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The Clearwater Mysteries #10
The Clearwater Inheritance
Clearwater will lose his entire fortune unless he cracks a musical code.
If Archer’s insane brother dies, their distant cousin, the evil Count Movileşti, will inherit everything, and with the influenza pandemic threatening the brother’s asylum, the outlook is grave. The only thing that can ensure Archer’s future is a legal document left behind by his grandfather, but the clue to its location is hidden within two pieces of music. Archer has one; the other is in Movileşti’s collection at Castle Rasnov.
Archer dispatches two of his team to the Transylvanian castle, and two to the Clearwater Archives in London, leaving the rest to search every inch of his country house. The men face their pasts and decide their futures as loyalties are tested, and death stalks the corridors of Larkspur Hall. With Movileşti on his way to claim the inheritance, everyone has a vital part to play and everything to lose as they race against time.
Set during the 1890 Russian influenza pandemic, The Clearwater Inheritance is a mystery thriller that takes us from Cornwall to Transylvania, and from the cellars of Larkspur Hall to the Orient Express.
A mashup of romance, mystery and adventure, the tenth book ties up previous threads, answers questions, and sets the scene for the Clearwater future.
The series is best read in order, starting with ‘Deviant Desire.’
The non-mystery prequel, ‘Banyak & Fecks’ should be read before books nine and ten.
If Archer’s insane brother dies, their distant cousin, the evil Count Movileşti, will inherit everything, and with the influenza pandemic threatening the brother’s asylum, the outlook is grave. The only thing that can ensure Archer’s future is a legal document left behind by his grandfather, but the clue to its location is hidden within two pieces of music. Archer has one; the other is in Movileşti’s collection at Castle Rasnov.
Archer dispatches two of his team to the Transylvanian castle, and two to the Clearwater Archives in London, leaving the rest to search every inch of his country house. The men face their pasts and decide their futures as loyalties are tested, and death stalks the corridors of Larkspur Hall. With Movileşti on his way to claim the inheritance, everyone has a vital part to play and everything to lose as they race against time.
Set during the 1890 Russian influenza pandemic, The Clearwater Inheritance is a mystery thriller that takes us from Cornwall to Transylvania, and from the cellars of Larkspur Hall to the Orient Express.
A mashup of romance, mystery and adventure, the tenth book ties up previous threads, answers questions, and sets the scene for the Clearwater future.
The series is best read in order, starting with ‘Deviant Desire.’
The non-mystery prequel, ‘Banyak & Fecks’ should be read before books nine and ten.
468 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2021
10 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Jackson Marsh
40 books79 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 24, 2021
As Viscount Clearwater, Archer Camoys Riddington, faces the serious issue of the Clearwater inheritance, the crew gathers to start putting the pieces of a musical puzzle together. Thomas Payne, Billy Barnett, Danylo and other members of the Larkspur household are searching for Archer’s, grandfather’s, the seventeenth Viscount, fugue and prelude along with the legal entail to the deed.
James Wright, Silas Hawkins and Jake O’hara have traveled back to Clearwater and London, to search the archives at the legal firm on Chancery Lane. Unfortunately, the archives are a disorganized mess, so Silas sticks to his plan. James also finds himself seeking legal advice from Sir Creswill Easterby.
Andrej Kolisychenko and Jasper “Pianino” Blackwood have the most intriguing part in the search. They are on there way to Rasnov Castle in Transylvania to search for Archer’s grandfather’s music. For Jasper who is a musical genius, the trip is magical for him. He get’s to see Paris, Austria, Budapest and so much more. As Andrej has always been an intimidating force, Jasper becomes another of the crew to see Andrej in a different light and a new friendship is born. There are surprises for both, as by chance, they meet Yakiv Blumkin from Andrej’s past. As the plans become urgent to return to Larkspur, they are set to ride the Orient Express. As Andrej has always been the protector, Jasper now finds himself in that role.
With all the chaos and time running out, Archer still waits for the inevitable about his brother, Crispin. And the possible visit from Count Movilesti, a distant cousin, that is a threat and danger to everything and everyone that Archer loves.
Jackson Marsh has always proven his hard work and devotion in the research throughout the “Clearwater Mysteries”. With this final, very well orchestrated mystery there’s an education in the history of composers and music. There’s also mention of inventions, morse code, art, and transportation modes from the historic 19th century. This is smartly written as each crew has been assigned certain investigations to perform and the different types of communication used to keep everyone informed. I could say so much about this novel but I don’t want to give to much of this masterpiece away. Even with all the expertise in the crew members, the threat is overwhelming and everyone’s lives are put in danger. The plot reveals: secrets, many surprises, legalities, fast paced action, with thrills, suspense and heart tugging emotions!
There’s a heart stopping, epic sword fight and one of the most grand and surprise endings. Once again, some of the most famous and memorable characters that have been presented throughout the “Clearwater Mysteries” add to a spectacular ending. The ending itself, is one of the most excellent and outstanding, that I have ever read.
I have to give mention to the talented: Andjela K with the outstanding cover designs that added to the excitement of each novel and Khayyam Akhtar for the map design, that shows the travel route of Andrej and Jasper.
I highly recommend, the ten novel “Clearwater Mysteries” series, starting with “Deviant Desire” and the prequel “Banyak & Fecks” is also a must read. I hated to see this series end but that’s why I have all the books, so I can read it all again. Jackson Marsh has more to offer, so all is not lost. There’s new mysteries and adventures to come soon with “The Larkspur Mysteries”.
April 29, 2022
Three reasons why I had to read this book. Firstly, this is touted to wrap up the series, providing closure to at least two overarching/long-standing plot arcs, unveiling the parentage of a notable secondary character (I was quite moved) and the demise of some thoroughly nasty secondary characters; . Secondly, given recent world-wide pandemic - this book covers the period of the last great pandemic of the 19th century (aka as the Asiatic/Russian Flu Pandemic) and I wanted to see how this affected the English/European populace (and yes, a few long-standing secondary characters took their final bows here.) Thirdly - I love any documentary involving the famed Orient Express and hugely anticipated any further detail of the Istanbul to Paris journey.
This series has increasingly read like a historical M-M version of Mission Impossible / Ocean's Eleven - whereby Archer dispatches staff/team members near and far to tackle/solve a mystery that could end in disaster for the whole team. The choice of team members seemingly reflects each characters' skills set/specialty but the author skillfully uses such 'pairings' to tackle broader issues of identity, internal conflict and interpersonal/relational struggles. Notable famed persons are often used to great effect in this series and here, given the 'musical composition' theme in this book, we get to meet who joins others such as Stoker, Tennyson, Irving, Sullivan, Romney.
As with many of the previous books this book engages the team in a Sherlock-ian type riddle/mystery; and readers of a certain mindset will either thoroughly relish a great deal of detailed discussion involving maps, ciphers, riddles, hidden objects, timetables, musical composition or will skip forward large sections to find the more 'action-driven' parts. As I do have some musical background, the analysis of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier proved most interesting. There is no on-page M-M action (as in many of the previous books) but I detect a theme of 'open relationships' emerging amongst several of the gay characters - something I'm not as thrilled about.
I am however greatly relieved the author will be using many of the characters in the next series of books and look forward to seeing what they get embroiled in next; Mr Marsh - I'm really hoping for do y'hear. 4.5 stars.
This series has increasingly read like a historical M-M version of Mission Impossible / Ocean's Eleven - whereby Archer dispatches staff/team members near and far to tackle/solve a mystery that could end in disaster for the whole team. The choice of team members seemingly reflects each characters' skills set/specialty but the author skillfully uses such 'pairings' to tackle broader issues of identity, internal conflict and interpersonal/relational struggles. Notable famed persons are often used to great effect in this series and here, given the 'musical composition' theme in this book, we get to meet who joins others such as Stoker, Tennyson, Irving, Sullivan, Romney.
As with many of the previous books this book engages the team in a Sherlock-ian type riddle/mystery; and readers of a certain mindset will either thoroughly relish a great deal of detailed discussion involving maps, ciphers, riddles, hidden objects, timetables, musical composition or will skip forward large sections to find the more 'action-driven' parts. As I do have some musical background, the analysis of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier proved most interesting. There is no on-page M-M action (as in many of the previous books) but I detect a theme of 'open relationships' emerging amongst several of the gay characters - something I'm not as thrilled about.
I am however greatly relieved the author will be using many of the characters in the next series of books and look forward to seeing what they get embroiled in next; Mr Marsh - I'm really hoping for do y'hear. 4.5 stars.
July 27, 2023
** 4.5 Stars **
April 17, 2024
Clearwater's inheritance is truly a gift to us all
We've reached the endgame in this series and it was with a heavy heart I picked up this "heavy tome" knowing it would be the last time I'd read a new Clearwater Mystery. But I needn't have worried because Jackson Marsh has not sat back on his laurels and churned out just another chapter in this already excellent series. No. He has rolled up his sleeves and taken everything we've grown to love about this series and, together with the "kitchen sink", threw it all into this final book. And what a book it is too.
From the opening chapter where we are dropped in to the frozen landscape of a Transylvanian castle, and introduced to the most loathsome man who will no doubt be the villain of the peace, I knew this was going to be epic. I don’t know if this is because of Jackson Marsh’s background as a screenwriter, but his books are so incredibly visual and the pacing, together with the comedic interplay, are always spot on. I was not being flippant when I referred to this book as the “endgame” because it really reads like a script that someone like the Russo brothers would be salivating to direct. Like Lord Clearwater, Jackson Marsh has gathered all his characters together and given each of them specific tasks to accomplish in order to help Archer secure his inheritance. Once secured it would allow Archer to open an academy for gifted young men, and Jackson Marsh to start a new series of books about its exploits.
In their pairings, each group of characters have a particular part of a puzzle they need to solve. The first couple we follow is Fecker and Jasper as they travel across the Europe in search of a musical score. These sections of the book are cleverly told in a series of letters sent by Jasper to Billy detailing their adventures. His beautiful voice captures the wonder he experiences as he travels through Paris, past the Eiffel Tower and on towards Transylvania. I thoroughly warmed to him as we once again got to hear from the young man who melted our hearts back in "Home from Nowhere". Hearing Jasper's account of Fecker's bullish attitude towards unhelpful bus boys, Swiss immigration officials and French food, was quite funny and incredibly clever of Jackson Marsh to describe it all through Jasper's innocent eyes. Through these letters you see the friendship between the two of them grow, as Jasper's initial fear of Fecker slowly melts and turns into one of love. These sections, and the revaluations that follow, were some of my favourites of the entire series.
As an author by now we all know Jackson Marsh can write incredible action scenes, but he is also an expert at writing emotion too. Along with Tal Bauer and TJ Klune, Jackson Marsh really knows how to evoke guttural emotion in a distinctly masculine way. He can bring it out in the middle of a battle scene or simply from just admiring a painting on a wall. He can make you wail out in pain as a beloved character plummets to their doom while a young boy's heart breaks before your eyes. He can do it by simply placing one man's arm around another mans shoulder, and leave you in pieces as you watch one brother carry the burden of the other. He can do it all and in this final book he gets to showcase the lot.
By writing the first half of the book primarily from Jasper and Fecker's point of view, Jackson Marsh has cleverly encapsulated what could have been a long tedious journey using conventional methods of travel, and turned it into one filled with deep emotion and wonderful character insight. What we learn about Fecker's past, and his future, really enriched a character we have grown to love over this series. The emotional response to his story has been a revelation to me, which was in no short way due to the author's beautifully crafted character writing and incredible story telling. And to a large degree this feels like a book that is very much Fecker and Jasper’s story. So much of the text is given over to them and we see so much character development as the two of them carry out their tasks and fight to save not only their own lives, but the lives of all those they love. Despite giving over a huge chunk of this book to Jasper and Fecker, the author does give some of the other characters their turn in the spotlight, which we begin to follow in more detail during the second part of the book.
When the second half kicks off, and kicks off it does with the whirlwind that is Sir Creswell, we shift the focus back to England and follow James, Silas and Jake and their adventures back in London. With a mixture of deception, burglary and (legal) defence, we follow the trio as they investigate the more litigious aspects of the mystery. Being very much an advocate of Jackson Marsh’s advocate, I was pleased we had the chance to witness Jimmy seek counsel from his counsel, yet another partnership the author graced us with at the close of this series. I have loved how Jackson Marsh writes Sir Creswell and would pay good money to get to read a whole book about Jimmy and that brilliant barrister. For now at least I was pleased we got to read a chapter of the two of them together, one last time.
As with all the Clearwater mysteries, the author has taken great care with how he uses his words. Whether that’s in his evocative descriptions of a scene or the dialogue his characters speak, they always perfectly capture the mood and the moment. My particular favourite in this book was how he worked musical phrasing and the sound of the moving train into Jasper’s thoughts. The repetitive rhythm drumming from the page mimicking the rhythm of the train's motion, the author’s words quickly lulled the young man back to sleep as the train sped through the frozen landscape. A perfect example of the literary skills this author has employed in these novels that really lift these books above most others in this genre. But not content to just gift us with just one perfect passage, the author then took us on an evocative journey through a night full of grief and sad goodbyes, as a watchful owl took an emotional flight over parapets of Larkspur and led us towards the final act of this story. That is a legacy any author should be proud of.
This has been a great series of books and one I am sad to put down. I feel the author has really got the most out of each of the main characters over the past 10 books and developed them to their fullest. Jasper and Billy really shone out from the page in this last story and I am so sad to see that story end. I hope they play a part in the new series, but I am happy that the author used this last volume to developed their characters even further and allowed them top billing.
But as the curtain descended on the series, I was overjoyed when Jackson Marsh brought the entire cast back on stage so they could all take their final bow. As they each said their farewells, my mind and my heart were flooded with happy memories of the times we spent together. Times where we’ve derailed steam trains, jumped from blazing infernos, fought injustices on the streets and in the courts, and battled some of the most loathsome villains ever to make it into print. But it is the friends I’ve made along the way that are what will stay with me forever. Friends that feel as real to me as the ones I have made outside of these books. Now isn’t that the mark of a really great writer!
We've reached the endgame in this series and it was with a heavy heart I picked up this "heavy tome" knowing it would be the last time I'd read a new Clearwater Mystery. But I needn't have worried because Jackson Marsh has not sat back on his laurels and churned out just another chapter in this already excellent series. No. He has rolled up his sleeves and taken everything we've grown to love about this series and, together with the "kitchen sink", threw it all into this final book. And what a book it is too.
From the opening chapter where we are dropped in to the frozen landscape of a Transylvanian castle, and introduced to the most loathsome man who will no doubt be the villain of the peace, I knew this was going to be epic. I don’t know if this is because of Jackson Marsh’s background as a screenwriter, but his books are so incredibly visual and the pacing, together with the comedic interplay, are always spot on. I was not being flippant when I referred to this book as the “endgame” because it really reads like a script that someone like the Russo brothers would be salivating to direct. Like Lord Clearwater, Jackson Marsh has gathered all his characters together and given each of them specific tasks to accomplish in order to help Archer secure his inheritance. Once secured it would allow Archer to open an academy for gifted young men, and Jackson Marsh to start a new series of books about its exploits.
In their pairings, each group of characters have a particular part of a puzzle they need to solve. The first couple we follow is Fecker and Jasper as they travel across the Europe in search of a musical score. These sections of the book are cleverly told in a series of letters sent by Jasper to Billy detailing their adventures. His beautiful voice captures the wonder he experiences as he travels through Paris, past the Eiffel Tower and on towards Transylvania. I thoroughly warmed to him as we once again got to hear from the young man who melted our hearts back in "Home from Nowhere". Hearing Jasper's account of Fecker's bullish attitude towards unhelpful bus boys, Swiss immigration officials and French food, was quite funny and incredibly clever of Jackson Marsh to describe it all through Jasper's innocent eyes. Through these letters you see the friendship between the two of them grow, as Jasper's initial fear of Fecker slowly melts and turns into one of love. These sections, and the revaluations that follow, were some of my favourites of the entire series.
As an author by now we all know Jackson Marsh can write incredible action scenes, but he is also an expert at writing emotion too. Along with Tal Bauer and TJ Klune, Jackson Marsh really knows how to evoke guttural emotion in a distinctly masculine way. He can bring it out in the middle of a battle scene or simply from just admiring a painting on a wall. He can make you wail out in pain as a beloved character plummets to their doom while a young boy's heart breaks before your eyes. He can do it by simply placing one man's arm around another mans shoulder, and leave you in pieces as you watch one brother carry the burden of the other. He can do it all and in this final book he gets to showcase the lot.
By writing the first half of the book primarily from Jasper and Fecker's point of view, Jackson Marsh has cleverly encapsulated what could have been a long tedious journey using conventional methods of travel, and turned it into one filled with deep emotion and wonderful character insight. What we learn about Fecker's past, and his future, really enriched a character we have grown to love over this series. The emotional response to his story has been a revelation to me, which was in no short way due to the author's beautifully crafted character writing and incredible story telling. And to a large degree this feels like a book that is very much Fecker and Jasper’s story. So much of the text is given over to them and we see so much character development as the two of them carry out their tasks and fight to save not only their own lives, but the lives of all those they love. Despite giving over a huge chunk of this book to Jasper and Fecker, the author does give some of the other characters their turn in the spotlight, which we begin to follow in more detail during the second part of the book.
When the second half kicks off, and kicks off it does with the whirlwind that is Sir Creswell, we shift the focus back to England and follow James, Silas and Jake and their adventures back in London. With a mixture of deception, burglary and (legal) defence, we follow the trio as they investigate the more litigious aspects of the mystery. Being very much an advocate of Jackson Marsh’s advocate, I was pleased we had the chance to witness Jimmy seek counsel from his counsel, yet another partnership the author graced us with at the close of this series. I have loved how Jackson Marsh writes Sir Creswell and would pay good money to get to read a whole book about Jimmy and that brilliant barrister. For now at least I was pleased we got to read a chapter of the two of them together, one last time.
As with all the Clearwater mysteries, the author has taken great care with how he uses his words. Whether that’s in his evocative descriptions of a scene or the dialogue his characters speak, they always perfectly capture the mood and the moment. My particular favourite in this book was how he worked musical phrasing and the sound of the moving train into Jasper’s thoughts. The repetitive rhythm drumming from the page mimicking the rhythm of the train's motion, the author’s words quickly lulled the young man back to sleep as the train sped through the frozen landscape. A perfect example of the literary skills this author has employed in these novels that really lift these books above most others in this genre. But not content to just gift us with just one perfect passage, the author then took us on an evocative journey through a night full of grief and sad goodbyes, as a watchful owl took an emotional flight over parapets of Larkspur and led us towards the final act of this story. That is a legacy any author should be proud of.
This has been a great series of books and one I am sad to put down. I feel the author has really got the most out of each of the main characters over the past 10 books and developed them to their fullest. Jasper and Billy really shone out from the page in this last story and I am so sad to see that story end. I hope they play a part in the new series, but I am happy that the author used this last volume to developed their characters even further and allowed them top billing.
But as the curtain descended on the series, I was overjoyed when Jackson Marsh brought the entire cast back on stage so they could all take their final bow. As they each said their farewells, my mind and my heart were flooded with happy memories of the times we spent together. Times where we’ve derailed steam trains, jumped from blazing infernos, fought injustices on the streets and in the courts, and battled some of the most loathsome villains ever to make it into print. But it is the friends I’ve made along the way that are what will stay with me forever. Friends that feel as real to me as the ones I have made outside of these books. Now isn’t that the mark of a really great writer!
April 4, 2022
All the gang back, if not together, then at least all pulling for Archer in his quest to secure his inheritance - and not for the greedy reasons people did then, but enable his philanthropy to continue.
We have a great cypher mystery with 3 threads being pulled, a nasty piece of work cousin, a global pandemic (!) and even Russian/Ukraine ill feelings and references to invasion - all very current for being set 130 years ago!
Andrej and Jasper's journey to Rasnov is perhaps the most entertaining, with travel all the way to deepest Romania. Billy also shines when applying his engineering knowledge. Basically, they all have skills that are needed.
Enjoyed immensely and hope the series continues, though am reading the spin off
We have a great cypher mystery with 3 threads being pulled, a nasty piece of work cousin, a global pandemic (!) and even Russian/Ukraine ill feelings and references to invasion - all very current for being set 130 years ago!
Andrej and Jasper's journey to Rasnov is perhaps the most entertaining, with travel all the way to deepest Romania. Billy also shines when applying his engineering knowledge. Basically, they all have skills that are needed.
Enjoyed immensely and hope the series continues, though am reading the spin off
July 3, 2024
Welp ... what can I say? 🤷♂️
How I feel about this series
is well-documented. ❤️🥴❤️
I won't regurgitate it now.
I'm so sad that so many
people are missing out on these characters
and their heart-stopping adventures.
Their love/friendship/loyalty
for each other is unparalleled.
An all-time favorite series, no doubt ...
can hardly wait the appropriate
amount of time for a re-read. 😅
In the meantime,
I'm all over the spin-off series ...
'Larkspur Mysteries'
Guardians of the Poor
How I feel about this series
is well-documented. ❤️🥴❤️
I won't regurgitate it now.
I'm so sad that so many
people are missing out on these characters
and their heart-stopping adventures.
Their love/friendship/loyalty
for each other is unparalleled.
An all-time favorite series, no doubt ...
can hardly wait the appropriate
amount of time for a re-read. 😅
In the meantime,
I'm all over the spin-off series ...
'Larkspur Mysteries'
Guardians of the Poor
July 6, 2025
Jackson Marsh is brilliant! I never write reviews. However this guy is amazing. I just finished the Clearwater Mystery series. I hated it to end. His development of the diverse set of characters is unmatched. I felt them as real people and friends that I will miss dearly. My only consolation is that I’m diving right into the next series, “The Larkspur Mysteries”. I’m delighted that this continues. Such a prolific writer with an unmatched depth of perception and sensitivity to bring these characters with their faults, loves, humanity and warmth to life. Jordan Marsh, please don’t stop writing. Best, “a fan for life”!
October 8, 2024
The end of THIS series. It's tremendously complicated, but the Romanian count who thinks he's inheriting the title arrives at Larkspur, offends and insults everyone, and eventually falls backward over a balcony with the pianist, Jasper. The count dies and Jasper is temporarily without the use of his legs, but he can still play.
October 23, 2024
The Best Yet!
The Clearwater Mysteries improve exponentially with each volume. Volume 10 is my absolute favorite of them all. The interactions between Andrej and Jasper exceed even all the gripping drama at Larkspur Hall. This volume continued with unlikely circumstances, a theme of the series. Yet, the story felt more lifelike and real than the others.
The Clearwater Mysteries improve exponentially with each volume. Volume 10 is my absolute favorite of them all. The interactions between Andrej and Jasper exceed even all the gripping drama at Larkspur Hall. This volume continued with unlikely circumstances, a theme of the series. Yet, the story felt more lifelike and real than the others.
May 12, 2022
Ready for next series
This entire series is so worth the time to read for many reasons. I would like to think that there really was a person like Archer Clearwater that championed young people of the day.b
This entire series is so worth the time to read for many reasons. I would like to think that there really was a person like Archer Clearwater that championed young people of the day.b
August 9, 2021
Great series, great book
This book has all kinds of action and adventure. I love this author. It’s not just a bunch of sex, there’s an actual story. I recommend this whole series.
This book has all kinds of action and adventure. I love this author. It’s not just a bunch of sex, there’s an actual story. I recommend this whole series.
February 13, 2022
A well written Victorian mystery, with likable characters. This is the end of the main series but a spin off series has started.
August 20, 2022
A lovely finish to the series. Bromance and action and mystery. Everyone pulling together for Archer and likewise Archer for his men. Heartwarming series and wonderful world building. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews