What do you think?
Rate this book
Burr Lafayette Mystery #5
Under the Ashes: Murder and Morels
Who poisoned Nick Fagan?Nick Fagan died from eating the veal morel at The Arboretum, one of the finest restaurants in northern Michigan. His wife, Molly, said it was an accident, but was it?
Molly hires Burr Lafayette, a brilliant but troubled lawyer, to help her collect on Nick’s life insurance policy. But the life insurance company refuses to pay and says that Molly put poisoned mushrooms in Nick’s veal morel.
The Charlevoix County prosecutor arrests Molly and charges her with first-degree murder. Burr finds himself dragged into another murder case. A man at loose ends, Burr is the deposed head of a premier Detroit law firm. He prefers dogs, boats, women, and wine over a courtroom, but he’s a brilliant litigator.
Nick owned the most successful radio station in northern Michigan. He was a ruthless competitor and had more than his share of enemies. Burr also discovers that Nick may not have been the perfect husband and that Molly may have had her own reasons for killing him.
Burr does his best to defend her, but he can’t believe a word she says.
A legal thriller full of suspects and a plot that twists and turns until the last page, Under The Ashes is Presumed Innocent and Murder On The Orient Express rolled into one.
--------
“A first-rate murder mystery.”
—Kirkus Reviews
SILVER MEDAL WINNER at the Readers' Favorite Book AwardsUnder The Ashes is the fifth book in the award-winning Burr Lafayette Mystery series.
Molly hires Burr Lafayette, a brilliant but troubled lawyer, to help her collect on Nick’s life insurance policy. But the life insurance company refuses to pay and says that Molly put poisoned mushrooms in Nick’s veal morel.
The Charlevoix County prosecutor arrests Molly and charges her with first-degree murder. Burr finds himself dragged into another murder case. A man at loose ends, Burr is the deposed head of a premier Detroit law firm. He prefers dogs, boats, women, and wine over a courtroom, but he’s a brilliant litigator.
Nick owned the most successful radio station in northern Michigan. He was a ruthless competitor and had more than his share of enemies. Burr also discovers that Nick may not have been the perfect husband and that Molly may have had her own reasons for killing him.
Burr does his best to defend her, but he can’t believe a word she says.
A legal thriller full of suspects and a plot that twists and turns until the last page, Under The Ashes is Presumed Innocent and Murder On The Orient Express rolled into one.
--------
“A first-rate murder mystery.”
—Kirkus Reviews
SILVER MEDAL WINNER at the Readers' Favorite Book AwardsUnder The Ashes is the fifth book in the award-winning Burr Lafayette Mystery series.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2023
About the author
Charles Cutter
6 books69 followersCharles Cutter is the author of the highly acclaimed Burr Lafayette legal thriller series, screenplays and short stories.
He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.
Formerly a practicing attorney, Mr. Cutter has been in the media business for the past thirty years.
He lives with his wife, two dogs and four cats in East Lansing. He has a leaky sailboat in Harbor Springs and a leakier duck boat on Saginaw Bay.
He is at work on his next Burr Lafayette mystery.
For additional information, please go to www.CharlesCutter.com
He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.
Formerly a practicing attorney, Mr. Cutter has been in the media business for the past thirty years.
He lives with his wife, two dogs and four cats in East Lansing. He has a leaky sailboat in Harbor Springs and a leakier duck boat on Saginaw Bay.
He is at work on his next Burr Lafayette mystery.
For additional information, please go to www.CharlesCutter.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 14, 2025
Another great murder mystery with a setting in the Western coast of northern Michigan. The surprise endings of Cutters books always keep you in suspense as the reader tries to anticipate whether the defendant is actually guilty or if it’s going to be no one even remotely suspected.
It’s fun reading the series trying to keep up with the main character and his office mates.and the women in his life.I don’t usually like book series but this series has multiple settings, different courtrooms and prosecutors which makes it more interesting to read.
It’s fun reading the series trying to keep up with the main character and his office mates.and the women in his life.I don’t usually like book series but this series has multiple settings, different courtrooms and prosecutors which makes it more interesting to read.
March 2, 2026
A murder mystery that takes place around where I grew up? Yes, please. This was another great installment in the series, dealing with WKHQ—A Northern Michigan radio station I listened to growing up. And a mystery that I definitely did not solve. Plus I always love the courtroom scenes because Lafayette doesn't take any shit and always annoys the judges.
March 1, 2026
❤️
I am really enjoying these! I love the way , the first couple of books , you get to know the characters ,by the third book you love the characters .the fourth and fifth their personalities just shine!!! I’m laughing out loud! 👍🏼
I am really enjoying these! I love the way , the first couple of books , you get to know the characters ,by the third book you love the characters .the fourth and fifth their personalities just shine!!! I’m laughing out loud! 👍🏼
April 2, 2023
A Burr in the Judge's Side
Interesting story and plot line. Lively characters. Burr Lafayette is a likable, quirky lawyer. I enjoy the Michigan locales referenced in the story.
Interesting story and plot line. Lively characters. Burr Lafayette is a likable, quirky lawyer. I enjoy the Michigan locales referenced in the story.
November 26, 2023
This Burr Lafayette mystery had me guessing till the very end. I always enjoy the characters and the wit of Cutter's books. They are fun reads and his descriptions of Michigan take you there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
I've enjoyed each book in this series. for me they are like a Grisham book, real page turners but set in Michigan.
January 8, 2026
Kept me guessing till the end.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews