Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark

Written by Victoria Hamilton

Narrated by Danielle Cohen

After receiving a distressing letter from a friend, Lady Anne Addison wastes no time in traveling to Yorkshire to offer whatever help she can. She has no idea what she'll find there, but she certainly wasn't expecting to be met by tales of a werewolf terrorizing the area-nor the dead body she discovers upon arriving. Driven by curiosity and a keen intelligence, Lady Anne dismisses the notion of such a beast, but she's nonetheless drawn into the mysteries by the secrecy surrounding her friend and the infuriating yet enticing Lord Darkefell.

With a murderer on the loose and the supposed werewolf ravaging livestock and terrifying the locals, Lady Anne puts her reservations aside and joins forces with the seductive Darkefell to get to the bottom of things. And though his nearness is a tempting distraction, Lady Anne manages to uncover one clue after another, unraveling the mysteries and drawing ever closer to the killer, even while her true feelings for the enigmatic marquess elude her . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781541433700

Victoria Hamilton

Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson.She now happily writes about vintage kitchen collecting, muffin baking, and dead bodies in the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mystery series. Besides writing about murder and mayhem, and blogging at Killer Characters, Victoria collects vintage kitchen wares and old cookbooks, as well as teapots and teacups.

Reviews for Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark

[vesper1931 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After receiving a letter from her friend Lydia, Lady Anne Addison rushes to Yorkshire and Darkefell Castle to be with her. But she arrives only to discover a body, and tales of werewolves. Being of an intelligent and curious nature she decides to investigate. But is she being helped or hindered by Lord Darkefell.
Set within the Georgian period, this is more of a mystery than a romance (thankfully), well-written and a story I really enjoyed with its very likeable characters. A very good solid start to a new series.
A NetGalley Book

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the most delightful mysteries I have come across in a long time. I am hooked! Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark is the first in the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries series, which makes me very happy because that means I have more of these wonderful Georgian historicals to look forward to. Author Victoria Hamilton skillfully blends all the best elements of romance and suspense, and the addition of werewolf sightings is icing on the cake. The setting in Yorkshire felt chilling and dangerous – as did the Marquess of Darkefell when Lady Anne Addison first met him.Lady Anne goes to Yorkshire at the request of her friend Lydia, the sister of Anne’s deceased fiancé. Lydia says werewolves are about. Anne doesn’t believe for a minute there are werewolves, but when she discovers a dead body upon her arrival she determines to do all she can to discover what is wrong and to fix it. This is not at all the way ladies of her time and station are supposed to behave. But as Lord Darkefell soon learns – to his alternating delight and dismay – Anne is not a typical lady and won’t be stopped. She is stubborn, willful, and often reckless. She is also intelligent and curious, fearless and loyal, and very alluring to the Marquess. Up to now Anne has considered her fiancé’s death an unhappy blessing and is quite willing to remain a spinster. She has more freedom than a married woman would have and because of her father’s position is wealthy in her own right and well educated. Why would she want to give that all up? But Darkefell has a hold on her that she can’t deny.It was so much fun to watch the back and forth between Anne and Darkefell. Each is infuriated by the other but also unable to fight the pull between them. I have a feeling (and fervent hope) that Lady Anne and Lord Darkefell will end up together but her narrow escape from marriage to Lydia’s brother has made her very cautious; she will not go quietly, nor would he want her to be a different woman even if he is loath to admit it. The supporting cast of characters is rich and full, well-developed with intriguing backstories that made me want to know them better. Some you will love, like Mary and Osei Boatin, some not so much, but they will all draw you in. And the Yorkshire countryside is so well described you feel you are there.I was lucky enough to listen to an audiobook version of Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark. Between author Victoria Hamilton’s superb plot and narrator Danielle Cohen’s superb narration, I often extended my daily walks because I couldn’t bear to stop listening. Fun fact: it took me a while to realize that Victoria Hamilton and Donna Lea Simpson are the same author. No wonder I love all her/their works. Just means more for my TBR. I received my copy of Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark from the author but was not required nor expected to provide a review. All opinions are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am thrilled that there are more adventures with Lady Anne and Lord Darkefell waiting for me.

[jmoncton_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lady Anne Addison travels to Yorkshire to help her friend Lydia who has written a very distressing letter. But on her way to the castle in the dark, Lady Anne hears a howl and a scream, and while rushing over to offer her assistance, she stumbles over something. What is it? A dead body of course!This was a fun cozy mystery, with Lady Anne battling possible werewolves, murderers, and traipsing around the countryside, all the while keeping her corsets and many layered skirts in order. And did I mention that there is a handsome, dark-eyed, moody Lord Darkfell? This was a little predictable and definitely on the light side, but entertaining and fun.

[carolesrandomlife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had a really nice time with this audiobook. I have listened to this narrator before and enjoyed her work so I thought I would give this series a try. I thought that this was really good. I found that once I got started with this audiobook, I eagerly listened to it for hours at a time. I am glad that I took a chance with this one.Lady Anne goes to visit a friend who is troubled. When she arrives in town, she is shocked when nobody is around to meet her and she is forced to walk from town to the estate. Her walk turns out to be a lot more exciting than she had hoped for when she hears what sounds like a wolf and trips over a dead body. When she finally makes it to her friend's home, she is met with not so welcoming ensemble. I was captivated by this mystery. I was very curious about what had happened to the poor maid that Anne stumbled over on the way to the estate. It turns out there have been several women who have died recently and I was just as puzzled as Anne was as to what was going on. The possible werewolf was another interesting element that had me guessing. I thought that Anne turned out to be a very good sleuth and it was fun watching her piece everything together.I liked the characters in this story. Anne was smart and rather bold. After her fiance's death years ago, she has decided not to wed and she has become a fiercely independent woman. Darkefell seemed to be her perfect match. He was used to being in charge but eventually decides to work with Anne to get to the bottom of the murders. I really liked Anne and Darkefell together and thought that they had fantastic chemistry.Danielle Cohen did a fantastic job with the narration. I felt like she really was able to bring this story to life. There was a nice sized cast of characters in this story and I thought that she did a really good job with all of them. I really liked her accent and thought that it added to the charm of the story. She read the story at a very nice pace. She was able to add a lot of excitement to the story. I feel like I enjoyed the book a bit more due to her narration.I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very well done story filled with great characters and a mystery that kept me guessing. I can't wait to get started on the second book in this delightful series!I received a review copy of this audiobook from the narrator.

[thequietreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Summoned to assist a friend, Lady Anne Addison travels to Yorkshire where she immediately discovers a body. Curious to know more when Lord Darkefell wishes to keep things hidden, this independent-minded lady begins to ask questions. Can she find a murderer without bringing danger on herself?The mystery in this book is excellent. The clues are scattered throughout the book and the solution is not immediately obvious. Lady Anne was an interesting main character. She is not beautiful, in fact, she's rather plain. She has a keen mind and isn't ashamed to use it. Her desire to help her friend made her sympathetic.Lord Darkefell, on the other hand, I did not like. He was the epitome of a brooding, angry man, and for the life of me, I could not understand what attracted Lady Anne. She claims to be drawn to him, but why? Because he was handsome? He was a complete jerk!The plot moved at an excellent pace., and the story remains in the bounds of what I would call a clean book. The supporting cast served their purpose, though none stood out as particularly unique.For readers interested in Georgian mystery, I would recommend this. I was given a copy through NetGalley for reviewing purposes and all opinions expressed are my own.

[eyes92c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Werewolves in the Yorkshire countryside!Lady Anne Addison's arrival in Yorkshire is surrounded by mishap. The picture of her arrival at the public coaching stop is both daunting and amusing. It does serve to show the mettle of this determined Georgian miss.Anne has flown to the defense of her friend Lydia after a letter that summons Anne post haste to her marital abode, Darkefell Castle.Anne's arrival problems compound when she is forced to continue to the Castle on foot. She hears a wolf like howl swell out over the forest, some rustling amongst the trees and undergrowth, and then she trips over a body. Enough to send me scurrying home! Not however Anne. Her arrival at the castle has elements of humor, farce and terror, covered as she is in mud and blood!This is an intelligent young woman who will follow clues and use logic to find the truth of the matter, even as the body count continues to pile up. Anne joins forces with the disturbing Marquess of Darkefell, an enigmatic figure, whom Anne finds herself strongly attracted to. However, Anne's independence is of prime concern to her. No attraction to be acknowledged here! As the mystery unfolds Anne must guard against her feelings for Anthony Darkefell. (An interesting discussion on women and their choices, their finances and their independence after marriage surrounds Anne's misgivings.)An anomaly therefore! The fearless Anne never falters in her pursuit of the truth but it seems is fearful to pursue the truth where love might be concerned.Beneath the tale flows an older story that is part of Darkefell and his secretary, Mr. Osei Boatin's past. This is impinging on the present with overtones that might seep into the future. Osei was a slave rescued from a ship by Darkfell and his twin brother. The owner of that ship is a neighbor. There are plots within plots and the source of the threats to Darkefell are varied.A throughly enjoyable read!This tale was originally published by Donna Lea Simpson. It has been updated and republished under Simpson's pseudonym, Victoria Hamilton.A Beyond the Page Publications ARC via NetGalley

[tbbycatt_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great combination romance and mystery! The Marquess of Darkefell has no idea what he's in for when the spunky Lady Anne shows up on his doorstep one dark rainy eve, covered with blood and demanding answers. Summoned by her friend, Lady Anne refuses to back down to the Marquess, even when he tries using his kisses to distract her. The dialogue is witty and you won't know whether to cheer Anne on or shake your head as she plunges into one thing after another. I found myself chuckling as she got caught snooping on more than one occasion. This book is definitely something worth adding to your library. Even more exciting is that there are two more Lady Anne books coming out continuing the romance and adventure between these two.

[jjmachshev_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Back and forth, back and forth I go on what to say and how to rate "Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark". It's the start of a new historical romantic mystery series by Donna Lea Simpson, a writer whose works I enjoy. But I need to say up front that this is heavier on the mystery than on the romance--and that it's set in the Georgian period of English history. So when I rate this one, I'm rating it as a mystery vice romance. Having said all that...I enjoyed this book. It kept me turning the pages (373 of them) to see what would happen next and how Lady Anne would react.Lady Anne is the daughter of an Earl and an heiress in her own right. She's not a beauty, but neither is she hideous. And when her fiance died fighting in the colonies, during her year of mourning she took stock of her life and realized a few things. She'd had a near miss from an unhappy marriage. She didn't like acting vapid to 'snare' a husband. She didn't care for the attitudes and morals of the ton. And she couldn't quite see the benefits of marriage when compared to the life she could currently lead. She quite likes being a spinster, able to do mostly as she pleases. So when her recently married friend sends a letter requesting 'urgent' help, off Lady Anne goes. But not only is there no cart nor carriage to meet her, but while WALKING to the manor where her friend is living, she hears a wild howl, a woman's scream, and stumbles across a dead body! It doesn't take long for her concern for her friend and her natural curiosity to take over and soon Lady Anne is doing some nosing around of her own. And she'll continue to do so until she's satisfied...no matter what the handsome, arrogant, and infuriating Marquess of Darkefell says! So there.A gothic setting, liberal doses of humor, a mystery, more action than I expected, and some very titillating sexual tension between our hero and heroine. This story was, in some ways, more than I expected...yet in others, less. Lady Anne is a no-nonsense, intrepid, and very intelligent heroine who follows her own mind and her own path while staying mindful of the boundaries society asks of an unwed woman. She's someone I'd like to meet and talk with. And she certainly leads the Marquess a merry chase as she's about the only woman willing to stand up to him...in spite of her attraction to him. She made me smile and laugh with her retorts and setdowns.The pace of the book was quick, despite its length. The mystery unfolds slowly at first, then rapidly gains speed and goes full out to the end. But it was the end that bothered me a bit. First, I didn't think this was a mystery that readers could solve themselves. There were a few clues, bits and pieces that were only available after the denouement. I wasn't expecting that so it bugged me a bit. But I guess in a way it does make this book 'feel' more historical, evoking the tenor of the gothic mysteries of the past. And the other minus, for me, was the lack of resolution in the relationship. I won't give it away, and now that I understand there are more books to come with the same characters, I see why the author ended it as she did. But when I got to the last page, I was peeved!All in all I did enjoy the book quite a bit. Enough that I plan to pick up Donna Lea Simpson's next installment in Lady Anne's story, "Lady Anne & the Ghost's Revenge" which comes out in Aug09.

[dasuzuki · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I really wanted to like this book but I found I just could not get into it.Lord Darkefell (this name was just a little too obvious for my tastes) and actually most of his household was so rude I found it surprising that Lady Anne would stay other than feeling an obligation to track down the murderer. Other than his kindness towards his secretary I do not see why Lady Anne starts to fall for Lord Darkefell. The other irritating part was the fact that there are constant references to Lady Anne wanting to draw this or that and goes into details about the arrival of her drawing supplies but halfway through the book we have yet to see her draw anything. In the end her drawing abilities really did not serve any purpose so I was not sure why it was brought up.I do have to say Lady Anne was the bright spot of the book. As I got maybe half way through I really started to like her and her boldness not to let the men in the story treat her like an imbecile or coddle her like a weak woman. In fact, the one surprising factor of her character was that she fell for Lord Darkefell. I have to say it was also nice to see a heroine who wasn’t a great beauty with men tripping over their feet to be with her. Despite her plainness her personality and heart was what attracted Darkefell to her.Stop here if you do not want any spoilers.The most aggravating part about this book was there was no real resolution at the end. It seems as if it is a cliff hanger so you have to wait for the next book to come out to find out what happens. Darkefell proposes but Lady Anne runs away. Darkefell despite knowing that Lady Anne is an immensely sensible woman all of a sudden believes she is playing games and simply wants him to woo her. I do not see why he would think she is the stereotypical woman of this time despite all the time they spent together and him pointing out how she is unlike most women. I really would prefer this book just to have a conclusion to the romance in it rather than dragging on into another novel.