Category: George V – 1910- 1936

Murder Wore A mask by Matthew Costello & Neil Richards

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939)Leave a comment

Murder Wore a MaskBarbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Mydworth Mysteries #4
Publication Date: 3/27/20
Number of Pages: 123

I love this series. I love Harry and Kat and how they are so proud and supportive of each other. They always build each other up rather than tearing each other down with snappy dialogue. They always share equally in the investigations – working together – each to their own strengths. I also love how they ‘read’ each other. It is definitely no wonder they are so sought after when it comes to solving mysteries because they always get their man/woman.

Lady Lavinia is giving a full-on Venetian masked ball at Mydworth Manor – a lavish affair with hundreds of guests – from local village folks to Bishops, admirals, movie stars, and government officials. The food and drink are lavish, the costumes are exotic and wonderful, and everybody is having a wonderful time. Well, almost everybody, there is the little matter of Wilfred Carmody being found face-down by the lake. Since Carmody has a bad heart, everyone assumes he expired from a heart attack – until they learn that isn’t the case.

With no physical evidence at the scene, they have to rely on their sleuthing and deducting skills to find out what happened, why it happened, and who did it. Even with hundreds of suspects at the ball, it doesn’t take them too long to narrow the list down to a handful. There is a lot of misdirection and red herrings aplenty, so you’ll have to keep your wits about you to follow all of the clues to find the murderer. Or, is there more than one? Oh! My!

These books are always quick, fun reads that put me in mind of the old black & white movies with Nick and Nora Charles, or Pam and Jerry North, maybe even a bit of Charlie Chan thrown in for good measure.

All of the recurring characters made an appearance in this book and I loved to visit with Aunt Lavinia especially. There was one new character that I wonder if he’ll be a recurring character as well. Charlie Todd is a very young man, and I liked him very much, so it will be fun to see if he pops up in future installments – maybe along with the yacht.

Lady Rights A Wrong by Eliza Casey

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical MysteryLeave a comment

Lady Rights a Wrong (Manor Cat Mystery, #2)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Manor Cat Mystery #2
Publication Date: 6/2/20
Number of Pages: 320

This is an excellent addition to the well-written, well-plotted, perfectly-paced Manor Cat Mystery series. We get better acquainted with the main and supporting characters and there are a couple of new characters – with possibilities – added. Still no romance though – and that is something I want in my mysteries. Luckily, there are a couple of possibilities for Cecilia and Jane as well – we’ll just have to try the third book to see what happens there.

It is the fall of 1912 and Lady Cecilia Bates is getting restless. She’s not unhappy, she loves Danby Hall and their little village, she just isn’t sure where her life is going and if she wants it to go in the direction in which her parents expect. She wants to be useful and to accomplish something – especially after she solved the murder that took place at Danby Hall earlier in the year, Lady Takes The Case. So, she is totally open and ripe for the message of suffragette leader, Mrs. Amelia Price, when she comes to Danby for a rally.

Not everybody in Danby is happy to see the suffragettes arrive in their village, and they heap verbal abuse on the ladies – someone even shoving them. That certainly doesn’t daunt the ladies and when Cecilia meets Amelia, she likes her right away. Amelia is a charismatic, energetic lady who holds the crowds spellbound. However, Cecilia senses some undercurrents and tensions within Amelia’s entourage and wonders if all is as happy as they make it appear.

When Cecilia arrives at Primrose Cottage one morning, she finds one of the inhabitants sitting outside crying and the remainder in the house – also in tears. They awoke to find Amelia’s body at the foot of the stairs. How could that have happened? Did she fall? Was she pushed? Accident or murder? Did Amelia tipple a bit too much?

When Inspector Hennesy seems content to leave it as either an accident or the work of a burglar found in the area, Cecilia isn’t content and decides to ask a few questions herself. Along with Annabel, a rich American heiress, and Jane Hughes, Annabel’s lady’s maid, they travel to London to ask questions and then continue investigating back home in Danby. Could it truly be an accident? Cecilia just doesn’t feel that to be the case and there are so many suspects from family to lovers to subordinates in the organization.

Will Cecilia unravel the mystery? You’ll just have to read the book to find an exciting and eventful conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am already looking forward to the next one.

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