The Truths That Tether

Q&Z Regency Mysteries Book 3

Fiction - Mystery - Historical
290 Pages
Reviewed on 05/26/2025
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Truths That Tether by Sandra and Taylor Preisler is a gripping Regency-era mystery that pairs high society intrigue with a twisty investigation full of secrets, lies, and shifting loyalties. Lady Zoe Demas is asked to help locate a missing serving girl, and she once again teams up with sharp-witted inquiry agent Quinton Huxley. What begins as a suspected con at a gambling hell soon spirals into a dangerous web of murder, deceit, and personal reckoning. As the body count rises and the emotional stakes escalate, Quinton must confront shocking truths from his past while navigating his growing connection to the fierce and perceptive Zoe. Set in the shadowy corners of 1811 London, this third installment in the Q&Z Regency Mysteries delivers another clever, character-driven whodunnit that explores how truth can both heal and destroy.

Author team Sandra and Taylor Preisler have a way with character that draws you into the story through their expertise and slick dialogue. This smoothness extends into the prose to blend historical detail, mystery, and romance in an engaging, high-stakes narrative. I was hooked throughout. I loved the chemistry between Lady Zoe and Quinton, packed with both wit and emotional depth, and grounding the plot in character work that shows off everything they learn from the twists and challenges they face. This means every victory feels earned, and every setback in the mystery is powerfully impactful. This makes for a thoroughly satisfying Regency mystery that keeps you guessing while peeling back layers of character secrets that are satisfying and fascinating. Overall, The Truths That Tether is a highly recommended read for fans of the existing series, and for newcomers who want a thrilling and in-depth mystery with plenty of emotional heart.

Olga Markova

The Truths That Tether, by the talented mother-and-daughter duo Sandra and Taylor Preisler, is a captivating Regency mystery. The story unfolds in London at the turn of the 19th century. Alexander Dovefield, a baron’s son, asks Quinton Huxley, an inquiry agent, to investigate the disappearance of Miss Katie Shorn, a girl who had worked for a gambling hell Alexander frequented. Quinton does not fancy Alexander as his client, but Lady Zoe Demas, Quinton’s friend and Alexander’s cousin, put in a word, and Quinton agreed. Meanwhile, an unexpected discovery of Quinton’s true ancestry opens new opportunities and challenges for Quinton, and especially for his relationship with Lady Zoe Demas. What happened to Miss Katie Shorn? And what does life have in store for Quinton?

The Truths That Tether is the third book in Sandra and Taylor Preisler’s Q&Z Regency Mystery series. This captivating blend of mystery and historical fiction absorbed me instantly once I saw its awesome cover and kept me in its grip until the finale. A fan of English history and crime fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel because it offered a crime investigation against the backdrop of the Regency period in England. I liked how the authors portrayed life during the Regency period and, in particular, the class prejudices and restrictions on women’s rights. And most of all, I liked the cinematic quality of the storyline and the Regency period atmosphere the authors conveyed through the lifestyle, language, and dress of the characters. I highly recommend this brilliant novel to historical fiction and mystery fans.

Carol Thompson

The Truths That Tether is an addition to the Q&Z Regency Mysteries, drawing readers into an atmospheric London of 1811 where danger, secrets, and romance intertwine. Authors Sandra and Taylor Preisler deliver a narrative filled with intrigue, emotion, and the unmistakable tension of a well-crafted mystery. Lady Zoe Demas is a strong-willed and intelligent woman whose determination propels the investigation into the disappearance of a serving girl. Her partnership with the astute inquiry agent Quinton Huxley offers a thrilling detective dynamic and a simmering undercurrent of romantic tension that deepens with each page. Their growing bond is handled with care, providing emotional vibrancy alongside the unfolding mystery.

The plot skillfully balances multiple layers: a missing girl, a gambling hell scandal, and the shadowy presence of an Irish mobster. What begins as a straightforward inquiry soon reveals darker motives and a complex web of deception. As the narrative deepens, unexpected bodies turn up, and the question of who can be trusted becomes increasingly urgent. Quinton’s personal revelations add another dimension to the story, offering a poignant exploration of identity and past choices. With sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and a plot that steadily escalates in stakes, The Truths That Tether delivers a satisfying and immersive read. It continues the series’ tradition of thoughtful storytelling, combining mystery, character development, and period detail. Sandra and Taylor Preisler offer resolution while still allowing space for characters to breathe and grow. Readers invested in the fates of Quinton and Zoe will find this story both rewarding and emotionally satisfying.