Following on from A Marvellous Light and taking place in the same Edwardian magical timeline - one threatened by the dark truth of how that magic originated - A Restless Truth focuses on two young women, Maud Blyth and Violet Debenham, who have taken passage on an ocean liner from New York to England.

I love the idea of a Golden Age liner-set mystery. The little enclosed world. Strangers pushed together and having to get on (or not). A liminal space, neither one place nor the other. The different classes, demarcated but still cheek-by-jowl. People feeling free to be... a little free. The setup simply breathes intrigue, and A Restless Truth takes full advantage, it could indeed be a magical version of, say, Anything Goes! with the same Wodehousian complexity as the mess the two women are involved in becomes ever deeper and harder to untangle.

Where A Restless Truth departs from that model, of course, is in its frankly sensual aspect. I almost wrote 'subplot' but that's not right - this part of the story is not something that happen to Maud and Violet's it's about who they are (even if one of them enters the story innocent of that and is subject to an awakening). It is also as key to their motivations as are their magical interests and family backgrounds. They are attracted from the start and it's more a matter of when, not if, they will consumate that. Readers of A Marvellous Light will not be surprised by what follows. As in the previous book, Marske writes scenes between her lovers that are passionate, explicit and life-affirming. But to borrow that phrase again - Anything goes!

Readers of A Marvellous Light will also be pleased - as I was - to meet Lord Hawthorn again. We were introduced to Hawthorn in the earlier book where he wasn't particularly helpful to our heroes. Here, he's more obliging, either because Maud and Violet are more persuasive, or perhaps because on a liner he just can't escape them for long. Either way, Hawthorn is captivating. We do learn a little about him yet there is still a mystery that isn't resolved here - I want to know more! (Based on what we are told, I feel I ought to call him "Bad Lord Hawthorn" because he's the type that innocent young girls seek out when they have decided - like Violet - that it's time they were ruined. (He's happy to oblige)). Whether there is a redeeming streak to him (but do we want that?) or whether he just wants a quiet life, unpestered by interfering minxes, remains to be seen.

What else? A pack of villains, obviously, some cooly dangerous and others bumbling. Murder. Jewel thieves. A radical vendor of smutty stories. A lot of social class barriers that Marske spends the novel disassembling, examining, reconstructing and generally subverting. Maud and Violet are shining examples of this disobliging attitude to convention (whatever is becoming of the young these days?) but there's more to them than that. In this short, hectic passage aboard ship, surrounded by peril and exploring aspects of themselves that Maud had never even dreamed of (well, maybe she'd dreamed...) there is still time and space for a most complicated relationship to build up between the two, one driven by social position, their previous histories, their fears and longings (really, really not simple!), not a little prejudice, and of course, Secrets.

It's all, frankly, captivating. I adored A Restless Truth, perhaps even more than its predecessor, if that's possible. Simple joy from the first page to the last with great characters, a ludicrous but involving plot and a great deal of action (of several types).

Very strongly recommended, but more importantly, great fun.

This book fell completely flat for me and I honestly don't know why. I really liked A Marvellous Light, I adore sapphic romances, I love a good mystery, but this didn't hit the spot and there's nothing in there that explains it. I didn't dislike the characters, in fact I really liked Violet a lot. I was interested in the magic society and exploring the way it intersects with regular society in a way that we didn't get to see in A Marvellous Light.

I suppose the main thing was that I didn't get very into the relationship, which is a big part of the book. There were three really long sex scenes, which I just found left me bored, though that's not unusual, I'm not really one for spicy books. And there was just no heat in the relationship. I didn't feel the passion and the love that I love to feel. It felt too easy and not very romantic.

I'm very disappointed because I was ready to really love this book. I was looking forward to it so much.

This was such an exciting and thrilling read. I loved the mix of romance, mystery, intrigue and drama. This perfectly matched the tone i was expecting from the first novel in the series but this amped it up even more. I loved Maud and Violet and thought they were such a good pairing. The excitement was amped up and i was hooked on this throughout the novel. I loved how this was paced and it was exciting to find out what would happen next.

I jumped into this without knowing there was another which came before it - whilst it might help set the background it definitely didn't feel absolutely necessary to the enjoyment of this.

And enjoyment there was! I loved this book from the first chapter. The characters are immensely likeable - they are complex, and make questionable decisions at times but you know fine well you'd like to go for a drink with any of the main players. The plot is twisty and and kept me guessing throughout - I read someone compare it to Knives Out and I think that's pretty accurate - but on board a ship.

I can't review this without mentioning the sauce 🔥🔥. Wow. Guys, I found it to be some of the best written sex scenes that I've read.

One of the best reads of the year for me. A solid 5/5 and I'll definitely be reading the prequel and sequel !

I was so so excited for A Restless Truth after absolutely losing myself in A Marvelous Light and gosh. It did not disappoint. Freya Maske simply is a master storyteller and I just want everyone to read this series.

I enjoyed the first book in this series (A Marvellous Light) so I know that this author’s books are often slow to start but are worth it. The connection between the two FMCs is great and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop further as the book went on.
They main story is that they are trying to solve a mystery whilst on a cruise ship between the USA and UK. The mystery element was fine but it’s the characters and their development and relationships that stand out for me.

A Restless Truth was a quite anticipated release for me, and I'm glad to say it didn't dissapoint. Sequel to A Marvellous Light, it continues to explore the mysteries of magicians in this world, while following a fresh cast of characters.

Reading about Maud Blyth's journey through the Atlantic as she tried to help her brother's investgation, as well as solve a murder, was so much fun. Accompanied with the scandalous performer Violet, the ever-grumpy Lord Hawthorn, and the skillful Ross, Maud manages to answer some questions left from the previous book while also asking new ones.

The characters were so enjoyable to read about, the romance was swooning, and the mystery left me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait for the third book and the concluscion to this incredible series.

This was simply SO GOOD. Whoever on social media said the second installment had a Knives Out on a boat vibes were right! This is honestly pretty spot on. If you like historical fiction, unlikely friendships, Titanic-ish boats and spicy sapphic books, you're in for a treat! Book 3 is going to be lit!

So, after loving A Marvellous Light last year, of course I had to request A Restless Truth the minute it popped up on NetGalley, and… you know… read it in time, rather than in two years’ time. This time it’s a ocean-liner mid-trip mystery, and I love the fact that we’ve got quite a close and confined space to work in. We get some more of the amazing magic system, a whole new romance to root for, more spice but of a very different variety, and such a good supporting cast – give me more Hawthorn, more Ross, in the last book, please? I’ll chant that familiar tune again – give me more historical with a dash of magic please!

This was a lovely read with two whip-smart and endearing heroines (and some fascinating side characters, one of whom we've seen before). It was paced well and was straightforward whilst still remaining interesting.

The setting of this book was an interesting one. The entire novel takes place across a very short period of time on a ship traveling from America to England. This creates, as the novel labels it, a liminal sort of space. All of the actions and problems that took place happened in this relatively small and confined setting. I don't often read books with a setting that is quite as confined as this one and it was interesting to see how Marske handled a story where everything had to take place in the same place without becoming boring and tedious.

Maud and Violet were delightful main characters (although incredibly different) and they were good characters to follow throughout the novel. It was nice to see a more nuanced and detailed version of Maud, allowing us to see the depths of her personality and what makes her tick. Violet was a prickly delight from the moment she appeared on the page. Hawthorn remains a favorite (and I desperately hope he will be getting his own novel) and the newly introduced characters had a lot to add to the story.

Sometimes I did find that there was just a tad too much going on in the plot. There were always multiple 'subplots' and shenanigans happening and occasionally the book jumped between things just a little too gracelessly.

There were also scenes that I found a little tedious, there were several occasions where I felt that certain scenes or side plots could have been omitted with no real effect on the overall product.

Overall this was an enjoyable read set in a world and narrative I already loved but it did not wow me. I will definitely continue to follow this saga and Marske's work and look forward to what will come next.

This was a great follow-up to A Marvellous Light, the first book in the series, even though it wasn’t as good. I loved the story, especially the humour, and all the colourful characters. The first half of the book dragged a bit, but it picked up very soon, to a rollicking conclusion.

I do have a couple of niggles. First, that the romance was nothing like the slow-burn one of Robin and Edwin. On the one hand, I’m glad the author tried something different, especially having a young, curious young woman, who’s not afraid to ask for what she wants. On the other hand, But I’m not sure it worked as well. The other thing is the way convenient legacies (and, therefore, money) fall into people’s laps.

Having said all that, I love the setting, the characters, the magic. Looking forward to part 3!

(Review copy from NetGalley)

Cards on the table, I thought to start with I wasn't going to like this. This was due to the fact that a) I have not read A Marvellous Light (although I really want to now!), b) I was expecting something along the lines of a sweet, queer regency romance except set in Edwardian times - which it really wasn't! and c) getting shoved out of the story initially due to language choices. On the last point, I am not offended by profanity. I don't care about Fs and Cs as long as there is a reason for them to be used in the text (the reason I'm not typing the words out in full is so I can cross post this review to Amazon). But considering where my expectations started and the arrival of the first F and then the very graphic and again unexpected sexual content, it did jolt me out of the story momentarily. I was then worried that it would do an S J Maas and just have fantasy as window dressing for smut. I'm fine with smut, I'm fine with romantasy. What I dislike is being tricked into reading something that is smutty romantasy without much fantasy or other plot than 'romance' when I thought I was getting something else.



Happily, this was not the case. There was enough magical murder mystery to keep the plates spinning. The historical detail and world building worked. And instead of ill thought out smut dressed up as period romance, instead I was treated to a thoughtful, intelligent and compelling look at a couple negotiating how and if to be together, with all the perils and pitfalls of being unconventional, wanting something society says you're not supposed to want, and just generally being full, messy human beings. I believed the romance and the sexual attraction which is no mean feat considering many authors fail to sell me on either.



Overall I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to going back and reading the installment starring this MC's brother.

A Marvellous Light was a delightful and entertaining surprise, A Restless Truth is an excellent second book in the series and I loved every moment.
There's a lot going on, some more world building and some questions left open are answered. Some new questions made think there will be another novel.
I fell in love with this story since the first pages and thoroughly enjoyed what I read, loved the characters, couldn put it down.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

4.5 rounded up to 5

Thanks to Netgalley for this arc.

'because when you're in a room I don't want to look anywhere else'

Like a lot of us I was initially a bit miffed when I realised Edwin & Robin weren't going to be the main characters in this sequel. However, I couldn't have been more wrong; if anything I may have liked this one a bit more than the first!

This book follows Maud, Robin's strong willed sister, as she accompanies another elderly member of the Forsythia Club on a ship from New York to the UK.

As with book one, the first chapter is a POV of the murder victim so there's no messing about, you're straight into the story.

Maud, with the help of a notebook full of Robin's visions, befriends Violet Debenham, an actress & magician with a complicated past, Ross, a journalist and Lord Hawthorn from Book 1, to get them to help her solve the murder.

Honestly I just absolutely loved this book. The titanic vibes (without the tragic ending) were immaculate - I could envision everything so clearly. The mystery itself was tense and intriguing, with something new always lurking around the corner. We also had the added benefit of the forced proximity aspect as it was set on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic so no escape for the murderers, and more time for Violet and Maud to get to know each other 👀

I adore Maud and Violet. They are so different to each other but they're both so brave and loving, and funny. I'm also very surprised that Markse managed to make Hawthorn likeable in this after how we meet him in Book 1.

If you want a murder mystery with Sapphic romance, heist style set ups and major titanic vibes (with no icebergs) then I very much recommend this book. You will have to read A Marvellous Light first to understand the magic system and world building but that is also an amazing book so it's a win-win!

I'm also so intrigued for book 3 and who the POV characters are going to be, I have a feeling it might be Hawthorn and Ross but we'll see! I need to know what's going to happen with Maud and Violet, and I guess also the Last Contract as well, but mainly I wanna see all these amazing characters some more.

CW: murder, sexual content, blood, violence, mentions of toxic parents

I enjoyed book one and this was even better !!!! This is an author I will definitely read all from in the future bc I love their writing so so much !!

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, A Marvellous Light, and I couldn't wait for this sequel to come out! I really warmed to Maud and Violet straight away, which I wasn't necessarily expecting, but I honestly found the two of them to be very well-suited. With the addition of Hawthorn, I loved the dynamic this little trio had going on, especially their resistance to show care for one another. The setting of the ship and the characters taking their journey across the Atlantic felt like the perfect backdrop for this story and the adventures that they all went on, all the nooks and crannies with mysteries lurking round the corners, and constant trouble for them all to get in. I'm a massive fan of a murder-mystery but this one especially worked for me in it being more situational. A bit slow at times, but another delight from Marske!

I really enjoyed reading A Marvellous Light and I really enjoyed this book. I mean what's not to like about a book that's such a good combination of Historical Fiction/Murder Mystery/Queer Romance! Also, the cover is so gorgeous!!!

I eagerly awaited the second instalment of the authors The Last Binding sequence of books, and gobbled it up as soon as it landed on my Kindle.
However due to illness I wasn’t able to post my review in a timely manner but it gave me the opportunity to love this story all over again.
We follow Maud who to aid her brother Robin in the search for knowledge of the last bindings travels to New York. Successful in finding one of the witches who discovered the Last Contract, she travels back to the UK on the Lyric, as companion to the elderly Mrs Navenby (and her parrot).
However disaster strikes as soon as the sea voyage starts as Mrs. Navenby is murdered and Maud must go from retiring companion to sleuthing detective. She is helped (and hindered) in her efforts by the beguiling, worldly Violet Debenham and the aloof Lord Hawthorn from Marvellous Light.
Evokes memories of Agatha Christie and those locked room murder mysteries but with a healthy and steamy sexual awakening for Maud. The story sensitively explores sexuality, burgeoning desires with the delight and insecurities this can bring. Maud has an able teacher in Violet and for those not inclined to explicit scenes please do not let this put you off from reading this excellent tale.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for access to this ARC as always much appreciated. All views are my own.

I read the first in the series, A Marvellous Light, a couple of weeks before this so it was pretty fresh in my mind and I enjoyed the magic and alternative reality setting in this so was keen to read the next.

This time in we're on board a steamship with magic and sapphic romance, and the writing is equally magical and the world is so vividly depicted. I've read quite a few books set at sea recently and this was the best in terms of setting the scene of life on board a large vessel at sea. Again I enjoyed the magical alternative reality and well written characters.

This was a fun one. While it is listed as the second book in the Last Binding series this can easily be read as a standalone as there is only a tiny bit of overlap with book one. It follows a whole cast of new characters with only small referenced to Robin and Edward from book one. It also does have nods back to the previous mystery but also I feel can stand alone as well.

This time we follow Maud Blyth who is the sister of Robin the main Character from book one, but for me this had a much more classic mystery feel. The locked room aspect of being on an ocean liner travelling from America to London was really fun to me. It kept the setting and number of characters tight so this meant that we really got to know a lot about our main pair Maud and Violet. I liked the way the mystery built and played out. There were many well plotted red herrings some really fun hijinks and overall I really liked to outcome.

I also liked the use of magic in this book. With mostly unmagical characters when magic did play into the plot I thought it was done so with real emphasis and purpose. It wasn’t just thrown around or used to solve little problems but instead built into larger more detailed plans to help catch the killer.

I also enjoyed the romance between Maud and Violet. While it did fall foul of a lot of stereotypes which did make me roll my eyes a little, I do think overall we ended up with a nice romantic story. The sex scenes were varied and intimate though did lack a little of the lust and passion that was found in book one. However, I thought the development and outcome of Maud and Violet’s relationship was a lot more measured and realistic. I found it easy to route for them but loved that they were not a perfect instalove couple.

Overall I thought this was a really enjoyable read and cannot wait to read more about this world and what might happen next in the lives of these groups of characters in the next book. I was very fortunate to be gifted both a physical copy but also the audiobook version. The audio narration was a real pleasure to listen to. Narrated by Aysha Kala, the voices of the characters were distinct and it was very clear which character was talking. The pacing of her voice was clear and she really brought the story to life.