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Lawrence Hapham Mystery #5
The Moving Stone: A page-turning Victorian murder-mystery that will keep you guessing
Not yet published
Expected 14 Oct 25When a series of vanishings turn into murders, Lawrence Harpham is summoned to West Ham. Estranged from Violet and temporarily partnered with an oddball reporter, Lawrence pursues a ruthless serial killer. Meanwhile, Violet’s contentment with her new life in Norfolk ends abruptly. What is causing the sinister movement of a gravestone, and who is following her?Recently revealed secrets shatter everything Lawrence thought he knew about his past. Will Violet and Lawrence meet again? And will he ever recover from the horrifying revelations?
The Moving Stone is a historical murder mystery based on real events.
The Moving Stone is a historical murder mystery based on real events.
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 14, 2025
24 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Beard
40 books113 followersJacqueline 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 11, 2024
(1899) Three years have past since Violet Smith left their partnership. She is living at Swaffham and comes embroiled in the strange happening of the grave of Ella Morse who died in 1852, and her family. Meanwhile Harpham investigates the deaths of children over the last 20 years in East London.
An entertaining and well-written Victorian mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this likeable series.
An entertaining and well-written Victorian mystery with its likeable main characters. Another good addition to this likeable series.
March 11, 2021
Well! I didn't see that ending coming at all! I've had to go back and re-read all the previous books, because it appears that I have missed something and am still confused as to when an incident occurred (I don't want to give anything away!) Lawrence is a complex character I have struggled with throughout the books. He suffers PTSD and depression and alternates between stupidity and selfishness, especially where Violet is concerned. He knows he has treated her abominally regarding Loveday Graham, yet still wants Violet to make a decision for him regarding his impending marriage. He is rather arrogant over Violet's feelings towards him and when she left Bury St Edmond the last time, Lawrence had an epiphany regarding his feelings. He struggles with a sense of betrayal by Michael and Francis over Violet. If Lawrence is to be redeemed, changes MUST be made.
This book starts with Lawrence and Violet at opposing chapters with a breakdown of their current circumstances heading toward an explosive finale! This story HAD to happen, especially for Lawrence as he needed to let go of his past and move forward.
There have been two storylines running throughout the series of books concerning Lawrence, Michael, Francis and Violet. There looks as if there is at least another book to tell the rest of this story. This book certainly goes a long way to explain our beloved characters feelings and behaviours toward the cases they had worked on in the past.
This book starts with Lawrence and Violet at opposing chapters with a breakdown of their current circumstances heading toward an explosive finale! This story HAD to happen, especially for Lawrence as he needed to let go of his past and move forward.
There have been two storylines running throughout the series of books concerning Lawrence, Michael, Francis and Violet. There looks as if there is at least another book to tell the rest of this story. This book certainly goes a long way to explain our beloved characters feelings and behaviours toward the cases they had worked on in the past.
February 14, 2021
Excellent story in this Victoria era
Another excellent story Abused and murdered children is always a difficult subject to read about even with the passage of time and Jacqueline Beard captures the distress and anger felt by the principle characters so well and I confess I liked the type of justice that was made by Lawrence in his investigation. Violet,s story was also compelling just hope this is not the end to there adventures. As I have real enjoyed this series of books. Having been brought up in London and now living in Suffolk / Norfolk border makes the whole series more enjoyable having visited most of the places mentioned.Another excellent story Abused and murdered children is always a difficult subject to read about even with the passage of time and Jacqueline Beard captures the distress and anger felt by the principle characters so well and I confess I liked the type of justice that was made by Lawrence in his investigation. Violet,s story was also compelling just hope this is not the end to there adventures. As I have real enjoyed this series of books. Having been brought up in London and now living in Suffolk / Norfolk border makes the whole series more enjoyable having visited most of the places mentioned.
Another excellent story Abused and murdered children is always a difficult subject to read about even with the passage of time and Jacqueline Beard captures the distress and anger felt by the principle characters so well and I confess I liked the type of justice that was made by Lawrence in his investigation. Violet,s story was also compelling just hope this is not the end to there adventures. As I have real enjoyed this series of books. Having been brought up in London and now living in Suffolk / Norfolk border makes the whole series more enjoyable having visited most of the places mentioned.Another excellent story Abused and murdered children is always a difficult subject to read about even with the passage of time and Jacqueline Beard captures the distress and anger felt by the principle characters so well and I confess I liked the type of justice that was made by Lawrence in his investigation. Violet,s story was also compelling just hope this is not the end to there adventures. As I have real enjoyed this series of books. Having been brought up in London and now living in Suffolk / Norfolk border makes the whole series more enjoyable having visited most of the places mentioned.
February 13, 2021
Abused and murdered children is always a difficult subject to read about even with the passage of time and Jacqueline Beard captures the distress and anger felt by the principle characters so well and I confess to wanting to see the type of justice that the legal system would not impose.
My first reaction to the two stories running in tandem was that I didn't like it but as the letters between Violet and Michel continued and the story unfolded it seemed an appropriate format.
Without giving away any of the endings of either story I can't wait for the next in the series.
My first reaction to the two stories running in tandem was that I didn't like it but as the letters between Violet and Michel continued and the story unfolded it seemed an appropriate format.
Without giving away any of the endings of either story I can't wait for the next in the series.
March 14, 2021
Duel Mysteries with a lovely ending.
As with the other Harpham mysteries this is based on true events. One detective story of missing children and one ghostly tale of a moving gravestone. If you've read the other books and become invested in Lawrence and Violets story you will enjoy the ending. It brought a tear to my cynical eye. Marvellous.
As with the other Harpham mysteries this is based on true events. One detective story of missing children and one ghostly tale of a moving gravestone. If you've read the other books and become invested in Lawrence and Violets story you will enjoy the ending. It brought a tear to my cynical eye. Marvellous.
June 1, 2021
Really really enjoyed this all the perceived loose ends and fingers crossed thoughts came to a head.
Just as I was saddened that I had finished the last book in the series the promise of another pops up
Just as I was saddened that I had finished the last book in the series the promise of another pops up
May 4, 2021
A really enjoyable series to read. Kept me guessing (apart from one thing) all the way.
May 7, 2021
The fifth novel in this thoroughly entertaining murder mystery series is another enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews