The Lady Glass - Review

The Lady Glass

By: Anneka R Walker

Publication: July 9, 2024 by Covenant Communications

288 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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NetGalley description--Theresia Dvorak has nothing left of her parents—nothing save her dowry, a priceless crystal vase stolen and sold by her own stepmother. Theresia will do anything to secure what is rightfully hers—even assume a false identity and steal her future back. When she gains entrance to a house party and has a memorable run-in with the handsome navel captain Rolland Reese, her mission is compromised. She swore never to trust an Englishman again, but when he makes a daring proposal she cannot refuse, she must work side by side with him if either of them is to achieve their aim.

Rolland is stunned when his homecoming from the war takes a decidedly deadly turn. The quickest solution is to throw a house party and invite all the suspects. With the stakes incredibly high, Rolland must root out the killer before they turn their sights to the next potential victim: his own father. The mysterious Theresia is undoubtedly the most suspicious of his guests, but against all odds, he finds himself risking everything to protect her. As Rolland unravels a tangle of clues, he faces the greatest threats of all: a heart of fire and a future as fragile as glass.

I have adored Anneka R Walker's Matchmaking Mamas series. But I didn't love her book The Dreaming Beauty. I can't say the complaints I had with The Dreaming Beauty are exactly the same as they are with The Lady Glass, but there are similarities in the feel. For one, the pacing was slow at the beginning of The Lady Glass. I try not to be someone who has a short attention span, but I prefer to be hooked into the storyline quickly if possible. 

Marcus, who was the leading male character of the previous book, is hosting a house party full of guests who are suspects in a murder and plot of the potential murder of Rolland's father. Rolland is the main male character in this story. He was a captain in the Navy until he was injured in the line of duty. He is still recovering, but his main purpose for now is the discovery of the murderer. He, Marcus, Ellis (the leading male character from The Masked Baron, which I haven't read), and Simon--a friend from school--are the main crew investigating. I was disappointed in their efforts during this book. None of the characters involved in solving mysteries and spying for the government in the past books did anything noteworthy to discover the murderer in their midst. Their attempts were nonexistent and pathetic. I mean, this served for the plot, but it felt unrealistic or believable how little progress was being made. Or more than that, the effort behind the progress is what was so lacking.

Theresia was fine. I mean, when I look at her knowing that she has nothing to lose by seeking the vase her father promised to be her dowry, but her stepmother sold, I guess I can understand some of her actions. But that's a stretch. She had almost a disregard for her life at the expense of her quest. She was involved in breaking and entering and searching other people's property, who she has no indication actually stole her vase. Theresia did more for the investigation than any of the four men who have spy and military backgrounds did. 

I did end up reading most of The Lady Glass quickly. But I think the mystery plot might be Anneka R Walker's downfall. These aspects tend to bring up the unbelievable simply for the sake of the mystery plot. I think her storytelling is much better without the mystery components. But I liked Rolland and Theresia overall. The Lady Glass gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Lady Glass? What did you think? Let me know!