This was book four of the Lucy Lawrence mystery series (releasing soon). It follows Phin and Lucy as newlyweds to Lake Como, where Phin’s sister, Elvira, lives with her husband and children.

Upon arrival, Elvira is in a terrible state, as her husband, Luca, has been missing for several days under mysterious circumstances. When his body is discovered in a nearby lake, the police and others are quick to call it an accident, however, Lucy and Phin do not agree.

As in previous books, Lucy and Phin begin to investigate things themselves, only to go down several paths with not much conclusion. This gives us an opportunity to know the other characters in the book a little better, and the author does a wonderful job of using these little diversions to add to the suspense and the story. The mystery comes together in the final chapters in an action-packed and satisfying way.

For me, this book was most similar to the first in terms of writing, plot, the mystery itself, and the tone of the novel. I enjoyed this one more than I did books two and three, though all of the mysteries are delightful to read.

I sincerely hope this is not the end of Lucy and Phin’s story, because I would love to read more!

Thank you to Storm Publishing, Pam Lecky, and NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a review.

A Pocketful Of Diamonds (The Lucy Lawrence Mystery Series Book 4)
By: Pam Lecky

5 Stars

*SPOILERS*


I have come to love Lucy and Mr. Stone, George and Mary. I have enjoyed the many adventures they seem to find themselves on. This story was awesome and a great continuation to an already interesting series. Lucy is now married to Phineas Stone, and together, they are on another adventure. When a brother-in-law goes missing, they are on the hunt to find him. Also missing from the same area is a stash of diamonds. Solving one case may help with solving the other.

This story was just as fun to read as the others before it. I love the developments that have occurred to my favorite crime fighting, mystery solving duo. The romance and the now marriage is a great addition to a series that provides adventure with new sites and beautiful descriptions. I really have loved the historical aspect of this series. Pam Lecky has provided history, mystery, drama, and crime with each new story. I have loved them all. This one was my favorite so far, and Oh, how I LOVED that ending.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

There is so much satisfaction in seeing Lucy and Phineas together! I love how well they balance one another. Lucy adores Phineas but she is not the traditional wife and wants to remain involved in the investigative process. Regardless of people’s opinions, Phineas supports Lucy and makes way for her involvement. I enjoyed learning a little more about Phineas’ family. I can tell where Pam Lecky’s writing is maturing as well; the story is more organic and grabbed me from the start. There is an excellent balance between intrigue, mystery, romance, and some humor. I do love that any romance remains closed door. The mystery is very well written and quite convincing. The red herrings were well placed. I was not altogether surprised by the culprit, but the story to get there and the rationale behind it were so well written. I cannot wait for more adventures with this couple.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Lucy and Phin are heading for their honeymoon when they hear that Phin's brother-in-law has disappeared in Como. They alter plans and head for Italy to investigate and console the wife, Elvira, Phin's sister. The police think that Luca has simply run off, with a mistress; His family blame Elvira - wrong nationality, wrong religion and wrong choice as far as they are concerned. There are hotels run by the family, missing trinkets then stolen emeralds, dodgy family, dodgy police and probable Mafiosi types. A good tale, a light read, good goodies and bad baddies. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

A Pocketful of Diamonds, number 4 in the Lucy Lawrence Mysteries series, has been my favorite so far. Seeing Lucy and Phineas working together to solve the mystery of Phineas' missing brother-in-law proved to add a new level to the series. Twists and turns in the plot develop as they traverse Italy in search of clues. Some surprising twists at the end.

Releases Sep 19th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am afraid this historical mystery did not sparkle for me.

The premise was great. . . Interesting location, great potential, but the author created rather lifeless characters that just failed to capture my imagination or hold my interest.

I finished the book, but found characters, plot, and historical detail less than anticipated.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid revie2.

Delayed from their honeymoon, Phin and Lucy end up in Italy ready to find Elvira's missing husband. With very little cooperation, all they need is one solid clue to work with. When it seems they will never find one, a body is pulled from the lake with a pocketfull of diamonds.
You just can't stop reading with twists, turns and unexpected revelations.
Clean romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Newlyweds Phin and Lucy travel to Lake Como to look for Phin's brother-in-law Luca, who is missing after a series of thefts in the hotel he owns. Lucy and Phin dig through complicated family relationships and business interests to figure out what happened to Luca. Some interesting new characters from Luca's family are alternately helpful and an obstacle. I enjoyed the setting of Lake Como and the twisting path to the resolution, although decisions the main characters make towards the end are questionable. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC.

Love this series! This story hooks you from the first page and never lets go. The twists and turns keep you guessing. The epilogue was a nice touch. I highly recommend this book and the series.

Whew what a grand finale! Lucy and Phin race off to Italy not to her honeymoon but for a distress telegram from Phin sister! Her husband Luca is missing after an unexpected trip to Milan!
They get there and assume the worst as the trail is cold and the police unresponsive at best!
When the worst possible outcome occurs Elvira Phin’s sister wants them to investigate!
The clues are random at best when they do get a break in the case Lucy receives news she dare not even hope for! She is scared naturally and a bit pessimistic which annoys me!
Phin is such a good man and husband I think sometimes he deserves better than a headstrong wife who keeps landing into trouble!
Lucy has definitely had her share of adventures with Mary but it’s George Phin valet who saves the day!
Nonstop adventure and it seems there is double peril as Elvira has a secret that she won’t ever be able to share with Luca!
This one does not appear to have a HEA but it does have the very best of outcomes! Get in and hold on for a great finale! Bravo
I received an ARC copy for my unbiased opinion!

First, I have to say: what a spellbinding complex historical fiction mystery by Pam Lecky! This is the fourth in the series but my first to read. Though I have downloaded the first three now since I enjoyed this one so much. So I can go back to the start and follow Lucy’s journey up until now. I can see why everyone is raving about Pam’s books as she certainly knows how to tell a great story. I was glued to the pages and eager to see what would happen next!

Lucy Lawrence is a fascinating character that kept me curious and intrigued with her ability to suss out criminals and their activities. Her thought processes, sleuth instincts and deductions always made me think. I kept wondering what her next step would be. Often, she fell into some tense situations while trying to crack a crime. Her husband and her make a great team.

Lucy has recently married Phineas Stone and they are on their honeymoon at Lake Como. Although she is hoping for a quiet relaxing time with her husband, it just doesn’t go as planned. It seems crimes happen around her and she cannot help but get involved. This time, it has a personal connection to her husband. His sister’s husband is missing and the worst is feared. And rightfully so, as Luca does not return home when expected and is found in the lake. It is believed he had an accident but his wife and others like Lucy and Phineas do not believe it. He was a strong swimmer and would never have taken a risk that would cost him his life.

Everyone imaginable becomes a suspect with plenty of motives to go around. We are led through a series of suspicions and descriptions that often feel like a maze of experiences. Yes, this inquisitive talented couple go down some interesting paths that allow us to get the know the characters even better. But initially none of these avenues ever quite lead to the right culprit: especially while husband and wife team are together. But, of course, when Phineas is away for a brief time, all hell breaks loose! Closer to the end when danger is at its highest level, the mystery is revealed by the wrong doer and his band. Along the way, bodies turn up, shots are fired and abductions happen. The final chapters are quite hair-raising and the tension is maxed! The story behind a pocketful of stolen diamonds is revealed, justice is served but not without loss. This is a great historical mystery with plenty of well-crafted characters and a twisty on the edge-of-your-seat plot!

I highly recommend A Pocketful of Diamonds by Pam Lecky and even if you have not read the previous books in the series, you can still enjoy this one as I did. It will just make you want to go back and read the past three as I am! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.

Another great adventure with Lucy and Phin. Lots of exceitement, angst and derring-do. The descriptions were excellent and I almost felt I was there with them. Such a delightful conclusion.

This is the 4th book in Lucy and Phin’s series and is the best by far. Having slogged through the first book, I am thrilled to see how much the author has improved in her storytelling. This story captures you from the first page and never lets go. The twists and turns of this wonderfully weaved tale has the reader guessing who was the real villain almost until the big reveal. Some parts are very sad , some very frightening, some very scary and some exceptionally happy. I loved how Lucy had to come to terms with her mortality and the realization that sometimes Phin really is right!The epilogue is oh so very sweet and I have to say I teared up a bit as I have lived her life in that way. Congratulations to the author… a very fine piece of work!

I received this story for free and these are my own opinions

The fourth book in the Lucy Lawrence series finds Lucy newly married to Phineas. As they embark on their honeymoon, Phin receives a telegram that his Italian brother-in-law is missing. Lucy and Phineas redirect their travel to Lake Como, Italy and seek to learn what has happened to Luca. His wife, Phin's sister Elvira, is convinced he would not have left her and their two young children voluntarily. When Lucy and Phin learn of stolen diamonds and smuggling connected to Luca's opulent hotel, their investigation takes them into dangerous territory.

This is a great series with likeable characters and rich descriptions of the locale, making readers want to travel there and see it for themselves. The plot seems plausible in the time period in which the story is set, though Lucy probably has a bit more freedom than most married women in her day and age. Overall, a suspenseful and delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’m proud to say that this last book was interesting and full of suspense and drama. It was exactly what I could’ve expected for the last book in the series.

After Lucy and Phin finally got married and just before they embarked on their honeymoon, his sister sends him a telegram asking for help after her husband’s disappearance. Their love for his sister and adventure will make them take risks that will threaten their lives and the lives of their friends and family. This time is personal and they will not rest until they find the culprits.

I highly enjoyed each one of the books in the Lucy Lawrence (finally Stone) series by Pam Lecky. Can’t wait to see what’s next. The plot, the characters and the descriptions of the scenery leave you a great sense of the area where the story takes place.

I’m voluntarily leaving my review after receiving ARC from NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

Lucy and Phineas must postpone their honeymoon when Phin learns that his brother-in-law, Count Luca Carmosino, has vanished from his home in the Belle Epoque villa. When the couple arrives, they find themselves suddenly engulfed in a situation involving stolen diamonds and smuggling rings that Luca may have been involved in.
Surrounded by the beauty surrounding the Grand Hotel Bellagio, located in the beautiful mountains of the Swiss border, where Lucy and Phineas are staying, Lucy takes it upon herself to investigate the Count’s disappearance when Phin must leave town on business. When Lucy gets closer to the truth about what happened to the Count, she suddenly finds that both she and Phin’s lives are in danger. She risks her own life and desperately moves ahead before both she and Phin become the next victims.

This might have been my favorite book in the series so far. I was happy that the story focused on Phin’s sister Elvira because I had immediately liked her in the previous book. While I wasn’t entirely sure if the Lucy/Phin relationship was a bit too rushed in the previous book, I found myself assured by their partnership in this book, both personally and concerning crime solving. I was happy to see that while Phin expressed concerns about Lucy’s safety, he did not overreact and try to keep her away from helping. There were interesting family dynamics that kept the mystery interesting trying to determine who had the most to gain from murder and theft. I especially found the dynamic between Lucy and Luca’s uncle to be interesting and would like to see another interaction between them in future books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is the fourth book in this entertaining series. Lucy and Phin's honeymoon is interrupted by the disappearance of Phin's brother in law in Italy. This had a nice twisty plot that kept you guessing, as well as some delightful characters. Uncle Giuseppe was a revelation. Thank you Pam, for giving us an update at the end about Lucy's life, and not leaving it dangling until the next book. I enjoyed this story as Lucy was more considered in her actions and because it was a really good storyline. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to read and review this book.

For fans of: The Lady Darby mysteries, The Wrexford & Sloan books
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: 🔎 Historical Mystery
Violence: 🔪
Spice: 🔥

Synopsis: A trip to Lake Como is far from a honeymoon for newlyweds Lucy & Phin. Phin’s brother-in-law, Luca, is missing. When their worst fears are confirmed, Phin promises to do his best to find the killer. But with roadblocks at every turn—uncooperative police, elusive witnesses, difficult relative—can they succeed?

Thoughts: Lecky’s words sail me across Lake Como and whisk me through the halls of exquisite Italian villas, while characters like the curmudgeonly Uncle Giuseppe & the hot-tempered Matteo jump from the page. I appreciate how the author establishes Lucy as an amateur sleuth—intelligent, curious, & audacious with a penchant for recklessness—yet grounds her in the 19th century realities of gender & class. Likewise, Phin’s struggles with protectiveness reflect a Victorian sensibility. I did identify the culprit fairly early (I tend to apply the Dwight Schrute rule: It’s usually the person you most medium expect), but Lecky kept me guessing about the why until the final reveal. Seemingly throw-away clues hint at the solution if one picks them up, but the way the puzzle pieces fit is likely to stump even the most intrepid armchair detective.

New to the Lucy Lecky mysteries? Check out me reviews for the first 3 books:
No Stone Unturned: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9dLxA7hyIl/
Footprints in the Sand: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9k-iOsh3ig/
The Art of Deception: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9r47gsuOBh/

Thank you to Storm Books and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book..

Another wonderful addition to this series. This time Lucy and Phin find themselves diverted from their trip to Paris for their honeymoon, and going to Lake Como in Italy instead. Phin's brother-in-law, Luca, has gone missing and Elvira, Phin's sister, begs them to help find him. This case was more intricate than the previous ones, with plenty of red herrings thrown into the mix. Murder, smuggling, and corrupt police aplenty to make for a complicated case. Mary and George also play their part. They've become almost as important in these stories as Lucy and Phin and are wonderful characters as well. As usual, there's plenty of armchair travelling for the reader with beautiful descriptions of Lake Como and the surrounding areas. A delightful read!
Thanks to Netgalley, Sorm Publishing and Pam Lecky for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.