Series: Mydworth Mysteries #2
Publication Date: 9/30/19
Number of Pages: 119

American Kat Reilly and Brit Sir Harry Mortimer are beginning to settle into their new life together in Mydworth. Kat is still a bit concerned that life in the quiet English countryside will be too quiet – especially since she’s not too fond of afternoon teas and other gentrified activities. Luckily, they’ve managed to keep busy with some local investigations – so maybe things won’t be too dull.

As much as Kat loved spending time admiring Harry working on his old motorbike that had been in storage since the war, she was really happy when their new phone rang. Nicola Green, from the WVS (Women’s Voluntary Service), was calling to ask Kat and Harry to stop by her office because she needed to speak with them.

The mother of a young poacher, Syd Buckman, doesn’t believe that her son died in an accident. Yes, the police have ruled that it was an accident, but she just doesn’t believe it. Her son was too good with guns to make such a rudimentary mistake. So, she approached Nicola and asked for her help and advice. Nicola, in turn, contacted Kat and Harry because of their reputations for solving mysteries.

At first, Kat and Harry were inclined to believe it really was an accident – but the more they learned, the more they became sure that Syd’s death wasn’t accidental. Why would anyone want to kill the young man? There are plenty of potential suspects around – other poachers, the owner of the land on which he was poaching, the land steward, a friend with whom he’d had an argument, even his father.

The investigation continues apace and leads in many directions – until at last, the final clues are revealed and the murder is finally solved.

I am really enjoying this series that reminds me a bit of the old Thin Man movies with the lighthearted banter between Kat and Harry – except Kat is more of a fully participating partner than Nora was in the movies. Definitely an entertaining read!