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The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald: This year's most thrilling historical mystery … by the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Betrayal of Thomas True
Not yet published
Expected 8 Oct 26Set in wartime London and based on a true story, Everest Macdonald investigates the murder of her uncle, the actor William Terriss. A riveting, dark historical mystery from Sunday Times bestselling author A.J. West.
1915, Surrey. As the Great War rages on the continent, Everest Macdonald, wife and mother, is summoned to her father's deathbed and entrusted with a final urgent she must uncover the truth behind the murder of her uncle, the celebrated Victorian actor William Terriss, a crime that has haunted her family for decades.
In 1897, Terriss was stabbed to death outside London's Adelphi Theatre, a killing that shocked Victorian society. The murderer was swiftly arrested and confined to Broadmoor, the case declared closed. Yet years later, a sealed package of evidence passed to Everest by her dying father casts doubt on the official verdict and the haste with which it was reached.
Drawn back to wartime London, with her husband and children left behind, Everest begins her investigation, following a trail that leads her into the world of late-Victorian theatre, where fame and fortune mask obsession, envy and cruelty. With time running out and her father's strength failing, Everest must uncover what really happened on the night Terriss died, and shed light on the unsettling legacy he left behind.
Based on an extraordinary true story, The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald is a dark, atmospheric historical mystery and a compelling adventure, as an unlikely investigator risks everything to pursue one of the most notorious killings of the Victorian stage.
1915, Surrey. As the Great War rages on the continent, Everest Macdonald, wife and mother, is summoned to her father's deathbed and entrusted with a final urgent she must uncover the truth behind the murder of her uncle, the celebrated Victorian actor William Terriss, a crime that has haunted her family for decades.
In 1897, Terriss was stabbed to death outside London's Adelphi Theatre, a killing that shocked Victorian society. The murderer was swiftly arrested and confined to Broadmoor, the case declared closed. Yet years later, a sealed package of evidence passed to Everest by her dying father casts doubt on the official verdict and the haste with which it was reached.
Drawn back to wartime London, with her husband and children left behind, Everest begins her investigation, following a trail that leads her into the world of late-Victorian theatre, where fame and fortune mask obsession, envy and cruelty. With time running out and her father's strength failing, Everest must uncover what really happened on the night Terriss died, and shed light on the unsettling legacy he left behind.
Based on an extraordinary true story, The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald is a dark, atmospheric historical mystery and a compelling adventure, as an unlikely investigator risks everything to pursue one of the most notorious killings of the Victorian stage.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 8, 2026
About the author
A.J. West
4 books238 followersA.J. West was a particularly shy boy at school, hiding away from other children with only his books for friends. Thus, he discovered the magic of ink on paper and fell in love with gothic tales of fear and fun, danger and mystery. A keen people-watcher and incorrigible eavesdropper, he grew up to study English Literature at university, before embarking on an award-winning career as a television and radio journalist. Later, he worked in the LGBTQ+ charity sector before leaving to pursue his writing career. He is married to Nicholas Robinson who gained fame as William Beech in BAFTA award winning Goodnight Mr Tom.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 23, 2026
AJ West is a fantastic historian so historical fiction must feel so natural for him to write. As a reader it certainly feels like he’s mastered his craft. The Betrayal of Thomas True is one of my favourites so I was excited to begin this new story.
I enjoyed seeing AJ West try his hand at a new story perspective by telling this story from a female protagonist this time. He has captured Everest so fantastically and she’s brilliant to follow as she turns into an amateur detective!
Theres a superb cast throughout this mystery who Everest encounters along the way. There’s suspicious suspects, untrustworthy witnesses, relatives and cast members. They all contribute to the story fanatically and you’ll get no spoilers from me as to who to watch!!
I really love how the dialogue is written and consistently stays inkeeping with that era. Knowing how much AJ relishes history, I could just imagine how much fun he had writing these conversations and confrontations. You really feel like you’re early 1900’s when reading these characters interacting.
The story has deliciously dark streaks - Revelations of eyes being speared out, throats ripped out, decapitation… and of course the murder that drives the story.
The author also has some tongue in cheek fun throughout bringing some brilliant humour in part, either through dialogue or inuendo. This particular line made me cackle: “40 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴!” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯.
I ploughed through the final 60 pages of this book as I was unable to put this down! It’s so brilliantly dramatic and theatrical as the story reaches its climax. I was utterly addicted. I gasped in shock (playing into the theatrics!!) as the mystery unraveled in those final chapters and it played out so brilliantly. The storytelling was AJ West at his finest.
I enjoyed seeing AJ West try his hand at a new story perspective by telling this story from a female protagonist this time. He has captured Everest so fantastically and she’s brilliant to follow as she turns into an amateur detective!
Theres a superb cast throughout this mystery who Everest encounters along the way. There’s suspicious suspects, untrustworthy witnesses, relatives and cast members. They all contribute to the story fanatically and you’ll get no spoilers from me as to who to watch!!
I really love how the dialogue is written and consistently stays inkeeping with that era. Knowing how much AJ relishes history, I could just imagine how much fun he had writing these conversations and confrontations. You really feel like you’re early 1900’s when reading these characters interacting.
The story has deliciously dark streaks - Revelations of eyes being speared out, throats ripped out, decapitation… and of course the murder that drives the story.
The author also has some tongue in cheek fun throughout bringing some brilliant humour in part, either through dialogue or inuendo. This particular line made me cackle: “40 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵. 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦. 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴!” 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯.
I ploughed through the final 60 pages of this book as I was unable to put this down! It’s so brilliantly dramatic and theatrical as the story reaches its climax. I was utterly addicted. I gasped in shock (playing into the theatrics!!) as the mystery unraveled in those final chapters and it played out so brilliantly. The storytelling was AJ West at his finest.
July 1, 2026
I was lucky enough to be gifted a copy of this novel by the author last month, ahead of its expected publication in October 2026, and I wanted to dive straight into it.
There’s already plenty of information online about the book’s premise, so I won’t spend too much time repeating it. Essentially, the story begins with the real-life murder of the famous actor William Terriss outside the Adelphi Theatre in Covent Garden in 1897. Another actor, known as "Mad Archie", was arrested and committed to Broadmoor for the crime.
That part is true and really happened, and there are countless articles detailing the events of that night and the aftermath. I found myself disappearing down several fascinating online rabbit holes while reading, which only added to the experience.
Another real historical detail is that William had a niece called Everest. However, that is where the factual elements end, and the rest of the story is wonderfully imagined by the author.
Everest’s father (TH) is determined to discover what really happened on the night of his brother’s death, and Everest takes it upon herself to uncover the truth.
Along the way, she encounters a host of memorable characters and uncovers hidden clues that have been carefully scattered throughout the story, rather like Hansel and Gretel following a trail of breadcrumbs.
The first 150 pages are very much about setting the scene, building the characters, and gathering those all-important breadcrumbs of evidence. But then the story truly comes alive in the final 90 to 50 pages. Everything suddenly clicks into place, and you're left absolutely speechless.
There are twists and turns at every opportunity, making every page exciting. I constantly wanted to keep reading just to find out where it was all leading and how everything would finally make sense.
As a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland, I couldn't help but notice a subtle Alice-like quality to the novel. I think it was the wonderfully eccentric characters Everest meets along the way, much like Alice encounters on her own journey. There was also a touch of Miss Marple about Everest herself—a proper sleuth in her tweed, brogues and bow tie, and she's impossible not to love.
The book also appealed to my love of all things bohemian and flamboyant, as well as my passion for the theatre and theatrical folk. I absolutely lapped it all up and happily immersed myself in the wonder of this beautifully imagined story.
July 4, 2026
For once, I don’t know how to start my review. I’m kind of speechless. In a good way. ‘The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald’ by A.J. West has completely blown me away. I’m going to do my very best to honour this masterpiece of a book with a spoiler-free review that reflects just how much I loved this book.
Firstly, let it be known that Everest MacDonald is officially one of my favourite protagonists EVER. She’s strong, she’s sassy, she doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and she’s just an all around incredible woman who will stop at nothing to get results.
The book is inspired by the real-life murder of William Terriss who was murdered at the back of the Adelphi Theatre in London in 1897. Full disclosure – I had never heard about this, so I did some amateur sleuthing myself before diving in. And by amateur sleuthing I do, of course, mean a quick google search. I was hooked from the very first pages. The book is so beautifully and intricately written, it’s full of heart and the amount of hard work and research that has gone into it is clear to see, and Mr West, I am glad to say that it has paid off. It’s brilliant!
I could have easily devoured this book in one sitting, but I purposely made myself savour it throughout the week because, quite simply, I didn’t want it to end. I adored all the nods to writers of old. The Peter Pan reference, and I especially loved the descriptions of old London. I didn’t appreciate the reminder of just how many steps there are at Covent Garden tube station. I used to get off at Holborn and walk after making that mistake only once!
All in all, ‘The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald’ is a thrilling historical mystery set in wartime London which I absolutely could not put down. It kept me on the hook from page one all the way until the conclusion. Thanks to creative licence, it’s got some twists and turns which left me with my jaw on the floor. It was absolutely brilliant.
Thanks so much to Orenda for passing your deadly inheritance onto me. I received it gratefully and loved every moment! ‘The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald’ is released 8th October and I urge you to get your pre-orders in immediately!
Firstly, let it be known that Everest MacDonald is officially one of my favourite protagonists EVER. She’s strong, she’s sassy, she doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and she’s just an all around incredible woman who will stop at nothing to get results.
The book is inspired by the real-life murder of William Terriss who was murdered at the back of the Adelphi Theatre in London in 1897. Full disclosure – I had never heard about this, so I did some amateur sleuthing myself before diving in. And by amateur sleuthing I do, of course, mean a quick google search. I was hooked from the very first pages. The book is so beautifully and intricately written, it’s full of heart and the amount of hard work and research that has gone into it is clear to see, and Mr West, I am glad to say that it has paid off. It’s brilliant!
I could have easily devoured this book in one sitting, but I purposely made myself savour it throughout the week because, quite simply, I didn’t want it to end. I adored all the nods to writers of old. The Peter Pan reference, and I especially loved the descriptions of old London. I didn’t appreciate the reminder of just how many steps there are at Covent Garden tube station. I used to get off at Holborn and walk after making that mistake only once!
All in all, ‘The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald’ is a thrilling historical mystery set in wartime London which I absolutely could not put down. It kept me on the hook from page one all the way until the conclusion. Thanks to creative licence, it’s got some twists and turns which left me with my jaw on the floor. It was absolutely brilliant.
Thanks so much to Orenda for passing your deadly inheritance onto me. I received it gratefully and loved every moment! ‘The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald’ is released 8th October and I urge you to get your pre-orders in immediately!
September 26, 2026
I loved this book! I have read everything this author has written, and each year his newest book becomes my top read of the year, well this will take a lot to beat to be my top read of 2026!
Once I started I struggled to put it down, I loved Everest! She is one FMC, and the whole murder mystery plot she’s investigating is thrilling and riveting. Chapters were relatively short and I loved the jump between present day with Everest, her aunt’s diary entries, and her father’s memoir passages. The twists and turns were just splendid!
Once I started I struggled to put it down, I loved Everest! She is one FMC, and the whole murder mystery plot she’s investigating is thrilling and riveting. Chapters were relatively short and I loved the jump between present day with Everest, her aunt’s diary entries, and her father’s memoir passages. The twists and turns were just splendid!
July 9, 2026
Firstly I would like to thank the author, A.J. West and his publisher, Orenda Books, for sending me an early proof copy to read and review ahead of its publication on the 8th of October.
This book is absolutely stunning. Beautifully written and weaving together a historical story with elements of fiction and a dash of creative license.
On the 16th of December 1897 world famous stage actor, William Terriss, was stabbed to death outside the stage doors of the Adelphi Theatre in London’s famed West End. He was killed by fellow actor, Richard Archer Prince. Relations between the two were strained with reports of quarrels in the days leading up to the murder. Prince was apprehended fairly quickly after the killing took place. He is reported to have said at the time of his capture "I did it for revenge. He had kept me out of employment for ten years, and I had either to die in the street or kill him." He was tried and sentenced to life at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum (Broadmoor Hospital today) He remained there until his own death of natural causes in 1937 at the age of 79.
William Terriss’s ghost is said to haunt the Adelphi Theatre to this day. His spirit has also been reported in and around the Covent Garden Underground Station.
Quite the basis for a historical murder mystery…
Enter center stage our heroine, Everest MacDonald along with her trusty carpet bag full of papers, sandwiches and all the possibles a lady could need! We meet her in wartime London in 1917. The 20th anniversary of Mr Terriss’s death is fast approaching. She is the niece of the murdered stage actor and has been summoned to her father’s deathbed because he has a final dying wish… To find out once and for all who killed his brother 20 years before and why?
The story moves along at a very enjoyable pace from there and we find out startling information about when Everest’s father, Colonel Lewin, and his brother, William, were much younger men adventuring in India. Tribal curses, jealousies, grievances and characters with a thirst for revenge and family secrets abound in this utterly rollicking and exceptionally clever masterpiece of a novel.
Told through first person narration from Everest herself, diary entries and a few newspaper columns along the way. All the clues are there hidden in plain sight.
A.J. West’s writing is full of poetry, wit, intelligence, heart and so many twists and turns you’ll feel giddy with it. In the best possible way!!
Especially the brilliant, jaw dropping and darkly comic ending. I didn’t see it coming and it was both a shocking, enjoyable and very pertinent way to tie up all the threads we’d been given to allow us to stitch together the clues of this wonderful historical mystery story.
Another reviewer said there was a very Alice in Wonderland quality to the book because of the many wonderful and exuberant characters Everest meets along her fast paced journey to fulfil her father’s dying wish. Alice in Wonderland is my all time favourite book and I hadn’t fully considered this particular likeness but now having done so it has given me an extra level of enjoyment and appreciation of the book, its story and of Everest herself.
The author has woven such a clever and compulsively readable narrative and I’m certain you’ll absolutely love it. If you haven’t read his work before I hope this review will encourage you to preorder this book. (At the time of writing it is yet to be published)I would also highly recommend you pick up his previous books too. 2021’s The Spirit Engineer, 2024’s The Betrayal of Thomas True and his non fiction release in 2026 called How Queer Bookshops Changed the World.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, the Theatre and strong female protagonists, I urge you to read this book as soon as you are able to do so. I’m absolutely certain you will not be disappointed. I certainly have not been!!
This book is absolutely stunning. Beautifully written and weaving together a historical story with elements of fiction and a dash of creative license.
On the 16th of December 1897 world famous stage actor, William Terriss, was stabbed to death outside the stage doors of the Adelphi Theatre in London’s famed West End. He was killed by fellow actor, Richard Archer Prince. Relations between the two were strained with reports of quarrels in the days leading up to the murder. Prince was apprehended fairly quickly after the killing took place. He is reported to have said at the time of his capture "I did it for revenge. He had kept me out of employment for ten years, and I had either to die in the street or kill him." He was tried and sentenced to life at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum (Broadmoor Hospital today) He remained there until his own death of natural causes in 1937 at the age of 79.
William Terriss’s ghost is said to haunt the Adelphi Theatre to this day. His spirit has also been reported in and around the Covent Garden Underground Station.
Quite the basis for a historical murder mystery…
Enter center stage our heroine, Everest MacDonald along with her trusty carpet bag full of papers, sandwiches and all the possibles a lady could need! We meet her in wartime London in 1917. The 20th anniversary of Mr Terriss’s death is fast approaching. She is the niece of the murdered stage actor and has been summoned to her father’s deathbed because he has a final dying wish… To find out once and for all who killed his brother 20 years before and why?
The story moves along at a very enjoyable pace from there and we find out startling information about when Everest’s father, Colonel Lewin, and his brother, William, were much younger men adventuring in India. Tribal curses, jealousies, grievances and characters with a thirst for revenge and family secrets abound in this utterly rollicking and exceptionally clever masterpiece of a novel.
Told through first person narration from Everest herself, diary entries and a few newspaper columns along the way. All the clues are there hidden in plain sight.
A.J. West’s writing is full of poetry, wit, intelligence, heart and so many twists and turns you’ll feel giddy with it. In the best possible way!!
Especially the brilliant, jaw dropping and darkly comic ending. I didn’t see it coming and it was both a shocking, enjoyable and very pertinent way to tie up all the threads we’d been given to allow us to stitch together the clues of this wonderful historical mystery story.
Another reviewer said there was a very Alice in Wonderland quality to the book because of the many wonderful and exuberant characters Everest meets along her fast paced journey to fulfil her father’s dying wish. Alice in Wonderland is my all time favourite book and I hadn’t fully considered this particular likeness but now having done so it has given me an extra level of enjoyment and appreciation of the book, its story and of Everest herself.
The author has woven such a clever and compulsively readable narrative and I’m certain you’ll absolutely love it. If you haven’t read his work before I hope this review will encourage you to preorder this book. (At the time of writing it is yet to be published)I would also highly recommend you pick up his previous books too. 2021’s The Spirit Engineer, 2024’s The Betrayal of Thomas True and his non fiction release in 2026 called How Queer Bookshops Changed the World.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, the Theatre and strong female protagonists, I urge you to read this book as soon as you are able to do so. I’m absolutely certain you will not be disappointed. I certainly have not been!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Insta Book Tours and the publisher Orenda Books for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.
TW: death, murder, institutionalization, mental illness, colonisation, war
Release date: 8th October 2026 (UK)
In 1897 the great theatre actor William Terriss was murdered outside the Adelphi Theatre in London, his killer a fellow actor suffering from severe mental illness . By 1917 his niece Everest Macdonald is tasked by her dying father Colonel Lewin to discover the truth of what really happened the night his brother was killed, passing on a package of evidence from his search over the years. Inside she finds proof that the official speedy verdict may have been wrong. Returning to wartime London and leaving her comfortable family life behind, Everest sets out to fulfill her father’s wish to investigate further, starting with a visit to William’s killer. From there she is drawn into the world of theatre and history where witnesses to the event still perform to huge audiences. With her father’s strength waning and the mystery growing more complex, Everest is caught in a web of fame, fortune, jealousy and betrayal as she tries to uncover the truth and define her uncle’s legacy.
This book is the perfect mixture of historical fiction and mystery, drawing on a real event that shocked the theatre world with an older, female protagonist at the heart. I loved Everest as a character a lot and I enjoyed how much she reminded me of Miss Marple sometimes; she’s determined to honour her father’s wishes and find the truth of her uncle’s murder. One of my favourite aspects was her humorous narration, it really brought a nice break to the drama and twists. Intertwined with Everest’s story is that of her father and uncle in India and her aunt Isobel’s experiences in her early years married to William. These were some of my favourite parts of the story and made William into such a rounded and real figure, which is unique in that he’s been dead for nearly twenty years. I also liked how this book dealt with mental illness, fame, indigenous beliefs and the concepts of revenge, legacy and justice. The meticulous research that’s gone into this book is so impressive, you genuinely feel as if you’re travelling through London with Everest as she’s working on the mystery or travelling through India with her father in his younger time. I raced through this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next, I can’t wait for more people to read it! It also sent me into a research spiral after I finished reading!
TW: death, murder, institutionalization, mental illness, colonisation, war
Release date: 8th October 2026 (UK)
In 1897 the great theatre actor William Terriss was murdered outside the Adelphi Theatre in London, his killer a fellow actor suffering from severe mental illness . By 1917 his niece Everest Macdonald is tasked by her dying father Colonel Lewin to discover the truth of what really happened the night his brother was killed, passing on a package of evidence from his search over the years. Inside she finds proof that the official speedy verdict may have been wrong. Returning to wartime London and leaving her comfortable family life behind, Everest sets out to fulfill her father’s wish to investigate further, starting with a visit to William’s killer. From there she is drawn into the world of theatre and history where witnesses to the event still perform to huge audiences. With her father’s strength waning and the mystery growing more complex, Everest is caught in a web of fame, fortune, jealousy and betrayal as she tries to uncover the truth and define her uncle’s legacy.
This book is the perfect mixture of historical fiction and mystery, drawing on a real event that shocked the theatre world with an older, female protagonist at the heart. I loved Everest as a character a lot and I enjoyed how much she reminded me of Miss Marple sometimes; she’s determined to honour her father’s wishes and find the truth of her uncle’s murder. One of my favourite aspects was her humorous narration, it really brought a nice break to the drama and twists. Intertwined with Everest’s story is that of her father and uncle in India and her aunt Isobel’s experiences in her early years married to William. These were some of my favourite parts of the story and made William into such a rounded and real figure, which is unique in that he’s been dead for nearly twenty years. I also liked how this book dealt with mental illness, fame, indigenous beliefs and the concepts of revenge, legacy and justice. The meticulous research that’s gone into this book is so impressive, you genuinely feel as if you’re travelling through London with Everest as she’s working on the mystery or travelling through India with her father in his younger time. I raced through this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next, I can’t wait for more people to read it! It also sent me into a research spiral after I finished reading!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was absolutely mind-blowing. It had betrayal, murder, secrets and a really great murderous plot. I loved how this was AJs first story writing with a female lead character and he did it so perfectly in my opinion.
This historical murder mystery was engaging and I honestly didn't want to stop reading. I felt like I was right there with Everest having a cup of tea and talking through the evidence with Clare. It was such a well thought out and compelling story, that I still can't believe most of it was true. Please make sure to read the Authors Note for the facts!
I felt for Everest, loosing her father slowly from illness while trying to investigate her uncles murder must have taken its toll on her. She was a brave, take no nonsense type woman and I loved her, her sarcasm and dry humour was perfectly placed and she really felt alive to me.
Clare had it very hard, she was just a girl trying to find her family which was really sad. The fact that she couldn't just be herself was heartbreaking.
Isabels story was devastating and was told through diary entries from the past. After everything she went through for William, for her to still be fiercely loyal and love him was astonishing. She put up with so much deceit and lies from him I honestly felt really upset for her.
I really liked how we got to see Colonel Lewins earlier years aswell. The diary entries from the chittagong hills was so interesting and I was looking forward to the next one. He went through alot aswell, especially with Dari.
I highly recommend this book, it is an amazing read and the characters are written so in depth that you can't help but want to read their stories.
This historical murder mystery was engaging and I honestly didn't want to stop reading. I felt like I was right there with Everest having a cup of tea and talking through the evidence with Clare. It was such a well thought out and compelling story, that I still can't believe most of it was true. Please make sure to read the Authors Note for the facts!
I felt for Everest, loosing her father slowly from illness while trying to investigate her uncles murder must have taken its toll on her. She was a brave, take no nonsense type woman and I loved her, her sarcasm and dry humour was perfectly placed and she really felt alive to me.
Clare had it very hard, she was just a girl trying to find her family which was really sad. The fact that she couldn't just be herself was heartbreaking.
Isabels story was devastating and was told through diary entries from the past. After everything she went through for William, for her to still be fiercely loyal and love him was astonishing. She put up with so much deceit and lies from him I honestly felt really upset for her.
I really liked how we got to see Colonel Lewins earlier years aswell. The diary entries from the chittagong hills was so interesting and I was looking forward to the next one. He went through alot aswell, especially with Dari.
I highly recommend this book, it is an amazing read and the characters are written so in depth that you can't help but want to read their stories.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a joy to read from first to last, an outstanding piece of historical crime fiction, the narrative throughout is so rich and vivid, it’s like Turner creating one of his masterpieces on canvas, only here AJ West is creating the same on paper. Prepare to meet Everest MacDonald
Based on true events, the book is one which builds in intensity, the opening pages set the scene and give you a real feel for the characters. No plot spoilers here you need to read this for yourself to understand the full majesty of the storytelling.
AJ West has this ability to create characters that come at you not only fully formed but that fit the period and who you can picture in your mind. Then you have a plot superbly crafted to guarantee an absorbing read.
There is a darkness to the novel which plays well into the period, however, undercutting this you Everest MacDonald whose light shines brightly.
Everest is not your normal sleuth, she may seem to be a a Marple type but she is far more feisty, strong willed with a determination to seek the truth armed with her trusty carpet bag can see find the truth behind her Uncles murder.
The writing transported me back in time and left me feeling as though I was actually witnessing the action, the landscape and the period in which the book is set so beautifully descriptive, you get real feel for the streets of London. You can see that a lot of research has gone into getting the facts right and with historical fiction that matters in creating a level of authenticity that the books demands.
The dual time lines played out so well against each other giving the reader a sense of the characters behaviour, then you have the doubt that the author is able to inject into the characters, combine this with the twists and turns injected into the narrative so as to keep you guessing as to the outcome and you have the perfect mystery.
The backdrop setting against the theatre played really well, creating a dramatic effect for the characters to play out each scene, the book is wonderfully evocative, with a real atmospheric feel.
I find it really intersting the way the author can take actual events and then weave an intense narrative around this creating a hugely engaging read. The way that he almost leaves a bread trail of clues throughout the book for Everest to unravel.
A fascinating and compelling historical mystery, a powerful and poetic read had me absorbed from first to last.
A book and a story which I highly recommend.
Based on true events, the book is one which builds in intensity, the opening pages set the scene and give you a real feel for the characters. No plot spoilers here you need to read this for yourself to understand the full majesty of the storytelling.
AJ West has this ability to create characters that come at you not only fully formed but that fit the period and who you can picture in your mind. Then you have a plot superbly crafted to guarantee an absorbing read.
There is a darkness to the novel which plays well into the period, however, undercutting this you Everest MacDonald whose light shines brightly.
Everest is not your normal sleuth, she may seem to be a a Marple type but she is far more feisty, strong willed with a determination to seek the truth armed with her trusty carpet bag can see find the truth behind her Uncles murder.
The writing transported me back in time and left me feeling as though I was actually witnessing the action, the landscape and the period in which the book is set so beautifully descriptive, you get real feel for the streets of London. You can see that a lot of research has gone into getting the facts right and with historical fiction that matters in creating a level of authenticity that the books demands.
The dual time lines played out so well against each other giving the reader a sense of the characters behaviour, then you have the doubt that the author is able to inject into the characters, combine this with the twists and turns injected into the narrative so as to keep you guessing as to the outcome and you have the perfect mystery.
The backdrop setting against the theatre played really well, creating a dramatic effect for the characters to play out each scene, the book is wonderfully evocative, with a real atmospheric feel.
I find it really intersting the way the author can take actual events and then weave an intense narrative around this creating a hugely engaging read. The way that he almost leaves a bread trail of clues throughout the book for Everest to unravel.
A fascinating and compelling historical mystery, a powerful and poetic read had me absorbed from first to last.
A book and a story which I highly recommend.
July 19, 2026
A.J. West has an incredible knack for writing historical fiction which comes to life in both gritty setting and fully rounded cast. It makes me wonder if he is actually a time traveler - because that’s how it feels when reading this. The Deadly Inheritance of Everest MacDonald is no exception to his mastery.
A sweeping Murder Mystery in the heart of London’s gas-lit Theatreland with the courageous Everest on the case and certainly in the driving seat.
With unexpected dark and delicious supernatural moments this mystery has everything you could want on a cold winters night.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this.
A sweeping Murder Mystery in the heart of London’s gas-lit Theatreland with the courageous Everest on the case and certainly in the driving seat.
With unexpected dark and delicious supernatural moments this mystery has everything you could want on a cold winters night.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a proof copy of this.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I enjoyed this book so much!
Everest Macdonald is a brilliant character. She’s determined to succeed and when given an inheritance and a problem to solve she sets the wheels in motion.
You can tell just how much research went into writing this book which is based on the real life murder of William Teriss in 1897. The story started with a diary page and evolved into so much more. The atmosphere conjured up takes any reader right back to the 19th century and I was immersed in this world and didn’t want to get out.
It made me laugh - Everest and the things she said, also made me cry - at Isabel who had the biggest heart. And as for William I’m not sure how he made me feel. Angry at times!
Oh and the crocodile is a big character too….
Everest Macdonald is a brilliant character. She’s determined to succeed and when given an inheritance and a problem to solve she sets the wheels in motion.
You can tell just how much research went into writing this book which is based on the real life murder of William Teriss in 1897. The story started with a diary page and evolved into so much more. The atmosphere conjured up takes any reader right back to the 19th century and I was immersed in this world and didn’t want to get out.
It made me laugh - Everest and the things she said, also made me cry - at Isabel who had the biggest heart. And as for William I’m not sure how he made me feel. Angry at times!
Oh and the crocodile is a big character too….
Review of advance copy received from Author
Prepare to fall in love with Everest Macdonald! My favourite character of the year. Review to follow.
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September 30, 2026Absolutely bloody brilliant. Hiding my star rating and full thoughts until review day.
This book was an adventure and then some
This book was an adventure and then some
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