A mansion, a title and marriage to a wealthy Lord – Lady Eveline Cartwright has it all. Unfortunately, it’s not enough to prevent her being bludgeoned to death one night in the study of Merisham Lodge, the family’s country estate in Derbyshire. Suspicion quickly falls on her ne’er-do-well son, Peter, but not everyone in the household is convinced of his guilt. Head kitchen maid Joan Hart and … Hart and lady’s maid, Verity Hunter, know that when it comes to a crime, all is not always as it seems.
With suspicions and motives thick on the ground, Joan and Verity must use all the wit and courage they possess to expose a deadly murderer who will stop at nothing to achieve their aim…
Murder at Merisham Lodge is the first in a new series of historical mysteries, Miss Hart and Miss Hunter Investigate, set in the 1930s. The author, Celina Grace, is the creator of the bestselling The Kate Redman Mysteries and The Asharton Manor Mysteries, as well as several standalone thrillers.
Praise for Celina Grace by Amazon and Goodreads reviewers:
“Thoroughly enjoyed this read. I’ve been waiting for this story since the first of the Asharton novellas was published and I am very glad to see more of Joan and Verity. I think they are a great mystery team. Smart and active, but in a believable way. You don’t ever wonder how they could do what they do within the confines of their social roles and their “real” jobs are never thrown to the side.”
“Celina makes her characters someone you care about. I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes mysteries, especially period mysteries.”
” I love her writing style. This book does not disappoint. A great mix of mystery, humor and wonderful characters. All in a beautiful Manor. Very enjoyable read.”
“I have read the four Asharton Manor books and enjoyed them all, but the first story that introduced Joan and Verity was my favorite and I am so glad the author wrote another story with the two of them. This time period is very interesting to me and then to throw in a couple murders to solve makes it extra interesting. I hope to read more about Joan, Verity and ( maybe Inspector Marks ?) in future books.”
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I enjoyed the focus on two working class maids who use their brains and logic to solve a mystery. The identity of the murderer was not immediately obvious, as is the case with so many mysteries. Period details were a bonus!
What fun this book was
Enjoyed this. Stayed with me. Liked learning how the cooks and help lived and thought. The mystery was secondary to me
Good cozy mystery. I liked the characters and the insight into the past.
A good read
I have almost finished this book and am happily surprised. It is well written and my favorite sort of British cozy, I intend to order the other books in this series.
I would read more of the adventures of the “English house staff.”
Amusing summer read, but nothing special. I did enjoy learning more about servants’ lives and duties, but I wonder how often descriptions of kitchen work will hold my interest.
Easy to read appealing to the fan of “who-dun-its “
It is realistic and understandable for a maid to envy her employer’s wealth but the main character expressed feeling this way once too often, making her a bit off-putting.
For a very light, somewhat predictable “British upper classes” murder mystery, this book is very good…..the main characters are a cook and a maid, servants in other words, so a different take on the upper class life of the Brits of the 1930’s…..
Was not a style I enjoyed.
delightful insight into the lives of rich and their servants and their responsibilities to house & household. Currently reading so give it a 4 star probably will earn 5 by the time i’m finished.
Fun British who-done-it
The books characters were refreshing. The plot familiar but given new life.
Love this mystery and loved the two main characters. I felt like was downstairs with the two of them and just want to spend more time with them. The author gives away 3 additional books and one if them is another in their series. Utterly charming!
I enjoyed this Nancy Drew type mystery set in 1930’s England, from the point of view of the “under-cook”. She and her lifelong friend, both lowly servants in a wealthy household, help the police solve a murder mystery, while showing what everyday life was like at the time for haves and have nots. I also learned what a “swede” was. I’ve been eating them for a long time but just didn’t know it.
Not actually what I thought I was getting at first, but turned out to an enjoyable read.
The girl sleuths are a lady’s maid and an undercook at a country lodge in England. The girls seem to have a knack for getting jobs at mansions where murders take place and identifying clues for the police. The book was short and a quick easy read. Okay reading for a winter’s afternoon when stuck indoors, but not exciting enough to track down other books in the series.
Miss Marple style.