This is a historical romance with a fascinating mystery added. Our heroine asks for help to clear her friend of murder. Our hero has a talent for solving puzzles.
Our characters are both successful business owners, and very different from the type you might normally read about in historical romances. They have teamed up before in the previous book in the series. You dont need to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but it helps to understand the dynamics between the characters if you read them in order. We get a lot of adventure, mischief, and a little romantic tension. As for the mystery, I couldn't guess who the killer was. It keeps you guessing all the way through. This is a great series, I love the characters and can't wait to read about their next adventure.
Great fun.

I enjoyed this book! I loved the mystery murder and the fun dynamic of the characters posing as being married!

Evil abides!

Solomon Grey and Constance Silver return to a new mystery. Constance has been contacted by a woman she’d helped some years ago
Elizabeth was a young gentlewoman who'd found herself pregnant, abandoned by her supposed fiancé, then turned out onto the streets of London by her parents with nothing but the clothes she stood up in.
Determined to fight for her unborn child this previously protected young woman, ignorant of the hardships she’d face, did the only thing she could to survive—she prostitued herself. Fortunately Constance found her and took her in, helping her to place her child for adoption, and then assisting her to take up various placements as a governess.
Elizabeth’s last position as governess to the children of a widower, ended up with her marrying her employer, Sir Humphrey Maule.
Now however Elizabeth is about to be arrested for murder and has asked Constance for help. The daughter of a neighbor, Miss Frances Niall, went missing. Her body was found, and Elizabeth was the last to see her alive. The problem is Frances and Sir Humphrey apparently had an understanding before Frances went off to India with her father, the Colonel. Now suspicion is cast on Elizabeth.
Constance and Samuel go to Sussex to investigate.
A lot of water will pass under the bridge before Solomon and Constance discover the truth, but not before details about Elizabeth are exposed to her husband, and Solomon and Constance are nearly killed.
Then there’s the frisson between Solomon and Constance!
A well developed Victorian mystery!

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

They had me at fake marriage and only one bed. I feel like they could've used the one bed situation a little bit more. I love Constance and Solomon and I had no idea who the killer was.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I thought the first book in this series was good, but I enjoyed this one even more. After successfully solving their first case, Solomon and Constance avoid each other, unsure about dealing with the attraction between them. However, when Constance receives a plea for help from her friend, Solomon is the first person she thinks of to accompany her on the trip into the country. A neighbor is attempting to pin the murder of his daughter on their hostess, however, it quickly becomes evident to Solomon and Constance that the case has not been properly investigated and no one is asking the right questions. As they start peeling back the layers, secrets and lies are exposed and it would seem that everyone they encounter is hiding something. An accident brings the clue they are searching for and almost costs them their lives, but finally, matters can be put to rest. The tension between Solomon and Constance results in her fleeing back to London, but this time Solomon is not going to let her go and he has a new proposition for her. This well-written novel is a standalone, although Silver and Grey find their calling. I received a copy of this mystery as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Solomon didn't think he'd see Constance again yet here she was back needing his help. Book Two of this marvelous series brings two of my favorite sleuths back. Their romance is a slow but powerful burn that will keep you holding your breath. In the meantime, they do an amazing job solving mysteries that include so many possible people that the twists and turns will make your head spin.

I would recommend reading this entire series in order even though this can standalone. From a master mystery writer, this one is awesome.

The 2nd book in this series which is just as good as the first. With a little bit of romance and more mystery this series is quickly becoming my favorite mystery series. It is a clean and intriguing read with plenty to keep you captured.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with guidelines.

Like the first part of the series, this story is very captivating and kept me hooked right from the start. It is full of secrets, suspects, unexpected twists, danger and action.
Constance and Solomon are very lovable and make a great team. Their relationship continues to develop slowly in this book and I'm looking forward to reading more about them.

Several months after their last get-together, Constance asks Solomon for help in proving the innocence of her friend Elizabeth, who has recently married the widowed Baron Maule and is accused of murdering her neighbor. Solomon accepts out of boredom and together they travel to Elizabeth's husband's country estate in Sussex to investigate. To maintain decorum, however, they have to pose as a married couple. It soon transpires that the murdered woman was not the well liked and respected young lady everyone claims she was, but had many dark secrets and many enemies...

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a gripping Victorian murder mystery mixed with the start of a slow-burn romance!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

Constance Silver calls on the wealthy business-man Solomon Grey to request his help solving another mystery. Her old friend Elizabeth, now the wife of respected magistrate Sir Humphrey Maule, is being accused of murder. Solomon, bored and restless, happily agrees, before he realizes they are expected to pose as husband and wife – Mr & Mrs Grey. While this presents its own challenges, the case itself is elusive. The young woman fished out of the lake in her nightgown is the Maules’ neighbour, and there is nothing to show how she died except that it was not by drowning.
The second book in the series although it could be read on its own the burgeoning relationship between Solomon & Constance is a joy & to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading the books in order. A very well written book with a number of suspects. There are twists & turns plus the more that the couple reveal the more the victim isn’t the golden girl. I love both Solomon & Constance & love how their relationship is slowly deepening & growing, a highlight of the book. I also liked the way they worked together to solve the murder. An engrossing read
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

This book blends an intriguing mystery with a light touch of romance, making it a captivating read. The mystery itself is well-crafted and kept me guessing, with twists and turns that kept the suspense high. While I did manage to figure out who the culprit might be before the final reveal, the clues weren’t immediately obvious, and it did take some time for all the pieces to fall into place. My only issue was that a few of the characters seemed to be excluded from suspicion, only for them to be brought back into the spotlight later on, which felt a bit inconsistent.

That said, the relationship between Constance and Solomon was a highlight. The fake marriage trope is executed well, with them trying to maintain their "friend-only" dynamic while being forced to spend time together as a married couple. Their chemistry builds slowly, and their bond deepens over the course of the story, making the emotional aspect of the story just as compelling as the mystery. Constance’s background as a wealthy courtesan with a dark past, and Solomon’s status as a self-made merchant with a complex relationship with society, made them both stand out as unique and refreshing characters in historical romance.

The story is set against a well-constructed historical backdrop, touching on class differences, gender roles, and marriage, but it does so in a way that feels organic to the plot rather than preachy. The mystery never takes a backseat to the romance, but the two elements work in tandem, and the resolution to both was satisfying. While the romance is definitely a slow burn, it adds a nice layer of depth to the characters' interactions. I’m happy to give this book decent 3 ⭐.

5 stars

Great story. We meet Solomon & Constance again, this time helping an old friend of Constance who has been accused of murder. I had an inkling of what might have happened but the mystery was so well told that I wasn't certain until the penultimate chapter.

It was lovely to see the relationship build up between Solomon and Constance and hopefully they will continue for some time and even solve what happened to Solomon's brother. Well crafted story :)

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

This series is really gold. Constance and Grey are perfect as an investigative team, as friends, as partners.

When a friend Elizabeth gets accused, constance asks Grey to help her solve the murder fmof a popular, young woman. Except as they dig deeper they find that she's pretty manipulative. Lots of twists and turns but the main highlight was the relationship between Grey and Steele. Also have a feeling that Grey's "Puritan" feelings are rooted in something in his past and not faith motivated. Cannot wait to discover their backstory.

#netgalley #EvidenceofEvil

Constance Silver's friend is accused of murder and asks for her help. Who better to ask to help her solve the murder than Solomon Grey.
Together they dig into the life of the victim. It's not very pretty. Motive is based on lies told by the victim that lead Constance and Solomon in different directions. Until the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Silver and Grey are the perfect couple to work together. Highly recommend this Victorian murder mystery.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Evidence of Evil
By Mary Lancaster

Ms. Lancaster has woven an intricate mystery with her lovable characters, Silver and Grey. I think following them would be fun even without the mystery. So as soon as you add the mystery the reader becomes embroiled in a plot that keeps you guessing and holds your attention until the end. Ms. Lancaster reminds me every time she writes a mystery why I love whodunnits. She makes me work to figure out the who and the how. Loved it and can’t wait for next.

Great mystery. Enough romance to keep us till the next book where maybe one of them will be honest with the other. My only reason for knocking it down a star is it did seem fairway evident who a few times before it was revealed to us in the ending and they seemed to back track on people they already excluded for reasons that didn’t make total sense to me. But I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The author expertly created a classic whodunit that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The murder of a young, well-liked woman unearths layers of class differences, gender inequalities, and the complexities of marriage, all deftly handled without heavy-handedness. The narrative hooks the reader with unpredictable twists, ensuring the identity of the murderer remains elusive until the climax.

The slow-burning connection between Soloman Grey and Constance Silver is a standout element. As they navigate their undercover roles as a married couple, their relationship intensifies emotionally, building a complex and engaging dynamic. Their partnership not only drives the plot but also leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in their story. Constance's intriguing backstory adds depth, while their evolving partnership promises further growth and suspense.

The skillful storytelling keeps readers engaged, delivering a well-told tale that balances the main plot with glimpses into the characters' histories. This second installment is a fitting continuation that builds anticipation for future books. "Evidence of Evil" is a masterfully crafted mystery that maintains suspense and keeps readers guessing while developing its characters and themes in a meaningful way. A truly enjoyable read that ensures fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A courtesan and a businessman.
Constance asks Solomon to help an old friend of hers solve a murder mystery as they had previously done at a house party.
They travel to the country together posing as a married couple sharing a room.
Many little twists and turns as they observe others and investigate the crime.
They work well together and their friendship deepens.
A very slow burn romance.
Intriguing storyline and compelling character development.
Enjoyable.

Tropes: MC's team up to solve a mystery; MC's with secrets; fake marriage; forced proximity
Steam level: low (very slow burn, no kissing)
Part of a series, and while I do recommend the first book as a good intro into Solomon and Constance's relationship and their background, this works as a standalone.

I thought the first book in this series was good; this one is excellent. If you're into HR mysteries in particular I highly recommend it, but you'll probably enjoy it even if you're usually not into mysteries. Mary Lancaster has always been a solid author, and here she does an outstanding job of juggling both the main plot and the dynamic between the MC's and secondary characters. The central puzzle, that of the death of a young woman who was ostensibly well liked by everyone, also brings up the topics of class difference, gender inequality, and marriage without being too obvious or preachy. I genuinely wasn't able to guess the murderer until the MC's did; every time the evidence seemed to point to a character there would be a twist. And although there are many brief POV shifts, which I usually don't particularly like, they all work well here, giving the reader just enough information (and a red herring toward the end).

The star of this book for me, though, is the wonderfully slow-burn connection between Sol and Constance, and also how they're developed as individual characters. As Sol and Constance pose as a married couple, sleeping in the same bed, their relationship intensifies emotionally, if only slightly physically, and becomes more complex. Constance is not your typical HR MFC; a wealthy madam with a dark past that she doesn't let define her as she discreetly aids other women, who understands human nature well, who will never be accepted by the mainstream but has connections and enough freedom to briefly infiltrate situations to help resolve them, is perfect for this sort of series. As is Solomon, born in Jamaica and self-made, ambitious and brilliant at negotiations, merchant-class with more than enough money for respectability but never fully embraced by the Ton due to his origins and skin color. They have their own ghosts and fears, leading to the push-pull between them that never feels contrived or artificially drawn out. They consider themselves friends and perhaps more, despite the odds, but are still afraid at this point to disturb the balance of their bond.

The final chapter is satisfying and very cleverly done as Sol and Constance start to solidify their partnership as inquiry agents. I can't wait for the next book!

A fitting continuation of the first installment, which makes you want to read the next books. Well-told story that sticks to the main plot, while subtly introducing backstories and side-characters.
The mystery is again set away from London and doesnt dwell on the hierarchies of the ton. The partnership between Sol and Constance is growing and we get a small peek into Constance's backstory. The dynamics of their relationship is paced in a way that makes its development trajectory quite flexible, building a suspenseful context for the next installment.

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

Courtesan Constance needs help solving a murder. She calls on her friend Solomon to help her. They must travel to the countryside as a married couple to help her friend who has been accused of murder. Digging into secrets that people want to remain secret causes issues. Meanwhile they are trying to maintain their friend only relationship while thrown together as a married couple. I look forward to reading the next in this series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.