American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, PhD, can tell you that owning and running a large estate is much less glamorous than it sounds. Her ancestral home of Cherrywood Hall is stunning, but Gemma knows how much hard work her cousin, Lord Evan Lancaster, and his estate manager, Kyle Williams, put into maintaining the sprawling location.Castlewood Manor, on the other hand, is all the glamour … hand, is all the glamour with none of the grit. The period drama television series is set to film in Cherrywood Hall and bring millions of pounds into the local community. The only problem is that someone wants to see the production shut down permanently and is willing to kill for it! Gemma isn’t about to let a murderer run rampant through the halls of her family’s estate. When Scotland Yard’s own Chief Inspector Marquot solicits her advice, she once again enlists the help of Evan and Kyle to catch the culprit.
Egotistical actors, a royal it-girl, rival estate owners, and even a family ghost spring up to help or hinder Gemma on her quest for the truth. Will it be enough to show Gemma just what kind of evil has been brought to Cherrywood Hall?
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For some inexplicable reason I initially thought that, Cast, Crew and Carnage was a companion reader for another novel. Boy was I ever wrong.
Is rompalicious even a word? “Some of the not-so-pleasant contestants and a judge tried to shoot me to get Cherrywood Hall out of the competition. Luckily the shot ricocheted off the tiara, only grazing me.”
Lucky for you they were a bad shot Gemma! Diamonds really are a girl’s best friend!
Dr. Gemma Phillips, a former Malibu resident turned heiress returns to showcase her family’s British estate Cherrywood Hall is highlighted in a TV series called Castlewood Manor. The fur is flying and everyone wants in on the action. “Well, I just crafted a polite but negative response to a Hollywood film director who was begging that we participate in his newest concept, The Zombies of Cherrywood.”
Movie stars, wanna be actors, models, grumpy directors and writers are filling the guestrooms and the Mega-Closet is packed full of designer gowns and family heirlooms left behind from the magnificent and larger than life Aunt Pippa, a former resident and change-maker whom everyone still adores, especially her direct descendant Gemma.
Pippa is a classy and mysterious woman who plays an important role as a gentle ghost who watches over her family from the great beyond and sends messages and warnings through the fireplace and her portrait hung over the mantle.
Gemma’s timid romance moves into more dangerous waters as she and the handsome and gentlemanly Kyle, the estate manager explore what it means to commit in a world where many cant or seem unable to trust. Their relationship is romantic, tender and sweet and there’s a hesitation many of us might understand, as they are both adults with their own baggage and undeclared needs they bring to the table.
A.K.A. Stephanie, the brilliant and exciting woman who is a well-known architect hired to build and design a special retreat on the grounds as part of the promotion of the estate and winery. A woman, who has a history with Kyle, looks the part and has a pilot’s license to boot. Stephanie is a self-made success who seems immediately to put the claws out and makes the normally confidant and straightforward Gemma feel less than just by being her fabulous self.
Gemma worrying that her new boyfriend might stray is a very human emotion and the dangerous, triangulated relationships in the story are common with people who are out in the world accomplishing great things. I believe that is called having “options.”
When Jason, an affable and talented writer shows up with an eye on Gemma, Kyle gets a run for his money as well.
As in the first novel in the series, we enjoy a country setting of a sprawling English manor and Maidenford, a sleepy village that overlooks the North Sea.
A slew of interesting characters come in and out of the scenes to drink their weight in sherry at dinner, the famous Hollywood film star Ma-ma, who is also Gemma’s mother is keeping it real with the hustle. A woman who always makes sure she shows her best side to the paparazzi. Although she comes off slightly vain because she’s obsessed with physical looks, she has a good heart, truly loves her daughter and is genuine in her personal relationships.
The themes of jealousy, fear of love and loss in all its forms, the cost of revenge and hope are all intertwined in the adventure of having a TV series created with real-life royals as part of the cast.
This is women’s fiction wrapped inside a cozy mystery. As I have come to expect from this author, we have exceptional, culinary delights, high-fashion from the House of McQ, (if this is a reference to the designer Alexander McQueen and his amazing talent, I approve!) drama, jewels to rival the Crown and an ironic and witty look at who done it. “Murders do tend to give one an appetite,” Max remarked, loading his plate. We all looked at him and groaned.”
Who knew?
Once we meet the characters another dynamic unfolds. A young woman arrives and she seems to be dallying with a much older man. A young woman and a lady of royal blood, Evangeline who was possibly sent to the country by the queen herself to stay off the social party circuit in London until she settles down a bit. Hardly!
There are more than a few twists as to who is doing what with whom and who is trying to put a wrench in the TV show production with well timed “accidents,” then actual murders. Perhaps that same someone is possibly out to kill Gemma as well. The murder weapon of choice was highly creative and its delivery was pure mischief!
I won’t give it all away, but the ending was perfect, a luscious, royal fantasy for dessert was a lovely wrap up. If you love to escape into a cozy, murder mystery and long for a little glitz in the English countryside, you will love this one.
Aunt Pippa would approve!
“Cast, Crew, and Carnage” is Book 2 in the My American Almost Royal Cousin series by Veronica Cline Barton. Off we go, back over the pond, to pick up where we left Gemma and company months after Cherrywood Hall won the esteemed estate competition. The manor house is a hub of activity between series filming and business ventures, but there is still plenty of fun and danger to be had. Kudos to the author for her attention to detail in all things royal…from knighthood to designer gowns to scandalous gossip and everything in-between. Glamorous backdrops interwoven with peril keep mystery fans engaged and, in some instances, unable to put the book down. (I won’t give anything away, but my favorite part involved hot air balloons!) And through it all, charming main character Gemma works her magic among the royal social classes with American grace and attitude. High recommendations for this installment of the series and happily on to Book 3. Cheers! (less)
5 Stars ~ Cozy mystery at its best … Brilliant!
Veronica Cline Barton wows readers with this second installment to her My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series. Revisiting Cherrywood Hall aka Castlewood Manor was so much fun, especially as Gemma, the other characters, and even the castle ghost feel like friends. So grab a cuppa and let this talented author sweep you into Gemma’s world where mystery, romance, a delicious dash of wit, and danger blend into a thoroughly satisfying and irresistible tale. Anglophiles and fans of British cozies will fall in love with Cast, Crew & Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor. It’s a masterpiece! Highly recommended.
Debuts, debutantes, delicacies…and death await in this second book in the My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series by Veronica Cline Barton.
Book two begins right where book one left off as the cast and crew start filming at Castlewood Manor aka Cherrywood Hall. Ms. Barton doesn’t disappoint as the reader is put right into the action as the bodies start to pile up once more and a killer is on the loose again.
I enjoyed catching up with all the characters; the banter between Gemma, Ma-ma and Aunt Margaret. I also enjoyed the strength of the relationships and bonds in this one. I loved how Kyle and Gemma progressed in their romance and that Kyle was such a hero.
If you enjoy a cozy mystery in the magnificence of the English manors then grab this one up and get sucked into the drama, plot and intrigue.
Another good story by Barton. The mysteries continue at Castlewood Manor. The cast and crew get ready for their first season, at Cherrywood Hall. It’s lights, camera, action, and murder…Can Gemma and the crew keep it together before the whole set is destroyed by mayhem?
I’m looking forward to reading her next book.
Oh, how I’ve been waiting for this one. After finishing this second novel in the My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series, I can honestly say, Whoa! Whoa, what a blast of delicious cuisine. Yum, I’m hungry! And whoa, again with the vivid colors, the popping imagery, more of Veronica’s elegant prose, which seemed to keep my taste buds, and every other sense activated—and whoa, the skulduggery. Twice as treacherous. I find myself leaning toward liking this second book in the series, even more than the first. And that’s saying a lot because the first was five stars, hands down.
Travis Borne’s book review of Cast, Crew & Carnage, by Veronica Cline BartonCast, Crew & Carnage possessed a variety of, well, just about everything. We find ourselves back again, in Gemma’s splendid new world, abroad, in and about Cherrywood Hall, a.k.a. Castlewood Manor for the filming of the premiere, which now has some new competition, and then to London for some very special ceremonies. No spoilers, but it’s something quite rewarding. And Gemma has really taken a liking to her new world, as one new gentlemen character making his debut, takes a liking to her. A bit of jealously here and there, some scandals with old rivals and new ones, and ensuing adventure that doesn’t disappoint. There’s TV show appearances that don’t go as planned, but plenty of fabulous ensembles and palatial feasts, and even drones… Yep, but hush, I say to myself. No spoilers, Travis!
Jewels enough to make your eyes drool, as well as Chef Karl’s seemingly omnipotent kitchen creations. They’ll have your mouth drooling, and if you’re anything like me, this novel will surely arouse your hunger. It did mine. The author’s potent power of ingenuity in devising delicious dishes throughout the book, managed that easily. I mean, had I to guess I’d say Veronica Cline Barton is not only a connoisseur of fine art, splendid dress and fashion, and fascinating jewelry—and boots, of course boots!—but a master chef as well. Because yet again, Veronica’s writing has proven itself with clean, flowing prose that excites every sense. Her marvelous descriptions were potent, not dragging on the pace of the plot, yet divinely scrumptious just the same. A perfect balance. At times you’d be on-the-edge-of-your-seat, enjoying the most harrowing of rescues, nearly falling from the sky or heading toward sudden death, by way of car crash or food poisoning, or… No spoilers, Travis! But then and just like that, enjoying a delicious meal, then relishing some proper kissing, under the sheets, even…
This second novel is twice as harrowing, twice as heartbreaking and twice as heartwarming, but not all is lost, if they can just reach… and don’t eat the… make it to the… grab the… find out who in the world loosened those screws…
Decipher these mysteries!
Hot-air-balloons propel your imagination into the England sky (my favorite chapter), above Cherrywood Hall with stunning ocean views brought to life by Veronica’s mastery of words. Embark on some of the most thrilling engagements where you’ll revel in warm consummations, be suddenly shocked by cold circumstances—accident? If not, possibly uncover the devious machinator(s). Find out who’s behind these scheming plots… revel in steamy love, meet new friends, new enemies with bottomless-pit lows….
Together again as a family, closer than ever. Cherrywood Hall, a.k.a. Castlewood Manor and the cameras are rolling, where family is stronger and closer than ever. But not everyone. Who is the murderous malefactor, who’ll make it and who won’t, who’s next? You’ll never guess. But you can find out—in this hands-down, five-star sequel! Highly recommended by me, Travis Borne. Get your copy!
I’m purchasing the third installment in the series right now!