A Betrothed’s Betrayal
I am excited to share with you a look at Deb Marlowe’s new historical cozy mystery, A Betrothed’s Betrayal. I received a fabulous book box from Deb and wanted to share with you some pictures from the unboxing. Bonus: Deb’s sharing an excerpt with you!
Author: Deb Marlowe
Publisher: Deb Marlowe
Release Date: August 11, 2026
Series: Lockstone Hollow #1
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
Excerpt:
“Fanny and I went all through the place yesterday afternoon, so I know just what I want. I’ve brought some sketches with me, as well, regarding the ornamentation, so I hope we can begin right away.”
The foreman followed her willingly. He made notes as Lisette showed him around and outlined the changes she wanted. Only when she pulled out her sketches did he hesitate. “Truly, my lady? Fresh paint, enlarging the window, relocating those bookcases, those all make sense, but you want stucco panels done with ornamentation in the style of the Adams brothers? I grant you, they will look well on either side of that fireplace, but . . . you want to create something of that scope . . . here?” He gestured toward the view out onto the green.
“Indeed. And I do hope you’ve brought a skilled carpenter, for I will need a fanlight over the door, and I wish it to have a pattern to compliment the stucco panels.”
“I see there are bows incorporated into your design,” he said with a twist of amusement showing in his expression.
“Naturally.”
“But, you are sure, my lady? Here?” he asked again, moving both arms.
“Yes. I am here, Mr. Macready, and you have reason enough to know I am a woman of taste.”
“Indeed, I do know, my lady. But I did wonder, that is . . .” He glanced toward the back garden, where his men had gathered to wait. “We did hear tales about your brother’s manor nearby. Lockstone Manor?” He waited, but when she didn’t respond, he continued. “It would be an honor to help restore such a house, and surely it would be a more fitting place for you?”
“It would, if the manor were still my brother’s but it is not. It will belong to the new duke, to this long-lost, far-flung relative of mine. When they find him, that is.”
“If they find him,” Macready muttered.
Lisette continued. “This cottage, however, belongs to me. And I will have it reflect that fact.”
Macready knew when to capitulate. “Yes, my lady.”
“It will always belong to me, no matter what sort of man the new duke turns out to be. Now, come along outside, so you can tell me if my idea for the fanlight is feasible.”
Stimpy Stroud and his goats were heading back down onto the green as Lisette emerged into the front garden. She waved, but got caught up in discussing her idea with Macready. The foreman was on a short ladder, taking measurements, when the shot rang out.
Lisette flinched. She and Macready both turned toward the bottom of the green, where the sound seemed to come from. Behind them, the startled goats bleated.
“Goodness, that sounded close.” Lisette shaded her eyes and strained to see, but at that moment someone started to scream.
“Hell and damnation,” Macready said. He nodded down the row of cottages lining the green. At the last one, a woman stood, facing away from them. She continued to screech as she looked around and pointed toward the gate in the hedge standing past her front garden.
“Has she been hit?” Macready jumped down, went over the gate, and headed for the woman.
Lisette raced right on his heels. Stimpy and his goats were not far behind.
“Are you all right, madam?” Macready had stopped a respectful distance away from the hysterical woman. “Are you hurt?”
Shaking her head, the woman raised her arm and pointed with a trembling finger toward the gate in the hedge.
“What is it, Mary Shaw?” Stimpy asked. He headed for the gate. “Hell and the devil,” he said, clutching the top.
“What is it?” Lisette stepped up beside him and gasped. A footpath ran just on the other side of the hedge, and a stream—a stretch of the stream she had crossed to enter the village yesterday—burbled alongside it. Across the water, a body lay stretched out amongst tall weeds.
Macready cursed quietly behind her. “Perhaps you should step away, my lady.”
Lisette shook her head. “He’s a gentleman!” she said, shocked. Those were Hoby boots, she would wager, and the coat fitted over broad shoulders looked to be of quality superfine. “Who is it?”
Wearing a grim look, Stimpy opened the gate and shooed the goats away so he could get through. “Stay here,” he said to them—and shot Lisette a look to include her, too. Leaping over the stream, he knelt over the figure. “Sir? Sir?” He put a hand on the gentleman’s shoulder.
Lisette let out a sharp breath when Stimpy raised the figure for a better look. A bright patch of spreading crimson showed on white linen and starched neckcloth. She let her gaze move upward—and staggered back against Macready. “Saints in heaven,” she whispered. “It’s Alexander!”
At the same time, Stimpy abruptly let go of the body. “Saints alive! It’s the Earl of Bealford!”
The two of them stared at each other across the stream. “You know him?” they asked simultaneously.
“Keep the goats back,” Lisette said to Macready. She slipped through the gate and waded through the stream. Kneeling down, she pulled the weeds away. “Alexander,” she said on a whisper. She pressed shaking fingers to his neck but could detect no pulse. In death, his expression was grim and glowering, so different from his usual charming smiles. But those smiles had been lies, hadn’t they? She let her gaze roam over him, and gasped when she saw what he held in his hand. “A gun! Why would he have a gun?”
What in heaven’s name was Alexander doing here? And with a gun?
“Looks like one of them traveling pistols,” said Stimpy. “The earl came through here from time to time. Is he a Town acquaintance of yours?”
Lisette pulled her hand away. “We . . . He . . . He was once my betrothed.”
About the Book:
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.
Purchase links:
https://www.debmarlowe.com/a-betrotheds-betrayal.html
About the Author:
USA Today Bestselling author Deb Marlowe grew up with her nose in a book. Luckily, she’d read enough romances to recognize the hero she met at a college Halloween party – even though he wore a tuxedo t-shirt instead of breeches and boots. They married, settled in North Carolina and raised two handsome, funny and genuinely intelligent boys.
A Golden Heart winner and Rita nominee, Deb writes Victorian Mysteries, Regency-set Cozy Mysteries and Regency Historical Romance . A proud geek, history buff and story addict, she loves to talk with readers! Find her discussing books, movies, TV, recipes, and Men in Boots on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Author contact links:
Email Deb at Deb@DebMarlowe.com
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