[close]
[The Hanover Square Affair] by Ashley Gardner
Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries Book #1
4 ★
London, 1816
Cavalry captain Gabriel Lacey returns to Regency London from the Napoleonic wars, burned out, fighting melancholia, his career ended. His interest is piqued when he learns of a missing girl, possibly kidnapped by a prominent member of Parliament. Lacey's search for the young woman leads to murder, corruption, and dealings with a leader of the underworld. At the same time, he struggles with his transition from a soldier's life to the civilian world, redefining his role with his former commanding officer, and making new friends--from the top of society to the street girls of Covent Garden.Along the way Captain Lacey is forced to face many of the demons from his own past in order to get at the truth. I found the book to be a well written mystery. The solution isn't "in your face" obvious and the interactions between the characters was certainly interesting. Captain Lacey, himself, is a tragic figure and in parts of the book I couldn't help but wonder if he wasn't his own worst enemy. Despite that, he is very sympathetic and definitely worth rooting for. I would certainly read more of his adventures, especially if there is some hint that he manages to find some happiness along the way
