The first book in this series – ‘A Marvellous Light’ – introduced a glorious, vibrant, historical world and a gorgeous romance between (non-magical) aristocrat Robin Blyth and the man trying to help him navigate the magical world, Edwin Courcey. I read it, loved it, and wondered very much how Freya Marske was going to follow it up given that it was touted as ‘The Last Binding, Book 1’.
In my review, I wrote about Maud, Robin’s unconventional and sassy sister who refused to accept the limitations placed upon her as a woman in Edwardian England. I hoped I’d read more about her in the sequel.
It’s fair to say that all my wishes came true – Maud Blyth is the central character in ‘A Restless Truth’ and I could not be happier! Especially as it also features some of my other favourite elements – a murder mystery, a cruise liner, characters breaking society’s rules, lots of humour and even a touch of scandal.
The story opens with a murder on board the ocean liner, the Lyric, returning to England from New York. The dead woman’s companion, Maud, finds herself embroiled in a deadly mystery – and the subject of gossip as she joins forces with the rakish Lord Hawthorn, beautiful actress Violet Debenham and journalist/purveyor of pornography Alan Ross. This unlikely crew is surrounded by a cast of quirky eccentrics – mediums, menagerie owners, members of high society, the magical and non-magical – as well as a murderer. As Maud desperately works to separate friends from foes and figure out the mystery of the Last Contract, she is distracted by her attraction to the mysterious and captivating Violet.
This is the second book in the series but there is enough of a recap of the over-arching and important plot lines about the Last Contract for newbies to keep up, I think. I would of course recommend that you start with ‘A Marvellous Light’ (as it is rather fabulous) but it isn’t essential.
I loved everything about this book – the historical setting, the claustrophobia of the Lyric, the steamy romance, the quirky characters, the mystery, the magic and the humour. It’s a story absolutely packed with surprises and delights – Mrs Navenby was an absolute joy and the parrot, Dorian, a lovely touch. As with the first book, it probably isn’t one for the easily shocked as there are a few quite graphic scenes and use of strong language.
The idea of the Last Contract lends itself to a trilogy because of the number of items being sought by the Blyths, Courcey and any number of nefarious others! Given the shift of characters between books one and two, I cannot wait to see who in Robin or Maud’s world will pick up the lead in book three. I’d love for it to be the louche Lord Hawthorn as he has scope for some serious hellraising!
I shifted between reading the book and listening to the audiobook read by Aysha Kala. I loved the (male) audiobook reader for the first book and wasn’t sure whether I’d like the switch but Kala was an excellent choice given the new female lead character. Her narration was clear and really sounded like I’d expect Maud to speak – quite posh but also with dry humour. She also managed the other characters well with a kind of upper class drawl for Hawthorn and a less refined London accent for Ross.
I’d heartily recommend this to anyone who enjoys a lively historical novel with added extras – extra murder, extra magic and a lot of extra sauciness! You’ll find yourself rooting for the marvellous Maud – an innocent faced with the much more worldly Violet and thrown into an alien world of magic and mayhem. I defy anyone to read this and not be waiting in anticipation for the next book!
Thanks to NetGalley for my copies of the book/audiobook for review. Opinions are entirely my own.
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Header photo by Dollar Gill on Unsplash
I’m still hoping this will turn up in my letterbox soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
Hope you enjoy it when your copy arrives!