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Captain Lacey
Series · 18
books · 2003-2022

Books in series

The Hanover Square Affair book cover
#1

The Hanover Square Affair

2003

London, 1816. Cavalry captain Gabriel Lacey returns to Regency London from the Napoleonic wars, burned out, fighting melancholia, his career ended. His interest is perked when he learns of a missing girl, possibly kidnapped by a prominent member of Parliament. Lacey's search for the girl leads to the discovery of murder, corruption, and dealings with a leader of the underworld. He faces his own disorientation transitioning from a soldier's life to the civilian world at the same time, redefining his role with his former commanding officer and making new friends—from the top of society to the street girls of Covent Garden. #1 of the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries series. This is a full-length novel, e-version of The Hanover Square Affair, previously published in print by Berkley Prime Crime.
A Regimental Murder book cover
#2

A Regimental Murder

2004

Captain Lacey returns in the second book of this series. After saving a beautiful woman from a mysterious assailant near the docks, Captain Lacey helps in her search for her husband's murderers. Her late husband was accused of committing a crime during the atrocities after a Peninsular War battle, and Lydia Westin wants Lacey to clear his name. Lacey investigates with his usual thoroughness, bringing in Lucius Grenville, the immensely wealthy Regency dandy, to help him. But murder and mayhem follow, and James Denis once more tries to recruit Lacey to help him with his underworld activities. This book introduces the characters of Lady Breckenridge and Grenville's irrepressible footmen, Matthias and Bartholomew.
The Glass House book cover
#3

The Glass House

2004

It's Captain Lacey's duty to unravel the mysteries of Regency England. The Glass House is a place where London's high society can indulge their vices. When one of its regulars is found floating in the Thames, Captain Lacey demands justice, uncovering jealousy and murder—while also confronting some secrets of his own.
The Sudbury School Murders book cover
#4

The Sudbury School Murders

2005

Captain Lacey accepts a position at the Sudbury School to find the person behind a series of malicious pranks. But when the mischief takes a deadly turn, Lacey must teach a murderer a lesson.
The Necklace Affair book cover
#4.5

The Necklace Affair

2011

Captain Lacey agrees to track down the missing necklace of a society matron and prove the innocence of her maid, who has been arrested for the theft. Lady Clifford declares that the rival for her husband's affections has stolen the necklace, but Lacey soon realizes that the problem is not so simple. He recruits Lady Breckenridge to infiltrate the Clifford household, while Lacey and his friend Lucius Grenville follow other leads. The investigation digs up scandal and past secrets, and Lacey finds himself competing with the underworld criminal, James Denis, for the necklace's retrieval. This is a 25,000-word (ten-chapter) novella. The events occur between the end of The Sudbury School Murders (Book 4) and the beginning of A Body in Berkeley Square (Book 5).
Past Crimes book cover
#4.5

Past Crimes

A Compendium of Historical Mysteries

2017

Step into the past through three historical mysteries that reach from Imperial Rome to Victorian London. A Soupçon of Poison (Kat Holloway Victorian Mysteries) Kat Holloway, a young cook who is highly sought after by the wealthy of Victorian London, becomes embroiled in murder and must clear her name. Only the mysterious Daniel McAdam, who is much more than he seems, can come to her aid. Blood Debts (Leonidas the Gladiator Mysteries) Leonidas, freedman, once the most popular gladiator in Rome and champion of the games, now must fight for his life outside the arena. A man who owed him money was murdered, and Leonidas is a prime suspect. With the assistance of Cassia, daughter of a Greek scribe who has been bestowed upon him as his slave, Leonidas fights for justice in the back lanes of Imperial Rome. The Necklace Affair (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries) Captain Lacey agrees to help a society matron discover what has become of her cherished diamond necklace and to clear her maid, who has been arrested for its theft. Lacey quickly becomes enmeshed in scandal and past secrets, and finds himself competing with the underworld criminal, James Denis, for the necklace's retrieval. This collection includes three novellas of about 25,000-30,000 words each.
A Body in Berkeley Square book cover
#5

A Body in Berkeley Square

2005

When an opulent ball is marred by murder, Captain Lacey's insufferably upright former friend, Colonel Brandon, is the prime suspect. With the man's fate in his hands, Lacey finally has a chance to avenge the wrongs Brandon has done to him—but at what price?
A Covent Garden Mystery book cover
#6

A Covent Garden Mystery

2006

Lacey's seventeen-year-old daughter, recently returned to London with his estranged wife, has disappeared, as have many street girls in Covent Garden. Desperately hunting for her, Lacey uncovers secrets about his wife's past—and his own life—that he must face before he can stop a killer.
A Death in Norfolk book cover
#7

A Death in Norfolk

2011

Captain Lacey takes Lady Breckenridge to his boyhood home in Norfolk and finds himself embroiled in intrigue from the past.
A Disappearance in Drury Lane book cover
#8

A Disappearance in Drury Lane

2013

Late December, 1818 As Captain Gabriel Lacey prepares for his upcoming wedding, his former neighbor, Marianne Simmons, comes to him about an actress friend who's gone missing. Lacey agrees to help look for the actress, little realizing that the search will pit him against men who think nothing of abduction, assault, or sending incendiary devices to the innocent. At the same time, Lacey's personal life is changing, and his time for investigation is frequently and frustratingly interrupted. He is also commanded by a new Bow Street Runner to assist in bringing down James Denis, a criminal with whom Lacey now has complicated ties. Lacey must help or else risk hanging alongside Denis. The search for the actress takes Lacey from elegant assembly rooms to the backstage of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, where he finds darkness in all corners. Lacey's life and honor are constantly challenged as he tries to settle into his new life, until he realizes he can follow no code but his own. Book 8 in the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries.
Murder in Grosvenor Square book cover
#9

Murder in Grosvenor Square

2014

Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 9. This is a full-length novel of 86,000 words (32 chapters). Captain Gabriel Lacey begins Spring 1818 preparing for a duel. But while he focuses on the affair of honor, darkness, greed, and death stalk the streets of London and bring tragedy to a family Lacey has grown close to. With the aid of Lucius Grenville, London’s most famous dandy, and Brewster, a ruffian employed by an underworld criminal, Lacey explores the world of molly houses and the double lives some men of society lead. His investigation takes him from the elegant mansions of Grosvenor Square to the squalid lanes of Seven Dials, to taverns that practice a highly illegal trade, spelling ruin and possible hanging for those caught within. Lacey once again comes into the realm of James Denis, a crime lord, when what appears to be a simple crime of hatred becomes far more complex.
The Thames River Murders book cover
#10

The Thames River Murders

2015

Captain Lacey is asked by Peter Thompson of the Thames River Police to help him investigate a cold case–the murder of a woman found near the docks Thompson patrols. The investigation was sidelined, considered unsolvable, but Thompson has long wished to find her killer. Captain Lacey joins him in the hunt, entering a part of society that is closed to outsiders. Meanwhile, he must deal with his daughter’s debut and more developments in his new domestic life, including a anonymous blackmailer who’s out to ruin Lacey any way he can. Book 10 of the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries series. This is a full-length novel.
The Alexandria Affair book cover
#11

The Alexandria Affair

2016

Captain Gabriel Lacey accompanies famous dandy Lucius Grenville to Egypt, a land that Lacey has long anticipated visiting. Lacey travels there for more than a simple holiday, however—James Denis has tasked him with finding an "object" in Alexandria and procuring it, whatever the cost. The task does not turn out to be so simple. Locating what Denis wants in the teeming city proves difficult, sending Lacey and Grenville exploring tombs and temples down the Nile. Lacey must deal with treasure hunters, a shadow following him and his friends, murder, and missing his new family as he explores the exotic country he has so longed to see... Book 11 in the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries series.
A Mystery at Carlton House book cover
#12

A Mystery at Carlton House

2017

1818: Captain Lacey is drawn into affairs of the highest in the land when his friend Grenville is asked by the Prince Regent to look into odd happenings in his lavish abode of Carlton House. Objects of value have gone missing, paintings and sculpture have been moved, and some of the staff have reported strange sounds and movements in the shadows. The Regent and his cronies suspect ghosts or other malign spirits. The Bow Street Runners have a more human suspect for these doings, and Captain Lacey is asked by a Runner to help him prepare a case against the man they’ve already arrested. But the suspect is under the protection of James Denis, a leader of crime, which brings Lacey head-to-head with him once more. Opposing Denis can be dangerous, and so can dividing the loyalties of the men who work for him. Meanwhile Lacey has his family to worry about—his daughter, his wife, and new members who have joined. In addition, he’s not convinced that either Denis or the Runners have the right idea in this matter. He must produce the correct answer before Denis loses his patience or one malevolent Runner in particular makes Lacey answer for the crimes.
Murder in St. Giles book cover
#13

Murder in St. Giles

2018

London, 1819: When Brewster, my bodyguard, comes to me about a murder of a pugilist—and what’s more, says his wife has summoned me—I must hasten to St. Giles to find a killer before Brewster is arrested for the crime. This is made difficult because Donata's late husband’s odious cousin has materialized to try to wrest her son into his care. After all, seven-year-old Peter is a viscount, and his cousin wants to get closer to the title. But how close? If Peter’s life is in danger, I must remain, but Brewster risks hanging for the death of his wife’s brother-in-law. He’s done too much for me to turn my back on him, but the devil if I’ll let the Breckenridge cousin get his clutches on Peter. It will take all my perseverance, and a few wiles, to plough through these difficulties. In the meantime, I meet a Runner who teaches me about crime and punishment in this enlightened age, and Brewster’s old trainer, who made him the excellent pugilist—and thief—he is today. Book 13 in the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries. This is a full-length novel.
Death at Brighton Pavilion book cover
#14

Death at Brighton Pavilion

2019

When Captain Gabriel Lacey finds himself standing over a dead body in Brighton Pavilion, bloody sword in hand and no memory of how he got there, he immediately fears he is a murderer. The dead man is Colonel Hamilton Isherwood, a man Lacey clashed with after the battle of Salamanca in Spain seven years before. As Lacey tries to piece together the events of the previous night, he discovers he’d promised to help a Quaker gentleman find his missing son, and that the Society of Friends might know far more about his strange night out than anyone else. With the help of Brewster, Grenville, and his wife, Lacey races to save himself from arrest, even it means bringing to light painful scandals from his own past. Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 14. This is a full-length novel.
The Custom House Murders book cover
#15

The Custom House Murders

2020

Captain Lacey encounters an old army friend just returned from Antigua, who is being accused of smuggling and possibly murder. Lacey decides to help the man, whom he considers honorable, to clear his name. Meanwhile James Denis has given Lacey a task, to deliver a mysterious package to a man with an office near the Custom House on the bank of the Thames. Lacey, who has been drawn into danger delivering items for Denis before, opens the package beforehand to find a single chess piece, a white queen. The piece tells Lacey nothing, but he soon realizes it plays deeply into Denis’s ongoing battle for control of London’s underworld.
Murder in the Eternal City book cover
#16

Murder in the Eternal City

2022

When I agree to take my family to visit Grenville in his villa near Rome, I hardly imagine that I immediately will become embroiled in mystery and mayhem. James Denis has requested that I purchase an antique from a collector, one Conte de Luca. Before I can approach this count, I am recruited by a Roman a man to help rescue his daughter from a cool aristocrat, and then asked to solve a murder of an Englishman—by a man who is already dead. These tasks do not keep me from traveling to the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum and exploring to my heart’s content, but trouble follows me in the form of a man bent on killing me—for what reason I cannot fathom. All this is compounded by another murder back in Rome, and I am commanded by James Denis, as well as the aristocrat who stole my new Roman friend’s daughter and a captain of the police, to find out who committed the deed and what dire secrets the murdered man kept, secrets with the potential to destroy them all. Probing into these puzzles lead me to the past, present, and future troubles of the Italian peninsula, a beautiful but deadly place in the spring of 1820.

Authors

Ashley Gardner
Ashley Gardner
Author · 22 books
Ashley Gardner is the pseudonym for NY Times bestselling and award-winning author Jennifer Ashley and nationally bestselling and award-winning author Allyson James. Her award-winning Captain Lacey Regency mysteries have garnered top reviews and an enthusiastic following. These books are now available as digital editions. More about the series can be found at http://www.gardnermysteries.com
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