From the author of Death on the Lusitania, The Spies of Hartlake Hall is a gripping and evocative historical crime novel set in the closing stages of the First World War.

London, 1917. Deep inside Room 40, a highly secretive organization within the Admiralty, the body of a man has been found in a room locked from the inside with no other apparent exit. In his pocket is a highly confidential telegram which would be political dynamite if it were to fall into the wrong hands.

Intelligence agent Patrick Gallagher gathers the potential witnesses at his family’s home, Hartlake Hall. But there a ruthless killer continues to pull the strings from the shadows, and more bodies pile up.

As the First World War rages on in Europe, many of the guests have secrets to hide. Gallagher must move quickly in order to expose a deadly spy among them . . .

Praise for Death on the Lusitania:

‘An instant classic’ – Daily Mail

‘Immersive, gripping’ – Historical Novel Society

‘Perfect for lovers of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers’ – Philip Gray, author of Two Storm Wood

This outstanding novel is an instant classic -- Daily Mail on Death on the Lusitania
What's not to love about a fast-paced, richly detailed crime thriller set on the doomed RMS Lusitania? The rich supporting cast, many of whom are suspects, means that this book is unputdownable. A real page-turner! -- Ben Kane, Sunday Times bestselling author, on Death on the Lusitania
An immersive, gripping book; a classic locked-room mystery -- Historical Novel Society on Death on the Lusitania
Set on a doomed ocean liner, this engaging and well-researched mystery is perfect for lovers of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers -- Philip Gray, author of Two Storm Wood, The Times Thriller of the Year on Death on the Lusitania
Masterfully weaves historical detail with an enthralling locked-room mystery. Impeccably researched, the story is not just a great crime tale, with a compelling central character in Patrick Gallagher, but a haunting imagining of the last hours of the Lusitania -- Chris Lloyd, author of Paris Requiem, the Winner of the HWA Gold Crown for Best Historical Fiction on Death on the Lusitania

R. L. Graham is a husband-and-wife team of historians and writers with a broad range of interests in many periods of history, including the belle époque and the tumultuous years leading up to the First World War and the post-war re-ordering of the world.

They are very much drawn to the shadowy world of crime, espionage and political intrigue. They are particularly fascinated by historical mysteries: things which have happened but have no apparent explanation. Originally from Canada, they moved to a small village in Devon in the year 2000.

Marilyn Livingstone, one half of R. L. Graham, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer while this book was being written. She passed away in September 2023.