Kitty Bryant rushes to New York with her husband Matt when she gets a telegram saying her father is seriously il. On arrival, the pair discover that Edgar is not as ill as he claimed and they decide to enjoy the sights of the city. But instead they find the body of a neighbour and become emboiled in another murder investigation…
Murder in New York is the 18th book in the historical cosy murder mystery series set in the 1930s which features Kitty Bryant and her husband Matt. There are no spoilers about earlier books in the series although there are some mentions of Kitty and Matt’s pasts.
Nora Dangerfield is a vibrant yet caring neighbour, welcoming Kitty and Matt to New York. Sadly they find her dead body and an’t resist investigating. Motives and suspects are everywhere they look: Nora’s lover and his jilted wife, two members of staff whose employment was at risk, Nora’s daughter and son in law concerned about their inheritance.
On the personal side, Kitty has had a strained relationship with her father in the past so it is to her credit that she races to his bedside when she hears he is ill. Luckily the pair enjoy a better relationship in this book despite her annoyance that his illness was exaggerated. I did miss the peripheral characters that usually feature in this series but I liked the focus on Kitty and Matt.
The writing style is easy to read and I liked how the descriptions brought New York in the 1930s to life. Kitty and Matt get on quite well with the American detective but do manage to place themselves in danger in the course of the investigation. There is a big mystery at the end, hopefully setting us up for the next book…
Murder in New York is an enjoyable cosy historical murder mystery.
Book Description:
Sipping Manhattan cocktails, strolling through Central Park and sightseeing at the Empire State building. Kitty Underhay is loving life in New York… until she stumbles across a murder!
Winter, 1936. Kitty receives an unexpected telegram just before Christmas saying that her father in New York is seriously ill. She and her husband Matt swiftly set out for America and, after a fraught ocean crossing, they arrive to discover he is much improved. Kitty decides to make the most of her visit by taking in the sights and attending a costume party thrown by her father’s friend, Mrs Dangerfield.
After a fabulous night, Kitty and Matt blow away the cobwebs with a chilly morning walk in Central Park. They enjoy watching ice skaters glide across one of the frozen lakes but then they discover their hostess Mrs Dangerfield murdered, her body partly hidden in some bushes. She is still in her evening wear, but her diamond earrings and necklace are missing.
Soon, Mrs Dangerfield’s resentful daughter, elderly chauffeur and secret lover make Kitty and Matt’s suspect list. The finger of suspicion seems to be pointing towards Mrs Dangerfield’s secretary, but then the typist turns up dead too. With a mystery killer spoiling their trip to the Big Apple, will the amateur sleuths save the day, or will they breathe their last in the city that never sleeps…?
Fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey or Lee Strauss will adore this utterly charming murder mystery. The perfect treat for cozy crime fans!
Author Bio:
Helena Dixon is the author of the best-selling Miss Underhay murder mystery series and
lives in Devon. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a
cactus called Spike, and a crazy cockapoo. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and
housework. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 and Love Story of the Year 2010
as Nell Dixon.
