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The Clearwater Mysteries #3
Unspeakable Acts
"Death will come da capo, suddenly silent, and you will not hear your final applause. Fail us, and you die."
Blackmail, a death threat and an opera. The Clearwater Foundation is to be launched with a charity gala at the City Opera House where Archer's old friend, Cadwell Roxton, is to star. But Roxton has a dark secret. He will be murdered during his performance unless he exposes Lord Clearwater's homosexuality.
Archer's lover, Silas enlists the help of the new footman, James to unlock the mystery and save Roxton, the performance and the viscount's reputation — without raising suspicion. With only three days to go before the gala, it's a race against time that takes us from the notorious Cleaver Street brothel to the Royal Opera House and a thrilling climax with love, liberty and lives at stake.
While in the background, enemies old and new plot Clearwater's ultimate downfall.
Part three of the Clearwater Mysteries, 'Unspeakable Acts' follows on from 'Twisted Tracks.' The series is best read in order.
"Another entertaining, well plotted, action-packed, triple mystery set in the imaginary, Victorian era of England 1888. Jackson Marsh has got me hooked!" Amazon review.
Blackmail, a death threat and an opera. The Clearwater Foundation is to be launched with a charity gala at the City Opera House where Archer's old friend, Cadwell Roxton, is to star. But Roxton has a dark secret. He will be murdered during his performance unless he exposes Lord Clearwater's homosexuality.
Archer's lover, Silas enlists the help of the new footman, James to unlock the mystery and save Roxton, the performance and the viscount's reputation — without raising suspicion. With only three days to go before the gala, it's a race against time that takes us from the notorious Cleaver Street brothel to the Royal Opera House and a thrilling climax with love, liberty and lives at stake.
While in the background, enemies old and new plot Clearwater's ultimate downfall.
Part three of the Clearwater Mysteries, 'Unspeakable Acts' follows on from 'Twisted Tracks.' The series is best read in order.
"Another entertaining, well plotted, action-packed, triple mystery set in the imaginary, Victorian era of England 1888. Jackson Marsh has got me hooked!" Amazon review.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2019
59 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Jackson Marsh
43 books81 followersJackson Marsh is a British born author of novels and screenplays. He has won awards for his gay erotic writing and currently writes for several adult websites. In 2007, Jackson won an EGPA for his writing and in 2017 won awards for his screenplay writing. He is married and lives in Greece.
You can reach Jackson at his website jacksonmarsh.com
You can reach Jackson at his website jacksonmarsh.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 8, 2024
4.75 stars ...
Oh, Jiminy Christmas 🤯 ...
this one was awesome!!
My heart was in my throat
through the last 25%! 😲
I really like how the author
keeps adding new, delightful characters
to join the cast that we've already collected.
In this one, it's Jake ...
really hope to see much more of him! 😁
Lovin' this series so much ...
and so thrilled that there's seven more!
So, on to the the next ... shall we? 😊
Oh, Jiminy Christmas 🤯 ...
this one was awesome!!
My heart was in my throat
through the last 25%! 😲
I really like how the author
keeps adding new, delightful characters
to join the cast that we've already collected.
In this one, it's Jake ...
really hope to see much more of him! 😁
Lovin' this series so much ...
and so thrilled that there's seven more!
So, on to the the next ... shall we? 😊
May 19, 2025
Ya con el edificio de la fundación a punto de inaugurarse, Archer decide hacer un evento para recaudar mas fondos para su funcionamiento. Para esto, consigue alquilar el Salón de Opera, y conseguir que varios actores y actrices den una función especial. Sin embargo, alguien en las sombras quiere destruir sus esfuerzos y si es posible, destruir a Clearwater, y Archer no sabe como ni cuando. Pero Silas, comienza a investigar, junto con James, como poder ayudar y detener el atentado. Pero, podrán llegar a tiempo y evitar que nadie muera? Podrán evitar que sea mal puesto el nombre de Clearwater? Quién esta detrás de todo esto? porque?
Para ser un libro de misterio, este fue realmente muy misterioso. Hubieron muy pocas pistas, casi nada llevaba a solucionar el problema, sino a mas preguntas. No conseguí ninguna línea lógica de pensamiento y me costo muchísimo entender muchas de las descripciones dadas en el libro. Quizás por eso no lo disfrute tanto, con excepción de la última parte, donde se llena de acción y diálogos rápidos.
En fin, me esta gustando la serie (que hay que leer en orden), pero todavía no logro ver cual va a ser el descubrimiento final, ni como van a llegar al felices para siempre. Pero voy a continuar con la lectura, porque quiero saber con que mas me va a asombrar el autor.
Para ser un libro de misterio, este fue realmente muy misterioso. Hubieron muy pocas pistas, casi nada llevaba a solucionar el problema, sino a mas preguntas. No conseguí ninguna línea lógica de pensamiento y me costo muchísimo entender muchas de las descripciones dadas en el libro. Quizás por eso no lo disfrute tanto, con excepción de la última parte, donde se llena de acción y diálogos rápidos.
En fin, me esta gustando la serie (que hay que leer en orden), pero todavía no logro ver cual va a ser el descubrimiento final, ni como van a llegar al felices para siempre. Pero voy a continuar con la lectura, porque quiero saber con que mas me va a asombrar el autor.
November 16, 2023
Not the best of the series, by any means, but still a nice read with some new characters and a detailed plot. If the next book doesn’t capture my attention like the first ones, it’ll probably be my last.
April 14, 2024
The Clearwater detective agency's stage debut is pure comic genius
A whirlwind tour around a London theatre opens book 3 in a spectacular fashion. A breathless outpouring from an enthusiastic stagehand sets the scene for this theatrically explosive next chapter. We see Silas and James take to the stage in a new mystery, as they set about secretly investigating a suspected case of blackmail.
Now that I'm on my third Jackson Marsh book in this series, I'm really starting to notice, not only the depth and substance of his writing, but also his brilliant comic style. This book, more than the other two, has some incredible comic writing that could easily be lifted from the page and transferred to any stage in the West End and bring the house down. However it's his brilliant knack of capturing the atmosphere in a scene, whilst delving deep into the subtext as he draws vivid imagery to the surface that still dominates his writing. At times you really have to have your whits about you as it can be quite challenging to keep the imagery and the scene setting in clear view, particularly as the plot kicks up a gear. You see this more in his action pieces as they are often quite complex and quite hard to visualise without some effort on the reader's part. The adrenaline and the rush you feel when reading these scenes, and the to need to know what will happen next, has you whipping through the pages at great speed. This often results in you missing key descriptions and getting lost in the scene which is definitely not the authors intent. But it can't be helped as he ratchets up the tension to such a high degree that you are desperate to know how the scene will play out. But if you pause and take your time to read his prose you get to see a master at work. Following the breathless opening where we are flooded with theatrical terminology as the author expertly captures what life is like backstage in a thriving theatre, we are slowly brought down to earth with some more intimate scenes where you will get to see those prose in action.
In the first of these scenes, we see two lower class boys try to find a friendship amidst the confines of upper class status. In a beautifully written scene between Silas and James, whilst preparing for a dinner party, Jackson Marsh wonderfully captures the awkwardness of these two as they try try to begin a new friendship. It is very much akin to 5 year olds asking each other in the playground if they wanted to be best friends! In a wonderfully crafted verbal jousting match between the two of them, we see Silas trying to get James to agree to be his confidant. The scene plays out against James trying to dress Silas in his formal attire while Silas is trying to get James to throw off his formal footman persona just long enough so he can talk to him as a friend. Eventually James lets up and you see the first signs of their friendship begin to blossom.
The second of note, and one of my favourites, is the dinner party itself. Following the introduction of the guests we see the Viceroy and Dr Markham, playfully navigating the turbulent waters stirred up by Mrs Marks and her vile opinions. Even here, Jackson Marsh still manages to weave his playful humour into the scene but never once taking away from the justifiable disgust you feel towards such a hideous women. But its the clever way he introduces us to someone who might just be the most vile person at the party, that really impressed me. On the arm of one of the most glorious characters in the Clearwater universe, the wonderful Lady Marshall, we are first introduced to Cadwell Roxton. Indeed, at first sight he appears to be a charming, wonderful man. An opera singer of note and a childhood friend of Archer. However, it’s the skilfully drawn reminisces of Silas during the meal where we truly start to see beneath the mask. In another amazingly descriptive scene, we venture back into Silas memories as he remembers the time when he visited the Molly house on Clever Street. A sinister opium den where poor boys were subjected to the cruel desires of its clients, while laced up on drugs. One of whom Silas suddenly recognises as sitting across from him at the dinner table. This scene is so brilliantly written I beg you just to slow down your reading and let the authors words draw you in to the horror hiding under the surface. It is the subtlety in his prose, as was the language of the time, that often carries the most weight. In our rush to consume or our need to dip in and out of a book, we can often miss these subtleties, much to our detriment.
So as Silas and James start to investigate who Silas saw in the Molly house, they begin to uncover a mystery of blackmail and hidden identities. The further they look into things the more concerning everything appears to be. As in the previous 2 books, you clearly feel the pacing in the final sections starts to move up a gear, most notably as the Clearwater party make their entrance at the charity gala opera. However it's not some manic chase scene across the North East coast of England that gets the blood pumping this time around. No, its a wonderful written backstage farce that kicks off the proceedings as Silas, Thomas and Jake race through the theatre in search of a Royal livery while Silas hot wires a plan to foil a murder. What follows are a series of brilliantly written comic skits between Silas and Thomas, Silas and James, and best of all, Silas and Roxton. Clever, funny and so very English. Even Mrs Marks is given some wonderful comic moments that would have made Lady Bracknell green with envy.
This is a brilliant addition to the series and a wonderful respite from the intensity of the previous two books. But despite being gloriously comedic in nature Unspeakable Acts is still full of menace as the threat to Clearwater grows ever more close.
A whirlwind tour around a London theatre opens book 3 in a spectacular fashion. A breathless outpouring from an enthusiastic stagehand sets the scene for this theatrically explosive next chapter. We see Silas and James take to the stage in a new mystery, as they set about secretly investigating a suspected case of blackmail.
Now that I'm on my third Jackson Marsh book in this series, I'm really starting to notice, not only the depth and substance of his writing, but also his brilliant comic style. This book, more than the other two, has some incredible comic writing that could easily be lifted from the page and transferred to any stage in the West End and bring the house down. However it's his brilliant knack of capturing the atmosphere in a scene, whilst delving deep into the subtext as he draws vivid imagery to the surface that still dominates his writing. At times you really have to have your whits about you as it can be quite challenging to keep the imagery and the scene setting in clear view, particularly as the plot kicks up a gear. You see this more in his action pieces as they are often quite complex and quite hard to visualise without some effort on the reader's part. The adrenaline and the rush you feel when reading these scenes, and the to need to know what will happen next, has you whipping through the pages at great speed. This often results in you missing key descriptions and getting lost in the scene which is definitely not the authors intent. But it can't be helped as he ratchets up the tension to such a high degree that you are desperate to know how the scene will play out. But if you pause and take your time to read his prose you get to see a master at work. Following the breathless opening where we are flooded with theatrical terminology as the author expertly captures what life is like backstage in a thriving theatre, we are slowly brought down to earth with some more intimate scenes where you will get to see those prose in action.
In the first of these scenes, we see two lower class boys try to find a friendship amidst the confines of upper class status. In a beautifully written scene between Silas and James, whilst preparing for a dinner party, Jackson Marsh wonderfully captures the awkwardness of these two as they try try to begin a new friendship. It is very much akin to 5 year olds asking each other in the playground if they wanted to be best friends! In a wonderfully crafted verbal jousting match between the two of them, we see Silas trying to get James to agree to be his confidant. The scene plays out against James trying to dress Silas in his formal attire while Silas is trying to get James to throw off his formal footman persona just long enough so he can talk to him as a friend. Eventually James lets up and you see the first signs of their friendship begin to blossom.
The second of note, and one of my favourites, is the dinner party itself. Following the introduction of the guests we see the Viceroy and Dr Markham, playfully navigating the turbulent waters stirred up by Mrs Marks and her vile opinions. Even here, Jackson Marsh still manages to weave his playful humour into the scene but never once taking away from the justifiable disgust you feel towards such a hideous women. But its the clever way he introduces us to someone who might just be the most vile person at the party, that really impressed me. On the arm of one of the most glorious characters in the Clearwater universe, the wonderful Lady Marshall, we are first introduced to Cadwell Roxton. Indeed, at first sight he appears to be a charming, wonderful man. An opera singer of note and a childhood friend of Archer. However, it’s the skilfully drawn reminisces of Silas during the meal where we truly start to see beneath the mask. In another amazingly descriptive scene, we venture back into Silas memories as he remembers the time when he visited the Molly house on Clever Street. A sinister opium den where poor boys were subjected to the cruel desires of its clients, while laced up on drugs. One of whom Silas suddenly recognises as sitting across from him at the dinner table. This scene is so brilliantly written I beg you just to slow down your reading and let the authors words draw you in to the horror hiding under the surface. It is the subtlety in his prose, as was the language of the time, that often carries the most weight. In our rush to consume or our need to dip in and out of a book, we can often miss these subtleties, much to our detriment.
So as Silas and James start to investigate who Silas saw in the Molly house, they begin to uncover a mystery of blackmail and hidden identities. The further they look into things the more concerning everything appears to be. As in the previous 2 books, you clearly feel the pacing in the final sections starts to move up a gear, most notably as the Clearwater party make their entrance at the charity gala opera. However it's not some manic chase scene across the North East coast of England that gets the blood pumping this time around. No, its a wonderful written backstage farce that kicks off the proceedings as Silas, Thomas and Jake race through the theatre in search of a Royal livery while Silas hot wires a plan to foil a murder. What follows are a series of brilliantly written comic skits between Silas and Thomas, Silas and James, and best of all, Silas and Roxton. Clever, funny and so very English. Even Mrs Marks is given some wonderful comic moments that would have made Lady Bracknell green with envy.
This is a brilliant addition to the series and a wonderful respite from the intensity of the previous two books. But despite being gloriously comedic in nature Unspeakable Acts is still full of menace as the threat to Clearwater grows ever more close.
Read
August 4, 2024I’ve said it and said it and said it again, I’m terrible at writing reviews, particularly if I don’t do so immediately upon finishing a book 😫 and I finished this one a few weeks ago. Moreover, this is part of a continuing series where each book picks up right where the previous one left off, so they kind of blur together for me. Still, just like this book’s predecessors, Unspeakable Acts, is an intriguing and captivating mystery with the romances in the background and the mystery and found family aspects firmly as the main focus. This suits me very well as powerful found family bonds are almost always my favorite aspect of any good queer story anyway.
4 stars. And now, on to the next in the series!
4 stars. And now, on to the next in the series!
August 14, 2019
Silas Hawkins and James Wright find themselves caught up in a mystery of blackmail that they will have to solve themselves. Cadwell Roxton a close friend to Archer and talented countertenor is performing in town and Archer would like his help in promoting his charity. When Roxton comes to Clearwater for dinner Silas takes in the reaction of Archer. But for Silas there’s something about Roxton that jars his memory of the past.
As Silas decides to investigate, his memories take him back to a life that he has now left behind. He finds himself at the Cleaver Street brothel where it becomes more sordid than he remembers. With the help of James and Feck, Silas rescues Roxton but he can’t be sure Roxton will let the blackmail destroy Archer.
All Silas knows if Roxton is being blackmailed into destroying Archer he has to stop it any way he can. This takes him backstage in the world of theatre, and it proves not all is what it seems. Silas’ main obstacle is to tell or not to tell Archer what he’s discovered. He fears loosing Archer and watching him be destroyed.
There’s still a culprit out there that’s bound and determined to expose Archer, Silas and their close friends for what they really are. And a dead man keeps haunting their every move.
“The Clearwater Mysteries” has become one of my favorite historical mystery series. I love this group of men that have come together to form a special bond. In this third installment, Marsh gives Silas and James the opportunity to be the stars of the story. It shows Silas’ ability to put together a plan along with Jim to investigate. Silas has to take a big step outside himself to save Archer’s reputation and his cause. Marsh also gives us a very descriptive tour as to what goes on backstage at the theatre during the 1800’s.
Jackson Marsh is a talented writer and really brings this period of history alive.
I’m excited to see Marsh continue with the Clearwater Mystery series. “Fallen Splendor” is the next installment to this intriguing series and the cover art on this one is fantastic.
The “Clearwater Mysteries” starts with “Deviant Desires” and the second book is “Twisted Tracks”, which I highly recommend reading before “Unspeakable Acts”.
As Silas decides to investigate, his memories take him back to a life that he has now left behind. He finds himself at the Cleaver Street brothel where it becomes more sordid than he remembers. With the help of James and Feck, Silas rescues Roxton but he can’t be sure Roxton will let the blackmail destroy Archer.
All Silas knows if Roxton is being blackmailed into destroying Archer he has to stop it any way he can. This takes him backstage in the world of theatre, and it proves not all is what it seems. Silas’ main obstacle is to tell or not to tell Archer what he’s discovered. He fears loosing Archer and watching him be destroyed.
There’s still a culprit out there that’s bound and determined to expose Archer, Silas and their close friends for what they really are. And a dead man keeps haunting their every move.
“The Clearwater Mysteries” has become one of my favorite historical mystery series. I love this group of men that have come together to form a special bond. In this third installment, Marsh gives Silas and James the opportunity to be the stars of the story. It shows Silas’ ability to put together a plan along with Jim to investigate. Silas has to take a big step outside himself to save Archer’s reputation and his cause. Marsh also gives us a very descriptive tour as to what goes on backstage at the theatre during the 1800’s.
Jackson Marsh is a talented writer and really brings this period of history alive.
I’m excited to see Marsh continue with the Clearwater Mystery series. “Fallen Splendor” is the next installment to this intriguing series and the cover art on this one is fantastic.
The “Clearwater Mysteries” starts with “Deviant Desires” and the second book is “Twisted Tracks”, which I highly recommend reading before “Unspeakable Acts”.
October 7, 2021
Book 3 in the Clearwater Mysteries, Jackson Marsh's excellent Victorian mysteries/MM romance. This time the crew had to solve a mystery involving an eminent singer, disgruntling former workers, notorious molly houses in Cleaver street, and is mainly from Silas's point of view.
Silas Hawking, ex-renter, current private secretary to the Viscount Clearwater and also Archer's secret lover, was a delight. He is witty, quick on his feet and it was a joy seeing life from his eyes. James the footman also features prominently, as he is also clever and very good at detecting things.
The books further look into themes of brotherhood, the importance of a man's character above his class, and how the Morality act of England effectively ruin some men's lives and turned other into blackmailers. And yet the story is a joy to read, and I can't wait for the next one.
Silas Hawking, ex-renter, current private secretary to the Viscount Clearwater and also Archer's secret lover, was a delight. He is witty, quick on his feet and it was a joy seeing life from his eyes. James the footman also features prominently, as he is also clever and very good at detecting things.
The books further look into themes of brotherhood, the importance of a man's character above his class, and how the Morality act of England effectively ruin some men's lives and turned other into blackmailers. And yet the story is a joy to read, and I can't wait for the next one.
May 23, 2020
I think my favourite so far, certainly in the mystery element.
Archie and Silas continue their relationship. Archie wasn’t so much a central character in this one despite being embroiled in the goings on, but still fully enamoured on Silas. Silas gets to play back to his roots and slips into the underbelly of the life of renters. His family is confirmed as safe and provided for (Archie) and found by the bad guys.
Tommy and Jimmy have a big role in this one and the life of an upstairs servant is shown to be equally a trial in the correct fashion stakes.
The murder threat is intriguing though Stella’s identity is obvious to the reader long before the sleuth’s find out. Dramatic end, the details of the stage and behind all very interesting.
Archie and Silas continue their relationship. Archie wasn’t so much a central character in this one despite being embroiled in the goings on, but still fully enamoured on Silas. Silas gets to play back to his roots and slips into the underbelly of the life of renters. His family is confirmed as safe and provided for (Archie) and found by the bad guys.
Tommy and Jimmy have a big role in this one and the life of an upstairs servant is shown to be equally a trial in the correct fashion stakes.
The murder threat is intriguing though Stella’s identity is obvious to the reader long before the sleuth’s find out. Dramatic end, the details of the stage and behind all very interesting.
July 8, 2019
To be honest, I was a little worried from the first few chapters that we were heading into a Phantom of the Opera plot; thankfully no mad cloaked and masked murderer here. I did guess the identity of the baddie threatening to destroy Archer's grand plans about halfway through the book and the madcap chase / action sequence high up in the rafters of the Opera House proved heart-rate elevating indeed. This series keeps getting better and better IMO.
October 3, 2024
The Viscount has a friend who's a singer, so he's overjoyed when said friend comes to London to perform in Dido and Aeneas. Silas isn't so sure, and when said singer receives a death threat in advance of his second performance, the staff of the Clearwater mansion springs into action. Death for Aeneas is averted.
February 28, 2020
Still entertaining
The action is good but it can get confusing at time. There were more times this book was confusing that the others. Still mostly like the characters but sometimes they didn’t make sense. Archer can be a bit boring and he’s a little too sappy....still.
The action is good but it can get confusing at time. There were more times this book was confusing that the others. Still mostly like the characters but sometimes they didn’t make sense. Archer can be a bit boring and he’s a little too sappy....still.
December 28, 2021
the plot of this was very confusing, i've had a think about it, trying to figure it out, and nope, still confused. the reliance on harmful transphobic tropes didn't help either. started out okay so i feel pretty disappointed.
October 16, 2019
This series just gets better
Well if so many fascinating characters and so much intrigue to be had within these books. This series is what a great mystery should be.
Well if so many fascinating characters and so much intrigue to be had within these books. This series is what a great mystery should be.
May 6, 2020
Very enjoyable series, well written with likeable characters. Some very interesting historical facts as well. Can't wait for more.
June 2, 2022
Opulent drama with very sweet romance. Liked this one's setting and plot very much.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews