I received this book for free from the Author, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Killing of a Chestnut Tree by Oliver K. Langmead Series: Havelock Harper Mysteries #1
Published by Tordotcom on October 27 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Mystery
Pages: 176
Format: ARC
Source: Author, Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Clever, charming and romantic, The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is the perfect bite-sized, feel good tale for our times.
I’ve been a fan of Oliver K. Langmead since 2015 when I read and loved Dark Star, and he continues to surprise me to this day. The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is a bit of a departure from some of his other books, but I love this new direction. This is the start to a mystery/detective series that takes place in the UK and is set in the late nineteenth century, following a detective with a distinct Sherlock Holmes flavor. But what could have been just a standard mystery is something else entirely in Langmead’s hands. The “story within a story” format is one I love, and it works remarkably well here. And bonus, The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is a delightful, feel good queer romance, and I could not stop smiling while I was reading it.
We follow Havelock Harper, a famous London detective whose cases are serialized in the Times. He’s assisted by Major Sebastian Wright, who also happens to be the narrator of the story. Their latest case takes place in a remote, forested area where the Duchess of Farleigh House has called upon Havelock to investigate the death of the Duke of Farleigh. When Havelock and Sebastian arrive, they are surprised to find out that the “Duke” is actually a large chestnut tree, and a nearby axe suggests that someone chopped the Duke down.
As the two men begin their investigation, they discover a town that has been keeping secrets from the outside world. Each person they meet brings them closer to solving the mystery, but Havelock’s keen sense of observation picks up on unease below the surface. Because the town of Farleigh is divided, and in order for everyone to come together, Havelock must uncover the reasons behind the Duke’s murder.
What I’ve described above is only part of the story, and that’s what makes The Killing of a Chestnut Tree so unique. The mystery of the Duke’s felling is framed by yet another mystery, one involving two night watchmen named Emmet and Henry who, on their rounds one night, discover white flower petals strewn all over the ground (and no flower bearing plants in the vicinity that could account for the petals). Emmet is a huge fan of Havelock Harper, and so he decides to ask him to help solve the mystery. Havelock agrees, and this is where the story of the Duke enters the picture. The way Langmead weaves these two tales together is simply brilliant.
The mystery of the Duke’s “murder” is fairly complex and involves much more than just the townspeople of Farleigh and the individual who committed the crime. The history of the town plays a big part and adds a nice extra layer to the story. Havelock is a wonderful character who is not only driven by the mystery but also wants to understand the motivations of the possible suspects, and his ability to intuit the truth was remarkable and highly entertaining.
As for the romance, it isn’t the main focus, but the story wouldn’t be nearly as engaging without it. The time period makes it nearly impossible for queer people to have open relationships, so the characters struggle with their feelings quite a bit. But the romances—yes, there are two!—are so sweet and real and added the perfect, light-hearted touch.
And I have to mention the trees of Farleigh Forest, which are very important to the mystery. Langmead’s heartfelt message to save forests from destruction (like logging and construction) will resonate with many readers, and the trees have a very cool surprise that I won’t reveal here. I loved the scientific facts the author adds about trees and the ways they communicate with each other, and you will probably come to love and respect these trees as much as I did.
Everything is wrapped up nicely at the end, but Havelock and Sebastian will return! I am already excited to read their next adventure, The Chrysalis Conundrum coming out next year.
Big thanks to the author and the publisher for providing a review copy.
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