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The Anatomist's Wife

Book 1 in the series:Lady Darby Mystery

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In "The Anatomist's Wife," Lady Kiera Darby, a talented artist haunted by scandal, finds herself entangled in a murder investigation at her sister's estate in Scotland. As suspicions swirl around her, she teams up with Sebastian Gage, an inquiry agent, to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of a houseguest. The book weaves together historical details, romance, and a complex mystery set against the backdrop of 19th-century high society, showcasing Lady Darby's resilience and investigative skills alongside Gage's charm and expertise.

The story unfolds with Lady Darby navigating societal scorn and her own troubled past, all while delving into the intricacies of the murder case alongside Gage. Through Lady Darby's voice and observations, readers are drawn into a tale of intrigue, courage, and budding romance, as the duo races against time to solve the murder before official authorities arrive at the remote estate, blending elements of forensic detection and historical mystery in a captivating narrative.

Characters:

Characters are well-drawn, with Lady Darby being a particular standout; she is complex, smart, and relatable.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is immersive and vividly descriptive, but some anachronisms and redundancies detract from its historical authenticity.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around Lady Darby, who faces accusations of murder amidst a complex investigation following a death during a house party.

Setting:

The isolated and atmospheric Scottish Highlands serve as a fitting backdrop for the mystery.

Pacing:

The pacing is mostly fast and engaging, with some slower sections that allow for character and plot development.
The scream froze me in my tracks, but the shout that followed propelled me out of my indecision and around the hedge line of the maze. Lady Lydia Perkins continued to shriek at ear-piercing levels whi...

Notes:

The book is set in 1830 Scotland and features Lady Kiera Darby, an artist and widow of an anatomist.
Lady Darby is considered a social outcast due to her late husband's controversial profession and her involvement in anatomical illustrations.
The story begins during a house party at her brother-in-law's castle, where a murder occurs, thrusting Darby into an investigation.
The murder victim, Lady Godwin, is found with a slit throat and appears to have been pregnant.
Lady Darby must navigate both the murder investigation and the scrutiny of high society, as she is immediately suspected of the crime.
Sebastian Gage, the son of a London investigator, partners with Lady Darby to solve the mystery.
Throughout the novel, themes of feminism and social constraints are explored through Lady Darby's character development.
The pacing of the mystery is engaging, with plenty of twists to keep readers guessing, although some find it predictable.
The romance between Lady Darby and Gage develops gradually, enhancing the story without overwhelming the mystery.
The author, Anna Lee Huber, creates an immersive historical atmosphere with well-researched details about the time period.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of murder, trauma from the protagonist's past, and societal prejudice.

Has Romance?

The romance in the book is significant but does not overshadow the mystery; it develops gradually between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

THE FIRST LADY DARBY MYSTERY

"A riveting debut…an original premise, an enigmatic heroine, and a compelling Highland setting…a book you won't want to put down."-New York Times bestselling author Deanna Raybourn

Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage-a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.

When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim…

Ratings (15)

Incredible (3)
Loved It (6)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (29):

Read It (13)
Want To Read (11)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

Incredible
1 month

Okay this was a great and fun book and I can’t believe I would have missed it if I still maintained my book snobbery (literally judging books by their cover, if they’re from a small and niche imprint, if they were a little TOO popular on the romance book subreddit). But when I turned 30 I put away childish things and started reading books with covers I would not want people to see me read on the subway (thank you kindle) and I’m glad I did! Because this was good! And fun! And well written and had interesting characters and a good mystery!

We’re there historically inaccuracies? Probably. I don’t care. Did you know that an eagle screech is actually the sound of a red tailed hawk and that eagles sound more like seagulls? Does it even matter?

Read it. Have fun with it. I’m already on to the next one.

 

About the Author:

Anna Lee Huber is the Daphne Award-winning author of the national bestselling Lady Darby Mysteries and the Verity Kent Mysteries. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in music and minored in…

 
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