Murder at Mablethorpe Castle

Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery #1

by Elizabeth Rose

A celebration at Mablethorpe Castle turns to terror when a kennel fire blazes out of control. As Lady Vivienne Harlowe rushes to the scene, eager to help, a nobleman is found murdered. There's a killer on the loose and no one is safe . . . Lady Vivienne Harlowe doesn't fear much, and delves into life's experiences head on. But for years she's been plagued by the unsolved murders of her parents and the strange disappearance of other family members. Now, in the face of a new tragedy, she vows to follow every twist and turn until she's solved the dark deeds at Mablethorpe Castle.

Sheriff Zachariah Fitch rushes to the scene, ready to investigate the corpse discovered under the castle stairs. He's determined to catch the murderer, but his childhood friend, Lady Vivienne Harlowe proves to be more than a distraction. She insists on helping him hunt down the killer, not caring about the danger. Still guilt-ridden for not solving the murders of Lady Vivienne's parents, Zachariah feels obliged to let her assist him. But as Harlowe and Fitch dig deeper into the murder, the danger only worsens as the mystery takes a dark turn and they find themselves targets of the killer.

"Fans of Brother Cadfael Mysteries will love this exciting medieval murder mystery by Elizabeth Rose." ~ Sue-Ellen Welfonder, USA Today bestselling author.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Amazon, British Literature

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth Rose is the author of medieval, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary novels. While based on romance, her novels have complex plots, action and suspense. She loves writing bad boy tortured heroes and empowered feisty heroines.

Her books have won rave reviews, and been seen on The History Channel as well as Wild Chicago. Elizabeth's books have won and been finalists in many contests. Here is a partial list:

Highland Spirit - Highland Chronicles WINNER of the Raven Award.
Bedeviled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER Creme de la Cover Contest
Beguiled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER - Creme de la Cover Contest

RONE Award finalists include:
Doubting Thomas - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Steel - Highland Chronicles
Tristan - Pirate Lords
Igniting Andrew - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Seductive Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Forgotten Secrets - all Secrets of the Heart
Summer's Reign - Seasons of Fortitude

Kindle Book Review Awards finalist and semi-finalist:
Highland Secrets
Forgotten Secrets

International Digital Award finalist:
Highland Spring - Seasons of Fortitude

Golden Palm Finalist:
Mary, Mary - Once Upon a Rhyme

Raven Awards Best Cover finalist:
May Queen - Holiday Knights

Raven Awards Runner-Up:
Lady and the Wolf - Tangled Tales

Books and Benches Reviewer's Choice:
Restless Sea Lord - Legendary Bastards of the Crown

Sapphire Award Finalist:
Kyros' Secret - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice:
Thief of Olympus - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Seen on the History Channel:
The Oracle of Delphi - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

And More!

Elizabeth is known for her many series which include:

Below the Salt Series
Highland Outcasts
Portals of Destiny
Legacy of the Blade
Daughters of the Dagger
Elemental Magick Series
Bad Boys of Sweetwater: Tarnished Saints Series Greek Myth Fantasy Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Seasons of Fortitude
Secrets of the Heart
Second in Command
Pirate Lords
Highland Chronicles
Barons of the Cinque Ports
Tangled Tales Once Upon a Rhyme
Holiday Knights
Dark Encounters
Cowboys of the Old West
Working Man Series, and more!

Someday Elizabeth hopes to visit the castles of Scotland and England personally. However, she has been to the jungles of Peru and Machu Picchu which inspired her novels, Curse of the Condor and Bistro Bachelor.

Visit her website to view her latest books and to read excerpts of her work. http://elizabethrosenovels.com.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read! I love historical mysteries and this one did not disappoint. There were plenty of twists to keep me guessing. Love the interactions between Vivianne and Sheriff Fitch. The author really brings the time period alive with vivid world building. A very entertaining read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jaimie Elowsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t enjoy writing negative reviews, I take no pleasure in it. I know and respect the [blood, sweat, and tears] that go into writing a novel that one is proud of. Others may enjoy this novel, but I absolutely did not.
Things I liked: mystery/thriller, I did not suspect who the murderer was.
Things I disliked that overshadowed things I liked: the writing style, how the MFC was written, did not entice me to want to finish the book, I pushed through despite contemplating DNF many times. The MFC was grating, just unlikeable in so many ways- I love a MFC who is strong, sure of herself, independent despite the time period, and not all MC are supposed to be likeable, but she was infuriating, and kept messing up the investigation as she believed to be capable of investigating on her own when she clearly was not, did not have the tools, experience, good sense, or knowledge to do an adequate job (on her own) yet kept bypassing the main officer who actually wanted to train/show her how to go about an investigation. Infuriating. The MFC wasn’t fully developed, we don’t get a sense of why she behaves that way nor any self awareness of her shortcomings.

[Marcy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder ! Mystery ! LOVE 💕 ! Locked Into Suspense !
Murder At Mablethorpe Castle : A Harlow & Fitch Historical Mystery Book 1 ; Elizabeth Rose Starts This New Series With A Unique Twist On Murder Mysteries ! OH There Is A Murder To Be Solved , But There Is So Much More ! The Past Still Not Resolved With , A Murder ! Paternity ! Are They Dead Or Alive Somewhere ! Twists Not Knowing Who The Real Murderer Really Is ! Let’s Not Leave About A Possible Blooming LOVE 💕 In The Works ! I Probably Wouldn’t Have Picked This Book Not Being A Fan Of The Mystery Genre , It Is Only That Elizabeth Rose Can Take Any Genre And Make You A Fan With Her Ability To Entice You With Her STYLE And WORDS ! Making ExcitedFor The Next One To Come !
Lady Vivienne Harlow was Married At 16 And A Widow right after . Leaving Her Alone with Her Parents Killed And Not Knowing If Her Baby And Younger Brother Adrian Are Still A Live ? Now off To Live with Her Aunt and Uncle Gilbert Irvine in Mablethorpe Castle . After 7 Years She Was Still Shrouded With The Mystery Of There Death and Her Baby And Younger Brother Wondering If They Were Dead Or Kidnapped ? Before Her Mother DiedShe Also Left Her With A Haunting Mystery That Still Hadn’t Figure Out ?
Sheriff Zachariah Fitch was the Sheriff Just Like His Had Been ! He had also been Friends with Vivienne since childhood . Hid WifeHad Just Died and Left Him With A Daughter Starah to raise on His own .
Vivienne and Zachariah known each others for years . He tried to help with Her Parents Murder , but was not successful . Now called upon to Solve The Mysterious Murder A Mablethorpe Castle They Were Reunited ! She Loved Solving Problems And Marching To Her Own way Of Things ! So The Ton Be Damed She Was Going To Find The Murder ?
This Story Has Everything You Could Want ! Twists ! Surprises ! Multiple Murders ! Thrown In Between A Budding LOVE 💕 Match ! Leaving You In Suspense For The Next Addition To Come Sooner ThanLater ! YES , Definitely Worth Your Time !.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Murder at Mablethorpe Castle" is a delightful entry into the world of historical cozy mysteries. This novel introduces a feisty heroine whose sharp wit and determined spirit make her an instant favorite. The setting of Mablethorpe Castle is richly detailed, adding layers of intrigue and charm to the narrative.

The plot keeps you guessing with well-placed twists and a cleverly woven mystery that holds your attention from start to finish. The historical backdrop adds depth without overwhelming the story, and the supporting characters are vivid and engaging.

This is a promising start to what looks to be an engaging series. I eagerly await the next installment to see where our heroine’s adventures lead her next!

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a lot of twists in the solving of what actually happened. With the main character being a woman, in a time when women has little say or authority. Vivian struggles to get the men involved to take anything she figures out seriously. Narrator does a Great job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good historical mystery.

[Makia Still · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh. Adding this to my list of historical mysteries set in 14th century England!!

[Rowan Creech · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books set in this time period and add a murder and whodunit in the mix and you have an entertaining book to read.

[Kimber Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to start this review by thanking the publishers, goodreads, and the author for the free copy.
This is a story about a woman during what seems like medieval times. There’s a murder mystery that happens at her uncles castle that she becomes embroiled in.
This story is more for those that don’t read a lot of true crime. It’s a very interesting mystery in of itself, but the main character Vivienne is kind of unlikable? She keeps interfering with the investigation in ways that makes it stall. They could have probably solved it much earlier if it weren’t for her antics.
To be honest she shouldn’t have been included in the investigation at all being how she was considered a suspect. It’s even worse when the sheriff showed double standards on that aspect. He’s fine with her being all over the case and bad mouthing the dead man, but when another suspect does it that’s a man, he’s quick to chastise him. It seems to me the sheriff is more thinking with his crush rather than doing his job.
To be honest it feels like some of the other characters are dumbed down or made to look stupid so that Vivienne can shine which just cause her choices to make her kind of insufferable.
The setting could use some work. Or just to be there at all? I understand that it’s at a castle, but what does that castle look like? How old is it? I have no idea what the setting looks like at all.
That’s the biggest problem with this book. The author tells rather than shows. I would understand if it was from Vivienne’s point of view, but it’s not. So, being told everything instead of having it shown through events kind of made it hard to get through most of the book.
The characters I really liked were Rosina and Maria. They seemed the most flushed out characters and Rosina’s ‘romance’ with cook was what got me back and invested with the story.
The final reveal made the story much better. I did not expect it to be who it was. To be honest I thought it would be Maria.
The last few chapters were the best parts of the book and almost made up for the main character being irritating and the setting being pretty much nonexistent.

[Tambi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started listening to “Murder at Mablethorpe Castle” by Elizabeth Rose, I was immediately drawn into the world of intrigue and suspense. The first book in the Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery series introduces us to the fearless Lady Vivienne Harlowe. Her quick wit makes her easy to root for, especially because many don’t take her seriously. When she partners with Sheriff Zachariah Fitch, it is nothing short of intriguing. Their banter kept me entertained throughout the book, and I found myself giggling at how Lady Vivienne often puts Zachariah on the spot, making him squirm.
The supporting characters in this book are as vivid and engaging as the main duo. Elizabeth Rose has crafted a cast of characters that jump off the pages, each with their own quirks and flaws, making them feel incredibly real. The number of suspects is just right, keeping me guessing without feeling overwhelmed. The setting of Mablethorpe Castle is richly detailed, adding layers of intrigue and charm that only enhance the mystery all that much more.
The plot of “Murder at Mablethorpe Castle” is masterfully crafted to keep readers guessing. With strategically placed twists and turns, the mystery is cleverly woven, maintaining my attention from start to finish. Elizabeth Rose has a knack for planning a series of events that unfold in a way that is both engaging and easy to follow. And the ending—oh, the ending! It was both brilliant and phenomenal. Just when I thought I had guessed the culprit correctly, Elizabeth Rose surprised me with a twist I never saw coming, followed by yet another twist. It was cleverly created and left me eager for more.
Listening to the audiobook narrated by Kevin E. Green was a fantastic experience. His performance was wonderfully engaging, and it was clear he enjoyed bringing the story to life. The character voices were intriguing and captivating, allowing me to differentiate between the characters easily. Kevin E. Green’s use of emotional expressions, like giggles and sighs, made me feel as if the characters were right beside me. The narration was perfectly paced, with well-timed pauses that enhanced the storytelling. Even a few words I was unsure about seemed to be pronounced with clarity.
“Murder at Mablethorpe Castle” is a promising start to an engaging series that I am eager to continue. The combination of a feisty heroine, a vividly detailed setting, and a plot filled with unexpected twists makes this book unforgettable. Whether you choose to read the book or listen to the audiobook, Elizabeth Rose’s captivating mystery will not disappoint. I highly recommend diving into this historical tale of suspense and intrigue—it's a story that's hard to forget.



Opinionated Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue and Narrative: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 5.0/5.0
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a great read! I couldn’t put it down. Lady Vivienne Harlowe has had a lot of tragedy in her young life. The loss of both her parents along with both her brother and newborn son missing. Over seven years and she still doesn’t know who killed her parents or if her brother and son are alive or dead. She has bad nightmares of the night it happened and has a hard time sleeping. Her uncle and aunt, Lord and Lady Irvine are her guardians. She is not like most ladies of the time. She rides like a man, dresses in britches, fights with a sword, climbs trees and has a wolf hound named Gunt as her best friend! She doesn’t like balls or crowds. She also never wants to marry again. When her uncle plans a Hugh party with a surprise, she is duty bound to show up. Nothing goes as planned. There is a fire in the dog kennels with her, and many others trying to save the dogs and put it out. Gunt is upset and shows her to a stairwell where she finds a dead body. Lord Gainsborough. The Sheriff is Zachariah Fitch and has known her since they were children. He had just become the Sheriff when her parents were killed. He still carries the grief and guilt of not being able to find the killers. He has had his own loss, his wife died leaving him to care for his daughter alone. Vivienne insists on helping find out what happened. He knows even if he tells her no, she will just go out on her own. Even thru she is a distraction, better to know where and what she is up to. Ah, the plot thickens with many suspects and tons of twist and turns this is a fast paced read. With Vivienne and Zachariah working together feeling and attraction start. There are many great side characters in this story. Some good some evil and tons of secrets. Martin the young page, is a joy and a surprise too. Grab a copy and try to find out who how the lord died. Am usually pretty good at solving this kind of story ahead of the end but it got me. So much fun reading. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. I can’t wait for book two. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Rose's Murder at Mablethorpe Castle is a captivating new book in the realm of medieval murder mysteries. As the inaugural book in what promises to be an action-packed series, it masterfully combines intrigue, suspense, and historical charm.

The story unfolds during a vibrant celebration at Mablethorpe Castle, where Lady Vivienne Harlowe discovers that a guest has been murdered. Fearless and determined, Lady Vivienne confronts life's darkest challenges head-on, driven by the lingering shadows of her own past—her parents’ unsolved murders and the mysterious disappearances of other family members. This latest tragedy ignites her resolve to uncover the truth, no matter where the investigation leads.

Lady Vivienne emerges as a strong, intelligent, and gutsy heroine, both fascinating and endearing. Enter Sheriff Zachariah Fitch, summoned to investigate the body found beneath the castle stairs. His determination to catch the culprit is unwavering, but working alongside his childhood friend, Lady Vivienne, proves both helpful and distracting. Together, they navigate a maze of lies, uncover hidden secrets, and face peril at every turn.

The dynamic between Zachariah and Vivienne is a highlight of the novel. Their sharp banter, insightful interrogation of suspects—some with plausible alibis, others tangled in lies—adds depth and excitement to the narrative. The chemistry between them simmers, adding a slow-burning romantic tension that enriches the plot.

The novel's twists and turns kept me hooked, and charming elements like Grunt, the loyal dog, and the engaging children add warmth amidst the suspense. Elizabeth Rose skillfully weaves historical details into the story, enhancing the setting without overshadowing the plot. The cast of intriguing secondary characters adds further layers of interest, making Murder at Mablethorpe Castle a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of historical mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Mablethorpe Castle is an enthralling blend of historical mystery, slow-burn romance, and atmospheric intrigue the kind of novel that keeps readers up late, desperate to uncover the next clue. Elizabeth Rose has crafted a world that is equal parts elegant and perilous, set against the shadowed halls and candlelit corridors of medieval England.

The story begins with a night of celebration at Mablethorpe Castle that quickly descends into chaos. A kennel fire rages out of control, and amid the confusion, a nobleman is found murdered. From that moment, the novel grips you with its perfect balance of suspense, emotion, and period authenticity.

Lady Vivienne Harlowe is a compelling heroine brave, intuitive, and haunted by the unsolved murders of her parents. Sheriff Zachariah Fitch, both her childhood friend and reluctant ally, provides a strong emotional counterpoint as they navigate duty, guilt, and the growing spark between them. Together, they make an unforgettable investigative duo, reminiscent of Holmes and Irene Adler with a medieval twist.

What stands out most is Rose’s ability to weave character depth and historical realism into a fast-paced, engaging mystery. The dialogue feels true to the time yet accessible, the setting vivid enough to smell the smoke from the torches and hear the echo of footsteps on castle stone. The result is a book that will appeal equally to fans of Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael Mysteries and readers who love romantic suspense layered with history and danger.

Murder at Mablethorpe Castle is an impressive start to the Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery Series, promising more cases, more chemistry, and more dark secrets in future installments. A captivating and addictive first entry that leaves you eager for the next.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have Lady Vivienne Harlowe who is a ward of her aunt and uncle Lord and Lady Mablethorpe!
Vivienne has suffered a series of tragic loses without a resolution! She lost both of her parents to murder and her baby boy and younger brother also were taken!
These mysteries were never solved so it does explain why she tenacious to uncover the shocking truth of this mystery!
We have the handsome sheriff who has known Vivienne since childhood and is attracted to her! Vivienne can ride astride and swing a sword as well as a man! Her unladylike tendencies are so she never feels helpless again if and when life changes in a second
The sheriff Zachariah Fitch is handsome, intelligent widower who does not mind stepping on toes to get to the truth!
He has a precocious beautiful little daughter that he hates being apart from!
There are several suspects and all have a plausible alibi! The traveling minstrel is more vocal and honest than many of the suspects!
There are more questions than answers people who should have been questioned long ago but when they are things fall into place!
It is a very interesting concept of a crime solving duo based in the Medieval times! Never a dull moment throw in a dutiful dog and you will definitely keep turning pages! Bravo.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charmaine Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me, Elizabeth Rose but the genre is one that I have come to thoroughly enjoy, i.e., medieval murder mysteries. We meet Lady Vivienne Harlowe who has suffered tragedies in her young life, first her parents’ death, then her newborn son and brother go missing. She stays with her guardians, Lord and Lady Irvine, the owners of Marblethorpe Castle. Viv prefers the outdoors to ballgowns and ballrooms and roaming the countryside with her trusty companion Grunt, the faithful dog.

When her aunt and uncle decide to throw a huge party, Lady Vivienne must be present and brings Grunt to the festivities. It is during said festivities that someone is murdered, and Grunt finds the victim. The new sheriff to lead the investigation into the murder is an old friend of Vivienne, Zachariah Fitch, who has always carried a torch for her. She insists on accompanying him and helping with the investigation. Given her determination, Zachariah does not try too hard to dissuade her.

A captivating mystery that had me engaged and thoroughly enjoying it. I especially liked the sharp banter between Zach and Viv, the discerning inquiry, the interesting suspects, the twists, and turns that added to the story. All in a good mystery that I would recommend. I received an ARC from the publishers and Booksprout and submit my honest review voluntarily.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is my opinion that this is likely AI trash that has been edited by a human. The characters are very simplistic and the dialogue is artificial and quite modern for a novel set in the 1300's. One of the characters said "but he has so much going for him"! Words are misused - refrain instead of restrain when threating to tie someone up. As in usual AI style, the narrative repeats itself endlessly without saying much of anything. The purveyor of this book is, of course, Audible (Amazon) through their "Included" (with membership) category, which has become more and more populated by AI generated fake novels. Another AI tell is that 5 of the novels in this 8 (so far) book series, were released in 2025 and the next 3, in 2026. No good author can produce good books that quickly.

I can certainly sympathize with the plight of authors these day. The fantasy, historical romance and mystery genres have been inundated to the point that it is very hard to come up with anything original and make a living at it. But for my part, I love a well written book with good character development and dialogue.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Vivienne Harlowe has lived with her aunt and uncle at Mablethorpe Castle for seven years. She is still haunted by the tragedy that befell her family on their way to the castle. Her parents were murdered and her brother and newborn son disappeared. One night during a celebration feast, tragedy struck again. Fire destroyed the kennel and one of the guests was found stabbed to death. Sheriff Zachariah Fitch arrives to investigate the circumstances of the man’s death. Vivienne and Fitch, who have been friends since youth and have worked on a case together before, will work together to solve this murder. This is a great introduction to a new series. Vivienne is intelligent and spunky. Fitch is smart and dedicated to his duty. The mystery keeps you guessing, and looking at several possible suspects. There are plot twists throughout, intrigue, suspense, and an unexpected killer. It will be interesting to watch the partnership between Vivienne and Fitch. I look forward to their next adventure.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating Medieval Historical Mystery
When a despised nobleman is found murdered at Mablethorpe Castle, the list of suspects is alarmingly long. Can Sheriff Zachariah Fitch uncover the truth before the killer strikes again? And can he keep Lady Vivienne Harlowe safe—especially when she insists on being part of the investigation?
Driven by guilt over her family’s unsolved murders and disappearances, Zachariah reluctantly allows Vivienne to help. But Vivienne is determined and fearless—if he won’t let her assist, she’ll pursue the mystery on her own, risking even more danger. Their partnership is uneasy, but compelling, and the tension between them hints at a possible romance in future books.
This is a strong start to the Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery series. The medieval setting is atmospheric, the mystery layered, and the suspects numerous. Can you guess the killer, or will the reveal surprise you? I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to seeing where the series goes next.

[Cherie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspects, Alibis, Unsolved Murders, and More:
If you're a mystery fan you will love this in-depth murder mystery that has many very intriguing characters.
Vivienne is quite independent with a lot of "I can do it myself tomboy attitude.
She's not able to solve the many mysteries alone. She has the help of the sheriff Zachariah who happens to be quite handsome along with being a widower.
This story is filled with unsolved crimes with many twists that these two people will tenaciously try to solve.
It isn't an easy or smooth task but when they find themselves on the right track their hard work will pay off and lead to a rewarding end.
This is a captivating mystery story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion.

[Mbsuther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder in old England

I enjoy reading murder mysteries about Victorian/Regency/Old England (e.g. the St. Cyr and Wexford/Sloane series). I especially like reading how each author treats the history of the time period they are writing for. In this, it is a period of castles, lords and ladies, and murder. I was intrigued by the two main characters and their banter. The story itself was well done and the twists helped the pace. I did figure out the killer before it was stated, but liked how the conclusions were drawn by the lady and the sheriff. I will read the next, but hope the back and forth of the two main characters becomes less "coqettish" and more seriously involved in the murder. A 4.3 out of 5 rating.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Vivienne Harlowe was living with her uncle and aunt at Mablethorpe castle. She was no ordinary lady, she loved sparring and didn’t like being told what to do. Vivienne also had a sense of when trouble would come. There is a murder at the castle and the sheriff who comes to investigate is an old friend of Vivienne’s, Zachariah Fitch. She has helped him before and hopes she can assist him again. Vivienne doesn’t hesitate in letting him know when he has offended her! There were a number of possible suspects and it kept me guessing until the end. There was also a mystery concerning the attack on her parents. In addition to the main characters are some likeable secondary characters, especially the young page, Martin. I really enjoyed this entertaining story and look forward to future books in the series. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I did preorder my own copy.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and mystery. The author had a good way of introducing some background information through nightmares. The murder mystery was intriguing with several people who could have done it or thought they did it. The major mystery was solved but the cliff hanger is what happened to the heroine’s family and why still is unknown. But this is only the start of the series so look forward to more enlightenment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular beginning to a new series. The characters are delightful, the mystery is intriguing and the backstory is heatbreaking for Lady Vivienne Harlowe who lost her parents who were murdered and her little brother and baby that disappeared.

Sheriff Zachariah Fitch is called to the Mablethorpe Castle to investigate a murder. Vivienne, who is a long time friend steps in to help whether Zachariah likes it or not. They turn out to be a formidable team.

I can't wait for the next book in the series.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have listened to the Audio version of this book.
Murder at Mablethorpe Castle introduces the clever duo Harlowe & Fitch, in a gripping historical mystery centred around the murder of Lord Gainsborough. Elizabeth Rose writes an intriguing story filled with period suspense. The investigation is well-paced, with enough twists to keep listeners engaged throughout. Kevin E. Green's narration brings the characters to life with distinct, expressive voices and a tone that perfectly suits the historical setting. An excellent story and a recommended listen for fans of historical mysteries.

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series starter with a murder, childhood friends turned investigative partners, missing family that adds thrill and excitement.

The heroine, Vivienne, has undergone a lot of heartache in her life. She is spunky, smart, and has a backbone of steel. The hero, Zach, is brave, protective, a friend, sheriff, and father.

Together, they made a great team, and their combined efforts brought justice in the end. I suspect the story of Viviennes family and possibly a romance will be slowly released in the next few books.

Overall, it's a good read.

[Tiina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry, the Audible version was not available here - I didn't read this book but listened to it.

Anyway, it would have helped to establish the time in history when this murder happened. It must have been way back in the past, but how much back?

The murder was mysterious enough and the process to solve it was lively. The main character is extremely competent, which is always a good thing. All in all, a good enough listening experience.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.

Just finished a SF series and wanted a time shift, so decided to jump back centuries in time to this murder mystery series set in Medieval England.

It's a promising start. Has a strong noble heroine with an interesting backstory and her childhood commoner Sheriff friend, solving the murder of an obnoxious guest at the heroine's uncle's castle.

Let's see how the series progresses.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful new Regency mystery. It grabbed and held my attention from beginning to end. Well defined characters and secondary characters. The overall plot was suspensful with enough twists and turns that the reader stays on their toes to gain every hint and clue possible. Can't wait for the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Vivienne never got over the tragedy in her life 7 years ago. When a guest is murdered, she needs to help find the murderer and protect the innocent. Sheriff Fitch is investigating the murder, and needs her to be more objective. They've been friends since childhood, and this case is bringing them closer together.

[Michael Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical murder mystery! The characters and the intriguing story really drew me in. I look forward to seeing what comes next for our young heroine in her quest for answers to questions about what happened to her family!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.