What do you think?
Rate this book
The Samuel Pepys Mysteries #8
The Crown Jewels Murders
Only a madman – and Colonel Blood – would dream of stealing England’s Crown Jewels.
The crown, orb and sceptre are not merely priceless treasures, but symbolic of the monarch’s omnipotence. Lose them, and the kingdom may follow.
Commissioned to foil Blood’s audacious plot by Charles II himself, Abigail Harcourt and Jacob Standish are no longer merely Samuel Pepys’s inquisitors – they are the King’s inquisitors.
And the burden weighs heavy.
Aided by the brash and dashing Edward Burke – His Majesty’s personal spymaster – Abby and Jacob must trawl the maze of secrets within London’s indomitable Tower, seeking Blood and his accomplice.
But who could that be, when all are suspects, with politics, power and unimaginable wealth the motive? Make no mistake…
There will be Blood.
The Crown Jewels Murders continues the Samuel Pepys Mysteries, historical mysteries steeped in period colour and brimming with fiendish whodunits. Click Read Now or Buy Now and step back into Pepys’s London – once you do, you won't want to leave.
The crown, orb and sceptre are not merely priceless treasures, but symbolic of the monarch’s omnipotence. Lose them, and the kingdom may follow.
Commissioned to foil Blood’s audacious plot by Charles II himself, Abigail Harcourt and Jacob Standish are no longer merely Samuel Pepys’s inquisitors – they are the King’s inquisitors.
And the burden weighs heavy.
Aided by the brash and dashing Edward Burke – His Majesty’s personal spymaster – Abby and Jacob must trawl the maze of secrets within London’s indomitable Tower, seeking Blood and his accomplice.
But who could that be, when all are suspects, with politics, power and unimaginable wealth the motive? Make no mistake…
There will be Blood.
The Crown Jewels Murders continues the Samuel Pepys Mysteries, historical mysteries steeped in period colour and brimming with fiendish whodunits. Click Read Now or Buy Now and step back into Pepys’s London – once you do, you won't want to leave.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2026
About the author
Ellis Blackwood
12 books56 followersEllis Blackwood writes very British historical mysteries: fiendish whodunits packed with singular characters, vivid period detail and plenty of wit. His completed nine-book Samuel Pepys Mysteries series is set in 17th century London. He is currently working on the Quill & Page Victorian Mysteries, featuring a found family of East End misfits investigating the crimes of the upper classes who cast them out.
A former journalist, Ellis wrote features for the UK's most popular national newspapers and magazines before escaping to Cornwall with his wife, two daughters and Spike the dog. He holds an MA in Comedy Writing, which explains a lot.
He grew up on The Hardy Boys and Three Investigators, graduated to Sherlock Holmes, and has never quite recovered from Columbo. He prefers writing female sleuths, with the odd chap thrown in, and is firmly convinced that historical settings are simply more fascinating.
"Absolutely fabulous, reek of authenticity, full of intrigue and fun" – Amazon review of the Samuel Pepys Mysteries
A former journalist, Ellis wrote features for the UK's most popular national newspapers and magazines before escaping to Cornwall with his wife, two daughters and Spike the dog. He holds an MA in Comedy Writing, which explains a lot.
He grew up on The Hardy Boys and Three Investigators, graduated to Sherlock Holmes, and has never quite recovered from Columbo. He prefers writing female sleuths, with the odd chap thrown in, and is firmly convinced that historical settings are simply more fascinating.
"Absolutely fabulous, reek of authenticity, full of intrigue and fun" – Amazon review of the Samuel Pepys Mysteries
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 3, 2026
Reread to get ready for the last book. Its sad to see the series go but I know I enjoy rereading the series and there's a new series coming out from Ellies Blackwood im really looking forward to. But for now I'm very curious about the mystery surrounding Jacob or at least people around him as well as see if there is something happening between Abby and Jacob
Another engaging and fun installment of the series. This one had me on the edge of my seat, wanted to shake Jacob at one part of the book. Love his character but he isn't as sharp and people knowing as Abby. Already looking forward for the next book. Havnt been any book in the series I didn't like.
Another engaging and fun installment of the series. This one had me on the edge of my seat, wanted to shake Jacob at one part of the book. Love his character but he isn't as sharp and people knowing as Abby. Already looking forward for the next book. Havnt been any book in the series I didn't like.
July 23, 2026
The Crown Jewels Murders is the eighth book in the Samuel Pepys Mystery Series by Ellis Blackwood. The sleuths are Abby and Jacob, inquisitors employed by the famous diarist Samuel Pepys.
The Crown Jewels Murders is another excellent installment in one of my favorite historical mystery series. Author Ellis Blackwood does an impeccable job with the research, world building, and vivid descriptions.
The writing puts you right into the world. I always feel like I am in step with Abby and Jacob as they investigate the mystery.
This one was a real doozy and felt like a cozy mystery mixed with a heist-luke adventure story. I enjoyed the extra characters, like the saucy spymaster, as well as the returning characters, especially Abby, who is always easy to admire and root for.
I received an ARC from the publisher. This did not impact my review.
The Crown Jewels Murders is another excellent installment in one of my favorite historical mystery series. Author Ellis Blackwood does an impeccable job with the research, world building, and vivid descriptions.
The writing puts you right into the world. I always feel like I am in step with Abby and Jacob as they investigate the mystery.
This one was a real doozy and felt like a cozy mystery mixed with a heist-luke adventure story. I enjoyed the extra characters, like the saucy spymaster, as well as the returning characters, especially Abby, who is always easy to admire and root for.
I received an ARC from the publisher. This did not impact my review.
May 22, 2026
Fabulous as always
February 15, 2026
Abigail Harcourt and Jacob Standish are tasked with their biggest challenge yet — protecting the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London on behalf of the king in Ellis Blackwood’s The Crown Jewel Murders.
So well plotted, in this eighth installment of the Samuel Pepys Mystery series, Blackwood artfully shows that everything we thought we knew is not necessarily so, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The entire series leading up to and including The Crown Jewel Murders has taken place in less than six months from September, 1666 to January 1667. Each book, each adventure leading to the next for Abby, Pepys’ housemaid turned inquisitor and Jacob, who became Pepys’ inquisitor as a deathbed promise to Jacob’s father. With each mystery the pair became more confident in their skills and in each other.
Blackwood’s masterful skill in 17th century world-building only gets better as he takes readers along through the Tower of London, deftly bringing costumes, architecture, the infamous jewels and even the lion statues today’s visitors see to life.
I love historical fiction. Each of Blackwood’s mysteries had me wanting to learn more, wanting to find out what story may have been the inspiration behind it. For The Crown Jewels Murders, it may have been Thomas Blood, a real man, who is not only behind the fictional plot to thieve the exquisite jewels in this mystery but also for his own attempt at a Crown Jewels heist in 1671.
I highly recommend The Crown Jewel Murders to lovers of historical fiction, suspense, mysteries and British mystery series, in particular. I can hardly wait to read the series finale in April. I received an advance reader’s copy from Vintage Mystery Press, courtesy of the author.
So well plotted, in this eighth installment of the Samuel Pepys Mystery series, Blackwood artfully shows that everything we thought we knew is not necessarily so, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
The entire series leading up to and including The Crown Jewel Murders has taken place in less than six months from September, 1666 to January 1667. Each book, each adventure leading to the next for Abby, Pepys’ housemaid turned inquisitor and Jacob, who became Pepys’ inquisitor as a deathbed promise to Jacob’s father. With each mystery the pair became more confident in their skills and in each other.
Blackwood’s masterful skill in 17th century world-building only gets better as he takes readers along through the Tower of London, deftly bringing costumes, architecture, the infamous jewels and even the lion statues today’s visitors see to life.
I love historical fiction. Each of Blackwood’s mysteries had me wanting to learn more, wanting to find out what story may have been the inspiration behind it. For The Crown Jewels Murders, it may have been Thomas Blood, a real man, who is not only behind the fictional plot to thieve the exquisite jewels in this mystery but also for his own attempt at a Crown Jewels heist in 1671.
I highly recommend The Crown Jewel Murders to lovers of historical fiction, suspense, mysteries and British mystery series, in particular. I can hardly wait to read the series finale in April. I received an advance reader’s copy from Vintage Mystery Press, courtesy of the author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another extremely exciting and baffling murder mystery involving the intrepid King's Investigators. Colonel Blood is determined to steal the crown jewels from the Tower of London, an impossible feat, surely, but one really should not underestimate the bold, reckless and clever villain. And pitting their wits against him, young Abigail and Jacob, probably totally out of their depth.
I always enjoy reading about these two and this book is no exception. 5 stars for sure!
I always enjoy reading about these two and this book is no exception. 5 stars for sure!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews