I had an opportunity to review “Through the Smoke” by Brenda Novak and until I started reading the novel, I didn’t realize that I had agreed to read a historical romance. I initially felt like a deer caught in the headlights in agreeing to read the book let alone to complete a review and instead became enamored with the story. When the opportunity came to read another historical romance by Brenda Novak with the title of “A Matter of Grave Concern”, I couldn’t wait to discover if my previous excitement was a moment of happenstance after a long absence due to past experiences.

I started reading “A Matter of Grave Concern” and was totally captivated by the character of Abigail (Abby) Hale, daughter of the surgeon at Aldersgate School of Medicine. Setting aside dreams of her own, Abby’s focus is on the welfare and survival of the college and to try to put her father in the best possible light as his knighthood seems imminent. In the midst of a most harrowing experience to Abby, she meets a man who captures her heart. Simultaneously, the man introduced as Maximillian (Max) Wilder and the man that captures Abby’s heart has a few secrets of his own. I loved this story! On the surface it may seem as the classic romance novel of any era in which either the heroine or hero are deemed unsuitable for one another due to socio-economic differences.

As I was trying to find the perfect words to share how deeply ensconced the reader becomes in this story, how enduring the characters, how perfectly the setting provides intrigue and suspense, it made me think of the description I read recently of “I Opened a Book” by Julia Donaldson.

I Opened a Book
“I opened a book and in I strode.
Now nobody can find me.
I’ve left my chair, my house, my road,
My town and my world behind me.
I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring,
I’ve swallowed the magic potion.
I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king
And dived in a bottomless ocean.
I opened a book and made some friends.
I shared their tears and laughter
And followed their road with its bumps and bends
To the happily ever after.
I finished my book and out I came.
The cloak can no longer hide me.
My chair and my house are just the same,
But I have a book inside me.”
--Julia Donaldson

Open “A Matter of Grave Concern” and find yourself in the midst of a time when cadavers were needed by medical students but provision was primarily via underground criminals, a time when females dreamed about becoming surgeons but were not encouraged to pursue their dreams, a time when a young woman was sent to live in the country with a maiden or widowed relative if your father felt she needed further guidance on how to act to become a socially acceptable candidate for marriage, a time when that relative felt the burden of responsibility to provide the opportunities for a suitable courtship to marriage, a time when a marriage of business arrangement is deemed more important than a marriage of the heart and these are but a few examples. Turn the pages, follow Abby and Max as their lives intersect at a crossroad in each of their lives, share their adventures, feel the engaging emotions of their time together, and try to decide if each of their paths will lead away from each other or become entwined forever. As Julia says, “I finished my book and out I came…but I have a book inside me.” I’m out from between the covers to share my book review but I will continue to giggle and smile as I remember some of Abby’s conversations with Max, to remember and admire Abby’s strong will and choices, to remember and admire Max’s choices for his sister, his nephew, his fiancée Hortense, and for Abby, and I will keep Abby and Max’s story forever inside of me.

I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this title from the author to read and review.

Wow. Just Wow. Brenda Novak can write a historical romance like no other. While I will admit it took me a few chapters to get into, once I did I couldn't finish it fast enough.

In A Matter of Grave Concern we are introduced to the underground world of grave robbing in the 1800's. Max Wilder is looking for his half-sister that went missing. She was last seen with Big Jack, the leader of The London Supply Company. Big Jack, his brother and two other guys supply the local colleges with cadavers to use for teaching and dissecting. Jack was the last man to see his sister, so Max infiltrates the gang to gather information. While robbing graves at night, Max is questioning the town folk during the day for any leads on his sister's whereabouts.

Abigail Hale dreams of being a surgeon like her father. Losing her mother at the age of six, has meant a lot of time at the college with her father reading and studying. She is now twenty one and still has not been admitted to the college and doesn't think she ever will. The operating room isn't a place for a woman in this day and age. Abby's father is waiting for his knighthood, so to keep him away from the ugly business of body buying, Abby takes it among herself to broker a deal with The London Supply Company.

While dealing with Big Jack, Abby also meets the handsome Max Wilder. While he is a fine looking man, he is also a grave robber and way beneath her. The deal goes south and Abby ends up in way over her head. I am being a bit vague as to not reveal spoilers.

Max Wilder is looking for his sister while protecting something else that is very big. He has the gang and Abby in the dark about what is really going on in his life. While he isn't looking for love, he just may find it in the strangest of places, however cannot act upon it.

Such a well written book that just pulls you right back in time. I wasn't much for historical romance, however the more I read, the more I enjoy them. Brenda Novak does a brilliant job at setting up the story and holding just enough back to keep you wanting more.

I love novels that weave real historical fact with the fiction that is the book. With this new book, Ms. Novak has done a wonderful job mixing fact and fiction.

A Matter of Grave Concern takes place shortly after William Burke (the historical fact in the book) has been executed for body snatching. Abigail, the daughter of a surgeon who teaches anatomy, needs to get bodies for her fathers anatomy school or it will fail. Max has infiltrated a 'resurrectionist' group in search of his sister. The twists and turns that take place make the book a fun read, even though there are times when it's creepy and spooky!

A great read for a cold fall day in front of the fire!

I really enjoyed this historical romance between Maximilian and Abigail. They were both great characters, and I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between them. This one was a little darker than most by Novak, but interesting and intriguing. I liked the story, and think you just can't go wrong with anything by Brenda Novak.