Be gay, solve crimes! The Killing of a Chestnut Tree introduces Havelock Harper, an all-new queer gentleman detective in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes, with a cozy, fantastical mystery.



Everyone in England knows Havelock Harper, the celebrated consulting detective, from the cases published in the papers. If any of them read his secret files, they would discover a very different man. His most fantastical cases must never reach the public eye, and nor must the love he shares with his stalwart companion, the formidable Major Sebastian Wright.

The Duke of Farleigh has been killed, and Havelock Harper summoned to the secluded Farleigh Forest to solve his murder. When he and Sebastian arrive, they discover a greater mystery. The trees of Farleigh have begun to speak, writing words into their leaves and bark. The victim is one of those trees: an ancient chestnut, cruelly chopped down.

Why has the forest begun to speak? Why would anyone cut down the Duke? And how can Farleigh’s gentle, quiet paradise survive this crime?

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

“Full of wild magic, poet trees, and kind humans. I'm going to see trees differently forever.” —Natasha Pulley, author of The Hymn to Dionysus

“This gentle, clever mystery about the magic of the natural world and words is a perfect escape. For anyone who'd like a cozy, queer Sherlock-flavored tale.” —L.R. Lam, USA Today bestselling author of Dragonfall & Pantomime

“A beguiling fantasy, a satisfying mystery, a tender tale of love and loss and deepening roots. This is a book like a small perfect gift, revealing more facets as it’s held to the light. I adore it.” —Jedediah Berry, author of The Naming Song

“The Killing of a Chestnut Tree marries all of the best parts of old-school detective stories with a quietly beautiful narrative of love and safety. I adored every second of this thoughtful, charming novella!” —V. L. Bovalino, author of The Second Death of Locke

“The Killing of a Chestnut Tree reminds you of Doyle and Tolkien at the same time, fitting linguistics and a hidden love affair among the forest. A lovely cozy story about tree murder.” —Mur Lafferty, Astounding Award-winning author of Infinite Archive

“An evocative and elegiac mystery, The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is unlike any novella you'll read this year.” —D. V. Bishop, author of the Cesare Aldo series

“This was lovely — the feeling of a long walk in quiet woods, but in book form. It was a pleasure following the trail Langmead leads us on.” —Olivia Waite, author of Murder by Memory

“Langmead skillfully creates new, rewarding depths in well-loved ideas; The Killing of a Chestnut Tree is a gorgeous, mysterious, life-affirming novella.” —Aliya Whitely

“You might come for the mystery but you’ll fall in love with the hope. It’s a delightful and magical book, filled with humanity and gentle wonder” —Dan Pinchbeck, Creator of Dear Esther and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture

“Oliver Langmead has gifted us a tale that is strange and softly magical, with characters that are easy to love—and not just because they answer the question of ‘What would a gay Sherlock and Watson look like?’ The language is poetic, the imagery is beautiful, and the world is deftly and expertly woven throughout the narrative. A lovely autumnal read.” —Trip Galey, author of A Market of Dreams and Destiny

“A dazzlingly inventive mystery, written in prose that glows like a warm summer's day. I loved it, and felt utterly transported.” —Eddie Robson, author of Drunk on All Your Strange New Words




About the AuthorOliver K. Langmead writes speculative fiction. His verse-novel, Calypso, was shortlisted for a Hugo Award, and named one of the best Science Fiction books of 2024 by Esquire Magazine and The Guardian. His previous novel, Glitterati was shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award, and named one of New Scientist’s best Science Fiction books of 2022. He is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Lancaster, and in late 2018 he was the writer in residence at the European Space Agency’s Astronaut Centre in Cologne.
Title: The Killing of a Chestnut Tree
Author(s): Oliver K. Langmead
Series: Havelock Harper Mysteries
Volume: 1
ISBN: 9781250448644
Copyright 2026
Release Date: October 27, 2026
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats
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