All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles

August 18, 2025

All of Us Murderers by KJ Charles

Zeb Wyckham is surprised when his cousin invites him to his country house for a visit, but he arrives to find himself at the family reunion from hell. Worse yet, his ex-boyfriend who hates him for ruining his life is now working for his cousin. Could it possibly get worse? Actually, yes.

A locked-room mystery combined with an LGBTQ romance seasoned with an element of horror. There is plenty of suspense and sexual tension, plus a few steamy scenes. I love mysteries set at English country houses. The cover reminds me of the covers on old Victoria Holt romantic suspense novels (consumed those like candy when I was a teen).

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

See what I mean about the Victoria Holt covers?

The Twelve Saints of Christmas by Karen Baugh Menuhin

February 7, 2025

The Twelve Saints of Christmas by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Major Heathcliff Lennox and retired inspector Jonathan Swift are called to a country estate just outside Bath to investigate a suspicious death at what appears to be a retirement home for the very wealthy. But intrigue bubbles just below the surface and Lennox and Swift are soon faced with a second suspicious death.

Lennox and Swift return for their 12th investigation among the toffs, with their usual cast of supporting characters, including Greggs the butler and ladies' man, Lennox's spaniel Mr. Fogg, and his chubby cat Tubbs. Unfortunately Mr. Foggs and Tubbs make only brief appearances, as do Persi and Florence, wives of Lennox and Swift. I love a country house mystery, especially one set at the holidays, and this one is great fun like all of the books in the series. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series if you haven't read any of the earlier books.

Yes, there really are baths in Bath, England, although I'm not sure I'd want to go soak in them

The Belvedere Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

July 22, 2024

The Belvedere Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Major Heathcliff Lennox and retired Scotland Yard detective Jonathan Swift are asked by Lord Belvedere to attend a ball at his fabulous country estate to keep an eye on his daughter's suitor, a man named Jack Dutton who he believes is a a gold digger after his daughter's money. Despite their best efforts, during the ball, someone manages to shove Dutton from the roof of the mansion. 

Another adventure for Lennox and Swift, #11 in the series. The mystery here reminds me of books like Murder on the Orient Express, where all the characters have some connection to the murder victim. Furthermore, he is a shady character who needs to get murdered (no one likes a blackmailer or a drug dealer). I love a country house mystery, and this one ticks all the boxes: a beautiful house, a ball, aristocrats, jewels and ball gowns, snooty rich people who think they're above the law, a locked-room mystery. While you don't need to read the series in order, do it because the books are so much fun. Recommended for readers who enjoy British historical mysteries and dry humor.

Iron Age barrow in the the Cotswolds

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade

July 1, 2024

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade

A group of wealthy Manhattanites go on an astrology-themed weekend retreat at a restored mansion on Long Island. All of the participants have secrets as well as their own agendas, including the host. With a hurricane bearing down on them, tensions increase until they reach the breaking point.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, does the fault lie in our stars or in ourselves? Is everything preordained, or do we have free will to change our destinies? Like other novels of the psychological fiction genre, the plot focuses on revenge for a long-ago act. Some of the reactions are extreme - I doubt I would have a breakdown if I found out that one of my brothers was having an affair. I might tell him he's a jerk, but he's an adult and it's his business. Fans of Lucy Foley and Mary Kubica will enjoy this debut novel, as well as anyone looking for a good beach/vacation/summer read.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Astrological birth chart

Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg

April 25, 2024

Boy of Chaotic Making by Charlie N. Holmberg

Hulda and Merritt's wedding is only weeks away, when Merritt receives a letter from Queen Victoria (yes, that Queen Victoria) expressing interest in Owein. Owein is Merritt's 223 year old many-times-great uncle who died at the age of 12 and originally inhabited the walls of Merritt's house. Owein currently resides in the body of a mixed-breed terrier, and is also a powerful wizard. The queen's necromancer believes he has a way of transferring Owein's spirit and magical powers to a human body. With plenty of reservations, Merritt, Owein and Hulda travel to England to find out if such a thing is possible and the potential fallout. But almost as soon as they arrive, they realize that not everyone may want the experiment to succeed.

The third book in the Whimbrel House series. I love Owein, so I was happy that we got a book about him. This is a charming historical fantasy series. I recommend reading the books in order.

Example of a Victorian necromancer

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

March 16, 2024

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

When she was 17 years old, Frances Adams was told by a fortune teller that she would be murdered. She and her two best friends Emily and Rose had their fortunes told at a county fair but Frances was the only one who really took the fortune to heart. Although the three girls are inseparable, Emily is more of a frenemy than a real friend, wanting everything that Frances has - she is a typical mean girl (yawn - so tired of high school BS). She scoffs at Frances' concern over the fortune, then ironically, Emily is the one who goes missing a year later. 

Frances spent her life on her husband's country estate, guarding herself from others and perceived threats.  At the reading of her will, her heirs discover that Frances' money will go to the one who solves her murder - and they have a week to do it.

Clever Agatha Christie-esque premise that doesn't quite pan out, particularly disappointing since I am a fan of mysteries set in country houses. There is a large with a large cast of characters past and present that were hard to keep track of. The plot got muddled from the sheer number of characters past and present, with many of them part of family groups that have common last names. Annie, the main character, got a little annoying with her fainting at the sight of blood, syringes, etc. - I did wonder how she managed her monthly period. I would have like to know what Frances was up to for the last 50 years. There are hints that she meddled in the lives of others (including her niece Laura) but there is no follow up to these hints. There are also a number of dangling mini-plots that are left, well, dangling. Real fans of cozy mysteries who are less picky than I am will enjoy the setting and the characters.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Hemlock, which turns out to be a complete red herring

Murder at Ashton Steeple by Karen Baugh Menuhin

August 11, 2023

Murder at Ashton Steeple by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Murder has come to Major Heathcliff Lennox's town of Ashton Steeple. A businessman, Devlin Saunders, is found dead on his balcony from an arrow wound to the heart. He is survived by his not-so-grieving widow, his married lover, and a host of business partners. Scotland Yard asks Lennox and retired Inspector Swift to investigate, but no sooner do they begin than another partner dies under suspicious circumstances. Lennox and Swift hurry to unravel the tangled strings that bind the partners together before more bodies turn up. Lennox also has a personal stake in the outcome.

Lennox's tenth outing with retired Inspector Swift, Greggs the butler, Foggy the golden spaniel, and Lady Persi, Lennox's new wife. I especially enjoy these mysteries since they are set at English country houses. Fun and entertaining as always.

The Cotswolds (exactly what you think of when you picture an English village)

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

March 28, 2023

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica Speedwell is back for her 8th adventure. Following a misunderstanding regarding her marital status, Veronica and her partner Stoker (nee Revelstoke V. Templeton-Vane) are temporarily estranged. With Stoker's brother Tiberius, Viscount Templeton-Vane, Veronica travels to Bavaria to find Stoker, who is himself in search of a wolpertinger for Lord Rosemarron's collection. At first, Stoker is reluctant to return to England, until Tiberius reveals that he has located a megalosaurus that requires restoration. Oh, and Tiberius has also been receiving death threats.

Fun series. I love me a mystery set at an English country house, so this one was definitely in my wheelhouse. My only problem with book #8 is that Stoker is not in the first half of the book very much, and one of the series major charms is the interplay between Veronica and Stoker. Unfortunately the next installment won't be out for probably about a year. Love the cover art on the Veronica Speedwell series.

Megalosaurus

A wolpertinger, a creature out of German mythology

Homecoming by Kate Morton

March 18, 2023

Homecoming by Kate Morton

Outside a small town in southern Australia, a young family is found dead on Christmas Eve 1959, following a picnic lunch. There is no obvious cause of death. Worse yet, the youngest child is missing, apparently taken from her crib by wild dogs (dingoes). Sixty years later, a journalist returns to Sydney to look after her ailing grandmother who was injured in a fall, and learns more about her own family history than she ever expected.

I have read all of Morton's previous books and was happy to get an eARC of her latest. Like her earlier books, this is a story of family secrets and tangled relationships, set at a country house. It's a book-within-a-book, with dual timelines set in 1959 and 2018.  A true crime book is set within the framework of the 2018 storyline. I suspected the family secret about halfway through and I was right (I watch way too much true crime TV). Morton's tale will appeal to fans of Joshilyn Jackson, Diane Chamberlain and Ann Patchett.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Southern Australia

A Wreath of Red Roses by Karen Baugh Menuhin

February 9, 2023

A Wreath of Red Roses by Karen Baugh Menuhin

When two drowning deaths occur within a few days of each other at a country house, Scotland Yard asks Major Heathcliff Lennox and retired inspector Jonathan Swift to investigate. They find themselves at an ancient house complete with moat and drawbridge that is raised every night (but no electricity or running water). They are also in the middle of an inheritance struggle, with six illegitimate but generally charming siblings all competing to claim their father's estate. But when a third resident is found murdered, Heathcliff and Swift realize that there is more at stake than a country baron's ancient house and suspect that one of the siblings may be responsible.

Great fun. I really enjoy the characters in this series, easy going Heathcliff and uptight Swift, Greggs the butler who always has a love interest, and Heathcliff's dog and cat, Fogg and Tubbs. The next book will be set in Heathcliff's own village, so we will see more of Persi, Heathcliff's smart wife.

Castle with moat and drawbridge

Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James

January 20, 2023

Death Comes to Pemberley by P. D. James

P. D. James presents a mystery featuring characters from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It's five years since the end of Pride and Prejudice, and the marriage of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy. They are happily married with two little boys. Elizabeth's sisters Jane and Mary are also married (unexpectedly, in Mary's case), while youngest sister Kitty remains contentedly at home with their parents. Middle sister Lydia is married to Wickham, the man that she (scandalously) eloped with, and due to the scandal their elopement generated, the Darcys do not meet the couple socially, and they are not received at Pemberley, the Darcys' estate. All of that changes on the eve of the Darcys annual ball, when a carriage careens up to Pemberly and Lydia emerges, screaming that her husband has been murdered. (Lydia was not invited to the ball and was planning on gate-crashing the event.)

Meh. Basically Jane Austen fan fiction. P. D. James is a great mystery writer, and this is not her best effort. The mystery itself is pretty weak. Only for diehard JA fans. Which I'm not.

The Pemberley estate, from the film adaptation

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Bennett

December 9, 2022

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Bennett

On the first Christmas following her death, Liliana Armitage-Feathers has arranged for her surviving family to assemble at Endgame House, the family's country house. Every Christmas, they play a game, following clues that lead them to their Christmas presents. This year will be no different, except the clues will lead them to the ultimate holiday gift: the deed to Endgame House.

The Westing Game meets Clue (or Cluedo, it you're a Brit). I love mysteries set in country houses but this one was disappointing. The author was so focused on showing the reader how clever she is, that she neglected to use that same focus on the mystery. I had a good idea pretty early on about who was the murderer and who was working behind the scenes. I always read a few seasonal books, and this is my last Christmas mystery for 2022.

Disappointing.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Christmas at an English Country House - always wanted a place like this

An Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn

April 25, 2022

An Impossible Imposter by Deanna Raybourn

London 1889 - Recently returned from attending a royal wedding in Europe, Veronica Speedwell and her partner Stoker (aka Revelstoke Templeton-Vane) are summoned by Sir Hugh Montgomerie to investigate a delicate matter. A man named Jonathan, believed to have been killed in the eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia in 1883, appears at his family home, claiming amnesia. He has the "dead" man's belongings and matches his general description. The family members are uncertain whether he really is the missing Jonathan. His teenaged sister and elderly grandmother are the only family members who ever met the man in person, and while the grandmother is positive that he's her grandson, the sister is less sure. It's important for them to find out, because the missing man was the heir to the family fortune and the country house where they now all live. 

I love the Veronica Speedwell series, and in this volume, we learn more about Veronica's past beyond her connection to the royal family. But the more we learn about Veronica, the more mysteries there are! Her relationship with Stoker is growing deeper and is one of the best things about the mysteries, considering I'm not much into romance novels. The peripheral characters are all entertaining and well-conceived. Looking forward to the next book.

The volcano on Krakatoa blew up in 1883, so there aren't any photographs from that time - this is Krakatoa today.

The Mystery of Montague Morgan by Karen Baugh Menuhin

January 11, 2022

The Mystery of Montague Morgan by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Major Heathcliff Lennox is spending a relaxing December day at his comfortable country house with his golden spaniel Fogg and cat Tubbs when his friend ex-Inspector Swift contacts him in a panic. Swift has entered into an arrangement for a broker named Montague Morgan to sell the Scotch whiskey that Swift's wife's family produces at their Scotland estate. Unfortunately, Morgan has disappeared along with Swift's money, and if they can't find Morgan, Swift, his wife, and her father will all be bankrupted. Lennox agrees to help him find Morgan, even though Lennox's wedding to Persi is just days away on Christmas Eve.

They look into Morgan's background and discover that he is a charming and successful rogue, ruthless in business at times. But recently, Morgan found the love of his life and has been making plans to take his lover away to faraway lands with Morgan's ill-gotten gains. But Swift isn't the only one who wants his money - there are dangerous people who want their gold back and will stop at nothing to get it. They track Morgan to his country house and get trapped there in a snowstorm, with a mixed group of people also looking for Morgan. What happened to Montague Morgan? Will Swift get his money for the whiskey that Morgan sold? And will Lennox solve the mystery of Montague Morgan and get to the church in time for his wedding?

Too much fun from #7 in the Heathcliff Lennox series. Wide cast of characters in this one, although the faithful Greggs, Fogg, and Tubbs all accompany Lennox as always (Greggs finds romance in the kitchen, as usual). Next installment coming out Summer 2022.

A Baffling Murder at the Midsummer Ball by T. E. Kinsey

September 5, 2021

A Baffling Murder at the Midsummer Ball by T. E. Kinsey

London's best jazz band, the Dizzy Heights, have been booked to play at the Midsummer Ball at a ritzy country house. They expect a weekend filled with rich people, flappers, and champagne. The gig is a success, but just as they are packing up to go home, a driving rainstorm cuts off the roads, the telephone, and the power lines, stranding the group and the family. When one of the family is found dead in a locked room, the Dizzy Heights and their entourage realize that this is going to be a tougher job than they thought.

The second outing for the Dizzy Heights gang, set in the 1920's, with crossover from the Lady Hardcastle series. A locked room cozy mystery, light and fun. Great historical details. I love mysteries set at English country houses.

The Tomb of the Chatelaine by Karen Baugh Menuhin

August 21, 2021

The Tomb of the Chatelaine by Karen Baugh Menuhin

In his younger days, Lord Godolphin Sinclair was an adventurer, a gold prospector, and an arms dealer. Now that he's old, he's not that much better. He has always been ruthless about amassing wealth. He is afraid of nothing, until he receives a mysterious package that has a direct link to his past. When dead bodies begin turning up, he calls Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex-Inspector Swift to his country home, Lanscombe Park, to investigate. Lennox with his dog Mr. Fogg, his cat Tubs, and his long-suffering butler Greggs (who always seems to find a lady friend on their adventures) journeys to Lanscombe Park, to help solve the crime but also hoping to reconnect with his maybe-girlfriend Persi.

I love mysteries set at English country houses! This is #6 in the Heathcliff Lennox series (don't call him Heathcliff!). They are light, cozy mysteries with great characters and humor. Great fun!

Medieval tomb of an unknown lady

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown

July 31, 2021

Murder at the Spring Ball by Benedict Brown

At his 75th birthday party. retired detective lord Edgington announces that he is throwing a grand spring ball, a tradition that lapsed with the death of his wife. But Cranley Hall, the family home, is run down and in desperate need of refurbishment before the ball. He enlists the help of his grandson Christopher (probably because Christopher is a teenager and will take instructions) which pisses off the rest of the family, since they figure Christopher has been sucking up to the old man. The renovations are completed in time for the grand ball, which starts off great but then one of the family members keels over dead after drinking a glass of champagne. But at least it stops the rest of the family from drinking what turns out to be a bottle of poisoned bubbly. Everyone is a suspect, so Lord Edgington and Christopher set out to solve the mystery before anyone else dies.

Light cozy mystery whose solution is a little unbelievable. I love mysteries set at English country houses, and the descriptions of the house and the party were great. Some of the characters were a little too eccentric. Not sure I'm going to continue with this series.

A society fete in the 1920s

The Black Cat Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

January 20, 2021

The Black Cat Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Major Heathcliff Lennox is invited to the wedding of an old friend at the Earl of Bloxford's country estate in the Cotswolds. Before Lennox, Greggs, and Mr. Fogg even arrive, another wedding guest is murdered. Lennox's old nemesis Inspector Swift of Scotland Yard shows up to investigate, except this time, he seems to think that Lennox is there to be his assistant.

This is the second book in the Heathcliff Lennox series, with the same loony collection of friends that you'd expect in a P. G. Wodehouse novel. Not only is Mr. Fogg the cocker spaniel in attendance, Lennox receives a black kitten as a present from the bride. Fogg immediately falls in love with the kitten. The kitten, named Tubbs for his chubby appearance, is so small, it rides around in Lennox's pocket when it's not rearranging his desk. The cuteness factor is higher than in the first book but that's okay. This is a fun series that is a refreshing change from most mysteries.

Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin

January 6, 2021

Murder at Melrose Court by Karen Baugh Menuhin

After serving in the RAF in World War II, Major Heathcliff Lennox just wants to live a quiet life at his country home (he goes by Lennox - to his chagrin, his romantic mother named him Heathcliff after the character in Wuthering Heights - all the women that he meets insist on calling him Heathcliff). With him are Greggs, his former batman during the war, and Mr. Fogg, a golden cocker spaniel, plus Cook and Tommy the boot boy, who is also Cook's nephew and is being educated despite his protests. Shortly before they are to leave to spend Christmas with Lennox's uncle at Melrose Court, a dead body appears on Lennox's doorstep. 

After contacting the local police (who have no idea what to do), Lennox and company motor down to Melrose Court to share some holiday cheer. Another dead body shows up soon after their arrival, and Inspector Swift from Scotland Yard is intent on hanging Lennox for the crime.

This is the first book in the Heathcliff Lennox series.  I love mysteries set in English counrtry houses and I love this series - it's like Agatha Christie meets Downtown Abbey, or Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster and Jeeves with a dog plus all the zany friends and relatives. One problem with this series is that the characters spend a lot of time eating and drinking delightful things, so I found myself wanting to snack along with them. I can't wait to read the other titles in the series.

Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer

December 19, 2019

Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer

My last holiday book of the season.

Nathaniel Herriard owns a country manor in rural England.  His brother Joseph and Joseph’s wife Maud, both former actors, live off of Nathaniel’s generosity.  Nathaniel tolerates having them live with him until Joseph gets it into his head to organize a Christmas house party consisting of a variety of people who, general speaking, detest each other.  When Nathaniel is found murdered in a locked room, the guests realize that there is a killer in the house.

Envious Casca was written in 1941 and also published under the title A Christmas Party.  This is a perfectly acceptable holiday mystery that ticked a lot of boxes for me:  English country house, locked room murder, Christmas, a clever crime.  It has the usual suspects:  the old rich curmudgeon who hates Christmas and house parties, the meddling uncle, poor relations, the pushy niece, the heir apparent and his airhead fiancée, the put-upon detective.  If you are interested in a little light reading over the holidays, this is a good choice.