Tag Archives: Lawrence Harpham

Unraveling Intrigue: Lawrence and Violet’s Next Chilling Mystery

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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 Disappearing Doctor

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I based this book on twenty-nine-year-old Doctor Sophia Hickman, who vanished in August 1903. Outlandish theories raged in the press about the reasons for her disappearance which I won’t mention here for fear of spoilers! Apart from my fictional solution, I have mostly kept to the facts of the case as described in the newspapers of the time.


Featured also is fraudulent medium Jane Savage, loosely based on Mrs Strutt, the wife of Major Charles Henry Strutt, who attempted to defraud Henry S H Cavendish, a renowned African explorer. Posing as a medium, Mrs Strutt introduced Cavendish to seances, in which she conveyed spiritual messages from his late mother. The Struts seized his fortune, only relinquishing control after a judgement against them in a hearing known as The Planchette Case.


Though primarily set in London and Richmond Park, I couldn’t resist another foray into my beloved home county of Suffolk. This time, the action takes place in the tiny village of Akenham, involving the ancient legend of the Akenham Devil. Walk thirteen times widdershins around the ancient split stone in St Mary’s Church, and the devil will rise, or so they say. Lawrence, naturally, becomes embroiled. But I will say no more for now!

The Disappearing Doctor is available in all good ebook stores by following this link https://books2read.com/u/mYxRdd If you prefer to read physical books, head over to my bookstore.

The Maleficent Maid

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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.

Click here for your paperback copy.

The Maleficent Maid

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Available for Pre-order on Amazon Kindle for 27th December 2021

Maids don’t kill out of spite – no matter how disagreeable… Join Lawrence and Violet 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.

https://geni.us/TheMalMaid

Inspiration for The Felsham Affair

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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.

The Moving Stone

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Now available for pre-order on Amazon Kindle

When a series of vanishings turn into murders, Lawrence Harpham is summoned to West Ham. Estranged from Violet and temporarily partnered with an oddball reporter, Lawrence pursues a ruthless serial killer.

Meanwhile, Violet’s contentment with her new life in Norfolk ends abruptly. What is causing the sinister movement of a gravestone, and who is following her?

Recently revealed secrets shatter everything Lawrence thought he knew about his past. Will Violet and Lawrence meet again? And will he ever recover from the horrifying revelations?

“That’s not what I mean,” gasped the hooded man, before lapsing into a coughing fit.
“Start at the beginning,” said Higgins. “I want every last detail, and if I get it, then you get to keep the rest of your fingers.”

The Moving Stone is a historical murder mystery based on real events. Click here to pre-order your kindle e-book.

The Montpellier Mystery – Free Until Christmas

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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.

https://geni.us/TMM333    

The Ripper Deception – Audiobook

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And hot on the heels of the last audiobook, The Ripper Deception is available for pre-order with a release date of 19th November 2020.

“The lonely end of a miser leaves clues to the mysterious death of Edmund Gurney in Brighton years before. Private Detective Lawrence Harpham sets off to investigate leaving his partner Violet to unravel a series of strange disturbances at a Suffolk rectory. Both inquiries lead unexpectedly to Whitechapel and the murder of Frances Coles. Was Frances a Ripper victim and is her murder linked to the autumn of terror? Jack is back–or is he?“

***** – I loved this book – her best yet

***** – Thrilling mystery fabulously written

***** – A solid 5

https://geni.us/TRDAudio

Where in the World #2

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The fourth book in the Lawrence Harpham mystery series is finished and with my fabulous editor. Once again, it’s set in East Anglia – but where?

To solve this riddle, you’ll need to be familiar with The Lawrence Harpham series (unless you recognise the photographs taken this weekend).

 

My first is in Fressingfield, but never in witch

My second’s in mere, but it isn’t in ditch

My third can be found in my leading man’s name

My fourth’s in his partner’s, but isn’t the same

My fifth is in fish, but it isn’t in kipper

My sixth is in Jack, but is absent from Ripper

My seventh’s a mystery, short, sweet and merry

My whole is a village to the south-east of Bury.

 

Where am I?

Suffolk village mystery