Verity and Sidney are both veterans of the war, and both have secrets they are sworn to protect. That makes being married partners on a hunt for spies in revolutionary Ireland more challenging. Author Anna Lee Huber presents a thoughtful, even-handed novel that casts both sides, English and Irish, in a sympathetic, yet critical light.

Plan to be invested in this series for the long haul. This novel refers to previous series books, and leaves several plot threads hanging for future episodes.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After a long wait since the last Verity Kent novel came out, The Cold Light of Day brings Verity and Sidney to Ireland. While I am aware of Ireland's history, I have read very few books set in Ireland in the 1920s. so the backdrop was fascinating to me. Nothing is quite as stable in Ireland as in England at this time, and it is interesting seeing Verity and Sidney navigate a tumultuous environment as they attempt to uncover several matters. I am looking forward to hearing how their journeys continue in the next book!

Thank you Kensington for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

Verity Kent and her husband Sydney have been sent to Dublin by her former bosses at British Intelligence. Her colleague Alec Xavier--with whom she has a complicated past--has gone missing after infiltrating the highest levels of the Irish Republican Army, and the Kents hope to find him before it's too late. Since they are there off the books, Verity and Sydney have to evade both the various Irish factions as well as the various British forces, all while keeping up the facade of living the breezy life of a war hero and socialite at the height of society. As things get more and more complicated, both in their investigations as well as in Ireland, Verity finds herself walking the razor blade of danger as she tries to gauge right from wrong in a sea of gray morality.

First off, it's been two years since the last Verity Kent book so I really appreciated the recaps! But in Verity's world it's only been a short few weeks since she and Sydney found out that Alec has gone black and they are desperately trying to repair their relationship even as Verity struggles to untangle her feelings about her and Alec's complex relationship. Plus, Sydney waged a very different kind of war than she did in the Great War and it's becoming more and more obvious that he didn't receive the same clandestine training as she did, no matter how good his instincts may be. I found the historical context fascinating--the connections between the Great War and its actors and the Irish War of Independence had never clicked in my mind before (despite their obvious adjacency in terms of time). Likewise, while I hated what Great Britain did to Ireland during and before that time, I had never drawn the same parallels between their behavior and that of Germany's as an occupying force during the Great War. Anna Lee Huber does an admirable job of presenting the complexity of "right" and "wrong" of both individuals and nation-states. I also struggled to cheer on Verity and Sydney choices in this book, as for the vast majority of the time it seemed they were trying to sort out mysteries that absolutely no one but they wanted sorted out, both in their search for Alex and their search for whoever made the horrific attack on a young Irish woman. I found it weird that they couldn't let it go, but I suppose that was part of the point--Verity and Sydney (and others) were a bit adrift after their purpose from during the war was gone, and they desperately wanted something to fight for. I found this installment to be very well done, and I look forward to hopefully getting more resolution in some key plot threads in the next one.

* I should have reread book 6 in prep for this book. Two full years between books [with the reader {me, I am the reader} reading SO. MANY. MYSTERIES. in that time] is difficult in any circumstances, but when you have an extremely detailed-orientated mystery, it helps to remember the thread of the story. I struggled because of this [which is totally on me].

* There is A LOT of information here and while I appreciate the background into the Irish Rebellion [and it made me want to find a good book on Michael Collins], there were moments where it felt more like an overwhelming info dump [and as someone who's favorite genre is nonfiction, with history being one of my most favorite things to read within that genre, saying it felt like it an overwhelming info dump means that it is VERY overwhelming]. I love that the author does her [amazing] research, but I think that with so much information available, it must have been difficult to pick and choose and in this case, less might have been better, and not so overwhelming [I found myself tuning out and having to go back and re-listen and I don't think I truly got the full impact of the whole story because I kept having to go back and I kept stopping].

* While you do get to "see" Verity in disguise, we don't really get to see her in full spy-mode and I found I really missed that.

* Along with the overwhelming history lesson, there were too many storylines [even though they merged eventually] and I did spend some time [*AHEM*, most of the book. I should have kept a running list of each storyline and all the characters within it] trying to remember just who was who and why they were in the story.

* SO. MUCH. FASHION. TALK. [Which seemed so out-of-place with the turmoil going on around them and seemed pretty elitist, but maybe that was the point??]

* That ending. We had better NOT be going down the road it feels like we are going down!! I will be deeply disappointed if that is how this all end up [Yes, I know that is vague. No, I do not care. I am 100% NOT into spoilers].

* One of the reveals [from one of the mysteries; this of the young girl - Miss Cunningham] was absolutely FANTASTIC!! I never ever saw that coming nd was sure it was someone completely different and BOY-HOWDY was I wrong. I loved that part of the story, even though it was sad and evoked some crazy emotions. I think I will forever be surprised by some of the reasons people commit crimes, both in books and real life.

* Oh Alec. Sigh. Why am I not surprised?

* Can we PLEASE take care of the slimy Ardmore and those canisters? P L E A S E?? He was hardly in this book [even though they were chasing him whilst also looking for Alec] and yet when he is, all I can wish is that he was gone for good. This storyline and chase has gone on for what feels like forever and I'd love to read a book where the focus is him [even when its not completely him if that makes sense].

This was the first book in the series that I was left vaguely dissatisfied with [even while there were parts that WERE very good], and I am pretty sad about that; I have loved this series from book one and was waiting with baited breath for this one to be released [for TWO years], so to finish a highly anticipated book and go "meh" is such a disappointment.
I will say, that even with all that, I am hopeful and looking forward to book 8 [let this be the one where Ardmore gets his just desserts. ;-) ].

Thank you to NetGalley, Anna Lee Huber, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Verity Kent and her husband Sidney are in Dublin looking for their friend and fellow agent Alec, who has disappeared while undercover. Verity takes on a second task - trying to learn what drove a young woman to kill herself after an assault. And there is an overarching plot of trying to learn what villainous Lord Ardmore plans to do with deadly phosgene. The Lord Ardmore plot line has dragged on through several books in this series, and I think a new reader may have trouble following all of the recurring characters' relationships and the Ardmore references. The historical details of Ireland's struggle for independence rather overwhelmed the plot and slowed the story for me. Verity and Sidney continue to be an interesting and sympathetic couple as they rebuild their lives post-WW1. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Kensington for the eARC.

Verity and Sidney are in Dublin, Ireland at the request of Verity’s British Secret Service handler, “C”, to locate fellow spy, Alec Xavier since he’s dropped out of communication after being sent to infiltrate the IRA. With the situation so volatile and dangerous, they’re understandably very concerned. By day, Verity and Sidney go undercover, Verity to track down Alec and Sidney to see if he can locate the phosgene canisters, stolen by their nemesis, Lord Ardmore. At night, they keep up the ruse of only being in Ireland for pleasure by attending dinner parties and rubbing elbows with the elite in society and government.

Along with her assignment Verity is tasked by a Lord French, to investigate an attack on a woman, demoralizing her to the point that she took her own life soon after. He wants Verity to find out what happened and get justice for her and her grieving family. I was outraged for this young woman and so was Verity, which made her more determined to find the culprits responsible.

Love Verity and her pluck! She’s quick and clever, even when faced with frightening situations.

The Verity Kent series is one of my favorites and best read in order. It’s a captivating combination of mystery, political intrigue, crime procedural, danger and a splash of romance! Verity and Sidney have had to contend with personal struggles stemming from their experiences in World War I. Even several years later (this story being set in 1920) the aftermath is still playing out. While some of the mysteries presented are solved in this installment, some are not, and it ended on an unsettling note. I eagerly await the next book!

The Cold Light of Day by Anna Lee Huber takes Verity and Sidney to Ireland, during the “troubles,” in search of another agent, Alec Xavier. What they find there surprises and dismays them. They appear to be nothing more than idle socialites, looking for the next party, but Sidney spends his days with the elite, biting his tongue as they rage one about he Irish, while he sees the tragedy and unfairness of it all. Verity focuses on finding Alec, mostly by donning a disguise and frequenting the places he’s mentioned in his missives. People try mis-direction on her, but she’s too clever for that, or is she? In addition the lieutenant governor has requested her help in solving the death of the daughter of an upper-class Irish Protestant family who had been seeing a member of his extended staff. The family wouldn’t talk to her, but that didn’t let it stop her from seeking others and putting herself in danger.

This is an interesting couple, working covertly for the English government, may of whom they do not trust. Earlier she had thought him dead and had a brief relationship with the missing Alec. Then he reappeared and explained. The were living a happy life, now. Verity was nothing if not tenacious. She kept at things and was normally rewarded. She discovered things she did not want to know, but many things that she did want to know. It was an interesting book, especially if one is interested in Irish history. The daily troubles were reported with accuracy and fairly, with out too much comment. It is an enticing story, wonderful book, written by mast author, Anna Lee Huber.

I was invited to read The Cold Light of Day by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #AnnaLeeHuber #TheColdLightOfDay

This was a frustrating story on several levels. After waiting two years to pick up on the cliffhanger ending of Verity learning that her former partner/fellow agent Alec was in danger and in need of rescuing during his undercover operation in Ireland, very little of the story ended up being about Alec at all. Instead, a substantial portion was devoted to recounting the historical events leading up to Ireland gaining its independence from Britain. While interesting and useful context--especially the parallels drawn to Verity's experiences in occupied regions during WWI--it overwhelmed everything else and read more like a history lesson. We also got no movement at all on the never-ending storyline about Ardmore and the still missing phosgene cannisters, despite that being the primary reason for sending Verity into Ireland to begin with. Verity also investigates the apparent suicide of a young woman who allegedly was attacked by the IRA, but even that felt like an afterthought to exploring the social and political tensions and the atrocities committed by both sides during that period.

I still like Verity as a protagonist, and Sidney has grown on me over the course of the series, but the strength of these books has always been when Verity gets to show off her spy skills and goes into action. Here, there is very little opportunity for her to do so, other than spinning her wheels trying to find out where Alec is. I am not a fan of where this book left both Verity and Alec, and have concerns about where this is headed in the next book (which will still be set in Ireland apparently). I'll still keep reading in this series, but I really hope that we get some closure in the next book and these consistently dangling threads with Ardmore are finally wrapped up.

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

In a country roiled by rebellion trust and truth are in short supply

With the Great War over and her official career in intelligence at an end Verity Kent, known to most as a fashionable member of society, has been involved in some general inquiries but has mostly been happy to enjoy life with her husband. Sidney Kent is a war hero, and during a period of the war Verity had thought him to be dead. Their relationship has been repaired but still has a few cracks in it, one of which is Verity’s relationship with Captain Alec Xavier, a friend, fellow spy and (briefly) a lover. Alec has been sent to Ireland, where there is great unrest between the Irish people and the British government which controls the country still despite promises of Home Rule made before the war. Alec has not been heard from in weeks, not by his handler nor via any back-up methods of communication, and the head of SIS asks Verity and Sidney to travel to Ireland to determine whether Alec has gone quiet on purpose or if he was discovered in his efforts to infiltrate Sinn Féin and get close to its leader Michael Collins. If it proves to have been the latter, Alec is likely dead. There are also canisters of a toxic gas which seem to have made their way to Ireland, and the couple is asked to try to determine their location before they can be used in the escalating conflict. Using their social connections and their glamorous reputations, the pair insert themselves into the circles of British loyalists as cover while they separately work on their two missions. They soon discover that it is far from certain whom they can trust nor to determine who is in fact loyal to the British government. Members of the Irish police, the British military, even the servants in their rented house could hold people feeding information back to Collins and the IRA. When the lead representative of the Crown asks Verity to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of a friend’s daughter that may be to tied to an assault upon her by the rebels, her quest for justice there is as difficult as it is with the other tasks before her…yet may turn out to be related to them as well. The more Verity and Sidney investigate, the more troubling the situation in Ireland appears and the harder it is to decide which side of the conflict is right and which is wrong. The country is a tinder keg ready to explode….can they find the answers they seek before they too become casualties to the escalating tensions?
In this, the seventh installment of the Verity Kent series, the reader is transported to Ireland in the year 1920, when many native Irish view the British government as an occupying force whose departure is long overdue. Verity is a loyal Englishwoman who gave much to her country during the Great War as did her husband Sidney, yet they are forced to see those representing their government acting in ways that remind them more than is comfortable of the German occupying forces in places like Belgium. Verity is determined to find her friend and also to find justice for the late Miss Kavanaugh, but gets precious little assistance or respect from those in positions of authority who have been tasked with helping her. Even the deceased’s parents don’t seem to want to help. It will take all of Verity’s varied skills to gain the trust or at least the ear of people who are likely to have information she seeks, and it is when she is in these less exalted locations that she observes for herself the tensions that are growing on the ground. I have read earlier novels in the series, so had a grounding of the relationships between Verity, Sidney and Alec as well as other players on the fringe of the story, but author Anna Lee Huber does a good job of explaining backstories for those who may not have done so. Interesting characters and a fascinating period of time combine with the different quests which Verity and Sidney undertake, with plenty of potential villains and a clear eyed view of the complicated state of affairs in Ireland in those days. An intriguing story that held my attention throughout, and one that readers of the series will greatly enjoy. Fans of authors like Susan Elia MacNeal, Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd should also be sure to read this novel/series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me early access to a copy of The Cold Light of Day.

The latest from Anna Lee Huber was highly anticipated and a bold surprise all in one. The Verity Kent series, featuring a former British spy and her war hero husband, has been tripping the light fantastic since book one, but with The Cold Light of Day, Anna Lee Huber has raised her own bar to greater heights.



The seventh in this strongly connected post-WWI era historical mystery series, The Cold Light of Day, has Verity and Sidney in Dublin, Ireland during an outbreak of violence as the promised Home Rule doesn’t transpire and many Irish are not settling for Home Rule and want it all even if it means bloody civil war. Verity is determined to find her friend, whose latest assignment was to infiltrate the IRA and who has been missing for six weeks. Sidney insists on partnering with her, though they both struggle with this particular rescue since her friend was once her lover when she thought Sidney was dead.



Anna Lee Huber did her homework. Post-WWI era Ireland and its powder keg of politics and religion were painted so well that I felt I was right there on the roiling, dangerous streets of Dublin and getting the complicated situations from all sides of the equation in person. Verity and Sidney have never faced such a challenge, and that’s saying something because Verity worked behind enemy lines in occupied territory, and Sidney was out on the front lines for the fighting.



As in previous books, Verity and Sidney are presented with more than one case. This time around, they try to track down the deadly phosgene gas that their arch-enemy stole from the army, investigate a young woman’s brutal assault and suicide, and track down Verity’s former spy compatriot. This was a taut and emotional book from start to finish. There were good twists, superb nail-biting suspense, and a fab climax.



All in all, a winner and left me in that state of desperate need for the next installment. I couldn’t put this one down after it reached a third of the way. Historical mystery fans: get this series onto the top of your TBR pile!

It was wonderful to revisit Verity Kent again in the engrossing mystery set in 1920 Dublin. Each volume in this series gets better and better, and Verity is filling the void in my reading life left by the “retirement” of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs. Can’t wait for the next one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you're looking for a well researched historical novel, you can't go wrong with any of the novels of Anna Lee Huber! I've been reading her since her first novel and can't wait when a new novel is expected. This one is no exception. An intriguing continuing story, as well as other 'need to solve' mysteries that come together as the story moves forward.

Heading to Dublin to try to find an agent that was tasked to infiltrate the IRA, and is now incommunicado, of course looking for their enemy and the gas canisters that went missing.. Then a third mystery also lands in their lap, they're asked to find the person who assaulted the daughter of a government official.

This is such a great read. I'm a fan of Verity and Sydney and their adventures!

This can be read as a standalone, but the background in the earlier works just add to the enjoyment of this newest book in this series.

I have been following the exploits and relationship of Sidney and Verity since Huber began the series with This Side of Murder. She has mastered the art of storytelling with interesting characters, plots, relationships and an historical period. In my opinion, The Cold Light of the Day is the best entry yet (though readers may want to read the series from the beginning, especially the first book which sets the scene for the main characters).

In The Cold Light of Day, Sidney and Verity are in Dublin at an important historical juncture. It is the time of such notable figures as Eamon de Valera and Michael Collins, among others. Our protagonists are thrown right into the intrigue as they attempt to spy on both sides in the conflict. It is a real strength of the author's that the history is clearly explained and easy to follow.

A spy/colleague/important person to Verity has been sent to Dublin to infiltrate those seeking Irish independence. He has not been heard from in some time. Will Verity and Sidney be able to locate him? Is he even still alive?

Finding out about Alec is just one of the many situations in which Verity is involved. Readers will turn the pages wanting to know how each storyline plays out. Then, like me, they may be sad to know that it will be at least a year before meeting up with Verity and Sidney again.

I thoroughly enjoyed this title and recommend it highly.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Cold Light of Day (Verity Kent #7) by Anna Lee Huber is another captivating addition to the series, blending post-WWI intrigue with emotional depth. Verity continues to be a sharp and resilient protagonist, navigating both personal challenges and a gripping mystery. Huber’s attention to historical detail and suspenseful plot keeps the pages turning.

In #7 in this series Verity and Sidney are in Dublin at a very dangerous time in Ireland's history. Verity is there because C has asked her to check up on Alec as they have lost contact with him. As well Verity and Sidney have in mind their cause of finding Lord Ardmore and more importantly the phosgene he has stolen. A dangerous gas that could do untold damage.

Anna Lee Huber does an amazing job of portraying Ireland as it struggles to cast off the shackles of British Rule. Everywhere there is danger, at times it's hard to know who is working for the British and who is on the side of the Irish people. Added to all this the pair - our heroine and hero - have been asked by Lord French to look into the attack on the  daughter  of Lord Kavanaugh. Supposedly this happened by the hand of the IRA - but was it.

So Verity and Sidney have three mysteries to follow up on, plus stay alive and out of trouble. The plot moves along at a good clip and it is always gripping and interesting. There are many details about the uprising that were sometimes difficult to keep my head sorted on. However it was very worthwhile and seems to capture the essence of the time.

Will I read #8. Well really I need it now, because there is so much more of this story to be told.

This book is the seventh book in the series and another great one. The research is always well done and in this case covers some quite sensitive issues. The characters are as great as ever as is the mystery. The only draw back for me was this one was a little slow paced and took time to grab my interest but once it did it was great as are all the others. However just to be transparent Lady Derby is my favourite series by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Cold Light of Day by Anna Lee Huber
Rating: 5/5 Stars

As always, Huber delivers with this next installment of the Kents. The Cold Light of Day is excellent and has left me wanting the next book even more.

I always have a difficult time reviewing mysteries because so much about enjoying a mystery book for me is about the plot of the mystery itself and I never want to give too much away. What I will say is that I find the pacing of Huber’s books in this series to always be excellent. The plot if fleshed out enough that it never feels something was missing or underdeveloped, but the story is still moving quickly enough to make you want to keep reading. Like the other books in the Verity Kent series, I read this one very quickly.

Maybe a given for those seeking a mystery set nearly a century ago, but the historical aspects of this series, especially in this specific book, really add to the story. I very much enjoyed the Irish aspect of this story.

One of the things I’m always impressed by with authors like this is their ability to create a story that, while best enjoyed if you’ve read the first 6 books in the series, you could start with this one having never read the others. But I’m not suggesting readers should do that. While the author does her best to provide brief context through Verity’s thoughts, you will enjoy and follow this wonderful story much more if you read the other books in the series first (I reread the previous book before really delving into this one because it had been such a long time since I read that one and I couldn’t remember where the story had left off. I’m so glad I did, it made reading this one even better!)

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. It has been about two years since the prior entry in this series, but I'm happy to report that this story was definitely worth the wait. At the end of the prior book, Verity received a letter from her former partner in espionage during WWI, Alec, that she was not to come after him in Ireland were something to happen to him while she was undercover. As you can guess, Alec goes missing, and Verity cannot just let his disappearance go uninvestigated so she and her husband, Sydney, travel to Dublin. This book is set in 1920, and although home rule was passed for Ireland, several years before, it had not been put in place yet. Verity is surprised by the state of Dublin and Ireland, where the IRA and British government are engaged in a violent and bloody series of engagements with civilians stuck in the middle. In addition to trying to find Alec even though it appears he doesn't want to be found, she is asked to help figure out who was responsible for an attack on a young woman who later killed herself.

I found the history in this book to be super interesting since I knew very little about Ireland and fight with the British during this time other than it was bloody. Ms. Huber is able to find a balance between including enough and interesting information and bogging down the story with too much that it takes the reader out of the mystery. I really liked both mysteries and thought they were equally compelling and well done. I just saw that the author said this book is essentially book 1 of a trilogy that will be set/featuring Ireland in this series, so I'm very excited to learn more about both the period and continuing to follow Verity and Sydney's adventures.

June 1920, Verity and Sidney are in Ireland at C's request, searching for Verity's friend and fellow wartime spy Captain Alec Xavier who has disappeared while trying to infiltrate the IRA. Tensions are mounting in Dublin as much of the populace sympathises with Sinn Fein and is actively resisting the English rule. Everyone suspects wartime hero Sidney is there in some military capacity and Verity hopes her presence will be overlooked as she frequents (in disguise) the various bars and hotels that Alec told his handler were frequented by the enigmatic Michael Collins.

Luckily, the Kents have the perfect smoke-screen for their investigations, the Viceroy has asked them to investigate the assault and subsequent suicide of the daughter of a prominent barrister, Miss Kavanagh. And of course, they are still hunting for those blasted missing gas canisters.

Verity and Sidney might love King and country, but they are not blind to the criminal mismanagement during the Great War which resulted in many more dead., and their eyes are opened wider during their stay in Dublin where English troops are practically being allowed carte blanche to terrorise the population in retaliation for the IRA's murder squads killing policemen. Walking about Dublin the Kents see the harassment and brutality first hand, so when they discover that Alec is not a spy, but now has become a member of the IRA they are shocked but not surprised.

I appear to be in the minority on NetGalley, I found this book difficult to get through. Anna Lee Huber has clearly done a lot of detailed historical research on the fight for independence in Ireland. Unfortunately, for me this research was regurgitated as a history lesson which overshadowed the story. I learned a lot about what happened, but the story got lost in translation so to speak. I've seen this before, in the previous book A Certain Darkness and I fear Verity is turning into another Maisie Dobbs who eventually became involved in what seemed like every historical incident after WW1. Do you know what, I actually welcomed the appearance of the dastardly Lord Ardmore!!

Also, Verity is very self-satisfied, accepting everyone will look at her because she's so beautiful, bleurgh.

This sort of ends on a cliffhanger, with Verity and Sidney solving the mystery of what happened to Miss Kavanagh but resolving to stay in Ireland. I do wonder whether Alec will eventually turn out to be a double agent.

Overall, a fascinating glimpse into a tumultuous time where people did unspeakable things but it needed to be a more subtle backdrop to the plot for me.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

The Irish question!

Sidney and Verity are secretly sent to Dublin to find out what’s happened to Captain Alec Xavier.
On their own cognizance they’re pursuing news of Lord Ardmore and the stolen cylinders of phosgene, a deadly poisonous gas.
They’re appalled at the situation in Ireland and the British Governments policy of coercion, following the Restoration of Order in Ireland Act.
The Black and Tans are a disgrace. The intelligence community is slack and privileged.
Indeed they’re asked to investigate a scandal by the viceroy Lord French.
A young woman, Miss Kavanagh, of an aristocratic family had been attacked by the IRA in her back garden, her hair chopped off and left as an example for stepping out with a British Officer, a Lieutenant Delgrange. She was distraught by her parents’ attitude and committed suicide. That’s not the complete story and Verity’s anger builds as she and Sidney uncover the truth.
We leave them in Ireland contemplating the pursuit of Lord Ardmore, the Irish situation, and their future moves.
An exciting political thriller that reveals the passions of the time, grounded in a sympathetic reality. I really enjoyed this next step in the investigations of Verity and Sidney.

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)