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Lady Anne Addison Mysteries #1
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark
A fascinating and exasperating young lady…
The Marquess of Darkefell has enough to worry about with a bloodthirsty wild beast rampaging the countryside and sinister family secrets to protect. Then Lady Anne Addison arrives, with unquenchable curiosity and intelligence that drive him to distraction…
An infuriatingly unyielding man…
Lady Anne finds the marquess darkly handsome, seductive, and forceful, with a ruthless magnetism that challenges and stimulates her. But he seems determined to keep secrets that may threaten both herself and her helpless friend…
Thrown together in a time of crisis, with a murderer on the loose, the marquess picks an absolutely dreadful moment and the worst possible way to declare his intentions…
The Marquess of Darkefell has enough to worry about with a bloodthirsty wild beast rampaging the countryside and sinister family secrets to protect. Then Lady Anne Addison arrives, with unquenchable curiosity and intelligence that drive him to distraction…
An infuriatingly unyielding man…
Lady Anne finds the marquess darkly handsome, seductive, and forceful, with a ruthless magnetism that challenges and stimulates her. But he seems determined to keep secrets that may threaten both herself and her helpless friend…
Thrown together in a time of crisis, with a murderer on the loose, the marquess picks an absolutely dreadful moment and the worst possible way to declare his intentions…
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
434 people are currently reading
1194 people want to read
About the author
Donna Lea Simpson
45 books113 followersDonna Lea Simpson is a nationally bestselling romance and mystery novelist with over twenty titles published in the last ten years. An early love for the novels of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie was a portent of things to come; Donna believes that a dash of mystery adds piquancy to a romantic tale, and a hint of romance adds humanity to a mystery story. Besides writing romance and mystery novels and reading the same, Donna has a long list of passions: cats and tea, cooking and vintage cookware, cross-stitching and watercolor painting among them. Karaoke offers her the chance to warble Dionne Warwick tunes, and nature is a constant source of comfort and inspiration. A long walk is her favorite exercise, and a fruity merlot is her drink of choice when the tea is all gone. Donna lives in Canada.
The best writing advice, Donna believes, comes from the letters of Jane Austen. The author wrote, in an October 26th, 1813 letter to her sister, Cassandra, “I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am.”
The best writing advice, Donna believes, comes from the letters of Jane Austen. The author wrote, in an October 26th, 1813 letter to her sister, Cassandra, “I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
January 27, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I had a really nice time with this audiobook. I have listened to this narrator before and enjoyed her work so I thought I would give this series a try. I thought that this was really good. I found that once I got started with this audiobook, I eagerly listened to it for hours at a time. I am glad that I took a chance with this one.
Lady Anne goes to visit a friend who is troubled. When she arrives in town, she is shocked when nobody is around to meet her and she is forced to walk from town to the estate. Her walk turns out to be a lot more exciting than she had hoped for when she hears what sounds like a wolf and trips over a dead body. When she finally makes it to her friend's home, she is met with not so welcoming ensemble.
I was captivated by this mystery. I was very curious about what had happened to the poor maid that Anne stumbled over on the way to the estate. It turns out there have been several women who have died recently and I was just as puzzled as Anne was as to what was going on. The possible werewolf was another interesting element that had me guessing. I thought that Anne turned out to be a very good sleuth and it was fun watching her piece everything together.
I liked the characters in this story. Anne was smart and rather bold. After her fiance's death years ago, she has decided not to wed and she has become a fiercely independent woman. Darkefell seemed to be her perfect match. He was used to being in charge but eventually decides to work with Anne to get to the bottom of the murders. I really liked Anne and Darkefell together and thought that they had fantastic chemistry.
Danielle Cohen did a fantastic job with the narration. I felt like she really was able to bring this story to life. There was a nice sized cast of characters in this story and I thought that she did a really good job with all of them. I really liked her accent and thought that it added to the charm of the story. She read the story at a very nice pace. She was able to add a lot of excitement to the story. I feel like I enjoyed the book a bit more due to her narration.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very well done story filled with great characters and a mystery that kept me guessing. I can't wait to get started on the second book in this delightful series!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the narrator.
Initial Thoughts
This was good. I liked the mystery and the characters were wonderful. I wasn't quite sure who the culprit would be until it was revealed within the story. I liked Lady Anne and lot and really wanted to see her and Darkefell together. The narrator did a great job and added a lot to the story.
I had a really nice time with this audiobook. I have listened to this narrator before and enjoyed her work so I thought I would give this series a try. I thought that this was really good. I found that once I got started with this audiobook, I eagerly listened to it for hours at a time. I am glad that I took a chance with this one.
Lady Anne goes to visit a friend who is troubled. When she arrives in town, she is shocked when nobody is around to meet her and she is forced to walk from town to the estate. Her walk turns out to be a lot more exciting than she had hoped for when she hears what sounds like a wolf and trips over a dead body. When she finally makes it to her friend's home, she is met with not so welcoming ensemble.
I was captivated by this mystery. I was very curious about what had happened to the poor maid that Anne stumbled over on the way to the estate. It turns out there have been several women who have died recently and I was just as puzzled as Anne was as to what was going on. The possible werewolf was another interesting element that had me guessing. I thought that Anne turned out to be a very good sleuth and it was fun watching her piece everything together.
I liked the characters in this story. Anne was smart and rather bold. After her fiance's death years ago, she has decided not to wed and she has become a fiercely independent woman. Darkefell seemed to be her perfect match. He was used to being in charge but eventually decides to work with Anne to get to the bottom of the murders. I really liked Anne and Darkefell together and thought that they had fantastic chemistry.
Danielle Cohen did a fantastic job with the narration. I felt like she really was able to bring this story to life. There was a nice sized cast of characters in this story and I thought that she did a really good job with all of them. I really liked her accent and thought that it added to the charm of the story. She read the story at a very nice pace. She was able to add a lot of excitement to the story. I feel like I enjoyed the book a bit more due to her narration.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very well done story filled with great characters and a mystery that kept me guessing. I can't wait to get started on the second book in this delightful series!
I received a review copy of this audiobook from the narrator.
Initial Thoughts
This was good. I liked the mystery and the characters were wonderful. I wasn't quite sure who the culprit would be until it was revealed within the story. I liked Lady Anne and lot and really wanted to see her and Darkefell together. The narrator did a great job and added a lot to the story.
April 30, 2020
My thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an eARC copy of this to read and review.
This just didn't work for me. There are many reviews that state the MC Anne is their favorite character and she is strong and feisty, etc. I didn't see that at all. I saw a rude woman who, while allegedly knowing the rules of polite society, completely ignored them to do what she wanted to do. Depending on what she was doing when she said "I don't give a hoot about rules," it might not have been so bad. But she was just downright RUDE.
I gave the book three chances and it failed 10% of the way in. Life is too short for books that don't work for the reader and thus, this is a DNF for me.
Since I have to give a star rating on NetGalley, this is going to get 1 star from me. I really didn't like it and am glad I only requested the first in this series, rather than be greedy, request all and be disappointed in them. I have learned my lesson in that regard at least.
As many readers did like the MC, I may have just read this wrong. And that's ok, not every book is for every reader.
This just didn't work for me. There are many reviews that state the MC Anne is their favorite character and she is strong and feisty, etc. I didn't see that at all. I saw a rude woman who, while allegedly knowing the rules of polite society, completely ignored them to do what she wanted to do. Depending on what she was doing when she said "I don't give a hoot about rules," it might not have been so bad. But she was just downright RUDE.
I gave the book three chances and it failed 10% of the way in. Life is too short for books that don't work for the reader and thus, this is a DNF for me.
Since I have to give a star rating on NetGalley, this is going to get 1 star from me. I really didn't like it and am glad I only requested the first in this series, rather than be greedy, request all and be disappointed in them. I have learned my lesson in that regard at least.
As many readers did like the MC, I may have just read this wrong. And that's ok, not every book is for every reader.
April 5, 2023
Georgian Era. Yorkshire, England. Ivy Cottage and Darkefell Castle on the Darkefell Estate. Victoria Hamilton’s Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark (Lady Anne Addison Mysteries, #1) finds spinster, Lady Anne Addison, riding the Royal Mail coach to see her friend, Lady Lydia Bestwick née Miss Lydia Moore. Lady Anne has received a letter from Lady Lydia, a letter revealing that only 4 months into her marriage, Lady Lydia is “desperately unhappy”, and Lady Anne decides to go and see her friend. Just for those who do not know England, Kent (SE England) and Yorkshire (N England) are in no way neighboring counties. Luckily, Lady Anne is independently wealthy and not married, although she is 24, I believe. Both of these facts allow her to immediately drop whatever she is doing to check on her friend quite a ways from Kent, Lady Anne’s family home. Taking the Royal Mail to Yorkshire is supposedly speedy in Georgian times (early 1700s- early 1800s), but I have my doubts. Then there is the title “L A & t Howl in the Dark”. Oh, please. A Werewolf? And, of course, with Lady Lydia, living in Ivy Cottage on the Darkefell Estate, there has to be a ‘dark’ noble. There is and he is a Marquess, but I had fun with it all. A very quick read, and I liked Marquess Darkefell. Thus, my rating is 3 stars.
October 14, 2019
I realised that I read this book years ago when it was published under a different author name. Did not care for it then, won’t now.
April 27, 2019
Werewolves in the Yorkshire countryside!
Lady Anne Addison's arrival in Yorkshire is surrounded by mishap. The picture of her arrival at the public coaching stop is both daunting and amusing. It does serve to show the mettle of this determined Georgian miss.
Anne has flown to the defense of her friend Lydia after a letter that summons Anne post haste to her marital abode, Darkefell Castle.
Anne's arrival problems compound when she is forced to continue to the Castle on foot. She hears a wolf like howl swell out over the forest, some rustling amongst the trees and undergrowth, and then she trips over a body. Enough to send me scurrying home! Not however Anne. Her arrival at the castle has elements of humor, farce and terror, covered as she is in mud and blood!
This is an intelligent young woman who will follow clues and use logic to find the truth of the matter, even as the body count continues to pile up. Anne joins forces with the disturbing Marquess of Darkefell, an enigmatic figure, whom Anne finds herself strongly attracted to. However, Anne's independence is of prime concern to her. No attraction to be acknowledged here! As the mystery unfolds Anne must guard against her feelings for Anthony Darkefell. (An interesting discussion on women and their choices, their finances and their independence after marriage surrounds Anne's misgivings.)
An anomaly therefore! The fearless Anne never falters in her pursuit of the truth but it seems is fearful to pursue the truth where love might be concerned.
Beneath the tale flows an older story that is part of Darkefell and his secretary, Mr. Osei Boatin's past. This is impinging on the present with overtones that might seep into the future. Osei was a slave rescued from a ship by Darkfell and his twin brother. The owner of that ship is a neighbor. There are plots within plots and the source of the threats to Darkefell are varied.
A throughly enjoyable read!
This tale was originally published by Donna Lea Simpson. It has been updated and republished under Simpson's pseudonym, Victoria Hamilton.
A Beyond the Page Publications ARC via NetGalley
Lady Anne Addison's arrival in Yorkshire is surrounded by mishap. The picture of her arrival at the public coaching stop is both daunting and amusing. It does serve to show the mettle of this determined Georgian miss.
Anne has flown to the defense of her friend Lydia after a letter that summons Anne post haste to her marital abode, Darkefell Castle.
Anne's arrival problems compound when she is forced to continue to the Castle on foot. She hears a wolf like howl swell out over the forest, some rustling amongst the trees and undergrowth, and then she trips over a body. Enough to send me scurrying home! Not however Anne. Her arrival at the castle has elements of humor, farce and terror, covered as she is in mud and blood!
This is an intelligent young woman who will follow clues and use logic to find the truth of the matter, even as the body count continues to pile up. Anne joins forces with the disturbing Marquess of Darkefell, an enigmatic figure, whom Anne finds herself strongly attracted to. However, Anne's independence is of prime concern to her. No attraction to be acknowledged here! As the mystery unfolds Anne must guard against her feelings for Anthony Darkefell. (An interesting discussion on women and their choices, their finances and their independence after marriage surrounds Anne's misgivings.)
An anomaly therefore! The fearless Anne never falters in her pursuit of the truth but it seems is fearful to pursue the truth where love might be concerned.
Beneath the tale flows an older story that is part of Darkefell and his secretary, Mr. Osei Boatin's past. This is impinging on the present with overtones that might seep into the future. Osei was a slave rescued from a ship by Darkfell and his twin brother. The owner of that ship is a neighbor. There are plots within plots and the source of the threats to Darkefell are varied.
A throughly enjoyable read!
This tale was originally published by Donna Lea Simpson. It has been updated and republished under Simpson's pseudonym, Victoria Hamilton.
A Beyond the Page Publications ARC via NetGalley
November 16, 2019
It's true that the title gives some doubt about the book...
But, the plot summery made me believe it wasn't a supernatural book, so I gave it a try. Lady Anne comes, to her friend's request, to investigate the sighting of a bipedal-animal. Lady Anne doesn't believe in the supernatural and decide to investigate. Little does she knows that on her firsts steps on the property, she would encounter a much darker mystery.
Well, I was intrigued, and I felt connected to Lady Anne right from the start. I wanted to see how this strong minded lady would go about this adventure. I wasn't disappointed. Normaly, I am not a gothic reader and this book have defiantly all the atmosphere of a gothic tale: the weak pale lady, the family secrets, tales of murders, people creeping in the dark, a man well verse in the pleasures of the flesh (don't worry, if you forget the gothic parts, it's a clean book). Still I liked it very much. It's all thanks to Lady Anne clever mind and also because she is absolutely not naive! And this is important, for me, because it give the book dignity. It's not one of those book where the girl gets stupid because of her reaction to a man.
She is in fact very relatable because of that. She feels things likes attraction and she as a big heart, but she won't act upon it recklessly like some hormoned teenager. She has my respect for being a example of a truly self sufficient women. We don't see those quite often.
About the werewolf... it's not a supernatural book, so there is a secret there, another mystery for Lady Anne to seek her teeth in.
But, the plot summery made me believe it wasn't a supernatural book, so I gave it a try. Lady Anne comes, to her friend's request, to investigate the sighting of a bipedal-animal. Lady Anne doesn't believe in the supernatural and decide to investigate. Little does she knows that on her firsts steps on the property, she would encounter a much darker mystery.
Well, I was intrigued, and I felt connected to Lady Anne right from the start. I wanted to see how this strong minded lady would go about this adventure. I wasn't disappointed. Normaly, I am not a gothic reader and this book have defiantly all the atmosphere of a gothic tale: the weak pale lady, the family secrets, tales of murders, people creeping in the dark, a man well verse in the pleasures of the flesh (don't worry, if you forget the gothic parts, it's a clean book). Still I liked it very much. It's all thanks to Lady Anne clever mind and also because she is absolutely not naive! And this is important, for me, because it give the book dignity. It's not one of those book where the girl gets stupid because of her reaction to a man.
She is in fact very relatable because of that. She feels things likes attraction and she as a big heart, but she won't act upon it recklessly like some hormoned teenager. She has my respect for being a example of a truly self sufficient women. We don't see those quite often.
About the werewolf... it's not a supernatural book, so there is a secret there, another mystery for Lady Anne to seek her teeth in.
July 30, 2020
This was a really good gothic romance. It brings me back to some of the books I used to read when I was younger. I loved the roaming beast and the mystery. I'm definitely putting the next book on my list.
December 10, 2019
This has the potential to be a good historical/mystery series. I adored Lady Anne and the banter between she and Darkefell. I wasn't as engaged in the mystery or any secondary characters. I will definitely try the next book.
September 11, 2021
DNF at 30% -and this review is a bit of a rant so I apologise.
I wanted to like this book so much. It ticked all of my boxes: historical setting, intelligent lead, mysterious, brooding love interest, and an interesting crime.
The plot sounds very compelling. Lady Anne is summoned by her friend Lydia to solve the mystery of mauled sheep and nightime howling - locals fearing there is a werewolf in their midst. As she arrives, Anne stumbles over the corpse of Lydia's lady's maid and so a murder mystery begins.
Unfortunately, despite good writing and a decent plot, I found that I disliked near enough EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER.
Let's start small. Lydia is needy and whining. She's married well, then decided that her husband doesn't love her and regrets wedding her, despite the fact he seems attentive and caring in every scene he's with her. Also, this is regency era, when people married for wealth or position, not for love. I just found her to be silly and hysterical most of the time.
Darkefell's mother (whose name escapes me now) is immediately rude and basically a nasty old cow to everyone she meets.
The household in general is filled with uninteresting characters who are forgettable the moment they walk out of the scene.
Darkefell (the brooding and seductive love interest) is neither brooding nor seductive, just uninteresting. He's sensible and protective of his household - which does not include Anne, whom he's only just met. And rightly so, as this stranger turns up and starts interfering in his affairs and what, he's supposed to be OK with that?? Um...no. Also, despite the earlier description I've given, he decides that kissing Anne the day after he meets her is the best way to shut her up. It's not even like he's decided he fancies her, he just thinks that's a good idea and then seems shocked when she slaps him (although I did laugh at that part). The attempts to make him an intelligent young man are immediately undermined by this dumb move.
And then there's Lady Anne herself. She's a self entitled nosy Parker. She keeps asking questions that she has no right to ask, expects everyone to fall over her every request and immediately trust her with their deepest, darkest secrets. Then she gets offended when someone tells her to butt out of other people's business. I get that she'll be a little entitled, as she is a noble lady, but I found her to be so utterly unlikeable that I've found I can't bring myself to read any more of her.
Which is a shame, because the later books sound as interesting as the first book did.
I wanted to like this book so much. It ticked all of my boxes: historical setting, intelligent lead, mysterious, brooding love interest, and an interesting crime.
The plot sounds very compelling. Lady Anne is summoned by her friend Lydia to solve the mystery of mauled sheep and nightime howling - locals fearing there is a werewolf in their midst. As she arrives, Anne stumbles over the corpse of Lydia's lady's maid and so a murder mystery begins.
Unfortunately, despite good writing and a decent plot, I found that I disliked near enough EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER.
Let's start small. Lydia is needy and whining. She's married well, then decided that her husband doesn't love her and regrets wedding her, despite the fact he seems attentive and caring in every scene he's with her. Also, this is regency era, when people married for wealth or position, not for love. I just found her to be silly and hysterical most of the time.
Darkefell's mother (whose name escapes me now) is immediately rude and basically a nasty old cow to everyone she meets.
The household in general is filled with uninteresting characters who are forgettable the moment they walk out of the scene.
Darkefell (the brooding and seductive love interest) is neither brooding nor seductive, just uninteresting. He's sensible and protective of his household - which does not include Anne, whom he's only just met. And rightly so, as this stranger turns up and starts interfering in his affairs and what, he's supposed to be OK with that?? Um...no. Also, despite the earlier description I've given, he decides that kissing Anne the day after he meets her is the best way to shut her up. It's not even like he's decided he fancies her, he just thinks that's a good idea and then seems shocked when she slaps him (although I did laugh at that part). The attempts to make him an intelligent young man are immediately undermined by this dumb move.
And then there's Lady Anne herself. She's a self entitled nosy Parker. She keeps asking questions that she has no right to ask, expects everyone to fall over her every request and immediately trust her with their deepest, darkest secrets. Then she gets offended when someone tells her to butt out of other people's business. I get that she'll be a little entitled, as she is a noble lady, but I found her to be so utterly unlikeable that I've found I can't bring myself to read any more of her.
Which is a shame, because the later books sound as interesting as the first book did.
March 8, 2009
I really wanted to like this book but I found I just could not get into it.
Lord Darkefell (this name was just a little too obvious for my tastes) and actually most of his household was so rude I found it surprising that Lady Anne would stay other than feeling an obligation to track down the murderer. Other than his kindness towards his secretary I do not see why Lady Anne starts to fall for Lord Darkefell. The other irritating part was the fact that there are constant references to Lady Anne wanting to draw this or that and goes into details about the arrival of her drawing supplies but halfway through the book we have yet to see her draw anything. In the end her drawing abilities really did not serve any purpose so I was not sure why it was brought up.
I do have to say Lady Anne was the bright spot of the book. As I got maybe half way through I really started to like her and her boldness not to let the men in the story treat her like an imbecile or coddle her like a weak woman. In fact, the one surprising factor of her character was that she fell for Lord Darkefell. I have to say it was also nice to see a heroine who wasn’t a great beauty with men tripping over their feet to be with her. Despite her plainness her personality and heart was what attracted Darkefell to her.
Stop here if you do not want any spoilers.
The most aggravating part about this book was there was no real resolution at the end. It seems as if it is a cliff hanger so you have to wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens. Darkefell proposes but Lady Anne runs away. Darkefell despite knowing that Lady Anne is an immensely sensible woman all of a sudden believes she is playing games and simply wants him to woo her. I do not see why he would think she is the stereotypical woman of this time despite all the time they spent together and him pointing out how she is unlike most women. I really would prefer this book just to have a conclusion to the romance in it rather than dragging on into another novel.
Lord Darkefell (this name was just a little too obvious for my tastes) and actually most of his household was so rude I found it surprising that Lady Anne would stay other than feeling an obligation to track down the murderer. Other than his kindness towards his secretary I do not see why Lady Anne starts to fall for Lord Darkefell. The other irritating part was the fact that there are constant references to Lady Anne wanting to draw this or that and goes into details about the arrival of her drawing supplies but halfway through the book we have yet to see her draw anything. In the end her drawing abilities really did not serve any purpose so I was not sure why it was brought up.
I do have to say Lady Anne was the bright spot of the book. As I got maybe half way through I really started to like her and her boldness not to let the men in the story treat her like an imbecile or coddle her like a weak woman. In fact, the one surprising factor of her character was that she fell for Lord Darkefell. I have to say it was also nice to see a heroine who wasn’t a great beauty with men tripping over their feet to be with her. Despite her plainness her personality and heart was what attracted Darkefell to her.
Stop here if you do not want any spoilers.
The most aggravating part about this book was there was no real resolution at the end. It seems as if it is a cliff hanger so you have to wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens. Darkefell proposes but Lady Anne runs away. Darkefell despite knowing that Lady Anne is an immensely sensible woman all of a sudden believes she is playing games and simply wants him to woo her. I do not see why he would think she is the stereotypical woman of this time despite all the time they spent together and him pointing out how she is unlike most women. I really would prefer this book just to have a conclusion to the romance in it rather than dragging on into another novel.
May 28, 2019
3.5 stars, rounding up.
I KNOW. Believe me, I KNOW. I read the title.
...but it's entertaining.
And I'm a sucker for a mystery in a manor house.
Especially a mystery in a manor house with a potentially supernatural basis, coupled with a delightfully sensible and rational heroine.
I mean, I enjoy that Anne just dismisses the idea of the werewolf. Also, I enjoy her ridiculous massive cat. And her dynamic with her ladies' maid, and her tiger. There's a lot of weird family mystery associated with the marquess' family floating around this one, much of which is not resolved, but I'm giving it a bit of a pass since this is a series, so the author's hardly going to show her entire hand in book one. The rescued slave turned secretary is more than a bit heavy handed at times, but when the author just lets him be a character, he's a good one. And maybe don't read it it for the murder mystery, because the murderer is of the type that they may as well have had "I DID IT" stamped on their forehead in red, the first scene they appear in. Although, to be fair,
I mean, the friend's got the personality (and brains) of a wet rag, there's a woman in the village who's just hateful and apparently gets away with it, and the marquess's mother is fairly unlikable, but at least she's unlikable in an interesting way (and in a way that hints at an explanation to come in later books).
Also, the male lead's apparent antipathy towards marriage in the first half is weirdly done, given that it also just... goes away midway through and is never mentioned again. Which begs the question of why it existed in the first place. Possibly to go with the healthy dose of arrogant autocratic aristocratic alpha asshole he seems to be saddled with for chunks of this. (Luckily the asshole bit of the personality only crops up occasionally.) He also manages to be intelligent, a bit oblivious to certain things in believable ways to balance it out and make the relationship interesting, fair, sensible, and actually has a sense of humour, which can I Just say, is such a nice change in a brooding aristocrat. It's so much more tedious when they're dour all the time. Especially if the book's going to have such a ridiculous plot, like werewolf sightings.
Also parenthetically, eldest sons from estates in Yorkshire/the coast/the moors/anywhere vaguely remote in Britain with dark hair and stoic facial features must've approached young adulthood with trepidation. Because if Gothic novels are to be believed, it's only a matter of time before the rumours of involvement in an unsolved murder start cropping up.
But even if the Marquess is a touch too overbearing, especially in the start of this, I enjoy the dynamic between the two leads. They clearly both intrigue each other, and are well matched. They also both clearly don't quite know what to do about that, and as a result, do some pretty stupid, if understandable, things as a result (conveniently creating the need for more books). Also, their interactions are fun. Plus their dialogue is one of the strengths of the book, which, along with the setting and semi-ridiculous basis for the plot, is basically why I'm here. And why I will always be here for books like this. Especially right now, when I need something lighter.
2019 Reading Challenge: A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature
I KNOW. Believe me, I KNOW. I read the title.
...but it's entertaining.
And I'm a sucker for a mystery in a manor house.
Especially a mystery in a manor house with a potentially supernatural basis, coupled with a delightfully sensible and rational heroine.
I mean, I enjoy that Anne just dismisses the idea of the werewolf. Also, I enjoy her ridiculous massive cat. And her dynamic with her ladies' maid, and her tiger. There's a lot of weird family mystery associated with the marquess' family floating around this one, much of which is not resolved, but I'm giving it a bit of a pass since this is a series, so the author's hardly going to show her entire hand in book one. The rescued slave turned secretary is more than a bit heavy handed at times, but when the author just lets him be a character, he's a good one. And maybe don't read it it for the murder mystery, because the murderer is of the type that they may as well have had "I DID IT" stamped on their forehead in red, the first scene they appear in. Although, to be fair,
I mean, the friend's got the personality (and brains) of a wet rag, there's a woman in the village who's just hateful and apparently gets away with it, and the marquess's mother is fairly unlikable, but at least she's unlikable in an interesting way (and in a way that hints at an explanation to come in later books).
Also, the male lead's apparent antipathy towards marriage in the first half is weirdly done, given that it also just... goes away midway through and is never mentioned again. Which begs the question of why it existed in the first place. Possibly to go with the healthy dose of arrogant autocratic aristocratic alpha asshole he seems to be saddled with for chunks of this. (Luckily the asshole bit of the personality only crops up occasionally.) He also manages to be intelligent, a bit oblivious to certain things in believable ways to balance it out and make the relationship interesting, fair, sensible, and actually has a sense of humour, which can I Just say, is such a nice change in a brooding aristocrat. It's so much more tedious when they're dour all the time. Especially if the book's going to have such a ridiculous plot, like werewolf sightings.
Also parenthetically, eldest sons from estates in Yorkshire/the coast/the moors/anywhere vaguely remote in Britain with dark hair and stoic facial features must've approached young adulthood with trepidation. Because if Gothic novels are to be believed, it's only a matter of time before the rumours of involvement in an unsolved murder start cropping up.
But even if the Marquess is a touch too overbearing, especially in the start of this, I enjoy the dynamic between the two leads. They clearly both intrigue each other, and are well matched. They also both clearly don't quite know what to do about that, and as a result, do some pretty stupid, if understandable, things as a result (conveniently creating the need for more books). Also, their interactions are fun. Plus their dialogue is one of the strengths of the book, which, along with the setting and semi-ridiculous basis for the plot, is basically why I'm here. And why I will always be here for books like this. Especially right now, when I need something lighter.
2019 Reading Challenge: A book featuring an extinct or imaginary creature
April 23, 2009
What a great combination romance and mystery! The Marquess of Darkefell has no idea what he's in for when the spunky Lady Anne shows up on his doorstep one dark rainy eve, covered with blood and demanding answers. Summoned by her friend, Lady Anne refuses to back down to the Marquess, even when he tries using his kisses to distract her. The dialogue is witty and you won't know whether to cheer Anne on or shake your head as she plunges into one thing after another. I found myself chuckling as she got caught snooping on more than one occasion. This book is definitely something worth adding to your library. Even more exciting is that there are two more Lady Anne books coming out continuing the romance and adventure between these two.
April 24, 2019
After receiving a letter from her friend Lydia, Lady Anne Addison rushes to Yorkshire and Darkefell Castle to be with her. But she arrives only to discover a body, and tales of werewolves. Being of an intelligent and curious nature she decides to investigate. But is she being helped or hindered by Lord Darkefell.
Set within the Georgian period, this is more of a mystery than a romance (thankfully), well-written and a story I really enjoyed with its very likeable characters. A very good solid start to a new series.
A NetGalley Book
Set within the Georgian period, this is more of a mystery than a romance (thankfully), well-written and a story I really enjoyed with its very likeable characters. A very good solid start to a new series.
A NetGalley Book
April 6, 2009
Back and forth, back and forth I go on what to say and how to rate "Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark". It's the start of a new historical romantic mystery series by Donna Lea Simpson, a writer whose works I enjoy. But I need to say up front that this is heavier on the mystery than on the romance--and that it's set in the Georgian period of English history. So when I rate this one, I'm rating it as a mystery vice romance. Having said all that...I enjoyed this book. It kept me turning the pages (373 of them) to see what would happen next and how Lady Anne would react.
Lady Anne is the daughter of an Earl and an heiress in her own right. She's not a beauty, but neither is she hideous. And when her fiance died fighting in the colonies, during her year of mourning she took stock of her life and realized a few things. She'd had a near miss from an unhappy marriage. She didn't like acting vapid to 'snare' a husband. She didn't care for the attitudes and morals of the ton. And she couldn't quite see the benefits of marriage when compared to the life she could currently lead. She quite likes being a spinster, able to do mostly as she pleases. So when her recently married friend sends a letter requesting 'urgent' help, off Lady Anne goes. But not only is there no cart nor carriage to meet her, but while WALKING to the manor where her friend is living, she hears a wild howl, a woman's scream, and stumbles across a dead body! It doesn't take long for her concern for her friend and her natural curiosity to take over and soon Lady Anne is doing some nosing around of her own. And she'll continue to do so until she's satisfied...no matter what the handsome, arrogant, and infuriating Marquess of Darkefell says! So there.
A gothic setting, liberal doses of humor, a mystery, more action than I expected, and some very titillating sexual tension between our hero and heroine. This story was, in some ways, more than I expected...yet in others, less. Lady Anne is a no-nonsense, intrepid, and very intelligent heroine who follows her own mind and her own path while staying mindful of the boundaries society asks of an unwed woman. She's someone I'd like to meet and talk with. And she certainly leads the Marquess a merry chase as she's about the only woman willing to stand up to him...in spite of her attraction to him. She made me smile and laugh with her retorts and setdowns.
The pace of the book was quick, despite its length. The mystery unfolds slowly at first, then rapidly gains speed and goes full out to the end. But it was the end that bothered me a bit. First, I didn't think this was a mystery that readers could solve themselves. There were a few clues, bits and pieces that were only available after the denouement. I wasn't expecting that so it bugged me a bit. But I guess in a way it does make this book 'feel' more historical, evoking the tenor of the gothic mysteries of the past. And the other minus, for me, was the lack of resolution in the relationship. I won't give it away, and now that I understand there are more books to come with the same characters, I see why the author ended it as she did. But when I got to the last page, I was peeved!
All in all I did enjoy the book quite a bit. Enough that I plan to pick up Donna Lea Simpson's next installment in Lady Anne's story, "Lady Anne & the Ghost's Revenge" which comes out in Aug09.
Lady Anne is the daughter of an Earl and an heiress in her own right. She's not a beauty, but neither is she hideous. And when her fiance died fighting in the colonies, during her year of mourning she took stock of her life and realized a few things. She'd had a near miss from an unhappy marriage. She didn't like acting vapid to 'snare' a husband. She didn't care for the attitudes and morals of the ton. And she couldn't quite see the benefits of marriage when compared to the life she could currently lead. She quite likes being a spinster, able to do mostly as she pleases. So when her recently married friend sends a letter requesting 'urgent' help, off Lady Anne goes. But not only is there no cart nor carriage to meet her, but while WALKING to the manor where her friend is living, she hears a wild howl, a woman's scream, and stumbles across a dead body! It doesn't take long for her concern for her friend and her natural curiosity to take over and soon Lady Anne is doing some nosing around of her own. And she'll continue to do so until she's satisfied...no matter what the handsome, arrogant, and infuriating Marquess of Darkefell says! So there.
A gothic setting, liberal doses of humor, a mystery, more action than I expected, and some very titillating sexual tension between our hero and heroine. This story was, in some ways, more than I expected...yet in others, less. Lady Anne is a no-nonsense, intrepid, and very intelligent heroine who follows her own mind and her own path while staying mindful of the boundaries society asks of an unwed woman. She's someone I'd like to meet and talk with. And she certainly leads the Marquess a merry chase as she's about the only woman willing to stand up to him...in spite of her attraction to him. She made me smile and laugh with her retorts and setdowns.
The pace of the book was quick, despite its length. The mystery unfolds slowly at first, then rapidly gains speed and goes full out to the end. But it was the end that bothered me a bit. First, I didn't think this was a mystery that readers could solve themselves. There were a few clues, bits and pieces that were only available after the denouement. I wasn't expecting that so it bugged me a bit. But I guess in a way it does make this book 'feel' more historical, evoking the tenor of the gothic mysteries of the past. And the other minus, for me, was the lack of resolution in the relationship. I won't give it away, and now that I understand there are more books to come with the same characters, I see why the author ended it as she did. But when I got to the last page, I was peeved!
All in all I did enjoy the book quite a bit. Enough that I plan to pick up Donna Lea Simpson's next installment in Lady Anne's story, "Lady Anne & the Ghost's Revenge" which comes out in Aug09.
October 26, 2021
3.75 rounded to 4 stars. Great Gothic feel to this regency mystery .New series, and new author for me. Talk, and sighting of a werewolf, dead girls, and more mayhem, but Lady Anna is having none of it. Her lady friend is a new bride in the very estate all this seems to be going around in. She married the younger son of Darkfel, and seems to be scared to death. This was a very twisted mystery. My only problem was the author should list all the previous problems, deaths, animal mutilation, prior to the meat of the story. They keep dwindling in, at inconvenient times. How many maids went missing in all? The main characters were fleshed out quite nicely. The storyline was inviting. Lord of manor..older brother ..domineering....brooding, and dark...the house was an old castle, and part in ruin...most deaths had howling before another victim was found. I lost count of who was, and wasn't pregnant, between the small hamlet, the big lodge, and the castle. Plus so many little vagabond characters, drunk, dirty, and popping in and out. The mother in law was unfriendly, and cold...the new wife helpless, and weeping. her husband just seemed to put her to bed, and follow his brother around.....plus she even brought ,in the evils of slavery, by Africans who sold other tribes they caught for wealth. It was a lot of information. Our heroine just kept running out ,into the night despite ladies dying. She was determined to catch the killer, to prove him human. She had to constantly be rescued.,and she was smarter than that. I really believe if she can tighten up her story, use less. characters that have little meaning, and do a great back story early in the novel, her books will be great. I like her gothic leanings, but she wrote like every idea, should be in this first book. There was so many gossiping maids, servants, and towns people, even the clergy. It did not go with the description of closed mouth people, who did not take to strangers. The gossip by so many, for such diverse reasons was not needed. It tended to make the reader feel like everyone was just repeating, and adding for excitement. It did not close in the story, toward an exciting climax, of the roaming wolf, or scary part of the story. The ending was not a cliff hanger exactly, but your sure of some things, and still wondering over others. I hope the next book is better edited .I will read book two because I believe the main characters have feelings for each other, and they seem to have another adventure together. .
March 30, 2009
Lady Anne Addison arrives late one night to the Darkefell estate, on a mission to see her recently married friend who has sent her frantic letters demanding she come. But when Anne arrives, she discovers that no one available to escort her to the manor, and she must travel up the road in the dark, by herself. On her way she hears a blood-curdling howl, and then screaming, followed by groans of pain. She follows the sound, intending to help the woman whose scream she heard, and instead finds her dead body. She does make it safely to the estate to report the death, but after this welcome she wonders what the rest of her stay has in store for her.
Lady Anne's friend, the Lady Lydia Bestwick, married to the younger brother of the Lord of Darkefell, has apparently not told anyone that Anne is to be expected, and no one knows quite what to make of her. She is not a typically feminine woman, and being plain-looking and independantly wealthy, she has decided she has no need of marriage or men. She finds herself rather ridiculously attracted to Lord Anthony, the marquess of Darkefell, and he is typically arrogant and gruff, with smoldering good-looks, as many heroes are. Anne is determined to find out what killed the girl that she found, and she is equally determined to not believe in any of the stories of werewolves that the locals insist are real. Lord Darkefell is determined to keep his families secrets safely hidden from the destructively inquisitive Lady Anne, at the same time as finding himself strangely attracted to her. They are continually at odds with each other as they both try to solve the mystery of the maid's death.
This was a rather entertaining read, although disappointing in some respects. The mystery itself is not very well written, and resolved a bit too quickly at the end. The romance that obviously develops between Lord Darkefell and Lady Anne is well done, but left unfinished, I suppose to set it up for a sequel. Lady Anne's character is entertaining, as is Lord Darkefell's, while most of the rest of the characters are necessary stereotypes. A few exceptions are there of course - Lord Darkefell's secretary, a rescued slave, is an interesting addition, and Lady Anne's cat, Irusan, adds humor and depth to her character. Overall this book was a fun, quick read.
Lady Anne's friend, the Lady Lydia Bestwick, married to the younger brother of the Lord of Darkefell, has apparently not told anyone that Anne is to be expected, and no one knows quite what to make of her. She is not a typically feminine woman, and being plain-looking and independantly wealthy, she has decided she has no need of marriage or men. She finds herself rather ridiculously attracted to Lord Anthony, the marquess of Darkefell, and he is typically arrogant and gruff, with smoldering good-looks, as many heroes are. Anne is determined to find out what killed the girl that she found, and she is equally determined to not believe in any of the stories of werewolves that the locals insist are real. Lord Darkefell is determined to keep his families secrets safely hidden from the destructively inquisitive Lady Anne, at the same time as finding himself strangely attracted to her. They are continually at odds with each other as they both try to solve the mystery of the maid's death.
This was a rather entertaining read, although disappointing in some respects. The mystery itself is not very well written, and resolved a bit too quickly at the end. The romance that obviously develops between Lord Darkefell and Lady Anne is well done, but left unfinished, I suppose to set it up for a sequel. Lady Anne's character is entertaining, as is Lord Darkefell's, while most of the rest of the characters are necessary stereotypes. A few exceptions are there of course - Lord Darkefell's secretary, a rescued slave, is an interesting addition, and Lady Anne's cat, Irusan, adds humor and depth to her character. Overall this book was a fun, quick read.
July 18, 2019
Lady Anne heads to Yorkshire at the request of her friend Lydia who seems gravely frightened. When Lady Anne arrives in town, she is dismayed to find that no one is there to pick her up. She is appalled, but finds she has no choice but to walk to Darkefell Estate. Upon reaching the estate, she hears a loud howl and then a scream. Lady Anne traces the scream and discovers a newly deceased girl. Lady Anne finds out that the girl is Cecilia Wainright, Lydia’s maid. No one in the household seems concerned about finding her killer, but Lady Anne feels determined to get to the bottom of things. The mystery deepens when she finds out that two other young girls have died on the estate. Add to this tales of a wandering werewolf, and Lady Anne has quite the troubling and terrifying puzzle to unravel.
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark is an engaging and unique mystery. I truly appreciate the sophisticated dialogue, great characterizations, and well written story. The story progresses nicely, and the suspense builds as the plot unfolds. The story ends far different than I guessed, but seems faithful to the characters and clues.
Embroiled in this mystery is a complicated, intriguing, and romantic relationship between two of the main characters, Lady Anne and the Marquess of Darkefell. Their contrasting personalities cause them to clash constantly, but both find they cannot deny the strong attraction they feel towards each other. The tension between these two adds a great intensity to the overall story.
I think fans of gothic and historical mysteries will enjoy this book.
Thanks to Net Galley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #BeyondThePagePublishing #LadyAnneAndTheHowlInTheDark
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark is an engaging and unique mystery. I truly appreciate the sophisticated dialogue, great characterizations, and well written story. The story progresses nicely, and the suspense builds as the plot unfolds. The story ends far different than I guessed, but seems faithful to the characters and clues.
Embroiled in this mystery is a complicated, intriguing, and romantic relationship between two of the main characters, Lady Anne and the Marquess of Darkefell. Their contrasting personalities cause them to clash constantly, but both find they cannot deny the strong attraction they feel towards each other. The tension between these two adds a great intensity to the overall story.
I think fans of gothic and historical mysteries will enjoy this book.
Thanks to Net Galley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #BeyondThePagePublishing #LadyAnneAndTheHowlInTheDark
February 19, 2020
2.9
The pros. Anne is a delightfully pleasant but strong protagonist. I do love her and wish for more of her adventures. The mystery itself had an intriguing twist which I did not outwardly guess so that's a plus. I will hesitate to pick up the next book however because of the weight if the cons.
The writing.
Boring for this genre, slang seemed completely out of time and place for the setting and the constant flex of the author's large vocabulary was almost condescending. New words are fun but when I have to search every other word the fun quickly dies. Then theres well everyone else.
While Anne was the strongest character here everyone else seemed to suffer. Background characters had either no presence or devoid of personality completely like lydia. The greatest offender in this book, who initially had been the catalyst to bring our mc to the darkfell manor. Once Anne arrived the weeping woman did NOTHING until 80% into the book. And when she did finally DO something it was merely to announce a baby. Really? Then theres darkfell himself the marquese who I loathed and grew horribly bored with. constantly assaulting a woman, then quickly claiming her like a caveman is not how you win your independent spinster over. It might just be my opinion but hes a horribly written match for Anne and I sincerely hope hes not endgame. I was more than content when she left him hanging after he proposed.
Okay end of rant.
The pros. Anne is a delightfully pleasant but strong protagonist. I do love her and wish for more of her adventures. The mystery itself had an intriguing twist which I did not outwardly guess so that's a plus. I will hesitate to pick up the next book however because of the weight if the cons.
The writing.
Boring for this genre, slang seemed completely out of time and place for the setting and the constant flex of the author's large vocabulary was almost condescending. New words are fun but when I have to search every other word the fun quickly dies. Then theres well everyone else.
While Anne was the strongest character here everyone else seemed to suffer. Background characters had either no presence or devoid of personality completely like lydia. The greatest offender in this book, who initially had been the catalyst to bring our mc to the darkfell manor. Once Anne arrived the weeping woman did NOTHING until 80% into the book. And when she did finally DO something it was merely to announce a baby. Really? Then theres darkfell himself the marquese who I loathed and grew horribly bored with. constantly assaulting a woman, then quickly claiming her like a caveman is not how you win your independent spinster over. It might just be my opinion but hes a horribly written match for Anne and I sincerely hope hes not endgame. I was more than content when she left him hanging after he proposed.
Okay end of rant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2015
**That cover is hilarious! Go ahead, fall in love with some guy's naked breast. Bwaha!
Liked:
-Anne. She's such a great heroine. She's no-nonsense and smart. Her interactions with Darkefell are always hilarious.
-Irusan. This cat is the KING.
Iffy:
-Darkefell (Anthony? DUNNO). Okay, I have a love-hate relationship with his character. He's kind of the "alpha male" romance authors loooooove to write about, but that would put him in the asshole category.
-The "paranormal" aspect.
Didn't Like:
Not much!
Liked:
-Anne. She's such a great heroine. She's no-nonsense and smart. Her interactions with Darkefell are always hilarious.
-Irusan. This cat is the KING.
Iffy:
-Darkefell (Anthony? DUNNO). Okay, I have a love-hate relationship with his character. He's kind of the "alpha male" romance authors loooooove to write about, but that would put him in the asshole category.
-The "paranormal" aspect.
Didn't Like:
Not much!
December 6, 2020
Just not a good book
I wanted to like this book, as the premise was interesting and original, but I just couldn't. I had to force myself to finish it. First of all, Anne is annoying. I know she's supposed to be independent and strong willed, but frankly, she just comes off as nosy and pushy. She just shoves her way in to things and her reasons for doing so are lame. Darkefelle was a slightly better character, but he was also rather stupid at times too. And grabbing a woman and kissing her against her will, especially when she's angry after you just compared your previous mistress to a disposable piece of fashion, isn't sexy or romantic. Lastly, there were parts of the mystery that were never explained. I realize that the author may be leaving them for the next book, but then she needs to give some indication of that in the story, not just leave the plot hanging. Overall, it was just not a well written story.
I wanted to like this book, as the premise was interesting and original, but I just couldn't. I had to force myself to finish it. First of all, Anne is annoying. I know she's supposed to be independent and strong willed, but frankly, she just comes off as nosy and pushy. She just shoves her way in to things and her reasons for doing so are lame. Darkefelle was a slightly better character, but he was also rather stupid at times too. And grabbing a woman and kissing her against her will, especially when she's angry after you just compared your previous mistress to a disposable piece of fashion, isn't sexy or romantic. Lastly, there were parts of the mystery that were never explained. I realize that the author may be leaving them for the next book, but then she needs to give some indication of that in the story, not just leave the plot hanging. Overall, it was just not a well written story.
October 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It drew me in from the first page and held my attention the whole way through.
I loved the character of Anne. As a spinster with money, her unorthodox behaviour was plausible and worked for her choices and actions throughout the rest of the book. Even though her dramas about her feelings for Darkefell went a bit over-dramatic at points, she was likable and spunky and I was happy to go along with her on her determination to find out what was what.
The plot itself, while, again a bit melodramatic was still a cracking good story and filled with plenty of secrets and drama and suspense. The cast of characters was interesting and there were plenty of side sub-plots that added to making this an interesting read.
This was a light, fun easy to read story and I enjoyed it. I will continue with this series to see what fate has in store for Anne and Tony next!
I loved the character of Anne. As a spinster with money, her unorthodox behaviour was plausible and worked for her choices and actions throughout the rest of the book. Even though her dramas about her feelings for Darkefell went a bit over-dramatic at points, she was likable and spunky and I was happy to go along with her on her determination to find out what was what.
The plot itself, while, again a bit melodramatic was still a cracking good story and filled with plenty of secrets and drama and suspense. The cast of characters was interesting and there were plenty of side sub-plots that added to making this an interesting read.
This was a light, fun easy to read story and I enjoyed it. I will continue with this series to see what fate has in store for Anne and Tony next!
September 3, 2023
Historical mystery with Gothic tones set in Yorkshire, during Georgian times. Lady Anne Addison is a spinster sleuth that sets out so solve a murder mystery with the unwilling help of the handsome and enigmatic Marquess of Darkefell. I liked it overall, but had a little trouble in the beginning. Lady Anne is too curious for her own good and not all that likable at first, but she tends to grow on you. First in a series, but not sure when the next book is due out.
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March 13, 2021
I don’t know why, but I loved this book. I just really enjoyed how independent the heroine was & that she was older.
July 25, 2023
I enjoyed this for the mystery and the fiery exchanges between Lady Anne and Marquess Darkefell when they finally started working together, but objectively it was rather a mixed bag.
The plot was intriguing - strange things are afoot on the Darkefell Estate, with our intrepid heroine stumbling across the gory dead body of a maid on her way to the castle to visit her friend Lydia, apparent werewolf sightings in the area and nervous whispers of animal deaths in recent months.
As the title implies, the whole mystery has a fun gothic vibe and Lady Anne spends a great deal of time tearing through forests in search of the criminal and/or the werewolf, though anyone who’s hoping for it to truly deliver might be disappointed.
I found the process far more enjoyable than the actual resolution of the mystery; this is one of those stories where readers and the main characters are deliberately kept in the dark for most of the novel. There were very few actual clues or evidence, merely a lot of repetition that circled back to the same few points, relying ultimately on loose conjectures and assumptions from Anne that miraculously turned out to be 100% correct. In some instances she didn’t even have any basis for haphazardly drawing connections in the case out of the blue! It all hinged on hoping the murderer would fall apart and confess, and even then at the end there were numerous questions unanswered.
Lady Anne herself made a very positive first impression on me - she was full of spunk, intelligent and seemed eminently sensible. That positive impression fades quickly the minute she’s installed at Ivy Lodge and starts her “investigations.” For starters, she admits it is foolhardy but continues to do stupid things like running into the forest alone at night to chase after werewolf sightings. She also describes herself as “direct,” but I’d think it’s more accurately described as “rude.”
Anne is well aware of the rules of polite society but disregards basic courtesy and etiquette at all times in favour of badgering literally everybody around her for answers. On her first night as a guest at Ivy Lodge, she even has the audacity to demand first the Dowager Marchioness and then the Marquess answer her questions on the murder - this is immediately after they are introduced. Despite being supposedly “kind” she also demonstrates little to no sympathy for those around her, including her “friend” Lydia. Lydia is certainly stupid, selfish and self-absorbed, but that doesn’t warrant banging on the woman’s door to demand answers even when she’s resting after a terrible shock!
Somehow she’s still not completely insufferable despite this terrible behaviour - probably because the other characters are generally no more likeable than she, and given everyone’s general refusal to answer questions or communicate normally, anyone less rude than Anne would never get anywhere.
At least she meets her match in Darkefell, who is (in Anne’s words) stubborn, arrogant and high-handed but also fair-minded, a good landlord and extremely attractive. Their exchanges are as electric as they are frustrating, because neither of them seem inclined to actually say anything of substance to each other for more than two-thirds of the novel. Darkefell steadfastly refuses to answer any of her questions, and she does the same - I suspect the book would be half its length if they just stopped waffling and started working together sooner! Once they did it was great fun though, and it was particularly amusing seeing Darkefell being humbled by Anne, who refuses to be cowed by their undeniable attraction to each other.
This book leaves off with the mystery solved but their romance so despite the flaws I’m excited to find out where they go from here.
The plot was intriguing - strange things are afoot on the Darkefell Estate, with our intrepid heroine stumbling across the gory dead body of a maid on her way to the castle to visit her friend Lydia, apparent werewolf sightings in the area and nervous whispers of animal deaths in recent months.
As the title implies, the whole mystery has a fun gothic vibe and Lady Anne spends a great deal of time tearing through forests in search of the criminal and/or the werewolf, though anyone who’s hoping for it to truly deliver might be disappointed.
I found the process far more enjoyable than the actual resolution of the mystery; this is one of those stories where readers and the main characters are deliberately kept in the dark for most of the novel. There were very few actual clues or evidence, merely a lot of repetition that circled back to the same few points, relying ultimately on loose conjectures and assumptions from Anne that miraculously turned out to be 100% correct. In some instances she didn’t even have any basis for haphazardly drawing connections in the case out of the blue! It all hinged on hoping the murderer would fall apart and confess, and even then at the end there were numerous questions unanswered.
Lady Anne herself made a very positive first impression on me - she was full of spunk, intelligent and seemed eminently sensible. That positive impression fades quickly the minute she’s installed at Ivy Lodge and starts her “investigations.” For starters, she admits it is foolhardy but continues to do stupid things like running into the forest alone at night to chase after werewolf sightings. She also describes herself as “direct,” but I’d think it’s more accurately described as “rude.”
Anne is well aware of the rules of polite society but disregards basic courtesy and etiquette at all times in favour of badgering literally everybody around her for answers. On her first night as a guest at Ivy Lodge, she even has the audacity to demand first the Dowager Marchioness and then the Marquess answer her questions on the murder - this is immediately after they are introduced. Despite being supposedly “kind” she also demonstrates little to no sympathy for those around her, including her “friend” Lydia. Lydia is certainly stupid, selfish and self-absorbed, but that doesn’t warrant banging on the woman’s door to demand answers even when she’s resting after a terrible shock!
Somehow she’s still not completely insufferable despite this terrible behaviour - probably because the other characters are generally no more likeable than she, and given everyone’s general refusal to answer questions or communicate normally, anyone less rude than Anne would never get anywhere.
At least she meets her match in Darkefell, who is (in Anne’s words) stubborn, arrogant and high-handed but also fair-minded, a good landlord and extremely attractive. Their exchanges are as electric as they are frustrating, because neither of them seem inclined to actually say anything of substance to each other for more than two-thirds of the novel. Darkefell steadfastly refuses to answer any of her questions, and she does the same - I suspect the book would be half its length if they just stopped waffling and started working together sooner! Once they did it was great fun though, and it was particularly amusing seeing Darkefell being humbled by Anne, who refuses to be cowed by their undeniable attraction to each other.
This book leaves off with the mystery solved but their romance so despite the flaws I’m excited to find out where they go from here.
May 12, 2019
Originally published with the same title, but under the name Donna Lea Simpson, Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark is the first historical mystery in a series of three.
Lady Anne has been called to her friend's side in Yorkshire, where a werewolf is reportedly stirring up trouble. Things begin to go wrong from her very first step. She must find her own way to the estate through the foggy, dark night, but stumbles her way into a murder on her way across the lawn. Everyone around her seems to be holding back information, so she takes it upon herself to solve this mystery and find the murderer.
Lady Anne is a great character, mostly because she's not perfect. She firece and independent with more daring than most. If I had to think of one thing to encapsulate the whole of her character it would be "curiousity killed the cat." She will throw herself into any situation, no matter how risky or how nervous she is, solely because she must find the answers she is persuing.
I don't dislike Lord Darkefell, but I also didn't care for him overly much. He's very broody and arrogant, plus he seems to think that his wants and needs are more important than hers. He just assumes she'll want him and simply be thankful that the handsome, mysterious Lord Darkefell would ever take interest in a plain spinster like her.
That being said, they still make a great investigative pair. Even though half the time they spend working together on the investigstion is not exactly by choice.
The story starts out great and ends great with story progression, but there is a bit in the middle where the pacing seems to slow down a bit due to additional minor plotlines thrown in that distract from our main mystery. Here the story isn't quite as engaging, but then everything picks back up again and we're back on track. The plot isn't the most believable. It plays out a bit like a game of Clue, including a gathering at the house where we have the narrowing down of suspects and a big reveal. But it is still very enjoyable and pretty entertaining. Besides, who doesn't like a good game of Clue?
I look forward to reading the remaining two books in the series and would recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries and the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn. The book is primarily a mystery with the addition of a romantic pairing for our lead character. If you're wondering about the romance aspect of this book, I would say that it is a clean romance.
I requested and received a copy of this book from NetGalley through Beyond the Page Publishing. This is my honest review
Lady Anne has been called to her friend's side in Yorkshire, where a werewolf is reportedly stirring up trouble. Things begin to go wrong from her very first step. She must find her own way to the estate through the foggy, dark night, but stumbles her way into a murder on her way across the lawn. Everyone around her seems to be holding back information, so she takes it upon herself to solve this mystery and find the murderer.
Lady Anne is a great character, mostly because she's not perfect. She firece and independent with more daring than most. If I had to think of one thing to encapsulate the whole of her character it would be "curiousity killed the cat." She will throw herself into any situation, no matter how risky or how nervous she is, solely because she must find the answers she is persuing.
I don't dislike Lord Darkefell, but I also didn't care for him overly much. He's very broody and arrogant, plus he seems to think that his wants and needs are more important than hers. He just assumes she'll want him and simply be thankful that the handsome, mysterious Lord Darkefell would ever take interest in a plain spinster like her.
That being said, they still make a great investigative pair. Even though half the time they spend working together on the investigstion is not exactly by choice.
The story starts out great and ends great with story progression, but there is a bit in the middle where the pacing seems to slow down a bit due to additional minor plotlines thrown in that distract from our main mystery. Here the story isn't quite as engaging, but then everything picks back up again and we're back on track. The plot isn't the most believable. It plays out a bit like a game of Clue, including a gathering at the house where we have the narrowing down of suspects and a big reveal. But it is still very enjoyable and pretty entertaining. Besides, who doesn't like a good game of Clue?
I look forward to reading the remaining two books in the series and would recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries and the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn. The book is primarily a mystery with the addition of a romantic pairing for our lead character. If you're wondering about the romance aspect of this book, I would say that it is a clean romance.
I requested and received a copy of this book from NetGalley through Beyond the Page Publishing. This is my honest review
March 3, 2022
Едва ли някога ще ми омръзнат историите за независими, твърдоглави, интелигентни и общо взето непоносими за обществото млади дами, които се опитват да наложат съвременните за нас привички в тесните исторически рамки, меко казано задушаващи всякакви наченки на свобода. Лейди Ан Адисън е точно такава, с особен акцент на непоносимостта в добавка към особеното ѝ привличане към трупове, неприятности и безскрупулни убийци. Плюс един тъмен лорд, от онези високите, тъмнокосите, начумерените, но с добра душа. И несметно богатство, какво си помислихте, туй да не ви е Дикенсова трагедия. Това е една от онези истории, романтично – зловещите, където чувствата избуяват над прясно кървящ труп на прислужница, докато сериен откачен убиец се опитва да ликвидира половината синьокръвни обитатели на благородническото селце, а катун романичели кълнат всичко живо, което не им прекара сребро през дланите. Обичайните работи.
Но какво прави тази поредица всъщност забавно четиво? Словесните престрелки, драматичните ситуации и готическите сетинги съчетават Джейн Остин и Емили Бронте в учудващо лека за четене за история, но да предупредя всички романтично настроени читатели, особено онези, които обичат по-горещите сцени – любовната история се развива толкова смехотворно и абсурдно, че в доста ситуации ще крещим съвсем по балкански Айде, дай му, ма! вместо благопристойно – европейското А, така, стискай коленца до сватбата!. С една дума – горещината е под формата на топъл въздух, нашето момиче се дърпа отривисто, а младежът ни киселее и беснее, но запазва добро поведение, и спасява девойката от призрачни контрабандисти, побеснели робовладелци, джипси убийци и каквото друго успее да вкисне нашата женствена протагонистка.
Поредицата е забавна, непретенциозна, бърза за четене, с добро количество девичи съмнения и тръшкания, и героично пуфтене и сумтене по сенките, но и доста забавни за разрешаване криминални случаи, тъмни семейни тайни и немалко количество несвойствени идеи за расова и полова равнопоставеност. Желанието да лупнете с нещо тежко абсолютно всеки от героите – главни, второстепенни, добри, лоши или просто преминаващи на моменти ще е наистина невъзможно за преодоляване, но нещата се нареждат някак и дори пълните тъпаци стават поне малко симпатични в светлината на добрия романтичен край. Не е поредица – събитие, но пък не е и нужно за малко добре изкарано в четене време, прекарано основно подхилвайки се и крещейки на героите по азбучен ред.
Но какво прави тази поредица всъщност забавно четиво? Словесните престрелки, драматичните ситуации и готическите сетинги съчетават Джейн Остин и Емили Бронте в учудващо лека за четене за история, но да предупредя всички романтично настроени читатели, особено онези, които обичат по-горещите сцени – любовната история се развива толкова смехотворно и абсурдно, че в доста ситуации ще крещим съвсем по балкански Айде, дай му, ма! вместо благопристойно – европейското А, така, стискай коленца до сватбата!. С една дума – горещината е под формата на топъл въздух, нашето момиче се дърпа отривисто, а младежът ни киселее и беснее, но запазва добро поведение, и спасява девойката от призрачни контрабандисти, побеснели робовладелци, джипси убийци и каквото друго успее да вкисне нашата женствена протагонистка.
Поредицата е забавна, непретенциозна, бърза за четене, с добро количество девичи съмнения и тръшкания, и героично пуфтене и сумтене по сенките, но и доста забавни за разрешаване криминални случаи, тъмни семейни тайни и немалко количество несвойствени идеи за расова и полова равнопоставеност. Желанието да лупнете с нещо тежко абсолютно всеки от героите – главни, второстепенни, добри, лоши или просто преминаващи на моменти ще е наистина невъзможно за преодоляване, но нещата се нареждат някак и дори пълните тъпаци стават поне малко симпатични в светлината на добрия романтичен край. Не е поредица – събитие, но пък не е и нужно за малко добре изкарано в четене време, прекарано основно подхилвайки се и крещейки на героите по азбучен ред.
May 17, 2020
I don't know if I am relieved or disappointed that there was no sign of paranormality in this book, I just read Gail Carrigers Parasol Protactorate Books and would have welcomed some equal fantasy/mystery mix. But I fear it would not have fitted into this story, so I'm not overly disappointed with the lack of real werewolfs.
The setting itself is quite gothic, but not too much, I'm not a big fan of gothic novels, so it was okay for me to read.
What bothered me most was that Darkefell called Anne unfeminim and a devil's woman on more that one occasion, on one point it may have even been intended as a compliment. I did enjoy her dressing him down for it. He deserved it.
Also, he kept on kissing her even after she slapped him and told him on more than one occasion she does not welcome him kisses. And that he thought she would be willing to marry him, even if a few hours before, when he last tried to kiss her she bit him in order for him to stop. Observing Boundaries Who My Lord?
Another thing that bothered me was the so called friendship between Anne and Lydia. We were told they are friends and that Anne rushed to Yorkshire to help her friend but there was no real evidence of that friendship, I think I can count all of Lydia's appearences on one hand and her so called marital problems, which were Anne's reason to come in the first place, faded quickly into the background and where rather clumsily resolved at the very end.
And I needed some time to warm to Lady Anne, at the beginning I found her very rude, especially considering that she is supposedly there to help a friend but we never really see them interacting with each other and when we do see them together it's so that Anne can question her, as she does with everybody else. I didn't really believe this friendship. From the interaction that I've seen between Anne and her other friends in the last scene their friendship already seems more believable to me.
Plus Points for Mr. Boatin and for portraying the issues of slavery and racism like this, I haven't seen it done this explicitly before, and rather nuanced imo as well.
Another plus point, for not making Darkefell another dark and brooding gothic hero, even though he does live alone in an old castle rather than in the newer house with the rest of his family.
The setting itself is quite gothic, but not too much, I'm not a big fan of gothic novels, so it was okay for me to read.
What bothered me most was that Darkefell called Anne unfeminim and a devil's woman on more that one occasion, on one point it may have even been intended as a compliment. I did enjoy her dressing him down for it. He deserved it.
Also, he kept on kissing her even after she slapped him and told him on more than one occasion she does not welcome him kisses. And that he thought she would be willing to marry him, even if a few hours before, when he last tried to kiss her she bit him in order for him to stop. Observing Boundaries Who My Lord?
Another thing that bothered me was the so called friendship between Anne and Lydia. We were told they are friends and that Anne rushed to Yorkshire to help her friend but there was no real evidence of that friendship, I think I can count all of Lydia's appearences on one hand and her so called marital problems, which were Anne's reason to come in the first place, faded quickly into the background and where rather clumsily resolved at the very end.
And I needed some time to warm to Lady Anne, at the beginning I found her very rude, especially considering that she is supposedly there to help a friend but we never really see them interacting with each other and when we do see them together it's so that Anne can question her, as she does with everybody else. I didn't really believe this friendship. From the interaction that I've seen between Anne and her other friends in the last scene their friendship already seems more believable to me.
Plus Points for Mr. Boatin and for portraying the issues of slavery and racism like this, I haven't seen it done this explicitly before, and rather nuanced imo as well.
Another plus point, for not making Darkefell another dark and brooding gothic hero, even though he does live alone in an old castle rather than in the newer house with the rest of his family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2019
The greatest appeal of the book, beside its plucky and focused heroine, was in illustrating the turns and twists an investigation was bound to take in an age where the convenience of science and specialized training was not even conceivable. And even if it is fiction, it just makes you think how many innocent people fell victims to abuses of power and prejudice, when all they had to solve crimes were various degrees of sharpness in observation prowess and ability to connect apparent disparate facts, the error-prone human memory, and heaps of class prejudice and self-conceit that too often stood, poorly, for justice and truth.
Aside from reminding the readers of the horrors of past injustices as part of the story weave, the book itself was quite well done plot-wise, and a lot happens in this book at a leisurely pace that doesn't however meander. Ms. Hamilton creates an elaborate Gothic atmosphere that turns out to be a bit of a red herring.
Aside of Lady Anne however, the rest of the characters seem somewhat stilted and unfinished, clichéd even, or at the very least, the impression they leave it is not quite what the author presumably intended. You have the overly dramatic, overly sheltered halfwit friend, the world-wise, heart of gold maid/confidante, the gossipy self-absorbed harpy, the self-important and painfully dim magistrate, and so on. They feel more like props to populate the world of the heroine, including the somewhat better fleshed out romantic interest and brooding hero. Granted, Lady Anne shines like a precious gem among that dullish company. In any case it may be because you can pack only so much development in one third of a trilogy.
There was also a bit of a, not quite, cliffhanger, I believe it to be more like a segue to the next adventures, but slightly unsatisfactory if you only intended to read one book. A solid three stars and a half, as I'm intrigued about how the story arc will develop.
Aside from reminding the readers of the horrors of past injustices as part of the story weave, the book itself was quite well done plot-wise, and a lot happens in this book at a leisurely pace that doesn't however meander. Ms. Hamilton creates an elaborate Gothic atmosphere that turns out to be a bit of a red herring.
Aside of Lady Anne however, the rest of the characters seem somewhat stilted and unfinished, clichéd even, or at the very least, the impression they leave it is not quite what the author presumably intended. You have the overly dramatic, overly sheltered halfwit friend, the world-wise, heart of gold maid/confidante, the gossipy self-absorbed harpy, the self-important and painfully dim magistrate, and so on. They feel more like props to populate the world of the heroine, including the somewhat better fleshed out romantic interest and brooding hero. Granted, Lady Anne shines like a precious gem among that dullish company. In any case it may be because you can pack only so much development in one third of a trilogy.
There was also a bit of a, not quite, cliffhanger, I believe it to be more like a segue to the next adventures, but slightly unsatisfactory if you only intended to read one book. A solid three stars and a half, as I'm intrigued about how the story arc will develop.
May 19, 2019
I do enjoy historical mysteries with strong female characters so this three book series was one I didn't want to miss. Lady Anne Addison is not going to follow the conventional rules society writes for a proper Georgian lady. In this, the first of three books, she travels to Yorkshire and the new home of her friend, Lydia, Darkefell Castle. Lydia needs her help and that's all Lady Anne requires to make the long carriage trip. She expects to be met at the coach house by somebody from the castle. Things don't go as planned and the conversation between the man at the coach house and Lady Anne about her luggage and further transportation had me laughing and eager to find out what would come next. Being the curious and head strong lady that she is, she sets off on foot with only a slim idea of where she is going and just how far it might be. In the darkness danger lurks and soon she stumbles over a body - was it killed by a werewolf? The unnerving howl she heard leads some to believe just that. By the time she arrives at a house, Ivy Lodge, she is ready for some answers and a strong cup of tea. Lydia is there and says she forgot to tell anyone that Lady Anne was coming. And so the mystery begins and I found it to be a good balance of mystery, humor and romance.
Once I was finished with this book, I jumped right into the second one. Her relationship with the dark, handsome and brooding Marquess of Darkefell is interesting to say the least. I wanted to find out what she was attracted to as I found him to be more than a bit of a jerk. I'm very glad these three books have been repackaged for the mystery readers. I would have missed them otherwise. They are perfect for readers of Deanna Raybourn and Christine Trent.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Once I was finished with this book, I jumped right into the second one. Her relationship with the dark, handsome and brooding Marquess of Darkefell is interesting to say the least. I wanted to find out what she was attracted to as I found him to be more than a bit of a jerk. I'm very glad these three books have been repackaged for the mystery readers. I would have missed them otherwise. They are perfect for readers of Deanna Raybourn and Christine Trent.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2023
DNF at 24%
For multiple reasons. It's tell, tell, tell. A character will show a physical reaction and then the author will extrapolate a significant personality trait from it.
The MC is unlikeable. A plain and plainly spoken character could have been amazing, but this character would be invasive and rude today, let alone in a time of restrictive manners for ladies. She shouts at her hosts, banging on the door of one's bedroom for half an hour when they don't give her what she wants when she wants it. She's livid the housekeeper won't help her when the woman is caring for her friend's health. Yet her emotions swerve all over the place. When she's perfectly polite it actually seems wrong and throws you out of the story, so "anger management issues" is her base personality. We are told - of course - she is smart, but it is not enough to coax me to spend more time with this insufferable character.
There is definitely a gothic feel. It's melodramatic from the start, which might be exactly what you are looking for. Unlike some reviewers I wouldn't call these characters realistic. Indeed a good suspension of disbelief is needed for scenes such as the marquis jumping into the ocean from a moving ship to save slaves tipped overboard. It's not the heroism, it's the idea that an ocean going ship could stop or slow enough to not leave him behind. Certainly the gothic tone is well done, but it is hard to place the time period. The woman on the cover has a medieval dress, which doesn't help matters.
So stopping here. I don't normally rate books I don't finish, because it can be purely a matter of taste, but so far this is not a well written book with few redeeming features. The fact they are marketed to readers of Lady Julia Grey is abhorrent, given those books are hilarious and well-crafted. One star.
For multiple reasons. It's tell, tell, tell. A character will show a physical reaction and then the author will extrapolate a significant personality trait from it.
The MC is unlikeable. A plain and plainly spoken character could have been amazing, but this character would be invasive and rude today, let alone in a time of restrictive manners for ladies. She shouts at her hosts, banging on the door of one's bedroom for half an hour when they don't give her what she wants when she wants it. She's livid the housekeeper won't help her when the woman is caring for her friend's health. Yet her emotions swerve all over the place. When she's perfectly polite it actually seems wrong and throws you out of the story, so "anger management issues" is her base personality. We are told - of course - she is smart, but it is not enough to coax me to spend more time with this insufferable character.
There is definitely a gothic feel. It's melodramatic from the start, which might be exactly what you are looking for. Unlike some reviewers I wouldn't call these characters realistic. Indeed a good suspension of disbelief is needed for scenes such as the marquis jumping into the ocean from a moving ship to save slaves tipped overboard. It's not the heroism, it's the idea that an ocean going ship could stop or slow enough to not leave him behind. Certainly the gothic tone is well done, but it is hard to place the time period. The woman on the cover has a medieval dress, which doesn't help matters.
So stopping here. I don't normally rate books I don't finish, because it can be purely a matter of taste, but so far this is not a well written book with few redeeming features. The fact they are marketed to readers of Lady Julia Grey is abhorrent, given those books are hilarious and well-crafted. One star.
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