It's complicated!

So much of the story is about how things are just not what they seem, when you dig just a little deeper its amazing what you can find out.

Then there are the secrets, the blackmail, unearthing the motive and the mystery.

And that doesn't cover the personal aspect which include Amy's career as an author and the sentiments aroused with the unexpected visits of close family members. On both sides!

Lots to keep the read interesting and I enjoyed the fact that the stories moved along. I will definitely look out for the next one to see just how the stories continue to unfold.

With thanks to Crooked Lane publishers, Netgalley and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

There are several story lines that wind thru the main mystery. I really like that. The heroine is genuine and not foolish acting. I usually don't read Victorian mysteries but found this one to be delightful. I plan on reading more by this author.
Thank you for this digital copy in exchange for a honest review.
#netgalley. #crookedlanebooks
#CallieHutton #TheSignofDeath

I like these characters, the setting and the mystery. I like how the two characters work together and that the female MC is independent but rarely foolhardy. I look forward to more. in this series.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel takes place during Victorian England.

The viscount learns that his mother is coming to live with him. This cozy mystery sounds intriguing.

The novel is by a new to me author Callie Hutton.

Note: I received a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Net Galley and the publisher Crooked Lane Books.

Lord Wethington is in a bit of a mess. His money manager, James Harding, has been found in the Thames with a paper containing his name on it. Enlisting the help of Lady Amy Lowell, they set about to discover why Harding ended up in the river. Their investigations take an unexpected turn when members of the Mystery Book Club of Bath all seem to have dealings with Harding. Using Lady Lowell’s talent as an author of fictional murder mysteries herself, they discover who wants to have the man out of their misery.

Beside the main mystery of the murder of Mr. Harding, Hutton has woven in several other storylines that weave seamlessly within this novel. The humor lightens up the dark murder undertone with the arrival of Lord Wethington’s mother and the complications that arise when Lady Lowell’s father presents himself on her doorstep. Hutton has given us an entertaining and delightful novel. I will be on the lookout for the first title, A Study in Murder and hope for many future installments in this series.

I enjoyed this book although I normally don't read historical books. I really liked the characters and the ending of this one. I was surprised by who the killer was, the reveal seemed a little abrupt. #TheSignofDeath #NetGalley

Novelist and amateur detective Lady Amy Lovell and Lord William Wethington find themselves thrust into another murder investigation when James Harding, Lord Wethington's man of business, is found dead in the river. Asked to identify the man, Wethington soon finds that Harding may have been not only fiddling with his finances, but those of many other notable people of Bath.

In the meantime, Lady Amy is having to deal with her publisher, who insists she show up at a local book fair under her pseudonym, while William welcomes his mother - who has decided to live with him - to Bath.

The Sign of Death was a great addition to the A Victorian Book Club Mystery Series. The mystery itself is full of twists and turns, red herrings and enjoyable characters. A must-read (in my opinion) for any cosy mystery reader.

#TheSignofDeath #NetGalley

An entertaining book with humor, a little bit of romance and a good mystery. William and Amy are an entertaining pair with a bit of sparring going on. While you definitely get a feel of Victorian England there are some jarring modern sensibilities. Amy would not be going around without a chaperone the way she did nor would her publishers probably insist on her showing up at a book convention, most publishers would believe it was best if the public didn’t know she was woman. On the other hand, women did actually write mysteries (but they usually hid their gender, even from the publishers).

I want to read more of this series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sign of Death: A Victorian Book Club Mystery by Callie Hutton is book two in this cozy mystery series. What a fun read! I really like where this series is heading. Lady Amy and Lord William are perfect as a mystery solving duo. I love this genre of book and this one did not disappoint.

***** I received an ARC from NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my honest review. *****

I did not realize this was the second book in the series A Victorian Book Club Mysteries but enjoyed it. Lady Amy and Lord William are interesting characters and the plot was interesting. The murder was well done and I did not suspect the culprit until we were near the end of the book. I also enjoyed the subplot of Lady Amy's dilemma as an unknown author facing her public for the first time. I look forward to reading the next book. Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of #TheSignofDeath.

A series that is really starting to hit its stride. A period story, however, even if a reader is not a fan of those, this series hits different. When delving into the novel, you are transported and feel as if you are trying to solve the mystery right along with the characters. A story and series you can jump into again and again.

I enjoyed this British historical mystery with just a touch of romance. Even if you're not a romance fan, I am sure you would still enjoy this mystery. The characters were interesting and believable. It was fun to see how much views have changed over the years. I found the book read at a nice pace and enjoyed the different characters involved. The red herrings kept me guessing and the twists kept me engaged. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading by this author.

The Sign of Death is a fun Victorian Whodunnit that is bound to please Agatha Christie fans!
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I picked this one up in the midst of Spooktober because I needed a mini-break from the carnage. This book was just the ticket! It is light, and fun, and filled with all the classic elements of a murder mystery tale.
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While this is the second in the series, it reads very well as a stand-alone. The author frequently references the past so that the reader doesn't feel like they arenmissing anything by not reading Book One.
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I enjoyed the stereotypical characters, the red herrings, and the surprising twists and turns of the plot. Overall, an enjoyable read.

Although the dialogue in this book is often jarringly modern and the writing feels pretty unpolished, there's just something about Lady Amy and Lord William that I find rather adorable.

If you're willing to set aside your arguments for what is and is not period-appropriate, you might enjoy these two as they (sort of) avoid talking about their attraction to each other while they whisk around late Victorian-era Bath searching for clues to who bumped off William's man of business, found floating in the river.

Honestly, this series' style reminds me of middle grade fiction, even though it's clearly marketed for an adult reader. But sometimes I'm in the mood for easy reading and some general cuteness, and for those times, a book like this works.

I received this ARC via Netgalley. An enjoyable addition to the series, with the returning characters' personalities and relationships further developed. Not necessary to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. The mystery was interesting and the clues developed along the way were well thought-out and logical. The dragged a bit in the middle; I felt there were a few chapters that did not really advance the plot. The main characters are enjoyable to get to know, although the police detectives border on caricature. Overall an extremely charming read and I would recommend it, especially for fans of this time period. #thesignofdeath #netgalley

This second installment in Callie Hutton's Victorian Book Club mystery series is one of my favorite mysteries of the year. By now, Lord Wethington (William) and Lady Amy and their families, friends, and book club companions feel like old friends to me.

In this one, William is asked to identify the body of his "man of business" and, naturally, William and Amy become involved in solving the case. It's a well plotted mystery set in 1890's Bath, England, and, with the terrific cast of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy.

More please!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

“The Sign of Death” by Callie Hutton is the second installment in a mystery series set in Bath, England during the Victorian era. As a fan of “cozy mysteries” and anything set in Victorian England, I was immediately intrigued by the description of this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in many regards. There was little to no explanation of settings or character backgrounds/motivations/development, which made it very difficult for me to feel any connection to the story. Many mystery series are formatted so that a reader can come into the series at any time and understand exactly what’s going on and who the characters are; not so with this book. In addition, the pacing and organizational structure of the book were not very well-done, which left me confused at many points throughout the story.

Bath, England, in 1891, has never been so exciting. I loved the first book in the series and The Sign of Death was well worth the wait! In this mystery, Lady Amy Lovell and Lord William Wethington investigate the murder of Lord Wethington's financial advisor. Intrigue, mystery and romance make the case difficult to solve but William and Amy are up to the task!

While the book takes place in 1891, it has all the elements of a modern cozy mystery and the lush descriptions of life in England enhanced the book. The twist to the series is that Lady Amy is the famous mystery writer E.D. Burton. No one knows this except her family and William. Amy is smart, determined, kind and ahead of her time. I love her spunkiness! The supporting characters are wonderfully written and have their own quirkiness. It's a mystery that will "keep you reading"!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The author wrote such a compelling story. I really enjoyed the plot of the story. The characters seemed so real

Lord William Wethington and Lady Amy Lovell are good friends who attend a mystery book club together and solve mysteries. And, when William's business associate dies, they must look at everyone who had it in for the man.
This was a great historical mystery with characters that you laugh with, and want to roll your eyes at. The plot was ingeniously written with enough red herrings to keep you thinking until the end. I can't wait to read the next one! I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.