The Case of the Guilded Alchemist
Lady Theodora Ashcoombe Mystery #6
by Daisy Landish
Published: January 24, 2026
Publisher: Beaches and Trails Publishing
Genre: Short Read, Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Victorian Cozy Mystery
Blurb:
A brilliant alchemist is dead, a workshop explodes—and only a lady detective with a spaniel’s nose can uncover the truth.
London’s fog-shrouded Golden Row is home to the city’s most eccentric geniuses—and, as Lady Theodora Ashcombe soon discovers, its most dangerous secrets.
When an alchemist’s laboratory erupts in a fiery blast, the Yard dismisses it as a tragic experiment gone wrong. But Theo sees evidence of staging, and Pip, her keen-nosed spaniel, senses something far more sinister lingering in the smoke.
As Theo investigates the dead man’s rivalries, failed inventions, and desperate investors, she uncovers a trail of stolen research, fraudulent patents, and a brilliant daughter erased by her father’s ambition. Every suspect has motive… and someone is determined to silence the truth.
With Inspector Hargrave torn between duty and growing feelings he refuses to name, and Jasper Welles returning with warnings Theo doesn’t want to hear, the case twists through London’s salons, bathhouses, and inventor circles—straight into a web of greed and vengeance.
And when a second victim falls, Theo must race to untangle the plot before the killer strikes again.
Perfect for readers who love witty Victorian sleuthing, slow-burn romantic tension, clever clues, eccentric suspects, and a loyal canine sidekick, this sixth novella in the Lady Theodora Ashcombe Mysteries delivers a dazzling blend of intrigue, charm, and danger.
Murder hides in the smoke. Truth gleams in the ashes. And Theo will uncover it—even if it breaks her heart.
My Review:
Dr. Ambrose Finlay was discovered among debris after an alchemist's laboratory exploded. It looks like a botched experiment to the Yard. After sifting through the forensics, Theo, Bea, and Pip—who were among the first to arrive on the scene—discover that the scene appears to have been staged.
With an extensive list of suspects, Theo immediately begins the investigation to disprove the Yard and determine the true reason for the explosion and the terrible demise of Dr. Finlay.
The descriptions were so well executed that I could see the crime scene in my head as if I were right there experiencing it all, as if I were Theo. When I visualize it in my mind, it appears incredibly genuine, even though I have never seen it before.
I was captivated by every word of The Case of the Guilded Alchemist from the first few pages. As I read the story to find out who was guilty of Dr. Finlay's death, the tension kept me on the edge of my seat.
As usual, I urge everyone who enjoys historical mysteries to get a copy of The Case of the Guilded Alchemist.
Check out all the books in the Lady Theodora Ashcombe Mysteries I’ve read.
The Case of the Clockwork Canary #0
The Case of the Vanishing Heiress #1
The Case of the Murderous Botanist #2
The Case of the Silk Widow #3
The Case of the Dovetail Opera #4
The Case of the Christmas Corpse #5
