Tag: Matthew Costello

Mydworth Mysteries: Dead of Night by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Dead of Night (Mydworth Mysteries #14)

Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #14
Publication Date: 7/1/23
Period: Interwar – 1930s – Mydworth, England
Number of Pages: 160

I have read and loved each book in this series. They are entertaining, interesting, and filled with memorable characters – even the villains. They have humor and snappy banter, and frankly, Harry and Kat remind me a bit of Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man movies from the 1930s. If you want a quick, engaging, interesting read, you can’t go wrong with any of the books in this series.

Sir Harry Mortimer and his American-born wife Kat are summoned to Harry’s Aunt Lavinia’s house in the wee hours of the morning. As former spies for their respective countries, Harry and Kat are well qualified to investigate a murder – especially one that involves Edward, the Prince of Wales. OOPS! Any public knowledge of the event must be avoided – especially since Edward is the most scandal-prone of Royals. So, the victim disappears and the house party continues as if nothing ever happened – except there are now two new guests – Harry and Kat.

With a house full of guests and with each guest full of secrets, how will Harry and Kat ever sort through them all before the end of the party? Can they truly keep the fact there was a murder secret? With everyone playing musical bed chambers, nobody was where they were supposed to be – and since the murder didn’t happen where the body was found – who was occupying the room in which it did happen?

You’ll have a delightful time delving into all of those deep, dark secrets with Harry and Kat before you and they come up with the villain of the piece. Then, for an exciting finale you get kidnappings, hold-your-breath car chases, daring escape attempts, and a satisfying resolution.

I can definitely recommend this delightful book because it is witty, entertaining, and filled with delightful characters you will come to appreciate. While all of the books can be read as standalone titles, I would suggest reading at least the first book or two in the series to understand Kat, Harry, and their backgrounds. Happy reading!

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A Deadly Match by Matthew Costello

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, George V - 1910- 1936, Historical Mystery, Interwar Period (Nov 1918 - Sep 1939), Part of a Series2 Comments

A Deadly Match (Mydworth Mysteries #13)

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 1/30/23
Period: Interwar – 1930s – Mydworth, England
Number of Pages: 140

I always jump for joy when each new book releases, and then slump forlornly when the read is over because I then have to wait for the next release. This series is consistently well-written with wonderful characters and exciting mysteries. I have loved each book in the series, and this is certainly no exception to that. Kat and Sir Harry are made for each other and, as former spies during the war, they are uniquely qualified to solve all of the intrigues that come their way.

Kat and Harry are participating in a tournament at the tennis club when they are approached by a timid woman whose husband browbeats her all the time. She tells them she doesn’t believe the recent accident that took the life of the tennis pro was actually an accident. While the accident certainly looks to be just that, Kat and Harry decide to just do a little looking to see if it is possible. Yep, it definitely is possible and the more they look the more sure they are – and – they are also sure there is something more than murder going on as well.

It appears Kat and Harry have kicked a nest of hornets because things start to buzz – and our erstwhile detectives find themselves in real danger. Not that they can’t handle it, they were, after all, spies in some of the most dangerous places of the war. However, they’d just as soon neither of them got hurt. The investigation takes them in a far different direction than they thought – and the villain(s) will surprise you – or not.

I thoroughly enjoy these books and am always excited when a new one is on the horizon. You’ll absolutely love Kat and Harry as well as the other series regulars like Aunt Lavinia. These are always short, tightly-written, well-developed stories in which you quickly get engrossed and forget there is a ‘real’ world out your window. Should you choose to read the story, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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