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Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries #17
The Curse of the Ascot Mansion: A 1920s Historical Mystery
Are the rumors of a curse on the Ascot Mansion true?
New York 1927
Rumors about a curse have plagued the Ascot Mansion since before it was built in the Gilded Age. Now, the final matriarch of the mansion has decided to sell it and hold a silent auction for most of the contents. Sadly, this does not save Roselyn Ascot from the fate of the two prior Mrs. Ascots who once resided in the mansion.
When Penelope Prescott (née Banks) finds Mrs. Ascot murdered on the third floor of the mansion during the auction, there are two additional upsetting surprises.
First, someone has slashed the priceless Caravaggio painting that initially secured Roselyn’s place in the powerful Ascot family.
Second, Penelope’s estranged grandfather, Lester Williams, is found standing over Roselyn’s body holding the murder weapon.
Though Penelope’s mistrust of her grandfather is well earned, she refuses to believe he is a murderer. Armed with her own sharp investigative instincts—and Lester’s unconventional, and occasionally unethical approach to uncovering the truth—Penelope must dig into the mansion’s supposed curse, untangling decades of misfortune. The trail leads back to a forgotten turn-of-the-century tragedy: that of a young footman, whose suspicious death is inextricably connected not only to Roselyn Ascot…but also to Lester Williams.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In a prior book, The Great Gaston Murder, Penelope’s grandfather was named Leonard. For editorial reasons, and to avoid some confusion, his name is officially Lester Williams.
The Curse of the Ascot Mansion is the seventeenth book in the Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries series. Join Penelope as she joins forces with her deceptively charming grandfather to solve yet another murder.
New York 1927
Rumors about a curse have plagued the Ascot Mansion since before it was built in the Gilded Age. Now, the final matriarch of the mansion has decided to sell it and hold a silent auction for most of the contents. Sadly, this does not save Roselyn Ascot from the fate of the two prior Mrs. Ascots who once resided in the mansion.
When Penelope Prescott (née Banks) finds Mrs. Ascot murdered on the third floor of the mansion during the auction, there are two additional upsetting surprises.
First, someone has slashed the priceless Caravaggio painting that initially secured Roselyn’s place in the powerful Ascot family.
Second, Penelope’s estranged grandfather, Lester Williams, is found standing over Roselyn’s body holding the murder weapon.
Though Penelope’s mistrust of her grandfather is well earned, she refuses to believe he is a murderer. Armed with her own sharp investigative instincts—and Lester’s unconventional, and occasionally unethical approach to uncovering the truth—Penelope must dig into the mansion’s supposed curse, untangling decades of misfortune. The trail leads back to a forgotten turn-of-the-century tragedy: that of a young footman, whose suspicious death is inextricably connected not only to Roselyn Ascot…but also to Lester Williams.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In a prior book, The Great Gaston Murder, Penelope’s grandfather was named Leonard. For editorial reasons, and to avoid some confusion, his name is officially Lester Williams.
The Curse of the Ascot Mansion is the seventeenth book in the Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries series. Join Penelope as she joins forces with her deceptively charming grandfather to solve yet another murder.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
86 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Colette Clark
23 books107 followersColette Clark lives in New York and has always enjoyed learning more about the history of her amazing city. She decided to combine that curiosity and love of learning with her addiction to reading and watching mysteries. Her first series, Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries is the result of those passions. When she’s not writing she can be found doing Sudoku puzzles, drawing, eating tacos, visiting museums dedicated to unusual/weird/wacky things, and, of course, reading mysteries by other great authors.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 9, 2026
Motherhood Hasn’t Stopped Pen from Meddling
Motherhood hasn’t slowed down Pen. I much prefer Benny and Lulu to Pen’s obnoxious grandfather. The murder wasn’t really plausible. That said I always enjoy following Pen’s pursuit of the culprit. I enjoyed the book.
Motherhood hasn’t slowed down Pen. I much prefer Benny and Lulu to Pen’s obnoxious grandfather. The murder wasn’t really plausible. That said I always enjoy following Pen’s pursuit of the culprit. I enjoyed the book.
February 18, 2026
Always a great read
Even though I twigged to the murderer before the end, it was a thrilling story with interesting characters. Good job!
Even though I twigged to the murderer before the end, it was a thrilling story with interesting characters. Good job!
March 2, 2026
A Penelope Banks mystery is always a good read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews