Determined to make the First Edition Library a success, Hayley Burke wasn’t expecting to have to solve an old friend’s murder in this all-new mystery from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate.Hayley Burke, curator of Lady Fowling’s collection of first edition mysteries, is settling into her position at the First Edition Library in Middlebank House. She’s even made progress with Lady … progress with Lady Fowling’s former secretary, the ornery Miss Woolgar. The women are busily preparing for an exhibition that will showcase Lady Fowling’s life and letters. Hayley knows the exhibition is a huge undertaking and decides, against her better judgement, to hire Oona Atherton, her former boss from the Jane Austen Centre to help with the planning.
Oona is known for being difficult, but all seems to be going swimmingly until she and Hayley uncover a one-page letter that alludes to a priceless edition of MURDER MUST ADVERTISE signed by several Golden Age of Mystery authors. Oona feels this book could be the focal point of the exhibition and becomes obsessed with finding it.
When they find clues that appear to point to the book being somewhere in the First Edition Library, Oona is certain she’s unraveled the mystery and texts Hayley the good news, but upon arriving back at Middlebank, Hayley finds her old boss dead at the bottom of the stairs. Did her discovery of the rare book get her killed or was it some angry shadow from her past? Hayley must read between the lines to catch a malicious murderer.
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What a great book. This is the second book in the First Edition Library Mystery series. The writing is spectacular, the characters seem to come to life. I hope there is another book in this series soon.
Murder is a Must earns 5/5 Classic Books…Engaging and Clever!
Haley Burke is anxious, about her first public event as curator of the First Edition Society. She has arranged for a literary salon evening with author Arthur Fish specking on “Fifty Ways to Murder,” and in exchange for having his own books available for purchase, he will waive his fee. A win—win for both her and Fish himself. Now…the next project. Haley has high expectations for an exhibition showcasing the fascinating life of Lady Fowling, the author, collector, and name sake of the First Edition Society. “Lady Georgiana Fowling: A Life in Words” would include a display of her personal journals, her own detective books on François Flambeaux, and, after finding a personal letter from Lady Fowling to Dorothy L. Sayers thanking her for the first edition copy of her “Murder Must Advertise” signed by members of the Detection Club, a find that could create a successful frenzy. She needs to get the Society’s approval, a venue to exhibit the artifacts, and someone to put it all together, but things fall into place with a cancellation at a popular location, a fortuitous run in with a former colleague, and an over-the-moon excited board of directors. But, the colleague from hell, leaked details about a book yet to be found, overzealous collectors, and after an incomplete text about the missing Sayers’ novel, a dead body suspiciously found at the bottom of a set of stairs, Haley is put into serious overdrive.
Brilliant! Marty Wingate has done Sayers proud with a MUST read mystery perfect for all cozy fans. The drama has elements found in Sayers’ “Murder Must Advertise” with a staircase, an accident not an accident, and as karma is dished out nicely, it is not without a few perilous moments. My inner “Lord Wimsey,” Sayers’ fictional detective, had suspicions about the killer and motive, but lots of misdirection kept me guessing to the end. Haley is a favorite cozy character with whom many can easily identify: witty, patient, clever, but struggling, as we all do, with self-confidence. The supporting cast envelopes a variety of different personalities making it well-rounded and complete. The setting in a mansion turned into a sanctuary of mystery books is the perfect element to entwine those classics and spark further reading. Wingate’s well-written and steady-paced first-person narrative is enriched with descriptive language and dialogue that illustrates well emotions and the different personalities. Be prepared to be reading well into the late hours, as I did, so put on a pot of tea!
Murder Is A Must is the second book in the First Edition Library Mystery series.
Haley Burke is settling in nicely to her job as curator of the First Edition Library. The library of the late Lady Fowling’s collection of first edition books of Golden Age of Mystery authors, First Edition Library. Haley has started having literary salons, and these salons have been quite popular. When an opening comes up at a nearby exhibition hall, she decides to have an exhibition that will showcase the library. She hires Oona, who she has worked for before and not the best of conditions, but she knows Oona is a top-rate organizer. They soon find a note suggesting a first edition copy of Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy L. Sayers and signed by all the Golden Age authors. Soon, Oona informs Haley that she may know where the missing book is. Haley heads over to the exhibition hall but arrives too late, finding Oona’s dead body at the bottom of a staircase. Haley will now have to learn whether Oona was murdered because she had information on the missing book or she had made someone mad enough to end her life.
The blossoming romance between Haley and Val continues to grow. Haley will meet Val’s twin daughters and fears that they will try and come between Haley and Val.
I enjoyed this story and felt it was well-written and plotted, and the characters were well-developed and quite enjoyable.
It will be interesting to see what will happen next for Haley.
I enjoy all of Marty Wingate novels. She writes well with captivating characters and events.
This is another in the First Edition Library Series. With the focus on Dorothy Sayers and Murder Must Advertise, I was happily caught up since I very much enjoy those books.
The story works well with a fun mystery within the mystery (where is the book hidden?).
It was a fine read.
Another charming installment in the First Edition Library Mysteries! I enjoyed getting to know the characters better as well as the city of Bath. It’s a wonderful modern cozy mystery.
Murder Is a Must, Marty Wingate’s second story featuring Hayley Burke and the First Edition Society, is a delightful cozy mystery, and one that I’ve already earmarked for a reread asap! After receiving approval to launch an exhibition highlighting the life and works of the society’s benefactress, Lady Georgiana Fowling, curator Hayley hires Oona Atherton to manage the project. Unfortunately for Oona, she is soon murdered in a way reminiscent of the crime featured in Murder Must Advertise, the classic detective story from Golden Age of Mystery author Dorothy L. Sayers. With hints of a copy of said book signed by all the members of the Detection Club somewhere in Middlebank House, Hayley’s on the trail of both the murderer and this priceless first edition. Highly recommended to one and all, especially those looking for a good mystery!
murder, museum, mystery, rare-books, detective-fiction, situational-humor, sly-humor, England
Hayley is the new curator of Lady Fowling’s collection and member of the First Edition Society which involves (among a host of regular duties) arranging for an exhibition showcasing Lady Fowling’s writing and collection. The regulars are certainly characters, but the infinitely capable but socially disastrous first event manager is murdered and her assistant is stuck in first gear since finding the body. Then there is the second event manager who is pretty loony in a different way. Hayley has been in contact with the DCI on the case before and keeps him up on any and every thing she happens across, all the while having some major wrangles in her personal life. I had not read the first book in series but never got lost in past issues. I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Berkley Publishing/Penguin Random House via NetGalley. Thank you!
What a wonderful read-I was so engrossed in the story and the characters that I couldn’t put it down.
Murder is a Must is the second book in the author’s A First Edition Library series featuring Hayley Burke, the curator of the First Edition Library which features the collection of Lady Fowling’s first edition mysteries from the Golden Age of Mystery.-Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers etc. I did not read the first entry (but I will!) and had no problem at all with following along. It would be fine as a standalone.
Haley has convinced the Board of the Library to hold an exhibition about Lady Fowling and her collection. She’s not confident to manage the exhibition herself so she hires Oona Atherton. Haley had worked with Oona before, and while it was not a pleasant experience, she knows she has the skills to get the job done especially with a quick turnaround-a cancellation at the preferred venue in only three months. Unfortunately, Oona is found murdered-a tumble down a staircase. Haley searches for motives-was it related to a priceless book that Lady Fowler has hidden, or due to her personality or past. Haley is not a TSTL protagonist, while she does some snooping, she shares the info with the local police. Haley is someone I’d like to share a coffee with, a divorced woman in her 40’s who has a daughter and a mother she loves and spends time with. She also has a love interest who is also a strong character himself.
I highly recommend this book-I had a heavy sigh when it finished and can’t wait to see how things progress in the next volume.
I requested and received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. However, the opinions expressed are honest and my own.