Death from the Druid’s Grove by Deb Marlowe
The Kier and Levitt Mystery series #2. Historical mystery with minor romance thread at the end. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
October 1851. A murder interrupts the closing ceremonies of the Great Exhibition. Mr. Naill Kier and Miss Kara Levitt begin an investigation in Druid’s Grove, a secret society, when a friend is a suspect of the local police. But nothing is as it seems in the Grove and Naill and Kara themselves are in danger as they ask questions and try to help.

Impressive. I can’t imagine the level of research it must have taken to include the details in the book, even knowing that the story itself is fiction.
I could easily visualize the scenes as these two inventors / tinkerers / scientists tracked clues and dug up facts that the police missed or weren’t trusted. The chase scene through the booby-trapped buildings was riveting as each next trap door or roof panel was narrowly missed or one of them fell victim to.
Some of the murders are heartbreaking. I loved and was so impressed with how compassionate Kara was with one of their informants. That scene alone went from dangerous to heartbreaking to admiration.
Fantastic historical mystery. I can’t wait to dive into the next book.
Book 1 - A Killer in the Crystal Palace
Book 2 - Death from the Druid’s Grove
Book 3 - Murder on the Mirrored Lake ( )

Societies of women, societies of wealthy, societies full of those with no advantages. We meet them all, we have secrets coming to light despite people’s best intentions of keeping them buried. Kara has gotten herself in the middle of another murder and with her equal partner, they pull their strengths to uncover long ago buried secrets. You will rude a rollercoaster of emotions, clues, danger and secrets with this mystery. In the end Kara will not be told what to do and soon a new adventure will be found. Take the ride with her and Naill and soon you will be adding up the clues and solving murders. ( )

Murder and more!

Marlowe’s portrayal of Kara Levett, the rather stunning young woman with position and riches, who lives the life she wants constructing automations in Victorian England is brilliant!
Niall Kier, the rather gorgeous and mysterious Scot who forges masterpieces, panels of wrought iron, is equally as fascinating.
Together they sparkle. Their friendship asks nothing and gives everything. Last we met they were tracking down a killer in the Crystal Palace whilst avoiding the police and in particular Mr. Lionel Wooten, an inspector with Scotland Yard.
Here, Kara is being inducted into the Order of Druidic Bards, along with another candidate Miss Janet Ottridge, whose rendition of a poem is somewhat threatening.
How threatening is later demonstrated when Miss Ottridge is found dead, having drunk a tea laced with poisonous plants from the Druid’s grove!
Members of the Druid’s group come under scrutiny when an accounting notebook with details of what looks like amounts of money is listed next to some prominent names about town. The ugly thought of blackmail is mooted. A reason for her death, and a list of suspects!
Kara and Niall work together with their friend Inspector Wooten, to find out all they can about Janet Ottridge. The trail leads into the past and a deplorable, murky event that had shocked the public.
Kara has noticed a particular woman watching them. It seems this person is not involved with the current case but has ill feelings towards Kara. Why?
The plot captivated me! As the story ended I was left wondering just how quickly Deb Marlowe’s pen can produce the next in the series? Soon, I hope!

A Dragonblade ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )

This author normally writes historical romance – and does a great job of it – but I think she missed her calling because she does an outstanding job with historical mysteries as well. The author has captured the complexities of the time, the excitement of the Great Exhibition, and the mysticism of a Druidic society along with characters who are so much more than they seem on the outside. Kara is wealthy, independent, artistic, talented, and more than capable of taking care of herself and Niall is handsome, large, brooding, artistic, protective, and filled with secrets he cannot reveal. OMGoodness – what a team they make!

In the first book of the series, we met a number of members of the Order of Druidic Bards. The order studies and preserves the old ways – old manuscripts, old musical instruments, etc. In the opening scene of this book, Kara is inducted into the Order along with one other person, Miss Janet Ottridge. Kara is welcomed into the Order with smiles and open arms, but the other woman – not so much. Kara wonders at the differences in their welcomes and realizes that there is something ‘off’ about the whole thing with Janet. Each new member must perform some ‘task’ that shows their understanding and preservation interests. While Kara’s was creative and lovely, Janet’s was strange and hinted at dire things to come. So, when Janet dies an unnatural death, the police are immediately suspicious of the Order – particularly Magistrate Towland. Kara and Niall know the kindhearted magistrate isn’t guilty and since he was instrumental in helping Kara prove her innocence (in the last book), they’ll do all they can to prove his innocence this time.

I love the way Kara and Niall work together, each playing to their own strengths. They have total respect and trust in each other and work together like a well-oiled machine. Though the victim is not a savory person, Kara and Niall want to find justice for her. When the murderer is revealed, you’ll be surprised, but you’ll also wonder (just a bit) if maybe he/she should have gotten away with it.

During the investigation, we learn a bit more about Niall’s past – not much – just enough to whet our appetites for the third and final book of the series. You are left wondering what in the world could be in his past that causes him so much danger now – especially when he was not the one who did something wrong. I can hardly wait to find out.

The mystery is excellently crafted and delivered as is the subplot involving Niall and his secrets. There are also some lovely poignant scenes between Kara and Niall that make you wonder how the two will ever overcome all of the obstacles in the way of their HEA.

I can definitely recommend this excellently written, nicely paced mystery. I would also like to petition Dragonblade Publishing to extend the contract on this series to include more books. I’d love to have more of Kara and Niall to look forward to.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )