Who doesn’t love the idea of a honeymoon in Venice? Frederick and Grace Percy (Lord and Lady Astley) were rudely interrupted as newlyweds on their Egyptian stopover in The Cairo Curse and are trying for a honeymoon reset.  Book 3 in this Edwardian-set series, The Juliet Code sees them settling into married life while sharing another sleuthing adventure. It’s a standalone historical whodunnit, although the set-up chapters reference the main events in the couple’s Cairo stint, and various sub-plots and character arcs continue from one story to the next, so some readers may feel they want to begin at Book 1. It’s a fun story worth reading to get acquainted with Gracelynn/Grace and Frederick.

Grace is an American heiress who married, “Buccaneers” style, into the British aristocracy and has been grappling with the arcane social ropes since her introduction in The Mistletoe Countess (Book 1). Two books later, she is an evolving version of the character I warmed to in Book 1. There were missteps in Book 2, when author Pepper Basham made her a particularly irritating version of the juvenile cutesy/quirky/bookish trope readers are supposed to find endearing in Christian romances.

Thankfully, in their new Venetian adventure, Grace is behaving more like a true partner for the likeable Frederick. This shift in their dynamic enables him to show the realistic protectiveness of an Edwardian husband toward his wife, instead of patronizing her like a child. There’s a relaxed intimacy between them conveyed in some charming moments through the story. This is a ‘kissing book’ as they’re known in the clean and wholesome Christian romance genre, meaning the MCs’ physical bond as husband and wife is symbolized by kissing. These moments are always tastefully written and not overused.

No sooner have Grace and Frederick arrived in Venice when series character, Detective Jack Miracle arrives in Venice hired by a rich client, Daniel Laraby, to find a stolen painting, one of a famous set of nine known as “The Juliets.”  Jack ropes Grace and Frederick into his investigation and the subsequent mystery serves up tomb robbing, an imposter, murders, greed, secrets, and betrayals, with the usual twists, red herrings, and dramatic conclusion.

The art theme and evocative Venetian backdrop is a strength of the story that sets it apart from the usual fare. Ms. Basham writes a pleasant, polished prose well pitched for the sub-genre, and elevated by her lovingly described settings.  Her Third Person narrative is not overburdened with multiple viewpoints. The story unfolds mostly in the POVs of Grace and Frederick, with valid. well-timed shifts to that of Detective Jack Miracle. Unfortunately for the timbre of the book, the character voices are virtually indistinguishable. An American heiress and a couple of British aristocrats are horses of a different color, yet other than a few quirks, they basically think and sound like the same person. This uniformity sometimes makes for bland reading, weighing on the bustling pace of the plot, the appeal of the characters, and the freshness of the story.

It’s a mystery with a body count – fewer than the needless pile-up in The Cairo Curse – and an interesting cast of characters, which occasionally become hard to keep track of. However, they all had a role to play in the plot and sub-text, and for readers who enjoy an Agatha Christie approach, a plethora of suspects is part of the fun.

I liked this light, genteel mystery and appreciated the author’s efforts in creating an immersive setting and good quality escapism in a book of decent length.  3.75 from Regency Chronicle, rounded up to a 4 for Goodreads and such.   For those unfamiliar with our star ratings, that means we recommend The Juliet Code as well above average in its light Christian historical mystery adventure lane.

Thanks to the author, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance review copy. Cover image courtesy of Barbour Publishing © 2023.  Review by Pam Baker © 2023 The Regency Chronicle.