A Betrothed's Betrayal
Book 1
The Lockstone Hollow Mystery Series
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Available in Audio!
Buy directly from Deb Marlowe's store for discounts on e-books and audio-books
Buy from your favorite retailer
|
|
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A Regency set cozy mystery featuring an intrepid heroine, a charming Cotswold village, a host of quirky characters, a handsome but reserved carpenter, an attractive but suspicious constable, and a baby goat or two!
Lady Lisette Birtwhistle is feeling bereft and very much alone after ending her betrothal, then losing her brother, the Duke of Winbury, to an unexpected illness.
The duke knew his sister well, however, and has inexplicably left her the leases on nearly the entirety of Lockstone Hollow, a village near one of the ducal estates. Perplexed, but hopeful, Lisette travels to the small Cotswold village.
Her spirits lift a little when she finds a sleepy little spot in need of someone with her abilities in managing, organizing, and décor, but she is shocked to her core when a body is discovered in the village soon after her arrival—and it is her former fiancé.
With the help of some new friends, a cast of colorful local characters, a handsome but reserved carpenter, an attractive but suspicious constable, and a baby goat or two, Lisette must uncover secrets and expose lies in order to find the killer and clear her own name.
Lady Lisette Birtwhistle is feeling bereft and very much alone after ending her betrothal, then losing her brother, the Duke of Winbury, to an unexpected illness.
The duke knew his sister well, however, and has inexplicably left her the leases on nearly the entirety of Lockstone Hollow, a village near one of the ducal estates. Perplexed, but hopeful, Lisette travels to the small Cotswold village.
Her spirits lift a little when she finds a sleepy little spot in need of someone with her abilities in managing, organizing, and décor, but she is shocked to her core when a body is discovered in the village soon after her arrival—and it is her former fiancé.
With the help of some new friends, a cast of colorful local characters, a handsome but reserved carpenter, an attractive but suspicious constable, and a baby goat or two, Lisette must uncover secrets and expose lies in order to find the killer and clear her own name.
A Betrothed’s Betrayal by Deb Marlowe is everything a cozy mystery ought to be: charming, clever, and impossible to put down! Set in the idyllic Cotswolds, it delivers a satisfying mystery with all the warmth, wit, and village intrigue a reader could want—plus a lovely tease of romance. It was exactly the feel-good escape I needed this year.
--Annabelle Anders, author of Historical and Contemporary Romance
--Annabelle Anders, author of Historical and Contemporary Romance
“Deb Marlowe has given historical mystery fans another treat with the first book of her new Regency-set Lockstone Hollow Mysteries. Brimming with cozy charm, A Betrothed’s Betrayal, is exactly my mystery catnip, with an engaging, determined heroine, a wonderfully eccentric cast of supporting characters and an atmospheric setting in the scenic but deadly Costwolds. If Agatha Raisin had been written by Jane Austen, she would be Lady Lisette Birtwhistle, solving village crimes in between cream teas. I can’t wait for book two—and, hopefully, book twenty-two!”
--Elizabeth Hobbs, author of the Marigold Manners Mysteries
--Elizabeth Hobbs, author of the Marigold Manners Mysteries
5 stars - Just finished this delightfully cozy British mystery from @debmarlowewrites and I loved it so much! I really adore a book that manages to give so much depth and time to the side characters as well. I truly loved every character in this, all the way down to the baby goats! It was cozy and the whole time I was trying to guess who the murderer was and I was wrong with every guess and that’s always fun. 😂 this publishes 8/11/2026 ❤️ I’m so ready for book 2 and to see who Lisette ends up with 👀
--Jenna R, Netgalley
--Jenna R, Netgalley
Deb Marlowe writes such lovely characters and deliciously twisty mystery plots that I sink into her latest book with a sigh of pleasure every time.
--NYT Bestseller, Sabrina Jeffries
--NYT Bestseller, Sabrina Jeffries
This book is witty, warm, and wonderfully twisty. It’s the perfect blend of mystery, heart, and humor - with just enough romantic tension to make you lean in. I adored it, and I’m already impatient for the next installment. Lockstone Hollow has officially become my new favorite fictional village, and I’m not leaving until Lisette gets her HEA
--Lana, BookBub
--Lana, BookBub
This was my first book by Deb Marlowe, and it definitely won't be my last. A Betrothed's Betrayal completely drew me in from the very first page, and I couldn't put it down. The mystery kept me guessing, and the charming Regency setting and engaging cast of characters made the story even more enjoyable.
--Rebekah, Netgalley
--Rebekah, Netgalley
In "A Betrothed's Betrayal," Deb Marlowe paints a charming village life with its eccentric locals, warm neighbors, and quiet convictions. The "cozy mystery" label is no platitude: this first book to the Lockstone Hollow Mystery series embodies it perfectly.
--Shineyshelf, Bookstagram
--Shineyshelf, Bookstagram
This is the first book I have read by Deb Marlowe, but it certainly won’t be the last! This was a charming cozy mystery set in a small English village with lovely scenery, kind people and a killer. Lady Lisette moves to this town in part to escape gossip about her former fiancee and it’s going well until he turns up there - dead! I really enjoyed Deb Marlowe’s writing style. She did a great job writing a wonderful set of quirky characters and creating a sweet village many of us would love to live in. The mystery was fun to work out and I will for sure be reading the next book in the series and check into what else she has written!
--Mary S, BookBub
--Mary S, BookBub
A very engaging and cozy regency murder mystery. Lady Lisette is the main character, although there were quite a few characters that equally shined. A hint of romantic possibility for Lisette between the Carpenter and Constable. I loved all the characters come to life and the setting in the Cotswold village. A wonderful array of characters and new friendships building and a secondary focus of reviving the village with a market fair. The story flowed well, this is a delightful start to this new series. I look forward to reading more.
--AJ, Goodreads
--AJ, Goodreads
This is the first book in a new series and I absolutely love it. I like my mysteries with a little dash of romance. This delivers potential romance with more possibilities to come. I hope this becomes a very long series!
I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series!
--Elizabeth C, Netgalley
I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series!
--Elizabeth C, Netgalley
This one was 5 stars for the vibes. There were tons of characters and that kept me guessing, but in the end I thought I knew the perpetrator and I was right (but I made a lot of wrong guesses before that...isn't that a good mystery??). I cannot wait for the follow up. 10/10 recommend to any historical mystery lovers. It felt like Lark Rise to Candleford x Jane Austen x Agatha Christie and I LOVED the vibes!
--Jenny H, Netgalley
--Jenny H, Netgalley
