I like these characters, but this mystery felt kinda average. ( )

At a ball in Berkeley Square a body is found, stabbed with the knife of Captain Lacey's former commander and friend Colonel Brandon.
Lacey is determined to find the true murderer even without the help of Brandon. Why? What is Brandon hiding?
A good story, ready for the next one. ( )

This was another enjoyable entry in the Captain Gabriel Lacey series. There are so many characters thrown at you in the beginning though, I feel a bit sorry for anyone trying to read it without having read the preceding books. For me it was a delight catching up with all the ongoing characters: Lady Aline, Grenville, Pomeroy, Marianne Simmons, and Donata Breckenridge. The more I read and learn of her, the more I like Lady Breckenridge. I hope we find out a little more details of her former marriage. James Denis also appears, and continues to confound expectations. What exactly does he want from our good Captain? That seems to be a continuing mystery.

Colonel Brandon continues to exasperate me. Captain Lacey has proven time and again there is nothing between he and Louise and it surprises me that as close as these two have been, he wouldn’t give Lacey the benefit of the doubt, especially after proof has virtually been set at his feet. After all, the only reason Louise went to Lacey is that the Colonel planned to set her aside to marry another woman. He’s got a bit of a “dog in the manger” attitude going on there.

The mystery was well written but not particularly intriguing. At the end I really didn’t care who had stuck Henry Turner. Certainly the character himself failed to solicit any sympathy, being an opportunist and a blackmailer. But as usual the true appeal of this series resides in the interpersonal relationships between Lacey and his friends and acquaintances. The characters continue to grow and change in interesting ways. (Well, except Colonel Brandon.)

I look forward to the next book, which supposedly will show Captain Lacey finally tracking down his errant wife and daughter.
( )

Another good entry in this excellent series. Captain Lacey is called for investigative assistance when his former commanding officer is accused of murdering a blackmailer. Many secrets are uncovered before he resolves the current crime and sorts out several relationship issues that are festering. A good mystery tale within a vibrant and valid Regency setting. ( )

Another interesting Captain Lacey mystery; I like this series more and more with each new story I read. Lacey gets involved in this mystery when Colonel Brandon stands accused of murder. Not that Lacey has any love for Brandon, but he wants to do what he can for Louisa. Simple murder it is not. Add the ever expanding and complex cast of supporting characters and their minor threads and this is another great story. ( )