Method of Revenge by Cara Devlin - Book Review

Series: Spencer & Reid Mysteries #2

Publication Date: 29th March 2025

Genre: Historical Mystery 

4.2 Stars 

One Liner: Fast-paced and gripping 

Leo (Leonara) is used to dead bodies and sees them in her uncle’s morgue. However, she ends up as a witness when a woman dies at a popular nightclub and follows a suspicious hooded figure around the corner. 

After the previous case, Detective Inspector Jasper kept his distance from Leo. He could do without the mixed emotions she inspired in him. However, the current case and Leo’s involvement make it hard. 

As they try to find more clues, Leo and Jasper should be careful about not walking into a trap. But can they see it before it’s too late? 

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

While the book works as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous one for the overarching plot. There is enough background information if you haven’t read the first book.

It has been a few weeks since the previous case, and the main characters are living their lives (with teeny new developments). The book starts with the murder, so we are plunged into the plot right away. 

The narration deftly balances pace, intrigue, and emotion. The push-pull attraction between the two is stronger, though they are focused on the case and the dead bodies that have to be examined. 

The mystery is interesting. I like how it tackles the problem of using harmful chemicals like arsenic in making wallpapers and their deadly side effects. There have been a few books on this. Here, it is used for the mystery track, so we don’t get a lot of detail but can understand the extent of damage it caused and how the reason was suppressed. 

We also get some details about their pasts. I kinda guessed the big reveal in book one, but oh boy, it still didn’t prepare me for the cliffhanger. Argh… I hate waiting. At least, it’ll be only 2-3 months since the next book is scheduled for June. I can distract myself with other books. 

The dark and bleak setting of Victorian London is tangible without slowing down the pace or distracting us from the central plot. I’ve read a few books with this setting and found that I enjoy them a lot. It’s gritty and ruthless, but with touches of compassion and love. 

NGL, I’m invested in the slow-burn love track and can’t wait for the next book. The conflict is real, so it’s a huge hurdle to cross. Can they do it? They have to! 

To summarize, Method of Revenge is a solid second book in the series with intrigue, danger, and a cliffhanger (can’t get over this, lol). 

Thank you, author and Book Sirens, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.