Deadly Kin

Alec Halsey Mystery, Book 4

By: Lucinda Brant

Narrated by: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Alec is back!

Summer 1764. Alec and Selina anxiously await the birth of their first child at their estate in Kent. It should be a time of family celebration, but the death of a young poacher has Alec investigating murder. And when renovations to his sprawling manor unearth a secret burial chamber, a shocking family secret comes to light. Everything Alec thought he knew about his birth is again called into question, and with it the special bond with his irascible uncle Plantagenet.

©2019 Lucinda Brant (P)2020 Lucinda Brant

Critic reviews

Very well written, fast paced, and full of secrets...A cracking good adventure! (Historical Novel Society)

I challenge anyone not crave more from the handsome Alec Halsey with his high sense of morals, dark good looks, and divine analytical mind. (Reader’s Favorite)

Quite simply, a perfect combination of mystery, romance, and history. (Romantic Historical Reviews)

An exceptional narration of a complex mystery

Marquess, former diplomat and amateur sleuth Alec Halsey and his pregnant wife, Selina, have returned to the country property that he has inherited. While they nervousely await the birth if their child, Alec focuses on renovating the property. Naturally in this series, he is faced with having to solve a complex and vicious murder and other mysteries.
As always, Lucinda Brant provides a well researched and very gripping tale. Alec Halsey and Selina are sympathetic and all of the other characters are well-drawn. There is a wealth of historical detail seamlessly woven into the story.
Matthew Lloyd Davies is an exceptional narrator, providing memorable and distinct voices for both male and female characters of all backgrounds.
Very highly recommended.

Intriguing & Mysterious

I've had this book on my TBR list for quite a while in both Audible and Kindle versions. Initially I held off reading because I was a bit disappointed that the narrator had been changed for the Audible version. However, ultimately I did really appreciate Matthew Lloyd Davies' narration.

I honestly am always amazed at the writing of Lucinda Brant. Her characters are so well defined that they are recognizable in any given situation. Alec is an incredible character and, of course, It is beautiful to finally see Alec and Selina together after hoping and waiting for it throughout this series. So, in this way, the story was a delight.

However, there was an aspect of the story that was so dark, it was depressing and difficult for me to read. And I did struggle with that. Also, who could not possibly see his Uncle as a constant blessing and support in his life throughout this series. However, Plantagenet, in trying to protect Alec from unhappy truths, has kept a MULTITUDE of secrets from Alec in this addition to the story and at times it just totally frustrated me. In fact, it made Alec appear foolish to some extent in that practically everyone in Kent were keeping major secrets from him, as well as defying the limitations that he had established on his estate. That did not sit well with me. Ultimately, in addition to some shocking revelations, there are so many secrets and mysteries in this one that I was having trouble tracking and following them.

However, I loved the updates on the main characters: Alec, Selina, Olivia, Plantagenet, Tam, Hadrian, and now Helen. I am intrigued to learn more about the various "Fishers" as well as Hugh Turner. I so look forward to more of this series!

The secret is finally out....

I have waited a very long time to read this much anticipated book. I was not disappointed. I became caught up in the world of Alec Halsey from the very first book Deadly Engagement. I quickly went through the next two books and found myself waiting and waiting for book four. I t finally came out in 2019 but circumstances prevented me from getting down to reading it until now, the last month of 2020. Again I was not disappointed but now must await the next installment. As Deadly Kin opens, it's the summer of 1764 and Alec and Selina are awaiting the birth of their first child. Alec's Uncle Plantagenet is also in residence with them at the family estate that Alec is having renovated. When a local lad goes missing and later turns up dead by the hands of an unknown assailant, an old family secret, one Plantagenet has been trying to keep from Alec, raises it's ugly head. As Alec begins to investigate it becomes apparent that the secret is not only a Halsey family secret but involves the whole county. Could the horrific secret be a blessing in disguise, for will Alec finally learn the truth about his birth? Great storyline that keeps you guessing with memorable characters. Matthew Lloyd Davies does an excellent job with the narration. I can hardly wait now for book number five to be release and hopefully it will not take four years as this one did. This is really a great series.

A lot of loud forced angry voice

Story ok. Continuing story line. Didn’t like the forced angry voice stuff. Could have been handled better

Great story and an enjoyable listen

Let me start by saying that I’ve read this book almost a year ago and was really anticipating the release of this audio. And it was well worth the wait, the story and the performance is by far one of my favorite of this series and considering this is the 4th book and with a new narrator that’s saying a lot.

This is book four in the series and even though it could easily be read as a standalone I do highly recommend listening to all the books in order to get the most out of the ongoing mystery of Alec’s background and relationships with all his cohorts. Every book gets better and more truths are reveal regarding Alec and his background. And I suspected his true relationship with his uncle Plant since it was hinted in book one but how Ms. Brant got us to the reveal was so heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It’s a sad story but it also made my heart happy.

As usual, Ms. Brant’s ability to blend real historical facts with her awesome imaginations always make for an intriguing story. And it also gets me interested in researching all things Georgian Era. I can’t wait for Deadly Desire!

Matthew Lloyd Davies did an excellent job in bringing the story and characters to life. He was able to lent distinguishable voices to each of the characters and performed each with such feelings that I can easily immersed myself in the story. His intonation was also pleasant and that makes my ears happy.

Good Mystery

The fourth in the series, this is the story of an eerie killing of a young boy who was poaching deer on Alec’s land. Many of our favorite characters are here as well as new ones (some unsavory). Add the facts that Alec is uncovering details of his parentage, Plantagenet Halsey is desperate to keep secrets, and Selina is close to giving birth to their firstborn. Just like Lucinda Brant’s other books, there’s no shortage of intrigue throughout. Overall it’s a very good read with a satisfying end.
The narrator was good, especially considering he had to follow Alex Wyndham who narrated the first three books. He was a bit flat in places.

Intriguing combination of mysteries

In this latest book in the Alec Halsey mystery series we see Alec and his wife Selina settle in Alec's family seat, looking forward to the birth of their first child. However, several mysterious events cast a dark shadow on their felicity: Alec begins to investigate the disappearance of a young boy, a secret vault is accidentally revealed during the renovations, with hints of its sinsiter purpose; and even more disturbingly, his uncle Plantagenet seems to keep secrets from him, along with many others. As Alec tries to unravel the threads with his two helpers, the young apothecary Tam, and his valet Jeffries, he discovers the truth about his own birth, the past of his family, and the long shadow that past sins have cast on the people of the whole neighbourhood. The stellar character of Alec, the way he inspires loyalty, is intent to help those under his care, the strong family bonds between him and his uncle and his wife are beautiful counterparts to the greed, jealousy and fanaticism that motivate the villains to horrible and grisly crimes.
As the interwoven mysteries are told, we see an amazingly rich and detailed picture of the life on a Georgian aristocrat's country seat, supported by the author's vast amount of research (from the organization of a household, clothing, utensils, even the place and method of processing the meat of the deer are true to life). Several historical facts influence the plot and are effortlessly included and explained: the Black Act, the strange ancient inheritance law called gavelkind, the recent invention of Benjamin Franklin's lightning rod, to mention only a few.
The extremely talented and narrator gives a perfect performance: illustrates the different characters givnig them their own voice, displays the complex emotions and motivations, illuminates the subtle humor and overall, provides a memorable listening experience. I eagerly await the next book in the series and hope to hear the same narrator take it to similar heights.

Alec Halsey Returns!

Lucinda does it again with another Alec Halsey novel. This time there are two mysteries to be discovered. Though if you have read/listen to the series, one of the mysteries isn't so much a mystery! At least not to me, it just confirmed what I thought. The other is a family secret, only known to a few others and Alec was totally unaware of it. His mind is filled with running the estate he inherited after his brother's death but also anxious as Selina is just a couple of weeks away to have their 1st baby. Needless to say, as Alec uncovers these mysteries, he is shocked, surprised and delighted in the end. A must read/listen too! Though I must say that the new narrator, Matthew Lloyd Davies, did an excellent job in the telling!

NOT SO MUCH……

I did not enjoy this narration. I’m sure it’s because I’m accustomed to Alex Wyndham. Because of this, even the story seemed to drag…

An intriguing and fascinating story!

A wonderful mystery and novel pretext, keeping the reader, or listener, enthralled from beginning to end. The Audible version was narrated by a very talented professional; his nuanced approach to portray different voices enhanced the overall story. The author brings all of these diverse characters to life and paints a realistic view of their society.