Treacherous is the Night
Treacherous Is the Night by Anna Lee Huber Kensington Books Historical Fiction , Mystery & Thrillers Pub Date 25 Sep 2018
Review
Treacherous is the Night is an amazing piece of historical fiction. Not only does it provide insight into the changing role of women after WWI, it doesn’t shy from discussing the effects of time in the trenches on soldiers or from portraying the callous “patriotism” of those not directly involved in the war. The effects of war play a central roles in this espionage/mystery. On the one hand, there is the strain on Verity and Sidney’s marriage. (Verity had believed Sidney dead until only recently, and he was unaware of her work for the secret service). On the other hand is the more complex and compelling mystery- the disappearance of one of Verity’s former associates. Anna Lee Huber’s characters are complex, flawed, and affected realistically by their experiences. She is balanced in her portrayals, clearly understanding why some individuals collaborated or had relationships with German soldiers, as well as reminding the reader not every German was evil. Anna Lee Huber also has an eye for detail that comes through in her descriptions of the Belgian post WWI landscape, the cities slowly coming back to life, the roads and villages demolished, now slowly being rebuilt, the people doing better but still suffering from shortages and privation. It is her attention to detail in both character and setting that brings Treacherous is the Night to life in such an impressive manner.
The novel begins with a seance. Spiritualism was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century. Verity doesn’t believe, but she allows herself to be convinced to accompany her friend Daphne. Madame Zozza has a message purportedly from an associate of Verity’s. It is clear the message is a fake, but the secrets within are real and classified. Before Verity can question Madame Zozza, the woman is killed in a fire. With her husband by her side, Verity travels to Belgium, intent on finding her former ally, and discovering the meaning behind the strange message.
Treacherous is the Night is an exceptional post WWI historical thriller. I look forward to reading more of Anna Lee Huber’s work.
5 / 5
I received a copy of Treacherous is the Night from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
— Crittermom
Description
“My favorite new mystery series!” —Alyssa Maxwell, USA Today bestselling author In 1919 England, in the shadow of The Great War, many look to the spirit world for answers. But it will take an all too earthbound intrigue to draw in the discerning heroine of Anna Lee Huber’s latest mystery . . . It’s not that Verity Kent doesn’t sympathize with those eager to make contact with lost loved ones. After all, she once believed herself a war widow. But now that she’s discovered Sidney is very much alive, Verity is having enough trouble connecting with her estranged husband, never mind the dead. Still, at a friend’s behest, Verity attends a séance, where she encounters the man who still looms between her and Sidney—and a medium who channels a woman Verity once worked with in the Secret Service. Refusing to believe her former fellow spy is dead, Verity is determined to uncover the source of the spiritualist’s top secret revelation. Then the medium is murdered—and Verity’s investigation is suddenly thwarted. Even Secret Service agents she once trusted turn their backs on her. Undaunted, Verity heads to war-torn Belgium, with Sidney by her side. But as they draw ever closer to the danger, Verity wonders if she’s about to learn the true meaning of till death do us part . . .
