Anna Lee Huber - A Wicked Conceit

Edinburgh, Scotland. March 1832. 

Kiera and Gage have been eagerly awaiting their bundle of joy but trouble has been brewing in the form of the roguish criminal Bonnie Brock Kincaid. A new book and subsequent play features some of Kincaid's daringly heinous exploits, although he swears he had nothing to do with it or the characters which are obvious representations of Kiera and Gage. While the scoundrel's fury seems genuine, as well as his determined quest to uncover the real identity of the author, the Gages still hold doubts about his innocence. A rash of crimes break out across the city, seemingly inspired by the play and book. When the publisher is found brutally murdered--in an imitation of a gruesome scene--the finger not only points to Bonnie Brock as the possible culprit, but also the Gages, who have been outspoken in their condemnation of the tale. Now, the Gages are on a hunt to unmask the killer. Between the infamy garnered by the play, the cholera outbreak still wreaking havoc throughout the city, and the impending birth of their child, they will need all the resources they can garner.

Comment: This is the 9th installment in the Lady Darby series, which I have been buddy reading for the past months. By now, reading these books is already a comfort reading.

In this story Kiera and Sebastian are getting things ready for the birth of their baby but trouble comes their way again when a play about the life of criminal Bonnie Brock, whom has already been part of previous investigations they conducted, starts being well deceived. Depending on the theater, the play is more or less well done, and it's based on a book published by an anonymous author. Kiera and Sebastian now need to investigate again because the publisher of the book, rumored to have a possible sequel on the works is murdered. When things get more complicated and even Kiera and Sebastian are mentioned in regards to the police investigation, will they solve the case before their baby is born?

I'll confess that while I generally enjoy these books as a whole, and in terms of execution all seem competent and appealing to me, this installment was not one of my favorites. I was curious about the imminent birth of the protagonist's baby and what it would mean for them, but the case investigated just wasn't very interesting to me. I know my buddy reading friend liked it a bit more so this is totally a personal impression, but it's one of those things that just knowing what to expect was enough this time.

The case was a little boring to me. The book about Bonnie Brock, a criminal that still has the approval of many people, should be fascinating on itself and his presence in other books was specific enough to have added something to that story, but this time I wasn't as dazzled. It's actually a pity if I think about it, because although he is a criminal of sorts, his life isn't only about being a bad person, and we obviously discover here things that place him in a different position and make him seem better by comparison. He does have some charm. I also liked knowing his origins weren't as negative as they were made to seem in other books.

However, despite these more or less positive aspects, I was still not fully on board with the narrative. The fact a book existed and how it was adapted and then the way the play added elements (such as the connection between Bonnie Brock and Sebastian and Kiera) for publicity and the investigation of why just didn't seduce me. I'd say I prefer the plots in which the investigations the couple conducts are more about relationships or a human connection, so to speak.

I might have had a less than amazed reaction too because of something else. Throughout the books - and this was addressed by the characters several times already - Kiera's closest family has helped and defended her, especially her sister Alana. We've come to realize that Alana is extremely protective and in the past book there was some tension between them over Kiera's continuing her investigations while pregnant. In this book, they had already talked but some animosity was still there. I understand this is yet another tactic to portray development, evolution, whatever one wants to think, but it also added tension and drama which I think was not really necessary. It's just one more element to add something else to the overall plot.

Personal taste aside, the book is certainly a consistent one and the plot is fluid and easy to read. I might have liked others more, but in no way was this not readable. I also liked what happened at the end and I'm already eager to read the next one.

Grade: 7/10