Gerard Holloway puts Amory in an awkward and uncomfortable spot when he asks her, and her husband Milo, to investigate the nasty letters sent to his lover (and star of his stage production) Flora Bell. Amory is a good friend of Georgina- Gerard's wife! And then, Flora is murdered! I'd not read this series before but that wasn't a problem because there was good backstory and the characters stood out on the page. Set in 1933 London, it's a combo of a historical and a cozy mystery, although the theater setting, which can sometimes be cloying, sends it toward the latter. There are plenty of suspects and a few good twists (including one at the end.). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is a good read.

A very good historical mystery, a book that you cannot put down.
I loved the descriptions, the characters and the general atmosphere . The plot was full of twists, turns and some red herring. It kept me guessing till the end.
Even if I didn't read the other book in this series there was no problems in understanding the characters and their relationship.
I will surely read the previous instalments and look forward to reading the next one.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC

4.5/5⭐️
This mystery series, set in 1930s London, centers around Amory Ames, a socialite, who inevitably finds herself (usually along with her husband Milo) helping the police solve murder cases. I love the ease and smoothness of Weaver’s writing (it’s a true pleasure to read her stories!), and they just keep getting better and better. I could make a literary meal out of Amory and Milo’s complex relationship and scenes together alone...no mystery needed! Dark twists here and wonderfully suspenseful denouement. Great plot!

If you haven’t tried this series, I highly recommend it and start at the beginning.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

An Act of Villainy is a solid addition to Weaver's Amory Ames series. Amory and her dashing husband, Milo, are quickly pulled into another intrigue by their friend, Gerald Holloway. Holloway has written and produced a play, and his lead actress is receiving threatening letters that this performance will be her last. Amory is intrigued by the mystery but conflicted about assisting since the lead actress, Flora Bell, is also Holloway's mistress, and Hollloway's wife also happens to be a friend of the Ames. The stakes are raised even further when the words of the mysterious notes are found to be prophetic and Flora is found murdered the night that the play opens.

For those unfamiliar with the series, these mysteries are relatively tame and what I would class as more cozy than gritty and hard hitting. An Act of Villainy is in the same vein as the previous mysteries in the series and harkens back to a more classic whodunnit. While the plot, at times, suspends belief, it will certainly appeal to fans of series like Daisy Dalrymple or titles by Rhys Bowen.

As to my personal enjoyment of this latest addition, I will admit to be losing some interest in the series. I love the time period and the author's commitment to creating a sense of such a glamorous atmosphere. However, I feel as though the character development of Amory and Milo has stalled a bit. The series started out with their marriage in trouble, and while it seems to be on more stable footing at the moment, I don't feel like its really shifting to any new ground. Since this is a central part of the plot and a big part of what drives Amory, I do think there should be more momentum in that respect. I'm also starting to doubt my belief that Milo is a spy and starting to wonder if Milo quite simply is an unknowable character that simply acts as a foil to Amory. I suppose we shall see with the next book nt the series.

Amory Ames and her husband Milo find themselves involved with actors and the theatre when investor and writer Gerard Holloway invite them to view his latest play. They are asked to investigate the threatening letters that the leading actress Flora Bell has been receiving accumulating in a threat to kill her,
An enjoyable mystery, well-written, but I find it difficult to like the main couple in these stories.

Amory and Miles are the most interesting couple in mystery these days. They have problems, they are flawed, but genuinely want to make things work. This particular mystery was super fun. Anytime there is a theater and old timey actresses involved, I'm in it to win it. The story centers on a "friend" of the Ames' who wrote and is putting on a play with his current mistress. Amory is obviously a little put out by the fact her friend's husband is flighting around with a young actress. With her problems with Miles, she feels for the man's wife. And of course the mistress is found dead on stage. Did the wife do it? Did the cranky actors do it? Or was it something completely random?

I thought this entry to the series was enjoyable, and I'll be honest, I didn't see the twist coming! And I read a LOT of mysteries. I can't wait for more entries in this series.

Great addition to this series. The characters are very engaging. The story wonderful. Looking forward to the sext book.

Once again, this series proves to be utterly charming and fun. I enjoyed seeing Amory and Milo back in London and experiencing their ‘normal’ day to day life. Also, ‘meeting’ Amory’s mother was illuminating and hilarious. Already looking forward to the next installment of the adventures of this mystery solving duo!

Charming period mystery reminiscent of the classic black and white movies of the 40s. This is a well written, clever mystery. Amory and Milo Ames are engaging, likeable and sophisticated.
A young actress, a rising star is killed back stage after a play she had just starred in. Amory found her body.... just across the alley from a charity gala that was being held in celebration of opening night. No one saw anything. Amory begins assembling the clues and talking to the suspects. By the end of the book I thought I had things figured out...but the author pulled a surprise! Well done Ms Weaver!
This is the first of the series that I've read and I had no problem understanding what was going on, however I do plan on going back andreading the others.

Another fantastic installment in the Amory Ames series, featuring both a clever mystery and some satisfying interpersonal developments between Milo and Amory.

For once, Amory and Milo Ames are on the same page — virtually from the first page. Usually, Milo tries to deter his modern wife (modern for 1933 London, at any rate) from snooping, but it is Milo who allows an old chum of his, wealthy theater devotee Gerard Holloway, to saddle the couple in a mystery. Holloway is indulging himself with a play he’s scripted that he’s also directing and producing. But that’s not Holloway’s only indulgence: He’s cast his pretty blonde mistress Flora Bell in the title role of "The Price of Victory." Miss Bell has been receiving threatening letters, and there’s no end of folks who wish her ill, not the least of which is the wronged wife, Georgina Holloway, a friend of Amory’s. Amory — naturally enough — hates the deception even if she’s intrigued by the mystery.

I won’t spoil the novel, the fifth in this fabulous series, by revealing any more; however, author Ashley Weaver has not lost her touch: sparkling dialogue, plenty of twists and a shocking ending make "An Act of Villainy" pure pleasure.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I received this book free from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books in return for an honest review.

I've been following this series since the first book and although found them really enjoyable at first, I have been a little disappointed in the last few. I therefore didn't have high hopes for An Act of Villainy and was pleasantly surprised when the plot turned out to be intriguing and the ending quite unpredictable. It was a little far-fetched - but for the most part was a great read. Also loved seeing Amory and Milo's interactions, of course.

Oh, so good. Combing murder, sleuthing, and 1930s West End theater, Ashley Weaver continues to thrill with the Amory Ames series.

I had hoped this installment would be good, but I think Weaver’s taken it to a new level. I literally couldn’t put the book down.

I would, however, like to see the Ames’ marital issues resolved once and for all (Milo’s attitude toward infidelity left me cold), but as this book taught us, there is no such thing as perfect love or a perfect marriage. As long as Amory and Milo continue to move forward, together, then theirs is a story I can’t wait to read more of.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

All is not sunshine and roses with Amory and Milo. Amory still has lingering doubts about Milo and what his supposed past infidelities mean for their future. Amory is forced to confront these lingering doubts while investigating the murder of an up-and-coming actress, Flora Bell. Flora, who was murdered on stage the evening following the debut of a new play in which she played the lead, was the mistress of Gerard Holloway, the husband of a friend Amory has known for years. On the surface, Gerard and Georgina's marriage seemed perfect. But if Gerard could stray in this happily ever after marriage, what chance did Amory have to keep Milo from straying in the future.
I really liked that Amory and Milo have issues they need to resolve and the concerns and doubts Amory has was fleshed out. You have to work on relationships in real life and that was well reflected here. I was more interested in how Amory and MIlo continued to work on their relationship and make their marriage work than where the murder mystery went. That said, the murder mystery did take a turn I wasn't 100% expecting. Overall it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the further adventures of Amory and Milo.

I adore this series and was so happy to read this ARC copy while on holiday. I am not the biggest fan of mysteries set in the theatre but alas, pretty much every series will end up having one that has a theatre setting and Amory Ames is no exception. Also, the overall plot is very similar to another mystery that I read not so long ago, but the conclusion, thankfully, was completely different. Very enjoyable and I am already looking forward to no. 6!

My general impression upon finishing "An Act of Villainy" -

- A truly delightful cozy mystery
- Mostly entertaining with few occasional setbacks in pace
- The ending did take me by surprised
- Can be read as a standalone

"An Act of Villainy" is the 5th book in the installment but it definitely could be read as a standalone. Without reading any previous books in the series, I did not encounter issues following the general story line of the couples. Unlike many mysteries series I have read, despite the cases are independent between books, there are subplots of the recurring characters which reading in chronological orders helps to follow and feel engaged with characters and their stories. Such problem does not exist in "An Act of Villainy."

The plot is unique filled with romantic theatrical setting and eccentric characters (suspects.) The armature sleuths, Mr and Mrs. Ames, have their own wits and methods to solve the crime. Similar to many cozy mysteries, there are no intense actions or sleuth works done. Cozy mystery readers will find this period mystery novel a delight. The only setback is the plot does not move along quick enough in the middle when Amory Ames does a lot of thinking about the case and how the case links to her matrimony challenge with her husband.

A wonderful book for the lazy weekend afternoon. I have found myself a new series to follow.

This is one of my favorite series. The characters of Amory and Miles are so charming that I love hearing about their adventures. I haven't been disappointed in the past, so I had high hopes for this one. This story follows Amory and Miles helping out a society friend, Gerard Holloway, who is putting on a new play. His lead actress, Flora Bell, has been receiving threatening letters and doesn't want the police involved. That's when he enlists Amory and Miles to investigate the problem for him. Soon though, there are more problems than just threatening letters. A murder occurs after the first showing of the play. So begins the true investigation. At first, I was just going to give this story 4 stars but the ending took me by surprise. Complete surprise!! Which just continues to prove that this series will continue to be one of my favorite cozy mystery books. Loved this one!

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An Act of Villainy finds Amory and Milo Ames in the theatre district on the trial of a killer. An old friend of the couple is producing a play and having an affair with the leading actress, while his wife is planning a gala and being gossiped about in the papers. Amory takes the news of the affair to heart and decides to help the struggling couple solve their marital troubles. Along the way, threatening letters to the lead actress, a murder, and melodramatic suspects pop up around every corner. I just love this series and this installment is a treat to read.

The story takes place in 1930s London. Amory Ames and her husband Milo meet an old friend, Gerard Holloway who has just written a play he is casting his mistress in to play the lead. They are shocked that he has a mistress as he and his wife Georgina have always been such a loving couple. Holloway has asked for help as the actress has received some threatening letters. Amory attends the play rehearsal trying to decide who could be the person behind the letters. On the night of Georgina's charity gala and the premier of the show Flora Bell is killed. Now the setting requires finding who did it. It could be one of many but maybe not who you would expect.

Ashley Weaver's sophisticated married couple, Amory and Milo Ames, are not the essence of perfect domestic life---and, that is part of the tension (and suspense) in her light, historic mystery series. They are bright, and prickly, and don't hesitate to let a little murder intrude on their glamorous life.

Yes, it is a wee bit of a stretch to think people behave like this, but the Ames' like to escape into murder and it is a fun escape to follow them. This book takes us in to a cast of actors premiering a new play written and directed by one of their aristocratic friends. There is not a single character introduced in to the story who is not a suspect---a bit dizzying for the reader--but, I was still totally surprised by the conclusion.