Deadly Affair

Alec Halsey Mystery #2

by Lucinda Brant

Autumn 1763. Career diplomat Alec Halsey has been elevated to a marquessate he doesn't want and Polite Society believes he doesn't deserve. And with the suspicion he murdered his brother still lingering in London drawing rooms, returning to London after seven months in seclusion might well be a mistake. So when a nobody vicar drops dead beside him at a party-political dinner, and his rabble-rousing uncle Plantagenet is bashed and left for dead in a laneway, Alec’s foreboding deepens. Uncovering the vicar's true identity, Alec suspects the man was poisoned. But who would want a seemingly harmless man of God murdered, and why?


2016 Goethe International Novel Writing Competition Finalist for Outstanding Works in Post-1750s Historical Fiction
2012 Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year Finalist
Full-length novel (114,000 words, about 450 standard printed pages)
Non explicit (mild sensuality, mild violence)
Character-driven amateur sleuth


"Descriptions are so vivid I felt as if I were there, experiencing the sights and sounds of Georgian London. Lucinda Brant gets five stars from me, and I can't wait to read the other books in the Alec Halsey series” — Anne Boling, Readers’ Favorite, rated 5 STARS


“Lucinda Brant has crafted a clever and intriguing mystery in [Deadly Affair] which very skilfully pulls together seemingly disparate plot threads to reach a thoroughly satisfying conclusion with a couple of plot twists I most definitely did not see coming. [I am] hooked and eager for more.” — Caz Owens All About Romance, rated a DESERT ISLE KEEPER


Connecting Books
Many readers enjoy Lucinda Brant's books as part of a wider series since her characters inhabit the same meticulously-researched 18th Century world with people and events cross-referenced throughout. You can explore the details and delve deeper into the history within each book by visiting LucindaBrantAuthor on Pinterest. Should you wish to read each series in chronological order, here is the sequence:


Alec Halsey Mysteries
Spring 1763 DEADLY ENGAGEMENT (Country house murder and mayhem)
Autumn 1763 DEADLY AFFAIR (A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda)
Winter 1763 DEADLY PERIL (Bloody intrigue abroad)
Summer 1764 DEADLY KIN (Evil lurks in Edinburgh) In progress


Salt Hendon Series
1763 SALT BRIDE (Magnus and Jane)
1767 SALT REDUX (Antony and Caroline)
SALT HENDON COLLECTION — boxed set with bonus novella SALT ANGEL


Roxton Family Saga
1740s NOBLE SATYR (Renard and Antonia)
1760s MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE (Julian and Deb)
1770s AUTUMN DUCHESS (Antonia and Jonathon)
1770s DAIR DEVIL (Dair and Rory)
1770s PROUD MARY (Mary and Christopher) In progress
1780s SATYR’S SON (Henri-Antoine and Lisa) In progress

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Romance, Historical Romance, Georgian

387 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2012

About the author

Hello! I'm a history geek who loves the 18th Century!
I write about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters. When I'm not in my writing cave in the 1700s I live in the middle of a koala reserve, so the neighbors are cute and cuddly and sleep all day!
I write because I must, and I write from the heart, and only what I love to read.
My books have been on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and Audible bestseller lists, and have won numerous awards. All are available as audiobooks narrated by British actors Alex Wyndham, Mary Jane Wells and Matthew Lloyd Davies, and voice talent Marian Hussey. My books are also available in translation— French, German, Italian, and Japanese languages. I love to hear from my readers.

Reviews

[Ingie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written November 14, 2015

4.8 Stars - Yet again a highly entertaining historical mystery narrated by a amazing narrator in Wyndham

Book #2

I really liked the fist part Deadly Engagement (5 stars) about the career diplomat Alec Halsey in the 1760:s in this historical (m/f) mystery series with a light romance touch. — 11:18 hrs once again narrated by the excellent Alex Wyndham (my favorite audio-voice right now).



Enjoyed every minute — OMG Good !!
These Alex Halsey Mystery stories and audiobooks editions has it all. These books are not steamy romances in the traditional HR styke but terrific well done whodunnit 'Crimances'. In my opinion perfect pleasurable listenings if you like light both old-styled murder mysteries, historicals, storylines with humor and a bunch enjoying very typical upperclass British characters and also a nice lovestory to cross you fingers for. Add a freaking great narrator.

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Autumn 1763

Seven months after we left them in book #1 a nobody vicar drops dead seated beside our dear tough friend (by a now Marquess) Lord Alex Halsey at a (political) dinner party. There is once again a murder case our dashing hero must help old friend and acquaintances to solve.

I'm not going to try to explain anything about this crime plot, it is quite complicated and there are a lot of characters involved (hard to keep track on sometimes..). I can just say it was a good one and it was hard to guess who was the nasty evil one before the very end. Ms Brant also give us a more believable "historical world" than in the usual HR I mostly read. Here we get even ugly details about life and it isn't all set in a pinkish glamorous noble Lord & Lady world. I like those sometimes gritty "real life" details.

Most important is that we once again get to meet Halsey's beloved friends; The lovely old grunting uncle Plantagenet Halsey, the young clever valet Thomas "Tam" Fisher and 'course Halsey's big life-love, the beautiful Mrs. Selina Jamison-Lewis. ~ Will it be a grand romantic HEA end this time?

‘He caught a fleeting glimpse of a halo of mussed apricot-colored curls and the glint from a swinging diamond drop earring before the servant door was thrown wide, and he could make good his escape without a glance at the majestic woman who swept into the room on the pronouncement.’

What not to love? What not to like? Absolutely nothing. In my opinion faultlessly. Lucinda Brant does it great. Don't miss this joy.

Eagerly awaiting the third part Deadly Peril: A Georgian Historical Mystery (publ. now in November) to be published as an audiobook as well. A perfect Ingela Christmas present maybe?

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I LIKE - to find new splendid good gems

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book and as soon as I finished it I jumped into this one. It was only ok. I thought it a bit overlong and did have several plot lines but nothing like the first book. The books are well researched and written and deal with issues that were problematic for the Georgian time such as slavery, abuse of women and poverty. I plan to continue with the series at a later date. 3.5*

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've given this an A+ for narration and a B+ for content at AAR, so I'm rounding up here.

In Deadly Affair, the second book in Lucinda Brant’s series of Alec Halsey Mysteries, listeners are again immersed in the world of Georgian London so skilfully evoked by the author, whose love for and detailed research into the period shine through at every turn. Her descriptions of the sights, sounds – and smells! – of the homes of the rich, the back-street slums, the coffee houses; and of the silks, velvets and lace adorning the fashions of the day put the listener right into the middle of the action and make it easy to picture the locations and characters in the mind’s eye.

Eschewing the opulence of colour and decoration espoused by the ton in favour of severe black, like a raven amid a muster of peacocks, is the intelligent, austerely handsome Alec Halsey, career diplomat and brother to an earl. In the previous book, Deadly Engagement, listeners learned of the long and deeply held enmity between Alec and his brother and now, following the earl’s death, Alec is poised to inherit a title he doesn’t want but cannot refuse. Even worse for him, the title is elevated to a marquessate, and the new Marquess Halsey then buries himself at his country estate for seven months while he attends to various family matters and estate business. During this time, rumours begin to circulate which suggest Alec is responsible for the death of his brother; and if that isn’t bad enough, his recently re-kindled love affair with the woman he’s loved for years has taken a turn for the worse.

Upon his return to London, Alec attends a dinner party hosted by an old schoolmate, Sir Charles Weir, member of parliament and protégé of the Foreign Secretary, the powerful and influential Duke of Cleveley. Alec finds himself seated next to the Reverend Blackwell, a congenial, somewhat scruffy older gentleman who seems rather out of place among this particular gathering. The evening is not quite over when Blackwell suddenly becomes unwell, and then, to the shock of everyone present, dies of what appears to be a heart attack. But Alec is suspicious, especially as, shortly before the reverend’s death, he had overheard Cleveley’s stepson telling Sir Charles that he suspected Blackwell of blackmailing the duke. But with nothing else to go on, Alec can do no more, even when the rumour-mill kicks into gear once more and starts pointing the finger at him as the architect of Blackwell’s demise. Once a murderer, always a murderer, it seems.

A few days later, Alec attends a painting exhibition at which another incident connected to the duke’s family only serves to enhance his suspicions. One of the artworks –a portrait of a young woman and her daughter – is shown to have been maliciously defaced, its subject purported to be a lady of good birth upon whom the duke’s stepson, George Stanton had forced his attentions. Sir Charles asks Alec to look into the matter as he is concerned for the damage that could be done to his patron should the truth of Stanton’s behaviour be revealed.

Lucinda Brant has crafted a clever and intriguing mystery in which she very skilfully pulls together her seemingly disparate plot threads to reach a thoroughly satisfying conclusion with a couple of plot twists I most definitely did not see coming. There are a number of secondary characters and familial connections upon which much of the story turns, and I admit that I had a little trouble keeping track of them all at first. As the story progressed this became much easier, but this is definitely an audiobook where the listener needs to be fully engaged so as to remember who is who and who is related to whom. Fortunately, however, engagement is not a problem because Alex Wyndham’s performance is so very good as to make it an easy matter to concentrate and become fully invested in the story.

It’s probably not necessary to have read or listened to Deadly Engagement in order to enjoy and understand Deadly Affair, but that book does lay out the basis for the romantic relationship that runs through both books in the series so far, that between Alec and Selina Jamison-Lewis, the woman he’d loved years before but been prevented from marrying when her family made her marry a wealthy, older and abusive man. At the end of the previous book, Alec and Selina have re-kindled their romance, but in this one, things between them have started to fall apart. We’re told that they spent a blissful week together (in bed!) in Paris, but that they parted acrimoniously when Selina refused Alec’s proposal of marriage. So the romance in Deadly Affair, such as it is, is really treading water, with Alec unable to understand why Selina rejected him and Selina hesitant to confide in him and risk his leaving her forever.

Another warning: while the mystery surrounding the defaced painting and Blackwell’s murder is solved by the end, the epilogue is actually a massive cliffhanger which is a lead-in to the next book, Deadly Peril which will be released this Autumn. So if you don’t want to be left hanging, perhaps you might not want to listen to the epilogue just yet!

When I listened to Deadly Engagement, I was extremely impressed with Alex Wyndham’s narration, which, barring one or two very minor niggles, was absolutely excellent. He is a well-known face on British television, having appeared in various productions including most recently, the WW1 set drama The Crimson Field - but he does not have a large number of audiobooks to his credit, and past experience has shown me that well-known screen actors do not always make good audiobook performers. Thankfully, however, Mr Wyndham very quickly put any fears I might have had on that score to rest, and in fact, his performance here is even better than in the previous audiobook in the series . The narrative is well-paced and clearly enunciated and each character is voiced distinctly and appropriately using a variety of tone, pitch and accent. My Wyndham’s own smooth, rich baritone depicts Alec Halsey to perfection, revealing him as a man of great intelligence, wit and passion, and I continue to be impressed with the way he portrays the female characters without resorting to falsetto or making them sound screechy. He is equally good in the “character” roles, such as Alec’s bluff uncle Plantagenet, or the boorish, whining George Stanton; and his portrayal of the villain of the piece as a softly spoken, smooth tongued manipulator is excellent.

I really can’t fault his performance, which is simply outstanding all round. He has now narrated three of Lucinda Brant’s books, and there are more to come with the release of her Roxton Family Saga stories over the next few months, plus more Alec Halsey mysteries. This listener is hooked and eager for more.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

January 1, 2016
One of my five 2015 favorites on Romantic Historical Reviews. Please follow the link to see favorites from Caz, Wendy, Claudia, Natalie, Sara, and moi.

Last year, I recommended Grace Burrowes’ entire Captive Hearts trilogy, as I could not pick a favorite from among them, and this year I find myself in a similar quandary. Lucinda Brant, whose books are set in Georgian England, has published three series, but I think the very best is the Alec Halsey Mystery series. The first two volumes – Deadly Engagement: A Georgian Historical Mystery and Deadly Affair: A Georgian Historical Mystery – came out in audio format in 2015. The third, Deadly Peril: A Georgian Historical Mystery, was published in print last month, and the audio version will be issued very soon. Alec Halsey is a career diplomat who was rather chagrined to find himself elevated to a marquessate for services to the crown. He is handsome, intelligent, somewhat enigmatic, intensely honorable, and decidedly his own man, and he gets involved with intrigues and mysteries, while trying to revive his relationship with his first love, a lady who is now a widow.

With impressive research and first-class writing, Lucinda Brant vividly recreates 18th century England and deftly combines mystery and romance into one big delightful package that will please fans of both genres. She has found the perfect narrator in British actor Alex Wyndham, whose beautiful baritone perfectly captures the swoon-worthy Halsey, and who is equally adept at voicing females of all ages. Wyndham does not just narrate Brant’s stories, he virtually inhabits Brant’s characters. Listening to him is a joy beyond joy.

[Mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts almost where the previous one has ended.

I suppose both books could be read as a stand-alone, but to better appreciate them I find that is better to read them in order! :)

Here we meet again all the main characters from the previous one and get to know them better!

The wrtiting and research done is great and I could feel myself transported in the historical period.

I still felt slightly revulsed by the way of life then: the men with shaved heads and wigs, the unwashed bodies, the abouse suffered by those not aristocratic born and thier treatment like cattle... It was difficult to read that rapes were covered, children killed, servants abused... But I suppose that was like that and I appreciated the truth.

The mystery here was very convoluted and I almost got lost of who was who and who was releated to whome! But it was so very ineteresting that I devoured the book!

There was only one thing I didn't like and that was Selina not telling Alec about her miscarriage and about her aborting her late husband's children because they being conceved in rape. I really couldn't understand why? After all Alec know about her past and he seemed to me like an intelligent man...

But apart that the book is excellent and I'll be looking forward to reading the next one and to finding out what will happened with Alec and Selina! :)

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second of the Deadly trilogy, Lucinda Brant has again crafted a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people and surroundings of decadent Georgian England. Throw into the mix, witty prose, a touch of romance, murder and mystery all served up in this engaging audio version by the delectable - melted chocolate voiced - Alex Wyndham, and we have a near perfect recipe for success.

The enigmatic and drop-dead-gorgeous Alec Halsey has returned after seven months of self imposed exile, still under suspicion of the murder of his brother by the upper echelons of society. Not only has career diplomat Alec had to assume the mantle of the Earldom vacated after his brother's untimely and violent death but he has now been elevated to a Marquessate much against his will. His ongoing love affair with Selina Jamison-Lewis (Deadly Engagement) has once again hit the rocks and he has returned to London an unhappy man.

Whilst attending a party-political dinner at the home of an old school friend - Sir Charles Weir - Alec is seated next to a scruffy, mild mannered clergyman named Blackwell whose attendance at the dinner is apparently at the invitation of the austere and autocratic Duke of Cleveley - an alliance most are at a loss to understand. When this unprepossessing vicar promptly ups and dies, to all intents and purposes of a heart attack, the mystery of his connection to Cleveley ratchets up. To begin with the symptoms of heart failure are accepted, although there is talk of yet another death in Alec Halsey's vicinity, this last just spiteful and vicious innuendo. But eventually it is Alec's irascible Uncle Plantagenet Halsey who plants the seed of doubt re the Reverend's death, which is then followed up by Alec and Tam, valet to the Marquess but also a trainee apothecary, who has known Blackwell as a friend and colleague, using his healing skills to help dispense medicines to the poor of St.Jude's.

The story surrounding the life and death of this apparently unknown vicar unwinds in a dramatic and ingenious manner, with many twists and turns and I did not even begin to see how it would play out until very near the end. Lucinda Brant's research is evident and obviously extensive into the rich fashions, surroundings and politics of the era but also into plants and their uses and of the people who dispense them in medicine form, the forerunners of chemists and practitioners of today.

There is a large cast of fascinating individuals brought to life by the multi-talented Alex Wyndham. His range of tone and pitch is stunning, whilst listening it is difficult to believe that this is one man, portraying many people from all walks of life, with different accents from the highest to the lowest. Even during conversations between two or more people his characterisations are clear; the gravelly voiced, cantankerous Uncle Plan - who at times sounds suspiciously like Prince Charles - outspoken and a little batty; the boyishly earnest Tam and the spoiled, petulant Lord George Stanton in particular, the list is endless but of course Alex Wyndham will forever be for me, Alec Halsey, darkly handsome, honourable, cool, calm, and collected. If I have one criticism it is that the situation between Alec and Selina is still not resolved and we must now wait for Deadly Peril. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for the fabulous Brant/Wyndham team.

[☠tsukino☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Non posso che ripetermi, i libri di quest’autrice mi piacciano parecchio, peccato abbiano poca diffusione.
Tutti i romanzi hanno uno schema che si ripete, all’inizio sono solo accennati dei fatti che rendono la storia un tantino incomprensibile, man mano che si va avanti con la lettura alcune cose sono chiarite e sembrano portatati verso una chiara soluzione, alla fine, quando tutta la trama è dipanata, si scopre che le cose non erano come sembravano.
Alec Halsey è un personaggio veramente interessante (così come lo zio, Tam, la madrina, etc) e sono veramente in ansia di sapere gli sviluppi della sua storia con la dolce e forte Selina.
Se in Fidanzamento Mortale è l’inizio ad essere folgorante, in questo secondo capitolo è l’epilogo.
Fino adesso, ogni libro della Brant che ho letto, pur essendo parti di serie (due di Salt Hendon e uno di Alec Halsey) erano abbastanza autoconclusivi, Relazione Mortale, invece, finisce con un bel cliffhanger.

EDIT
rilettura in vista della lettura del terzo della serie, non vedo l'ora.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this second of the Alec Halsey mystery books. I'd never read a historical mystery prior to this series and I do believe that I quite like them!! Very different catching a killer in the 1700s compared to today.

[Carol Cork *Young at Heart Oldie* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Alec Halsey Mystery series and, once again, Lucinda Brant’s superb writing and Alex Wyndham’s outstanding narration earned a Stellar 5 stars from me.

Ms. Brant weaves an intricate tale of murder, mystery and intrigue and the unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing as to the murderer’s identity and motive. It was like a dot-to-dot where you cannot see the complete picture until you have joined all the dots and I am in awe of her ability to keep track of all the various plot strands.

In addition to Alec, our handsome, honourable, intelligent and inscrutable hero, there is an extensive, well-developed and colourful cast of secondary characters. Some I had previously met in Deadly Engagement – Alec’s plain-speaking, irascible uncle, Plantagenet Halsey; the earnest, sincere Tam, Alec’s self-appointed valet and apprentice apothecary, and Selina Jamison-Lewis, the love of Alec’s life. Others, including the corpulent, drunken, appallingly vulgar Lord George Stanton, are new characters who provide an abundance of potential suspects.

As this is predominantly a mystery, the continuing love affair between Alec and Selina understandably takes a back seat but there is enough tension between the two to keep things interesting. Selina is harbouring secrets from Alec, which she is afraid to reveal for fear of losing his love, and her suggestion that she become his mistress rather than his wife, only creates a bigger wedge between them.

I love how Ms. Brant effortlessly transports me back to Georgian England, bringing to vivid life the elegance, opulence and decadence of this era as well as its darker aspects. Her extensive research is apparent, not only in the fashions, furnishings and etiquette of the day, but also in the political arena and the world of the apothecary.

The Epilogue promises more danger and intrigue for Alec and hopefully a happy resolution to the situation between him and Salina.

Yet another top-notch performance from the accomplished Alex Wyndham whose vocal range is so impressive, delivering distinguishable voices for each of the extensive cast, whether it is the super cool Alec, the crusty, old Plantagenet Halsey or the whiny, petulant Lord George Stanton. His ability to convey the drama, tensions and emotions kept me totally immersed in the story.

MY VERDICT: Simply superb!


Alec Halsey Mystery series (click on the link for more details):

https://www.goodreads.com/series/7104...



**I received a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review**



This review was first posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:

https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a Lucinda Brant book and I’m so happy I did!! It is a beautifully written Georgian Historical Mystery. It is the 2nd book in the Alec Hasley mystery series, but I ran across it first. Although I will absolutely be going back and reading the 1st in the series, this book can totally be read as a stand-alone. There’s just enough back-story to help you understand what’s going on, but not so much you get bogged down by it. There are a lot of characters to sort through, each with their own wonderful personality and possible reasons for murder…but don’t worry I won’t give that away! You’ll want to find out for yourself, trust me!
Alec is a great character and everything you want in your hero! He is in love with Selina who has just told him they can’t get married but since there has been a murder, his father attacked and a woman hidden away in the country and everyone seems to be involved in one way or another, Alec has no time to find out why she’s changed her mind! His father Plantagenet and their valet Tam are wonderful characters also and I look forward to reading more about them.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out!!

[Lady Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am now officially a HUGE Lucinda Brant fan!

[Aya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alec Halsey Mystery: 2
Set seven months after the previous book, Alec has been busy becoming Earl Delvin as well as a newly elevated Marquess. The scurrilous rumors making the rounds vary from Alec being the bastard child of his lady mother and her mulatto footman to the mutation of the actual events from the last book resulting in the story that Alec killed his brother and was only saved by the grace of his godmother's connections. This is another masterpiece of convoluted plot threads that the author pulls into shape by the end like a magic trick. It's amazing she was able to weave it all into a coherent story. The ending made it worth it, but this was a somewhat frustrating read with all the gossip mongering, added to that red herrings and misdirections. Sadly, the romance between Alec and Selina which seemed solid at the end of the last book is now a painful mess, aggravated by the trope of keeping secrets. Unfortunately, the very last scene leaves the book with a cliffhanger.

[Larisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Have read this twice in the past three months. Life's been that way and this book is THAT good. Also you must be warned: I have a ridiculously large fan-girl crush on Alec Halsey. Gold Spectacles. When you read the book you'll understand, and probably flutter along with me. Best of all, he's the cherry on top of this layered, decadent treat, even if he does dress like sumptuous crow in his black velvets, un-powdered hair, and consistently exhibit his very inquisitive disposition.

Once again we're dropped into Georgian London, in all its layers and flavors - that of the rich & powerful, of the poor, and of the servants - in all its scented to stench filled glory. Plot threads deftly weave, warp, and dangle amidst all the emotions, prejudices, politics and mores of the moment. It is very easy to "be there" in the story, seeing the mind-bogglingly decadent interiors, coaches and clothes; feeling the silks, velvets, satins and leather. Also smelling the coffee in the houses, the dank, fetid alleys, the crush at the opera. Feeling the characters pain, uncertainties, understanding their hesitations. All the stuff of top-notch fiction.

Plus we get a mystery, lead by an smart yet still very human hero. This time I was certain I had figured out the villain, if not all the motives and history of the mystery. 90% into the book a completely wicked, and absolutely stunningly perfect plot twist rendered my certainty invalid, with an even better villain. A shudderingly creepy villain once the motives are revealed.

A villain who seems to be part of a trend in historical fiction written by non-American authors. To say more on this would be a spoiler...Also international authors like Ms Brant are very, very skilled at weaving behaviors we now consider unspeakably horrible into the stories with excellent nuance, making the issues very real and human, not caricatures.

I cannot wait for the third installment in the series. To know what becomes Alec, Plantagenet, Selina, Tam, Cosmo, each and everyone of the cast of characters.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the word disfunctuonal appeared in literature to describe families among other areas, in Lucinda Brant's Deadly Affair, this word is much too light to describe the family with which Alec Halsey, Marquess has to deal. A few other words come to mind such as crazy, eccentric, insane, debilitated, bigoted, and the list goes on. Lucinda Brant's characterization is truly dynamic. Alec has gotten himself into a right royal mess, but like Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, Lord Alec Halsey draws this family together to identify the killer as well as clarify all aspects of the entire situation which this family has gotten themselves involved, and believe me, it is a doozy! This story is packed with some unbelievable happenings. Ms. Brant's Deadly Affair is a great story. Never a dull moment for the reader. This book will definitely keep one up at night! I am looking forward to reading book 3, Deadly Peril. Oh, Alec, what have you gotten yourself into now?!

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Darn. Another series where I really liked the first book but the second fell flat for me.

I liked the character of Alec and the obstacles he had to face in the first book. The stupidity of the "aristocracy" and the oppressive rules they impose on themselves, and how Alec was successful in bucking those rules and being successful as a decent human being in spite of them.

In this book, the focus was more on the male battles for supremacy and jockeying for position, and that was just not as interesting for me [maybe I'm sexist ;-)]

I was not engaged with what was happening in this, and with so many other books I'm dying to read, if something doesn't hold my attention, I'm going to move on to the next one. That's what I'm doing with this. It just wasn't for me.

[Persis Menon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series but just don't like the abrupt 'to be continued' at the end. This leaves you with a cliff hanger of an ending. I enjoy everything about this book except the way the author is bring forth Mrs. JL
I really don't see why every one has to give her so much slack for spreading her legs like that, and her excuse being that she was married to the horrible Mr. JL. Is everyone forgetting or blind to the fact that she choose this JL over ALEX, just cause he didn't have a title!!

[Kiesha ~ Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saints Mary and Joseph, I'm not sure a series can get any better. The characters are great and so many twists and turns.. Felt like I was playing twister!!! Plantagenet Halsey = one of the best and most belligerent characters in the history of books. I love his walking cane; he's a modern day liberal! LOVE him. ♥

[Bethanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic story

Once again a very complex story with more intrigue than humanly possible. It seems everyone has a secret or a reason to get involved in the evil doings. A seemingly poor Vicar dies during a dinner party ( not poor, second son of an Earl) and Lord Halsey was sitting beside him. Of course rumors abound that Alex had something to do with this death. Add in the Duke, his step son, numerous valets, friends, and a drug addict artist and there's no possibility of a dull time. By the end, the secrets were revealed and the reasons for the few deaths is finally explained. It's a bit complicated but definitely not dull.

[Amarilli 73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bello, anche più del primo.
Sino all'ultimo avevo dubbi, ma non avevo intuito la soluzione.
Finale molto alla Poirot, ma davvero ben argomentato.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the Alec Halsey Mystery series. There is only one more currently available with the fourth book not due out until the end of 2017. I'm so impatient!!! I wait very impatiently for a new book to come out and then I devour it in one sitting!

I won't go over the book plot because you can read that in the book blurb. We have many of the same characters from the first book.

Alec Halsey. Somehow Alec has become a Marquess without much explanation in the book. It appears to be mostly because of a 'word' from the Duke featured in this book and the recurring Duchess. In the last book Alec became an Earl when his brother was murdered. Evidently many people blamed Alec for murdering his brother. Not sure how that came to be -- because Alec wasn't even in the room when the Earl was shot (he was in a room full of people) and there was an eye witness who named another person as the shooter. Anyway -- that all seems muddy to me. Maybe that part will make more sense to you -- it didn't keep me from loving the book -- just puzzled me.

Selena She and Alec have loved each other for years, but she was married off to a very, very, very abusive husband. He has died and she is now a widow. She still has to wait out her year of morning, but Alec wants to marry her. She is refusing him saying that she'll be his mistress instead. She has this 'big secret' that happened in Paris and she hasn't told him and apparently doesn't intend to.

Tam We found out in the last book that Tam (Thomas) is actually Alec's nephew (his brothers by-blow). Alec hasn't told Tam about that and I'm not sure why. He is trying to help Tam, but he's making Tam nervous. Tam is Alec's valet, but Alec is trying to ease him out of that to become an Apothecary. Evidently, in that time Apothecaries could be/were also male midwives. Tam ends up delivering a baby in this book -- COOL!

Plantagenet Halsey What a hoot he is!!! He is Alec's uncle and he raised Alec. He is a member of parliament and has what is very progressive, radical views for the time. He argues with everybody. You'll love him.

Alec has quite a mystery to solve -- murder (more than one), kidnapping, blackmail, all kinds of deception and deceit. Alex and his friends work through it all and have a happy ending for those involved.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it if you enjoy mysteries.

[Maggi Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1763, Deadly Affair is the second book in the Alec Halsey Mystery series.

Like a good historical murder mystery? This is the one. Lucinda Brant’s writing is joy to read. I haven’t read the first in the series, but this works well as a stand alone. I was able to follow the story and enjoyed her layered and complex characters. Brant’s grasp of the Georgian era and its social mores is impressive. A bit of a mystery himself, Alec Halsey is one of the best heroes I’ve read in a while. I grinned at our first view of him done cleverly through the conversation between two guests at the party-political dinner.

“He’s rather handsome in an angular sort of way. Big bony nose and large—” “What? No powder and a scrap of lace makes him handsome?” “—deep blue eyes,” Lady Cobham finished with a crooked smile, appraising Alec from well-muscled calf to coal black curls. “You’re blind! He could very well be mistaken for an American savage.” “Yes. That old rumor about—” “Rumor?” “—his real papa being a black lackey who took my lady Delvin’s fancy has stuck, hasn’t it?” “It’s stuck, Caro, because the swarthy devil’s a-a half-breed. One only has to look at him to see that!” The woman sighed deeply. “Yes, just look at him. Common report says he’s as virile as a savage…”

Halsey is in love with Selina Jamison-Lewis but now finds she won’t marry him. On the death of his brother, Alec Halsey has been elevated to Marquessate Halsey, and it doesn’t sit well with him, especially as there are rumours that he murdered his brother. He’s invited to the dinner where a clergyman, Blackwell is murdered. The intriguing story unfolds at a great pace, keeping me interested. Brant’s secondary characters are well drawn, particularly Tam and Plantagenet who carry much of this story. It kept me engrossed until the end. I’m hooked! A worthy 5 stars.

[Marguerite Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, even more than the first one, and I romped through it. Alec Halsey is absolutely my favourite kind of hero, totally and utterly sexy, honourable, dark and devilish, irreverent - oh, and did I mention that he's sexy?

This story takes place almost immediately after the end of the last. Alec and Selina have - sort 0f - moved their relationship on, but their trust in each other takes a bit of a battering as this story develops. We have some very welcome return appearances from Uncle Plan and Tam, and a host of new characters, a brilliant mix of the sordid and the scheming, the weak and the conniving - and a few innocent victims to boot. The story is intricate, with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing to the end, when some people may - or may not - get their just desserts - and some threads are left still unravelling. It certainly kept me turning the pages long after I should have stopped and got on with my own work.

My only tiny gripe is that Alec and Selina's relationship is left dangling right at the end, not so much tantalisingly as kind of a bit annoyingly - I do feel that two such strong characters would have had some sort of showdown without them both heading off into the next book in different directions. But it is a tiny gripe

This is witty and gritty and sexy and just a really great story. Thank goodness the next one is already out.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really loving this series! Set in the Georgian time period, this does a great job with descriptions, clothes, snuff boxes, décor - plus the mystery is good, a real puzzler for me, though I did guess the culprit but there were a lot of red herrings to throw you off the scent. On audiobook, I love the narrator who brings it all to life! Alec Halsey is back again and in the thick of it with the death of a shabby cleric at a dinner party (who he's sitting right next to). Alec's lady love is in the picture too as well as his uncle Plantagenet and his manservant/apothecary Tam - and many other new faces which brings it all to a dramatic ending! Can't wait for the next! This is my favorite historical mystery series at the moment!

4.5/5

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 for voicing and story, great series. Usually involving a crime and Alec figuring out the story behind the story. He's quite good and the novels and the plot are well written.

Lucinda Brant is quite capable of building a complex plot without losing folks in the details.

Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys just a bit of romance in their historical mysteries.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

Set in 1763, Deadly Affair is the second book in the Alec Halsey Mystery series. However, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Read full review in the 2012 July/August issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns in this historical mystery set in 18th century Britain. The historical details were spot on and placed me right in the scene. An excellent narrator. I enjoyed this audio version very much.

[Marianne Boutet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another un-put-down-able adventure! Excellent read. I am irritated because so many of the reviews were all about the narration of the audible version. Doesn't anybody READ anymore? Ahem. On to book 3!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1763 and now Alec is a Marquis but when a vicar dies, sitting next to him, at a dinner given by Sir Charles Weir decides to investiagte. But soon secrets start to be revealed.
Another well-written, enjoyable mystery in this series

[L.T. Fawkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucinda Brandt, $4.99 on Kindle **** This is what I look for in a historical novel and seldom find. Great characters, pacing, and plot, and minimal swooning. Lots of tasty historical detail.

[Kaetrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

reviewed for AudioGals. http://www.audiogals.net/2015/06/dead...

Excellent narrator!!