 Karen Charlton
Hello, and thank you for visiting my website. I'm Karen Charlton. I write historical crime fiction. My novels are all set in Regency England.
'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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Writing 'Plague Pits & River Bones' on the back of a boat, Gran Canaria, Feb 2017
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----------------Breaking News--------------
12th May 2019
Death of a LotHario
I'm delighted to announce that my publishers, Thomas & Mercer, have offered to publish this latest novel in The Detective Lavender Mystery Series. We have a provisional publication date of March next year. This will be the fifth book in the series.
2Oth March 2018
New Book CovErs
My debut novel Catching the Eagle, it's prequel, February 1809 and both my Detective Lavender short stories have had a makeover.
Two hundred years after his death, our family rogue, Jamie Charlton, has never looked so good.
Many thanks to my talented cover designer, Lisa Horton for these brilliant covers. Lisa designs the book covers for the full-length novels in the Detective Lavender Mystery Series (published by Thomas & Mercer) and I asked her to upgrade the covers of all my self-published novels.
Two hundred years after his death, our family rogue, Jamie Charlton, has never looked so good.
Many thanks to my talented cover designer, Lisa Horton for these brilliant covers. Lisa designs the book covers for the full-length novels in the Detective Lavender Mystery Series (published by Thomas & Mercer) and I asked her to upgrade the covers of all my self-published novels.
11th January 2018
Published: Plague Pits & River Bones
The fourth novel in The Detective Lavender Mystery Series was published on January 11th 2018.
Thanks to great promotion by my publishers, Thomas & Mercer in the UK, it quickly became an Amazon best-seller!
London 1812: Savage gangs intent on treachery and revolt besiege the capital, while a brooding menace stalks the corridors of the Palace of Westminster. When Detective Stephen Lavender is called in to investigate a highway robbery and a cold-blooded murder, both the cases take a dangerous and disturbing personal twist.
Meanwhile, Lavender’s trusted deputy, Constable Ned Woods, finds a mysterious, severed foot washed up on Greenwich Beach. They soon realise that these ancient bones are more sinister than they first appeared.
With Bow Street Police Office undermanned and in disarray, it will take all of Lavender and Woods’ wit and skill, with help from Lavender’s spirited wife, Magdalena, to unmask the fiend behind the mayhem; restore peace and justice to the beleaguered city and solve the tragic mystery of the severed foot.
But will they do so in time to foil a plot that threatens to plunge the country into chaos?
Thanks to great promotion by my publishers, Thomas & Mercer in the UK, it quickly became an Amazon best-seller!
London 1812: Savage gangs intent on treachery and revolt besiege the capital, while a brooding menace stalks the corridors of the Palace of Westminster. When Detective Stephen Lavender is called in to investigate a highway robbery and a cold-blooded murder, both the cases take a dangerous and disturbing personal twist.
Meanwhile, Lavender’s trusted deputy, Constable Ned Woods, finds a mysterious, severed foot washed up on Greenwich Beach. They soon realise that these ancient bones are more sinister than they first appeared.
With Bow Street Police Office undermanned and in disarray, it will take all of Lavender and Woods’ wit and skill, with help from Lavender’s spirited wife, Magdalena, to unmask the fiend behind the mayhem; restore peace and justice to the beleaguered city and solve the tragic mystery of the severed foot.
But will they do so in time to foil a plot that threatens to plunge the country into chaos?
July 9th 2017
1,000+ Reviews for 'Heiress'
'The Heiress of Linn Hagh' has just reached another milestone on the American Amazon.com - over 1000 reviews. I am delighted and want to say a huge 'Thank You' to everyone of those 1001 readers who has taken the time to write a review for 'The Heiress of Linn Hagh.' It really does make a difference to the success of a book.
June 26th 2017
DETECTIVE LAVENDER SERIES SELLS A QUARTER OF A MILLION BOOKS
Wow! Another amazing landmark just flagged up by my publishers. This is definitely the week to feel humbled (and a little bit proud.) Thank you, to everyone of my friends and family who have helped me make this series such a success.
June 21st 2017
'THE SCULTHORPE MURDER' REACHES 50,000 SALES
'The Sculthorpe Murder', the third novel in The Detective Lavender Series, has already made 50,000 sales worldwide in the 9 months since its publication. In addition to this, the reviews on both sides of the Atlantic have been fantastic! It has an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars in the UK. My publishers and I are all delighted.
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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.
December 2016
'Heiress' exceeds milestone 100,000 sales
Santa came early to me this year with some amazing news about the Detective Lavender series. THE SANS PAREIL MYSTERY passed its 50,000 sales milestone and THE HEIRESS OF LINN HAGH passed an incredible 100,000 sales! My publsishers sent me a commemorative plaque to mark this milestone which now has pride of place under my kitchen Christmas tree until I can find it a permanent home.
My publishers are delighted with the continued success of the series - and the fabulous reviews 'The Sculthorpe Murder' has achieved in the UK.
I'm a very happy author and I sincerely hope that Christmas 2016 turns out to be as wonderful for you as it has for me.
Take care, and thank you for all your support. Karen xxx
My publishers are delighted with the continued success of the series - and the fabulous reviews 'The Sculthorpe Murder' has achieved in the UK.
I'm a very happy author and I sincerely hope that Christmas 2016 turns out to be as wonderful for you as it has for me.
Take care, and thank you for all your support. Karen xxx
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23rd March 2016
THE SANS PAREIL MYSTERY' IS A SEMI-FINALIST IN PRESTIGIOUS HISTORICAL FICTION COMPETITION
This week just keeps on getting better and better! I have just been notified that 'The Sans Pareil Mystery' is on the long-list in the M.M. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction in a competition run by the Historical Novel Society. This is so exciting! The Finalists will be announced in May and the overall winner in the Autumn. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
This week just keeps on getting better and better! I have just been notified that 'The Sans Pareil Mystery' is on the long-list in the M.M. Bennetts Award for Historical Fiction in a competition run by the Historical Novel Society. This is so exciting! The Finalists will be announced in May and the overall winner in the Autumn. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
