The Harlot of St. Cecelia's - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

 

THE HARLOT OF ST. CECELIA'S by Darcy Graves
The First Inspector Garrett Mystery 

As Eden Brior has no plans and wants to finish up some work she volunteers to stay and close St. Cecelia's library for the night. After witnessing some unexpected drama with a stunning French woman and a bright young thing she accidentally gets locked in the library vault with that very bright young thing, a playboy named Simon Cross. Released by the police in the morning Eden wonders how they knew to rescue them. The problem is that the police weren't there to save them, but because there was a dead body in the library - that of the French woman. Even with his supervisor leaning on him to make a quick arrest, along with saddling him with an incompetent sergeant, Detective Inspector Garrett intends to fully investigate the murder, even if the evidence is pointing directly to Simon Cross. Eden believes Simon is innocent. After all, he was trapped with her and simply didn't have enough time to kill the woman. Both Inspector Garrett and Eden will follow the clues to find the killer, but is that person closer than they think? 

I truly enjoyed being in 1923 London with Eden. I like how she's both a fish out of water, an American expat living in London with few friends, as well as someone who is right in her element, working in the sanctity that is St. Cecilia's library and investigating the murder. THE HARLOT OF ST. CECELIA'S has more than a few laughs, Eden's play-reading circle that both opens and closes the book and Inspector Garrett's dealings with both his stoogeish sergeant and the children, for example. 

I appreciate the nods to the Golden Age of detective fiction, particularly the use of fair play. I noticed a clue early on which led me to consider the killer before any of the protagonists. That clue made me suspicious, but not certain, and I enjoyed seeing the investigation proceed by both Inspector Garrett and Eden.

Distinct characterizations, adept historical world building, and a finely crafted mystery make THE HARLOT OF ST. CECELIA'S a delightful start to a new series. 

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THE HARLOT OF ST. CECELIA'S

by Darcy Graves

September 21 - October 16, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

An Inspector Garrett Mystery

 

London, 1923. American expat librarian Eden Brior thinks things are bad when she is accidentally locked overnight in the St. Cecelia’s Library vault with the charming and unreliable Simon Cross. Then she emerges to find the body of his estranged wife — a celebrated French actress — draped over a chair upstairs.

Detective Inspector William Garrett is methodical, quietly perceptive, and already fairly certain he has his man. He tells Eden firmly to go home and leave the detecting to the professionals. But how can she?

Racing to clear their names before Garrett closes the case, Eden follows the truth from the bright footlights of the London stage through the sleek drawing rooms of Jazz Age society, and into secrets that someone will kill to keep buried.

Steeped in the style of the golden age of detective fiction, The Harlot of St. Cecelia’s captures a London still glittering on the surface and shadowed underneath — where every drawing room hides a secret and every secret has a price.

Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series.

Praise for The Harlot of St. Cecelia's:

"This novel consistently delights, from the spicy title to the last page."
~ Kirkus Reviews

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Independently Published
Publication Date: May 3, 2026
Number of Pages: 306
ISBN: 979-8195315580
Series: Inspector Garrett Mystery Series, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Darcy Graves grew up in Boston and holds an MA in English history and a BS in copywriting. A marketing content writer for over thirty years, she brings to her work a deep love of the golden age of detective fiction — particularly Agatha Christie and P.D. James — and the whimsy of P.G. Wodehouse.

Darcy lives in the Berkshires with her daughter, two ragdoll cats, and a very naughty terrier named Merial. The Harlot of St. Cecelia's is her first novel.

Catch Up With Darcy Graves:

DarcyGravesAuthor.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @darcygravesauthor
Instagram - @darcygravesauthor

 

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