A Perilous Perspective by Anna Lee Huber
A Lady Darby Detective Mystery #10
Historical Mystery
April 19, 2022, by Berkley
ARC

Review by Angela

The tenth book in the wonderful Lady Darby Mystery series starts out innocent enough, with a gathering of Kiera’s family to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Charlotte and Rye. Set in the Scottish Highlands, mainly at Rye’s great uncle’s estate, what starts out as a lovely time for the family, soon becomes a mess of murder, mystery, and art forgery.

When Kiera discovers a forgery amid the priceless art in Lord Barbreck’s gallery, she unknowingly puts herself, her husband Gage, and trusty staff members Bree and Anderley, right in the middle of a mystery that starts with a broken engagement and slowly reveals long-held family secrets. She’ll even discover facts about her mother that she never knew. As dead bodies begin to appear the investigation ramps up and this team realizes they must get answers before anyone else becomes a victim.

This was a well-written mystery that kept me engaged chapter after chapter. Kiera has come a long way from the broken, abused woman, ostracized by society for her late husband’s dissections, she is now a happily married woman with an infant who she clearly adores. She is secure in herself and her abilities. Her quick mind and knowledge of the art world are on full display as she works to first distinguish counterfeit from authentic artworks and then to unravel how they ended up in Lord Barbreck’s collection.

I think this is also one of the more romantic Lady Darby Mystery books, as Kiera and Gage are much more in love and free with their affection. They make a great team and support each other so well. I am also quite interested in the push and pull, on again-off again relationship between Bree and Anderley. JUST GET BACK TOGETHER ALREADY.

I had a few quibbles about a scene toward the end when Kiera discovers the villain and confronts them… it just seemed a tad bit implausible. But all in all, I found this addition to the series to be well done. I enjoyed the focus on Kiera’s knowledge of the masters and art world and found the unraveling of so many family secrets to be riveting. After the big hint of where this series is going next, all I can say is I am more than ready.

Grade B

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