Katherine Bolger Hyde

So much potential here. Loved the concept of a literary sleuth and the book tie-ins, but this was basically so predictable in the sense that the villains were clearly villains and the dark reasons behind the murder and mayhem seemed just pulled out of a hat at the end. Some have mentioned the Christian elements as an issue. I have to agree, not on the principle, but because there was a scene just thrown in near the end that did not fit at all. If you are going to use this theme, please make it integral not tacked on. The same thing happens at the end the protagonist visits the culprits- out of nowhere come the clarion trumpets.… (mehr)

This fifth book in the "Crime with the Classics Mystery" series was an delightful cozy mystery set at an English country estate not far from Oxford. Our protagonist, retired professor Emily Cavanaugh Richards, and her new lawman husband Luke, have left the States for a much yearned for honeymoon in England - to feed Emily's Anglophile passion. They're the first guests of the recently listed Airbnb, Fitzhugh Manor, within Oxfordshire. The dowager, Lady Margaret, is clueless of her grandson's and granddaughter-in-law efforts to keep the estate an on-going income-producing concern. The estate's family dynamics are a bit testy for certain, making things a bit uncomfortable for the happy honeymooners. After a few days of sightseeing away from the manor, there is a death on the estate grounds and Emily and Luke cannot help but insinuate themselves into investigating the sensitive incident.

The writing is solid, the setting of scene is rich and descriptive, and the character development is quite good. For the most part, I anticipated the divulging of the details except for one delicious twist near the end. But I shant give that away. At some point, I'll go back and read the stories which lead up to this one. This was a solid cozy mystery and quite enjoyable.… (mehr)