The Lost Tower

Nicole Rayburn #4

by Irina Shapiro

When Nicole visits Stiles Castle, the stately home of Lady Caroline Seaton, she doesn’t expect to stumble upon a centuries-old mystery hidden in the noble family’s genealogical tree. Once she finds that some vital details have been removed from the ancestral records, Nicole can’t refuse her friend’s plea to discover the truth and help her save the floundering family business.

Unearthing the origins of Caroline’s elusive Tudor ancestor proves trickier than Nicole anticipated, but the ancient secrets that are revealed are just as incendiary as the decades-old lies that a simple DNA test has exposed within Nicole and Kyle’s own family.

Will this be the case that changes their lives forever?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Mystery Thriller

411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2022

About the author

To write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.

Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.

Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lost Tower was probably my least favourite book of the Nicole Rayburn series. Previously, I have loved the historical part of these novels, but there was something about Katherine that I really couldn't take to; although I sympathised with her, I really didn't like her a lot.
I also found the ongoing dramas with Kyle's family a bit irritating this time.

[Mollie Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

The historical story was much more interesting than the modern aspect in this one.

[Elaine C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Irina Shapiro ... the current day story has our heroine Nicole Rayburn and her husband Kyle getting used to being new parents to precious little Ava. But a couple of surprising events turn their lives into turmoil! While looking for inspiration for a new book, Nicole has been invited by her college roommate Caroline to come for a visit to her friends' childhood home - Stiles Castle. It seems that since Covid, the castle is struggling to stay afloat, and Caroline asks Nicole to write a story about their Stiles family history and the Castle. Nicole is unsure about it, until Caroline produces a family bible, with a crucial page missing ... how does the genealogy connect? This mystery brings Nicole's research to our historical part of the story, which stars a very young (14 years old) and vulnerable woman named Katherine "Kate" Stiles. She seems to be at the crux of this whole mystery. But is Kate as naive and helpless as she appears, or is she cunning, smart, and quick-witted enough to get out of the trouble she's in? Read this incredible novel to find out!!

[SharkBait · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book… I know things were so different back in the Tudor period but Kate’s story was a lot to take in, since it’s based on accurate historical information. She was 14 years old! It just made my heart sad. Shapiro did an excellent job at affecting the reader. Or at least this reader

[Anne G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series , it is always hard to put down at the end of the day. I have another two more to go.

[Dessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not enjoy this one at all.
The historical part as usual was more interesting than the current one, but I didn't enjoy either this time.
I'm also starting to notice some pervasive themes through these books which seem to be the author's beliefs and I don't agree with them, so it's getting hard to keep going with the series. I might give the next one a go and if I'm still disappointed, I'll put them down.

[Brittany Duszczyszyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do really enjoy these books but this one sadly is my least favourite in the series, for two parts 1.Kyle, Nicole’s husband just has the most twisted life that each book a different bomb is dropped. Like come on some of the drama should probably come from Nicole to make things more realistic.

Book 1 we find he was a secret long lost relative of the woman from the Hanging Tree, book 2 his ex got into the car crash and tried to steal him back from Nicole even putting a seed of doubt in her head that her baby was his. Book 3 he finds out his aunt is his sister’s real mother so his sister isn’t biologically related to him yet he’s keeping the secret for his mom… then in this book he finds out his father is Not his father and he’s the product of a one night stand well his mom was married. 🤦‍♀️ it just makes his character so far fetched when he has all this drama back to back!

Then 2. the background historical story was not my favourite of this series, yes I understand back then people didn’t live past 35 really so they married younger but 14 😳 and listening to how that creep raped a 12 year old and got her pregnant, not to mention all the other young girls. Liking when they were hurt or in pain! It was unbearable to listen to! His brutality even leading to a miscarriage. Oh that’s another thing this I have noticed a theme with this author, and it’s that under no circumstance is a woman permitted to have an abortion. When I believe women should have the right to their own body autonomy. 🤷‍♀️

[Jacqueline freegard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story split into various parts, Nicole her research and issues with publishers, although Nicole didn’t do quite so much whining in this story.
Kyle and his parentage questions plus the demise of his one time friend Len, who appeared in the last 3 books. Then there is Caroline and Miranda, finally we get to Catherine and her story, which is the only part of the book I really enjoyed. It would be possible to read any one of the stories without the others. Would I read a fifth book, probably for the historical section.

[Alyson Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series. I didn't like the direction the author took for Kyle's character. Seems like she just wanted to add unnecessary drama. The story of Kate didn't interest me and I felt no connection to her. The author never said what Nicole did with Kate's story in the end, which made the book feel incomplete.

[M$fortune · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sexual violence in this book was off-putting, I could've done without it. I keep reading this series for some odd reason, even though it's not quite satisfying. Idk what to say, I keep wanting/expecting to be thrilled with these books, and I'm just not.

[Bookworm With a B · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for a realistic mystery

This was a great read! The mystery was enthralling, and the characters felt real. You could feel the fear and smell the sea. Another great book in the series! I'm a little annoyed that I have to wait until September to get the next book!

[Aud · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another book where the author used disrespectful terminology regarding adoption. A biological father shouldn’t be referred to as “my dad” when you haven’t even met. Adoption isn’t a shameful thing and I really wish this author would get a clue.

[Jackie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series only makes sense if you read them in order. They are very unbelievable and convoluted.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysteries and history

I loved, loved this installment in the historical mystery series staring author Nicole Rayburn. This time it’s a genealogical mystery both past and present. The story hooked me in immediately and took me along for a swoony, emotional, and mysterious ride. I was equally desperate to read it all at once but also to savor it and make it last. Plus the history nerd in me loved the historical references, the glimpses of 16th century life and description the powerlessness of women. Now I really want to go delve into some archives and solve some mystery. Nicole is a writer of historical nonfiction. Her husband Kyle writes detective mysteries. They recently had a child. While visiting a titled friend, Nicole is asked to research and write about a missing 30 year period on the family’s lineage. I loved the parallel stories of Lady Katherine and Nicole. I was on the edge of my seat waìting to see what would happen next with Kate as the mystery slowly unspooled. Interwoven with Nicole and the mystery of Kate, there is thought provoking social commentary along with drama in Nicole and Kyle’s life which adds interesting layers to the plot. The storyline was imaginative, the characters were real and relatable, and the writing was captivating as shown through mysteries, sweet moments, laughs, messy families, painful pasts, surprises, danger, plot twists, fate, and love. I love this series and these characters.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cumbria, England. November 2021/1582. Irina Shapiro’s The Lost Tower (Nicole Rayburn Historical Mysteries, #4) finds Nicole and Ava, her two month plus old new baby daughter, heading to Stiles Castle, a centuries old ‘fortress’ that ‘overlooked’ the Solway Firth while looked upon “the hills of southern Scotland”, to visit Lady Caroline Seaton, a uni friend. Lady Caroline or Caroline to Nicole has a family tree mystery, and she wishes Nicole to write her new book about this mystery in hopes of boosting visitors to Stiles Castle after the pandemic shutdown. I like how the author introduces modern day happenings into her dual timeline story such as the pendemic’s effects, and independent publishing (The author publishes independently.) it makes the story relatable to readers. The Tudor timeline of 1582 incorporates illustrates the great difficulties faced by a female heir. The Tudor Era story is divinely wild and unpredictable as Elizabeth I or the shire of Cumbria itself. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical Tudor tale as that era is a favorite of mine, and I have read quite a bit about the Tudor Era. 5 stars.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I've come to expect from this author, this is an intriguing story, with Nicola Rayburn, fictional historical mystery writer, written as if she is the writer of Ms Shapiro's books. Also, in this book, Ms Shapiro incorporates characters from two of her other series, The Redmond and Haze mysteries and Echos of the Past, which I find interesting. In this book, an old friend, co-owner of a stately home, badly in need of a boost in visitor numbers, asks Nicola to write a book that will bring publicity. As usual, Nicola won't write a completely fictional account, but investigates the mystery of a 16th century ancestor. Meanwhile, husband Kyle gets some life changing news of his own. I've always liked the device of alternating chapters with the past and the present day. While Nicola gets closer to the truth. The historical story highlights the powerlessness of women in the past, and the horrific situations they could find themselves in. Well worth reading

[Samyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series, as of July 2025, consists of six novels, each audiobook ranging from 11 to 12 hours of listening time. Although the stories stand alone, it's recommended to begin with book one for character development.

Plot. Nicole Rayburn is a successful author in the United Kingdom and the author of each book in the series. Each story Nicole tells is a historical mystery, typically about women navigating and often suffering from the prejudices they faced in the 1800s. When she is not creating these mysteries, we learn about her trials as a writer and wife—most stories stem from events in her life, such as finding an old sepia photo or receiving a research request from a friend. Subplots emanate from her life today, such as COVID seclusion and blackmail.

Narration by Jess Nahikian and production are good, no issues.

Entertaining.

[Mrs Volkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continued with this book because I liked the series, not because I enjoyed the story.

1. I lost so much respect for Kyle's mum. In the first book, she is this amazing, fierce female detective who is ahead of her time. By book four, she's guilting Kyle into keeping her dirty secrets.

I could've done without the drama in the present timeline.

2. I know that back in the day, it was normal for older men to marry and bed children who were 12 and 14, but I don't want to read about it. I've read about 20 books by this author and wondered when she would finally cross that line. As a mum of 12—and 13-year-olds, it was tough to stomach.

Did she have to choose Kate to be 14, sleeping with many men and being brutally raped? No.

Men have been so fucking gross since forever.

[Judith Rainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls in our life time do not know how lucky they are to be able to choose their own husbands.
I felt so sad for Katherine Stiles but, to lose her home because her father had died without a male heir was awful. To be honest I think she did the right thing in marrying the man she thought to be her cousin, how different he became once she had put the idea in his head. She was lucky to not be found out when things changed and was told by her trusted friend Luke, that Euatace stills had been killed by Kit Larkin. Kit then became Baron Stiles. He was a bully, and a sadistic man. I loved the twist at the end of the book. Kit Larkin deserved what he got.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book, although Katherine was a slightly different character than we're used to - she depicted very well how a woman in the Tudor era had no one but herself to rely on and that meant that sometimes extreme decisions had to be made. I did't like her, like I did the main characters in the previos books of this series, but neither do I feel like judging her. As for the story in the present time - I felt that the drama around Kyle and his father was a little bit too "hollywood" like. All in all The Lost Tower is another great story in the Nicole Raybourn series and I'm already looking forward to the next one. Keep up with the great work, Irina Shapiro! :)

[Holly E. Camarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent page turner!

The Nicole Rayburn series is always an eye opener of historical laws and tradition. This novel is one of empowerment. A young teen whose father's will seeks to protect her by disallowing her to inherit, is caught in the crosshairs of an evil plot. The very thing he intended to protect her from came to fruition. An imposter, vile and murderous, attempted to take it all, and leaves her in a snare of terror for her future, and her very life. The wiles of this young girl allowed her to take the helm, and be the keeper of her own fate.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avid Reader

It took time for me to read this book as it would weave back and forth between the past, 1582, and the present. While I have read this author's work, I have not read much about this character. I found the number of characters somewhat daunting at times, but they made for interesting reading. An inheritance is at stake, and an imposter murders the rightful heir showing up to take his place. A vulnerable 14-year old makes some bold moves to secure her future and remain in her ancestral home.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of secrets in this one. I realize that the books in this series are in no way realistic in terms of solving the historical mystery by doing internet searches and researching old records but I am enjoying them all the same. I like that the historical mystery in this one isn't completely solved and that the conclusion that Nicole comes to, while reasonable considering the facts she's uncovered, isn't exactly what happened. Poor Kyle, he's really faced some life altering revelations in this series. On to the next one!

[jr kent · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a wise child indeed who knows who his true father

It has been said you should be careful what you wish for because you might just get it. A seemingly simple DNA test leads to unexpected results with far reaching consequences. Similarly, a request to investigate an ancient family mystery reveals deep, dark secrets which might be better left undisclosed. The fourth in the Nicole Rayburn mysteries, The Lost Tower will draw you in and keep you guessing to the end.

[Patricia Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! It has all the elements you’re looking for! History, romance, suspense, sensuality, all woven into intriguing stories, woven together! I love Irina, Shapiro’s writing! This entire series kept me so engaged in the character’s stories. The historical story and the present day stories are woven together, flawlessly! I never got bored! I hope for more in this series. It makes me wish I could write!

[Connie Mollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. I await any new edition that may come. Mystery of what happened to the family after it was discovered that a page of family bible has been removed. Nicole’s friend wants her to write a novel about family castle and the inheritance line in order to draw more tourist to her home attraction. At first not much can be found, however the underlying story of the past keeps readers interested. In the end her book is a success and mystery resolved.

[Sherry Christenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so love this series! Irina Shapiro has a way with words that just speaks to my heart. With two different timelines I loved both the stories in book. I wanted so badly to jump to the end to know what happened but didn’t want the book to ever end. I wish her series would be turned into hallmark drama movies as they have so much detail, the characters have so much depth to them and the storylines are amazing

[Madison Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took a bit longer to kick off and wasn't as suspenseful on the history side of things, but it sure kicked off on Nicole and Kyle's end. I'm absolutely fascinated by reading the historical aspects of this book. They are so intriguing. I could not imagine being a woman during this time, but I really resided with Kate in this book. Such a strong-willed, daring, and bright young woman. No fear that one. Can't wait to see where Irina will take me next!

[June Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

So sad to have now read all four books. I would love for there to be a fifth and sixth books with the main characters. The style of writing, following the research process along with the story line, the characters has made for some very enjoyable reading. As you can see, I love this author.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

All four books in this series have been very different than each other. This one pulled at the heart strings and choked me up. I had to read ahead, for Kyles portion of the story, since that one would eat away at me. The 'Heroin' in this story wasn't very likeable but the storyline was solid enough to enjoy the book. Once again, I'm happy to have been born in the 70's, in the US.