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Lord Danvers Investigates #1
A Most Inconvenient Death
Brutal murders shatter a quiet community and pull Lord Danvers from a deep personal grief into a dangerous investigation
Lord Charles Danvers, still mourning his lost love Charlotte, hopes to escape from his ghosts at the gala coming-of-age celebrations for the son of an old family friend. All is jubilation and proper respectability until the evening is shattered by a brutal murder. The police are quick to point to a quarrelsome farmer, but Danvers has his doubts. Is the real culprit much closer to home? And does Danvers owe the greater loyalty to an old friend or to the truth? Then, Danvers is even more unsettled by the entrance of the alluring Lady Antonia Hoover.
The first in the Lord Danvers Investigates series, A Most Inconvenient Death is a Victorian true-crime novel The Stanfield Hall Murders were the sensation they are portrayed to be and the elaborate coming of age celebrations and the ensuing dramatic trial are all recorded history.
Lord Charles Danvers, still mourning his lost love Charlotte, hopes to escape from his ghosts at the gala coming-of-age celebrations for the son of an old family friend. All is jubilation and proper respectability until the evening is shattered by a brutal murder. The police are quick to point to a quarrelsome farmer, but Danvers has his doubts. Is the real culprit much closer to home? And does Danvers owe the greater loyalty to an old friend or to the truth? Then, Danvers is even more unsettled by the entrance of the alluring Lady Antonia Hoover.
The first in the Lord Danvers Investigates series, A Most Inconvenient Death is a Victorian true-crime novel The Stanfield Hall Murders were the sensation they are portrayed to be and the elaborate coming of age celebrations and the ensuing dramatic trial are all recorded history.
227 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1993
92 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Donna Fletcher Crow
67 books126 followersDonna Fletcher Crow loves to give books away. If you would like a copy of one of her best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates series, go to her website: http://www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 8, 2020
This is a very good story. I got into it right away and it just flowed so easily. There are some humorous parts as well as suspenseful sections. There's even a wee bit of romance!
This is a clean read.
This is a clean read.
January 5, 2026
"It is to be one of Hethersett's most splendid parties. Stately Gothic Hall will see some of England's most respected aristocracy, elegantly dressed and enjoying a banquet rivaling those of Old England. None of the guests expect anything less than jubilant celebration. After all, Jack Boileau, heir to his father's country estate, has come of age!
"But when a neighboring landowner and his son are found brutally murdered, the peaceful English countryside is rocked and the festivities thrown into turmoil.
"Lord Charles Danvers, a sophisticated gentleman with a fondness for hot air ballooning, suddenly find himself playing detective. It is certainly not a role in which he has much expertise, but it is one in which he will excel. A party to two conversations he didn't want to hear, he has evidence for a field of suspects, including someone he most certainly doesn't want on the list. Torn between his desire to keep incriminating evidence from the authorities and his passions for truth, Danvers sets out to prove his own observations erroneous.
"Danvers learns far more than how to uncover clues in this fast-paced mystery. He also learns deeper truths from the vicar. And as the killer is revealed, he learns how his own past is an integral part of the murders.
"In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, this superbly crafted whodunit has all the makings of a classic. What's more, it is based on actual trial records and diaries of some of the main characters."
~~back cover
A very engaging mystery, not only for the convoluted plot and the window into English noveau aristocracy, but also because Danvers is not your ordinary mystery hero. He's not a trained detective, nor even an amateur one, but an ordinary gentleman who's thrust into the middle of a very tangled plot, with clues leading to dead ends, and other clues being ignored as preposterous.
All in all, very enjoyable and I'm lookking forward to more in this series.
"But when a neighboring landowner and his son are found brutally murdered, the peaceful English countryside is rocked and the festivities thrown into turmoil.
"Lord Charles Danvers, a sophisticated gentleman with a fondness for hot air ballooning, suddenly find himself playing detective. It is certainly not a role in which he has much expertise, but it is one in which he will excel. A party to two conversations he didn't want to hear, he has evidence for a field of suspects, including someone he most certainly doesn't want on the list. Torn between his desire to keep incriminating evidence from the authorities and his passions for truth, Danvers sets out to prove his own observations erroneous.
"Danvers learns far more than how to uncover clues in this fast-paced mystery. He also learns deeper truths from the vicar. And as the killer is revealed, he learns how his own past is an integral part of the murders.
"In the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, this superbly crafted whodunit has all the makings of a classic. What's more, it is based on actual trial records and diaries of some of the main characters."
~~back cover
A very engaging mystery, not only for the convoluted plot and the window into English noveau aristocracy, but also because Danvers is not your ordinary mystery hero. He's not a trained detective, nor even an amateur one, but an ordinary gentleman who's thrust into the middle of a very tangled plot, with clues leading to dead ends, and other clues being ignored as preposterous.
All in all, very enjoyable and I'm lookking forward to more in this series.
November 18, 2025
A Most Inconvenient Death by Donna Fletcher Crow is a richly atmospheric Victorian mystery that blends meticulous historical detail with smart, character driven intrigue. Crow brings the Stanfield Hall murders to life with vivid authenticity, crafting a story filled with tension, social nuance, and moral complexity. Lord Charles Danvers is a compelling protagonist grieving, principled, and drawn unwillingly into a web of deception that challenges both his loyalties and his sense of honor. The novel’s elegant prose, well drawn cast, and immersive setting make it a standout entry in historical mystery fiction, offering readers both a gripping whodunit and an evocative journey into Victorian society.
May 26, 2017
Too much philosophy!
The author does a good job of capturing the feel and flavor of Victorian England, the attitudes and mores of the various social classes. However she tends to go on at length about the philosophies of Mills, and the religious strictures of a puritanical Vicar. It makes for a tedious struggle to get through some sections of the book to the real meat of the story.
The author does a good job of capturing the feel and flavor of Victorian England, the attitudes and mores of the various social classes. However she tends to go on at length about the philosophies of Mills, and the religious strictures of a puritanical Vicar. It makes for a tedious struggle to get through some sections of the book to the real meat of the story.
June 11, 2017
Lord Charles Danvers decides to accept the invitation to the country estate of his friend Sir John Boileau to celebrate the coming of age of the eldest son. When their peace is disturbed by the brutual murders in a nearby house.
An enjoyable read but would have preferred to read a lot less of Mill's philosophy and the views of the Vicar.
An enjoyable read but would have preferred to read a lot less of Mill's philosophy and the views of the Vicar.
May 17, 2018
High hopes for this series.
This promises to be a series I will be following. I love a good mystery especially when character development and plot are the spotlight instead of run from the bad guys, found by the bad guys, run from the bad guys, and repeat over and over again. The main character was very likable.
This promises to be a series I will be following. I love a good mystery especially when character development and plot are the spotlight instead of run from the bad guys, found by the bad guys, run from the bad guys, and repeat over and over again. The main character was very likable.
May 25, 2017
Intriguing Mystery
Being set in Victorian England makes this story slightly different than many other mysteries. The plot had enough twists to keep the reader guessing. I could have done without some of the philosophical references.
Being set in Victorian England makes this story slightly different than many other mysteries. The plot had enough twists to keep the reader guessing. I could have done without some of the philosophical references.
August 16, 2017
Excellent book
This book combines Victorian society and a murder investigation in a delightful and believable read. The perfect blending of both genres for those who enjoy reading each of them.
This book combines Victorian society and a murder investigation in a delightful and believable read. The perfect blending of both genres for those who enjoy reading each of them.
September 14, 2017
Entertaining, I wanted to read to the end.
The characters were good, the story fairly well written. Not bad for a first novel. The main character is a bit stiff, but the author was trying to build him up to follow through with more stories. I have hoped for the next books.
The characters were good, the story fairly well written. Not bad for a first novel. The main character is a bit stiff, but the author was trying to build him up to follow through with more stories. I have hoped for the next books.
June 29, 2020
Excellent! One of the best Christian Fictions I have read. Only two downsides are a slightly (only slightly) cheesy ending, and an incorrect use of grammar in some sentences. Stunning in all other regards.
August 19, 2020
Delightful!
Great Victorian house party murder mystery! All characters are very enjoyable, in their eccentricities , prejudices, activities, and interactions. A very light hearted but serious story, it is correct in its history, customs, and events. Really enjoyed it!
Great Victorian house party murder mystery! All characters are very enjoyable, in their eccentricities , prejudices, activities, and interactions. A very light hearted but serious story, it is correct in its history, customs, and events. Really enjoyed it!
May 25, 2017
An Inconvient Death
I truly enjoyed reading this interesting book. Imsincerely hope there will be others in this series.
I will be waiting for further mystery.
I truly enjoyed reading this interesting book. Imsincerely hope there will be others in this series.
I will be waiting for further mystery.
August 12, 2017
Lucy Pearson
What a wonderful book. It is a historical mystery with a lot of twists and turns. I can't to read more of Lord Danvers mysteries.
What a wonderful book. It is a historical mystery with a lot of twists and turns. I can't to read more of Lord Danvers mysteries.
August 29, 2017
Kindle-Free-$1.99 A good Victorian mystery
May 24, 2018
a historical novel mystery story, heavy on the history and pretty good on the murder mystery with a last minute plot twist I had not considered. I especially enjoyed the balloon trips!
August 10, 2022
Enjoyable little mystery with a few potential plot holes.
March 1, 2024
Totally entertaining
This is an amazing story filled with mystery and suspense. It is a slow building drama leading to a surprising ending and a touching romance.
This is an amazing story filled with mystery and suspense. It is a slow building drama leading to a surprising ending and a touching romance.
May 31, 2018
I enjoyed this book that is about a crime that really happened, but with fictional characters that help solve the crime. It took me a little while to get into the Victorian way of talking, but the characters quickly became memorable and enjoyable. I look forward to reading more in this series.
October 11, 2011
A book made more enjoyable as is based upon a true crime. Reading the history of the actual crime gave me insight into the life and times of mid 19th century England.
July 2, 2012
I think 2.5 stars would be more accurate. A very enjoyable read. Nice characters. The writing seemed a little cumbersome in places and the story did drag a little.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews