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Lucinda Brant
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Deadly Affair: A Georgian Historical Mystery (Alec Halsey Mystery Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Lucinda Brant (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 789 ratings

A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda

Autumn 1763. Alec Halsey has been elevated to a marquessate he doesn't want and Polite Society believes he doesn't deserve. And with the suspicion he murdered his brother still lingering in London drawing rooms, returning to the city might well be a mistake. So when a nobody vicar drops dead beside him at a party-political dinner, Alec’s foreboding deepens. Uncovering the vicar's true identity, Alec suspects the man was poisoned. But who would want a seemingly harmless man of God murdered, and why?

Reviews

A clever and intriguing mystery with twists I most definitely did not see coming. Hooked and eager for more. —Caz Owens All About Romance, Rated DESERT ISLE KEEPER

The reader is transported effortlessly to another time and place. I can't wait to read other books in the series! —Jill MacKenzie InD'Tale Magazine 5 STARS

Accolades

  • Goethe International Novel Writing Competition Finalist for Outstanding Works in Post-1750s Historical Fiction
  • Finalist Australian Romance Readers Awards
  • B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree

Connecting Books

Enjoy Lucinda’s meticulously researched 18th century world, where characters, places, and events all intertwine.

Alec Halsey Mystery Series
Spring 1763 DEADLY ENGAGEMENT (Country house murder and mayhem)
Autumn 1763 DEADLY AFFAIR (A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda)
Winter 1763 DEADLY PERIL (Bloody intrigue abroad)
Summer 1764 DEADLY KIN (Murderous family secrets)
Winter 1764 DEADLY DIPLOMACY (Lies, levées, and lovers) In progress

Salt Hendon Series
1763 SALT BRIDE (Magnus and Jane)
1767 SALT REDUX (Antony and Caroline)
SALT HENDON COLLECTION — boxed set with bonus novella SALT ANGEL

Roxton Family Saga
1740s NOBLE SATYR (Renard and Antonia)
1760s MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE (Julian and Deb)
1770s AUTUMN DUCHESS (Antonia and Jonathon)
1770s DAIR DEVIL (Dair and Rory)
1770s PROUD MARY (Mary and Christopher)
1780s SATYR’S SON (Henri-Antoine and Lisa)
1743–77 ETERNALLY YOURS (Roxton Letters Vol. 1)
1772-87 FOREVER REMAIN (Roxton Letters Vol. 2)

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  1. Book 2 of 4
    Alec Halsey Mystery
  2. Print length
    340 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    December 1, 2013
  6. File size
    6.2 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

Alec's investigations take him from London to the backstreets of Bath.
A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda.
Example images from the Deadly Affair Pinterest board.

The history behind the fiction

Explore the people, places, and objects in Lucinda Brant’s Deadly Affair Pinterest board. Details inside the book.

Alec Halsey Mysteries

Lucinda Brant's mysteries explore the darker side of her richly authentic 18th century world. Along with her customary wit and high drama there are deeper subplots and even quirkier characters that will have you shuddering and laughing in equal measure.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Lucinda Brant is the queen of Georgian Historical Mystery just as Georgette Heyer was the queen of Regency Romance. What these two authors have in common, besides being superb writers, is their ability to weave historical information into the plot so that the reader is transported effortlessly to another time and place. Lucinda Brant gets 5 stars from me, and I can't wait to read the other books in the Alec Halsey series!
Anne B for Readers' Favorite

Lucinda Brant has a beautiful writing style and a careful grasp on the social mores, political environment and tangled affairs of the aristocracy of Georgian England. Her characterizations are layered and complex. The mystery is intricately woven into an absorbing plot. Lucinda Brant is a gifted writer and Deadly Affair is highly and enthusiastically recommended for lovers of historical mysteries!
Jill MacKenzie InD'Tale magazine

About the Author

When not bumping about Georgian London in my sedan chair or exchanging gossip with perfumed and patched courtiers in the gilded drawing rooms of Versailles, I write bestselling Georgian historical romances and mysteries (crime with lashings of romance). All are set in mid-1700s Georgian England, with occasional crossings to the France of Louis XV. I pull up the reins at the French Revolution where I lost a previous life at the guillotine for my unpardonably hedonistic lifestyle as a layabout aristo!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B007RZBN9S
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sprigleaf
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.2 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0980801347
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 4 ‏ : ‎ Alec Halsey Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 789 ratings

About the author

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Lucinda Brant

Lucinda Brant

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LUCINDA BRANT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning Georgian historical romances and mysteries. She writes about families, creating worlds that are full of history, heart, and Happily Ever Afters.

Lucinda has university degrees in history, politics, law, and a post graduate degree in education. Now a full-time writer, she has had many careers: university administrator; selling merch at rock concerts; mentor to first year medical students; and history and geography teacher at an exclusive boarding school for young ladies.

Lucinda lives in a villa full of books by the beach, with her scientist hubby, and an Italian Greyhound princess called Mabelle. She has been researching and reading about the 18th Century for over forty years, and still finds the Georgian era just as fascinating now as then.

A proud member of Novelists Inc. (NINC); The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi); the Audio Publishers Association (APA), and the Beau Monde—Regency Fiction Writers (RFW).

Lucinda's many awards include:

10k Random House/Woman’s Day Romantic Fiction Prize

15 x IndieBRAG Medallion

10 x Readers' Favorite medalist

3x finalist for the RONE award. Awarded the RONE Historical Novel of the Year

Chatelaine Romantic Fiction First in Category Award winner

2 x finalist for the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Book of the Year (RBY) award

"Quizzing glass and quill, into my sedan chair and away! The 1700s rock!"

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
789 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this historical mystery novel for its intriguing story and well-developed characters, with one review noting the author's skill in creating political and social intrigues. Moreover, the book receives praise for its readability, with customers finding it enthralling, and its writing quality, particularly the narrator's ability to bring the characters to life. Additionally, one customer compares it to Agatha Christie's Poirot books, and customers appreciate the series as a whole.

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37 customers mention "Plot twists"34 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in this historical mystery, describing it as an intriguing story that unfolds excellently, with one customer noting the author's skill in creating political and social intrigues.

"...I was able to follow the story and enjoyed her layered and complex characters. Brant's grasp of the Georgian era and its social mores is impressive...." Read more

"...The thread of romance is tastefully woven into the story and left hanging nicely for the next book in this enjoyable series...." Read more

"...This is a great whodunit with significant surprises in store, and while a plethora of clues are inserted at every turn, I was never able to guess..." Read more

"...It is very easy to "be there" in the story, seeing the mind-bogglingly decadent interiors, coaches and clothes; feeling the silks, velvets, satins..." Read more

30 customers mention "Readability"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a fun and enthralling whodunit.

"...The intriguing story unfolds at a great pace, keeping me interested...." Read more

"...But that is not the case here. I found this sequel gripping and engaging, different from its prequel, extremely enjoyable and , hear hear, I can't..." Read more

"...inflammatory uncle, and socially powerful godmother, are well developed and reader-embraceable...." Read more

"...This is a great whodunit with significant surprises in store, and while a plethora of clues are inserted at every turn, I was never able to guess..." Read more

18 customers mention "Character development"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer noting how the author uses language from the time period, while another mentions the inclusion of multiple suspects throughout the story.

"...I was able to follow the story and enjoyed her layered and complex characters. Brant's grasp of the Georgian era and its social mores is impressive...." Read more

"...or Selina Jamison-Lewis, but there is also an entire gallery of new well-drawn characters animating the 18th century scenario and complicating Alec..." Read more

"...The secondary characters, a budding apothecary, a politically inflammatory uncle, and socially powerful godmother, are well developed and reader-..." Read more

"...Plus we get a mystery, lead by an smart yet still very human hero...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its well-crafted prose and effective character voices, with one customer highlighting how the narrator brings the main character Alec Halsey to life.

"...This is the one. Lucinda Brant's writing is joy to read. I haven't read the first in the series, but this works well as a stand alone...." Read more

"...3. Witty prose and well-reaserched historical/social environment 4...." Read more

"...uncle, and socially powerful godmother, are well developed and reader-embraceable...." Read more

"...So, he must clear his name. Good read. I listened partly to audio. Alex Wyndham is great. Nice voice." Read more

4 customers mention "Genre"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's genre, with one customer comparing it to Agatha Christie's Poirot books, while another describes it as a real page-turner.

"...5. A real page - turner , especially when you start getting involved in the hero's investigations on the murder cases (yes, more than one!)..." Read more

"It's a good mystery, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Poirot books, with the clues, conversations and the big scene at the end with everyone is in..." Read more

"Loved her entire Alec Halsey books. Want more!!!! Great suspense, thrilling twists. Great length, not too short, not too long. Never drags...." Read more

"Great voice, excellent grasp of the genre and time period!" Read more

4 customers mention "Series"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series.

"Just a good series. I like that there's not a lot of death and there's a bit of mystery and of course, a love story." Read more

"Love this writer and this series. Very entertaining." Read more

"Love this series." Read more

"A great Series..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Maggi Andersen
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing story!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Set in 1763, Deadly Affair is the second book in the Alec Halsey Mystery series.

    Like a good historical murder mystery? This is the one. Lucinda Brant's writing is joy to read. I haven't read the first in the series, but this works well as a stand alone. I was able to follow the story and enjoyed her layered and complex characters. Brant's grasp of the Georgian era and its social mores is impressive. A bit of a mystery himself, Alec Halsey is one of the best heroes I've read in a while. I grinned at our first view of him done cleverly through the conversation between two guests at the party-political dinner.

    "He's rather handsome in an angular sort of way. Big bony nose and large--" "What? No powder and a scrap of lace makes him handsome?" "--deep blue eyes," Lady Cobham finished with a crooked smile, appraising Alec from well-muscled calf to coal black curls. "You're blind! He could very well be mistaken for an American savage." "Yes. That old rumor about--" "Rumor?" "--his real papa being a black lackey who took my lady Delvin's fancy has stuck, hasn't it?" "It's stuck, Caro, because the swarthy devil's a-a half-breed. One only has to look at him to see that!" The woman sighed deeply. "Yes, just look at him. Common report says he's as virile as a savage..."

    Halsey is in love with Selina Jamison-Lewis but now finds she won't marry him. On the death of his brother, Alec Halsey has been elevated to Marquessate Halsey, and it doesn't sit well with him, especially as there are rumours that he murdered his brother. He's invited to the dinner where a clergyman, Blackwell is murdered. The intriguing story unfolds at a great pace, keeping me interested. Brant's secondary characters are well drawn, particularly Tam and Plantagenet who carry much of this story. It kept me engrossed until the end. I'm hooked! A worthy 5 stars.
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  • MARIA GRAZIA
    4.0 out of 5 stars ALEC HALSEY IS BACK!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Once you meet Alec Halsey you can't avoid being charmed, if not totally under his spell. What I most like in him is that, though living in Georgian London, he refuses to wear a powdered wig and has a passionate, free spirit. But , honestly, who could ignore his being tall, handsome, blue-eyed, with long black curls and olive skin?
    "He was the handsomest man she had ever set eyes on, with his black wavy hair, olive skin and a profile which reminded her of a statue"
    Well, this is the effect he has on Janie, a poor servant, but read the book and you'll discover no woman of any rank can resist his charms.
    Alec Halsey is the protagonist of Deadly Affair by Lucinda Brant whom readers of FLY HIGH may remember entering stage in Deadly Engagement (my review [...]).
    This second "crimance" ( blend of crime and romance) in Lucinda Brant's Alec Halsey Series comes as a surprising continuation of the first book. Ms Brant doesn't disappoint her readers, the fans of her brilliant historical fiction, and confirms her talent with this sequel to Alec `s and Selina's adventures.
    This time we have more crime and mystery than love in the plot , however the few Alec/Selina moments are worth reading and enjoyed. Of course, the rest of the story-line is incredibly intriguing too and I found myself completely caught in Alec's efforts to solve the intricate mystery connected to the sudden death of Mr Blackwell.
    In Deadly Affair you meet again some of the characters from the previous novel, like Tam, Uncle Plantagenet Halsey or Selina Jamison-Lewis, but there is also an entire gallery of new well-drawn characters animating the 18th century scenario and complicating Alec's never - ordinary life. You needn't read Deadly Engagement to be able to enjoy Lucinda Brant's second instalment in the series, there's enough background knowledge to help you follow the story and avoid being confused. On the other hand, if you have read book I, you won't be annoyed with too many details about the past.
    I usually don't like reading series, I often feel the characters loose their credibility and their original grip episode after episode or it may happen that plots and turns become ripetitive. But that is not the case here. I found this sequel gripping and engaging, different from its prequel, extremely enjoyable and , hear hear, I can't wait for book number 3 in the series which Lucinda Brant is planning to write!
    And now, let's sum up why you shouldn't miss reading Deadly Affair:
    1. Irresistible male hero (yes, I know, I've already said it) and fascinating complex heroine you can totally sympathize with
    2. Perfect blend of history, mystery and romance (not the main feature, remember)
    3. Witty prose and well-reaserched historical/social environment
    4. Passionate love-story never too sentimental, never too easily predictable
    5. A real page - turner , especially when you start getting involved in the hero's investigations on the murder cases (yes, more than one!)

    If I have to find flaws, I can think just of these two ones: too little romance for my tastes, too abruptedly closing in the end.

    But they are also the reasons why I can't wait to read Book III: I want more Alec/Selina moments and I want to discover where the letter from France our hero has just received will bring him!

    Read first chapters
    [...]

    My complete review is up on my blog
    [...]
    6 people found this helpful
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  • PSI
    5.0 out of 5 stars Plenty of clues and suspects
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    What an engaging mystery! The author provides plenty of suspects and seemingly unrelated bits of evidence. Every time I pieced together a couple of clues, I was pulled down another path constructed by the author. The thread of romance is tastefully woven into the story and left hanging nicely for the next book in this enjoyable series. The secondary characters, a budding apothecary, a politically inflammatory uncle, and socially powerful godmother, are well developed and reader-embraceable. Overall I put together some pieces of this puzzle, but was still questioning until the final reveal. I highly recommend this book for historical mystery readers.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Carol Cork
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lucinda Brant’s superb writing and Alex Wyndham’s outstanding narration earned a Stellar 5 stars from me.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is the second book in the Alec Halsey Mystery series and, once again, Lucinda Brant’s superb writing and Alex Wyndham’s outstanding narration earned a Stellar 5 stars from me.

    Ms. Brant weaves an intricate tale of murder, mystery and intrigue and the unexpected twists and turns kept me guessing as to the murderer’s identity and motive. It was like a dot-to-dot where you cannot see the complete picture until you have joined all the dots and I am in awe of her ability to keep track of all the various plot strands.

    In addition to Alec, our handsome, honourable, intelligent and inscrutable hero, there is an extensive, well-developed and colourful cast of secondary characters. Some I had previously met in Deadly Engagement, Alec’s plain-speaking, irascible uncle, Plantagenet Halsey; the earnest, sincere Tam, Alec’s self-appointed valet and apprentice apothecary, and Selina Jamison-Lewis, the love of Alec’s life. Others, including the corpulent, drunken, appallingly vulgar Lord George Stanton, are new characters who provide an abundance of potential suspects.

    As this is predominantly a mystery, the continuing love affair between Alec and Selina understandably takes a back seat but there is enough tension between the two to keep things interesting. Selina is harbouring secrets from Alec, which she is afraid to reveal for fear of losing his love, and her suggestion that she become his mistress rather than his wife, only creates a bigger wedge between them.

    I love how Ms. Brant effortlessly transports me back to Georgian England, bringing to vivid life the elegance, opulence and decadence of this era as well as its darker aspects. Her extensive research is apparent, not only in the fashions, furnishings and etiquette of the day, but also in the political arena and the world of the apothecary.

    The Epilogue promises more danger and intrigue for Alec and hopefully a happy resolution to the situation between him and Salina.

    Yet another top-notch performance from the accomplished Alex Wyndham whose vocal range is so impressive, delivering distinguishable voices for each of the extensive cast, whether it is the super cool Alec, the crusty, old Plantagenet Halsey or the whiny, petulant Lord George Stanton. His ability to convey the drama, tensions and emotions kept me totally immersed in the story.

    MY VERDICT: Simply superb!

    **I received a complimentary copy from the author in return for an honest review**
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  • Beatrix Fitze
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous
    Reviewed in Germany on April 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I couldn’t put this down! I read the three Alec Halsey books some time ago, in the “wrong “ order, which didn’t stop me thoroughly enjoying them. Now I’m reading them again in chronological order and my goodness, I can tell that I flew through them before because I couldn’t wait to see what happened! This time around I’m enjoying the wealth of detail, the complex plot, and the interesting characters. These books are keepers, I’m moving straight on to book three.
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  • JAC from Down Under
    5.0 out of 5 stars Same characters.
    Reviewed in Australia on February 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Same characters ongoing, but a completely different mystery. Kept me confused, but thoroughly enjoyed the book.
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  • Wilma
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from Lucinda Brant
    Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Another great book from Lucinda Brant. I love Alec and his approach. Great mystery and excellent depictions of life in the Georgian period.
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  • Marguerite
    4.0 out of 5 stars Witty, dark, sexy and simply a great story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this, even more than the first one, and I romped through it. Alec Halsey is absolutely my favourite kind of hero, totally and utterly sexy, honourable, dark and devilish, irreverent - oh, and did I mention that he's sexy?

    This story takes place almost immediately after the end of the last. Alec and Selina have - sort 0f - moved their relationship on, but their trust in each other takes a bit of a battering as this story develops. We have some very welcome return appearances from Uncle Plan and Tam, and a host of new characters, a brilliant mix of the sordid and the scheming, the weak and the conniving - and a few innocent victims to boot. The story is intricate, with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing to the end, when some people may - or may not - get their just desserts - and some threads are left still unravelling. It certainly kept me turning the pages long after I should have stopped and got on with my own work.

    My only tiny gripe is that Alec and Selina's relationship is left dangling right at the end, not so much tantalisingly as kind of a bit annoyingly - I do feel that two such strong characters would have had some sort of showdown without them both heading off into the next book in different directions. But it is a tiny gripe

    This is witty and gritty and sexy and just a really great story. Thank goodness the next one is already out.
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