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Detective Lavender Mysteries #5
Murder in Park Lane
London, 1812. At a fashionable address in leafy Mayfair, a far cry from Detective Stephen Lavender’s usual haunts, a man is found dead in his room. He has been brutally stabbed, but the door is locked from the inside and the weapon is missing.
The deceased is David MacAdam, an Essex businessman with expensive tastes. As Lavender and Constable Ned Woods travel between London and Chelmsford seeking to understand MacAdam’s final hours and unearth the grisly truth, they uncover a tangled web of deceit behind his stylish facade. The unusual circumstances of MacAdam’s death are nothing compared to the shady nature of his life and it seems the house on Park Lane is at the heart of a dark conspiracy.
But when a second body turns up, everything they think they’ve learned is thrown into doubt. Can Lavender and Woods find out who’s behind these shocking murders before more lives are ruined?
The deceased is David MacAdam, an Essex businessman with expensive tastes. As Lavender and Constable Ned Woods travel between London and Chelmsford seeking to understand MacAdam’s final hours and unearth the grisly truth, they uncover a tangled web of deceit behind his stylish facade. The unusual circumstances of MacAdam’s death are nothing compared to the shady nature of his life and it seems the house on Park Lane is at the heart of a dark conspiracy.
But when a second body turns up, everything they think they’ve learned is thrown into doubt. Can Lavender and Woods find out who’s behind these shocking murders before more lives are ruined?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
1118 people are currently reading
1374 people want to read
About the author
Karen Charlton
27 books470 followersKaren 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
July 9, 2020
This fantastic mystery is the 5th volume of the amazing "Detective Lavender" series from the wonderful English author, Karen Charlton.
Once again you can find at the end of the book the historical details concerning this tale, and these are superbly implemented within this great mystery.
The author's story-telling is of a top-notch quality, the mystery is very well structured and executed, all characters come vividly to life within this mystery, and not to forget the atmosphere and surroundings of Regency London come brilliantly off the pages.
This mystery is mainly set in September, AD 1812, in Regency London, and our protagonists, Detective Stephen Lavender, and his friend, Constable Ned Woods, will come into action again in an attempt to solve a murder mystery which has occurred in Park Lane, London.
The murder victim is a certain, David MacAdam, a cunning man with expensive tastes, who will do anything and will deceive anybody in his effort to really get what he wants.
Somehow his duplicity has worked against him, and now at Mrs Palmer's lodgings he's found dead, supposedly stabbed to death, by Lavender and Woods, with the certain consequence that many more eventful elements will unfold themselves during their investigations.
What is to come is a thrilling and entertaining murder case, in which Lavender and Woods need to follow the evidence and leads they will gather, and in their own remarkable way intertwined with an exciting and suspenseful plot, and it certainly had me guessing, they will discover in the end the surprising culprit of this heinous murder.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb mystery and part of a fascinating series, which gets better all the time, and to come back what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Fabulous Executed Murder Mystery"!
Once again you can find at the end of the book the historical details concerning this tale, and these are superbly implemented within this great mystery.
The author's story-telling is of a top-notch quality, the mystery is very well structured and executed, all characters come vividly to life within this mystery, and not to forget the atmosphere and surroundings of Regency London come brilliantly off the pages.
This mystery is mainly set in September, AD 1812, in Regency London, and our protagonists, Detective Stephen Lavender, and his friend, Constable Ned Woods, will come into action again in an attempt to solve a murder mystery which has occurred in Park Lane, London.
The murder victim is a certain, David MacAdam, a cunning man with expensive tastes, who will do anything and will deceive anybody in his effort to really get what he wants.
Somehow his duplicity has worked against him, and now at Mrs Palmer's lodgings he's found dead, supposedly stabbed to death, by Lavender and Woods, with the certain consequence that many more eventful elements will unfold themselves during their investigations.
What is to come is a thrilling and entertaining murder case, in which Lavender and Woods need to follow the evidence and leads they will gather, and in their own remarkable way intertwined with an exciting and suspenseful plot, and it certainly had me guessing, they will discover in the end the surprising culprit of this heinous murder.
Highly recommended, for this is a superb mystery and part of a fascinating series, which gets better all the time, and to come back what this episode is concerned I like to call it: "A Fabulous Executed Murder Mystery"!
February 23, 2019
I effing love this series! Magistrate Read and Sir Richard have really grown on me.
May 4, 2024
Having loved the author's previous works it was an easy decision to make purchasing her latest offering. Not only was I delighted to find detective Lavender at his most tenacious at crime solving but I loved reading about his family.
I look forward to Lavender's further exploits.
I look forward to Lavender's further exploits.
February 13, 2019
Series: Detective Lavender #5
Publication Date: 2/12/19
Number of Pages: 313
This series just keeps getting better and better. The characters are wonderful, the writing is outstanding and the plots keep you guessing to the very end! You can read this as a stand-alone, but to appreciate the full richness of the characters and their relationships, you really need to begin at the beginning.
Stephen Lavender is a Principal Officer at Bow Street and he works with Constable Ned Woods in his investigations. Sir Richard Allison is a renowned physician who works with Bow Street on occasion. He is arrogant and expects to be treated like royalty whenever he deigns to work with Bow Street. So, imagine Lavender’s shock when Sir Richard requests his assistance on a case. It is right down Lavender’s alley. The victim, David MacAdam, was found in a room that was locked from the inside, the window was warped and couldn’t be opened and there were no other possible points of entry. It couldn’t be suicide because there was no murder weapon to be found.
Suspects abound and the victim isn’t what he appears to be. None of the witnesses are telling the truth – some are outright lying and others are omitting vital pieces of information. Lavender definitely has his work cut out for him with this one.
When a second victim turns up, it complicates the case even further. Of course, there are personal worries and complications as well – Lavender is awaiting the birth of his first child and Ned is concerned about his weight and takes extreme measures to fix it.
The suspects will blow your mind – you have everything from aristocrats to con artists to loan sharks. What they get up to will keep you flipping the pages as fast as you can to see what happens next.
Definitely a good read!
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
Publication Date: 2/12/19
Number of Pages: 313
This series just keeps getting better and better. The characters are wonderful, the writing is outstanding and the plots keep you guessing to the very end! You can read this as a stand-alone, but to appreciate the full richness of the characters and their relationships, you really need to begin at the beginning.
Stephen Lavender is a Principal Officer at Bow Street and he works with Constable Ned Woods in his investigations. Sir Richard Allison is a renowned physician who works with Bow Street on occasion. He is arrogant and expects to be treated like royalty whenever he deigns to work with Bow Street. So, imagine Lavender’s shock when Sir Richard requests his assistance on a case. It is right down Lavender’s alley. The victim, David MacAdam, was found in a room that was locked from the inside, the window was warped and couldn’t be opened and there were no other possible points of entry. It couldn’t be suicide because there was no murder weapon to be found.
Suspects abound and the victim isn’t what he appears to be. None of the witnesses are telling the truth – some are outright lying and others are omitting vital pieces of information. Lavender definitely has his work cut out for him with this one.
When a second victim turns up, it complicates the case even further. Of course, there are personal worries and complications as well – Lavender is awaiting the birth of his first child and Ned is concerned about his weight and takes extreme measures to fix it.
The suspects will blow your mind – you have everything from aristocrats to con artists to loan sharks. What they get up to will keep you flipping the pages as fast as you can to see what happens next.
Definitely a good read!
Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview
July 23, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
In 1812 England, a man is discovered dead in a locked room. It seems he has been murdered. What passes for the police force at that time gets on the case. It seems solved almost immediately, but soon becomes a Gordian knot of motives and opportunities.
Very entertaining.
In 1812 England, a man is discovered dead in a locked room. It seems he has been murdered. What passes for the police force at that time gets on the case. It seems solved almost immediately, but soon becomes a Gordian knot of motives and opportunities.
Very entertaining.
December 23, 2020
Monday 21st September, 1812
Bow Street Magistrates Court & Police Office, London
A new case for Detective Lavender and Constable Woods - in Mayfair. Karen Charlton’s Murder in Park Lane (Detective Lavender #5) has the detective and his constable heading to Mayfair, a “fashionable “ part of London, responding to a report of a man found stabbed to death although the door to his room is locked from the inside. A Locked Room mystery! The victim, David MacAdams, an Essex businessman who appears to be very successful as seen by the clothes he wears and his impeccable ‘taste’ is described by the widow who owns the Mayfair house as handsome, well-dressed, polite, and prosperous. The detective asks about the victim’s family. Mrs.Palmer mentions that MacAdams is from Chelmsford. Lavender and Woods head to Chelmsford only to uncover MacAdams “shady” background. Was he leading a double life? How did Mrs. Palmer speak to MacAdams when he returned to his room and who appeared fine only to die later that night.
Lavender and Woods must truly scramble to solve this case. 4.5 stars
Bow Street Magistrates Court & Police Office, London
A new case for Detective Lavender and Constable Woods - in Mayfair. Karen Charlton’s Murder in Park Lane (Detective Lavender #5) has the detective and his constable heading to Mayfair, a “fashionable “ part of London, responding to a report of a man found stabbed to death although the door to his room is locked from the inside. A Locked Room mystery! The victim, David MacAdams, an Essex businessman who appears to be very successful as seen by the clothes he wears and his impeccable ‘taste’ is described by the widow who owns the Mayfair house as handsome, well-dressed, polite, and prosperous. The detective asks about the victim’s family. Mrs.Palmer mentions that MacAdams is from Chelmsford. Lavender and Woods head to Chelmsford only to uncover MacAdams “shady” background. Was he leading a double life? How did Mrs. Palmer speak to MacAdams when he returned to his room and who appeared fine only to die later that night.
Lavender and Woods must truly scramble to solve this case. 4.5 stars
November 14, 2023
I started reading this series because they were free for Kindle Unlimited members. The first couple of books were ok, but I have to admit Karen Charlton's skill has really grown to where I can wholeheartedly recommend her Bow Street Runner Stephen Lavender series. Lavender is based on a real Runner who apprehended an ancestor of Charlton's husband in the early 19th Century. The characters in the series have become complex and truly endearing, and it is fun to watch how the policemen's families assist in the crime solving.
July 9, 2019
that was complicated
but a much better mystery than the last book. it is annoying how the wealthy get away with everything. but that is how it was and is in many ways today. my favorite parts and lavender and woods alone. i hope it stays that way.
but a much better mystery than the last book. it is annoying how the wealthy get away with everything. but that is how it was and is in many ways today. my favorite parts and lavender and woods alone. i hope it stays that way.
March 3, 2019
"Murder in Park Lane" is a mystery novel set in 1812 in England. It's the fifth book in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this story did not spoil any previous whodunits.
The detective was clever, and his assistant constable had skills that complemented the detective's. They asked good questions. However, so many people lied to them that the detective had difficulty making any headway for a while. It was a clue based mystery, and the reader can guess what's going on as quickly as a detective.
I cared what happened to the main characters. They were engaging, interesting people and had realistic reactions to events. The vivid historical and setting details made the story feel unique to that time and place yet didn't slow the pacing down.
There was some bad language. There were no sex scenes. A three month old corpse was described in detail, if an accurate description of a nearly skeletal dead body would bother you. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting novel.
I received an e-book review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The detective was clever, and his assistant constable had skills that complemented the detective's. They asked good questions. However, so many people lied to them that the detective had difficulty making any headway for a while. It was a clue based mystery, and the reader can guess what's going on as quickly as a detective.
I cared what happened to the main characters. They were engaging, interesting people and had realistic reactions to events. The vivid historical and setting details made the story feel unique to that time and place yet didn't slow the pacing down.
There was some bad language. There were no sex scenes. A three month old corpse was described in detail, if an accurate description of a nearly skeletal dead body would bother you. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting novel.
I received an e-book review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 11, 2022
This author is new to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed her Regency-era mystery featuring a Bow Street Runner and his constable. I got this book free via Audible Plus, so now I need to go back and listen to the series.
December 3, 2024
A great twist and turn mystery.
March 6, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a review copy of Murder in Park Lane, the fifth novel to feature regency detective Principal Officer Stephen Lavender and his assistant Constable Ned Woods of the Bow Street Police Office.
Lavender is summoned to Park Lane by police surgeon Sir Richard Allison who has a conundrum on his hands. Commercial traveler David MacAdam has been found stabbed to death in his his room in his lodgings with the door locked from the inside and no sign of a weapon. MacAdam was not what he seemed and this is just the first conundrum in his decidedly shady past.
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in Park Lane which has a great plot, full of unexpected twists and turns, some likeable characters and a good dose of humour. The narrative is an extremely straightforward third person told from Lavender’s point of view and with a linear timeline. What a joy as many of my recent reads have changed everything about from chapter to chapter. This, I could sit down and read and get involved in without distraction, to the extent that I stayed up far too late to read it in one sitting.
The plot is captivating and absorbing. Just as the reader gets used to one set of circumstances the author throws in another twist so you have to read on to find out what’s coming next. It is extremely well conceived and executed. Plotting, however, is not the only joy of the novel. After five novels in the series Lavender and Woods are old friends and their partnership is a well oiled machine. Woods provides the humour and people skills and Lavender the brains but with Lavender’s mind on the imminent birth of his first child Woods gets more of a look in on the thinking until his diet gets in the way.
This is a lighthearted, entertaining read so it doesn’t concentrate on social conditions as many historical novels do but still has enough period detail to set the tone of the era.
Murder in Park Lane is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Lavender is summoned to Park Lane by police surgeon Sir Richard Allison who has a conundrum on his hands. Commercial traveler David MacAdam has been found stabbed to death in his his room in his lodgings with the door locked from the inside and no sign of a weapon. MacAdam was not what he seemed and this is just the first conundrum in his decidedly shady past.
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in Park Lane which has a great plot, full of unexpected twists and turns, some likeable characters and a good dose of humour. The narrative is an extremely straightforward third person told from Lavender’s point of view and with a linear timeline. What a joy as many of my recent reads have changed everything about from chapter to chapter. This, I could sit down and read and get involved in without distraction, to the extent that I stayed up far too late to read it in one sitting.
The plot is captivating and absorbing. Just as the reader gets used to one set of circumstances the author throws in another twist so you have to read on to find out what’s coming next. It is extremely well conceived and executed. Plotting, however, is not the only joy of the novel. After five novels in the series Lavender and Woods are old friends and their partnership is a well oiled machine. Woods provides the humour and people skills and Lavender the brains but with Lavender’s mind on the imminent birth of his first child Woods gets more of a look in on the thinking until his diet gets in the way.
This is a lighthearted, entertaining read so it doesn’t concentrate on social conditions as many historical novels do but still has enough period detail to set the tone of the era.
Murder in Park Lane is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
May 9, 2022
2.5 stars
Lavender fell very seriously ill towards the end of the 4th book, but nothing of that shows in this book. Apparently he's not even plagued by nightmares from drowning and not even a little crippled by having had a serious gut infection after swallowing half the sewers. (Even if Woods mentions indigestion - once.)
Damn, the man is invincible!
I was honestly listening to the last bits of book 4 with very raised eyebrows because I doubted Lavender would be able to come back swinging from what the author was describing.
But apparently that's all forgotten and brushed aside in this book. Business as usual for him and Woods is all that matters.
Except ... Woods now believes he's fat and should starve himself.
This is so inane and stupid I wanted to curse him out through out the entire book. It was a flippant idea taken far too far. Something I felt should never have left the drawing table. Something an editor should have put a foot down in front of and had edited out, because it was just so bloody stupid and totally out of character for Woods to be so stupid - even if Stubborn could be his middle name.
Anyhow, I felt like I had seen/heard the initial mystery with a stabbing in a locked room, explained by a very tight garment, before. And indeed, I had, in the episode The Sign of Three in the TV show Sherlock.
The author claims to have found inspiration elsewhere, but the similarities are ... well ... very similar.
Anyhow, this wasn't my favourite book in the series. It was OK, but I found it a bit too easy to figure out, even on a "cosy" level. That felt a bit disappointing.
I still like the characters though.
Lavender fell very seriously ill towards the end of the 4th book, but nothing of that shows in this book. Apparently he's not even plagued by nightmares from drowning and not even a little crippled by having had a serious gut infection after swallowing half the sewers. (Even if Woods mentions indigestion - once.)
Damn, the man is invincible!
I was honestly listening to the last bits of book 4 with very raised eyebrows because I doubted Lavender would be able to come back swinging from what the author was describing.
But apparently that's all forgotten and brushed aside in this book. Business as usual for him and Woods is all that matters.
Except ... Woods now believes he's fat and should starve himself.
This is so inane and stupid I wanted to curse him out through out the entire book. It was a flippant idea taken far too far. Something I felt should never have left the drawing table. Something an editor should have put a foot down in front of and had edited out, because it was just so bloody stupid and totally out of character for Woods to be so stupid - even if Stubborn could be his middle name.
Anyhow, I felt like I had seen/heard the initial mystery with a stabbing in a locked room, explained by a very tight garment, before. And indeed, I had, in the episode The Sign of Three in the TV show Sherlock.
The author claims to have found inspiration elsewhere, but the similarities are ... well ... very similar.
Anyhow, this wasn't my favourite book in the series. It was OK, but I found it a bit too easy to figure out, even on a "cosy" level. That felt a bit disappointing.
I still like the characters though.
September 20, 2021
Murder in the Park Lane is book five in the Detective Lavender Mysteries series by Karen Charlton. Detective Lavender caught a case of a young man David MacAdam dead in a boarding house in Mayfair. At first, Detective Lavender and Detective Constable Woods had no answers to how the young man died. However, Detective Lavender and Detective Constable Woods investigations unearth the dark side of David MacAdam life. The readers of Murder in the Park Lane will continue to follow Detective Lavender and Detective Constable Woods to find out what happens.
Murder in the Park Lane is another fantastic historical addition to this excellent series. I had no trouble engaging with this book from the start and continued throughout this book. I love Karen Charlton's portrayal of the characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Murder in the Park Lane is well written and researched by Karen Charlton. I like Karen Charlton description of the settings of Murder in the Park Lane that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The Readers of Murder in the Park Lane will learn about living in London in 1812. Also, the readers of "Murder in the Park Lane" will know the consequences of committing crimes in England in the 18th Century.
I recommend this book.
Murder in the Park Lane is another fantastic historical addition to this excellent series. I had no trouble engaging with this book from the start and continued throughout this book. I love Karen Charlton's portrayal of the characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Murder in the Park Lane is well written and researched by Karen Charlton. I like Karen Charlton description of the settings of Murder in the Park Lane that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The Readers of Murder in the Park Lane will learn about living in London in 1812. Also, the readers of "Murder in the Park Lane" will know the consequences of committing crimes in England in the 18th Century.
I recommend this book.
December 29, 2020
I have enjoyed this series.
I have enjoyed the creativity of this series. It is a topical British theme with many twists, humor and a tad of history. To see the life's of the characters grow gives this series an interested view point.
I have enjoyed the creativity of this series. It is a topical British theme with many twists, humor and a tad of history. To see the life's of the characters grow gives this series an interested view point.
March 14, 2019
Murder in park Lane by Karen Charlton.
This was a brilliant read with great characters. I love this series and hope there is more to come. Love how Karen writes. 5*.
This was a brilliant read with great characters. I love this series and hope there is more to come. Love how Karen writes. 5*.
March 14, 2019
Murder in park Lane by Karen Charlton.
This was a brilliant read with great characters. I love this series and hope there is more to come. Love how Karen writes. 5*.
This was a brilliant read with great characters. I love this series and hope there is more to come. Love how Karen writes. 5*.
April 26, 2022
I enjoyed this book. I’m working my way through the series and these characters have grown on me.
November 22, 2024
As good as ever, always worth reading
March 5, 2021
Lavender and Woods have another complicated case to solve
Lavender seems a bit more natural in this book, Woods is a very relatable character, I enjoyed seeing more of their families. The mystery is entertaining, I had no idea bigamy was such a big problem until recently when it came up in another book about mediaeval England. It was obviously a problem for a long time.
Lavender seems a bit more natural in this book, Woods is a very relatable character, I enjoyed seeing more of their families. The mystery is entertaining, I had no idea bigamy was such a big problem until recently when it came up in another book about mediaeval England. It was obviously a problem for a long time.
May 2, 2022
Another entry into the historically accurate Lavender Mystery series. The reader is great and I enjoy these very much.
May 17, 2019
Generally I rather like this detective team of Lavender and Woods, and with their families offering some further background support. However, this story was less entertaining than the other I read. It wasn’t bad or anything, just a bit ‘ordinary’ somehow. There were some funny bits, which lifted it. I liked the human stories more than the mystery.
July 7, 2020
Too tiring and drawn out
I enjoy a nice mystery, who-dun-it book, but this novel wore me out!! Too many characters, too many descriptive parts of immaterial matter that didn't mean a thing, and just plain old boring! I won't be reading anything else by Ms. Charlton.
I enjoy a nice mystery, who-dun-it book, but this novel wore me out!! Too many characters, too many descriptive parts of immaterial matter that didn't mean a thing, and just plain old boring! I won't be reading anything else by Ms. Charlton.
January 4, 2025
MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 Stars. I very much enjoyed MURDER IN PARK LANE and it read quickly. This mystery series covers different historical background/setting than other series I read. The author bases the MC on an early 1800’s Bow Street Officer and cases he (may or not have) worked. The series contains an earthy sense of humor with cases and history I find informative and interesting. This series is neither particularly Cozy nor dark, rather it falls somewhere in-between with each book usually highlighting certain aspects of history that are sobering and/or thought provoking (ie., corset-wear oddities, and the prevalence of bigamy, in bk5). I appreciate the author’s notes at the end.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THOS A LOT; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
London, September 1812 ~
Principal Officer Detective Lavender of Bow Street Police Department is called to the home of a spinster boardinghouse woman by none other than Sir Richard Ellingson, Guys Hospital’s Chief Medical Surgeon, a man of influence who occasionally assists the police with autopsies. One of the spinster’s lodgers has been found stabbed to death in his bedroom. It soon becomes evident that nearly everyone involved in the case is lying or hiding something. Including Sir Richard. Detective Lavender and Constable Woods, now as his assigned assistant, begin unearthing the evidence.
Comments ~
1) MURDER IN PARK LANE (1812) is bk5 in Karen Charlton’s Detective Lavender and Constable Woods Bow Street Runner Regency Mystery series. I prefer reading the books in order as the characters and relationships continue to develop as the series progresses but each book contains mysteries/cases which stand alone.
2) The Lavender - Woods 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 slightly new perspective of English history.
3) Charlton is a fairly new-to-me author. I purchased a number of books & audiobooks in her Lavender/Woods series and am reading my way through. I read a digital copy this time but Michael Page is wonderful depicting the various earthy characters and the overall tone (in the audiobook version).
4) Karen Charlton ends her books with author notes providing clarification of certain aspects of the period, setting, the particular cases and any historical characters.
5) The sad plight of the poor and lower classes (including many Bow Street families, laborers, immigrants, etc) comes through in this series as well as the widely prevalent unsanitary living conditions.
6) I recommend Charlton’s mysteries to readers who enjoy:
> Character-driven series.
> Seasoned characters.
> Classic, Historical and British Mysteries.
> Regency, Victorian novels with interesting facts and details from those periods.
> History.
> Police Procedural novels.
> and enjoy a certain amount of earthy humor. ;)
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - PG-13. Limited strong language is used with occasional off-color jokes & earthy humor.
VIOLENCE - PG. This is a murder mystery not particularly dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/fairly good; 3.5= I enjoyed it; 4= I LIKED THOS A LOT; 5= I Loved this; it was great! (I SELDOM give 5 Stars).
London, September 1812 ~
Principal Officer Detective Lavender of Bow Street Police Department is called to the home of a spinster boardinghouse woman by none other than Sir Richard Ellingson, Guys Hospital’s Chief Medical Surgeon, a man of influence who occasionally assists the police with autopsies. One of the spinster’s lodgers has been found stabbed to death in his bedroom. It soon becomes evident that nearly everyone involved in the case is lying or hiding something. Including Sir Richard. Detective Lavender and Constable Woods, now as his assigned assistant, begin unearthing the evidence.
Comments ~
1) MURDER IN PARK LANE (1812) is bk5 in Karen Charlton’s Detective Lavender and Constable Woods Bow Street Runner Regency Mystery series. I prefer reading the books in order as the characters and relationships continue to develop as the series progresses but each book contains mysteries/cases which stand alone.
2) The Lavender - Woods 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 slightly new perspective of English history.
3) Charlton is a fairly new-to-me author. I purchased a number of books & audiobooks in her Lavender/Woods series and am reading my way through. I read a digital copy this time but Michael Page is wonderful depicting the various earthy characters and the overall tone (in the audiobook version).
4) Karen Charlton ends her books with author notes providing clarification of certain aspects of the period, setting, the particular cases and any historical characters.
5) The sad plight of the poor and lower classes (including many Bow Street families, laborers, immigrants, etc) comes through in this series as well as the widely prevalent unsanitary living conditions.
6) I recommend Charlton’s mysteries to readers who enjoy:
> Character-driven series.
> Seasoned characters.
> Classic, Historical and British Mysteries.
> Regency, Victorian novels with interesting facts and details from those periods.
> History.
> Police Procedural novels.
> and enjoy a certain amount of earthy humor. ;)
READER CAUTION ~
PROFANITY - PG-13. Limited strong language is used with occasional off-color jokes & earthy humor.
VIOLENCE - PG. This is a murder mystery not particularly dark or graphic.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.
March 13, 2019
I keep promising myself I’m going to kick my cosy mystery habit and move on to something edgier instead, but somehow I never do. My latest read, Karen Charlton’s Murder in Park Lane, did nothing to make me want to look elsewhere.
The book is set in London in 1812 and it’s the fifth in a series featuring Inspector Lavender and his sidekick Ned Woods, butt worked very well as a standalone. So many series writers slip up here, but Charlton has it spot on — just the right amount of backstory, enough hints about past mysteries to nudge the reader towards them without leaving you feeling that you’ve missed out, and yet she manages to engage the reader with her recurring characters (though I would guess there are only two detectives, so there’s not a huge amount of room for confusion).
There’s murder afoot, in fashionable Mayfair, where a man has been found mysteriously dead inside a locked room with no murder weapon. This intriguing premise was perhaps solved rather earlier than I would have liked, but the mystery took off nicely, full of twists and turns as people’s secrets were revealed. Lavender and Woods are hot on the trail, though, relentlessly picking their way through the mysteries of the wealthy and the titled, the poor, the moneylenders and the fraudsters until they reach a satisfying conclusion.
For the most part I loved the characterisation, which was neat and anything but cliched, and I laughed out loud at some of the turns in the book (such as the nymphomaniac elderly ladies with an eye for handsome young men). I wasn’t so taken with the subplot of Woods deciding he was overweight and fasting to the detriment of his health, which was something that felt far more like the behaviour of a teenage girl than of a policeman with an adult child. It was so odd that I assumed it must have something to do with the plot, but it didn’t and rather petered out.
That one gripe aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be going back to read more in the series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The book is set in London in 1812 and it’s the fifth in a series featuring Inspector Lavender and his sidekick Ned Woods, butt worked very well as a standalone. So many series writers slip up here, but Charlton has it spot on — just the right amount of backstory, enough hints about past mysteries to nudge the reader towards them without leaving you feeling that you’ve missed out, and yet she manages to engage the reader with her recurring characters (though I would guess there are only two detectives, so there’s not a huge amount of room for confusion).
There’s murder afoot, in fashionable Mayfair, where a man has been found mysteriously dead inside a locked room with no murder weapon. This intriguing premise was perhaps solved rather earlier than I would have liked, but the mystery took off nicely, full of twists and turns as people’s secrets were revealed. Lavender and Woods are hot on the trail, though, relentlessly picking their way through the mysteries of the wealthy and the titled, the poor, the moneylenders and the fraudsters until they reach a satisfying conclusion.
For the most part I loved the characterisation, which was neat and anything but cliched, and I laughed out loud at some of the turns in the book (such as the nymphomaniac elderly ladies with an eye for handsome young men). I wasn’t so taken with the subplot of Woods deciding he was overweight and fasting to the detriment of his health, which was something that felt far more like the behaviour of a teenage girl than of a policeman with an adult child. It was so odd that I assumed it must have something to do with the plot, but it didn’t and rather petered out.
That one gripe aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be going back to read more in the series.
Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
May 29, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Murder in Park Lane is the 5th Detective Lavender mystery by Karen Charlton. Released 12th Feb 2019 by Amazon on their Thomas & Mercer imprint, it's 313 pages and available in paperback, ebook, and audi formats.
This is a cozy historical murder mystery. It's 1812 and Regency England is fighting with basically everyone (France, the US, Spain, etc). Lavender and sidekick Woods are called to the scene of a locked room murder in an upscale neighborhood in London. They're soon on the hunt for a murderer (or murderers). The plot is appealingly twisty and the characters are fairly well defined. There is humor to be found here and some of the interactions are lightly comedic.
I found the author's use of casual endearments somewhat wearying and quite a lot of the dialogue was tough going. I was repeatedly yanked out of the story by anachronistic turns of phrase and if -any- policeman, however highly placed, had dared speak to even minor nobility like Lavender does, he'd have been horsewhipped at the very least. Start to finish, this was a book with modern sensibilities and interactions written for modern audiences. Also, the phonetic dialect was hard going for most of the book. I didn't find it added much verisimilitude and most of the time it just made me roll my eyes internally.
Much of the language and slang used in the book are British and American readers may have to use the 'lookup' feature on their e-readers; but that doesn't present any problems. Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library, along with the other books in the series.
Three and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Murder in Park Lane is the 5th Detective Lavender mystery by Karen Charlton. Released 12th Feb 2019 by Amazon on their Thomas & Mercer imprint, it's 313 pages and available in paperback, ebook, and audi formats.
This is a cozy historical murder mystery. It's 1812 and Regency England is fighting with basically everyone (France, the US, Spain, etc). Lavender and sidekick Woods are called to the scene of a locked room murder in an upscale neighborhood in London. They're soon on the hunt for a murderer (or murderers). The plot is appealingly twisty and the characters are fairly well defined. There is humor to be found here and some of the interactions are lightly comedic.
I found the author's use of casual endearments somewhat wearying and quite a lot of the dialogue was tough going. I was repeatedly yanked out of the story by anachronistic turns of phrase and if -any- policeman, however highly placed, had dared speak to even minor nobility like Lavender does, he'd have been horsewhipped at the very least. Start to finish, this was a book with modern sensibilities and interactions written for modern audiences. Also, the phonetic dialect was hard going for most of the book. I didn't find it added much verisimilitude and most of the time it just made me roll my eyes internally.
Much of the language and slang used in the book are British and American readers may have to use the 'lookup' feature on their e-readers; but that doesn't present any problems. Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library, along with the other books in the series.
Three and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
July 17, 2020
What a delightful Regency Romp
Set in Regency London in 1812 and featuring Bow Street runner Stephen Lavender, his Constable, Ned Woods and crew, the book is a complete joy. I love the characters, the history, the warmth and humour, the dialogue and plotting. It's the fifth book in the series, but the second one I have read, joining in the series halfway along them. I love the books. This one is even more enjoyable than the first one I read, Plague Pits and River Bones which I bought because I was intrigued by the title. Still think it's a great title. I am falling just a little bit in love with tall, handsome and athletic Lavender. And the repartee between him and Ned Woods as they gallop around such a well described London of that time is pure magic. This is how a book should be written; setting, plot and characters all meshing seamlessly together to make entertaining reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I am normally rubbish at sticking with a book series. I read the first one, maybe a second, but the thought of five, six or more by the same writer with the same characters makes me hesitate and ponder all the other books, recommendations and my pile of to be reads and I don't buy more. I will make an exception in the case of this writer and this series because the writing is so good and the enjoyment and entertainment level so huge. In my teens I loved the books of Georgette Heyer. The Lavender series ... I've only just learned he is based on a real Bow Street Principal Officer - is a delightful and so now updated version of those long ago reads, but better. Loved the book.
Set in Regency London in 1812 and featuring Bow Street runner Stephen Lavender, his Constable, Ned Woods and crew, the book is a complete joy. I love the characters, the history, the warmth and humour, the dialogue and plotting. It's the fifth book in the series, but the second one I have read, joining in the series halfway along them. I love the books. This one is even more enjoyable than the first one I read, Plague Pits and River Bones which I bought because I was intrigued by the title. Still think it's a great title. I am falling just a little bit in love with tall, handsome and athletic Lavender. And the repartee between him and Ned Woods as they gallop around such a well described London of that time is pure magic. This is how a book should be written; setting, plot and characters all meshing seamlessly together to make entertaining reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I am normally rubbish at sticking with a book series. I read the first one, maybe a second, but the thought of five, six or more by the same writer with the same characters makes me hesitate and ponder all the other books, recommendations and my pile of to be reads and I don't buy more. I will make an exception in the case of this writer and this series because the writing is so good and the enjoyment and entertainment level so huge. In my teens I loved the books of Georgette Heyer. The Lavender series ... I've only just learned he is based on a real Bow Street Principal Officer - is a delightful and so now updated version of those long ago reads, but better. Loved the book.
September 22, 2019
Murder in Park Lane is the fifth book in this series.
Description: London, 1812. At a fashionable address in leafy Mayfair, a far cry from Detective Stephen Lavender’s usual haunts, a man is found dead in his room. He has been brutally stabbed, but the door is locked from the inside and the weapon is missing. The deceased is David MacAdam, an Essex businessman with expensive tastes. As Lavender and Constable Ned Woods travel between London and Chelmsford seeking to understand MacAdam’s final hours and unearth the grisly truth, they uncover a tangled web of deceit behind his stylish facade. The unusual circumstances of MacAdam’s death are nothing compared to the shady nature of his life and it seems the house on Park Lane is at the heart of a dark conspiracy. But when a second body turns up, everything they think they’ve learned is thrown into doubt. Can Lavender and Woods find out who’s behind these shocking murders before more lives are ruined?
The story revolves around Detective Lavender and Constable Woods working together to figure out who murdered David MacAdam. Lavender is surprised when arrogant Sir Richard Allison, a renowned physician requests her assistance to figure out how MacAdam could have been murdered in a room locked from the inside?
Things get complicated when a second victim is murdered. So, definitely a great mystery.
Overall, the characters are well defined and the story keeps you guessing until the very end.
I was provided this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I give this a 5 Star
Description: London, 1812. At a fashionable address in leafy Mayfair, a far cry from Detective Stephen Lavender’s usual haunts, a man is found dead in his room. He has been brutally stabbed, but the door is locked from the inside and the weapon is missing. The deceased is David MacAdam, an Essex businessman with expensive tastes. As Lavender and Constable Ned Woods travel between London and Chelmsford seeking to understand MacAdam’s final hours and unearth the grisly truth, they uncover a tangled web of deceit behind his stylish facade. The unusual circumstances of MacAdam’s death are nothing compared to the shady nature of his life and it seems the house on Park Lane is at the heart of a dark conspiracy. But when a second body turns up, everything they think they’ve learned is thrown into doubt. Can Lavender and Woods find out who’s behind these shocking murders before more lives are ruined?
The story revolves around Detective Lavender and Constable Woods working together to figure out who murdered David MacAdam. Lavender is surprised when arrogant Sir Richard Allison, a renowned physician requests her assistance to figure out how MacAdam could have been murdered in a room locked from the inside?
Things get complicated when a second victim is murdered. So, definitely a great mystery.
Overall, the characters are well defined and the story keeps you guessing until the very end.
I was provided this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I give this a 5 Star
February 11, 2020
I recently discovered Ms. Charlton, thanks to Kindle Unlimited. I am definitely a fan! I enjoy the characters of Lavender and Woods and their strong relationship. It reminds me of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. They admire each other's abilities, yet are not above criticizing one another. There's quite a bit of humor to balance the grim murders. The family lives of the two men help round out their characters, showing their ability to love others. However, the family doesn't overwhelm the mystery plot, unlike other mysteries where the family lives take up so much unnecessary real estate in a book. The plot was not the usual retread of other historical mysteries. The "gigolo" theme was a new one to me in Regency novels. Perhaps it's because Ms. Charlton is English herself that her novels seem more authentic than American authors writing historical mysteries. I have in mind the Charles Finch/Charles Lennox and C.S. Harris/Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series. For example, in one Lennox book, Finch uses "vacation" instead of "holiday". Did the word "vacation" even exist in Regency England? It is an Americanism. I doubt Ms. Charlton would make the same mistake. Ms. Charlton's writing is very atmospheric. You can almost hear, see and smell Regency London and Chelmsford in her books. I look forward to reading Book #6 in the series. I hope Ms. Charlton comes up with a clever new plot, unlike the tired and uninspiring plots of the other authors.
July 22, 2019
Murder in Park Lane by Karen Charlton, is book five of the ‘Detective Lavender Mysteries’, however it can be read as a stand-alone book.
I read this as a stand-alone read and thoroughly enjoyed the book without reading the previous books in the series; however, I now want to read the whole series as I loved the mix of historical fiction and mystery which this book gave. It is set in Mayfair, London in 1812, and Detective Stephen Lavender is investigating the death of a man who has been killed by fatal stabbing but surprisingly the body is found behind a door which is locked from the inside and the murder weapon is missing. So begins Detective Lavender’s investigations, the author brings the sights and sounds of both London and Chelmsford alive as the Detective travels between the two to solve the mysterious death of businessman David MacAdam. When a second body turns up, Lavender along with Ned Woods, the Constable, learn that the house on Park Lane has a dark conspiracy and the two must learn the truth behind the murders and who is doing them.
This is a fast paced book and it took me along for the journey, I was hooked from page one. Definitely recommend the ‘Detective Lavender Mysteries’ series.
I read this as a stand-alone read and thoroughly enjoyed the book without reading the previous books in the series; however, I now want to read the whole series as I loved the mix of historical fiction and mystery which this book gave. It is set in Mayfair, London in 1812, and Detective Stephen Lavender is investigating the death of a man who has been killed by fatal stabbing but surprisingly the body is found behind a door which is locked from the inside and the murder weapon is missing. So begins Detective Lavender’s investigations, the author brings the sights and sounds of both London and Chelmsford alive as the Detective travels between the two to solve the mysterious death of businessman David MacAdam. When a second body turns up, Lavender along with Ned Woods, the Constable, learn that the house on Park Lane has a dark conspiracy and the two must learn the truth behind the murders and who is doing them.
This is a fast paced book and it took me along for the journey, I was hooked from page one. Definitely recommend the ‘Detective Lavender Mysteries’ series.
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