Sophia Rose take it away!
A Darker Shore by Malia Zaidi
#2 Lady Evelyn Mystery
Historical Mystery
Publisher: Bookbaby
Published: 12.13.16
ASIN: B01M7UTMRO
Pages: 383
Rating: 4
Format: eARC
Source: author
GoodReads Blurb:
1926: A year has passed since the events of "A
Poisonous Journey" and Lady Evelyn has made a home for herself in Greece,
living with her cousin, Briony, her husband, Jeffrey and Daniel Harper.
Disturbing this island idyll is a letter, which arrives from France with
troubling information about the Daniel’s long-believed-dead brother, Henry. A
new journey awaits! With the shadows of the Great War reaching out, Lady Evelyn
and Daniel voyage to Amiens in Northern France with the aim of discovering the
truth behind the ominous letter. Upon their arrival, they are met not with
clarity but rather with crime. Murder, to be precise. Is it linked to their
presence in France, or even worse, to Henry himself? Evelyn and Daniel must
confront their history as they try to make sense of the present before the
killer can strike again, and the secrets of the past are lost forever.
Sophia's Review––
The world of the 1920's era is a fascinating time and I
enjoy when I come across a book/series that takes me there while at the same
time providing an engaging story and a cunning mystery.
A Darker Shore is the second in the Lady Evelyn mystery
series behind A Poisonous Journey. In a
pinch, a reader could get by with skipping A Poisonous Journey, but I would caution
against that since this very much felt like an ongoing story from the first one
just with a new series of mysteries for Evelyn and Daniel to tackle.
A Darker Shore opens about a year after the events of the
first book. The first book was engaging
and I enjoyed it, but it was this one that made me connect deeply with the
story and the characters. The story is
told entirely first person point of view by Evelyn and so her thoughts and
development is the deepest, but I found Daniel's story along with that a few
others had me riveted. The author does a
great job of sketching in the minor characters so they have a personality and
backstory of their own.
The mystery was good and twisting though happily I worked
out a few pieces before the reveals and even nailed the killer well before the
end and why. That said, it didn't
captivate me half as much as the personal struggles people encountered and had
to work through. Post-war PTSD trauma,
survivors' guilt, and grief were a strong thematic element, but at the same
time, it was balanced with recovery, treatment, and family all fitting in the
historical and social climate at the time in that part of the world. Good balance of historical with suspense and
character plots.
I did have the urge to shake Evelyn until her teeth rattled
the way she flutters back and forth in her head when it comes to Daniel and
when it comes to her adult responsibilities back home that she was
ignoring. She loves him, but she has
cold feet. But, that was just a few
moments. For the most part, I was
thrilled to see she has grown up a great deal from the immature, stubborn woman
of the first book who charged right into the middle of everything because she
thought she knew best. She was out of
her element completely in this one and it was good for her, I think, because
then she saw herself and others in a way she hadn't before.
The mystery is solved along with a few other personal
mysteries for side characters and the story ended on a high note. Evelyn's life still has more room for
mysteries and I will happily take the journey with her.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this
book in exchange for an honest review.
I am the author of A Poisonous Journey and A Darker Shore,
the first two novels in the new Lady Evelyn Mystery series.
I am a painter and enthusiastic traveler and have lived in Germany and the US, though my dream home is a cottage in the Cotswolds...
Check out my blog, The Princess and the Pen: http://www.princessandpen.com/
or get in touch here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Malia-Zaidi-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaliaZaidi
I am a painter and enthusiastic traveler and have lived in Germany and the US, though my dream home is a cottage in the Cotswolds...
Check out my blog, The Princess and the Pen: http://www.princessandpen.com/
or get in touch here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Malia-Zaidi-...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaliaZaidi
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking,
book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man
and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region
of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
I have been reading mysteries more and more lately and this sounds right up my alley. I will have to check it out. Great review! - Mama Vicky #GetSocial17
ReplyDeleteGlad to point you toward a new one, Vicky. :) Check out the first book before this one, though.
DeleteThanks D I agree I love a good mystery and Sophia's Review tempts me :)
DeleteThis sounds a bit frustrating but fun too so I'm glad you did like it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI get impatient, but at the same time I'm glad she's growing and learning, too. It's been a good series for the mystery and the characters.
DeleteI think her going back and forth about the romantic side like that is pretty standard for series like this.
DeleteI haven't read a book like this one in a while. It does sound like an interesting red though.
ReplyDeleteI have to snag these types each chance I get, but sometimes I'll go through a drought where I don't read one like it for months. Glad to discover new historical mysteries when I can.
DeleteI hope Sophia Rose tempted you too Mary
DeleteI like it when a series has the main character grow and evolve over the course of time. Sometimes the character just stays exactly the same through all the books and that's just not realistic.
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly, Michelle. I get impatient with her character, but at the same time, I love seeing her with flaws so she'll be more genuine and grow.
Deletevery true Michelle
DeleteI haven't heard of this series before. Definitely sounds interesting. I like mysteries and HF. :)Thanks for sharing. #GetSocial17
ReplyDeleteYou bet, Jess! Glad to point you in the way of one to try.
DeleteIt's always great when there is a happy ending despite the trials and mysteries. I also love stories from the 20's 30's 40's and 50's. Those eras always seem to pull me in. Hey Sophia and Debbie! Happy Saturday! Hugs...
ReplyDeleteAfter all the troubles from the post-war going on, it was great to see good things happen. Yes, those eras are fun especially for detective fiction. :)
DeleteThanks, Ro!
Thanks Ro happy weekend! I too like novels set in the past, my favorite is WWII
DeleteI love this era Sophia and I love that there is character growth. The blend of historical fiction and mystery is always a win for me.
ReplyDeleteIt is a neat time in history and that was brought out so well. I got impatient with her as a heroine, but then again, I would much rather have a flawed character who grows and comes into her own.
DeleteYes, love this blend.
I agree Kim
DeleteShe looks cool, all aloof :D
ReplyDeleteI know right!
DeleteLOL! She really does, but in the story she is anything, but. She's a fiery type.
DeleteWell that sounds pretty entertaining even with needing to shake the heroine a couple times. lol I do need to read more from this time period.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that exact thing Anna, well you know great minds and all that :)
DeleteYeah, it's been neat getting the period and setting along with a good mystery and a developing romance. Ha, yeah, she's growing as the series progresses, but she does make me want to poke her. ;)
Delete