Review: An Intriguing story!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 3, 2012
Set in 1763, Deadly Affair is the second book in the Alec Halsey Mystery series.Like a good historical murder mystery? This is the one. Lucinda Brant's writing is joy to read. I haven't read the first in the series, but this works well as a stand alone. I was able to follow the story and enjoyed her layered and complex characters. Brant's grasp of the Georgian era and its social mores is impressive. A bit of a mystery himself, Alec Halsey is one of the best heroes I've read in a while. I grinned at our first view of him done cleverly through the conversation between two guests at the party-political dinner."He's rather handsome in an angular sort of way. Big bony nose and large--" "What? No powder and a scrap of lace makes him handsome?" "--deep blue eyes," Lady Cobham finished with a crooked smile, appraising Alec from well-muscled calf to coal black curls. "You're blind! He could very well be mistaken for an American savage." "Yes. That old rumor about--" "Rumor?" "--his real papa being a black lackey who took my lady Delvin's fancy has stuck, hasn't it?" "It's stuck, Caro, because the swarthy devil's a-a half-breed. One only has to look at him to see that!" The woman sighed deeply. "Yes, just look at him. Common report says he's as virile as a savage..."Halsey is in love with Selina Jamison-Lewis but now finds she won't marry him. On the death of his brother, Alec Halsey has been elevated to Marquessate Halsey, and it doesn't sit well with him, especially as there are rumours that he murdered his brother. He's invited to the dinner where a clergyman, Blackwell is murdered. The intriguing story unfolds at a great pace, keeping me interested. Brant's secondary characters are well drawn, particularly Tam and Plantagenet who carry much of this story. It kept me engrossed until the end. I'm hooked! A worthy 5 stars.