Gather the Anarchists

Grace Designs Mysteries #3

by Tilly Wallace

This royal visit is going to end with a bang…

Edward, the Prince of Wales, is about to step foot on Kiwi soil, and Grace is frantically finishing gowns for her wealthy clients to wear at the balls thrown in his honour. But then a horrible accident and a dying man’s last moments draw her into a conspiracy to harm the prince.

As Grace follows the strands of a last memory, she discovers there is a patchwork of conspirators all with grudges against England and the royal family. This plot has unravelled beyond her group of friends, and if she’s going to hem in the anarchists and save the prince, she needs help. There’s only one person she can turn to... Detective Archer.

Can Grace discard her differences to confide in the policeman with their common goal of saving the prince, or will there be an explosive end to the royal visit?

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Cozy, Historical, Cozy Mystery

238 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2023

About the author

Tilly writes whimsical historical fantasy books, set in a bygone time where magic is real. With a quirky and loveable cast, her books combine vintage magic and gentle humour. Through fierce friendships her characters discover that in an uncertain world, the most loyal family is the one you create.

Reviews

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Argh! Still stringing Frank on... Not cool

[LaRae☕️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy this cozy series on audio. The setting of New Zealand is enjoyable, as is the historical era. The author is doing a fairly good job with character development. I am really liking Detective Archer and look forward to learning more about him. The supernatural aspect, which is not normally my cup of tea, actually adds a bit of interest to the way the story is done here.

[Julia Sarene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gather the Anarchists: Grace Designs Mysteries, Book 3 by Tilly Wallace

I’m continuing to really enjoy this cosy mystery series. At this point, it feels like slipping into a familiar rhythm. I know the tone, I know the characters, and that familiarity makes it incredibly easy to sink into.

This time the story centres around a royal visit and a conspiracy that begins with what looks like a tragic accident. A man bumps into Grace, apologises, steps backwards into the street, and is killed by a tram. His last moments pull her into a growing web of grievances and anarchists with their sights set on the visiting Prince of Wales. The stakes are technically higher here, but the book still keeps that grounded, personal feel the series does so well.

What stands out most to me is how reliable these books are. I don’t start drifting when I read them. I pick them up when I notice I’m drifting with something else, or when I’m stressed or anxious and my brain just won’t settle. I paused a more complex book to read this one, and it worked perfectly. These stories reset my reading brain. They’re clear, focused, and easy to move through without ever feeling shallow. I can read them smoothly, finish them quickly, and then return to heavier or more demanding books feeling steadier.

As before, I’m not here primarily for the mystery itself. I’m not a big mystery reader in general, and while the conspiracy is engaging enough, it’s Grace’s voice and the overall tone that keep me invested. The fantasy elements are still very light, more a sprinkle than a core ingredient. At times it feels closer to historical fiction with a touch of magic, and I wouldn’t mind if that magical side was explored a little more deeply.

I really appreciate the independent woman angle. Grace runs her own shop, stands her ground, and simply lives her life on her own terms. Alongside that, there’s subtle inclusivity woven into the background. A gay couple simply existing as part of the world. A quiet mention of women wanting a place where they can dance together without trouble. None of it is the focus, none of it is preachy. It just acknowledges that people have always lived and loved in different ways, even when society didn’t openly make space for them, and that they built their own communities regardless.

And I continue to enjoy that romance is barely present. There are hints, and in this book we even get a dance, but one dance across three books is about as slow burn as it gets. If a larger romantic arc is coming, it is taking its time. For now, the focus remains firmly on Grace, her friendships, her work, and the trouble she keeps getting drawn into, whether by bad luck or by her gift.

Overall, this series feels like wrapping yourself in your favourite blanket after a long, draining day. It’s steady, reassuring, and quietly engaging without demanding too much from you. It’s the kind of story that lets your mind settle while still keeping you gently engaged, and sometimes that’s exactly what I need.

[Claire Blind Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I guess this isn't the last one. It's better than the last one but once again a lot of nothing much happening. In fact, there's a big chunk of this book, around the 50%-75% mark, where I wasn't sure there was a mystery going on. We weren't even really investigating anything. She was just largely making dresses and hanging out with her family. It's a cozy series, certainly, but I guess I don't find any of the characters interesting enough to just hang out with. Which is largely what you do in this series.
I'm bummed because I enjoy her other series' so much but I guess there just isn't much meat in this series. It was more interesting than book two but, even then, it's just meh.
Also what was with the whole thing around the horses dying in the war? It came up so often I was like... Did I miss something? Is a horse the main suspect? Yeah it's sad but I wouldn't say more so than the atrocities of war in general.

Thoughts as I read:
-Is there even an anarchist in this?
-What's going on with this bleeding heart over everything including horses? I mean, it's weird we're spending so much time on this!
-Ooooh a Rasputin callback!

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another interesting installment in the investigatory efforts of Grace. The assassination attempt was a nice change of pace after two murders. It was also interesting to see Grace and Detective Archer put in a position where they were working more closely together rather than working around each other in separate endeavors. Hopefully with the further development of their working relationship the next installment will reveal more about the magic system and Grace's abilities.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cosy mystery with some Irish anarchy thrown in. Still no progress in Grace's personal life or new developments with her power. The stuff outside the murder mysteries is moving so slowly (besides Grace's business, good on her), but the sewing metaphors keep coming.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoy these books, though I am a little worried that each one is getting shorter than the last!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy, quick, and fun. The audiobook was read beautifully as always.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed that this installment spent more time with Grace's daily life, and that there wasn't a murder. Nice change of pace in a fun series.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author + narrator + characters + mystery + dash of mysticism + sprinkle of romance = 5 stars
Another awesome audiobook in this series. I’m a Tilly Wallace fan!

[Stephanie McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this story was "complete." The characters actions served some purpose. The plot line was developed. There didn't seem to be gaps as in previous stories. I really loved this one!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Kelly Tyner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Q

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant continuation.

[Rosemary Sapio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as good as the first one. Going on to number 3.