What do you think?
Rate this book
Casebook of Barnaby Adair #11
The Murder of Thomas Cardwell: The Casebook of Barnaby Adair Series, Book 11
Number one New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens returns with a perplexing case in which her favorite sleuths must untangle a web of interconnected motives to identify the man who killed Thomas Cardwell.
When Thomas Cardwell, an upstanding man-of-business, is murdered, Roscoe enlists the aid of the best investigators in London—namely Barnaby and Penelope Adair and Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard—to solve the puzzle of why anyone would want to kill a man as honest as Cardwell.
Dispatched by Roscoe, London’s gambling king, to learn what “nefarious activity” an upstanding man-of-business has stumbled upon, Jordan Draper—Roscoe’s own man-of-business—arrives at Thomas Cardwell’s office to discover Cardwell very recently murdered.
Soon, Jordan finds himself working alongside the Adairs and Inspector Stokes as they search for clues as to why anyone would kill a man as unthreatening as Cardwell. Unexpectedly, Jordan finds himself drawn to Cardwell’s family, especially Thomas’s sister, Ruth, and as the investigation progresses, the greater Jordan’s compulsion to find the murderer and bring the family resolution and respite grows.
Clue by clue, motive by surprising motive, the investigators seek to identify Cardwell’s murderer and, along the way, uncover the “nefarious activity” he’d sought to bring to the authorities’ attention. But in a case cluttered with intertwined motives and a web of potential suspects related to each other as well as the victim, finding the kernel of truth amid the chaff is no easy matter. Only through enlisting the help of the investigators’ wider circle of supporters do they make any headway, and on the heels of uncovering a cascade of crimes, they finally—finally—close in on the man who murdered Thomas Cardwell.
When Thomas Cardwell, an upstanding man-of-business, is murdered, Roscoe enlists the aid of the best investigators in London—namely Barnaby and Penelope Adair and Inspector Stokes of Scotland Yard—to solve the puzzle of why anyone would want to kill a man as honest as Cardwell.
Dispatched by Roscoe, London’s gambling king, to learn what “nefarious activity” an upstanding man-of-business has stumbled upon, Jordan Draper—Roscoe’s own man-of-business—arrives at Thomas Cardwell’s office to discover Cardwell very recently murdered.
Soon, Jordan finds himself working alongside the Adairs and Inspector Stokes as they search for clues as to why anyone would kill a man as unthreatening as Cardwell. Unexpectedly, Jordan finds himself drawn to Cardwell’s family, especially Thomas’s sister, Ruth, and as the investigation progresses, the greater Jordan’s compulsion to find the murderer and bring the family resolution and respite grows.
Clue by clue, motive by surprising motive, the investigators seek to identify Cardwell’s murderer and, along the way, uncover the “nefarious activity” he’d sought to bring to the authorities’ attention. But in a case cluttered with intertwined motives and a web of potential suspects related to each other as well as the victim, finding the kernel of truth amid the chaff is no easy matter. Only through enlisting the help of the investigators’ wider circle of supporters do they make any headway, and on the heels of uncovering a cascade of crimes, they finally—finally—close in on the man who murdered Thomas Cardwell.
Audible Audio
First published July 17, 2025
111 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
207 books5,592 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 21, 2025
Another great mystery for Penelope and Barnaby Adair and a host of other great characters!
Jordan Draper is sent to discuss something nefarious that disturbed Thomas Cardwell. When Jordan go to Thomas's office he found Thomas dead. Then he met Thomas's sister Ruth who was determined to figure out why Thomas was killed. Of course Stokes and the Adairs were called in to deal with this. So Ruth and Jordan combined forces with them and a whole host of previous main characters to delve into this plot filled with many twists and turns. Can they find the killer and prove he did it? Read this to find out.
The pace is fast and the tone is intense with a character centered storyline that has no steam. The characters are vibrant and engaging. I would recommend reading at least this series in order. If you like them, then you can go back and read the whole Cynster series in order, then the Cynster sister trilogy and duo, then the Cavanaugh series in order and the whole of the Cynster Next Generation. These are more romances with more steam but many of them have intriguing mysteries worked in as well. So if you like mysteries set in Victorian era London, filled with fascinating characters and hard to decipher mysteries, then these are for you. Enjoy!
Jordan Draper is sent to discuss something nefarious that disturbed Thomas Cardwell. When Jordan go to Thomas's office he found Thomas dead. Then he met Thomas's sister Ruth who was determined to figure out why Thomas was killed. Of course Stokes and the Adairs were called in to deal with this. So Ruth and Jordan combined forces with them and a whole host of previous main characters to delve into this plot filled with many twists and turns. Can they find the killer and prove he did it? Read this to find out.
The pace is fast and the tone is intense with a character centered storyline that has no steam. The characters are vibrant and engaging. I would recommend reading at least this series in order. If you like them, then you can go back and read the whole Cynster series in order, then the Cynster sister trilogy and duo, then the Cavanaugh series in order and the whole of the Cynster Next Generation. These are more romances with more steam but many of them have intriguing mysteries worked in as well. So if you like mysteries set in Victorian era London, filled with fascinating characters and hard to decipher mysteries, then these are for you. Enjoy!
July 21, 2025
We finally get to see Roscoe's right hand man, Jordan, get his HEA while working with the Adairs and Stokes in solving the murder of an upright man of business. We are also given a chance to see just how large and effective a team of consultants, all former main characters in earlier entries of the Casebook series, has grown, and individually flourished. There are layers to this plot, from gun turning to money laundering, that kept me engaged and turning the pages. Definitely one of the stronger Casebook series.
July 20, 2025
very good mysteries
I am quickly becoming a fan of this mystery series. It might be Victorian london, and the tonne, but these are real people. This is actually the 11th in the series, and while we have two new protagonists we have many of the old gang. I felt like the bootlegger being finally brought down by the IRS though. Still, Scotland Yard had quite a day, with many many thought processes. I loved that right and justice prevailed too. A lovely set of decent characters telling an intricate story- one that will continue too.
I am quickly becoming a fan of this mystery series. It might be Victorian london, and the tonne, but these are real people. This is actually the 11th in the series, and while we have two new protagonists we have many of the old gang. I felt like the bootlegger being finally brought down by the IRS though. Still, Scotland Yard had quite a day, with many many thought processes. I loved that right and justice prevailed too. A lovely set of decent characters telling an intricate story- one that will continue too.
July 19, 2025
Wonderful
I love all of the Adair stories. They are intriguing, well written and while there is some romance, it is not central to the story and is not "gushing" . Please - lots more of Barnaby, Penelope, Stokes, et al.
I love all of the Adair stories. They are intriguing, well written and while there is some romance, it is not central to the story and is not "gushing" . Please - lots more of Barnaby, Penelope, Stokes, et al.
August 6, 2025
ive finally figured out why i care so much less about the adair sequels than stephanie’s other books, and its all due to the pov. theyre usually told through the collective pov of the detective squad, along with the male love interest if hes a recurring character. but we never get inside the female love interests head even though they’re just as involved in the mystery and it feels so rote and impersonal. anyway the mystery was genuinely one of the most interesting in the series but i want to care!!
November 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this Barnaby Adair mystery. The whole series is great, with red herrings, plenty of suspects, societal complications, wider implications, and great characters coming together to solve these complex cases. This mystery was no different and I thoroughly enjoyed it, struggled to put it down.
It is a fast-paced story with plenty for the characters to sink their teeth into and coordinate. I think this story about the murder of Thomas Cardwell is one of my favourites, partly because we get glimpses of other characters whose stories Laurens has already written like Roscoe and Miranda, Montague, Rose, and Thomas. It’s also nice to see Jordan, who has appeared in several previous novels by Stephanie Laurens, get his happy ending. I like that the characters appear across different stories which gives glimpses of them outside their happy endings.
This is a really strong mystery and detective story as there are so many different parts to it that you’re unsure whether they’re all going to be connected in the end or not. It keeps you thinking and guessing which I loved. The story is well-written, makes sense, and the characters are well-rounded and developed throughout, both the existing characters from the series and the new characters introduced in this novel.
This story is definitely a winner and one of my favourites in the Barnaby Adair series – I love Barnaby, Penelope, and Stokes and how they work together. The trio is what makes the books so brilliant because they have different specialities and their relationship drives the story forwards. I love it and can’t wait for the next one!
It is a fast-paced story with plenty for the characters to sink their teeth into and coordinate. I think this story about the murder of Thomas Cardwell is one of my favourites, partly because we get glimpses of other characters whose stories Laurens has already written like Roscoe and Miranda, Montague, Rose, and Thomas. It’s also nice to see Jordan, who has appeared in several previous novels by Stephanie Laurens, get his happy ending. I like that the characters appear across different stories which gives glimpses of them outside their happy endings.
This is a really strong mystery and detective story as there are so many different parts to it that you’re unsure whether they’re all going to be connected in the end or not. It keeps you thinking and guessing which I loved. The story is well-written, makes sense, and the characters are well-rounded and developed throughout, both the existing characters from the series and the new characters introduced in this novel.
This story is definitely a winner and one of my favourites in the Barnaby Adair series – I love Barnaby, Penelope, and Stokes and how they work together. The trio is what makes the books so brilliant because they have different specialities and their relationship drives the story forwards. I love it and can’t wait for the next one!
October 13, 2025
It seems Ms. Laurens has chosen to ignore her own timeline and the book she wrote "The Lady Risks All" in regards to the age of Jordan Draper. We first meet him in 1811 when Lord Julian Delbraith is forced to become Roscoe Neville to save his family. Jordan had already been handling Julian's accounts. If as this book claims there's 10 years between their ages, that would mean Jordan was 16 years old at the time, which isn't believable. So let's go with him being around 21 years of age. That would make him 51 years old in 1841. Julian/Roscoe was listed as 38 years old in 1823, so he would now be 56 years old. It looks like she wants to pretend that approximately 10 years has been tossed away as regards to Jordan and Julian/Roscoe's entire household and staff ages. Maybe she should go back and adjust the dates in "The Lady Risks All", moving them forward at least 10 years.
August 17, 2025
i love the Adair's and all the characters who have been on this journey with them to solve mysteries. I enjoy the little bit of romance that that enhances the story and does not overpower it. Stephanie's books are always well written, easy to read, and the characters are so well developed. Her descriptions are colorful and on point. I do hope that there will be more of Penelope and Barnahy Adair mysteries with all of the gang.
August 27, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this title poorly read by Liam Gerrard.
I’ve gotten accustomed to the previous narrator, Napoleon Ryan - he has a far better vocal acting range - unfortunately, with this narrator, there’s no distinguishing which character is speaking .
Fortunately the next book is a while away. Perhaps I’ll give myself a long break before listening to the next tale if he’s the narrator.
The stories themselves just get better and better!
I’ve gotten accustomed to the previous narrator, Napoleon Ryan - he has a far better vocal acting range - unfortunately, with this narrator, there’s no distinguishing which character is speaking .
Fortunately the next book is a while away. Perhaps I’ll give myself a long break before listening to the next tale if he’s the narrator.
The stories themselves just get better and better!
August 6, 2025
I am always intrigues with the stories involving the Adairs and their band of investigators.
This did not disappoint, especially since it reunited the reader with other past characters from the connected books of Stephanie Laurens.
This storyline kept you guessing throughout as to who the actual murderer was. And the conclusion of the investigation was quire shocking.
This did not disappoint, especially since it reunited the reader with other past characters from the connected books of Stephanie Laurens.
This storyline kept you guessing throughout as to who the actual murderer was. And the conclusion of the investigation was quire shocking.
July 21, 2025
new Casebook is a winner
Stephanie Laurens never disappoints. Her characters are people you enjoy spending time with. If you haven’t read this series before, it would be wise to start at the beginning.
Stephanie Laurens never disappoints. Her characters are people you enjoy spending time with. If you haven’t read this series before, it would be wise to start at the beginning.
July 22, 2025
Another great mystery
Stephanie Laurens has written another fascinating mystery. The story is so.much more than just a murder investigation with many interesting turns. It is a joy to read.
Stephanie Laurens has written another fascinating mystery. The story is so.much more than just a murder investigation with many interesting turns. It is a joy to read.
July 29, 2025
I enjoy the mystery series with the Adair’s and Stokes. This one was quite a journey. The old adage of ‘follow the money’ was true torn. It just didn’t lead where I thought it would. An enjoyable listen.
August 5, 2025
Best Adair Book Yet.
I love that all the previous characters all come together in this book. It kept me guessing until the end who the murderer was. There is a nice plot twist to keep you guessing. I highly recommend this book.
I love that all the previous characters all come together in this book. It kept me guessing until the end who the murderer was. There is a nice plot twist to keep you guessing. I highly recommend this book.
September 24, 2025
I genuinely appreciate this author as a wonderful storyteller. Her stories have intrigue and human frailties. She reveals the best and worst that humanity is capable of while she entertains. This book is a good example of the author's skill.
September 26, 2025
SL's newest are always rated reeeeeeally high but by like thousand people. We may be a relatively small group who enjoy everything she writes but booooyyyt we do enjoy it at its maximum. And I think that's BEAUTIFUL
November 11, 2025
Another interesting and complex mystery with just a touch of romance to add to the Casebook of Barnaby Adair. If you love historical cozy mysteries and following interesting characters, this one is for you.
December 10, 2025
As ever Barney Adair are easy and exciting to read a murder a meeting of friends a lovely romance
with one aim with Scotland Yard to solve a pointless crime metered on an honest man.
Reading SL one claims into the book and becomes a friend involved in the process such a joy
with one aim with Scotland Yard to solve a pointless crime metered on an honest man.
Reading SL one claims into the book and becomes a friend involved in the process such a joy
July 26, 2025
Great story
Love this series and looking forward to the next book
Love this series and looking forward to the next book
July 29, 2025
This was a wonderful story with nice twists and turns. It was nice to catch up with folks from previous stories too. I truly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down.
August 2, 2025
★★★★☆
Read
August 21, 2025I enjoyed the twists and turns in this one~
September 25, 2025
I love these sleuths and this one in particular called in all my favourite side characters. I as very surprised by how it ended and very satisfied. Excellent read.
September 28, 2025
I absolutely love the Adairs and all the vibrant characters who’ve joined them on their mystery-solving adventures. Each story is enriched by just the right touch of romance—enough to enhance the plot without overshadowing the intrigue. Stephanie’s writing is consistently engaging and beautifully crafted. Her books are easy to read, yet rich with well-developed characters and vivid, spot-on descriptions. I truly hope there are more Penelope and Barnaby Adair mysteries to come, with the whole beloved gang back in action!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews