The Lost Tower

Nicole Rayburn #4

by Irina Shapiro

When Nicole visits Stiles Castle, the stately home of Lady Caroline Seaton, she doesn’t expect to stumble upon a centuries-old mystery hidden in the noble family’s genealogical tree. Once she finds that some vital details have been removed from the ancestral records, Nicole can’t refuse her friend’s plea to discover the truth and help her save the floundering family business.

Unearthing the origins of Caroline’s elusive Tudor ancestor proves trickier than Nicole anticipated, but the ancient secrets that are revealed are just as incendiary as the decades-old lies that a simple DNA test has exposed within Nicole and Kyle’s own family.

Will this be the case that changes their lives forever?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Historical

411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

To write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.

Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.

Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lost Tower was probably my least favourite book of the Nicole Rayburn series. Previously, I have loved the historical part of these novels, but there was something about Katherine that I really couldn't take to; although I sympathised with her, I really didn't like her a lot.
I also found the ongoing dramas with Kyle's family a bit irritating this time.

[M$fortune · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sexual violence in this book was off-putting, I could've done without it. I keep reading this series for some odd reason, even though it's not quite satisfying. Idk what to say, I keep wanting/expecting to be thrilled with these books, and I'm just not.

[Mollie Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical story was much more interesting than the modern aspect in this one.

[Dessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this one at all.
The historical part as usual was more interesting than the current one, but I didn't enjoy either this time.
I'm also starting to notice some pervasive themes through these books which seem to be the author's beliefs and I don't agree with them, so it's getting hard to keep going with the series. I might give the next one a go and if I'm still disappointed, I'll put them down.

[Anne G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series , it is always hard to put down at the end of the day. I have another two more to go.

[Elaine C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Irina Shapiro ... the current day story has our heroine Nicole Rayburn and her husband Kyle getting used to being new parents to precious little Ava. But a couple of surprising events turn their lives into turmoil! While looking for inspiration for a new book, Nicole has been invited by her college roommate Caroline to come for a visit to her friends' childhood home - Stiles Castle. It seems that since Covid, the castle is struggling to stay afloat, and Caroline asks Nicole to write a story about their Stiles family history and the Castle. Nicole is unsure about it, until Caroline produces a family bible, with a crucial page missing ... how does the genealogy connect? This mystery brings Nicole's research to our historical part of the story, which stars a very young (14 years old) and vulnerable woman named Katherine "Kate" Stiles. She seems to be at the crux of this whole mystery. But is Kate as naive and helpless as she appears, or is she cunning, smart, and quick-witted enough to get out of the trouble she's in? Read this incredible novel to find out!!

[Jennifer Timko Lofland · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I fell head over heels for this one, probably my favorite of the series this far. The Tudor period is so fascinating and how young ladies and women were treated was nothing short of barbaric. I was enthralled with Kate’s (at age 12-15) refusal to become a pawn in her life. How Nicole and Kyle’s life continues to unfold is still holding my attention.

[Leah Toole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was painfully dull.
considering I have enjoyed all the others so far this was surprising. the story was boring and the tudor errors unforgivable. im a little wary of carrying on with the series...
if youre reading this series you could easily skip this one

[Laura T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this series and this one was just as good. I liked finding out the next part of the story of Nicole and Kyle’s life together and the historical story kept me reading. Some fairly horrific details about how young girls were treated in the Tudor times.

[SharkBait · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book… I know things were so different back in the Tudor period but Kate’s story was a lot to take in, since it’s based on accurate historical information. She was 14 years old! It just made my heart sad. Shapiro did an excellent job at affecting the reader. Or at least this reader

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very solid historical mystery. I liked this one more than the 2nd and 3rd in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

After four books in this series, I have learned to ignore the Covid trope because the storylines are very good. In fact, I think they get better with each book. These are not spice free and some of the spice is not wanted, if you know what I mean, but they are relevant to the story and I presume, to the era of the story. Overall, if you like historical fiction and a good mystery, you might like this series.

[Brittany Duszczyszyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do really enjoy these books but this one sadly is my least favourite in the series, for two parts 1.Kyle, Nicole’s husband just has the most twisted life that each book a different bomb is dropped. Like come on some of the drama should probably come from Nicole to make things more realistic.

Book 1 we find he was a secret long lost relative of the woman from the Hanging Tree, book 2 his ex got into the car crash and tried to steal him back from Nicole even putting a seed of doubt in her head that her baby was his. Book 3 he finds out his aunt is his sister’s real mother so his sister isn’t biologically related to him yet he’s keeping the secret for his mom… then in this book he finds out his father is Not his father and he’s the product of a one night stand well his mom was married. 🤦‍♀️ it just makes his character so far fetched when he has all this drama back to back!

Then 2. the background historical story was not my favourite of this series, yes I understand back then people didn’t live past 35 really so they married younger but 14 😳 and listening to how that creep raped a 12 year old and got her pregnant, not to mention all the other young girls. Liking when they were hurt or in pain! It was unbearable to listen to! His brutality even leading to a miscarriage. Oh that’s another thing this I have noticed a theme with this author, and it’s that under no circumstance is a woman permitted to have an abortion. When I believe women should have the right to their own body autonomy. 🤷‍♀️

[Jacqueline freegard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story split into various parts, Nicole her research and issues with publishers, although Nicole didn’t do quite so much whining in this story.
Kyle and his parentage questions plus the demise of his one time friend Len, who appeared in the last 3 books. Then there is Caroline and Miranda, finally we get to Catherine and her story, which is the only part of the book I really enjoyed. It would be possible to read any one of the stories without the others. Would I read a fifth book, probably for the historical section.

[Alyson Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series. I didn't like the direction the author took for Kyle's character. Seems like she just wanted to add unnecessary drama. The story of Kate didn't interest me and I felt no connection to her. The author never said what Nicole did with Kate's story in the end, which made the book feel incomplete.

[Bookworm With a B · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for a realistic mystery

This was a great read! The mystery was enthralling, and the characters felt real. You could feel the fear and smell the sea. Another great book in the series! I'm a little annoyed that I have to wait until September to get the next book!

[Aud · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another book where the author used disrespectful terminology regarding adoption. A biological father shouldn’t be referred to as “my dad” when you haven’t even met. Adoption isn’t a shameful thing and I really wish this author would get a clue.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series only makes sense if you read them in order. They are very unbelievable and convoluted.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysteries and history

I loved, loved this installment in the historical mystery series staring author Nicole Rayburn. This time it’s a genealogical mystery both past and present. The story hooked me in immediately and took me along for a swoony, emotional, and mysterious ride. I was equally desperate to read it all at once but also to savor it and make it last. Plus the history nerd in me loved the historical references, the glimpses of 16th century life and description the powerlessness of women. Now I really want to go delve into some archives and solve some mystery. Nicole is a writer of historical nonfiction. Her husband Kyle writes detective mysteries. They recently had a child. While visiting a titled friend, Nicole is asked to research and write about a missing 30 year period on the family’s lineage. I loved the parallel stories of Lady Katherine and Nicole. I was on the edge of my seat waìting to see what would happen next with Kate as the mystery slowly unspooled. Interwoven with Nicole and the mystery of Kate, there is thought provoking social commentary along with drama in Nicole and Kyle’s life which adds interesting layers to the plot. The storyline was imaginative, the characters were real and relatable, and the writing was captivating as shown through mysteries, sweet moments, laughs, messy families, painful pasts, surprises, danger, plot twists, fate, and love. I love this series and these characters.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5

Wow what a convoluted mess of a mystery in this installment. Books like this really make me want to shake stupid liberal modern-day women violently. Acting as if they have no rights. I wish they’d do some research to see just how far women HAVE come… reading books like this is such a violent reminder of this. Ghhhhhad what women in the past went through is absolutely disgusting.

While I still enjoyed the story’s dual timeline with the current being the research of the past… I didn’t like the dive into the personal lives of Kyle and Nicole as much. It does bring up a very real issue concerning DNA testing. We’ve seen the shitshow that’s unfolded in their revelations through daytime and late-night trash TV. I did not like that Nicole was knowingly hiding the DNA results from Kyle. That’s just shitty. Lies by omission. His anger was justified. But, I’m glad she confessed and shared her reasoning in doing so.

Regarding the historical timeline, I simply refuse to believe she’s as diabolical in word and deed as she’s portrayed. I simply couldn’t fathom it as equally as I really didn’t really care for her as a FMC. Her actions were just as gross as the smarmy, nasty old men I picture pining after a young girl with a big dowry. And anyone describing a 14 year old in any kind of desirable way is gross… just.. Ew…. I need a bath.

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This one I literally had no idea what was going to happen next! Not until my bf and I talk about his theories, and his was actually right! I did feel bad for Kate because she was in a terrible situation and was only trying to do what she thought was best. The whole “Eustace” thing was wild (well I thought so at least) with actually being Kit Larkin, and then being married to Kate and the vile things that was done, 🤬. He got what he deserved. And at first I was rooting for Luke but he just couldn’t make up his mind! I was so frustrated. I know he was a young man still, and didn’t know who he actually loved and who he just cared for. But Lachlan (I think that’s how you spell it) really surprised me. I thought he was rude and a prick when he was introduced at the dinner table after the hunt, but his love for Kate changed my opinion of him. Sad that they didn’t get a HEA like the other past couples in this series.

Now we have yet another big revelation about Kyle. I thought that would be it in the last book, thinking that he could be his Aunts son. Now, it’s that his dad isn’t his dad. And it’s nice to see couples figuring out how to be there for their partners through though situations. Sticking by one other, no matter what. Still love them both so much

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cumbria, England. November 2021/1582. Irina Shapiro’s The Lost Tower (Nicole Rayburn Historical Mysteries, #4) finds Nicole and Ava, her two month plus old new baby daughter, heading to Stiles Castle, a centuries old ‘fortress’ that ‘overlooked’ the Solway Firth while looked upon “the hills of southern Scotland”, to visit Lady Caroline Seaton, a uni friend. Lady Caroline or Caroline to Nicole has a family tree mystery, and she wishes Nicole to write her new book about this mystery in hopes of boosting visitors to Stiles Castle after the pandemic shutdown. I like how the author introduces modern day happenings into her dual timeline story such as the pendemic’s effects, and independent publishing (The author publishes independently.) it makes the story relatable to readers. The Tudor timeline of 1582 incorporates illustrates the great difficulties faced by a female heir. The Tudor Era story is divinely wild and unpredictable as Elizabeth I or the shire of Cumbria itself. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical Tudor tale as that era is a favorite of mine, and I have read quite a bit about the Tudor Era. 5 stars.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I've come to expect from this author, this is an intriguing story, with Nicola Rayburn, fictional historical mystery writer, written as if she is the writer of Ms Shapiro's books. Also, in this book, Ms Shapiro incorporates characters from two of her other series, The Redmond and Haze mysteries and Echos of the Past, which I find interesting. In this book, an old friend, co-owner of a stately home, badly in need of a boost in visitor numbers, asks Nicola to write a book that will bring publicity. As usual, Nicola won't write a completely fictional account, but investigates the mystery of a 16th century ancestor. Meanwhile, husband Kyle gets some life changing news of his own. I've always liked the device of alternating chapters with the past and the present day. While Nicola gets closer to the truth. The historical story highlights the powerlessness of women in the past, and the horrific situations they could find themselves in. Well worth reading

[Samyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series, as of July 2025, consists of six novels, each audiobook ranging from 11 to 12 hours of listening time. Although the stories stand alone, it's recommended to begin with book one for character development.

Plot. Nicole Rayburn is a successful author in the United Kingdom and the author of each book in the series. Each story Nicole tells is a historical mystery, typically about women navigating and often suffering from the prejudices they faced in the 1800s. When she is not creating these mysteries, we learn about her trials as a writer and wife—most stories stem from events in her life, such as finding an old sepia photo or receiving a research request from a friend. Subplots emanate from her life today, such as COVID seclusion and blackmail.

Narration by Jess Nahikian and production are good, no issues.

Entertaining.

[Mrs Volkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continued with this book because I liked the series, not because I enjoyed the story.

1. I lost so much respect for Kyle's mum. In the first book, she is this amazing, fierce female detective who is ahead of her time. By book four, she's guilting Kyle into keeping her dirty secrets.

I could've done without the drama in the present timeline.

2. I know that back in the day, it was normal for older men to marry and bed children who were 12 and 14, but I don't want to read about it. I've read about 20 books by this author and wondered when she would finally cross that line. As a mum of 12—and 13-year-olds, it was tough to stomach.

Did she have to choose Kate to be 14, sleeping with many men and being brutally raped? No.

Men have been so fucking gross since forever.

[Patricia Valentine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Lost Tower fell a little short for me compared to the previous books in the series. While I still enjoy the dual timeline format, the present-day storyline felt overly drama-induced and didn’t hold my interest as strongly.

The historical aspect, however, was much more compelling. The past timeline continues to be the highlight of this series for me, with its rich detail, mystery, and emotional depth. I found myself far more invested in uncovering what happened in the past than in following the modern-day conflicts.

Even though this installment wasn’t my favorite, I’m still committed to continuing the series. The characters and overarching story have kept me invested, and I’m hopeful that the next books will recapture the balance and intrigue that made the earlier ones so engaging.

[Judith Rainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls in our life time do not know how lucky they are to be able to choose their own husbands.
I felt so sad for Katherine Stiles but, to lose her home because her father had died without a male heir was awful. To be honest I think she did the right thing in marrying the man she thought to be her cousin, how different he became once she had put the idea in his head. She was lucky to not be found out when things changed and was told by her trusted friend Luke, that Euatace stills had been killed by Kit Larkin. Kit then became Baron Stiles. He was a bully, and a sadistic man. I loved the twist at the end of the book. Kit Larkin deserved what he got.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, although Katherine was a slightly different character than we're used to - she depicted very well how a woman in the Tudor era had no one but herself to rely on and that meant that sometimes extreme decisions had to be made. I did't like her, like I did the main characters in the previos books of this series, but neither do I feel like judging her. As for the story in the present time - I felt that the drama around Kyle and his father was a little bit too "hollywood" like. All in all The Lost Tower is another great story in the Nicole Raybourn series and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Keep up with the great work, Irina Shapiro! :)

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3. Normally I love dual timelines, but that is usually because the timelines meld nicely together. This one was extremely choppy and some of the events of the modern timeline made absolute zero sense in reference to the story as a whole. It seemed more like fluff for a page count than story. The characters in the era timeline were for the most part very unlikable. Especially Kate.

The reason this didnt get a 1, was because the era timeline was enough to keep me engaged, despite the unlikable characters. I wanted to find out what happened next.

Overall, I was extremely disappointed in this book.

[Holly E. Camarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent page turner!

The Nicole Rayburn series is always an eye opener of historical laws and tradition. This novel is one of empowerment. A young teen whose father's will seeks to protect her by disallowing her to inherit, is caught in the crosshairs of an evil plot. The very thing he intended to protect her from came to fruition. An imposter, vile and murderous, attempted to take it all, and leaves her in a snare of terror for her future, and her very life. The wiles of this young girl allowed her to take the helm, and be the keeper of her own fate.