The Lady's Slipper: Murder in Harbor Springs

by Charles Cutter

Who stabbed Frank Slaughter?

Thorne Swift is the biggest piece of undeveloped lakefront real estate in Harbor Springs—seventeen acres of pristine woods, ponds, creeks, and swamps with over a thousand feet of shoreline on Lake Michigan. It's a nature preserve, but a real estate developer wants to turn it into million-dollar lakefront homes.

It's also home to the lady's slipper, a beautiful pink and white orchid shaped like a moccasin, and the heart of an Ojibwe legend.

Burr Lafayette, recently divorced, is the deposed head of the litigation department of a major Detroit law firm. A man at loose ends, he's a brilliant but troubled lawyer. He prefers boats over courtrooms, dogs over clients, and martinis over just about everything else.

Burr also likes Thorne Swift the way it is. He goes to court and argues that the lady’s slipper is endangered and Thorne Swift can’t be developed.

But when Frank Slaughter, the caretaker at Thorne Swift, is found face down in the swamp, stabbed in the eye, Burr finds himself knee-deep in murder.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2026

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is always entertaining—and I love that the books all take place in Michigan. As another reviewer said, Burr is tired, stubborn, and oddly charming. (Maybe he's my spirit animal?) There's plenty of twists and this one even had a heartbreak that caught me off guard and made me cry! And the courtroom scenes are always a hoot.

[Kathryn Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Burr Lafayette series always entertains and does not need to be read in order. Need a page turner, that is fun, heartwarming as well as heartbreaking (with the aging of Burr's beloved Zeke-the-Dog) - all at the same time? This is it! The Lady's Slipper centers around another Michigan town (this time its Harbor Springs) and with Cutter's writing style each location becomes another character in the story. In this book Cutter drew out more of the main character's backstories and let us know Aunt Kitty a bit better. I found myself flipping through the pages at the end of the book that promote the other titles in the series to see if there was a release date for book seven. I can't wait to see where in Michigan, Cutter will take us next!

[Pam Papworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the series that I have read by this author. The characters are delightful, and the mysteries are set in Michigan, where I grew up. I love reading about places I know! He even uses the card game Euchre as a verb. The banter is witty, and the mysteries are always interesting. This one did not disappoint, and I read that the author is working on number 7. Yay! I also appreciate his love of pets, and the statement that pets are family.

Quotes:
"I'll be damned if I'll go to a restaurant and make my own salad."
"I am in the company of fools and nitwits."
"Burr is the Don Quixote of law."

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in slowly and then refused to let go. I loved the setting. Thorne Swift feels alive, wild, and fragile at the same time. The mystery grows naturally from that place. Burr Lafayette is a flawed but fascinating lead. He feels worn down, smart, and very human. The murder is disturbing without being sensational, and the investigation is grounded and believable. I also appreciated how the story weaves in environmental issues and Native legend without preaching. It adds depth instead of distraction. This is not a rushed mystery. It is quiet, tense, and reflective. By the end, I felt like I had walked those woods myself. A strong, satisfying close to the series.

[Chico's Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong and satisfying

This was a strong and satisfying mystery from start to finish. The crime is shocking, the stakes are clear, and the main character is compelling. Burr Lafayette is someone you could actually meet, flawed and stubborn but deeply principled. The legal battle over the land adds urgency and meaning to the investigation. I liked that the story doesn’t rely on gimmicks or over-the-top twists.
The setting is beautifully described without slowing the pace. As the sixth book in the series, it works well as a conclusion, tying together personal growth and justice. I finished this feeling impressed and genuinely satisfied. A smart mystery done right.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel surprised me with its emotional weight. While it is clearly a murder mystery, it is also a story about loss, identity, and values. Burr Lafayette is at a crossroads in his life, and that inner conflict mirrors the fight over Thorne Swift. The land itself becomes a character, rich with history and meaning. The writing is controlled and confident, allowing tension to build without excess drama. The murder investigation unfolds in a realistic way, driven by logic and persistence rather than luck. I appreciated the respect shown toward the Ojibwe legend and the environmental themes. This book offers more than answers. It asks quiet questions that stay with you after the last page.

[S Tyty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, maybe more than I expected. Burr Lafayette is not your typical detective, and that’s what makes him interesting. He’s tired, stubborn, and oddly charming. The case itself is gripping from the start. A caretaker found dead in a swamp is not something you forget easily. The pacing worked well for me, with enough twists to stay curious without feeling confusing. I liked how the story balances legal drama, personal struggles, and murder investigation. The lakefront setting adds a calm surface that contrasts nicely with the dark crime underneath. This book is smart and very readable. I flew through it and didn’t want it to end.

[Laurie Supinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Read!

I was a big fan of the Nancy Drew series when I was young and couldn't wait to read the next mystery. The Burr Lafayette books give me the same sense of anticipation - opening the cover into the familiar scenery of Northern Michigan with Burr once again thrust into another drama! The Lady's Slipper is another intriguing adventure.

[Glen C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't get enough of Burr Lafayette!

Burr Lafayette stories never fail to entertain. Cutter's writing style brings the characters and locales to life. Another Cutter winner!