Stephanie Laurens

I can’t wrap my head around it. The idea that a portrait could determine guilt or innocence in a murder case is a stretch. I find it hard to believe such a concept could hold true in any world. Throughout the book, I kept questioning the premise, thinking, “Wait… what? Really? No… really?”

Despite my skepticism, it’s still a good fun story. Gerrard and Jacqueline are cute together.
Overall it was a fun albeit slightly exasperating read.

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Also, also - How is this the 12th book in the series? The number of deaths surrounding the Cynster clan is astonishing! How are they not under constant surveillance by Scotland Yard? I know Devil, being a duke, can keep them away, but still! (Yes, I’m joking! I love all the mysteries!)… (mere)

I don't know if I'm just getting overwhelmed. After binge-reading all the Cynster series back-to-back, I think I need a break before diving into the next ones.

It was alright. I didn't warm up to Michael at all; he just rubbed me the wrong way. And Caro! I adored her and felt so sorry for her, wishing her nothing but happiness. Which is why I think it took a little longer to warm up to Michael. I was also, so happy in the beginning to finally have an experienced lady in the mix, but then it felt like we were back to the same ol' story.

The culprit seemed obvious right from the start, which was a bit frustrating. And the inclusion of the Brackenridge secret was predictable.

One thing I did appreciate was how involved Devil was in this story.

It wasn't until Chapter 20 that I finally started to like Michael, and the ending tied-up very nicely.… (mere)

I read the book and I listened to the audiobook. The audio is excellently narrated. The flow is smooth and seamless and the narrator's voice very pleasant.

Well, we’ve come to the end of this Cynster generation – and the end of this series. Not sure when, or if, there will be an additional Cynster series, but they are about to cross the mark into the 1900s and I’m not sure I’ll be interested in those. The author is going back to add more books to the Casebook of Barnaby Adair series and I am happy to see that because I really enjoyed those.

Toby, the last unmarried Cynster of his generation, is now undertaking his last mission for the Crown. Talk about miffed – not only is Drake, Marquess of Wilchelsea, buckling to pressure from all of the Cynster ladies who want Toby married, but he is also sending him on a babysitting mission. So, rather than ending his career with an exciting mission, he’ll be escorting a doctor, his daughter, and a packet of intercepted German dispatches back from Vienna. Ho-Hum!

However, by the time he makes it to Vienna, he finds everything has changed. The doctor is deceased, perhaps not naturally, and both the Germans and the Austrians are trying to retrieve the packet of dispatches. Heinrich Maier, an Austrian, is a longtime foe of Toby’s and is almost as good as Toby. While the Austrians are a threat to the mission, it is the Germans who are dangerous. The two German agents operate by force and brute strength rather than intellect.

The babysitting mission Toby expected turns out to be as exciting as he’d want his last mission to be. That certainly wouldn’t be a problem except he is now escorting the doctor’s daughter and three children she refused to leave behind. Their escape through Austria, Germany, and Italy is fraught with danger. It also has a delightful set of children who make the book – you will love them. You’ll also love the descriptions of the beautiful countryside – and the idyllic time spent hiding on a lovely island in a beautiful Italian lake.

It was lovely to see Toby – who always wanted to be the bachelor uncle to his nieces and nephews – find the true meaning of family and love. I recommend this book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I also hope you are looking forward to those new Barnaby Adair books starting in July 2024. Happy Reading!… (mere)