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Tabitha & Wolf Historical Mystery #8
An Intrepid Woman
Finally, Tabitha and Wolf are married and they couldn't be happier. The last thing either of them wants is to be sucked back into a murder investigation.
Tabitha and Wolf, eager to embrace their new life as a married couple, have agreed not to take on any new investigations for the time being. Instead, they want to enjoy a peaceful time as newlyweds, uninterrupted by murder and intrigue. However, their plans are abruptly disrupted when a figure from a previous investigation, Christopher "Kit" Bailey, reappears and pleads for their help. Despite their best intentions, they find themselves unable to turn him away and refuse the case.
The Dowager Countess of Pembroke typically insists on meddling in Tabitha and Wolf’s murder inquiries. This time, they are relieved when her usual eagerness to be part of their investigations is replaced by an uncharacteristic reluctance to help her nemesis, Kit Bailey. However, the dowager’s stance changes when she realises that this case might unearth another of her well-kept secrets, a revelation she cannot afford.
It seems there will be no honeymoon, at least for now, as Tabitha and Wolf are caught up in the intrigue of London's West End theatres.
Tabitha and Wolf, eager to embrace their new life as a married couple, have agreed not to take on any new investigations for the time being. Instead, they want to enjoy a peaceful time as newlyweds, uninterrupted by murder and intrigue. However, their plans are abruptly disrupted when a figure from a previous investigation, Christopher "Kit" Bailey, reappears and pleads for their help. Despite their best intentions, they find themselves unable to turn him away and refuse the case.
The Dowager Countess of Pembroke typically insists on meddling in Tabitha and Wolf’s murder inquiries. This time, they are relieved when her usual eagerness to be part of their investigations is replaced by an uncharacteristic reluctance to help her nemesis, Kit Bailey. However, the dowager’s stance changes when she realises that this case might unearth another of her well-kept secrets, a revelation she cannot afford.
It seems there will be no honeymoon, at least for now, as Tabitha and Wolf are caught up in the intrigue of London's West End theatres.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2024
388 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 9, 2024
would enjoy this story without dowager
I have tried to enjoy these stories, but the meanness and hatefulness of the dowager takes so much away that I think I am done with this series. It’s too bad because I like everyone else. But there are many more series similar to this one so I’m good.
I have tried to enjoy these stories, but the meanness and hatefulness of the dowager takes so much away that I think I am done with this series. It’s too bad because I like everyone else. But there are many more series similar to this one so I’m good.
November 10, 2024
I have really enjoyed reading all the books about Tabitha and Wolf. Great stories and intrigue. Look forward to the next one. I have just found the ones about MELODY, so am looking forward to enjoying them also... Thanks Sarah for your writing.
Read
May 2, 2025I am a little tired of the Dowager Countess of Pembroke, otherwise it is the usual pleasant read.
February 20, 2025
I’m sorry I want to like these books but with each one I read I detest the dowager even more than the previous books. Each time I start a new book I literally am hoping she’ll just be gone. Dead. Moved. Committed to an asylum. Arrested just on principle of being a horrible human being. She is dreadful and NEVER adds to or improve any storyline. Whhhhhhy torture readers with such a heinous person? I’ve got to stop reading these cuz I com away feeling fed up and disgusted.
November 1, 2025
The first book is engaging enough to want to continue the series, but the more books you read, the less entertaining it gets. All of these characters are selfish and don't trust each other, and worse, there is no positive character development. Instead, the characters just get worse as you move on to the next book. The investigations are plodding, often claiming Occam's Razor yet never adhering to it, and these characters irritatingly bang around like bulls in a china shop. I appreciate that the author is attempting to address some serious issues (sexual violence, misogyny, economic disparity, racial tension and violence, etc.), but the Dowager is the very person that displays these traits most! I got up to book 8 in the hopes that I would see some character growth, but I just can't do it anymore.
SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON....
For a team (Wolf and Bear) that has a long history of investigating, Wolf seems pretty ignorant of a lot of things, which makes me wonder how the story can begin by claiming that he and Bear were so successful at their jobs. As the story progresses, the kinds of knowledge that Tabitha contributes seem so elementary that I have to wonder how the heck they figured anything out before she came along. It's as if Wolf actually gets dummer the more time he spends with Tabitha and the Dowager.
While Tabitha is ok, I often find myself rolling my eyes at how she can be whip smart at one moment and so slow to process the clues in the next. And naive. And prudish. And how she is described as having such a great big heart that she immediately brought Melody into the family...but at the same time, she chose to bring in Rat as a servant???? A servant! In later books, they keep claiming that Rat CHOSE to be a servant, but that is not true. She never offered him the option to be a regular boy in the household! Go back and read that part. If I were him and I wasn't offered a place in the house but knew that I needed to comply with whatever was given to keep my sister safe, then I might have also said that I didn't want a place in the house, just to make sure I was accepted.
And the Dowager...she just gets worse and worse! I continued reading the series with the hope that at some point I would see some character growth, some evidence that all of her viciousness is a shield covering a warm, gooey center, but NO! It seems like the author instead chose to double down and show how much the Dowager actually revels in her own nastiness! She is often described as a brilliant military strategist, but she's not. She is just a bully, plain and simple.
And both of these women have more guts than brains. They don't trust Wolf when he tells them that it is not safe, and keep insisting on going into situations where their lives are in danger just because they need to prove that they can do anything they want and not listen to what a man tells them. Having your own agency is one thing. Being stupid is something else entirely.
And Wolf! Where did his backbone go? He never stood up for Tabitha against the Dowager, and keeps getting bullied by both the Dowager and Tabitha when they insist on going into danger, yet there is never any talk of training these women on how to handle themselves in such situations. I have a really hard time believing that Wolf ever survived the mean streets of London.
And the investigations...in most of the stories, the key clue is something that was so obvious early on but that they all chose to either ignore or forget at the time. Every other clue is scrutinized to the point of tediousness, yet they always conveniently forget about that one thing that they should have already known back in chapter 2. These characters are portrayed as intelligent, but seriously, they take soooooo long to make a connection between A and B.
Honestly, the only characters I like are Langley and Rat. At least they both know who they really are and don't try to bully everyone else.
SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT ON....
For a team (Wolf and Bear) that has a long history of investigating, Wolf seems pretty ignorant of a lot of things, which makes me wonder how the story can begin by claiming that he and Bear were so successful at their jobs. As the story progresses, the kinds of knowledge that Tabitha contributes seem so elementary that I have to wonder how the heck they figured anything out before she came along. It's as if Wolf actually gets dummer the more time he spends with Tabitha and the Dowager.
While Tabitha is ok, I often find myself rolling my eyes at how she can be whip smart at one moment and so slow to process the clues in the next. And naive. And prudish. And how she is described as having such a great big heart that she immediately brought Melody into the family...but at the same time, she chose to bring in Rat as a servant???? A servant! In later books, they keep claiming that Rat CHOSE to be a servant, but that is not true. She never offered him the option to be a regular boy in the household! Go back and read that part. If I were him and I wasn't offered a place in the house but knew that I needed to comply with whatever was given to keep my sister safe, then I might have also said that I didn't want a place in the house, just to make sure I was accepted.
And the Dowager...she just gets worse and worse! I continued reading the series with the hope that at some point I would see some character growth, some evidence that all of her viciousness is a shield covering a warm, gooey center, but NO! It seems like the author instead chose to double down and show how much the Dowager actually revels in her own nastiness! She is often described as a brilliant military strategist, but she's not. She is just a bully, plain and simple.
And both of these women have more guts than brains. They don't trust Wolf when he tells them that it is not safe, and keep insisting on going into situations where their lives are in danger just because they need to prove that they can do anything they want and not listen to what a man tells them. Having your own agency is one thing. Being stupid is something else entirely.
And Wolf! Where did his backbone go? He never stood up for Tabitha against the Dowager, and keeps getting bullied by both the Dowager and Tabitha when they insist on going into danger, yet there is never any talk of training these women on how to handle themselves in such situations. I have a really hard time believing that Wolf ever survived the mean streets of London.
And the investigations...in most of the stories, the key clue is something that was so obvious early on but that they all chose to either ignore or forget at the time. Every other clue is scrutinized to the point of tediousness, yet they always conveniently forget about that one thing that they should have already known back in chapter 2. These characters are portrayed as intelligent, but seriously, they take soooooo long to make a connection between A and B.
Honestly, the only characters I like are Langley and Rat. At least they both know who they really are and don't try to bully everyone else.
August 19, 2025
So Tabitha and Wolf are FINALLY married. Took long enough, geez. Anyhow, they decide to not investigate any murders for a while so they can go on a honeymoon (which will no doubt be the next book), but of course someone immediately shows up and asks them to look into a kidnapping.
This person is Kit, the actor slash theatre owner from a few books ago. He is now managing some other troupe in London, and his lead actress disappeared a few days ago.
Tabitha, Wolf, and the Dowager Countess (DC) head to the theatre to investigate. The actress's friend, the gay lead actor, has received a ransom note for her, so they try to do an undercover sting to rescue her. They think that the kidnapper is probably her ex-bf, some rough criminal type, and they prove correct, but with the added twist that . The guy ends up getting killed or something and frankly I barely recall what happened in this book aside from that the mystery was solved and they met a new criminal overlord, a very unpleasant chap who murders people (unlike the relatively saintly Mickey D). The bad guy owed this dude money (thus the ransom plan) and probably got murdered by him.
Also, Tabitha rescues the bad guy's abused wife and 2 children from their terrible plight and poverty because, you know, obviously she just has to. She moves them into her house (the bad guy has no idea where they've gone) and hires the lady as her personal secretary. No doubt these characters will return in the next books.
This person is Kit, the actor slash theatre owner from a few books ago. He is now managing some other troupe in London, and his lead actress disappeared a few days ago.
Tabitha, Wolf, and the Dowager Countess (DC) head to the theatre to investigate. The actress's friend, the gay lead actor, has received a ransom note for her, so they try to do an undercover sting to rescue her. They think that the kidnapper is probably her ex-bf, some rough criminal type, and they prove correct, but with the added twist that . The guy ends up getting killed or something and frankly I barely recall what happened in this book aside from that the mystery was solved and they met a new criminal overlord, a very unpleasant chap who murders people (unlike the relatively saintly Mickey D). The bad guy owed this dude money (thus the ransom plan) and probably got murdered by him.
Also, Tabitha rescues the bad guy's abused wife and 2 children from their terrible plight and poverty because, you know, obviously she just has to. She moves them into her house (the bad guy has no idea where they've gone) and hires the lady as her personal secretary. No doubt these characters will return in the next books.
November 13, 2024
Another great read in this series,l thoroughly enjoyed a glimpse into the lives of Wolf and Tabitha following their marriage.The usual cast are all present including of course the dowager who continues to ride rough shod over everyone as she insists on involving herself in the investigation.We meet old characters and are introduced to some new ones who I feel may have a bigger role in future books.The mystery itself revolves around the search for a missing actress and, in my view,isn't as strong as in previous books but still the depth and charm of the characters and their interactions makes this book a joy to read.Looking forward to the next.
November 9, 2024
As with all the rest of the books in this wonderful series, my only complaint is that it was too short and I am sad it is finished. The plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding out what happened to the actress and why. Luckily, the only death in this story was of a unpleasant man whose choices in life led him to his own demise. The answers to the premise question are both surprising and inevitable. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
November 16, 2024
An Actress in Peril
Wolf and Tabitha are back with their entourage of friends and family to solve another mystery. Just days after their wedding a previous, and less than reliable, former acquaintance brings trouble to their door. An actress is missing. Her peril prompts the newlyweds to action and rescue, but this case may not be what it seems.
Wolf and Tabitha are back with their entourage of friends and family to solve another mystery. Just days after their wedding a previous, and less than reliable, former acquaintance brings trouble to their door. An actress is missing. Her peril prompts the newlyweds to action and rescue, but this case may not be what it seems.
December 28, 2024
A Kidnapping/An Investigation/
It seems another investigation is in the works for Wolf & Tabitha- and it leads them it seems all around London. And many unsavory characters seem to be around. Some offer help & some don’t. And there’s goodwill for one of them & of course Bear/ Wolf/Tabitha/& Mama
All on the bandwagon. But of course love for Tabitha & Wolf FINALLY!!
It seems another investigation is in the works for Wolf & Tabitha- and it leads them it seems all around London. And many unsavory characters seem to be around. Some offer help & some don’t. And there’s goodwill for one of them & of course Bear/ Wolf/Tabitha/& Mama
All on the bandwagon. But of course love for Tabitha & Wolf FINALLY!!
December 14, 2024
The Supposed Kidnapping
Every time the newly weds think about a trip to Greece they are asked to do another investigation. However, they get it done and make their way to Greece. A never ending surprise by Sarah.
Every time the newly weds think about a trip to Greece they are asked to do another investigation. However, they get it done and make their way to Greece. A never ending surprise by Sarah.
February 27, 2025
Not up to the author's previous works
For one thing, I personally am tired of the self-serving, petty dowager duchess. And resolution of this mystery was disappointing, to say the least. I've so enjoyed previous books but just felt let down by this one.
For one thing, I personally am tired of the self-serving, petty dowager duchess. And resolution of this mystery was disappointing, to say the least. I've so enjoyed previous books but just felt let down by this one.
June 25, 2025
To be honest, this series seems to have run its course. After the previous horrible tale, this one was truly limp!
There looks like being some new characters to, perhaps, inject some life into the next narrative, but I wouldn’t bet any money on it!
This feels like a waste of a credit…
There looks like being some new characters to, perhaps, inject some life into the next narrative, but I wouldn’t bet any money on it!
This feels like a waste of a credit…
November 14, 2024
good
Good next step in this series. As always the dowager is my favorite character. Good mystery and good next step.
Good next step in this series. As always the dowager is my favorite character. Good mystery and good next step.
November 22, 2024
Great books cannot wait until book 8 comes out
January 14, 2025
Another great read with great characters. The dowager is a hoot - such a wily old bird. Keep them coming - thanks Sarah!
Read
October 2, 2025This is a fun and engaging series, that develops characters well.
December 31, 2025
Finally Wolf & Tabitha get married.
August 22, 2025
Très bonne enquête.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews