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Chase & Daniels #3
The Painter's Widow
You know by now what a woman is capable of.
Caroline is home with her father and the woman she loves—but with the Leviathan still unaccounted for, such peace can only be temporary. Soon, the mysterious Mr. Smith is asking for her aid once more: one of the Mastersons’ conspirators has been murdered, and the only clue lies in a painting that was last seen in Medby. Meanwhile, Jo has worries of her own, as her affianced sister wants assurances she cannot give—not without denying her very self.
With her arrival in London marked by a second murder, Caroline finds herself once more drawn into a world she wanted to forget. Aided by old friends and new, she and Jo search for the painter, while staying out of reach of Jo’s sister’s powerful fiancé. But soon they suspect that darker forces are behind the murders, involving not only the painter but his young, pretty wife… and an imaginary land called Arcadia.
As Caroline and Jo struggle to both stop the murders and protect the life they’ve made for themselves, they find a new conspiracy is just beginning… and their choices will come at a price greater than either imagined.
Caroline is home with her father and the woman she loves—but with the Leviathan still unaccounted for, such peace can only be temporary. Soon, the mysterious Mr. Smith is asking for her aid once more: one of the Mastersons’ conspirators has been murdered, and the only clue lies in a painting that was last seen in Medby. Meanwhile, Jo has worries of her own, as her affianced sister wants assurances she cannot give—not without denying her very self.
With her arrival in London marked by a second murder, Caroline finds herself once more drawn into a world she wanted to forget. Aided by old friends and new, she and Jo search for the painter, while staying out of reach of Jo’s sister’s powerful fiancé. But soon they suspect that darker forces are behind the murders, involving not only the painter but his young, pretty wife… and an imaginary land called Arcadia.
As Caroline and Jo struggle to both stop the murders and protect the life they’ve made for themselves, they find a new conspiracy is just beginning… and their choices will come at a price greater than either imagined.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2020
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 21, 2020
This is a gorgeous read that I absolutely loved and couldn't put down. "The Painter's Widow" is the third book in the "Harkworth Hall" series, starring Jo and Caroline. These ladies are two very different heroines, and by now a loving couple, who take us through journeys of horror set in Georgian England.
This time, the mystery centers around men dying that possess paintings done by a certain artist. Can they get to the next patron before he's murdered, as well?
Johnson does a superb job in immersing us in the past and her writing is something I can always sink into. It's just, "mmmm". So many passages are beautifully written but the key is her ability to give us amazing characters and a wonderful story.
If you haven't read "Harkworth Hall" and "Leviathan", the first and second book in the series, respectively, do invest your time in them. Johnson is a such a gift and deserves to be read.
Loved it.
This time, the mystery centers around men dying that possess paintings done by a certain artist. Can they get to the next patron before he's murdered, as well?
Johnson does a superb job in immersing us in the past and her writing is something I can always sink into. It's just, "mmmm". So many passages are beautifully written but the key is her ability to give us amazing characters and a wonderful story.
If you haven't read "Harkworth Hall" and "Leviathan", the first and second book in the series, respectively, do invest your time in them. Johnson is a such a gift and deserves to be read.
Loved it.
November 19, 2020
The third in the series, and it has truly kept me enthralled.
We venture to London for more mystery, this time of strange paintings and murder. How does it tie in with the Leviathan mystery?
We also catch up with Jo's family, her sister, mother and the man who wishes to wed her sister, but is more worried about his social standing. The judgements and attitude poor Jo has thrown at her is saddening, as she is rejected by her blood kin. But uplifting is Caro's undeniable love and devotion to her.
We leave off with the start of a new mystery beginning, and therefore I'm excited that a fourth is to come! However I am impatient to wait!
We venture to London for more mystery, this time of strange paintings and murder. How does it tie in with the Leviathan mystery?
We also catch up with Jo's family, her sister, mother and the man who wishes to wed her sister, but is more worried about his social standing. The judgements and attitude poor Jo has thrown at her is saddening, as she is rejected by her blood kin. But uplifting is Caro's undeniable love and devotion to her.
We leave off with the start of a new mystery beginning, and therefore I'm excited that a fourth is to come! However I am impatient to wait!
July 5, 2020
Many thank to L S Johnson for the arc. All opinions are my own.
I love this series. I fell in love with Caroline Daniels and Jo Chase when I first met them in Harkworth Hall. Each book has shown a gradual and hard won sense of confidence and self as the POV character, Caroline, ploughs through adventures with her friend and lover by her side, gathering intelligence for the shady Mr Smith. In this episode we see Caro trying to come to terms with the events of the previous book, Leviathan. Sudden news from the Chase family calls Jo away, pitching Caro back into the murky world of intrigue, spycraft, dark creatures and occult organisations despite her reluctance.
The Painter's Widow is a fast paced adventure story, a historical romance, a mystery and a deep meditation on identity and personal freedom. The theme of knowing and accepting who you are is strongly portrayed by both Jo and Caro, and in interactions with their respective families, and is echoed in the story of the titular widow. By turns sweet and dark and hopeful, this is the sapphic historical mystery which will best act as antidote to these uncertain times. Johnson has a beautiful style - clear and luminous, and very evocative of the era. Easily the best episode in this series so far and I'm so glad there is another book forthcoming. Highly recommend the entire series.
I love this series. I fell in love with Caroline Daniels and Jo Chase when I first met them in Harkworth Hall. Each book has shown a gradual and hard won sense of confidence and self as the POV character, Caroline, ploughs through adventures with her friend and lover by her side, gathering intelligence for the shady Mr Smith. In this episode we see Caro trying to come to terms with the events of the previous book, Leviathan. Sudden news from the Chase family calls Jo away, pitching Caro back into the murky world of intrigue, spycraft, dark creatures and occult organisations despite her reluctance.
The Painter's Widow is a fast paced adventure story, a historical romance, a mystery and a deep meditation on identity and personal freedom. The theme of knowing and accepting who you are is strongly portrayed by both Jo and Caro, and in interactions with their respective families, and is echoed in the story of the titular widow. By turns sweet and dark and hopeful, this is the sapphic historical mystery which will best act as antidote to these uncertain times. Johnson has a beautiful style - clear and luminous, and very evocative of the era. Easily the best episode in this series so far and I'm so glad there is another book forthcoming. Highly recommend the entire series.
May 24, 2022
3 stars
Weaker than the previous books.
Still fairly decent, but just not as good.
Side note: it's annoying, that Goodreads doesn't realize it's a series
Weaker than the previous books.
Still fairly decent, but just not as good.
Side note: it's annoying, that Goodreads doesn't realize it's a series
November 13, 2022
4 stars. My favorite one thus far. I loved the mystery with the paintings and how the owners of them die. It was interesting and I’m hoping the next book isn’t the final installment. I could read about Caroline and Jo’s adventures all day. They are definitely dark and have some intense moments but they still have such an almost comforting (in a weird way) vibe to them but I think that comes from the lovely romance between Caroline and Jo. I adore them together. This series gets better and better with each book and I cannot recommend it enough.
July 28, 2024
This is my favorite of the Chase & Daniels books so far! Caroline and Jo have finally created a world of their own, where everyone stands back to give them time for their new love. Before long, the real world crashes in: Caroline's father is declining and Jo's family is demanding she behave like a proper lady or else -- and someone is killing off the conspirators who tried to unleash the leviathan. Our heroines are called to serve the mysterious Mr. Smith once more.
Every element of the story gelled for me and the pacing took my breath away. I love the new characters, the evolution of the old characters, the full-blown romance, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the fourth and final volume.
Every element of the story gelled for me and the pacing took my breath away. I love the new characters, the evolution of the old characters, the full-blown romance, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the fourth and final volume.
April 20, 2021
I have loved L.S. Johnson since I found one of her short stories in an anthology, and I actively seek out what she's written. The first two books in this series were fantastic (I mean, a KRAKEN! Can it get any better?). However, this one doesn't live up to the first two.
I loved the beginning. I loved the sentence level prose. Where it broke down for me was the plot. It seemed a bit thin, to be honest, and I found myself wanting something to just happen already at several points.
Despite that, I still love Mx. Johnson's work, and I look forward to the fourth installment. I've really grown to love these characters, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for them.
I loved the beginning. I loved the sentence level prose. Where it broke down for me was the plot. It seemed a bit thin, to be honest, and I found myself wanting something to just happen already at several points.
Despite that, I still love Mx. Johnson's work, and I look forward to the fourth installment. I've really grown to love these characters, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for them.
September 16, 2022
jo calling caroline "my darling",,, this is my last straw
anyway, i hope they get their happy ending in the last book of the series bc if not, i might end up on national television
anyway, i hope they get their happy ending in the last book of the series bc if not, i might end up on national television
January 2, 2021
Very interesting story and characters, well written and edited.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews