Georgina Clarke has done it again. This is the third book in the Lizzie Hardwicke series of books, and it's my favourite. If I could give this book six stars, I would.

Lizzie is such a fantastic and strong protagonist that I love reading these stories. She takes you on an amazing trip through 1700s London and the life of a harlot in those times. She is constantly facing danger, both in her work with Will Davenport for the magistrate but also in her home/work life, especially in this book where there is a new, dangerous addition to Berwick Street.

The characters are so well fleshed out, especially Lizzie, that they take you along on a ride that is so difficult to put down. There are twists and turns throughout the book that make the outcome even more shocking. Georgina Clarke has a beautiful way of writing a book, especially a piece of historical fiction like this, which makes her books impossible to resist.

Roll on book four. I need more Lizzie Hardwicke in my life.

When one of her fellow whores is set up by an admirer Lizzie isn't jealous because the man is an utter bore. However, when he shoots himself days later Lizzie is intrigued. Her investigation leads to a group of men who were former friends and to the house of a physician. As the daughter of the house is expected to marry Mr Davenport, Lizzie is torn when she realises that the solution to one of her issues involves that family. Unfortunately before she can solve the crime another takes place and leaves Lizzie is danger
I was frustrated not to be able to read an earlier book in the series due to a netgalley download problem but I requested this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The actual procedural part is intriguing and works well but it is the setting that really gripped me. The novel is set in London in the mid-Georgian period and is great in terms of portraying a London which is flush with new money and ready for scandal. Little detail is given about Lizzie's work as a prostitute so this is light and not salacious - that makes it great fun

I am deeply thankful to finally hold the third installment of the Lizzie Hardwicke series in my hands and to be swept back into this captivating world once again. When Lizzie remarked that it had only been a week since she had last seen Davenport (the closing events of book two), all I could think was, "It’s been two years for me!"

This latest volume picks up seamlessly from where the previous one left off, drawing us once more into the life of Lizzie — a 19-year-old sex worker and part-time sleuth whose inquisitive spirit inevitably entangles her in another gripping mystery. What initially appears to be a simple investigation into the death of an acquaintance quickly spirals into a complex web of interconnected cases and individuals, skillfully woven through the novel’s many twists and turns.

The book carries a somber tone, with Lizzie finding herself in the heart of turmoil troubling London with dangerous riots, gang violence and robberies where wealthy homes are ransacked and hostile sentiments and assaults are prevalent directed toward London's Jewish communities.

The prose is so richly immersive that I felt transported, living and breathing the streets of 18th-century London. Georgina’s vivid descriptions of the locations Lizzie explores and the characters she encounters truly bring the setting to life in a way few authors manage to achieve.

And a special, heartfelt thank you to Georgina for making page 165 happen — I literally leapt out of bed and jumped up and down in excitement, something very few books have ever inspired me to do! I am certainly looking forward to this relationship developing in future books!

Of all three novels thus far, this entry sees Lizzie enduring her most harrowing challenges yet. Her experiences offered a stark and eye-opening glimpse into the brutal realities faced by women of that era — a perspective that was both moving and deeply educational.

I will continue singing the praises of this brilliant series until my very last breath and will wait, however long it takes, for the honor of holding book four in my hands.

Many thanks to Verve Books and NetGalley for granting me early access to this absolute gem!

This is the third book in the Lizzie Hardwicke series, and there is a much darker tone throughout, with an increase in violence and cruelty to both man and beasts. There are issues of dangerous riots in the poorer quarters , ostensibly aimed at the increase in tax upon beer and wine, but there are also targeted attacks upon the Jewish communities of London. Houses are being broken into and valuables stolen. The Runners are at full stretch trying to keep both order and citizens safe..
Gentlemen’s clubs are a hotbed of rich men and loose morals. Reckless wagers can lead to blackmail and in this case Government corruption leads to tragedy.
In Berwick Street, Ma Farley’s Bawdy house sees an unwelcome visitor, in the form of Ma’s husband, who has unexpectedly returned and has taken charge, things change for the worse for Lizzie and her fellow workers.
Lizzie is again recruited by Mr Fielding, the local magistrate, to help Detective Davenport try to get to grips with recent events, as she has both the necessary street knowledge and her experience of” being all things to all men”” might allow valuable insights into the motives behind the spate of murders., but this not without great risk to Lizzie.
Lizzie remains a frank talking, funny and very likeable character, her education and knowledge of Latin helps in solving a rather complex case that has enormous consequences for both Lizzie and Davenport. Whilst both Lizzie and William are still attracted to each other, there are now trust issues that need to be addressed before they can acknowledge their growing affection and admiration for each other.
Hopefully the next book will set these fears at rest?
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Verve Books for my advanced read freely given in exchange for my honest review. A five star read.
I will leave copies to Goodreads and Amazon UK upon publication.

The Dazzle of the Light by Georgina Clarke was one of my favourite reads in 2022, so I was excited to read the latest in her 18th-century crime mystery series. This is the third in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. Since reading it i have bought the first two to go back and read.

Lizzie Hardwicke is forced to work in the brothels of London for an income. She also works as an (unpaid).undercover sleuth for the magistrate. When a young man commits suicide Lizzie joins forces with Will Davenport, local law enforcer and magistrate's assistant, to try and find out what led him to such a drastic action. Soon, there are more unexplained murders too.

I absolutely love Georgina Clarke's writing. She brings to life all aspects of 18th century life in such a realistic way that you feel as though you're there too.
I loved joining Lizzie inside the smoke-filled rooms of the fashionable gambling houses and then out onto the precarious London streets.
There are a brilliant cast of memorable characters too who are also vividly brought to life. There are some really vile characters and some quite shocking scenes, too. Lizzie really has a lot of horrifying experiences in this book.
Towards the end, she even faces being sent to the gallows!
The secrets slowly reveal themselves as we find out some of the character's true intentions. I couldn't put this book down and raced through it! I have recently planned my April Hopefuls but I'm very tempted to read the first and second book in the series next as I loved this one so much!
Highly recommended!

It has been quite a while since I read the first two books in the series but I couldn’t forget a character like Lizzie Hardwicke. Lizzie is a strong character but she has her vulnerabilities. She works in a brothel but also does unpaid work for a magistrate. Lizzie also works with a detective, Will Davenport. They have an attraction but her work in the brothel is a hindrance to taking things further. Lizzie has a clever and inquisitive mind and when confronted with a mystery, often works out what has happened. There is a murder mystery to solve and Lizzie finds herself in a dangerous situation. This was an engaging read and the darker side of life is told. I look forward for the next in the series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Viper in the Nest
Georgina Clarke
UK release date 24th April 2024

'A Harlots life can turn in an instant. She can be the toast of the town at noon and find herself slumped in an alleyway and riddled with the pox by sunset....'

I ended the month of March back in Georgian London on another adventure with the force of nature that is our very own Lizzie Hardwicke. The third book in this series we join Lizzie Hardwicke, Harlot by night and amateur detective by day, and the dashing but very reserved magistrate Will Davenport as they join forces again to solve a spate of murders, unexplained deaths and dirty, underground and underhand dealings.

This is another wild and thrilling ride through the dirty and murky streets of London with a secret held in every building and a shocking surprise lurking on every corner. What I love about this author is the brilliant way she manages to perfectly capture the class distinctions. You explore the dark underbelly of its back streets with all it's openness and brutal honesty compared to the seedy underhandedness of the aristocracy wrapped up in all it's fake decadence and riches.

It's a story full of twists, turns and surprises. It's disturbing, shocking, funny, thought provoking, dark and graphic. Full of a colourful cast of characters who are all well developed and memorable I can honestly say Lizzie and William have both found a permanent place in my heart. As frustrating as their relationship is I cannot wait to see what happens in their future... I hope the author doesn't keep us waiting too long....

Fans of historical fiction, a good murder mystery with a bit of darkness and the macabre thrown in for good measure will absolutely love this ....a rollicking good yarn 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Step into the shadowy streets of 18th-century London with the third thrilling instalment in the Lizzie Hardwicke series. If you're a fan of historical mysteries packed with suspense, secrets, and compelling characters, this is the book for you!

In June 1759, Lizzie Hardwicke, a clever and courageous undercover sleuth, is faced with a mystery no one else seems to care about—the apparent suicide of a civil servant who had everything to live for.

But Lizzie is determined to uncover the truth.

As she digs deeper, she finds herself navigating the dangerous world of London’s gambling houses, the violent streets of Soho, and the precarious position of women in Georgian society.

This book delves into darker, grittier themes than the previous instalments, exploring the challenges faced by women, especially sex workers, in a time when danger lurked at every corner. Clarke paints a vivid picture of London, with richly detailed settings and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

What makes Viper in the Nest stand out is the complex relationship between Lizzie and William Davenport, the detective with the Bow Street Runners. As their bond is tested by dark secrets and loyalty, the tension between them adds a personal layer to the mystery that will keep you hooked until the very end.

If you love historical mysteries with strong female protagonists, complex relationships, and an unforgettable setting, this is the book for you!

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Viper in the Nest is the third book in the Lizzie Hardwicke series. I was so excited to get the ARC for this book because I loved the previous two so much. This installment wasn't quite what I expected, although I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It feels darker and grittier in tone than the previous two, as it explores the dangers faced by women, and especially sex workers, in Georgian London.

Lizzie investigates the apparent suicide of a wealthy civil servant, which threatens her friendship with William Davenport, a detective with the Bow Street Runners. Meanwhile, the brothel where Lizzie works is under new management due to the reappearance of the madam's estranged husband, curtailing Lizzie's freedom. Although the setting seemed a little darker, Lizzie Hardwicke remains a fantastic protagonist: intelligent, kind, heroic and resourceful. I enjoyed seeing her interact with Lucy (a coworker with whom she has a strained relationship) and explore the different avenues open to women in the period.

Thank you to NetGalley and VERVE books for the ARC in return for my honest review.

Viper in the Nest by Georgina Clarke

This is the 3rd book in the Lizzie Hardwicke series. Set in London in 1759, Lizzie again helps magistrate's assistant William Davenport to solve a murder
Another brilliant book of eighteenth century London , so good you could almost imagine the sights & smells of it . So well described !
I love the character Lizzie Hardwicke a woman of her time and beyond.

A great read.

Viper in the Nest is the third Lizzie Hardwicke mystery and I am soo soo glad this series is back! I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books and it’s been a long wait for this third but well worth it. I had a great time reading it. When a boring civil servant takes his own life nobody is very interested but he was a protector of Lizzie’s friend and according to her had everything to live for. Then the owner of a gambling house is brutally murdered and rich, powerful a and dangerous men get involved with Lizzie stuck in the middle all while the no good husband of her madam has returned making life in the brothel worse for everyone. Will Davenport is called into help but things take a dark turn that threatens the friendship that has been forming between them. All of this is very good. It’s pulpy and dramatic and emo and I ate it all up with a spoon. There’s bit of a dramatic set piece towards the end and as I was reading it I thought “you know what this needs; a storm” then in the very next paragraph there was a rumble of thunder. I actually cheered out loud. I was so happy. Brilliant. So glad it’s back.

I have been praying to the book reading gods that I would get an ARC of this book because I absolutely loved the first two in the series.

Thankfully I did and I'm incredibly grateful because it's absolutely fantastic, if you've read the other 2 in the series then you will not be disappointed, if you haven't read them, go and go it right now.

This continues the story of Lizzie Hardwick, another death to investigate and I won't give anything away but Lizzie ends up in quite a predicament.

If you haven't read any of this series, you really should. I really hope the author writes more because I'm hooked!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an ARC, I can't tell you how grateful I am. Georgina - please write more!

This is the 3rd book in the Lizzie Hardwicke series. Set in London in 1759, Lizzie again helps magistrate's assistant William Davenport to solve a murder mystery.
This is a well-written, atmospheric and pacy story, rich in period detail and vivid descriptions of eighteenth century London, including the disorder on the streets.
Lizzie Hardwicke is a great character - kind, intelligent, witty and feisty.
A great read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review