At last we get Gage’s story. Or at least a big part of it.

I am a big fan of this series and Kiera is the reason why. She is intelligent, vulnerable, hard-headed, insecure, strong and often even outright wise. We got most of her backstory up front in The Anatomist’s Wife, book 1 of the series. While subsequent books reveal little more about her past, they do continue to develop her as the character I described in the second sentence of this paragraph.

Gage is a different story. Sebastian Gage is about the most unforthcoming character that I have ever wanted to continue to read about. I like to get into a character’s head. Don’t you? But with Sebastian…..it is not going to happen. Early on, I often wondered what Kiera saw in Sebastian Gage. I don’t care how good looking or charming he is. If he wasn’t married to Kiera, I probably would not give him the time of day.

But Kiera and Sebastian are a couple, and as a couple, they succeed. Quite successfully. In A Brush With Shadows, the partnership is complicated by family matters overshadowing the detective work they are trying to do. Well, it does not help when other members of Sebastian’s family are also unforthcoming. But in the process of searching for Sebastian’s cousin Alfred, much of his past will be revealed, along with the rest of the family’s roles in Sebastian’s past. I’m pretty sure that there is still more to his story though. I think I would grow bored of Sebastian Gage if I knew everything about him.

The setting of A Brush With Shadows is Langstone Manor, in Dartmoor. The very word ‘moor’ always evokes memories of gothic novels I have read. No particular title, just the genre in general. Heroines running across the moor to escape some evil. A Brush With Shadows holds its share of evil, so I think I can use the work ‘gothic’ to describe the book. Especially the end of the story. Ah…now you will have to read it.

Fairly early on in the book, I was pretty certain I knew who the perpetrator was. Turned out I was right. While I prefer to be more surprised, it was fascinating to watch Kiera and Sebastian dig into the mystery.

Each mystery in this series is unique. So for each mystery, Kiera and Sebastian must use their creative problem solving skills to get to the bottom of it. This is not a cookie-cutter series by any means. The freshness of A Brush With Shadows should not surprise any Lady Darby fan. To me, that means, as soon as I have finished one book, I am ready for the next one!

Through NetGalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book so that I could bring you this honest review.

Fantastic setting for a a mystery, with a cursed family and seemingly haunted moors. A Brush With Shadows looks at superstitions and how people doom themselves to fulfill them by believing they are bound by them. The family curse continues because they're human, not because of external forces compelling them to act as they do.

The contrasting perspectives of Gage and his family members of his mother give Kiera plenty to think about. To Gage, she was a wonderful woman and there is the feeling of because of the nature of her death, which he holds guilt over, he has wiped his memory of any issues. To his family members, his mother didn't protect him from their wrath and was self-absorbed and shallow.

I also enjoyed the dislikability of many characters in this book. Some weren't redeemable and they didn't try for it. They'll grow, and change, but it doesn't erase what they've done and they're not going to punish themselves for it.

The mystery of Alfred's disappearance, and subsequently, Rory's disappearance, adds to the tension and is resolved slowly. There is more emphasis on the familial relationships and history as Gage and Kiera wade through those to try to solve the mystery. Ultimately, this is a solid installment to the series that moves both Gage and Kiera, and their relationship, forward.

Fifteen years ago, at the age of eighteen, Sebastian Gage walked away from Langstone Manor and swore he’d never return. Now, it is in view, as cold and brooding as the moors on which it sits. Every nerve in Sebastian’s body is singing and the tension in the coach is palpable. He certainly didn’t want to return, but here he is, all because his grandfather sent him a missive asking him to come and investigate his cousin’s disappearance. He almost didn’t come and probably wouldn’t have if Kiera hadn’t persuaded him to do so. He and Kiera are tired to the bone because they have traveled from Ireland as quickly as possible. Kiera knows that Sebastian’s life here was not a happy one, but, since he won’t talk about it, she has no idea what that life was really like.

Upon arrival, they are received very coldly by Sebastian’s aunt – the servants didn’t even know they were coming – nor did his aunt. Then, Sebastian learns that not only is his cousin missing, his grandfather is also at death’s door. Had my aunt and cousins treated me the same way Sebastian’s did, I wouldn’t be at all interested in spending my time in a very hostile environment to try to find one of them. However, Sebastian is a very good man and will do what he can to help the family that abused him and his mother.

Albert, Sebastian’s older cousin and heir to Sebastian’s grandfather’s title, walked out onto the moors one day and nobody has seen him since. Not a single trace of him is anywhere to be found. Then, Albert’s brother Rory goes missing as well – and in the same manner. Where could they be? How could they just disappear without a trace? Kiera and Gage are having a really hard time with this investigation because the house is filled with secrets and nobody – even Sebastian’s grandfather – is telling them what they need to know. They are doing all of that while trying to protect themselves as well because they have also been attacked.

I know every murder mystery has to have a victim, but I really didn’t want it to be this one. I came to like this victim more and more as I read more of the book. The villain is a surprise to the reader and to Gage and Kiera. I am so glad we got to know more of Gage’s early life and that there are some reconciliations. I’m also looking forward to their next case in London and to hopefully see Lord Gage (Sebastian’s father) get a bit of a comeuppance.

As always, Huber’s writing is excellent, the story is well plotted and executed, and the characters are fully-developed and engaging. The descriptions of the moors set the mood and immerse the reader in that place and time. You can just feel the fog creeping up around you and surrounding you until you cannot see – and the fear – can you find your way, can you avoid the bogs. Oh! My!

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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

A Haunting Mansion on the Moors, a Missing Cousin, and Murder

Kiera, Lady Darby, and her husband Sebastian Gage are finishing a case in Ireland when Gage receives an urgent summons from his grandfather, Lord Tavistock. Gage has no desire to return to Langstone Manor where he has nothing but unhappy memories of his mother’s death and the constant baiting by his cousins, Albert and Rory.

Despite his misgivings, Kiera convinces Sebastian to go. From her first sight, Kiera, feels the ominous presence of the manor house. Lord Tavistock does nothing to make them feel at ease. Albert is missing and the moors are dangerous, but he tries to convince himself and them that Albert has simply gone off and will return. When Rory, his younger brother, also disappears the family must take Albert’s disappearance seriously.

The story is told though Kiera’s eyes. She is a perceptive and intelligent narrator. Her observations of the other characters make the plot believable. The description of the moors and the manor house draw you into the period adding a haunting backdrop to the action. I found the intricate descriptions of the setting, particularly the moor and the interior of the mansion, mesmerizing.

This is the sixth book in the series, but I had no trouble getting into the story. The backstory is kept to a minimum so the novel can be read as a stand alone. The action is moderately paced and the twist at the end, when the villain is revealed, is a complete surprise.

If you enjoy romantic, historical mysteries. This is a good one.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Another thoroughly satisfying Lady Darby mystery - fans of this series won’t be disappointed. A great readalike for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Tasha Alexander.

In this sixth book in the Lady Darby series, Kiera and Gage are summoned by Gage’s maternal grandfather to investigate when his cousin goes missing. Gage’s relationship with that side of his family is strained, and he has not returned to see his relatives since his mother died fifteen years earlier, so the request was both a surprise and one he feels he cannot refuse.

It turns out there is good reason for his long absence and his ill feelings towards the people with whom he grew up. Gage and Kiera encounter old resentments, a family curse, and treachery from unexpected sources as they try to find his cousin. While at times their investigation seems frustratingly slow, Kiera learns more about her sometimes reticent husband and their relationship becomes even closer.

I look forward to reading about their next adventure.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. This did not influence my review.

I’ve been following Anna Lee Huber’s The Lady Darby Mysteries ever since book one, The Anatomist’s Wife. The books are excellent mysteries with thoughtful, kind, intelligent protagonists whose relationship development is as compelling as the detective plot. Set in the mid-1800s, primarily in England, the historical setting and bits of the politics of the day add to the enjoyment of the read.

In A Brush with Shadows, Lady Darby (Kiera Gage) and her husband Sebastian Gage have been summoned by Gage’s aged, ill grandfather to the old family manor in Dartmoor. Gage’s cousin Alfred, the heir to the estate, has gone missing.

Kiera is aware that Gage had an unfortunate childhood. His mother died when he was a young man. His father, a nasty old sea captain, was absent most of the time. They are all but estranged now, although they are both inquiry agents and the father relies heavily on the talent of the son. Although Kiera knows Gage was unhappy growing up, she doesn’t know the details. He has always been very supportive and understanding about her past traumas, but very close-mouthed about his own.

It doesn’t take long for Kiera to grasp the family dynamics. And while she is 100% behind her husband, she does have a bit more perspective and her kindness and perceptiveness allow her to see behind some of the cruel facades.

They soon discover there is more to the story of the missing cousin. Alfred is something of a wastrel and is heartily disliked by just about everyone–especially Gage. Still, he has to be found.

Once again, the author constructs an intricate plot with contradictory leads, multiple possible culprits, and multifaceted characters who may or may not be trustworthy. Kiera and Gage have to navigate new difficulties in their relationship as this time, Gage is the vulnerable one.

Readers may figure out whodunit before the climactic revelation, but the conclusion is nevertheless tension-filled and fast-paced.

This series is highly recommended.

The shadows of Gage's family come to the forefront and we finally find out everything we've been wondering about with respect to his mother, cousins, etc. The situations are hair-raising and breath-taking. And the end of the book alluded to another adventure to come. Hopefully soon!

This is the sixth installment of the delightful Lady Darby Series. It’s coming out in the beginning of March, but as a member of the distinguished group of “F(Anna)tics” on Facebook, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy as soon as possible. I turned to my friend NetGalley, requested it, and got approved! Yes! Now I can jump back into the adventures of Lady Darby and her devilishly handsome now husband Sebastian Gage.

Much like Deanna Raybourn, Huber knows how to write a woman character with strength and vulnerability. And I love that. Make it much more real to the reader. Lady Darby is a complicated woman, who has dealt with many complications in her life and has emerged on the other side happily married and assisting her husband in investigations whenever she can.

This book takes the reader back to Gage’s early years at his Grandfather’s estate in the Dartmoor region of England. Summoned by his Grandfather, it had been 15 years since Gage had set foot at his mother’s family home. He’s called to help find the missing heir (his cousin) who had disappeared in mysterious circumstances on the moors surrounding the Estate. The reader learns more about this family and how they treated both Gage and his mother while she was still alive. By the time the end rolls around, the reader can understand all sides of the situation, and there is a modicum of respect that weaves through the house. While there are tragedies during this foray into the ancestral estate, the book does a good job of letting the reader find their way through the maze of misinformation and folklore. The person behind all the craziness came as a surprise to me, I had bet on someone else entirely! And I got a little misty eyed at the end for several reasons, of which I wouldn’t want to spoil for any other fans.

I’ve written about Anna Lee’s books before ( This Side of Murder) and I’m still a huge fan of this, her original series. She’s also a great follow on Twitter @annaleehuber. If you’re in to any type of historical mystery, she ticks all the boxes in various time frames.

Just finished this ARC of the latest in the Lady Darby series. Always nice to catch up with this group of characters. Huber has the magic touch when it comes to creating relatable, authentically-feeling real characters. Her writing style is both easy flowing and detail rich...my favorite kind. 😊 This finds newlyweds Sebastian and Keira called to Sebastian’s childhood home by his ailing grandfather, who he hasn’t seen in 15 years, to solve the mystery of his missing cousin (heir to his grandfather). Family feuds, secrets, poisonings, curses...it has it all! Enjoyed learning more about Sebastian’s background in this one, as he has been very close-mouthed about his past thus far in the series. Thanks to the author for authorizing and to NetGalley for providing my copy for review! Now I’ll impatiently await the arrival of the next installment next year!

The last Lady Darby book was a little bit of a left down for me. That said, I was eager to see what this book held because I really love Anna Lee Huber’s books, not just the Lady Darby books, but all of her books!

The thing that excited me most about this book was the eye catching cover. I totally need this sunny yellow dress to wear around town….it’s beautiful. I was absolutely in love with this cover…..yes I know that’s terrible but it’s the truth. I was happy to read this because the happy yellow dress made it so….especially on the cliffs of the moors. SOLD.

July 1831. It’s been fifteen years since Sebastian Gage has set foot in Langstone Manor. Though he has shared little with his wife, Lady Kiera Darby, about his past, she knows that he planned never to return to the place of so many unhappy childhood memories. But when an urgent letter from his grandfather reaches them in Dublin, Ireland, and begs Gage to visit, Kiera convinces him to go.

All is not well at Langstone Manor. Gage’s grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock, is gravely ill, and Gage’s cousin Alfred has suddenly vanished. He wandered out into the moors and never returned. The Viscount is convinced someone or something other than the natural hazards of the moors is to blame for Alfred’s disappearance.

And when Alfred’s brother Rory goes missing, Kiera and Gage must concede he may be right. Now, they must face the ghosts of Gage’s past, discover the truth behind the local superstitions, and see beyond the tricks being played by their very own eyes to expose what has happened to Gage’s family before the moors claim yet another victim (summary from Goodreads).

This book had to do a lot in the way of redemption for me, mostly because in the last book Gage and Kiera hardly worked ‘together’ and with the description promising so much detail about Sebastian’s past, this book HAD to be good or else I might have to move on. And let me just tell you…..this book delivered in a big way for me.

Not only were Gage and Kiera working together more and sharing theories, but Kiera took the lead and more of an independent and impartial investigator which was refreshing. I loved how exposed Gage’s character was throughout the novel and how his past was like a raw nerve. I really felt the pain he had endured throughout most of his life. It jumped off the pages and took on a life of it’s own, well done!

Though not much happened in the romantic sense, there were plenty of tender moments and stolen kisses to satisfy readers who were looking for more chemistry between Gage and Kiera. Though the romance wasn’t the focus of the book as it has been in previous novels, this book had more romance than in the last book.

Normally I might rate this book 4 stars but I went for the 5 and here is why. Atmosphere. I am a huge huge huge suckers for books set on the moors. I love the moors and the mystery, haunting intrigue, and moody ambiance they have come to symbolize. I could close my eyes and feel the mist in this book. I loved how much the setting added to the mystery and how big of a role it was in the narrative. It almost took on a life of it’s own and I adored it. I can’t say enough great things about the setting of this book.

I think one thing worth mentioning….if you are a fan of Huber’s writing like I am, you might feel like you have read a story like this before. I recently read the first Verity Kent book and this latest Lady Darby installment had similarities within the plot. It wasn’t like a copy cat or anything but I could tell that there were some similarities. I personally didn’t mind at all, I rather enjoyed it but I thought it worth mentioning all the same. If you haven’t discovered Huber’s novels you need to. Any of them. All of them. She has a wonderful talent and I love how she uses the English country side to add to her atmosphere and mood within the novels. Well done!

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: A Brush with Shadows (Lady Darby Mystery #6) by Anna Lee Huber

Kindle Edition, 384 pages
Expected publication: March 6th 2018 by Berkley
ASIN B071X2K1DY
Review copy provided by: Author/Publisher in exchange for an honest review
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 5 out of 5

Genre: Mystery, detective novel, Regency lit, Gothic lit

Memorable lines/quotes: NA

It’s 1831, and Sebastian Gage and his new bride, Kiera, are returning to his ancestral home on the moors. His cousin has disappeared, and his grandfather has summoned Gage to help in the search. The forbidding house, the swirling misty atmosphere of the moors, and the nuanced characters all contributed to my enjoyment of this novel. I had never read any of the Lady Darby mysteries before receiving this ARC from Netgalley. Even though this was part of a series, it was fine as a stand-alone--now I want to go back and read them all.

I had not read any of the Lady Darby books until now. Although I didn't know the back stories, I found this to be an interesting and suspenseful read. I will definitely find and read the earlier books.

Is this the best mystery series I have even read? Probably not, but I thoroughly enjoy spending time with these characters. I love their relationship, and I love the secondary characters as well and the world that the author shows us in these books. So I will keep reading them as long as Ms. Huber keeps writing them, and I will buy them for my library.

The Lady Darby Series continues to be delightful. In this sixth novel, readers get to know Sebastian Gage's family. Gage has been disconnected from them for years, but was asked by his grandfather to come return and find his missing cousin.

In typical fashion, the scenery and mood come alive under the pen of Anna Lee Huber. The villain was quite a surprise. Thankfully, the end alludes to series continuing.

"The first time I laid eyes on Langstone Manor I could not blame my husband for staying away for over fifteen years."

So begins Anna Lee Huber's 6th Lady Darby Mystery. I discovered her Lady Darby series a little over a year ago with the very first, The Anatomist's Wife, and was captivated by the beauty of her writing. I was able to read the first few one right after the other. There is also a novella.

Sebastian Gage reluctantly goes back to his childhood home in Dartmoor at the urgent request of his very ill grandfather, the Viscount Tavistock. It seems his cousin Albert is missing and his help as an inquiry agent is needed, as is his wife's, Lady Kiera Darby, Mrs. Gage. Returning to this place is extremely unsettling to Gage as it holds many unhappy memories and also the place of his dear mother's death. He must battle all these ghosts of his past if he hopes to have a happy future. Kiera suspects there is much that Gage has not told her and hopes that he can achieve some sort of peace from this visit.

Strange things are afoot in Langstone Manor. Nothing, it would seem, is as it appears at first. Gage and Kiera must watch out constantly for danger as they inquire into Albert's disappearance, who wandered out on the moors and completely disappeared. The moors are a terrible place to be, warns nearly everyone they come in contact with, yet here they must search if they are to have a hope of finding Albert. The Viscount is certain that something other than a natural hazard is to blame for Albert's disappearance. Then Albert's brother, Rory, also goes missing. Gage and Kiera must battle local superstition, which runs rampant, to expose the reason behind these disappearances before someone else goes missing and the moors take yet another victim.

I love Anna Lee Huber's writing. She is extremely skillful at drawing her readers in from the very first sentence. Seriously. Told in the first person from Kiera, Lady Darby's viewpoint, they are completely mesmerizing. Huber goes into great detail in every scene, letting readers actually see inside Lady Darby's mind. The reader misses nothing in the books, always looking out into the world of the time from her eyes. As Huber describes the moors, I felt as if I were there, riding along with the characters on horseback, trying to solve the mysteries. And she does a mystery very well indeed, I might add. So well that the reader feels sure they have guessed the culprit, then finding themselves completely surprised at the ending. I love these mysteries of hers and the moment I finish one, I am anticipating the very next one. Especially since Huber includes a very delightful surprise at the end. No spoilers. You'll have to read it for yourself. I enjoyed every moment.

*My thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own and honest.

Gage and his new bride, Kiera, are called to the moors of England where Gage grew up. His grandfather has sent him an urgent request to come. Gage has been absent for 15 years and is most reluctant to return but family is important. Upon arrival the Gages face familial coldness and hostility, nasty tricks, and dark family secrets. They are expected to find Gage's missing cousin but are hampered in their efforts. Kiera learns more about her husband's childhood and vows to make things right for him. Her husband is silent about details from his past and discourages her looking into the family "curse." A Brush With Shadows is a wonderful tale of intrigue. I especially enjoyed learning more of Gage's back story.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy.

This is the sixth volume in the Lady Darby Mystery series. This is one of my favorite series’ and this installment was not disappointing. Read them in order!

Fans of Lady Darby will enjoy this 6th installment of Huber's historical mystery series. This time the victim(s), and possibly, the villains are Gage's mother's family, providing Kiera with a peek into her husband's unhappy childhood home at Langstone Manor. While the killer's motives are less than fully convincing, this is a good read. It may not hook readers new to the series, but it will certainly bring existing fans back for more.

I have been enchanted with the Lady Darby series since I discovered it several years ago. I never miss a series entry (in fact, the worst part of being a fan is waiting a year or more in between books), and I was thrilled to read A Brush with Shadows, which begins soon after Kiera and Gage's marriage.

Author Anna Lee Huber takes a decidedly gothic turn with this adventure as the couple is called to Langstone Manor, Gage's ancestral home in Dartmoor, England, where his erstwhile cousin has gone missing. Gage has had good reasons for not returning home in 15 years, and the couple's reception from other family members is not especially warm.

Gage and Kiera find themselves revealing long-hidden family secrets in the course of their investigation, including a legendary family curse and the twisted motives of each member of Gage's immediate family.

In less skillful hands, the plot could have lapsed into cliche, but Huber's tale manages to be at once suspenseful and touching, as the reader learns more about Gage, Kiera, and their ever-evolving relationship. They are characters whom we have come to care about and root for as they grow and mature with each book.

Although the book stands on its own, this is a series to be savored. Begin with the first one and treat yourself to some wonderful storytelling.

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.