The Maleficent Maid: A Page-Turning Victorian Murder-Mystery with Twists

By Jacqueline Beard

Two crimes, one ticking clock.

Suffolk, 1903. William Gardiner stands trial for the brutal stabbing of Rose Harsent, and concerned parties turn to Lawrence Harpham for help in a last-ditch attempt to uncover the truth.

As Lawrence delves into the investigation, he finds himself stalked by a mysterious figure, confounding his efforts to bring the murderer to justice.

Meanwhile, Violet takes on a puzzling poisoning case from the past, determined to unravel the secrets surrounding a bad-tempered housemaid. Was she a cold-hearted killer or merely a convenient suspect?

With time running out and the added distraction of a mysterious stranger at Netherwood, Lawrence and Violet must navigate a treacherous web of deceit and misdirection to solve both cases before it's too late.

Perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, Irina Shapiro, and Emily Organ, The Maleficent Maid is a gripping historical mystery with elements of witchcraft that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.

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Praise for the Lawrence Harpham Mysteries:

★★★★★ This book was a page-turner. I found I did not want to put it down till the mystery was solved.

★★★★★ A book full of mystery and intrigue.

★★★★★ ...gripping mystery with some very evil turns of events.

★★★★★ ...clever and entertaining...

★★★★★ Vivid and captivating dual timeline detective story.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1036701417
• ISBN13: 9781036701413
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Vinci Books Ltd
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.8"