Variety Palace Mysteries Series

A witty, propulsive historical murder mystery investigating a secretive spiritualist cult in Victorian London—and the 3rd installment in the beloved Variety Palace Mysteries series!

“Splendid.” – Wall Street Journal

1879, Victorian London.

Tea room sting operations, seedy music hall secrets, elaborate disguises, and slow-burn romance…

Detective duo Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook return for another exciting case to uncover the dark secrets at the heart of Victorian London’s spiritualist scene.

This time, an investigation into two mysterious deaths leads this famed detective duo to the doors of the Spirit Sisterhood, a female-only spiritualist group that facilitates communion with the souls of the dead. And recently several of its visitors have been found dead themselves.

Minnie isn’t buying it: there is more to the Sisterhood than there first seems. The more Minnie looks, the more covert operations come to light. She goes undercover at the organization’s secretive countryside home, where she quickly finds herself drawn into the dark but strangely alluring world of spirits and ghosts.

But, isolated from Albert and everyone she loves, Minnie’s situation quickly gets out of hand. Can she find a way out of this remote cult before time runs out? And can she keep her own demons at bay long enough to withstand the Sisterhood?

A rip-roaring murder mystery brimming with theatrical detail, loveable characters, and exciting new reveals that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Return to the musical halls of Victorian London in this 2nd Variety Palace historical murder mystery “rich with theatrical detail and . . . brilliant characters” (SJ Bennett, author of Murder Most Royal)

“Triumphant . . . Vivid period detail, clever plotting, and thoughtful characterizations. This series merits a long run”  — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Still reeling from the gruesome murders of the previous year, Minnie Ward is appointed manager of the Variety Palace. Times are hard, with performers shunning the ‘cursed’ music hall, and Minnie’s relationship with Detective Albert Easterbrook is more complicated than ever. Despite the success of their last case, Minnie is terrified of the feelings that have started to grow between them. She has decided it’s definitely better for all involved if they stay as far away from each other as possible…

But when another killer begins to terrorise the city’s streets, Minnie and Albert are thrown together once more. The crimes seem connected to a notorious tragedy that left nearly 200 children dead—and with so many lives affected by the incident, practically everyone is a suspect. As the investigation unfolds, dark truths begin to come to light, and Minnie is forced to confront her own past.

The Innocents is the 2nd book in the Variety Palace Mystery series, which can be read independently but continue the story of irresistible crime-solving duo Minnie and Albert. Taking place against the thrilling backdrop of the Variety Palace Music Hall in gritty Victorian London, it’s perfect for fans of historical crime fiction, such as books by Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Elizabeth Macneal.

The 1st in an award-winning series of thrilling historical murder mysteries, set in the Victorian London music hall scene and the bustling world of vaudeville

“Walsh’s rich and nuanced portrayal of the period will leave readers feeling like they’re on the soggy streets of London . . . Un-put-downable.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

1876, Victorian London’s West End

The feisty Minnie Ward is scraping a living as a scriptwriter for the Variety Palace Music Hall when the body of her best friend is found in a dingy riverside archway. The police write off the death as a suicide and declare the case closed, but Minnie is convinced that her friend was murdered. Determined to discover the truth and get justice for her friend, she teams up with the dashing private detective Albert Easterbrook.

Together, they navigate the streets of London, from high-class gentlemen’s clubs to shady drinking dens. While the pair investigate the murder of Minnie’s friend, a notorious serial killer is wreaking havoc across London. As the bodies pile up, they must rely on one another if they’re going to track down the killers. But the closer they get to the truth, the more Minnie suspects Albert of hiding something. And as their paths become more and more intertwined, Minnie fears that the truth may have devastating consequences…

The Tumbling Girl kicks off a thrilling a historical crime series featuring an irresistible crime-solving duo which can be read independently but also feature an exciting overarching storyline. Taking place against the thrilling backdrop of the Variety Palace Music Hall in gritty Victorian London, it’s perfect for fans of historical crime fiction, such as books by Sarah Waters, Stacey Halls and Elizabeth Macneal.