The Sudbury School Murders

Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries, Book 4

By: Ashley Gardner, Jennifer Ashley

Narrated by: James Gillies

England, 1817

Captain Lacey takes a post as a secretary at the Sudbury School in Berkshire, a school for sons of the wealthiest merchants and bankers in England. As soon as he arrives, Lacey discovers that he's been hired for more than his letter-writing skills. A series of disturbing pranks have kept the school in an uproar, and the headmaster expects Lacey to discover the identity of the prankster.

The problems intensify when a groom from the school's stables turns up dead in a lock of the nearby canal. A Romany is arrested for the murder, and Lacey is the only person who believes him innocent.

As Lacey works to discover what happened, he gets drawn into the secrets of Marianne Simmons, the actress who lived upstairs from Lacey in London. Marianne swears Lacey to silence, which puts a new strain on his friendship with Grenville. Meanwhile the intrigue surrounding the murder becomes as murky as the waters of the canal itself and puts Lacey and Grenville into deadly danger.

The Sudbury School Murders won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award for Best Historical Mystery.

©2011 Jennifer Ashley / Ashley Gardner (P)2015 Jennifer Ashley / Ashley Gardner

I'm hooked

Each one I've read so far has been a great mystery with fascinating characters and just the right touch of romance. I already have downloaded the next one!

Capt Lacey uncovers murder & deceit at a school

Along the way he finds more of his place in the world without the Army. He also learns more about his neighbor, Marianne Simmons. The narration is wonderful. I can't imagine a better narrator for this series.

A Wonderful Series

Captain Lacey is always a gentleman, always interesting, never boring. His stories have good continuing characters and good plots. James Gillies performance is outstanding. I am anxiously waiting for book 5.

With each book, I love Gabriel Lacey more!

First of all, James Gilles is fantastic. I can't even imagine trying to read this knowing how the narrated version is like listening to a play or movie. I can "see" all the scenes/action which is also a tribute to Ashley Gardner/Jennifer Ashley. A great historical mystery series. I suggest starting at the beginning to get a true picture of Gabriel's life, friends and associates. But if not possible, there should be no problem with reading one as a standalone.

Wonderful story combined with terrific narration!

This is the fourth book in the Captain Lacey series, and it does not disappoint. Despite Lacey's change in locale, most of the favorite recurring characters that we have enjoyed from previous books are present, and the mystery is particularly compelling. My favorite part about this series being on audiobook is the wonderful narration by James Gillies. He makes the story incredibly compelling to listen to, and he masterfully voices each character distinctly. He is an extremely talented narrator, and I look forward to listening to the rest of the series with his skillful narration. Well worth the credit!!