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The Delamere Files #1
Finding a Way
It began with a man sobbing in the night.
When London cabman, Jack Merrit, falls victim to a ruthless robbery, he believes his world has hit rock bottom. However, a chance encounter with the charismatic writer of social insights, Larkin Chase, offers him a glimmer of hope in the quest for a better life, and love.
Larkin envisions an opportunity for Jack to pocket a handsome twenty-pound reward. The task is identify the nefarious culprits who targeted him. Yet, these criminals are deeply entrenched in the treacherous underbelly of the notorious East End gangland, where witnesses are ruthlessly silenced.
As tempting as Larkin's proposal sounds, Jack's once-stable existence begins to unravel. He faces a daunting choice—suppress his forbidden desires or embrace them while pursuing justice and the promised reward. However, Jack's already complicated life takes another twist with the arrival of a strikingly handsome young detective.
"Finding a Way" marks the beginning of another enthralling Victorian mystery series by Jackson Marsh, author of the acclaimed ‘The Clearwater Mysteries.’ If you delighted in the intrigues of the Clearwater Mysteries and Larkspur Mysteries, this book is sure to captivate you. There is no need to read them first, but it would be a shame to miss out.
When London cabman, Jack Merrit, falls victim to a ruthless robbery, he believes his world has hit rock bottom. However, a chance encounter with the charismatic writer of social insights, Larkin Chase, offers him a glimmer of hope in the quest for a better life, and love.
Larkin envisions an opportunity for Jack to pocket a handsome twenty-pound reward. The task is identify the nefarious culprits who targeted him. Yet, these criminals are deeply entrenched in the treacherous underbelly of the notorious East End gangland, where witnesses are ruthlessly silenced.
As tempting as Larkin's proposal sounds, Jack's once-stable existence begins to unravel. He faces a daunting choice—suppress his forbidden desires or embrace them while pursuing justice and the promised reward. However, Jack's already complicated life takes another twist with the arrival of a strikingly handsome young detective.
"Finding a Way" marks the beginning of another enthralling Victorian mystery series by Jackson Marsh, author of the acclaimed ‘The Clearwater Mysteries.’ If you delighted in the intrigues of the Clearwater Mysteries and Larkspur Mysteries, this book is sure to captivate you. There is no need to read them first, but it would be a shame to miss out.
- GenresHistoricalM M Romance
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
77 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jackson Marsh
43 books81 followersJackson Marsh is a British born author of novels and screenplays. He has won awards for his gay erotic writing and currently writes for several adult websites. In 2007, Jackson won an EGPA for his writing and in 2017 won awards for his screenplay writing. He is married and lives in Greece.
You can reach Jackson at his website jacksonmarsh.com
You can reach Jackson at his website jacksonmarsh.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 2, 2024
** 4.5 Stars **
Can't wait for the next book!!!
Can't wait for the next book!!!
March 28, 2024
A riveting start to a new series from an autobuy author - great characters with sudden pop-ins from stage right by some familiar characters in preceding series - how good to discover Maxwell getting his own shining moment! 4.5 stars.
October 27, 2024
3.5/5 - Marsh did a good job creating multiple main characters with distinct personalities and points of view (I’m counting Jack’s brother Will as a main character here), and although the three main characters are all pretty tropey, Marsh added enough to those tropes to make them stand out. The mystery was likewise entertaining and more than just the sum of its tropes. I plan to continue with this series.
For the romance readers: This book has the very start of a relationship that appears to be going somewhere, and the characters' attraction is important to the story. I'd say it's a borderline romance at this point due to the amount of romance content and how far the relationship progresses.
For the romance readers: This book has the very start of a relationship that appears to be going somewhere, and the characters' attraction is important to the story. I'd say it's a borderline romance at this point due to the amount of romance content and how far the relationship progresses.
March 4, 2024
Find your way to reading this new book in a new series
And so begins a new series of Victorian themed mysteries and a masterclass in the use of the English language to weave together, humour, historical insight and Hansom men. With the Delamere Files, Jackson Marsh has once again introduced some wonderful new characters into his Clearwater universe that will no doubt take these books and his writing to new heights.
This first book in this new series follows two brothers and a journalist. The first brother is Jack, a cabby who works long hours to support his younger brother, whilst trying to pay off family debts and keep a roof over their heads. The other is the aforementioned younger brother Will, who is by all intents and purpose, a genius servant, and the closest character to Sherlock Holmes that Jackson Marsh has written. Whilst working late one night Jack meets the third main character, Larkin Chase who is out researching a story for a newspaper article. The two men form an instant connection and, as you would expect in a Jackson Marsh book, they are drawn into a mystery which this time involves a robbery, a miscarriage of justice and a run-in with an East End gang.
Now, this is a long book, with pacing slightly different to some of Jackson Marsh's previous books. But there's a lot of world building going on, and a large part of the book is setting up who the characters are and their backstory. But along the way the author peppers the book with some fabulous new side characters, one of whom is Larkin's housekeeper Mrs Grose. The comic interplay between the two of them is superb. The banter back-and-forth is wonderful and so endearing of the relationship the two of them have. You know this is going to be a relationship to watch out for in future books. But any readers of Jackson Marsh's other books will also delight at the reappearance of one of the authors most beloved character, Sir Creswell, who makes a perfectly timed appearance in a show stopping scene that knocks you off your feet wondering what on earth just happened! If he's a new character to you, then check out "Fallen Splendour" and see him there in all his magnificent glory.
Aside from the great character writing, one of the other things I love about Jackson Marsh is how he takes you on a journey with his words. Most writers will spend time describing a scene or a series of actions while pushing the story forward but Jackson March does things a little differently. He uses his narrative like a guide rope, to pull you from one scene through in to the next. Like a floating butterfly, he flits the narrative away from the main characters as it floats out the door, blown down a path until it alights on an insignificant new character, who in turn takes up the reigns to carry the story forward. His introduction of Shilling is a perfect example of this and a joy to read. Unfortunately I can only do it a disservice trying to describe this scene, so would rather you come across this fluttering narrative yourself when you read the book and see how the author effortlessly creates this scene change.
One of the other things that Jackson Marsh does so well is how he writes his characters' dialogue. His brilliant use of words, particularly with the more colourful, learned characters, is almost poetic in nature, while still being incredibly funny to read. The floral ways Larkin speaks is not only seen in his dialogue, but also when Jackson Marsh writes from Larkin's point of view. It's beautiful and his use of words is subtly funny and always charming to read. I do feel, with these books, you shouldn't rush them when you read them. Rather you should savour each and every word, as there is so much thought and intelligence behind them, both in what the author and the characters are trying to say.
But aside from these being mystery books, they are also MM romance books. Now not a lot of “romance” happens in this book, well between the two main characters that is. I think that is being saved for the second book. However, there is a beautifully romantic scene where Jack asks Larkin to help dry him off after he's just finished shaving. This scene is up there with that timeless romantic scene in "Out of Africa" where Robert Redford sensually washes Meryl Streep's hair. The scene between Jack and Larkin is sublime and other MM romance authors should take note that this is how you write a romantic scene. Neither one of them actually physically touches the other, but this scene had more heat in it than most of the more explicit stuff written by other authors in the MM genre.
As I mentioned, earlier, this book is different in style to many of Jackson Marsh's previous books. I guess because of the nature of Jack's job, there's an awful lot of travelling around London, whether that's riding atop of Jack's cab or walking on foot. But as a reader we do traverse quite a lot of London's streets. As such there is a lot of internal monologue while this is going on. Some of it is describing the scene and the squalor of London, and some of it is the character wrestling with his burgeoning feelings for the other. Either way, it does slow the pace of the book at times and, dare I say, becomes a little tedious. There is a little too much repetition for my liking, particularly given his previous books which are a little more succinct. I'm torn because the book would probably have benefited from losing some pages in the edit, but a page of Jackson Marsh's writing, particularly if it's from Larkin's point of view, is still quite entertaining to read.
This is a great start to a new series, made all the better by the inclusion of some series favourites from the Clearwater and Larkspur books. But it's the three new main characters that really carry this book, and carry it they do on the shoulders of some great writing by Jackson Marsh.
4.5 Stars
And so begins a new series of Victorian themed mysteries and a masterclass in the use of the English language to weave together, humour, historical insight and Hansom men. With the Delamere Files, Jackson Marsh has once again introduced some wonderful new characters into his Clearwater universe that will no doubt take these books and his writing to new heights.
This first book in this new series follows two brothers and a journalist. The first brother is Jack, a cabby who works long hours to support his younger brother, whilst trying to pay off family debts and keep a roof over their heads. The other is the aforementioned younger brother Will, who is by all intents and purpose, a genius servant, and the closest character to Sherlock Holmes that Jackson Marsh has written. Whilst working late one night Jack meets the third main character, Larkin Chase who is out researching a story for a newspaper article. The two men form an instant connection and, as you would expect in a Jackson Marsh book, they are drawn into a mystery which this time involves a robbery, a miscarriage of justice and a run-in with an East End gang.
Now, this is a long book, with pacing slightly different to some of Jackson Marsh's previous books. But there's a lot of world building going on, and a large part of the book is setting up who the characters are and their backstory. But along the way the author peppers the book with some fabulous new side characters, one of whom is Larkin's housekeeper Mrs Grose. The comic interplay between the two of them is superb. The banter back-and-forth is wonderful and so endearing of the relationship the two of them have. You know this is going to be a relationship to watch out for in future books. But any readers of Jackson Marsh's other books will also delight at the reappearance of one of the authors most beloved character, Sir Creswell, who makes a perfectly timed appearance in a show stopping scene that knocks you off your feet wondering what on earth just happened! If he's a new character to you, then check out "Fallen Splendour" and see him there in all his magnificent glory.
Aside from the great character writing, one of the other things I love about Jackson Marsh is how he takes you on a journey with his words. Most writers will spend time describing a scene or a series of actions while pushing the story forward but Jackson March does things a little differently. He uses his narrative like a guide rope, to pull you from one scene through in to the next. Like a floating butterfly, he flits the narrative away from the main characters as it floats out the door, blown down a path until it alights on an insignificant new character, who in turn takes up the reigns to carry the story forward. His introduction of Shilling is a perfect example of this and a joy to read. Unfortunately I can only do it a disservice trying to describe this scene, so would rather you come across this fluttering narrative yourself when you read the book and see how the author effortlessly creates this scene change.
One of the other things that Jackson Marsh does so well is how he writes his characters' dialogue. His brilliant use of words, particularly with the more colourful, learned characters, is almost poetic in nature, while still being incredibly funny to read. The floral ways Larkin speaks is not only seen in his dialogue, but also when Jackson Marsh writes from Larkin's point of view. It's beautiful and his use of words is subtly funny and always charming to read. I do feel, with these books, you shouldn't rush them when you read them. Rather you should savour each and every word, as there is so much thought and intelligence behind them, both in what the author and the characters are trying to say.
But aside from these being mystery books, they are also MM romance books. Now not a lot of “romance” happens in this book, well between the two main characters that is. I think that is being saved for the second book. However, there is a beautifully romantic scene where Jack asks Larkin to help dry him off after he's just finished shaving. This scene is up there with that timeless romantic scene in "Out of Africa" where Robert Redford sensually washes Meryl Streep's hair. The scene between Jack and Larkin is sublime and other MM romance authors should take note that this is how you write a romantic scene. Neither one of them actually physically touches the other, but this scene had more heat in it than most of the more explicit stuff written by other authors in the MM genre.
As I mentioned, earlier, this book is different in style to many of Jackson Marsh's previous books. I guess because of the nature of Jack's job, there's an awful lot of travelling around London, whether that's riding atop of Jack's cab or walking on foot. But as a reader we do traverse quite a lot of London's streets. As such there is a lot of internal monologue while this is going on. Some of it is describing the scene and the squalor of London, and some of it is the character wrestling with his burgeoning feelings for the other. Either way, it does slow the pace of the book at times and, dare I say, becomes a little tedious. There is a little too much repetition for my liking, particularly given his previous books which are a little more succinct. I'm torn because the book would probably have benefited from losing some pages in the edit, but a page of Jackson Marsh's writing, particularly if it's from Larkin's point of view, is still quite entertaining to read.
This is a great start to a new series, made all the better by the inclusion of some series favourites from the Clearwater and Larkspur books. But it's the three new main characters that really carry this book, and carry it they do on the shoulders of some great writing by Jackson Marsh.
4.5 Stars
November 6, 2025
Finding a Way (Delamere Files book 1)
By Jackson Marsh
Published by the author, 2023
Five stars
I’ve just discovered this marvelous series and have become an instant fan of Jackson Marsh (aka James Collins) and his Delamere novels.
Set in 1892, “Finding a Way” instantly presents a very different perspective on the Victorian period novel: a close look at the lives of the London cabbies who drove the hansom cabs and new their way through every street and lane of the imperial metropolis. Even today, the familiar black London cab—updated and much improved to suit modern needs—provides the same service with the same skills.
In this London, Larkin Chase, a self-styled journalist and researcher, comes across a cabbie, late at night, sobbing in the shadows. He diplomatically approaches the driver, Jack Merrit, and, offering him a good fare, seeks to find out the source of the cabbie’s grief.
Thus begins a long and complex story of Jack Merrit, his brother Will, and the denizens of London’s Limehouse district—the poor part of the great city, familiar through both Dickens and “Call the Midwife” on BBC; a world away from Larkin Chase’s elegant house and quirky staff. Chase, in his zeal to find truth and right social wrongs, inadvertently drags the Merrits into an ugly world of criminal gangs and corrupt constables. At the same time, Larkin falls for the stoic, handsome, skilled cabdriver, who seems to respond to him in the same way. Jack Merrit is confused at the journalist’s offer of friendship, since it comes from a world he doesn’t understand and taps into feelings he is afraid to acknowledge.
It is 1892, and same-sex relations are illegal (this is just before Oscar Wilde’s notorious fall from grace). As Chase’s involvement with the Merrit brothers turns dark, another character enters the scene, James Wright, an investigator for the Clearwater Detective Agency of Delamere House. Wright makes it clear to the Merrits and to Chase that he and his colleagues are allies—and in more than one way.
One of the most remarkable characters in the story is Will Merrit, who today would be classed as possibly on the autism spectrum, but definitely on the OCD spectrum. In the 1890s he is seen as mentally deficient, but the fact is he’s brilliant. An auto-didact, Will has taught himself about the world through books—borrowed and given within his community. Jack understands his brother and loves him, desperate to protect him from the world. Larkin Chase quickly understands how special Will is, and is forced to deal with Will’s blunt candor and rapid understanding of everything that goes on around him. It’s an extraordinary ingredient in an already fascinating, troubling story.
By the end of this book—which offers a disturbing hook to lead us to the next story—I was thoroughly addicted to the world Marsh has created. There are currently ten books in the Delamere files series, and I suspect I’ll be reading all of them.
By Jackson Marsh
Published by the author, 2023
Five stars
I’ve just discovered this marvelous series and have become an instant fan of Jackson Marsh (aka James Collins) and his Delamere novels.
Set in 1892, “Finding a Way” instantly presents a very different perspective on the Victorian period novel: a close look at the lives of the London cabbies who drove the hansom cabs and new their way through every street and lane of the imperial metropolis. Even today, the familiar black London cab—updated and much improved to suit modern needs—provides the same service with the same skills.
In this London, Larkin Chase, a self-styled journalist and researcher, comes across a cabbie, late at night, sobbing in the shadows. He diplomatically approaches the driver, Jack Merrit, and, offering him a good fare, seeks to find out the source of the cabbie’s grief.
Thus begins a long and complex story of Jack Merrit, his brother Will, and the denizens of London’s Limehouse district—the poor part of the great city, familiar through both Dickens and “Call the Midwife” on BBC; a world away from Larkin Chase’s elegant house and quirky staff. Chase, in his zeal to find truth and right social wrongs, inadvertently drags the Merrits into an ugly world of criminal gangs and corrupt constables. At the same time, Larkin falls for the stoic, handsome, skilled cabdriver, who seems to respond to him in the same way. Jack Merrit is confused at the journalist’s offer of friendship, since it comes from a world he doesn’t understand and taps into feelings he is afraid to acknowledge.
It is 1892, and same-sex relations are illegal (this is just before Oscar Wilde’s notorious fall from grace). As Chase’s involvement with the Merrit brothers turns dark, another character enters the scene, James Wright, an investigator for the Clearwater Detective Agency of Delamere House. Wright makes it clear to the Merrits and to Chase that he and his colleagues are allies—and in more than one way.
One of the most remarkable characters in the story is Will Merrit, who today would be classed as possibly on the autism spectrum, but definitely on the OCD spectrum. In the 1890s he is seen as mentally deficient, but the fact is he’s brilliant. An auto-didact, Will has taught himself about the world through books—borrowed and given within his community. Jack understands his brother and loves him, desperate to protect him from the world. Larkin Chase quickly understands how special Will is, and is forced to deal with Will’s blunt candor and rapid understanding of everything that goes on around him. It’s an extraordinary ingredient in an already fascinating, troubling story.
By the end of this book—which offers a disturbing hook to lead us to the next story—I was thoroughly addicted to the world Marsh has created. There are currently ten books in the Delamere files series, and I suspect I’ll be reading all of them.
August 18, 2024
My first book by Jackson Marsh. Barely into chapter one, I knew I was reading an exceptional novel from a unique type of author. A “good story” is wonderful to find, but when that good story happens to be beautifully written, it is a fantastically different experience all together. Marsh’s writing is thoughtfully structured and crafted meticulously. The book feels effortless yet each chapter, sentence and word feels perfectly put together. There is a fantastic depth to the characters and each is revealed through their differing vernacular and complexity of thought and perspective. I particularly enjoyed Will and his fully developed persona of matter-of-factness and keen observation. He is a wonderful anecdote to his brother’s inability to understand or articulate his feelings. I appreciated that the story didn’t rush in the connection of the protagonists or forgo complexity in order to bring the characters together. I find that there is something exquisite and lovely about the uncertainty, the longing and the hopeful anticipation. I have not even mentioned the wonderfully sinister villains, the undercurrent of foreboding danger or the terrifically capable and unusual heroes. By the end of the book, I was excitedly anxious to engage with all of the series and books this author has created. There is nothing like the thrill of stumbling across a talented and prolific author that you’ve never known but have immediately fallen in love with. The joy of reading.
February 9, 2025
3,5.
Bless the author for the commitment on slang and how well he distinguishes characters by ways of speaking and their internal monologue. It was quite impressive, as were the descriptions of places. I felt immersed.
The not so mystery crime aspect was solid, yet didn’t feel as immersive - maybe due to me having read one too many and them feeling a bit too similar/simple. Very arbitrary though.
I think I land with 3,5 mostly due to it starting quite abruptly and Larkin not feeling like someone we knew yet and it felt somewhat strange - this whole immediate intense level of attraction and interest. Later it does stay true to Larkin's character. It's just that at the beginning it felt as jarring as it likely did for Jack but we as readers are not Jack and did not have the impact of Larkin's more direct charisma and physical appeal to draw us in.
Solid read overall with a nicley bulit mood and world we got to visit as readers.
Bless the author for the commitment on slang and how well he distinguishes characters by ways of speaking and their internal monologue. It was quite impressive, as were the descriptions of places. I felt immersed.
The not so mystery crime aspect was solid, yet didn’t feel as immersive - maybe due to me having read one too many and them feeling a bit too similar/simple. Very arbitrary though.
I think I land with 3,5 mostly due to it starting quite abruptly and Larkin not feeling like someone we knew yet and it felt somewhat strange - this whole immediate intense level of attraction and interest. Later it does stay true to Larkin's character. It's just that at the beginning it felt as jarring as it likely did for Jack but we as readers are not Jack and did not have the impact of Larkin's more direct charisma and physical appeal to draw us in.
Solid read overall with a nicley bulit mood and world we got to visit as readers.
August 11, 2024
Not sure if my reviews are public, if they are... SPOILERS.
This story was very interesting and well written. It kept me hooked (for the most part) and so much was happening I kept wanting to pick it back up to find out what was going to happen next. There was so much build up to the romance between Jack and Larkin but it definitely fell flat. There were ample opportunities for them to have a moment between them and they just kept not doing anything about it. So that sucked. And the ending was kind of terrible. I had no idea what was happening when Jack was lost in his head after the trial. And, again, there was opportunity for Jack and Larkin to have a reunion after the trial and Jack just somehow got in a cab without even speaking to Larkin? And all but forgot about him on the ride to Wrights place? That didn't sit well. And the rushed job proposal at dinner that was so spotty I was lost again.. I just....the romance, where was the romance?? There was pining and admiration, yes. But no secret brushes of skin or whispered words or anything. Nothing.
This story was very interesting and well written. It kept me hooked (for the most part) and so much was happening I kept wanting to pick it back up to find out what was going to happen next. There was so much build up to the romance between Jack and Larkin but it definitely fell flat. There were ample opportunities for them to have a moment between them and they just kept not doing anything about it. So that sucked. And the ending was kind of terrible. I had no idea what was happening when Jack was lost in his head after the trial. And, again, there was opportunity for Jack and Larkin to have a reunion after the trial and Jack just somehow got in a cab without even speaking to Larkin? And all but forgot about him on the ride to Wrights place? That didn't sit well. And the rushed job proposal at dinner that was so spotty I was lost again.. I just....the romance, where was the romance?? There was pining and admiration, yes. But no secret brushes of skin or whispered words or anything. Nothing.
May 9, 2024
I am still enjoying these stories of the men at Clearwater and Larkspur, those these guys are off on their own side world really - Jimmy being a main link.
This one is very much the starter, settling the main players in our heads and getting their backgrounds set.
Jack and Will are hit with many blows to their lives and more so when tangling with rough east end gangs who want to shut up Jack for doing the right thing.
Luckily Larkin is there - though he is the catalyst for some of their woes - and Jimmy arrives in the nick of time too
This one is very much the starter, settling the main players in our heads and getting their backgrounds set.
Jack and Will are hit with many blows to their lives and more so when tangling with rough east end gangs who want to shut up Jack for doing the right thing.
Luckily Larkin is there - though he is the catalyst for some of their woes - and Jimmy arrives in the nick of time too
September 9, 2023
Interesting story and I usually like historical books. Jack is awesome and Will is funny and smart. Larkin is a sweet guy. All the twists and turns were good. Overall too ponderous for me- seemed to go on too long. I wish the relationship between Jack and Larkin had progressed more. Great to see how the brothers loved each other.
It said you did not need to read previous series, but I think it would have helped.
It said you did not need to read previous series, but I think it would have helped.
September 27, 2023
I normally gobble up any historical mm stories, especially Regency and Victorian, but I struggled with this one. The writing is perfect, the plot is terrific, the two men are interesting, and Will is a riot, but I struggled. The main problem is how drawn out it often was, and its abit of a honker of a tale, Kindle had it tipping at an 8 hours read, to some that may seem ok but for my poor old brain it's a push, but I did finished it. It's a good (long) read but I must say I did not like how it ended.
October 12, 2024
New series. I wasn't sure what to make of it until Jimmy Wright showed up, but this is testament to Marks' cleverness of a writer, and yes, there's a gay romace at the heart of all this, between a cabbie and a writer. Yes, both are now engaged with the Clearwater Detective Agency, as is the cabbie's bookish brother.
November 9, 2023
Please keep writing
I will be reading this series with every book that is released. The world building ie grand, the characters are well thought out and relatable. Will, in all his grand precise self, will be my favourite, character in this series
I will be reading this series with every book that is released. The world building ie grand, the characters are well thought out and relatable. Will, in all his grand precise self, will be my favourite, character in this series
September 25, 2025
great writing.
The writer did an amazing job of flipping characters dialect as well as their points of view and weaknesses. I really enjoyed this one both for the melody of the speech and for the lighthearted detective caper.
The writer did an amazing job of flipping characters dialect as well as their points of view and weaknesses. I really enjoyed this one both for the melody of the speech and for the lighthearted detective caper.
January 3, 2026
It was fine enough, there seemed to be too much padding I thought especially for not really a lot actually happening, I never really got hooked into it at any point though there were parts that I liked. 2.5/5
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