Murder Made Her Wicked: A Marigold Manners Mystery by Elizabeth Hobbs

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: A Marigold Manners Mystery #2

Release Date: November 11, 2025

Marigold Manners returns to Wellesley College in 1894 Boston, determined to resume her academic journey in archaeology despite the tumultuous revelations of her past. Marigold, a penniless heiress and fiercely independent woman, quickly becomes entangled in another mystery when she stumbles upon the body of a young woman in the campus lake. The Wellesley campus, with its comforting traditions and scholarly pursuits, is soon exposed as vulnerable to the malice and wickedness lurking beneath its surface. As tensions rise, old rivalries and slights threaten to boil over, and Marigold must rely on her keen logic and the support of her eccentric friends to uncover the identity of the victim and the perpetrator before another tragedy occurs.

Marigold shines throughout the novel—her intellect, determination, and commitment to women’s advancement are refreshing, especially set against the backdrop of the 1890s. She’s not only navigating academic challenges but also the societal limitations imposed on women, refusing to let her personal life distract from her ambitions. The secondary characters, from the loyal college physician to quirky classmates and beloved friends, add depth and color to the story, making the closed college community feel both vibrant and tense. The author, Elizabeth Hobbs, does an excellent job weaving information from Marigold’s first case into the narrative, so even those new to the series can appreciate her history and motivations.

This book is an engaging historical mystery that is well written and nice paced. While some elements—such as the predictability of the murder plot and certain contrived character dynamics—may detract slightly, the rich period details, well-researched setting, and compelling lead make this a satisfying read. The book balances suspense, character development, and just a hint of romance. I will admit a bit of frustration with Marigold in her desire to remain independent, I understood her reasons and know change will only come to those who take a stand, but to basically insist that Cab throw away his reputation to satisfy her needs did come across as a bit selfish, but I sincerely hope they find a way to be together that makes them both happy. Overall, I liked this book and would recommend it to fans of historical fiction and classic murder mysteries. This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no issues.

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