MEET THE AUTHOR: AJ West with his latest title, 'The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald'.

A VERY SPECIAL EVENT at Suddenly On Sheaf Street!

🔍 Tragedy at the Victorian Theatre: The Murder of William Terriss

🔍 Join bestselling novelist AJ West as he reveals the haunting research that inspired his new novel, The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald. From dusty court transcripts to newspaper clippings and long lost diaries, AJ has uncovered an array of tantalising clues as to what really led to the death of London's most adored theatrical performer.

🔍 On the 16th of December 1897, the world’s most adored actor, William Terriss, was slain at the private entrance to the Adelphi Theatre. His killer was Richard Archer Prince, a jealous actor from Dundee. The case was quickly closed, and Prince was consigned to Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum. But was there more to the story than met the eye of the Victorian jury? 

🔍 Everest Macdonald, the real-life niece of William Terriss, must race to London from Argyle, leaving behind her family at the height of the Great War, to solve the mystery before her father - the great Thangliana of the British Raj - faces his brother’s spirit in the afterlife. 

🔍 Become Everest’s assistant and see what you make of this most chilling true crime.

'The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald' by A.J. West is this year's most thrilling historical mystery … by the Sunday Times bestselling author of 'The Betrayal of Thomas True'.

ABOUT 'The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald' by AJ West.

Published by Orenda Books 08/10/2026.

Based on an extraordinary true story, The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald is a dark, atmospheric historical mystery and a compelling adventure, as an unlikely investigator risks everything to pursue one of the most notorious killings of the Victorian stage.

Set in wartime London, Everest Macdonald investigates the murder of her uncle, the actor William Terriss. A riveting, dark historical mystery from Sunday Times bestselling author A.J. West.

REVIEWS:

‘Everest Macdonald is a hero for the ages: fearless, formidable, and with a wit that could outfox any foe! A hugely evocative tale of madness, betrayal and revenge’ Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes

‘A twisty, fiendishly clever mystery story … I love the vivid period detail, the one-of-a-kind characters, and the settings that feel so real. Totally unputdownable!’ Gill Paul

‘A glorious cocktail of historical fact, Christie-esque sleuthing and Victorian melodrama. From Argyll to the far-flung islands of the British Empire, the indomitable Everest Macdonald blazes a unique trail through fact and fiction to a truly dramatic denouement' Alis Hawkins

‘Gripping, tumbling, witty, audacious and beautifully written’ Kate Griffin

‘A.J. West skilfully conjures the most atmospheric story to rival any theatre show: a grand production of illusions, of dark secrets, and betrayals’ Essie Fox

‘A breathless, continent-spanning whodunnit set in London's theatrical underworld. Everest Macdonald is a menopausal mystery-solver to make Wilkie Collins proud. My jaw dropped when I realised how much of it was true!’ V.V. James

‘A cracking mystery … Everest Macdonald is a funny and utterly charming woman detective dealing with mystery, murder and the trials of midlife’ Suzie Edge

‘Introducing Everest Macdonald. Determined, indomitable, smart and ingenious. A.J. West has created a masterpiece of historical fiction’ David Harry, The London Spy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: A.J. West grew up reading books to escape his shyness at school and discovered an early talent for writing fiction which led to an award-winning career as a BBC television newsreader and reporter. He has also written for national newspapers and magazines and has appeared on television programmes including BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, This Morning and the legendary reality television show, Big Brother, where he became an instant household name... though the specific household has yet to be identified. He is on tour this autumn/winter in his trusty campervan, and Suddenly On Sheaf Street can't wait to welcome him with a fabulous Daventry hug and treat him to dinner and breakfast!