Deadly Kin: A Georgian Historical Mystery

Alec Halsey Mystery Series Book 4

Fiction - Mystery - Historical
419 Pages
Reviewed on 11/19/2019
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Author Biography

LUCINDA BRANT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Georgian historical romances and mysteries. Her novels are 'smart, witty adventures, full of heart wrenching drama with a happily ever after', and where 'history is more than a setting'.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Lucinda taught History and Geography at an exclusive boarding school for young ladies. When not writing or researching her next novel, Lucinda is in the land of Pinterest, where she is a Pinterest Queen. Go behind the scenes of the research for each of her books and immerse yourself in the 18th century by checking out her Pinterest boards: https://www.pinterest.com/lucindabrant/

Lucinda lives in the middle of a koala reserve and drinks coffee like water.

All her books are available as audiobooks, narrated by RADA trained British actor Alex Wyndham—star of HBO's ROME, the BBC's Little Dorrit, and most recently The Crimson Field.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Deadly Kin: A Georgian Historical Mystery by Lucinda Brant is the fourth book in the Alec Halsey Mystery Series, preceded by Deadly Engagement, Deadly Affair, and Deadly Peril. In this installment, which reads as a standalone, Lord Alec Halsey and his wife, Selina, are enjoying the comforts of wedded bliss and expecting their first child. News of the disappearance of Hugh, the errant teenage son of a family in Alec's employ—the steward of Deer Park, Paul Turner—and a discovery under the flagstones on his Kent property brings a quiet that has only been intermittently disturbed by groundwork to an end. News of a secret regarding his uncle and father throws everything Alec thought he knew about his family history into doubt. “And there's more, a lot more, but that'll have to wait for another day.”

Lucinda Brant offers up another Alec Halsey triumph with Deadly Kin, tightening the threads of an intricately woven quilt that is Lord Halsey's life. The historical detail is stunning and the overlapping mysteries allow for a balance of Georgian beauty and trademark Brant tension on every page. In Deadly Peril, we learned how imperfect the perfect Alec actually was, but Deadly Kin digs deeper into the Halsey past and brings forth some dark secrets that his Uncle Plantagenet (and who else remains to be seen) has guarded closely for Alec's entire life. This book ranks in the top three I have read all year and I am officially a die-hard fan of the Alec Halsey Mystery Series.

K.C. Finn

Deadly Kin: A Georgian Historical Mystery is a historical mystery novel penned by author Lucinda Brant. In this, the fourth novel in the Alec Halsey Mystery Series, we return to the year 1764 at the height of summer. Alec and his wife Selina have settled at Deer Park to await the birth of their first child, with Alec on his guard after the events of his last encounter. But when a young poacher is found dead, Alec is compelled once again to use his skills and investigate the cause of death. What results is a winding road of mysterious information that leads Alec back to his own family and truth he may have rather not uncovered.

Encountering the world of the Alec Halsey Mystery Series is sure to please fans of high historical drama, realistic romance, and cozy mysteries with lots of suspense and intrigue. Fans of the continuing series will certainly enjoy the revealing of Alec’s personal drama and his family bonds, whilst newcomers can dive straight into a brand new mystery and a murder that is most exciting to uncover. The plot structure is well arranged for reveals, secrets and sudden changes of scenery, and the characters are beautifully charming, with just the right balance of historical glamour and post-modern sensibilities to make them super relatable for modern-day readers. Plantagenet was a personal favorite of mine: he leaped off the page, the old devil! Overall, Deadly Kin ticks all the boxes for a perfect Georgian mystery: a highly recommended read.

Romuald Dzemo

Deadly Kin: A Georgian Historical Mystery is the fourth entry in the Alec Halsey Mystery Series by Lucinda Brant. Set in the summer of 1764, the story follows Alec, who, together with Selina, is impatiently looking forward to the birth of their first child. There is excitement about settling down in the estate in Kent and nurturing the family. But Alec is pulled out to investigate a murder. Things get complicated when a family secret comes to light during the renovations of his estate. A burial chamber in his own estate has Alec wondering if he is the person he has grown up believing he is. And can he uncover the whole truth to the mystery?

I loved this novel right from the first page with the hunt of the stag. The author introduces readers to the setting and captures the seasons, the location in which the narrative takes place and some cultural elements with brilliance. The prose is tight and very descriptive, punctuated by dialogues that deepen plot points and enhance character depth. Lucinda Brant knows how to capture and retain the interest of the reader, keeping them focused through every page. The voice is strong and compelling and the points of view come out in an unmistakable way through the narrative. The characters are elaborately developed and, apart from the protagonist, I loved Uncle Plantagenet. He is an unusual character, the kind that displays so little but knows so much. Deadly Kin: A Georgian Historical Mystery is an intelligently plotted and deftly written mystery. I found it as well written as it is transporting.