Millstone of Doubt ~ Review

Millstone of Doubt
Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery #2
By Erica Vetsch

In this, the second book in the Thorndike and Swann series,  Bow Street runner Daniel Swann is closer to the end of his mysterious patronage. But first, he has to find out who killed Mr. Montgomery. And if he can get aid in his investigation from Lady Juliette Thorndike, so much the better. 

Juliette's parents are again sent away on assignment at the Crown's behest, much to Juliette's dismay. And with her parents absent, her spy training again falls to her Uncle Bertie. And her debut season is returned to the guidance of the Dowager Duchess of Haverly.  But soon, Juliette has greater concerns on her mind when her dear friend Agatha Montgomery loses her father in a most untimely manner. 

What was the motivation behind Mr. Garfield Montgomery's murder? Daniel has little time to get through all the layers of this case to find a killer before he is left to manage on his own and possibly no longer be a Bow Street Runner. With Juliette's close connection to Agatha, Daniel is more than willing to let her offer assistance on this case while they both hone their spy-craft skills when anarchists start stirring up trouble close to home.  

Millstone of Doubt is an excellent read as we get to know both Juliette and Daniel better. There are a few life lessons to be discovered along the way that are needed. And there are some intriguing and unexpected twists that will most definitely have some bearing on any future books in the series. I love Erica Vetsch's writing style; the characters aren't perfect and even have flaws that they aren't aware of. There are lighthearted moments to counter the serious, and it is well-balanced so that it is realistic and not outlandish in any way. This is the perfect pairing with The Debutant's Code.

I was provided a copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

About the Book:

Regency London’s detective duo is back on a new case–and this one is going to be a killer

Caught in the explosion of the Hammersmith Mill in London, Bow Street Runner Daniel Swann rushes to help any survivors only to find the mill’s owner dead of an apparent gunshot.

Even though the owner’s daughter, Agatha Montgomery, mourns his death, it seems there are more than a few people with motive for murder. But Daniel can’t take this investigation slow and steady. Instead, he must dig through all the suspects as quickly as he can, because the clock is ticking until his mysterious patronage–and his job as a runner–comes to an abrupt and painful end. It seems to Daniel that, like his earthly father, his heavenly Father has abandoned him to the fates.

Lady Juliette Thorndike is Agatha’s bosom friend and has the inside knowledge of the wealthy London ton to be invaluable to Daniel. She should be in a perfect position to help with the case. Still, her instructor in the art of spy craft orders her to stay out of the investigation. But circumstances intervene, dropping her into the middle of the deadly pursuit.

When a dreadful accident ends in another death on the mill floor, Daniel discovers a connection to his murder case–and to his own secret past. Now he and Juliette are in a race to find the killer before his time runs out.