Petteril's Baby

Lord Petteril Mysteries #8

by Mary Lancaster

Why is there a baby on the Petterils’ doorstep?

The discovery turns the household upside down. Where did the infant come from? Who and where is its mother, and is there a connection to someone in Petteril House? Inevitably, everyone has a scandalous theory, but tracing the truth of the baby’s journey is much harder.

The Petterils find themselves having to defend each other’s honour, while investigating their servants, neighbours, family, and friends, all of whom seem to have secrets worth hiding. Worse, the tiny human who is the cause of all the upheaval, dribbles and squirms its way under their skins and into their hearts…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

About the author

Mary Lancaster is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance. She lives in Scotland with her husband, one of three grown-up kids, and a small dog with a big personality.

Her first literary love was historical fiction, a genre which she relishes mixing up with romance and adventure in her own writing. Several of her novels feature actual historical characters as diverse as Hungarian revolutionaries, medieval English outlaws, and a family of eternally rebellious royal Scots. To say nothing of Vlad the Impaler.
Her most recent books are light fun Regency romances, with occasional forays into Victorian mystery.

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Reviews

[Cristina Neves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved the eighth installment in this delightful Regency mystery series!

The writting is superb, as always, the plot compelling, the relationship between Piers and April developed in a lovely, tender, emotional, dependable and profound way!

A small baby in a box is found one early morning on the Petteril's back doorstep and the household is in an uproar!
Who left him there, why specifically in that house and who is his mother?
Is it servant related, Piers related or it was a random choice?

Once again Piers and April have a mystey to solve and everybody is investigated. Neighbours, friends, servants and anyone who might have seen or possibly knows something.

Meanwhile the small baby gets a hold on everyone's heart! ❤️❤️❤️

[Littlebookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming addition to the Petteril mystery series, which this time sees a baby mysteriously abandoned on the doorsteps of the Petteril household, Piers and April naturally spurred to investigate.

This continues to be a delightful series, with charming characters and gentle mysteries to be solved. Whilst parts of the mystery were predictable, there were enough suspects and red herrings as to keep it engaging.

Furthermore, I think Mary Lancaster has done a good job of continuing to keep the relationship between Piers and April engaging, even though they are married now and the will they/won't they aspect resolved. There are some lovely sweet and tender moments between them here and I love how they always support each other and the deep understanding between them. Having a baby in the household plays on their emotions, especially April's, and there were some poignant and heart-warming moments.

Overall, a quick and easy read. I'm not sure if Lancaster plans further instalments in the series, as this could easily be a perfect ending point for the couple, but if there are more Petteril books to come, I shall certainly continue to follow their adventures.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Petteril’s Baby, the eighth book in this exquisite series, finds April and Piers still in London wherein another mystery lands, literally, on their doorstep in the form of a small baby in a box. This set off the mystery of trying to find who left the baby and why at the Petteril’s doorstep.

April and Piers embark on an emotional journey of uncovering a series of puzzling events which also impact their own lives as a couple. The foundling invokes deeply held longing as April’s tragic past becomes a weight in her hopes and dreams.

The secondary and new characters are so integral to the story arc and help make this world come alive. I felt the agony of the Parks about their only son and the struggle to hold together as a family. It even seems that the mean dowager Lady Petteril is slowly mending her ways in the light of Piers’ fierce and swift protectiveness of April. I’m do head April’s past won’t spoil her future.

This is a beautifully written story that sweeps the reader along mysterious path of curiosity and anguish. Excellent read and very highly recommended.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a baby in a box is found on the Petteril’s doorstep the household is turned upside down. Inevitably, everyone has a scandalous theory, but tracing the truth of the baby’s journey is much harder. Piers & April find themselves having to defend each other’s honour, while investigating their servants, neighbours, family, and friends, all of whom seem to have secrets worth hiding. Worse, the tiny human who is the cause of all the upheaval, dribbles and squirms its way under their skins and into their hearts.
The eighth book in the series & once again the pages flew by, I was totally engrossed. I love Piers & April & have loved seeing their relationship develop & deepen from the first book, they truly are a partnership, loving, caring & intelligent. I also love how they treat their servants & the devotion they receive in return. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery surrounding the young baby & how the couple worked hard to solve it, there were some red herrings as well as twists & turns as they unravelled the mystery. A very well written page turner, which I loved
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Mary Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery baby

5 stars

Good story...who did the baby belong to? How had it got to the step? What was the mystery with the wet nurse? Could Piers and April solve it...would Gussie cheer up...

Nice continuation to the series.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eighth story in the Lord Petteril Mysteries, another engaging story in this well written series. Lord Petteril (Piers) and April find a baby on their doorstep leading to all kinds of ideas about whose baby it is. The mystery will have them going all over the town to find out whose baby it is. The story grabbed my interest and kept me turning pages. I will be watching for the next book to be out. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eighth book in the series and I recommend that they be read in order for full enjoyment.
When April and Piers find a baby on their doorstep, they start investigating where it might have come from.
As they investigate, the list of suspects becomes longer,
I love the relationship between April and Piers and the way they protect each other.
The cast of secondary characters is interesting, there are some plot twists and a few surprises along the way.
I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Definitely a 5-star read!
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy and these are my opinions.

[Pauline Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery for the Petterils to solve in this, the eighth book in this series. There are still problems for the couple, a predictable twist and one niggling issue for me that spoilt my enjoyment somewhat.

Here’s the premise: a small baby is dumped on the Petterils’ doorstep. Whose is it, and why was it left there? The natural assumption is that it’s a by-blow of Piers’, but he denies it. His relations, disapproving of April, suggest maybe it’s hers until Piers points out the discrepancy in age and timing. So the search is on to find the mother… or the father, possibly. The mystery proceeds with some neat twists and turns, leading to a satisfactory resolution. I liked this part of the book very much.

The other element involves April getting broody (not unexpectedly) but seemingly she believes she can’t have children, and she’s discussed this with Piers before they married. Now this really bothered me. I’ve read the whole series to date, and I don’t recall any such discussion. Well, my memory’s not the best, so maybe I’ve just forgotten, but I spent quite a bit of time trawling through previous books looking for any reference to this, only to come up empty-handed. Now this shouldn’t matter, but when something is presented as having occurred earlier, and it’s something so important (Piers is a viscount, after all, so an heir might be important to him), I’d expect it to be memorable… or at least findable. I’m afraid that every time the subject arose, I was so cross that it became very distracting. I’d love to know whether I just missed the earlier discussion or whether it actually wasn’t there.

But that aside, this is another good read, which would have been five stars but for that annoying niggle. So four stars it is.

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Lord Petteril Mystery series, and this latest installment was an emotional rollercoaster for me. Once again, we find Piers and his beautiful wife, April, embroiled in a compelling mystery. A baby has been left on their doorstep, and despite the scandalous theories swirling around suggesting Petteril might be the father, they steadfastly ignore the gossip. Their focus remains on uncovering the reasons behind the baby's appearance and finding its true parents.

April and Piers make a wonderful couple. Though seemingly mismatched, April has grown immensely, gracious, intelligent, caring, and deeply devoted. I loved how this story delved into the nuances of their relationship without detracting from the mystery. Petteril proves to be a considerate, attentive husband, always attuned to April's feelings. Intriguingly, the tiny human responsible for the upheaval wriggles its way into their hearts, especially stirring in April a longing for a child of her own an ache she believed impossible to fulfill… or is it?

Their investigation spans the neighborhood and beyond, revealing that nearly everyone has secrets to hide. As always, Petteril’s keen eye for detail uncovers clues others overlook, with April’s insights perfectly complementing his efforts. This latest mystery captivated me from start to finish. Lancaster’s masterful storytelling breathes life into these characters, they feel like old friends now, especially as this is book eight in the series.

The conclusion left me deeply satisfied yet eager for more. Lancaster has crafted an ending that not only resolves the mystery but also sets the stage for exciting developments ahead. If you haven’t started this series yet, I wholeheartedly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed!

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Lord Petteril Mysteries #8
Publication Date: 6/19/25
Period: Regency London - Winter
Number of Pages: 160

I am absolutely enamored with Lord Petteril (Piers) and April. They are engaging characters who are warm, caring, intelligent, and devoted. They are side by side in all things, whether it is solving a mystery or making family decisions.

Early morning chaos descends on the Petteril household when the servants discover a baby on the steps to the servant's entrance. Most aristocratic families would have the child delivered to a local orphanage, but not Lord and Lady Petteril. They intend to see the child is cared for while they track down its family, even though everyone will assume the worst – that it is Petteril’s illegitimate child. They begin their search in their neighborhood, but quickly spread out and – well – it seems almost anyone in London could be a suspect. The clues that come to light lead them in all directions. What is going on? Are they solving more than one mystery – or – is it all related?

This is an excellent read, featuring a well-developed, excellently paced mystery and endearing characters that you’ll love. You can read this book as a standalone, but to fully appreciate the characters, I recommend reading from the beginning. I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series, so far, has been a delight. Piers, with his difficulties recognizing faces, and April, who comes from the dregs of London, make the perfect pair, however unsuitable the match may have been. A baby left on their doorstep raises all sorts of queries in the minds of the household staff, as well as in Piers and April's thoughts. The cheerful baby's presence results in April becoming introspective, and although Piers does not always relate on an emotional level, he nevertheless recognizes April's pain. As they sift through the clues that emerge, they come to a surprising conclusion, bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion, although April is still left in a befuddled state. It takes Piers' aunt to recognize her symptoms, bringing the novel to a sweet and humorous conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Baby on Their Doorstep
April and Piers wake to find a baby left on their doorstep—and soon, rumors are flying. As they investigate, secrets begin to surface, but the question remains: to whom does this baby belong? The search for the truth may lead to heartbreak, because giving the child up might be the only option—even as they’ve grown to love the little one.
It’s always a delight to return to a Petteril mystery. April and Piers are an unlikely pair—he’s a viscount, and she’s a woman with a rougher past, raised on the streets—but their bond proves that love doesn’t care about class. Neither does this particular viscount. If you're new to the series, you might want to start at the beginning to enjoy how their romance began and see how their dynamic has grown over time.
This is an entertaining historical mystery with warmth, wit, and just enough scandal to keep you turning the pages.

[Pamela Blatter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A baby is left on the Petteril doorstop.
Many ideas of the baby’s origins fly through the house.
Servants gossip and they wonder if it could be Piers’ and even April wonders much to her sadness and confusion. Piers allays her fears immediately but they still have a baby to care for and a mystery to solve. Lots of clues, and facts do not add up easily but as always Piers is able to solve the parentage of the baby.
Hard to believe that this is the 8th book in the series. The relationship between Piers and April has developed over time with a slow burn romance and each book is a treat to read.
Once started, I was unable to put it down until finished.
Highly recommend reading all of them.
I received an ARC but the honest opinion is my own.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single story in this series has brought tears to my eyes and laughter in my heart. This story was no exception. The overall background of this story tells the reader that the new Lord Petteril may have been a scholar before his rise to to the aristocracy, but he makes being a Lord someone to want to emulate. He is fair to all his servants and treats them as people rather than ones lower than him, so when a baby is found on the servants entrance, he and April, his wife set out to find the mother , rather than just packing the baby off to the nearest orphanage. The answers to the puzzle were hard won and difficult to find, but they were indeed found and the ending was a very happy one for more than one reason. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

[Olga Godim · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A few days ago, this novella, newly published, dropped into my kindle. I knew it would happen, of course, for I pre-ordered it. In preparation for reading it, I had to refresh my memory about Lord Petteril and his adventures, so I re-read the entire series first, before reading this one. It was a worthy addition to the series.
Petteril and his lovely young wife April have a surprise left on the steps to their London house - a baby. They are trying to find out whose baby it is, and as always, their investigation leads them to some complications. The story reads like a light diversion. It also feels like the end of the series - a series that I enjoyed wholeheartedly.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an engrossing read. A baby was left at the Petteril’s house and as April and Piers set about looking for clues at to who the mother might be, so a number of secrets are discovered. There are a number of possibilities and it does take some working out. I’m loving this series and I love the way that Piers is so protective of April. April is in no doubt as to how some people critically view her rise in society but the love of Piers more than makes up for it. This had me guessing until the end. I just loved the ending and am looking forward to more in this series.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Petteril’s Baby
By Mary Lancaster

I always enjoy Mary Lancaster’s work. And this was no exception. Lord and Lady Petteril are a pair of unlikely sleuths. Much like the Silver and Grey series. A baby is left on their doorstep with no one around claiming “Baby Georgie”. That’s the mystery they need to solve. I had tears in my eyes on several occasions. It will pull at your heart strings. It was heart wrenching as well as heartwarming. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Baby Bundle

A Mysterious Baby is left on the Servants entrance of Lord and Lady Petteril. Whose is it? As usual it will take the combined skills of both to sort through the numerous people potentially connected. This is a very enjoyable series and I was delighted to see this addition which expands their lives. Petteril's inability to recognize faces and April's struggle with Ton Society are a interesting blend as they continue to find their way in and out of trouble.

[Jini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought it a few hours ago and finished it in one go! This book begins on a real funny note as no one quite know what to do with the baby. The mystery is pretty guessable as is yet another thing that comes up at the end.

But I don't care about that. This couple and this series is my comfort read. I thought the previous novel was it. So any more instalments are a bonus for me.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous new addition to a brilliant series. The Petteril's find a baby hidden in a box on their servants entrance, but whose baby is it? Is it Piers's baby by another woman or someone desperately trying to safeguard her only child from harm. This is a mystery very close to Piers and April's hearts. Can they find the mother before anymore harm comes to her or her baby boy.

[BROWN2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

An abandoned baby leads to a new mystery for April and Piers. I am always excited to see a new addition has been posted. Each book leads us through not only a tantalizing mystery but a love story that builds with two unique and compelling characters who should not fit but April and Piers fit like a missing piece of a puzzle. Charming addition, adorable baby and an unexpected announcement.

[Linda Brugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Tale Well Told

The Lord Letter is mystery series just gets better by the book. Twists and turns with the plot plus the complex emotions of the characters. I started reading the book in early evening and didn't put it down until early in the morning. It is that kind of book.

[Kim Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plumbed true to the heart

There is something remarkably honest about the Lord Petteril mysteries. The unique relationship between Petteril and April does not prescind from the real complications that follow from it. These are exposed through the mysteries that they solve together.. And they are remarkably poignant. I look forward to each new book immensely.

[Dena Jaggers · Rating 5 out of 5]

mystery, love story.

Good clean mystery, love story. I think some authors do not have the skill set to fill up the pages of their books with an actual story so they fill them up with stuff that should be kept private. Take out all the sex scenes in some of them and you’ll have about a 20 page book.

[Tracey Rayner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 8

Brilliant storyline as always. Highly recommend. I read the story in a day and was not disappointed. Loved that there is a possibility of book 9. Can't wait. Now I'm going to go back and read April's and piers story all over again !!!

[Terry A Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming and joyous story

If you like a cozy mystery with intrigue and excitement blended with love and tenderness between the main characters, then this is the perfect choice! Mary Lancaster's wonderful new addition to her Petteril mystery series is perfection!

[Billy Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mystery to be solved

A really good story— 8 billion humans on planet earth, and a lot of them are parents. This story contained elements of mystery, unknowns, missing facts— and required association of
elements to solve mysteries. I really liked it and recommend it.

[Cynthia Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Petteril's Baby

I am thoroughly enjoying this series that is why I keep getting hooked into buying these too short stories. The characters are very interesting and engaging. I just want to keep reading more about Lord and Lady Petteril.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I Iove this series.
Once again Lord and Lady Petteril have a confusing mystery to solve.
A few red herrings are thrown in to keep you guessing and a nice twist at the end.
A nice easy read.

[Barbara Sachs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasure to read

Piers and April have to be the best couple, and this series is Lancaster's best yet. Well-written, perfectly paced and nicely intriguing, this latest installment was a satisfying read. My only complaint was that it had to end.