The Innkeeper’s Intrigue by Deb Marlowe

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Lockstone Hollow Mystery, #2

Release Date: October 13, 2026

Lady Lisette Birtwhistle has finally come to terms with the events surrounding the murder of her former betrothed and has settled into village life. As the primary leaseholder of the village thanks to her late brother, the Duke of Winbury, Lisette has big plans for the town and hopes to help all the townspeople profit from the changes she has in mind. But when another body is found, it could mean disaster, so the sooner the murderer is found the better.

Though Lisette is leery to get involved, especially after the danger she found herself in last time, when the grumpy constable, Maxwell Sowerby, asks for her help, she can’t refuse. The victim was a good friend of the constable, so he has even more reason to find the assailant. They work together and follow the leads, but rather than bringing them closer together, despite the mutual attraction, Lisette realizes that Maxwell has no intention of making Lockstock Hollow his home and that as long as that is true, they can have no future. And when they almost come to blows after they have different ideas on how to proceed and once again Lisette finds herself in peril.

This was another well written and nicely plotted mystery by Deb Marlowe, and I enjoyed returning to Lockstone Hollow. Lisette is once again called upon to help solve murder, but this time her help has been requested, which makes readers believe that she might decide about her feelings for the constable. In the previous book, I had hoped that Lisette would end up with the constable, but after this book, I am hoping she saves her heart for Royce Logan, the mysterious carpenter. That aside, the story was filled with intrigue, lots of possible suspects, family secrets, blackmail, cute goats, and finally a very suspenseful ending with a bit of a romantic twist. Overall, this was a very intriguing read that I think will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy historical mysteries featuring a strong, intelligent heroine.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *