What do you think?
Rate this book
The Larkspur Mysteries #6
Starting with Secrets
“The greatest reward often lies at the end of the stoniest path.”
Lady Dorothy Marshall, March 1891
When Lord Clearwater inherits a set of enigmatic clues and a compass, it becomes clear he has the means to uncover a momentous secret. He calls upon the men of the Larkspur Academy to help with the hunt, including the latest recruit, the bewildered ex-sailor, Bertie Tucker.
The academy men investigate follies, national monuments and ancient churches, using their diverse skills to unlock a series of random messages. The men must work together to find Clearwater’s secret and ‘treasure’, but relationships threaten the status quo. Edward Hyde has turned his affections from Henry and aimed them at Bertie Tucker, opening a rift which must be mended if the hunt is to succeed.
And when two of Clearwater’s adversaries conspire to beat him to the secret, what begins as an adventure becomes a game of cat and mouse that leads to a fight for survival.
Starting with Secrets is the sixth book in the Larkspur Mysteries series. With themes of friendship, bromance, male love and revenge, the story is the first part of a two-part adventure, and combines historical fact with fiction. As with all of Jackson Marsh’s mysteries, the novel contains humour, love and action, while offering the reader the chance to solve the clues with the cast of disparate, well-drawn characters.
Lady Dorothy Marshall, March 1891
When Lord Clearwater inherits a set of enigmatic clues and a compass, it becomes clear he has the means to uncover a momentous secret. He calls upon the men of the Larkspur Academy to help with the hunt, including the latest recruit, the bewildered ex-sailor, Bertie Tucker.
The academy men investigate follies, national monuments and ancient churches, using their diverse skills to unlock a series of random messages. The men must work together to find Clearwater’s secret and ‘treasure’, but relationships threaten the status quo. Edward Hyde has turned his affections from Henry and aimed them at Bertie Tucker, opening a rift which must be mended if the hunt is to succeed.
And when two of Clearwater’s adversaries conspire to beat him to the secret, what begins as an adventure becomes a game of cat and mouse that leads to a fight for survival.
Starting with Secrets is the sixth book in the Larkspur Mysteries series. With themes of friendship, bromance, male love and revenge, the story is the first part of a two-part adventure, and combines historical fact with fiction. As with all of Jackson Marsh’s mysteries, the novel contains humour, love and action, while offering the reader the chance to solve the clues with the cast of disparate, well-drawn characters.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2022
15 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Jackson Marsh
43 books83 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 5, 2023
Readers should be warned this should be read as Part 1 of a two-part story-line and the follow-up title has not yet been published/released! (Addendum: Actually it has been published - my bad! The Larkspur Legacy) The multi-thread 'treasure-hunt' plot can get quite convoluted at times and anyone who's not read the previous Larkspur titles will face an uphill struggle with the myriad characters/personalities populating the pages.
March 30, 2023
Two important women in Archer, Earl of Clearwater, life have passed away: his mother, Lady Emily Clearwater and his godmother Lady Dorothy Marshall. At the time of his fathers passing both women were concerned about Archer. Knowing how much they and Archer loved riddles, they made a plan that would start the revealing of clues, ten years in the future. The first clue would be for Archer to bring his most loyal friends to his side to start this mysterious hunt.
The time has come and Archer calls in those closest to him and most loyal: Thomas Payne, Silas “Banyak” Hawkins, James “Tato” Wright and Andre “Fecker.”
As the clues are difficult, Archer will meet with all his men and those of Larkspur Academy: Frank Andino, Chester Cadman, Henry Hope, Edward Hyde, Bertie Tucker and Fleet.
When they find that clues lead to other clues, James and Bertie will strike out with Archer to Stoneridge Castle in Hertsfordshire. Silas will head back to London and Clearwater to work with Joe Tanner on his clue at the museum, and it will get: Mrs. Norwood, Duncan Fairbairn, and Dalston Blaze, involved too. But they will find the clues are not that simple as they will lead all of them in different directions.
As the clues become more chaotic, there’s still some spats and excitement to be had. As James has to make a stand with Archer and of course he shows why Andrej calls him “Tato.” James has to give Andrej a sound suggestion on what to do with his love interest Lucy. He has a special concern with Henry and Edwards relationship. What will it accomplish with taking Bertie with him and will Bertie ever hear from Irv? Silas has to be careful about his dealing with Joe Tanner, he will learn that everyone has an expertise to contribute to the clues.
But all the while as they are on the treasure hunt, Archers old nemesis Trip is trying to foil the plans. Trip has done some evil things and this time he has gotten another enemy of Archers involved Earl Kingsclere. Will Trip win this time and ruin everyone and everything that Archer has worked so hard to accomplish?
Once again, Jackson Marsh, sends the Larkspur and Clearwater crews on journeys of adventure, danger and puzzling clues. Everyone will come together to share their expertise in figuring out the mind boggling clues. Along with all the clues, Jackson Marsh, once again will meld historic facts, interesting places and hair raising excitement to “Starting With Secrets.”
It’s also fun to see even more of the characters become involved in this hunt: Jonathan, Art, Nancarrow, Treb, David, Lucy Roberts, Jasper Blackwood and Billy Barnett, Fleet, Harvey Holt and Jake O’Hara. Dr. Markland will also bring his more serious side to this tale.
I also felt that there’s a special message with this tale. That everyone is special and can come together and share their expertise and their lives. It’s also a story about Lord Archer Riddington, Earl of Clearwater and what he worked so hard to build. He wanted to give dignity, confidence, education and a chance to grow and explore to all that entered Larkspur and Clearwater. For all those young men whose lives were wasted on the streets of the East End, he wanted them all to be long time friends and find their true selves and loves. He did it all for one important thing, their honesty. Archer will have to make a difficult decision when it comes to those loyal men.
Once again I have to compliment Andjela K for the cover art. I like the blue tone and the mysterious face, in fact, there isn’t a cover the she hasn’t amazingly created.
As always, Jackson Marsh can do no wrong! He keeps on the path of making all his stories filled with history, danger, action and excitement. I highly recommend “Starting With Secrets” and the entire “Larkspur Mystery” series. As this mystery of clues isn’t over yet, there’s more to come with “The Legacy of Larkspur”!
The time has come and Archer calls in those closest to him and most loyal: Thomas Payne, Silas “Banyak” Hawkins, James “Tato” Wright and Andre “Fecker.”
As the clues are difficult, Archer will meet with all his men and those of Larkspur Academy: Frank Andino, Chester Cadman, Henry Hope, Edward Hyde, Bertie Tucker and Fleet.
When they find that clues lead to other clues, James and Bertie will strike out with Archer to Stoneridge Castle in Hertsfordshire. Silas will head back to London and Clearwater to work with Joe Tanner on his clue at the museum, and it will get: Mrs. Norwood, Duncan Fairbairn, and Dalston Blaze, involved too. But they will find the clues are not that simple as they will lead all of them in different directions.
As the clues become more chaotic, there’s still some spats and excitement to be had. As James has to make a stand with Archer and of course he shows why Andrej calls him “Tato.” James has to give Andrej a sound suggestion on what to do with his love interest Lucy. He has a special concern with Henry and Edwards relationship. What will it accomplish with taking Bertie with him and will Bertie ever hear from Irv? Silas has to be careful about his dealing with Joe Tanner, he will learn that everyone has an expertise to contribute to the clues.
But all the while as they are on the treasure hunt, Archers old nemesis Trip is trying to foil the plans. Trip has done some evil things and this time he has gotten another enemy of Archers involved Earl Kingsclere. Will Trip win this time and ruin everyone and everything that Archer has worked so hard to accomplish?
Once again, Jackson Marsh, sends the Larkspur and Clearwater crews on journeys of adventure, danger and puzzling clues. Everyone will come together to share their expertise in figuring out the mind boggling clues. Along with all the clues, Jackson Marsh, once again will meld historic facts, interesting places and hair raising excitement to “Starting With Secrets.”
It’s also fun to see even more of the characters become involved in this hunt: Jonathan, Art, Nancarrow, Treb, David, Lucy Roberts, Jasper Blackwood and Billy Barnett, Fleet, Harvey Holt and Jake O’Hara. Dr. Markland will also bring his more serious side to this tale.
I also felt that there’s a special message with this tale. That everyone is special and can come together and share their expertise and their lives. It’s also a story about Lord Archer Riddington, Earl of Clearwater and what he worked so hard to build. He wanted to give dignity, confidence, education and a chance to grow and explore to all that entered Larkspur and Clearwater. For all those young men whose lives were wasted on the streets of the East End, he wanted them all to be long time friends and find their true selves and loves. He did it all for one important thing, their honesty. Archer will have to make a difficult decision when it comes to those loyal men.
Once again I have to compliment Andjela K for the cover art. I like the blue tone and the mysterious face, in fact, there isn’t a cover the she hasn’t amazingly created.
As always, Jackson Marsh can do no wrong! He keeps on the path of making all his stories filled with history, danger, action and excitement. I highly recommend “Starting With Secrets” and the entire “Larkspur Mystery” series. As this mystery of clues isn’t over yet, there’s more to come with “The Legacy of Larkspur”!
April 18, 2024
A treasure hunt. High speed chases (for the time). Storms. Clues. Brave souls. Mad men.
It is all ramping up for the Larkspur boys and men.
The mystery of why Irv is not responding resolves.
Henry and Edward resolve their differences, mainly as Henry can’t talk.
And it looks like the end is nigh for the series :(
It is all ramping up for the Larkspur boys and men.
The mystery of why Irv is not responding resolves.
Henry and Edward resolve their differences, mainly as Henry can’t talk.
And it looks like the end is nigh for the series :(
October 11, 2024
So Archer's mother and Lady Delamere set a puzzle for Archer and the boys to solve, but Tripp somehow learned of it and enlisted Earl Kingsclere's help. One of the two men he employs goes over to Archer's side, and the book ends with the puzzle abandoned and one of the biys in a coma.
April 14, 2023
Very enjoyable series, well written with likeable characters. Some very interesting historical facts as well. Can't wait for more.
May 15, 2023
I love this series
I enjoyed this book even more because the original group is back. It’s fine that the guys from the academy are helping out, but I prefer the original characters.
I enjoyed this book even more because the original group is back. It’s fine that the guys from the academy are helping out, but I prefer the original characters.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews