He would make a lovely corpse… the following day, wondering if she’s hallucinating when she finds the body of the famous 19th century author slumped over the desk. Seeing him wandering the Charleton grounds later in the day, very much alive, Sophie begins to question her sanity. Has Dickens risen from the grave? Or is the murderer’s work incomplete?
With the dead man’s true identity revealed and the police on site, Sophie can’t resist launching her own investigation, enlisting the help of her closest friend and verbal sparring partner, tour guide Mark Boxer. Are present-day scandals and jealousies behind the murder, or does the truth perhaps lie in a half-forgotten crime from the past? Is there really a spark of romance developing between Sophie and DC Joe Greene? And just how significant will outspoken gift-shop manager Joyce’s talents as a Tiller Girl prove to be?
Mystery fans, wrap up warm, grab a coffee and cookie, and join Sophie as she explores the mists of the past and the deceptions of the present to uncover the truth.
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I have really been enjoying the Charleton House mysteries. Ms. Adams has raised the bar in Sleep Like the Dead. These mysteries have a wonderful cast of recurring characters. There are always too may suspects and possible motives. .This time it is unclear if the actual victim (who was in costume) was really the intended victim. As always Detective Constable Greene warns Sophie to stay out of the police investigation. As usual, Sophie does not listen. It evens seems like Detective Sergeant Harnby asks for Sophie’s help instead of warning her to not meddle. Joyce, the gift shop manager, really makes an impression in this book! This is a delightful mystery that I could not put down.
A sleepover and a murder.
A sleepover at Charleton House ends in Charles Dickens being murdered. Or was he? Sophie and the gang are kept busy as usual but can they figure out another murder? Ms. Adams has such a knack for leading on the reader with so many red herrings and this installment to her Charleton House series is no exception. Will Sophie figure out who did it before she becomes the next victim? So much going on, I didn’t have it figured out. So much fun to read this series! And wouldn’t a sleepover be so much fun? Minus the murder!
I receive an ARC. This is my honest review.
Another fantastic tour around Charlton House as Sophie tries to unravel who would want to kill Charles Dickens. The character of Charles Dickens is played by Conrad, but on a closer view the body turns out to be someone else. Who amongst the sleepover guests had a motive for murder? A great story with more insight into the characters who work at Charlton House. I liked the dash of humour stirred in with the coffee and cake. Another great book Ms. Adams ……. keep ‘em coming
I am loving this cozy mystery series set in Derbyshire countryside in England at a historical home called Charleston House. The cast of this cozy is so well written. I love how they interact with each other. The storyline for this book starts with a sleepover in the long gallery of the great house. How fun would that be! Well minus the murder maybe. Kate Adams once again does an incredible job. This is my honest review and I thank Kate Adams for the ARC. I hope Kate writes more in this series.
If you’re not reading this series, why not?
Enjoy the location, the characters, the further development of the characters, and great mysteries.
Once again Sophie gets very involved in the murder mystery and somewhat to the annoyance of the local constabulary!
The murder victim? Charles Dickens! Well, someone portraying Dickens. But, was the victim the intended target?
Reading the book is the solution.
In fact, read the entire series. Each entry truly is better than the previous one and each is a great read.
I am ready and waiting for the next installment…
Charleton House is a British estate which runs 3 cafes, tours of the home and gardens, and new to the table are the sleepovers. But these sleepovers are for adults with tours, dinner, dancing and a talk by Charles Dickens. Unfortunately, by morning Dickens is dead and Sophie is back on the case.
This is a great new series. And I have enjoyed all the books. The characters are great. And how could the setting be better?
People are excited to get to sleep over at historic Charleton House. What a wonderful chance to get a special behind the scenes tour and scandalous stories of the aristocracy. The group didn’t expect to be at the scene of a murder. Sophie Lockwood, the head of catering, finds the body. Unfortunately it’s not the first time this has happened. Poor Sophie! She’s getting a reputation for her abilities to solve murder. I like this lady. She faces what’s happened with courage and intelligence. Her ability to get people to talk is important and yields results. The workers at Charleton House are an interesting group. I’m fond of Mark Boxer. His sense of humor is outrageous and makes me laugh. Joyce Brocklehurst is fascinating. What a free spirit. I love her style and panache I enjoy this series. Kate P. Adams has given me everything that I enjoy – a suspenseful cozy, great characters, sparkling dialogue and a setting that makes me jealous. I can’t wait for Sophie to investigate another deadly occurrence at the mansion.
Another wonderful time at Charleton House. This time we get to have a sleepover in the Long Gallery and spend time with Charles Dickens. There’s dinner and dancing and a reading by Dickens then off to bed to sleep on the floor. Unfortunately, in the morning Dickens is dead (or is he?). Sophie finds the body and the alarm is sounded. Sophie is on the case with the help of some wonderful characters. I love reading about how people lived earlier, especially the landed gentry. The house is as much a character as the residents and employees. The mystery is good with lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. Very entertaining cozy!
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This was a fascinating mystery! So many possible suspects. So many unknowns. I loved the whole re-enactment with Charles Dickens. I loved this book!
Sleep Like the Dead is another fascinating read in the Charleton House series! It is Sophie who again finds the body as an event was almost at an end at Charleton House. As the police are interviewing the attendees and gathering evidence Sophie kicks into sleuthing gear. The biggest question is – – Was this the intended victim? Loving these stories and these wonderful characters!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Another charming installment in this delectable British cozy series!
Opening a new Charleton House Mystery book is like returning to a familiar place after being away for a while…the pleasure of seeing friends and colleagues and catching up with all the latest news and gossip. A very cosy, comfortable place to be. But of course there is the possibility of something dramatic and unsettling happening there too….a murder perhaps.
I enjoy the way in which we get to meet new characters in each book but also very gratifying is the way in which we see growth in characters from earlier books in the series. We were previously introduced to Chelsea, an assistant in the Library coffee shop. She was a rather ditzy young lady, often late for work, disheveled in appearance and careless in attitude. Towards the end of the previous book Sophie discovers the unexpected reason for this and works to remedy the situation. What a joy to discover in ‘Sleep Like The Dead’ that Chelsea is now an enthusiastic and capable young employee.
I do have a word of warning to first time readers of a Charleton House Mystery…taking a big gulp of coffee whilst reading may not end well as there are so many hilarious little nuggets in between the serious bits that laughing out loud at some point is inevitable.
Read as a free ARC but this is my voluntary review.
A group of about 60 people are having a sleep-over at Charleton House. The Duke and Dutchess, as well as all of the guests are all dressed in costumes from the 1800s. Conrad Brett is playing the part of Charles Dickens and will be reading from two of his stories. Sophie Lockwood has her hands full coordinating the food and drinks for the guests. It is a shame that not all of the guests get along very well with others and there are more than a few raised voices. It is well after midnight before everybody finally settles down for the night.
The next morning, Sophie finds a body in the break room that is dressed like Charles Dickens. She thinks the body is Conrad, but it turns out to be another one of the guests, Thomas Hattersley. Was Conrad the intended victim? Or was Thomas the intended victim? Can Sophie figure out what really happened?
Kate Adams has another winner with this installment of the Charleton House Mysteries. The history she weaves into the story adds an extra dimension and keeps the reader engrossed. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.