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Lord Danvers Investigates #5
A Lethal Spectre
The elegance of a London season and the atrocities of an Indian mutiny woven into an intricate tapestry
Antonia and Charles are swept up in the glittering swirl of a London season as they present Aunt Aelfrida’s ward to society. In India Antonia’s closest girlhood friend is caught in the most brutal massacre ‘in the book of time’. What could these disparate events have to do with murders in London and Brighton? This engrossing story comes to life with all the vivid historical detail readers expect from Donna Fletcher Crow.
Antonia and Charles are swept up in the glittering swirl of a London season as they present Aunt Aelfrida’s ward to society. In India Antonia’s closest girlhood friend is caught in the most brutal massacre ‘in the book of time’. What could these disparate events have to do with murders in London and Brighton? This engrossing story comes to life with all the vivid historical detail readers expect from Donna Fletcher Crow.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2018
43 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Donna Fletcher Crow
67 books125 followersDonna Fletcher Crow loves to give books away. If you would like a copy of one of her best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates series, go to her website: http://www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
Donna is the author of 50 books, mostly novels dealing with British history. The award-winning GLASTONBURY, The Novel of Christian England is her best-known work, an Arthurian grail search epic covering 15 centuries of English history.
Donna authors 3 mystery series: The best-selling Lord Danvers Investigates Vitorian true-crime series; The Monastery Murders; and The Elizabeth and Richard Literary Suspense.
Donna and her husband have 4 adult children and 14 grandchildren. She is an inveterate researcher and an enthusiastic gardener. You can see pictures of her research trips and her garden, learn more about her books, subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and read her blog at: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 31, 2018
I won this in a goodreads drawing.
A series of events seems linked to a mysterious debutante and an Indian uprising.
Way too much talking.
A series of events seems linked to a mysterious debutante and an Indian uprising.
Way too much talking.
June 12, 2018
The description of the country side and historical events makes you feel like you are in the middle of the story. Lord Charles and Lady Antonia are invited to Charles Aunt Aelfridas to meet Sophia the daughter of Emilia. Discussions among the guests are about an uprising in India. Antonias close friend Emilia is working there and the danger is unknown by Antonia that she is in the middle of the attack. Antonia keeps having dreams about Emilia being in trouble that effects her health and Charles fears they will harm their unborn child. Two murders take place and there is a lot of suspense and mystery as Antonia and Charles get involved.
May 9, 2018
I was particularly looking forward to reading this book for several reasons. First, I had enjoyed a previous book from another series by Donna Fletcher Crow, secondly, this book is set in the Victorian era (I enjoy reading historical novels, and this period of history is amongst my favourites), some of it is set in Brighton, not far from where I live and, lastly, I am also drawn to books which include mystery and intrigue. I like to try to add up all the clues and discover who the suspect is before they are uncovered. I wasn't correct in my assumptions, however, I much prefer it this way round, rather than for it to be obvious from the very beginning.
This is the fifth book in the series, Lord Danvers Investigates. I have not read any of the previous books in the series but this book can be read as a stand-alone one. However, I will now read the earlier ones as a result of enjoying this one.
Donna has obviously carried out a great deal of research in putting this novel together. It is full of historical content. Within the pages of this novel, we learn more about the customs of the day, the clothes that were worn, the food they ate, family life (particularly of the upper class) and the activities they pursued. We learn most of this through the interactions between the various characters.
The book also includes events happening at the time in India. To be honest, I wasn't sure how this would work, dividing the setting between England (London and Brighton) and India. But I found that Donna had woven it all together brilliantly. I connected emotionally to the events in India because of the well-written character of Emilia, Lady Danvers' friend, through whose eyes we witness these events.
As I read this book I got the impression that the characters are as important to the author as is accurately portraying the events in history. There is a great collection of characters within this book, and it is largely due to them and their interactions with one another that I stayed invested in the book.
Despite my interest in history, I rarely pick up a factual book on history. For me, Donna provides in her novels a great way of learning about history and a more enjoyable one at that. I learnt more about the Victorians than I had previously known. Her writing brings history to life and gives a way of connecting to the past that is not found in non-fiction books.
What I also liked about her book is that there was no gratuitous violence, sex or bad language and, in my opinion, her book is all the better for this. Because of this, I would feel comfortable recommending to anyone.
Within the pages of this book, Donna has cleverly woven together history, mystery, suspense and a touch of romance too. All of which when combined makes for a very enjoyable read. If any of these genres appeal to you as a reader, then I recommend you read "The Lethal Spectre" too. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
This is the fifth book in the series, Lord Danvers Investigates. I have not read any of the previous books in the series but this book can be read as a stand-alone one. However, I will now read the earlier ones as a result of enjoying this one.
Donna has obviously carried out a great deal of research in putting this novel together. It is full of historical content. Within the pages of this novel, we learn more about the customs of the day, the clothes that were worn, the food they ate, family life (particularly of the upper class) and the activities they pursued. We learn most of this through the interactions between the various characters.
The book also includes events happening at the time in India. To be honest, I wasn't sure how this would work, dividing the setting between England (London and Brighton) and India. But I found that Donna had woven it all together brilliantly. I connected emotionally to the events in India because of the well-written character of Emilia, Lady Danvers' friend, through whose eyes we witness these events.
As I read this book I got the impression that the characters are as important to the author as is accurately portraying the events in history. There is a great collection of characters within this book, and it is largely due to them and their interactions with one another that I stayed invested in the book.
Despite my interest in history, I rarely pick up a factual book on history. For me, Donna provides in her novels a great way of learning about history and a more enjoyable one at that. I learnt more about the Victorians than I had previously known. Her writing brings history to life and gives a way of connecting to the past that is not found in non-fiction books.
What I also liked about her book is that there was no gratuitous violence, sex or bad language and, in my opinion, her book is all the better for this. Because of this, I would feel comfortable recommending to anyone.
Within the pages of this book, Donna has cleverly woven together history, mystery, suspense and a touch of romance too. All of which when combined makes for a very enjoyable read. If any of these genres appeal to you as a reader, then I recommend you read "The Lethal Spectre" too. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
July 8, 2018
This is the fifth in the Lord Danvers series. I've read the first one as well as this installment (as well as other mysteries by Donna Fletcher Crow).
This book was very informational about a historic massacre in India. While I did have a bad feeling about the person who turned out to be the main villain, that was more of a hunch - there were still twists and turns that I kept trying to figure out. There also was a historical romance story-line that was not quite my cup of tea (a fitting term for a book set in England) but would appeal to those who enjoy that genre.
As stated, I had not read all the series. Nevertheless, I did not at all feel lost in missing volumes 2-4, and there didn't seem to be anything spoiled from the previous novels other than expected character developments (such as the main character and the love interest getting married between the first and the current novel and having a child). To me, there was a noticeable difference in tone between this one and A Most Inconvenient Death (vol. 1). The earlier one had a lightheartedness while this one was more somber (the real life event contained in this book is part of the reason). Also, the dowager duchess who was entertaining and amusing previously seems more annoying in this novel. Just my opinion.
If you like historical romance (especially based in England) and enjoy a mystery, you'll enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for my unbiased review.
This book was very informational about a historic massacre in India. While I did have a bad feeling about the person who turned out to be the main villain, that was more of a hunch - there were still twists and turns that I kept trying to figure out. There also was a historical romance story-line that was not quite my cup of tea (a fitting term for a book set in England) but would appeal to those who enjoy that genre.
As stated, I had not read all the series. Nevertheless, I did not at all feel lost in missing volumes 2-4, and there didn't seem to be anything spoiled from the previous novels other than expected character developments (such as the main character and the love interest getting married between the first and the current novel and having a child). To me, there was a noticeable difference in tone between this one and A Most Inconvenient Death (vol. 1). The earlier one had a lightheartedness while this one was more somber (the real life event contained in this book is part of the reason). Also, the dowager duchess who was entertaining and amusing previously seems more annoying in this novel. Just my opinion.
If you like historical romance (especially based in England) and enjoy a mystery, you'll enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book from the author for my unbiased review.
March 12, 2019
There is a mystical thread to this story as Antonia dreams the experiences of her childhood friend, now caught in a brutal uprising in India. It’s an effective way of showing simultaneous events on opposite sides of the world--the disintegration of the rule of the British East India Company on the subcontinent and events in London where Antonia is helping Aunt Aethelbert to sponsor her friend’s daughter in society. The contrast of conditions is powerful, events in India horrific. The mystery that Charles and Antonia must solve is the death of an Indian gentleman in London known to friends of theirs, tying the two sides of the plot together. London plot involves the horrors of opium dens where Charles’ clergyman brother Freddy, a character readers will remember from a previous book, is ministering. I have been recently following the PBS series Victoria, so I enjoyed visualizing the scene of presenting Sarah to the young queen and her handsome new husband.
March 29, 2018
“A stunning contrast between the dramas and machinations of fashionable London life and the unfurling of an unthinkable tragedy. A story of lights and shadows, all impeccably well researched and realised.”
~Linda Stratmann, author of The Frances Doughty Mysteries
“As somewhat of an expert on Colonial British India, A Lethal Spectre swept me away with mystery set in beautifully detailed Victorian England and in India, showcasing an integral piece of history that greatly affected Great Britain. A must read for all Anglophiles and cozy mystery lovers.”
~ Christine Lindsay, author of the multi-award-winning trilogy Twilight of the British Raj
~Linda Stratmann, author of The Frances Doughty Mysteries
“As somewhat of an expert on Colonial British India, A Lethal Spectre swept me away with mystery set in beautifully detailed Victorian England and in India, showcasing an integral piece of history that greatly affected Great Britain. A must read for all Anglophiles and cozy mystery lovers.”
~ Christine Lindsay, author of the multi-award-winning trilogy Twilight of the British Raj
August 22, 2020
Wow!
Exciting, fast paced murder investigation ! Murder, smuggling, debutante presentation, and Sepoy Massacre in India in 1857 are all topics in this delightful cozy mystery! Young Charlie, aged 2, brings laughter and levity to his parents, who are involved in all of above situations! Writing, history, and plot are all very well done by this terrific author! Enjoy!
Exciting, fast paced murder investigation ! Murder, smuggling, debutante presentation, and Sepoy Massacre in India in 1857 are all topics in this delightful cozy mystery! Young Charlie, aged 2, brings laughter and levity to his parents, who are involved in all of above situations! Writing, history, and plot are all very well done by this terrific author! Enjoy!
January 16, 2021
Now this is a novel!
A stirring mystery that exposes the horror of the opium trade out of India, woven with a metaphysical depiction of the terrors of the Cawnpore massacres during the India uprising of the 1870s, through Tonia’s dreams of her dearest friend in Cawnpore. Such a pleasure that such a terrific book is so well written and edited.
A stirring mystery that exposes the horror of the opium trade out of India, woven with a metaphysical depiction of the terrors of the Cawnpore massacres during the India uprising of the 1870s, through Tonia’s dreams of her dearest friend in Cawnpore. Such a pleasure that such a terrific book is so well written and edited.
May 27, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Win Copy
Lord Danvers once aain finds himself involve in a case during the Season in London. It will require gis deductible to figure things out among the ton. Watch as he will unravel things in his own way. An enjoyable read for mysteries and regency stories.
Lord Danvers once aain finds himself involve in a case during the Season in London. It will require gis deductible to figure things out among the ton. Watch as he will unravel things in his own way. An enjoyable read for mysteries and regency stories.
August 26, 2019
Victorian England and India clash. With Antonia and Lord Danvers with their family caught up in the London season, with a couple of murders. While Antonia's childhood friend is caught up in the events in India.
Too much descriptive historical fiction not enough mystery.
Too much descriptive historical fiction not enough mystery.
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October 8, 2023Clean Absorbing Mysteries
I have enjoyed reading this book and the preceding ones of this series. Each one can stand alone but much more interesting in order. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I have enjoyed reading this book and the preceding ones of this series. Each one can stand alone but much more interesting in order. I look forward to reading more by this author.
September 23, 2018
I honestly had a very hard time getting through this book. There was way too much talking and describing and not enough exposition.
November 16, 2018
I had real trouble with this one. The story rambled, the characters were unlikable, and I was generally not interested. I could not engage with this mystery.
August 14, 2020
Interesting story, that focusses less on the mystery, and more on the intricacies of London Society, while at the same time telling the story of a massacre in India.
June 24, 2018
This book is a bit different from the other Lord Danvers books, partly due to its focus on India. There are good plot twists, red herrings, and questionable characters. You learn a lot of history.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews