With her 3rd installment of Lucy Lawarence mystery, Pam Lecky continues her streak of a great series that's captivating and entranced.

Filled with details, a buildup of suspense and mystery, well flushed out protagonists, and romance that's palpable, this book was unputdownable.

Lucy is back in London. Phineas requests her help in solving a 2 year long art theft mystery. Things really pick up when Phin not only gets shot but is accused of killing his ex's husband. It's a race against time and Phin and Lucy work hard along with some help to solve the crimes.

Definitely worth reading, enjoyable, fast paced and well done.

#netgalley #pamlecky #theartofdeception #historicalmystery

Book three in the Lucy Lawrence mystery series picks up where the second left off. Lucy has travelled back to London, where she has reunited with Phineas Stone and has settled back into her home.

Of course, knowing Lucy as we do by now, this peace does not last.

When it is discovered that numerous pieces of priceless art have been stolen, Phin and Lucy are back on the case to catch a thief. Things are complicated further when someone is murdered at a party, with the killer vanishing without a trace.

The book follows our protagonists through London and Scotland before a satisfying conclusion and epilogue.

Overall, the third volume was right in the middle for me—better than the second but not quite as good as the first. It is nice to return to the setting of London and to be joined by many familiar characters—notably Phineas Stone—that made the first book so loveable.

As always, thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy to me in exchange for a review.

This is book three in this series. I liked this one so much more than book two. I think that having Phineas back in the picture really helped. He and Lucy make a great team solving mysteries. Lots of surprises in this story.
I’m looking forward to the next one.

I enjoyed this mysteries featuring a clever and brave woman, a mysterious investigating partner, and plenty of twisty/action/mysteries.
They're very entertaining and I liked both Lucy and Phineas.
The historical background is vivid and the solid mystery kept me hooked.
This is a review for the three novels: The Art of Deception, No Stone Unturned, Footprints in the Sand
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

4.5/5

I can't get enough of these mysteries. The book starts with a bang with Lucy and Stone united after a long long time...I missed Stone in Book 2.

As always, the writing is awesome, there's never a dull moment and Lucy's character delights me. I am also getting quite fond of Mary and George as we progress through the stories.

Though I do feel Lucy needs to start becoming more wary before looking for adventures and Stone needs to start accepting that Lucy is strong headed, instead of being shocked that she wants to solve the mystery. Despite that I liked that the book finally aims at both of them solving the mystery together and the way they are loyal to each other.

Book 4 can't come soon enough.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

When a murder rocks a society party, Lucy is thrust into a new investigation alongside insurance detective Phineas. All evidence points to Apollo, a shadowy syndicate of art thieves, but the police are quick to blame an innocent. Can Lucy and Phineas expose the killer before it’s too late?

The book starts with a rushed romance between Lucy and Phin, then settles into an intriguing mystery. The story is action packed with lots of twists and turned. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Lucy is back in London after her Egyptian adventures and soon gets embroiled in another, gruesome murder. Her beloved Phin is then shot so she and his younger brother delve into investigating both. An enjoyable read, few suspects as usual although, reading the three in the series close together, I found a thread as to whom the perpetrator/s might be - and was right. Nonetheless the reasons were not always clear so the enjoyment wasn't that diminished. Lucy remains, well, Lucy, determined to do the right thing so jumps in where, perhaps, she could have been a little more circumspect. Interesting characters and scenery, well written. Satisfying ending with further adventures likely. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advance copy.

The Art Of Deception (The Lucy Lawrence Mystery Series Book 3)

By:Pam Lecky

5 Stars

I wanted more Phineas, and I got him. In this next book, Lucy gets back to England from her adventures in Egypt. Soon, she is engaged and trying to get Phineas out of a murder charge. This story was a great addition to Lucy's many adventures. Her and Phineas are great characters that bring adventure, danger, mystery, and a touch of romance. The writing of this series is awesome. It is descriptive and engaging, making the scenes so very real.

I am patiently waiting for more adventures and another book.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

The latest addition to the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries series was yet another delightful read! In The Art of Deception, Lucy and Phineas take center stage which beautifully showcase their character dynamics. Their likable personalities and entertaining banter added depth to the narrative in book 3. Also, Mary and George are the best sidekicks! The plot twists, turns, and nail-biting ending provided a promising lead-in to (hopefully) the next book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC of this book!

I loved the first two books in this series and this one was no different. I love Lucy as a character and how she never lets any of the men keep her from being a part of the investigation. Again, she tends to just be in the right place at the right time to gain information, but her intelligence allows her to put all the pieces together. And without her tenacity (and some help from George) Phineas would have found himself at the bottom of a large body of water. I thought the engagement between Lucy and Phineas happened a little quickly given that they had only known one another a short time and then were separated for such a long time, but at the same time I'm glad it wasn't drawn out too long either. The mystery here was another good one with plenty of good suspects. I enjoyed seeing everything unfold over the course of the book - I thought the twists and reveals were paced perfectly so there were not any slow parts. I can't believe no one was willing to believe Alice was a total nutjob - and I was a little disappointed she pretty much got away with everything she did (although I guess asylums at that time weren't a great place to be). I also thought it was really interesting that Sarah ended up in a very similar position to Lucy with regard to her husband turning out to be a bit of a shit and leaving her to deal with a scandal all by herself. Obviously the big difference here is that Sarah has friends and family to support her whereas Lucy was left pretty much on her own. I liked seeing Mary being more of herself from book 1 - I felt bad for her during book 2 being dragged around the desert by Lucy. My biggest problem with this book was that I was disappointed that, despite everything Lucy had done over the course of the first two books, Phineas continued to really see her value as a partner in his investigations and didn't support her in trying to do what she could to clear his name. I thought the part after Lucy, Seb, and Kincaid get caught having broken into White's was somewhat humorous. I am very much looking forward to seeing Lucy and Phineas take their sleuthing skills to Italy for the next book!

These series will keep you hooked from page one through the last chapter. Each book is a new mystery and adventure for both the characters and the readers.
The romantic part is a sideline, the real protagonist is the challenge each case will pose to Lucy and Phineas.

The third book of the series is “the art of deception” and what a story. Lucy is back in England after her adventure in Egypt. Now that her mourning period is over, Phin reappears with heartfelt intentions and a new case on hand. Their journey this time will put Phin in danger and also everyone they know under the magnifying glass.

Every book will make you doubt family, friends and good first glance impressions of others. Lucy’s adventures will be surprising and interesting while you also try to resolve the case with her. I could not put the book down after I started reading it. Can’t wait for the next one.

Thanks NetGalley for my digital ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The third book in the Lucy Lawrence series was another great read. This storyline and characters really have me invested, and I can’t wait to read book 4 and see how the dynamic between Lucy and Phin evolves going forward.
4 stars out of 5 ⭐️

The 3rd book in the Lucy Lawrence series and surprisingly better than book 2. As in the first 2 books, the world-building was again phenomenal. We are back in Victorian London and I just loved the scene setting. I feel that there was more suspense in this book and it kept me turning the pages. The romance between Lucy and Phil is again a great subplot to the story. The mystery started a bit later on, but that was fine by me as I enjoyed the beginning of the book. Because of the twists and turns this book kept me engaged and I truly liked it. If you are a fan of historical fiction, you should give this series a go.

Thank you so much to NetGalley Storm Publishing and Pam Lecky for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Art of Deception coming out July 25, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love this series! I received the first three books from NetGalley and I was super excited to get into them. I loved Lucy’s character. I think she’s a mix of naivety and quickness. She was new to solving murders, but learned the ropes. I really enjoyed the romance that was ramped up in this book. Phineas and Lucy work really well together. I love that they have each other’s backs in order to solve mysteries. There were a few surprises about the romance that I wasn’t expecting so soon, but I loved it. It sounds like they’re going to be another book in the series, so I am definitely excited to check it out.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian murder mysteries!

The Art of Deception is another fantastic addition to the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries. Bent on solving the art thefts that have plagued the art community, Phineas Stone just doesn't catch a break. A murder at his engagement party, and him being its prime suspect, everything's getting out
of control. But Lucy's unwavering determination and the additional help from his brother, Seb, starts turning things around.

I liked this mystery. Even though it was frustrating for them as they were reaching dead ends again and again, it was fun for me 🤣. I enjoyed the banter that resulted in whenever Phineas tried to protect Lucy from danger and she resisted because she didn't want to be mistaken for a weak lady.

The only reason why it isn't 5 stars for me is because the name of the series is 'Lucy Lawrence Mysteries' and well, Lucy's sleuthing skills never really take the center stage. She always needs some direction from Phin and isn't the best detective.

I have read all three of these books in the series and have to say this one is the best of the three.The previous books had a feeling of trying to walk through mud for the first part of the books, but this one gives excitement right off the bat and I was enthralled reading it. Watching Lucy grow up a bit and realize it’s not all about her and her adventures was good to see and Phin learning how his pride can cause major problems. The pace of the book was much improved over the first two and I am glad I decided to read it. This is a new author to me and it may have been her first books, but I see growth in her writing and that is a good thing as I truly feel she can be very good. The characters are well developed and enjoyable to read about. Loved George and Mary as well! Quite an adventure with twists and turns that are well hidden. A very good read!

The Art of Deception is the third book in the series and stands out as my favorite. The novel follows Lucy's return to London and her reunion with Phineas Stone. Art work is being stolen and they’re trying to find the culprits. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways and kept me engaged. The writing style was enjoyable and a clean romance read.
Thanks Storm Publishing via NetGalley.

Lucy is back in England and her romance with Phineas is making great progress until there is a sudden murder and Phineas is the main suspect. So Lucy has to jump in and try to save Phineas as he suffers one blow after another. This is an enjoyable historical mystery although it was rather clear who the bad guy was. But it was fun following our heroine and her fiance as they figured things out.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

My Thoughts /

4.5 stars

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Pam Lecky, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for July 25, 2024.

The Art of Deception is the third book in author Pam Lecky’s, Lucy Lawrence Mysteries series and the story begins back in Phillimore Gardens, Kensington, London; with our heroine, Lucy, eagerly anticipating the chance to renew her friendship with the dapper and debonair insurance investigator, Phineas Stone. It had been ten months since they’d last seen each other, and much had happened during that time: ➡️taking some much needed time out to travel abroad after the death of her husband; ➡️taking an unexpected trip to Cairo, after meeting and agreeing to finance the latest project for the charismatic French archaeologist, Armad Moreau; and, ➡️barely escaping with her own life while investigating the unexplained death of M. Moreau on his Egyptian dig site.

If the last two books have taught me anything, it’s that our female heroine seems to attract trouble like a magnet.

After enduring a ten month break in their relationship, it seems that neither time nor distance has dampened their affection for each other. So when Phineas declares his love to Lucy and proffers a proposal of marriage, Lucy eagerly accepts. When Lucy‘s friend, Lady Sarah Strawbridge, hears of the couple’s engagement she is thrilled, and offers to throw the couple an engagement party. The night of the party is a wonderfully joyous time, until.....dun, dun, duuuun......a body is discovered. The next morning, the front page headline of The Times read ‘The shocking and brutal murder of Edward Vaughan at the residence of the eminent MP Geoffrey Strawbridge.’

Edward Vaughan. The husband of Phin’s ex-fiancée Alice. What possible motive could someone have for murdering Edward? For as far as Lucy was concerned, Edward Vaughan, was probably the dullest and most insignificant man of her acquaintance. The investigation gets complicated when Phin becomes the prime suspect - his cane was found at the murder scene covered in the victim’s blood.

With Phin locked up, Lucy vows to prove his innocence. With help from her maid, Mary and Phin’s manservant, George, as well as Phin’s brother Sebastian, the trio set about solving Edward’s murder. All evidence points to Phin, is he being set-up, and why? Looking into Phineas’ case files, it appears Phin was investigating a series of art thefts over the last 18 months. Phin believed all the cases were related, as the same (cryptic) calling card was left at all crime scenes. As the trio follow the trail of clues, they must unravel the truth from all the lies and deception. In doing so they inadvertently put themselves in the direct crosshairs of the killer and they themselves become targets.

Will it be a dance hall or a detention cell in their future? Can Lucy save the man she loves, and expose a deadly killer before it's too late???

I think this is my favourite book in the series to date. In this instalment the author gave us both an interesting and well plotted mystery, as well as likeable and entertaining characters (and, yes, I’m including LL in this too [surprise, surprise 😂]. In this instalment we are introduced to Phineas Stone’s immediate and extended family, and brother Sebastian plays a staring role. Seb is a very affable character and I hope we get to see more of him in the future.

At the story’s end the author hints of another book, which, I’m actually now very much excited about.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Storm Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

#TheArtofDeception #NetGalley #PamLecky

What a great series! After her adventures in Egypt, Lucy returns to London and rekindles her relationship with Phineas. Phineas is dealing with a frustrating case of art theft and Lucy insists on helping with the investigation. Once again, Lucy is in the thick of things with the art thefts, murder, attempted murder, a devious woman and an unexpected twist. A great mystery. Lucy, Phin, Mary and George are such wonderful, strong characters and the stories are well written. And the cover art on the first three books is simply beautiful! I'm looking forward to Lucy and Phin's next adventure.
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Pam Lecky for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.