The Anatomist's Wife

Lady Darby Mystery, Book 1

By: Anna Lee Huber

Narrated by: Heather Wilds

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage - a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down, as accusations and rumors swirl. When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim.

©2012 Anna Aycock (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Huber's protagonist is complex and likable and the well-lotted mystery is filled with fascinating secondary characters. The setting is lavishly portrayed...you'll be engaged right to the end." ( RT Book Reviews)

first audible was enjoyable

Intriguing storyline and central character. Enjoyed it being read. Am willing to look into the next book.

Compelling story

The writing and character development is top notch. Sadly, the narration is not as good.

Loch mystery

I found the story very interesting. I enjoy period pieces enjoyable if they get the nuances of the time correct. This story was very good at reflecting the bias of the times. Characters were nicely written. Would recommend.

My favorite book of 2021!

Fantastic book and narration! I love the entire series. I am looking forward to the rest of the books.

I LOVED IT!

The story was engulfing. The narration brought it to life. And I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Philandering Men, a Widow and Murder

The Anatomist’s Wife is a mix of murder mystery, romance and early forensic history. Lady Darby, widow of Sir Anthony Darby, has come to live with her sister and brother-in-law in the castle in the Scottish Highlands. Some time has past since her husband’s death, but no one, it seems has forgotten her trial and the accusations that she took part in the grave robbing and dissection of the bodies that was her husband’s occupation. Unseemly and illegal for women to take part in such enterprises, Kiera (Lady Darby) had fled London for the Scottish countryside, once her trial was over, to reside with her sister’s family. Having been forced to draw and paint the illustrations of the dissected bodies which her husband had cut open for his book, Kiera, herself had never wielded the knife nor taken part in any of the gruesome dismemberments. However, rumors still swirled about her, and she much preferred to stay to herself, retreating to her studio, where she painted portraits, mostly of her family. The first big social event at her sister’s remote country estate since Kiera’s arrival, becomes a crime scene with a beautiful young woman being murdered, and all the guests being sequestered until the magistrate can be summonsed. Meanwhile, Philip, Kiera’s brother-in-law, asks Kiera to assist Sebastian Gage, an inquiry agent at the party, in beginning the investigation. At first Gage is reluctant, but he slowly warms to the idea . . . and to Kiera. The particulars of the murder are gruesome, and Kiera’s experience beside her late husband are much more helpful than either of them had thought. With all of the house guests’ potential suspects, Gage has to tread lightly. All of the high society couples are snobs of the worst sort, especially the men, who bed women right and left. But the sweet relationship between Alana, Kiera’s sister and her husband, Philip is a breath of fresh air. Set in the 1830s when women were expected to obey their husbands, and not have any interests other than hearth and home, it’s an interesting story indeed. Kiera is an artist and anatomist. Gage is a dandy, handsome and knows it, expecting the women to croon over him. Kiera doesn’t . . . at least not outwardly. Which frustrates Gage to no end. Kiera, already having been married to a man who abused his control over her, a man chosen by her father, her wisdom is far beyond her twenty-five years. The closeness between she and her sister, Alana is precious, as well as the love between her and her sister’s children. There is depth and character to the story. The conclusion was very satisfying. I had to download the next in the series immediately. A series that makes you think . . . enjoy!

THE BEST!

The absolute best! After a lifetime of dismissing historical fiction as “lightweight”, I have recently become an addict and I am voracious! I loved this book! I loved the characters, I loved the writing, I loved the narrator! I loved the whole package! That’s saying a lot, because this genre is full of good writing and narration. This is the best!

Really good

This is a new author and series for me. It's less romance and more mystery, but I loved the story. The heroine is a strong character, and the murder mystery suitably interesting with enough red herrings to at least make you question how many people were involved, though the identity was pretty obvious long before the unveiling. The reader did a fantastic job. I am definitely continuing with this series

Great Story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Anatomist's Wife to be better than the print version?

I have enjoyed many 'Victorian' Mysteries so I thought I would give this a try. Ms Huber throws a whole new twist in her Lady Darby series. Her characters are great and story line refreshingly different.

Interesting

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Scotland, 1830. Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when her hosts throw a house party for the cream of London society, Kiera is unable to hide from the ire of those who believe her to be as unnatural as her husband, an anatomist who used her artistic talents to suit his own macabre purposes.

Kiera wants to put her past aside, but when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to utilize her knowledge of human anatomy to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage--a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down as accusations and rumors swirl.

When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to both protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim...

MY TAKE
It's an interesting story that's a little slow at times, but some of that comes from the style of writing which does fit time period. I also listened to the audiobook and had to speed it up just a touch to keep it from dragging.

A lot of the characters are kind of creepy and represent the underbelly of society. The story is full of married people who have nothing better to do than jump into other people's beds. Even Gage, the love interest, is promiscuous (though single) and quite proud of his differentiation as a rake instead of a rogue. All I could think was everyone must have been riddled with STDs.

The mystery was interesting, and enjoyed the growing attachment between Kiera and Gage. She was a cross between shy for outspoken, and sometimes she couldn't make up her mind which. Gage was kind to her on several occasions when she needed comfort, though he was opinionated and pigheaded. But he did apologize.

I enjoyed it enough that I'm off to read the next book.