The Hanover Square Affair (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries #1) [NOOK Book]

Murder in London in the 1800's

Captain Lacey is no longer in the military and is now living in London. One day he comes upon a mob throwing things at a home in Hanover Square. Since Hanover Square is one of the wealthier neighborhoods of London, a riot is one of the last things he would expect to find there. A young officer shoots Mr. Thornton, the leader of the mob. Captain Lacey comes to his rescue and helps Mr. and Mrs. Thornton get home. Mr. Thornton's maid, Alice, tells Captain Lacey that Mr. Horne lives in the house in Hanover Square. She also tells him that Mr. Thornton believes Mr. Horne kidnapped his daughter, Jane, and her maid, Aimee, from their carriage. They are still missing. Captain Lacey finds that Mr. Horne is associated with Mr. Denis -- not someone to get tangled up with. Mr. Grenville, Captain Lacey's friend, assists him in looking for Jane, but discourages him from interacting directly with Mr. Denis. Then Mr. Horne is found dead in his study. Aimee is found bound and drugged in a wardrobe just feet away from where Mr. Horne was killed, but Jane is nowhere to be found. As Captain Lacey and Mr. Grenville continue investigating to find Jane, they are told of another girl's disappearance. They end up putting themselves in great danger to locate Jane. The only thing I had trouble with was the setting -- London in 1816. I rarely read books set back that far in time, but I actually enjoyed this book. Captain Lacey is a very likeable fellow. His past has caused him much pain and he is trying to survive in a very tough world. I found the other characters, although some of them were less reputable, to be very well constructed. From her descriptions, I got a real sense of London in the 1800's. I recommend this book.

6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Excellently written, Complex

So well written, this isn't just a fluffy historical mystery or romance. Authentic.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A winner!!!!

Regency England in 1816 is not the best place for a lame soldier on half pay with no prospects and no hope of finding any. Captain Gabriel Lacey and his commanding officer were asked to leave the army to avoid a court martial and scandal but the animosity between the two men exist to this very day. Still his ex-commander¿s wife Louisa tries to mend the breach that she was inadvertently responsible for causing.

Lacey rejects her overture but on his way to visit her without her husband there, he runs into a mob intending to assault the home of Josiah Horne. This curious captain goes to visit Josiah who thinks he wants the direction of a powerful man in the underworld. When he returns to the home to get the name, he find the man dead and castrated and a young girl drugged in a hidden compartment in the closet. He learns that another girl was there as well and he intends to find her or die trying.

The protagonist of THE HANOVER SQUARE AFFAIR is one of the most honorable men to grace the pages of a mystery book. He will risk his own life to right a wrong and that is the reason the audience will come to care for him and hope one day in his future he will find happiness. Ashley Gardner¿s debut novel compares favorably with writers who have made the best seller list.

Harriet Klausner

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

I Love A Series!!!!

Cant wait to find out what will happen to Captain Lacey in the Next book and new "Demons" he will battle. It was a good story for the price. I found this book easy to read and a page turner.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Decent read

Didnt care for all added characters in the book, but overall a good book to read if you enjoy historical books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent

This is one of the best historical mysteries that I've read in a while and I read a lot of them. Not my favorite period, but Ms. Gardner makes the time come alive in the book. Her characters are complex and believable. I think Gabriel one of the most appealing heroes I've ever come across. Recommended!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

EXCELLENT START OF A SERIES

This book surprised me all the way through.Whenever I thought I knew what was happening, there was a new twist to the plot. Captain Lacey is not such a likeable person;fells sorry for himself too much but there are plenty of side characters that make up for that. I am going to order the next book in the series.

very long and slow moving

I purchased this book because of the Regency setting. The main character is a man back from the war, trying to find his place in society. It might appeal more to veterans than Regency readers who are looking for a mystery with a little romance thrown in. I would not buy another book from this series.

Loved this book. Super entertaining. Great character variety.

Loved this book. Super entertaining. Great character variety.

Started me on the whole series!

Easy mystery reading, but with enough complications to keep you entertained. AND a Nook bargain at $2.99!

Good book for the price

I bought several of this series to try out my new Nook and was pleasantly surprised. The book is not a "nail biter" but it is written in a style that is easy to read. The author is clever about dropping hints, but I still didn't have the ending figured out in this one. Provides an interesting look at London, England in the early 1800's.

Captain Lacey series is great!

The story is guided by the main character, Captain Lacey. It is a murder mystery at its finest. If you like 1800's fiction, this is the one for you. Seven more follow in the series.

Excellent Reading

Enjoyed the book very much. Could not put it down. Looking forward to reading more in the series

A GOOD READ

Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey series are very good. The only negative comment that I have is that sometimes the reading is wrong. Or it makes one comment about something and takes it back. It's mostly unimportant, but it happens. Also, not the author's fault, but there are many mistakes in the writing.

Good

It was okay. It was hard to follow. You have depressed Captain Gabriel Lacey dealing with so much from the war to too many female problems to solving what happen to Jane and her maid to helping her father after he got shot and a maid found dead, someone's niece missing. Oh, and let's not forget who killed the real bad guy. Maybe it is just me not into too much evil people in one novel. No happy ending for anyone. The young girl who killed the man has to flee to France and the killer of the maid was an older man who having an affair with her without his wife knowing and better yet, maybe forcing himself on his neice. Not for me

Very Interesting

This series of books bring back memories of "Columbo". Capt. Lacy is an early version of this show and is a very interesting character. He is also surrounded with many memorable people. Please read this series.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Captivating!

I loved this book! It's funny, serious and enthralling. It's been a while since I've had a book that I couldn't wait to get home to read, but this is certainly one of those. I've already read the second in the series and I can't wait to read the others, too!

Don't know

Cant really review . After purchase it shut down.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great series

I started this series before Christmas and I cant stop reading! If you like history, mystery, romance, you will want to read these. Clynnb

This series is well worth the read

Browsing for some relatively inexpensive books I came upon this book. It was one of the better decisions to buy this book. The story started of capturing my attention and never let go until the end. It was interesting seeing a man of honor; barely making ends meet after having served his country so distinctly. Stands up for a complete stranger and then proceeds to solve a very heartbreaking mystery. We see so many facets of Captain Lacey and how much he values the people whom he considers friends, how dangerous he can when he thinks you have wronged him and how generous he is to his those who even have less than he does. Since then; I have read several of the series and up to now the author has not failed to disappoint. Every book is different yet the main character's essence is clear to see. I would strongly recommend this series to any reader who enjoys regency mysteries. Hope there are many more to come.