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John Rawlings #1-10
The John Rawlings Historical London Mysteries, Volume One: Books 1-10
John Rawlings is a young apothecary in 18th century London. Found at the scene of a murder, he’s marched to Bow Street to face Sir John Fielding. The blind magistrate, known as ‘The Blind Beak’, is a vast, powerful, yet fair man. He quickly perceives Rawlings’ innocence and his nose for detective work.
Follow their escapades in these heart-pounding historical mysteries full of twists and turns.
This box set contains these 10 novels:
BOOK 1: DEATH IN THE DARK WALK
Freed from his apothecary indentures, John Rawlings is celebrating at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens when he trips on the corpse of a beautiful young woman. Summoned to the magistrate’s office as a suspect in the case, he walks away its chief investigator.
BOOK 2: DEATH AT THE BEGGAR’S OPERA
1754, Drury Lane. A philandering actor is halfway through a performance of ‘The Beggar's Opera’ when he falls from the stage to his death. Rawlings cries murder and begins an investigation into the Theatre Royal’s vicious rivalries.
BOOK 3: DEATH AT THE DEVIL’S TAVERN
The Devil’s Tavern is an infamous haunt for smugglers, so Rawlings tries to dismiss the noise in the night as the shifting of contraband. But his detective’s instincts urge him to investigate — and he happens across the bloated corpse of a bridegroom.
BOOK 4: DEATH ON THE ROMNEY MARSH
Rawlings is at Romney Marsh to attend a patient — until he discovers a dead body bearing a coded document. Fielding orders him to investigate which locals might be harbouring secrets explosive enough to attract the attention of a French spymaster.
BOOK 5: DEATH IN THE PEERLESS POOL
Rawlings is at the local swimming baths when he's disturbed by the discovery of a woman drowned – later identified as Hannah Rankin. At the asylum where she worked, Rawlings discovers a clue linking Hannah’s past to a mysterious closed case.
BOOK 6: DEATH AT THE APOTHECARIES’ HALL
At a dinner for the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, an outbreak of food poisoning claims a member's life. Fielding suspects murder. But were they targeting the whole society? Rawlings is in the perfect position to investigate.
BOOK 7: DEATH IN THE WEST WIND
Devon, 1759. Rawlings is on his honeymoon when the discovery of a woman’s body draws him into an investigation. His suspects include the mysterious Society of Angels – but snooping into their affairs puts him in the line of danger.
BOOK 8: DEATH IN ST JAMES’S PALACE
1761. On the steps of St James’s Palace crowds clamber to get a glimpse of Queen Charlotte. Nobody sees Goward fall to his death. The only witness is the blind magistrate. The only clue to suggest he was a few whispered words.
BOOK 9: DEATH IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOWS
One afternoon, a man rushes into Rawlings’ Piccadilly shop to hide from his tenacious former lover. John is shocked when a few days later the man is found dead. His plans to question the pursuer are scuppered when she’s fatally poisoned.
BOOK 10: DEATH IN THE SETTING SUN
Rawlings is at an illustrious party to see his wife on stage. But the evening ends in tragedy when he’s found crouching over a dead body. Seized as the guilty party, John knows that the real killer is out there, close to his beloved family.
Follow their escapades in these heart-pounding historical mysteries full of twists and turns.
This box set contains these 10 novels:
BOOK 1: DEATH IN THE DARK WALK
Freed from his apothecary indentures, John Rawlings is celebrating at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens when he trips on the corpse of a beautiful young woman. Summoned to the magistrate’s office as a suspect in the case, he walks away its chief investigator.
BOOK 2: DEATH AT THE BEGGAR’S OPERA
1754, Drury Lane. A philandering actor is halfway through a performance of ‘The Beggar's Opera’ when he falls from the stage to his death. Rawlings cries murder and begins an investigation into the Theatre Royal’s vicious rivalries.
BOOK 3: DEATH AT THE DEVIL’S TAVERN
The Devil’s Tavern is an infamous haunt for smugglers, so Rawlings tries to dismiss the noise in the night as the shifting of contraband. But his detective’s instincts urge him to investigate — and he happens across the bloated corpse of a bridegroom.
BOOK 4: DEATH ON THE ROMNEY MARSH
Rawlings is at Romney Marsh to attend a patient — until he discovers a dead body bearing a coded document. Fielding orders him to investigate which locals might be harbouring secrets explosive enough to attract the attention of a French spymaster.
BOOK 5: DEATH IN THE PEERLESS POOL
Rawlings is at the local swimming baths when he's disturbed by the discovery of a woman drowned – later identified as Hannah Rankin. At the asylum where she worked, Rawlings discovers a clue linking Hannah’s past to a mysterious closed case.
BOOK 6: DEATH AT THE APOTHECARIES’ HALL
At a dinner for the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, an outbreak of food poisoning claims a member's life. Fielding suspects murder. But were they targeting the whole society? Rawlings is in the perfect position to investigate.
BOOK 7: DEATH IN THE WEST WIND
Devon, 1759. Rawlings is on his honeymoon when the discovery of a woman’s body draws him into an investigation. His suspects include the mysterious Society of Angels – but snooping into their affairs puts him in the line of danger.
BOOK 8: DEATH IN ST JAMES’S PALACE
1761. On the steps of St James’s Palace crowds clamber to get a glimpse of Queen Charlotte. Nobody sees Goward fall to his death. The only witness is the blind magistrate. The only clue to suggest he was a few whispered words.
BOOK 9: DEATH IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOWS
One afternoon, a man rushes into Rawlings’ Piccadilly shop to hide from his tenacious former lover. John is shocked when a few days later the man is found dead. His plans to question the pursuer are scuppered when she’s fatally poisoned.
BOOK 10: DEATH IN THE SETTING SUN
Rawlings is at an illustrious party to see his wife on stage. But the evening ends in tragedy when he’s found crouching over a dead body. Seized as the guilty party, John knows that the real killer is out there, close to his beloved family.
3061 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2023
About the author
Deryn Lake
66 books102 followersDeryn Lake is a well-known historical novelist who joined the popular ranks of historical detective writers with her gripping John Rawlings Mysteries, Death in the Dark Walk, Death at the Devil's Tavern, Death on the Romney Marsh, Death in the Peerless Pool and Death at Apothecaries' Hall.
Deryn also writes popular historical romances including the acclaimed The King's Women, Sutton Place and Pour the Dark Wine.
Deryn Lake lives near Hastings, East Sussex
Deryn also writes popular historical romances including the acclaimed The King's Women, Sutton Place and Pour the Dark Wine.
Deryn Lake lives near Hastings, East Sussex
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 23, 2025
Eighteenth Century England blended with good mysteries
See London during the mid eighteenth century in rich detail with a young apothecary as he begins a career. Of course, not all goes as planned. Enjoying a social evening, he comes upon a murder. Questioned by John Fielding, the Blind Beak, he becomes one of the magistrate's investigators. Colored by a number of real (Sir John Fielding) and historically accurate players, these books carry you away to another world and time. Add some well crafted murder mysteries add you can enjoy a different time, culture, customs and even English idiom for hours as you work to solve the cases in these ten novels. Enjoy the trip!
See London during the mid eighteenth century in rich detail with a young apothecary as he begins a career. Of course, not all goes as planned. Enjoying a social evening, he comes upon a murder. Questioned by John Fielding, the Blind Beak, he becomes one of the magistrate's investigators. Colored by a number of real (Sir John Fielding) and historically accurate players, these books carry you away to another world and time. Add some well crafted murder mysteries add you can enjoy a different time, culture, customs and even English idiom for hours as you work to solve the cases in these ten novels. Enjoy the trip!
March 12, 2026
I started this book collection because it was only 99 cents on my Kindle. I didn't expect much...I didn't know the author or anything about the series, but I like historical fiction, so I gave it a shot. I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised. The stories are interesting and the characters are compelling. I plan on writing reviews of each novel individually, but for anyone who has a love for all things British, as I do, will enjoy John Rawlings, Apothecary, Shug Lane-Picadilly London.
January 6, 2024
Just as it says !!!!!
So well written, couldn't put it down !!! Totally addictive ! Enjoyed it so much sad to Finnish all the stories believable an accurate in every way .Thanks so much !!!
Would strongly recommend
So well written, couldn't put it down !!! Totally addictive ! Enjoyed it so much sad to Finnish all the stories believable an accurate in every way .Thanks so much !!!
Would strongly recommend
March 1, 2024
Magical mystery tour!
Just couldn't put this box set down, a soap opera of thrilling proportions. Loved the character and his ever extending family.
Just couldn't put this box set down, a soap opera of thrilling proportions. Loved the character and his ever extending family.
May 31, 2025
Enjoyable
A good read. Believable characters, watching them grow. Yes, I enjoyed these books. Well written, good plots with a genuine taste of the times.
A good read. Believable characters, watching them grow. Yes, I enjoyed these books. Well written, good plots with a genuine taste of the times.
December 31, 2025
Enjoyed - put me to sleep a lot but that’s fine for what I was interested in at the time.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews