No Solace for the Wicked

by Nancy Herriman

249 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2026

About the author

Nancy Herriman retired from a career as an engineer to chase around two small children and take up the pen. She hasn’t looked back. When she is not writing, or gabbing over lattes about writing, she is either watching history shows on cable TV or performing with various choral groups. She lives in Ohio with her husband and sons, and wishes there were more hours in the day.

Book 1 in her series 'A Mystery of Old San Francisco' to be released August 2015. 'No Comfort for the Lost' (NAL/Penguin)

Reviews

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

THOUGHTS: I haven’t read others in this series so wasn’t up on who all the characters were, but I didn’t feel that I was in the dark about them as I read the story. The best part of the book for me was the setting. The author did an amazing job with the setting and putting me right there in the story. But the characters were very well-done as well. Celia Davies (a nurse and investigator) and Nick Greaves (police detective) are a brilliant pairing. And there are as many twists and turns to the story that keeps you reading.

In this one, an old foe, Dennis Merrill, contacts Celia to ask for her help in finding his missing wife. Celia doesn’t really want to believe him, but she decides to help him anyway, against the advice of all her friends. What she uncovers, besides bodies (yes, 2) are a lot of secrets and shadowy relationships that lead to murder and mayhem.

I found the entire premise of the story intriguing – set in the late 1800s in San Francisco, Celia isn’t some rich do-gooder with nothing better to do. She’s a nurse with a busy clinic clientele who has housemates. She’s realistic and interesting. I love how she tries to earn enough money for a wedding dress for her friend. And her relationship with Greaves builds, even though they are definitely at odds about trusting Merrill. And a satisfying ending doesn’t hurt at all.

I recommend this book/series for those who like their mysteries set in historical times.

Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing this ARC.

[Perrin Larton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we're transported to Old San Francisco where our amateur sleuth, Celia Davies has become entangled in another murder investigation to the chagrin of police detective, Nick Greaves who is also her beau! The story was well written and we get to catch up with characters from previous books in this series. Having said that, this can certainly be read as a stand-alone. There were multiple suspects and once you think it must be that person...it's not! So a great mystery as well. I was surprised and that's not normal for me!

Finally Nick....ummm you'll need to read the next book to see what was on Nick's mind...and Owen finds out...ummm that needs to be read in the next book also! So a bit of a cliff hanger or an introduction to the next book!

I love the thought and study that goes into each of these books. Ms. Herriman's descriptions of the area of Old San Francisco where this series is based are wonderful. You can just see the buildings and feel the emotions of the characters. Lots of inferences to the smell as well! Living just 60 miles south of The City, I have taken day trips just to see what's there now and imagine what it would have been like then.

[K McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this next installment in this San Francisco-set historical mystery series, partly to see how the slow burn relationship between two main characters would develop. The positives far outweigh the negatives. On the positive side, the mystery is as well done as ever in this series, with a quick pace and compelling characters. There are some good developments for some of the recurring characters, who have a real depth to them this far in the series. The historical and physical setting works well, and historical details are woven into the plot without ever distracting from it. The only negative for me is that the slow burn between the characters is so slow it’s barely a burn. The pace of the relationship is so slow as to feel almost contrived, like the author has to continually think of new minor obstacles to keep the two apart. At some point the relationship needs to advance or stop being part of the plot. Again, though, overall an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[R Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well worked murder mystery without that much gory detail. It features a female physician who doubles as an amateur detective who investigates the disappearance of the wife of a man whom she had helped clear of a previous murder. The book took you into 19th century San Francisco and emphasised that women despit having ability did not get the same opportunity as men. There was a surprising conclusion that emphasised the impac5 grief and guilt has on a person making this an 8nteresting read

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nancy Herriman for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for No Solace for the Wicked coming out June 23, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series. I think the characters are so smart. I really love the murder mystery aspect. Nick and Celia are fun characters and I enjoy them working together. I definitely want to check out more books in the series.