A chilling message on a note delivered to the Prince of Wales.
A prank, a cruel joke, or a threat against the royal family?
With only that note for a clue, Brodie and Mikaela are asked to find who is behind that message. But there is little to go on, only that note and the mysterious figure who delivered it and then disappeared. Their inquiries take a horrifying turn when a young man, the son of a long-time friend of the Prince of Wales, plunges to his death from the second-story balcony of the royal residence during a celebration with a second note found on his body.
Then there were three...
It is obvious that his death was no accident, and equally obvious that the Prince of Wales knows more than he has told them. Secrets begin to unravel—four young men at university years earlier who formed a club, a night of reckless celebration, and a secret all were sworn to keep. Years later, those four young men hold powerful positions and include the Prince of Wales. Then a second young man tragically dies, and a second note is discovered.
And then there were two...
Desperate to protect his family as well as the son of the fourth member of that secret club, the Prince of Wales insists that Brodie and Mikaela find the killer before he strikes again, no matter what it takes. A search that will take them into the secrets of the past.
A very cold case. Mikaela and Brodie are asked to investigate at the behest of the Prince of Wales. The son of a friend of his has been killed, when another son dies under suspicious circumstances there seems to be some pattern that ties to a past well hidden. While Mikaela with the enthusiastic help of Lily takes one track, Brodie pursues another. Danger is mounting and the Prince’s son is in danger. Can they find the culprit before it’s too late? This one builds slowly as our intrepid investigators are stymied by secrets hidden to protect the upper class. They plod along unraveling them piece by piece. A very surprising final encounter full of action. I enjoy the mix of fictional and historical figures who mix in this story. It’s wild that the press of the time would print or not print at the request of the crown. I enjoyed the addition of Lily as an investigator she’s got a sharp eye and uncovers some great information. I hope she’s involved more in the future. Loved the levity that the brief appearances of Lady Antonia bring. She’s a hoot! Another great story in this series!!
Carla Simpson’s Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe mystery series never fails to deliver a thrilling, page-turning experience. Each installment grips you from start to finish, blending intricate plots with compelling character dynamics. Simpson’s masterful storytelling, rich with suspense and intrigue, ensures every book is an immersive adventure.
In this latest mystery, Brodie and Mikaela are tasked with a case that reaches into the very heart of the royal family. A chilling note—“The sins of the father…”—is left at the scene but what does it mean? Is it a mere prank, a dark jest, or a sinister threat with deadly intentions?
With just that strange message and a quick glimpse of the person who delivered it, Brodie and Mikaela jump into an investigation along with Lily, that’s full of twists and danger. Things get even more serious when a young man, the son of one of the Prince’s close friends, falls to his death during a royal party. On him? Another ominous note:
“Now there were three…”
As the body count rises, long-buried secrets from the Prince’s university days with three close friends begin to surface. It’s clear the Prince isn’t revealing everything, but Brodie, Mikaela, and Lily are determined to uncover the truth. The investigation leads them through layers of deception, hidden pasts, and perilous revelations.
What I really love about this series is the relationship between Brodie and Mikaela. Their bond gets stronger and more heartfelt with each book, adding a sweet touch without taking away from the mystery, and the way they work together to solve their cases is masterful. Aunt Antonia’s delightful presence, the ever-vigilant hound, and other beloved returning characters also bring warmth and charm to the story.
Carla Simpson is amazing at mixing suspense, adventure, and a bit of romance. Her characters feel real, and the stories are full of surprises. If you’re a fan of intelligent, character-driven mysteries with a heartbeat of adventure, you should definitely check out this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Mikaela Forsythe and Angus Brodie are asked by the Prince of Wales to find out why a young man had been murdered after a night spent at a gentleman’s club. The Prince wants to keep the usual Investigative officials unaware of his interest in the matter, so he hires the pair to investigate it on his behalf. The book opens dramatically, which pulls the reader right into the story! From there, the pace slows a bit so that the pair of investigators, the Prince, and a few secondary characters can be introduced into the story. (The fact that I had read none of the previous books in this series really didn’t matter as the characters relationship to each other and the other characters was easily surmised from the story). Once Lady Forsythe and Brodie’s relationship is made clear, and their assignment is given, the pace picks back up, and moves to the climax and conclusion of the story. I admit, I did correctly guess who the perpetrator was, but I was surprised by elements of his motivation. It held my interest to the point that I could not get to my work until I finished the book in one afternoon. I plan to go back and read the beginning books of the series to see what I have missed, and think other readers will want to do the same. The story is clean and appropriate for all ages. I enjoyed the end notes which clarified which were historical elements and which were devised for the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am always excited to see when a new book drops in this series. These characters feel like coming home, and I know that I'll have some sweet, funny and adventurous times to settle into and enjoy.
For the most part, Brodie and Mikaela work side-by-side in this one, and it's always a treat to watch these two together. They are called on (by the Prince of Wales no less) to investigate the murder of the son of an aristocrat. As other "sons" are also turning up dead, the duo discover that the fathers (including the Prince of Wales) were part of a rowdy group at university self-styled the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Why are they being targeted? And what was the secret "incident" that took place that caused the abrupt departure of the prince from the university and the severe punishments of his fellow club members?
This story deals with some dark material (as far as the initial past crime is concerned), and I must admit to a little confusion as to the true level of darkness of the circumstances surrounding it. On a different note, there's also some focus placed on Mikaela's ward, Lily, as she is of an age now to be deciding her future...a feel more of an emphasis will be placed on her in upcoming adventures perhaps.
This series is stellar at character development, plotlines, humor, and providing both dangerous and swoon-worthy moments. All of my boxes are always checked when I check in with Brodie and Mikaela. Pure enjoyment.
Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars Series: Angus Brodie & Mikaela Forsythe #14 Publication Date: 9/23/25 Period: Victorian London - 1893 Number of Pages: 240
The sins of the fathers . . . What does a heinous event from the past have to do with the recent death of a young Lord – and then another – and then another – and then . . . One doesn’t refuse when the future King, the Prince of Wales, asks you to investigate a death that is not the robbery it seems to be. Therefore, Lady Mikaela Forsythe and Angus Brodie find themselves investigating the death(s), but they are sure they’ve not been given all of the information they need. Will they unearth the information they need to stop the next death from happening?
As Mikaela and Brodie begin their investigation, yet another death occurs – almost in front of them. With secrets coming to light, yet the Prince withholding information, the investigation kicks into high gear. Who is the man Mikaela keeps catching glances of? Is he friend or foe?
I loved the investigation and the race to get the clues before Sir Avery could get to them and skew them. I also enjoy seeing Lily’s growth toward adulthood, as well as the continuing growth of the relationship between Mikaela and Brodie.
If you enjoy historical mysteries such as Sebastian St. Cyr and Lady Darby, I think you will enjoy this series as well. I enjoyed this book, and I hope you will as well. Happy Reading!
Carla Simpson has done it again with Deadly Murder, the latest installment in her long-running historical mystery series. As a devoted fan, I was thrilled to be reunited with the familiar and wonderful characters that have become like old friends. Simpson’s ability to breathe life into her characters with depth and authenticity never ceases to amaze me.
The plot of Deadly Murder is intricately woven, filled with suspense, clever twists, and an undeniable sense of intrigue that kept me turning pages late into the night. The pacing is impeccable—just when you think you’ve figured it out, Simpson pulls the rug out from under you with another surprising revelation.
What truly sets this book apart is the richly detailed historical setting. Simpson paints vivid scenes that transport readers directly into the era, immersing us in the sights, sounds, and cultural nuances of the time. The historical backdrop not only enhances the mystery but also adds a layer of authenticity that makes the story all the more compelling.
In short, Deadly Murder is a wonderful addition to an already outstanding series. With its captivating plot, beloved characters, and immersive setting, it’s everything fans could hope for—and more. A must-read for anyone who loves historical mysteries done right.
The next instalment in this wonderful series featuring Lady Mikaela Forsythe and Angus Brodie kept me glued to the novel and unable to put it down till I had read every page. This time, the Prince of Wales approaches Mikaela and Angus and asks them to investigate the murder of a young man at a gentleman’s club. The prince knows the victim but does not want to involve the police or divulge all the necessary information to Mikaela and Angus, so they are working in the dark initially.
When secrets begin to unravel and the second body is found, more information is uncovered. Through the pair we get a ring side seat to the solving of this case and while I was able to figure out the perpetrator, I could not guess his reasons for doing so. I love the relationship between Angus and Mikaela as it continues and how they support each other.
All in another terrific addition to an already good series. I cannot wait for the next instalment – one of my fav crime fighting duos. I received an ARC from the publishers and Booksprout and submit my honest review voluntarily.
Mikaela and Brody have been summoned by the Prince of Wales to investigate a murder. They are told not to report to anyone, not even the police. As they begin their inquiries, two other “accidents” occur. All three young men’s murders appeared to be connected by a secret from their fathers’ past…a university incident. The Prince of Wales was in attendance at that time and is withholding pertinent information. Lily is inserting herself into their investigations. I am delighted to see this development, as it adds another dimension to the couple’s working relationship. It’s hard to believe that this is Book 14. Simpson has managed to entertain readers with another fine mystery…almost as tasty as the very fine whisky that our dynamic duo enjoy. I hope that the small mentions of Mr. Munro’s attentions to Lily bloom into something more in future novels. This endeavor deserves 5 stars 🌟. I have received an ARC from OHB and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
Last few books of this series had become so tedious that I had been putting off the books 14 and 15. I did eventually pick up this one, and now I am giving up on the series.
The author is too fond of repetitions, and I feel that if she didn't do that, her books will probably be novella length. She keeps repeating same phrases on and on (in the initial books it was 'my aunt's very fine whisky' - in one book I think it was repeated about 20 times). Other author's tend to recapture events in previous books, presumably to make a series book stand-alone. The author here believes the readers need to be reminded of events that happened a few pages previously, and not just once.
The story lines of some of the previous books were good, others fell flat. The premise of this installment is one that has been done to death (no pun intended) even in this narrow category of regency/victorian mysteries. The other books were tolerable because the lead pair was on the side of the justice, but in this case I felt that justice was not really served.
I love this series of books; each one seems to get better!
Mikaela and Brodie are asked by the Prince of Wales to investigate a death. Little do they know how much they will actually uncover.
This time they are assisted by Lily, Mikaela’s ward. She shows a skill for inquiry and is most helpful. There are breadcrumbs to a possible relationship for her.
The hound, Mr. Cavendish, and Mikaela’s great aunt all show up but are not integral to the story. But it’s always good to have them show up!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The sins of the father… A young man dies after a fall from his horse. Accident or murder? Another young man is murdered in his coach. An envelope is found in his hand with a cryptic message about the sins of the father… Brodie and Michaela are summoned by the Prince of Wales to investigate. When a third young man is murdered during an event at Marlborough House, Brodie and Michaela come to the conclusion that their investigation must lead to the entourage of the Prince of Wales when they were at Cambridge University years ago. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I so love Mikaela and Brody. Their love is so unconventional , yet so sweet in ways others would not see. The problems they face in this story rivals all others as the Prince himself is involved and not telling the whole truth. It didn’t take me all that long to figure out who the villain was, but the way the story is weaved, it was enthralling to read. I love how Lilly is growing and exploring and what is up with her a Munro? I truly enjoy this series and this one is great as well!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another wonderful instalment in this amazing series. As soon as I receive a book in this series, I put down everything to read it. This series never disappoints. The characters are so well written and the plot is always interesting. We have the Prince of Wales asking for their help this time, with lots of secrets to be discovered. These books are always full of mystery, sweet romance, adventure and danger. This can be read as a standalone, but you will want to go back and read all the books before. I received this as an ARC from Booksprout and freely give my review.
I have enjoyed all of the Angus Brodie’s and Mikaela Forsythe’s mysteries and this one was no exception. I did figure out who the murderer might be early on but it was interesting when they might piece it together. Lilly is now being more apart of the investigation which was nice to see. I like the history the author always adds at the end. I feel these stories should be read in order to fully understand the characters, but the main mystery is always self contained in the one book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Deadly Murder (Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery Book 14) by Carla Simpson is the second book I have read with these characters. Then more I read of this unusual couple the more I plan to read more. Still, I have enjoyed this story without knowing all of their past mysteries. This story involves threats made to the royal family. There are several secrets hidden that must be revealed before the guilty can be caught. I did guess right on the murderer but still enjoy seeing how the case was solved. A captivating read with two detectives that you will love. 4.5 Stars
Deadly Royal Secrets The sons of powerful men connected to the royal family are being murdered one by one. Who is behind the killings—and what is the Prince of Wales hiding? Mikaela and Brodie are on the case. How many lives will be lost before the truth is uncovered, and will the killer set their sights on them next? This mystery didn’t disappoint, weaving together danger, royal secrets, and a plot that kept me turning the pages. I recommend it to readers who enjoy Victorian historical mysteries with high stakes and a touch of royal intrigue.
Brodie and Mikaela are hired by the Prince of Wales Edward Albert, to look into a robbery of a friend's son. The robbery was fatal. And the event had suspicious clues alluding to the victim's father. The more they investigate, the stranger the events become. Lily gets her feet wet helping with the investigation and soon learns that the habits of the wealthy are not too different from the commomers.
This was a very, very good book. Brody and Mikaela with Lily in tow embark on an investigation for the prince. It seems some recent murders have to do with a crime committed by the prince and his friends, the Four Horsemen. The investigation takes them to several places in order to track down the person who may be responsible. These are very intriguing and the characters are relatable. I love this series.
Brodie and Mikaela are called on to investigate a murder that has its origins in the past. Their investigations lead to people of privilege that aren't willing to share information because there is some royal involvement. Danger comes unexpectedly. Lily really helps with the investigation, much to Brodie's displeasure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Carla Simpson quickly captured my attention and kept it in “Deadly Murder”. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I’m only sorry that I dropped in on Book 14 of the series. However, I’ll now get to go back and enjoy the others!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are always secrets to try to keep, no matter what your position in life. Mikaela and Brodie keep digging to try to find the answers as people are killed. They're a great team, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses, and not backing down from what they consider they have to do. Lily is hopefully going to make a great addition to the team.
Another exciting murder investigation for our inquiry agents for HRH , crown prince of England. Exploits of 30 years prior have come back to haunt the prince and 3 friends from his school days. Brodie and Mikaela, aided by Lily, trace the events that caused someone to seek revenge upon the sons of the guilty young men! Lots of excitement and danger!
Brodie & Mikaela are drawn into an investigation by the Prince Regent as several young men have been killed…only to find out that they were not given all of the clues that happened so many years before & danger lurks everywhere it seems as They proceed to come face to face with the last person who thought he was the redeemer. .
Once again, Mrs Simpson knocks it out of the ballpark with this murder mystery. Love how Lilly has the gift to investigate as well. The growth and trust between M and B has evolved into a true relationship. Can not wait for more mysteries for these two . Five stars.
And it’s a good one. This time, the focus is on the Prince of Wales and a cryptic note. He’s not telling, yet it’s up to Brodie and Mikaela to once again solve a case of murder. Recommend.
She never disappoints. As someone who has read all her books and travelled the journey with Mikaela and Brodie, I always look forward to another one in this series. Start with the first one and move through the series. You’ll love the journey!
The captivating narrative of this book has completely enthralled me, and each installment in the series continues to exceed my expectations. I am eagerly anticipating diving into the next volume with unbridled enthusiasm.