The Lady Black Mysteries Series: Book 1
Publication Date: September 1, 2024
From London’s cobblestone streets to the far edges of the British empire… one woman rewrites the rules of crime.
Former street urchin Edith Black has risen through the ranks of Victorian London’s underworld. Mentored by the notorious Mrs. Hill, Edie becomes a master thief, navigating danger, deception, and betrayal across continents.
Stolen Brilliance – A Lady Black Mystery is a gripping blend of historical fiction and crime, inspired by true events. A richly atmospheric tale for fans of clever heroines and layered storytelling.
Stolen Brilliance by Michael G. Colburn is the first book in the Lady Black Mystery series, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
A historical crime fiction set in the late 1800s, filled with clues, red herrings, and good and bad guys working to figure out where the stolen items are.
The story is filled with so many characters, and not all of them are who they seem. Good guys who are bad and bad guys who are good or want to be under the right circumstances.
Edie, a master thief, also goes by several names. There is depth to the characters and the story, as multiple storylines are woven together. There is a good flow to the story as we travel the world on the ship that departs from England and goes to many other countries before we are returned to London. There’s even a hint of romance.
There are vivid descriptions as the story is told in four parts, all with engaging chapter titles. There is unexpected support from a variety of astonishing and unpredictable persons. The settings came to life, making me feel like I was there. There are just desserts for many of the criminals or those with criminal intent, which I was rooting for to happen, so there would be realism to the tale. There are a few surprises throughout, and the ending was totally unexpected.
Stolen Brilliance held my interest throughout as layers and details were added and revealed, helping me figure out what went wrong and whodunnit.
Michael G. Colburn retired from a successful career in inventing to write full time. After three books on creativity and inventing, he discovered historical crime fiction. He’s currently writing the third installment of the Lady Black mystery series. He and his wife live in Vermont. They enjoy exploring other countries on walking tours and short-term living in various cities to experience the cultures. The first Lady Black novel, Stolen Brilliance, springs from stories he heard on one of these trips to Scotland.
