Seeing Through Shadows

The Larkspur Mysteries #4

by Jackson Marsh

“Risk is the spark that ignites adventure.”

Barbary Fleet, 1891

The Larkspur Academy — Where men explore the mysteries of love and learning

Chester Cadman has been duped by unscrupulous men, ridiculed in the newspapers, and disowned by his family. Only twenty-two, he is on the verge of starvation when a Clearwater detective makes him an offer he can't refuse: Join the Larkspur Academy and investigate a haunting that has plagued Lord Clearwater’s family for nearly four hundred years.

Mystified, but determined, Chester enlists the help of fellow academy man, Frank Andino, and is soon presented with a second mystery: his attraction to the loyal, but bawdy young Greek. Together, they unearth sinister family secrets that could destroy Clearwater’s reputation and the academy, but the truth must be known.

Faced with a double dilemma, Chester is forced to confront the past, even if it means Clearwater’s downfall and a broken heart. It’s a risk, but, as Fleet says, ‘Risk is the spark that ignites adventure, and love is the greatest adventure of them all.’

★★★★★

‘Seeing Through Shadows’ is the fourth book in The Larkspur Mystery series.

A combination of mystery, male love and adventure set in England in 1890 and 1891, the Larkspur Mysteries blend historical fact with fiction. Rescued from destitution, young gay men are invited to Lord Clearwater’s Larkspur Academy. There, they explore their talents as they encounter romance, bromance and a variety of intriguing mysteries.

The Larkspur series follows on from the popular Clearwater Mysteries and is set in the same world, but you don’t have to have read the Clearwater series to enjoy this collection of full-length historical novels.

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2022

About the author

Jackson 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

Reviews

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

At long last, potty-mouthed, diamond-in-the-rough Frank gets his turn to shine in this latest installment. He's paired with the more acculturated but equally 'foreign'-looking Chester and together they get given free-reign to investigate a series of ghostly sightings and a cold case murder from centuries before. At times, there was a distinct Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew tone to the plot but the book proved quite diverting nonetheless.

[Maryann Kafka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chenzira Gamal was born to his parents of Egyptian heritage, while crossing the ocean. As time went on for Chenzira he became an apprentice for mapmaker, Mr Cope. He also had a curiosity of the supernatural. He was excited to attend Maskelyen & Cookes Premier Magical Entertainment at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly. As a young man growing up in the new and exciting world of London, Chenzira craved to make friends. But befriending another young man after the show leads to an unfortunate situation. With a new name: Chester Cadman, shame, guilt, and embarrassment leads him to the streets of Greychurch.

Ozias Philimonas Andinopoulos came from Greece along with his family on an emigrant boat. Coming to the new country of London his father established a tailoring business and taught Ozias well. Ozias learned the tailoring business and was very good with numbers and kept the books. When Ozais’ mother left, his father lost interest in the business and it started to fail. Ozais took over the books but with his father’s shady dealings things went downhill from there. The business was lost and Ozais took to the streets as a rent boy in the Greychurch district. Ozais is now known as Frank Andino.

Frank has been a resident at Larkspur Academy for some time, but for Chester Cadman this is all strange and new. He’s sceptic and doesn’t understand why a man such as Lord Archer Clearwater would want to aid someone like him. Archer always has a purpose for young lost men and there’s several things he needs from Chester. His ability as a mapmaker, his interest in the supernatural and most important is to be truthful.

As Chester digs deeper into the supernatural tales of Larkspur, he seeks Franks help and a friendship starts to grow. What will they discover from the 1878 compiled sources about Larkspur Hall, from Librarian Hedrek Nancarrow? Will it be more than the supernatural that could very well destroy Clearwater?

Jackson Marsh, once again brings a brilliantly written novel to the page with “Seeing Through Shadows”. This one for me was especially interesting with the subject of the supernatural and cartography. It would have been fun to see the different maps displayed of the Larkspur property and the changes throughout the centuries.

The written word and telling of this novel has several well detailed and descriptive passages. The gradual romance between Chester and Frank was beautiful; the reports of the strange supernatural events throughout the centuries from Hedrek Nancarrow and the segments of the owl, cat and fox.

I like how the author makes this relationship of opposites, Chester and Frank, come together. Chester is so perfect in his speaking and manners. Frank is so rough around the edges and will say anything to make his point and he brings humor to the story.

Also, have to say goodbye to Joe and Blaze as they head to London and the Clearwater Mansion. I’m sure we will still hear from them from time to time.

There’s more reveals of several new and old characters: Brothers: Maxwell and Arthur, Trevik Pascoe. Clem, Franks business partner, Henry Hope and Edward the two Larkspur scientists. And as always, Fleet is still there aiding everyone with all his eccentricities.

“Seeing Through Shadows” another outstanding addition to the “Larkspur Mysteries” by Jackson Marsh. Book five is in the works!!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chester, an Egyptian gay man who had been plcked out of the legal system, arrives in Larkspur as a cartographer, and he and Frank are attracted to each other but it's a slow build, and it involves ghosts, imagined and real. By the end of the book, it's all sorted out and we have a new couple at Larkspur as Dalston and Joe are off to London, Dalston as an artist and Joe as both the head of the stables and assisting Clearwater Detectives. Excellent, excellent series.

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chester and Frank are polar opposites but sharea history in Greychurch which has led them to Larkspur.
Poor Chester had been trapped into making moves with the wrong man but is saved by Silas.
I enjoyed the mapping references, the old folklore though it look them a while to figure out thefar clue and the reason for the passages.
I liked the fact and fiction mix - read the author comments,

[Suzun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery

I liked this one probably the best of all the larkspur mysteries. The writing is as good as usual and I liked Chester better than Joe or Dalton. I’m reserving judgment on how I feel about Frank.

[emily curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable series, well written with likeable characters. Some very interesting historical facts as well. Can't wait for more.