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The Northminster Mysteries #5
The Ghosts of Ardenthwaite
Something is amiss at Ardenthwaite. Ghostly apparitions have been seen, so terrifying that the mistress of the house and the servants have deserted the place. Colonel Parham, the tenant, asks his landlord Felix Carswell and Major Giles Vernon to determine what is going on. But their investigations soon takes an unexpected turn, leaving them in confusion and doubting their own sanity.
Shortly afterwards, a man dies in Northminster Infirmary, the victim of a brutal and systematic attack which seems to point to dangerous criminal forces hitherto unknown in the city. Vernon has his suspicions as to who is behind it, and with Carswell's assistance he begins to unpick a complex network of alliances and enemies. Yet, as their best witnesses meet brutal fates, they are forced to face the grim possibility of failure.
Having been forced into unpleasant compromises to gain access to the truth, Giles is further unsettled by the return of Emma Maitland to Northminster, now engaged to another man. As she assists him with the case, he begins to realise all that he has lost. For Felix Carswell, a bizarre and other-worldy encounter with a beautiful, spirited young woman throws up the possibility of an extremely advantageous marriage. Eleanor Blanchfort is an heiress and Lord Rothborough's ward. Has destiny brought them together as she suggests, and can Felix find the will to resist such a dazzling temptation?
The Ghosts of Ardenthwaite is the fifth novel in Harriet Smart's Northminster Mysteries, featuring intrepid early Victorian detectives, Major Giles Vernon and Felix Carswell.
Shortly afterwards, a man dies in Northminster Infirmary, the victim of a brutal and systematic attack which seems to point to dangerous criminal forces hitherto unknown in the city. Vernon has his suspicions as to who is behind it, and with Carswell's assistance he begins to unpick a complex network of alliances and enemies. Yet, as their best witnesses meet brutal fates, they are forced to face the grim possibility of failure.
Having been forced into unpleasant compromises to gain access to the truth, Giles is further unsettled by the return of Emma Maitland to Northminster, now engaged to another man. As she assists him with the case, he begins to realise all that he has lost. For Felix Carswell, a bizarre and other-worldy encounter with a beautiful, spirited young woman throws up the possibility of an extremely advantageous marriage. Eleanor Blanchfort is an heiress and Lord Rothborough's ward. Has destiny brought them together as she suggests, and can Felix find the will to resist such a dazzling temptation?
The Ghosts of Ardenthwaite is the fifth novel in Harriet Smart's Northminster Mysteries, featuring intrepid early Victorian detectives, Major Giles Vernon and Felix Carswell.
409 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 28, 2018
Ghostly experiences caused by poisonous mushrooms, evil activities by unsavory characters and finding love for our main characters....delicious mystery!
November 28, 2020
This series is like a bag of potato chips, you can't stop at one. I love the plot lines and style of writing as well as seeing the characters develop more personality. There is just the right amount of old character development and addition of new characters to keep the story fresh. You can't help but want to continue reading to find out what happens next in the lives of the main characters. Already have ordered #6 in the series.
February 5, 2017
I enjoyed this 5-book series, and considering the ending this prettily wraps things up -- unless the author decides to extend. There were criminal elements carried over from preceding books that meet their just ends in this telling, and because Lord Rothborough played a part in this book I found it more enjoyable than book 4 where he was mostly absent.
Elements that amused: sightings of "ghosts" assisted by the feeding of hallucinogenic mushrooms; the new Bishop's wife and her behavior with sinner Bickley (tsk! tsk!); Felix's first blood transfusion attempt and its revelation; bawdy houses with spy holes and gin houses.
Elements that amused: sightings of "ghosts" assisted by the feeding of hallucinogenic mushrooms; the new Bishop's wife and her behavior with sinner Bickley (tsk! tsk!); Felix's first blood transfusion attempt and its revelation; bawdy houses with spy holes and gin houses.
September 10, 2017
This is the 5th, and apparently right now at least the final book in this series. Like with the others, the mysteries are convoluted, and the personal lives of the two primary characters are complicated. However, this does end up with Felix getting married, and it looks like Giles may be settling down, so perhaps this is the end of the series. But, I'll keep my eyes open anyway for a further book just in case. In any case, it is a fun book to read which makes you feel immersed in the seedier life of Victorian England.
June 6, 2023
Books 3,4,5 completed & becoming addictive
I'd not say these are slow burners, but takes a few chapters to get hooked. The developing relationships between Giles, Felix & Lord R is very encouraging. The story lines are, in their own way, gritty handling subjects on the darker side of the Victorian era.
Sexuality, social class & mid 19th C values & attitudes underpin the various plots.
Harriet Smart is very smart indeed, & appreciated the little Dickens name check!
Am I hooked? Not quite yet....but will probably move on to Book 6 in the very near future - well, now!
I'd not say these are slow burners, but takes a few chapters to get hooked. The developing relationships between Giles, Felix & Lord R is very encouraging. The story lines are, in their own way, gritty handling subjects on the darker side of the Victorian era.
Sexuality, social class & mid 19th C values & attitudes underpin the various plots.
Harriet Smart is very smart indeed, & appreciated the little Dickens name check!
Am I hooked? Not quite yet....but will probably move on to Book 6 in the very near future - well, now!
October 1, 2023
Really good
These books are really beginning to come into their own. Th characters are like old friends and it's good to spend time with them. I was slightly disappointed that there were no ghost to investigate, that could have been fun, but the story didn't suffer for it. In fact, this is the best one so far.
These books are really beginning to come into their own. Th characters are like old friends and it's good to spend time with them. I was slightly disappointed that there were no ghost to investigate, that could have been fun, but the story didn't suffer for it. In fact, this is the best one so far.
September 12, 2017
Excellent Series
Good and diverse characters keep one's interest as the plot spins. More than one situation develops, not seemingly connected, then all begins to become clear, which is typical of this series. Can't wait for the next book!
Good and diverse characters keep one's interest as the plot spins. More than one situation develops, not seemingly connected, then all begins to become clear, which is typical of this series. Can't wait for the next book!
January 19, 2017
Excellent!
Read all five in quick succession...I hope there are more!
True to era in language and custom.
Loved them all!!
Read all five in quick succession...I hope there are more!
True to era in language and custom.
Loved them all!!
June 10, 2017
Excellent
Very enjoyable. I loved the complex plots and characters in her books but I think this is my favorite thus far.
Very enjoyable. I loved the complex plots and characters in her books but I think this is my favorite thus far.
July 11, 2017
Great series
Enjoyed this series and cannot wait to see if she continues the Major Vernon and Mr. Carswell. Great team of characters like Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
Enjoyed this series and cannot wait to see if she continues the Major Vernon and Mr. Carswell. Great team of characters like Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
July 11, 2017
More satisfying than the rest of this series - the plot holds together better though there are one or two oddities in it, and the setting is as good as ever.
August 24, 2020
Very bad editing, lots and lots of mistakes
January 21, 2021
Another nicely written book that gives a real flavour of the times.
Interesting characters that get involved in interesting plots.
Interesting characters that get involved in interesting plots.
November 22, 2021
This particular mystery was just too long, though the mystery itself was interesting.
January 25, 2023
Just gets better. I enjoy how this author points in one direction, then wanders off into other avenues and then slowly brings together a fulfilling tale
December 11, 2024
The men solve another murder and the young doctor falls in love with a young girl. Her mother is not keen but love has it's way while they use their detective skills to find the killer.
April 14, 2025
Family feud, turf wars, old and new friends, life goes on
May 14, 2025
Very enjoyable!
That fifth star is for the attempted transfusion. Always love to see some good transfusion history as a TM tech.
That fifth star is for the attempted transfusion. Always love to see some good transfusion history as a TM tech.
August 4, 2025
April 1841. The tenant at Ardenthwaite insists that the house owned by Felix Carswell is haunted. His family have left because of their fear. Then there is the case of the man, beaten to death and one man's confession. Carswell and Major Vernon investigate
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
December 8, 2025
Love it!
Love the whole series. This is my third time reading and I still find it fabulous! I recommend it to everyone.
Love the whole series. This is my third time reading and I still find it fabulous! I recommend it to everyone.
July 3, 2023
What a loop in and out of plots and subplots
April 13, 2017
Great book!
I do hope Felix and Giles are up for some more adventures! I cannot get enough of these two! Now that they really have a strong relationship and are in a groove I want t see what is next!
I do hope Felix and Giles are up for some more adventures! I cannot get enough of these two! Now that they really have a strong relationship and are in a groove I want t see what is next!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews