The Havard & Lambert Murder Mysteries, Books 1–5

Havard & Lambert Mysteries #1-5

by Pippa McCathie

Five gripping mysteries. Two unforgettable detectives. One hauntingly beautiful corner of Wales.

Ex-policewoman Fabia Havard is trying to rebuild her life in the quiet Welsh town of Pontygwyn after a career-ending scandal. But when murder rocks her community, she’s drawn back into investigation — and into the orbit of her former colleague, Detective Chief Inspector Matt Lambert.

From the body of a teenage girl found beneath an ancient bridge to a ruthless killing among the wealthy elite, Havard and Lambert must uncover secrets that the stunning Welsh valleys would rather keep buried. Together, they battle small-town politics, personal betrayals, and dangerous criminals — all while confronting the tension that still simmers between them.

This box set includes:
Murder in the Valleys — A brutal death beneath a centuries-old bridge leads Fabia back to the police world she thought she had left behind.
Murder at the Old Abbey — A hidden past and a deadly secret collide among the ruins of an ancient abbey.
Murder by the River Usk — A body in the river, a community in shock, and a killer closer to home than anyone suspects.
Murder in a Welsh Town — Tensions run high when a beloved local figure is found dead — and everyone has something to hide.
Murder of a Gentleman — A seemingly genteel gathering spirals into betrayal, lies, and a shocking murder.

Meet the Detectives:
Fabia Havard: Once a high-flying police superintendent, Fabia left the force under a cloud of suspicion. Now working as an illustrator, she can't help but be drawn into the dark currents swirling beneath her picturesque Welsh hometown. Sharp-witted, fiercely independent, and haunted by the past, Fabia refuses to turn a blind eye when justice is at stake.
Matt Lambert: Detective Chief Inspector Matt Lambert knows how to play by the rules — and when to break them. Dedicated, brooding, and burdened by old griefs, Matt is not sure he can trust Fabia again. But when bodies begin to fall, he’ll need all the help he can get — even if it means reopening old wounds.

1287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2025

About the author

South Wales has played a big part in Pippa's life, two of her three sons were born in Swansea and she visits close friends near Newport as often as she can. Brought up in Mauritius, she's spent a lot of her life travelling, to Guernsey, London, South Africa, South Wales, Iran and back to Guernsey. She began writing in school exercise books to entertain her friends, which resulted in dubious exam results but much laughter. She's had many poems and short stories published and, once her boys had been packed off to school, started on the novels. For the last 17 years she's taught a creative writing class, and in her spare time she's worked as a volunteer with a national charity, helped run Guernsey's local Eisteddfod, and looked after a gorgeous husband and a cowardly cat. All these activities have helped her avoid time wasting activities such as housework and gardening. Murder in the Valleys, published by The Book Folks, is the first in a series featuring Fabia Havard and Matt Lambert, who are currently Pippa's best friends.

Reviews

[Patricia Anne Davis]

Fantastic stories , mystery, romance, murder and great characters

I bought this set of books because of an ad on Facebook, I had never read anything from this author . One thing for sure these books are absolutely wonderful if you like murder mysteries and a touch of romance then these definitely need to be bought and read!! I recommend them to you with a 5 Stars review

I hope at some point that another series is brought back using Fabia and Mat they were great characters!!😍😍😍😍

[Lois Carkhuff]

Very enjoyable

I love following my “book friends ”. After getting to know through them a little in the first book, I feel like they are real people that I could or should contact and find out how they are doing. This series is, in my opinion, well written, had great, believable growth in all the characters throughout the series. I am positive that I will read any more books that they are in. The ending leaves just enough of a trail that will need to be followed. Thank you for sharing their journey with us!

[Sheila]

Set in Wales, these mysteries follow the relationship between a retired female detective and the man who, perhaps, replaced her. Drawn together by the need to solve a murder, they begin to see how past betrayals can be read differently, and present anger might not be the best course. The mysteries are fun—not overly taxing or convoluted. The characters are interesting. And the scenery is great. I just with book 6 had been included in the collection!
Disclosure: I got them on a deal, soon after a visit to Wales.

[BEVERLEY TARRAN]

They got better and better

Really enjoyed this boxset, it took a while to get into the first one but after that I flew through them.
I loved Cath, the vicar, and Dilys, as well as the other main officers who all had their their own personalities
I did guess some of the plots, especially around H & L, but it didn't detract from the stories; an easy to read and well put together set of books

[Carson Walls]

Not the end, I hope???

This is the first work by Ms. McCarthy's that I have read, but what a great adventure. This follows right along with others that I have read as far as culture, location, and police actions. I think Dilys could fall in love with Matt if not for her leanings, their close work relation and Fabia got there first. I certainly want to read more of their adventures!!

[Lucille Strobel]

Engaging

The challenging personal and professional relationship boundaries leave the reader wondering how the current DCI and retired DCI manage to overcome the barriers to identify the criminal.

[Sylvia Dinnage]

Harvard and Lambert books I to 5

I really enjoyed these books Matt and Fabia do have their problems but the dynamics between them are good a d the story woven around them are gripping as the writer weaves her story .

[Patricia C.]

Each book is different save the 2 main characters

The plots became more convoluted with new characters entering towards the ends. Next time, I would take a break instead of reading them all at once.

[fred jones]

A fabulous series of entertaining police procedural murder mysteries set in the South Wales valleys. Well written with great characters, interesting and involving cases with strong varied suspects, a little grit and a slow burn romance between the main characters. Lovely. Highly recommended.

[Gail Harmon]

Should become a BBC mystery series!

It was as though I were watching a BBC mystery show. Characters so well described and settings vividly portrayed. Reads like a film production.

[Lesley Mason]

a happy read

All five books were entertaining and interesting to follow light hearted with enough blood and murder to keep you on your toes.
recommend .

[Wendy Berry]

a good read

Very much enjoyed these books. Good descriptions of the Welsh countryside . Made me determined to visit some day soon!

[Grace El-yasir]

Loved them

Really enjoyed the books and the characters . Story lines were great. Made it feel like they were real people . I think it would be described as 'cosy ' .

[Lindy Aronowitz]

Comfortable and compelling read

Good series with plausible circumstances.
Lovely getting to know the characters as well.
Easy going reading and one I would recommend.

[Shannon Janson]

Lovely books

Great characters and good character development. The writing is great and flows easily. Enjoyed the mystery. Glad to have found Poppa McCathie

[Oz]

Good read

Recommended to anyone who likes simple English murder mysteries.
Characters are quite good, some of the murders are easy to guess.

[SylviaV]

The Havard & Lambert Murder Mysteries, Books 1–5 Box Set by Pippa McCathie.

This box set of murder mysteries is set in Wales, UK. The reader follows along with the police detectives and the characters that inhabit the townships in the district. We get to know the main characters of Fabia Havard, a former police superintendent who now spends her days as a painter/ illustrator and Matt Lambert the current Detective Chief Inspector and his team as they solve the murders. While all books could be read as stand-alone books, this is a series and the overall story arc is the personal relationship between Fabia and Matt. I was engaged with the characters and the story lines. A great read.
At the end of this box set, it was announced that the author passed away in 2023 and that Book 6 was finished by another author Nicola Clifford.