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Raven & Wren #1
A Whisper of Death
After being viciously stabbed and left for dead, Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst struggles back to health only to discover he is cursed with a vexing ability to see visions he can’t explain. Terrified he may be going mad, he must keep the disturbing skill secret. But when it proves helpful in tracking his would-be killer, he has no choice but to embrace the newfound power. The retrocognition leads him to the house of a man recently deceased, where he encounters the clever and intriguing Miss Matilda Wren—who may be able to help him solve the many questions raised by the attack.
The death of Tilda’s cousin has left her and her beloved grandmother in a precarious financial position when she discovers their investments have gone missing. Between the lost money and the mysterious Lord Ravenhurst’s incessant queries, Tilda begins to wonder if her cousin may have been murdered. Desperate to determine what happened, she’ll exhaust every possible line of inquiry to stave off destitution. For a price, Tilda agrees to work with the earl to uncover the truth, though she suspects he’s hiding a dark secret.
As their investigation grows, so does the body count, but can they trust each other enough to expose the puppet master pulling the strings? Or will the villain’s malevolent machinations end with more than a whisper of death?
The death of Tilda’s cousin has left her and her beloved grandmother in a precarious financial position when she discovers their investments have gone missing. Between the lost money and the mysterious Lord Ravenhurst’s incessant queries, Tilda begins to wonder if her cousin may have been murdered. Desperate to determine what happened, she’ll exhaust every possible line of inquiry to stave off destitution. For a price, Tilda agrees to work with the earl to uncover the truth, though she suspects he’s hiding a dark secret.
As their investigation grows, so does the body count, but can they trust each other enough to expose the puppet master pulling the strings? Or will the villain’s malevolent machinations end with more than a whisper of death?
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
1648 people are currently reading
2953 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Burke
191 books2,263 followersDarcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, emotional historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Join her Reader Club at http://www.darcyburke.com/readerclub.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, two Bengal cats and a third cat named after a fruit. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. Her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
February 20, 2025
Great start to a new series. I enjoy books about strong women dealing within the confines of the Victorian Era. Tilda is a middle-class woman who works as a private detective in divorce cases. The Earl of Ravenhurst wants to investigate why he was almost killed and after hitting his head gains the power to "see" thoughts and feelings when holding onto items handled by their previous owners. The book is very much a procedural style book as the couple use a combo of his power and her ability to work together to solve the crimes. There is no romance other than a few thoughts of how handsome the other partner is. I recommend the first in the series and rate it 4.25*
August 12, 2024
Upsetting visions! Mysterious deaths!
Fascinating new Victorian mystery featuring Miss Matilda (Tilda) Wren confirmed spinster and Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst searching for answers to a spate of murders that Scotland Yard has conveniently closed.
Tilda is a determined young woman who lives with her grandmother. She’s decided to make a career out of investigations.
Hadrian is attacked one night walking home from Westminster. He seizes his would be killer, who escapes leaving Hadrian with a ring his attacker wore, a severe injury, a dreadful headache and seemingly the ability to touch things and people and have their intimate thoughts opened to him. Is he going mad or has he been gifted with something that is evil or good?
Bodies begin to pile up. Tilda and Hadrian join forces to solve the mystery, much to each other’s better judgment.
A rattling good story!
An Xpresso Tours ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher
Fascinating new Victorian mystery featuring Miss Matilda (Tilda) Wren confirmed spinster and Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst searching for answers to a spate of murders that Scotland Yard has conveniently closed.
Tilda is a determined young woman who lives with her grandmother. She’s decided to make a career out of investigations.
Hadrian is attacked one night walking home from Westminster. He seizes his would be killer, who escapes leaving Hadrian with a ring his attacker wore, a severe injury, a dreadful headache and seemingly the ability to touch things and people and have their intimate thoughts opened to him. Is he going mad or has he been gifted with something that is evil or good?
Bodies begin to pile up. Tilda and Hadrian join forces to solve the mystery, much to each other’s better judgment.
A rattling good story!
An Xpresso Tours ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher
February 28, 2025
What a fascinating start to a series! This historical mystery has a great paranormal element and a slow-burn, romantic subplot as well. I only wish I could dive into the sequel right away!
Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst, fights an attacker at the start of the book and manages to grab an identifying ring before passing out. As he recuperates from his ordeal, he realize that he now has the ability to see visions if he touches objects. His attacker strikes again and he decides that Scotland Yard's disinterest in investigating doesn't preclude him from tracking down the [now] murderer. His visions lead him to a home where he runs into a woman who is leaving...
Matilda Wren lives with her grandmother and attempts to get more money from a relative who is managing their investments. She finds out the relative has died and likely left them without money when she runs into the Earl of Ravenhurst. As she's done some investigative work for a lawyer with divorce cases, the Earl hires her to investigate his attack. They wind up sleuthing together as the chemistry grows between them.
While it takes a little suspension of disbelief at Matilda being hired by Ravenhurst, it was great fun to see them on the trail of clues for his case. Both of the investigations merge in a neat way and we get satisfying confrontation and action scene as the killer is finally discovered.
This was a fast, fun read and the dual points of view allowed for the budding attraction to be seen from both character's (at a time when, realistically, these two wouldn't be together). Hadrian is somewhat scared to touch Tilda at the end and she's a little disappointed, but it added some great romantic tension that makes me eager for the next book.
Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst, fights an attacker at the start of the book and manages to grab an identifying ring before passing out. As he recuperates from his ordeal, he realize that he now has the ability to see visions if he touches objects. His attacker strikes again and he decides that Scotland Yard's disinterest in investigating doesn't preclude him from tracking down the [now] murderer. His visions lead him to a home where he runs into a woman who is leaving...
Matilda Wren lives with her grandmother and attempts to get more money from a relative who is managing their investments. She finds out the relative has died and likely left them without money when she runs into the Earl of Ravenhurst. As she's done some investigative work for a lawyer with divorce cases, the Earl hires her to investigate his attack. They wind up sleuthing together as the chemistry grows between them.
While it takes a little suspension of disbelief at Matilda being hired by Ravenhurst, it was great fun to see them on the trail of clues for his case. Both of the investigations merge in a neat way and we get satisfying confrontation and action scene as the killer is finally discovered.
This was a fast, fun read and the dual points of view allowed for the budding attraction to be seen from both character's (at a time when, realistically, these two wouldn't be together). Hadrian is somewhat scared to touch Tilda at the end and she's a little disappointed, but it added some great romantic tension that makes me eager for the next book.
November 22, 2024
God this was dry as hell!
I was expecting this to be a spooky murder mystery with a romance, hence reading it in October but omg I was bored!
The mystery I guess was good, didn’t know who the bad guy was and all the elements of the mystery made sense I suppose, but the majority of this book is just TALKING. Tilda and Raven talk about case, then go to said case location and talk to person. Then they get in a carriage, re discuss everything we as the readers just read, and then go to next location. That’s it, that’s the book!
The romance here is LIGHT, basically non-existing, and we don’t really get to know or spend time with Tilda and Raven outside of them doing mystery stuff so I don’t feel like we ever really got to know them.
Overall I just felt very bored and I would’ve DNF’d if I hadn’t been curious what the mystery was going to be.
I was expecting this to be a spooky murder mystery with a romance, hence reading it in October but omg I was bored!
The mystery I guess was good, didn’t know who the bad guy was and all the elements of the mystery made sense I suppose, but the majority of this book is just TALKING. Tilda and Raven talk about case, then go to said case location and talk to person. Then they get in a carriage, re discuss everything we as the readers just read, and then go to next location. That’s it, that’s the book!
The romance here is LIGHT, basically non-existing, and we don’t really get to know or spend time with Tilda and Raven outside of them doing mystery stuff so I don’t feel like we ever really got to know them.
Overall I just felt very bored and I would’ve DNF’d if I hadn’t been curious what the mystery was going to be.
Want to read
August 15, 2024''As their investigation grows, so does the body count''
In true Winchester fashion.
In true Winchester fashion.
April 13, 2025
As with all Victorian romances, I wondered if I would like it- answer yes, I enjoyed it despite the seeming slow start. It didn't hook me from the start but once I passed a certain point, I was all in.
The mystery unfolds slowly, I figured it was a character that was not introduced so I just went with the flow until "they" were revealed. Its a well done mystery and the connection and subsequent relationship between Raven and Wren felt very natural.
Raven is pretty open minded for a traditional gentleman in that time period but they had a very natural development together. It helps that he thought he was crazy from the knock to his head and the "curse". No heat or intimate (look at me being prudish and not saying "sex") scenes but it will be interesting to see how the author handles that once they realize how much they are suited :)
The premise:
At twenty-five, Tilda regarded herself as a spinster and had no quarrel with that. To marry would be to surrender everything, and given that she had so little, she was not willing to do that. Marriage as an institution also held little appeal...
Raven is more smitten than he realizes:
“Does your aptitude for investigation come from your father?” he asked idly, not only to pass the time to Huntley Street but to get to know Miss Wren better. He found her most engaging.
I really liked how frank Wren was with him when she finally called him out:
"Taking slower breaths—for his heart had been racing—Hadrian worked to ease himself. When he felt a little better, he turned toward the door and froze. He was not alone.
Miss Wren stood leaning against the frame, her head cocked to the side. “I think it’s time you explain to me whatever it is you’ve been hiding.”
The mystery unfolds slowly, I figured it was a character that was not introduced so I just went with the flow until "they" were revealed. Its a well done mystery and the connection and subsequent relationship between Raven and Wren felt very natural.
Raven is pretty open minded for a traditional gentleman in that time period but they had a very natural development together. It helps that he thought he was crazy from the knock to his head and the "curse". No heat or intimate (look at me being prudish and not saying "sex") scenes but it will be interesting to see how the author handles that once they realize how much they are suited :)
The premise:
At twenty-five, Tilda regarded herself as a spinster and had no quarrel with that. To marry would be to surrender everything, and given that she had so little, she was not willing to do that. Marriage as an institution also held little appeal...
Raven is more smitten than he realizes:
“Does your aptitude for investigation come from your father?” he asked idly, not only to pass the time to Huntley Street but to get to know Miss Wren better. He found her most engaging.
I really liked how frank Wren was with him when she finally called him out:
"Taking slower breaths—for his heart had been racing—Hadrian worked to ease himself. When he felt a little better, he turned toward the door and froze. He was not alone.
Miss Wren stood leaning against the frame, her head cocked to the side. “I think it’s time you explain to me whatever it is you’ve been hiding.”
July 30, 2024
I definitely felt like I was reading a historical mystery and the first few chapters caught my attention but I had to force myself to finish the book, too much unnecessary fillers within the chapters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 11, 2024
Thanks to BookSprout and NetGalley for a copy of this book and this is my freely given opinion.
This is the first book of a new series by Darcy Burke that is a bit of a different genre from what I am used to from her. This is a Victorian murder mystery with a very very slow burn romance, with differing social class themes, a strong, independent, intelligent female lead and a hint of the paranormal. At first I was drawing some comparisons between this and Cara Devlin's Bow Street Duchess series, as there are some similarities, but in the end, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to where Raven and Wren are going to go with their stories and adventures.
This opens with Hadrian Becket, the Earl of Ravenhurst almost losing his life in a vicious attract that leaves him severely injured. As he slowly recovers, he is fearful of being declared mad as he discovers he is having strange visions when he touches things, such as the ring he is found with after his attack - a momento he came unknowingly came away with when he grappled with his attacker. He does not understand what is happening to him, and wants answers to his attack.
Tilda Wren is a middle class spinster who lives in London with her grandmother, helping care for her and her household, while determined to maintain her independence and forge a career for herself as an investigator. She is putting to work skills taught to her by her beloved father, a policeman who unfortunately died on the job. But it is difficult as many still look down on women working, and do not find a female working as an investigator as credible. She does find some work seeking information for divorce cases though. In the mean time, she is trying to track down a family cousin, who is managing her grandmother's funds, to seek either control from him, or at least increased payments to their household, as they have not had any increase in years and are finding things tight.
Instead of gaining the meeting she is hoping for, she finds instead that her cousin has died suddenly. Questions about many things arise follow his death, and Tilda finds herself determined to find answers to them. In the meantime, Ravenhurst, following his own visions and his desire to seek answers to his own attack, finds his path crossing with Tilda. He has little satisfaction from Bow Street as they have closed his case, and when he finds out Tilda is an investigator and the clues he has followed have also lead to her cousin, and his death, he engages Tilda to investigate for him, so long as he can participate as well. But fearful of being thought mad, he keeps several secrets from her, including his new found abilities.
As time passes, Ravenhurst develops a great liking, respect, and appreciation for Tilda, her insight, and her investigative talents, and Tilda learns about his abilities, and to trust and depend on him. They become unlikely friend, with an obviously slow simmering attraction to each other, despite their vastly different backgrounds.
This was an enjoyable story and a solid start to a series about their partnership and growing relationship with each other. The murder mystery was on that started decades earlier and involves a couple of generations and many characters, and is a bit twisty, but was quite intriguing, and opening the can of worms that is corruption in the police force as well. I quite enjoyed the secondary characters and their relationships with Tilda, and Ravenhust, including Tilda's grandmother, housekeeper, and Vaughn, the butler-who-will-not-stop-butlering. This is NOT a sensual HEA romance. But I like Ravenhurst and Wren's characters and their friendship with low simmering heat dynamic, and am now invested and want to see where this will go.
4 stars out of 5
This is the first book of a new series by Darcy Burke that is a bit of a different genre from what I am used to from her. This is a Victorian murder mystery with a very very slow burn romance, with differing social class themes, a strong, independent, intelligent female lead and a hint of the paranormal. At first I was drawing some comparisons between this and Cara Devlin's Bow Street Duchess series, as there are some similarities, but in the end, I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to where Raven and Wren are going to go with their stories and adventures.
This opens with Hadrian Becket, the Earl of Ravenhurst almost losing his life in a vicious attract that leaves him severely injured. As he slowly recovers, he is fearful of being declared mad as he discovers he is having strange visions when he touches things, such as the ring he is found with after his attack - a momento he came unknowingly came away with when he grappled with his attacker. He does not understand what is happening to him, and wants answers to his attack.
Tilda Wren is a middle class spinster who lives in London with her grandmother, helping care for her and her household, while determined to maintain her independence and forge a career for herself as an investigator. She is putting to work skills taught to her by her beloved father, a policeman who unfortunately died on the job. But it is difficult as many still look down on women working, and do not find a female working as an investigator as credible. She does find some work seeking information for divorce cases though. In the mean time, she is trying to track down a family cousin, who is managing her grandmother's funds, to seek either control from him, or at least increased payments to their household, as they have not had any increase in years and are finding things tight.
Instead of gaining the meeting she is hoping for, she finds instead that her cousin has died suddenly. Questions about many things arise follow his death, and Tilda finds herself determined to find answers to them. In the meantime, Ravenhurst, following his own visions and his desire to seek answers to his own attack, finds his path crossing with Tilda. He has little satisfaction from Bow Street as they have closed his case, and when he finds out Tilda is an investigator and the clues he has followed have also lead to her cousin, and his death, he engages Tilda to investigate for him, so long as he can participate as well. But fearful of being thought mad, he keeps several secrets from her, including his new found abilities.
As time passes, Ravenhurst develops a great liking, respect, and appreciation for Tilda, her insight, and her investigative talents, and Tilda learns about his abilities, and to trust and depend on him. They become unlikely friend, with an obviously slow simmering attraction to each other, despite their vastly different backgrounds.
This was an enjoyable story and a solid start to a series about their partnership and growing relationship with each other. The murder mystery was on that started decades earlier and involves a couple of generations and many characters, and is a bit twisty, but was quite intriguing, and opening the can of worms that is corruption in the police force as well. I quite enjoyed the secondary characters and their relationships with Tilda, and Ravenhust, including Tilda's grandmother, housekeeper, and Vaughn, the butler-who-will-not-stop-butlering. This is NOT a sensual HEA romance. But I like Ravenhurst and Wren's characters and their friendship with low simmering heat dynamic, and am now invested and want to see where this will go.
4 stars out of 5
July 10, 2024
Me encantó.
Lo malo es que ahora tendré que esperar no se cuanto tiempo para leer todos los libros.
Tanto Tilda como Hadrian me cayeron bien, me gustó como se manejo lo del misterio y lo de las visiones, las investigaciones, como nació su amistad. Necesito más de ellos.
¿Darcy cómo nos dejaste con tremendo adelanto del siguiente libro y ahora tenemos que esperar para ver como se desarrollará o destruirá la unión Wren & Raven??
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Lo malo es que ahora tendré que esperar no se cuanto tiempo para leer todos los libros.
Tanto Tilda como Hadrian me cayeron bien, me gustó como se manejo lo del misterio y lo de las visiones, las investigaciones, como nació su amistad. Necesito más de ellos.
¿Darcy cómo nos dejaste con tremendo adelanto del siguiente libro y ahora tenemos que esperar para ver como se desarrollará o destruirá la unión Wren & Raven??
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 9, 2024
Whisper of Death
This another good book by Darcy. I thoroughly enjoy her writing and this book did not disappoint. The characters were well developed and interesting. I love a good detective story especially when the main detective is a woman.
This another good book by Darcy. I thoroughly enjoy her writing and this book did not disappoint. The characters were well developed and interesting. I love a good detective story especially when the main detective is a woman.
July 27, 2024
After being viciously stabbed and left for dead, Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst struggles back to health only to discover he is cursed with a vexing ability to see visions he can’t explain. When it proves helpful in tracking his would-be killer, he has no choice but to embrace the newfound power. The retrocognition leads him to the house of Sir Henry Meacham a man recently deceased, where he encounters the clever and intriguing Miss Matilda Wren. The death of Tilda’s cousin has left her and her beloved grandmother in a precarious financial position when she discovers their investments have gone missing.
The start of a new series & a new genre for the author. A very well written page turner of a Victorian murder mystery, there are brilliant characters, twists & turns, intrigue, secrets & lovely chemistry between Hadrian & Tilda. I loved how the investigation developed & how the sleuthing couple gradually pieced together the jigsaw of clues. I loved it from the beginning but the more I read the more I became invested in the murders. There were edge of the seat moments leading to a thrilling climax. The author knocked it out of the ball park & I look forward to more in what I hope is a long series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The start of a new series & a new genre for the author. A very well written page turner of a Victorian murder mystery, there are brilliant characters, twists & turns, intrigue, secrets & lovely chemistry between Hadrian & Tilda. I loved how the investigation developed & how the sleuthing couple gradually pieced together the jigsaw of clues. I loved it from the beginning but the more I read the more I became invested in the murders. There were edge of the seat moments leading to a thrilling climax. The author knocked it out of the ball park & I look forward to more in what I hope is a long series
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
July 31, 2024
Darcy Burke has given us her first historical mystery, set in the Victorian era, with Miss Matilda Wren (Tilda) and the Earl of Ravenhurst, Hadrian Becket as the next incarnation of a crime-solving duo, and it is a good one! I enjoyed the premise of how these two characters come to work together to solve several crimes, both in the present day and from the past, despite their significant social class differences. They are well-matched protagonists, drawn with depth as they slowly begin to realize how much they value and respect each other's intellect and kindness to others. And I definitely felt that Burke came to know and understand her characters, their feelings and motivations more and more as the story progressed.
I did struggle with becoming invested in the plot in the initial third of the book, when it seemed like Hadrian repeatedly thought about whether his newfound "gift" (after being attacked and concussed in the opening scene) would land him in the lunatic asylum, and Tilda often worried about her family's financial state and where the second investment had gone. For me, parts of that first third of the book felt a bit overwritten and were slow on action, intrigue, and moving the story forward. Following the first third, however, the story took off and grew stronger and stronger with each chapter. I was blown away by who the villain turned out to be (though it wasn't someone whom I could deduce by following the cast of characters carefully during the story). Still, I thought Burke did an excellent job of revealing motives for the crimes and tying up all the loose ends for a very satisfying ending.
For her first outing in this genre, Darcy Burke gives her readers a solid whodunit, and I am already looking forward to reading the next book in her Raven & Wren series, A Whisper at Midnight.
4.25 stars
I received an Advance Reader Copy of A Whisper of Death from the publisher, Oliver-Heber Books, via BookSprout, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
I did struggle with becoming invested in the plot in the initial third of the book, when it seemed like Hadrian repeatedly thought about whether his newfound "gift" (after being attacked and concussed in the opening scene) would land him in the lunatic asylum, and Tilda often worried about her family's financial state and where the second investment had gone. For me, parts of that first third of the book felt a bit overwritten and were slow on action, intrigue, and moving the story forward. Following the first third, however, the story took off and grew stronger and stronger with each chapter. I was blown away by who the villain turned out to be (though it wasn't someone whom I could deduce by following the cast of characters carefully during the story). Still, I thought Burke did an excellent job of revealing motives for the crimes and tying up all the loose ends for a very satisfying ending.
For her first outing in this genre, Darcy Burke gives her readers a solid whodunit, and I am already looking forward to reading the next book in her Raven & Wren series, A Whisper at Midnight.
4.25 stars
I received an Advance Reader Copy of A Whisper of Death from the publisher, Oliver-Heber Books, via BookSprout, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
August 7, 2024
A thrilling foray into the world of mystery! I have long been a fan of Darcy Burke’s style and this journey into historical mystery intrigued me. I have always enjoyed an element of suspense in my reads and Raven & Wren’s story definitely provided that. It incorporated many of the elements I enjoy in romance from the tension to the anticipation with a hint of romance to come. The slow burn of Raven & Wren reminds me of couples like Booth & Bones from the tv series Bones. They carry out a similar partnership with each bringing their own unique talents and gifts to the pairing. Similarly you watch as a slow simmer begins to kindle as they get to know each other, the tension of working alongside someone increasing as their case unfolds. This story will keep you on your toes, guessing and hoping at every turn. I am excited to see this pairing grow and am eager for these two kind, lovable characters embrace their potential romance. They have both been through so much and deserve their own happy ever after.
July 22, 2024
I am a fan of this author and I have been getting in to historical mysteries that are on the cozier side (not graphic in violence/sex) and this fit the bill. I liked the slightly paranormal aspect with the MMC having the curse, which is different than the typical paranormal mysteries I read where the MFC are the magical being some how. It was dual POV and is a slow burn romance. I really liked that Matilda was the experienced investigator and Hadrian acknowledged and expressed his admiration for how great she was at her job. I love a man that just gives adoration. She was so smart and she was so kind at the same time. Her kindness towards her uncles butler was so sweet. I liked Hadrian at the end he was like working hard to find a reason to spend time with her again, as a man should! I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you NetGalley and to the Author for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 13, 2025
This book might read a little slow for some, but I loved the building to the end. Set in Victorian England, we find a woman trying to be a police inspector (simply unheard of in those times), but her father had been with Scotland Yard and he taught her everything she knows ... and she's very good at what she does. At her side, trying to solve his own brutal stabbing is Hadrian Beckett, Earl of Ravenhurst. The Earl is certain that it was not a simple robber that tried to kill him. In fact, he looked into his assailant's eyes and saw the surprise there, right before collapsing in the street from his nearly fatal wounds. These two together make a surprisingly good team. Because of his injury, the Earl brings a special gift to the table, but one that he cannot easily share because it just might land him in an asylum! Join these sleuths as they pursue a serial killer, and someone else, who pulls all the strings!!
July 29, 2024
Oh my gosh! I need more stars. This deserves so many more than a measly five. This book pulled me in from the moment it opened and never let go. Even now that it’s over, I’m still kind of hung up on it. It was a twisty, deceptive mystery that kept me guessing, and I loved following along as Tilda and Hadrian uncovered the clues. I’m completely charmed by the unlikely friendship these two have struck, and I’m (not so) secretly hoping to see it turn into something much more. The premise of the next in the series has my jaw completely unhinged and I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
December 15, 2024
A Victorian mystery that has nothing to do with The Ripper. FINALLY. This was good, the slow burn was ridiculously slow (just inklings in this first tale) and foggy, but I'm here for it. I love that the psychometry was given to the male protagonist, usually it's the female who is psychic or has psychic powers. So it's a bit refreshing to see it from a male perspective. You don't really have heroes who are afraid of Bedlam. The mystery was solved satisfactorily, and no big speech from the villain that would've lasted hours. I can't wait to dig into the second one.
February 20, 2025
This was pretty solid. Good leads. Enough action to keep the plot moving along steadily. Victorian spiritualist sensibility as a piece of the plot. A good cliffhanger for part 2. I called the motive much earlier in the book than the characters cycled back to it. Read on Kindle Unlimited and found a couple of editing errors, but overall enjoyed.
March 9, 2025
I enjoyed this a lot and I’m definitely going to continue with the series. It’s Victorian, there’s a mystery, people are getting m*rdered, money is missing, there’s some sort of weird clairvoyance, and what I’m hoping is the beginning of a slow burn romance (seriously, please, I beg of you Ms. Burke…we didn’t get it from Miss Scarlett & the Duke so let us have a win here).
4⭐️
4⭐️
February 20, 2025
Really enjoyable
This was a really good start to a series. At times the period felt more Georgian than Victorian but that didn't spoil the story in any way. I look forward to reading more Raven & Wren.
This was a really good start to a series. At times the period felt more Georgian than Victorian but that didn't spoil the story in any way. I look forward to reading more Raven & Wren.
August 1, 2024
This has got to be one of the most boring mysteries I have ever read.
Nothing in this story made me want to keep reading. I was never invested. The main characters, Matilda and Ravenhurst, as likeable as they might be, were a bit bland.
I feel like the whole book was a lot of tell and not enough show. The pacing was slow and the way information was given sometimes felt repetitive.
As for the paranormal aspect, I think the author didn't put Ravenhurst's new ability to good use. It was only used to get the story going and in certain convenient situations. But at times, it was as if Ravenhurst was just a regular person.
The premise of this book sounded so good, I'm saddened that the story didn't live up to it. Needless to say, I won't be reading the sequel.
Nothing in this story made me want to keep reading. I was never invested. The main characters, Matilda and Ravenhurst, as likeable as they might be, were a bit bland.
I feel like the whole book was a lot of tell and not enough show. The pacing was slow and the way information was given sometimes felt repetitive.
As for the paranormal aspect, I think the author didn't put Ravenhurst's new ability to good use. It was only used to get the story going and in certain convenient situations. But at times, it was as if Ravenhurst was just a regular person.
The premise of this book sounded so good, I'm saddened that the story didn't live up to it. Needless to say, I won't be reading the sequel.
February 22, 2025
I really like it and could not put it down, you normally know who did it but did not reveal itself , until near the end
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2025
Great characters!
I very much enjoyed this book! Excellent writing which drew me in to the time and place. Well done! On to the next in the series.
I very much enjoyed this book! Excellent writing which drew me in to the time and place. Well done! On to the next in the series.
March 18, 2025
I liked it for the most part. It was a little dry in places and I found myself skipping a few pages or speed reading to get past it. I'm interested enough to continue reading the series.
September 12, 2024
2.5 stars
Went into this hoping to add a new series to my collection with what I believed would be a very promising, paranormal mystery.
I completely lost interest around the halfway mark and it's mostly because the plot doesn't go anywhere groundbreaking. The book suffers from too much over-explanation and constant repetitive summarization and theorizing. We would get a line from Tilda where she gives her thoughts on a new development only to have Hadrian parrot the same thought in the same conversation almost as if he didn't hear her. And this is a common thing throughout the book. Clues and evidence that are so painfully obvious yet bland as hell, are treated like the most revealing breakthrough to the case they're investigating. They would paraphrase bits of a previous conversation as if the thoughts were only just coming to them now. Started to feel like they just liked hearing themselves talk.
There were great bones for sure here, but I still found it hard to enjoy when no aspect of the story was able to carry its own weight.
Went into this hoping to add a new series to my collection with what I believed would be a very promising, paranormal mystery.
I completely lost interest around the halfway mark and it's mostly because the plot doesn't go anywhere groundbreaking. The book suffers from too much over-explanation and constant repetitive summarization and theorizing. We would get a line from Tilda where she gives her thoughts on a new development only to have Hadrian parrot the same thought in the same conversation almost as if he didn't hear her. And this is a common thing throughout the book. Clues and evidence that are so painfully obvious yet bland as hell, are treated like the most revealing breakthrough to the case they're investigating. They would paraphrase bits of a previous conversation as if the thoughts were only just coming to them now. Started to feel like they just liked hearing themselves talk.
There were great bones for sure here, but I still found it hard to enjoy when no aspect of the story was able to carry its own weight.
March 27, 2025
It is well written, even though a bit unbelievable. But I like strong, independent women and men who give them the respect they deserve. So I admire Tilda, and appreciate Hadrian whose role is the secondary one, and the chemistry between them. Random thought - perhaps this series should have been called Wren and Raven.
However, the content lacked the novelty value. The theme of someone having the special power of seeing someone's memories through objects that have touched was recently explored in the series The Bow Street Duchess. The main story arc is something I have read in a few books before (not elaborating on that to avoid spoilers), and I don't even claim to have a very wide repertoire of thrillers, and definitely not contemporary ones.
Overall, I found it engaging and will give a try to some sequels.
However, the content lacked the novelty value. The theme of someone having the special power of seeing someone's memories through objects that have touched was recently explored in the series The Bow Street Duchess. The main story arc is something I have read in a few books before (not elaborating on that to avoid spoilers), and I don't even claim to have a very wide repertoire of thrillers, and definitely not contemporary ones.
Overall, I found it engaging and will give a try to some sequels.
November 28, 2024
1868 One evening Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst is attacked. Resulting in seeing visions. The first vision leads to the home of the very recently deceased Sir Henry Meacham, at the same time as Miss Matilda Wren, an investigator. Soon Matilda is employed by Ravenhurst, as they become suspicious of Meacham's death.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters, supported by a cast of varied personalities. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable main characters, supported by a cast of varied personalities. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2024
Good character development and decent pacing, and the paranormal element fits in believably. I liked that the secrets between Hadrian and Tilda didn’t drag out. Both are inquisitive and sensible. Not much tension between the MCs, but rather a quiet respect. The resolution felt rushed, but I was entertained by the main characters so I didn’t care. I’m eager for the next book for their relationship as well as another mystery.
I received an arc from NetGalley.
I received an arc from NetGalley.
February 23, 2025
The H is a victim of a late night attack, resulting in uncomforable new skills. The h is not gentry, but he admires her investigating skills. I liked how they partnered to solve a terrible historical crime.
September 24, 2024
I liked the story line, I didn’t care for the “special insights” attributed to the ring. It’s too close to witchcraft, and I don’t need to entertain devils. I have enough REAL spiritual battles to fight already.
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