Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage--a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.

When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim...

Series: A Lady Darby Mystery

Review

After being ostracized from society, young widow Lady Kiera Darby goes into seclusion in the Scottish highlands at the castle of her sister and brother-in-law. It’s bad enough Lady Darby’s late husband was an anatomist, but people are scandalized when they learned Sir Anthony took advantage of his wife’s skills as an artist to draw the bodies he was studying.  Lady Darby wants to be left alone to paint portraits and landscapes in the privacy of her sister Alana’s home, but then one of her sister’s houseguests is murdered. Lady Darby is surprised when her brother-in-law Philip calls on her knowledge of the human body to help private inquiry agent Sebastian Gage find the young woman’s murderer. The other guests at the castle are not pleased to be reminded of Lady Darby’s experience with dead bodies. However, Kiera finds the hardest thing about working on the case is resisting ignoring her growing feelings for fellow investigator.

The Anatomist’s Wife is a unique historical mystery taking place in 1830 in the Scottish highlands. The book has the eerie atmosphere and tense mood of a classic gothic suspense novel. Anna Lee Huber is a wonderfully descriptive writer. There is a scene at the beginning of the book in which Lady Darby and Gage go down into the cellar to view the murder victim’s body that is described so vividly, I could almost feel the chilled, musty air of the castle.

Kiera and her sister Alana are interesting characters. They are at different places in their lives, but are both outspoken for their time and always loving and supportive of each other. Alana’s husband Philip isn’t fully developed as a character, but seems kind and is also supportive of Kiera, in spite of the opinions of others. The other main character, Sebastian Gage, is a self-proclaimed rake and seems arrogant and shallow at the beginning of the book. However, as Kiera gets to know him better, a different side of him is revealed and I began to like him and hope that he and Kiera would grow closer. Eventually, their distrust of each other does change to respect and then friendship. However, those hoping for romantic scenes between the two will be disappointed. Although there seems to be a mutual attraction, it is mostly kindness on the part of Gage and appreciative glances and not much more than that. After the murder is solved, the ending is abrupt, but the story ends saying the two will meet again.

For the most part, I like this book and the story of Kiera and Gage working together, using unconventional methods, to solve the murder. I had a hard time with how horribly Kiera is treated by some of the other women, especially since they are guests in her own sister’s home. It was obviously improper for Kiera to have been exposed to dead bodies, but the others treat her like she is an evil witch and automatically assume she is a murderer. The other people were so cruel to Kiera, instead of being powerful, it comes across as melodramatic. This is still an exceptional mystery with interesting characters and setting. Those who enjoy the historical mysteries of Anne Perry or Victoria Thompson will enjoy this new series.

Reviewed by Christine K.

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