What do you think?
Rate this book
Doyle & Acton #13
Murder in Unsound Mind
Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle has been called-in to assist with a few unsound-mind murders, lately—murders committed by a person who appears to be mentally unhinged. This type of murder is always a concern for Scotland Yard, since it raises the possibility that there’s a serial killer on the loose.
And it doesn’t help matters that the weather is so very cold and miserable—small wonder, that these killers have gone off the deep end; Doyle was half-way there herself, what with Christmas coming far too quickly, and a husband who was showing some troubling signs of his own.
And it doesn’t help matters that the weather is so very cold and miserable—small wonder, that these killers have gone off the deep end; Doyle was half-way there herself, what with Christmas coming far too quickly, and a husband who was showing some troubling signs of his own.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2021
73 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Anne Cleeland
36 books473 followersAnne Cleeland writes a contemporary Scotland Yard mystery series that is featured in the Amazon top 100 best sellers. She also writes a historical series of stand-alone books set in the Regency period. A member of International Thriller Writers, The Historical Novel Society, and Mystery Writers of America, she lives in California and has four children. www.annecleeland.com; @annecleeland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 26, 2021
I still love these two and this series ❤️.
But I need to rants about many things! 😐
If you follows my review, you know how much I love this series and didn’t complaint much about anything. However, this one started to give me headaches! 🤨.
This series have many characters, I don’t mind to be honest, because Ms. Cleeland loves to killed off some of them by the end of each book! 😳🥴
However what I don’t like, the latest story always heavily connected to the previous books! You simply lost for what’s going on, if you didn’t read or remember the previous books. Each books, supposedly a stand alone but it didn’t exactly feel that way. If you ask me, while I highly recommend this fab series, I don’t recommend to read in the middle of the series, started with book #1. Or you just getting confused with what’s happening.
Don’t click the spoiler, if you didn’t read the book yet, not about Kathleen and Michael and would ruin one of the mystery for you, I’m serious, don’t!
Now the last one, that silly Epilogue 😳🙄😤
Please don’t Ms. Cleeland, I don’t want another Michael in this series. He alone, is enough for me, no need to recreated another copy of his character in this series. That guy is interesting enough, you can write another series for him if you like, but please not in this series. Beside what were you thinking? Couldn’t you give the lady a break? She already have too many tragedies for such sweet person and to be honest, I don’t think she could handle his lifestyle, she already struggles with what she had now, and her hubby kind of ‘boring’ compared with this guy! 🙄😳😂
Please, don’t carry on with this plot, pretty please...
Oh well, I think that’s all what I want to say.
It has been a while since I finished, I think I kind of cooling down a little bit 😂
Now, I can’t wait for the next one! 😘😂
❤️❤️❤️
But I need to rants about many things! 😐
If you follows my review, you know how much I love this series and didn’t complaint much about anything. However, this one started to give me headaches! 🤨.
This series have many characters, I don’t mind to be honest, because Ms. Cleeland loves to killed off some of them by the end of each book! 😳🥴
However what I don’t like, the latest story always heavily connected to the previous books! You simply lost for what’s going on, if you didn’t read or remember the previous books. Each books, supposedly a stand alone but it didn’t exactly feel that way. If you ask me, while I highly recommend this fab series, I don’t recommend to read in the middle of the series, started with book #1. Or you just getting confused with what’s happening.
Don’t click the spoiler, if you didn’t read the book yet, not about Kathleen and Michael and would ruin one of the mystery for you, I’m serious, don’t!
Now the last one, that silly Epilogue 😳🙄😤
Please don’t Ms. Cleeland, I don’t want another Michael in this series. He alone, is enough for me, no need to recreated another copy of his character in this series. That guy is interesting enough, you can write another series for him if you like, but please not in this series. Beside what were you thinking? Couldn’t you give the lady a break? She already have too many tragedies for such sweet person and to be honest, I don’t think she could handle his lifestyle, she already struggles with what she had now, and her hubby kind of ‘boring’ compared with this guy! 🙄😳😂
Please, don’t carry on with this plot, pretty please...
Oh well, I think that’s all what I want to say.
It has been a while since I finished, I think I kind of cooling down a little bit 😂
Now, I can’t wait for the next one! 😘😂
❤️❤️❤️
March 7, 2021
Sacre Bleu.
It is astonishing that Murder In Unsound Mind is the 13th book int he Acton and Doyle series. I didn't think I could be more amaze at the character and plot development of this series but this book had me clutching my chest as so many plot twist blew me away. It's difficult to contain my surprise at how the mystery/murder unfolded without given away huge spoilers and this story deserves to be unwrapped and enjoyed like the gift that it is to the reader.
Kathleen is her usual snarky self, navigating around her English counterparts. Thankfully she has an advantage with her truth-detecting fey gift and a little prodding from pesky, sometimes irritating ghosts. There was one very poignant visit that tugs at the heart.
Michael , Lord Acton. The man lives up to his true nature, his plotting and weaving this time around was magnificent in it's deadly menace to punish the evildoers who dared attack his cherished wife and son.
The return of previous and new characters pulled me into the story to walk alongside Kathleen as she scrambled to put the pieces together.
There are two male characters, though, who needed swift kicks in their arses. Oy!
As usual, Anne Cleveland wraps up the story with a revealing epilogue...and this epilogue is a huge eye-popping reveal.
Exquisite reading experience. However, it will be a long year await the next book in this series.
It is astonishing that Murder In Unsound Mind is the 13th book int he Acton and Doyle series. I didn't think I could be more amaze at the character and plot development of this series but this book had me clutching my chest as so many plot twist blew me away. It's difficult to contain my surprise at how the mystery/murder unfolded without given away huge spoilers and this story deserves to be unwrapped and enjoyed like the gift that it is to the reader.
Kathleen is her usual snarky self, navigating around her English counterparts. Thankfully she has an advantage with her truth-detecting fey gift and a little prodding from pesky, sometimes irritating ghosts. There was one very poignant visit that tugs at the heart.
Michael , Lord Acton. The man lives up to his true nature, his plotting and weaving this time around was magnificent in it's deadly menace to punish the evildoers who dared attack his cherished wife and son.
The return of previous and new characters pulled me into the story to walk alongside Kathleen as she scrambled to put the pieces together.
There are two male characters, though, who needed swift kicks in their arses. Oy!
As usual, Anne Cleveland wraps up the story with a revealing epilogue...and this epilogue is a huge eye-popping reveal.
Exquisite reading experience. However, it will be a long year await the next book in this series.
July 14, 2021
This is kind of sequel to the previous book... kind of...
If you start this series, you have to read the books in order otherwise you will not understand all the backstories and the dynamics between all the characters!
It's a little bit like a saga! A crime soap-opera! LOL
If you start this series, you have to read the books in order otherwise you will not understand all the backstories and the dynamics between all the characters!
It's a little bit like a saga! A crime soap-opera! LOL
December 28, 2021
This is the 13th Doyle/Acton book I have read. I skipped to #14 before this to save this one for reading during Christmas holiday. There is a Christmas factor within this story, but very sparing. It was the wish of Doyle for her son Edward to see some snow at Trestles for the Christmas holiday, and she was granted that wish. Otherwise it was the usual mix of characters and carry-over crime from earlier books requiring the books to be read in order. This is not a book to pick up and read without having gained the pieces of the puzzles from the prior 12 books.
March 29, 2021
There are certain plot points on which readers can rely in an Acton and Doyle murder mystery. Acton will be trying to keep Doyle out of harm’s way or away from those cases in which he has a finger in the pie. Doyle will be trying to suss out what Acton is up to and involving herself in the very cases that Acton is attempting to steer her from. While DCI Michael Acton is a powerful man, a man of many resources, DS Kathleen Doyle brings her own resources to the contest, her Irish fey abilities of knowing the truth when she hears it and her ghostly dream intruders who push her along to the answers she seeks. Acton’s game gets flushed out by Doyle every time, but it’s never easy. Watching it all play out between two of my favorite characters in the mystery/crime genre is a scenario of which I never tire.
Having had his worst nightmare come true in the last book, Murder in Retribution, Acton is hell bent on nothing dangerous touching his wife or son again. Acton zeroed in on revenge and protection is an unrelenting force. As a result of her husband’s over-protection, Doyle, pregnant with their second child, is struggling to get assigned anything of interest in her police work at Scotland Yard. She fears Isabel Munoz, her arch-rival at work is getting ahead of her in interesting cases and causes for promotion. There are cases tying in with the last book and the criminal activities at the health clinic investigation. And, there are those loose ends Acton is tying up. Yet, it is Munoz who calls Doyle to the scene of an interesting murder, one that Acton would probably rather she avoid.
A young woman in her thirties, who was the office manager for Acton’s and Doyle’s best friend Dr. Timothy McGonigal, has been found dead in Dr. McGonigal’s office suite. The arrangement of the body and message left behind suggest a murder of unsound mind, which obviously means the murderer was not in his/her right mind when the murder was committed. Doyle has her doubts about it being an unsound murder due to certain “sound” aspects of it. When Acton arrives on the scene and examines it, he has a likely suspect in mind, Martina Betancourt. This links back to the nightmare that occurred at Acton’s and Doyle’s flat in the last book, as Acton reveals that the newly dead office manager had an affair with Martina’s husband, whom Martina helped to heaven last book. So, Martina, who is currently free and awaiting trial for her husband’s murder, is arrested and placed under psychiatric surveillance. Nice and tidy, but of course it’s not.
The fallout from that horrendous event at the residence of Lord and Lady Acton has long reaching tentacles of cause and effect, and Doyle’s fey senses have her head tingling in alarm that not all is as it seems. One of Doyle’s ghostly intruders, this time Dr. Harding, is urging her to connect the dots in determining what Acton is up to. When she discovers that the murdered office manager was a witness in their case against the medical clinic and that another witness has also met a tragic end, Doyle knows she will have to dig deeper to uncover what lies beneath it all and if Acton is calling the shots.
Then, there is the other thread snaking its way through the book, which promises to continue to the next book. Edward (Doyle’s and Acton’s son) is under the care of sweet Mary, the nanny whom everyone loves. One of those who love her is her husband Howard, and Howard was loved first by Lady Abby. Lady Abby is not a good loser, and she once again shows up to spread her crazy around. This time Abby has a secret that could endanger careers and reputations. She must be dealt with, but by whom and how.
One of the best parts of the Acton/Doyle union is how they care for each other. Acton’s concern over Doyle’s eating enough during her pregnancy and taking care of herself. Doyle’s early recognition of Acton drinking to keep the darkness of his worries at bay, a behavior he has greatly curbed with her guidance, but which he thinks she won’t notice now. Then, Doyle has been dealing with an injured hand that has been bothering her since the incident at the flat, and she thinks she can keep that hidden from Acton. Neither is successful at keeping the other one from noticing their problems, and it is the tender way they deal with one another over the problems that endears this couple to readers so much. They seem such an odd match at first glance, but they are absolutely perfect for one another.
At this point in my reading and discussing Anne Cleeland’s writing, the Acton and Doyle series and her romantic adventure books, too, I have probably sung Anne’s praises with an untold number of superlatives. However, I don’t think I can ever thank her enough for creating the Acton and Doyle series that gives me such a thrill reading each book. Fans of this series, and there are many, aren’t just fond readers. We have rather the same diagnosis as Acton in his uncontrollable passion for Doyle, happily addicted.
Having had his worst nightmare come true in the last book, Murder in Retribution, Acton is hell bent on nothing dangerous touching his wife or son again. Acton zeroed in on revenge and protection is an unrelenting force. As a result of her husband’s over-protection, Doyle, pregnant with their second child, is struggling to get assigned anything of interest in her police work at Scotland Yard. She fears Isabel Munoz, her arch-rival at work is getting ahead of her in interesting cases and causes for promotion. There are cases tying in with the last book and the criminal activities at the health clinic investigation. And, there are those loose ends Acton is tying up. Yet, it is Munoz who calls Doyle to the scene of an interesting murder, one that Acton would probably rather she avoid.
A young woman in her thirties, who was the office manager for Acton’s and Doyle’s best friend Dr. Timothy McGonigal, has been found dead in Dr. McGonigal’s office suite. The arrangement of the body and message left behind suggest a murder of unsound mind, which obviously means the murderer was not in his/her right mind when the murder was committed. Doyle has her doubts about it being an unsound murder due to certain “sound” aspects of it. When Acton arrives on the scene and examines it, he has a likely suspect in mind, Martina Betancourt. This links back to the nightmare that occurred at Acton’s and Doyle’s flat in the last book, as Acton reveals that the newly dead office manager had an affair with Martina’s husband, whom Martina helped to heaven last book. So, Martina, who is currently free and awaiting trial for her husband’s murder, is arrested and placed under psychiatric surveillance. Nice and tidy, but of course it’s not.
The fallout from that horrendous event at the residence of Lord and Lady Acton has long reaching tentacles of cause and effect, and Doyle’s fey senses have her head tingling in alarm that not all is as it seems. One of Doyle’s ghostly intruders, this time Dr. Harding, is urging her to connect the dots in determining what Acton is up to. When she discovers that the murdered office manager was a witness in their case against the medical clinic and that another witness has also met a tragic end, Doyle knows she will have to dig deeper to uncover what lies beneath it all and if Acton is calling the shots.
Then, there is the other thread snaking its way through the book, which promises to continue to the next book. Edward (Doyle’s and Acton’s son) is under the care of sweet Mary, the nanny whom everyone loves. One of those who love her is her husband Howard, and Howard was loved first by Lady Abby. Lady Abby is not a good loser, and she once again shows up to spread her crazy around. This time Abby has a secret that could endanger careers and reputations. She must be dealt with, but by whom and how.
One of the best parts of the Acton/Doyle union is how they care for each other. Acton’s concern over Doyle’s eating enough during her pregnancy and taking care of herself. Doyle’s early recognition of Acton drinking to keep the darkness of his worries at bay, a behavior he has greatly curbed with her guidance, but which he thinks she won’t notice now. Then, Doyle has been dealing with an injured hand that has been bothering her since the incident at the flat, and she thinks she can keep that hidden from Acton. Neither is successful at keeping the other one from noticing their problems, and it is the tender way they deal with one another over the problems that endears this couple to readers so much. They seem such an odd match at first glance, but they are absolutely perfect for one another.
At this point in my reading and discussing Anne Cleeland’s writing, the Acton and Doyle series and her romantic adventure books, too, I have probably sung Anne’s praises with an untold number of superlatives. However, I don’t think I can ever thank her enough for creating the Acton and Doyle series that gives me such a thrill reading each book. Fans of this series, and there are many, aren’t just fond readers. We have rather the same diagnosis as Acton in his uncontrollable passion for Doyle, happily addicted.
March 21, 2021
Series: Doyle and Acton 13
Publication Date: 2/28/21
Number of Pages: 240
In 2013, when the first book of this series came out, I thought it was a wonderful, entertaining, and quirky book, but I thought it might not have longevity because not everybody appreciates quirky as much as I do. Eight years and thirteen books have proven me very, very wrong on that front. This latest addition to the series just adds more and more to the wonderfully quirky Doyle and Acton duo. I think it would be hard to jump into the middle of the series and really appreciate it for what it is. If you haven’t read any of the previous books, I’d suggest reading at least the first one or two books so you can better understand both Acton and Doyle. However, realistically I think you should read the entire series in order because each book builds on the previous book in character development, case backgrounds, etc.
If you read the last book, Murder in Revelation, you will remember that Doyle ended up in a fight for her life as well as their son’s – in their own home. Thanks to Acton, their home is better guarded and fortified than the palace, but still, their security was breached. Although she doesn’t realize it, Doyle is suffering a bit of PTSD from that earlier altercation and she has a good bit of pregnancy brain-fog. Those two things make her a bit slower to pick up on the clues about what is going on – especially what Acton is up to.
Acton is being hyper-vigilant in assuring his wife is safe and snug while she’s carrying their second child. You see, Acton absolutely adores Doyle and will go to any lengths to assure her comfort and safety – even if she isn’t exactly thrilled with his machinations. Somehow, she manages to stumble onto a case that will cause them nothing but trouble even though he’s tried to keep her assigned to the most benign things. As soon as she is at the crime scene, her Spidey-senses begin to tingle and they continue until she has all of the answers and manages to curb Acton’s revenge plot as well.
The case to which Doyle is called is the murder of the office manager at a medical clinic. The only reason Doyle is there is to see if this murder relates to the events in a previous case – Doyle thinks it might – but the perpetrator is quickly arrested and it turns out to be unrelated. Or is it? The office manager was a cooperating witness in that previous case and Doyle learns, by accident, that yet another cooperating witness in that same case has also been recently murdered.
While Doyle is quietly investigating all of that, she learns that Lady Abby, who has appeared as a not-so-nice person previously, is in London and she was trying to harass Mary who is the nanny to Edward, Doyle and Acton’s small son. When Lady Abby is found drowned in the Thames, was it an accident, suicide, or murder?
Acton is his usual enigmatic, manipulative self, but Doyle knows he is up to something and she knows she needs to figure it all out fast and put a stop to it.
All of our favorite characters make an appearance and we learn some surprising things about some of them. What will that portend for future books? Who knows? We’ll only find out with each entrancing book in the series is released. We do get a nice hint about the subject for the next book in the series. Can’t wait.
I definitely recommend this book if you love quirky, flawed characters and an excellent mystery.
Publication Date: 2/28/21
Number of Pages: 240
In 2013, when the first book of this series came out, I thought it was a wonderful, entertaining, and quirky book, but I thought it might not have longevity because not everybody appreciates quirky as much as I do. Eight years and thirteen books have proven me very, very wrong on that front. This latest addition to the series just adds more and more to the wonderfully quirky Doyle and Acton duo. I think it would be hard to jump into the middle of the series and really appreciate it for what it is. If you haven’t read any of the previous books, I’d suggest reading at least the first one or two books so you can better understand both Acton and Doyle. However, realistically I think you should read the entire series in order because each book builds on the previous book in character development, case backgrounds, etc.
If you read the last book, Murder in Revelation, you will remember that Doyle ended up in a fight for her life as well as their son’s – in their own home. Thanks to Acton, their home is better guarded and fortified than the palace, but still, their security was breached. Although she doesn’t realize it, Doyle is suffering a bit of PTSD from that earlier altercation and she has a good bit of pregnancy brain-fog. Those two things make her a bit slower to pick up on the clues about what is going on – especially what Acton is up to.
Acton is being hyper-vigilant in assuring his wife is safe and snug while she’s carrying their second child. You see, Acton absolutely adores Doyle and will go to any lengths to assure her comfort and safety – even if she isn’t exactly thrilled with his machinations. Somehow, she manages to stumble onto a case that will cause them nothing but trouble even though he’s tried to keep her assigned to the most benign things. As soon as she is at the crime scene, her Spidey-senses begin to tingle and they continue until she has all of the answers and manages to curb Acton’s revenge plot as well.
The case to which Doyle is called is the murder of the office manager at a medical clinic. The only reason Doyle is there is to see if this murder relates to the events in a previous case – Doyle thinks it might – but the perpetrator is quickly arrested and it turns out to be unrelated. Or is it? The office manager was a cooperating witness in that previous case and Doyle learns, by accident, that yet another cooperating witness in that same case has also been recently murdered.
While Doyle is quietly investigating all of that, she learns that Lady Abby, who has appeared as a not-so-nice person previously, is in London and she was trying to harass Mary who is the nanny to Edward, Doyle and Acton’s small son. When Lady Abby is found drowned in the Thames, was it an accident, suicide, or murder?
Acton is his usual enigmatic, manipulative self, but Doyle knows he is up to something and she knows she needs to figure it all out fast and put a stop to it.
All of our favorite characters make an appearance and we learn some surprising things about some of them. What will that portend for future books? Who knows? We’ll only find out with each entrancing book in the series is released. We do get a nice hint about the subject for the next book in the series. Can’t wait.
I definitely recommend this book if you love quirky, flawed characters and an excellent mystery.
April 3, 2021
The best installment in this super amazing series to date! Five Brilliant-Scorched-Earth Stars! Sorry ~ couldn't help screaming my love of this story to the entire world!
I was totally stunned speechless & awestruck by all the twists & turns of the events manipulated by Lord Acton 💯 OMG 💥 He was a True Holder of Grudges ~ a True Avenger of those who dared harm or take part in harming his family ~ namely his fair Doyle & his young son Edward ~ as well as the others he considered family & friends.
This book was a continuation of the previous book ~ Murder in Deep Regret & the book before that ~ Murder in the Blood & the previous ones, too ‼️ In short ~ we needed to read Doyle & Acton Series in reading order to appreciate the full force of Lord Acton's masterpiece as the most renowned ~ most respected Detective Chief Inspector~ who was also a brilliant antihero! Please pick up the series and be mesmerized by Lord Acton's brilliant mind!
Without retelling the story & revealing the spoilers ~ there was not much left I could share ~ except one of my favorite scenes:
I was totally stunned speechless & awestruck by all the twists & turns of the events manipulated by Lord Acton 💯 OMG 💥 He was a True Holder of Grudges ~ a True Avenger of those who dared harm or take part in harming his family ~ namely his fair Doyle & his young son Edward ~ as well as the others he considered family & friends.
This book was a continuation of the previous book ~ Murder in Deep Regret & the book before that ~ Murder in the Blood & the previous ones, too ‼️ In short ~ we needed to read Doyle & Acton Series in reading order to appreciate the full force of Lord Acton's masterpiece as the most renowned ~ most respected Detective Chief Inspector~ who was also a brilliant antihero! Please pick up the series and be mesmerized by Lord Acton's brilliant mind!
Without retelling the story & revealing the spoilers ~ there was not much left I could share ~ except one of my favorite scenes:
When Doyle returned to the car, it was to find that her husband was showing their son a compilation of nursery rhymes on his mobile, being as he was not the sort of person who was going to pretend to feed a dinosaur for love or money. . .
"One-a-penny, two-a-penny," Edward sang, although if you don't already know what he was saying, you'd have no clue.
As they pulled onto the main thoroughfare, she teased, "Will your piano at Trestles allow you to play nursery rhymes on it, or is it too fancy for the likes of nursery rhymes?"
But her husband's response was not what she'd expected, as he replied earnestly, "This visit, I thought I'd see if Edward will sit on my lap for a bit. I think he shows a musical aptitude."
"Clearly," Doyle agreed in a serious tone, and then hid a smile as the little boy warbled off-key.
March 10, 2021
I love this series! The characters once again don’t disappoint. I enjoy revisiting Acton, Kathleen, Reynolds and Williams especially. I am ready for the next book.
March 12, 2021
Another wonderful entry in the Acton and Doyle series. I could not figure out who the murderer was until the very end. So many twists and turns.
The epilogue surprised me so much that I almost dropped the book.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
................Lady Abby (Howard's ex fiance, Howard is Mary the nanny of Doyle's son Edward and Howard's wife) ends up dead. It turns out she had a baby a year ago. They all think it is Howard's. But surprise! It is Williams' baby. He announces that he and his wife Lizzy will adopt the baby as he is the father. What a twist.
Doyle is experiencing PTSD after the last book with Edward almost being kidnapped and Doyle being attacked in her own home and having to kill Javid. Acton is so upset she is upset that he runs around framing Martina and Javid's brother Sir Vikili the famous defense lawyer for murder. Doyle finds out and convinces him to stop. Javid is dead and Martina is already going to jail for killing her husband in front of Doyle in her Doyle's home.
At the very end, we find out who killed Lady Abby. It was...Savoie. He is in love with Mary (Doyle's nanny) and wants to get rid of her husband Howard so she can be his wife and mother to Emile. Savoie thinks he loves kids and will buy a big house so they can have lots of kids. What a shock. Mary is in love with Howard and obviously has no idea. I don't think Acton or Doyle know Savoie loves Mary either. They both said Mary didn't seem to be his type.
The epilogue surprised me so much that I almost dropped the book.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S
................Lady Abby (Howard's ex fiance, Howard is Mary the nanny of Doyle's son Edward and Howard's wife) ends up dead. It turns out she had a baby a year ago. They all think it is Howard's. But surprise! It is Williams' baby. He announces that he and his wife Lizzy will adopt the baby as he is the father. What a twist.
Doyle is experiencing PTSD after the last book with Edward almost being kidnapped and Doyle being attacked in her own home and having to kill Javid. Acton is so upset she is upset that he runs around framing Martina and Javid's brother Sir Vikili the famous defense lawyer for murder. Doyle finds out and convinces him to stop. Javid is dead and Martina is already going to jail for killing her husband in front of Doyle in her Doyle's home.
At the very end, we find out who killed Lady Abby. It was...Savoie. He is in love with Mary (Doyle's nanny) and wants to get rid of her husband Howard so she can be his wife and mother to Emile. Savoie thinks he loves kids and will buy a big house so they can have lots of kids. What a shock. Mary is in love with Howard and obviously has no idea. I don't think Acton or Doyle know Savoie loves Mary either. They both said Mary didn't seem to be his type.
March 19, 2021
JUST AS FABULOUS AS USUAL!!!!!!!
I can't wait for each Doyle & Acton book to come out..... Each one of them is so mesmerizing and engrossing! What a wonderfully intriguing mind Anne Cleeland has. Her books are so unique and unusual.... They grab you and don't let you go until the very last page!!! .....This book was no exception... The twists and turns, and surprises around the corner were superbly detailed. I love that we got to see even more of Edward, Acton and Doyle's family life.... I really enjoyed that he kept suggesting going on vacation to Bermuda.... Because I am from Bermuda😊... Their love story and how attentive and obsessed Acton is with Doyle always makes me sigh.... I am glad that Anne keeps subtly reminding us of the deep passion and love between the two of them..... That truly enhances the stories. As usual I tried very hard to figure out what was going on and to decipher the clues scattered around like bread crumbs for us.... When Vis & Ramin were mentioned I even went so far as to look up the story to see if it would help to steer me towards the correct direction.... I highly recommend this book..... It was absolutely a pleasure to be back in their world again.... Can't wait for the next one.... I saw there are new "bread crumbs" so I hope Anne writes really quickly....😇
I can't wait for each Doyle & Acton book to come out..... Each one of them is so mesmerizing and engrossing! What a wonderfully intriguing mind Anne Cleeland has. Her books are so unique and unusual.... They grab you and don't let you go until the very last page!!! .....This book was no exception... The twists and turns, and surprises around the corner were superbly detailed. I love that we got to see even more of Edward, Acton and Doyle's family life.... I really enjoyed that he kept suggesting going on vacation to Bermuda.... Because I am from Bermuda😊... Their love story and how attentive and obsessed Acton is with Doyle always makes me sigh.... I am glad that Anne keeps subtly reminding us of the deep passion and love between the two of them..... That truly enhances the stories. As usual I tried very hard to figure out what was going on and to decipher the clues scattered around like bread crumbs for us.... When Vis & Ramin were mentioned I even went so far as to look up the story to see if it would help to steer me towards the correct direction.... I highly recommend this book..... It was absolutely a pleasure to be back in their world again.... Can't wait for the next one.... I saw there are new "bread crumbs" so I hope Anne writes really quickly....😇
March 18, 2021
Cleeland knows how to write.
That epilogue wow. I am so excited to see what Cleeland brings us. I love the person who had a POV in the epilogue and I completely agree with their plan.
That epilogue wow. I am so excited to see what Cleeland brings us. I love the person who had a POV in the epilogue and I completely agree with their plan.
March 21, 2021
Series: Doyle and Acton 13
Publication Date: 2/28/21
Number of Pages: 240
In 2013, when the first book of this series came out, I thought it was a wonderful, entertaining, and quirky book, but I thought it might not have longevity because not everybody appreciates quirky as much as I do. Eight years and thirteen books have proven me very, very wrong on that front. This latest addition to the series just adds more and more to the wonderfully quirky Doyle and Acton duo. I think it would be hard to jump into the middle of the series and really appreciate it for what it is. If you haven’t read any of the previous books, I’d suggest reading at least the first one or two books so you can better understand both Acton and Doyle. However, realistically I think you should read the entire series in order because each book builds on the previous book in character development, case backgrounds, etc.
If you read the last book, Murder in Revelation, you will remember that Doyle ended up in a fight for her life as well as their son’s – in their own home. Thanks to Acton, their home is better guarded and fortified than the palace, but still, their security was breached. Although she doesn’t realize it, Doyle is suffering a bit of PTSD from that earlier altercation and she has a good bit of pregnancy brain-fog. Those two things make her a bit slower to pick up on the clues about what is going on – especially what Acton is up to.
Acton is being hyper-vigilant in assuring his wife is safe and snug while she’s carrying their second child. You see, Acton absolutely adores Doyle and will go to any lengths to assure her comfort and safety – even if she isn’t exactly thrilled with his machinations. Somehow, she manages to stumble onto a case that will cause them nothing but trouble even though he’s tried to keep her assigned to the most benign things. As soon as she is at the crime scene, her Spidey-senses begin to tingle and they continue until she has all of the answers and manages to curb Acton’s revenge plot as well.
The case to which Doyle is called is the murder of the office manager at a medical clinic. The only reason Doyle is there is to see if this murder relates to the events in a previous case – Doyle thinks it might – but the perpetrator is quickly arrested and it turns out to be unrelated. Or is it? The office manager was a cooperating witness in that previous case and Doyle learns, by accident, that yet another cooperating witness in that same case has also been recently murdered.
While Doyle is quietly investigating all of that, she learns that Lady Abby, who has appeared as a not-so-nice person previously, is in London and she was trying to harass Mary who is the nanny to Edward, Doyle and Acton’s small son. When Lady Abby is found drowned in the Thames, was it an accident, suicide, or murder?
Acton is his usual enigmatic, manipulative self, but Doyle knows he is up to something and she knows she needs to figure it all out fast and put a stop to it.
All of our favorite characters make an appearance and we learn some surprising things about some of them. What will that portend for future books? Who knows? We’ll only find out with each entrancing book in the series is released. We do get a nice hint about the subject for the next book in the series. Can’t wait.
I definitely recommend this book if you love quirky, flawed characters and an excellent mystery.
Publication Date: 2/28/21
Number of Pages: 240
In 2013, when the first book of this series came out, I thought it was a wonderful, entertaining, and quirky book, but I thought it might not have longevity because not everybody appreciates quirky as much as I do. Eight years and thirteen books have proven me very, very wrong on that front. This latest addition to the series just adds more and more to the wonderfully quirky Doyle and Acton duo. I think it would be hard to jump into the middle of the series and really appreciate it for what it is. If you haven’t read any of the previous books, I’d suggest reading at least the first one or two books so you can better understand both Acton and Doyle. However, realistically I think you should read the entire series in order because each book builds on the previous book in character development, case backgrounds, etc.
If you read the last book, Murder in Revelation, you will remember that Doyle ended up in a fight for her life as well as their son’s – in their own home. Thanks to Acton, their home is better guarded and fortified than the palace, but still, their security was breached. Although she doesn’t realize it, Doyle is suffering a bit of PTSD from that earlier altercation and she has a good bit of pregnancy brain-fog. Those two things make her a bit slower to pick up on the clues about what is going on – especially what Acton is up to.
Acton is being hyper-vigilant in assuring his wife is safe and snug while she’s carrying their second child. You see, Acton absolutely adores Doyle and will go to any lengths to assure her comfort and safety – even if she isn’t exactly thrilled with his machinations. Somehow, she manages to stumble onto a case that will cause them nothing but trouble even though he’s tried to keep her assigned to the most benign things. As soon as she is at the crime scene, her Spidey-senses begin to tingle and they continue until she has all of the answers and manages to curb Acton’s revenge plot as well.
The case to which Doyle is called is the murder of the office manager at a medical clinic. The only reason Doyle is there is to see if this murder relates to the events in a previous case – Doyle thinks it might – but the perpetrator is quickly arrested and it turns out to be unrelated. Or is it? The office manager was a cooperating witness in that previous case and Doyle learns, by accident, that yet another cooperating witness in that same case has also been recently murdered.
While Doyle is quietly investigating all of that, she learns that Lady Abby, who has appeared as a not-so-nice person previously, is in London and she was trying to harass Mary who is the nanny to Edward, Doyle and Acton’s small son. When Lady Abby is found drowned in the Thames, was it an accident, suicide, or murder?
Acton is his usual enigmatic, manipulative self, but Doyle knows he is up to something and she knows she needs to figure it all out fast and put a stop to it.
All of our favorite characters make an appearance and we learn some surprising things about some of them. What will that portend for future books? Who knows? We’ll only find out with each entrancing book in the series is released. We do get a nice hint about the subject for the next book in the series. Can’t wait.
I definitely recommend this book if you love quirky, flawed characters and an excellent mystery.
March 12, 2021
Over too quickly.
I do adore this series. Doyle and Acton are such an odd couple, and although each has their quirks they just work. However, in this book things are a little hinky with all the characters. Gabriel is back, and looking into things (on the sly?), while past cases come back to bite them in the butt. Acton, the Machiavellian mastermind, is hiding things from Doyle and her pregnant-brain is having trouble holding on to the clues.
Love it, and hopefully this will put some of the older threads to rest so more fresh adventures can be focused on. Still waiting for Sir Stephen to get his just desserts, and just what is the Dowager up to?
To be continued...
I do adore this series. Doyle and Acton are such an odd couple, and although each has their quirks they just work. However, in this book things are a little hinky with all the characters. Gabriel is back, and looking into things (on the sly?), while past cases come back to bite them in the butt. Acton, the Machiavellian mastermind, is hiding things from Doyle and her pregnant-brain is having trouble holding on to the clues.
Love it, and hopefully this will put some of the older threads to rest so more fresh adventures can be focused on. Still waiting for Sir Stephen to get his just desserts, and just what is the Dowager up to?
To be continued...
March 7, 2021
Another fascinating addition to the series
I bought this as soon as it hit Kindle. I love the twisty plots and the characters who evolve and always surprise me. I love the humor and the warmth.
For newcomers, you should know that each book in the series builds on the ones before. Cleeland has created a richly detailed world. Reading the books in order gives you the pleasure of discovering how the many threads create an ever more complex tapestry .
I cannot wait for the next installment.
I bought this as soon as it hit Kindle. I love the twisty plots and the characters who evolve and always surprise me. I love the humor and the warmth.
For newcomers, you should know that each book in the series builds on the ones before. Cleeland has created a richly detailed world. Reading the books in order gives you the pleasure of discovering how the many threads create an ever more complex tapestry .
I cannot wait for the next installment.
March 13, 2021
I really enjoyed this new installment of Doyle and Acton. The best way to read Anne Cleeland’s books is to just sit back and enjoy as she weaves a complicated tale of revenge and supposedly unsound mind. This tale went back to the old theme of Acton as avenging angel and Kathleen, this time, was a little slow on the uptake. She blames it on “pregnant brain” and perhaps that’s what it is. Regardless, I am thoroughly enamored of Doyle and Acton and can’t wait for another chapter in their story.
April 6, 2021
I really like this series. I would love an audiobook of the later books, but alas, that's not to be. Big fan of Acton and Doyle. Not sure I like where this series is headed with Savoie but I am here for the long haul :)
March 11, 2021
4.5 ***
This was the best one of the series so far. Doyle was a bit dimwitted at times. She was much more intelligent in this book. Acton is up to his old tricks, doing what he can to protect and avenge his wife. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This was the best one of the series so far. Doyle was a bit dimwitted at times. She was much more intelligent in this book. Acton is up to his old tricks, doing what he can to protect and avenge his wife. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 18, 2021
This rather eccentric mix of characters continues to hold my interest. The grounding center is the indominable DS Doyle and her sense of humour and justice. Well woven intrique and murder.
March 13, 2021
As soon as I saw there was a new book in this series I ordered it.
This is a wonderfully twisted version of a police procedural with the added depth of fascinating characters.
I love the interaction between the main characters, each trying (in her/his own way) to protect the other.
The addition of children, nannies, acquaintances, dream ghosts, second sight, criminals that may or may not be helpful, and more just adds to the richness of the plot.
I eagerly await the next installment.
This is a wonderfully twisted version of a police procedural with the added depth of fascinating characters.
I love the interaction between the main characters, each trying (in her/his own way) to protect the other.
The addition of children, nannies, acquaintances, dream ghosts, second sight, criminals that may or may not be helpful, and more just adds to the richness of the plot.
I eagerly await the next installment.
March 2, 2021
Acton and Doyle
Acton and Doyle are two of my favorite couples. I love the mystery that surrounds Acton. His love, or however he defines it, for his family is so complex but yet it works. This latest installment is very good. I love the characters Ms. Cleeland has created. I always enjoy spending time with them. Thank you.
Acton and Doyle are two of my favorite couples. I love the mystery that surrounds Acton. His love, or however he defines it, for his family is so complex but yet it works. This latest installment is very good. I love the characters Ms. Cleeland has created. I always enjoy spending time with them. Thank you.
April 2, 2021
This is another wonderful Doyle and Acton mystery and I was so confused at times that I had no hope of figuring everything out. Doyle is once again pregnant, and still deeply in love as is Acton, her husband.
She is worrying about him though and what exactly he’s going to do for revenge.
She’s dreaming her dreams also and still has difficulty figuring out there meanings. Kathleen has so many plates to keep spinning but she manages and stays true to his lordship with the help he needs.
She is worrying about him though and what exactly he’s going to do for revenge.
She’s dreaming her dreams also and still has difficulty figuring out there meanings. Kathleen has so many plates to keep spinning but she manages and stays true to his lordship with the help he needs.
March 29, 2021
This was another solid read in this series. Doyle is sent to investigate a possible unsound mind murder and finds it's Dr Tim's receptionist that readers met in the previous book. When the receptionist of the free clinic is also found dead, its connection to the murders committed in the Book 12 is a little too much of a coincidence for Doyle who starts to get that familiar prickle that something is amiss. Honestly, I'm more concerned that no one else found it suspicious - at least two dead in each building where a coverup involving abuse of children is involved? Geez, Louise, I'm no Rhodes scholar, but come on. As Doyle fumbles her way around the evidence and tries to be secretive, Acton is two steps ahead as per usual. To complicate things, Martina has been charged with at least one of the murders and is being held under lock and key and Sir Vikili is the possible suspect for another. Hmmm - what a coincidence...
Doyle is still pregnant and Acton is full of anger due to the events occurring at the end of the previous book. With her wrist still causing her trouble, something akin to PTSD seems to be at play, causing a ghost from the past to make an appearance and drop cryptic hints about what could be afoot. Doyle has to do some soul searching and once again try to save Acton from himself, marching straight into the heart of the fray as per usual. The body of a unsound mind character from the past is found, throwing a spanner in the works, but it's unclear who's responsible. One of Williams' past affairs catches up with him and while his marriage seems to be settling beautifully, the same can't be said for another close to Acton and Doyle. A third party has ulterior motives and a good epilogue helped clarify some of this.
The book had a few typos as per usual. They weren't copious but I wish the series was edited a bit better as there are mistakes in every book which I don't expect, considering their price. And another small peeve - once again, the book led up to an event (Christmas) and then the reader doesn't even get to see all the magic unfold. Boooooo! All in all it was still a good read and I enjoy the quirks that come with this series even though it's pretty formulaic. I'll be continuing with the series.
Doyle is still pregnant and Acton is full of anger due to the events occurring at the end of the previous book. With her wrist still causing her trouble, something akin to PTSD seems to be at play, causing a ghost from the past to make an appearance and drop cryptic hints about what could be afoot. Doyle has to do some soul searching and once again try to save Acton from himself, marching straight into the heart of the fray as per usual. The body of a unsound mind character from the past is found, throwing a spanner in the works, but it's unclear who's responsible. One of Williams' past affairs catches up with him and while his marriage seems to be settling beautifully, the same can't be said for another close to Acton and Doyle. A third party has ulterior motives and a good epilogue helped clarify some of this.
The book had a few typos as per usual. They weren't copious but I wish the series was edited a bit better as there are mistakes in every book which I don't expect, considering their price. And another small peeve - once again, the book led up to an event (Christmas) and then the reader doesn't even get to see all the magic unfold. Boooooo! All in all it was still a good read and I enjoy the quirks that come with this series even though it's pretty formulaic. I'll be continuing with the series.
December 10, 2021
SPOILER ALERT
There is a definite lack of inspiration to this installment of the series. Once again there are the types of murders discussed as a new body is found and another not long before. It will turn out that Michael, Lord Acton, with his strong sense of grudge is bent on revenge for the act against his family. He is framing Martina Betancourt and Sir Vikili for the murders, as they were instrumental in the plot to kidnap his son, and they hurt Kathleen in the process.
It is a long period before Kathleen, DS Doyle figures out that this is another Acton case.
During the progress of the investigation, the confusion and frustration trying to figure out what Doyle's language means is paramount. The colloquial vernacular she uses sometimes has me reminding myself that this is a contemporary story. Her use of odd words, like "mayhap","God fastin'", "tangle-patch", "man-switch"...seems like a time in the distant past. Her naivete, not understanding certain words, and the incorrect use of words, is at once charming and weird. While I really enjoyed this series in the beginning, it is beginning to get old.
There is a definite lack of inspiration to this installment of the series. Once again there are the types of murders discussed as a new body is found and another not long before. It will turn out that Michael, Lord Acton, with his strong sense of grudge is bent on revenge for the act against his family. He is framing Martina Betancourt and Sir Vikili for the murders, as they were instrumental in the plot to kidnap his son, and they hurt Kathleen in the process.
It is a long period before Kathleen, DS Doyle figures out that this is another Acton case.
During the progress of the investigation, the confusion and frustration trying to figure out what Doyle's language means is paramount. The colloquial vernacular she uses sometimes has me reminding myself that this is a contemporary story. Her use of odd words, like "mayhap","God fastin'", "tangle-patch", "man-switch"...seems like a time in the distant past. Her naivete, not understanding certain words, and the incorrect use of words, is at once charming and weird. While I really enjoyed this series in the beginning, it is beginning to get old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2021
Acton and Doyle are, without a doubt, the most unconventional duo of crime fighters I've ever read. From the first book, Murder in Thrall, I was drawn into their world, their love story, and how opposites attract and not only that, balance each other. Acton can be ruthless and is wont to extract justice in a scorched earth fashion when it affects Doyle. And, she, in direct opposition, is goodness personified. She will stop her husband and try to put him on the path of righteousness at all costs. She believes in God's judgment and wants nothing more than to keep Acton in check.
This book takes a bit of a left turn with Doyle having a "pregnancy brain" and still dealing with the aftermath of her deadly struggle to save baby Edward in their flat. She is letting so much get past her she has a real struggle to catch up and sort out what Acton is up to in time. It makes for a page-turning read.
This book takes a bit of a left turn with Doyle having a "pregnancy brain" and still dealing with the aftermath of her deadly struggle to save baby Edward in their flat. She is letting so much get past her she has a real struggle to catch up and sort out what Acton is up to in time. It makes for a page-turning read.
March 30, 2021
Damn! I ripped right through this...the newest Doyle & Acton. This time they are dealing with murderers that aren't in their 'right' minds. The main 'suspect' is a recurring character and we know a lot of her history so Doyle is tingling and dreaming and 'not quite sure'. She is pregnant again so she thinks she is misreading the signs sue to hormone brain but still willing to try. I love keeping up with these characters...they are like old friends...I try to savor each book because the NEXT one is months away...READ THIS SERIES!
May 27, 2021
I really liked the story lines in this one—I thought it was one of the best in the series. But the punctuation was ATROCIOUS! It’s like a rough draft that got printed way too soon, and it drove me crazy. A competent high school student could have done way better. I wondered of the editor (if there was one) had good command of the English language. So a star knocked off for that (and I’m being generous).
August 18, 2021
Exciting!
There are deaths to be investigated but they are overshadowed by all the emotional happenings among friends and family of Acton and Doyle! Doyle is suffering from the deadly attack upon her and Edward in the previous book and Acton wants revenge upon the remaining perpetrators! Lots of conflicting emotional situations so that it is difficult to see who can be trusted! Edward, our toddler, is a handful of activity, delight and relief of tensions!
There are deaths to be investigated but they are overshadowed by all the emotional happenings among friends and family of Acton and Doyle! Doyle is suffering from the deadly attack upon her and Edward in the previous book and Acton wants revenge upon the remaining perpetrators! Lots of conflicting emotional situations so that it is difficult to see who can be trusted! Edward, our toddler, is a handful of activity, delight and relief of tensions!
September 19, 2021
I really enjoyed this entire series. I don't usually read books in a series one right after the other. I had to force myself to stop with Doyle & Acton. I read the first 5 before I forced myself to stop and read something different. I paced myself stopping after the next 3, but there was no help for me with the last 5, now I completed the series and am chafing at the bit for more. Truly, not your everyday variety of "murder mystery". I hope you will enjoy all of them as much as I did ~
March 28, 2021
More Please
Anne cannot write quickly enough to keep me from pining for the next episode. I want to binge watch her brain. Her plots are meticulously designed. Her characters—make me very happy to share time with them. Even the ones you want banished to the rubbish bin, or worse. I cannot wait for the next one!
Anne cannot write quickly enough to keep me from pining for the next episode. I want to binge watch her brain. Her plots are meticulously designed. Her characters—make me very happy to share time with them. Even the ones you want banished to the rubbish bin, or worse. I cannot wait for the next one!
April 3, 2021
Always Amazing!
I have every one of these books and this one was the best yet!!!!! Needless to say I CANNOT wait for the next one!!!!!!! Every aspect- even how she wakes up from her dreams - is perfect.
I have every one of these books and this one was the best yet!!!!! Needless to say I CANNOT wait for the next one!!!!!!! Every aspect- even how she wakes up from her dreams - is perfect.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews