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Isles of Illusion #1
The Promise of Deception
Adelynn Spencer, a spirited member of the Edwardian London upper class, struggles under the conditions of her engagement to Detective Inspector Baze Ford. But during the gala announcing their betrothal, events take a fatal turn when Adelynn experiences a vivid dream of a man dying with a knife buried in his chest. To her alarm, Baze and his men later discover the man exactly as she witnessed.
When Adelynn sees a second dream—a second victim—she tries to convince Baze that there are more sinister things at work. Choosing hard evidence over Adelynn's outrageous claims, Baze dismisses her and turns his attention to the location of the most recent crime, the Empress Theatre. Determined to uncover the truth of her visions, Adelynn investigates on her own. She infiltrates the theater and becomes spellbound by the charming spectacle of the resident magician.
As Baze wrestles with the decision to harden his heart or take action to protect the woman who means everything to him, Adelynn ventures further into the clutches of magic and murder. Can she keep her mind safe and draw the killer out of the shadows?
When Adelynn sees a second dream—a second victim—she tries to convince Baze that there are more sinister things at work. Choosing hard evidence over Adelynn's outrageous claims, Baze dismisses her and turns his attention to the location of the most recent crime, the Empress Theatre. Determined to uncover the truth of her visions, Adelynn investigates on her own. She infiltrates the theater and becomes spellbound by the charming spectacle of the resident magician.
As Baze wrestles with the decision to harden his heart or take action to protect the woman who means everything to him, Adelynn ventures further into the clutches of magic and murder. Can she keep her mind safe and draw the killer out of the shadows?
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2021
30 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 12, 2022
Wow! What a great debut novel
Shrouded in mystery and magic, The Promise of Deception is set in fog-shrouded London at the turn of the 20th Century. Tensions between the Irish and English are at a peak. Just 30 years have passed since Jack the Ripper's unsolved crimes puzzled Scotland Yard.
Jessica Sly's debut novel was amazing! The story was riveting and kept me wondering. Chilling descriptions of the eerie theater which much of the story revolved around brought it vividly to life. Characters with secrets and puzzling behavior filled the pages. I came close to tears more than once!
I loved how the cause of the tension between Adelynn and Basil was revealed in bits and pieces and how my emotions were jerked in every direction as the story progressed.
Baze's struggles with his earthly father caused him to doubt submitting to a Heavenly Father was wise or desirable. As he puzzled through solving the murders which hit too close for comfort, the darkness grew and he found even more reasons for desiring to break free of the control of his father. He came to a place where he had to make a choice. Surrender to the darkness that sought to control him or to the Heavenly Father he had been running from.
Plucky Adelynn was such a great protagonist. I admired her determination and honesty. And especially the faith that allowed her to tell one who had done terrible things, with conviction, that Jesus' blood was enough to cover his sins and that forgiveness was available to him regardless.
Despite the murders being "witnessed" by Adelynn through her visions, the details were kept to a minimum to keep things from being gruesome. And despite the darkness of the evil that lurked in the dark London streets, a sense of hope prevailed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story and am looking forward to reading more by Jessica Sly. I recommend The Promise of Deception to readers who enjoy speculative fiction with a strong faith element.
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Shrouded in mystery and magic, The Promise of Deception is set in fog-shrouded London at the turn of the 20th Century. Tensions between the Irish and English are at a peak. Just 30 years have passed since Jack the Ripper's unsolved crimes puzzled Scotland Yard.
Jessica Sly's debut novel was amazing! The story was riveting and kept me wondering. Chilling descriptions of the eerie theater which much of the story revolved around brought it vividly to life. Characters with secrets and puzzling behavior filled the pages. I came close to tears more than once!
I loved how the cause of the tension between Adelynn and Basil was revealed in bits and pieces and how my emotions were jerked in every direction as the story progressed.
Baze's struggles with his earthly father caused him to doubt submitting to a Heavenly Father was wise or desirable. As he puzzled through solving the murders which hit too close for comfort, the darkness grew and he found even more reasons for desiring to break free of the control of his father. He came to a place where he had to make a choice. Surrender to the darkness that sought to control him or to the Heavenly Father he had been running from.
Plucky Adelynn was such a great protagonist. I admired her determination and honesty. And especially the faith that allowed her to tell one who had done terrible things, with conviction, that Jesus' blood was enough to cover his sins and that forgiveness was available to him regardless.
Despite the murders being "witnessed" by Adelynn through her visions, the details were kept to a minimum to keep things from being gruesome. And despite the darkness of the evil that lurked in the dark London streets, a sense of hope prevailed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story and am looking forward to reading more by Jessica Sly. I recommend The Promise of Deception to readers who enjoy speculative fiction with a strong faith element.
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
January 6, 2022
I loved this book! To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first picked up this book. Based on the description of the novel, it didn't seem like one I would normally enjoy. However, I picked it up because the author is an old friend of mine. :) And, I am so glad I did now! This is a suspenseful mystery with romance, well-researched historical details, and a little bit of magic thrown in, and one of the best books I've read in the last year (and I read a lot of books).
From the very first page, the reader learns that Adelynn is being blackmailed into marrying the man she loves, named Blaze. This is an intriguing premise and sets up the mystery that drives the entire book. Both Blaze and Adelynn fight the challenges at home and in the city, as they face pressure from Blaze's father and must solve the increasing number of murders happening to those close to them.. Sly is active and vivid in her descriptions. I felt like I was walking alongside the characters in the novel and eagerly kept turning the pages to find out what happens next. All the characters were interesting and the interplay between the darkness of the magical elements of the novel with the strong faith of Adelynn, Bennet, and (later) Blaze highlight the importance of God in bringing about redemption and forgiveness. This is clearly a work of Christian fiction, but Sly never comes across as "preachy" like I've read in other Christian fiction; instead, the use of prayer and faith further helps develop her characters throughout the novel. It is a powerful novel of love, forgiveness, and redemption.
From the very first page, the reader learns that Adelynn is being blackmailed into marrying the man she loves, named Blaze. This is an intriguing premise and sets up the mystery that drives the entire book. Both Blaze and Adelynn fight the challenges at home and in the city, as they face pressure from Blaze's father and must solve the increasing number of murders happening to those close to them.. Sly is active and vivid in her descriptions. I felt like I was walking alongside the characters in the novel and eagerly kept turning the pages to find out what happens next. All the characters were interesting and the interplay between the darkness of the magical elements of the novel with the strong faith of Adelynn, Bennet, and (later) Blaze highlight the importance of God in bringing about redemption and forgiveness. This is clearly a work of Christian fiction, but Sly never comes across as "preachy" like I've read in other Christian fiction; instead, the use of prayer and faith further helps develop her characters throughout the novel. It is a powerful novel of love, forgiveness, and redemption.
December 5, 2021
Jessica Sly’s Promise of Deception grabs you from the first page. The spirited heroine, Adelynn Spencer, is being blackmailed into an engagement. To the man she loves. Detective Inspector Baze Ford, her betrothed, doesn’t have a clue that his father is pulling the strings. What hope does their future marriage have when Adelynn feels like she’s being forced down the aisle, and she’s hiding the truth from the man she loves?
But before Adelynn can begin to fathom a remedy, she starts having nightmares in the middle of being awake. Visions of murder victims. She is horrified when real dead bodies start to turn up mirroring her dreams down to the last detail. Baze, determined to find the fiend who is committing the crimes, refuses to listen to Adelynn when she tells him she’s seen it all before. Adelynn strikes out on her own to solve the murders before anyone else dies.
Little do Baze and Adelynn know that they’re in a battle that threatens their hearts, their minds, and maybe their very souls.
Sly’s Promise of Deception is an intense, suspenseful, page-turning read. I highly recommend it.
But before Adelynn can begin to fathom a remedy, she starts having nightmares in the middle of being awake. Visions of murder victims. She is horrified when real dead bodies start to turn up mirroring her dreams down to the last detail. Baze, determined to find the fiend who is committing the crimes, refuses to listen to Adelynn when she tells him she’s seen it all before. Adelynn strikes out on her own to solve the murders before anyone else dies.
Little do Baze and Adelynn know that they’re in a battle that threatens their hearts, their minds, and maybe their very souls.
Sly’s Promise of Deception is an intense, suspenseful, page-turning read. I highly recommend it.
December 1, 2021
Steeped in mystery and intrigue, Jessica Sly’s debut promises to keep historical fiction fans turning the pages long into the night. With the skill of a seasoned author, Sly paints a compelling Edwardian era setting with well-developed, unconventional characters while delivering a magical plot that will have readers guessing until the satisfying end. Stellar writing, laced with a subtle spiritual message, catapults The Promise of Deception to must-read status!
December 1, 2021
I couldn't put it down! This story drew me in from the start! I loved the characters' dialogue, as well as the growth they undergo throughout the story. The author's masterful writing and ability to paint scenes really bring the eerie London setting to life! A must-read for lovers of historical mystery and romance.
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February 17, 2022Supernatural / suspenseful / period piece
A fresh blend of setting (London and England, early 1900s) with a fresh concept of villains.
A fresh blend of setting (London and England, early 1900s) with a fresh concept of villains.
October 10, 2023
This is a fine debut set in Edwardian London combining magical/spiritual elements and a troubling case where the bodies appear to be victims of suicide– but with Adelynn’s troubling visions (quite improper for a society lady!) and her fiancé Basil’s skepticism (he’s a no-nonsense detective with daddy issues), it going to be a tight race between the forces of darkness and the power of the Light.
P.S. I have to make a note that the author–bless her!–used the phrase “clutched her pearls” twice and neither time as an idiom and it puzzled me.
P.S. I have to make a note that the author–bless her!–used the phrase “clutched her pearls” twice and neither time as an idiom and it puzzled me.
December 5, 2021
I picked this book up because it was written by a friend's sister and I love having that personal connection. While I LOVE historical fiction I don't typically pick up murder mysteries. This book was cleverly written and held my audience from beginning to end. I will most definitely look forward to her next book.
January 4, 2022
Murder mystery with a strong female lead and a Christian twist that kept my interest from beginning to end.
October 8, 2023
Bookclub selection. Written by local author. Not my genre but keep my interest. Plot was repetitive.
January 11, 2024
So fun! Loved the Sherlock Holmes vibes and how the author weaved in the faith element.
March 12, 2024
Such an amazing book! Can't wait to read the next one!
December 11, 2022
5 beautiful stars!
Is it good or bad that I was talking to the characters as I was listening to this audiobook?! The Promise of Deception is well-written; both the story and characters are captivating. I could not wait to listen to this book every chance I had and was so caught up in what was happening. One character, in particular, was creepy and mysterious.
I felt every emotion and had many questions as I listened, trying to figure out how everything would resolve in the end. About halfway through, the tension started building even more than it already had, and I wanted the book to end so I could know how everything would be resolved. However, at the same time, I wanted to keep reading forever. Ahhh! So good!
Highly recommend!
Is it good or bad that I was talking to the characters as I was listening to this audiobook?! The Promise of Deception is well-written; both the story and characters are captivating. I could not wait to listen to this book every chance I had and was so caught up in what was happening. One character, in particular, was creepy and mysterious.
I felt every emotion and had many questions as I listened, trying to figure out how everything would resolve in the end. About halfway through, the tension started building even more than it already had, and I wanted the book to end so I could know how everything would be resolved. However, at the same time, I wanted to keep reading forever. Ahhh! So good!
Highly recommend!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews