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Casebook of Barnaby Adair #13
Who Killed The Earl of Moran?
Author Stephanie Laurens is back with a challenging case in which, from the first, the Adairs and Inspector Stokes are under significant pressure to identify the murderer of a powerful nobleman.
When the Earl of Moran is found bludgeoned to death in his study, the finger is pointed at his mother’s companion, Mary Alder, who the earl had dismissed and who was found standing over his body. Mary is the mother of Julian, one of Barnaby Adair’s Lads Network’s brightest stars, and in desperation, Julian and his employer, Curtis, appeal to the Adairs and Stokes for help in saving Mary from the hangman. While the investigators quickly establish that Mary couldn’t have been the murderer, pressure builds to quickly declare the murderer’s identity, yet who actually accomplished the deed is difficult to imagine, let alone prove.
After being dismissed—for no apparent reason—from her position as companion to the Dowager Countess of Moran, Mary Alder believes she is fulfilling her last duty to the earl before leaving his employ the following morning, only to discover, on entering his study, that the earl has been struck down and is very dead. Then she’s discovered standing, horror-struck, over the body, and is accused of committing the crime.
On learning of his mother’s predicament, Julian seeks help from his employer, Curtis, who immediately enlists the assistance of the Adairs and Stokes on Mary and Julian’s behalf. As the investigators have already been directed to solve the politically and socially sensitive case without delay, they are swiftly on the scene—only to find that all their prime suspects were in the drawing room at the time of the murder, under each other’s eyes.
Indeed, despite a plethora of potential suspects, there’s a dearth of evidence that places any of them anywhere near the earl’s study at the fateful time.
In solving this case, the investigators are forced to look past the obvious and confront their own prejudices before—fact by fact and motive by motive—they finally answer the question of who killed the Earl of Moran.
A historical novel interweaving mystery, crime, and a touch of romance.
When the Earl of Moran is found bludgeoned to death in his study, the finger is pointed at his mother’s companion, Mary Alder, who the earl had dismissed and who was found standing over his body. Mary is the mother of Julian, one of Barnaby Adair’s Lads Network’s brightest stars, and in desperation, Julian and his employer, Curtis, appeal to the Adairs and Stokes for help in saving Mary from the hangman. While the investigators quickly establish that Mary couldn’t have been the murderer, pressure builds to quickly declare the murderer’s identity, yet who actually accomplished the deed is difficult to imagine, let alone prove.
After being dismissed—for no apparent reason—from her position as companion to the Dowager Countess of Moran, Mary Alder believes she is fulfilling her last duty to the earl before leaving his employ the following morning, only to discover, on entering his study, that the earl has been struck down and is very dead. Then she’s discovered standing, horror-struck, over the body, and is accused of committing the crime.
On learning of his mother’s predicament, Julian seeks help from his employer, Curtis, who immediately enlists the assistance of the Adairs and Stokes on Mary and Julian’s behalf. As the investigators have already been directed to solve the politically and socially sensitive case without delay, they are swiftly on the scene—only to find that all their prime suspects were in the drawing room at the time of the murder, under each other’s eyes.
Indeed, despite a plethora of potential suspects, there’s a dearth of evidence that places any of them anywhere near the earl’s study at the fateful time.
In solving this case, the investigators are forced to look past the obvious and confront their own prejudices before—fact by fact and motive by motive—they finally answer the question of who killed the Earl of Moran.
A historical novel interweaving mystery, crime, and a touch of romance.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
214 books5,612 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 28, 2026
Shortly after a dinner of the extended House of Moran family, the Earl is found at the desk in his study bludgeoned to death. Stokes and the Adairs are immediately brought in to investigate, not just by Scotland Yard, but also by one of Barnaby's young protegees, Julian, whose mother, the Dowager Countess' companion, stands accused of the murder. It's immediately clear that the companion is innocent but who did cause the murder? While there are plenty of reasons why someone would want to murder the Earl who was a cold miserly man, this was not a planned murder but one from passion. Or was it?
This was one of the best of the recent entries Laurens has penned in her Casebook of Barnaby Adair series. It's also the most purely murder mystery plot of all, with a very slight far secondary romance that adds warmth to the story that otherwise reads much as a tragedy rather than one where evil dominates. There certainly were some obvious points of investigation and inquiry that this experienced team of investigators overlooked until the very end, and Laurens still needs to get better at hiding those in her plotting, but they were far less overtly ignored than have been the case in her more recent books in the series.
This was one of the best of the recent entries Laurens has penned in her Casebook of Barnaby Adair series. It's also the most purely murder mystery plot of all, with a very slight far secondary romance that adds warmth to the story that otherwise reads much as a tragedy rather than one where evil dominates. There certainly were some obvious points of investigation and inquiry that this experienced team of investigators overlooked until the very end, and Laurens still needs to get better at hiding those in her plotting, but they were far less overtly ignored than have been the case in her more recent books in the series.
March 26, 2026
Im addicted to this series though I love her historical romance just as much I love the extra bite the murder solving team brings. Honestly though I sort of thought I’d figured it out near the end it was still a surprise. Very good read.
March 21, 2026
Stephanie Laurens series, the Barnaby Adair Casebook, never disappoints. If you haven’t read any, you should go to the beginning (Where the heart leads) so that you meet the major characters as they are introduced. The series is dynamic—evolving and deepening. The plots are not predictable, yet neither are they artificially complex. Just immensely satisfyi
March 20, 2026
Twists and turns on the twists and turns! Read this to see what I mean!
Wow! This was an excellent, twisted mystery for our investigators to unravel! Julian is in the business of getting information on the streets and his boss is Curtis. So, when his mother is dismissed from her job as a companion, and then accused of murdering the Earl of Moran, Julian runs to Curtis. They both then go to see the Adairs with whom they have worked before. Penelope and Barnaby Adair, along with Inspector Stokes, go to the Moran house, only to find that the entire family was there for a family dinner, and none had left the room since the earl went to his study. The earl was well known for promoting some political views that made many people unhappy, plus he was an avid investor. So there were a plethora of possible suspects. Working to figure out the details of this murder, and then the subsequent murder of the butler of the house, required the skill of all of them and their many assistants! The results of this investigation are absolutely incredible. I am blown away. I will not say anything else about the storyline, as you must experience it for yourself!
The pace is breakneck and the tone is intense with a character centered storyline that has no steam at all. This is pure mystery and investigation. The characters are vibrant and engaging. We have many of the repeating characters from this series with the addition of a few more, as usual. The ending refers to characters in the Cynster series, the Cavanaugh series,the Cynster Next Generation series, and the Bastion Club, as well as the Adairs! What a phenomenal number of series Stephanie Laurens has given to us. If you are not familiar with her work, you can start with this, but I can almost guarantee that you will want to read these other series as well. The characters and the mysteries are fantastic. Some of the series that she wrote, including the Adventurers quartet, have quite a bit more action and tension in them than this story does. So if you like your historical romances with very strong willed heroes and heroines, no missish ladies need apply, and sometimes some very volatile action situations, then you will love her. Try this and prepare to be blown away!
Wow! This was an excellent, twisted mystery for our investigators to unravel! Julian is in the business of getting information on the streets and his boss is Curtis. So, when his mother is dismissed from her job as a companion, and then accused of murdering the Earl of Moran, Julian runs to Curtis. They both then go to see the Adairs with whom they have worked before. Penelope and Barnaby Adair, along with Inspector Stokes, go to the Moran house, only to find that the entire family was there for a family dinner, and none had left the room since the earl went to his study. The earl was well known for promoting some political views that made many people unhappy, plus he was an avid investor. So there were a plethora of possible suspects. Working to figure out the details of this murder, and then the subsequent murder of the butler of the house, required the skill of all of them and their many assistants! The results of this investigation are absolutely incredible. I am blown away. I will not say anything else about the storyline, as you must experience it for yourself!
The pace is breakneck and the tone is intense with a character centered storyline that has no steam at all. This is pure mystery and investigation. The characters are vibrant and engaging. We have many of the repeating characters from this series with the addition of a few more, as usual. The ending refers to characters in the Cynster series, the Cavanaugh series,the Cynster Next Generation series, and the Bastion Club, as well as the Adairs! What a phenomenal number of series Stephanie Laurens has given to us. If you are not familiar with her work, you can start with this, but I can almost guarantee that you will want to read these other series as well. The characters and the mysteries are fantastic. Some of the series that she wrote, including the Adventurers quartet, have quite a bit more action and tension in them than this story does. So if you like your historical romances with very strong willed heroes and heroines, no missish ladies need apply, and sometimes some very volatile action situations, then you will love her. Try this and prepare to be blown away!
March 21, 2026
Having read all the books in this series, I had thought of late that Ms Laurens was running out of ideas and the format of the problem solving was too well rehearsed. However, I found that this volume was better. We were not subjected to endless repetitions of interviewing all the people present who mostly had nothing new to impart. This time, we had summaries of interviews, the focus being rather on the interviewee, their appearance, family status and personality. This made for pleasant reading. It is not an edge of your seat, demanding mystery, but it kept my interest and when a couple of times, I thought I knew how the story would unfold, I was proven wrong.
Although this can be read as a stand alone, I would encourage people to read the first few books in this series to fully appreciate the background of the main sleuths and their families.
All the same, I hope Ms Laurens starts a new series soon as there can only be so many murders within the ton during the 1840s !
One last comment, I was surprised to see Julian calling his mother "Mum" at the beginning of the book rather than the usual "Mama" which he uses subsequently. It did not seem right for the period. However, some research showed that the first recorded use of "Mum" was 1822, so it is just possible I suppose that he might have used it...or it is proof of careless editing!
Although this can be read as a stand alone, I would encourage people to read the first few books in this series to fully appreciate the background of the main sleuths and their families.
All the same, I hope Ms Laurens starts a new series soon as there can only be so many murders within the ton during the 1840s !
One last comment, I was surprised to see Julian calling his mother "Mum" at the beginning of the book rather than the usual "Mama" which he uses subsequently. It did not seem right for the period. However, some research showed that the first recorded use of "Mum" was 1822, so it is just possible I suppose that he might have used it...or it is proof of careless editing!
March 30, 2026
I do enjoy all the books in these mystery stories. This is a fascinating addition to the series. There are twists and turns and the ending is one of those twists. Extremely satisfying read. Barnaby and Penelope with Inspector Stokes and all of the spouses have never disappointed. There is just a little romance and that works with all the books.
May 16, 2026
Another wonderful Barnaby and Penelope Adair story with the usual cast of characters and some new ones added in.
This mystery of who killed the Earl of Moran was quite the whodunnit. There were so many suspects and twists and turns and the culmination was quite shocking.
This mystery of who killed the Earl of Moran was quite the whodunnit. There were so many suspects and twists and turns and the culmination was quite shocking.
April 16, 2026
Perfect!
I loved this story. I didn't think of Mom until the last chapter. I t was the best of recent novels
I loved this story. I didn't think of Mom until the last chapter. I t was the best of recent novels
May 18, 2026
Love Stephanie’s books.
Great story with a twist I hadn’t expected
I not a huge fan of mysteries, but this Casebook series is very enjoyable
One of these days I’m going to reread all this series
Great story with a twist I hadn’t expected
I not a huge fan of mysteries, but this Casebook series is very enjoyable
One of these days I’m going to reread all this series
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews