Genre: Mystery, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
“Deception. The lie that tells the truth.”
A damaged painting tempts Clearwater to a final battle with his arch-enemy, and it’s not a summons he can ignore. Archer must free his homicidal brother from incarceration and reinstate him to the title. He will be left humiliated and penniless, but free to live his life with Silas with no threat of exposure. The alternative is death.
Drawing inspiration from a work of art, Clearwater manipulates a series of illusions to stay one step ahead of the endgame. While James, Tom and Silas race to solve clues and reach Archer before the fatal deadline, the assassin, Dorjan, remains hot on his heels ready to kill.
The sixth book in The Clearwater Mysteries series brings back popular characters from previous adventures in a fast-paced, twisting mystery that can have only one of two possible endings.
Or perhaps one of three. After all, deception is the lie that tells the truth.
The Review
Archer is beside himself. He’s figured out a devious scheme that will very likely kill him. He’s gotten all his affairs in order and is getting ready to meet with those that are close to him, better known as his crew.
Silas, James, Thomas, Jake, Danylo and Andrej are ready to accept their responsibility in Archer’s plan to put an end to the evil Quill. The plan is a good one, and everyone has to stay positive and believe it will work. But Silas, Thomas and James find themselves desperately trying to stay one step ahead of the game. Archer has examined all the possibilities for failure, and is prepared in case of his death.
Will everyone be ready to take on this dangerous deed? Who will survive?
For me this is one of the best 18th century, Victorian mysteries series set in London. Marsh never fails to deliver on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense, danger, mystery and explosive excitement.
What really stands out with “The Clearwater Mysteries” is the camaraderie throughout each novel. This group of heroes is made up of friends and lovers, and with each tale there’s always something new to learn about each character. There’s also an interesting change for Mrs. Norwood in this book, as her life starts off in a new direction.
This extraordinary group of men could very well be detectives, and without giving anything away, I couldn’t fathom “Artful Deception” ending in any other way. I’m ready for book seven – “Home From Nowhere” – which takes a little different direction with yet another fascinating mystery.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
