| Title | : | The Ink Master's Silence (Glass and Steele, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 309 |
| Publication | : | First published September 4, 2018 |
When the editor of The Weekly Gazette is killed, controversial journalist and ink magician Oscar Barratt asks India and Matt to investigate. As the recipient of threatening letters written on magic paper, he believes he was the intended target. With suspects ranging from Oscar’s brother to guild masters and London’s elite, India and Matt have a lot of investigating to do.
But the more they dig, the more dark secrets they uncover. Secrets that involve blackmail and an exclusive club of magic collectors who want to preserve the value of their collections. When one of the secrets can give India and Matt the future they desire, will they give in to blackmail or sacrifice their happiness?
The Ink Master's Silence (Glass and Steele, #6) Reviews
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3.0 - 3.5 boring ***
I listened to the audio of this book. Matt is healed and the future should be bright for him and India. Unfortunately Matt still is being blackmailed by his Uncle to marry his cousin. I am so very tired of this sub-plot. Matt being encourage / coerced to marry one of his cousins has been an issue since the beginning of the series. Matt seems like such a strong character until he’s faced with his Uncle then he becomes a doormat. I waited and waited for him to tell his relatives to bugger off. Never happened. It was up to India to save the day and no doubt she’ll have a steep price to pay in the next book.
The mystery wasn’t that great and was overshadowed by Matt’s family problems. Even Matt and India’s relationship seemed forced. When the murderer was caught he readily explained in minutia why and how he committed the crime. It was too simplistic and juvenile.
The series started out very strong, however; each installment has gotten weaker in mystery and stronger in family angst.
Fans of the series can easily skip this book and not miss a thing. -
A lot of people didn't like this book as much because it kind of moved away from the main plot thus far. Matt's health has been somewhat fixed, magic is out now, and Matt and India's lives are different. However, I find that this book was a transition into what this story was meant to be all along.
I don't know why but I have always thought that this series was moving towards a married detective couple solving mysteries with added magic. Fixing Matt's health and overcoming relationship problems was just on the way to get there. Now I feel like we have hit our stride and this book was the transition in between. -
Read the first six books in this series right after one another, so seemed like one long book with a few continuing themes. Each individual title focuses on a different aspect of magic and a variety of British trade Guilds in the late 1800s. Combining history, suspense, romance, London society, hints of wild west America and a variety of magical abilities these are quick and entertaining reads. [Posting the same review and the same # of stars for each of them.]
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Well this ended much too quickly. I was very excited for the release of this new book and ended up reading it all in one night. Now the waiting begins again.
As much as I hate waiting for the next book, I’m still very happy the series is continuing. I was afraid it would end once Matt’s watch was fixed and he and India declared a mutual love. But there’s still so much potential with the overarching plot of the existence of magic along with India’s magical powers. I feel like there are lots of hints being made of things to come and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story is going.
Of course now that India and Matt are finally openly together, I’m hoping that Matt doesn’t fall into the boring role of overprotective/jealous partner who spends all his time doting on his lover. I really enjoy his passion for India and his quiet romantic ways, but there’s obviously more to him than that. He plays the gentleman well, but he was also someone else before coming to London. That person can’t simply disappear even if he wanted him to. Matt is probably going to be hurt when he finds out that India went behind his back with Coyle, but I also can’t help but feel like there is more from Matt’s past than he is telling India.
Likewise, I’m hoping India doesn’t fall into the role of reckless heroine who can do no wrong while getting into unnecessary dangerous situations. I’ve seen it happen to good characters and it’s annoying. So far I’ve enjoyed her narrative, how her self confidence wavers but not her self respect. She can stand her ground with Matt even when he loses his temper, but she can also question her own judgment about a case or become shy and turn red at his flirting. And she is always the intelligent and proper English lady. A good balance to Matt’s quick temper and cynicism. I just hope her bit of blackmail doesn’t spiral into a book full of self sabotage for her new happiness. I feel like she would be too smart for that and I hate when characters are dumbed down just for plot. -
Gah! I hate it when characters walk headlong into a bad decision…
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Weakest one in the series so far. The ridiculously bad decisions made throughout the book made me grind my teeth.
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Good but missing something...
Actually 1/2 Stars because I loved all the lovey-doves stuff between India and Matt, but I felt the mystery wasn’t as urgent or dire as the other books. I love the developing relationships between other characters and India’s growing confidence, but the Rycroft family need to get some morals, kindness, or courage. Overall, compelling love story, but mystery was lacking. -
I'm sorry to say that I'm so disappointed with the author and I'm going to quit this series. I was a fan and I've read it from book one and I've loved it so very much because it seems like a mix of Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes. And magic! So I thought, "Finally! Here comes my dream book!!"
BUT I feel that I've to put a stop in this series because, first of all, Matt's character thoroughly annoyed me. He was a badass, clever, and charming man but it seems so ridiculous that he kept up with his very annoying English relatives that pressed him to marry to their likes. Not only that it makes him looks like he can't grew a spine and stand toe to toe with his uncle and tell him to fuck off, but also this problem is getting old and boring and I'm sure you'll lose more readers of this series if you keeps dragging this shit up forever.
And India oh India, still drowning in the same hole of insecurity since the first book, despite whatever she said about woman's freedom and dreams et cetera. Took her long enough to stand up against that old hag of an aunt of Matt. With all those magic she possesses and the intelligence that'smentioned a lot, she's still a turtle afraid of come out of her shell. She didn't even get any ambition, or dream whatsoever, for herself. My goodness, girl.
And what about the concept of magic?? I keep waiting for an amazing action involving great magic and a better change for the londonese magicians at least, but oh well the book is mostly about Matt and the girls he doesn't want to marry.
I QUIT.
BYE.
OHHHHH GOOD RIDDANCE. -
Actual Rating: 2.5/5
Something really irked me about this latest book. I felt wholly unsatisfied with the romance and the mystery. Don't get my wrong I love Matt and India's relationship. And I'm really glad that India finally stood up for herself against Miss Glass' prejudices. While I really want for India and Matt to have a happily ever after, I just felt that aspects of their relationship are being forced. Also there was much face palming for me in this book. I know India's decisions will lead to huge consequences and drama down the line. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it (like HELLO?! WHAT DID YOU EXPECT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN??). Also I'm a bit bothered by the fact that it's getting really repetitive where India goes "Oh! I had a feeling that was the case but didn't voice my thoughts about it." (aka when she found about Willie's lover and the issue with Mr. Hendry). I still plan to continue with this series, but, I will be honest and say I'm starting to feel a bit burnt out (I hope it's not the case for Ms. Archer as well for I truly enjoy this series and her other books). Hopefully the next book will reinvigorate my love for this series. -
SPOILERS- SORTA
I'm having a REALLY hard time with Matt. I don't even like him at this point. He's an asshole. I think India could do so much better. There is zero and I mean ZERO reason why Matt HAS TO Marry Patience. And I hate that they keep saying how kind and good Patience is, but yeah, she's just horrible too. Saying, sorry, not sorry, my happiness is more important than yours or Matt's. She's not a nice person, stop saying she is. She's horrible too.
Also at least India finally got a bit of a spine with Aunt/miss Glass. She claims she/miss glass likes/loves India, but really all she did was orchestrate her niece marrying Matt, even though Miss Glass claims she hates/really dislikes them. Yeah, no. She's not just a confused old lady, she's insanely manipulative. Horrible. I don't like her at all. -
Everything that drew me in with this series seemed to dissipate with this installment of the Glass and Steele series. The other books I devoured quickly, while this one took me too long to read.
I am so disappointed. -
Love this series, except for the cliffhanger at the end, but that just means there will be a Glass and Steel # 7, I am ready.
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3.50 / 3 Stars
The editor of a newspaper is murdered (because of the magic articles) and much of it revolves around an Ink Master, his brother, and other's who feel the magicians will ruin non-magician's businesses. I found the mystery rather weak and the resolution of the mystery wrapped up rather quickly. Too much time was spent on Matt's forced impending wedding by his aunt and uncle to to their daughter. There really was no further character development between Matt and India. I also missed the magic (PNR) element of the original storyline....like the searching they were doing to find the doctor's magic to fix Matt's watch. There just seemed to be something missing in this book.... -
Hints of an end and new beginning.
I really do feel like this relationship has been dragged on long enough. I don't find the characters as likable as I have with other series. We have a woman who is essentially in a relationship with a publicly engaged man. We have a man who is willing to have the woman he loves be seen as his mistress while he is engaged to another, and he will not publicly deny the engagement. I really do think that if they had not planned on running away that he would have married his cousin. All of this really has overshadowed the mysteries they are solving for this entire series. Hopefully in the next book, all this will be set aside and the characters will have a stronger will and a bit more likable. -
A fast read magical mystery. I still enjoy the Glass and Steele series. I feel I've become part of the story so far. I like the new elements that C.J.Archer put in this book, like the lgbt characters and how she portraits the 1890's English society. I also like how well she describes the character's feelings and thoughts, so the reader can understand their actions. And at least things start falling into place and Miss Glass accepts the protagonists' affair. I put 4 stars, because I liked some of the other books more. Keep on reading, we have much more to 'see'...
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I very nice continuation.
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It is a cozy series, which I'm now reading to find out what happens between Matt and India.
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Seriously obsessed with these books. I cant stop reading them. The ending of this one made me so happy.
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My eye roll count per chapter has gone up exponentially with each book in this series. I thought that since they FINALLY got his magic watch fixed and dealt with Sheriff Payne (not sure on spelling as I listened to the audiobook) in Book 5 that this book would at least be something different. Somehow it just got worse. Matt and India are working to solve yet another murder, but their detective skills lack all tact and subtlety. They discover a new clue and immediately go confront a new (or the same suspect) to get them to confess. As a result they end up terrorizing and harassing several innocent people.
Additionally, this book was exhausting to read because the characters would continually repeat each plot point every single time there was someone who needed to be brought up to speed. If you got rid of every time the author repeats themselves in this book you would be left with a book half the size. It’s just incredibly disappointing because there is so much potential for an amazing story in this cool world the author created. I will not be continuing with this series. I can only imagine that the only reason the rest of the series has decent reviews is because all the people who see it for what it really is stopped reading several books back. -
4.5 stars
While I love the series and I really did enjoy this book, I couldn't give it 5 stars because it kind of dragged along.
The mystery wasn't that interesting, the drama with the cousin annoyed me to no end, I fell like the old lady is the real mastermind in these books and the Scooby-Doo killer was kinda' stupid. The way he showed up and started explaining his evil plan.
Besides all that, the book was nice. India changed and matured so much and I love seeing how confident she is now.
I really thought that this would be the last book in the series. But to my surprise, it's not! Yaaay!
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Best One Yet
So... I'm having a tough time coming up with something to say. All I seem to be focused on is things that would fall in the "spoiler" category. Let me just call this episode of India and Matt's grand adventure the best one yet.
Since this was book 6 and I've read all the previous books in the series, it's obvious I've enjoyed them. It's a great series, but start at the beginning and enjoy all the adventure, angst, missteps, and villains India, Matt, and those wacky family and friends seem to find themselves in constantly. -
I really love the story but some things got in the way of enjoying it to its fullest. Like the historical inaccuracies. British Juries aren't anything like American's. Actually Matt would have probably ended up on one of the Juries in at least one of the cases. Newspapers didn't really have rivals back then. They often swapped stories. Engagement rings weren't very common. Brand new idea brought in by the debeers. Oh and there was a poor misses steele when it should have been poor misses glass.
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Excellent installment in the series!
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: yes
Cliffhanger: not really
SUMMARY
Matt's healthy! But not yet free. Matt is still talking with Lord Cox, trying to convince him to marry Patience. Plus Matt's uncle is somehow blackmailing him into the marriage.
Matt and India attend dinner at Lord Coyle's. They meet Mr and Mrs Delancey (son of a wool magician), Sir Charles, and Professor Nash (grandson of an iron magician). Mr Delancey is a successful banker, Sir Charles seems to have no profession, and Nash teaches medieval history. All but Nash are collectors and want magic to remain secret because it keeps their collections rare and thus valuable. Nash lectures on the history of magic, talks about powerful magicians who knew the language of magic and could create new spells. They discuss Oscar's articles, that he or his editor, Baggley, needs to be stopped. Mrs Delancey wants her husband's watch touched, Matt says India isn't a magician. Lord Coyle says she makes watches that protect and she combined her magic with a medical magician to extend Matt's life. They start to leave when the butler interrupts, Baggley has been murdered.
They visit Inspector Brockwell in the morning. He doesn't think the murder has anything to do with Oscar's articles. Baggley and Oscar were conferring, Oscar left to get some notes, heard a gunshot, found Baggley dead.
Oscar visits. He's gotten letters nightly for a week telling him to stop writing about magic or else. The note paper is magic. He begs Matt and India to investigate because he thinks he was the intended target.
When Matt's engagement to Patience is announced in the paper, Matt, Duke, Cyclops, Willie, and India make plans to leave London. Then India remembers Matt can't leave Gabe, the medical magician.
EVALUATION
The author does a good job moving the characters's lives forward while moving the mystery forward, too. Both are well paced. This book focuses on Matt, India, Miss Glass, and Patience, but previous ones have seen development in Willie and Cyclops.
I love how jealous Matt gets when other men pay attention to India as soon as his engagement is announced. Mr Hendry breaks my heart.
RECOMMENDATION
Everyone who likes history, romance, urban fantasy, or cozy mystery
FAVORITE QUOTES
"If I find you two [Duke and Cyclops] have been fighting in the mews, I'll dock your pay and inform both my aunt and Miss Mason. One will lecture you and the other will fawn over you, Cyclops, until you have to admit you have feelings for her." "Don't tell the Mason girl," Duke said to Matt. "Tell your cousin, Charity. She won't fawn, she'll tie him to a bed and call it nursing."
"Do you think he'll tell your uncle that he saw us kissing?" "He will." Matt suddenly scooped me into his arms. "So we might as well do it again."
"You're more confident in yourself, and that confidence makes you desirable."
I tipped my head back against the wall and stared at the ceiling. Finding no inspiration there, I looked at Matt again. The view was infinitely more inspiring.
[Charity's card and the eye patch scene]
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: kisses
Language: 0 F words, 11 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: less than previous books -
I love this book and her writing style. Every time I pick up a Glass & Steele novel, I know that I am in for a treat. A non stop thrill ride with adventure at every turn. She paints a picture with her words that allows me to feel like a fly on the wall as the adventures continues. The best part is the way she ends her novels that allows the reader to pick up the next one as it continues the story.
Glass and Steele know how to stay busy. Now that Glasses watch is fixed and he is no longer knocking on Deaths door you think they would take time to enjoy one another. But now Oscar is at there door and someone has tried to kill him who obviously wants the articles to stop. But not only that because while Glass and Steele are in love with each other, their are many obstacles in there way including, Aunt Letia, Precious (Currently engaged to Matt) and Lord & Lady Rycroft (Matt's family). Now they are doing their best to solve the murder of the editor of Oscar's paper, while also trying to find a way to get Matt out of his engagement without hurting Precious. While running away seems the best option, India is not ready to leave London so she goes to Lord Coyle in an attempt to find dirt on Lord Cox so that she can force him to marry and have Matt all to herself. -
A lot of other reviewers have said that this installment falls a little flat compared to others, and I actually agree (for once). I'm not sure what it is, perhaps the tension and stakes aren't high enough? All of Archer's strengths are still on display; strong characters, great descriptions, voice, but somethings still missing in this book.
[Spoilers] Time is running out for Matt and India's relationship but somehow I think everyone knows that it will all work out. Also it's easy to let our modern values skew our opinions of how they should deal with the situation. Matt and India seem to bull headed to let everyone constantly bully them around. I guess the frustration of the situation makes it hard to read at times. It definitely made me angry at times. [end of spoilers]
Another reason this book might feel slower is because of how high stakes the previous installment was. Book 5 was high of high as far tension. If one thing went wrong, characters would have died. This book was bound to feel slower because new problems had to be introduced but also nothing could be as immediately as pressing as Matt's original condition.
Overall, it was still very enjoyable and the slow burn style romance between Matt and India is as frustrating and steamy as ever. -
1.5 and rated with 2 just because of a couple funny quotes!
I was expecting this book to be superfluous but I can not feel not disappointed anyway.
The new murder/investigation is not enough to uplift the story beacuse is the umpteenth one, and because is not that compelling, nor well executed. The main characters are distracted by other matters, easily solvable themselves but purposely procrastinated and with the side effect of making them appear not as smart as they should be (according to previous books).
The side characters are only a pointless means to stretch out the story.
Six books, and still no deepening on how and why there is magic in this worldbuilding, no real cause or meaning for it to be such an important aspect in the lives of these people. It's just a bland excuse to make India different, special enough to be a main character. But there is nothing special, really.
Furthermore, we have no final closure yet.
I'm done with this series.
