Murder Most Fair
Ratings4
Average rating3.5
All is far from quiet on the home front in USA Today bestselling author Anna Lee Huber’s captivating mystery series, in which former Secret Service agent Verity Kent receives a visitor—who is being trailed by a killer . . . November 1919.A relaxing few weeks by the seaside with her husband, Sidney, could almost convince Verity Kent that life has returned to the pleasant rhythm of pre-war days. Then Verity’s beloved Great-Aunt Ilse lands on their doorstep. After years in war-ravaged Germany, Ilse has returned to England to repair her fragile health—and to escape trouble. Someone has been sending her anonymous threats, and Verity’s Secret Service contacts can only provide unsettling answers. Even deep in the Yorkshire Dales, where she joins Verity’s family for the holidays, Ilse encounters difficulties. Normally peaceful neighbors are hostile, seeking someone to blame for the losses they’ve endured. When Ilse’s maid is found dead, Verity must uncover whether this is anti-German sentiment taken to murderous lengths, or whether there is a more personal motive at work. Could Verity’s shadowy nemesis, Lord Ardmore, be involved? And if so, how much closer to home will the blow land when he inevitably strikes again? “…A treat for WWI buffs and the legion of fans who have grown fond of Verity.” —Publishers Weekly Praise for Anna Lee Huber’s Penny for Your Secrets “A historical mystery to delight fans of Agatha Christie or Daphne du Maurier.” —Bookpage “Stellar mystery . . . a great read for fans of the series and all who enjoyDownton Abbey-era fiction.” —Booklist
Series
Featured Series
7 primary booksVerity Kent Mysteries
Verity Kent Mysteries is a 7-book series with 7 primary works first released in 2017 with contributions by Anna Lee Huber.
Reviews
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I hovered between three and four stars for this one. The writing is always strong from this author, which makes me want to rate it higher, but I don't think I would read this one again.
The characters are fleshed out and the plotting is thorough, as always, but my biggest complaint is that the mystery is sidelined in this one to make room for exhaustive family drama, which has never been my favorite. The murder mentioned in the title happens two hundred pages in, about halfway through, and there are no elements of the mystery you can solve along with the characters.
As for the family drama, it all centers around Verity being gone for five years, which to me doesn't feel that long, especially in the middle of a war. Her family shows little understanding or compassion for her (considering she thought her husband was dead for a year and a half of that time frame) and they have long drawn out discussions about their anger towards one another that could have been edited down. Then in the end, everything is wrapped up neatly between everyone, with love and acceptance ruling the day, which didn't feel authentic to me.
Also, the characters still feel a bit too highbrow, and they are too perfect (skillful, clever, mature, attractive, sexually competent, etc.)—to the point of teetering on unlikeable.
I plan to read the next one but look forward to more action and less face-touching in the midst of grief.
PS In reference to some other reviews I've read... I don't understand why anyone would start with the fifth book in a series, and then complain that they didn't understand the backstory. And I still think this series is far better than Maise Dobbs. I had to give up after the fourth one because I couldn't stand it.
