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The Clearwater Mysteries #9
Negative Exposure
December 1889.
Silas Hawkins, once a trickster from the slums, is now the public face of the Clearwater Foundation. As London society gathers to celebrate its success, and Prince Albert Victor considers becoming its new patron, life for Archer, Silas and the crew could not be better.
But everyone has a past, especially Silas, a man ripe for blackmail.
Photographs, demands, a dead photographer and a mystery amid the influenza pandemic of 1889, it falls to James, Silas and Fecker to find the blackmailer before Silas’ sordid past leads to public downfall.
But then Silas disappears, and all James has is a burnt letter, a missing railway timetable and a man with two names. He also has Fecker, and together, they must race to solve the riddle and find Silas before he kills either the blackmailer or himself.
Negative Exposure is the ninth Clearwater Mystery. The series blends fact with fiction, mystery with adventure, love with lust, and is best read in order.
Silas Hawkins, once a trickster from the slums, is now the public face of the Clearwater Foundation. As London society gathers to celebrate its success, and Prince Albert Victor considers becoming its new patron, life for Archer, Silas and the crew could not be better.
But everyone has a past, especially Silas, a man ripe for blackmail.
Photographs, demands, a dead photographer and a mystery amid the influenza pandemic of 1889, it falls to James, Silas and Fecker to find the blackmailer before Silas’ sordid past leads to public downfall.
But then Silas disappears, and all James has is a burnt letter, a missing railway timetable and a man with two names. He also has Fecker, and together, they must race to solve the riddle and find Silas before he kills either the blackmailer or himself.
Negative Exposure is the ninth Clearwater Mystery. The series blends fact with fiction, mystery with adventure, love with lust, and is best read in order.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2021
About the author
Jackson Marsh
45 books85 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 23, 2022
Yet another disaster-driven time-urgent adventure starring that dashing trio of Silas, Jimmy and Fecker. The ending leaves things open for yet another sleuthing adventure for Archer's gang with a shift in status and positions for everyone in the fallout of the influenza pandemic of the time. I also appreciate how the author writes these 'young and hot-blooded' gay characters dealing with temptations and infidelity as they live, work and mingle with a whole lot of other guys of similar persuasion - realistic and not over-sensational.
June 23, 2024
Of course ...
five thumbs up!
👍👍👍👍👍
five thumbs up!
👍👍👍👍👍
March 12, 2021
1889 - LONDON
After the successful gala at Henry Irvings, Lyceum Theatre, Archer has high hopes that Prince Albert Victor will consider sponsoring the Clearwater Foundation to aid the Cheap Street Mission. With many of Archer’s acquaintances and the Clearwater crew in attendance they are treated to meeting Prince Victor.
But the next day a darkness has set over Clearwater with several issues. Dr. Markland has brought the global epidemic to Archer’s attention. Archer want’s everyone moved out of Clearwater and relocated to the secluded, Larkspur mansion in the country.
Silas, James (Jimmy) and Andrej (Fecker) have made it clear they would not be leaving with the others. Silas has confided in James and Andrej about incriminating evidence and a note that was found in his coat pocket. The note can definitely take down Archer, his foundation, the mission and everyone involved. Silas, James and Andrej are keeping it a secret and have plans to investigate and bring this dastardly issue to an end.
Then news comes from Paris about Archer’s Mother, who has taken ill. Archer has already made up his mind to take Thomas with him and it leaves Silas with doubts and hurt feelings.
As the investigation becomes more complicated, Silas becomes misunderstood by a request that he makes of James. When James explains the situation to Andrej, Andrej has to make James understand certain aspects about Silas. Living a dissolute life on Cheap Street with Andrej in their younger years, Silas felt he didn’t contribute enough to their survival and made a decision that has come back to haunt him with blackmail.
As James and Andrej keep up the investigation their time is running short as they were supposed to leave for Larkspur in a few days. But now there’s even a bigger mystery falling into James’ and Andrej’s lap, what has happened to Silas? With blame, guilt and shame resting heavily on Silas’s shoulders he makes a decision to save the reputation of all involved.
When all are hopefully reunited at Larkspur what temptations and secrets will be told or kept secret forever?
Jackson Marsh does it again and delivers another action packed, suspenseful mystery to this spectacular series. Marsh focuses on an epidemic that will have all the residents of Clearwater uprooted and birds are back in the picture, where names changed as time went on and photography.
Again, Andrej (Fecker) plays a big part and aids James in the investigation into blackmail. There’s many facts about the laws on mail nudity in photographs, opposed to written word and female nudity. What really intrigues me about this series there’s alway interesting subject matter from the eighteen century.
I highly recommend the entire “Clearwater Mysteries” series! The cover designs by the talented Andjela K are fantastic, especially on “Negative Exposure”.
Really excited about the next “Clearwater Mysteries” installment and that will make the final book ten. “The Power of Ten” sounded like a very good title but it looks like Jackson Marsh is going with “The Clearwater Inheritance”. I will be hanging on by a thread to see how this all plays out!
After the successful gala at Henry Irvings, Lyceum Theatre, Archer has high hopes that Prince Albert Victor will consider sponsoring the Clearwater Foundation to aid the Cheap Street Mission. With many of Archer’s acquaintances and the Clearwater crew in attendance they are treated to meeting Prince Victor.
But the next day a darkness has set over Clearwater with several issues. Dr. Markland has brought the global epidemic to Archer’s attention. Archer want’s everyone moved out of Clearwater and relocated to the secluded, Larkspur mansion in the country.
Silas, James (Jimmy) and Andrej (Fecker) have made it clear they would not be leaving with the others. Silas has confided in James and Andrej about incriminating evidence and a note that was found in his coat pocket. The note can definitely take down Archer, his foundation, the mission and everyone involved. Silas, James and Andrej are keeping it a secret and have plans to investigate and bring this dastardly issue to an end.
Then news comes from Paris about Archer’s Mother, who has taken ill. Archer has already made up his mind to take Thomas with him and it leaves Silas with doubts and hurt feelings.
As the investigation becomes more complicated, Silas becomes misunderstood by a request that he makes of James. When James explains the situation to Andrej, Andrej has to make James understand certain aspects about Silas. Living a dissolute life on Cheap Street with Andrej in their younger years, Silas felt he didn’t contribute enough to their survival and made a decision that has come back to haunt him with blackmail.
As James and Andrej keep up the investigation their time is running short as they were supposed to leave for Larkspur in a few days. But now there’s even a bigger mystery falling into James’ and Andrej’s lap, what has happened to Silas? With blame, guilt and shame resting heavily on Silas’s shoulders he makes a decision to save the reputation of all involved.
When all are hopefully reunited at Larkspur what temptations and secrets will be told or kept secret forever?
Jackson Marsh does it again and delivers another action packed, suspenseful mystery to this spectacular series. Marsh focuses on an epidemic that will have all the residents of Clearwater uprooted and birds are back in the picture, where names changed as time went on and photography.
Again, Andrej (Fecker) plays a big part and aids James in the investigation into blackmail. There’s many facts about the laws on mail nudity in photographs, opposed to written word and female nudity. What really intrigues me about this series there’s alway interesting subject matter from the eighteen century.
I highly recommend the entire “Clearwater Mysteries” series! The cover designs by the talented Andjela K are fantastic, especially on “Negative Exposure”.
Really excited about the next “Clearwater Mysteries” installment and that will make the final book ten. “The Power of Ten” sounded like a very good title but it looks like Jackson Marsh is going with “The Clearwater Inheritance”. I will be hanging on by a thread to see how this all plays out!
November 4, 2021
Another gripping instalment from the gents of Clearwater.
Not much of Archer and Tom in this one - its all about Jimmy, Silas and Fecks.
Unearthing blackmailers, Silas got a bit stressed and had his TSTL moment but Fecks and Jimmy to the rescue.
Also, a sweeping pandemic occurs (!) and Markwell is surprisingly advanced in his precautions.
And a grand twist in the last two words - wanting part 2 now!
Not much of Archer and Tom in this one - its all about Jimmy, Silas and Fecks.
Unearthing blackmailers, Silas got a bit stressed and had his TSTL moment but Fecks and Jimmy to the rescue.
Also, a sweeping pandemic occurs (!) and Markwell is surprisingly advanced in his precautions.
And a grand twist in the last two words - wanting part 2 now!
April 11, 2024
Negative Exposure produces a more positive response
It has been a year since the first charity gala to raise money for the Cheap Street mission, and book 9 opens at the close of the second charity event. Following an exhilarating speech by Lord Clearwater, the charity and all of Archie's crew are in high spirits, boyed on by another successful night at the opera. But sadly that soon comes to a crashing halt when a devastating discovery from Silas' past threatens Archer and everything he has accomplished.
After a slight detour in style over the past two books we are thankfully back on track with a typical Clearwater mystery, full of adrenaline, mystery and heart stopping adventure. With Silas being threatened with blackmail over some explicit photographs that were taken of him 3 years earlier, and with an influenza epidemic spreading across Europe, the team are spilt up as they deal with a battle on two fronts. Archer and Thomas travel to Paris to rescue Lady Clearwater from the pandemic, and Silas, Jimmy and Fecker begin their investigation into the blackmail.
With James leading the hunt for the photographer and blackmailer and we once again get to see the cogs wheeling in his head as he puts that sharp mind to use in his new as role of a detective. I loved seeing him piece together the clues, resurrecting to life a case that on the surface seems dead in the water. In order to do this he has to interview potential witnesses and try to get them to remember events from years earlier. One such witness was a new character, Mrs Hampton. Every so often Jackson Marsh introduces a perfectly drawn comedic side character in his books, and this one was no exception. As if straight out of a Carry On film, Mrs Hampton bustled on to the page in all of her flirtatious glory. A necessary comedic relief during a stressful situation, she readily supplied James with all the gossip while Monsieur André supplied her with the eye candy. The scenes were delightfully funny and made me hope we get to take tea with her again.
Now it’s not just new characters and case leads Jackson Marsh brings to life in our imagination, it's the world too. In just a couple of paragraphs he paints a vivid picture of the Scottish countryside that brings it to life in all its gloomy glory. A brilliant exercise in how literary brevity can pack an atmospheric punch. Something many new authors could learn from... and maybe this reviewer too! But it's hard to keep this review short when there are so many things to like about this book. One other thing to like is the exhilarating carriage chase towards the end. I was on the edge of my seat reading it, the wind and rain pelting at my face as my eyes raced ahead to see what would happen next. I think Jackson Marsh has really honed his writing skills when it comes to penning action scenes. You really do feel the thrill.
With most of this book focusing on Jimmy, Fecker and Silas’ adventure, we really got a chance to explore these characters in more detail. It is always a pleasure to have more Fecker in a book as he has a great view on life and cuts to the quick more often than not. And although we got to see Silas impersonations put to good effect in this book, he is still my least favourite character and his actions in this book did very little to change that. It was a great relief then when we returned to Larkspur and met up with the rest of the Clearwater characters. Hearing Thomas, Archer, Jasper and Billy’s voices in my head reminded me that there are still better, less self serving, characters in these books. And I am hopeful Jackson Marsh will make good use of them in the final Clearwater Mysteries book, "The Clearwater Inheritance", which rounds out an incredible series of adventures.
It has been a year since the first charity gala to raise money for the Cheap Street mission, and book 9 opens at the close of the second charity event. Following an exhilarating speech by Lord Clearwater, the charity and all of Archie's crew are in high spirits, boyed on by another successful night at the opera. But sadly that soon comes to a crashing halt when a devastating discovery from Silas' past threatens Archer and everything he has accomplished.
After a slight detour in style over the past two books we are thankfully back on track with a typical Clearwater mystery, full of adrenaline, mystery and heart stopping adventure. With Silas being threatened with blackmail over some explicit photographs that were taken of him 3 years earlier, and with an influenza epidemic spreading across Europe, the team are spilt up as they deal with a battle on two fronts. Archer and Thomas travel to Paris to rescue Lady Clearwater from the pandemic, and Silas, Jimmy and Fecker begin their investigation into the blackmail.
With James leading the hunt for the photographer and blackmailer and we once again get to see the cogs wheeling in his head as he puts that sharp mind to use in his new as role of a detective. I loved seeing him piece together the clues, resurrecting to life a case that on the surface seems dead in the water. In order to do this he has to interview potential witnesses and try to get them to remember events from years earlier. One such witness was a new character, Mrs Hampton. Every so often Jackson Marsh introduces a perfectly drawn comedic side character in his books, and this one was no exception. As if straight out of a Carry On film, Mrs Hampton bustled on to the page in all of her flirtatious glory. A necessary comedic relief during a stressful situation, she readily supplied James with all the gossip while Monsieur André supplied her with the eye candy. The scenes were delightfully funny and made me hope we get to take tea with her again.
Now it’s not just new characters and case leads Jackson Marsh brings to life in our imagination, it's the world too. In just a couple of paragraphs he paints a vivid picture of the Scottish countryside that brings it to life in all its gloomy glory. A brilliant exercise in how literary brevity can pack an atmospheric punch. Something many new authors could learn from... and maybe this reviewer too! But it's hard to keep this review short when there are so many things to like about this book. One other thing to like is the exhilarating carriage chase towards the end. I was on the edge of my seat reading it, the wind and rain pelting at my face as my eyes raced ahead to see what would happen next. I think Jackson Marsh has really honed his writing skills when it comes to penning action scenes. You really do feel the thrill.
With most of this book focusing on Jimmy, Fecker and Silas’ adventure, we really got a chance to explore these characters in more detail. It is always a pleasure to have more Fecker in a book as he has a great view on life and cuts to the quick more often than not. And although we got to see Silas impersonations put to good effect in this book, he is still my least favourite character and his actions in this book did very little to change that. It was a great relief then when we returned to Larkspur and met up with the rest of the Clearwater characters. Hearing Thomas, Archer, Jasper and Billy’s voices in my head reminded me that there are still better, less self serving, characters in these books. And I am hopeful Jackson Marsh will make good use of them in the final Clearwater Mysteries book, "The Clearwater Inheritance", which rounds out an incredible series of adventures.
March 10, 2021
Conundrum
This is the word that my mind came up with when Archer mention the name Cooper Raglan . The one person that can keep Archer's legacy out of the hands of a cousin who will destroy the legacy and everything that it holds, and the same person that killed his father and brother and blackmail Silas and eventually being killed . So now we'll have to wait for the next book.
This is the word that my mind came up with when Archer mention the name Cooper Raglan . The one person that can keep Archer's legacy out of the hands of a cousin who will destroy the legacy and everything that it holds, and the same person that killed his father and brother and blackmail Silas and eventually being killed . So now we'll have to wait for the next book.
March 22, 2021
I love this series
I like knowing who the characters are and the places they go. Not only that, this author is good at history so the events are plausible and generally pretty exciting. It’s a great series and this particular book didn’t let me down.
I like knowing who the characters are and the places they go. Not only that, this author is good at history so the events are plausible and generally pretty exciting. It’s a great series and this particular book didn’t let me down.
October 8, 2024
Lady Clearwater has died., and someone is blackmailing Silas for youthful indiscretions. Silas and James go after the blackmailer, who falls off a cliff in Scotland. Problem is, he's the witness referred to in Lady Clearwater's will. No matter.
April 5, 2021
Very enjoyable series, well written with likeable characters. Some very interesting historical facts as well. Can't wait for more.
May 18, 2021
Negative Exposure
Yet another page turner from Jackson Marsh, cant wait to pick up Book 10. All his characters are beautifully crafted.
Yet another page turner from Jackson Marsh, cant wait to pick up Book 10. All his characters are beautifully crafted.
July 29, 2022
Wonderful storytelling as usual and what a cliffhanger!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews