Historical drama set in the Victorian era,first in a series featuring Lucy Lawrence. She is a spirited character and this is a good read.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I have not read this author before, so wasn't sure what to expect. I enjoyed the book and quickly found the storyline easy to read and engaging. Lucy becomes widowed unexpectedly and finds herself almost destitute and turns to her estranged family. This unleashes very troubling consequences for which Phinas Stone, who has recently appeared in her life helps out. He is a Insurance Investigator who had been looking into her husbands business dealings.
An easy read for those who enjoy crime fiction. it is the first of 3 books about Lucy. I have already begun the second of these.

Books like this are why I enjoy reviewing. Much like the Wrexford & Sloane series that I find this similar to, this first book in Pam Lecky’s Lucy Lawrence series has grabbed me. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series that is currently at four books.

The tale begins with Lucy Lawrence, a young society wife of the late 1800s pondering her life. Her marriage has been less than satisfactory as of late. By marrying her beloved Charlie, her family turned its back on her. It seems to be no great loss, and yet she can’t help feeling that something is missing. Two pregnancies ended in miscarriage, and since then Charlie has been somewhat distant.

A police officer appears at her door and asks her to come to the mortuary to potentially identify her husband. Lucy doesn’t believe it’s him as he’s supposed to be away in Scotland, but there are several pieces of evidence that belong to him. The body is in rough shape, but Lucy identifies it as Charlie.

From there, she learns nothing in her life is as she thought it was. Her husband was involved in schemes related to a sapphire mine in India, which left her nearly destitute. Charlie also named Lucy’s estranged brother, Richard, as his executor. Although there is still some friction there, she decides to visit her family for Christmas and help heal the wounds. Her mother is surprisingly warm to Lucy, and she lets her guard down again with the family.

Lucy is quite the character for the late 1800s. It’s quite obvious she has been sheltered and a bit naive. However, she catches on quickly to what is going on. Befriended by Phineas Stone, an investigator for the insurance company, the two join forces to clear her name. With a marriage behind her that left her wanting, she finds it easy to start falling for Phineas, until it seems that he is betraying her as well, leading her to take matters into her own hands.

No Stone Unturned was a lot of fun. I couldn’t help but cheer Lucy on all the way through. Although I was pretty sure how things were going to turn out, I couldn’t wait to see how she got there. There were plenty of surprises along the way, along with numerous threats from the unsavory part of London. Lucy is written very well and is someone who is not afraid to stand on her own if she has to. Her maid, Mary, is supportive as well and becomes more of a friend than a servant. The two work well together. I loved how Lucy grew from the beginning of the book to the end as she rose above her circumstances and tried to do what was right.

Being in mourning, she is not supposed to have romantic intentions, but there is definitely something between her and Phineas. Phineas sees her as someone to protect, but Lucy is not happy being the wilting violet in society any longer. Their romance is set adrift, though, as circumstances force them not to really trust each other. Hopefully, that will pick up again in the future boos, which I will most assuredly be reading.

If you’re a reader of the Wrexford & Sloane series or enjoy Victorian-period mysteries, I think you’ll enjoy No Stone Unturned. The characters were well-written, and it felt authentic to a period when the upper-class society was about to be dealt a blow. Money problems abound for many of the old families and the times are about to change within the next few generations. Meanwhile, we have a woman who wants to go above and beyond the role society has set for her and does so with aplomb.

This was a solid 3 start read for me. I really wanted to love this story but I just couldn’t 100% connect with it. I liked it enough I would try the second in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is written in my favourite era, and combined with crime makes a perfect combination. A good read. Recommended.

While I’ve always enjoyed historical mysteries (my favourite series is the Matthew Shardlake series by C.J. Sansom, set in Tudor England) I don’t read them that often (too many books, too little time!). However having recently enjoyed K.J. Charles’s Death in the Spires, I took a chance on another author who is using the same publishing company, Pam Lecky. She’s got a series, The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries, set in the late 1880’s Victorian England and the first book No Stone Unturned caught my eye so I gave it a chance. It’s a solid start with an unlikely heroine, and while it didn’t have me on the edge of my seat, it intrigued me enough that I’ve gone and picked up the next two in the series, with the fourth book, A Pocketful of Diamonds, releasing in September 2024.

Lucy Lawrence’s life is in a shambles. Her troubled marriage has ended abruptly with the discovery that her husband has been murdered, and leading a double life as an investor with dubious connections. He owes money to some nefarious characters who have decided she’s going to have to pay up. On top of that, on a recent visit to her brother’s estate to try to recover from her loss and figure out what to do next, her mother’s expensive necklace went missing, and her brother and mother are accusing her of having stolen it. While these two events seemingly have nothing in common, they both lead Lucy to an intriguing character, Phineas Stone. He’s an insurance investigator whom she met first in the morgue over her dead husband’s body and then again when she was being questioned over the theft of the necklace.

Back in London, it’s clear that Lucy is still in trouble. Her home has been broken into, she’s being followed, and only the presence of Phineas has given her some modicum of safety. When it’s discovered that Lucy’s brother was also an investor with Lucy’s late husband, someone he’d always claimed to have hated, the ties to the two cases become ever tighter. Only with Phineas’s help will the mysteries be solved, and for Lucy, a chance to move on with perhaps a new beau at her side.

So what’s interesting about this story is that Lucy is not an adventurous type. She’s in fact quite staid and not particularly adventurous. She’s of course horrified at her husband Charlie’s murder (which she has a hard time believing is real) even though she has admitted to herself that Charlie had been increasingly distant and remote. And discovering more of what he’d been up to in his ‘trips’ away just makes her realize how much of a fool she’d been.

Then with her brother and mother accusing her of theft, and being followed and frankly terrorized (her cat is murdered in her ransacked home) by whomever Charlie was in trouble with, she still doesn’t really step up to the plate. She relies on Phineas a lot to do the investigating and participates where necessary but doesn’t jump in wholeheartedly the way say, an Amanda Quick heroine would. Still she did grow on me. She’s pretty much what I would expect of a Victorian woman of the time and doesn’t stray outside of those character boundaries. She has an appropriate employer/employee relationship with her housemaid Mary (at one point she has to let her go for financial reasons, but does end up rehiring her). Her growing romantic relationship with Phineas is very controlled and circumspect. It’s the mystery, and how it unfolds that really kept me reading, and I am quite satisfied with how the story ended. And I’m intrigued to see how Lucy’s character will develop in subsequent stories, which is why I plan on continuing the series. If you’re hoping for a Miss Scarlet and the Duke situation, you’ll be disappointed. But it does feels like it’s quite authentic in character and setting and that’s enough to give it a qualified recommendation.

This review will be posted at All About Romance and feedback updated with the link.

This book starts with a bang and keeps you quickly turning the pages. Lucy Lawrence becomes embroiled in the case of her murdered husband. An investment scheme gone wrong and missing jewels. Lucy becomes a suspect until the appearance of the insurance investigator, Phineas Stone. It's a madding trail looking for clues and avoiding criminals connected with her late husband. The one man she could trust, may not be that trustworthy. An exciting new series by an author I've just discovered.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

No stone unturned is the first book in the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries series. I really enjoyed this book. I think the author did a fantastic job writing the story, and with the characters. I was hooked from page one, and the author didn't waist any time sucking you into the drama. This book had me guessing and the rethinking as I continued reading. This is the first book I've read from this author and I'm excited to read book 2! I would recommend adding this book to your TBR.

False understandings!

A dead husband, shocking revelations of fraud and deception, Lucy Lawrence fled back to her family who she’d been cut off from, only to be accused of theft.
Lucy is no shrinking violet and is determined to clear her name with the help of insurance investigator Phineas Stone
When things turn ugly who will Lucy turn to, or can she pull herself out of this mess?
This first in the series sets up our sympathies for Lucy, and outrage at her family. I loved her fiercely loyal Irish maid and companion in arms, Mary.

A Storm ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Interesting premise but it all falls apart because it dragged on so long and was pretty dull. The main character was clueless and not likeable. I enjoyed the dynamics with her family but it was buried in verbose prose that really went nowhere; even the action scenes were a little slow. This just wasn’t for me. I doubt I’ll continue with the series.

Pam Lecky weaves an interesting mystery with a tinge of romance, making for an engaging read. Now there are moments where the reader can get frustrated with the female main character (fmc), as she seems to be a bit too naive. However, given what one finds about her situation - particularly regarding her family - maybe that naivety was subconscious protection. Ultimately, she learns to take charge of her life....and that may be the hidden jewel of the book: female strength & courage.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for access to this arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the arc of No Stone Unturned by Pam Lecky.

I love a good historical mystery so this was right up my ally. The book is part of a re-release of a four books series. The plot was quite twisted and action packed with only a dash of romance. I enjoyed that Lucy was prickly and did have faults of her own like rash decision-making and not just a polished generic feminine heroine. Lucy also showed much resilience and together with Mary they made a formidable detective duo. This was my first novel by Pam Lecky but it won’t be my last.

I like this atmospheric Victorian crime mystery with a female amateur sleuth and a benevolent insurance investigator. When Lucy's husband dies suspiciously, her life changes. Her husband's secrets lead her to reacquaint herself with her estranged family, but all is not what it seems, and she doesn't know who to trust, if anyone. Hunted by a crime syndicate, she forms a fledgling friendship with Phineas Stone. To save herself, Lucy must ruthlessly hunt for the truth. The plot is full of twists and suspense. Lucy and Phineas are likeable protagonists. It's an enticing mix of action, humour, mystery and poignant reminders of the crime and poverty that characterise Victorian Britain. I like the historical setting, the characters and the plot's secrets and reveals.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Pam Lecky's No Stone Unturned, is a fun and exciting Victorian Age, Sherlock Holmesesque type book with a female protagonist the readers can't help but fall in love with. This woman has the gumption to follow her heart and lead a life of her own, regardless of what her family and society says and as a result becomes ostracized from said family for a decade.

The woman's husband is killed by the biggest criminal at the time due to a get rich scheme and finds something he shouldn't, the woman is reunited with her family. When danger comes looking for her due to the fact the criminal believes her husband hid something with her, she is forced to seek out the family that shunned her for the Christmas holiday. Only it turns out her family is in dire straights financially, and uses her as a scapegoat which puts in more danger and causes her to be thrown in jail until the gentleman that following up on a claim the woman's brother filed for stolen jewelry.

Not sure who to trust, the woman manages to close the case that got her husband killed, and testify against her brother before going to the main Continent for a few months to recoup.

Ms. Lecky is easy to read, quickly grabbing the readers attention. She makes sure to use enough Victorian verbiage to make the story fun, but keeps the pace at such that the reader doesn't lose attention easily. No Stone Unturned is quite frankly an exemplary beginning to a fantastic series.

A historical mystery set in 1886 with a dash of romance. Lucy Lawrence's life is turned upside down after the murder of her husband. In Victorian England a woman's reputation is everything, and Lucy finds herself drawn to investigator Phineas Stone to uncover what is really going on. Twisty, this was fun, though at times, especially those first few chapters I felt it dragged on a bit. But I definitely want to buy books two and three, because I really enjoyed Lucy and Phineas together.

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

I found this an absolute delight. It was a historical mystery that had all the things I loved. The characters were well developed and the story engaging with good twists and turns. Lucy, the main character was a steady, strong female that I enjoyed reading about. I think in real life we would have been fast friends.
The author wrote an engaging book that was very satisfying indeed. I highly recommend this one.

This book is a fast paced read that is well written and researched. It has a lot going on with both murder and stolen items and a touch of romance. The story has so many twists and turns it kept my interest to the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a very ex citing story to read, wondering what was going to happen next. Great, well described characters who make it a absorbing story. Great conclusion.

This book was not what I expected. The mystery aspect was very twisty and the characters both likable and not as I learned more about them. Most historical mystery books focus more on the romance. This book was all about the mystery with a hint of what might be. I like the way Lucy decided, for once, to take control of her life, even though the way she went about it may have not been the best. I look forward to the other books in the series.

Not for me.
The historical accuracy was lax and the plot didn't grab me. Too much family melodrama. A bit over the top and unrealistic.