The Mask of Night

The Mask of Night (2011) Tracy Grant

Again, a reminder that this is a somewhat confusing series to read, as the publication order and chronological order are not related.

The main portion of this book is set in 1820, but there are flashbacks going back to 1809, which provide bits and pieces of the back-story.

We get continuing cast of many of the characters I’ve come to appreciate:

Simon strode back into the center of the library. “Look, Charles, your story’s a coherent scenario. As a dramatist, I appreciate the narrative construction. But as one of the principals, I feel compelled to point out that it contains barely a shred of truth.

And as with the previous mysteries, things are convoluted and complex ans many different plots are hatched by many different people.

“I thought you and Mélanie might think I’d arranged the whole thing to cover my own complicity.”
“We did wonder.”
“I’d have been disappointed in you both if you hadn’t. Has it occurred to you that that might still be the case?”
“That you set all this up and are sitting here nursing me in the dark to win my trust for some nefarious purpose? If you’re that devious, I haven’t a hope in hell of keeping up with you.”

It takes awhile to sort everything out, and the amount of conniving and scheming and nefarious dealings are startling, but not particularly unexpected for that time. (Consider that dotted throughout the story, are historical facts.)

I’m really enjoying this series, and I like that I can read the books in any order.
Rating: 8.5/10

Published by NYLA

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