The Hanover Square Affair [Mass Market Paperback]

Ashley Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2003

Meet Captain Gabriel Lacey-in an extraordinary series of Regency-set mysteries.

Cavalry captain Gabriel Lacey returns to Regency London from the Napoleonic wars, burned out, fighting melancholia, his career ended. His interest is piqued when he learns of a missing girl, possibly kidnapped by a prominent member of Parliament. Lacey's search for the girl leads to the discovery of murder, corruption, and dealings with a leader of the underworld. Lacey faces his own disorientation upon transitioning from a soldier's life to the civilian world, redefining his role with his former commanding officer, and making new friends--from the top of society to the street girls of Covent Garden.

Book 1 of the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

(Top Pick!) With her vivid depiction of the era, Gardner brings her novel to life, from the streets inhabited by the destitute to the mansions of the wealthy. 
--RT BookReviews

In the tradition of Anne Perry, Ms. Gardner's debut delivers an emotional and compelling historical mystery. -- Suan Wilson --The Best Reviews

With a brisk narrative, credible characterizations, a challenging mystery and an authentic period atmosphere, Ashley Gardner has created a winner. --Book Loons --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Author

I'm excited to present the Captain Lacey Regency mystery series in its entirety. Please see my website (gardnermysteries.com) for updates to the publication schedule, and don't miss the sneak preview of A Regimental Murder at the end of The Hanover Square Affair. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 262 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (December 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425193306
• ISBN-13: 978-0425193303
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm so glad I found this author., April 13, 2006

By 

J. Lesley "(Judy)" (Midsouth, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hanover Square Affair (Mass Market Paperback)

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would gladly do so. I thoroughly enjoyed my entire time of reading this book. Thankfully I started it when I could devote all my attention to it because that is what I ended up doing. Luckily I didn't have to feel guilty about ignoring those things I really should have been doing.

The historical time frame was superbly rendered. The character descriptions were so real that I feel I came to know the people and like or dislike them just as the author wished me to. The main character, Captain Gabriel Lacy, had just enough angst to make me sympathetic but not so much as to make me tired of hearing about his past. There was some mystery about an occurance in his past which was kept covered just long enough, with little bits and pieces revealed along the way to keep me curious. The conclusion was completely logical and satisfactory.

All in all, to my way of thinking, a superb way to spend my valuable time.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A grat dbut by a mystery author with loads of talent, December 2, 2003

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hanover Square Affair (Mass Market Paperback)

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

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Mystery, A Likeable Hero, Left Me Wanting to Read the Next in the Series, June 20, 2009

By 

Barb Mechalke (in the lovely Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Hanover Square Affair (Mass Market Paperback)

Ashley Gardner has created an interesting and likable hero in her protagonist Captain Gabriel Lacy. A complex and honorable man with a complicated personal history. I liked his direct and often blunt approach to things. The author reveals her hero to us slowly and at the end of this particular mystery I found myself wanting to know more about Captain Lacy and his personal life.

The mystery was interesting, the period details well done, the characters realistic, the writing very good. I was pleased with this book and I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series. I'm disappointed that I didn't plan ahead and have the second book in the series in my hand so I could start reading it right away.

This book reminds me of Kate Ross' wonderful Julian Kestrel Mystery series. I would recommend them all if you like historical mysteries