In a new Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery, Meg Barrett will have to uncover the truth about a long-ago murder before a killer decides she’s history . . .When decorator Meg Barrett travels to a remote mansion to help select period pieces for a new 1930s-style television mystery series, she’s chilled to learn that the manor was once a mental asylum and the site of a mysterious decades-old murder. … mysterious decades-old murder. And when a fierce blizzard knocks out the power and strands Meg and her cohorts in the home’s rickety old elevator, they emerge to discover that another person has been murdered—in the same macabre manner as the original victim.
With a suspect list limited to those who were also stranded at the manor, Meg begins digging through their backgrounds for clues to both the old and new murder, trying to discover a connection that will lead her to the culprit’s identity. But the more she learns, the more clear it becomes that someone wants to keep the secrets of the past buried, and Meg knows she’ll have to watch her back before a ruthless killer decides to commit her to a grisly fate . . .
Includes scrumptious recipes and vintage decorating tips!
Praise for the Hamptons Home & Garden Mysteries:
“A delightful sneak peek into life in the Hamptons, with intricate plotting and a likeable, down-to-earth protagonist. A promising start to a promising series.”
—Suspense Magazine on Better Homes and Corpses
“An excellent read.”
—RT Book Reviews on Hearse and Gardens
“Ghostal Living is a marvelously entertaining tale of revenge, murder, quirky characters—and disappearing books! With a clever protagonist, wonderful details of life in the Hamptons, and plot twists on top of plot twists, Kathleen Bridge will have mystery readers clamoring for more.”
—Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Kathleen Bridge is the national bestselling author of the Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery series and the By the Sea Mystery series. A member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, she is also the author and photographer of an antiques reference guide, Lithographed Paper Toys, Books, and Games. Kathleen teaches creative writing in addition to working as an antiques and vintage dealer, and blissfully lives on a barrier island in Florida. Readers can visit her on the web at www.kathleenbridge.com.
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A copycat killer lurks in an eerie, yet fascinating old insane asylum mansion that sets a great stage for Author Kathleen Bridge to tell her latest Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery #4.
Turbulent weather near Christmas threatens to hinder Meg Barrett and her best friend, Elle Warner as they assist the TV production staff who are about to film a mini-series at Nightingale Manor. The two friends are hired to select appropriate furnishings for a 1930’s setting. An attic full of vintage treasures awaits them. So does a body in the basement.
The author weaves a mesmerizing tale connecting a 60 year old murder and a current crime scene at the former mental institution. I was absolutely captivated by all the surprising reveals, and even had a few chuckles at some of the dry humor.
The protagonist and recurring secondary characters in this series are really enjoyable. Meg is torn between two men; Patrick and Cole, and I felt like she’d made a decision by the end of this novel. I’m eagerly looking forward to book #5 to see what happens next! The author also adds some interesting tips on refurbishing on a budget, and some great recipes to try.
“Manor of Dying” by Kathleen Bridge is the 4th installment in “A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery”. I highly recommend this book and I purchased the previous 3 books as soon as I finished reading.
In a new Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery, Meg Barrett will have to uncover the truth about a long-ago murder before a killer decides she’s history . . .
When decorator Meg Barrett travels to a remote mansion to help select period pieces for a new 1930s-style television mystery series, she’s chilled to learn that the manor was once a mental asylum and the site of a mysterious decades-old murder. And when a fierce blizzard knocks out the power and strands Meg and her cohorts in the home’s rickety old elevator, they emerge to discover that another person has been murdered—in the same macabre manner as the original victim.
With a suspect list limited to those who were also stranded at the manor, Meg begins digging through their backgrounds for clues to both the old and new murder, trying to discover a connection that will lead her to the culprit’s identity. But the more she learns, the more clear it becomes that someone wants to keep the secrets of the past buried, and Meg knows she’ll have to watch her back before a ruthless killer decides to commit her to a grisly fate . . .
Includes scrumptious recipes and vintage decorating tips!
The Protagonist Meg is clever, well developed and down to earth. There were quirky characters and likeable side characters. I enjoyed the relationship between Meg and her BFF Elle.
The description of the Hamptons, vintage clothes and Nightingale Manor was wonderful. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep me wanting to find out what will happen next. The book is engaging from start to finish, grabbing you from the very beginning.
Highly recommended. A fabulous book for an author I will definitely follow in the future.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
“Manor of Dying” earns 5/5 Vintage Mysteries…Clever and Engaging!
I am an eager fan of Kathleen Bridge’s By the Sea Mystery series, so I’m embarrassed I’ve not been faithful to her Hampton’s Home & Garden Mystery series. But, better late than never…after reading book five, I am a fan now!
Meg Barrett has set up a lovely interior design business, Cottages by the Sea, in Montauk, Long Island, and with the slow down in business opportunities during the winter months, she accepted a job at Nightingale Manor on Shelter Island, just a short ferry ride across some choppy grayish waters. Hired by a film crew setting up for a Thin Man-style mini series, Meg and BFF/partner Elle would be inventorying items to be used for the 1930s era and assisting the set designer. But, the old manor, once an sanatorium/asylum, and site of a grizzly murder sixty years ago…oooh, that’s a super set up for things to go wrong! Then the arrival of a major storm, a power outage, elevator mishap, and a dead body…ok, things have definitely gone wrong! I love it!
Cozy fans will love it, too! Kathleen Bridge’s well-written first-person narrative allowed me the vicarious thrill to be in the middle of Meg’s experience….her fears, her strengths, her connections with other people, and her journey to a very exciting conclusion. The mystery kept me quite engaged, fascinated by the tales behind the murderous events at the manor and the current owner’s legal issues, and challenged to determine the culprit. Her writing style was rich with vivid description of the physical and the emotional, and dialogue illustrated well the tone and personalities. I really like the sister-like dynamic between Meg and Elle, and the manner in which they collaborate. There are a lot of characters to follow, but there were enough references to keep everyone’s story straight. Karma did well to bring motive into clarity..creative!
And I love the bonuses! Meg and Elle’s Think-Outside-the-Box Guide to Repurposing Vintage Finds highlights ideas about creating a barista station in the kitchen, turning a windowsill into an herb garden, one-of-a-kind magnets, and more. For the culinary fan easy-to-follow Year-Round Party Pleasers: Jeff Barrett’s Roquefort/Fig Flatbread, Meg’s Mozzarella Balls, Artichokes and Olives, Meg’s Easy Cheesecake Bars, and Claire’s Cranberry Pineapple Punch!
cozy-mystery, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, women-sleuths, friendship
Good friends Meg and Elle have similar taste and interests and now get to indulge themselves by choosing the furniture and things for the sets for a new miniseries filmed in their area. The building being used is a 1930s mansion on an island nearby. But it’s December and that means lots of snow and using the ferry. It also meant a power outage while being stuck in the elderly household elevator. Which meant that they didn’t get to know who committed the murder. Let the sleuthing begin!
The plot holds interest, lots of red herrings and twists, convincing suspects, and a much earlier murder to be reexamined. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
This book hit all my favorite mystery themes: a secluded manor, delving into the past and an unsolved death from decades ago, atmospheric locations, and something I love to do, hunting through antiques. Add to that a perplexing cast of suspects, and you’ve got a fun, entertaining, and engaging read! I loved the main character, Meg Barret, who now feels like a friend, and I’d love nothing more than to head to the Hamptons to hang out with her and her friends for a weekend.
Manor of Dying can be read alone if you have not read the previous three books in A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery series. The author provided the backgrounds on the main characters plus we are told about the last three cases. The characters are developed and relatable. Kathleen Bridge is a descriptive writer which will allow readers to visualize the scenes and the characters. However, it does slow down the pace of the story. I enjoyed the information on various decorating styles and the descriptions of the beautiful antiques. I wanted some of the lovely pieces stored in the attic of Nightingale Manor. The mystery was interesting in the way it tied to the past murder. I liked how Meg found various clues to the old case while digging into Dr. Nightingale’s murder. I wish it had been a little more challenging to identify Dr. Nightingale’s killer. The story highlights how women were treated in psychiatric facilities in the past plus the horrible procedures they suffered in an attempt to “cure” them. Meg is missing her boyfriend, Cole with the holidays approaching. They get to spend so little time together. Patrick Seaton, though, continues to be thrown in her path and she cannot help but think about a future with him. We will have to wait and see what happens. Manor of Dying has vintage fashions, a beach poet, a creepy sanitorium basement, two adorable Scottie dogs, an iced cosmetic surgeon, and one curious interior decorator.
Friends, Meg and Elle have been chosen the enviable task of choosing period furniture for a television mystery series set in the 1930’s. A remote mansion has been chosen for the site of the series and although Meg and Elle are excited, they are also apprehensive after learning that the manor was formerly a mental asylum and the site of a horrific murder. Does the future imitate the past? In this new interesting series set in the Hamptons, all roads lead to mystery and murder. A good book and I look forward to see what next these friends can get into. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest review.
What a great setting! A scary, old mental institution. I really enjoyed this story.