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Liberty Lane #8
Fool's Gold
A series of anonymous letters leads to a case of cold-blooded murder for 19th-century private investigator Liberty Lane.
September, 1841. A new arrival has taken London society by storm. Lord Byron’s handsome illegitimate son, George, recently arrived from the exotic island of Cephalonia in the company of his guardian, the mysterious Mr Vickery, has been setting female hearts aflutter.
But not all the attention George attracts is welcome. Mr Vickery has been receiving disturbing letters from a woman who calls herself Helena, and he hires Liberty Lane to find out who Helena is and what she wants.
As Liberty is to discover, there is more to this case than meets the eye. Is George really Lord Byron’s son – or is he an imposter? And who exactly is Mr Vickery? What is his agenda? When Liberty comes across a body shot dead near Mr Vickery’s home in Muswell Hill, the investigation takes a shocking turn.
September, 1841. A new arrival has taken London society by storm. Lord Byron’s handsome illegitimate son, George, recently arrived from the exotic island of Cephalonia in the company of his guardian, the mysterious Mr Vickery, has been setting female hearts aflutter.
But not all the attention George attracts is welcome. Mr Vickery has been receiving disturbing letters from a woman who calls herself Helena, and he hires Liberty Lane to find out who Helena is and what she wants.
As Liberty is to discover, there is more to this case than meets the eye. Is George really Lord Byron’s son – or is he an imposter? And who exactly is Mr Vickery? What is his agenda? When Liberty comes across a body shot dead near Mr Vickery’s home in Muswell Hill, the investigation takes a shocking turn.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
About the author
Caro Peacock
25 books51 followersAka Gillian Linscott.
Caro Peacock grew up in a farmhouse that, for most of her childhood, contained half a dozen brothers, sisters and cousins, twice as many cats and dogs, no central heating and one bathroom that stopped working every time the spring that supplied it water silted up. This possible bred the habit of curling up in a quiet place with a book, and later, a passion for travel that led to a rather disrupted education. Somewhere along the line, she acquired a great interest in Victorian history––which she considers a much misunderstood period––and particularly the part played in it by independently minded women. Caro rides horses, climbs, trampolines and spends some time every year studying wild flowers in the Alps.
Caro Peacock is a pseudonym for Gillian Linscott.
Caro Peacock grew up in a farmhouse that, for most of her childhood, contained half a dozen brothers, sisters and cousins, twice as many cats and dogs, no central heating and one bathroom that stopped working every time the spring that supplied it water silted up. This possible bred the habit of curling up in a quiet place with a book, and later, a passion for travel that led to a rather disrupted education. Somewhere along the line, she acquired a great interest in Victorian history––which she considers a much misunderstood period––and particularly the part played in it by independently minded women. Caro rides horses, climbs, trampolines and spends some time every year studying wild flowers in the Alps.
Caro Peacock is a pseudonym for Gillian Linscott.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 25, 2017
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley and Severn House Publishers. Thank you.
4.5 out of 5 stars
This is book eight in the Liberty Lane series set in Victorian London - and, of course, its environs. I really enjoyed this book which functioned very well as a stand alone novel, but which has put me in the mood to download more of the stories to my Kindle. Author Caro Peacock has constructed a Victorian female private investigator in such a way that she doesn't irritate me at all - and that's saying something because I can be a very picky reader when it comes to time period mysteries.
In May 1841, Liberty and Robert are newly married and on their honeymoon sailing on a borrowed yacht close to one of the Greek islands, Cephalonia, when they see a young man diving into the ocean. His natural beauty and grace call to mind the images of Greek gods from art and literature. Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael receive an invitation from a wealthy man living on the island to come to dinner and they accept. There they meet the diver, a young man of eighteen or nineteen years, blind, and of an uncanny resemblance to Lord Byron. Their host, Matthew Vickery, plans to take Georgios to London to take his rightful place in society as a son, even though illegitimate, of Lord Byron. A tragic death by drowning happens before Liberty and Robert sail away from Cephalonia with Georgios blaming himself because he feels he carries a curse which causes danger to follow him wherever he goes. When everyone meets up again in London it looks as if Georgios (now called George) just might be right.
The Liberty Lane character has had seven previous novels in which to become fully formed so what I found here was someone who was unconventional for the times, but not a woman prone to making exactly the wrong decision each time she was given the opportunity. The supporting characters returning from previous books were just as well developed as were the new cast for this story. The historical time period rings true without spending annoying amounts of time discussing sewage and general grime and uncleanliness. (I do get so tired when those things are what an author relies on most to create atmosphere in a novel.) The actual mystery plot is very well imagined and carried out and I was completely fooled by who was behind the curtain moving people about like puppets. A very enjoyable reading experience and recommended for readers who enjoy sensible characters and a difficult problem to solve.
4.5 out of 5 stars
This is book eight in the Liberty Lane series set in Victorian London - and, of course, its environs. I really enjoyed this book which functioned very well as a stand alone novel, but which has put me in the mood to download more of the stories to my Kindle. Author Caro Peacock has constructed a Victorian female private investigator in such a way that she doesn't irritate me at all - and that's saying something because I can be a very picky reader when it comes to time period mysteries.
In May 1841, Liberty and Robert are newly married and on their honeymoon sailing on a borrowed yacht close to one of the Greek islands, Cephalonia, when they see a young man diving into the ocean. His natural beauty and grace call to mind the images of Greek gods from art and literature. Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael receive an invitation from a wealthy man living on the island to come to dinner and they accept. There they meet the diver, a young man of eighteen or nineteen years, blind, and of an uncanny resemblance to Lord Byron. Their host, Matthew Vickery, plans to take Georgios to London to take his rightful place in society as a son, even though illegitimate, of Lord Byron. A tragic death by drowning happens before Liberty and Robert sail away from Cephalonia with Georgios blaming himself because he feels he carries a curse which causes danger to follow him wherever he goes. When everyone meets up again in London it looks as if Georgios (now called George) just might be right.
The Liberty Lane character has had seven previous novels in which to become fully formed so what I found here was someone who was unconventional for the times, but not a woman prone to making exactly the wrong decision each time she was given the opportunity. The supporting characters returning from previous books were just as well developed as were the new cast for this story. The historical time period rings true without spending annoying amounts of time discussing sewage and general grime and uncleanliness. (I do get so tired when those things are what an author relies on most to create atmosphere in a novel.) The actual mystery plot is very well imagined and carried out and I was completely fooled by who was behind the curtain moving people about like puppets. A very enjoyable reading experience and recommended for readers who enjoy sensible characters and a difficult problem to solve.
April 13, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley
A young man is taking London society by storm. He is said to be the son of the scandalous Lord Byron. But is he really Byron's son or is he an imposter? Why is he under the protection of the mysterious Mr Vickery? Liberty Lane - newly married to Robert Carmichael - is appointed by Mr Vickery to find out the identity of the letter writer who wants him to bring George - his young protégé - to meet her. Is Helena her real name and what does she want?
Liberty is concerned about Vickery himself as she is sure he has some sort of agenda. When she finds a murder victim close to Vickery's house in Muswell Hill she is even more disturbed. I really enjoyed this well written historical crime story. It is fast paced and intriguing and takes the reader into the London criminal underworld as Liberty and her helpers investigate both the commission they have undertaken and the individual who is employing them.
I have read other books in this series and I really like Liberty Lane herself. She narrates the stories and I really do feel as though I am seeing London in the 1840s through her eyes. I like the way she goes about her investigations and the network of helpers she has gathered about her. The books in the series can be read in any order and this is number eight in the series.
A young man is taking London society by storm. He is said to be the son of the scandalous Lord Byron. But is he really Byron's son or is he an imposter? Why is he under the protection of the mysterious Mr Vickery? Liberty Lane - newly married to Robert Carmichael - is appointed by Mr Vickery to find out the identity of the letter writer who wants him to bring George - his young protégé - to meet her. Is Helena her real name and what does she want?
Liberty is concerned about Vickery himself as she is sure he has some sort of agenda. When she finds a murder victim close to Vickery's house in Muswell Hill she is even more disturbed. I really enjoyed this well written historical crime story. It is fast paced and intriguing and takes the reader into the London criminal underworld as Liberty and her helpers investigate both the commission they have undertaken and the individual who is employing them.
I have read other books in this series and I really like Liberty Lane herself. She narrates the stories and I really do feel as though I am seeing London in the 1840s through her eyes. I like the way she goes about her investigations and the network of helpers she has gathered about her. The books in the series can be read in any order and this is number eight in the series.
May 26, 2017
★★★★1/2 I really enjoyed this historical mystery. It wasn't very hard to figure out the villian, but it was still a very entertaining story. I liked Liberty's interactions with her team and I'm looking forward to more books in the series. This is book 8 I believe in the series and I haven't read the others. I would like to know more about her, but the book works really well as a stand alone.
For more romance reviews, check out my website: https://katherinasbooks.wordpress.com
For more romance reviews, check out my website: https://katherinasbooks.wordpress.com
April 30, 2017
Of course, the catch is that it is the eighth book in the series, so would I find myself floundering at all? Nope, not for a second. Peacock is far too adroit and experienced a writer to fall into that pitfall and from the first page, I was pulled into this twisting story where the plot snaked in all sorts of unexpected avenues. So I had to read it in one greedy gulp to find out exactly where it was going.
Liberty Lane is clearly a remarkable young woman as a female investigator at a time when her male counterparts were looked down upon with contempt and suspicion – obviously there is a hefty backstory here. But I certainly found myself believing in the 19th century London streets depicted by Peacock and as a historian, there were no glaring anomalies that yanked me out of the story. Without holding up the action or pace, all sorts of little details contributed to make the world vividly convincing – and I very much liked the fact that she does not expect her horses to go galloping or cantering everywhere, which they generally didn’t.
I also enjoyed her characterisation. Alongside Liberty, there is a supporting cast who leap off the page – the beautiful, blind George is suitably enigmatic and Mr Vickery is by turns exasperating and open-hearted. But Liberty’s small team help to bring this story alive – it seemed entirely plausible that she would be on good terms with an experienced horseman, Amos, running a livery stable, for she often needs sudden access to transport and the main mode of transport back then is horsepower. Young Tabby, a streetgirl part of a gang of children surviving on their wits, is also a regular gatherer of information for Liberty.
However, while the setting is vividly depicted and the characters believable and entertaining, what sets this murder mystery apart is the sheer skill and dexterity of Peacock’s plotting. Just when I thought the story was off in one direction, it snapped around and the momentum and stakes were cinched ever higher. Of course, this means the ultimate climactic denouement has to not only deliver in terms of plenty of action and high drama, but also resolve all that tension entirely satisfactorily. And yes, this one certainly did. I have not read any of these mysteries before, but I’ll certainly be looking out for more – if your taste runs to historical murder mysteries with plenty of tension and action, then this one comes very highly recommended.
While I obtained the arc of Fool’s Gold from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
10/10
Liberty Lane is clearly a remarkable young woman as a female investigator at a time when her male counterparts were looked down upon with contempt and suspicion – obviously there is a hefty backstory here. But I certainly found myself believing in the 19th century London streets depicted by Peacock and as a historian, there were no glaring anomalies that yanked me out of the story. Without holding up the action or pace, all sorts of little details contributed to make the world vividly convincing – and I very much liked the fact that she does not expect her horses to go galloping or cantering everywhere, which they generally didn’t.
I also enjoyed her characterisation. Alongside Liberty, there is a supporting cast who leap off the page – the beautiful, blind George is suitably enigmatic and Mr Vickery is by turns exasperating and open-hearted. But Liberty’s small team help to bring this story alive – it seemed entirely plausible that she would be on good terms with an experienced horseman, Amos, running a livery stable, for she often needs sudden access to transport and the main mode of transport back then is horsepower. Young Tabby, a streetgirl part of a gang of children surviving on their wits, is also a regular gatherer of information for Liberty.
However, while the setting is vividly depicted and the characters believable and entertaining, what sets this murder mystery apart is the sheer skill and dexterity of Peacock’s plotting. Just when I thought the story was off in one direction, it snapped around and the momentum and stakes were cinched ever higher. Of course, this means the ultimate climactic denouement has to not only deliver in terms of plenty of action and high drama, but also resolve all that tension entirely satisfactorily. And yes, this one certainly did. I have not read any of these mysteries before, but I’ll certainly be looking out for more – if your taste runs to historical murder mysteries with plenty of tension and action, then this one comes very highly recommended.
While I obtained the arc of Fool’s Gold from the publisher via NetGalley, this has in no way influenced my unbiased review.
10/10
May 6, 2017
I love historical mysteries so I was happy to be given a review copy by Severn House through NetGalley. Then I realized it was #8 in a series. Would I be able to enjoy it without having read any of the previous books? Yes, it worked well as a stand alone. However, now I really want to read the rest of the series. The characters are well drawn and there are no jarring modern words or actions that would take the reader out of the story. The mystery is excellent and the settings range from the Greek Islands were Liberty, the Victorian private investigator, and her husband, meet George. He is a young man who, they are told, is the illegitimate son of Lord Byron. The scenes of Victorian London were not overdone. Sometimes authors tend to paint the background with a heavy brush and it can take away from the story. If you enjoy books by Deanna Raybourn and Tasha Alexander, add this series to your to be read list.
September 8, 2020
I enjoy this Victorian London female detective series overall but this book fell a little bit short for me. I was looking forward to seeing more of married life with Liberty and Robert but after the first couple chapters Robert isn't in the rest of the book. I feel like sending him away was an easy way of being able to write this book in the same vein as the previous ones. I think I was hoping for a partnership between them and of seeing him, if not help then at least, support her in her work.
The story revolves around a purported illegitimate son of Lord Byron found on a island in Greece and conceived before his death during the Greek war. He is brought to London and introduced to society by a man who is English but with a shady past. Mr. Vickery has said he wants to adopt the son and teach him how to be a gentleman and it appears he has the funds with which to do so. Liberty becomes involved when Vickery hires her to look into the person writing a couple of disturbing letters. She falls further into the complicated mess when a dead body is discovered. Liberty can not walk away and finds herself searching for the answers to mysteries going back to the death of Byron.
This was an entertaining read but a bit disappointing as well. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book goes from here.
The story revolves around a purported illegitimate son of Lord Byron found on a island in Greece and conceived before his death during the Greek war. He is brought to London and introduced to society by a man who is English but with a shady past. Mr. Vickery has said he wants to adopt the son and teach him how to be a gentleman and it appears he has the funds with which to do so. Liberty becomes involved when Vickery hires her to look into the person writing a couple of disturbing letters. She falls further into the complicated mess when a dead body is discovered. Liberty can not walk away and finds herself searching for the answers to mysteries going back to the death of Byron.
This was an entertaining read but a bit disappointing as well. I am looking forward to seeing where the next book goes from here.
January 4, 2018
I picked this up from the new fiction arrivals shelf. It was a decent mystery - didn't really get exciting until the last chapter or so. I didn't realize there were a bunch of books that came before it, but it stands on its own anyway. I may or may not check out another in the series.
August 6, 2019
Another quick read in the Liberty Lane series. This one wasn't as engaging for me somehow, and I felt like everything was off rhythm, but I still enjoyed the read. I love time with these characters that I know quite well by now.
April 27, 2017
May 1841 Liberty Lane and her husband, while cruising around the island of Cephalonia, meet Matthew Vickery and a blind young man called George, who Vickery claims to be the son of Lord Byron.
On arriving back in England, Vickery employs Liberty to found a woman calling herself Helena, who claims to be George's mother. The investigation becomes more serious when a body is found.
This is the first of the series that I have read and I found that it wasn't necessary to read the previous books.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery with a group of well-developed and rounded characters.
A NetGalley Book
On arriving back in England, Vickery employs Liberty to found a woman calling herself Helena, who claims to be George's mother. The investigation becomes more serious when a body is found.
This is the first of the series that I have read and I found that it wasn't necessary to read the previous books.
An enjoyable and interesting mystery with a group of well-developed and rounded characters.
A NetGalley Book
August 24, 2021
One of a series, of which this is not the first, but it didn't really matter.
A nice little mystery.
A nice little mystery.
Read
June 26, 2017I haven't read any books by this author before this book, which is book #8. I will have to start the series soon.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews