The Madman's Dangerous Delusion

Gravesyde Village Mystery #4

by Patricia Rice

A madman is stalking Gravesyde Village—and a reluctant hero may be the only person standing between a widow and deadly ruin.
From bestselling author Patricia Rice comes a gripping Regency romantic mystery filled with danger, secrets, and slow-burning romance.
Recently widowed Kate Morgan struggles to support her children as a seamstress in Gravesyde Village. With her unbalanced brother-in-law claiming her home and land, Kate fears she’ll lose everything—including her children’s future. She needs protection… but never expected it to come in the form of a scarred, surly soldier.
Sergeant Major Fletch Ferguson, battle-worn and bitter, has returned from war with no interest in saving anyone. He wants peace, solitude, and his clock repair business—not complications. But when Kate’s deranged relation turns violent, Fletch’s fighting instincts surge back to life, leaving him injured, Kate shaken, and a madman on the loose.
When a woman who resembles Kate dies under suspicious circumstances, Fletch is convinced the danger is far from over. He insists on moving into Kate’s home to protect her and her children—an arrangement that sparks tension, trust, and unexpected desire. As a series of alarming “accidents” and deaths ripple through the village seamstresses, Kate and Fletch realize they’re facing a mystery more sinister than madness.
Is one dangerous mind behind the escalating terror—or is Gravesyde hiding a killer in plain sight?
With lives at stake and time running out, Kate and Fletch must confront the truth before Gravesyde Village claims another victim… and they lose any chance at love.
✨ Perfect for fans of Regency romance, historical mysteries, gothic suspense, and protective heroes.
“Wonderful, fun, gothic… with quirky characters and a heartwarming romance. Pure entertainment.”
— Anne Gracie, bestselling author of The Heiress’s Daughter

GRAVESYDE VILLAGE MYSTERY BOOKS
Book #1 The Villain’s Fatal Plot
Book #2 The Scoundrel’s Deadly Deed
Book #3 The Tart’s Final Noel
Book #4 The Madman’s Dangerous Delusion
Book #5 The Pirate's Clever Ruse

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

With several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice writes emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances which have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards.

Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.

A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.

She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid

Reviews

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Madman’s Dangerous Delusion by Patricia Rice
Gravesyde Village Mysteries #4

~ Always a delight to jump into the next episode of this wonderful series ~ Gravesyde Village is growing with each story told and I can’t wait to find out who is up next to star in book five ~

What I liked:
* Returning to this charming village filled with interesting, sometimes quirky, and rather wonderful characters
* Catching up with how characters are doing whether married, engaged, or potential stars of their own book
* Fletch Ferguson: Sergeant Major retired, clockmaker, seeks peace and normality, quiet, attracted to and soothed by Kate, willing to don his “monster” persona to protect, leader, strategic thinker, commanding, kind, caring, opened up a lot as he determined to protect then woo Kate
* Kate Morgan: widow, loving mother of three, supervisor of seamstresses that work at the Manor, strong, resilient, survivor of past trauma that leaves her fearful, protective, creative, kind, attracted to Fletch and sees him as safe, grows a lot in the story
* Watching the development of the romance between Kate and Fletch
* The troupe of quirky players that are not accepted in most communities but might find a home in Gravesyde Village
* Catching up with the characters from previous books and finding out how they are doing
* The mysteries and how they were solved: murders, kidnapping, thievery, poisoning, battery, and other crimes
* That it was easy to dislike the bad guys and want them caught
* The part clocks played in soothing Fletch but also in solving part of the mystery of the missing jewels
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* The lunatic(s) and their actions
* Thinking about how difficult the lives of some of the characters must have been and how difficult it was for some in this book to live without worry
* Having to say goodbye…for now

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gravesyde Mystery Book 4 The Madman's Dangerous Delusion is a wonderful addition to the series! In this book we really get to know the villagers more and interact more with the characters we met in the original series. If you are not familiar with the original series you can learn more about them in the Gravesyde Priory Series.
In The Madman's Dangerous Delusion one of the village ladies who works at the Priory is in danger as a madman is after her home and also perhaps her life. She is a widow with three children. Another villager, surly Retired Army Major comes out of his shell to help the village find the madman and assist the widow, but all is not as simple as it seems!
A colorful theater troupe comes to stay in the small out of the way village. Of course there is a murder, and perhaps even a budding romance! There is intrigue in the main estate and the underlying yet to be solved mystery of unfound jewels that may or may not exist still hovers over everything.
There are many layers to this book! It is a wonderful rendering giving us a deeper look at those who live in the village while also bringing us back to the priory where all of Gravesyde interact on a daily basis. Highly recommend both this book and the entire series’.

I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not sure if I would count this book as a mystery because one of the villains is know from the beginning and the motive also. There is no much of romance either. But it is a easy ready and entertaining and I recommend it.
There is a lot of new characters joying the inhabitants the Gravesyde Priory Village and the most eccentric of course.
Spoiler: a small part of the lost treasure of the heirs of the Wycliffe Manor is founded. It was hide in a very clever place. I liked the way Mrs. Rice worked this in the story. Almost all of the inhabitants of the Manor make a cameo appearance in the story too.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Blossoming Relationship Amidst Danger.
Another enthralling murder mystery in the Gravesyde series and a new romance forming between two of the characters. Whilst this is a standalone story, readers may find more enjoyment if they read this series in order of publication. If not, there is a character list at the beginning of the book and the author is good at explaining relationships, The only thing that confused me was why the ex Sgt. Major kept being referred to as Major and an officer; when he was either one or the other.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, there are so many different (but somehow all related) things happening in this new installment at Gravesyde Village: the hunt for the mad brother in law, the possible murder, kidnapping, still trying to fix the clock. I loved all the snarky interactions between Fletch and Kate. Of course all the residents of both the village and the manor are involved in everything that is happening. I didn’t want to stop reading until I found out everything that was happening. A really excellent story.
I received this book from the author and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for Kate’s story. She’s a widow with three kids and a troubled past, having endured more than her share of hardships. When her brother-in-law tries to take her home from her, she’s had enough. Then one of her cousins—who looks strikingly like her—is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. Was it a tragic accident, or was she pushed by someone who thought she was Kate? Fletch, who usually keeps to himself, unexpectedly offers to watch over Kate and her family. No one is more surprised by this than Fletch himself; he’s not exactly a people person, but he can’t stand the thought of them being harmed. As more strangers arrive in the village, it’s unclear whether they’re connected or just coincidentally showing up. Can Fletch protect Kate? Will she survive?

[Beverly Bruening · Rating 3 out of 5]

Losing it

Couldn't stay interested. Think she's done with this group. Started skipping about the last third of the book. Big disappointment.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rtf