AN ACT OF VILLAINY is the fifth book in Ashley Weaver's Amory Ames historical mystery series. This series is normally packed full of assorted personal dramas both large and small, so having a murder set in the world of the theater makes perfect sense. Amory and Milo Ames are pulled into the somewhat sordid marital melodrama of their friends Gerard and Georgina Holloway. Gerard has a new play he's putting together and a young ingenue mistress to star in it. The circumstances make things a little uncomfortable for Amory since the Holloway's marriage is drawing unwelcome parallels to her own occasionally tumultuous marriage. When Flora Bell meets a gruesome end on stage, Amory and Milo work together to figure out why Flora was murdered and who done it.

Each book in this Amory Ames series is like a delicacy for mystery fans who adore a divine melding of murder, mystery, and history. "The Price of Victory" is the play that draws these suspects, investigators, and the victim together. As with previous books in this series, Ashley Weaver draws readers in and makes an appealing story-within-a-story. The various theatrical types in AN ACT OF VILLAINY make natural suspects and ferreting out the truth, amid all the lies and half-truths, proves difficult for Amory. It's good seeing Milo and the lead inspector let Amory have free reign to verify alibis and hunt down clues. Amory is a clever female amateur sleuth and the men in her life know better than to underestimate her and her intuition. What I love most about AN ACT OF VILLAINY is the way Ashley Weaver gives voice to the victim and paints a portrait of a woman who was flawed but who, as Amory slowly discovers, was more complex than most people gave her credit for. The destruction of the murder victim is truly tragic, and this story is one that lingers in your mind long after finishing.

AN ACT OF VILLAINY is a masterpiece of misdirection, evil intentions, and terrifically twisted characters. Amory Ames is a tenacious and ingenious sleuth, with a handsome rogue by her side. Ashley Weaver injects just the right amount of intriguing and provocative domestic drama without taking anything away from the mystery and mayhem. I crave Ashley Weaver's next Amory Ames mystery.