Anna Lee Huber - A Study in Death

Scotland, 1831. After a tumultuous courtship complicated by three deadly inquiries, Lady Kiera Darby is thrilled to have found both an investigative partner and a fiancé in Sebastian Gage. But with her well-meaning—and very pregnant—sister planning on making their wedding the event of the season, Kiera could use a respite from the impending madness.
Commissioned to paint the portrait of Lady Drummond, Kiera is saddened when she recognizes the pain in the baroness’s eyes. Lord Drummond is a brute, and his brusque treatment of his wife forces Kiera to think of the torment caused by her own late husband.
Kiera isn’t sure how to help, but when she finds Lady Drummond prostrate on the floor, things take a fatal turn. The physician called to the house and Lord Drummond appear satisfied to rule her death natural, but Kiera is convinced that poison is the real culprit.
Now, armed only with her knowledge of the macabre and her convictions, Kiera intends to discover the truth behind the baroness’s death—no matter what, or who, stands in her way…

Comment: Following the buddy read of the Lady Darby mysteries series by Anna Lee Huber, with a friend, this is book #4.

In this story Kiera and Gage are still living the bliss of their engagement, but Kiera is worried for her sister, who is going to give birth soon, but whose health has not been the best. When the story begins, Kiera is painting the commissioned portrait of lady Drummond, but a glimpse into her marital relationship allows Kiera to realize the lady's husband isn't treating her well. Things progress quickly into a mystery when lady Drummond dies in front of Kiera a few days later, and while the doctor summoned claims it was an apoplexy, Kiera believes lady Drummond was actually poisoned. It seems the husband doesn't want to investigate, but Kiera is certain someone deliberately murdered lady Drummond, the problem is to prove it...

The fascination of a series which becomes addictive is that there are always elements that are so well combined, they make the story feel cohesive and engaging, even when there are situations one doesn't feel as invested in. I liked the first book in this series because of several aspects, among them the promise of a romance. It is certainly rewarding to see the character growth of the characters through their interactions, but also the physical changes of their decisions and, in this book, Gage and Kiera are happily discussing their wedding plans.

Although, I should say, that isn't the focus of the story - the romance itself seems secondary, even if the emotions and the personal conversations convey a lot more to the reader - but it does help in understanding where the characters are, what they think and feel and how will that imp'act other things or how they go on to act on something. I say this because yes, while these stories aren't as detailed on the romance as other "historical mysteries with elements of romance" as one might politely describe this genre, it's still a great way to see character evolution.

Regarding the mystery, I think it was plotted and developed well enough. I only think that, even bearing in mind specific details such as Kiera being known to have helped investigations before, and her past as the wife of a anatomist, and the familiarity with lady Drummond and the servants in her house, she could get inside awfully easy anyway when necessary... social norms or hierarchies alone would help her? I found it too easy for her to go to lady Drummond's house when she died and even later on to investigate, without the police, for instance. But, perhaps, this is a minor flaw that affected only me...

The plot turns out to be quite simple and the reason why lady Drummond was killed a very basic one. I can somehow accept the reason given by the killer when we learn it, but because it was necessary to keep that person's identity a secret until the end, of course that when that happens, some details don't seem to match and in the big scheme of things, I've found the explanation flimsy.

As Kiera and Gage investigate, they have conversations with many characters and interactions with secondary ones we've met before... there was a moment or two, I'll admit, that some of the situations seemed a little farcical, as if the unlikeliness of it had no other escape, but it did move things alone. I say this because, despite the fact I do like the books and what happens, there are times when things are clearly done for plot's sake, and not because they are that sequential to what could happen... well, I guess in a book one cannot wait weeks or months for the experts to finally place the clues together properly...

Two interesting subjects in this story were more personal related to the main characters. First, the whole issue of Alana's risky pregnancy provided a good enough debate on what it meant for women to go through so many pregnancies, even against doctor's advice (Alana was on her fourth, after a third one which had complications), but of course the goal was to highlight the need for her husband to be with her in this difficult time, instead of away, as was the norm.

Another subject was Gage's father showing up on the page and how he seemed against his son's marriage with Kiera. Considering the end of the book, this is, perhaps, not as important, but I wonder if it will still be an issue in future installments.

All in all, another good story overall, fluid, easy to read and for me to be interested in reading... I'm hoping the next one has the same quality.

Grade: 8/10