The Ninth Book in the John Rawlings Series - Rated 
Deryn Lake is a pseudonym of a well know historical novelist. Among the books she has written are the popular John Rawlings Mysteries, Death on the Romney Marsh, Death in the Peerless Pool, Death at the Apothecaries' hall, Death at the Devil's Tavern and others. As all her titles are preceded by the word death, this is a pretty good indication regarding the contents of the books and very good historical murder mysteries they are. `Deryn Lake' live near Hastings, in East Sussex
For those who read Deryn Lake's excellent Georgian mysteries the character of John Rawlings is now an old and trusted friend and the author's clean writing style makes the pages fly by. The books are good, well researched historical murder mysteries, they are what they are and do not pretend to be anything else. Good escapism for the reader, away from the bumps and grinds of everyday life.
Apothecary John Rawlings is taking the business of impending fatherhood for the first time very seriously and is determined to concentrate more on his business, as he realises that of late he has been preoccupied with the work he has been doing for Sir John Fielding, better known as the blind beak. However, although he has the best of intentions he is soon diverted when a man enters his shop, not with the intention of buying ointments or potions but looking for somewhere to hide.
It is not long before the man is followed into the shop enquiring if the Apothecary has seen anyone answering the description of the stranger. Feeling he cannot divulge the man's whereabouts John politely sends her on her way. When, a couple of days later the stranger who had hidden in the shop is found dead, the supposed victim of a street robbery, John is intrigued and decides that he must find out what happened to the poor man and why?
an excellent read - Rated 
Apothecary John Rawlings should be more engrossed in the upcoming birth of his first child, instead of which he finds himself once again involved in Bow Street business when he finds himself firmly entangled with the brutal murder of vintner, Aidan Fenchurch. It all beings when Fenchurch rushes into John's shop looking for a place to hide. Fenchurch's high colour and his panicked state easily persuades John to agree to help. Not even a few seconds later, an imposing and rude woman comes in demanding to know if anyone matching Fenchurch's description has entered the store. Instantly taking a dislike to the woman, John brusquely sends her on her way. Now completely intrigued as to why the woman is hunting Fenchurch, John goes to see the man to tell him that the coast is clear and learns a most curious story. It appears that the woman is Adriadne Bussell, the wife of a colleague's of Fenchurch as well as Fenchurch's former lover. Fenchurch had ended their relationship, but Mrs. Bussell seems unable to let go and has been stalking him ever since. Things have gotten so bad that Fenchurch now fears for his life, and begs John to deliver some papers to Sir John Fielding of Bow Street that reveal all and that name Mrs. Bussell as his murderer if he should meet with a sticky end. John readily agrees, but is shocked, nevertheless, to learn the next day that Fenchurch was brutally murdered at the front doorstep of his own home. Did Mrs. Bussell have anything to do with Fenchurch's murder? John believes that she had, and telling all to Sir John Fielding, is relieved that the blind magistrate is of the same mind as he. But things take an even stranger turn when Mrs. Bussell dies is custody from acute poisoning. But who would have wanted Mrs. Bussell dead? As other suspects begin to die, one by one, John beings to wonder about the identity and sanity of this determined poisoner... If you enjoy well written British historical mystery novels, you'll want to check out "Death in the Valley of Shadows." Steeped in period history and atmosphere, this perplexing and intriguing book was a treat to read from beginning to end. Colourful, vivid and suspenseful, I was completely engrossed from the very beginning. Set during the Georgian period (the mid 1700s more exactly), this wonderful series is fast paced, well written and perfectly executed, this is a read not to be missed!
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