Month: October 2022

Blog Tour – Spruced Up For Murder by Helen Golden

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Blog Tour, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

About The Book

Death at Francis Court Now Confirmed as Murder!

Speculation is rife that the victim, estate manager Alex Sterling (44), was found by Lady Beatrice (35), the Countess of Rossex, niece of King James. Lady Beatrice, who has finally come out of hiding following her son’s departure to boarding school, has been managing the project to refurbish and redesign the Events Suite at Francis Court, alongside Perry Juke.

Heading up the murder investigation is Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam. Rumour has it that he and Lady Beatrice have a fractious history…

Awful man! How dare Fitzwilliam suggest Lady Beatrice’s sister is the number one suspect for Alex’s murder. It could be any one of the staff who were on-site that morning. Well, she’ll show Mr High and Mighty Fitzwilliam! With her attention to detail, her clever dog Daisy, Perry’s imagination, and his partner’s contacts at Fenshire CID, they’ll find the murderer before him.

Unless the murderer finds her first…

Purchase Links

Author’s Bio

Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in a small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my stepdaughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my stepson, and our tortoise.

I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes

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Barbara’s Review

This is certainly a unique concept for a cozy murder mystery, so kudos to this debut author for that. The mystery was well developed and the clues were dropped enticingly along with the red herrings. It did take me a while to figure out who the ongoing protagonists were going to be (for the series) – mostly because they are such an unlikely mix. Again, kudos to the author for that.

Lady Beatrice, Countess of Rossex, is the reclusive, widowed niece of the king. Fourteen years ago, her husband was killed in an automobile accident, with another woman in the car. Lady Beatrice was very young at the time and the ensuing feeding frenzy by the press caused her to become almost a hermit – rarely leaving her apartments. To help bring her out of her shell, her sister, Lady Sarah, cajoles her into taking on an interior decorating project at Francis Court.

Perry Juke has worked at Francis Court for several years and is now assistant to Lady Sarah. Lady Sarah thinks Perry and this project are just what Lady Beatrice needs to bring her out of hiding. So, who is he to object? Even though he thinks Lady Beatrice is cold, snooty, and aloof, he agrees to the task. Perry’s partner, Simon Lattimore (a famous crime writer), reminds Perry that there could be other reasons for Lady Beatrice to appear cold and aloof. Perry is ready to begin the project and have some fun – and he was delighted to find a wonderful new friend in Lady Beatrice.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam was part of the team who originally investigated the death of Lady Beatrice’s husband. Now, he is back investigating a new murder and as soon as he and Lady Beatrice are on the same turf, the hostilities begin.

Perry, Simon, and Lady Beatrice are bound and determined to solve the crime first and show that gruff, condescending detective up. DCI Fitzwilliam does not take well to their meddling in police business and the fur flies.

I thought this book had an excellent mix of humor and drama. The chemistry between all of the characters was realistic and I was sure I’d like them if I ever met them in real life. Personally, I thought the book was a bit wordy and a tad draggy at a few spots, but overall, it was a nice read. Somehow, though, I couldn’t get my head around the fact that the person who is 17th in line for the English throne is playing at being a detective.

I can recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it should you choose to read it. The next two books in the series will be following close behind this one, so be on the lookout for them – For Richer, For Deader (11/16/22) & Not Mushroom For Death (12/14/22).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Gothic Historical, Historical Mystery, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

The Curse of Morton AbbeyBarbara’s rating: 3.6 of 5 Stars
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: 10/26/21
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 361

The Curse of Morton Abbey is Clarissa Harwood’s third novel, but it is the first of hers I’ve read. For me, it wasn’t a quick-paced, exciting read, but it was a slow and steady build to a tingling end. This is a book that was crying for an epilogue because the ending was just so abrupt, I found myself sitting there with my mouth open asking – Is this it?

Vaughan Springthorpe grew up in her father’s law office learning the law at his knee. The time spent in those law offices was the best of her life because her mother and sisters were dismissive, condescending, and full of criticism and pity for her. She was as good a solicitor as her father was, but, of course, at that time women didn’t become solicitors. When he passed away, Vaughan finished up all of his legal work for him and was then determined to find a job for herself rather than live with her older sister and mother. Wasn’t she lucky that the perfect opportunity presented itself in the form of Sir Peter Spencer? He hired her, sight unseen, to put his estate, Morton Abbey, into shape so he could sell it and she couldn’t wait to get started. Should she tell him she is a female? Maybe . . . later.

Morton Abbey is certainly an eye-opener for Vaughan. When she arrives, she finds a cold, forbidding, unwelcoming edifice populated with people who definitely do not welcome her. Granted, it is winter, and most places look stark and cold in the winter, but there is something more sinister about Morton Abbey. The door is opened by Bedford, the scowling, unwelcoming butler who reminds her of a specter hovering in the entry. Mrs. Wilson was the pink-cheeked, round-faced housekeeper who seemed more welcoming, but distrustful. Were they the only two people in residence? No, Sir Peter’s sickly brother Nicholas (Nick) Spencer was also in residence. Then, as the only bright spot, there is Joe Dixon, the gardener.

Somebody is trying to frighten Vaughan away, but she’s having none of it. She is steady and pragmatic and doesn’t believe in ghosts. Yet, the nightly crying – by a child is unsettling. Could it really be a ghost? Perhaps the ghost of Nick Spencer’s deceased child?

Vaughan perseveres in her task for Sir Peter as she makes friends with Nick and Joe. Still, everyone isn’t who they seem. What is going on at Morton Abbey? Why? The answer will surprise you as there is more than one villain.

I enjoyed the story, but I did feel it was a bit draggy in places and I found myself skimming. Then, there was the ending – it was just too abrupt, too quick. I always love an epilogue, but this book just begged for one – especially since I just didn’t buy the fact that the couple was devotedly in love if she could just leave as she did and he didn’t contact her for almost a year. No, the end was definitely dissatisfying for me. I will recommend the story as it was interesting – but I’m not recommending it as enthusiastically as I normally would. This story didn’t make me want to go back and read the previous books by this author nor did it make me want to seek out future books.

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