I think this book did the trick because after receiving a copy on Netgalley and reading it through, I immediately went and bought the first two in the series.

In a world not unlike our Edwardian era, there is magic, sure, through the power of elementals; but there is also murder.

McIntyre plays on the Sherlock Holmes slant here pairing Christopher Buckley ( an arresting character with a lot of heart and pragmatism) with Olivia Faraday, a scientific automaton who rubs people the wrong way and is a death sniffer ( solves murders).

The world is dark and creaking, the banter is sharp and while I found there could have been a tighter hand at editing, I was really moved by the depth and growth of relationships in this instalment. Christopher is learning where his heart truly lies while investigating a secret close to where his beloved sister Rosemary is hiding.

There is a brewing war between two parties: reformalist and traditionalists and the politicized undercurrent surges the book with an intelligence as well as adds an additional layer to the carefully crafted world.

For readers of Holmes ( of course), Catherine Webb, Natasha Pulley and VE Schwab, I would recommend this unique and expertly plotted series.

With thanks to Netgalley for the review

THE HEARTREADER'S SECRET is a thrilling paranormal-steampunk mystery. That's a mouthful but that is the description that fits with a story that has elements from all three genres. Technology is powered by magical creatures and the main characters have various sorts of interesting powers that they use to solve a missing person case. This genre mash involves some incredible world building that veers onto too complex especially if you are jumping right into the third book of this series. I really enjoyed immersing myself in this story and its complexities though. There are multiple interesting plot threads woven together that revolve around the main missing person plot. While there is so much going on the book isn't tough to get through as it's just one more fascinating revelation or twist after another that keeps you engaged.

Aside from the plot, the characters are wonderful. I loved how many of the main characters have something about them that makes their movement and interactions in Victorian society difficult yet they succeed and even defy expectations. We have Emilia, a female POC and brilliant engineer, a female detective (Olivia), and a female police officer (Maris) who deal with being women in a society that leans more towards dismissing their gender's intelligence. Chris, while he is a white man, struggles with his sexuality and his emotions against the rigid Victorian societal expectations. All are fully realized, non-stereotypes, with their own flaws and strengths that add to the depth of their character.

THE HEARTREADER'S SECRET like the previous two books in The Faraday Files is imaginative, entertaining, and full of heart. If you like your genres mashed together in a well-written, thought provoking way, I'd say pick this series up.

This is really fascinating and interesting but it shouldn't be read as the first one in this series.
That was my mistake and I was really confused for at least part of the book as I was feeling there was a lot of world building and background but I was not able to understand about them.
I like the development of the characters, their emotional baggage and struggles. The mystery is intriguing and keep you guessing till the end.
A good book but not a good choice if it's the first one you read in this series.
Many thanks to Curiosity Quills Press and Netgalley for the ARC

Honestly, I absolutely adore this series and this latest installment in the 4 book series will top my best reads of 2018 list. The characters are complex, the world building subtle yet distinct, and we even have a mystery to solve by the end of each book. But at its heart, it's a story about relationships and different forms of love - from platonic to passionate.

Story: When Olivia and Christopher are called upon to find a missing person (someone close to them), the trail leads, oddly enough, to the estate run by Olivia's mother. Using a recent suicide as an excuse to return, old animosities between mother and daughter resurface. But for Christopher, it is a bit of a homecoming as well; his younger sister Rosemary has been hidden away there to protect her from those who would seek to abuse her spirit binding abilities. As well, Christopher is still grappling with his feelings for both Rachel and William; where does his heart truly lie? The most private and quietest estate in the countryside is about to become the most infamous as secrets are revealed and a plot to destabilize the government is uncovered

There are several plot threads interwoven beautifully here: Christopher finding a changed sister, Olivia having to return to the responsibilities she spurned to become a deathsniffer, Maris seeking her missing partner, Christopher and Rachel trying to come to terms with their mixed signals of attraction, and more. It made for a layered and fascinating blend that really highlighted author McIntyre's writing prowess. I honestly did not want the book to end, even if it meant I never got to see the mystery solved.

The Heartreader's Secret was also rewarding in that we get many more answers to questions raised in earlier books. Olivia, especially, is given quite a bit of character growth as we explore her complicated history with her mother and her family's estate. But much more about the world building and clear direction of what we can expect in the next (and last) book are welcome aspects of this book 3.

For me, The Faraday Files series has two outstanding points: the witty dialogue and heartbreaking relationship between Christopher and William. I was hooked in the first book as soon as William appeared in the story but it is the delicious banter between Olivia and those with whom she interacts that keep me hooked. There were so many bon mots dropped as to contantly put a smile on my face while reading.

If I had a nitpick, it's that it seems every one except Olivia has a remarkable unique snowflake gift or talent. It's not enough to have the ability - they have to be exceptional at it. And that so many are constantly running into each other over the same mystery is tried to be explained away but it does feel like a strangely small world. This were small for me and not enough to reduce my five star rating.

The Faraday Files has been one of my best reading finds in the last several years. The series is incredibly well written, entertaining, imaginative, and full of pathos. I can only hope the wait for book 4 will not be too long. . Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Outstanding yet again! The Faraday Files is one of my most favorite series! The 1900s alternate steampunk London (Darrington City) and the diverse cast of characters found a place in my heart in Kate Mcintyre's debut, The Deathsniffer's Assistant, and I've been watching the characters struggle and cry, laugh and grow, sacrifice and persevere ever since.

It'a a spectacular series and each book just gets better and better! If you like mysteries with a dash of steampunk, then you should really give this series a try. I guarantee Darrington City and its diverse and eccentric inhabitants will reel you in like they did me!

I made a mistake accepting this book to preview thanks to Netgalley. It did not seem to be a big deal that it was the third in the series, but based on how confused I was from the beginning, I think I was wrong. The book has fantasy, set in a world where the systems of power seem to be crumbling. That is juxtaposed with relationships that are intimate and closed off, sometimes at the same time. I am going to check out the first book in the series after what I have read of this one.

In a Flutter: Brilliant fun, as always!
Fluttering Thoughts:
Worldbuilding: Oh, how I missed this world of selkies, salamanders, elementals, magic categorization, steampunk/magicpunk Tarland world! Aside Derrington we get to visit rurle Summergrove, home of Olivia, with its rich landscape.
Character: Christopher is charming as ever, though his personality is a bit eclipsed by Olivia. The fate of the sidekick, I guess. His empathy and thoughtful nature make a fabulous contrast to Olivia’s more brazen sort of whip-smart presence. It’s a bit heartbreaking to see Christopher deal with his conflicting emotions, but I felt he was stronger by the end of this novel.
Their friendly banter is fab. We get to find out more about Olivia’s past – childhood, family life. I loved exploring that part of her. She’s my fav. Her rascal ways are beyond entertaining, and her sense of style is a riot, always. Abigail and Tremaine are adorbs.
I love the diversity of this world – Maris and Emilia, Christopher and William.
Plot: The mystery is always entertaining in these novels. The disappearance of Em was very intriguing, and the investigative process was entertaining though a bit different here. The plot twist closer to the end there was really cool, and I’m dying to know what happens next in the series!
Writing: Third person, past tense narrative, Christopher’s POV. The style is so delightful!! Love it to bits!!
Curb Appeal: Fab cover, hooking blurb – insta-buy for my historical UF needs.

I recommend The Heartreader’s Secret to fans of edwardian-like magicpunk world, witty and colorful characters, and lol good times.