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The Antler Incident
Not yet published
Expected 31 Aug 26417 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 31, 2026
About the author
Lorraine May
2 books6 followersLorraine May is a Melbourne-based author with a story rooted in extraordinary women and the quiet courage it takes to build a life from scratch.
She is currently writing The Ironopolis Files, a 10-book series inspired by her own family history — specifically her grandmother, who agreed to uproot her family from Middlesbrough, England, and sail to Australia in the 1950s with no network, no safety net, and no shortage of determination. That spirit — women accomplishing extraordinary things in the spaces men forgot to watch — is the heartbeat of every book in the series.
Lorraine lives in Melbourne with her husband, son, and a very enthusiastic Springer Spaniel. She runs on coffee (hence the mugs in the shop!) and believes the best stories are the ones hiding in plain sight in our own family histories.
Find Lorraine's books on Goodreads, Amazon, and Kindle.
She is currently writing The Ironopolis Files, a 10-book series inspired by her own family history — specifically her grandmother, who agreed to uproot her family from Middlesbrough, England, and sail to Australia in the 1950s with no network, no safety net, and no shortage of determination. That spirit — women accomplishing extraordinary things in the spaces men forgot to watch — is the heartbeat of every book in the series.
Lorraine lives in Melbourne with her husband, son, and a very enthusiastic Springer Spaniel. She runs on coffee (hence the mugs in the shop!) and believes the best stories are the ones hiding in plain sight in our own family histories.
Find Lorraine's books on Goodreads, Amazon, and Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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August 11, 2026⭐ 3.5 / 5 Stars — A Slow Start That Turned Into a Puzzle I Wanted to Solve
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an Advanced Reviewer Copy (ARC) of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Antler Incident is an atmospheric, slow-burn historical mystery that requires a little patience but ultimately rewards the reader. While the beginning felt slightly disjointed, with many moving pieces introduced at once, the narrative gradually transformed into an engaging puzzle as the deeper layers of the plot began to connect. Once I got further into the story, I found myself enjoying the process of putting the puzzle pieces together and trying to understand how everything connected.
What I Loved
Alice's Character Arc:
Alice is the absolute highlight of the book for me. She is exceptionally wise and observant, and I loved how she processes the world around her through her diary entries. She knows when to act and, perhaps just as importantly, when not to act. Her journey isn't about becoming capable—she already is. Instead, it's about stepping out of the background, recognizing her own power, and learning how to wield it.
I also appreciated that Alice's intelligence isn't portrayed as simply being clever enough to solve a mystery. She understands people, timing, silence, and consequences. She observes before she reacts, which made her feel like a heroine who is always thinking several steps ahead.
The Characters & Relationships:
The supporting characters—Crowe, Tommy Crowe, and Alice's friend Eleanor—add interesting layers to the story. I found myself wanting to know more about several of the characters and how their individual stories might connect to the larger mystery.
Marithea — The Aunt I Wanted More Of
Alice's aunt, Marithea, was one of the characters I found most intriguing. She has this quiet, almost knowing presence that made me feel like she always knows more than she says. At times, it seems as though she already has the answers but deliberately allows Alice to figure things out for herself rather than simply telling her what she knows.
I really appreciated that dynamic because it feels like Marithea is helping Alice develop confidence in her own judgment rather than solving everything for her.
At the same time, I wanted so much more of Marithea. We don't get enough time with her to fully understand her history, her connection to Alice, or everything she may know about their family. There is a sense that there is much more beneath the surface, and I would have loved to see more of her relationship with Alice and how she has shaped Alice's development.
By the end, I was left wondering just how much Marithea knows about the larger mystery—and especially how she knows the mystery man. She feels like a character who could hold some very important pieces of Alice's family history, and I hope future books give us much more of her.
The Subplot Tension
The unacknowledged chemistry between Alice and Commander Sterling adds a compelling layer of emotional tension to her married life. There is a sense that something exists between them that neither dares to acknowledge, perhaps because putting those feelings into words would make them impossible to take back.
Because Alice is married, that tension becomes even more complicated. I found myself wondering whether these feelings will ever be spoken or whether they will remain something neither of them is willing to bring into existence.
The Marriage Dynamic
Alice and Arthur's relationship was one of the more interesting aspects of the story. Their marriage reads more like a carefully structured partnership between equals than a traditional romance. Arthur acknowledges Alice's intelligence and offers her financial independence, freedom, and a genuine role in the work they share.
One scene that particularly stood out to me was Alice firmly asserting her autonomy regarding the possibility of having children. She makes it clear that decisions about her own body and future belong to her, not Arthur, a physician, or society. Arthur respects that boundary, which says a lot about the unusual but meaningful dynamic between them.
At the same time, I found myself wishing there had been more emotional or romantic spark between Alice and Arthur. Their partnership works very well practically, but I wanted to see more growth in the emotional side of their marriage.
Vivid World-Building
The author's greatest strengths are their descriptions and attention to detail. The clothing, architecture, surroundings, and atmosphere of the Gilded Age are brought to life with vivid and beautiful imagery. I could easily picture many of the scenes, and the setting often felt tangible.
However, the same descriptive quality that made the world so immersive could also make the story feel a little heavy at times.
What Kept It From 5 Stars
Pacing, Wordiness & Transitions:
The prose can be overly wordy at times. While I appreciated the author's vivid descriptions, some scenes contained more detail than I personally needed. There were also moments when the transitions from one event or scene to another felt abrupt or confusing, particularly during the first half of the book. I occasionally had to pause and figure out how the story had moved from one moment to the next.
These issues didn't make me dislike the story, but they did make it more difficult for me to get into the book initially.
Mary Ellison — A Storyline I Want More Of
Mary Ellison was introduced early in the story and immediately caught my attention. Her storyline at the Ironopolis Record Office in Middlesbrough left me especially curious about where her character might fit into the larger mystery.
Her interaction with the mysterious man was brief but memorable. He asked her to add a notation to a record, even though she recognized the information wasn't in the original. Knowing about her family's struggles and her mother's illness, he offered her money and told her she wasn't invisible—she simply worked in a space where people forget to look.
What made the scene particularly interesting to me was Mary's decision to make "two copies" of the altered page: one for the mysterious man, as instructed, and another for herself. That small decision made me wonder whether Mary knows more than she realizes and whether her story will eventually connect back to Alice and the larger conspiracy.
That is the last we hear from Mary in this book, and I genuinely hope she returns in a future installment. Her storyline feels like it has more to give, and I'm curious whether she will become more significant in Book 2.
My Hopes for the Future
I'm especially curious about Alice's **family history**. By the end of the book, I couldn't shake the feeling that there is much more to Alice's family and their past than we currently know. Marithea seems to know far more than she says, which makes me even more curious about what may eventually be uncovered.
I'm also interested to see how the relationships develop. While Alice and Arthur have established a fascinating partnership, I would love to see more emotional growth between them. And, of course, the tension surrounding Commander Sterling leaves plenty to wonder about.
The Verdict
The Antler Incident ends with several tantalizing loose ends that point toward a much larger mystery. Mary's unresolved storyline, the questions surrounding Alice's family history, and the cryptic final moments left me with plenty to think about.
How does Marithea know the mystery man? And why does Alice need to bring her antlers?
Those questions, along with the unresolved pieces of the larger mystery, definitely left me curious about what comes next.
At 3.5 stars, I found The Antler Incident to be a richly atmospheric historical mystery with a compelling heroine, vivid world-building, intriguing supporting characters, and plenty of unanswered questions. It wasn't always an easy read for me, particularly because of the wordiness and some confusing transitions; however, once I settled into the story, I enjoyed slowly putting the pieces together and getting to know Alice.
I'm definitely curious to see where Alice, Marithea, Mary Ellison, Arthur, Commander Sterling, Crowe, Tommy Crowe, and Eleanor go from here—and whether the next installment will finally reveal how all these seemingly separate pieces fit together.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an Advanced Reviewer Copy (ARC) of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Antler Incident is an atmospheric, slow-burn historical mystery that requires a little patience but ultimately rewards the reader. While the beginning felt slightly disjointed, with many moving pieces introduced at once, the narrative gradually transformed into an engaging puzzle as the deeper layers of the plot began to connect. Once I got further into the story, I found myself enjoying the process of putting the puzzle pieces together and trying to understand how everything connected.
What I Loved
Alice's Character Arc:
Alice is the absolute highlight of the book for me. She is exceptionally wise and observant, and I loved how she processes the world around her through her diary entries. She knows when to act and, perhaps just as importantly, when not to act. Her journey isn't about becoming capable—she already is. Instead, it's about stepping out of the background, recognizing her own power, and learning how to wield it.
I also appreciated that Alice's intelligence isn't portrayed as simply being clever enough to solve a mystery. She understands people, timing, silence, and consequences. She observes before she reacts, which made her feel like a heroine who is always thinking several steps ahead.
The Characters & Relationships:
The supporting characters—Crowe, Tommy Crowe, and Alice's friend Eleanor—add interesting layers to the story. I found myself wanting to know more about several of the characters and how their individual stories might connect to the larger mystery.
Marithea — The Aunt I Wanted More Of
Alice's aunt, Marithea, was one of the characters I found most intriguing. She has this quiet, almost knowing presence that made me feel like she always knows more than she says. At times, it seems as though she already has the answers but deliberately allows Alice to figure things out for herself rather than simply telling her what she knows.
I really appreciated that dynamic because it feels like Marithea is helping Alice develop confidence in her own judgment rather than solving everything for her.
At the same time, I wanted so much more of Marithea. We don't get enough time with her to fully understand her history, her connection to Alice, or everything she may know about their family. There is a sense that there is much more beneath the surface, and I would have loved to see more of her relationship with Alice and how she has shaped Alice's development.
By the end, I was left wondering just how much Marithea knows about the larger mystery—and especially how she knows the mystery man. She feels like a character who could hold some very important pieces of Alice's family history, and I hope future books give us much more of her.
The Subplot Tension
The unacknowledged chemistry between Alice and Commander Sterling adds a compelling layer of emotional tension to her married life. There is a sense that something exists between them that neither dares to acknowledge, perhaps because putting those feelings into words would make them impossible to take back.
Because Alice is married, that tension becomes even more complicated. I found myself wondering whether these feelings will ever be spoken or whether they will remain something neither of them is willing to bring into existence.
The Marriage Dynamic
Alice and Arthur's relationship was one of the more interesting aspects of the story. Their marriage reads more like a carefully structured partnership between equals than a traditional romance. Arthur acknowledges Alice's intelligence and offers her financial independence, freedom, and a genuine role in the work they share.
One scene that particularly stood out to me was Alice firmly asserting her autonomy regarding the possibility of having children. She makes it clear that decisions about her own body and future belong to her, not Arthur, a physician, or society. Arthur respects that boundary, which says a lot about the unusual but meaningful dynamic between them.
At the same time, I found myself wishing there had been more emotional or romantic spark between Alice and Arthur. Their partnership works very well practically, but I wanted to see more growth in the emotional side of their marriage.
Vivid World-Building
The author's greatest strengths are their descriptions and attention to detail. The clothing, architecture, surroundings, and atmosphere of the Gilded Age are brought to life with vivid and beautiful imagery. I could easily picture many of the scenes, and the setting often felt tangible.
However, the same descriptive quality that made the world so immersive could also make the story feel a little heavy at times.
What Kept It From 5 Stars
Pacing, Wordiness & Transitions:
The prose can be overly wordy at times. While I appreciated the author's vivid descriptions, some scenes contained more detail than I personally needed. There were also moments when the transitions from one event or scene to another felt abrupt or confusing, particularly during the first half of the book. I occasionally had to pause and figure out how the story had moved from one moment to the next.
These issues didn't make me dislike the story, but they did make it more difficult for me to get into the book initially.
Mary Ellison — A Storyline I Want More Of
Mary Ellison was introduced early in the story and immediately caught my attention. Her storyline at the Ironopolis Record Office in Middlesbrough left me especially curious about where her character might fit into the larger mystery.
Her interaction with the mysterious man was brief but memorable. He asked her to add a notation to a record, even though she recognized the information wasn't in the original. Knowing about her family's struggles and her mother's illness, he offered her money and told her she wasn't invisible—she simply worked in a space where people forget to look.
What made the scene particularly interesting to me was Mary's decision to make "two copies" of the altered page: one for the mysterious man, as instructed, and another for herself. That small decision made me wonder whether Mary knows more than she realizes and whether her story will eventually connect back to Alice and the larger conspiracy.
That is the last we hear from Mary in this book, and I genuinely hope she returns in a future installment. Her storyline feels like it has more to give, and I'm curious whether she will become more significant in Book 2.
My Hopes for the Future
I'm especially curious about Alice's **family history**. By the end of the book, I couldn't shake the feeling that there is much more to Alice's family and their past than we currently know. Marithea seems to know far more than she says, which makes me even more curious about what may eventually be uncovered.
I'm also interested to see how the relationships develop. While Alice and Arthur have established a fascinating partnership, I would love to see more emotional growth between them. And, of course, the tension surrounding Commander Sterling leaves plenty to wonder about.
The Verdict
The Antler Incident ends with several tantalizing loose ends that point toward a much larger mystery. Mary's unresolved storyline, the questions surrounding Alice's family history, and the cryptic final moments left me with plenty to think about.
How does Marithea know the mystery man? And why does Alice need to bring her antlers?
Those questions, along with the unresolved pieces of the larger mystery, definitely left me curious about what comes next.
At 3.5 stars, I found The Antler Incident to be a richly atmospheric historical mystery with a compelling heroine, vivid world-building, intriguing supporting characters, and plenty of unanswered questions. It wasn't always an easy read for me, particularly because of the wordiness and some confusing transitions; however, once I settled into the story, I enjoyed slowly putting the pieces together and getting to know Alice.
I'm definitely curious to see where Alice, Marithea, Mary Ellison, Arthur, Commander Sterling, Crowe, Tommy Crowe, and Eleanor go from here—and whether the next installment will finally reveal how all these seemingly separate pieces fit together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
this was a fantastic job in creating a opening chapter in the Ironopolis Files series, it had that element that I was looking for in a spy thriller. I thought the use of the historical thriller element was so well done and how the characters worked well. The characters felt like they were supposed to in this universe and had that overall journey worked with the characters. It was a strong plot that worked and glad it had that overall feel and am excited for the next entry in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Thank you Book Sirens.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I was hooked from the beginning. I love the whole introduction with the characters at the party was fantastic. It just got more exciting and interesting after. I loved the setting and world building. The era was really wonderful . I havent read many books set in this time. So that was really drew my attention. Im really looking forward to book 2.
Review of advance copy
The whole feel of this novel is surprising but wonderful. I especially liked the way the author narrated with the main character Alice, being undermined throughout but who steps up to take control. The era is a perfect backdrop to the whole scenario and is a strong start for this series of women who are seemingly hiding in plain sight. I cannot wait for the next installment.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews