A Mystery at Carlton House

By: Ashley Gardner

Narrated by: James Gillies

Captain Lacey is drawn into affairs of the highest in the land when his friend Grenville is asked by the Prince Regent to look into odd happenings in his lavish abode of Carlton House. Objects of value have gone missing, paintings and sculpture have been moved, and some of the staff have reported strange sounds and movements in the shadows. The Regent and his cronies suspect ghosts or other malign spirits.

The Bow Street Runners have a more human suspect for these doings, and Captain Lacey is asked by a Runner to help him prepare a case against the man they’ve already arrested.

But the suspect is under the protection of James Denis, a leader of crime, which brings Lacey head-to-head with him once more. Opposing Denis can be dangerous, and so can dividing the loyalties of the men who work for him.

Meanwhile Lacey has his family to worry about - his daughter, his wife, and new members who have joined. In addition, he’s not convinced that either Denis or the Runners have the right idea in this matter. He must produce the correct answer before Denis loses his patience or one malevolent Runner in particular makes Lacey answer for the crimes.

©2017 Jennifer Ashley, Ashley Gardner (P)2019 Jennifer Ashley, Ashley Gardner

Great

Another great addition to this series! This time interacting with the Prince Regent and stolen property!

Narration really makes this series extraordinary!

Just as enjoyable the second time

I've just finished rereading (re-listening?) this book and it was every bit as absorbing and satisfying as the first time. Well-loved characters and wonderfully crafted descriptions of my favorite place and time in history more than made up for knowing in advance the solution to the mystery. And James Gillies is a wonderful choice for the voice of Captain Lacey.

The great story continues with amazing narration!

I fell in love with these characters in the first book. In my limited time I've been reading the entire series. While traveling I decided to try the audiobook. OH! MY! GOSH! I didn't think I could enjoy these books more, but I was wrong! Gillies may be the very best narrator I've ever heard! and I listen to many audiobooks. I'm so glad there are more books in this series! Now I have to listen to the audiobooks!!

Thanks for great entertainment, helping me forget about reality for a while.

Another Snooze Fest

I’ve listened to all of the books in this series and was disappointed with the last one; it was a snooze fest. I took a chance on this book despite my disappointment because I’d moderately enjoyed the first 10 books of the series. I shouldn’t have bothered.

The plot is utterly devoid of suspense and bogged down by repetition. Also, the characters seem like cardboard cutouts instead of fully developed individuals.

Sadly, the narrator doesn’t help the story. I’ve always thought the narrator has sounded a bit foppish, but that quality is accentuated by the bland story. Now the characters are boring and sound completely foolish.

I often feel skeptical of serial stories that extend into the teens and beyond because the faults seem to become more prominent as the book numbers increase. The Captain Lacey series certainly has succumbed to this phenomenon. I won’t bother with book 13.