The Lavender House Affair Introduces a Gripping Mystery

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In Scott Riggs' new mystery novel, The Lavender House Affair, a summer weekend at an English estate ends in murder when the ruthless Lord Edmund Ashworth is found dead in his locked study. As Inspector Grace Hartley of Scotland Yard investigates, she must untangle a web of family secrets, betrayals, and forbidden love before the killer slips away.

Why it matters

The Lavender House Affair stands out in the mystery genre by combining classic puzzle-solving structure with emotional depth and complex character development. Rather than relying solely on twists, the narrative builds through nuanced examinations of power, control, and the consequences of unresolved secrets.

The details

When a summer weekend at Lavender House meant to bring the Ashworth family together ends in the poisoning death of the ruthless Lord Edmund Ashworth, every guest becomes a suspect. Each has a secret and a potential motive. Inspector Grace Hartley of Scotland Yard must investigate the locked-room murder and uncover the hidden agendas and personal conflicts driving the characters before the killer can escape.

• The Lavender House Affair takes place over a single summer weekend at Lavender House, an English country estate.
• Lord Edmund Ashworth is found dead in his locked study on the final night of the family gathering.

What’s next

As Inspector Hartley continues her investigation, she must determine which of the Ashworth family members or guests is the killer before they can escape.