1763 and Alec Halsey's past has finally caught up with him. He is sent on a diplomatic mission to Midanich, to bargain or pay for the release of two of his friends.
While enjoyable (those at times there was too much description) this is not a mystery but a thriller so for me not as interesting as the previous two books. ( )

Rounding up from 3.5 stars. There is much to love about this series but the last two books have bogged down somewhat for me, especially with this book's focus on he civil war. Perhaps if they were not sold under the "mystery" subtitle I'd feel more forgiving? In any case, I'm still enjoying the harassers enough to keep on, though maybe not with as much enthusiasm as I' expected after book #1 ( )

Audiobook Review: For its description only, it is worth the read. Fall in love with the Georgian era!

Lucinda Brant drops us into a scene, so described with her evoking words, as reader, I am there among the throng, mingling and hearing the thoughts of the participants in the room, smelling death connected to the beginnings of intrigue and a mystery evolving. Brant, from the outset, has me asking questions, questioning what my eyes are seeing…and so begins another marvelous mystery from an author I greatly admire.

This particular series I’ve followed by audiobook from the beginning. With Alex Wyndham’s narration, the story is no longer just a story, it’s real, with the pomp and circumstance of the Georgian era in and amongst royalty, with characters’ voices, emotions, and carriage stamped into my mind. A top performance if there ever was one!

Alec has a past he would sooner bury than remember. In fact, no one in England had any idea how involved he was some ten years past with the Margrave and his children. Although Alec would sooner forget, apparently, the new Margrave Ernst has not.

During unstable times of civil war of this kingdom, Cosmo and Emily, both dear friends to Alec, have taken a short stop to the kingdom to deliver some documents. The Margrave uses these two to lure Alec back to Midanich. Alec takes the journey, not knowing if he could get into the kingdom again, since his exist was rather…unusual. His godmother, uncle and Selena accompany him, much to his chagrin.

Cosmo is an arresting figure. In his present circumstances, I can see why he is Alec’s best friend. He suffers much in this story, helping the reader to understand the evil which permeates the Margrave’s castle.

The Duchess, Alec’s godmother, is particularly entertaining. Again, Wyndham captures whom she is, her hysteria, her age and her complete determination to save Emily and Cosmo, Emily being her niece and Cosmo her grandson. She even pulls, Selena, her other niece into her plans of saving all three, Emily, Cosmo and Alec. The Duchess comments with asperity that she seems to be related to everyone, appearing irksome, although it also has its benefits as she would grudgingly admit.

Alec Halsey has played a central role in this series, extremely engaging with a will of steel, quick wit, and just plain luck. Brant has done her homework detailing with superb description a historically accurate setting.

I love reading this series, the way enough romance and the softer feelings of man play a role, yet the story is not centered on that exclusively. With many layers of intrigue, the suspense is greater, the reality of the situation more intriguing, which kept me completely at the mercy of Brant’s pen. ( )