American Marchioness and mummy-to-be Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams is up to her maternity toes with the soon to be completed renovations at Cherrywood Hall and the planning for the Prince of Kingwood Ball, a royal, society event. The startling find of a skeleton in the construction zone brings renovations to a grinding halt. History is about to get a big royal wake-up call with this ghoulish … find, as scandals from the past are revealed.
Gemma’s college friend, interior designer extraordinaire, Rikkhe St. Claire has an eye for clues and a nose for trouble, helping Gemma uncover deadly details from years gone by. A new nanny’s in the halls of Cherrywood—will Figgy McEwen’s psychic conversations with the ghost whisperers from the past lead Scotland Yard to discover fiends most foul? Chaos on the film set of the Castlewood Manor movie lead to more than one deadly demise—are they accidents? Or pre-meditated?
Royal diaries, international intrigue, a film’s future, and meddling friends and family bring these scandalous happenings to a head. Gemma, hunky-dunky, hubby Kyle, and new doggie of the manor, Teddy are definitely in for double trouble in this almost-royal who dun nit like no other!
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Absolutely smashing!
Cline Barton soars to new heights with Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor, the newest edition to her fabulous My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series. Dedicated fans and Anglophiles will swoon with each turn of the page, while new readers will fall in love with Gemma and her friends in this fun and sparkling addition to the series.
Others will summarize the plot, so I’ll just enthuse over the author’s ability to create a riveting and delicious read. As a huge fan, I love returning to Cherrywood Hall, an atmospheric country manor house where everything is oh-so-British, and even royal – a perfect world, until it isn’t anymore and the mysteries and dangers slip in, weaving a spell, drawing you ever deeper into the story. Double Trouble is pure gold, grabbing the reader from the start and not letting go until you’ve read the last line with a huge smile and perhaps even a few fist-pumps in the air – for the sheer joy of the beautiful and oh-so-perfect ending.
As an aside, I want praise the author’s characterization. Her story people are wonderful. Praise includes Pippa, the castle ghost and a personal fave. It’s always such a joy to spend time with them all, revisiting the main cast and meeting new characters introduced along the way. Two new ones shine in this story: Gemma’s longtime friend Rikkhe. And – oh, how I love her! – Figgy McEwen, the Scottish ghost-whispering nanny. There’s a darling new dog character, too – Teddy, who wagged his way right into my heart. Now the villain… I’ll just say I was stunned. That, too, is the mark of an expert wordsmith. I’d have never guessed the villain’s identity. Well, done! And that’s the thing about this series: to read Cline Barton is more than just ‘turning the pages.’ You live the story and want more. The books don’t disappear at the end. They stay with you and hearing of a new ‘Gemma’ release is like Christmas. A celebration!
Bottom line: Put the kettle on, get cozy, and enjoy a wonderful visit to Merry Olde! Highly recommended.
Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor is a delightful, cozy mystery treat that continues the storyline (My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series #5) of Gemma, a modern woman in love who lives on a beautiful British estate with her husband, lest I forget a royal husband.
Kyle is not only handsome, but he’s incredibly thoughtful and romantic. Dare we swoon yet? On the “I wish he was my husband registry,” Sir Kyle would break the curve.
There is always a lot of champagne, fantastic fashion and yummy food courtesy of Mama’s romantic partner Chef Karl. (Mama is a famous Hollywood film star and Gemma’s fantastic mother as well.) The list of memorable characters and scandalous conundrums will keep you smiling. Lavish parties, cocktail hour, a film set with cast and crew and fantasy life are the perfect tonic for the escapist mystery and women’s fiction reader.
But there are also new characters (babies on board) and relationships on the horizon. Two new adult characters round out the memorable cast. One is a city sophisticate and the other a down-to-earth and quirky young woman who has psychic gifts from the great beyond.
The best thing about this series is that you will feel as if you live in a British mansion and are a personal guest at the over the top parties and hob-knobbing with royalty. There are a few dead bodies though, so watch out for envy, revenge and good old-fashioned jealousy… I would be remiss not to mention there is also magic, love, family interference and loads of fun.
I have read the entire series and just love feeling like part of the story as Gemma and Kyle move into another important phase of their fairy-tale relationship together.
Perhaps Aunt Pippa and Nanny Figgy will be sure that life always carries a little magic too? Start from the beginning of the series and relish every page.
Castlewood Manor, a beautiful estate in England, is the perfect setting for elegance, sophistication, family and mystery. And that’s what this fifth book in the series encompasses. The story’s prologue recounts a murder that occurred in 1934 at Castlewood Manor. As the story begins, we are quickly brought back to current times and our heroine, American Marchioness Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams. Gemma is married to the dashing Sir Kyle and is very pregnant with twins. They are attending a palace garden party hosted by the Queen.
With that beginning in mind, I hoped that a wonderful story would enfold, and I got my wish. And don’t worry. If some of the characters from other books in the series grabbed your fancy, many are back. They provide a feeling of coziness and connection. We’re also introduced to Figgy McEwen. This very capable, Scottish gal is hired as a nanny for the twins and is a delightful addition to the series. She’s not only witty and fun, but she also brings a sense of other-worldly psychic connections to the story.
I found myself happily lost in this newest addition to the series. Everything from the tantalizing food to the lavish furnishings whisked me away, once again, to a luxurious world across the pond. At the same time, there were secrets and intrigue to investigate, an inviting family to care about, and a murder to solve. I gave it five stars in all departments!