1916, Hannah travels to her sister’s home of Midwinter Manor with Aunt Violet to spend Christmas. But it isn’t the relaxing family Christmas they were expecting as one guest dies and a priceless ruby goes missing…
Murder at Midwinter Manor is the 3rd book to feature bookshop owners Hannah and Violet as they act as amateur sleuths during WW1.
As well as the usual stresses caused by a family gathering, Hannah is anxious to save her sister’s Christmas by finding the killer and the ruby. She is ably assisted as usual by her beau Darius, delightfully obtuse aunt Violet, and of course Bartleby the cat. The snowed in country house means that there is a limited number of suspects, motives and opportunities. Hannah needs to investigate to uncover links between the two crimes in order to solve them.
The family dynamic was enjoyable, however I was a little overwhelmed by the number of guests and their relationships, and felt that this could have been reduced slightly. The historical elements had been well researched and I liked the references to the war, suffragettes and fashion which all added an authenticity to the plot and characters. There is also commentary on social, class and gender norms of the era, adding depth to the narrative. I enjoyed the romantic threads for both Hannah and Violet, possibly because they are such fantastic characters that I want them to be happy!
Murder at Midwinter Manor is an enjoyable cosy historical murder mystery.
Murder at Midwinter Manor
Escaping the city doesn’t mean escaping the criminals…
1916, Midwinter Manor: Desperate for a Christmas weekend break from war-torn London, Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet take Bartleby the cat and themselves off to visit Hannah’s sister, in her beautiful country estate, deep in the English countryside.
The huge house is full of relatives, friends and merrymakers, and everyone’s excited to have a Christmas to remember.
But then, when a fellow-guest’s body is found in the library – apparently bludgeoned to death – and a precious ruby is stolen from another guest, it appears that it’s going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.
With the house snowed in, and the rural police force completely incapable of finding a single credible suspect, Hannah and Aunt Violet realise that once again it’s going to be down to them to get to the bottom of it.
Because whoever’s behind the crimes must be at Midwinter Manor… And if they’re not found, who knows what their next ‘gift’ will be?
A totally unforgettable Golden Age, country house, cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.
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