The Archivist by L. P. Fergusson

by L.P. Fergusson

BS Moreton has a perfect life. Archivist to the Earl of Duntisbourne, he is admired by his colleagues for his intellect and steely morality, but when Sam Westbrook arrives from the British Museum to create a new exhibition from a unique hoard of erotic artefacts, he is appalled, believing the collection will
corrupt the minds of the visitors to Duntisbourne Hall.

Sam has other worries. Is the collection real, or is it an elaborate eighteenth-century dirty joke?

As the new curator digs deeper, BS Moreton’s world begins to unravel, and the secret behind the Dywenydd Collection turns out to be more surprising than anyone could have guessed.

Genres: Mystery

Paperback

First published June 14, 2012

About the author

As LP Fergusson I write historical novels including A Dangerous Act of Kindness and The Fever Box both set during the early years of WW2, and The Summer Fields set during a smallpox epidemic two centuries earlier.

As Loraine Fergusson I write a series of cozy mysteries set at Duntisbourne Hall, a crumbling stately home on the borders of Wales and inspired by my time working at Blenheim Palace. The Archivist (2012), The Golden Hand (2013) and The Hipkiss File (2023) are all available on Amazon.

Reviews

[Lorraine Shorter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever visited a English Heritage or National Trust home, where stuffy old guides take you on a tour and tell you all about it's famous past? And have you ever wondered what those guides get up to when they're not guiding?

The Archivist of Duntisbourne Hall is a great way to answer any of those questions. Although a work of fiction, it's cast of change-fearing, cardigan-wearing, eccentric characters, will entertain and amuse you with all the goings at a stately home that's open to the public. And nothing is ever quite what it first appears.

Although initially quite slow while introducing the characters, readers will soon be swept along in a good natured mystery, intriguing but safely good natured. And you'll soon be loathed to close the book before you've reached the end.

Aside from a small dig in this book at modern romance writers, which stuck out a bit to obviously for my tastes, I found the writing flowed superbly; it was keen, imaginative and humorous. And I'm delighted to see there are follow-up books 'The Golden Hand' and 'The Hipkiss Files'.

A great read.

[Cade]

I was enjoying this quite a lot—interesting characters, well developed setting, related to archives and libraries. Then she went and used a trans slur. Granted, it was in dialogue, and maybe that’s the m.o. of the character, but it was completely unnecessary and unrelated to anything actually happening in the story. DNF and won’t be reading the others in the series.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual insights

I really enjoyed this book because it was so different. As well as being a sort of whodunnit it also gave me lots of insights into the way a stately home is run. My cousin worked in one for many years and still occupies her grace and favour house after her retirement. The author may even know her....

[Denise Gossow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m about a third of the way through and I’m giving up. It’s so slow and nothing has really happened. I read some of the reviews which said there isn’t a proper ending and you have to read the next book so I will quit now rather than slog my way through.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good book

The human condition... it’s all here...
I couldn’t wait for bedtime so I could
Read this book. Thank you for a very insightful ride.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throw a collection of English eccentrics and dysfunctional personalities into a historic building and see what happens.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting character! Loved the book! Thank you!

[Ronald C Skaggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The archivist

I liked the story well enough except I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. It was rather dull and uneventful. The ending was totally unacceptable. I realize this book is part of a sequel but each book should stand alone. This one just cut off without any resolution or closure. I thought my kindle was broken or the editing was bad. I won't be reading the next in the series.

[Alethea Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, especially for the details of Duntisbourne Hall, its collections, and its caretakers, and the gentle fun poked at English life by the author. I did have a bit of trouble accepting any archivist worth his salt storing papers in the damp basement. But as we come to find out, that is the least of this archivist's problems.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was desperate for a book and a bit skint so bought this cheap off Amazon. Stopped me reading the labels off household cleaning products so as a book it did its job. Could have been a rather fun novel but not enough made of the artefacts.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was an easy but pleasant read which had me looking forward to being able to pick up from where I'd left off the day before. Apparently there is to be a sequel this year so I'll keep my eyes open for it.

[Mary Schildman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

Open my eyes to some history I wouldn't have thought to read. The exhibition of centuries of pornography is a hoot. Not a true mystery but interesting read. Unique characters and possibly good beginning of a new series.

[Gwennypenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cliched nonsense that really wasn't very entertaining, and had very little story to it.