The English ancestral manor of Cherrywood Hall is ready to compete for selection in an upcoming British TV period drama series: the grounds are manicured, the mansion is polished, and the servants are poised. American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips has crossed the pond to help her cousin defeat the three other stately homes vying for the prize.What Gemma doesn’t realize is that this competition … that this competition is life or death, and someone is taking that challenge literally. The occupants of one home are killed in an automobile accident, and murder becomes a frequent occurrence at the other locations. Who is behind the mayhem? Selection would be a major coup for both the estate and the community. At first the other contestants seem to be likely suspects, but no one is quite certain as the tragedies continue. Could it even be Emma’s beloved cousin Evan, the surviving heir to the Lancaster fortune, or Kyle, his best friend and estate manager? With the Royal family in attendance at each event, the puzzle becomes a crucial one for Scotland Yard, and they enlist Gemma’s help to solve the mystery.
When the competition’s winner is announced on New Year’s Eve, will Gemma’s future be forever tied to her ancestral past?
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Alexander Graham Bell once said that “when one door closes another door opens.” Wise words indeed! Unfortunately, many people spend so much time lamenting about the closed door that they are unable to see the potential opportunities which the open door presents. They are mired in regret and refuse to take a risk. Sad really- because it is the risk-takers who typically reap the grandest rewards. In Veronica Cline Barton’s novel The Crown for Castlewood Manor, we see just such a scenario. For lovers of suspense and mysteries which contain a very strong female protagonist who is willing to actually take such risks…this is the novel for you!
The story begins with our heroine Dr. Gemma Phillips having arrived at a dramatic crossroad in her life. Having just finished her Doctorate, she is uncertain about her next step in life. To make matters worse, she discovers that her boyfriend has been cheating on her. In a state of heartbreak and confusion she unexpectedly receives an offer from her cousin Evan overseas. He is hoping to recruit her assistance as he has entered his estate into a magnificent contest. A number of established English manors have been selected to take part in this contest which will see one of them be selected as the location for a British television series. Images of Downton Abbey are floating in Evan’s head and he desperately needs Gemma’s help.
Choosing to throw caution to the wind, Gemma takes up her cousin on his offer. After all, it will be an exciting adventure on the beautiful and serene English countryside… won’t it? What they all quickly discover however is that this contest is a virtual death match. Murders are frequently taking place and the victims are all contestants in the competition. Who could possibly be behind such evil deeds? It is under this deadly and foreboding cloud that Gemma has to get Cherrywood Hall ready to compete. Will she be successful in her quest? Or is she destined to be another victim who will soon join her ancestors in the belly of Cherrywood Hall?
I found this to be a truly wonderful novel which packs a very powerful punch. It has a little of everything in it. There is thrilling mystery, adventure, romance and even some paranormal elements sprinkled throughout the pages. The theme of strength and courage is cleverly supported by the exciting and mysterious nature of the story events. It is no exaggeration to say that the tale will literally keep you on the edge of your seat. It is full of suspense and intrigue and I found myself continually reading “one more chapter” to eagerly see what happens next. To engage the reader in this fashion should be the goal of any great author.
While the plot is entirely thrilling, there is more to this novel than just that. Barton has a wonderful flow to her writing which is beautiful and descriptive. She captures the setting of a lavish English manor exceptionally well. Her descriptions are full of intricate details about fashion, dining, architecture and the aristocracy. All of this is embedded within the main story and does not come across as forced or unnatural. I almost felt like I was being transported to the set of Downton Abbey. A entirely unique and mysterious one however!
In regards to the characters in The Crown for Castlewood Manor, there are quite a few. They are all quite interesting and developed in a way which supports the overall direction of the book. However, Dr. Gemma Phillips is the character who develops and grows the most by far. She is an extremely strong, brave and courageous female protagonist. Through the use of the First Person Point of View, the reader is able to access her thoughts and internal struggles as she grows in the novel. Also, the addition of Pippa and the paranormal elements in the story is a masterful stroke which makes for a fascinating connection. between American and British traditions in the Lancaster family.
Overall, I found this to be a top-notch novel which has something in it for almost anyone. Everything is carefully detailed and presented… and has an air of dignity to it. I give it my highest recommendation.
5 out of 5 Cozy Stars for this one! *****
“Our friends called us, The Muses of Malibu.”
The Crown for Castlewood Manor begins in a modern landscape of love lost, the glittering world of Malibu and a woman named Gemma who discovers that after improving her life and earning her PhD, she alienates her romantic partner, simply by being strong and achieving her goals. I adored how Gemma was written as smart, genuine, savvy and stylish. More characters like this for women please!
The story seamlessly morphs into a cozy, British mystery surrounding Cherrywood Manor, the family castle in England, a larger than life cousin named Pippa who left a legacy of luxury, beauty and mystery in her wake years before.
The cheeky humor about vanity, secret weakness, and inappropriate behavior was so much fun!
“Francis was standing and pointing at his now dead father, but his scream had turned to hysterical laughter. Lady Sarah collapsed, her head falling into her slice of cream pie.” The studies on life for the aristocracy were well researched, as more characters came out in the fierce competition for one castle in the district to become the backdrop for a new TV show.
All of the ingredients needed for a cozy were present, a country village, a lavish estate, a smart main character needing answers, a handsome man present at just the right moments to circumvent danger and multiple motives for murder as the death toll goes higher. The parties, food presentations, even the imagery and fashion choices were perfectly cultivated for escapism and enjoyment.
This novel was delightful to read and I highly recommend to cozy mystery aficionados and lovers of women’s fiction where the female characters can hold their own and make their own way in the world.
I can’t recommend The Crown for Castlewood Manor highly enough! For this Anglophile, having an American, Gemma, travel to the UK to a manor with all the wonderful elements of aristocracy, manors, royals, lavish dresses and meals, I was completely filled with joy while reading this fantastic novel. I recently had my first trip to the UK and it brought back all the memories of that fabulous trip. The author is highly descriptive of scenes, transporting me right back into the beautiful country. She also did a wonderful job of bringing to life the characters, food, and oh those gorgeous dresses and tiaras!
In addition to her excellent characterization of all things British, the story itself is captivating. A murder mystery (there could be more than one) in the midst of a competition between manors for the chance to have a Downton Abbey-esque show filmed on their estate. While the competition heats up and the entrants throw lavish hunts, dinners, teas and more, the stakes are raised when someone ends up dead. The fact that our heroine, Gemma, also seems to be on the hit list when a car tries to run her off the road. But it doesn’t phase her, Gemma is a strong, determined woman to see this competition through. Her cousin had requested her help, and she would be there for him, come what may.
I was also giddy with the romance in this wonderful story. Gemma finds a perfect gentleman in Kyle, who is also helping with the competition. It’s a sweet romance that I absolutely adored and the “proper kisses” made me swoon!
There are more elements to this story than just mystery, romance, and competition, but I’ll leave that to the reader to discover, because there are some great surprises.
For anyone who loves all things British like I do, this one’s a must-read. I absolutely loved it and am thrilled to know there are more in the series!
This was a glamorously mysterious, funny and entertaining read. I would liken it to Clue meets a a modern Downton Abbey.
It all starts in Malibu as Dr. Gemma Lancaster Phillips, is out celebrating her newly awarded PhD when she stumbles upon her boyfriend with another female. As chance would have it, her actress mother, Jillian, and her British cousin, Evan, convince her to get away and head to England to assist him in making his estate the venue for a new highly anticipated British television series, Castlewood Manor.
What follows is a story of murder, intrigue, conspiracy, greed, romance, and drama. Ms. Barton takes her readers to beautifully built English manors, immaculate gardens, into the vault of centuries old dresses and jewels, through quaint English villages and gives you a sneak peek inside the lap of luxury on this tour of aristocratic British life. Lovely meals are had and mystery abounds as Gemma and Evan along with a cast of fun and lovable characters strive to win the Crown for Castlewood Manor as the steep competition starts to turn deadly.
This book had it all, and I enjoyed both the story and picturesque setting as I was swept away by the history, murder mystery, and love interest that developed. The characters were funny, endearing and realistic and the plot was well paced. I especially enjoyed the legacy of Aunt Pippa. If you enjoy history, murder mysteries and love stories, this book is for you.
5 Stars ~ Calling all Anglophiles: You will love this book!
Oh. My. Gosh. The Crown for Castlewood Manor dazzles and enchants, capturing the reader from the first line and making you want to drop everything and disappear into the pages. Others have summarized the plot, so I am going to share why I want to encourage all Anglophiles to read this book…
If you would dearly love to be in England and can’t afford the plane fare, no bother. Veronica Cline Barton has you covered. Just snap up The Crown for Castlewood Manor and there you go. You’ll be whisked away to Merry Olde before you can pour a fine cuppa.
This cozy mystery’s heroine is an American and she is strong, smart, and sympathetic. Other characters are equally well-drawn. Cline Barton is a master at her craft and she breathes life into her story people and the setting. Everything reads so real, so authentic, it seems as if you could glance up from the book and be there.
The plot is brilliant. Original and engaging, while Cline Barton’s wit adds an extra bonus. Seriously, if you’re into England, castles, quaint little villages, dashing heroes, excitement ala English television’s delightful murder mysteries, The Crown for Castlewood Manor is your dream.
Best of all, The Crown for Castlewood Manor launches a *series, so there’s a lot of British love for you
*The Crown for Castlewood Manor is book one of Cline Barton’s ‘My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series.’ Enjoy them all! Highly recommended.
Veronica Cline Barton took me on a wonderful journey filled with food, wine, and gala events. This cozy mystery is filled with suspense, and wonder, with a hint of ghostly appearances. It’s been a long time since I read a mystery like this. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Word of caution: don’t read on an empty stomach, because the Lancaster’s know how to prepare a meal, and bring a glass of wine, because they also know how to have a good time.
I’m looking forward to reading book 2 and 3. Barton kept the pages turning.
I love a cozy mystery and The Crown for Castlewood Manor by Veronica Cline Barton delivered every element one looks for in this genre. Dr. Gemma Phillips, the main character, has just completed her Ph.D. and deciding the next step toward an academic career when she stumbles upon her boyfriend Michael cheating with another woman, a heartbreak that propels her toward a defining chapter in her life.
When her cousin Evan Lancaster, the eighth Marquess of Kentshire, contacts her about a project involving Cherrywood Hall, his call couldn’t have come at the right time. Cherrywood Hall is being considered for a television period series along with three other estates in the area. He needs Gemma to help them win this competition.
Gemma doesn’t deliberate long, accepting her cousin’s offer to win notoriety for their ancestor’s estate. Remarkably, she’s doing something her ancestor Pippa did when she arrived in the U.K. with wealth to save the failing estate. Are they kindred spirits?
“I was leaving Malibu in a week, becoming the second American cousin in my family to go to Cherrywood Hall to seek a new life. Sometimes history needs to be repeated.”
Gemma arrives at Cherrywood Hall and its magnificent grandeur described exquisitely by Mrs. Barton. Old aristocracy leaps off every page of this story, from the cuisine, clothing, accommodations, hidden rooms within the estate, tea garden parties, formal dinner galas reminiscent of bygone times, and even a fox hunt. Amid pomp and circumstance, a charming man, Kyle, has captured Gemma’s heart. Her cheating ex is a distant thought.
The competition between estates ignites and someone’s desperate to win as murder victims pile up one after the other. Danger is unmistakable in this competition. Someone wants to win at any measure, even murder to achieve the crown and millions of dollars promised as the selected winner. Mrs. Barton has devised a cast of ruthless upper-crust characters who are despicable, outright nasty, others, humorous, and quite lovable. Who among this group is the murderer? Gemma could be the next victim if they don’t find out soon.
What I love most about this story, besides Mrs. Barton’s well-crafted characters are her descriptions of Cherrywood Hall’s secret passages, rooms filled with fancy gowns and treasures, and ephemeral flashes of an ethereal presence watching over Gemma – someone who wants her to achieve the Castlewood crown. The heat of a burgeoning romance is palpable between her and Kyle. An immediate attraction radiates throughout the story.
A beautiful, intelligent woman, a handsome love interest, grand manor, glittery affairs, murder and mayhem, and a mystery to unfold. What else can you ask for in this well-written, cozy mystery? I’m looking forward to book two of the series – seeing Gemma’s new life unfold, her romance with Kyle, and Cherrywood Hall’s outcome. I highly recommend The Crown for Castlewood Manor.
In this sleek mystery by Ms. Barton, we’re soon swept away from the relaxed, pretty beaches of Malibu. We’re introduced to a wholly different environment when we cross the pond and find ourselves in an elegant estate in England. Unlike many of the money poor estates of the UK, Castlewood Manor is thriving. It’s so lavishly restored and breathtaking that it’s being considered for a grand television series.
A beautiful and bright American, Dr. Gemma Lancaster Phillips, is invited to England to help her cousin, Evan, win the competition. Gemma is well suited for the job since she just wrote her doctorate dissertation on some of her family’s history. She’s also been recently betrayed by her boyfriend. After careful consideration of how to proceed with her life, Gemma decides to accept her cousin’s offer. Thus begins a rich, satisfying and often dangerous adventure not only for Gemma, but for the reader too!
We’re given a beautifully written description of the many grand aspects of upper class living. We’re introduced to a majestic main building with spectacular grounds, including magnificent views of the sea, and richly appointed rooms. There are also wonderful accounts of other aspects of this type of lifestyle. Exquisite gowns and jewels, extravagant feasts, and horseback riding on splendid steeds. However, our strong, protagonist, Gemma, quickly discovers that all is not nice and proper when dealing with some of the landed gentry. The violent side of Castlewood’s fierce competitors becomes very clear when people start dying.
“The Crown for Castlewood Manor” has all the elements needed to make this an engaging read, one that includes a page-turner mystery and a lovely romance. Its well-written characters, including some who seem to be lurking on the other side of the veil, will keep you guessing. Who can be trusted and who’s out for blood? There are surprises right up to the end! A five star whodunit with lots of charm and sophistication thrown in!
“SLAP! I’m out of here. How could you! Oh, I can’t believe what he did to me after how long we’ve been together. And we had plans, plans to—”
But, it could be the best thing that ever happened to young Dr. Gemma Phillips. Will she find new love? Tall dark and handsome…
From the beaches of California, travel east to England, to Castlewood Manor for the by-chance, breathtaking chance of a lifetime! Gemma will experience what most people only dream of. The Crown for Castlewood Manor: My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series, by Veronica Cline Barton, was one of the most intensely colorful, and tasty, yes, tasty novels I’ve ever devoured. The author employs her words elegantly. She’ll pique your every sense with colors, smells, sounds, and especially taste, as well as some very handsome steaminess, for those who, as I mentioned above, love the tall dark and handsome. And she does so flawlessly. My mind was lighting up like fifty Christmas trees, then given surge after power surge after the unexpected happened again and again.
I lived a life of royalty for the five days I savored this book. From basic ol’ tea and scones (pronounced “scons,” as I learned from the author) to some of the most delectable dishes imaginable. I was put into a “food coma” (author’s words), many times while reading. Food for prestigious royalty but also, much, much more. Imagine the best dresses, boots, gems and semiprecious stones, and ghosts, yep, perhaps…ghosts! (And I won’t name ‘ghost’ names).
Tasty treats, sensual feels and “proper” kisses many times over. Indulge yourself in Veronica’s prose, which is some of the cleanest, most descriptive writing I’ve ever had the pleasure of reveling in.
And it goes like this… Gemma arrives. The glitz and glam of beach life, magnified 100 fold at Castlewood Manner. And then, skulduggery! The adventure of a lifetime begins, and so do some pretty bad, even fatal occurrences. Who did it? Why? No one plays to lose, and some, well…
It’s a grandiose competition dreams cannot even fabricate, but who knew it would be such a cut-throat contest. Gemma is invited to England to help plan the events, royal dinners and more. And with her American spunk and desire to win, will Castlewood Manner win the spotlight? Or will they all give up when the heat gets just too hot.
Gemma’s adventures include hunting on horseback, fancy dinners, jaunts in the English countryside, fabulous outings and planning, planning, and more planning, and getting run off the road, and even… And tall boots and fancy dresses, handsome men and gorgeous women. And scheming that gets way to close for comfort, even bloody. But who? And why?
Again, I’m not saying. And you’ll never guess. Even though, like me, you might think you know before the end. You won’t. The secrets of Castlewood Manner run deep. There’s trick buttons and hidden rooms, secret doors and vaults filled with riches, and good and bad to wonderful, then hatchet-in-the-air harrowing close calls and cliff falls. Slap to start, slap to end. It was perfect.
When I write a review and declare it gets 5 stars on both Amazon and my site, that means it was good. That means it really gets 5 stars. Veronica Cline Barton’s The Crown for Castlewood Manor gets 5 stars across the board. Do not pass on this title! And as for me, I am anxiously looking forward to the next in the series.
Decadent, warm, and quite cozy!
Very vivid descriptions. We visit three country manor homes in competition to be the next “upton park” which is clearly an in universe version of downton Abby. Gemma is a PHD and an American cousin to Evan, an almost royal.
There’s a bit of History. Not too much, and loads of British flair which is great for people like me who would love to visit one day and can’t. For whatever reason.
Pack your bags with your designer clothes and boots. Don’t forget your Tiara! And let us head on a nice trip to Castlewood Manor. Fashion, mystery, intrigue and light romance await you. Oh and maybe, the ghost of your American, almost royal cousin!
Welcome to Cherrywood Hall…where the English and American factions of a historic family come together for a competition that’s murder! It’s quite a fabulous world that author Victoria Cline Barton introduces readers to in this first book of the My American Almost-Royal Cousin series, and I was admittedly swept away by it all. From the exploration of the enormous family estate to participating in a traditional English fox hunt, there’s scarcely a moment of down-time for the intelligent and lovely main character, Gemma Phillips. Prepare to be charmed as this energetic heroine finds herself relocating from the beaches of Malibu right into the midst of a royally competitive mystery. (And I do so love a woman who isn’t ever afraid to eat!) There is no shortage of stunning locations or interesting characters in this page-turner that just keeps getting better as it goes along. Cozy mystery fans both new and established will fall in love with darn near everything about this smartly-written opening tale, including the nice wrap-up ending. This is definitely a great start to a highly recommended series, especially when accompanied by a warm blanket and a cup of Earl Grey tea. Cheers! (less)
I love a murder mystery, so I was sold on the concept of Gemma Phillips visiting the UK from the USA and getting embroiled in a classic English Country House mystery. The writing is wonderful, the settings sumptuous, and the characterizations ring with a veracity which make the books easy to visualize, and play in your head like a movie. I particularly like the Gemma as a protagonist, and she was a perfect foil for a tale of history, legacy, murder, double-dealing, and a lovely spark of romance. Highly recommended.
As an American Anglophile, I loved the premise of this story: Gemma lives in Malibu, but she travels to the luxurious England home of her cousin Evan, a grand estate called Cherrywood Hall. The estate is one of four in consideration to be the setting for a new period drama TV series, and the producers have organized a series of events for each estate to hold before making their decision. Gemma loves the estate and finds a new love interest, but also comes uncomfortably close to danger. Who is willing to kill in order to win this competition? Or is there another motive involved? This is a wonderful tale for anyone who loves magnificent English houses or cozy mysteries, and Ms. Barton has a gift for describing Gemma’s surroundings with flair. I look forward to reading more of her work!