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Verity Kent Mysteries #9
The Bravest Hour
British Intelligence Agent Verity Kent managed to survive four years of The Great War, slipping in and out of German-occupied Belgium and northeastern France, dodging serious consequences or capture. But as she faces her most dangerous—and devastating—challenge yet, her luck may have run out. Hopefully, her resilience has not . . .
November 1920. Dublin, Ireland. Verity’s efforts to foil a contemptible plot by the traitorous Lord Ardmore and save countless lives—as well as the British government’s reputation—has exposed her to detrimental scrutiny, bringing her contact with the Irish rebels to light. Crushingly, she finds herself incarcerated in Dublin Castle, the “Dread Bastille,” where she must withstand interrogation from her own countrymen.
Despite her circumstances, Verity knows better than to talk—though decrying Ardmore to his face would be more than satisfying. For once again he has escaped culpability, scapegoating his associates. Her only hope is intervention from her shadowy superior. And yet, when rescue finally comes, Verity finds herself changed by what she has endured, perhaps for the worst.
Still, there’s no time for respite or healing. Ardmore’s latest nefarious objectives go beyond mere treason. Allegiances are shifting as the war between the Irish Republican Army and the British reaches a new fever pitch. If Ardmore is to be brought down, Verity and her husband, Sidney, must gather all the allies they can for one last stand.
But just when victory seems assured, one shocking and vicious turn of events changes everything. Now Verity must decide where her loyalty lies. And it may not be on the same side as the man she’s loved to the grave and back.
November 1920. Dublin, Ireland. Verity’s efforts to foil a contemptible plot by the traitorous Lord Ardmore and save countless lives—as well as the British government’s reputation—has exposed her to detrimental scrutiny, bringing her contact with the Irish rebels to light. Crushingly, she finds herself incarcerated in Dublin Castle, the “Dread Bastille,” where she must withstand interrogation from her own countrymen.
Despite her circumstances, Verity knows better than to talk—though decrying Ardmore to his face would be more than satisfying. For once again he has escaped culpability, scapegoating his associates. Her only hope is intervention from her shadowy superior. And yet, when rescue finally comes, Verity finds herself changed by what she has endured, perhaps for the worst.
Still, there’s no time for respite or healing. Ardmore’s latest nefarious objectives go beyond mere treason. Allegiances are shifting as the war between the Irish Republican Army and the British reaches a new fever pitch. If Ardmore is to be brought down, Verity and her husband, Sidney, must gather all the allies they can for one last stand.
But just when victory seems assured, one shocking and vicious turn of events changes everything. Now Verity must decide where her loyalty lies. And it may not be on the same side as the man she’s loved to the grave and back.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Anna Lee Huber
29 books3,819 followersAnna Lee Huber is the USA Today bestselling and Daphne award-winning author of the Lady Darby Mysteries, the Verity Kent Mysteries, the Gothic Myths series, as well as Sisters of Fortune: A Novel of the Titanic and the anthology The Deadly Hours. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in psychology. She currently resides in Indiana with her family and is hard at work on her next novel. Visit her online at www.annaleehuber.com.
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a copy from this title from the publisher - all opinions are my own. The Bravest Hour was a bittersweet read for me knowing that this is the last book in the Verity Kent series, but luckily this book didn't disappoint and provided a very satisfying conclusion. This book is best experienced having read at least the two prior books as together with this one they form the Irish Trilogy. Verity has been walking a knife's edge for the last several books and it appears to have caught up with her when she is arrested to start the book and brought in for questioning. I will say this portion of the book was hard to read because of the way Verity was treated, but even more so knowing she was treated much better than Irish citizens in similar circumstances. The suspense is taut as Verity and Sydney try to find a way to satisfy the British government to get home without compromising their principles and the Irish rebels that Verity has gotten to know.
Ms. Huber clearly did her research into this period and I appreciated that she really provided an even handed look at the time. Neither the British nor the Irish were completely innocent and the cycle of retaliations and violence on both sides unfortunately impact average Irish people. Verity's growing disillusionment with her own government since the war ended felt very realistic and helped readers understand the atmosphere of the time. I was so interested in the events and real people mentioned in the book that I actually did some research on my own to find out what happened after the book ended. I will miss Verity and her world, but I couldn't have written a better ending to this series myself.
Ms. Huber clearly did her research into this period and I appreciated that she really provided an even handed look at the time. Neither the British nor the Irish were completely innocent and the cycle of retaliations and violence on both sides unfortunately impact average Irish people. Verity's growing disillusionment with her own government since the war ended felt very realistic and helped readers understand the atmosphere of the time. I was so interested in the events and real people mentioned in the book that I actually did some research on my own to find out what happened after the book ended. I will miss Verity and her world, but I couldn't have written a better ending to this series myself.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've been eagerly awaiting this book since finishing the eighth one last year. This is my favorite mystery series, and Verity and Sidney are my favorite fictional couple. Plus, book eight ended on quite the cliffhanger. All this to say, I had quite a lot of time to think about what I wanted to happen at the end of this story and what I didn't want to happen. I had all of this in mind when I started reading. and as it turned out, the ending was closer to what I thought I didn't want. However, by the time I got to that point, I realized the author had it right. I was satisfied, and there was definitely a sense of closure for the series and for the Kents.
Some additional thoughts: I was happy to see characters like Max and Alec again. Verity had quite a bit of growth in this book. This felt like the most intense storyline of the series. I would love a novella or something showing the Kents a few years down the line. And why hasn't this series been made into a TV series or miniseries? I feel like it would be perfect for it.
I highly recommend this series to fans of historical fiction and/or mysteries. For best enjoyment, I do recommend starting at the beginning, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Kensington for the early read.
Some additional thoughts: I was happy to see characters like Max and Alec again. Verity had quite a bit of growth in this book. This felt like the most intense storyline of the series. I would love a novella or something showing the Kents a few years down the line. And why hasn't this series been made into a TV series or miniseries? I feel like it would be perfect for it.
I highly recommend this series to fans of historical fiction and/or mysteries. For best enjoyment, I do recommend starting at the beginning, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Kensington for the early read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved it. From the very start I was hooked. I loved seeing the return of certain characters from previous books. The amount of details and reseach that goes into the story so that it is as accurate as possible for the time draws, you in and makes you feel like you're right there a long side Varity. I felt like this was a good end to a beloved series.
August 25, 2026
The Bravest Hour is the 9th book in the Verity Kent Mystery series; it's also the third book in her 3-book Dublin story arc of that same series. If you haven't read the first 6 books of the series, you can get by enough to understand what's going on without much confusion. However, I highly recommend you read the first 2 books in the Dublin arc before this one, else you will be a bit lost. This is one of the best historical mystery and thriller series ever, in my humble opinion. The stories are absolutely riveting, but it's the wonderful characters who keep me coming back for more!
November 1920. Dublin, Ireland. Verity’s efforts to foil a contemptible plot by the traitorous Lord Ardmore and save countless lives—as well as the British government’s reputation—has exposed her to detrimental scrutiny, bringing her contact with the Irish rebels to light. Crushingly, she finds herself incarcerated in Dublin Castle, the “Dread Bastille,” where she must withstand interrogation from her own countrymen.
Despite her circumstances, Verity knows better than to talk—though decrying Ardmore to his face would be more than satisfying. For once again he has escaped culpability, scapegoating his associates. Her only hope is intervention from her shadowy superior. And yet, when rescue finally comes, Verity finds herself changed by what she has endured, perhaps for the worst. Still, there’s no time for respite or healing. Ardmore’s latest nefarious objectives go beyond mere treason. Allegiances are shifting as the war between the Irish Republican Army and the British reaches a new fever pitch. If Ardmore is to be brought down, Verity and her husband, Sidney, must gather all the allies they can for one last stand. But just when victory seems assured, one shocking and vicious turn of events changes everything. Now Verity must decide where her loyalty lies. And it may not be on the same side as the man she’s loved to the grave and back.
At the end of A Moment's Shadow, Verity was arrested by her own countrymen and government when her interactions with the Irish rebels comes to light. Talk about a cliffhanger! I was thankful I was able to start reading this book the following day to keep the momentum going. I've loved all of the books I've read, but this one was my favorite, by far. I didn't want to put this one down until I was done; who needs sleep?! When Verity is arrested by the British, she is beaten and tortured - by her own countrymen, mind you - until her husband and friends manage to get her released. But there's a condition of her release; she and Sidney are not permitted to leave Ireland until they help the British get custody of Michael Collins, the leader of the IRA (and a real person, if you're not too familiar with the Irish Revolution after the Great War). That's quite a demand! Also, both Verity and Sidney have sympathy with the Irish rebels, which makes this assignment even more difficult for them. Not only do they have to deal with that, but Lord Ardmore makes an appearance again. He wasn't successful in his attempt to cause mass destruction and death with his phosgene, which Verity put a stop to, but he now has another plot in mind. This time he plans to use gelignite, which is a powerful, moldable high explosive similar to dynamite. Will they be able to find the location of where it will be planted before hundreds or thousands of people are killed? I just love Verity and Sidney! They are two of my favorite historical mystery characters of all time. At the beginning of the series, Verity discovers that Sidney wasn't actually killed in the war, but he left her in the dark while he was hunting a traitor. So the two of them are working to get their relationship back in order. They are doing a great job and deeply love each other, but this fraught time in Dublin has brought some doubts about each other; Sidney was apparently hiding something, and Verity was keeping some things to herself, as well. I adored how hard they fought for their marriage during this difficult period. We also had the pleasure of spending time with Alec (who has changed sides and now is with the rebels), their dear friend Max (whose father had ties with the evil Ardmore), George (a mathematical genius, and of course Nimble (Sidney's former batman and now a faithful employee). The ending of this book was exciting, and I loved every minute of it. I see some people believe this is the end of the series, and others think it's just the Dublin arc is finished. I so hope the series continues, but if it doesn't, we are left with a satisfying conclusion here. If you love historical mysteries with strong characters you can root for, this is the series for you.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
November 1920. Dublin, Ireland. Verity’s efforts to foil a contemptible plot by the traitorous Lord Ardmore and save countless lives—as well as the British government’s reputation—has exposed her to detrimental scrutiny, bringing her contact with the Irish rebels to light. Crushingly, she finds herself incarcerated in Dublin Castle, the “Dread Bastille,” where she must withstand interrogation from her own countrymen.
Despite her circumstances, Verity knows better than to talk—though decrying Ardmore to his face would be more than satisfying. For once again he has escaped culpability, scapegoating his associates. Her only hope is intervention from her shadowy superior. And yet, when rescue finally comes, Verity finds herself changed by what she has endured, perhaps for the worst. Still, there’s no time for respite or healing. Ardmore’s latest nefarious objectives go beyond mere treason. Allegiances are shifting as the war between the Irish Republican Army and the British reaches a new fever pitch. If Ardmore is to be brought down, Verity and her husband, Sidney, must gather all the allies they can for one last stand. But just when victory seems assured, one shocking and vicious turn of events changes everything. Now Verity must decide where her loyalty lies. And it may not be on the same side as the man she’s loved to the grave and back.
At the end of A Moment's Shadow, Verity was arrested by her own countrymen and government when her interactions with the Irish rebels comes to light. Talk about a cliffhanger! I was thankful I was able to start reading this book the following day to keep the momentum going. I've loved all of the books I've read, but this one was my favorite, by far. I didn't want to put this one down until I was done; who needs sleep?! When Verity is arrested by the British, she is beaten and tortured - by her own countrymen, mind you - until her husband and friends manage to get her released. But there's a condition of her release; she and Sidney are not permitted to leave Ireland until they help the British get custody of Michael Collins, the leader of the IRA (and a real person, if you're not too familiar with the Irish Revolution after the Great War). That's quite a demand! Also, both Verity and Sidney have sympathy with the Irish rebels, which makes this assignment even more difficult for them. Not only do they have to deal with that, but Lord Ardmore makes an appearance again. He wasn't successful in his attempt to cause mass destruction and death with his phosgene, which Verity put a stop to, but he now has another plot in mind. This time he plans to use gelignite, which is a powerful, moldable high explosive similar to dynamite. Will they be able to find the location of where it will be planted before hundreds or thousands of people are killed? I just love Verity and Sidney! They are two of my favorite historical mystery characters of all time. At the beginning of the series, Verity discovers that Sidney wasn't actually killed in the war, but he left her in the dark while he was hunting a traitor. So the two of them are working to get their relationship back in order. They are doing a great job and deeply love each other, but this fraught time in Dublin has brought some doubts about each other; Sidney was apparently hiding something, and Verity was keeping some things to herself, as well. I adored how hard they fought for their marriage during this difficult period. We also had the pleasure of spending time with Alec (who has changed sides and now is with the rebels), their dear friend Max (whose father had ties with the evil Ardmore), George (a mathematical genius, and of course Nimble (Sidney's former batman and now a faithful employee). The ending of this book was exciting, and I loved every minute of it. I see some people believe this is the end of the series, and others think it's just the Dublin arc is finished. I so hope the series continues, but if it doesn't, we are left with a satisfying conclusion here. If you love historical mysteries with strong characters you can root for, this is the series for you.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance reader copy of The Bravest Hour. All opinions and comments are my own.
This is the final chapter of Verity Kent's exciting (and dangerous) espionage career. Last time, in A Moment’s Shadow, the authorities arrested her. We can only hope the fight against the traitor wasn’t in vain. It has been a perilous trip, fraught with roadblocks at every turn. So, read on, gentle reader.
Keeping one’s honor has been a theme used throughout the series, and it isn’t forgotten in The Bravest Hour. As is the author’s sympathetic leanings towards the plight of the Irish people during their long and bloody conflict with the British government, well documented in this book, including details recalling the Bloody Sunday of 1920, peace negotiations, and the campaign against Michael Collins. If you are looking for a tight narrative that races from point to point and reaches its conclusion rapidly, this is not it. Alongside the history, Verity's fictional story reveals more of Lord Ardmore's deceit. Then comes the triumph: clear proof of his treachery. The conclusion will please anyone who has followed Verity from beginning to end.
I enjoyed this last novel and all the others in the series for the emotion, information, and passion that author Anna Lee Huber brought to her readers. I will miss Verity and Sidney Kent.
This is the final chapter of Verity Kent's exciting (and dangerous) espionage career. Last time, in A Moment’s Shadow, the authorities arrested her. We can only hope the fight against the traitor wasn’t in vain. It has been a perilous trip, fraught with roadblocks at every turn. So, read on, gentle reader.
Keeping one’s honor has been a theme used throughout the series, and it isn’t forgotten in The Bravest Hour. As is the author’s sympathetic leanings towards the plight of the Irish people during their long and bloody conflict with the British government, well documented in this book, including details recalling the Bloody Sunday of 1920, peace negotiations, and the campaign against Michael Collins. If you are looking for a tight narrative that races from point to point and reaches its conclusion rapidly, this is not it. Alongside the history, Verity's fictional story reveals more of Lord Ardmore's deceit. Then comes the triumph: clear proof of his treachery. The conclusion will please anyone who has followed Verity from beginning to end.
I enjoyed this last novel and all the others in the series for the emotion, information, and passion that author Anna Lee Huber brought to her readers. I will miss Verity and Sidney Kent.
October 1, 2026
This was a good wrap-up to the series. I feel like this series started out really good but I lost some interest in it with the last three books, simply because I didn't care for the plot with the phosphine gas and the IRA. I enjoyed the books that were set in England more. I think the author made a good choice to wrap things up at this point.
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You can also follow me at:
Writings of a Reader at Blogspot
Writings of a Reader on Facebook
Recordings of a Reader on Youtube
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Verity Kent Mysteries #9
Publication Date: 8/25/26
Period: Interwar 1920, Dublin, Ireland
Number of Pages: 384
Loved it!
The Bravest Hour is the ninth and final entry in Anna Lee Huber’s Verity Kent Mystery series, providing a satisfying conclusion to the series as a whole and a fitting wrap-up to the Ireland-based portion of Verity and Sydney’s story. That said, I would strongly recommend reading the previous books before beginning this one. There is so much character history, relationship development, and ongoing storyline woven throughout the series that you will gain much more from this book if you have followed Verity and Sydney’s journey from the beginning. If you don’t want to start with the first book, I would highly recommend beginning with The Cold Light of Day, which launches the Ireland portion of the series.
The previous book brought the phosgene gas plot to a resolution, but Ardmore escaped, leaving Verity and Sydney with unfinished business. In The Bravest Hour, Ardmore continues his dangerous schemes while Verity finds herself imprisoned and subjected to torture. Huber skillfully interweaves their personal struggle with the turbulent history of Ireland as the country fights for independence. The result is a story filled with danger, suspense, political intrigue, and emotional complexity.
One of the things I particularly appreciated was the way Huber portrays the conflicting feelings of both Verity and Sydney. They are loyal to their country, but at the same time, they cannot condone the atrocities committed against the Irish people who are fighting for their freedom. Their feelings are not presented as simple or black-and-white, and this adds considerable depth to both the characters and the story. Their love for each other and their determination to protect one another remain at the heart of the book, even as circumstances continue to put them in impossible situations.
The mystery and suspense kept the story moving, and it was satisfying to see the various loose ends tied up, the villain finally foiled, and the heroes receive their due. After following these characters through so many adventures, it was especially rewarding to see how much they have grown and how their relationships have developed throughout the series.
Of course, being a longtime reader of a series means that I always want *just a little more* when it comes to saying goodbye to characters I have come to care about. There were a couple of things I would have loved to see. I would have appreciated an epilogue—perhaps at Christmas the following year—with all the friends reunited. I would have enjoyed seeing Max, Alex, and George together again, with Max and Alex bringing love interests, and I would have especially liked to meet George’s romantic interest. And, naturally, I wouldn’t have objected to seeing Verity expecting!
Those are small wishes, however, and they don't diminish my enjoyment of the book or the series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Verity Kent Mysteries. Each book has been an entertaining and engaging read while also deepening the characters and their relationships. Verity and Sydney have become characters I will genuinely miss, and I am sad to see their story come to an end.
I will definitely be watching for news of whatever series Anna Lee Huber decides to introduce next. Whatever comes next, I’ll be there to read it!
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Verity Kent Mysteries #9
Publication Date: 8/25/26
Period: Interwar 1920, Dublin, Ireland
Number of Pages: 384
Loved it!
The Bravest Hour is the ninth and final entry in Anna Lee Huber’s Verity Kent Mystery series, providing a satisfying conclusion to the series as a whole and a fitting wrap-up to the Ireland-based portion of Verity and Sydney’s story. That said, I would strongly recommend reading the previous books before beginning this one. There is so much character history, relationship development, and ongoing storyline woven throughout the series that you will gain much more from this book if you have followed Verity and Sydney’s journey from the beginning. If you don’t want to start with the first book, I would highly recommend beginning with The Cold Light of Day, which launches the Ireland portion of the series.
The previous book brought the phosgene gas plot to a resolution, but Ardmore escaped, leaving Verity and Sydney with unfinished business. In The Bravest Hour, Ardmore continues his dangerous schemes while Verity finds herself imprisoned and subjected to torture. Huber skillfully interweaves their personal struggle with the turbulent history of Ireland as the country fights for independence. The result is a story filled with danger, suspense, political intrigue, and emotional complexity.
One of the things I particularly appreciated was the way Huber portrays the conflicting feelings of both Verity and Sydney. They are loyal to their country, but at the same time, they cannot condone the atrocities committed against the Irish people who are fighting for their freedom. Their feelings are not presented as simple or black-and-white, and this adds considerable depth to both the characters and the story. Their love for each other and their determination to protect one another remain at the heart of the book, even as circumstances continue to put them in impossible situations.
The mystery and suspense kept the story moving, and it was satisfying to see the various loose ends tied up, the villain finally foiled, and the heroes receive their due. After following these characters through so many adventures, it was especially rewarding to see how much they have grown and how their relationships have developed throughout the series.
Of course, being a longtime reader of a series means that I always want *just a little more* when it comes to saying goodbye to characters I have come to care about. There were a couple of things I would have loved to see. I would have appreciated an epilogue—perhaps at Christmas the following year—with all the friends reunited. I would have enjoyed seeing Max, Alex, and George together again, with Max and Alex bringing love interests, and I would have especially liked to meet George’s romantic interest. And, naturally, I wouldn’t have objected to seeing Verity expecting!
Those are small wishes, however, and they don't diminish my enjoyment of the book or the series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Verity Kent Mysteries. Each book has been an entertaining and engaging read while also deepening the characters and their relationships. Verity and Sydney have become characters I will genuinely miss, and I am sad to see their story come to an end.
I will definitely be watching for news of whatever series Anna Lee Huber decides to introduce next. Whatever comes next, I’ll be there to read it!
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 4, 2026
I found this trilogy dragged - Verity was a bit too perfect again and I'd lost the threads of the plot across the books.
September 2, 2026
THE BRAVEST HOUR is the ninth, and final, installment in Anna Lee Huber’s post WWI Verity Kent mystery series. It is bittersweet to come to this end, and I will greatly miss Verity, her husband Sydney, Alec, and Max. It brings Verity’s story to a satisfying conclusion.
I do not want to give too much of the plot away but will say that Verity is up to her neck in trouble with the British government and beginning to question their tactics and her loyalty. It is 1920, and Verity is so much more than a young English society “it girl”. As a spy during WWI, and as a continued asset to the government, she places herself in dangerous situations over and over again. Her very life is at risk here.
I love the clandestine nature of these books, the duplicity, the relationships, the well-drawn characters, intricate plots, and historically accurate details sprinkled thoughout. I always learn something reading Huber’s books.
I highly recommend this entire series. Adieu, Verity.
I gratefully received and ARC of this title from Ms. Huber and Kensington Publishers through NetGalley. I voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
I do not want to give too much of the plot away but will say that Verity is up to her neck in trouble with the British government and beginning to question their tactics and her loyalty. It is 1920, and Verity is so much more than a young English society “it girl”. As a spy during WWI, and as a continued asset to the government, she places herself in dangerous situations over and over again. Her very life is at risk here.
I love the clandestine nature of these books, the duplicity, the relationships, the well-drawn characters, intricate plots, and historically accurate details sprinkled thoughout. I always learn something reading Huber’s books.
I highly recommend this entire series. Adieu, Verity.
I gratefully received and ARC of this title from Ms. Huber and Kensington Publishers through NetGalley. I voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
August 28, 2026
I hope this isn’t the last Verity Kent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Bravest Hour is a wild ride through the fight for freedom that took place in Ireland so that they could rule themselves. We see it through the eyes of our heroine Verity whose bias we can see and I for one totally share that bias with her.
The author says she made this piece of historical fiction somewhat simplified and I know that even though she may have done it was all I could do to keep abreast of the happenings, and people involved. It was a bitter time for the Irish - so much so that the present generation I know still have their stories to share of how their recent forebears experienced it. And more power to them as the Irish would say
I did enjoy the cloak and dagger approach Verity and Sydney had to take. While many of the characters are fictional we meet up with some historical figures too in a fictional way. The story is filled with tension and as a reader I never knew just what might happen next.
Verity is finished in Ireland, she came to do something and along with Sydney has seen it through at great personal cost. I did like that through it all their relationship continued to develop and strengthen. I would love to know they settle down and have a happy family life.
I think you would have at least needed to read the previous to books in this trilogy and really the whole series to appreciate this book. Although maybe if you already have some knowledge of those troubled times this book by itself could work for you.
The author says she made this piece of historical fiction somewhat simplified and I know that even though she may have done it was all I could do to keep abreast of the happenings, and people involved. It was a bitter time for the Irish - so much so that the present generation I know still have their stories to share of how their recent forebears experienced it. And more power to them as the Irish would say
I did enjoy the cloak and dagger approach Verity and Sydney had to take. While many of the characters are fictional we meet up with some historical figures too in a fictional way. The story is filled with tension and as a reader I never knew just what might happen next.
Verity is finished in Ireland, she came to do something and along with Sydney has seen it through at great personal cost. I did like that through it all their relationship continued to develop and strengthen. I would love to know they settle down and have a happy family life.
I think you would have at least needed to read the previous to books in this trilogy and really the whole series to appreciate this book. Although maybe if you already have some knowledge of those troubled times this book by itself could work for you.
July 2, 2026
3 ⭐s
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Anna Lee Huber is clearly a talented writer, and her attention to historical detail creates a vivid, immersive setting. While I came into this series later than I should have and hadn’t read the previous books, I was still able to follow the overall story. However, I do think my reading experience would have been stronger had I started from the beginning.
My biggest challenge was the pacing. There was a significant amount of repetition throughout the story, with the same thoughts and information revisited multiple times. At times, I felt like I could skim entire paragraphs without missing anything new, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged. Because of this, the moments of suspense and high stakes didn’t have quite the impact I was hoping for, as it took a long time to reach them.
That said, the writing itself is strong, the characters are well-developed, and it’s evident how much care went into the historical research. I think longtime fans of the series will likely appreciate this installment more than I did, especially those already invested in the characters’ journeys.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Anna Lee Huber is clearly a talented writer, and her attention to historical detail creates a vivid, immersive setting. While I came into this series later than I should have and hadn’t read the previous books, I was still able to follow the overall story. However, I do think my reading experience would have been stronger had I started from the beginning.
My biggest challenge was the pacing. There was a significant amount of repetition throughout the story, with the same thoughts and information revisited multiple times. At times, I felt like I could skim entire paragraphs without missing anything new, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged. Because of this, the moments of suspense and high stakes didn’t have quite the impact I was hoping for, as it took a long time to reach them.
That said, the writing itself is strong, the characters are well-developed, and it’s evident how much care went into the historical research. I think longtime fans of the series will likely appreciate this installment more than I did, especially those already invested in the characters’ journeys.
September 25, 2026
Verity Kent, is an extraordinary agent working for British intelligence. Escaping the trial in Belgium and Germany, underrated by many of the men working with her, as well as her bosses, her real talents are highlighted in this story.
November 1920 Dublin not the best place to be. She and husband Sidney are amongst enemies, personal ones and Lord Ardmore is treacherous and protected by his title. She has flouted his planned attack by phosgene on an unsuspecting public, and he is not a man to forget. Taken in for questioning, tortured and imprisoned this time at the notorious Castle, she and Sidney have to work through friends on both sides to stop Ardmore.
The Irish Rebellion was harsh. No holds barred. The ordinary man suffered in random attacks of revenge and the death toll was high and destruction of people’s livelihoods was rampant. The Government turned a blind eye and media coverage was one sided. If a publisher decided to be truthful, he was severely dealt with. It was a Nazi style state. One which the average person outside Ireland was unaware of.
The story described as historical fiction is full of facts as well though our chief characters may be fictional. Moving and extremely well written story.
November 1920 Dublin not the best place to be. She and husband Sidney are amongst enemies, personal ones and Lord Ardmore is treacherous and protected by his title. She has flouted his planned attack by phosgene on an unsuspecting public, and he is not a man to forget. Taken in for questioning, tortured and imprisoned this time at the notorious Castle, she and Sidney have to work through friends on both sides to stop Ardmore.
The Irish Rebellion was harsh. No holds barred. The ordinary man suffered in random attacks of revenge and the death toll was high and destruction of people’s livelihoods was rampant. The Government turned a blind eye and media coverage was one sided. If a publisher decided to be truthful, he was severely dealt with. It was a Nazi style state. One which the average person outside Ireland was unaware of.
The story described as historical fiction is full of facts as well though our chief characters may be fictional. Moving and extremely well written story.
September 29, 2026
Thank you Anna Lee Huber for introducing us to Verity Kent! I for one will really miss her!
This was a lovely send off for her…plot tied up nicely, supported by your ability to weave a tale with sound research behind it. But, it didn’t feel overly researched at the same time. And it gave the reader insight into a period of history that we might not have known much about.
I can’t wait to see where your writing takes you next. 😀❤️📚🎉
This was a lovely send off for her…plot tied up nicely, supported by your ability to weave a tale with sound research behind it. But, it didn’t feel overly researched at the same time. And it gave the reader insight into a period of history that we might not have known much about.
I can’t wait to see where your writing takes you next. 😀❤️📚🎉
September 27, 2026
This was a satisfying end to the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's not always the case that the final book in a beloved series wraps up both satisfying to its reader but also holding true to itself. I've been a fan of the Verity Kent series from its inception and was disappointed to hear of her swan song, but I was happy to discover that Huber had her heroine bow out at the top of her game reuniting with some beloved familiar faces throughout the nine-book series and tying up some loose ends.
This particular book was more poignant to me as it paid tribute to the Irish people in their bloody struggles with the British for their own autonomy. Having Verity and other characters second-guessing and questioning their own government allegiances was a massive undertaking for an author, but Huber with her always stellar historical research, found ways to show this heart wrenching dichotomy in some very visceral ways. This story felt much more "real" because it didn't shy away from showing the ugly and brutal aspects of that period of time and place.
This series has been a joy to read for several reasons. As I've mentioned, the historical research was always spot on and always left me with tidbits of information that I wasn't aware of. The writing was beautiful, flowed smoothly and just a pleasure to sit down with. World-building as far as locales were concerned were wonderfully descriptive and again, informative. The stories themselves were intriguing and kept me entertained and riveted for hours. But for me it was the characters who were the leading force for me in making this one of my favorite auto-buy series of books. Huber imagined and developed a rich set of players (both main and side, both forces of good and evil) that carried the stories so perfectly on their shoulders. Verity was a revelation...as a grieving widow, an intrepid spy, a fiercely brave woman, but ultimately just as a flawed human trying to do some good in the world. While she and Sidney were not always perfect (and I was not always enamored with their actions/choices), their hearts were always in the right place.
The wrap up for this book seemed a bit abrupt, but in hindsight, I think that may have more to do with me as a fan wanting to wring out every last drop from it...and not having to say that final goodbye. Would I have liked to see into the futures of some of my favorite characters? Yes. But there's also some excitement in the unknown as well. Huber's HEA in this case was well done and seemed more in the spirit of the series as a whole.
If you haven't discovered this series, I urge you to give it a try if you enjoy historical mysteries with a dash of romance. I do recommend that it be read in order so pick up This Side of Murder if you're interested.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing / Kensington for providing the free early arc of The Bravest Hour for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
This particular book was more poignant to me as it paid tribute to the Irish people in their bloody struggles with the British for their own autonomy. Having Verity and other characters second-guessing and questioning their own government allegiances was a massive undertaking for an author, but Huber with her always stellar historical research, found ways to show this heart wrenching dichotomy in some very visceral ways. This story felt much more "real" because it didn't shy away from showing the ugly and brutal aspects of that period of time and place.
This series has been a joy to read for several reasons. As I've mentioned, the historical research was always spot on and always left me with tidbits of information that I wasn't aware of. The writing was beautiful, flowed smoothly and just a pleasure to sit down with. World-building as far as locales were concerned were wonderfully descriptive and again, informative. The stories themselves were intriguing and kept me entertained and riveted for hours. But for me it was the characters who were the leading force for me in making this one of my favorite auto-buy series of books. Huber imagined and developed a rich set of players (both main and side, both forces of good and evil) that carried the stories so perfectly on their shoulders. Verity was a revelation...as a grieving widow, an intrepid spy, a fiercely brave woman, but ultimately just as a flawed human trying to do some good in the world. While she and Sidney were not always perfect (and I was not always enamored with their actions/choices), their hearts were always in the right place.
The wrap up for this book seemed a bit abrupt, but in hindsight, I think that may have more to do with me as a fan wanting to wring out every last drop from it...and not having to say that final goodbye. Would I have liked to see into the futures of some of my favorite characters? Yes. But there's also some excitement in the unknown as well. Huber's HEA in this case was well done and seemed more in the spirit of the series as a whole.
If you haven't discovered this series, I urge you to give it a try if you enjoy historical mysteries with a dash of romance. I do recommend that it be read in order so pick up This Side of Murder if you're interested.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing / Kensington for providing the free early arc of The Bravest Hour for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
September 15, 2026
A good finish to the trilogy.
September 14, 2026
This was a good, happy conclusion to the series. The politics of the time or historical fiction aspects made it more interesting to me than a random spy novel.
September 12, 2026
Phenomenal
September 9, 2026
Another brilliant Verity Kent mystery. Great characters
August 27, 2026
When we last saw Verity, she was being incarcerated by her own countrymen in Dublin Castle! What a slap in the face to a woman who had been putting herself at risk to find and help capture the contemptable Lord Ardmore! A perfect ending to the last book, and a bit of a preface for this one.
I did not know that this would be the last book in this series, but I'm glad to see there was enough 'tying up loose ends' that I can be happy for Verity and Sydney. I've enjoyed the fictional lives of Verity, Stanley, and their friends and how Ms. Huber weaved their story realistically with the true life events happening at the time. I truly felt for Verity and Sydney when they didn't know who to ally themselves with.
Shutting down Lord Ardmore was just a fabulous ending to this book and to this series!
I have loved these books from the beginning.. The amount of historical research Ms. Huber puts into her books is so appreciated. Well done.
I did not know that this would be the last book in this series, but I'm glad to see there was enough 'tying up loose ends' that I can be happy for Verity and Sydney. I've enjoyed the fictional lives of Verity, Stanley, and their friends and how Ms. Huber weaved their story realistically with the true life events happening at the time. I truly felt for Verity and Sydney when they didn't know who to ally themselves with.
Shutting down Lord Ardmore was just a fabulous ending to this book and to this series!
I have loved these books from the beginning.. The amount of historical research Ms. Huber puts into her books is so appreciated. Well done.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have been waiting for this book as the last ended on a cliffhanger. I hope this is not the end of the series!
However, this is the end of a trilogy within the series that takes place in Dublin in 1920.
This is historical fiction in the best sense, you learn about a subject from a different point of view, and I found myself googling history as I read.
Verity and Sydney are in Dublin, following the villain of the trilogy and trying to thwart him at every turn.
One of the most poignant scenes is Armistice day, as Verity, Sydney and 2 other characters are waiting for 11AM on November 11th, as each of them remember their war years.
Verity has become quite disenchanted with the way the British are handling the Irish, and is hiding what she knows about the IRA and where Michael Collins is hiding. We learn about how the British behaved, with ramifications which continue today.
This is quite an exciting thriller, as once again Verity and Sydney must stop Lord Ardmore from wreaking havoc to his own purposes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
However, this is the end of a trilogy within the series that takes place in Dublin in 1920.
This is historical fiction in the best sense, you learn about a subject from a different point of view, and I found myself googling history as I read.
Verity and Sydney are in Dublin, following the villain of the trilogy and trying to thwart him at every turn.
One of the most poignant scenes is Armistice day, as Verity, Sydney and 2 other characters are waiting for 11AM on November 11th, as each of them remember their war years.
Verity has become quite disenchanted with the way the British are handling the Irish, and is hiding what she knows about the IRA and where Michael Collins is hiding. We learn about how the British behaved, with ramifications which continue today.
This is quite an exciting thriller, as once again Verity and Sydney must stop Lord Ardmore from wreaking havoc to his own purposes.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
August 25, 2026
Rating: 5/5 stars
I am so sad that this series is over, but what a great finale.
As is typical of a Verity Kent book, this one grabbed me from the start. The description of the "interrogation" Verity endures was gut wrenching without feeling like too much detail. I cringed reading it, but the writing and the story are so compelling that I was not about to stop reading.
One of the things I've enjoyed most about the last three books of this series, the books set in Ireland, is how well Anna Lee Huber has managed both the Ardmore and the Collins/IRA plots. Both stories within this story are fast paced, exciting, and well developed. Neither takes away from the other.
I suspect this is a common sentiment among readers who have loved this series as much as I have, but I am truly going miss these characters a lot. I imagine a full series re-read is in my near future.
Highly recommend this book, and the entire series.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
I am so sad that this series is over, but what a great finale.
As is typical of a Verity Kent book, this one grabbed me from the start. The description of the "interrogation" Verity endures was gut wrenching without feeling like too much detail. I cringed reading it, but the writing and the story are so compelling that I was not about to stop reading.
One of the things I've enjoyed most about the last three books of this series, the books set in Ireland, is how well Anna Lee Huber has managed both the Ardmore and the Collins/IRA plots. Both stories within this story are fast paced, exciting, and well developed. Neither takes away from the other.
I suspect this is a common sentiment among readers who have loved this series as much as I have, but I am truly going miss these characters a lot. I imagine a full series re-read is in my near future.
Highly recommend this book, and the entire series.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
September 4, 2026
I've found my new favorite author. I really enjoyed reading Anna's book. Anna is new to me and I look forward to find more of her books in this series.
August 22, 2026
Wow. What an ending to this exciting series! Things are looking pretty bleak for Verity at the start of this book. And they don’t really improve until the very end. I would have loved an epilogue to tie up some loose ends regarding secondary characters, but we can’t have everything! Thanks to Kensington for the arc.
August 21, 2026
Fantastic way to end the series. This was my first book of hers and now I will have to start the series. I’m a fan of Masie Dobbs and I find this is very similar so it was a delightful to listen to.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so excited to spend time with Verity, Sidney, and their friends again in The Bravest Hour, the 9th and final book in the Verity Kent mystery series by Anna Lee Huber. I have loved this series from the beginning, particularly since they found themselves in Ireland during the dark period after WWI. I knew very little about that slice of history before reading the last three books. It was a devastating period for Ireland --- and made for compelling reading.
Verity is imprisoned at the Castle, forced to endure brutal interrogation, along with torture. During the course of the book the reader is reconnected with the supporting characters one last time---in a positive light; of importance to readers like me who need closure. This is a series that will easily slide into the favorite reread category.
Heartfelt thanks to #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing #AnnaLeeHuber
for an advanced reader e-copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#TheBravestHour #NetGalley #AVerityKentMysteryBook
Verity is imprisoned at the Castle, forced to endure brutal interrogation, along with torture. During the course of the book the reader is reconnected with the supporting characters one last time---in a positive light; of importance to readers like me who need closure. This is a series that will easily slide into the favorite reread category.
Heartfelt thanks to #NetGalley #KensingtonPublishing #AnnaLeeHuber
for an advanced reader e-copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#TheBravestHour #NetGalley #AVerityKentMysteryBook
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A brilliant ending to a great series! While I felt a little buried in history for the past 2 books set in Ireland, the 3rd book was just enough to understand the events of this time period and the conflicting feelings of the characters. These last 3 books follow Verity & Sydney working for the British government to help take down Michael Collins and the IRA but their close friend Alec is involved and wavering between allegiances. Verity is arrested and Ardmore is trying to make things as difficult as possible for her so that she stops pursuing him and his diabolical schemes. Verity is as determined as ever to take him down and starts looking into his past to find out what drives him to murder. We continue to see their marriage being challenged as well as their allegiances. I was holding my breath at several points in the story, waiting to see who survived.
A great finale to the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.
A great finale to the series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The final installment in this wonderful series proves that the last book is certainly not the least. As the third novel in the Ireland trilogy, it begins with gripping action and never lets up, keeping the pages turning from start to finish. While I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, this book left me with a profound appreciation for the hardships the people of Ireland endured during this turbulent period in history.
Verity and her husband have become so richly developed that they feel like real people, and I found myself deeply invested in their lives. Although I would happily read more about their future, the author brought their journey—and the series as a whole—to a deeply satisfying and beautifully crafted conclusion. An action-filled, memorable, emotional, and fitting end to an outstanding series.
Verity and her husband have become so richly developed that they feel like real people, and I found myself deeply invested in their lives. Although I would happily read more about their future, the author brought their journey—and the series as a whole—to a deeply satisfying and beautifully crafted conclusion. An action-filled, memorable, emotional, and fitting end to an outstanding series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book from the author with no expectations of a positive review. Wow! This is the first book that I have read of Ms. Huber. I was blown away with the detailed history of the conflict between the British and the Irish as they fought for independence from the British rule. Verity Kent is being brought to the Castle by her own British government. She is held and questioned. Once she is released on conditions including she cannot leave the country. Join Verity and her husband Sidney as they walk the tight wire of consciousness and duty to their country. This will not be the last book I read by Ms. Huber.
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