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The Thief-Taker's Apprentice: Crime fiction at its best. A gripping 18th century murder mystery.
Shropshire, 1749
When a midnight burglary strikes her home, Sarah Beaumont turns to thief-taker Edwin Hare to recover what’s been stolen. But his investigation uncovers more than missing heirlooms—it disturbs secrets some would kill to keep buried.
Meg Valentine, an under-gardener with little to lose, jumps at the chance to work alongside Edwin, hoping to escape poverty by learning his trade. But when the suspected thief turns up dead, trust begins to fracture—especially when suspicion falls on Sarah, and even Edwin himself.
As motives twist and loyalties crumble, Meg must navigate deceit, danger, and the shadows of her own ambition to unmask a killer.
Perfect for fans of richly layered historical mysteries where every secret comes at a cost.
When a midnight burglary strikes her home, Sarah Beaumont turns to thief-taker Edwin Hare to recover what’s been stolen. But his investigation uncovers more than missing heirlooms—it disturbs secrets some would kill to keep buried.
Meg Valentine, an under-gardener with little to lose, jumps at the chance to work alongside Edwin, hoping to escape poverty by learning his trade. But when the suspected thief turns up dead, trust begins to fracture—especially when suspicion falls on Sarah, and even Edwin himself.
As motives twist and loyalties crumble, Meg must navigate deceit, danger, and the shadows of her own ambition to unmask a killer.
Perfect for fans of richly layered historical mysteries where every secret comes at a cost.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2025
4 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Garratt
12 books18 followersCharlie Garratt is a crime and historical novelist. He has published seven books.
They include the Inspector James Given series, the Meg Valentine Mysteries series and a family saga, A Handkerchief for Maria, a novel based on research in to his own family.
Three of his short stories are included in a collection, Wild Atlantic Words, fifteen tales drawing from life along the west coast of Ireland. One of his short stories won the Read LK competition in 2013.
His most recent book is The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice, a mystery set in 18th century Shropshire.
Charlie is also author and co-author of a number of books and guides on community participation.
Take a look at his website at charliegarratt.com or sign up for his newsletter, Struggling for Words, at charliegarratt.substack.com.
They include the Inspector James Given series, the Meg Valentine Mysteries series and a family saga, A Handkerchief for Maria, a novel based on research in to his own family.
Three of his short stories are included in a collection, Wild Atlantic Words, fifteen tales drawing from life along the west coast of Ireland. One of his short stories won the Read LK competition in 2013.
His most recent book is The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice, a mystery set in 18th century Shropshire.
Charlie is also author and co-author of a number of books and guides on community participation.
Take a look at his website at charliegarratt.com or sign up for his newsletter, Struggling for Words, at charliegarratt.substack.com.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 30, 2025
A marvelous quick read that immersed me in the life of small town citizens of late 18th century England, especially in how justice and crime was dealt with in a time absent a organized police force. All the elements of an entertaining who-done-it are present; villains and victims, a little lite romance at the heart of the tale, the risk of secrets being found out, and an engaging and smart narrator/protagonist! I loved it, begining to end!
Displaying 1 of 1 review