Every family has one: a relative obsessed with tracing multiple branches of the family tree by subjecting each family member to endless questioning and mind-numbing pronouncements of trivial matters ad nauseum. In Sheila Malory’s family, that person is Cousin Bernard who, having retired as headmaster of a small private boys’ school, has devoted his time and that of his wife to uncovering long-forgotten family lore - and secrets. So when he turns up dead, it is natural to think that a family member did it; the only problem is that Sheila is uncovering so many family secrets that it’s difficult to figure out who might have done the deed to silence Bernard…. In this 17th book in the Mrs. Malory series, we find out a lot more about Sheila’s own extended family, which turns out to be very large. We are still based in Taviscombe, but travel to other locales in the course of her investigation. The clues are well-placed and the possible motives are nicely revealed; overall, one of the more enjoyable in this long-running cozy series! Recommended. ( )

Sheila Malory is not happy when her obnoxious cousin Bernard comes to visit her looking for information for the family tree he is working on. It's all she can do to be polite to him and his timid wife Janet. Other family members also aren't pleased to see him - many of them have secrets long buried that he is uncovering. But as bothersome as Bernard is, Sheila is still shocked when he is found in his rented cottage with his head bashed in. Sheila wonders why someone would commit such a violent act and begins to investigate his death. She has plenty of suspects - not only did Bernard dig up secrets people wanted hidden, his actions as headmaster of a private school hurt more than one person. Also, his family isn't exactly grieving - his wife has come out of her shell and admits she never loved him; his daughter Christine has money issues and could use the inheritance; and he kept his gay son Luke from seeing his own mother.

"Mrs. Malory and A Death in the Family' is a nice gentle cozy mystery. The emphasis is on cozy because the mystery itself is slight. I don't read Hazel Holt's Mrs. Malory series for the mystery, what I enjoy about the series is the emphasis on the characters and their everyday life. Author Hazel Holt spends much time describing the day to day activities of Mrs. Malory as she goes about shopping, cleaning the house, working in the yard, feeding her pets, doing volunteer work, etc. and she feels like a real live character. The other characters are equally well written especially the obnoxious Bernard; his wife Janet who is not as meek and timid as she appears to be; his gay son Luke who loves his mother and would do anything for her; and daughter Christine who is just like her father. Other well-written characters include Sheila's friend Rosemary who is fretting over plans for her Ruby Wedding Anniversary, Sheila's son Michael, his wife Thea and young daughter Alice. The mystery tends to get lost at times and the ending is a bit abrupt and unsatisfactory, a common flaw in the Mrs. Malory series. Still, I enjoy the character of Sheila Malory and reading about English life in a small village so much that I'm willing to overlook the flaws.

Fans of cozy mysteries set in small British villages will enjoy reading about Sheila Malory and her neighbors and friends. ( )

Hazel Holt’s Sheila Malloy has been likened to a modern day Miss Marple. There are some similarities. Shelia lives a quiet, unremarkable life in a village where she lives in happy retirement taking part in community activities.

When it comes to amateur detectives, maintaining believability can be a challenge, one that Holt has met quite well. Holt has commendably refrained from allowing her protagonist to be put into ridiculously dangerous situations that blind Freddy could see are ill-advised. Sheila’s investigations are limited to visiting various family members and questioning them about Bernard’s visit.

The plot is fairly simple and straightforward. There are no tricksy twists. No hidden surprises waiting to leap out of the closet. If there is a criticism it is that the details about Sheila’s life is a little too mundane. There are only so many times you can read about Sheila being asked to bake a cake for an afternoon tea and maintain interest. Having said that, A DEATH IN THE FAMILY is a quick, entertaining read which will appeal to those whose crime fiction tastes are on the lighter side.

Mrs Malory Mysteries are one of my favorite series. You feel as if you know all the village characters in Ms Holt's books. Mrs Mallory copes with a loathesome cousin who is doing some genealogical research. When the horrible Bernard is killed, Sheila Malory sets out to find his killer. ( )