Murder at the Masquerade

Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery #7

by Elizabeth Rose

A masked killer. A horrible death. And a mysterious gypsy who foretold it all.

A masquerade ball is thrown at Grimsthorpe Manor to honor Lady Vivienne Harlowe and Sheriff Zachariah Fitch. But upon arrival, they are soon reminded that trouble follows them wherever they go and danger lurks in every shadow.

In the midst of merrymaking, the Lord of Grimsthorpe Manor is found strangled and set on fire, but no one understands why as he was liked by all. Now, what began as a joyous celebration leads to another murder investigation for the duo of Harlowe and Fitch.

A fortune teller warned that death would mar the night’s revels, a prediction that leaves Vivienne no choice but to fear for her own safety when her card reading is not at all what she expects.

With everyone masked and in costume, it isn’t easy to find a witness to the crime. Worse, a killer is on the loose and the eerie streets of Grimsthorpe make even their hometown of Mablethorpe’s dangerous Rotten Row seem tame.

Murder at the Masquerade continues Elizabeth Rose’s acclaimed Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery series with a darkly atmospheric tale of deception, prophecy, and violence hidden behind finery. Set against the eerie grandeur of a medieval estate, this installment blends suspense, period detail, and relentless tension into a mystery where no face can be trusted.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Elizabeth Rose is the author of medieval, paranormal, fantasy and contemporary novels. While based on romance, her novels have complex plots, action and suspense. She loves writing bad boy tortured heroes and empowered feisty heroines.

Her books have won rave reviews, and been seen on The History Channel as well as Wild Chicago. Elizabeth's books have won and been finalists in many contests. Here is a partial list:

Highland Spirit - Highland Chronicles WINNER of the Raven Award.
Bedeviled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER Creme de la Cover Contest
Beguiled - Portals of Destiny, WINNER - Creme de la Cover Contest

RONE Award finalists include:
Doubting Thomas - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Steel - Highland Chronicles
Tristan - Pirate Lords
Igniting Andrew - Bad Boys of Sweetwater
Highland Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Seductive Secrets - Secrets of the Heart
Forgotten Secrets - all Secrets of the Heart
Summer's Reign - Seasons of Fortitude

Kindle Book Review Awards finalist and semi-finalist:
Highland Secrets
Forgotten Secrets

International Digital Award finalist:
Highland Spring - Seasons of Fortitude

Golden Palm Finalist:
Mary, Mary - Once Upon a Rhyme

Raven Awards Best Cover finalist:
May Queen - Holiday Knights

Raven Awards Runner-Up:
Lady and the Wolf - Tangled Tales

Books and Benches Reviewer's Choice:
Restless Sea Lord - Legendary Bastards of the Crown

Sapphire Award Finalist:
Kyros' Secret - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice:
Thief of Olympus - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

Seen on the History Channel:
The Oracle of Delphi - Greek Myth Fantasy Series

And More!

Elizabeth is known for her many series which include:

Below the Salt Series
Highland Outcasts
Portals of Destiny
Legacy of the Blade
Daughters of the Dagger
Elemental Magick Series
Bad Boys of Sweetwater: Tarnished Saints Series Greek Myth Fantasy Series
MadMan MacKeefe Series
Legendary Bastards of the Crown
Seasons of Fortitude
Secrets of the Heart
Second in Command
Pirate Lords
Highland Chronicles
Barons of the Cinque Ports
Tangled Tales Once Upon a Rhyme
Holiday Knights
Dark Encounters
Cowboys of the Old West
Working Man Series, and more!

Someday Elizabeth hopes to visit the castles of Scotland and England personally. However, she has been to the jungles of Peru and Machu Picchu which inspired her novels, Curse of the Condor and Bistro Bachelor.

Visit her website to view her latest books and to read excerpts of her work. http://elizabethrosenovels.com.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Masquerade

A good friend of Vivienne’s uncle has agreed to through a party in honor of her betrothal to Sheriff Fitch. A masquerade is planned and Vivienne is very excited. Instead of a happy celebration of their upcoming wedding it turns into a murder investigation. But with the local sheriff and most of the manor’s inhabitants being obstreperous can Harlowe and Fitch find the truth or will they be sent packing with a murderer going free?
I enjoyed the story quite a lot. Not a huge fan of the inhabitants of the town/village that they’re visiting as they just seem stubborn and deceitful. Couple of family surprises that made for a bit of extra drama. Lots of twists and shocks along the way to a solution. Very interested to see how our happy couple figures out a compromise on their future and what adventures await them next!

[Fanosse23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at the Masquerade is the electrifying seventh installment in Elizabeth Rose’s Harlowe & Fitch Historical Mystery Series. Recently engaged, Lady Vivienne Harlowe and Sheriff Zachariah Fitch attend a masquerade ball in their honor at Grimsthorpe Manor. They expect an evening of celebration, but danger, trouble, and murder follow close behind, turning their happy night into chaos.

When the Lord of the Manor is found dead and a fire is set to disguise the crime as an accident, Harlowe and Fitch immediately trust their instincts. Ignoring the local sheriff’s attempt to dismiss the case, they launch their own investigation. The masquerade setting—filled with costumes and concealed identities—allows guests to hide their movements, and soon secrets and lies swirl through the grand halls. The lady of the manor grows more mysterious by the hour, and the clues seem to point in every possible direction.

Adding to the intrigue, Vivienne’s half-sister Morgana, a gypsy with a knack for vanishing and reappearing at critical moments, makes her debut. The lady of the manor’s pregnancy raises even more questions—especially when it becomes clear the child may not be her husband’s. A fortune teller’s ominous warning that the celebration would be marred by death proves chillingly accurate. With surprise visits from the King and Vivienne’s half-brother Rowan, the web of suspects only grows more tangled.

Just when the investigation seems close to resolution, another murder shocks Grimsthorpe Manor. Amid love, danger, and ever-complicating family ties, Vivienne and Fitch also face the realization that marriage may bring challenges they never anticipated.

Elizabeth Rose masterfully crafts a rich tapestry of secrets, lies, and suspense. This enthralling mystery keeps readers guessing until the final page. Fans of historical whodunits will be thoroughly satisfied, and the tantalizing setup for Harlowe and Fitch’s next adventure leaves you eager for more.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, wow, this series just keeps getting better and better! Elizabeth has given us not only other murder for our favorite couple to solve but a mystery too with a gypsy fortune teller, who shows up whenever she is needed and is closer to Vivienne than anyone knows. Lady Vivienne and Sheriff Zachariah are being honored at a masquerade ball held by a friend of her uncle. They are both looking forward to having a special evening to celebrate their betrothal. Unfortunately, as soon as they arrive, Vivienne’s stomach starts to feel strange. Anyone who has read this series knows what that means; something bad is going to happen! Zachariah can’t believe it is happening again and prays she is wrong this time. But the smell of smoke is very heavy in the courtyard, and they soon find out why! The Lord of Grimsthorpe Manor has been found dead and badly burned by the fire. His wife of only a couple of months is strangely not as upset as one would think. This book has so much going on with tons of twists and turns around every corner. Zachariah brother, Isaac, and Vivienne’s handmaid Madeine show up to help too. A special person also shows up to the surprise of everyone. None of the people they meet from the town sheriff, Ludwig, the town doctor, or servants in the manor act like they should. Something evil is here, and they will need all their skills to find out what happens and at the same time deal with their own personal problems with the upcoming marriage and changes it will cause. Wow, great read, be sure and grab a copy and get started. I am usually pretty good at figuring out the villain early but not this time. I love it. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a masquerade ball is thrown at Grimsthorpe Manor to honor Lady Vivienne Harlowe and Sheriff Zachariah Fitch.
When the Lord of the manner is murdered it certainly puts a damper on what should be a celebration of their coming nuptials!
Vivienne is starting to realize how much her life will change after marriage and so is Zachariah!
But the sheriff of Grimsthorpe Ludwig insists that the noble took his own life!
The clues don’t add up and his wife is being even more mysterious!
When Viviene had a fortune teller inform her that her celebration would be marred by death she had no idea this case would be so confusing with way too many leads in opposite directions!
There is a lot going on in this story including a surprise visit from the King and two of Vivienne’s siblings!
Just when the case looks to be wrapping up there is yet another murder!
I love the romantic moments and even the uncomfortable ones between Vivienne and Zachariah! It looks like Issac finally has a more serious love interest!?
There is nonstop action and humor in this mystery! Bravo well done!
I received an ARC copy from Booksprout for my unbiased opinion!

[Marcy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masquerade ! Murder ! Mayhem ! Mystery ! Oh My !
Murder At The Masquerade: Harlow And Fitch Historical Murder Mystery
Book 3 ; Elizabeth Rose Continues This Saga Of The Harlow And Fitch Couple Always In The Midst Of A Murder Falling On Them ! This Time At There Own Celebration ! As Always It Is Not Cut And Dry ! Many Suspects ! Clues ! Twists Not Expected ! Always Wetting Your Appetite For The Next Adventure !
It Starts With Lord Daniel Lovelle And His Wife Amelia Throwing A Betrothal Party . A Masquerade In Fact For Lady Vivienne Harlow And Zachariah Fitch ! There To Celebrate ! What Could Possibly Go Wrong ? No Sooner Than They Arrive A Murder Takes Place ! Chaos Erupts ! With So Many Characters Anything Is Possible ! A Sheriff From Another Jurisdiction ! Secrets ! Lies ! So Much Happening You Head Will Spin !
An Excellent Mystery Adventure ! It Will Keep You Guessing Right To The End ! Waiting For The Next One ! Perhaps The Wedding ?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder At The Masquerade by Elizabeth Rose is a thrilling addition to her long-running mystery series, and it absolutely deserves five stars. The series has consistently delivered compelling mysteries, and this latest installment is no exception.

The characters are, as always, one of the greatest strengths of Elizabeth Rose’s writing. Each return feels like visiting old friends, yet the story still finds ways to deepen their personalities and relationships. The new characters introduced at the masquerade are equally memorable and keep the mystery layered and engaging.

The plot is a masterclass in suspense and intrigue. From the first masked greeting to the shocking final reveal, the pacing is tight, with twists that are both clever and satisfying. The masquerade setting itself is superb—elegant, atmospheric, and perfectly suited to a tale of deception and danger. Elizabeth Rose uses the setting to enhance both the tension and the visual splendor of the story.

As part of a long-running series, Murder At The Masquerade manages to honor everything fans love while still feeling fresh and exciting. It’s a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a blend of character-driven storytelling, richly imagined locations, and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Vivienne Harlowe and Sheriff Zachariah Fitch have come to Grimsthorpe Manor to attend a masquerade in celebration of their betrothal, held by Lord Daniel and Lady Amelia Lovelle. When they arrive, they are greeted with a bit of chaos. Lord Lovell’s chamber, and Lord Lovelle, are on fire. Once again, our couple lands in the middle of a murder investigation. Investigating the crime isn’t easy, much due to the fact that the local sheriff is declares the death an accident. This is another well-crafted story with a complex plot that holds your attention and keeps you guessing about the murderer. There is a masquerade, murder, mystery, suspense, tension, and more than one suspect. Our favorite characters are here. Vivienne, Zachariah lead the way. Maleine provides help, and Isaac provides help and humor. We are introduced to Morgana, Vivienne’s half-sister, and a gypsy fortune teller. A great addition to the series. I look forward to the next story. The stone circle looks very interesting.
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Vivienne and Sheriff Zac Fitch are attending a masquerade given in honour of their betrothal. Things are not good between the Lord and lady of the castle and then someone is killed. Vivienne and Zac have a task on their hands, not helped by a local lazy sheriff and secrets that might have a bearing on the situation. There are as usual some men who think that a lady should not be involved in finding a murderer. Family is important to Vivienne, given her background and she discovers another half sibling. She is also wondering if she can continue helping Zac after they are married. This was an entertaining read, although I had guessed some of the secrets but not all. I do like it when the characters from other books pop up. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[NelleRenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series, although I have ways felt that the FMC has on rose colored glasses even though she does have certain reservations about some people. She is very forgiving of little faults. The MMC is much more logical, but in the end he does trust her conclusions. The secondary characters are very important to the storyline. This particular story is outside of their home area and involves two murders. It had descriptive scenes and also enough dialogue to be entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Vivienne and Zachariah go to a neighboring town to celebrate their betrothal at a masquerade party. But amongst the costumes, there is a killer. Vivienne and Zachariah feel they need to help, but the sheriff of the town keeps knocking heads with them, and his inept trainee is no help. This one certainly has you guessing. There are a lot of secrets that intertwine and finally come together for a satisfying conclusion.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivienne and Zachariah are one step closer to being married. A masquerade is an excellent place for things to happen. Vivienne is still headstrong, thinking mostly with her heart and Zachariah is trying to keep everything logical. Zachariah is fighting to keep his identity as sheriff and trying to figure out where their place will be after marrying, whilst trying to solve the murder and finding truth hidden behind all the lies and evasions.

[Lyn D Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seventh book in A Harlow And Fitch Historical Mystery. The characters were driven and had death. The plot was exciting with a well blend of intrigue, suspense, danger, deception, richly imagined settings and locations, and a mystery with so many plot twists and turns thar were interesting and very entertaining. I highly recommend reading!

[Michael Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Rose gives her fans another fun read In Murder at the Masquerade! I recommend this title to anyone who enjoys a well written historical mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is full of surprises and twists, and it's very entertaining. I appreciated the storytelling and the well-developed characters.
The historical background is vivid and well researched
Recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. This was a story that kept me guessing. I will be looking for more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful addition to an already fantastic series. I love how the characters’ lives progress throughout the books and the new mysteries introduced with each one. Each book is a delightful read and this one was no exception.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlowe and Fitch are back for more adventures, mystery and intrigue. This time there's a masquerade and I love when those are included in a story. As always it was challenging, engaging and a joy to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Masquerade Ball brings surprises to Lady Vivienne and Sheriff Zach. Instead of just in their honour, things happen that bring danger instead of fun. Amazing as always, Dont miss out.