Murder in the Devil’s Half Acre (Penrose & Pyke Mysteries Book 1)

Name: Murder in the Devil’s Half Acre (Penrose & Pyke Mysteries Book 1)
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1095 reviews)
Author: Rose Pascoe

by Rose Pascoe

Mystery Thriller Historical Fiction

4.4 (1,095)

4.4 stars from 1,095 reviews. Top 89% of Mystery Thriller books we track.

251 pages~4.2 hr readPublished by Flax Bay BooksPublished 2022-01-01

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Last checked: Jun 30, 2026

Price history: Free – $4.99

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Perfect for you if...

You love historical mysteries with female leads who refuse to play by the rules.
You're drawn to stories that weave real social change (women's rights, factory conditions) into compelling crime plots.
You enjoy slow-burn partnerships where two mismatched characters become indispensable to each other.

Maybe not for you if...

You want cosy mysteries with minimal stakes and bloodshed.
You prefer your Victoriana soft and romantic without gritty poverty and industrial death.
You need fast-paced plots over character development and historical detail.

About this book

Grace Penrose and Constable Charlie Pyke investigate a series of deaths in the Devil's Half Acre, a notorious sweatshop district. When an alleyway death and a factory accident occur amid rumors of a murderer, the police are reluctant to act. Grace, who aspires to become the first female doctor in the colony, partners with Pyke to determine which deaths are accidents and which are murders. Set in 1890s New Zealand during a period of significant social change, this first book in the Penrose & Pyke Mysteries series follows Grace and Pyke as they confront the harsh realities of the city's most dangerous neighborhood. As their investigation deepens, they discover that the next victim could be one of their own.

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Price History

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Free – $4.99

Currently free. Price has dropped 8 times over the last 4 years. Goes on sale roughly every 169 days.

Sales Rank

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Currently around #129K in the Kindle store — a niche title. Sales have softened 48% recently.

Rating & Reviews

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Currently 4.4★ from 1,095 reviews

Gaining approximately 27 new reviews per month. Steady word of mouth growth. Rating has climbed from 4.3 to 4.4. Recent readers are rating it higher.

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