The Murders At Fleat House by Lucinda Riley: Book Review
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The Murders at Fleat House is Lucinda Riley’s only foray into mystery fiction – and as a longtime fan of her sweeping historical novels, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
But this one? It surprised me in all the right ways, even though her usual genre is not mystery fiction.
My Take: The Murders at Fleat House is quite different from the sweeping historical fiction I associate with Lucinda Riley, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a completely different side of her writing. This standalone mystery kept me turning the pages and left me wishing Riley had written more in the genre. My Verdict? Read. Lucinda Riley fans – and readers who enjoy atmospheric British mysteries – should definitely give this one a try.
Background on The Murders at Fleat House
Some might say The Murders at Fleat House was the last book written by Lucinda Riley – but that’s not quite true. It’s actually the last book published by Lucinda Riley.
If you’re familiar with Lucinda Riley’s books, particularly her beloved Seven Sisters series, you’ll know that her sudden passing on June 11, 2021, was heartbreaking news for fans around the world. Not only because we lost an incredible writer far too young, but also because the final book in the Seven Sisters series, Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, had not yet been released. We’d all been waiting seven books deep for the big reveal!
What many readers don’t know is that The Murders at Fleat House was actually written way back in 2006. After her youngest children started school, Lucinda wrote three novels without a publisher. Two of those – The Butterfly Room and The Olive Tree (also known as Helena’s Secret) – were released before her death, with Lucinda herself doing extensive rewrites.
But The Murders at Fleat House was never revised. Sadly, she didn’t get the chance.
When it came time to publish the manuscript, Lucinda’s son, Harry Whittaker, who co-writes the Guardian Angels children’s series, chose to leave the book exactly as she’d written it, with only light editing. So what you’re reading here is Lucinda’s original voice from 2006, untouched.
Harry Whittaker later completed Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt using the detailed notes Lucinda left behind, bringing the Seven Sisters series to its conclusion.
As for me, my journey with Lucinda Riley began almost a decade ago with The Midnight Rose. I fell head over heels for her sweeping family sagas, rich settings, and dual timelines full of long-buried secrets. The Murders at Fleat House is something different – but it still feels wonderfully, unmistakably Lucinda.
What It’s About
When a student dies suddenly at the elite Fleat House boarding school in Norfolk, DI Jazz Hunter is pulled back into the force to investigate what first appears to be a tragic accident. But as the layers peel away, secrets begin to surface – ones that suggest something far more sinister is at play.
With a missing boy, unsettling discoveries, and more than a few dark secrets buried in the halls of St. Stephen’s, Jazz finds herself deep in a case where nearly everyone has something to hide.
Author: Lucinda Riley
Publication: 2022
What I Liked About The Murders At Fleat House
The Setting
The Norfolk countryside, the moody marshes, and the hauntingly atmospheric boarding school were all brought to life beautifully. Riley’s ability to transport the reader is just as strong in this mystery as it is in her historical fiction.
The Characters
DI Jazz Hunter is sharp, likable, and complex – someone I could easily see carrying an entire detective series. She had the kind of depth and personal backstory that makes you root for her from page one.
The Pacing
This book is a total page-turner. The twists are clever, and just when you think you’ve figured it out… nope. You’re wrong. I stayed up way too late reading “just one more chapter.”
A Little Real-Life Curiosity
One detail caught my eye: a character with the last name Cavendish. As someone obsessed with British history and great houses, I immediately thought of the famous Cavendish family of Chatsworth House fame. Coincidence? Maybe. But it certainly added an extra layer of intrigue for me.
What I Disliked
Let’s be honest: my biggest complaint is that there’s only one DI Jazz Hunter book. I would have loved to see her star in a whole series.
The Murders At Fleat House – Read, ReRead, or Reconsider?
Read.
The Murders at Fleat House is a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery that kept me guessing right up until the final pages. I especially enjoyed DI Jazz Hunter and would happily have read more mysteries featuring her.
This is quite different from Lucinda Riley’s better-known historical fiction, but that’s part of what made it such an interesting read for me.
Author: Lucinda Riley
Publication: 2022
Frequently Asked Questions About The Murders At Fleat House
Was The Murders at Fleat House Lucinda Riley’s final book?
The Murders at Fleat House was published posthumously in 2022, but it was actually written many years earlier, in 2006. Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt, the final book in the Seven Sisters series, was published in 2023 after being completed by Lucinda Riley’s son, Harry Whittaker, using notes she left behind.
Is The Murders at Fleat House part of a series?
No. It’s a standalone mystery and the only crime novel Lucinda Riley ever wrote. That said, many readers (myself included!) would love to see DI Jazz Hunter star in a future series—if someone were to carry the torch.
Do I need to read any of Lucinda Riley’s other books first?
Not at all. This book is completely separate from The Seven Sisters and her other novels. You can enjoy it as a standalone even if it’s your very first Lucinda Riley book.
Is this a typical Lucinda Riley book?
Not exactly. It’s more of a classic whodunit than her usual sweeping historical fiction, but it still features her signature storytelling style, vivid settings, and emotional depth.
Is The Murders At Fleat House Worth Reading?
The Murders at Fleat House offers something rare: a glimpse into a different side of Lucinda Riley’s writing. It’s a classic mystery with gothic boarding school vibes, a cast of suspicious characters, and a determined female detective leading the charge.
If you’re already a Lucinda Riley fan, it’s fascinating to see her storytelling applied to an entirely different genre. And if you’re primarily a mystery reader, you don’t need any familiarity with Riley’s other books to enjoy this one.
What To Read Next
- Lucinda Riley Books in Order – See where The Murders at Fleat House fits among Riley’s novels and explore the historical fiction and family sagas she’s best known for.
- Louise Penny Books in Order – A good next stop if you’re looking for another character-driven mystery series with a memorable detective.
- The Omega Factor by Steve Berry – Try this if the fast pacing and mystery side of Fleat House appealed to you.
- Explore Mystery & Thriller – Browse more mysteries, thrillers, series, and reading recommendations on Looks Like Books.
