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The Staircase
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2026
About the author
AG Barnett
36 books116 followersAG Barnett lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, daughter, three ridiculous spaniels, and four frizzle chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 23, 2026
Oxford 1925. History Professor Eustace Langton lies dead at the bottom of the stairs. Classified as an accident by the police. But 19 year old Nell Blackwood is not convinced and so visits recluse, wheelchair bound ex-detective Roderick Fane.
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
April 4, 2026
"The Staircase" is the first book in the "Fane and Blackwell Mystery" series by AG Barnett.
October 1925 Oxfordshire England. Told from the perspective of 19 year old Nell Blackwell, she explains how she makes a condolence call after a sudden death but knows things aren't what they seem. Without her family's knowledge, she finds reasons to visit the home several times and eventually takes her concerns to the once celebrated Detective Roderick Fane who has become a shadow of himself since the war. His interest is slowly reignited and with his guidance, Nell continues to observe, gather information and ask questions. She knows her family have pretty much chosen her life for her but the work with Fane and finding the truth is far more interesting.
The story was well told and though the suspect field was small, it still came down to the end to find the truth. Along the way, we get a look into how Nell's family functions and what they have expected her life to become. I couldn't help but cheer for her to find her own path!
I've pre-ordered the next book in this series "The Ice House" which comes out in April 2026 and look forward to reading it in the future!
October 1925 Oxfordshire England. Told from the perspective of 19 year old Nell Blackwell, she explains how she makes a condolence call after a sudden death but knows things aren't what they seem. Without her family's knowledge, she finds reasons to visit the home several times and eventually takes her concerns to the once celebrated Detective Roderick Fane who has become a shadow of himself since the war. His interest is slowly reignited and with his guidance, Nell continues to observe, gather information and ask questions. She knows her family have pretty much chosen her life for her but the work with Fane and finding the truth is far more interesting.
The story was well told and though the suspect field was small, it still came down to the end to find the truth. Along the way, we get a look into how Nell's family functions and what they have expected her life to become. I couldn't help but cheer for her to find her own path!
I've pre-ordered the next book in this series "The Ice House" which comes out in April 2026 and look forward to reading it in the future!
March 29, 2026
I came across The Staircase through a recommendation and, honestly, the description stopped me mid-scroll. "Once celebrated, now forgotten, a brilliant detective who hasn't left his decaying North Oxford villa in ten years." That one line does something most mystery blurbs don't: it promises emotional weight, not just a puzzle. You immediately feel the atmosphere, a 1920s Oxford that is crumbling at the edges, in more ways than one.
The setup of Nell as his eyes and ears in the world while Fane remains the mind behind the door is such a quietly clever reversal of the usual detective pairing. The cover, moody and period-appropriate, matches the tone of the description perfectly, dark without being dramatic about it. Everything about how this book presents itself signals that there's real intention behind it. I haven't read a first chapter yet and I'm already invested. That's rare. Starting tonight.
The setup of Nell as his eyes and ears in the world while Fane remains the mind behind the door is such a quietly clever reversal of the usual detective pairing. The cover, moody and period-appropriate, matches the tone of the description perfectly, dark without being dramatic about it. Everything about how this book presents itself signals that there's real intention behind it. I haven't read a first chapter yet and I'm already invested. That's rare. Starting tonight.
May 9, 2026
This Book is CLEAN
As in, there is no word out of place. Everything is very precise. This book is written in such a way that it actually mirrors our investigators, Mr. Fane and Miss Blackwood.
This book does not spend a lot of time or energy describing every detail of the room, what everyone was wearing or observing. And the points where it does, those become the necessary clues observed.
I very much, enjoyed this story. I understand why the story was written in the manner it was, but, I wish it had just a bit more emotion to it. Miss Blackwood is written more sterile than I think she actually is. We see the most emotion out of her at the end. I want to feel her heart race when she is being bold, when she is getting close to solving her case.
Everyone wore the practiced polite mask at the time. But I still want to feel the turmoil and excitement underneath the poise.
As in, there is no word out of place. Everything is very precise. This book is written in such a way that it actually mirrors our investigators, Mr. Fane and Miss Blackwood.
This book does not spend a lot of time or energy describing every detail of the room, what everyone was wearing or observing. And the points where it does, those become the necessary clues observed.
I very much, enjoyed this story. I understand why the story was written in the manner it was, but, I wish it had just a bit more emotion to it. Miss Blackwood is written more sterile than I think she actually is. We see the most emotion out of her at the end. I want to feel her heart race when she is being bold, when she is getting close to solving her case.
Everyone wore the practiced polite mask at the time. But I still want to feel the turmoil and excitement underneath the poise.
March 20, 2026
Excellent new characters
I really appreciated the interaction between Fane and Nell Blackwood. There is an intelligent friendship in the making. No spoilers to say that the mechanics of the alleged accident were explored in an understandable way. Highly recommended, and I look forward to the next in the series.
I really appreciated the interaction between Fane and Nell Blackwood. There is an intelligent friendship in the making. No spoilers to say that the mechanics of the alleged accident were explored in an understandable way. Highly recommended, and I look forward to the next in the series.
March 21, 2026
A wonderful read
The story had a quiet melodic rhythm, like a metronome. The crescendo was subtle yet the energy and movement of the plot, and the characters was absorbing. Leaving me feeling satisfyingly delighted and very much looking forward to more.
The story had a quiet melodic rhythm, like a metronome. The crescendo was subtle yet the energy and movement of the plot, and the characters was absorbing. Leaving me feeling satisfyingly delighted and very much looking forward to more.
April 13, 2026
Excellent
Although I cannot say I liked thinking about time not changing thought in regards to women. I suppose because I am a woman of almost 70 and I still have to experience it every day of my life.
Although I cannot say I liked thinking about time not changing thought in regards to women. I suppose because I am a woman of almost 70 and I still have to experience it every day of my life.
April 17, 2026
Interesting
I have to admit I did like this although I did think some of it was a little . . . too much. I loved the ending. Give it a try.
I have to admit I did like this although I did think some of it was a little . . . too much. I loved the ending. Give it a try.
May 9, 2026
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews