The historical suspense story is set in April 1890, London. The new case for Detective Rudyard Bloodstone (also known as Ruddy) and partner Detective Archie Holbrook begins with the victims coming to the Holborn Station to report a robbery. Two (2) other officers that are sitting at nearby desks come closer to Ruddy, Archie, and the couple as they can’t imagine they have heard correctly that the robber used a most unusual robbery weapon of a snake.

”A Venomous Love” can be read as a stand-alone but those familiar with the series will appreciate the return of landlady Mrs. Goodge, and Ruddy’s brother Will. Without adding a spoiler, I really enjoyed Ruddy’s solution to help Will with temporary employment that also befits the case.

Background to review...
I was asked by the author to read and review this novel as I had read the 2nd novel in The Bloodstone series and gave a tentative reply as I have always been afraid of snakes. This fear was exacerbated by an experience as an elementary school librarian. The 5th grader had no awareness of my fear of snakes nor would I have wanted her to know and she was merely trying to share her delight of the snake she had brought to school that day for a discussion in science. It was merely a harmless garter snake but I didn't know that at the moment of her showing it to me. I was working at a student table (sitting alone at a table for 6) processing new books so I was looking down as I worked and when I looked up as she started speaking to me the snake's tongue was going in and out of its mouth less than an inch from my face. Whew!

When I explained my tentative reply for a “read and review” the author shared that use of a snake as the weapon in this story is based on a real event. A number of years ago Chris and her husband had dinner with a Metropolitan Police officer that they know and told them about her vacation in Morocco. She was checking out of the hotel when a British couple came dashing in claiming they were robbed at snake-point.

My lower star rating is due to errors that could have easily been corrected by a copy editor(s) and are very distracting and frustrating to me as a reader and former copy editor. I was hopeful for improvement as the series continued but am sadly disappointed. ( )

This is the second book I have read in this series. I started with book two. So, you can say that I literally jumped right into this series. Detective Bloodstone is an engaging person. The way he thinks and works to solve a case is nice.

To be honest, I don't quite remember Detective Bloodstone's partner, Detective Holbrook in the prior novel. If he was in the story, I guess he did not make an strong impression on me. I say this because this time around I did notice the dynamics between the two Detectives. It was nice. They worked well together.

The story itself was fine. There was intrigue. The time period as rich in the fact that I was transported back in time. Yet, in regards to the suspense; I can honestly say that I did figure out who was behind the attacks and their motives before the reveal. However, this is still a book that mystery fans including cozy mystery readers alike would enjoy. ( )