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Detective Lavender Mysteries #8
The Poisoned Quill
August 1814
Detective Stephen Lavender’s wife and children are spending a glorious summer in the prosperous and picturesque village of Ealing. When the vicar’s wife is poisoned, Lavender is asked to review the case and joins his family. He soon realises something rotten is festering at the heart of this rural idyll.
Convinced the wrong man has been arrested and the killer is still at large, Lavender is also disturbed to discover someone is sending the local gentry vile letters containing outrageous accusations. Could the same hand that drips such poison from their quill also have administered that fatal dose of arsenic?
Fortunately, Constable Ned Woods and his family are visiting nearby Brentford to solve a perplexing family mystery of their own. When the body of a second woman is found, Lavender seeks Woods’ help to unravel the tangled web of lies and deceit spun by the killer and banish the evil threatening Ealing’s tranquillity.
Distracted by these crimes, the two men are unaware of the sinister danger stalking their own children – until it’s almost too late. But help comes from an unlikely source, bringing with it resolution to a question that has haunted Woods since childhood and reminding Lavender that family must always come first.
Detective Stephen Lavender’s wife and children are spending a glorious summer in the prosperous and picturesque village of Ealing. When the vicar’s wife is poisoned, Lavender is asked to review the case and joins his family. He soon realises something rotten is festering at the heart of this rural idyll.
Convinced the wrong man has been arrested and the killer is still at large, Lavender is also disturbed to discover someone is sending the local gentry vile letters containing outrageous accusations. Could the same hand that drips such poison from their quill also have administered that fatal dose of arsenic?
Fortunately, Constable Ned Woods and his family are visiting nearby Brentford to solve a perplexing family mystery of their own. When the body of a second woman is found, Lavender seeks Woods’ help to unravel the tangled web of lies and deceit spun by the killer and banish the evil threatening Ealing’s tranquillity.
Distracted by these crimes, the two men are unaware of the sinister danger stalking their own children – until it’s almost too late. But help comes from an unlikely source, bringing with it resolution to a question that has haunted Woods since childhood and reminding Lavender that family must always come first.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2025
138 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Karen Charlton
27 books470 followersKaren Charlton is an international best-selling author of historical crime fiction.
Her Detective Lavender Mysteries are based on the fictional adventures of Stephen Lavender, a real-life detective with the Bow Street Police Office in London.
Her brand new series, The York Ladies' Detective Agency Mysteries, feature a couple of enterprising young women, Jemma and Bobbie, who launch a private inquiry agency in York during WW2.
Her standalone, debut novel Catching the Eagle is the true story of her notorious ancestor, Jamie Charlton, who was convicted of Northumberland's biggest robbery.
Find out more about Karen's work at http://www.karencharlton.com
Her Detective Lavender Mysteries are based on the fictional adventures of Stephen Lavender, a real-life detective with the Bow Street Police Office in London.
Her brand new series, The York Ladies' Detective Agency Mysteries, feature a couple of enterprising young women, Jemma and Bobbie, who launch a private inquiry agency in York during WW2.
Her standalone, debut novel Catching the Eagle is the true story of her notorious ancestor, Jamie Charlton, who was convicted of Northumberland's biggest robbery.
Find out more about Karen's work at http://www.karencharlton.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 28, 2025
**Read 4.5 STARS!**
This entertaining historical novel is the 8th volume of the "Detective Lavender Mystery" series.
At the end of the book you'll find some facts and explanations which are featuring in this mystery.
Storytelling is excellent, all characters come splendidly to life in this tale about deceit and murder, the interaction is lifelike and believable, while the atmosphere of early 19th Century Ealing and Brentford comes very much to the forefront within this story.
The mystery is set in August 1814, and with Detective Lavender and his family heading for Ealing, and soon after arrival to be confronted with the murder of Mrs Clara Langford, wife of Vicar Langford, while Constable Ned Woods and his family are off to Brentford for family purposes.
After feeling helpless and heading in no direction whatsoever with this murder, a chance encounter with Constable Ned Woods will restore Detective Lavender's spirits when they go out together to solve this murder case once and for all, while Constable Woods will also bring to a close a domestic issue of his own in the meantime.
What is to follow is a very likeable murder mystery, one who starts slowly at first but will into its stride when the two friends are working together, and in the end they will solve this case to the satisfaction of everyone.
Highly recommended, fir this is another excellent addition to this very enjoyable mystery series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "An Exciting Poisoned Murder Case"!
This entertaining historical novel is the 8th volume of the "Detective Lavender Mystery" series.
At the end of the book you'll find some facts and explanations which are featuring in this mystery.
Storytelling is excellent, all characters come splendidly to life in this tale about deceit and murder, the interaction is lifelike and believable, while the atmosphere of early 19th Century Ealing and Brentford comes very much to the forefront within this story.
The mystery is set in August 1814, and with Detective Lavender and his family heading for Ealing, and soon after arrival to be confronted with the murder of Mrs Clara Langford, wife of Vicar Langford, while Constable Ned Woods and his family are off to Brentford for family purposes.
After feeling helpless and heading in no direction whatsoever with this murder, a chance encounter with Constable Ned Woods will restore Detective Lavender's spirits when they go out together to solve this murder case once and for all, while Constable Woods will also bring to a close a domestic issue of his own in the meantime.
What is to follow is a very likeable murder mystery, one who starts slowly at first but will into its stride when the two friends are working together, and in the end they will solve this case to the satisfaction of everyone.
Highly recommended, fir this is another excellent addition to this very enjoyable mystery series, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "An Exciting Poisoned Murder Case"!
November 7, 2025
1814 Lavender is sent to Ealing when the vicar's wife wealthy Clara Langford is discovered dead, poisoned. Fortunately for him his family is holidaying in the area, not that far from the Woods family. So Ned woods soon joins the investigation.
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
October 28, 2025
Outstanding
This book was excellent like the books in the beginning of the series. It kept my interest all the way through. I had to stop myself a few times from skipping ahead to see what happens. Of course, if you do that you ruin the story for yourself. My point is that it's an excellent mystery. Getting to know more about Garcia and Rachel was also a great addition. Overall outstanding read.
This book was excellent like the books in the beginning of the series. It kept my interest all the way through. I had to stop myself a few times from skipping ahead to see what happens. Of course, if you do that you ruin the story for yourself. My point is that it's an excellent mystery. Getting to know more about Garcia and Rachel was also a great addition. Overall outstanding read.
November 19, 2025
Exciting and Intriguing
I love this author, Karen Carlton. Her books are very well written and always keeps my interest.
Woods and Lavender are two distinctly different in personality. Very charming and work well together. I like how Karen writes well of family being more important than work. But that their work is always done efficiently. Read this book and enjoy! I will and already have recommended this author to family and friends.
I love this author, Karen Carlton. Her books are very well written and always keeps my interest.
Woods and Lavender are two distinctly different in personality. Very charming and work well together. I like how Karen writes well of family being more important than work. But that their work is always done efficiently. Read this book and enjoy! I will and already have recommended this author to family and friends.
November 1, 2025
Another great mystery book.
If you love historical mysteries as I do, you might want to read the Detective Lavender and Constable Woods series. The stories are so informative and the characters are great. I have enjoyed every book immensely. Thank you Karen for another wonderful mystery.
If you love historical mysteries as I do, you might want to read the Detective Lavender and Constable Woods series. The stories are so informative and the characters are great. I have enjoyed every book immensely. Thank you Karen for another wonderful mystery.
November 4, 2025
Enjoyed…
It was a joy to get another installment of Lavender and Woods adventures. I was engrossed in this mystery from the start. I suspected who the culprit was but enjoyed following the clues along with the main characters.
The personal interactions between the characters and their families are my favorite moments.
It was a joy to get another installment of Lavender and Woods adventures. I was engrossed in this mystery from the start. I suspected who the culprit was but enjoyed following the clues along with the main characters.
The personal interactions between the characters and their families are my favorite moments.
October 31, 2025
It’s wonderful to catch up again with detectives Lavender and Woods.
Karen has once again woven a clever story. Her attention to detail of the area local to where the novel is set is admirable.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment already.
Karen has once again woven a clever story. Her attention to detail of the area local to where the novel is set is admirable.
I’m looking forward to the next instalment already.
November 2, 2025
Another great read from Karen Charlton.
From page one I was hooked again with the lavender and wood's investigation into the Vickers wife's death. As well how both officers'private lives become entwined into the case . Looking forward to more books in the series.
From page one I was hooked again with the lavender and wood's investigation into the Vickers wife's death. As well how both officers'private lives become entwined into the case . Looking forward to more books in the series.
December 27, 2025
Excellent
I admit that when I read the synopsis I wasn't too sure about this book. But I am so glad I read it. It is a really good story with lots of elements to it. I can heartily recommend it.
I admit that when I read the synopsis I wasn't too sure about this book. But I am so glad I read it. It is a really good story with lots of elements to it. I can heartily recommend it.
November 5, 2025
I enjoyed how our main characters' families took center stage in this one! A solid if predictable mystery.
November 10, 2025
Addicted to these books
I have to say I loved the twists in these plots as keeps you guessing to the end. I enjoyed this book very much.
I have to say I loved the twists in these plots as keeps you guessing to the end. I enjoyed this book very much.
November 11, 2025
Excellent
I loved the mystery, and it's definitely a book you want to keep reading. As always Karen Charlton has written a gripping and excellent book. Highly recommended
I loved the mystery, and it's definitely a book you want to keep reading. As always Karen Charlton has written a gripping and excellent book. Highly recommended
November 24, 2025
fun. to read
A view into old England. Sadly the feedback needs to be longer so please ignore the last part. Cheers. And enjoy
A view into old England. Sadly the feedback needs to be longer so please ignore the last part. Cheers. And enjoy
November 30, 2025
I love this series, and this book is my favorite!
November 9, 2025
An enjoyable read. Well thought through plot with no weak points. Good characterisations.
November 28, 2025
excellent read
I love the Detective Lavender and Constable Woods series. A really good read with a satisfying outcome.
When is the next one to he published
I love the Detective Lavender and Constable Woods series. A really good read with a satisfying outcome.
When is the next one to he published
November 23, 2025
Great read
I really like Detective Lavender’s Mysteries. The characters are interesting and the Woods family are all lovely. I enjoy the solving of cases by deduction and questioning ,not only like modern mysteries with gadgets. I hope there will be more books in this series.
I really like Detective Lavender’s Mysteries. The characters are interesting and the Woods family are all lovely. I enjoy the solving of cases by deduction and questioning ,not only like modern mysteries with gadgets. I hope there will be more books in this series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews