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Lady Darby Mysteries #6
A Brush with Shadows
Sebastian Gage returns home to battle the ghosts of his past and prevent them from destroying his future with Kiera in the latest exciting installment in this national bestselling series.
July 1831. It's been fifteen years since Sebastian Gage has set foot in Langstone Manor. Though he has shared little with his wife, Lady Kiera Darby, about his past, she knows that he planned never to return to the place of so many unhappy childhood memories. But when an urgent letter from his grandfather reaches them in Dublin, Ireland, and begs Gage to visit, Kiera convinces him to go.
All is not well at Langstone Manor. Gage's grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock, is gravely ill, and Gage's cousin Alfred has suddenly vanished. He wandered out into the moors and never returned. The Viscount is convinced someone or something other than the natural hazards of the moors is to blame for Alfred's disappearance. And when Alfred's brother Rory goes missing, Kiera and Gage must concede he may be right. Now, they must face the ghosts of Gage's past, discover the truth behind the local superstitions, and see beyond the tricks being played by their very own eyes to expose what has happened to Gage's family before the moors claim yet another victim...
July 1831. It's been fifteen years since Sebastian Gage has set foot in Langstone Manor. Though he has shared little with his wife, Lady Kiera Darby, about his past, she knows that he planned never to return to the place of so many unhappy childhood memories. But when an urgent letter from his grandfather reaches them in Dublin, Ireland, and begs Gage to visit, Kiera convinces him to go.
All is not well at Langstone Manor. Gage's grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock, is gravely ill, and Gage's cousin Alfred has suddenly vanished. He wandered out into the moors and never returned. The Viscount is convinced someone or something other than the natural hazards of the moors is to blame for Alfred's disappearance. And when Alfred's brother Rory goes missing, Kiera and Gage must concede he may be right. Now, they must face the ghosts of Gage's past, discover the truth behind the local superstitions, and see beyond the tricks being played by their very own eyes to expose what has happened to Gage's family before the moors claim yet another victim...
431 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2018
414 people are currently reading
4061 people want to read
About the author
Anna Lee Huber
29 books3,646 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 548 reviews
April 25, 2018
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
At the end of As Death Draws Near, the fifth book in Anna Lee Huber’s series of historical mysteries, the recently-wed Lady Darby and her husband, private enquiry agent Sebastian Gage, were urgently summoned to England – specifically, to Gage’s family home at Langstone Manor in Dartmoor. Gage’s cousin, Alfred, heir to their grandfather, Viscount Tavistock, has gone missing, and the elderly and ailing viscount wants Gage to find him.
Book six, A Brush with Shadows, opens with Keira and Gage arriving at the Manor after an arduous journey from Ireland (where they’d solved the case of a murdered nun), and already things are tense. Gage hasn’t visited Langstone since his mother died when he was eighteen, and he had, at that time, vowed never to set foot in the place again. He hasn’t told Keira much about his childhood – he has always been rather cagey when it comes to his past, and she has had to carefully pry information out of him at various points throughout the series – but it’s clear from what he has said that his time there wasn’t happy, and there is no love lost between her husband and his cousin. But Gage is an honourable man and isn’t about to ignore this request for help, no matter that it has come from the family from which he is estranged.
Their arrival has clearly not been prepared for, and things go pretty much downhill from then on. Gage’s aunt, Lady Vanessa is openly hostile to both him and Keira, making it clear that she knows about Keira’s background (and the scandal that continues to dog her owing to her forced involvement in her late husband’s anatomical studies – see The Anatomist’s Wife) and strongly disapproves of their marriage. Her younger son, Rory is more welcoming, while the viscount continues to tyrannise the household from his sickbed. And all of them have secrets they are desperate to keep, even at the risk of prolonging the search for Alfred who, it turns out, vanished almost a fortnight earlier.
I freely admit that the big draw – for me – of this book was the opportunity to discover more about Gage’s past. He’s such a lovely hero – clever, well-liked, handsome, charming, and urbane, but there’s been an aura of mystery about him and the sense that he’s suffered some deep hurt that he is at pains to keep hidden. He has always played his cards close to his chest and at times, Keira has despaired of his ever really opening up to her, but as the series has progressed he has done so occasionally – about his experiences in Greece in the war against Turkey and confessing that his mother was murdered (poisoned) by her maid – even though he finds it incredibly difficult and has taken care to pack all his most disturbing memories away behind thickly constructed mental walls. The picture of the younger Gage that emerges here is heart-breaking, but also points strongly to the man he is to become. Forced to assume the role of protector at a young age (his father was often away at sea and his mother was unwell), young Sebastian put up with insults, lies and unpleasant pranks from his cousins and his aunt’s open disdain for both himself and his mother but kept his hurt and frustration to himself so as not to cause Emma Gage any distress. He learned early in life not to rely on anyone else, and even now, continues to display that tendency; although he has learned to trust Keira and knows she is intelligent, strong and capable of looking out for herself, he can’t help wanting to protect her and shield her from unpleasantness.
This storyline is much more engaging than the central mystery, which is actually quite weak by comparison – both with Gage’s backstory and with other mysteries in the series. Ms. Huber skilfully weaves the plotline of the missing heir in and out of the threads which reveal more about Gage’s early life at Langstone and his relationships with his relatives, but taken alone, it’s very simplistic and, at times, frustrating. The viscount wants his heir found, but deliberately withholds information from Keira and Gage; his aunt and cousin do the same, there’s talk of a curse, evil pixies who lure people to their deaths on the moor and witchcraft – which all makes for a good crop of red herrings, but there is very little actual substance to the mystery until around the last quarter of the book, when the author ups the ante with another disappearance. And when the identity of the villain was revealed, my reaction was ‘huh?’, because it comes completely out of the blue. I’m not an avid reader of mysteries, but I do enjoy them, and I like to follow the clues along with the characters, trying to work out how they fit into the big picture at the same time as they do. But here, there is no inkling at all as to who the culprit is until Keira actually sees him – and I felt cheated. There was nothing in the entire story that pointed to this person being the miscreant and if felt as though the author had pulled the name out of a hat or closed her eyes and stuck a pin into the list of possibles.
On a more positive note, Ms. Huber’s descriptions of the landscape and unpredictable weather patterns of the moor are atmospheric and evocative, and I was pleased to see Keira and Gage working together most of the time (in the last book, they were frequently separated). As I’ve said already, Gage’s backstory is engaging and well-told, and the relationship between our two protagonists continues to evolve in a positive way, as Gage is more vulnerable than we – and Keira – have ever seen him and I loved that he was fully prepared to accept her loving support.
Ultimately then, A Brush with Shadows is a bit of a mixed bag. It gets high marks for Gage’s backstory, but a middling grade for a middling mystery, and a cautious recommendation overall. Fans of the series will probably enjoy it for the interplay between the characters and progression in Keira and Gage’s relationship, but those who enjoy a bit more complexity in their historical mysteries might come away a little disappointed.
At the end of As Death Draws Near, the fifth book in Anna Lee Huber’s series of historical mysteries, the recently-wed Lady Darby and her husband, private enquiry agent Sebastian Gage, were urgently summoned to England – specifically, to Gage’s family home at Langstone Manor in Dartmoor. Gage’s cousin, Alfred, heir to their grandfather, Viscount Tavistock, has gone missing, and the elderly and ailing viscount wants Gage to find him.
Book six, A Brush with Shadows, opens with Keira and Gage arriving at the Manor after an arduous journey from Ireland (where they’d solved the case of a murdered nun), and already things are tense. Gage hasn’t visited Langstone since his mother died when he was eighteen, and he had, at that time, vowed never to set foot in the place again. He hasn’t told Keira much about his childhood – he has always been rather cagey when it comes to his past, and she has had to carefully pry information out of him at various points throughout the series – but it’s clear from what he has said that his time there wasn’t happy, and there is no love lost between her husband and his cousin. But Gage is an honourable man and isn’t about to ignore this request for help, no matter that it has come from the family from which he is estranged.
Their arrival has clearly not been prepared for, and things go pretty much downhill from then on. Gage’s aunt, Lady Vanessa is openly hostile to both him and Keira, making it clear that she knows about Keira’s background (and the scandal that continues to dog her owing to her forced involvement in her late husband’s anatomical studies – see The Anatomist’s Wife) and strongly disapproves of their marriage. Her younger son, Rory is more welcoming, while the viscount continues to tyrannise the household from his sickbed. And all of them have secrets they are desperate to keep, even at the risk of prolonging the search for Alfred who, it turns out, vanished almost a fortnight earlier.
I freely admit that the big draw – for me – of this book was the opportunity to discover more about Gage’s past. He’s such a lovely hero – clever, well-liked, handsome, charming, and urbane, but there’s been an aura of mystery about him and the sense that he’s suffered some deep hurt that he is at pains to keep hidden. He has always played his cards close to his chest and at times, Keira has despaired of his ever really opening up to her, but as the series has progressed he has done so occasionally – about his experiences in Greece in the war against Turkey and confessing that his mother was murdered (poisoned) by her maid – even though he finds it incredibly difficult and has taken care to pack all his most disturbing memories away behind thickly constructed mental walls. The picture of the younger Gage that emerges here is heart-breaking, but also points strongly to the man he is to become. Forced to assume the role of protector at a young age (his father was often away at sea and his mother was unwell), young Sebastian put up with insults, lies and unpleasant pranks from his cousins and his aunt’s open disdain for both himself and his mother but kept his hurt and frustration to himself so as not to cause Emma Gage any distress. He learned early in life not to rely on anyone else, and even now, continues to display that tendency; although he has learned to trust Keira and knows she is intelligent, strong and capable of looking out for herself, he can’t help wanting to protect her and shield her from unpleasantness.
This storyline is much more engaging than the central mystery, which is actually quite weak by comparison – both with Gage’s backstory and with other mysteries in the series. Ms. Huber skilfully weaves the plotline of the missing heir in and out of the threads which reveal more about Gage’s early life at Langstone and his relationships with his relatives, but taken alone, it’s very simplistic and, at times, frustrating. The viscount wants his heir found, but deliberately withholds information from Keira and Gage; his aunt and cousin do the same, there’s talk of a curse, evil pixies who lure people to their deaths on the moor and witchcraft – which all makes for a good crop of red herrings, but there is very little actual substance to the mystery until around the last quarter of the book, when the author ups the ante with another disappearance. And when the identity of the villain was revealed, my reaction was ‘huh?’, because it comes completely out of the blue. I’m not an avid reader of mysteries, but I do enjoy them, and I like to follow the clues along with the characters, trying to work out how they fit into the big picture at the same time as they do. But here, there is no inkling at all as to who the culprit is until Keira actually sees him – and I felt cheated. There was nothing in the entire story that pointed to this person being the miscreant and if felt as though the author had pulled the name out of a hat or closed her eyes and stuck a pin into the list of possibles.
On a more positive note, Ms. Huber’s descriptions of the landscape and unpredictable weather patterns of the moor are atmospheric and evocative, and I was pleased to see Keira and Gage working together most of the time (in the last book, they were frequently separated). As I’ve said already, Gage’s backstory is engaging and well-told, and the relationship between our two protagonists continues to evolve in a positive way, as Gage is more vulnerable than we – and Keira – have ever seen him and I loved that he was fully prepared to accept her loving support.
Ultimately then, A Brush with Shadows is a bit of a mixed bag. It gets high marks for Gage’s backstory, but a middling grade for a middling mystery, and a cautious recommendation overall. Fans of the series will probably enjoy it for the interplay between the characters and progression in Keira and Gage’s relationship, but those who enjoy a bit more complexity in their historical mysteries might come away a little disappointed.
April 3, 2018
It's always a pleasure to read about Lady Darby and Sebastian!
Here we discover what happened with Sebastian's family. And I liked that we get to know his grandfather, his cusins and his aunt, even if they're not a very likable lot!
They all treated Sebastian very badly when he was a child.
Me, as well as Keira, put some blame on is mother's shoulders too!
A nice mistery, even if the culprit is rather unbelievable ! But, I still enjoyed the story and the author's writing style is very, very good!
Here we discover what happened with Sebastian's family. And I liked that we get to know his grandfather, his cusins and his aunt, even if they're not a very likable lot!
They all treated Sebastian very badly when he was a child.
Me, as well as Keira, put some blame on is mother's shoulders too!
A nice mistery, even if the culprit is rather unbelievable ! But, I still enjoyed the story and the author's writing style is very, very good!
April 8, 2020
Absolutely loved getting a look into Gage's family from his mom's side. Loved all the characters (flaws and all!) and can't wait for more from this amazing duo! This has quickly become a favorite series of mine and I can't seem to read them fast enough!
April 1, 2025
This is one of the most interesting ones in the series; I love the deeper look into Gage's family and I love some of the resolutions to his family issues. The mystery itself was interesting but didn't seem the most important thing, which makes sense because this is about Gage's cousin going missing so the main focus is on his past relationship with him. I am glad of the patchwork being done in his family, no matter how toxic a family is I always have hope that everyone loves one another and things happily get better.
March 31, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I have been anxiously awaiting this book after the little teaser the author left us with at the end of As Death Draws Near, but it was definitely worth the wait.
Gage takes Kiera to his home, Langstone Manor. A place he hasn’t been since his mother’s death 15 years ago. His grandfather has summoned him to get there as fast as possible but the trip from Ireland took a little time. They arrive to find the Viscount Tavistock, deathly ill and his heir, Gage’s cousin, Alfred missing. Not sure if has been injured or killed out on the moors, or if he has been kidnapped, or just took off all on his own, his grandfather demands Gage find him. Then Alfred’s brother Rory disappears too. Gage and Kiera step up their investigation to find both men. Could their disappearance have something to do with the past? It is said, Langstone Manor is cursed. Gage vows to find the men and the truth.
Another fantastic story from Anna Lee Huber. The cover of this book is breathtaking too.
Ms. Huber returns with Kiera and Gage and the servants Bree and Anderley in a story so well written filled with vivid imagery. It is so easy to imagine being in the dark and dim castle or out on the moors or on horseback through the countryside.
Gage himself has been a mystery so I truly enjoyed learning about his past and what shaped him into the man he is now. All of Ms. Huber’s stories are very character driven and to peel away some of Gage’s layers was delightful.
Kiera is a little nervous to meet Gage’s relatives, but over the years she has learned to cope with those who judge her by her past. She quickly takes every opportunity to spend time with the Viscount. Even sitting at his bedside with her sketchbook while he slumbers to give the servants a break.
Gage and Kiera are a wonderful couple, they love and trust each other and are equals, something very strange for this time period.
Searching for the missing cousins takes our lead characters visiting neighbors and Bree and Anderley trying to get information from the staff. The author draws readers into the mystery quickly. Searching the vastness of the moors seems impossible, so it was important to look for other clues. Clues at first that were confusing to me as much as Gage and Keira. The twist that revealed what was really happening absolutely shocked me. Wow! I didn’t see that coming at all.
Anna Lee Huber is an amazing storyteller. She paints pictures with her words that allow readers to escape fully into her stories. She continues to surpass my expectations. The plotlines are tight, the dialogue is stellar, and her characters leap off the pages.
Each story stands on its own, but the Lady Darby mysteries are best enjoyed from the beginning to witness the character development and world building.
This book received my Paradise Rating because it deserves more than 5 stars. The is a book not to be missed.
I have been anxiously awaiting this book after the little teaser the author left us with at the end of As Death Draws Near, but it was definitely worth the wait.
Gage takes Kiera to his home, Langstone Manor. A place he hasn’t been since his mother’s death 15 years ago. His grandfather has summoned him to get there as fast as possible but the trip from Ireland took a little time. They arrive to find the Viscount Tavistock, deathly ill and his heir, Gage’s cousin, Alfred missing. Not sure if has been injured or killed out on the moors, or if he has been kidnapped, or just took off all on his own, his grandfather demands Gage find him. Then Alfred’s brother Rory disappears too. Gage and Kiera step up their investigation to find both men. Could their disappearance have something to do with the past? It is said, Langstone Manor is cursed. Gage vows to find the men and the truth.
Another fantastic story from Anna Lee Huber. The cover of this book is breathtaking too.
Ms. Huber returns with Kiera and Gage and the servants Bree and Anderley in a story so well written filled with vivid imagery. It is so easy to imagine being in the dark and dim castle or out on the moors or on horseback through the countryside.
Gage himself has been a mystery so I truly enjoyed learning about his past and what shaped him into the man he is now. All of Ms. Huber’s stories are very character driven and to peel away some of Gage’s layers was delightful.
Kiera is a little nervous to meet Gage’s relatives, but over the years she has learned to cope with those who judge her by her past. She quickly takes every opportunity to spend time with the Viscount. Even sitting at his bedside with her sketchbook while he slumbers to give the servants a break.
Gage and Kiera are a wonderful couple, they love and trust each other and are equals, something very strange for this time period.
Searching for the missing cousins takes our lead characters visiting neighbors and Bree and Anderley trying to get information from the staff. The author draws readers into the mystery quickly. Searching the vastness of the moors seems impossible, so it was important to look for other clues. Clues at first that were confusing to me as much as Gage and Keira. The twist that revealed what was really happening absolutely shocked me. Wow! I didn’t see that coming at all.
Anna Lee Huber is an amazing storyteller. She paints pictures with her words that allow readers to escape fully into her stories. She continues to surpass my expectations. The plotlines are tight, the dialogue is stellar, and her characters leap off the pages.
Each story stands on its own, but the Lady Darby mysteries are best enjoyed from the beginning to witness the character development and world building.
This book received my Paradise Rating because it deserves more than 5 stars. The is a book not to be missed.
February 1, 2020
3.5 Stars
May 20, 2025
The sixth installment of the Lady Darby series is personally the one I enjoyed the most so far. This time the mystery is set in Dartmoor, the family estate of Sebastian Gage's maternal grandfather. Due to the family setup, there was a lot more to the story than the mere solving of a mystery. The mystery itself does not share the same suspense and intrigue as the first mysteries of this series, nevertheless, the personal touch to it makes the mystery quite interesting.
However, what interested me more and what really drew me to the story was the personal side of it. Visiting the manner house after fifteen years of absence, Sebastian finds that the hostility he faced as a boy while growing up there is still persistent. And on top of it all the responsibility he feels toward his mother's death still weighs him down. Will there finally be a reconciliation, will Sebastian be finally able to come to terms with his mother's death and leave the ghost of the past behind? These personal issues were very subtly dealt with simultaneously in the mystery plot. One could also safely say that the personal story and the mystery are two separate plots that are intermixed.
I also enjoyed the author's work on the character development of Sebastian and Kiera. Most historical mystery novels more or less ignore the character development of the main male and female leads once they are married or utterly destroy it. But Anna Huber seems to understand the need for a steady, growing relationship between the husband and wife to keep her readers' interest going. I very much appreciate that.
However, what interested me more and what really drew me to the story was the personal side of it. Visiting the manner house after fifteen years of absence, Sebastian finds that the hostility he faced as a boy while growing up there is still persistent. And on top of it all the responsibility he feels toward his mother's death still weighs him down. Will there finally be a reconciliation, will Sebastian be finally able to come to terms with his mother's death and leave the ghost of the past behind? These personal issues were very subtly dealt with simultaneously in the mystery plot. One could also safely say that the personal story and the mystery are two separate plots that are intermixed.
I also enjoyed the author's work on the character development of Sebastian and Kiera. Most historical mystery novels more or less ignore the character development of the main male and female leads once they are married or utterly destroy it. But Anna Huber seems to understand the need for a steady, growing relationship between the husband and wife to keep her readers' interest going. I very much appreciate that.
March 26, 2018
This series continues to please. This particular installment takes Kiera and Sebastian to Dartmoor, to his family home, because the heir, Alfred, has disappeared. Alfred has a history of a rather nasty relationship with Gage, and Alfred's mother is the frankly not very nice Vanessa.
Anna Lee Huber gives more than a passing nod to ACD's The Hound of the Baskervilles in this one. It's probably impossible for a mystery author to set a mystery on Dartmoor without doing so - and the moor's atmospherics were a substantial element in the book, along with a family curse.
I've enjoyed every one of these Lady Darby Mysteries, and will continue to read the series. Of all of Huber's ongoing projects, this is my favorite. Verity Kent doesn't have the brooding style of Lady Darby, and her Gothic Myths series is too unformed to draw any conclusions, but the first book was a disappointment to me. Nonetheless, she has become an autobuy author for me - as soon as I see she has something available for preorder, I've already bought it.
Anna Lee Huber gives more than a passing nod to ACD's The Hound of the Baskervilles in this one. It's probably impossible for a mystery author to set a mystery on Dartmoor without doing so - and the moor's atmospherics were a substantial element in the book, along with a family curse.
I've enjoyed every one of these Lady Darby Mysteries, and will continue to read the series. Of all of Huber's ongoing projects, this is my favorite. Verity Kent doesn't have the brooding style of Lady Darby, and her Gothic Myths series is too unformed to draw any conclusions, but the first book was a disappointment to me. Nonetheless, she has become an autobuy author for me - as soon as I see she has something available for preorder, I've already bought it.
February 12, 2018
The Lady Darby Series continues to be delightful. In this sixth novel, readers get to know Sebastian Gage's family. Gage has been disconnected from them for years, but was asked by his grandfather to return and find his missing cousin.
In typical fashion, the scenery and mood come alive under the pen of Anna Lee Huber. The villain was quite a surprise. Thankfully, the end alludes to the series continuing.
My gratitude to the author and publisher Berkley for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel.
In typical fashion, the scenery and mood come alive under the pen of Anna Lee Huber. The villain was quite a surprise. Thankfully, the end alludes to the series continuing.
My gratitude to the author and publisher Berkley for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel.
February 9, 2018
"The first time I laid eyes on Langstone Manor I could not blame my husband for staying away for over fifteen years."
So begins Anna Lee Huber's 6th Lady Darby Mystery. I discovered her Lady Darby series a little over a year ago with the very first, The Anatomist's Wife, and was captivated by the beauty of her writing. I was able to read the first few one right after the other. There is also a novella.
Sebastian Gage reluctantly goes back to his childhood home in Dartmoor at the urgent request of his very ill grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock. It seems his cousin Albert is missing and his help as an inquiry agent is needed, as is his wife's, Lady Kiera Darby, Mrs. Gage. Returning to this place is extremely unsettling to Gage as it holds many unhappy memories and also the place of his dear mother's death. He must battle all these ghosts of his past if he hopes to have a happy future. Kiera suspects there is much that Gage has not told her and hopes that he can achieve some sort of peace from this visit.
Strange things are afoot in Langstone Manor. Nothing, it would seem, is as it appears at first. Gage and Kiera must watch out constantly for danger as they inquire into Albert's disappearance, who wandered out on the moors and completely disappeared. The moors are a terrible place to be, warns nearly everyone they come in contact with, yet here they must search if they are to have a hope of finding Albert. The Viscount is certain that something other than a natural hazard is to blame for Albert's disappearance. Then Albert's brother, Rory, also goes missing. Gage and Kiera must battle local superstition, which runs rampant, to expose the reason behind these disappearances before someone else goes missing and the moors take yet another victim.
I love Anna Lee Huber's writing. She is extremely skillful at drawing her readers in from the very first sentence. Seriously. Told in the first person from Kiera, Lady Darby's viewpoint, they are completely mesmerizing. Huber goes into great detail in every scene, letting readers actually see inside Lady Darby's mind. The reader misses nothing in the books, always looking out into the world of the time from her eyes. As Huber describes the moors, I felt as if I were there, riding along with the characters on horseback, trying to solve the mysteries. And she does a mystery very well indeed, I might add. So well that the reader feels sure they have guessed the culprit, then finding themselves completely surprised at the ending. I love these mysteries of hers and the moment I finish one, I am anticipating the very next one. Especially since Huber includes a very delightful surprise at the end. No spoilers. You'll have to read it for yourself. I enjoyed every moment.
*My thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own and honest.
So begins Anna Lee Huber's 6th Lady Darby Mystery. I discovered her Lady Darby series a little over a year ago with the very first, The Anatomist's Wife, and was captivated by the beauty of her writing. I was able to read the first few one right after the other. There is also a novella.
Sebastian Gage reluctantly goes back to his childhood home in Dartmoor at the urgent request of his very ill grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock. It seems his cousin Albert is missing and his help as an inquiry agent is needed, as is his wife's, Lady Kiera Darby, Mrs. Gage. Returning to this place is extremely unsettling to Gage as it holds many unhappy memories and also the place of his dear mother's death. He must battle all these ghosts of his past if he hopes to have a happy future. Kiera suspects there is much that Gage has not told her and hopes that he can achieve some sort of peace from this visit.
Strange things are afoot in Langstone Manor. Nothing, it would seem, is as it appears at first. Gage and Kiera must watch out constantly for danger as they inquire into Albert's disappearance, who wandered out on the moors and completely disappeared. The moors are a terrible place to be, warns nearly everyone they come in contact with, yet here they must search if they are to have a hope of finding Albert. The Viscount is certain that something other than a natural hazard is to blame for Albert's disappearance. Then Albert's brother, Rory, also goes missing. Gage and Kiera must battle local superstition, which runs rampant, to expose the reason behind these disappearances before someone else goes missing and the moors take yet another victim.
I love Anna Lee Huber's writing. She is extremely skillful at drawing her readers in from the very first sentence. Seriously. Told in the first person from Kiera, Lady Darby's viewpoint, they are completely mesmerizing. Huber goes into great detail in every scene, letting readers actually see inside Lady Darby's mind. The reader misses nothing in the books, always looking out into the world of the time from her eyes. As Huber describes the moors, I felt as if I were there, riding along with the characters on horseback, trying to solve the mysteries. And she does a mystery very well indeed, I might add. So well that the reader feels sure they have guessed the culprit, then finding themselves completely surprised at the ending. I love these mysteries of hers and the moment I finish one, I am anticipating the very next one. Especially since Huber includes a very delightful surprise at the end. No spoilers. You'll have to read it for yourself. I enjoyed every moment.
*My thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own and honest.
September 18, 2018
This was my least favourite of the series by far. It was really boring. I'm pretty sure it's a case of "it's not you, it's me" since there seem to be many other reads who adore this series as a whole. However, I do not, as a general rule, enjoy stories told from the first person point of view. For me, it definitely doesn't make the storytelling very interesting. Add to that a character who's very repetitive and I started falling asleep as I was reading. If you read just the first quarter of this book, you'll already have found out all the thoughts that Kiera had throughout the rest of the book. Let me give you a quick rundown:
1) She can't believe Gage's family is so cold. Her family might not be perfect, but they love one another.
2) Her spine tingles a lot.
3) Her hair also stands on end a lot.
4) The weather conditions around the moor are very unpredictable and dangerous.
5) The house is cold.
6) Why can't Gage trust her with all his secrets?
7) Her husband's aunt is a real cow.
Unlike the previous installments, this one had almost no historical element. Unless you count the ton's acceptance of all men keeping mistresses and fathering children out of wedlock. It disturbed me, to say the least, and I couldn't fathom why one side character would possibly put herself in the position that she was in. Unfathomable. Really.
There was the slight cultural and geographical element of the moor landscape, but the superstitions that surrounded it weren't enough to engage me. The mystery also left much to be desired and the apparent lack of moral character of the alleged victim made it hard for me to care about the outcome of the case. (I know. I felt like a horrible person just typing that.)
Finally, the relationship development between the MCs was nice, but the h's insecurities about whether or not she just ruined her marriage by asking the H to have candid conversations about himself and his past grated. She wasn't as insecure as in previous books, but the slow progression, even away from society, does not bode well for the next book.
And lastly, I'm not a fan of authors who end their books with things like "if only we knew our happiness would be fleeting" or "I wish we had known our pasts would catch up with us in mere weeks". It makes me feel like I can never enjoy the ending of a story line or like the success and progress that the MCs had achieved in the book that I'd just finished reading. It's annoying and Ms. Huber ends every single book that way. Plus, the foreshadowing (if we can even call it that) refers to the MCs' pasts and if it ends up that one of Gage's ex-lovers is in the picture or he finds out he fathered a baby with another woman, I'm done. So far I have to give credit to this author for never spoiling a book (and hence this series) with OP drama. I hope that she continues this trend.
Overall, I appreciated that this was a clean read, but the mystery was boring and the narrative was too.
1) She can't believe Gage's family is so cold. Her family might not be perfect, but they love one another.
2) Her spine tingles a lot.
3) Her hair also stands on end a lot.
4) The weather conditions around the moor are very unpredictable and dangerous.
5) The house is cold.
6) Why can't Gage trust her with all his secrets?
7) Her husband's aunt is a real cow.
Unlike the previous installments, this one had almost no historical element. Unless you count the ton's acceptance of all men keeping mistresses and fathering children out of wedlock. It disturbed me, to say the least, and I couldn't fathom why one side character would possibly put herself in the position that she was in. Unfathomable. Really.
There was the slight cultural and geographical element of the moor landscape, but the superstitions that surrounded it weren't enough to engage me. The mystery also left much to be desired and the apparent lack of moral character of the alleged victim made it hard for me to care about the outcome of the case. (I know. I felt like a horrible person just typing that.)
Finally, the relationship development between the MCs was nice, but the h's insecurities about whether or not she just ruined her marriage by asking the H to have candid conversations about himself and his past grated. She wasn't as insecure as in previous books, but the slow progression, even away from society, does not bode well for the next book.
And lastly, I'm not a fan of authors who end their books with things like "if only we knew our happiness would be fleeting" or "I wish we had known our pasts would catch up with us in mere weeks". It makes me feel like I can never enjoy the ending of a story line or like the success and progress that the MCs had achieved in the book that I'd just finished reading. It's annoying and Ms. Huber ends every single book that way. Plus, the foreshadowing (if we can even call it that) refers to the MCs' pasts and if it ends up that one of Gage's ex-lovers is in the picture or he finds out he fathered a baby with another woman, I'm done. So far I have to give credit to this author for never spoiling a book (and hence this series) with OP drama. I hope that she continues this trend.
Overall, I appreciated that this was a clean read, but the mystery was boring and the narrative was too.
May 15, 2020
It was inevitable. The series brings Kiera and Gage right back where he started- unfinished business with his maternal family living on the dark and mysterious moors. His grandfather's plea for his help to find his missing cousin sets them on a search that delves into present and past family secrets including the family curse. I love this series so I required no hook to get me reading, but it sure didn't hurt.
A Brush with Shadows is the sixth of the Lady Darby Mysteries set in 1830's British Isles. Each mystery is fresh for each book, but it is a series that works best read in order because of the ongoing romance and relationships built through the stories.
Just finishing up their last case in Ireland, the Gages now go on to Dart Moor for a case that involves family. Newly wed and still tentative in some ways, Kiera and Gage do great with some forms of intimacy while struggling with others. He has been reticent about much of his past and seeing him in the brooding surroundings of his Trevalyan family urge her to force him to share his private pains and hurts though yes, Kiera's temper and impatience gets the best of her so her poking and prodding is not always opportune even if it is necessary and cathartic for Gage. I enjoy seeing this pair's relationship grow and deepen as much as I enjoy the mysteries.
The disappearance of his older, profligate cousin who bullied him as a child, forces Gage along with Kiera to return after a fifteen year absence to an unwelcome reception. The mystery was a bit ethereal for much of the book because the disappearance could have been for many reasons and it could mean a death or just a person gone. Alfred was not liked and it seemed everyone had a reason to see him gone and nearly everyone was acting like they could have done it.
As in the previous books set in the highlands and then border country of Scotland, Edinburgh, and then Ireland, this latest that depicts the moors was richly described so that I felt I was there. I loved the way this one set up with them in an atmospheric home with residents to match, the wild countryside, the neighbors, and even the hint of a witch and legends. It brought added tension and chills to the story so that I never wanted to put the book down.
So, all in all, this latest Lady Darby mystery was captivating and the series continues to hold strong. Historical mystery fans who enjoy a strong romance motif should definitely jump into these. I can't wait to press on to the next book.
A Brush with Shadows is the sixth of the Lady Darby Mysteries set in 1830's British Isles. Each mystery is fresh for each book, but it is a series that works best read in order because of the ongoing romance and relationships built through the stories.
Just finishing up their last case in Ireland, the Gages now go on to Dart Moor for a case that involves family. Newly wed and still tentative in some ways, Kiera and Gage do great with some forms of intimacy while struggling with others. He has been reticent about much of his past and seeing him in the brooding surroundings of his Trevalyan family urge her to force him to share his private pains and hurts though yes, Kiera's temper and impatience gets the best of her so her poking and prodding is not always opportune even if it is necessary and cathartic for Gage. I enjoy seeing this pair's relationship grow and deepen as much as I enjoy the mysteries.
The disappearance of his older, profligate cousin who bullied him as a child, forces Gage along with Kiera to return after a fifteen year absence to an unwelcome reception. The mystery was a bit ethereal for much of the book because the disappearance could have been for many reasons and it could mean a death or just a person gone. Alfred was not liked and it seemed everyone had a reason to see him gone and nearly everyone was acting like they could have done it.
As in the previous books set in the highlands and then border country of Scotland, Edinburgh, and then Ireland, this latest that depicts the moors was richly described so that I felt I was there. I loved the way this one set up with them in an atmospheric home with residents to match, the wild countryside, the neighbors, and even the hint of a witch and legends. It brought added tension and chills to the story so that I never wanted to put the book down.
So, all in all, this latest Lady Darby mystery was captivating and the series continues to hold strong. Historical mystery fans who enjoy a strong romance motif should definitely jump into these. I can't wait to press on to the next book.
May 20, 2018
Dartmoor/Devon is the setting for Anna Lee Huber’s 6th Lady Darby Mystery, A Brush with Shadows, and what a perfect choice for this excellent mystery which is a brilliant addition to the series. I was ‘captured’ from the first page which pleased me as Devon and Dartmoor are two favorite places of mine! Kiera, Lady Darby, and her recently wed husband, Sebastian Gage, are summoned to Langstone Manor, Gage’s childhood home which he has not visited in 15 years, by Gage’s grandfather, Viscount Tavistock. All is not well as Viscount Tavistock is extremely ill, and his heir and Gage’s cousin, Alfred, is missing. Alfred walked onto the moors and disappeared. With great misgivings remembering the abusive treatment he received at Langstone Manor, Gage urged by his wife returns to Devon and his childhood home to find Alfred with Lady Darby’s invaluable assistance. Upon arrival Gage and Kiera walk right into a hornet’s nest, and things only become worse. Sebastian must deal with his ‘ghosts’ while Kiera, meeting the family at Langstone Manor for the first time, attempts to discover whom to trust and uncover exactly what is happening. This investigation will keep you reading late into the night! A gripping mystery! Highly recommended! Beautifully done, Ms. Huber!
May 26, 2022
“I settled for soothing as many of his hurts as I could with my love. Perhaps if I kissed every square inch of him, if I whispered enough words of love into his skin as I held him as close as humanly possible, it would be a start.”
A BRUSH WITH SHADOWS
Kiera and Sebastian Gage are going back to Sebastian’s ancestral home in A Brush With Shadows by Anne Lee Huber, the 6th book in the Lady Darby series. This home has many agonizing memories for Gage. His family is not exactly welcoming, but they must be there out of duty to the family. His cousin, the heir, has gone missing. He is not exactly loved by the community and many would see him harmed. But could this situation be even more sinister than that? There are many secrets to uncover at Langstone Manor.
We have finally gotten to the reasons why Sebastian Gage built up walls around himself and why his past was so difficult to uncover. Kiera has worked hard to get him to open up to her and while they have made progress, she is now more understanding of why he never brought up that part of his life. This is a normal survival tactic we all use when dealing with trauma and many will relate to how both Kiera and Gage react to that trauma.
In this installment, we have the current mystery of the missing heir but there is also mention of the family curse which feeds into the gothic setting. Gage suspects that the heir may have been poisoned and that was also the same device used to kill his mother years before. Is it just a coincidence that both instances are poison or are the mysteries linked?
As always, Anna Lee Huber creates an exciting, tense, and unpredictable mystery, and this time I am absolutely shocked by the outcome. There are so many diversion tactics that lead to some spectacular plot twists! I love how I am always on my toes in this mystery series. There is always danger present for Kiera and Gage. I do not worry about them usually, but I am afraid to let my guard down from here on out. —Only the next book will tell! 5 out of 5 stars!
A BRUSH WITH SHADOWS
Kiera and Sebastian Gage are going back to Sebastian’s ancestral home in A Brush With Shadows by Anne Lee Huber, the 6th book in the Lady Darby series. This home has many agonizing memories for Gage. His family is not exactly welcoming, but they must be there out of duty to the family. His cousin, the heir, has gone missing. He is not exactly loved by the community and many would see him harmed. But could this situation be even more sinister than that? There are many secrets to uncover at Langstone Manor.
We have finally gotten to the reasons why Sebastian Gage built up walls around himself and why his past was so difficult to uncover. Kiera has worked hard to get him to open up to her and while they have made progress, she is now more understanding of why he never brought up that part of his life. This is a normal survival tactic we all use when dealing with trauma and many will relate to how both Kiera and Gage react to that trauma.
In this installment, we have the current mystery of the missing heir but there is also mention of the family curse which feeds into the gothic setting. Gage suspects that the heir may have been poisoned and that was also the same device used to kill his mother years before. Is it just a coincidence that both instances are poison or are the mysteries linked?
As always, Anna Lee Huber creates an exciting, tense, and unpredictable mystery, and this time I am absolutely shocked by the outcome. There are so many diversion tactics that lead to some spectacular plot twists! I love how I am always on my toes in this mystery series. There is always danger present for Kiera and Gage. I do not worry about them usually, but I am afraid to let my guard down from here on out. —Only the next book will tell! 5 out of 5 stars!
February 15, 2018
The last Lady Darby book was a little bit of a left down for me. That said, I was eager to see what this book held because I really love Anna Lee Huber’s books, not just the Lady Darby books, but all of her books!
The thing that excited me most about this book was the eye catching cover. I totally need this sunny yellow dress to wear around town….it’s beautiful. I was absolutely in love with this cover…..yes I know that’s terrible but it’s the truth. I was happy to read this because the happy yellow dress made it so….especially on the cliffs of the moors. SOLD.
This book had to do a lot in the way of redemption for me, mostly because in the last book Gage and Kiera hardly worked ‘together’ and with the description promising so much detail about Sebastian’s past, this book HAD to be good or else I might have to move on. And let me just tell you…..this book delivered in a big way for me.
Not only were Gage and Kiera working together more and sharing theories, but Kiera took the lead and more of an independent and impartial investigator which was refreshing. I loved how exposed Gage’s character was throughout the novel and how his past was like a raw nerve. I really felt the pain he had endured throughout most of his life. It jumped off the pages and took on a life of it’s own, well done!
Though not much happened in the romantic sense, there were plenty of tender moments and stolen kisses to satisfy readers who were looking for more chemistry between Gage and Kiera. Though the romance wasn’t the focus of the book as it has been in previous novels, this book had more romance than in the last book.
Normally I might rate this book 4 stars but I went for the 5 and here is why. Atmosphere. I am a huge huge huge suckers for books set on the moors. I love the moors and the mystery, haunting intrigue, and moody ambiance they have come to symbolize. I could close my eyes and feel the mist in this book. I loved how much the setting added to the mystery and how big of a role it was in the narrative. It almost took on a life of it’s own and I adored it. I can’t say enough great things about the setting of this book.
I think one thing worth mentioning….if you are a fan of Huber’s writing like I am, you might feel like you have read a story like this before. I recently read the first Verity Kent book and this latest Lady Darby installment had similarities within the plot. It wasn’t like a copy cat or anything but I could tell that there were some similarities. I personally didn’t mind at all, I rather enjoyed it but I thought it worth mentioning all the same. If you haven’t discovered Huber’s novels you need to. Any of them. All of them. She has a wonderful talent and I love how she uses the English country side to add to her atmosphere and mood within the novels. Well done!
See my full review here
The thing that excited me most about this book was the eye catching cover. I totally need this sunny yellow dress to wear around town….it’s beautiful. I was absolutely in love with this cover…..yes I know that’s terrible but it’s the truth. I was happy to read this because the happy yellow dress made it so….especially on the cliffs of the moors. SOLD.
This book had to do a lot in the way of redemption for me, mostly because in the last book Gage and Kiera hardly worked ‘together’ and with the description promising so much detail about Sebastian’s past, this book HAD to be good or else I might have to move on. And let me just tell you…..this book delivered in a big way for me.
Not only were Gage and Kiera working together more and sharing theories, but Kiera took the lead and more of an independent and impartial investigator which was refreshing. I loved how exposed Gage’s character was throughout the novel and how his past was like a raw nerve. I really felt the pain he had endured throughout most of his life. It jumped off the pages and took on a life of it’s own, well done!
Though not much happened in the romantic sense, there were plenty of tender moments and stolen kisses to satisfy readers who were looking for more chemistry between Gage and Kiera. Though the romance wasn’t the focus of the book as it has been in previous novels, this book had more romance than in the last book.
Normally I might rate this book 4 stars but I went for the 5 and here is why. Atmosphere. I am a huge huge huge suckers for books set on the moors. I love the moors and the mystery, haunting intrigue, and moody ambiance they have come to symbolize. I could close my eyes and feel the mist in this book. I loved how much the setting added to the mystery and how big of a role it was in the narrative. It almost took on a life of it’s own and I adored it. I can’t say enough great things about the setting of this book.
I think one thing worth mentioning….if you are a fan of Huber’s writing like I am, you might feel like you have read a story like this before. I recently read the first Verity Kent book and this latest Lady Darby installment had similarities within the plot. It wasn’t like a copy cat or anything but I could tell that there were some similarities. I personally didn’t mind at all, I rather enjoyed it but I thought it worth mentioning all the same. If you haven’t discovered Huber’s novels you need to. Any of them. All of them. She has a wonderful talent and I love how she uses the English country side to add to her atmosphere and mood within the novels. Well done!
See my full review here
February 5, 2018
I finished this book with a contented sigh and anticipation for the next book in the Lady Darby series. Anna Lee Huber has done a marvelous job guiding fans of Kiera and Gage through a series of mysteries, near death experiences, friendship turning to something more, marriage, and now the duo are pulled into a an inquiry involving the disappearance of Gage's cousin, Alfred, heir to Langstone Manor.
Devoted fans of the Lady Darby series recall that Gage's life has been filled with contention with his family. He returns to his family home at the urgent request of his grandfather to find his missing cousin. Alfred's relationship with Gage was not one of cousinly love; rather Alfred was a straight up rotter. As an adult, Alfred seemed to continue in his rotten habits and his absence wouldn't be sorely missed by many. Familial duty ensures that Gage and Kiera determine whether Alfred was met with foul play. The pair find themselves embroiled in poisoning, hints of witchcraft, pixie lore in the moors, and family secrets someone wants buried... and won't stop at simply burying the truth.
I found this mystery to be filled with action and clues in every chapter. The pace is rapid and you will quickly be absorbed into the book. Keira's love of art and talent with it are utilized, which was one facet of her character that always drew me in. The romance between Gage and Kiera complements the story perfectly without overshadowing the mystery. Long time fans find their relationship strengthening as they encounter situations together as a married couple and also revealing their vulnerabilities. The descriptions of the moors and the weather is hauntingly beautiful. One of my favorite historical mystery series and Huber does not disappoint fans of Kiera and Gage with this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Devoted fans of the Lady Darby series recall that Gage's life has been filled with contention with his family. He returns to his family home at the urgent request of his grandfather to find his missing cousin. Alfred's relationship with Gage was not one of cousinly love; rather Alfred was a straight up rotter. As an adult, Alfred seemed to continue in his rotten habits and his absence wouldn't be sorely missed by many. Familial duty ensures that Gage and Kiera determine whether Alfred was met with foul play. The pair find themselves embroiled in poisoning, hints of witchcraft, pixie lore in the moors, and family secrets someone wants buried... and won't stop at simply burying the truth.
I found this mystery to be filled with action and clues in every chapter. The pace is rapid and you will quickly be absorbed into the book. Keira's love of art and talent with it are utilized, which was one facet of her character that always drew me in. The romance between Gage and Kiera complements the story perfectly without overshadowing the mystery. Long time fans find their relationship strengthening as they encounter situations together as a married couple and also revealing their vulnerabilities. The descriptions of the moors and the weather is hauntingly beautiful. One of my favorite historical mystery series and Huber does not disappoint fans of Kiera and Gage with this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 9, 2020
Three quarters of this book are extremely slow reading. Very repetitious, no character development, little plot movement. All of a sudden toward the end Huber seems to remember we the need for some suspense and an unlikely villain (although his motive remains a bit of a mystery.). I've liked other books in this series, but could've given this one a miss.
July 26, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up.
March 17, 2018
Lady Darby a.k.a. Kiera Gage and her husband Sebastian Gage return to Sebastian's childhood home, Langstone Manor, at the request of his grandfather, Viscount Tavistock, to investigate the disappearance of his cousin Alfred. His family hinders their investigation from the start by either withholding information or misleading them so what should have been an easy inquiry turns in to much more that...
I enjoyed the story but I don't think the author used the Moors and the family curse to its full potential. Also, I've noticed in the last couple of books, especially this one, that the author doesn't give Kiera the opportunity to use her medical background. She's fell into more of a questioner role like Sebastian. I kind of liked the series more when she applied her "knowledge of the macabre."
*I received this ARC from the Penguin Random House First-to-Read program in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I enjoyed the story but I don't think the author used the Moors and the family curse to its full potential. Also, I've noticed in the last couple of books, especially this one, that the author doesn't give Kiera the opportunity to use her medical background. She's fell into more of a questioner role like Sebastian. I kind of liked the series more when she applied her "knowledge of the macabre."
*I received this ARC from the Penguin Random House First-to-Read program in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
April 15, 2021
A Brush with Shadows
4 Stars
Kiera and Gage travel to Dartmoor at the request of Sebastian's grandfather to investigate the disappearance of his cousin on the moors. As the two delve deeper into the mystery, old family secrets, rivalries, and animosities are revealed, and the danger for the Trevellyn family, including Gage and his new wife, increases.
After taking a break from the series (due to my dislike of waiting years for the next installment), it is easy to become reimmersed into Kiera and Gage's inquiries. This particular installment is slow to start, but the gothic undertones alongside the vivid descriptions of the desolate moors, and the ominous family secrets all make this a worthwhile read.
In terms of the characters, the insights into Gage's past, especially his parents' history, are interesting given that most of the previous books have focused on Kiera's family. One cannot. help but feel for the neglected and derided boy who carried the burden of protecting his mother. It is clear that Gage's childhood experiences molded him into the man that Kiera has given her heart to. Nevertheless, despite their obvious love for one another, Kiera and Gae still have work to do in the trust department.
The mystery itself is compelling intertwined as it with the idea of a family curse, but it is also easy to guess the villain's identity at a certain point due to the dearth of suspects.
Overall, a good addition to the series, and it will be interesting to see what happens now that Kiera and Gage are traveling to London.
4 Stars
Kiera and Gage travel to Dartmoor at the request of Sebastian's grandfather to investigate the disappearance of his cousin on the moors. As the two delve deeper into the mystery, old family secrets, rivalries, and animosities are revealed, and the danger for the Trevellyn family, including Gage and his new wife, increases.
After taking a break from the series (due to my dislike of waiting years for the next installment), it is easy to become reimmersed into Kiera and Gage's inquiries. This particular installment is slow to start, but the gothic undertones alongside the vivid descriptions of the desolate moors, and the ominous family secrets all make this a worthwhile read.
In terms of the characters, the insights into Gage's past, especially his parents' history, are interesting given that most of the previous books have focused on Kiera's family. One cannot. help but feel for the neglected and derided boy who carried the burden of protecting his mother. It is clear that Gage's childhood experiences molded him into the man that Kiera has given her heart to. Nevertheless, despite their obvious love for one another, Kiera and Gae still have work to do in the trust department.
The mystery itself is compelling intertwined as it with the idea of a family curse, but it is also easy to guess the villain's identity at a certain point due to the dearth of suspects.
Overall, a good addition to the series, and it will be interesting to see what happens now that Kiera and Gage are traveling to London.
April 5, 2019
Thanks to the Meridian Library for my, copy. As Lady Darby and her husband, Gage leave Ireland, he received a letter from his Grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock to return to his childhood home, Langstone Manor. Arriving there the find that they were not expected and did not receive a friendly welcome. They learn that Gage's cousin, Alford heir to his Grandfather has been missing 10 days and foul play might have occurred.
The story takes many twists and turns before the pair find the answer. The family secrets are exposed to them bringing resolutions to Gage. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
The story takes many twists and turns before the pair find the answer. The family secrets are exposed to them bringing resolutions to Gage. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
March 1, 2018
Series: Lady Darby Mystery #6
Publication Date: 3/6/18
Fifteen years ago, at the age of eighteen, Sebastian Gage walked away from Langstone Manor and swore he’d never return. Now, it is in view, as cold and brooding as the moors on which it sits. Every nerve in Sebastian’s body is singing and the tension in the coach is palpable. He certainly didn’t want to return, but here he is, all because his grandfather sent him a missive asking him to come and investigate his cousin’s disappearance. He almost didn’t come and probably wouldn’t have if Kiera hadn’t persuaded him to do so. He and Kiera are tired to the bone because they have traveled from Ireland as quickly as possible. Kiera knows that Sebastian’s life here was not a happy one, but, since he won’t talk about it, she has no idea what that life was really like.
Upon arrival, they are received very coldly by Sebastian’s aunt – the servants didn’t even know they were coming – nor did his aunt. Then, Sebastian learns that not only is his cousin missing, his grandfather is also at death’s door. Had my aunt and cousins treated me the same way Sebastian's did, I wouldn’t be at all interested in spending my time in a very hostile environment to try to find one of them. However, Sebastian is a very good man and will do what he can to help the family that abused him and his mother.
Albert, Sebastian’s older cousin and heir to Sebastian’s grandfather’s title, walked out onto the moors one day and nobody has seen him since. Not a single trace of him is anywhere to be found. Then, Albert’s brother Rory goes missing as well – and in the same manner. Where could they be? How could they just disappear without a trace? Kiera and Gage are having a really hard time with this investigation because the house is filled with secrets and nobody – even Sebastian’s grandfather – is telling them what they need to know. They are doing all of that while trying to protect themselves as well because they have also been attacked.
I know every murder mystery has to have a victim, but I really didn’t want it to be this one. I came to like this victim more and more as I read more of the book. The villain is a surprise to the reader and to Gage and Kiera. I am so glad we got to know more of Gage’s early life and that there are some reconciliations. I’m also looking forward to their next case in London and to hopefully see Lord Gage (Sebastian’s father) get a bit of a comeuppance.
As always, Huber’s writing is excellent, the story is well plotted and executed, and the characters are fully-developed and engaging. The descriptions of the moors set the mood and immerse the reader in that place and time. You can just feel the fog creeping up around you and surrounding you until you cannot see – and the fear – can you find your way, can you avoid the bogs. Oh! My!
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
Publication Date: 3/6/18
Fifteen years ago, at the age of eighteen, Sebastian Gage walked away from Langstone Manor and swore he’d never return. Now, it is in view, as cold and brooding as the moors on which it sits. Every nerve in Sebastian’s body is singing and the tension in the coach is palpable. He certainly didn’t want to return, but here he is, all because his grandfather sent him a missive asking him to come and investigate his cousin’s disappearance. He almost didn’t come and probably wouldn’t have if Kiera hadn’t persuaded him to do so. He and Kiera are tired to the bone because they have traveled from Ireland as quickly as possible. Kiera knows that Sebastian’s life here was not a happy one, but, since he won’t talk about it, she has no idea what that life was really like.
Upon arrival, they are received very coldly by Sebastian’s aunt – the servants didn’t even know they were coming – nor did his aunt. Then, Sebastian learns that not only is his cousin missing, his grandfather is also at death’s door. Had my aunt and cousins treated me the same way Sebastian's did, I wouldn’t be at all interested in spending my time in a very hostile environment to try to find one of them. However, Sebastian is a very good man and will do what he can to help the family that abused him and his mother.
Albert, Sebastian’s older cousin and heir to Sebastian’s grandfather’s title, walked out onto the moors one day and nobody has seen him since. Not a single trace of him is anywhere to be found. Then, Albert’s brother Rory goes missing as well – and in the same manner. Where could they be? How could they just disappear without a trace? Kiera and Gage are having a really hard time with this investigation because the house is filled with secrets and nobody – even Sebastian’s grandfather – is telling them what they need to know. They are doing all of that while trying to protect themselves as well because they have also been attacked.
I know every murder mystery has to have a victim, but I really didn’t want it to be this one. I came to like this victim more and more as I read more of the book. The villain is a surprise to the reader and to Gage and Kiera. I am so glad we got to know more of Gage’s early life and that there are some reconciliations. I’m also looking forward to their next case in London and to hopefully see Lord Gage (Sebastian’s father) get a bit of a comeuppance.
As always, Huber’s writing is excellent, the story is well plotted and executed, and the characters are fully-developed and engaging. The descriptions of the moors set the mood and immerse the reader in that place and time. You can just feel the fog creeping up around you and surrounding you until you cannot see – and the fear – can you find your way, can you avoid the bogs. Oh! My!
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."
February 27, 2020
It was nice to get back to Lady Darby's world. This one was a bit slow moving. Nothing really happens till the last quarter of the book. I liked it mostly because of the characters. We also found out more about Gage's background in this.
March 23, 2018
Mysterious landscapes! Pasts and present collide!
What a dynamic duo! Sebastian Gage and his wife, Lady Kiera Darby. As they move forward in their life together Sebastian is called back to the family estate, Langstone Manor, deep in the landscape of Dartmoor. His father is still his supercilious self, as we see from his letters.
We learn the story of Gage's upbringing. We meet his truculent and now deathly ill grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock. We come to know about his cousins Alfred and Roland Trevelyan. We are confronted by his aunt the Dowager Baroness Langstone, a darkly forbidding woman with a tongue of ice and a spine of unforgiving steel.
We also touch upon Gage's mother, a point of great pain for him.
The dark past of the family is exposed, the disappearance of the heir Alfred is urgently addressed by Gage and the mysteries of the past are opened up like festering sores.
A read that draws you deeper into Sebastian Gage's life and consequently Kiera's life. A read that doesn't fail to please!
A NetGalley ARC
What a dynamic duo! Sebastian Gage and his wife, Lady Kiera Darby. As they move forward in their life together Sebastian is called back to the family estate, Langstone Manor, deep in the landscape of Dartmoor. His father is still his supercilious self, as we see from his letters.
We learn the story of Gage's upbringing. We meet his truculent and now deathly ill grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock. We come to know about his cousins Alfred and Roland Trevelyan. We are confronted by his aunt the Dowager Baroness Langstone, a darkly forbidding woman with a tongue of ice and a spine of unforgiving steel.
We also touch upon Gage's mother, a point of great pain for him.
The dark past of the family is exposed, the disappearance of the heir Alfred is urgently addressed by Gage and the mysteries of the past are opened up like festering sores.
A read that draws you deeper into Sebastian Gage's life and consequently Kiera's life. A read that doesn't fail to please!
A NetGalley ARC
March 6, 2018
A Brush with Shadows is the sixth book in the Lady Darby series. In this installment, Kiera and Gage travel to Dartmoor to investigate the disappearance of Gage's cousin, Alfred. Kiera and the readers get to meet many new characters, Sebastian's maternal relatives, including his grandfather and see the place where Gage spent most of his childhood. The book started a little slow and it took me a while to get into the story but once it picked up I was absorbed in the mystery and really enjoyed it. I loved the atmospheric setting and enjoyed learning about Sebastian's relationship with his grandfather and cousins.
I am looking forward to the next book which will take place in London.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
I am looking forward to the next book which will take place in London.
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
February 5, 2018
I finished this book with a contented sigh and anticipation for the next book in the Lady Darby series. Anna Lee Huber has done a marvelous job guiding fans of Kiera and Gage through a series of mysteries, near death experiences, friendship turning to something more, marriage, and now the duo are pulled into a an inquiry involving the disappearance of Gage's cousin, Alfred, heir to Langstone Manor.
Devoted fans of the Lady Darby series recall that Gage's life has been filled with contention with his family. He returns to his family home at the urgent request of his grandfather to find his missing cousin. Alfred's relationship with Gage was not one of cousinly love; rather Alfred was a straight up rotter. As an adult, Alfred seemed to continue in his rotten habits and his absence wouldn't be sorely missed by many. Familial duty ensures that Gage and Kiera determine whether Alfred was met with foul play. The pair find themselves embroiled in poisoning, hints of witchcraft, pixie lore in the moors, and family secrets someone wants buried... and won't stop at simply burying the truth.
I found this mystery to be filled with action and clues in every chapter. The pace is rapid and you will quickly be absorbed into the book. Keira's love of art and talent with it are utilized, which was one facet of her character that always drew me in. The romance between Gage and Kiera complements the story perfectly without overshadowing the mystery. Long time fans find their relationship strengthening as they encounter situations together as a married couple and also revealing their vulnerabilities. The descriptions of the moors and the weather is hauntingly beautiful. One of my favorite historical mystery series and Huber does not disappoint fans of Kiera and Gage with this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
Devoted fans of the Lady Darby series recall that Gage's life has been filled with contention with his family. He returns to his family home at the urgent request of his grandfather to find his missing cousin. Alfred's relationship with Gage was not one of cousinly love; rather Alfred was a straight up rotter. As an adult, Alfred seemed to continue in his rotten habits and his absence wouldn't be sorely missed by many. Familial duty ensures that Gage and Kiera determine whether Alfred was met with foul play. The pair find themselves embroiled in poisoning, hints of witchcraft, pixie lore in the moors, and family secrets someone wants buried... and won't stop at simply burying the truth.
I found this mystery to be filled with action and clues in every chapter. The pace is rapid and you will quickly be absorbed into the book. Keira's love of art and talent with it are utilized, which was one facet of her character that always drew me in. The romance between Gage and Kiera complements the story perfectly without overshadowing the mystery. Long time fans find their relationship strengthening as they encounter situations together as a married couple and also revealing their vulnerabilities. The descriptions of the moors and the weather is hauntingly beautiful. One of my favorite historical mystery series and Huber does not disappoint fans of Kiera and Gage with this one!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 2, 2019
It's another decent book in the series. Most of the mysteries in the series thus far have focused on Lady Darby's family, so it was interesting to have a turn-about in this book. The book deals with a decades-old family mystery of poisonings in Sebastian's family. There are rumors of a family curse and Kiera and Sebastian have to get to the bottom of it before more people die.
If you've liked the books in this series so far, this is just more of the same, but with more emphasis on Sebastian and his family's history.
If you've liked the books in this series so far, this is just more of the same, but with more emphasis on Sebastian and his family's history.
May 14, 2018
suspense, romance = good ingredients to have a good read on a gloomy and rainy belgian sunday - always a pleasure to have gage and keira back
July 9, 2018
I normally enjoy these books, but I struggled to get into this one. It didn’t help that I really didn’t care about the disappearance they were investigating and for the first hundred or so pages it was just boring.
The story did improve and the ‘mystery’ became more involved, however, there was still the basic problem that the story was about a bunch of arrogant, useless aristocrats and my only thought was why bother.
What initially attracted me to this series was Kiera, her ‘dark’ independent nature and being ostracised from polite society because of her first marriage. This made her different from the typical historical heroine and gave her a bit of an ‘edge’.
My problem now is since the introduction of Gage the books are becoming ‘ordinary’ and to be honest a bit boring.
The story did improve and the ‘mystery’ became more involved, however, there was still the basic problem that the story was about a bunch of arrogant, useless aristocrats and my only thought was why bother.
What initially attracted me to this series was Kiera, her ‘dark’ independent nature and being ostracised from polite society because of her first marriage. This made her different from the typical historical heroine and gave her a bit of an ‘edge’.
My problem now is since the introduction of Gage the books are becoming ‘ordinary’ and to be honest a bit boring.
February 14, 2018
It’s 1831, and Sebastian Gage and his new bride, Kiera, are returning to his ancestral home on the moors. His cousin has disappeared, and his grandfather has summoned Gage to help in the search. The forbidding house, the swirling misty atmosphere of the moors, and the nuanced characters all contributed to my enjoyment of this novel. I had never read any of the Lady Darby mysteries before receiving this ARC from Netgalley. Even though this was part of a series, it was fine as a stand-alone--now I want to go back and read them all.
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