The Sudbury School Murders

The Sudbury School Murders (2005/2011) Ashley Gardner

Set in England in March 1817

The 4th Captain Lacey mystery finds Gabriel Lacey working as a secretary for Everard Rutledge at the Sudsbury School–a school for the sounds of the wealthy–but not titled.

Lacey is somewhat distressed to discover he was hired because of his ability to unravel mysteries, because the school had a rather vicious practical joker. Unfortunately, things become serious when the groom is found murdered–a groom that Lacey recognized from London.

I like Lacey better in this story than I did in the previous two. He’s still occasionally an asshole, but far less of one.

And there are some lovely passages.

Hungerford had once been used by Charles I as a base from which he fought battles with Cromwell’s army. One could picnic now at the battle sites, as I imagined that one day Spanish ladies and gentlemen would picnic at the sites of Talavera and Abuerra and other gruesome chapters in the war against Bonaparte.

The mystery wasn’t especially compelling, but the characters were, and I liked finally learning Marianne Simmons’ secret.
Rating: 7/10

Published by JA / AG Publishing

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