A Troublesome Woman (The Inspector Lazarus Mysteries Book 1)

Inspector Danby Lazarus and his assistant, Sergeant Tom Stonier are called to Havering Hall to their old adversary Lord Allingham, the man responsible for the conviction and hanging of Decima Watkins, whose death still haunts Lazarus because he failed to save her from the gallows, despite being convinced of her innocence. Allingham's daughter Arabella has run away with a debauched fortune-hunter and Allingham wants her back before a scandal ruins her reputation. Lazarus is not inclined to help, but has no choice when he realizes that Arabella's life could be in danger. When a series of poisonings distract him from Arabella's abduction, Allingham uses his attractive niece Constance to bring Lazarus back to the matter in hand. The inspector would like to dispense with Constance's help as she is a member of the despised Allingham family, but he needs her aid in interviewing the tight-knit gentry, who use their influence with the upper echelons of the police force to protect their own. As more young women fall victim to the killer, Lazarus begins to rely more and more on Constance and slowly overcomes his initial prejudice.