As an ongoing fan of the Lady Darby historical mystery series by Anna Lee Huber, I was ecstatic to learn I’d scored a free copy of A Fatal Illusion (Lady Darby #11), the latest installment, from Goodreads.
After learning that Lord Gage, Sebastian’s father, was seriously wounded while on his way to meet his new granddaughter in Scotland, we find the Gages and their retinue traveling with haste to the town of Wentbridge in Yorkshire. When they arrive and attempt to find out the details of the attack on Lord Gage and the death of his footman, they’re met with suspicion and get little cooperation from either the villagers or Lord Gage. With reports of a band of “Robin Hood” highwaymen operating in the area, rumors of smuggling, political unrest, and the presence of local enemies of Lord Gage, Sebastian and Kiera have no shortage of suspects. To make things worse, the stress of the investigation and Lord Gage’s unwillingness to share what he knows makes the relationships between him and the rest of his family even more fraught than usual. However, with the help of their loyal staff and Gage’s half-brother Henry, Kiera and Sebastian finally untangle the web of lies and reveal long-held secrets.
One of the things I love about Anna Lee Huber’s books is her attention to detail. It amazes me how many fascinating political, social, and lifestyle tidbits, as well as actual events, she can pack into one story. This one is no different! This story takes place in the traditionally acknowledged forest of Robin Hood fame, involves characters as participants in riots that occurred in the area, includes an inn that still operates, and touches on societal restrictions placed on women. Above and beyond these details that make the story authentic, the plot adds a layer to the complicated relationships between Lord Gage and his family.
This is the 11th book in the series, and it can be difficult to maintain a fast pace through every book. I felt that this story moved slower than previous stories and that we spent more time than we needed dealing with the fractious relationship between Lord Gage and his sons, but overall, this was a very enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to the next book! ~ Four stars~