Lucy Lawrence Mysteries

When Peggy O'Reilly steps off the Wexford train, she dreams of a fresh start. Within days, she's vanished into Dublin's shadows, and soon the search for a missing girl has become a hunt for a killer... Dublin, 1894. Lucy Lawrence arrives in Ireland expecting a pleasant summer holiday while her husband Phineas investigates security at Dublin Castle. But when her maid's young cousin disappears and is found murdered in the notorious Monto red-light district, Lucy cannot stand idly by, especially when the girl's sister is still missing. In Merrion Square, banker Myles Carver grieves his dying wife with his beautiful daughter-in-law Olivia. In the Monto's brothels, madam Celine Burton rules through violence and fear. Between these two worlds stands Detective Inspector Fergus Ryan, hunting a killer while the powerful protect their secrets. As bodies mount and time runs out, Lucy must decide who to trust in a city full of contradictions. From sumptuous drawing rooms to squalid brothels the police dare not enter, this is a gripping Victorian mystery and a thrilling addition to the bestselling Lucy Lawrence series. What readers are saying about The Carver Affair: 'Another cracker in the series, and possibly the best one I have read yet! The many strands of the investigations slowly weave together beautifully. A really great read.' Reader review, 5 stars 'Like wine and cheese, this series keeps getting better with age. The writing is atmospheric, making this story compelling and hard to put down.' Reader review, 5 stars 'Exceptionally written... by the time we reach the climax, the final reveal is deeply unsettling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have already added the rest of the series to my TBR.' Reader review, 5 stars 'Fantastic read! I loved the tricky plot and all the characters. Very well structured, the storyline was gripping, always leaving you guessing. The series is getting better and better!' Reader review, 5 stars 'A fantastic story with a wicked twist towards the end! Lucy ends up falling headfirst into a series of events – murder, kidnapping, and poisoning.' Reader review, 5 stars 'The villain was well hidden and the surprise at the climax was superb. Thoroughly enjoyed it!' Reader review, 5 stars 'Another cracking read. I love the author's style, tone, and voice. Her characters leap easily into my imagination. Highly recommend this series.' Reader review, 5 stars

Fresh from her adventures abroad, Victorian widow Lucy Lawrence returns to London, eager to start a new chapter. Her world is rocked when an assassin's bullet strikes her new fiancé. As he lies gravely injured, Lucy vows to unmask the culprit... London, 1888. When a brutal murder occurs at her engagement party, Lucy Lawrence finds herself pulled into a new investigation. All evidence points to a mysterious syndicate of thieves known only by a cryptic calling card left at their crimes: Apollo. With the police eager to pin the murder on an easy target, Lucy and Phineas Stone must unravel a tangled web of lies and misdirection to uncover the truth before the case ruins them. From glittering Mayfair ballrooms to the deadly rookeries of London's East End to a remote Scottish island, they follow the trail of secrets and deception. As the danger mounts, Lucy realises the key to solving the case might lie in a simple painting. A cunning adversary is intent on destroying all who learn their secrets… can Lucy save the man she loves, and expose a deadly killer before it's too late? An atmospheric Victorian mystery brimming with suspense, passion and plot twists,The Art of Deception raises the stakes for Lucy Lawrence and Phineas Stone! What readers are saying about The Art of Deception: "A wonderful, courageous, funny, likeable, heroine in Lucy, I have loved all her adventures... I read the book over a few evenings and loved every minute of it, highly recommend." Reader review, 5 stars "Lucy and Phineas really took centre stage together in this one… the banter between them was thoroughly enjoyable." Reader review, 5 stars "This is a book that keeps one guessing… hard to put down and takes you from England to Scotland and back. At every turn the story draws you in." Reader review, 5 stars "I love Lucy and Phineas. I hope there will be another one soon, can't wait!" Reader review, 5 stars "I've thoroughly enjoyed this series of Victorian crime novels… Another intriguing mystery to solve and lots of peril for our heroes. Kept me guessing to the end. I do hope there will be more books about Lucy and Phin." Reader review, 5 stars

Lucy Lawrence stared down at her husband, his once handsome face now a twisted mask of death. She shivered and pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders. His life had held so many secrets, and now his sins were hers to bear… England, 1886. In the flickering gaslights of Victorian London, 28-year-old Lucy Lawrence's future hangs in the balance. Her husband's murder has left her reputation in tatters, and the theft of her mother's priceless heirloom pearls has only added to her woes. But when the handsome investigator Phineas Stone enters her life, Lucy finds herself drawn into a web of deceit that leads right back to her marriage and a deadly conspiracy that could undo them all. Beneath the polished veneer of London's high society, danger is as common as in the city's darkest alleys. As the stakes rise, Lucy discovers that the key to unravelling the mystery may lie in a cryptic note left behind by her late husband… a note that could either secure her innocence or seal her fate at the hands of a ruthless killer. And unputdownable historical mystery full of twists, red herrings and a dash of romance. No Stone Unturned is the first instalment in the bestselling Lucy Lawrence mystery series. What readers are saying about No Stone Unturned: "A flawlessly plotted mystery with characters so real they seem to step right off the page." Bestselling author Irina Shapiro 5 stars "My, oh my!! What a fantastic book, my goodness I absolutely loved it!! I couldn't put it down, I was turning the pages at lightning speed… Honestly I don't think I have the adequate words to fully describe just how blooding brilliant this book is, I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for this book and it is amazing!" Reader review, 5 stars "A perfect page turner, with all the classical elements that make for an exquisite historical thrill ride of a mystery." Reader review, 5 stars "Enthralling… commanded my attention from the very first sentence… This is a novel that is deserving to be read over and over again." Reader review, 5 stars "A must-read for mystery as well as historical lovers. Highly recommend." Reader review, 5 stars "Once I started reading, I found it hard to put down and was practically glued to it." Reader review, 5 stars "I absolutely loved this book!... The plot is full of intrigue and twists and turns and even has the beginnings of a wonderful romance." Reader review, 5 stars "A most refreshing murder mystery. Nail-biting, daring and an excellent plot." Reader review, 5 stars

Lucy Lawrence smoothed her silk travelling gown and watched as darkness fell over the shimmering waters of Lake Como – her honeymoon bliss shattered in an instant by a telegram carrying deadly tidings… Newlyweds Lucy Lawrence and Phineas Stone arrive at the glittering shores of Lake Como, Italy, not to enjoy a romantic honeymoon but to answer a frantic plea for help. Phin's brother-in-law – the charismatic Count Luca Carmosino – has vanished without a trace from his Belle Époque villa, and the couple find themselves thrust into a world of stolen diamonds and smuggling rings. From the opulent Grand Hotel Bellagio with its crystal chandeliers to the misty mountain passes of the Swiss border, Lucy must solve the mystery of the Count's disappearance and navigate the treacherous waters of Italian high society, all while maintaining the decorum expected of a proper Victorian lady… But as Lucy edges closer to the truth about what happened to Count Carmosino, the stakes rise dramatically. When an attempt is made on her life while Phin is out of town, Lucy realizes they're both in grave danger. Can she unravel this conspiracy and save those she loves before it's too late? The fourth in the beloved Lucy Lawrence mystery series! A gripping tale of stolen diamonds, family intrigue, and hard-won redemption set against the stunning backdrop of glamorous Italy. What readers are saying about this series: "My, oh my!! What a fantastic book, my goodness I absolutely loved it!! I couldn't put it down, I was turning the pages at lightning speed… Honestly I don't think I have the adequate words to fully describe just how blooding brilliant this book is, I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for this book and it is amazing!" Reader review, 5 stars "A wonderful, courageous, funny, likeable, heroine in Lucy, I have loved all her adventures... I read the book over a few evenings and loved every minute of it, highly recommend." Reader review, 5 stars "A perfect page turner, with all the classical elements that make for an exquisite historical thrill ride of a mystery." Reader review, 5 stars "Lucy and Phineas really took centre stage together in this one… the banter between them was thoroughly enjoyable." Reader review, 5 stars "Enthralling… commanded my attention from the very first sentence… This is a novel that is deserving to be read over and over again." Reader review, 5 stars

When Lucy Lawrence travels to Egypt with a dashing French archaeologist, she thinks she's leaving her troubled past behind. But in the shadow of the pyramids, death and deception await... Egypt, 1887. After scandals in London, young widow Lucy Lawrence seeks a fresh start in Cairo, agreeing to fund an archaeological dig led by the charismatic Frenchman Armand Moreau. Enticed by Egypt's ancient mysteries, Lucy dreams of making a spectacular discovery. But her hopes turn to dread when Moreau is found brutally murdered in the Great Pyramid. The only clue is the ceremonial dagger buried in his heart – a relic of Moreau's own past. As mysterious thefts plague the expedition, Lucy becomes ensnared in a plot reaching from lost desert tombs to Cairo's stylish avenues. With Phineas Stone far away in London, Lucy must rely on her own wits to uncover the truth behind Moreau's death. Pitted against corrupt officials, rival archaeologists, and a foe determined to silence her, can Lucy unmask the killer... or will she become the next unlucky victim herself? An unputdownable historical mystery blending mystery, romance and murder, Footprints in the Sand is the second novel in the bestselling Lucy Lawrence Mystery series. What readers are saying about Footprints in the Sand: "My, oh my!!! How bloody brilliant is this book? … Lucy Lawrence is back with another cracking case for us all to get our teeth into… I adore this series... Brilliantly thrilling plot with more twist and turns then a maze!" Reader review, 5 stars "A dazzling book that is not only an immensely pleasurable one to read but the ending is also extremely satisfying. I truly hope there are more books to come in this beguiling series!" Reader review, 5 stars "This is like opening a box of chocolate to find that the box is full of your favourites…did I mention that I utterly adore this book?... if you love Death on the Nile then this is the perfect book for you!" Reader review, 5 stars "I loved this book… well-plotted and incredibly well researched… shades of Agatha Christie in this book. Excellent." Reader review, 5 stars "A most enjoyable read. The plot was very devious and I wasn't able to guess the culprit until the very end." Reader review, 5 stars "A gripping story… It will appeal to all lovers of historical crime fiction and especially to fans of Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody." Reader review, 5 stars