The Felsham Affair: A gripping Victorian murder-mystery that will keep you guessing

Lawrence Hapham Mystery #4

by Jacqueline Beard

When a much-loved child disappears with his minder, Lawrence Harpham follows the trail to Battersea. Meanwhile, Violet investigates a thirty-year-old Suffolk poisoning.With suspects thin on the ground, Violet must use every means at her disposal to solve the mystery. Can Lawrence's close encounter with a callous serial killer provide clues to her investigation? And will their increasingly fractured relationship stand in the way of progress?As the two mysteries converge, Lawrence finds himself at the mercy of a predator. Can he survive and will he ever see Violet again?

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication October 14, 2025

About the author

Jacqueline lives in Gloucestershire with her husband, son & delinquent border terrier.

She spends her free time writing, researching her extensive East Anglian Family History and rambling through Gloucestershire’s beautiful countryside with border terrier in tow.

Reviews

[jerry Cursons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent story in the Lawrence Harpham mystery book,s clues are dotted through out the story. With a nice twist in the last few chapters. Hope there are more book,s to come in the future involving these two investigators.

[Facemaker01 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all four main books in the series.
I am not particularly enamoured with Lawrence as a character, nor do I care much for Loveday Graham. In fact I think Lawrence is an idiot. Hopefully he can extricate himself from his current status. The ending was a surprise and it will be interesting to see where the next book takes us, as I am curious to see what Violet is up to. Without giving too much away, I suspect some grovelling is in order. The storylines are interesting and obviously in tune with the period in which these stories are set.
It took me a while to get into the series due to my antipathy towards Lawrence and Loveday.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1896 Bury St. Edmunds. While Violet Smith is employed by Drucilla Brown of Felsham to investigate a 30 year old case of a child, Frederick, thought to have been poisoned by his mother Julia Brown. Who was acquitted of his murder. Meanwhile Lawrence Harpham is employed to find the missing child of Flora Johns of London.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable characters except Loveday, I hope she disappears soon.
Another good addition to the series

[Ms Sarah E Woodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful victorian mystery.

Superbly written and kept me guessing right to the last chapter. The detective parts of the novel bump along nicely with the personal affairs of the main characters. Highly recommended if you like a good mystery novel.

[Rosalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoy this series but am devastated by the end