The Sculthorpe Murder

Detective Lavender Mysteries #3

by Karen Charlton

Northamptonshire, 1810: As a new canal network snakes across the landscape, a vicious mob stakes its claim to the county. Every local constable is out on the hunt for the ruthless Panther Gang. When an elderly man is robbed and murdered in sleepy Middleton, the beleaguered magistrates send for help from London’s Bow Street Police Office.

Detective Stephen Lavender and Constable Ned Woods soon discover there’s more to William Sculthorpe’s demise than meets the eye. Mystery surrounds the old man and his family, and the stench of revenge hangs heavy in the air. Are the Panther Gang really responsible or is something more sinister afoot? As Lavender delves further into long-hidden secrets, Woods has demons of his own to contend with: ghosts from his past that stalk him through the investigation.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Audiobook, Crime

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2016

About the author

Karen Charlton is an international best-selling author of historical crime fiction.

Her Detective Lavender Mysteries are based on the fictional adventures of Stephen Lavender, a real-life detective with the Bow Street Police Office in London.

Her brand new series, The York Ladies' Detective Agency Mysteries, feature a couple of enterprising young women, Jemma and Bobbie, who launch a private inquiry agency in York during WW2.

​​Her standalone, debut novel Catching the Eagle is the true story of her notorious ancestor, Jamie Charlton, who was convicted of Northumberland's biggest robbery.

Find out more about Karen's work at http://www.karencharlton.com

Reviews

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third in the series that I have read in order. I have liked each one less than the last. I am in the minority here. I found the first half of the book to move at a glacial pace laying out the crimes and suspects. I started skimming at the 40% mark. The later part of the book tying all the clues together and solving the mystery was a 4* but could not save it from the 2* first half. I probably will continue with the series at a later time but am moving on to other series now.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very impressive sequel is the 3rd volume of "The Detective Lavender Mystery" series from the wonderful author, Karen Charlton.

At the end of the book you'll find a very well documented Author's Note, where the historical details concerning this story are superbly explained, and these details are again beautifully implemented within this great mystery.

Story-telling from this author is once more of a superb quality, the mystery itself is fabulously structured and executed, all the characters, great historical or wonderful fictional, come vividly to life within this exciting mystery, while also the atmosphere within these historical times comes beautifully off the pages.

This mystery sets off 20th February, AD 1810, in Middleton in Northamptonshire, when Billy Sculthorpe is witness of a burglary in his father's house, not knowing that his elderly father has already been murdered.

As from the beginning of March, AD 1810, Detective Stephen Lavender and his friend, Constable Ned Woods, arrive in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, which is close to Middleton, where they are instructed by Magistrate, Captain Rushperry, to investigate the murder of the elderly, William Sculthorpe.

While investigating this murder they will encounter hostility and deception from various people, and not to forget this murder will contain not just an interesting plot but also some well worked-out sub-plots, and all these plots together will produce a great mystery.

What will follow is an intriguing and gripping historical mystery, where Lavender needs to go in search of William Sculthorpe's secret life as a Catholic priest, while Woods has demons of his own from the past that need solving, until finally together they will be able to unravel the threads of this web of murder and deceit, and catch and reveal the culprit(s) of this same dreadful murder.

Very much recommended, for this is another excellent episode in this great series, and that's why I want to call this book: "A Sublime Sculthorpe Murder Mystery"!

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real Rating: 2.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Northamptonshire, 1810: As a new canal network snakes across the landscape, a vicious mob stakes its claim to the county. Every local constable is out on the hunt for the ruthless Panther Gang. When an elderly man is robbed and murdered in sleepy Middleton, the beleaguered magistrates send for help from London’s Bow Street Police Office.

Detective Stephen Lavender and Constable Ned Woods soon discover there’s more to William Sculthorpe’s demise than meets the eye. Mystery surrounds the old man and his family, and the stench of revenge hangs heavy in the air. Are the Panther Gang really responsible or is something more sinister afoot? As Lavender delves further into long-hidden secrets, Woods has demons of his own to contend with: ghosts from his past that stalk him through the investigation.

Uncovering decades of simmering hatred and deceit, Lavender and Woods must use all their wit and cunning to solve this evil crime.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.

My Review: I tapped out at "'But did he drink brandy every night?' Woods remembered the poisonous concoction of brandy and ink cap mushrooms Sculthorpe had taken on the night he died." in chapter 13, because it was the last clumsy, awkward straw on my readerly back.

It's not awful, not incompetent, not any terrible thing; it's just not any very good thing either.

Thomas & Mercer needs $15.95 to give you a paperback. YMMV as to style/mood/tolerance level.

[J.A. Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant thriller! It is 1810 in Northamptonshire, England. A new canal is being dug, a vicious mob stakes its claim to the area, and an elderly man is murdered. Did the frightening Panther Gang do it? Enter Detective Stephen Lavender and Constable Ned Woods, who discover that there's more to William Sculthorpe's murder than meets the eye. Something more sinister surrounds old Mr Sculthorpe and his family. Lavender digs deeper into the family's secrets while Constable Woods struggles with his own demons throughout the investigation. This was a fabulous read, I loved it! Loved Detective Lavender, loved also the geographical and superb descriptions. As an American, this was a wonderful period in English history to read about. My thanks and appreciation to the author, Karen Charlton. Five Stars!

[Kiesha ~ Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! This was a great way for the author to bounce back after book 2's disaster for me. Less romance and more of Lavender and Woods. Can I just say how much I love Constable Woods? I like Lavender too but something about Woods just makes me smile. There were so much going on in this little sleepy town. So many secrets, mystery and obviously murder. Some of the secrets/mystery were obvious for me but I wanted to know the history and how would it come about. I hope that she continues with this series.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable series this was a very good read and I like


the way the story came together at the end.

[Claire Stibbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sculthorpe Murder is the third book in the Detective Lavender Mysteries, although each book can easily be read as a standalone. Giving a nod to the Bow Street Police Office in London, Charlton’s writing is strong, bringing Regency London to life. Lavender and Woods are not just Bow Street detectives, they have become unique and appealing characters we know and love. I can’t help but champ at the bit for another book in the series.

Captain Rushperry of Market Harborough has written to Magistrate Read in London to send his best assistance in the brutal attack on old man William Sculthorpe. By the time Lavender and Woods arrive on the scene, the mystery has quickly turned into a murder investigation. Since there are known gangs terrorizing a nearby area and who have already robbed a local couple, it is generally assumed this gang is responsible for Sculthorpe’s death.

Already motivated by this eerie crime, my nose was twitching at the roasting meat and coal fires in the square at Market Harborough. Woods with his insatiable appetite for good food and Lavender’s cynical thoughts, not to mention his remarkable powers of detection, which ultimately lead me through a sea of local characters I thoroughly enjoyed meeting. Charlton is excellent at crafting well-paced, exciting action sequences, all laced with the accents of the Regency period. I always get a kick out of the relationship between Woods and Lavender, these are just one of the many aspects of this outstanding novel.

There are several fascinating threads of history throughout the book, as well as a beautiful descriptions. Never a dull moment as I tried to solve the crime together with Lavender and Woods. Every time I thought I’d clinched it, along came another surprise and the dramatic conclusion had me on the edge of my seat. Maintaining the flavor of the period throughout, Charlton has crafted a wonderful series that any lover of historical fiction will delight in reading. Thank you to Netgalley and TBC on FB for the ARC.

[JayeL]

One of the things I like about historical fiction is that it forces me to look up obscure words, mentions of places and people. I enjoyed this novel. It was a good diversion. One of the things I am really enjoying about Karen Charlton is the "Author's Note" she includes at the end of each story. It appears that Stephen Lavender was a real person and Charlton based her character on him. These give explanations and insights into the writing of her novel and are entertaining as well.

The book starts out with the, apparently, brutal murder of William Sculthorpe and the, equally brutal, attack on his son. As we dig into the case with Lavender and Woods, we find, as is usual in life, that everything was not as it appeared. Religion, specifically Catholicism, rears its ahead again as does blackmail, 'cretinism', and an old lady acting as puppet master (puppet mistress?).

In this installment, we get a bit more of Ned's backstory, which adds an additional layer to the entire series. Ethical dilemmas are introduced. Both Lavender and Ned need to make choices that go to the core of their careers. I was entertained by some of the names, such as Sculthorpe and Caleb Liquorice. The language is also quite colorful with Ned calling young ladies 'treacle' as an endearment, and, in other circumstances using "Gawd's Teeth" as an oath. He also calls people 'fathead' including Stephen.

This is worth a read, but read the first books in the series to get the whole backstory.

2018: I am reading this book again after finding out that the next in the series, Plague Pits & River Bones was available. I wanted to remember what came before so I wouldn't miss any of the details. I find that 1810 is a very dark feeling year. Yes, there was no electricity or artificial light sources, but people seem grimy, the houses are pokey and small, the people are small and hunched and fearful. There is an overall feeling of darkness. Of course, this could come from the fact that this is a murder mystery.

I like to create connections between books - kind of building a world of the books. In that sense, this book mentioned Colodan, which made me think of Outlander and made me put a note on my list to look up the dates of that battle and see how it is related. There was also mention of hangings at Tyburn, which brought Lady Ty and the River of London series by Ben Aaronovich to mind.

2024: After not having read this book for 6 years, I didn't remember any of the plot and it didn't come to mind as I read. The author's note is particularly useful in this book as it really gives a lot of backstory to the plot of the book.

This was interesting again. I remembered some of the details and Jed Sawyer was suspicious to me, but I didn't remember the why. Tt was worth revisiting.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book took some time for me to get into, but to be fair, I haven't read the previous books in the series yet.

I really liked the plot once it got going, and the various twists I did not see coming. At times, the characters did feel very wooden to me.

[Skjam! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a Kindle download of this book as a Goodreads giveaway for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was offered or requested.

The year is 1810, and Bow Street Runner Detective Stephen Lavender has been called from his native London to Northamptonshire. It seems that an elderly man, William Sculthorpe, has been robbed and murdered. The most likely suspects are a gang known as the Panthers, whom the local authorities have been unable to put their hands upon. But when Lavender and his friend Horse Constable Ned Woods investigate at the request of a wealthy noblewoman, they find clues that suggest otherwise. Most notably, the testimony of Sculthorpe’s son Billy who actually saw the murderers. But he’s an unreliable witness who talks about “dark elves”, so has been mostly ignored.

This is the third Detective Lavender mystery, and I have not read the previous volumes. According to the author’s notes, her main character is loosely based on the life and activities of a real Stephen Lavender, who was an officer of the Bow Street magistrates. Likewise, this book’s case is based on one Mr. Lavender actually solved, though Ms. Charlton took liberties with even the bare bones account provided by historical records.

Billy Sculthorpe has Down syndrome (called “cretinism” in the story because Dr. Down hadn’t even been born yet, let alone started studying the condition.) Lavender quickly realizes that despite his moderate mental disability, and a vivid imagination fed by spooky stories his recently deceased Mum had told him, Billy is a talented artist and has a good memory. Billy’s testimony leads the detectives to discover clues about William Sculthorpe’s actual past and other possible motivations for his murder.

The sleepy village of Middleton and its surroundings turn out to have many dark secrets that get turned up by the murder investigation, multiplying the number of suspects. There are even ties back to London, which allows Lavender’s love interest Magdalena and other city-bound characters to make an appearance. Meanwhile, Constable Woods finds his own past catching up with him.

As often happens with historical mysteries, Stephen Lavender as the protagonist is perhaps just a little too enlightened for the times he’s living in, believing in religious tolerance and treating the women in his life with respect for their intelligence and opinions. Woods is a bit more believable as a person of the early Nineteenth Century, but not so much so as to make him unsympathetic.

I found the solution to the mystery satisfying; genre-savvy readers will spot one of the murderers very early on, and clues as to how it was done are abundant. Much of the last part of the book is Detective Lavender negotiating just how many of the crimes he’s uncovered must come to light, and which must face justice of a more subtle sort.

Possible trigger issues: There’s some discussion of spousal abuse and animal abuse in the backstory, including the fact that it was even more difficult to get out of an abusive marriage in the Eighteenth Century than it is today. There are some slurs hurled by less sympathetic characters towards Billy because of his condition, a bit of slut-shaming, and anti-Catholic slurs.

Recommended to fans of the historical mystery sub-genre.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent thriller! This series is actually based on a real person and his cases during his career at Bow Street. Yes, there is some poetic license taken, but the bones of the case, the methods used, etc. are true to the actual cases. This specific case is loosely based on a case in 1818 when a gang of robbers burst into the home of elderly William Sculthorpe and robbed and viciously assaulted him and his son. The real Stephen Lavender was called to investigate the attack.

You won't believe how many scallywags there are in this one small little town -- including the victim himself! There are lots of twists and turns and red herrings thrown at you, but if you pay attention as you read, you can figure out who the bad guys are, but it is always interesting to see how Lavender catches them.

His moral dilemmas at the end are interesting. Lavender is a bit of a nerd -- very cerebral and doesn't interact really well with people, so you could see him going either way on those. You're pretty sure which way he'll end up going, but -- well -- it could be either way.

I like the Lavender/Woods relationship. Woods is a very affable, good natured man and makes Lavender a little more human.

Anyway -- they are good books and I'm looking forward to the next one. BTW -- I got this one for my e-reader and got the Whispersync to go with it -- so, I could read when I wanted and listen when I wanted. I really like that technology!

[Carol Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Sculthorpe Murder so much more than #2 in the series. Lavender and Woods are sent out of London to Northamptonshire to investigate the killing of an elderly man, presumably by a gang that has been terrorizing the area. I like that the trip takes Lavender away from his love interest. I really can only stand them as a couple for short periods of time.

The plot was well-done with a good array of suspects and clues. I like that Lavender doesn’t take things for granted and as an outsider can be more suspicious of certain people than the locals are.
Wood gets a lot of screen time in this one, which I appreciated. He tends to put people, including children at ease. Lavender, on the other hand, tends to make people a bit uncomfortable. He’s the thinker where Woods is the talker. Together they make a good team.

The secondary characters are all a bit shady, actually. Most, if not all, have their secrets, some more criminal than others. I do think the ending was appropriate, although perhaps not in the typical, wrap it up, punish the guilty way.

The Sculthorpe Murder is a solid historical mystery. It feels like the details are well done – whether they actually are or not I can’t judge, I’m assuming they are.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so well-written that even when you're hearing the eBook, the words and writing are what draw you and keep your interest and enjoyment. This time Inspector Lavender is called away from London to investigate, what seems at first, to be a brutal murder of an old man during a robbery and also an attack on his disabled son. Well, forget everything in that last sentence. None of that is true as Inspector Lavender will gradually find out during his investigation. Being out in unfamiliar Northamptonshire and knowing no one in the area makes his task more difficult. Also, being near the new canals and the new rowdy canal boatmen, the murder may be the work of the nasty Panther Gang who have been committing crimes all over the area. Being chased by multiple police forces, the Panther Gang seem impossible to catch. Lavender and Constable Ned Woods have a hard task and don't get a lot of local help. Ned Woods also starts having terrible nightmares of a murder he witnessed as a boy and is almost murdered himself and must come face to face with some demons from his past. Very satisfying mystery, lots of new historical info I didn't already know and a really good, ripping story. Looking forward to the next one.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very clearly in the minority on this one. I found the book interminable. I would dutifully pick up my Kindle every night and become disheartened by the fact I was still less than 50% done with the book. While the second half did move quicker, I found I really didn't care a whole lot. It was not hard figuring out the murderers very early on.
An elderly man is beaten to death in his own home. The only witness his son, who appears to have Down's syndrome. Bow Street detective Stephen Lavender and his sidekick constable Ned Woods are sent to the scene because some suspect it is the work of a gang currently terrorizing the area. Instead, the two Londoner's run into a lot of people with secrets, not the least of which is why the dead man had a small fortune hidden away.
I really like the Lavender and Woods characters, but I continue to find Charlton's writing pedestrian at best and oftentimes just plain clunky. I've now read the first three in the series. I may try one more, but then it may be time to give up this series.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully structured, complex and with a less than classical ending for the genre, this is probably the second best of the ones I’ve read until now in this series.

There is a lot of Wood in this one, and we learn a lot about his life.

There are a lot of greys here, too. A lot of secrets, discussions about abuse and how more difficult was for a woman to escape from an abusing husband at that time and when punishment belongs to the Law and when it belongs to the individual.

The case keeps Lavender away from Magdalena and that was, at least for me, a good thing. Sorry, I’m not very fond of them as a couple *shrugs*

Oh! And I really liked that moment in which Lavender had to talk himself out of jealousy about Woods and his brother *grins*

[Betsy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, lots of subplots!

I am really enjoying this series. Leaving town for a case gives a different viewpoint, but adds so many characters and plot lines. Calling objects by their contemporary to the time names (such as "bath chair") makes it even more realistic. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sculthorpe Murder is book three in the Detective Lavender Mysteries by Karen Charlton. Detective Lavender and his friend Constable Ned Woods caught a case in Middleton, Northamptonshire, of the death of Middleton's residence. At first, everyone through it was the Panther Gang who murdered William Sculthorpe, who is terrorising Northamptonshire. However, the more Detective Lavender and Constable Ned Woods investigate this case, the more the plot thickens. The readers of The Sculthorpe Murder will continue to follow Detective Lavender Mysteries to find out what happens.

The Sculthorpe Murder is another fantastic murder mysteries set in Northamptonshire during the 18OO's. I have read several books in this series, and I always have trouble putting the books down to go to sleep. The Sculthorpe Murder did not disappoint. I love the way Karen Charlton portrayed her characters and intertwined then throughout this book. The Sculthorpe Murder is well written and researched by Karen Charlton. I like the Karen Charlton description of the settings of the Sculthorpe Murder that complement the book's plot.

The Sculthorpe Murder readers will learn about the problems people have in the 1800s who worship catholicism. The readers will also learn about how English society in the 1800s called Down syndrome children and how they treated them.

I recommend this book

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this series after I finished all six books in a row, and it strikes me that this book might be the one I remember the least out of the bunch.
I can't really say why though because... I've forgotten a lot about it already.

Hmm ... I know I enjoyed listening to it though, because the narration is still great, and Lavender and Woods continues to be amusing.
The addition of Magdalena doesn't actually give me much, but it does add to Lavender's character. He's not totally socially inept, unlike Sherlock Holmes, and has actually managed to catch a woman as clever and feisty as she is beautiful (because, of course he has, Lavender more or less turns into "The Perfect Man" through out the series).

After skimming some other reviews and refreshing my memory about the mystery, I realise why I wasn't as invested in it as I could have been. The murder victim was an utter shite and deserved what he got. (Heck yes!)

All the twists and turns and the different family trees were sort of interesting, but as I've noted before, this is almost a cosy mystery. Even if plenty of research went into it, I'm a poor judge.
The author could just as well have made things up to her heart's content and I personally would not have been able to tell much difference on many points.

Enjoyable listen though.

[Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great historical mystery book. The two main characters, Detective Lavender and Constable Woods, are both likable and interesting, and the setting is well captured without reams of unnecessary description. There's a mix of personal story about the main characters alongside whatever crime is the focus of each book in the series, and the two are blended together well without any connections appearing too absurd.

I was glad to find there are plenty more books to come in the series - they're not going to change your world, but they are easy reading with loads of interesting historical details and a solid detective story at the core each time.

[Karren Hodgkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoy the characters and the plot. Recommend for those who enjoy a twisty-turny sort of story! For this one, the protagonist spends most of his time in a different part of England. Who knew just how many secrets could be revealed in just a couple of weeks?

Great insights into this particular period of history - which can be a little grim!

Looks like a great series - onto book 5

[Andrew Foulds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Canals and Beer

Really liked this book, the best so far. Many twists and turns and myriad sub plots kept my interest to the end. Looking forward to the next one now. Although this is a detective Lavender Mystery my favourite character is his sidekick PC Ned Woods a man after my own heart,

[Diane Challenor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is an enjoyable mystery, set in the early 1800s. The period, and place, Britain, within which it is set, conjures up a perfect atmosphere. The story was written in a way that places the reader firmly in the damp, muddy geography, around the rivers, canals and inns. Detective Lavender is an unusual character, along with his sidekick. I’ve given it three stars mainly because it’s not quite the quality of a P.D. James mystery, but it was enjoyable, and I will continue reading (listening to) the series. So far I’ve read four.

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: 4 Stars. I am enjoying this series featuring Bow Street runners set in 1810, England. It’s based on an actual man, a Bow Street’s Detective, Stephen Lavender. At the conclusion of each story, the author includes pertinent notes which enhance my understanding & enjoyment.

1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THIS A LOT; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

Cottington & Middleton, North Hamptonshire, Mar 1810 ~

Dowager Countess, Lady Ann Fitzgerald of Rockingham Castle, has requested Bow Street police to investigate the violent death of an 86 yr old man, and neighbor, inside his home. Was his death random, connected to rumors regarding a large stash of hidden money inside his home, or was he somehow involved in illegal activities?

Bow Street runner Detective Stephen Lavender and his companion Bow Street Horse Patrol Officer Constable Ned Woods begin investigating the death. Although acquainted with the cruelty within London’s slums, the unprecedented violence of the man’s death and the additional secrets Lavender and Woods discover within Middleton’s two neighboring villages unsettles them.
Furthermore, will this case become personal?

Comments ~
1) THE SCULTHORPE MYSTERY is bk3 (plus 2 Short Mysteries after bk1) in Karen Charlton’s Detective Lavender and Constable Woods, Bow Street Runner Regency Mystery series. I prefer reading each book in order as the characters and relationships continue to develop as the series progresses. But each book/mystery also stands alone.
2) This series is set in 1810 England and features 2 Bow Street runners. The tone, details and period differ from other mysteries I read providing a different and interesting perspective.
3) Charlton is a fairly new-to-me author. I have purchased a number of books & audiobooks in her Lavender/Woods series. This time, I listened to the latter. Michael Page, again, did a good job depicting the various earthy characters as well as the main characters in THE SCULTHORPE MYSTERY.
4) Karen Charlton ends each book with author notes that add to my understanding of this period, the setting, the story and characters.
5) I recommend Charlton’s mysteries to readers who enjoy:
> Character-driven series.
> Classic, Historical and British Mysteries.
> Regency novels with interesting facts and details from that period.
> History

READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used.
VIOLENCE - PG. This is a murder mystery without dark or graphic details.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.

[B.A. Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous story from author Karen Charlton as she takes Regency Detective Stephen Lavender and his trusty Constable Ned Woods far from their usual London haunts on the trail of ruthless murderers in the sleepy hamlet of Middleton. As usual the plot is well conceived with an array of suspects and red herrings. The characters are larger than life with marvellous names such as ‘Caleb Liquorice’ and the dialogue is peppered with entertaining vernacular and ribald humour. Charlton excels at scene setting, bringing rural Northamptonshire to life with ease, and manages to impart her undoubted knowledge of the historical events of the period in a way that adds to the story rather than distracting from it. In this case, the newly created canal network features heavily, along with the papist intolerance of the period, and on a more personal level, the harsh life faced by those less able, intellectually or physically, than others.
This is the third in this series and it’s good to see how the main characters have developed as we learn more about their background. Likeable, down to earth, Woods continues to be a ‘man of the people’ a perfect foil for the learned and more distant Lavender, a great team indeed. Ideal for those who enjoy the likes of the BBC’s Ripper Street.
I’d wholly recommend this series and look forward to discovering where Lavender and Woods will end up in the next book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sculthorpe Murder is the latest in the Stephen Lavender mysteries, and I've liked the two previous books in this series.

Set in 1810, these Regency mysteries feature Detective Stephen Lavender of Bow Street in London and Constable Ned Woods.

Henry Fielding, author of Tom Jones, became London's chief magistrate and helped found the Bow Street Runners (considered London's first professional police force) in 1749. Stephen Lavender is a real historical character who was frequently mentioned in court cases in the early 1800's.
The Sculthorpe Murder was inspired by two historical cases, and Charlton uses a combination of facts and fiction to allow Lavender and Woods to become charged with the investigation.

Charlton writes mysteries that concentrate on more than just dead bodies and has created two very likable characters in Lavender and Woods. I look forward to more in this series.

NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer

Historical Mystery. Aug. 30, 2016. Print length: 318 pages.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed very much everything Charlton has published in the US. It is wonderful to see a newish author start and pursue a successful career. Her Det Lavender mysteries are very enjoyable, traditional and fun. In this one Lavender and Woods once more visit rural England to find out why someone would brutally murder an 86 year old man. New mysteries are uncovered and solved as Lavender discovered this beautiful area hold many secrets , often interconnected. Like some of Charlton's other books, this one is based on a real case in the early nineteenth century. Enjoy the whole series, but this one is fine as a standalone. Great fun for all.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

February 1810, and Lavender and Woods have been dispatched to Middleton Northants to investigate the death of a man William Sculthorpe who is believed to have been murdered by the notorious Panther Gang.
But they soon discover there is more of a mystery to the death then they thought, secrets start to be uncovered.
Hoping that the romantic aspects of the series are kept to a minimum as in this book.
Very enjoyable and interesting tale, and I am really liking these two Bow Street officers.
A NetGalley Book

[Lemino Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Karen Charlton

She's definitely one of my favourite authors now. This 3rd book in the series I have read is interesting and complicated as well as exciting and moving.
It's an interesting idea put in a down's syndrome character and all the English society must-be-kept-secret habits. Not seeing a British person myself I can't help wondering if the English high society of today is a lot different, and how much of this is a social criticism.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF a little more than half way though. So unbelievably boring.