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Captain Lacey #14
Death at Brighton Pavilion
When Captain Gabriel Lacey finds himself standing over a dead body in Brighton Pavilion, bloody sword in hand and no memory of how he got there, he immediately fears he is a murderer.
The dead man is Colonel Hamilton Isherwood, a man Lacey clashed with after the battle of Salamanca in Spain seven years before. As Lacey tries to piece together the events of the previous night, he discovers he’d promised to help a Quaker gentleman find his missing son, and that the Society of Friends might know far more about his strange night out than anyone else.
With the help of Brewster, Grenville, and his wife, Lacey races to save himself from arrest, even it means bringing to light painful scandals from his own past.
Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 14. This is a full-length novel.
The dead man is Colonel Hamilton Isherwood, a man Lacey clashed with after the battle of Salamanca in Spain seven years before. As Lacey tries to piece together the events of the previous night, he discovers he’d promised to help a Quaker gentleman find his missing son, and that the Society of Friends might know far more about his strange night out than anyone else.
With the help of Brewster, Grenville, and his wife, Lacey races to save himself from arrest, even it means bringing to light painful scandals from his own past.
Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 14. This is a full-length novel.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2019
260 people are currently reading
323 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Gardner
48 books678 followersAshley Gardner is the pseudonym for NY Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley and nationally bestselling and award-winning author Allyson James. Her award-winning Captain Lacey Regency mysteries have garnered top reviews and an enthusiastic following. These books are now available as digital editions. More about the series can be found at http://www.gardnermysteries.com
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February 3, 2020The Captain Lacey series continues!
August 11, 2021
Captain Lacey hasn’t lost any of his stubbornness and penchant for trouble!
December 10, 2019
Series: Captain Lacey Mysteries #14
Publication Date: 12/17/19
Number of Pages:269
Poor Captain Lacey, it seems that everybody is mad at him in this long-awaited, excellently written, well-paced and interesting mystery. I had begun to despair of ever getting to read another Captain Lacey since it has been twenty months since the last one – but – it was well worth the wait. You can read this as a stand-alone, but some of the relationships might not be as filled-in and robust to you as they would be if you’d read all of the books. Besides – it is just a great series and I certainly recommend reading all of the books.
If you have read other Captain Lacey books, you know that he was permanently injured during the wars and because of the constant pain, he’s just a tad short-tempered. He’s also very honorable, very loyal, and totally in love with his family and friends. That uncompromising honor along with his tendency to be short-tempered often gets him into very ticklish situations, especially since he also has a tendency to act first and think later.
The book grabs you from the first scene – where Captain Lacey awakens in a cold room in Brighton Pavilion – with a sword in his hand – and the dead body of an officer who had been his enemy in Salamanca during the war. Then, it keeps you running from scene to scene until the final exciting, breath-holding scene. What a rollercoaster ride!
Visits with all of the wonderful recurring characters were nice. I love that this author provides us with fully developed characters who are consistent from book to book. Anyway, it was nice to see Donata, Gabriella, Peter, Grenville, Marianne, Brewster, Mr. Denis, and even a return visit by Colonel Brandon. I have to wonder how Brewster is going to adjust to his new circumstances – and how that will all work out.
A man is dead and Lacey has to wonder if he is the cause. It is possible because he certainly didn’t like the man, but he has no memory of doing it. He actually has no memory of most of that evening. When he came to in that room, he knew he’d be blamed for the death if he were discovered there, so he managed to leave without anyone sounding the alarm on him. Did he somehow cause the death or is he being set up to take the blame? He has to know the truth. If he did, indeed, cause the death, then he will turn himself in to the authorities and take the punishment for it – if not, he needs to see that the guilty party is punished.
I hope you will enjoy reading this wonderful book as much as I have. I definitely recommend it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 12/17/19
Number of Pages:269
Poor Captain Lacey, it seems that everybody is mad at him in this long-awaited, excellently written, well-paced and interesting mystery. I had begun to despair of ever getting to read another Captain Lacey since it has been twenty months since the last one – but – it was well worth the wait. You can read this as a stand-alone, but some of the relationships might not be as filled-in and robust to you as they would be if you’d read all of the books. Besides – it is just a great series and I certainly recommend reading all of the books.
If you have read other Captain Lacey books, you know that he was permanently injured during the wars and because of the constant pain, he’s just a tad short-tempered. He’s also very honorable, very loyal, and totally in love with his family and friends. That uncompromising honor along with his tendency to be short-tempered often gets him into very ticklish situations, especially since he also has a tendency to act first and think later.
The book grabs you from the first scene – where Captain Lacey awakens in a cold room in Brighton Pavilion – with a sword in his hand – and the dead body of an officer who had been his enemy in Salamanca during the war. Then, it keeps you running from scene to scene until the final exciting, breath-holding scene. What a rollercoaster ride!
Visits with all of the wonderful recurring characters were nice. I love that this author provides us with fully developed characters who are consistent from book to book. Anyway, it was nice to see Donata, Gabriella, Peter, Grenville, Marianne, Brewster, Mr. Denis, and even a return visit by Colonel Brandon. I have to wonder how Brewster is going to adjust to his new circumstances – and how that will all work out.
A man is dead and Lacey has to wonder if he is the cause. It is possible because he certainly didn’t like the man, but he has no memory of doing it. He actually has no memory of most of that evening. When he came to in that room, he knew he’d be blamed for the death if he were discovered there, so he managed to leave without anyone sounding the alarm on him. Did he somehow cause the death or is he being set up to take the blame? He has to know the truth. If he did, indeed, cause the death, then he will turn himself in to the authorities and take the punishment for it – if not, he needs to see that the guilty party is punished.
I hope you will enjoy reading this wonderful book as much as I have. I definitely recommend it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2020
First Sentence: I woke, or seemed to.
Captain Gabriel Lacey's old enemy Colonel Hamilton Isherwood has been murdered. Isherwood's blood is on Lacey's clothes and cavalry saber in Lacey's hand, and there is a gap in his memory as to what happened. The one person who might know is Clement, a footman, and Isherwood's son asks for Lacey's help in identifying his father's killer. While trying put the pieces together, Gabriel learns of two Quakers who are missing and promises to make inquiries as to their whereabouts.
There's nothing like a good hook; an opening that captures your attention from the very beginning. Having the protagonist come to consciousness in the company of a dead body, a saber in this hand, and the victim's blood on his clothes accomplishes that goal. It's also nice that new readers need not worry about coming into the series with this 14th book. Gardner does a very good job of introducing each of the characters and establishing their relationships. She also incorporates the intimacy between Lacey and his wife Donata in a way that is lovely romantic and a bit sexy, but never detailed.
Gardner creates an excellent sense of place, inviting the reader into the environment in which the characters find themselves. Often, too, she provides bits of history and general information, such as about Quakers, never overwhelming the story, but enhancing it.
One likes to read of protagonists who have a strong moral and ethical base, who believe in doing what is just. Lacey is just such a character in spite of the urgings of others. At the same time, he is not perfect and does have a past, yet one of the best traits of Lacey is his humanity; his sense of responsibility. In other words, he is believable.
Gardner creates an assumption and immediately dispels it carrying one along in the investigation. Another aspect of Gardner's writing which draws one back to her books, is her voice; her dialogue and the subtle humor incorporated which is offset by an excellent accounting of grieving--"That was the trouble with death. I too had been brought up to believe we should rejoice that the one we loved was with the lord, but somehow I never could. I could feel only emptiness, the lessening of myself for the absence of that person."
"Death at Brighton Pavilion" is a thoroughly enjoyable period mystery with plenty of twists, action, wonderful period details, and an ending that moves the series forward. As the author says--"Captain Lacey's adventures continue..."
DEATH AT BRIGHTON PAVILION: (HistMys-Cpt. Gabriel Lacey-Brighton, England) – G+
Gardner, Ashley - 14th in series
JA/AG Publishing - Dec 2019
Captain Gabriel Lacey's old enemy Colonel Hamilton Isherwood has been murdered. Isherwood's blood is on Lacey's clothes and cavalry saber in Lacey's hand, and there is a gap in his memory as to what happened. The one person who might know is Clement, a footman, and Isherwood's son asks for Lacey's help in identifying his father's killer. While trying put the pieces together, Gabriel learns of two Quakers who are missing and promises to make inquiries as to their whereabouts.
There's nothing like a good hook; an opening that captures your attention from the very beginning. Having the protagonist come to consciousness in the company of a dead body, a saber in this hand, and the victim's blood on his clothes accomplishes that goal. It's also nice that new readers need not worry about coming into the series with this 14th book. Gardner does a very good job of introducing each of the characters and establishing their relationships. She also incorporates the intimacy between Lacey and his wife Donata in a way that is lovely romantic and a bit sexy, but never detailed.
Gardner creates an excellent sense of place, inviting the reader into the environment in which the characters find themselves. Often, too, she provides bits of history and general information, such as about Quakers, never overwhelming the story, but enhancing it.
One likes to read of protagonists who have a strong moral and ethical base, who believe in doing what is just. Lacey is just such a character in spite of the urgings of others. At the same time, he is not perfect and does have a past, yet one of the best traits of Lacey is his humanity; his sense of responsibility. In other words, he is believable.
Gardner creates an assumption and immediately dispels it carrying one along in the investigation. Another aspect of Gardner's writing which draws one back to her books, is her voice; her dialogue and the subtle humor incorporated which is offset by an excellent accounting of grieving--"That was the trouble with death. I too had been brought up to believe we should rejoice that the one we loved was with the lord, but somehow I never could. I could feel only emptiness, the lessening of myself for the absence of that person."
"Death at Brighton Pavilion" is a thoroughly enjoyable period mystery with plenty of twists, action, wonderful period details, and an ending that moves the series forward. As the author says--"Captain Lacey's adventures continue..."
DEATH AT BRIGHTON PAVILION: (HistMys-Cpt. Gabriel Lacey-Brighton, England) – G+
Gardner, Ashley - 14th in series
JA/AG Publishing - Dec 2019
January 6, 2020
All of my 5 Fantastic & Honorable Stars belong to Captain Lacey. Sure, he was a fictional character. But right now in this "I-hate-you-more era," Captain Lacey satisfied my yearning for decency and honor. I totally enjoyed the mess he was in. It seemed he just kept going and running into trouble in each book! But the real trouble⁉️ There were too many dishonorable, traitorous, vicious, greedy, and etc. people in his world. Captain Lacey would never back down if he could do something to make things right and just.
Lacey was supposed to enjoy a vacation with his family in Brighton. But he had to spend that time fighting for his life, to clear himself from having been framed as a murderer. He had to find the killer(s) and to solve the case! What I loved most about this book was the support and trust given to Lacey from his wife, his best friend, his bodyguard, his patron (the lord of the London underworld), and more. Who wouldn't cheer and celebrate when the good guy won? And when the bad guys got what they deserved? The bad didn't pay in real life, so I lost myself in fiction instead. Sharing one of my favorite fight scenes:
Lacey was supposed to enjoy a vacation with his family in Brighton. But he had to spend that time fighting for his life, to clear himself from having been framed as a murderer. He had to find the killer(s) and to solve the case! What I loved most about this book was the support and trust given to Lacey from his wife, his best friend, his bodyguard, his patron (the lord of the London underworld), and more. Who wouldn't cheer and celebrate when the good guy won? And when the bad guys got what they deserved? The bad didn't pay in real life, so I lost myself in fiction instead. Sharing one of my favorite fight scenes:
I dropped into a hatch that led below as his shot echoed above me. They'd corner me down here, but I scarcely cared.
The berserker anger that had let me live after I'd been hung by my heels on a hot day in Spain, and again helped me killed a deserter who'd threatened the woman and children who'd rescued me, made me yank a chair from the floor and start breaking the windows that lined the hull. Water would flood in, and this pretty sloop and her be-damned yachtsmen would wash away.
May 23, 2024
This Captain Lacey book is so good and such a twist because this time the murder suspect is Gabriel himself. Poor Captain Lacey, while in holiday in Brighton with family and friends, falls into a trap by old enemies and can’t remember the events that lead up to the murder of an old nemesis. It was such a heart pounding experience to solve this murder mystery wherein Gabriel loses partial memory and doubts himself. Also, Gabriel and Donata are still working through some very real marital strife as the honorable Captain Lacey fights for the love and family he has always wanted.
Thankfully the tiresome Grenville/Mariann debacle cis fading in the background and I wasn’t as annoyed with irritating Colonel Brandon showing up to help Gabriel. But I detest Marianne so much I can’t bring myself to give this well-written story five stars. Ashley shot her self in the foot for creating such a foul character Mariann, who taints the series for me. Grenville deserved better.
James Denis is lurking in the background but while he is menacing and sketchy, he is a reliable ally to Captain Lacey. The compelling/sinister James Denis is the perfect foil for Gabriel Lacey, a man of impeccable integrity. I really hope for a redemption story for Denis down the road.
This was a wonderful read, I loved how Donata, Denis, Brewster, and even Col. Brandon rallied around Captain Lacey. Brewster is by far my favorite character with Denis a close second. Donata is the only female of this series I admire and root for.
Thankfully the tiresome Grenville/Mariann debacle cis fading in the background and I wasn’t as annoyed with irritating Colonel Brandon showing up to help Gabriel. But I detest Marianne so much I can’t bring myself to give this well-written story five stars. Ashley shot her self in the foot for creating such a foul character Mariann, who taints the series for me. Grenville deserved better.
James Denis is lurking in the background but while he is menacing and sketchy, he is a reliable ally to Captain Lacey. The compelling/sinister James Denis is the perfect foil for Gabriel Lacey, a man of impeccable integrity. I really hope for a redemption story for Denis down the road.
This was a wonderful read, I loved how Donata, Denis, Brewster, and even Col. Brandon rallied around Captain Lacey. Brewster is by far my favorite character with Denis a close second. Donata is the only female of this series I admire and root for.
December 17, 2019
The Captain Lacey stories get better and better with each book. Ms. Gardner draws you in and gets you hooked from the start. It was definitely hard to put it down.
Captain Lacey is found bent over a dead man with sword in hand at Brighton Pavilion. He doesn't remember how he got there and needs to figure out who murdered the man. All the regular cast of characters are in this story. There are a few twist and turns to the story that surprised me. I had a few guesses as to who done it, but did not know until the end. Very well done.
Captain Lacey is found bent over a dead man with sword in hand at Brighton Pavilion. He doesn't remember how he got there and needs to figure out who murdered the man. All the regular cast of characters are in this story. There are a few twist and turns to the story that surprised me. I had a few guesses as to who done it, but did not know until the end. Very well done.
December 26, 2019
1819 Captain Lacey comes to early in the morning standing over the murdered body of Colonel Hamilton Isherwood, in the Brighton Pavilion. A man that he had disagreed with some seven years previously.
Not remembering what has happened Lacey must determine the events of the previous night, even if it proves him guilty. Thankfully he has the help of Brewster, Grenville and his wife Donata.
Another enjoyable and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable characters.
Not remembering what has happened Lacey must determine the events of the previous night, even if it proves him guilty. Thankfully he has the help of Brewster, Grenville and his wife Donata.
Another enjoyable and well-written historical mystery with its cast of likeable characters.
July 18, 2022
Like all the series so far and this one is as exceptional as the rest. Excellent narration. Clean (mostly) :) and I’m on to the next in series.
November 7, 2022
Audio-Audible version-own
Gabriel Lacey
I just love Gabriel..and I think James Gillies does a fantastic job narrating.
Gabriel Lacey
I just love Gabriel..and I think James Gillies does a fantastic job narrating.
July 17, 2020
The quality of this series just never seems to flag. Captain Lacey is one of my evergreen literary crushes and this installment of his adventures was wonderful as always. His new wife has not grown on me - there’s always at least one point where I long to punch her in the throat - but she seems to make him happy so with that I must be content. Looking forward to the next one!
January 26, 2020
Excellent as are the rest in the series
I had waited patiently for this book. I came to know about this series quite late and had had an enjoyable marathon reading book after book in the series. So I had been anxiously waiting for this one. And it doesn’t disappoint. And now the wait will start again for the next one, The Custom House Murders.
I had waited patiently for this book. I came to know about this series quite late and had had an enjoyable marathon reading book after book in the series. So I had been anxiously waiting for this one. And it doesn’t disappoint. And now the wait will start again for the next one, The Custom House Murders.
January 3, 2020
I had a hard time getting into this one, while I enjoyed it, some of the others have been better
August 1, 2020
A quick delicious read.
September 3, 2020
Another great mystery with Captain Lacey
-In this novel of Captain Lacey, Lacey is now living a supposedly idyllic life. He’s happily married to Lady Donata Breckinridge, he’s reconciled with his daughter, Gabriela; he has his own daughter, Anne, with Lady Donata; and Lady Donata’s son, Peter, who will be inheriting the title and possessions of his deceased father, looks up to him. But we know that trouble seems to find Lacey and he’s here faced with something that he’s never experienced before.
-Lacey and his family, along with Grenville and Marianne who have now married, have gone to the coast at Brighton, which is an area near the sea where people can enjoy the sand and water. The Prince Regent is building a beautiful home there, and though it’s not complete, he has made a dinner there, inviting about 20 guests, with Lacey and Grenville among them. At the dinner, Lacey meets with Colonel Isherwood, with whom he has a sordid past, but the two put on a show of civility in front of the guests, and for the most part, manage to tolerate each other, although the conversation between the two did get heated at a certain point.
-The story, though, opens later in the night, about 3 AM. Lacey’s mind is in a fog, and he finds himself in one of the rooms of the new home of the Prince Regent. His mind starts to awaken and he sees Isherwood before him, slumped on the ground, dead, with a sword wound in his body, and, in Lacey’s hand is the sword, still with blood on the end.
-Lacey’s mind is in a fog, but he knows that all appearances point to him killing Isherwood. There is no other weapon. He has no idea how he even got there. As he’s staring, a young man who is a servant and is still clearing up from the party, happens to pass the room and sees Lacey. The young man starts to run and Lacey drops the sword and catches up to him, telling him that he didn’t kill Isherwood, but only came upon him already dead. The young man accepts Lacey’s words with trepidation and shows Lacey out, but now Lacey must determine exactly what happened, while his mind is blank as to the events of the last few hours.
-There is an assortment of characters which are brought back in this latest story of the Captain. Grenville, the dandy who has befriended Lacey; Brewster, who Denis has set as a watchman over Lacey; Quimby, a runner who is as thorough and persistent as Lacey himself; and Denis, who has reasons for making sure that Lacey will be available to do his bidding. Even Colonel Brandon makes an important appearance.
-Little by little, with the help of those around him, Lacey starts to piece together the events of that night. Though his memory remains a blank, he begins to discover his own whereabouts. We also are told of the source of the animosity between Isherwood and the Captain, from their time in battle together in Spain years before, which turns out to be a key to this whole affair. Between the old events in Spain and the recent events following the night of the dinner, the story begins to take shape, and Lacey is at risk of losing his life, despite the watchful eyes of both Brewster and Denis. It’s Denis who raises the possibility of someone framing Lacey, as revenge for one of the many acts which Lacey had done during his lifetime, and pushes Lacey to review all those who are in the area and who could have wished him harm.
-As always, the plot, the story line and the writing are excellent and this story, which foretells of a coming story involving an assignment for Lacey from Denis, remains at the fast paced and absorbing levels that we’ve grown to enjoy from this series.
-In this novel of Captain Lacey, Lacey is now living a supposedly idyllic life. He’s happily married to Lady Donata Breckinridge, he’s reconciled with his daughter, Gabriela; he has his own daughter, Anne, with Lady Donata; and Lady Donata’s son, Peter, who will be inheriting the title and possessions of his deceased father, looks up to him. But we know that trouble seems to find Lacey and he’s here faced with something that he’s never experienced before.
-Lacey and his family, along with Grenville and Marianne who have now married, have gone to the coast at Brighton, which is an area near the sea where people can enjoy the sand and water. The Prince Regent is building a beautiful home there, and though it’s not complete, he has made a dinner there, inviting about 20 guests, with Lacey and Grenville among them. At the dinner, Lacey meets with Colonel Isherwood, with whom he has a sordid past, but the two put on a show of civility in front of the guests, and for the most part, manage to tolerate each other, although the conversation between the two did get heated at a certain point.
-The story, though, opens later in the night, about 3 AM. Lacey’s mind is in a fog, and he finds himself in one of the rooms of the new home of the Prince Regent. His mind starts to awaken and he sees Isherwood before him, slumped on the ground, dead, with a sword wound in his body, and, in Lacey’s hand is the sword, still with blood on the end.
-Lacey’s mind is in a fog, but he knows that all appearances point to him killing Isherwood. There is no other weapon. He has no idea how he even got there. As he’s staring, a young man who is a servant and is still clearing up from the party, happens to pass the room and sees Lacey. The young man starts to run and Lacey drops the sword and catches up to him, telling him that he didn’t kill Isherwood, but only came upon him already dead. The young man accepts Lacey’s words with trepidation and shows Lacey out, but now Lacey must determine exactly what happened, while his mind is blank as to the events of the last few hours.
-There is an assortment of characters which are brought back in this latest story of the Captain. Grenville, the dandy who has befriended Lacey; Brewster, who Denis has set as a watchman over Lacey; Quimby, a runner who is as thorough and persistent as Lacey himself; and Denis, who has reasons for making sure that Lacey will be available to do his bidding. Even Colonel Brandon makes an important appearance.
-Little by little, with the help of those around him, Lacey starts to piece together the events of that night. Though his memory remains a blank, he begins to discover his own whereabouts. We also are told of the source of the animosity between Isherwood and the Captain, from their time in battle together in Spain years before, which turns out to be a key to this whole affair. Between the old events in Spain and the recent events following the night of the dinner, the story begins to take shape, and Lacey is at risk of losing his life, despite the watchful eyes of both Brewster and Denis. It’s Denis who raises the possibility of someone framing Lacey, as revenge for one of the many acts which Lacey had done during his lifetime, and pushes Lacey to review all those who are in the area and who could have wished him harm.
-As always, the plot, the story line and the writing are excellent and this story, which foretells of a coming story involving an assignment for Lacey from Denis, remains at the fast paced and absorbing levels that we’ve grown to enjoy from this series.
May 18, 2020
Another good one
The good thing about a book series is that you can develop the recurring characters, all of them, over time. Of course, Captain Lacey and His wife Donata, are already fully realized characters so visiting with them is like catching up with interesting old friends. In this installment, Gabriel is a little older and as the action picks up, is beginning to feel the effects of it. Donata is a little more present in this novel and I like how she is fleshed out as a woman who has suffered much but who has found happiness in her new marriage. Like many women she guards that happiness jealously and rigorously and takes Gabriel to task from time to time when his actions threaten it.
In other reviews of the books in this series, I’ve mentioned that I’d like to know better James Denis, Captain Lacey’s shadowy, Godfather-like nemesis/protector. So, while I love me some long-suffering Bartholomew, I really want more of the back story on his boss, James Denis.
Bottom line: The central mystery that drives the action of this story is appropriately twisty and does have a couple of surprises. This is one of my favorite series and I look forward to the next one with a planned release sometime this year.
The good thing about a book series is that you can develop the recurring characters, all of them, over time. Of course, Captain Lacey and His wife Donata, are already fully realized characters so visiting with them is like catching up with interesting old friends. In this installment, Gabriel is a little older and as the action picks up, is beginning to feel the effects of it. Donata is a little more present in this novel and I like how she is fleshed out as a woman who has suffered much but who has found happiness in her new marriage. Like many women she guards that happiness jealously and rigorously and takes Gabriel to task from time to time when his actions threaten it.
In other reviews of the books in this series, I’ve mentioned that I’d like to know better James Denis, Captain Lacey’s shadowy, Godfather-like nemesis/protector. So, while I love me some long-suffering Bartholomew, I really want more of the back story on his boss, James Denis.
Bottom line: The central mystery that drives the action of this story is appropriately twisty and does have a couple of surprises. This is one of my favorite series and I look forward to the next one with a planned release sometime this year.
June 10, 2020
Gabriel Lacey regains consciousness at 5 a.m. one summer morning standing over the body of a fellow cavalry officer, holding a bloody sword. did he kill the man? He certainly had not liked him seven years before when he met him during campaign leading to the Battle of Salamanca. But Gabriel remembers nothing for a period of hours before the death and does not know how he came to be standing in a banquet-hall-under-construction at Brighton Pavilion. With a little help from a footman, he manages to get home to his famiiy's summer rental home, sleeps an entire day away and awakes feeling much better, but still remembering nothing. He determines to investigate the murder to try to discover if he killed the man (he doesn't think he did) or if not, who did? Helping him are the usual suspects: Brewster, Grenville, Donata, and the crime boss Denis. As he interviews suspects and witnesses alike, he meets members of the Society of Friends, finds a dead body in a boat, calls on Bow Street for investigative help, and manages to squeeze in a little seaside fun with his family. 1820 Brighton was a nice setting for this addition to the Captain Lacey mystery series.
September 1, 2022
Captain Gabriel Lacey and his wife, Lady Breckinridge, have rented a small house for their family in Brighton. It is summer and the Regent is at Brighton Pavilion overseeing more renovations. Lacey and his wife are invited to dine with the Prince Regent, along with some other people of Lacey's acquaintance, Grenville and his wife, as well as several others, one of whom is Colonel Isherwood, a man Lacey cannot stand due to his actions in Salamanca during the Peninsular War. Several hours later, Lacey comes to himself, standing over the body of Isherwood, holding his cavalry saber. Did Lacey kill him? He cannot remember. Lacey spends the next few days trying to recreate what happened that night and in the process uncovers treason to the Crown and enemies of England. Another enjoyable read in this long-running series. Recommended if you like Regency mysteries.
November 5, 2023
Captain Lacey seems to always find trouble. This book is no exception. Lacey comes to his senses with a sword in his hand and a former military colleague- not a friend- dead on the floor in front of him. Solving this tangle causes no end of trouble, for Lacey, his family, a small group of Quakers, Grenville, and others. It is a tangle, involving war, treason, the French aristocracy, old lovers, and shared sacrifices. Lacey figures out the tangle, too late to save himself from nearly dying. He promises Donata he will not get involved again, but the reader already knows that James Denis will demand whatever he needs from Lacey and Lacey will comply.
June 22, 2024
I like this series of novels because I enjoy Captain Lacey as a main character. He is a man of his times and behaves like we would have expected men of his upbringing and era to have done. He is, however, practically one of a kind. In addition to being decent, honourable and gentlemanly, he is astute, comfortable with people of any social class and treats everyone with respect and kindness. He has a knack of uncovering the truth and not giving up until he has a solution to whatever the mystery involves, even if it includes people in his own social circle who have done something illegal, immoral or out of character.
December 10, 2020
This is 14th in series, and I since I recently read #15 I decided to go back for this one. 😂🤷🏻♀️
Captain Lacey and family are vacationing in Brighton, and following a dinner with the Prince Regent, Lacey finds himself standing over a dead former enemy holding a bloody sword with no recollection of why he’s there or if he’s been framed. What follows is a dangerous discovery of treason/greed.
This one is as exciting as always. Love this series, and each book always leaves me looking forward to the next adventure.
Captain Lacey and family are vacationing in Brighton, and following a dinner with the Prince Regent, Lacey finds himself standing over a dead former enemy holding a bloody sword with no recollection of why he’s there or if he’s been framed. What follows is a dangerous discovery of treason/greed.
This one is as exciting as always. Love this series, and each book always leaves me looking forward to the next adventure.
July 10, 2021
Captain Lacey and his family are on holiday in Brighton. Naturally, murder finds him, but this time he's actually investigating to save his own life. So, not exactly a Murder She Wrote scenario.
I didn't like this one as much as I usually do the books in this series. A lot of things didn't really make sense and relied too heavily on irrational emotions or mustache-twirling wickedness. By the end I wasn't sure why anyone did anything.
It wasn't bad, it just wasn't up to the higher bar of most of the previous stories.
I didn't like this one as much as I usually do the books in this series. A lot of things didn't really make sense and relied too heavily on irrational emotions or mustache-twirling wickedness. By the end I wasn't sure why anyone did anything.
It wasn't bad, it just wasn't up to the higher bar of most of the previous stories.
March 18, 2021
Number 14 of the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries. Apparently I skipped 12 & 13 so need to find those, however... this one was good, but just not quite as exciting as the others I’ve read. It has all the plots within plots, and still my favorite characters, and it was tied together well, I just felt little more subdued after reading this one. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great regency mystery, just not as great as the others in this series are, in my personal opinion. 🤷♀️
April 2, 2021
Captain Lacey is at it again! 3.5 stars.
It was so nice to return to Gabriel and Donata and the fam for another mystery. This one stars en medias res as Gabriel comes to holding a bloody sword over a dead man with no memory of what happened. An interesting twist! Very fun. Not a whole lot of character work got moved forward, which is a reason why it’s not a top fave but there were a lot of nice intimate family moments among the Laceys. Neat!
It was so nice to return to Gabriel and Donata and the fam for another mystery. This one stars en medias res as Gabriel comes to holding a bloody sword over a dead man with no memory of what happened. An interesting twist! Very fun. Not a whole lot of character work got moved forward, which is a reason why it’s not a top fave but there were a lot of nice intimate family moments among the Laceys. Neat!
January 10, 2024
Plot twists abound
Captain Lacey gets into so many scrapes, it's a wonder Brewster doesn't throttle him repeatedly. Repeating the history feels unnecessary and detracts from the story sometimes but I suppose some people read a single novel in the series. I've reread them all many times.
Captain Lacey gets into so many scrapes, it's a wonder Brewster doesn't throttle him repeatedly. Repeating the history feels unnecessary and detracts from the story sometimes but I suppose some people read a single novel in the series. I've reread them all many times.
March 31, 2020
Brilliant!
What a wonderfully intriguing story ....once agin Captain Lacey finds himself in the midst of not one but two murders ... And once again he is charged with discovering the truth ! Just Brilliant storytelling once more ....
What a wonderfully intriguing story ....once agin Captain Lacey finds himself in the midst of not one but two murders ... And once again he is charged with discovering the truth ! Just Brilliant storytelling once more ....
June 3, 2020
Nice series
Nice addition to the series. Good mystery with several twists. Captain Lacey is weakened but still indomitable and Brewster is along for the action and danger. Enjoyable.
Nice addition to the series. Good mystery with several twists. Captain Lacey is weakened but still indomitable and Brewster is along for the action and danger. Enjoyable.
December 9, 2020
It is delightful to see Captain Lacey playing with his children, but he does seem to be the number one suspect in a murder. Good thing he has powerful frieinds who help him figure this mess out. Very enjopyable
December 30, 2020
What would I have done during the Covid Pandemic if it weren't for Captain Lacey! Thank you Ashley Gardner for this absolutely delightful series. I'm reading the final book now and I'm so sorry to find that it's the last one in the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries! I'm sure there are more adventures for Captain Lacy and hopefully the author is writing one now!
May 30, 2021
Murder at Brighton
Another great Captain Lacy murder mystery. Old grievances with former military members with induced memory loss to Captain Legacy trying to find the clues to who is the murder.
Another great Captain Lacy murder mystery. Old grievances with former military members with induced memory loss to Captain Legacy trying to find the clues to who is the murder.
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