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Shackleford and Daughters #1
Alexandra
If you enjoyed the romance, humour, mystery and fun of the Shackleford Sisters, get ready for more mayhem with the Victorian Shacklefords...
In the seaside town of Paignton, England, 1891, twenty-two-year-old Alexandra Shackleford faces an uncertain future when her father, Chief Inspector Henry Shackleford, is forced into early retirement from the police force. Living with her five sisters and their outspoken Aunt Charlotte at Cliff House, Alex has resigned herself to spinsterhood—until fate brings the enigmatic Baron Tavistock back into her life.
Three years earlier, Lieutenant Rhys Gould stole Alex's heart during a brief, passionate encounter before vanishing without explanation. Now he returns as the newly inherited Baron, desperately seeking help for his mother who has fallen victim to a mysterious blackmailer. What begins as a simple case of fraud soon unravels into something far more sinister, drawing the Shackleford family into a dangerous web of secrets that threatens everything they hold dear.
As dark truths emerge about the past, Alex must navigate not only the perils of their investigation but also the painful mystery of why Rhys has kept her at arm's length. With her father's investigative skills, her aunt's decidedly unconventional methods, and her own fierce determination, Alex finds herself at the heart of a deadly game where love and justice hang in the balance.
Set against the backdrop of Victorian England's rigid social conventions, Alexandra weaves together romance, mystery, and family loyalty in an unforgettable tale. With memorable characters—from the razor-sharp Charlotte to the irrepressible young Billy—this atmospheric story combines the charm of a period mystery with the emotional depth of a passionate love story, complete with Beverley Watts’s trademark wit and humour.
A tale of courage, redemption, and the power of love to overcome the darkest secrets, Alexandra marks the thrilling beginning of the Shackleford and Daughters series—where one family's quest for justice will change their lives forever.
While this novel doesn't contain an excessive number of spicy scenes, it isn't closed-door and wouldn't be considered "clean" romance.
In the seaside town of Paignton, England, 1891, twenty-two-year-old Alexandra Shackleford faces an uncertain future when her father, Chief Inspector Henry Shackleford, is forced into early retirement from the police force. Living with her five sisters and their outspoken Aunt Charlotte at Cliff House, Alex has resigned herself to spinsterhood—until fate brings the enigmatic Baron Tavistock back into her life.
Three years earlier, Lieutenant Rhys Gould stole Alex's heart during a brief, passionate encounter before vanishing without explanation. Now he returns as the newly inherited Baron, desperately seeking help for his mother who has fallen victim to a mysterious blackmailer. What begins as a simple case of fraud soon unravels into something far more sinister, drawing the Shackleford family into a dangerous web of secrets that threatens everything they hold dear.
As dark truths emerge about the past, Alex must navigate not only the perils of their investigation but also the painful mystery of why Rhys has kept her at arm's length. With her father's investigative skills, her aunt's decidedly unconventional methods, and her own fierce determination, Alex finds herself at the heart of a deadly game where love and justice hang in the balance.
Set against the backdrop of Victorian England's rigid social conventions, Alexandra weaves together romance, mystery, and family loyalty in an unforgettable tale. With memorable characters—from the razor-sharp Charlotte to the irrepressible young Billy—this atmospheric story combines the charm of a period mystery with the emotional depth of a passionate love story, complete with Beverley Watts’s trademark wit and humour.
A tale of courage, redemption, and the power of love to overcome the darkest secrets, Alexandra marks the thrilling beginning of the Shackleford and Daughters series—where one family's quest for justice will change their lives forever.
While this novel doesn't contain an excessive number of spicy scenes, it isn't closed-door and wouldn't be considered "clean" romance.
- GenresRomanceHistorical
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2025
About the author
Beverley Watts
65 books276 followersBeverley spent 8 years teaching English as a Foreign Language to International Military Students in Britannia Royal Naval College, the Royal Navy’s premier officer training establishment in the UK. She says that in the whole 8 years there was never a dull moment and many of her wonderful experiences at the College were not only memorable but were most definitely 'the stuff of fiction.' Her debut novel An Officer And A Gentleman Wanted is very loosely based on her adventures at the College.
Beverley particularly enjoys writing books that make people laugh and currently she has four series of Romantic Comedies, both contemporary and historical, as well as a humorous cosy mystery series under her belt.
She lives with her husband in an apartment overlooking the sea on the beautiful English Riviera. Between them they have 3 adult children and two gorgeous grandchildren plus 4 Romanian rescue dogs of indeterminate breed called Florence, Trixie, Lizzie and Aggie.
Until recently, they also had an adorable 'Chichon" named Dotty who was the inspiration for Dotty in The Shackleford Diaries.
You can find out more about Beverley’s books at www.beverleywatts.com
Beverley particularly enjoys writing books that make people laugh and currently she has four series of Romantic Comedies, both contemporary and historical, as well as a humorous cosy mystery series under her belt.
She lives with her husband in an apartment overlooking the sea on the beautiful English Riviera. Between them they have 3 adult children and two gorgeous grandchildren plus 4 Romanian rescue dogs of indeterminate breed called Florence, Trixie, Lizzie and Aggie.
Until recently, they also had an adorable 'Chichon" named Dotty who was the inspiration for Dotty in The Shackleford Diaries.
You can find out more about Beverley’s books at www.beverleywatts.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 11, 2026
⭐ 2.5/5
Alexandra is a historical mystery with a light romantic thread, set against the backdrop of 1891 Devon and the wider Shackleford world. It has all the familiar charm of the series, but this instalment didn’t land as strongly for me on the romance side.
Tropes: age gap, boss/employee, class difference, grumpy & sunshine, height difference, murder mystery, sleuth heroine, historical/regency romance
What I enjoyed:
Alexandra is a great character — a writer carving out a place for herself in a society that doesn’t make that easy. Rhys’s philanthropy gives him depth, and the central mystery her father is tasked with (and she helps unravel) is engaging. There’s also a clear overarching mystery being set up for the series, which has a lot of potential. And as always, the Shackleford family dynamic remains funny, witty, and just the right amount of slapstick.
What didn’t work for me:
I liked Alexandra and Rhys individually, but their relationship together felt under‑developed. In other Shackleford books, the characters usually share more experiences or motivations that naturally bring them closer. Here, the focus seemed more on establishing the Shackleford & Daughters Investigation Agency than on building a convincing romance. I think the story needed more space — a longer book, or more scenes between them — for both the mystery and the romance to shine equally.
Accessibility notes:
The flashbacks were clearly labelled, which is a huge help for accessible reading, especially when switching between timelines. As with similar texts, some homographs (like bow vs bowed) can cause pronunciation hiccups in text‑to‑speech, though this continues to improve over time. Still, it’s worth noting for readers who rely on these features.
Who this is for:
Readers who prefer mystery with a side of romance rather than the reverse. Fans of Regency or historical settings, especially those who enjoy stories set in Devon, Torbay, Dartmoor, and Paignton. And anyone who loves positive family relationships with a comedic edge.
Alexandra is a historical mystery with a light romantic thread, set against the backdrop of 1891 Devon and the wider Shackleford world. It has all the familiar charm of the series, but this instalment didn’t land as strongly for me on the romance side.
Tropes: age gap, boss/employee, class difference, grumpy & sunshine, height difference, murder mystery, sleuth heroine, historical/regency romance
What I enjoyed:
Alexandra is a great character — a writer carving out a place for herself in a society that doesn’t make that easy. Rhys’s philanthropy gives him depth, and the central mystery her father is tasked with (and she helps unravel) is engaging. There’s also a clear overarching mystery being set up for the series, which has a lot of potential. And as always, the Shackleford family dynamic remains funny, witty, and just the right amount of slapstick.
What didn’t work for me:
I liked Alexandra and Rhys individually, but their relationship together felt under‑developed. In other Shackleford books, the characters usually share more experiences or motivations that naturally bring them closer. Here, the focus seemed more on establishing the Shackleford & Daughters Investigation Agency than on building a convincing romance. I think the story needed more space — a longer book, or more scenes between them — for both the mystery and the romance to shine equally.
Accessibility notes:
The flashbacks were clearly labelled, which is a huge help for accessible reading, especially when switching between timelines. As with similar texts, some homographs (like bow vs bowed) can cause pronunciation hiccups in text‑to‑speech, though this continues to improve over time. Still, it’s worth noting for readers who rely on these features.
Who this is for:
Readers who prefer mystery with a side of romance rather than the reverse. Fans of Regency or historical settings, especially those who enjoy stories set in Devon, Torbay, Dartmoor, and Paignton. And anyone who loves positive family relationships with a comedic edge.
April 20, 2026
Alexandra (Shackleford and Daughters, #1) by Beverley Watts is a richly layered and emotionally grounded story that draws readers into its world with ease. The narrative is driven by strong character work and a clear sense of purpose, allowing the story to unfold in a way that feels both engaging and thoughtfully paced. Watts creates a compelling foundation that immediately invites readers to invest in the characters and their journey.
What stands out most is the emotional depth woven throughout the story. The relationships feel authentic and carefully developed, with tension and vulnerability balanced in a way that keeps the reader connected. The storytelling is steady and immersive, offering moments of reflection alongside narrative momentum. It is a strong opening to the series with clear potential to resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven fiction.
What stands out most is the emotional depth woven throughout the story. The relationships feel authentic and carefully developed, with tension and vulnerability balanced in a way that keeps the reader connected. The storytelling is steady and immersive, offering moments of reflection alongside narrative momentum. It is a strong opening to the series with clear potential to resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven fiction.
August 1, 2025
Great!
Did you ever read a book that was so special, you wanted to go back and reread it immediately, so you wouldn’t be finished with the wonderfulness? Alexandra is that book. Enjoyable and Entertaining.
A couple of loose ends for me - spoiler alerts -
who was Rhys real father?
Joshua White?
Did you ever read a book that was so special, you wanted to go back and reread it immediately, so you wouldn’t be finished with the wonderfulness? Alexandra is that book. Enjoyable and Entertaining.
A couple of loose ends for me - spoiler alerts -
who was Rhys real father?
Joshua White?
August 21, 2025
interesting and enjoyable
Again this is more of a family solving mysteries then a soupy romance. Rhys and Alexandra meet and are attracted immediately, but there are reasons Rhys doesn’t pursue her as a wife. It’s an involved mystery that will carry over into other books. Ms Watts definitely knows how to create, characters, mood and mystery.
Again this is more of a family solving mysteries then a soupy romance. Rhys and Alexandra meet and are attracted immediately, but there are reasons Rhys doesn’t pursue her as a wife. It’s an involved mystery that will carry over into other books. Ms Watts definitely knows how to create, characters, mood and mystery.
January 2, 2026
Another adventure!
I love this author! I have read all of her books and
have given some as gifts! This story lives up to.my expectations but I miss the humor that sets her books apart. This series, like the others, will not disappoint!
I love this author! I have read all of her books and
have given some as gifts! This story lives up to.my expectations but I miss the humor that sets her books apart. This series, like the others, will not disappoint!
January 14, 2026
Alexandra
I love Beverly's writing. I have read most of her books. Alexander was a short sweet story with danger and intrigue. The s Shacklefords certainly know how to get into things.
I love Beverly's writing. I have read most of her books. Alexander was a short sweet story with danger and intrigue. The s Shacklefords certainly know how to get into things.
August 3, 2025
Another wonderful book from this terrific author. I love reading about the Shackleford Daughters and this was so very good.
August 6, 2025
Wonderful start to this new series. I have enjoyed all the Shackleford families books through the ages and this one is just as delightful.
August 8, 2025
Alexandra
This was a great book, as are all of Beverley's books, I can't wait for the next one, plenty of adventure in this book, and little Billy is wonderful :))
This was a great book, as are all of Beverley's books, I can't wait for the next one, plenty of adventure in this book, and little Billy is wonderful :))
August 11, 2025
Another Exciting Story by Beverly Watts
The characters and story were just as interesting as all her other books about the Shackleford family. Can't wait for the next books.
The characters and story were just as interesting as all her other books about the Shackleford family. Can't wait for the next books.
October 6, 2025
Ooooo a new era
Can’t wait for the next book. I really need to re look at the family tree I saw it somewhere
Can’t wait for the next book. I really need to re look at the family tree I saw it somewhere
January 7, 2026
Enjoyed this book and the start of a new series. A very good read.
January 18, 2026
Sadly the first of a beverley watts books that hasnt made me laugh out loud.. i missed the reverend and Percy and Finn with no other characters to hang my hat on. Such a shame
February 1, 2026
So good
Although I missed the reverend and Percy this series is setting out to have many of the same escapades. Hopefully Henry and Charlotte will be as entertaining.
Although I missed the reverend and Percy this series is setting out to have many of the same escapades. Hopefully Henry and Charlotte will be as entertaining.
April 4, 2026
Unfortunately, I disliked everything: plot, chracters and mostly the language. Using variations of "deuce" in every other paragraph doed not make it a period story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews