With Aurora in hiding, Frank Podmore missing, and old foe Felix Crossley on the prowl, Lawrence and Violet’s tranquil retirement is shattered. A tragedy in Malvern pulls Lawrence into the orbit of Arthur Conan Doyle, who challenges him to solve a chilling mystery from the past: uncover the truth behind years of anonymous letters and the wrongful conviction of George Edalji.
But as their investigation deepens, danger tightens its grip. When their landlady is poisoned and Lawrence narrowly escapes a deadly attack, it becomes clear they’re on the verge of exposing secrets someone will kill to keep buried.
Meanwhile, Crossley’s shadow looms ever closer, and Lawrence must confront a grim reality—escape may no longer be an option.
A gripping tale of intrigue, danger, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Pre-order details coming soon – ebook release 26 February
The Maleficent Maid is now available in paperback far earlier than expected and long before the kindle pre-order, still scheduled for 27th December. But if you prefer your books in print or would like to purchase a Christmas gift for that Suffolk mystery reader in your life, please visit the Lulu store for your copy.
The Maleficent Maid. Suffolk 1903. William Gardiner is on trial for his life for the cold-hearted stabbing of Rose Harsent. In a last-ditch attempt to find the murderer, concerned parties call on Lawrence Harpham for help, but someone is stalking the good people of Peasenhall and confounding his investigation. Meanwhile, Violet takes on a poisoning puzzle from the past. Was the bad-tempered housemaid a killer or just a convenient suspect? With two historical crimes and the distraction of a mysterious stranger at Netherwood, will they solve the case before time runs out? The Maleficent Maid is a historical mystery based on true crimes.
Available for Pre-order on Amazon Kindle for 27th December 2021
Maids don’t kill out of spite – no matter how disagreeable… Join Lawrence andViolet in another perplexing case
Suffolk 1903. William Gardiner is on trial for the cold-hearted stabbing of Rose Harsent. In a last-ditch attempt to save his life, concerned parties call on Lawrence Harpham for help, but someone is stalking the good people of Peasenhall and confounding the investigation.
Meanwhile, Violet takes on a poisoning puzzle from the past. Was the bad-tempered housemaid a killer or just a convenient suspect?
With two historical crimes and the distraction of a mysterious stranger at Netherwood, will they solve the case before time runs out?
The Maleficent Maid is a compelling mystery based on a true crime.
Connie Maxwell has a secret. Though broken in body, her spirit runs free. Dreamwalking might be useful if only she could control it. But it’s one thing roaming the Cornish Coast and quite another witnessing a murder – especially when she can’t influence the outcome.
Annie Hearn has absconded after the suspicious death of her neighbour, and the authorities are about to pounce. But in a county of people hell-bent on bringing her to justice, Connie alone believes in her innocence.
With time running out, a chance encounter brings evil to Connie’s door. Nobody is who they seem, and Connie’s background is an ever-changing mystery.
Who is Connie? And is saving Annie the reason for her burdensome gift?
A gripping Golden Age historical series perfect for those who like a touch of psychic suspense with their mysteries.
As my readers will know, I base my books on real events. After all, the truth is usually stranger than fiction. But not all criminals are as notorious as Jack the Ripper, and some of my felonious inspiration comes from little known crimes, notably those featured in The Felsham Affair.
Fourth book in the Lawrence Harpham series, The Felsham Affair, covers little Freddie Browne’s tragic death in a small Suffolk village, a story intertwined with the Silvertown rat cake poisonings. And the eagle-eyed among you will have spotted that my books generally have a theme. In this case, the focus is on wanted and unwanted children. It sounds pretty grim, I know. But times were hard in Victorian England.
Tempting though it is to post detailed transcriptions, the below cuttings should be enough to whet appetites without giving too much of the plot away. Spoiler alert:–this book will not appeal to those of you who don’t like rats.
A Kindle short feel-good mystery free on Amazon Kindle until Christmas
When Lawrence and Violet take a well-earned holiday in the Cotswolds, nothing is as it first appears. Within hours of arrival, they are asked to investigate a poisoning case, which rapidly turns into two. What is going on at the hospital and will it ruin their Christmas break? Join Lawrence and Violet in this short Christmas mystery set in the beautiful regency town of Cheltenham.
It’s no secret that historical newspaper reports inspire my books. After all, there’s nothing quite as strange as the truth. In fact, the first book in the Lawrence Harpham series came from an article only a few paragraphs long. In short, I collect interesting stories from which books evolve. I haven’t done anything with the account below – yet. But as the fire occurred in my ancestral village of Northrepps and George Woodhouse is in my family tree, it has all the components for one of my novels. That said, it’s important to acknowledge the real tragedies behind these stories. Many writers use famous historical characters, but I like to write about people seldom known outside their family and friendship groups. Yet there’s a fine balancing act between a good story, and treating our ancestors with respect, especially with the current popularity for genealogy. And it’s worth considering that people who lived their lives quietly and unobtrusively might be horrified to find themselves the subject of fiction if only they had known.
Norfolk News 17th December 1881
Northrepps – a sad case of burning.
A painful case of burning happened in this village on Tuesday night last, resulting in the death of Mrs F Golden. The facts in connection with the sad occurrence, as they came before the deputy coroner Mr W H Scott, at an inquest held on Wednesday at the White Horse Overstrand, are as follows. On the night in question, sparks were seen going up from Mr Golden’s chimney by several persons, and an alarm was raised that the house was on fire. Two men, Henry Jarvis and George Woodhouse entered by the back door and saw a fire on the hearth in the sitting room.
Woodhouse obtained three pails of water and threw upon the burning matter, which was found to be the body of the deceased. The flames had devoured all the clothing, leaving the body completely charred. A chair was found near the fireplace very much burnt. Jane Bane, a domestic servant, said she last saw the deceased at about half-past seven when she had to leave to go out. Mr Golden was away from home, and the deceased was left alone seated on a chair before the fire in the sitting room. She was in her usual health. There was no lamp of any kind, but one candle burning on the table, and a small coal fire.
Deceased was in front of the fire with her feet, as witness believed resting on the fender. She did not appear either tired or sleepy. The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death by burning.” Deceased was 57 years of age.
As a fiction writer, I can’t take this article at face value and my default position is to suspect foul play. Why was Mrs Golden unable to get to safety? Did she try to escape? And if not, why not? Could supernatural forces be at work? Perhaps she was a victim of spontaneous combustion. There are so many why’s in this small piece.
I haven’t written the story yet, but I will. And that’s how my books begin, one news story at a time.
Jacqueline Beard Writer 