A Ring of Truth: Book Review and Giveaway

Review at a Glance

• Title: A Ring of Truth
• My Rating: 3.75
• Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
• Format: audiobook*
• Publication Date: April 4, 2017
• Author: Shelley Blanton-Stroud

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Book Blurb

In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice—with a hint of mystery!

Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is in fact the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard—and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot.

As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?

Giveaway

My Thoughts

As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

• 1 star: Did not finish
• 2 Stars: Finished but do not recommend
• 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
• 4 Stars: Loved this book!
• 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.

Today I get to feature book two of a wonderful 1930’s detective series The Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novels.

Michelle Cox has written another installment in this slightly quirky and funny mystery serial. A Ring of Truth finds Henrietta discovering that her new fiancee is the heir to a fortune. Throughout M\most of the book, we get to see her attempting to adjust to life as the (soon-to-be) lady of the house, while also getting into some ridiculous trouble along the way.

Henrietta has to learn how to survive and thrive in the upper class society that her family may have connections to. I felt so badly for Henrietta, as she found herself living with her not quite in laws, being taught how to be a proper lady; meanwhile, her fiancee is nowhere to be seen or heard from. He apparently had more important things to do than talk to the woman he loves and plans to marry. Though he did talk to his mother, so…

I bring this up because it’s important to understand that A Ring of Truth explores Henrietta and Clive’s relationship in much more depth as well as showing much more of Clive’s character. He was no longer the perfect, mysterious police officer that Henrietta cannot resist. He is shown as a flawed individual, figuring things out just like Henrietta.

This volume is less serious than the first, with less action, but we learn so much about the characters. Henrietta and Inspector Howard need this book for the readers to really get invested in their relationship. Quick shoutout to Jayne Entwistle for a brilliant narration.

Excited to start book 3, and I’m hoping there’s a wedding in my future. 🙂

Thanks so much to Michelle Cox and iRead Book Tours for my copy of A Ring of Truth in exchange for an honest review.