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Tabitha & Wolf Historical Mystery #4
An Inexplicable Woman
Step into 1897 Victorian Unravel Love and Intrigue with The Tabitha & Wolf Historical Mystery Series, where Mystery meets Romance with a splash of Humour.
Who is this mysterious woman from Wolf’s past who can so easily summon him to her side?
When Lady Arlene Archibald tracks Wolf down and begs him for help, he plans to travel to Brighton alone to see her. What was he thinking? Instead, he finds himself with an unruly entourage of lords, ladies, servants, children, and even a dog. Can and will he help Arlene prove her friend’s innocence? How will he manage Tabitha coming face-to-face with his first love? And how is he to dissuade the Dowager Countess of Pembroke from insinuating herself into the investigation?
Beneath its veneer of holiday, seaside fun, Brighton may be more sinister than it seems.
Who is this mysterious woman from Wolf’s past who can so easily summon him to her side?
When Lady Arlene Archibald tracks Wolf down and begs him for help, he plans to travel to Brighton alone to see her. What was he thinking? Instead, he finds himself with an unruly entourage of lords, ladies, servants, children, and even a dog. Can and will he help Arlene prove her friend’s innocence? How will he manage Tabitha coming face-to-face with his first love? And how is he to dissuade the Dowager Countess of Pembroke from insinuating herself into the investigation?
Beneath its veneer of holiday, seaside fun, Brighton may be more sinister than it seems.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 24, 2023
better
The main characters are interesting and we are beginning to see much more depth to the stories. It’s good to see them develop as the stories moves along.
And the dowager is not as annoying (bullying) in this story. But not sure it’s enough to make me want to continue. And it looks like the next book is all about her disappearance, so I guess she is continuing to be a presence. I certainly understand that a good story needs some tension and an antagonist to fill out the plot, but this woman is just mean and hateful. If she has any redeeming qualities they are hugely inadequate to make up for the negatives.
Langley is a good example where a character can cause tension and still be redeemed.
Let’s hope the next book mellows the dowager and becomes an enjoyable book to read. 🤞🏼
The main characters are interesting and we are beginning to see much more depth to the stories. It’s good to see them develop as the stories moves along.
And the dowager is not as annoying (bullying) in this story. But not sure it’s enough to make me want to continue. And it looks like the next book is all about her disappearance, so I guess she is continuing to be a presence. I certainly understand that a good story needs some tension and an antagonist to fill out the plot, but this woman is just mean and hateful. If she has any redeeming qualities they are hugely inadequate to make up for the negatives.
Langley is a good example where a character can cause tension and still be redeemed.
Let’s hope the next book mellows the dowager and becomes an enjoyable book to read. 🤞🏼
December 29, 2023
Not really sure why I keep reading this. The entourage is getting to be a lot. A LOT. This is honestly the worst way to investigate crimes. Also, the same descriptions of characters are being used over and over—like what is meant by Lord Langley being “reptilian”? And, yet, somehow, he gets more say so in how the kids are raised than Tabitha and Wolf? It’s just kind of strange. And, then, finally, a KISS!! But then nothing. Like, really, nothing. Not even a promised conversation. I know authors drag out romances to get more mileage out of these types of books, but this one is starting to try my patience.
August 6, 2025
An Inexplicable Woman
This is another good read by Sarah. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I love all the characters. The children, Langley, Bear and the dowager. You never know what will come out of her mouth.😊
This is another good read by Sarah. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I love all the characters. The children, Langley, Bear and the dowager. You never know what will come out of her mouth.😊
January 1, 2024
Tabitha and Wolf travel to Brighton to investigate the murder of an actress. A stagehand has been arrested for the crime, but the actress had a close friend who is convinced that the wrong man is being blamed for the crime. Since this close friend also happens to be Wolf's first love, she calls on him to help her find the real killer. Lots of details about Victorian Brighton, trains, hotels, food and amusements, give life to the tale.
July 11, 2025
Finally the silhouette on the book cover is wearing a more appropriate dress for the time period!
Sigh... I guess since I keep listening to these (audiobooks), I can't complain that they are boring. I mean, they're not so boring I stopped listening, right? But at the same time, I could not in good conscience recommend them to anyone who is looking for a good murder mystery novel; the mysteries/investigation are not really gripping, and there's a lot of focus on the romance side of the books (which is fine, if that's what you're looking for). There is actually an action scene in this one as the climax, and it's just really... low-key for a life and death situation. Dunno if it's the reader's voice or the author's words, but although some exciting shit happens, you're just like "oh I see, that's interesting" when you find out about it.
Also, I was a little annoyed that they ALMOST figure out who the killer is... but then they ACTUALLY discover the truth only by accidental overhearing of two people having a conversation along the lines of "you shouldn't have killed that lady" and "it was an accident oops lol" which is just like. Where is the detecting?? I suppose the argument here is that Tabitha might not have eavesdropped on these people to begin with if she weren't suspicious of one of them, so I suppose the earlier deductive work wasn't totally in vain.
To be honest, I've accepted that the "cozy" label is especially apt for this series. EVERYONE is perfect and decent and kind and virtuous (except the Dowager Countess, who continues to be a raging bitch who is just helpful enough that we put up with her shenanigans, and Lord Langley, who continues to be the only other major character with any personality). The children are ridiculously over the top perfect, only tolerable because they are too young to affect the plot much. There is a dog and it is cute. Even the evil love rival turns out to not be so bad (this is forgivable though; in my view love rivals shouldn't be truly awful people, since why would the guy be into her in that case?).
So with all these complaints, why do I continue to read these books? Well, they are hella cozy, I will give them that. It can be comforting to read a book where you know no characters will ever break your heart, and you don't need to feel any anxiety about what will happen being too scary or sad or upsetting (not that I feel this way, but I understand there are readers who do).
Speaking of the dog: if you'd like to read a cozy murder mystery series set in the 1920s in which the main characters almost always inexplicably have a dog with them, but it's done a bit better as the author generally remembers to mention the dog and where it is in every scene (usually, sleeping under a table or something, but the point is that he mentions it so the reader isn't like "oh how convenient that there is a random dog here" when it occasionally actually does something), then you could do worse than Benedict Brown's Lord Edgington series.
THE PLOT, FOR MY MEMORY WHEN I READ THE NEXT BOOK:
I don't have the next book, so this summary is especially important this time, since it might be a while until I can continue this series!
Sigh... I guess since I keep listening to these (audiobooks), I can't complain that they are boring. I mean, they're not so boring I stopped listening, right? But at the same time, I could not in good conscience recommend them to anyone who is looking for a good murder mystery novel; the mysteries/investigation are not really gripping, and there's a lot of focus on the romance side of the books (which is fine, if that's what you're looking for). There is actually an action scene in this one as the climax, and it's just really... low-key for a life and death situation. Dunno if it's the reader's voice or the author's words, but although some exciting shit happens, you're just like "oh I see, that's interesting" when you find out about it.
Also, I was a little annoyed that they ALMOST figure out who the killer is... but then they ACTUALLY discover the truth only by accidental overhearing of two people having a conversation along the lines of "you shouldn't have killed that lady" and "it was an accident oops lol" which is just like. Where is the detecting?? I suppose the argument here is that Tabitha might not have eavesdropped on these people to begin with if she weren't suspicious of one of them, so I suppose the earlier deductive work wasn't totally in vain.
To be honest, I've accepted that the "cozy" label is especially apt for this series. EVERYONE is perfect and decent and kind and virtuous (except the Dowager Countess, who continues to be a raging bitch who is just helpful enough that we put up with her shenanigans, and Lord Langley, who continues to be the only other major character with any personality). The children are ridiculously over the top perfect, only tolerable because they are too young to affect the plot much. There is a dog and it is cute. Even the evil love rival turns out to not be so bad (this is forgivable though; in my view love rivals shouldn't be truly awful people, since why would the guy be into her in that case?).
So with all these complaints, why do I continue to read these books? Well, they are hella cozy, I will give them that. It can be comforting to read a book where you know no characters will ever break your heart, and you don't need to feel any anxiety about what will happen being too scary or sad or upsetting (not that I feel this way, but I understand there are readers who do).
Speaking of the dog: if you'd like to read a cozy murder mystery series set in the 1920s in which the main characters almost always inexplicably have a dog with them, but it's done a bit better as the author generally remembers to mention the dog and where it is in every scene (usually, sleeping under a table or something, but the point is that he mentions it so the reader isn't like "oh how convenient that there is a random dog here" when it occasionally actually does something), then you could do worse than Benedict Brown's Lord Edgington series.
THE PLOT, FOR MY MEMORY WHEN I READ THE NEXT BOOK:
I don't have the next book, so this summary is especially important this time, since it might be a while until I can continue this series!
March 21, 2026
4.25/5 stars
I'm really enjoying this series featuring a headstrong and clever Countess and her late husband's cousin/successor to his earldom. What do I love about it? The characters first and foremost...both mains and sidekicks. The banter is exceptionally well done, the plots are interesting, and they always keep me entertained from beginning to end.
My only surprise here was that the relationship between the two mains seemed a bit speeded up from what I was expecting. But that's not a bad thing...just not what I expected from the previous tempo of things.
Looking forward to more from Tabitha, Wolf and gang and anxious to see where this new personal dynamic will lead.
I'm really enjoying this series featuring a headstrong and clever Countess and her late husband's cousin/successor to his earldom. What do I love about it? The characters first and foremost...both mains and sidekicks. The banter is exceptionally well done, the plots are interesting, and they always keep me entertained from beginning to end.
My only surprise here was that the relationship between the two mains seemed a bit speeded up from what I was expecting. But that's not a bad thing...just not what I expected from the previous tempo of things.
Looking forward to more from Tabitha, Wolf and gang and anxious to see where this new personal dynamic will lead.
September 9, 2026
By the sea, by the sea….
A plea from Wolf’s first love, Arlene, has caused the family entourage, including the Dowager, her godson Tobias, her granddaughter Lily, and Langley, to accompany him to Brighton. The murder of Arlene’s actress friend, Danielle, has caused a young stagehand to be arrested, although Arlene is sure of his innocence. Proving his innocence falls to Wolf, eventually joined by the Dowager, Tabitha, Langley, and Bear. Wolf is in an uncomfortable situation, between two beautiful women, each a bit jealous and distrustful of the other. Another good story with lots of drama, both in a theater and from the characters.
A plea from Wolf’s first love, Arlene, has caused the family entourage, including the Dowager, her godson Tobias, her granddaughter Lily, and Langley, to accompany him to Brighton. The murder of Arlene’s actress friend, Danielle, has caused a young stagehand to be arrested, although Arlene is sure of his innocence. Proving his innocence falls to Wolf, eventually joined by the Dowager, Tabitha, Langley, and Bear. Wolf is in an uncomfortable situation, between two beautiful women, each a bit jealous and distrustful of the other. Another good story with lots of drama, both in a theater and from the characters.
January 15, 2024
A Brutal Murder in Brighton
As always, Tabitha and Wolfe have an exciting adbenture in the beach side town on Brighton. Wolfe, responding to a letter from his former girl friend, winds up taking his entire entoursge to the vacation city. The old flame begs him to clear the name of a friend who is chatged with the murder of a well kmown actress. Fun and games ensue as they track down the killer.
As always, Tabitha and Wolfe have an exciting adbenture in the beach side town on Brighton. Wolfe, responding to a letter from his former girl friend, winds up taking his entire entoursge to the vacation city. The old flame begs him to clear the name of a friend who is chatged with the murder of a well kmown actress. Fun and games ensue as they track down the killer.
February 21, 2024
Another good story
This is the fourth of the series of well written and interesting mysteries by this author. The stories do hold the readers interest, well at least mine. The crew that our new aristocrat is "stuck" with makes the book interesting , funny at times and seem somewhat crazy. This group always adds more members as the mysteries progress. Good reading for a cold February day. E njoy
This is the fourth of the series of well written and interesting mysteries by this author. The stories do hold the readers interest, well at least mine. The crew that our new aristocrat is "stuck" with makes the book interesting , funny at times and seem somewhat crazy. This group always adds more members as the mysteries progress. Good reading for a cold February day. E njoy
June 8, 2025
A Great Story!
This is the 4th episode in this compelling series. Each character is gaining in depth and ability. The Dowager Countess is making herself invaluable to the team and the cases are intriguing!
I’m now thoroughly invested in this series, it’s very entertaining; I’m happy to have found it.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title. Once again, excellent narration by Vicki-Jo Eva. .
This is the 4th episode in this compelling series. Each character is gaining in depth and ability. The Dowager Countess is making herself invaluable to the team and the cases are intriguing!
I’m now thoroughly invested in this series, it’s very entertaining; I’m happy to have found it.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title. Once again, excellent narration by Vicki-Jo Eva. .
September 7, 2026
Questa serie di cozy mystery è davvero bella. È una lettura piacevole; perfetta per rilassarsi e lasciarsi accompagnare nella Londra di fine Ottocento. I protagonisti sono adorabili e non si può fare a meno di tifare per loro. C'è anche una mina vagante rappresentata dalla contessa vedova senior che ha quelle uscite che fanno ridere o scatenano il desiderio di prenderle a schiaffi e che rende tutto più interessante
January 12, 2024
Wow!
Exciting adventure! All of the extended family accompany Wolf and Tabitha to Brighton. Wolf's first love has requested his help in finding the person who murdered a good friend! Lots of false leads, misunderstandings , and excitement! Lots of hilarious scenes with the kids, the dog, and the dowager!
Exciting adventure! All of the extended family accompany Wolf and Tabitha to Brighton. Wolf's first love has requested his help in finding the person who murdered a good friend! Lots of false leads, misunderstandings , and excitement! Lots of hilarious scenes with the kids, the dog, and the dowager!
February 27, 2024
This was the fourth episode in a delightful series and the emotions run high in this one. The characters, especially the core group of main characters were fun, interesting, and delightful. The plot is straight forward, and the premise is finding out who the true murderer is and freeing an innocent man. I most definitely recommend this book.
September 26, 2025
Although this wasn’t my favorite in the series, I still enjoyed it. The characters remain charming, and I like seeing how their relationships and stories evolve. Even if the mystery didn’t capture me as much as in the earlier books, the writing kept me engaged, and I’m definitely looking forward to book five.
April 11, 2026
Enjoyed the story. Still feel that these stories are a combo of Anna Penrose and Anna Lee Huber 2 series right down to the aunt with the sword cane. These stories are just a bit different so I'll keep reading. Thankfully, the Dowager is no so nasty in this book. The introduction of a former love of Wolf's is starting to make Tabitha rethink some her previous vows.
May 11, 2024
An Investigation/Brighton/ A Murder/Love!
What turned out a plea for help & then an investigation into the murder of an old acquaintance’s dear friend- then finding the godson of the dowager up to no good leads to more questions & then a “Kiss”& Home to London..
What turned out a plea for help & then an investigation into the murder of an old acquaintance’s dear friend- then finding the godson of the dowager up to no good leads to more questions & then a “Kiss”& Home to London..
November 26, 2024
The Leading Man
What a mystery! You might think you know who the murderer in this story might be, Sarah, will fool you. She has a talent for writing mysteries. I loved this story.
What a mystery! You might think you know who the murderer in this story might be, Sarah, will fool you. She has a talent for writing mysteries. I loved this story.
December 20, 2025
Another winner
While the the mother-in-law gets a bit tedious, the ensemble of characters are quite a good mix. I only hope Lily ends up with a good match. The God son leaves a lot to be desired.
While the the mother-in-law gets a bit tedious, the ensemble of characters are quite a good mix. I only hope Lily ends up with a good match. The God son leaves a lot to be desired.
June 15, 2026
These are fun. Mysteries aren’t too complex. The characters are quirky and plentiful. Sometimes I’m stunned by how stupid they are, and yet I’m compelled to keep going. To find out what will happen with Tabitha and Wolf primarily, I suppose.
January 21, 2024
Enjoyed immensely especially the old lady who was not afraid to voice her opinions. Melly and Rat were adorable especially Melly who had her own way of naming everyone. Read book in one day.
January 25, 2024
Fun!
Good Read! This book finally added some peril and a twist, just what the series had been missing! Enjoyed this one.
Good Read! This book finally added some peril and a twist, just what the series had been missing! Enjoyed this one.
March 20, 2024
Kindle Unlimited. Writing getting better...
March 30, 2024
sneaky plot twists and funny
Lots of atmosphere, and the characters are well done, particularly the outrageous mother in law. Interesting locale and details of the time.
Lots of atmosphere, and the characters are well done, particularly the outrageous mother in law. Interesting locale and details of the time.
December 31, 2024
Love this series! Great little mysteries with a hint of sexual tension.
Read
October 2, 2025This is a fun and engaging series, that develops characters well.
October 14, 2025
Fantastic Characters
I enjoy this series very much. The characters are well written and interesting. The story flows smoothly. Look forward to the next book.
I enjoy this series very much. The characters are well written and interesting. The story flows smoothly. Look forward to the next book.
December 20, 2025
Another great book!
January 28, 2026
Great Read
I love this series!! Another page-turner mystery for Tabitha and Wolf to solve!! It will keep you guessing until the end.
I love this series!! Another page-turner mystery for Tabitha and Wolf to solve!! It will keep you guessing until the end.
March 23, 2026
3.75 stars rounded up to 4
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews