A COVENT GARDEN MYSTERY is the sixth Regency England mystery by Jennifer Ashley writing under the pen name of Ashley Gardener. Known to hot and heavy erotic romance aficionados as Allyson James, Jennifer Ashley is a prolific writer, world traveler, and award nominated author. In all incarnations she showcases her understanding of the times and surroundings at hand as well as her superior ability to set the stage for action with a minimum of descriptions.

A COVENT GARDEN MYSTERY is the next installment in the Regency England saga that has at its heart Captain Gabriel Lacey. Having in the past settled into an uneasy status quo with his life and friends, he is suddenly confronted with his longtime estranged wife who is living as the wife of another man. Lacey's daughter knows nothing of her father, and to his heartbreak is not interested in a relationship. Yet while he is looking into the disappearances of several young women, Lacey's daughter suddenly disappears, and he finds that he must work with the rival for his wife's affections to locate the young girl before she becomes the victim of an unknown criminal. Once again his friends support him in full force.

A COVENT GARDEN MYSTERY is an enjoyable read that is solid in every way. The supporting characters move the story along but do so in their own rights through the clever use of subplots. Ashley Gardener has once again succeeded in drawing the reader quickly and completely into the Regency era, and her historical as well as societal acumen are highly commendable. This is a page turner, and even if you have not read the other books in the series, you will feel right at home on Grimpen Lane.