Grace Interrupted (Manor House Mystery, #2) by Julie Hyzy

A Civil war reenactment Group comes to the Manor and one of the Actors ends up dead. He was not well liked and has quite a lot of enemies. It hits close to home as one of Grace's friends is accused of the murder. Grace is on the case to clear her friend's name and solve the mystery.

A fast paced original murder mystery. Grace is adapting to her life as curator of Marshfield Manor, she also gets a companion, a lost adorable little Kitten (she names) Bootsie. There are many suspects, plot twists and secrets revealed. Overall I enjoyed Grace Interrupted and recommend to those who enjoy cozy murder/mysteries. ( )

Book number two in the Manor House Mysteries has Marshfield Manor grounds overrun by a group of Civil War re-enactors. They are just looking for a peaceful, quiet, “authentic” place to practice for the big Gettysburg gathering later in the year, but all hopes of being left alone are shattered when the apparent soon-to-be-elected leader is found stabbed. He seemed to make a lot of enemies, not the least of which was the Manor’s chief landscape gardener, Jack Embers. Now Grace has to investigate to clear Jack’s name.

Well, seriously, does Grace really have to get embroiled in this mess? Yes, Emberstown is a small town and the police force lacks experience with major crime investigation, but they’re not entirely without resources. Oh, well, it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery without some amateur sleuth inserting herself into the investigation.

I like Grace, but I really do not understand her relationship with Jack – at all. He’s brooding, uncommunicative, and obviously has lots of baggage. Drop him! I’m also picking up clues as to her relationship with the wealthy owner of Marshfield Manor – Bennett. (Though for all her sleuthing, Grace seems clueless about this.) Her roommates, Scott and Bruce, are a delight, and I wish they had more to do with the story than encourage her to keep the stray cat. The character I like the best, however, is the irascible assistant, Frances. What a hoot she is. And I’m sure that we’ll eventually find out what she does on her “private” weekends away from the Manor. ( )

Grace Interrupted is the second book in the Manor House series by Julie Hyzy.

The Manor House has agreed to rent some land at the edge of the estate so that a Civil War re-enactment group could recreat some battle scenes. The group has an understanding that they are to have compete privacy while setting up camp. Grace arrives at work to find security with two women who have tried to get into the encampment. The soldier has a run in with the Manor's gardener and his brother. A short time later the soldier is found dead. Gracie doesn't believe Jack, the garderner, or his brother had anything to do with the murder. So it is up to Gracie to learn the real story.

This series has some wonderful characters, Mr. Bennett, the owner of the Manor, the gardener, Jack and Gracie's assistant. Francis is a total pain to Gracie but will provide the reader with a few smiles.

This is a great story and I am sure that Grace and her staff will keep you entertained. ( )

Great read, hoping to get my hands on the rest of the series soon. ( )

A great second book to what looks to be a great series. The plot was a good one and the author was excellent with the red herrings. I eagerly await the next book in the series. ( )