3.75 stars

I haven't read the previous novels in this series, but I found it easy to read this one and follow the plot. The characters really came to life; the author did a great job with them, and I felt I knew them.

Some light spoilers coming up....





But the beginning felt so slow. For me, the first 25% dragged and felt a little unnecessary. Then, it felt we weren't given any clues along the line, until all the answers got dumped on us in the last 25% of the mystery. It was well-written, but something was missing for me...

**Thank you, Pam Lecky, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC. **

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and author Pam Lecjky for the advanced reader copy of this book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

From the first book, I felt that Pam Lecky’s Lucy Lawrence Mystery series reminded me a lot of the Wrexford & Sloane series by Andrea Penrose. The main difference is that Lucy’s adventures take place later in the 19th century than the other books. With that, we have much after communication by telegram as well as the start of widespread tourism as people travel by train to places that would have been much more difficult to visit without them.

In the previous book, The Art of Deception, Lucy and Phineas Stone were married. Just as they were departing on their honeymoon, they received an urgent telegram from Phineas’ sister Elvira in Italy. It seems her husband, Count Luca Carmosino, has gone missing. Lucy and Phineas set aside their plans and head off quickly for Lake Como, Italy. A few years before this would have been a difficult undertaking, but with trains traveling all over Europe now, their journey takes less than 48 hours.

They arrive at the palatial home on Lake Como to find Elvira frantic. Her husband set off for a quick business to Milan almost two weeks before and hasn’t been seen since. His valet returned without him, saying that Luca left before he did. Phineas and Lucy begin investigating and find the local police to be useless, stating that the Count is probably off with another woman. Could Luca’s disappearance have something to do with a string of burglaries at the Grand Hotel he owns, including some very unique diamonds stolen from one of the guests?

Lucy must navigate Italian high society here. Her determination to be a woman who uses her brain is challenging enough in England, and in Italy, it would seem that women are marginalized all the more. She clashes endlessly with Luca’s uncle, Giuseppe, who seems to have little regard for women at all and is perched to take control of the family if the Count is not found. The young son of Luca and Elvira will be the next head of the family, but it will be many years before that can happen.

Is this the result of family conflict? Does Luca’s disappearance have something to do with the diamonds? Could it be his younger brother, Matteo, who has feelings for Elvira as well?

There is plenty of mystery in A Pocketful of Diamonds. The story has so many possibilities that it takes a long time to unravel. At times, I felt as frustrated as Lucy did. There are clues and possibilities all over the place. I had different suspects in mind at different times. One thing the author did well was have Lucy’s observations often miss the mark because of her cultural bias. Things are different in Italy than in England. There are a number of times when she makes an assessment of someone only to have Elvira tell her she’s gotten it wrong. Is that the case, or has Elvira missed important clues as to who might be involved in her husband’s disappearance? It’s all very well crafted.

The setting is absolutely beautiful. I’ve never been to Lake Como, but I have seen many pictures and can imagine the area at the beginning of its boom catering to the rich and famous of European high society. The ease with which Phineas and Lucy move about as they are investigating is a constant reminder of the differences from just a few decades before. Their relationship has changed and yet it’s still the same. Lucy is still independent and impetuous, although she does consult Phineas at times, rather than just plunging ahead.

I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction Mysteries. A Pocketful of Diamonds is an excellent addition to the series and builds on the characters and setting. I wish there had been more time in Lucy and Phineas’ relationship buildup, but now that we’re here the story manages to keep them true to who they have been up until this point in the series. I’m looking forward to the next offering in the series!

Newlyweds Lucy and Phineas Stone arrive at Lake Como to investigate the sudden disappearance of Phin's brother-in-law, Count Luca Carmosino, uncovering a dangerous world of stolen diamonds and smuggling. As Lucy delves into the mystery amid the glamour of Italian high society, she faces escalating threats, especially when an attempt is made on Phin’s life. Now, with both their lives at stake, Lucy must unravel the conspiracy before it’s too late.

Lucy and Phin are finally married. The last book led up to the wedding and now their honeymoon is postponed because of another mystery. The pair are still trying to find their feet as a married couple, with Phin determined to protect Lucy and Lucy determined to be an equal partner. I feel like this should have been resolved before, but I appreciate the struggle they had.

There were occasions in this one where the dialogue felt very modern and took me out of the scene. It was an interesting mystery, but it didn’t keep me as interested as the first two books of the series. While I didn’t guess the ending, I wasn’t surprised.

Fans of the series will definitely be glad to see Lucy and Phin back in action. And I am interested to see what comes next.

A Pocketful of Diamonds is book 4 in The Lucy Lawrence Mysteries series. I read book one but somehow jumped to 4 lol.. That said this book is well written you can read it as a stand alone but I really enjoyed book 1 so I would recommend reading them in order. I really loved the characters and storyline. Missing Diamonds, murder, mystery and suspence what's not to love. I really love the way this book flowed also it made it hard to put down because I wanted to know who done it! I'm looking forward to reading more stories from this author!

Another wonderful book in the series. Lucy and Phineas are a formidable team but they sail very close to danger in this enjoyable mystery. The location of Lake Como adds an extra special something as we went there for our honeymoon!

Lucy and Phineas, newlyweds, travel to Paris to start their honeymoon. On receiving a plea for help from Phin's sister in Italy, they travel to Lake Como and find a mysterious disappearance. It is a clever historical mystery to solve with a small cast of suspects, none of whom reveal their true selves. Phin finds it challenging to remain objective when his sister is in such obvious distress, and this clouds his judgement a little. Lucy is courageous and a little foolhardy, as in previous stories, and the investigation culminates in an impactful conclusion. I like the dynamic between Lucy and Phin, the story's Italian setting, and the complex and emotional drama that unfolds.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was a cute detective novel about Lucy and Phineas, who are called away at the start of their honeymoon to solve the case of Phineas’ missing brother in law. A very light read, with nothing amazing that happened, but likeable characters and would be a good summer holiday read. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Pocketful of Diamonds
by Pam Lecky
Pub Date: Sep 19 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Newlyweds Lucy Lawrence and Phineas Stone arrive at the glittering shores of Lake Como, Italy, not to enjoy a romantic honeymoon but to answer a frantic plea for help. Phin's brother-in-law – the charismatic Count Luca Carmosino – has vanished without a trace from his Belle Époque villa, and the couple find themselves thrust into a world of stolen diamonds and smuggling rings.

From the opulent Grand Hotel Bellagio with its crystal chandeliers to the misty mountain passes of the Swiss border, Lucy must solve the mystery of the Count’s disappearance and navigate the treacherous waters of Italian high society, all while maintaining the decorum expected of a proper Victorian lady… But as Lucy edges closer to the truth about what happened to Count Carmosino, the stakes rise dramatically. When an attempt is made on her life while Phin is out of town, Lucy realizes they're both in grave danger. Can she unravel this conspiracy and save those she loves before it's too late?

The fourth in the beloved Lucy Lawrence mystery series! A gripping tale of stolen diamonds, family intrigue, and hard-won redemption set against the stunning backdrop of glamorous Italy.

A thrilling page turner from an excellent author. What a joy it was to read this one. Highly addictive, love the heroine Lucy. Pam Lecky is a standout writer, highly recommended this book!!!

Lucy and Phineas are getting ready to set off on their honeymoon voyage when they get a SOS from Phins sister, his brother in law is missing. Set against the backdrop of Lake Como, you have a intriguing, fast-paced murder mystery that Lucy and Phin need to solve. There are diamonds, threats, murder, plots etc...

This series gets better with every book. I also love that we are at book 4 and the protagonists are married and this not a long drawn out romance maybe maybe not. Cannot wait for the next book.

#netgalley #APocketfulOfDiamonds

.Lucy and her new husband Phin are called to help after the mysterious disappearance of Phin's sister's husband Luca in Italy.
The story about a family dissappearance in Italy had me intrigued  from the start of the novel, and there was plenty of action to keep me turning the pages.
Lucy is a strong, brave, courageous, and determined character, I admired her ability to get to the heart of matters. I also liked how she flouts convention and has a modern outlook as a woman and a wife in this book. In the novel, Lucy shares the detective limelight with her husband, and they make a compatible pair in love and business. The relationship between Lucy and Phin is part of the charm of this adventure packed series.
I think this book will appeal to a variety of readers as I found it to be more of a historical adventure mystery rather than a strict cosy crime book. I also think Lucy could take centre stage and be in charge of the investigations more. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the depictions of Lake Como and felt as if I was there soaking up the sunshine.

Although I really did enjoy reading this book and it was a great story, I am not really into this style of book. If this is your thing I would highly recommend reading!

This is one of a historical (Victorian) mystery series. I haven't read any of the others yet, but I will go back and find them. This book sees our heroine and her new husband get their honeymoon interrupted by a message from his sister in Italy. Lake Como and the surrounding villages is the setting for the excitement. Murder, thefts, smuggling, and a family nobody will go up against are the difficulties they will face.
A very entertaining story with great characters. Danger and adventure to keep the pages flying past.
Great fun.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Storm Publishing for letting me see an advance copy of A POCKETFUL OF DIAMONDS by Pam Lecky.

This is Book 4 in the series, but it was my first foray into the cosy mystery world of Victorian lady Lucy Lawrence.

Lucy and her new husband, Phinneas Stone, interrupt their honeymoon in Paris to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Phin's aristocratic brother-in-law from Como in Italy.

Over the next few hundred pages we join them in their romp around the beautiful Italian countryside. 

Twists and turns galore foil the couple's plans and, of course, all of the four main characters find themselves in dangerous situations that keep the reader turning the page.

I did get a bit lost with the number of characters mentioned in the book who we don't actually meet. I can only assume that these characters are introduced in earlier books in the series. I was also confused when Luca and Lucy were mentioned together, and especially in the same sentence.

The advance copy I read was riddled with typos, poor grammar, missing letters, and repetition. I trust this was all ironed out before the final version went to press.

And finally, there were a couple of continuity issues, with one antagonist first being a cafe owner, then a fisherman, and then a cafe owner again, and with the main character being aware of a sub-plot one minute and unaware of it the next.

All being said, this is a wonderful, well-plotted story with some stunning locations and very likeable characters – even the baddies. I enjoyed it very much and would certainly be interested in reading the first three books in the series.

Four stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have enjoy all the the books in this series, and this one is no exception. The relationship between Lucy and Phineas has been a delight to see build and here we are with them as a married couple. The mystery is as well-done as always with lots of twists and turns but the Italian setting is a new location for the series to venture to. I read it in one siting as I didn't want to put it down. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Pocketful of Diamonds by Pam Lecky was a delight to find. The fourth book in the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries, it was unexpected. I had thought that the series would end with her marriage to Phineas Stone but instead Lucy and Phineas solve cases together now. This atmospheric historical mystery paints a vivid picture so that I felt as if I was back at Lake Como, Italy and the nearby Swiss area. Of course, the time is much different but the places the same.

The case is personal for the newlyweds as Phineas’ brother-in-law has disappeared. This is out of character for Count Luca Carmosino, so the concern is great. Once again, the case is more than firt thought and is right up Phineas’ alley as an insurance investigator. The case takes a turn and twists, putting the couple in grave danger. An exciting historical cozy mystery, that is entertaining and enjoyable to read.

Lucy is a remarkable, brave, humorous, and relatable heroine, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all her escapades. I read the book over several evenings and cherished every moment—highly recommend it.

It's an excellent page-turner, featuring all the classic components that create a superb historical mystery thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.

What a lovely setting for this book, around Lake Como. Lucy and Phineas Stone are in Italy to find his sister’s missing husband. It is a complicated problem, not helped by the incompetence of the local police chief. There is some danger for Lucy, as she can’t help being herself! Lucy is a straightforward person, who often takes it upon herself to investigate where she shouldn’t, much to the consternation of her staff. I enjoyed the loving relationship between Phineas and Lucy. It did keep me guessing until the end. I hope there are more to come in this series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I did preorder my own copy.

A Pocketful of Diamonds by Pam Lecky is book four of the Lucy Lawrence mysteries and I suppose you could probably pick this one up and read it as a standalone if you wanted to but you'd be missing out on all of the early history so I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Lucy and Phin are now newlyweds and on their way to Lake Como, Italy...but not for their honeymoon. Unfortunately, Phin received a letter from his sister asking for help. It appears that his brother-in-law, Luca, has disappeared without a trace and no one seems to be doing anything about it.

When Lucy and Phin arrive, they find Elvira struggling to keep everything together and it's clear she needs their help. As they jump in to try to figure out what happened, they run into a familiar face and realize there is more to this story than expected, and when the danger increases for everyone involved, Lucy and Phin realize they need to solve this one before it's too late.

This was another great installment of the series. I loved seeing the relationship progress between Lucy and Phin. It was great to see them engaging with Phin's sister (and brother) as well to see those relationships progress too. Lucy and Phin still have their challenges as he, of course, wants to protect her and she wants to be as involved as she possibly can in the investigation and it is definitely a challenging balance for them.

I'm not going to say much about the mystery in this one only because I don't want to give anything away but I though Lecky did a great job of bringing all the parts together. From the relationships between Luca and everyone around him (his brother, uncle, etc.) and how it all ties back to the hotel and even the diamonds. If you're looking for a great historical mystery series to start, I recommend picking this one up. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment.

The book deals with an investigation conducted by Mrs. Lucy Stone and her husband, Mr. Phineas Stone. The story starts in mid-1888 and finishes in 1889. Lucy and Phineas travel to Italy to help in the investigation of Phineas's brother-in-law's disappearance; they travel with their servants, Mary (Lucy's maid) and George (Phineas's valet), as was usual at that time. There is family drama due to the differences in Italian and English traditions. In the end, after some unexpected twists, Lucy, Phineas, Mary and George return to London.

Lucy and Phin’s honeymoon in Italy takes a dramatic turn when Phin’s aristocratic brother-in-law disappears. Their investigation leads them to missing diamonds and a smuggling ring. Danger lurks around every corner as they race against time to save themselves and those they love.

This is a suspenseful, engrossing, and emotional mystery. The story hooked me immediately. I enjoyed meeting Phin’s family and seeing some of their family dynamics.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.