A welcome interlude of calm has descended on Wrexford and Charlotte, though with three lively young boys in their care and an unconventional circle of friends and allies, quiet rarely lasts long. And sure enough, in the dead of night, an old acquaintance appears and asks for help. His brother-in-law has been accused of murdering a fellow member of the prestigious Royal Society at their London headquarters in Somerset House.
Wrexford agrees to investigate, and with a little unexpected help from their young charges, discovers that what seemed a simple crime of passion may be part of a far darker and dangerous plot, where science, money, and politics collide. A mysterious new technical innovation threatens to ignite a crisis throughout Europe, with frightening consequences for London’s financial world.
There is also personal upheaval for Wrexford and Charlotte, when a shocking secret from the past brings a profound change to their family, testing the bonds of loyalty and trust as never before . . .
Comment: This is the 9th installment in the Wrexford & Sloane series by author Andrea Penrose, which I have been buddy reading for some months now, with a friend. All books have been great, not perfect, but this one ends up being the one I liked less.
In this new adventure, everyone has been going on with their lives, when a new threat from the french side shakes up the peace which had been gained. This is why that when someone who defended some french scientific innovation is found murdered, the police is quick to find a culprit. However, this person is not the real murdered and Wrexford is once again asked to help in the investigation. At the same time, a surprise is introduced to the family and everyone is both marveled and apprehensive for what this will mean for their future dynamics. Can Wrexford and Charlotte divide their attention, and that of their friends, to so many subjects requiring their dedication to help the country and their personal happiness?
I will say it right away that this book disappointed me because it was way too predictable and didn't focus on elements I wish could have been used, even allowing for the fact that there is a huge surprise introduced in this story. It's funny, actually, because in the end the author added a note, as she often does, and what I remember is something hinting at the fact she wishes her stories to not be formulaic.... well, sadly to me, they kind of are.
However, to be fair, this doesn't have to be an issue and I actually like the fact I know what to expect from these books. Nevertheless, in this book, I just could not focus on the positive aspects that much and the things I didn't like that much somehow took over my general appreciation. I wonder if I'm becoming tired of the series or of how it is presented... something to consider after reading the next book, which I will read when/if it comes out, at least to make a more conscious decision. I will wait to see what my buddy read friend thinks of this one.
Wrexford is back to his science investigations and experiments, Charlotte is doing her art thing, the boys are studying and everything is fine with the central and secondary characters. This peace is again interrupted with a new case,r elated to some french espionage and inventions, because the setting of this book happens around the time Napoleon becomes a threat again. I do like the historical details, I usually like learning and seeing how much research the author did to develop a believable plot, but I will have to also say this plot was boring to me.
There is a lot on finances and stocks and things related to this that I felt my brain disconnect. It didn't help that I have been distracted by other things, but some of the subjects discussed just passed me by and I feel I wasn't really enjoying what the story had to offer. Regarding the invention content and the search for the killer and all that, nothing to say for it follows the formula of the other books. In a way, perhaps, this would not mean as much to my uncertain opinion if other elements had been stronger but, sadly, that was what happened.
I'm specifically thinking about the domestic part of the characters' lives. Wrex and Charlotte married some books ago, there are constant references to their blissful lives but I wanted more. I started reading this for the romantic mystery and to me, there isn't much romance anymore.Knowing their love their family and the love within their family is great and that the kids have them as parents-figure who cherish them is great too but I want more romantic elements. This element feels stagnated to me and made the rest seem repetitive and, again, formulaic.
There is a sudden and surprising novelty introduced here, though. One that should change many things in their lives, in the eyes of society around them (no, not a pregnancy if someone is wondering) but this situation was dealt with such ease, such.... normalcy that I wonder why. Just so something new happens and the story feels richer? Feels more complex? I didn't think it was neither of these things. I can see how interesting it might become if the story continues into more installments, but deep down,nothing changed for the main plot and story lines.
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