.
The story take in the Scottish Highlands of 1830 at the home of Philip, the Earl of Cromarty, the brother in law of Lady Darby. Lady Darby has recently been widowed. Her husband had been an anatomist
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and with Lady Darby being an artist, she would paint scenes depicting steps in an autopsy. Lady Darby had unfair accusation brought against her, regarding these paintings, and has gone to visit her sister and her family to recover from the turmoil.A party is being held at Philips home for the cream of London's society. A shrill scream is heard coming from the garden and when Lady Darby arrives she find Lady Godwin dead with slashed throat. What with accusations that had been lodged against Lady Darby and with her being first on the scene, there is speculation that she had had a hand in it. Also a guest at the party is Sebastian Gage, the son of Lord Gage, a London gentleman inquiry agent. Sebastian takes charge of the scene and starts forward in an investigation into what had occurred, until the local authorities can arrive. Lady Darby, being under close scrutiny from many of the guests and not being sure of how experienced Sebastian is, proceeds to convince him she will be of value to him in finding the murderer.
This is a wonderfully told story and the author does a great job of developing the character a bit at a time. Without developing the character on introduction of them, I felt added to the mystery and kept me thinking of the storyline.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see where Lady Darby and Sebastian go or don't go, in regards to a possible relationship. Either way, I think they will be a formidable duo.
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LibraryThing member EmpressReece
Great series! Why cant i find a Sebastian Gage?!!
LibraryThing member dorie.craig
Very nice historical mystery with a romantic subplot. The heroine of the story was intelligent and spirited but at the same very much a woman of her time. I'm very happy that the author didn't try to wrap up the romance within the first book. Looking forward to reading the next book by Huber.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
This mystery takes place at a house party in Scotland. Lady Keira Darby has taken refuge with her sister after her husband's death and accusations that she is an unnatural woman. Her husband was a famous surgeon and anatomist who married Keira for her artistic talents. He used her to make drawings
When a woman's butchered body is found in the maze, Keira is the focus of gossip again. Her brother-in-law pairs her with Sebastian Gage to investigate while the proper authorities travel there from Edinburgh. They have four days to solve the crime and clear Keira's name.
The woman had her throat slit and her five month fetus cut from her womb. Since her husband has been on his way to India for more than five months, Keira and Gage begin by looking at the lady's lovers. Several of them are also at the house party. They also become suspicious of the wife of one of the lovers who states that she was the murdered lady's best friend.
This was a nicely twisty mystery with a great setting. The Highlands of Scotland and the close quarters of the house party are nicely detailed. I liked the budding relationship between Keira and Gage and liked that she was the one who found the murderer despite Gage's greater experience in investigations. Keira, particularly, was a well-drawn character that the reader got to know. I liked the way she grew and changed during the story.
This book begins a series of historical mysteries and I was quick to order the rest of the series after reading this one.
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of his dissections. Keira was forced to comply in order to be able to paint. She has the strong support of her sister and brother-in-law but most of society spread vicious rumors about her.When a woman's butchered body is found in the maze, Keira is the focus of gossip again. Her brother-in-law pairs her with Sebastian Gage to investigate while the proper authorities travel there from Edinburgh. They have four days to solve the crime and clear Keira's name.
The woman had her throat slit and her five month fetus cut from her womb. Since her husband has been on his way to India for more than five months, Keira and Gage begin by looking at the lady's lovers. Several of them are also at the house party. They also become suspicious of the wife of one of the lovers who states that she was the murdered lady's best friend.
This was a nicely twisty mystery with a great setting. The Highlands of Scotland and the close quarters of the house party are nicely detailed. I liked the budding relationship between Keira and Gage and liked that she was the one who found the murderer despite Gage's greater experience in investigations. Keira, particularly, was a well-drawn character that the reader got to know. I liked the way she grew and changed during the story.
This book begins a series of historical mysteries and I was quick to order the rest of the series after reading this one.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
This book should be called The Anatomist's Widow. Lady Darby is a woman scorned by society because as an artist her husband forced her to draw pictures of his autopsy work. She was considered a freak and is living with her sister and brother-in-law at their country estate in Scotland. Her sister is
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having a house party; and of course there is a murder, and Lady Darby is the chief suspect. This introduces her to Sebastian Gage who is asked to investigate and there is a slow building attraction between them. He has the charm to ask the right questions and she has the ability to to put the information together to solve the case. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Lady Kiera Darby has retreated to her sister's estate after her husband's death and the subsequent scandal about her having drawn the anatomy for her husband's book on anatomy. It's a scandal and it haunts her, even though it was at her husband's insistence that she do this. She's withdrawn and
Kiera is a bit broken by her experience and now her sister and brother-in-law want to shelter her and also to help her get herself back to being part of some sort of society. The truth of the mystery will take both Kiera and Gage and will put them both at risk.
Fun read with good characters who felt real to me, but why was there a Raccoon in the Victorian Highlands?
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artistic and considered somewhat strange. When one of the houseguests is murdered she's considered a prime suspect but her brother-in-law and Sebastian Gage, one of the guests who occasionally does enquiry work, are tasked with uncovering the truth as it will be four days before the procurator fiscal can get to their remote house.Kiera is a bit broken by her experience and now her sister and brother-in-law want to shelter her and also to help her get herself back to being part of some sort of society. The truth of the mystery will take both Kiera and Gage and will put them both at risk.
Fun read with good characters who felt real to me, but why was there a Raccoon in the Victorian Highlands?
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LibraryThing member DivineMissW
Really enjoyed this book. The tortured main character was especially interesting.
LibraryThing member spinsterrevival
Really good listen on audio, although I’m not sure if I’d have been able to stay engaged in print. This was a nice introduction to characters without telling too much because it’s a series, so there’s time. Good mystery too that I didn’t figure out, so that’s always fun,
LibraryThing member FerneMysteryReader
"It was a small chamber decorated in comfortably worn furniture the shades of new leaves and lemon yellow."
As I read the description of the small chamber that is a parlor in the family wing of Gairloch Castle in 1830 Scotland, I realized how enchanted I was with Anna Lee Huber's writing. Lady
Lady Kiera Darby has been grateful for the respite and comfort of living at Gairloch Castle with her older sister Alana, husband Philip, Earl of Cromarty, and their 3 children, Malcolm, Philipa, and little baby Greer. Kiera has been far away from London and the gossip commentary and accusations after her husband's death but she can hardly deny her sister and brother-in-law the joy of entertaining and is bracing herself for the upcoming house party.
This historical mystery is a grim and haunting reminder of the control fathers and husbands had over their daughters and wives in the 19th century. At the same time, it is encouraging to see the courage and composure that Lady Darby has in knowing her own strengths and knowing she has the respect of her sister and brother-in-law.
There was one segment in the story that didn't ring true for me. Lady Darby is reminded to lock her bedroom door as she retires but the next morning she awakes to find Alana hovering over her bed. Even with the understanding that it is Alana's home, it seems highly unlikely that a castle bedroom door could be unlocked without waking the occupant particularly the morning after a murder.
As I read the description of the small chamber that is a parlor in the family wing of Gairloch Castle in 1830 Scotland, I realized how enchanted I was with Anna Lee Huber's writing. Lady
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Darby is an artist and I felt that the author was painting the scenes in my mind.Lady Kiera Darby has been grateful for the respite and comfort of living at Gairloch Castle with her older sister Alana, husband Philip, Earl of Cromarty, and their 3 children, Malcolm, Philipa, and little baby Greer. Kiera has been far away from London and the gossip commentary and accusations after her husband's death but she can hardly deny her sister and brother-in-law the joy of entertaining and is bracing herself for the upcoming house party.
This historical mystery is a grim and haunting reminder of the control fathers and husbands had over their daughters and wives in the 19th century. At the same time, it is encouraging to see the courage and composure that Lady Darby has in knowing her own strengths and knowing she has the respect of her sister and brother-in-law.
There was one segment in the story that didn't ring true for me. Lady Darby is reminded to lock her bedroom door as she retires but the next morning she awakes to find Alana hovering over her bed. Even with the understanding that it is Alana's home, it seems highly unlikely that a castle bedroom door could be unlocked without waking the occupant particularly the morning after a murder.
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LibraryThing member Vesper1931
Scotland, 1830 and Lady Darby has been taking refuge at her sister's estate at Gairloch Castle since her husband's death and the resulting furor. But at a house party when a body is discovered she becomes under suspicion. But her brother-in-law, Philip, asks her to help Sebastian Gage, a guest and
Very enjoyable, well-written story. I hope to read more about these characters in subsequent books.
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an inquiry agent, to find the murderer.Very enjoyable, well-written story. I hope to read more about these characters in subsequent books.
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LibraryThing member AKBouterse
I stumbled across this series, and the summary seemed exciting, and I am glad I picked this up. This mystery starts right away, which was a very engaging opening. The pace slowed down after that, but I was intrigued the whole time. I found the conclusion to the mystery reasonably satisfying, and I
I liked seeing the beginning of the relationship between Keira and Gage. I did feel like I learned more about Keira in this book, so I'm intrigued to learn more about Gage in future books. I liked seeing how Keira and Gage worked together to solve this mystery. I created a solid connection between the two. I liked the ending scenes between them, and I'm excited to see how the relationship develops.
I have only been interested in reading mysteries lately but I want to get back into reading romances and this is a great way to combine both. If you're looking for a historical mystery series with a romance element, this is a great first book that I would recommend.
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thought the climax was pretty exciting. I liked seeing the beginning of the relationship between Keira and Gage. I did feel like I learned more about Keira in this book, so I'm intrigued to learn more about Gage in future books. I liked seeing how Keira and Gage worked together to solve this mystery. I created a solid connection between the two. I liked the ending scenes between them, and I'm excited to see how the relationship develops.
I have only been interested in reading mysteries lately but I want to get back into reading romances and this is a great way to combine both. If you're looking for a historical mystery series with a romance element, this is a great first book that I would recommend.
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LibraryThing member murderbydeath
I read about this book recently here on BookLikes and the combination of the review and the title grabbed my attention enough that I went right out and ordered the book. I received it this week, and it became my Friday-after-Thanksgiving-and-I'm-not-moving read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - at
The main character is Kiera, Lady Darby. She's the widow with a scandalous, somewhat tragic past. But not in the typical, clichéd way; I like what the author has done to create this character and to me, it's very unique. There's a bit of wounded bird to her personality, justifiably so, but there are moments where she gives as good as she gets and those moments are gold. Her sister Alana is fantastically likeable and it's a breath of fresh air to read a book about sisters who like each other; I've rather been on a run of books with nasty-shrew sisters recently.
Gage, the inquiry agent is perfect for a series worth of fun sexual tension and witty banter. Blond/blue eyed, gorgeous, intelligent and a rogue. The scenes with Gage and Keira are sometimes fun, oftentimes sweet and always leaving me wanting to read more. I love that Keira is a widow, we get to skip all that innocent-lamb-must-be-chaperoned stuff that comes with women who've not yet been married.
The rest of the characters are all vividly written and easy to distinguish, although I'll admit at first to being worried about keeping all the Lords, Marquis, and Earl's straight. Luckily, in such a large house party, only a handful were serious suspects and it became much easier to keep them all straight.
As to the murder plot, I never had any idea who it was. It wasn't just a matter of who wanted the victim dead, but who would go to such lengths? This wasn't a run-of-the-mill murder. I didn't start to put it all together until Keira did, and that's always fun when it happens. I don't mind guessing early if the characters are worth reading about, but not figuring it out until I'm supposed to? Well that's just the best possible outcome for a murder mystery.
My only beef with the plot:
How did Gage, Phillip and the rest of the rescue party know that Lord Stratford took the three women out into the loch? I don't see how Gage had time to find Keira's note, trace her movements, figure out about the boat, run back and organise another boat and a rescue party, all in time to make that final showdown scene work. It fails the logic test.
Overall, this was a great book and I've already ordered the second in the series. I couldn't put it down even though I was exhausted from holiday revelry the day before, so I still stayed up too late last night because I had to know how it ended. I can't wait for the next one to arrive."
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - at
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least, I enjoyed it as much as I could considering the murder (this murder isn't for the feint of heart or those that like their murders cozy - this was gruesome). This is an example of the type of historical mysteries that hook me; I can get behind these characters and care deeply about what happens to them.The main character is Kiera, Lady Darby. She's the widow with a scandalous, somewhat tragic past. But not in the typical, clichéd way; I like what the author has done to create this character and to me, it's very unique. There's a bit of wounded bird to her personality, justifiably so, but there are moments where she gives as good as she gets and those moments are gold. Her sister Alana is fantastically likeable and it's a breath of fresh air to read a book about sisters who like each other; I've rather been on a run of books with nasty-shrew sisters recently.
Gage, the inquiry agent is perfect for a series worth of fun sexual tension and witty banter. Blond/blue eyed, gorgeous, intelligent and a rogue. The scenes with Gage and Keira are sometimes fun, oftentimes sweet and always leaving me wanting to read more. I love that Keira is a widow, we get to skip all that innocent-lamb-must-be-chaperoned stuff that comes with women who've not yet been married.
The rest of the characters are all vividly written and easy to distinguish, although I'll admit at first to being worried about keeping all the Lords, Marquis, and Earl's straight. Luckily, in such a large house party, only a handful were serious suspects and it became much easier to keep them all straight.
As to the murder plot, I never had any idea who it was. It wasn't just a matter of who wanted the victim dead, but who would go to such lengths? This wasn't a run-of-the-mill murder. I didn't start to put it all together until Keira did, and that's always fun when it happens. I don't mind guessing early if the characters are worth reading about, but not figuring it out until I'm supposed to? Well that's just the best possible outcome for a murder mystery.
My only beef with the plot:
Overall, this was a great book and I've already ordered the second in the series. I couldn't put it down even though I was exhausted from holiday revelry the day before, so I still stayed up too late last night because I had to know how it ended. I can't wait for the next one to arrive."
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LibraryThing member Lauren2013
The Anatomist's Wife
4.5 Stars
Lady Kiera Darby is a social outcast due to the revelation that she assisted her deceased husband in his anatomical dissections. Thus, when Lady Godwin is found murdered during a house party at the ancestral home of Kiera’s brother-in-law, suspicion naturally falls on
A well-paced mystery with an engaging protagonist and some intriguing hints at a romance to come.
Kiera is a particularly likable heroine as she is highly intelligent and in possession of a quiet strength and resilience that is very appealing. The manner in which she deals with society’s ignorant prejudices and hypocrisy, with honor and dignity, makes it impossible not to empathize with her predicament. She also grows in confidence as the story progresses and approaches every situation in a practical manner with no TSTL moments.
Kiera’s investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, is slightly more ambiguous with his rakish ways, and as the narrative is in the first person, it is never clear what his thoughts and feelings for Kiera are. Nevertheless, there is some intense sexual tension between the two and it will be interesting to see where this goes in future installments.
The mystery is well developed albeit a bit more detailed in the gruesome description department than other historical mysteries such as the Bess Crawford and Lady Julia series. The investigation unfolds at a solid pace (which is actually better than in the Lady Julia books) and the climax and resolution are exciting. While there is an abundance of suspects, it is rather easy to spot the culprit although the motive is more complex and diabolical.
Heather Wilds narration is very good. Her reading pace is more rapid than many other narrators, but she speaks clearly and there is no need to slow the speed. Nevertheless, her voices are not as distinct as they could have been, especially for the men but that's not a deal breaker.
Highly recommended for fans of the Lady Julia series by Deanna Raybourn.
4.5 Stars
Lady Kiera Darby is a social outcast due to the revelation that she assisted her deceased husband in his anatomical dissections. Thus, when Lady Godwin is found murdered during a house party at the ancestral home of Kiera’s brother-in-law, suspicion naturally falls on
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her and she must make use of her knowledge of the human body to clear her name. A well-paced mystery with an engaging protagonist and some intriguing hints at a romance to come.
Kiera is a particularly likable heroine as she is highly intelligent and in possession of a quiet strength and resilience that is very appealing. The manner in which she deals with society’s ignorant prejudices and hypocrisy, with honor and dignity, makes it impossible not to empathize with her predicament. She also grows in confidence as the story progresses and approaches every situation in a practical manner with no TSTL moments.
Kiera’s investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, is slightly more ambiguous with his rakish ways, and as the narrative is in the first person, it is never clear what his thoughts and feelings for Kiera are. Nevertheless, there is some intense sexual tension between the two and it will be interesting to see where this goes in future installments.
The mystery is well developed albeit a bit more detailed in the gruesome description department than other historical mysteries such as the Bess Crawford and Lady Julia series. The investigation unfolds at a solid pace (which is actually better than in the Lady Julia books) and the climax and resolution are exciting. While there is an abundance of suspects, it is rather easy to spot the culprit although the motive is more complex and diabolical.
Heather Wilds narration is very good. Her reading pace is more rapid than many other narrators, but she speaks clearly and there is no need to slow the speed. Nevertheless, her voices are not as distinct as they could have been, especially for the men but that's not a deal breaker.
Highly recommended for fans of the Lady Julia series by Deanna Raybourn.
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LibraryThing member lisahistory
This grew on me; the main character's background, and people's reaction to it, is a central theme in the story, and the reader's knowledge of it increases gradually. She is very self-aware; you really understand the emotions. My only disappointment was the last chapter -- the romance aspect of the
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story doesn't seem to fit with the mystery. A great start to a series. Show Less
Awards
RITA Award (Finalist — Best First Book — 2013)
Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense (Finalist - Published Division — 2013)
Language
Original publication date
2012-11-06
ISBN
9781101612323
Local notes
Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes. Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage--a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent.