Murder on the Rhône by Ashley Gardner

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Murder on the Rhône (Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries Book 18)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Captain Lacey #18
Publication Date: 3/17/26
Period: Regency Lyon
Number of Pages: 297

Lacey and his wife travel to Lyon, France, to attend his daughter Gabriella’s wedding. It is a bittersweet time for Lacey, as he has only recently been reunited with his long-lost firstborn. Now, he feels as though he is losing her again—but she is so clearly happy and deeply in love that he cannot help but share in her joy. Determined to spend as much time with her as possible before the wedding, Lacey sets aside his usual work… though he has an unfortunate habit of stumbling across murder victims wherever he goes.

While walking through a crowded street with Brewster, Lacey catches sight of a man from his past—a man who once left him for dead. Because the incident occurred during the war, Lacey chooses not to pursue the encounter, but fate clearly has other plans. Early one morning, he encounters the man again… standing over a dead body.

The victim’s questionable past provides plenty of possible motives, but the gendarmes quickly focus their suspicions on the family of the man Gabriella is about to marry. The story weaves together past and present, blending multiple mysteries with fascinating glimpses into the history and atmosphere of Lyon.

This is a well-paced and engaging mystery populated with memorable characters—from an outrageously flamboyant mistress to an elegant and refined countess. Readers will also enjoy spending time with the familiar supporting cast who make this series so enjoyable.

I happily recommend this book, this series, and this author. Happy reading!

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Murder In Mistake by Anne Cleeland

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Murder in MistakeBarbara’s rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Doyle & Acton Mystery
Publication Date: 2/25/26
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 202

I always look forward to each new entry in this quirky, well-written, and excellently paced series. The characters are unique, engaging, and simply fun to get to know. Doyle is a by-the-book, working-class member of London’s police establishment who also happens to be just a touch fey. Acton, on the other hand, is an aristocrat with a title who wields authority with confidence—and occasionally takes justice into his own hands. When these two marry… well… Katie bar the door!

In this delightful installment, we are introduced to Mary, the newest addition to their family—and, at last, one of the children seems to have taken after Doyle. I loved that touch!

During her latest pregnancy, one of Doyle’s light-duty assignments is speaking at a school Career Day. One young boy stands out to her, as he asks each speaker the same unsettling question: have they ever killed someone? Intrigued—and more than a little concerned—Doyle decides to follow up with a visit to the child, setting a tangled investigation in motion. With twists, turns, and plenty of red herrings, the mystery keeps you guessing about the who, how, and why. This case proves to have many layers, including corruption, cover-ups, and carefully hidden truths.

I highly recommend this fun and quirky series, which blends satire and humor with a well-paced mystery. As always, there are intriguing hints about future character developments and mysteries yet to come. While the central mystery in this book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, readers will get the most out of the humor, relationships, and ongoing story arcs by starting with the earlier books in the series.

Happy reading!

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