A Fall from Grace

Nicole Rayburn #6

by Irina Shapiro

When Nicole Rayburn adds a historic bookshop to her list of promotional venues, she meets the owner, Deborah Dolan, who’s desperate to discover what happened to her Victorian ancestor. A well-respected playwright, Edgar Hilliard seemingly had it professional success, a thriving business, and a loving family, but according to family lore, Edgar walked out one night, never to return, an unfinished manuscript his only legacy to future generations.

Deborah’s obsession with Edgar borders on the unhealthy, but despite her better judgment, Nicole can’t seem to walk away from this new challenge and enlists the help of her friend, Dr. Quinn Allenby to solve the mystery. Nicole and Quinn are determined to discover what happened to Edgar, but their search for answers is hindered by unexpected personal obstacles that threaten to alter the course of their lives forever.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

To write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.

Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.

Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...

Reviews

[Madison Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I was so excited for this one, and it was a good read. It's just not as great as the others. The others always take a bit to kick off but keep you interested. With this, I thought even Nicole's part in this book was lacking. Yes, it was an interesting twist, but that's about it. As far as the historical mystery goes, it was not anywhere near as interesting or captivating as the others. Overall I liked it, but hoped for more.

[Meghan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Shapiro makes me happy. Every time a Nicole Rayburn book comes out I eagerly look forward to what happens next. I didn’t enjoy the story of the book Nicole was working on this time around, but the main story of Nicole and her life was great. Rita made me chuckle in this; her and Sean make great DIs. I like how the side characters are continuing to become more prevalent as the series goes on.

[Bookworm With a B · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. When this series first started, I couldn't get enough! But with book 5 and now this one, I don't believe I will be reading any more that come out. I love Nicole, but I don't care about the psychic or anything having to do with her. Even the Kyle segments are getting to be too much. Nicole is starting to seem like a side character instead of the main character.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Irina Shapiro - as I say every time I review one of her books!
When an author writes two or more series I do enjoy it when they cross characters over from one series to another. The last one in the Nicole Rayburn series, for example, The Gilded Lily was a three way crossover, with the Lily in question being the daughter of Doctor Lord Jason Redmond from the Redmond and Haze Victorian murder mysteries with Dr. Quinn Allenby, of the Echos of the past series. Quinn has become good friends with historical fiction writer, Nicole Rayburn, helping Nicole since she likes to base her stories on true facts and Quinn sees visions by holding an article held by a person in the past. So, in this book, Quinn has her own problems and Nicole is confronted by an unexpected shocking revelation. The historical story Nicole is asked to unravel, by a woman who wants to know what happened to her playwrite ancestor and who she inherited her bookshop from turns out to be nothing like she expects.
Ms Shapiro always sets the scene very well, whether it's her modern character's modern lives and families or the stories from the past, but I have to say, this book is the first in which I got a bit confused a couple of times between the two modern women's lives and the story from the past. However, all three storylines were as griping as this author's works always are and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Brittany Duszczyszyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I’m sad to say this was my least favourite book of the series, just like Nicole the female protagonist we have been following through out this series having writers block in this book… I can’t help but feel the real author probably had the same.

I couldn’t help but guess the ending of this book right away, there’s No way the woman was Nicole’s sister and to take it at face value and be days away from giving her one hundred thousand pounds was just so bloody stupid! A DNA 🧬 test is the FIRST thing you do! I knew the “proof” she showed were fakes right away!

This plot made me so angry, 2 well educated mystery authors one who’s mom & dad were directives to take the word of a stranger and welcome her into your home and have her meet your infant child months after your sister was kidnapped… I wanted to scream how stupid are you!!!

Then the background story with the selfish brother living off the stories his sister wrote without giving her the credit she was due, I knew right away that guy was Dead and never went missing. Then when they kept talking about the crack in the building that needed to be fixed, I was like oh I bet he’s in the wall…and I was right. This story has been done many times!

Then the friend who can see into the past I feel like her character is just a lazy way to get answers rather then the research they use to do 🤷‍♀️ after 6 books in a row I’m done with this series

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

London, England. Present day. Irina Shapiro’s A Fall from Grace (Nicole Rayburn Mysteries, #6) continues author, Nicole Rayburn, search for a new topic for her next book. Along with her search, Nicole must make decisions that pertain to her own life. Ms. Shapiro has created very real characters who face differing situations that we readers may encounter. Nicole as a writer has gone from a traditional publishing company to being self-published. In this mystery Nicole has been offered a contract from a small publishing company. What will she decide to do about publishing her next book?
Other topics found in this mystery are scams perpetrated today, social media and how it responds to new information, people read for what reason (great topic!), and life in Victorian England for women. This last topic illustrates the constraints under which women had to live in 1849 and may be an eye-opener for some. I like how the author uses her own writings as Nicole’s or possibly another character’s. Pretty clever! Nicole’s search for an idea for her next book lets the reader visit Victorian England and view life through a single women’s eyes which is not romanticized at all! I enjoy this author very much. 5 stars

[Samyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series, as of July 2025, consists of six novels, each audiobook ranging from 11 to 12 hours of listening time. Although the stories stand alone, it's recommended to begin with book one for character development.

Plot. Nicole Rayburn is a successful author in the United Kingdom and the author of each book in the series. Each story Nicole tells is a historical mystery, typically about women navigating and often suffering from the prejudices they faced in the 1800s. When she is not creating these mysteries, we learn about her trials as a writer and wife—most stories stem from events in her life, such as finding an old sepia photo or receiving a research request from a friend. Subplots emanate from her life today, such as COVID seclusion and blackmail.

Narration by Jess Nahikian and production are good, no issues.

Entertaining.

[Shannonigans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Nicole Rayburn Historical Mystery series by Irina Shapiro. I'd say this was probably my least favorite of the series. I was able to predict and be correct with the disappearance of one of the characters, the story was a bit lack-luster, and it didn't appeal to me as much as the earlier books in the series. I did enjoy it, but not nearly as much as the first three books, The Hanging Tree, The Devil's Den, and The Shadow Bride.

I have definitely become a fan of Shapiro's. I've read all six of these novels along with the first 4 books of the Tate and Bell Mystery series. I'll be reading the fifth book shortly, Murder on Platform Four as well as being on the lookout for other book series by Shapiro.

[Tasha Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - historical mystery - book 6.

A good instalment in the Nicole Rayburn series. I enjoyed Graces historical POV more than the modern day story in this one. I have always been fascinated by historical time periods and the Victorian era is no exception although I would hate to live there as a woman.

I felt Nicole's personal story was a bit unrealistic and I didn't enjoy this part of the book as much nor the fact that most of the research was done by her seer friend Quinn. Still an enjoyable read though.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Nicole Rayburn adds a historic bookshop to her list of promotional venues, she meets the owner, Deborah Dolan, who’s desperate to discover what happened to her Victorian ancestor. A well-respected playwright, Edgar Hilliard seemingly had it professional success, a thriving business, and a loving family, but according to family lore, Edgar walked out one night, never to return, an unfinished manuscript his only legacy to future generations.

I wasn't a big fan of this one. It seemed to drag

[Lauren Conley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the last book in this series and I find this one even more disappointing. I loved all the other books, but this one just seemed more rushed together and as if she didn’t have any better ideas. In the story Nicole says she is hesitant to write another book during the Victorian period since that was when her last book took place. I immediately thought the author was referring to herself as well. It also seems like the end of her books normally have a slight twist, but the second that crack in the wall came into the picture I knew immediately where Edgar ended up already.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very difficult to get in to. It felt like Ms. Shapiro, was tired of the Nicole Rayburn fans begging for a new book and the result was this. I truly wanted to love the book, but this one was slow and the main characters who I usually find so relatable, felt distant. It took a long time for the book to pick up momentum and by the time it did, I was already planning out the next book I was going to read, ready for this one to be finished.

[Hannah Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 on fable

I think I’ve met my quota on these types of books for a while. I really enjoyed the hanging tree. I generally don’t just stop after 1 book when said book is part of a series. So I read all 6. I enjoyed A Fall from Grace more so than books 2-5. Still, I guessed the truth about Dove from a mile away. Maybe it’s just because of my background, but I’m not buying into the “mystery” anymore.

[Marie Z Johansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winning Read

I don’t know what it is about books by this author, but I thoroughly enjoy each one I have read. The characters are well crafted, the plots replete with enough twists and turns that always have me looking forward to my reading time.

This book was so enjoyable!

[Dessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This might be the book I enjoyed the most of the series, though on consideration the characters' motivations didn't make much sense and the dialogue was there to drive the plot, with characters constantly contradicting themselves even within the same conversation.
Nevertheless, the story held my interest, both the one in the past and the one in the present, which hadn't happened until this book.

[Leanne Pazik · Rating 5 out of 5]

love, love, love this Author!!!

I LOVE everything this Author writes. I enjoy them from the first page to the last! The Nicole Rayburn books are fun, because they are book within a book! A mystery within a mystery!!

[Cherylbestlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good….

This mystery had me engaged from the beginning - both timelines. I don’t always enjoy dual timelines in a story but found myself enthralled with both. I feel invested in Nicole and Kyle and their family and friends. I look forward to the next one.

[Marbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series!

I have just loved every book I’ve read by this author, and I’ve read a whole lot of them! Her stories pull you in and keep you wanting more. I hope to see another book in this particular series sometime in the future.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely marvelous. Irina Shapiro strikes again. It's not just historical fiction,it's romance, society, and cultural differences, and mystery. She weaves an elegant story between the past and the present.

[Andrew Hurst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Previous Nicole Rayburn stories have provided excellent reads but this one seemed to run out of steam. The plot was predictable from start to finish. Maybe it is time for the Rayburn story to end despite the previous books being well worth reading.

[Brenda Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I was really intrigued by this book. It was great story line and I loved the ending, I recommend this Book.

[Linda Hillyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life that women had to endure during the Victorian Era was bad.
I'm so glad that Grace found love.
Edgar was a very bad brother and husband. He deserved what happened to him.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read most of this authors books and generally enjoyed them. This book not so much. Formulaic doesn't describe it well enough. It's actually tedious and predictable.I even question whether it's written by the same author? What's with the Google inserts of knowledge and background information?I hope she rediscovers her mojo soon .,.,.....

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a brilliant read! Love Irina Shapiro her books are so easy to get into, trouble for me is I cannot put it down but don't want to finish it either. Ready for the next one now...

[Snowleesi · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 11%.

[Jayne]

Audiobook

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible. Always good to get back to a favorite series and character. This one wasn’t the best in the series but the characters are like friends now and it was great to “catch up”.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery was very good and kept me interested. I find the main character Nicole cold and depressing. She keeps me questioning whether to continue with the series. I will have to see.

[Mrs. F.J. Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read.

[Elizabeth Graves]

Irina Shapiro Has Done It Again

Another amazing book in the Nicole Rayburn series. Couldn't put it down. I hope the series will continue, I'm not ready to see Nicole go.