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Captain Lacey #6
A Covent Garden Mystery
Lacey's seventeen-year-old daughter, recently returned to London with his estranged wife, has disappeared, as have many street girls in Covent Garden. Desperately hunting for her, Lacey uncovers secrets about his wife's past--and his own life--that he must face before he can stop a killer.
Mass Market Paperback
First published July 5, 2006
222 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Gardner
48 books678 followersAshley Gardner is the pseudonym for NY Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley and nationally bestselling and award-winning author Allyson James. Her award-winning Captain Lacey Regency mysteries have garnered top reviews and an enthusiastic following. These books are now available as digital editions. More about the series can be found at http://www.gardnermysteries.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 18, 2019
This series grows on me as I finish one book after another. I didn’t get into Captain Lacey right away, but the mysteries are intriguing and the writing is so damned good. I had never read this author before and had been quite surprised when I found out that she also writes romance. Based on the quality and style of her writing in this series hers must be the kind of romance books that appeal to my taste. I will have to look them up.
April 20, 2016
Review written April 20, 2016
4.5 Stars - Best so far. My love.
Book #6
My seventh audiobook in the Captain Gabriel Lacey series. Historical mystery books. — 8:15 audiobooks hours excellent narrated by James Gillies. I just hope it will be more bookparts published as audiobooks very soon.
*********************************************
London summer 1817
« Captain Lacey stops to assist a young woman in the market at Covent Garden, and realizes to his astonishment that she is his daughter, Gabriella. »
Not just solid good mystery solving, highly romantic...
I always enjoy these adventures, the main characters and the feeling of an old dirty London. This part was maybe the very best so far. — More about Gabriel (and them all), much strong emotions and some sad old secrets finally became illuminated. But best of all this time was it genuine wonderful romantic (I really like the development with this sassy Dowager Viscountess Lady Donata Breckenridge). Of course also a really exciting crime-hunt for bad villains. Moreover, it feels like we finally could feel pleased and truly satisfied with the nice place where we leave our beloved hero this time. — Yum, this was jolly "British" good!
The series, author / pen-name, my reviews:
*********************************************
I LIKE - my Captain hero so very much
4.5 Stars - Best so far. My love.
Book #6
My seventh audiobook in the Captain Gabriel Lacey series. Historical mystery books. — 8:15 audiobooks hours excellent narrated by James Gillies. I just hope it will be more bookparts published as audiobooks very soon.
*********************************************
London summer 1817
« Captain Lacey stops to assist a young woman in the market at Covent Garden, and realizes to his astonishment that she is his daughter, Gabriella. »
Not just solid good mystery solving, highly romantic...
I always enjoy these adventures, the main characters and the feeling of an old dirty London. This part was maybe the very best so far. — More about Gabriel (and them all), much strong emotions and some sad old secrets finally became illuminated. But best of all this time was it genuine wonderful romantic (I really like the development with this sassy Dowager Viscountess Lady Donata Breckenridge). Of course also a really exciting crime-hunt for bad villains. Moreover, it feels like we finally could feel pleased and truly satisfied with the nice place where we leave our beloved hero this time. — Yum, this was jolly "British" good!
The series, author / pen-name, my reviews:
*********************************************
I LIKE - my Captain hero so very much
April 28, 2024
4 stars
My sixth Lacey and probably my favourite so far. Because much of the book dealt with matters very personal to Lacey. It made for a very intense storyline. There was a parallel and linked investigation but the blending of the two storylines was quite well done. Even if I had sometimes to suspend my disbelief that Lacey would have enough calm to pursue the parallel trail when his own events were so distressing. The swift and addictive storytelling helped to blur the lines. And it was quite heartwarming to witness all the support Lacey garnered from various allies (uneasy or otherwise 😆) he has collected in his previous adventures.
My only complaint was the wrapping up of the investigation. There was absolutely no reason for Lacey to decide to explore that abandoned cellar. Nothing. Nothing but convenience to move the plot 🧐.
I was happy that Lacey seems to be heading to personal happiness at the end, even if his romance seemed to have developped at breakneck speed, with little tension. The next stories will likely have a different tone as a result. I don't mind if it means a less humpty dumpty Lacey. I am impatient to see how it develops but will pause a bit with this series after indulging in 3 books in a row 😅.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2007
A COVENT GARDEN MYSTERY (Historical Mystery-England-Regency-1817) – VG
Gardner, Ashley – 6th in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2006- US Paperback – ISBN: 0425210863
First Sentence: The young woman buying peaches in Covent Garden has honey brown hair, clear white skin, deep brown eyes, and a faint French accent.
*** Captain Gabriel Lacey is finally reunited with the daughter his wife took from him 13 years ago. But just as he finds her, she disappears, as have two “game girls.” Lacey pulls out all the stops and, with the help and support of his lover, Lady Breckenridge, friends and colleagues, is determined to find the missing girls.
*** Gardner has created a thoroughly engaging set of characters, set them in a time of elegance and poverty and provide a suspenseful mystery to tie it all together. The characters may all be a bit too nice, but the book is such a pleasure to read, I didn’t care. Lacey is the most developed and complex of the characters. He is a former soldier, quick to anger but with a strong moral core. You feel his elation at finding his daughter, his fear she might have been killed and his pain when he realizes another man has been a father in her life. The story is primarily character driven with many of the characters having come to a resolution of the past and being ready to move on to the future. The sense of place is so well done you become part of the environment. For those who love well done Historical/Regency-period mysteries, I recommend you start at the beginning and thoroughly enjoy this very well done series.
Gardner, Ashley – 6th in series
Berkeley Prime Crime, 2006- US Paperback – ISBN: 0425210863
First Sentence: The young woman buying peaches in Covent Garden has honey brown hair, clear white skin, deep brown eyes, and a faint French accent.
*** Captain Gabriel Lacey is finally reunited with the daughter his wife took from him 13 years ago. But just as he finds her, she disappears, as have two “game girls.” Lacey pulls out all the stops and, with the help and support of his lover, Lady Breckenridge, friends and colleagues, is determined to find the missing girls.
*** Gardner has created a thoroughly engaging set of characters, set them in a time of elegance and poverty and provide a suspenseful mystery to tie it all together. The characters may all be a bit too nice, but the book is such a pleasure to read, I didn’t care. Lacey is the most developed and complex of the characters. He is a former soldier, quick to anger but with a strong moral core. You feel his elation at finding his daughter, his fear she might have been killed and his pain when he realizes another man has been a father in her life. The story is primarily character driven with many of the characters having come to a resolution of the past and being ready to move on to the future. The sense of place is so well done you become part of the environment. For those who love well done Historical/Regency-period mysteries, I recommend you start at the beginning and thoroughly enjoy this very well done series.
February 11, 2016
I have really gotten involved in this series and like how the many characters are growing. This one introduced the runaway Mrs Lacey and the Captain's daughter. I have to say that the story developments about the various people ended up bring more interesting than the actual mystery but I was happy with that.
June 29, 2020
Lovely!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved it so much, I breezed right through it!
Captain Lacey’s estranged wife and her French lover, a former army officer, comes to London at the invitation of the notorious James Denis.
James Denis is to help Captain Lacey and his wife get their marriage annulled. Unknowingly, he meets his daughter, now a teenager, whom he hasn’t seen in years.
When his daughter’s life is suddenly placed in danger, he calls on every one that he knows, for help.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved it so much, I breezed right through it!
Captain Lacey’s estranged wife and her French lover, a former army officer, comes to London at the invitation of the notorious James Denis.
James Denis is to help Captain Lacey and his wife get their marriage annulled. Unknowingly, he meets his daughter, now a teenager, whom he hasn’t seen in years.
When his daughter’s life is suddenly placed in danger, he calls on every one that he knows, for help.
October 30, 2022
This book marks the end of an important phase of the Captain Lacey series for several characters. We get to meet Carlotta and Gabriella in person. We see Marianne’s trust in Grenville grow. We see Grenville turn a corner with Gabriel and Marianne. We see huge developments between Gabriel and almost every main character.
I hesitate to really go into any detail, but it’s amazing that it all happens in 280 pages. Once again, the tight writing i love about this series is on display here. Things don’t go exactly Gabriel’s way in all matters, but the ending is so satisfying.
I hesitate to really go into any detail, but it’s amazing that it all happens in 280 pages. Once again, the tight writing i love about this series is on display here. Things don’t go exactly Gabriel’s way in all matters, but the ending is so satisfying.
December 21, 2022
This installment hinges in a thin plot, unbelievable coincidences, and a whole lot of melodrama. The side mystery of missing and murdered prostitutes was totally lame.
The insufferable Brandons and Marianne are as tiresome as ever. Grenville is devolving into a spineless fop.
The two stars are for Lady Breckinridge, Captain Lacey, and the dangerous but enigmatic James Denis.
The insufferable Brandons and Marianne are as tiresome as ever. Grenville is devolving into a spineless fop.
The two stars are for Lady Breckinridge, Captain Lacey, and the dangerous but enigmatic James Denis.
October 17, 2012
I am enjoying this series more and more with each book I read and so far, I think this is my favorite. The characters have really grown and become more and more interesting and likable as the series goes on, even if Lacey is a little too perfect and excessively gentlemanly-like sometimes. It’s extremely well written with a great vocabulary without being difficult to read.
June 23, 2017
Lots of great background about Captain Lacey's past. I wish we knew about the mysterious James Denis. I hope it is not a spoiler to say that the denoument was very satisfactory, and I am really looking forward to the next one.
February 3, 2018
A Covent Garden Mystery by Ashley Gardner is the 6th book of the Captain Lacey mystery series set in Regency London. Captain Lacey, veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, lives on a meager soldier's pension in a rented room above a bakery. He suffers bouts of melancholy, not only due to betrayal in battle by his former commander Brandon (which nearly got him killed, and left him permanently disabled), but also from missing his wife and daughter. Years ago, Lacey's wife ran off with a Frenchman, taking their baby girl Gabriella.
Lacey's long-lasting friendship with Brandon's wife Louisa brings him happiness, but increases friction with Brandon. Lacey teams up with Bow Street Runners and his wealthy and powerful friend Lord Grenville to solve crimes. Achieving justice provides Lacey with purpose and satisfaction.
A Bow Street Runner has asked Lacey for help finding young "game girls" (prostitutes) who have gone missing from Covent Garden. Some are found dead, some are still missing. Lacey contacts all his informants to seek information. When he begins scouting Covent Garden for likely victims and suspicious behavior, he suddenly and unexpectedly meets his own daughter Gabriella. He's stunned by her beauty and graceful demeanor, and filled with joy, but their meeting is soon interrupted by his wife's arrival. Wife and daughter swiftly depart, leaving Lacey in a moral quandary. Wealthy and powerful criminal mastermind James Denis has brought Lacey's wife, lover and daughter to England. Denis will assist Lacey in divorcing his wife and obtaining custody of Gabriella - but the moral price is too high, Lacey fears; he would afterward be "owned" by Denis. Yet getting a divorce would free Lacey to marry his new love, Lady Breckenridge.
When Gabriella goes missing, nothing else matters - Lacey must find her before she is killed. He calls upon all his friends and acquaintances, anyone who can possibly help. He assembles a veritable army of searchers, tirelessly tracing any and every clue. Many ugly secrets have to be ferreted out before they can rescue the killer's next intended victims.
Lacey's long-lasting friendship with Brandon's wife Louisa brings him happiness, but increases friction with Brandon. Lacey teams up with Bow Street Runners and his wealthy and powerful friend Lord Grenville to solve crimes. Achieving justice provides Lacey with purpose and satisfaction.
A Bow Street Runner has asked Lacey for help finding young "game girls" (prostitutes) who have gone missing from Covent Garden. Some are found dead, some are still missing. Lacey contacts all his informants to seek information. When he begins scouting Covent Garden for likely victims and suspicious behavior, he suddenly and unexpectedly meets his own daughter Gabriella. He's stunned by her beauty and graceful demeanor, and filled with joy, but their meeting is soon interrupted by his wife's arrival. Wife and daughter swiftly depart, leaving Lacey in a moral quandary. Wealthy and powerful criminal mastermind James Denis has brought Lacey's wife, lover and daughter to England. Denis will assist Lacey in divorcing his wife and obtaining custody of Gabriella - but the moral price is too high, Lacey fears; he would afterward be "owned" by Denis. Yet getting a divorce would free Lacey to marry his new love, Lady Breckenridge.
When Gabriella goes missing, nothing else matters - Lacey must find her before she is killed. He calls upon all his friends and acquaintances, anyone who can possibly help. He assembles a veritable army of searchers, tirelessly tracing any and every clue. Many ugly secrets have to be ferreted out before they can rescue the killer's next intended victims.
August 9, 2025
A Covent Garden Mystery did not disappoint!
The story was rich with character development and we significantly moved the plot forward, putting some things in the past that will open up the series for lot of potential paths. The mystery was almost in the backseat of my mind with this story, even though it was the main driver. There was just a LOT of that previously mentioned character development happening so it wasn't quite in focus to me. I also missed the culprit. Guessed wrong... fell for a red herring. Oh! And the delight I got over a certain someone being used by the author... whoop! Spoiler free! I can always count on Jennifer Ashley to deliver a good time and that seems to be what I'm drawn to in 2o25.
The story was rich with character development and we significantly moved the plot forward, putting some things in the past that will open up the series for lot of potential paths. The mystery was almost in the backseat of my mind with this story, even though it was the main driver. There was just a LOT of that previously mentioned character development happening so it wasn't quite in focus to me. I also missed the culprit. Guessed wrong... fell for a red herring. Oh! And the delight I got over a certain someone being used by the author... whoop! Spoiler free! I can always count on Jennifer Ashley to deliver a good time and that seems to be what I'm drawn to in 2o25.
May 20, 2017
This is what I wanted for the other stories I read! My favourite characters had such depth in this story. Vibrant, full, and interesting.
Lacey's past returns, delicately at first, but then the railroad plummets from its tracks.
Game girls - prostitutes are going missing and because they are women who are meant to be used however men want to use them, no one really cares about them. Lacey is curious but his curiosity becomes an obsession when his daughter is one of the girls that goes missing. Before long Lacey has everyone of his friends, and even a few near-enemies searching London for his daughter.
The murder of one of the missing game girls now makes Lacey more determined not just to find his daughter but to find the one who is taking these women. And, that person might not make it to the noose... if Lacey has anything to say about it.
What I really loved in this story is that the kind of man Lacey is is shown in well written prose. He does not view the game girls as pieces of fluff that should be forgotten in the dark waters of the Thames. They are women in the circumstances that life has given them. He treats them all with respect and kindness and he expects other men to do the same. When they do not it raises the hackles on his neck.
Lacey is a humble man who values his loves and friendship above wealth and influence. Thus, he is actually more of an important man than those with seats in Parliament.
Lacey's past returns, delicately at first, but then the railroad plummets from its tracks.
Game girls - prostitutes are going missing and because they are women who are meant to be used however men want to use them, no one really cares about them. Lacey is curious but his curiosity becomes an obsession when his daughter is one of the girls that goes missing. Before long Lacey has everyone of his friends, and even a few near-enemies searching London for his daughter.
The murder of one of the missing game girls now makes Lacey more determined not just to find his daughter but to find the one who is taking these women. And, that person might not make it to the noose... if Lacey has anything to say about it.
What I really loved in this story is that the kind of man Lacey is is shown in well written prose. He does not view the game girls as pieces of fluff that should be forgotten in the dark waters of the Thames. They are women in the circumstances that life has given them. He treats them all with respect and kindness and he expects other men to do the same. When they do not it raises the hackles on his neck.
Lacey is a humble man who values his loves and friendship above wealth and influence. Thus, he is actually more of an important man than those with seats in Parliament.
November 4, 2010
Captain Lacey is a ongoing character and I will tell you right now, I should have read the other books in the series before this one. There are many references to the other mysteries that Lacey has solved.
Overall it was a good cozy. The time frame is regency England, where impoverished Lacey has carved out his own little niche in London. He has the innate ability to make friends in the Ton and in the working men and women of the stews.
Captain Lacey was walking through Convent Gardens when he helps a pretty, young girl out of a sticky sales situation. Later on he finds out that it was his very own daughter that he hadn't seen in 15 years. Her mother had taken her and ran away with her new lover to France.
Unbeknown-st to Lacey, his lawyer had brought her to England in order to procure a divorce for them. So Lacey would therefore owe him a huge favor in return and Lacey would be free to marry his new love.
Lacey soon gets involved in the mysterious disappearance of two gaming girls. Now gaming girls go missing all the time, but both of these were kind of strange as they were both lured to Convent Gardens where they were last seen. Then the unthinkable happens and Gabriella, Lacey's daughter has also disappeared after been last seen in the CG area.
So begins the nightmare for Lacey, but he is reminded that he is never without friends as he raises practically a small army to help him scour London in the frantic search for his daughter.
At first it takes a little getting used to, as they are wrote in first person with Lacey being the narrator, but once you get past that, I can really see the appeal of these books. Everybody comes off with that English cool that everybody loves. I think for a woman that writes a man's character without the messy emotionalism of a romance Ashley G did really well. I like Gabriel and hope to read about him again. I am going to go back and read them all.
Overall it was a good cozy. The time frame is regency England, where impoverished Lacey has carved out his own little niche in London. He has the innate ability to make friends in the Ton and in the working men and women of the stews.
Captain Lacey was walking through Convent Gardens when he helps a pretty, young girl out of a sticky sales situation. Later on he finds out that it was his very own daughter that he hadn't seen in 15 years. Her mother had taken her and ran away with her new lover to France.
Unbeknown-st to Lacey, his lawyer had brought her to England in order to procure a divorce for them. So Lacey would therefore owe him a huge favor in return and Lacey would be free to marry his new love.
Lacey soon gets involved in the mysterious disappearance of two gaming girls. Now gaming girls go missing all the time, but both of these were kind of strange as they were both lured to Convent Gardens where they were last seen. Then the unthinkable happens and Gabriella, Lacey's daughter has also disappeared after been last seen in the CG area.
So begins the nightmare for Lacey, but he is reminded that he is never without friends as he raises practically a small army to help him scour London in the frantic search for his daughter.
At first it takes a little getting used to, as they are wrote in first person with Lacey being the narrator, but once you get past that, I can really see the appeal of these books. Everybody comes off with that English cool that everybody loves. I think for a woman that writes a man's character without the messy emotionalism of a romance Ashley G did really well. I like Gabriel and hope to read about him again. I am going to go back and read them all.
August 16, 2017
Another excellent mystery
This book, mostly, wraps up a story arc which has been running since the beginning of the series, specifically, Captain Lacey's disastrous first marriage and the fate of his estranged wife and daughter. Through the machinations of James Denis, Captain Lacey's wife, her French paramour, and Lacey's daughter, Gabriella, wind up in London so that Denis can orchestrate a divorce on Lacey's behalf. Unfortunately, as the family drama unfolds, Gabriella accidentally becomes a victim in one of Captain Lacey's investigations, forcing Lacey and Gabriella's step-father, Major Auberge, to work together to save Gabriella.
I really liked this book. The mystery wasn't as in depth or intense as some of the other books, but it did an excellent job of highlighting just how far Captain Lacey's character has developed from the beginning of the series. When we first meet Gabriel Lacey in The Hanover Square Affair, he is an isolated, bitter, and broken man, subsisting in life with few friends and little purpose. By the sixth book, people are seeking him out for his skills in investigation and he is able, much to his surprise when he considers it, to call upon a veritable army of friends and acquaintances to help him search for his daughter. He also comes to realize that he finally ready to make enough peace with his past to enable him to look forward to his future. Well done.
This book, mostly, wraps up a story arc which has been running since the beginning of the series, specifically, Captain Lacey's disastrous first marriage and the fate of his estranged wife and daughter. Through the machinations of James Denis, Captain Lacey's wife, her French paramour, and Lacey's daughter, Gabriella, wind up in London so that Denis can orchestrate a divorce on Lacey's behalf. Unfortunately, as the family drama unfolds, Gabriella accidentally becomes a victim in one of Captain Lacey's investigations, forcing Lacey and Gabriella's step-father, Major Auberge, to work together to save Gabriella.
I really liked this book. The mystery wasn't as in depth or intense as some of the other books, but it did an excellent job of highlighting just how far Captain Lacey's character has developed from the beginning of the series. When we first meet Gabriel Lacey in The Hanover Square Affair, he is an isolated, bitter, and broken man, subsisting in life with few friends and little purpose. By the sixth book, people are seeking him out for his skills in investigation and he is able, much to his surprise when he considers it, to call upon a veritable army of friends and acquaintances to help him search for his daughter. He also comes to realize that he finally ready to make enough peace with his past to enable him to look forward to his future. Well done.
March 28, 2016
I seem to be the exception in being underwhelmed by this book. It felt like a thin re-tread of the first, deeply moving debut Lacey novel, but with a poorly handled surface plot of the long-missing daughter resurfacing along with his estranged wife. That Lacey would somehow bump into her in such an enormous city had me rolling my eyes from the start, and her subsequent involvement in the same missing persons case he had been working on had me equally baffled. Who was this heavy-handed author who relied on absurd coincidences? Considering Gardner is normally the model of delicacy with subtle plots and a willingness to kill off characters and route plot lines to unexpected ends, A Covent Garden Mystery feels like it was written by another, less talented author. A disappointing outing.
EDIT: I should note that a poor book by Gardner is better than a good book by most others - and I was delighted that she has followed through with Breckenridge, allowing our hero to grow, make friends, fall in love, and allow a romance to mature and move past the tedious will they/won't they stage.
EDIT: I should note that a poor book by Gardner is better than a good book by most others - and I was delighted that she has followed through with Breckenridge, allowing our hero to grow, make friends, fall in love, and allow a romance to mature and move past the tedious will they/won't they stage.
August 27, 2018
I'm tired of Lacey getting beat up.....I'm very tired of Marianne and the author's laziness when it comes to James Denis.
September 17, 2025
For me, the bloom has faded from the rose…
I very much enjoyed the first four books of the Captain Lacey series. In the fifth book, Lacey and Donata started to grow close, but the transition from Lacey‘s deep fondness for Mrs. Brandon in this new direction felt contrived and stilted. It occurred to me that with this book the awkwardness might resolve itself. But I did not ever come to buy into the relationship between Lacey and Donta Breckenridge.
This continuing thread in the story bothered me to some extent, but the mystery as described in the book summary was extremely appealing, and I looked forward to seeing how Lacey would handle a new set of challenges.
It is safe to say, without giving away too much of the plot, that Lacey‘s past arrives almost literally on his doorstep, taking him quite by surprise. This is how the story begins and it is excellent in drawing the reader in.
However, throughout the story, I felt that the plot rambled along without the same substance I had found in the previous books of the series. Too much time is spent describing all of the different places the vast number of searchers go looking for clues. There are great many details about locations visited throughout London in the frantic search, but not much in the way of solid plot development and movement. In fact, I think this book could have been a novella had much of the meandering detail been left out.
This is disappointing because I really like the character of Lacey, as well as Granville, Bartholomew, and Matthias. Lady Breckenridge is just not convincing as a serious love interest in Lacey‘s life, nor does she seem to have the strong and admirable character that Mrs. Brandon has. Certainly a relationship with Mrs. Brandon was out of the question in this cozy mystery because she is married to Lacey‘s former commanding officer from the Peninsula War. In truth, that the relationship is based more upon friendship and shared hardships during the war, it does not feel at all unnatural that the relationship would not move any further. Donta’s character is not developed deeply enough, in my opinion; and the author doesn’t seem to take decent amount of time to demonstrate why a growing relationship develops between they see and Donta, that seemed as authentic as Lacey‘s friendship with Mrs. Brandon.
The story is exciting at the end. The villain was definitely not someone that I would ever have suspected. And that was especially pleasant.
This book was not as strongly written as those that came before it. The story lacked substance and was therefore not as engaging as the earlier books, which was a great disappointment to me.
I do not know if I’m interested in continuing the series because books five and six for me, did not capture my imagination as thoroughly as the first three books, which I very much enjoyed. (And I knew I was not engaged because I skimmed through a majority of the rambling.)
I very much enjoyed the first four books of the Captain Lacey series. In the fifth book, Lacey and Donata started to grow close, but the transition from Lacey‘s deep fondness for Mrs. Brandon in this new direction felt contrived and stilted. It occurred to me that with this book the awkwardness might resolve itself. But I did not ever come to buy into the relationship between Lacey and Donta Breckenridge.
This continuing thread in the story bothered me to some extent, but the mystery as described in the book summary was extremely appealing, and I looked forward to seeing how Lacey would handle a new set of challenges.
It is safe to say, without giving away too much of the plot, that Lacey‘s past arrives almost literally on his doorstep, taking him quite by surprise. This is how the story begins and it is excellent in drawing the reader in.
However, throughout the story, I felt that the plot rambled along without the same substance I had found in the previous books of the series. Too much time is spent describing all of the different places the vast number of searchers go looking for clues. There are great many details about locations visited throughout London in the frantic search, but not much in the way of solid plot development and movement. In fact, I think this book could have been a novella had much of the meandering detail been left out.
This is disappointing because I really like the character of Lacey, as well as Granville, Bartholomew, and Matthias. Lady Breckenridge is just not convincing as a serious love interest in Lacey‘s life, nor does she seem to have the strong and admirable character that Mrs. Brandon has. Certainly a relationship with Mrs. Brandon was out of the question in this cozy mystery because she is married to Lacey‘s former commanding officer from the Peninsula War. In truth, that the relationship is based more upon friendship and shared hardships during the war, it does not feel at all unnatural that the relationship would not move any further. Donta’s character is not developed deeply enough, in my opinion; and the author doesn’t seem to take decent amount of time to demonstrate why a growing relationship develops between they see and Donta, that seemed as authentic as Lacey‘s friendship with Mrs. Brandon.
The story is exciting at the end. The villain was definitely not someone that I would ever have suspected. And that was especially pleasant.
This book was not as strongly written as those that came before it. The story lacked substance and was therefore not as engaging as the earlier books, which was a great disappointment to me.
I do not know if I’m interested in continuing the series because books five and six for me, did not capture my imagination as thoroughly as the first three books, which I very much enjoyed. (And I knew I was not engaged because I skimmed through a majority of the rambling.)
March 31, 2022
Spoilers for earlier titles in the series.
After too many years not even knowing where they were, the ever so useful Mr Denis not only finds Lacey’s wife and daughter but he brings them to London to arrange a meeting; divorce, annulment, a quick push into the Thames... which would the Captain prefer?
Being as honourable as he always is, Lacey’d prefer it be legal ( so he can marry again) and that no one gets hurt. Which will be hard as his wife has lied to their daughter and she does not know he even exists.
But the girl goes missing. And his latest case is investigating the dead ‘game’ girls that are showing up in the streets. EEK.
888
Brandon pulls his head slightly out of his own arse to help find the missing girl... but they remain my least favourite characters.
4 stars
So far this year my library has saved me A$856.63
After too many years not even knowing where they were, the ever so useful Mr Denis not only finds Lacey’s wife and daughter but he brings them to London to arrange a meeting; divorce, annulment, a quick push into the Thames... which would the Captain prefer?
Being as honourable as he always is, Lacey’d prefer it be legal ( so he can marry again) and that no one gets hurt. Which will be hard as his wife has lied to their daughter and she does not know he even exists.
But the girl goes missing. And his latest case is investigating the dead ‘game’ girls that are showing up in the streets. EEK.
888
Brandon pulls his head slightly out of his own arse to help find the missing girl... but they remain my least favourite characters.
4 stars
So far this year my library has saved me A$856.63
May 16, 2021
-4 stars. i like this series.
"it was telling that the two people he claimed to like best, myself and marianne, were the two people who did not stand in awe of his powers. both of us, coming from very different walks of life, had seen too much and experienced too much to fear grenville's scorn. he found us baffling, and therefore, fascinating."
"i must learn to control my expression."
"you never will. you convey your exact thoughts, which is a reason people trust you. you never say one thing and think another."
summary: captain lacey's wife and daughter are back in london after 15 years, and she wants a divorce, and so does he. lacey's daughter disappears and it could be related to the disappearance of other girls around covent garden.
"it was telling that the two people he claimed to like best, myself and marianne, were the two people who did not stand in awe of his powers. both of us, coming from very different walks of life, had seen too much and experienced too much to fear grenville's scorn. he found us baffling, and therefore, fascinating."
"i must learn to control my expression."
"you never will. you convey your exact thoughts, which is a reason people trust you. you never say one thing and think another."
summary: captain lacey's wife and daughter are back in london after 15 years, and she wants a divorce, and so does he. lacey's daughter disappears and it could be related to the disappearance of other girls around covent garden.
February 19, 2021
A Covent Garden Mystery is a Captain Lacey Regency Mystery. This is written by Jennifer Ashley writing as Ashley Gardner. Fabulous Regency Mystery involving Captain Lacey and many of his friends from previous books. I believe this is a series, but I’m not sure about the correct order, I just didn’t look it up. I read this one until I had to work, in which case I Switched to the audiobook version. I absolve this Captain Lacey series! If you like mysteries with many twists and turns, you should love it. I always read straight through these unless I have to work. Luckily I usually get the audiobook versions of books I love so I can seamlessly switch from reading to listening. ❤️
January 31, 2022
In this one Captain Lacey is asked to help locate some missing girls on the game who have gone missing.
He also meets his (still) wife and here French partner of many years. They have come to England to meet and
work out a divorce from Lacey, he also finally meets his now teen age daughter who was never told that he was her
father. While walking near Covent Garden she gets lost and soon all Lacey's friends are out searching for her.
some of the missing girls are found in the company of his daughter.
He also meets his (still) wife and here French partner of many years. They have come to England to meet and
work out a divorce from Lacey, he also finally meets his now teen age daughter who was never told that he was her
father. While walking near Covent Garden she gets lost and soon all Lacey's friends are out searching for her.
some of the missing girls are found in the company of his daughter.
June 26, 2017
Nothing can scare you like your own child in danger--heart stopping mystery of missing women in Covent Garden, one of which happens to be Captain Lacy's daughter he has only just been reunited with after 15 years. I was heartened by all the people who came out of the wood work to help Lacy--he has built up a serious group of friends and acquaintances that love and admire him enough to drop everything and help search for his daughter Gabriella. Amazing ending.
December 21, 2011
3.5-4 stars
OK, I'm getting a bit irked at the author... she's starting to hide the necessary pieces of the puzzle until almost the very end of the book, when Captain Lacey suddenly pieces it all together. Now, Lacey always puts the pieces together at the last minute, since the book is through his eyes,. thus the solution has to come at the end. But she usually gives us enough to go on, that we know who we're truly after, and we can safely discard the red herrings for the true culprit. We might not always know the motive, but we know the murderer. Except in the last two books... I don't like this trend, but I enjoy Captain Lacey and his story...
In this book, Lacey stumbles upon his 17 year old daughter, Gabriella, quite literally, in Covent Garden. Gabriella is about to be cheated by a peach vendor, when Lacey comes to her rescue. He doesn't realize it's Gabriella until her mother spies Lacey and cries out her name. James Denis is at work again; he knows that Lacey wants to settle his first marriage once and for all, so that he can make an honest woman of Lady Breckenridge. Denis sees another opportunity to put Lacey so deep in his debt that Lacey can't deny Denis anything he asks, thus neutralizing Lacey's honor and nobility in taking Denis and his "underworld" down.
Yes, Denis has brought Lacey's wife, Carlotta, and her French officer "lover" Auberge, along with Gabriella to London to start the divorce proceedings. It seems that the only way to end the marriage is the public and very difficult way. Lacey and Carlotta have to endure a legal separation, and then Lacey has to publicly accuse Carlotta in the House of Commons of adultery - not hard, since she's had 4 children with Auberge in France after abandoning Lacey 15 years ago and absconding with his daughter. (Trivia: In this age, children were considered the "property" of their father, so Carlotta taking Gabriella away was actually a criminal act!) Carlotta refuses to talk to Lacey, and neither she nor Auberge ever told poor Gabriella that she had any other father than Auberge. Gabriella is quite in shock at learning the truth... finding out that her mother and her "father" have been lying to her. And now, she has a father who wants to keep her in London with her and get to know her...
In the middle of all of this drama, Pomeroy and Thatcher come to Lacey with a mystery: 2 game girls (prostitutes) have gone missing, reported missing by their lovers. From all accounts these game girls were lured away by a "gentleman" who was supposedly promising to take care of them, be their protector. After investigating, the girls' "lovers" are clear - not guilty. But the girls seem to have vanished into thin air, until one of them turns up dead, obviously murdered.
Grenville, Bartholomew, Matthias, Pomeroy, and Thatcher join Lacey in the investigation, along with former game girl Black Nancy and her pal, Felicity. But during the hunt, Gabriella goes missing, too. Lacey is desperate to find her before she, too, turns up dead. Not even Denis and his nefarious network can find Gabriella, it seems.
During the search, Lacey and Auberge come to know one another better. Lacey discovers that Carlotta fled to Auberge in France right before she and Lacey were to return to England, and Auberge tells him why. Carlotta's father was threatening to have their marriage annulled and marry Carlotta off to the beast that her father had promised her to. Lacey discovers that he was a convenient way for Carlotta to escape the beast's and her father's clutches, which is why she so readily agreed to elope with Lacey in the first place. Talk about put a man in his place! And rather than confide in Lacey, she ran off with Auberge. Auberge claims only foolishness, allowing Carlotta to run off with him and take Gabriella instead of telling Lacey the truth back then. Lacey hadn't the money or resources to find them at the time, and he was compelled to follow the drum and his unit, so he had no choice but to leave France and return to England. It's all quite sad, but at least he learns the truth. And Lacey discovers that Auberge truly loves Carlotta and has cared for her and Gabriella and taken good care of them. Auberge wants to be legally wed to Carlotta, and so he's willing to endure what he must. But they must first locate Gabriella.
--------------
While this is a good book and a good mystery, a lot is subjugated to the story of Lacey, Carlotta, Auberge, and Gabriella. We have to watch Lacey in joyous rapture to see his daughter and then in deep despair to see her missing. We have to witness Gabriella trying to deal with this complex lie that she's lived without knowing it, and see a part of Lacey's heart crack when Gabriella runs to Auberge and calls him "papa".
But Lady Breckenridge stands by Lacey and once again, proves her love - yay! Grenville remains a good friend. And for once, James Denis' seeming "hold" over Lacey dissolves, as Denis and his minions can't and don't find or save Gabriella in the end. Only Lacey. Even Brandon and Louisa seem to come around, laying possible groundwork for a different relationship between Brandon and Lacey. Brandon pulls out his military buddies to help in the search, and he doesn't even try to rile Lacey along the way.
The question is, what relationship will Lacey and Gabriella have when this is all over?
OK, I'm getting a bit irked at the author... she's starting to hide the necessary pieces of the puzzle until almost the very end of the book, when Captain Lacey suddenly pieces it all together. Now, Lacey always puts the pieces together at the last minute, since the book is through his eyes,. thus the solution has to come at the end. But she usually gives us enough to go on, that we know who we're truly after, and we can safely discard the red herrings for the true culprit. We might not always know the motive, but we know the murderer. Except in the last two books... I don't like this trend, but I enjoy Captain Lacey and his story...
In this book, Lacey stumbles upon his 17 year old daughter, Gabriella, quite literally, in Covent Garden. Gabriella is about to be cheated by a peach vendor, when Lacey comes to her rescue. He doesn't realize it's Gabriella until her mother spies Lacey and cries out her name. James Denis is at work again; he knows that Lacey wants to settle his first marriage once and for all, so that he can make an honest woman of Lady Breckenridge. Denis sees another opportunity to put Lacey so deep in his debt that Lacey can't deny Denis anything he asks, thus neutralizing Lacey's honor and nobility in taking Denis and his "underworld" down.
Yes, Denis has brought Lacey's wife, Carlotta, and her French officer "lover" Auberge, along with Gabriella to London to start the divorce proceedings. It seems that the only way to end the marriage is the public and very difficult way. Lacey and Carlotta have to endure a legal separation, and then Lacey has to publicly accuse Carlotta in the House of Commons of adultery - not hard, since she's had 4 children with Auberge in France after abandoning Lacey 15 years ago and absconding with his daughter. (Trivia: In this age, children were considered the "property" of their father, so Carlotta taking Gabriella away was actually a criminal act!) Carlotta refuses to talk to Lacey, and neither she nor Auberge ever told poor Gabriella that she had any other father than Auberge. Gabriella is quite in shock at learning the truth... finding out that her mother and her "father" have been lying to her. And now, she has a father who wants to keep her in London with her and get to know her...
In the middle of all of this drama, Pomeroy and Thatcher come to Lacey with a mystery: 2 game girls (prostitutes) have gone missing, reported missing by their lovers. From all accounts these game girls were lured away by a "gentleman" who was supposedly promising to take care of them, be their protector. After investigating, the girls' "lovers" are clear - not guilty. But the girls seem to have vanished into thin air, until one of them turns up dead, obviously murdered.
Grenville, Bartholomew, Matthias, Pomeroy, and Thatcher join Lacey in the investigation, along with former game girl Black Nancy and her pal, Felicity. But during the hunt, Gabriella goes missing, too. Lacey is desperate to find her before she, too, turns up dead. Not even Denis and his nefarious network can find Gabriella, it seems.
During the search, Lacey and Auberge come to know one another better. Lacey discovers that Carlotta fled to Auberge in France right before she and Lacey were to return to England, and Auberge tells him why. Carlotta's father was threatening to have their marriage annulled and marry Carlotta off to the beast that her father had promised her to. Lacey discovers that he was a convenient way for Carlotta to escape the beast's and her father's clutches, which is why she so readily agreed to elope with Lacey in the first place. Talk about put a man in his place! And rather than confide in Lacey, she ran off with Auberge. Auberge claims only foolishness, allowing Carlotta to run off with him and take Gabriella instead of telling Lacey the truth back then. Lacey hadn't the money or resources to find them at the time, and he was compelled to follow the drum and his unit, so he had no choice but to leave France and return to England. It's all quite sad, but at least he learns the truth. And Lacey discovers that Auberge truly loves Carlotta and has cared for her and Gabriella and taken good care of them. Auberge wants to be legally wed to Carlotta, and so he's willing to endure what he must. But they must first locate Gabriella.
--------------
While this is a good book and a good mystery, a lot is subjugated to the story of Lacey, Carlotta, Auberge, and Gabriella. We have to watch Lacey in joyous rapture to see his daughter and then in deep despair to see her missing. We have to witness Gabriella trying to deal with this complex lie that she's lived without knowing it, and see a part of Lacey's heart crack when Gabriella runs to Auberge and calls him "papa".
But Lady Breckenridge stands by Lacey and once again, proves her love - yay! Grenville remains a good friend. And for once, James Denis' seeming "hold" over Lacey dissolves, as Denis and his minions can't and don't find or save Gabriella in the end. Only Lacey. Even Brandon and Louisa seem to come around, laying possible groundwork for a different relationship between Brandon and Lacey. Brandon pulls out his military buddies to help in the search, and he doesn't even try to rile Lacey along the way.
The question is, what relationship will Lacey and Gabriella have when this is all over?
August 19, 2017
A lot of the relationship and emotional interaction in the series are cleared up in this book. Along with some intresting rollercoster events that pulled at my heart alittle at times. But there a lot of resolve I loved in this book. Along with falling in love with some more minor characters I have truely come to love. All around a really great installment in the series.
December 15, 2017
Once again i have to say i love this series! It always leaves me wanting more. I enjoy how real and flawed the characters are. How they have many layers and they are not always in sync with the previous emotion. It is so human in the fact that not everything is not so cut and dry that it pulls you in!
March 14, 2018
I continue to enjoy Captain Lacey and am warming up to his ladybird, Lady Breckenridge. In this episode we got to meet Lacey’s first wife and daughter. The narrative helped tie together some questions about his hasty youthful marriage and the reasons it failed, along with another murder mystery that Lacey fits together like a Scotland Yard detective decades ahead of his time!
October 16, 2018
Well, to be honest sometimes I feel like captain lacey," a previous war hero" handle silly cases like the cane mystery 、and sometimes he takes serious case. Like this one, which I really liked.
Book plot contain many puzzles and twists, I like characters harmony and captain's friends and their respect to him.
What I didn't like is his feminine side, he acts and feel sympathy like woman not a man (sometimes) and description of people and surroundings reminded me how I would describe people ( as a female) Otherwise the book is really nice and, with extra description towards scenes and environment
Book plot contain many puzzles and twists, I like characters harmony and captain's friends and their respect to him.
What I didn't like is his feminine side, he acts and feel sympathy like woman not a man (sometimes) and description of people and surroundings reminded me how I would describe people ( as a female) Otherwise the book is really nice and, with extra description towards scenes and environment
July 12, 2019
The "Captain Lacey" series by Ashley Gardener is a lot of fun to read. I recommend that you read them in order to appreciate the storyline that spans the various books. (Actually they are more like novellas.) Captain Lacey is a character worth getting to know. I enjoy books from this era which adds to the enjoyment.
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