from our rave review:In the latest instalment of Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby series of historical mysteries, Keira and Gage’s honeymoon is cut short as they are summoned to Rathfarnham Abbey in Ireland to investigate the mysterious death of a nun. What they expect to be a straightforward investigation proves anything but as they are forced to deal with the complicated and fraught socio-political realities of 19th century Ireland. Deftly handled and well plotted, with gorgeous prose and a demonstrated grasp on a complex history, As Death Draws Near is a sumptuous and suspenseful escape into another time.I am new to this author and am absolutely delighted to have discovered another series to lose myself in. While I’m sure the story would be richer for me if I had prior relationship to the characters, especially Keira, I never felt lost or overwhelmed. Ms. Huber knows these characters and treats them as living and breathing people, but balances that with the knowledge that many of us may be strangers to them.What very well may be overwhelming to some people is the historical setting for this book. For anyone not familiar with Irish history and the various rebellions and stagnated revolutions that pepper it, many of the driving factors of this story may come as a bit of a shock. I happen to be very conversant in the historical relationship between Great Britain and Ireland as it’s part of my job to be so. So while I think Ms. Huber clearly explains everything and doesn’t leave any gaps in the context of why this nun would be killed and why the locals won’t cooperate with anyone with an English accent, I admit to not being an outsider to the conversation.The upside is that if anyone enjoys learning wrapped up with their romances, this book is perfect. The early 19th century on the island saw the birth of many of the groups and movements which will ultimately lead to the partition of Ireland and Northern Ireland in 1920, and Ms. Huber deals with a lot of them here. The tension brought by the Tithe Tax, the clashes between Orangemen and Ribbonmen, the seething frustration which is palpable from the Irish citizens and the fear felt by many of the English living in Ireland; all are handled respectfully and well.