Hello, and thank you for visiting my website. I'm Karen Charlton. I write historical crime fiction. My historical novels are all set in Regency England.
My standalone, debut novel Catching the Eagle is the true story of our notorious ancestor, Jamie Charlton, who was convicted of Northumberland's biggest robbery. My Detective Lavender Mysteries are based on the fictional adventures of Stephen Lavender, a real-life detective with the Bow Street Police Office in London. You can find out more about me, my books and my main characters by following the links on the side of this page. On the genealogy pages you can also learn more about the research which led us to the skeleton in our family closet. There's a fascinating cache of interviews with fellow authors in the Guest Interview section, a podcast interview further down this page, and I periodically post some musings about all things literary on my blog page. If you would like to contact me, I’d love to hear from you and if you would like to follow me on Facebook please click here. I hope you enjoy your visit. |
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----------------Breaking News--------------
Murder In Park Lane Reaches 50,000 Sales
25th September 2020
I'm delighted to announce that 'Murder in Park Lane', book#5 in the Detective Lavender Mysteries, has just passed 50,000 sales worldwide.
That's at least 20,000 sales in the last year alone, and I sincerely hope it brought pleasure to every reader and a few hours distraction from the grim and frightening news about this nasty pandemic.
Thank you to all my loyal readers for their continued support.
I'm delighted to announce that 'Murder in Park Lane', book#5 in the Detective Lavender Mysteries, has just passed 50,000 sales worldwide.
That's at least 20,000 sales in the last year alone, and I sincerely hope it brought pleasure to every reader and a few hours distraction from the grim and frightening news about this nasty pandemic.
Thank you to all my loyal readers for their continued support.
Death at The Frost Fair
NOW Available FROM AMAZON

10th March 2020
I'm delighted to announce that, Death at the Frost Fair, my latest Detective Lavender short story, is now published and available to order here!
CHILLED TO THE BONE
February 1814: London is gripped in the thrall of the worst winter in living memory. When the River Thames freezes over, thousands of people descend onto the ice to enjoy the Frost Fair, an exciting, frozen extravaganza.
But Detective Stephen Lavender and his loyal constable, Ned Woods, are distracted from this carnival of colour and noise by the perplexing case of a missing man. Their investigation takes on a sinister and more dangerous twist when a body is found on the rapidly thawing ice beneath the arches of Blackfriars Bridge.
Set against the thrilling backdrop of London’s last Frost Fair – which is also one of history’s darkest moments – this bone-chilling short story is a superb introduction to the Detective Lavender Mysteries and a bonus read for the half a million readers who already enjoy this series.
I'm delighted to announce that, Death at the Frost Fair, my latest Detective Lavender short story, is now published and available to order here!
CHILLED TO THE BONE
February 1814: London is gripped in the thrall of the worst winter in living memory. When the River Thames freezes over, thousands of people descend onto the ice to enjoy the Frost Fair, an exciting, frozen extravaganza.
But Detective Stephen Lavender and his loyal constable, Ned Woods, are distracted from this carnival of colour and noise by the perplexing case of a missing man. Their investigation takes on a sinister and more dangerous twist when a body is found on the rapidly thawing ice beneath the arches of Blackfriars Bridge.
Set against the thrilling backdrop of London’s last Frost Fair – which is also one of history’s darkest moments – this bone-chilling short story is a superb introduction to the Detective Lavender Mysteries and a bonus read for the half a million readers who already enjoy this series.
THE SCULTHORPE MURDER
REACHES 100K SALES
28th February 2020
I have exciting news! Sales of Book #3 in the Detective Lavender Series, The Sculthorpe Murder, have crossed the 100 thousand milestone.
My publishers have sent their congratulations and are thrilled for my continued success.
I have exciting news! Sales of Book #3 in the Detective Lavender Series, The Sculthorpe Murder, have crossed the 100 thousand milestone.
My publishers have sent their congratulations and are thrilled for my continued success.
Now Published:
The willow Marsh Murder
1st February 2020

I'm delighted to announce that The Willow Marsh Murder, the sixth Detective Lavender Mystery is now published and available to purchase on Amazon in eBook and paperback format. Simply follow this link or click on the image.
Ten years after the death of Irish Nell, Lavender and Woods are summoned to a remote estate in the watery fenland of Cambridgeshire to solve a murder. They soon realise they’ve come across the feuding Delamere family before – in the direst of circumstances. With no dead body and no sign of the woman who summoned them, Woods fears someone has planned a murderous revenge.
Meanwhile, Lavender dreads the disclosure of his greatest secret. A secret that, if revealed, will destroy both his career – and his relationship with Woods. Haunted by ghosts from the past, Lavender and Woods must tread a careful path through this watery and dangerous terrain in order to solve one of the most perplexing mysteries of their career.
Ten years after the death of Irish Nell, Lavender and Woods are summoned to a remote estate in the watery fenland of Cambridgeshire to solve a murder. They soon realise they’ve come across the feuding Delamere family before – in the direst of circumstances. With no dead body and no sign of the woman who summoned them, Woods fears someone has planned a murderous revenge.
Meanwhile, Lavender dreads the disclosure of his greatest secret. A secret that, if revealed, will destroy both his career – and his relationship with Woods. Haunted by ghosts from the past, Lavender and Woods must tread a careful path through this watery and dangerous terrain in order to solve one of the most perplexing mysteries of their career.
31st August 2019
HALF A MILLION SALES
I've just received confirmation from my publishers that The Detective lavender Series has now sold over half a million copies worldwide. This is incredible news , almost too much to grasp - but obviously I'm delighted. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped make this series such a success.
January 14th 2017
The Real Stephen Lavender
In this BBC Radio interview, I talk about my recent contact with the living descendants of Stephen Lavender and what I learned about the real Bow Street officer.