A Ring of Truth

A Ring of Truth by Michelle Cox. Berkeley: She Writes Press, 2016. 306 page ***** Publication Date April 4, 2017.

In this second book of the series, newly engaged Henrietta and Clive discover that meeting each other's families is proving much more difficult than they imagined. Clive failed to tell Henrietta that not only was she engaged to an Inspector in the police force but also an heir to the Howard estate and fortune. Set in Chicago during the 1930s, Cox paints a grim picture of the poor, and the luxurious lifestyle of the rich. Henrietta is overwhelmed by the food, clothes, and mindset at the Howard estate, she is more comfortable helping the maid make the bed than playing the role of "lady of the manor." When a woman living in a cottage on the estate claims that she has been robbed of a family heirloom,  Henrietta is determined to find the thief. Clive and his parents seem unconcerned about the mysterious thief and discourage Henrietta from investigating. What is even more puzzling is that Clive's parents claim that Henrietta's mother is the daughter of a well-known privileged family. Henrietta doesn't know what to believe and begins to question who is the real Clive, Chief Inspector or future Lord of the Manor? It's obvious that Clive loves her but is there a place for her in his future?

I received an advance copy for a review.

This second book can be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend you read A Girl Like You first. (read my review here) Cox has an easy style of writing that draws me into the story from the very beginning. I like historical fiction and mysteries, so this series is a perfect match for me. Add the engagement of Clive and Henrietta and I couldn't put it down. The only negative about the series is that I have to wait until the next book is published to see if Henrietta and Clive marry.

Michelle Cox has a B.A. in English Literature from Mundelein College, Chicago, and is the author of the award-winning, A Girl Like You, the first in the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series. She is known for her wildly popular blog, "How To Get Your Book Published in 7,000 Easy Steps---A Practical Guide" as well as her charming "Novel Notes of Local Lore"-- a blog dedicated to Chicago's forgotten residents. Ms. Cox lives with her husband and three children in the Chicago suburbs.

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