Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #12
Publication Date: 9/30/22
Period: 1929 – Interwar Period
Number of Pages: 143

Kat and Harry are looking forward to bringing in the new year in a real Scottish castle with all of the Scottish traditions. They happily board the train ‘The Highlandman’ and notice the flakes of snow falling. By the time the train reaches its destination, the highlands are covered in a sparkling blanket of snow.

Upon their arrival, their loud, brash American host greets them at the door and ushers them into a castle that looks as if it belongs in a fairy tale. Unfortunately, few of the guests were able to make it to the castle because of the weather – and the few who are there are quite a strange lot. They all seem to know each other – not like each other – yet claim they are barely acquainted. One thing is sure, none of them like their host, yet they all covet his money and power. Not even the staff likes Jack Garner.

The only reason Kat and Harry are there is that Jack is married to their aunt’s good friend and she wanted them to check in with her to assure all is well. While their aunt’s friend has become fond of imbibing, she is otherwise well. So, now all they need to do is enjoy the festivities.

Jack is not a pleasant man and treats everyone deplorably, but since everyone wants something from him, they have to tolerate him. But then, he turns up dead. Since all communication has been cut off because of the storm, Kat and Harry must handle the inquiries. Is the obvious suspect the correct one? Maybe. Maybe not.

I hope you’ll enjoy the story as much as I did.

View all my reviews

7Barbara’s rating: 4.3 of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #11
Publication Date: 5/27/22
Period: Interwar – 1930 – England
Number of Pages: 140

Thank goodness Kat and Harry have returned from New York and are now happily ensconced in their quiet village of Mydworth. Of course, nothing stays quiet too long with Kat and Harry, and that proves to be the case as they are attending a children’s charity function. A distraught villager approaches them about his missing son, Ewan, who is presumed dead. Ewan’s small boat was found capsized after a particularly nasty storm had rolled through. But Ewan was an excellent sailor – and no body has been found. All Ewan’s father wants is answers; Is Ewan Dead? Why would he have gone out in his boat during such a storm?

Kat and Harry go from nobody having any information to share to having half the village share various somewhat conflicting bits of information. The one thing that everybody agrees upon though – Ewan is a really good person, intelligent, and level-headed. Kat and Harry end up with lots of suspects, lots of motives, and no proof of anything. How will they narrow it down to the real culprit? Well, it comes with some very unexpected revelations that change the course of their investigation.

I absolutely love Kat and Harry with their wit and humor that is reminiscent of Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man movies. They differ from Nick and Nora in that Harry isn’t constantly trying to keep Kat out of the investigations – Kat is a full and equal partner. Of course, being newlywed adds to the fun as well.

I am totally addicted to this series and can hardly wait from one book to the next. They are always quick and enjoyable reads.

View all my reviews