Lucy Stone’s hometown of Tinker’s Cove, Maine, is where her heart is. But traveling to merry old England brings delightful adventure—along with a helping or two or murder—in these beloved mysteries . . . ENGLISH TEA MURDERA trip to England, sponsored by Winchester College, sounds practically perfect to Lucy Stone—until the tour leader suffers a fatal asthma attack mid-flight. Lucy suspects some … attack mid-flight. Lucy suspects some very unnatural causes, but luckily, she packed her sleuthing skills. Between stops for afternoon tea, visits to historic sites, and catching up with an old flame, she’s ensnared in a daring scheme. But will it lead her to a criminal mastermind—or ensure that she’s the next victim?
BRITISH MANOR MURDER
Lucy can’t wait to join her friend Sue for a gala hat show at the English country house owned by the Earl of Wickham. But at Moreton Manor, there are secrets—and some unpleasant relatives—lurking among the elaborate chapeaus. When a bludgeoned body is found in a hidden room, Lucy must sift through friends and family foes to find the low-down killer stalking the upper crust, before more blue blood runs red . . .
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British Murder by Leslie Meier contains two previously published Lucy Stone Mysteries. They can be read as standalones for those new to the series. I have read every Lucy Stone Mystery book. I find them all enjoyable to read and highly entertaining. English Tea Murder and British Manor Murder to contain good writing and the stories moved along at a fast clip. The characters remind me of everyday people. Lucy and her family could be my neighbors or relatives and I like that. The two mysteries were different from each other. The whodunit is British Manor Murder involved more than just a dead body. I liked that there were various elements to it. I enjoyed following the clues and identifying the killer. English Tea Murder had a light mystery. It is more about Lucy’s adventures on the trip. I wish there had more mystery in this one (Less complaining and catching up with an old friend). Leslie Meier has an easy breezy style of writing that makes her stories a pleasure to read. It was also nice to revisit Lucy, her family, and friends. While I love Tinker’s Cove, it was nice to visit a different locale with Lucy. Tinker’s Cove really does not need another dead body (the town is bound to get a bad reputation). The only thing I did not like was how whiny Lucy was at the beginning of British Manor Murder. It did not fit with Lucy’s personality. British Manor Murder contains two lighthearted cozy mysteries that has Lucy donning her sleuthing cap to solve two crimes in jolly old England.
On Sale February 25th, 2020
A new compilation out February 25th in the “A Lucy Stone Mystery” cozy book series from Leslie Meier, British Murder. Published by Kensington Books will have fans looking back in fondness at this series.
Lucy Stone has been a fan favorite for many years, she is spunky, curious, and always seems to stick her nose into trouble. This cozy book series still has readers smiling, and sometimes, crying. The characters are warm, compassionate, intelligent, and engaging. The settings are fascinating and remind you of small towns around the globe. Lucy’s children make you smile, and her husband keeps her and the reader grounded.
This book is a compilation of two older books in this series. The first story is set when Lucy still has young children at home and her first trip to England. The second story has Lucy as a dotting grandmother who is suffering from empty nest syndrome and a return to England. Both cozy books were popular and fun to read, and this compilation will encourage readers to go back and re-read the entire series. It is with a smile that I recommend British Murder and the entire Lucy Stone series.
British Murder by Leslie Meier is a collection of two British-themed cozy murder mysteries that have been a part of the super-fabulous Lucy Stone mystery series.
It packages #17 English Tea Murder and #23 British Manor Murder together with a super cute new cover art scheme.
I have to admit I have been a HUGE fan of Lucy Stone and her family and gang of Tinker’s Cove, Maine since the beginning and have read every one of the installments. It is still as amazing as it was many years ago. I have already read both books, however it has been several years for both, so I took this time to read through them again. It is a compliment to say that I enjoyed both stories just as much the second time around as well.
I love Lucy Stone (and always will) and I also love anything concerning England and Scotland, so this was a win-win for me. A must for any fan.
5/5 stars
In this first short Lucy is excited to be going across the pond to England especially since the trip is being sponsored by Winchester College. Things get off on a horrific foot when the tour leader suffers an asthma attack that ends up being fatal. Lucy suspects foul play and puts her investigative hat on while e noting her trip at the same time.
In this second short Lucy is looking forward to enjoying a gala hat show along with her friend from home Sue. While staying at the manor a body is found in a hidden room and there are many people that need to be questioned. Lucy isn’t going to let a body ruin her trip she has I is problem with enjoying her stay and investigating at the same time.
This was a fun read that included two wonderful shorts, showing that Lucy isn’t just a stay at home mom with a part time job who never travels. She can definitely hold her own no matter what country she is in.
Leslie Meier’s British Murder is a combination of two previously published Lucy Stone books – English Tea Murder and British Manor Murder.
English Tea Murder finds Lucy and her pals traveling to England with a college tour group. When their guide dies mid-flight, a replacement is sent and the trip goes on as scheduled but when Lucy begins to suspect that the guide’s death was more than just a tragic accident, she discovers there may be a connection to the grand dame of mysteries, Agatha Christie!
In British Manor Murder, Lucy and Sue return to England to visit Sue’s friend, Perry, Earl of Wickham. Soon after their arrival not one but two dead bodies are found in the manor home, and Lucy must discover who the culprit is before anyone else meets an untimely death.
Another great anthology starring Tinker Cove’s star reporter! A+++
When I requested this ARC I wasn’t aware that it was two mysteries in one volume. This was a nice surprise and I enjoyed rereading both with a pot of tea on a very rainy weekend. Any mystery Leslie Meier sets in England gets my attention.
The first mystery is #17 and the second is #23 (2011 and 2016) and each can be read as a stand alone. In English Tea Murder Lucy and her friends Sue, Pam and Rachel are on their way to England as part of a college arranged tour but things go very wrong when the professor leading the tour dies mid flight. Once on British soil they wait for another faculty member to take over. Of course, this being an event involving Lucy, murder has hitched a ride on the tour and Lucy adds sleuthing to her itinerary. The mystery wasn’t the strongest but that happens in a long running series (26 entries, so far). Every once in awhile there is one that isn’t going to be a five star. I gave it 3 stars.
The other half of this book is #23, British Manor Murder and is stronger than English Tea Murder, earning it a 4 star. Lucy is in a funk and, when her friend Sue, invites her to accompany her on a trip to England and a hat show called Heads Up, hosted by Perry, Earl of Wickham and his sister, Poppy. As soon as they arrive strange things occur leading to murder and the ensuing investigation making for a pleasant reading escape.
All in all, any of Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone mysteries are a lovely cozy reading experience and I was happy to reread both of these entries.
This is a grouping of 2 of the Leslie Meier Lucy Stone books. I have enjoyed these books and was disappointed to find this was not a new book. It’s book 17 and 23 in the series grouped together. It seems like an odd grouping as the books are not in order in the series.
At any rate I have spent years enjoying the Lucy Stone books and would recommend these to anyone who hasn’t tried this series before.
amateur-sleuth, murder, England, cozy-mystery, angst, depression, family-dynamics, friendship,
There are two novellas with British themes that appear to be a rebranding of previous publications.
ENGLISH TEA MURDER ***stars
As a travelogue of London and the area it was very nice, but as a cozy mystery not so much. It seemed like the first death was a medical misadventure but turned out to be murder. Lacked any real investigation and the characters were disappointing.
BRITISH MANOR MURDER***stars
This is apparently four years after the first in this book. Lucy is in a depression and doesn’t want to hear her friends suggestions of her being in need of professional help. She does reluctantly agree to go with friend Sue to visit an acquaintance who has a mansion in England. Excellent word pictures of people and scenery, but the whole business of the British family’s personal problems is rather mundane and makes it seem as if the steam has gone out of a series I used to enjoy.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.