Series: Mydworth Mysteries #2
Publication Date: 9/30/19
Number of Pages: 119

American Kat Reilly and Brit Sir Harry Mortimer are beginning to settle into their new life together in Mydworth. Kat is still a bit concerned that life in the quiet English countryside will be too quiet – especially since she’s not too fond of afternoon teas and other gentrified activities. Luckily, they’ve managed to keep busy with some local investigations – so maybe things won’t be too dull.

As much as Kat loved spending time admiring Harry working on his old motorbike that had been in storage since the war, she was really happy when their new phone rang. Nicola Green, from the WVS (Women’s Voluntary Service), was calling to ask Kat and Harry to stop by her office because she needed to speak with them.

The mother of a young poacher, Syd Buckman, doesn’t believe that her son died in an accident. Yes, the police have ruled that it was an accident, but she just doesn’t believe it. Her son was too good with guns to make such a rudimentary mistake. So, she approached Nicola and asked for her help and advice. Nicola, in turn, contacted Kat and Harry because of their reputations for solving mysteries.

At first, Kat and Harry were inclined to believe it really was an accident – but the more they learned, the more they became sure that Syd’s death wasn’t accidental. Why would anyone want to kill the young man? There are plenty of potential suspects around – other poachers, the owner of the land on which he was poaching, the land steward, a friend with whom he’d had an argument, even his father.

The investigation continues apace and leads in many directions – until at last, the final clues are revealed and the murder is finally solved.

I am really enjoying this series that reminds me a bit of the old Thin Man movies with the lighthearted banter between Kat and Harry – except Kat is more of a fully participating partner than Nora was in the movies. Definitely an entertaining read!

A Shot in the Dark by Matthew Costello

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Mydworth Mysteries #1
Publication Date: 7/31/19

What a delightful introduction to a new series this book was! I love historical mysteries and this will be a new favorite series for me. I love that it features an American and a Brit and that the writers are also – one American and one Brit. That means that we get the correct lingo, etc. from both sides. Love it!

Kat Reilly and Sir Harry Mortimer are, on the surface, an unlikely match. He is an English aristocrat and she is the daughter of an American pub owner. Yet, each has served in the war and then served their countries in other capacities. Now, they have found each other and love.

Kat and Sir Harry are on their way to Mydworth Manor to begin their new life together. As their car and baggage are being unloaded from the steamer ship, a messenger shows up with an urgent summons for Harry to make an appearance at the Home Office. So, Kat heads to Mydworth on her own – driving Harry’s prized Alvis motorcar. She had a lovely adventure with learning the rules of the English road.

When she arrives at the dower house they plan to live in, it is dark and boarded up. Didn’t their housekeeper get the cable advising of their arrival? Kat heads off, on foot, across the field to the manor house where Harry’s aunt lives hoping for a place to spend the night and await Harry’s arrival. She arrives to find a man climbing out a window – only to be shot – and then more bullets are flying all around – several flying very close to Kat. What a welcome to her new home!

Since Mydworth is a very small community, Harry’s aunt asks him and Kat to investigate. When the dead man is identified, they worry that the murderer might be close to home. With the house full of guests and servants galore, there are plenty of suspects to go around. Time is of the essence since the guests are all planning to leave.

With suspects aplenty, Kit and Harry have to work quickly to identify the guilty party. Who murdered the man who just happened to be a jewel thief? The solution is hard-won, the villain unexpected and the punishment sad.

I loved the romance and the mystery was interesting – but I never did understand why the dower house was unprepared for their arrival. Just something that was left undone and unexplained, yet it was an integral part of the plot

I am really looking forward to the next books in the series.