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Casebook of Barnaby Adair #12
The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains
#1 New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Laurens is back with a complex case in which her favorite sleuths must wade through the attendees of a ton house party to discover which one was moved to murder their host.
When the genial and highly regarded Sir Montague Underhill is found murdered in his own orchard, Inspector Stokes is dispatched, together with Barnaby and Penelope Adair, to Patchcote Grange to uncover the culprit. But a fashionable house party provides a large cast of potential suspects, and when the investigators learn what business Sir Montague had been dabbling in, the challenge before them grows even larger.
Richard Percival has bowed to familial pressure and agreed to attend a tonnish house party at Patchcote Grange, where the gathering’s unabashed aim is to introduce eligible gentlemen to suitable young ladies. Two of Richard’s elderly aunts have assured him that Miss Rosalind Hemmings will make him the perfect wife, and after meeting Miss Hemmings over dinner on the first evening of the party, Richard is sufficiently intrigued to be willing to learn—indeed, he’s even looking forward to learning—more of the unusually direct young lady.
But on coming downstairs the following morning, he hears an anguished scream for help. On racing outside to the orchard from whence the scream came, he finds his possibly-intended standing over the very dead body of their universally well-regarded host, Sir Montague Underhill. This is clearly a matter for Scotland Yard, and Richard wastes no time in summoning Barnaby and Penelope Adair and Inspector Stokes to the company’s aid. For, indeed, very soon, it becomes blatantly clear that the murderer is one of those presently residing in the house.
On arriving at the Grange, Penelope, Barnaby, and Stokes are confronted with a dauntingly large cast of potential suspects. Wading through the throng takes time, but on uncovering Sir Montague’s private means of earning a little extra cash, it becomes ever more likely that his murderer is, indeed, one of the guests at the house. All too soon, the questions facing the investigators become whether Sir Montague learned a secret someone was desperate to conceal, and if so, what secret was powerful enough to compel an otherwise reasonable man to murder?
When the genial and highly regarded Sir Montague Underhill is found murdered in his own orchard, Inspector Stokes is dispatched, together with Barnaby and Penelope Adair, to Patchcote Grange to uncover the culprit. But a fashionable house party provides a large cast of potential suspects, and when the investigators learn what business Sir Montague had been dabbling in, the challenge before them grows even larger.
Richard Percival has bowed to familial pressure and agreed to attend a tonnish house party at Patchcote Grange, where the gathering’s unabashed aim is to introduce eligible gentlemen to suitable young ladies. Two of Richard’s elderly aunts have assured him that Miss Rosalind Hemmings will make him the perfect wife, and after meeting Miss Hemmings over dinner on the first evening of the party, Richard is sufficiently intrigued to be willing to learn—indeed, he’s even looking forward to learning—more of the unusually direct young lady.
But on coming downstairs the following morning, he hears an anguished scream for help. On racing outside to the orchard from whence the scream came, he finds his possibly-intended standing over the very dead body of their universally well-regarded host, Sir Montague Underhill. This is clearly a matter for Scotland Yard, and Richard wastes no time in summoning Barnaby and Penelope Adair and Inspector Stokes to the company’s aid. For, indeed, very soon, it becomes blatantly clear that the murderer is one of those presently residing in the house.
On arriving at the Grange, Penelope, Barnaby, and Stokes are confronted with a dauntingly large cast of potential suspects. Wading through the throng takes time, but on uncovering Sir Montague’s private means of earning a little extra cash, it becomes ever more likely that his murderer is, indeed, one of the guests at the house. All too soon, the questions facing the investigators become whether Sir Montague learned a secret someone was desperate to conceal, and if so, what secret was powerful enough to compel an otherwise reasonable man to murder?
Audible Audio
First published October 14, 2025
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
211 books5,609 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.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
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October 21, 2025This was painful to read. I am a big fan of the Barnaby and Penelope mystery books, but I'm not sure I'll continue with this series. I had to force myself to finish.
Barnaby and company interviewed A LOT of house guests, asked them identical questions, often got IDENTICAL ANSWERS, and this went on and on for a huge chunk of the book.
It seems like Laurens does not have an editor, or just stopped caring. Even the "romance" part was painful. Usually her romances are passionate, sweet, something. This was the equivalent of "do you like me?" "yeah, I guess so" "should we get married" "okay." I am exaggerating---just a bit.
If you enjoy historical romance/mystery, I recommend the books at the beginning of this series. They were excellent. But this was a dud.
Wicked disappointed.
Barnaby and company interviewed A LOT of house guests, asked them identical questions, often got IDENTICAL ANSWERS, and this went on and on for a huge chunk of the book.
It seems like Laurens does not have an editor, or just stopped caring. Even the "romance" part was painful. Usually her romances are passionate, sweet, something. This was the equivalent of "do you like me?" "yeah, I guess so" "should we get married" "okay." I am exaggerating---just a bit.
If you enjoy historical romance/mystery, I recommend the books at the beginning of this series. They were excellent. But this was a dud.
Wicked disappointed.
November 13, 2025
Slow, plodding, and repetitive
What on earth has happened to Stephanie Laurens? She seems to have largely abandoned writing romances and turned to mystery. The problem is, she’s not always very good at it, especially when she omits the passion, emotion, and spirited characters that epitomized her best romances. The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains is a case in point. The pace is glacial, the characters are flat, and the mystery was ridiculously easy to solve: I spotted the murderer in the first couple of chapters based on his lack of alibi, and had a fairly good idea of his motive pretty early on. The “investigators” (Barnaby and Penelope Adair and their friend Inspector Stokes), on the other hand, conducted days of repetitive, mind-numbingly boring interviews with the 29 remaining members of the house party, most of which appear on-page, in detail. The investigators missed several opportunities to ask the right question or follow up on something the witness had said or avoided saying, any of which would have sped up the investigation. The one major bombshell was the murder victim’s secret, which was revealed pretty early in the book; frankly, his secret was so out of character that I found it as unbelievable as the characters did.
As for the so-called romance, it hardly qualifies. It seems almost an afterthought, and receives very little page time. There’s no chemistry, no depth of feeling, and little to suggest that a union between the couple would be much more than a friendly marriage of convenience with someone suitable and sensible. There’s no suspense—none in the relationship, and none to speak of in the mystery plot. The contrast with Laurens’ bestselling, vividly-imagined Cynster and Bastion Club romances is stark.
This isn’t the first of Laurens’s recent self-published novels to disappoint me. I have bought several of her recent books more out of nostalgia and hope than from any real conviction that they will be as good as her early novels. At this point, though, I’m ready to give up on her future books altogether. I’ll stick to rereading the best of her backlist whenever I’m in the mood for the real Laurens magic.
What on earth has happened to Stephanie Laurens? She seems to have largely abandoned writing romances and turned to mystery. The problem is, she’s not always very good at it, especially when she omits the passion, emotion, and spirited characters that epitomized her best romances. The Curse of Ill-Gotten Gains is a case in point. The pace is glacial, the characters are flat, and the mystery was ridiculously easy to solve: I spotted the murderer in the first couple of chapters based on his lack of alibi, and had a fairly good idea of his motive pretty early on. The “investigators” (Barnaby and Penelope Adair and their friend Inspector Stokes), on the other hand, conducted days of repetitive, mind-numbingly boring interviews with the 29 remaining members of the house party, most of which appear on-page, in detail. The investigators missed several opportunities to ask the right question or follow up on something the witness had said or avoided saying, any of which would have sped up the investigation. The one major bombshell was the murder victim’s secret, which was revealed pretty early in the book; frankly, his secret was so out of character that I found it as unbelievable as the characters did.
As for the so-called romance, it hardly qualifies. It seems almost an afterthought, and receives very little page time. There’s no chemistry, no depth of feeling, and little to suggest that a union between the couple would be much more than a friendly marriage of convenience with someone suitable and sensible. There’s no suspense—none in the relationship, and none to speak of in the mystery plot. The contrast with Laurens’ bestselling, vividly-imagined Cynster and Bastion Club romances is stark.
This isn’t the first of Laurens’s recent self-published novels to disappoint me. I have bought several of her recent books more out of nostalgia and hope than from any real conviction that they will be as good as her early novels. At this point, though, I’m ready to give up on her future books altogether. I’ll stick to rereading the best of her backlist whenever I’m in the mood for the real Laurens magic.
March 26, 2026
Once again Laurens brings us another cozy historical murder mystery set in the 19th Century British world of her books, specifically the series featuring the aristocratic Adairs and Scotland Yard's Inspector Stokes who as a team lead to solving crimes, especially murder, that involve the aristocratic level of society. Here the affable, much loved, kind, 'harmless' Sir Montague Underhill is found murdered in his orchard during the first day of his wife Lady Pamela's annual country house party designed to encourage matches between eligible young men and women needing to acquire a spouse. The murderer clearly has to be among those at the house party and the entire plot revolves around Adairs and Stoke questioning all at the house party and putting together the clues that identify a murderer and the motive, while also revealing some dark secrets. There's also a very off-to-the side romance that basically involves an aristocrat in need of a wife who was a central character in an earlier Adair/Stokes murder mystery outing.
Laurens seems to have shifted completely to writing these cozy historical murder mysteries, often involving secondary characters from her vast backlist, ones who are now getting either just desserts or, mostly, HEA. The slight and entertaining but as for the mystery plots ... they are far too simple and obvious for those avid readers of crime fiction like me - insufficient sleight of hand directing the eye to red herrings, down a side trail, or to even have any real red herrings at all. Perhaps if the romance side was stronger, more developed and spicier (this one basically had one or two good kisses and that's it - very unusual for this author to include no smut - the thinness of the murder mystery could be overlooked.
Here, the book opens with the murderer and the murder, and I was able to conclude certain critical features of the murderer just from those few sentences, such that as soon as a certain character was introduced, background provided, and his behavior described, I knew he was the murderer and guessed the motive. Another problem is that this experienced group of detectives fail to raise or investigate certain extremely obvious questions from the beginning.
It's still an enjoyable read but a slight one.
Laurens seems to have shifted completely to writing these cozy historical murder mysteries, often involving secondary characters from her vast backlist, ones who are now getting either just desserts or, mostly, HEA. The slight and entertaining but as for the mystery plots ... they are far too simple and obvious for those avid readers of crime fiction like me - insufficient sleight of hand directing the eye to red herrings, down a side trail, or to even have any real red herrings at all. Perhaps if the romance side was stronger, more developed and spicier (this one basically had one or two good kisses and that's it - very unusual for this author to include no smut - the thinness of the murder mystery could be overlooked.
Here, the book opens with the murderer and the murder, and I was able to conclude certain critical features of the murderer just from those few sentences, such that as soon as a certain character was introduced, background provided, and his behavior described, I knew he was the murderer and guessed the motive. Another problem is that this experienced group of detectives fail to raise or investigate certain extremely obvious questions from the beginning.
It's still an enjoyable read but a slight one.
October 17, 2025
Another exciting and twisted mystery for the Adairs and Stokes to solve with a touch of romance adde
Richard is at a house party to determine if his aunts are correct to recommend Rosalind as his future wife. But coming down the stairs, he hears a scream and runs out to the orchard. There he finds Rosalind standing over their murdered host's body. No one can understand why someone would kill such an amiable man, so Richard sends a note to Barnaby and Penelope and another one to Inspector Stokes informing them of this murder immediately. When they arrive, there is a lot to deduce. Can the crew figure out who killed him and why? Or will they have to say a random itinerant person did it? Also, will Richard like what he sees in Rosalind? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character and action oriented storyline that has a few kisses but no steam. The characters are vibrant and engaging. This is part of a long string of mysteries solved by Barnaby and Penelope Adair along with Inspector Stokes. I would recommend reading the series in order. Then you will recognize other characters, like Richard! If you like your historical romances filled with action and mystery along with appealing characters, then this series is for you! Enjoy!
Richard is at a house party to determine if his aunts are correct to recommend Rosalind as his future wife. But coming down the stairs, he hears a scream and runs out to the orchard. There he finds Rosalind standing over their murdered host's body. No one can understand why someone would kill such an amiable man, so Richard sends a note to Barnaby and Penelope and another one to Inspector Stokes informing them of this murder immediately. When they arrive, there is a lot to deduce. Can the crew figure out who killed him and why? Or will they have to say a random itinerant person did it? Also, will Richard like what he sees in Rosalind? Read this to find out!
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character and action oriented storyline that has a few kisses but no steam. The characters are vibrant and engaging. This is part of a long string of mysteries solved by Barnaby and Penelope Adair along with Inspector Stokes. I would recommend reading the series in order. Then you will recognize other characters, like Richard! If you like your historical romances filled with action and mystery along with appealing characters, then this series is for you! Enjoy!
October 20, 2025
This is a rather frustrating book. Far too many pages are devoted to interviewing all the residents of the house party to determine who killed the well liked owner of the place. The same questions are asked and although Stephanie tries not to repeat questions and answers verbatim, it is very same-ish nonetheless. Nothing is said about the relationship between Barnaby and Penelope, if only for the benefit of those readers who have not read preceding cases. There is only the slightest hint of a romance. The solving of the mystery when it comes is something of an anti climax, although I have to say I had guessed who the murderer was, although not why he had done the deed.
So all in all, could be better. I wonder if we are not due another series of books. I have read all Stephanie's books, so would be looking forward to something really different even if some of the well loved characters from other series put in a cameo appearance.
So all in all, could be better. I wonder if we are not due another series of books. I have read all Stephanie's books, so would be looking forward to something really different even if some of the well loved characters from other series put in a cameo appearance.
November 16, 2025
I see where others are looking for Romance in this series. It has been clearly stated that these are mysteries with a hint of romance. In this particular story, I felt that the couple brought together did justice to the romance. While the investigating of the 29 individuals present did seem a bit much, it also brought everyone into the mystery showcasing who and what was going on. For me this was enjoyable to read, and while we did not get a great deal of interaction privately for Penelope and Barnaby, I felt this story held it's own. I did guess the murderer, yet not his why he murdered him. All in all a lovely book to take me away from my reality.
October 23, 2025
I listened to the audiobook version of this title really well narrated, but I think that I’m just accustomed to the narrator. He wasn’t the original narrator (whom I preferred), but he’s not awful.
Of this entire series, this has to be the most complete! The characters are all compelling, not one was superfluous!
I knew who the perpetrator was - not why or how - I just knew. I’m sure that everyone would. But the journey getting there, the story narrative, was beautiful. It was well told, very enjoyable.
Looking forward to the next one.
Of this entire series, this has to be the most complete! The characters are all compelling, not one was superfluous!
I knew who the perpetrator was - not why or how - I just knew. I’m sure that everyone would. But the journey getting there, the story narrative, was beautiful. It was well told, very enjoyable.
Looking forward to the next one.
October 23, 2025
The Barnaby and Penelope Adair stories never disappoint.
From the beginning, this was a page turner and trying to figure out the culprit is always a mystery.
I love the return of the Scotland Yard characters, especially Stokes and his team and it is always nice to be introduced to new characters, as well as some returning.
From the beginning, this was a page turner and trying to figure out the culprit is always a mystery.
I love the return of the Scotland Yard characters, especially Stokes and his team and it is always nice to be introduced to new characters, as well as some returning.
October 16, 2025
Another gripping crime to be solved!
Stephanie Laurens does it again engaging the reader with a complex list of potential murderers, determined investigators and an intriguing plot.
Stephanie Laurens does it again engaging the reader with a complex list of potential murderers, determined investigators and an intriguing plot.
October 31, 2025
Our sleuths worked through a long list of suspects in this one, asking many of the same questions repeatedly. Despite this, it was still a thrilling read because the reader gets to glean the clues as the trio finds and puts them together. Great read!
November 10, 2025
its like stephanie read my negative review of the last book! my gripes were all gone: the romantic leads felt fleshed out, they had chemistry, they both contributed meaningfully to the mystery, and the mystery was super fun and twisty. ideal cozy mystery for a rainy day
October 20, 2025
Always ready for more!
There isn't anything to dislike except waiting for the next book.
Why isn't this a series on Amazon?
You had me completely fooled on this one!
There isn't anything to dislike except waiting for the next book.
Why isn't this a series on Amazon?
You had me completely fooled on this one!
November 1, 2025
It always amazes me how much I enjoy those books. For the first time I actually had a theory and a suspect, and I was genuinely shocked when turned out I was right.
January 2, 2026
Not much to it.
January 26, 2026
Not bad.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews