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Angela Marchmont Mystery #5
The Incident at Fives Castle
It is Hogmanay, and Angela Marchmont is at Fives Castle, the Scottish seat of the Earl of Strathmerrick, to see in the start of 1928. But when she finds out that the Foreign Secretary, the American Ambassador and the Head of British Intelligence are also among the guests, Angela begins to suspect that something momentous is afoot. Before long, they are all snowed in and a body is discovered, and Angela soon finds suspicion directed against herself...
286 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2014
182 people are currently reading
297 people want to read
About the author
Clara Benson
29 books349 followersClara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures - traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn't do any of those things.
If you want to be the first to hear about new releases, and to receive a free, exclusive short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.
If you want to be the first to hear about new releases, and to receive a free, exclusive short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 10, 2019
This is the fifth in the Angela Marchmont series and is set in a snowbound castle, over New Years, where Angela is a guest of the Earl and Countess of Strathmerrick. Also invited are the American Ambassador, and his wife and secretary, our old friend, Freddie Pilkington-Soames, the Foreign Secretary, various family members and a famous scientist. The house party is meant to act as cover for the scientist to reveal his secret weapon, but he never turns up.
If you like an old-fashioned mystery, then this will tick all the boxes. We have spies, missing papers, blackmail and all sorts of secrets to uncover, along with a good setting of a Scottish castle. We get to learn more about the elusive, Angela Marchmont’s past, and Freddie adds a good dose of humour. Although I worked out ‘whodunnit,’ a little easily, it was a fun read and one of my favourites in the series so far.
If you like an old-fashioned mystery, then this will tick all the boxes. We have spies, missing papers, blackmail and all sorts of secrets to uncover, along with a good setting of a Scottish castle. We get to learn more about the elusive, Angela Marchmont’s past, and Freddie adds a good dose of humour. Although I worked out ‘whodunnit,’ a little easily, it was a fun read and one of my favourites in the series so far.
December 1, 2015
The fifth twenties murder mystery in the Angela Marchmont series, this time set in a Scottish castle at Hogmanay, where a murder takes place while the occupants are cut off by snow. And wouldn’t you know it, but Angela is the one to discover the body (again).
This one was great fun. Spies, a missing scientist, hidden documents, secret meetings and lots of rushing about in the snow. And a whole ocean full of red herrings. I didn’t guess this one at all, but it didn’t matter, it was great fun watching the story unfold, Angela beetle about being helpful and Freddy get his nose (or his ear!) into everything. Since the American Ambassador was one of those present, we also learned a little bit more about Angela’s past, which, far from being illuminating, actually makes her even more mysterious. I’d love to know more about the not-spoken-of Mr Marchmont. I’d begun to think he was just a convenient fiction, but seemingly not.
Living in Scotland myself gives me the opportunity to chuckle at the author’s mistakes. It’s obvious Clara Benson never spent a Hogmanay in the Highlands. Even supposing Angela’s Bentley managed to make the border by mid-afternoon (a feat which would be quite impressive even today, with reliable cars and motorways, unless she lived a long way north already), its arrival at the castle in the Cairngorms before it was fully dark would be nothing short of miraculous. The sun sets at 3pm at that time of year, and the castle would be several hours’ drive north of the border. But it really doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t impact the plot at all.
The charm of these books is in the period setting, and the lives of the wealthy upper classes, very reminiscent of vintage Agatha Christie. There must be an army of servants, both indoor and outdoor, but they rarely get a mention, apart from Angela’s chauffeur and lady’s maid, and one or two references to the ‘men’ deployed to remove a fallen tree and clear snow. And it was wonderful how, in the midst of murder, political disaster and general mayhem, everyone still felt it necessary to dress for dinner and sit around in the drawing room making polite conversation about the weather. It reminded me of (I think) Murder on the Orient Express where one character is looking for some of the others and is told: it’s four o’clock, naturally the English passengers are all in the restaurant car having tea.
A light but very enjoyable read. A good four stars.
This one was great fun. Spies, a missing scientist, hidden documents, secret meetings and lots of rushing about in the snow. And a whole ocean full of red herrings. I didn’t guess this one at all, but it didn’t matter, it was great fun watching the story unfold, Angela beetle about being helpful and Freddy get his nose (or his ear!) into everything. Since the American Ambassador was one of those present, we also learned a little bit more about Angela’s past, which, far from being illuminating, actually makes her even more mysterious. I’d love to know more about the not-spoken-of Mr Marchmont. I’d begun to think he was just a convenient fiction, but seemingly not.
Living in Scotland myself gives me the opportunity to chuckle at the author’s mistakes. It’s obvious Clara Benson never spent a Hogmanay in the Highlands. Even supposing Angela’s Bentley managed to make the border by mid-afternoon (a feat which would be quite impressive even today, with reliable cars and motorways, unless she lived a long way north already), its arrival at the castle in the Cairngorms before it was fully dark would be nothing short of miraculous. The sun sets at 3pm at that time of year, and the castle would be several hours’ drive north of the border. But it really doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t impact the plot at all.
The charm of these books is in the period setting, and the lives of the wealthy upper classes, very reminiscent of vintage Agatha Christie. There must be an army of servants, both indoor and outdoor, but they rarely get a mention, apart from Angela’s chauffeur and lady’s maid, and one or two references to the ‘men’ deployed to remove a fallen tree and clear snow. And it was wonderful how, in the midst of murder, political disaster and general mayhem, everyone still felt it necessary to dress for dinner and sit around in the drawing room making polite conversation about the weather. It reminded me of (I think) Murder on the Orient Express where one character is looking for some of the others and is told: it’s four o’clock, naturally the English passengers are all in the restaurant car having tea.
A light but very enjoyable read. A good four stars.
February 9, 2020
The Incident at Five’s Castle is the fifth in the Angela Marchmont series of books by Clara Benson. This one picks up somewhat from the previous book where we met the young (also somewhat Wodehousian) reporter Freddy Pilkington-Soames, and one of his set Gertie, the daughter of the Earl of Strathmerrick. Gertie has taken a liking to Angela and invites her to the Hogmanay celebrations at Fives Castle, her family home, where many of the guests are political and diplomatic bigwigs. The party is to serve as cover for the handover of important documents, to do with atomic science. As expected, there is a snow storm, and the house is cut off, while the scientist who was expected to arrive for the party has gone missing. Soon enough, he turns up, but naturally, dead. Angela and Freddy are the only guests not on the original list, and so naturally become the primary suspects, and must solve it all.
Freddy Pilkington-Soames, who as I’d mentioned in my review of Gypsy’s Mile is a version of Freddie Threepwood, though with brains; Gertie too seems inspired by Wodehousian characters (though I guess those aspects stood out somewhat more in the previous book). The mystery in this one had a solution was very like The Secret at Chimneys, to my mind. The side plots had elements of politics of the time, suspicious political societies, but also a spot of blackmail (in which I got Sherlock Holmes vibes). But I overall enjoyed this one too as I have the rest of the books in this series. Even when the mysteries can be guessed–in some of the books I’ve read so far in this series–I still find them pleasant, engaging and fast-paced reads. Angela’s past, her service during the war, etc., are brought up in this one too, with a few more details, but that mystery continues to remain one, which perhaps may be revealed bit by bit. Fun read!
Freddy Pilkington-Soames, who as I’d mentioned in my review of Gypsy’s Mile is a version of Freddie Threepwood, though with brains; Gertie too seems inspired by Wodehousian characters (though I guess those aspects stood out somewhat more in the previous book). The mystery in this one had a solution was very like The Secret at Chimneys, to my mind. The side plots had elements of politics of the time, suspicious political societies, but also a spot of blackmail (in which I got Sherlock Holmes vibes). But I overall enjoyed this one too as I have the rest of the books in this series. Even when the mysteries can be guessed–in some of the books I’ve read so far in this series–I still find them pleasant, engaging and fast-paced reads. Angela’s past, her service during the war, etc., are brought up in this one too, with a few more details, but that mystery continues to remain one, which perhaps may be revealed bit by bit. Fun read!
December 13, 2023
Angela Marchmont is invited to spend New Years at Fives Castle in Scotland, where a bunch of high-level government people will also be in attendance. Unfortunately, they all end up snowed-in and a visitor turns up dead, and the government people begin to suspect Angela had a hand in it.
While I've compared this series to the Agatha Christie books, these have a bit more energetic storylines and this one is no exception. Well-written and just as fun to read as Dame Agatha.
While I've compared this series to the Agatha Christie books, these have a bit more energetic storylines and this one is no exception. Well-written and just as fun to read as Dame Agatha.
December 19, 2019
3.5 stars. Fun, interesting mystery - Hogmanay (Scottish New Year’s Eve), 1928, at Fives Castle - the distinguished guests are snowed in, a missing scientist shows up dead, and Angela Marchmont is up to her neck in it!
I was not a huge fan of the previous Angela Marchmont book I read with the Reading the Detectives group, but wanted to give her another try further along in the series- sometimes it takes a while for an author to hit their stride.
This book was more enjoyable if still somewhat predictable, I guessed the killer and was actually right! No spoilers, but the author dropped hints about this character’s activities that made them a pretty safe bet - I don’t know if I would’ve guessed if the group wasn’t snowed in at the castle, made it kind of obvious.
But still, a fun, interesting outing - glad to learn a bit more about the mysterious Mrs. Marchmont, and I’m not sure how I feel about flirty reporter Freddy Pilkington-Soames, her sidekick in detecting who has been spun off into his own series by author Benson. I thought Angela was his mother’s age, but then he sort of flirts with her (and every other female nearby), and is a bit annoying, although he provides some humor, which I appreciate. Not sure I’d want to read a whole book with Freddy as the lead character. Anyway, this was a fun, light, atmospheric snowed-in holiday mystery read (or listen, in this case), and I enjoyed it.
I was not a huge fan of the previous Angela Marchmont book I read with the Reading the Detectives group, but wanted to give her another try further along in the series- sometimes it takes a while for an author to hit their stride.
This book was more enjoyable if still somewhat predictable, I guessed the killer and was actually right! No spoilers, but the author dropped hints about this character’s activities that made them a pretty safe bet - I don’t know if I would’ve guessed if the group wasn’t snowed in at the castle, made it kind of obvious.
But still, a fun, interesting outing - glad to learn a bit more about the mysterious Mrs. Marchmont, and I’m not sure how I feel about flirty reporter Freddy Pilkington-Soames, her sidekick in detecting who has been spun off into his own series by author Benson. I thought Angela was his mother’s age, but then he sort of flirts with her (and every other female nearby), and is a bit annoying, although he provides some humor, which I appreciate. Not sure I’d want to read a whole book with Freddy as the lead character. Anyway, this was a fun, light, atmospheric snowed-in holiday mystery read (or listen, in this case), and I enjoyed it.
December 10, 2019
This is the fifth in the Angela Marchmont series and is set in a snowbound castle, over New Years, where Angela is a guest of the Earl and Countess of Strathmerrick. Also invited are the American Ambassador, and his wife and secretary, our old friend, Freddie Pilkington-Soames, the Foreign Secretary, various family members and a famous scientist. The house party is meant to act as cover for the scientist to reveal his secret weapon, but he never turns up.
If you like an old-fashioned mystery, then this will tick all the boxes. We have spies, missing papers, blackmail and all sorts of secrets to uncover, along with a good setting of a Scottish castle. We get to learn more about the elusive, Angela Marchmont’s past, and Freddie adds a good dose of humour. Although I worked out ‘whodunnit,’ a little easily, it was a fun read and one of my favourites in the series so far.
If you like an old-fashioned mystery, then this will tick all the boxes. We have spies, missing papers, blackmail and all sorts of secrets to uncover, along with a good setting of a Scottish castle. We get to learn more about the elusive, Angela Marchmont’s past, and Freddie adds a good dose of humour. Although I worked out ‘whodunnit,’ a little easily, it was a fun read and one of my favourites in the series so far.
September 10, 2014
If you like nineteen twenties mysteries then you will probably enjoy this one. It was actually written during that era but is only now seeing the light of day. Modern readers may find it difficult to understand the worry about spies but at the time this was a huge concern. Angela Marchmont - that enigmatic and well off widow - is invited to Fives Castle to celebrate New Year 1928. Thanks to a chapter of incidents which seems to follow her around she manages to make an unfortunate impression on her hostess, Lady Strathmerrick, who is convinced she is a man eater and after all her male guests.
But there is serious business afoot at the castle where an ill assorted group of guests is snowed in for several days. The American Ambassador and the Foreign Secretary are expecting to meet a nuclear scientist who is going to hand over details of his research before the 'other side' can get their hands on it but they suspect at least one traitor in their midst. When the Professor they are expecting to meet is found dead during a game of sardines Angela herself comes under suspicion.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written with plenty of humour and marvellous characters and plot. It has an authentic period feel to it as might be expected from a book written in the era in which it is set. While the plot may seem dated to some modern readers I feel it stands the test of time very well and brings to life the country house weekend and the way government business was transacted on an informal basis then - and probably still is now to a certain extent.
If you like conventional crime novels set in country houses where circumstances conspire to keep the suspects in close proximity to each other for a short period then you may well enjoy this latest of Clara Benson's novels to be released.
But there is serious business afoot at the castle where an ill assorted group of guests is snowed in for several days. The American Ambassador and the Foreign Secretary are expecting to meet a nuclear scientist who is going to hand over details of his research before the 'other side' can get their hands on it but they suspect at least one traitor in their midst. When the Professor they are expecting to meet is found dead during a game of sardines Angela herself comes under suspicion.
I really enjoyed this book. It is well written with plenty of humour and marvellous characters and plot. It has an authentic period feel to it as might be expected from a book written in the era in which it is set. While the plot may seem dated to some modern readers I feel it stands the test of time very well and brings to life the country house weekend and the way government business was transacted on an informal basis then - and probably still is now to a certain extent.
If you like conventional crime novels set in country houses where circumstances conspire to keep the suspects in close proximity to each other for a short period then you may well enjoy this latest of Clara Benson's novels to be released.
January 9, 2020
This was a light and easy read full of the cosy staples of the whodunnit. The setting is grand and suitably isolated, the suspects are suitably coated with a veneer of respectability and Angela Marchmont is a likeable protagonist. For me though it tried a bit too hard to immerse the reader in the 1920s - a little overuse of the plummy upper class English clichés. Out of curiosity, I checked the nationality of the author after I’d finished the novel; the characters felt the way English characters would be written by an American if that makes sense. (This isn’t meant as an insult in any way - I love Americans!) I found that Clara Benson is English, but has a huge following of American fans - this is not surprising!
October 12, 2018
as usual a good plot and a series of interesting characters, among which of course the clever mrs marchmont - again I discovered the culprit rather soon, but i still enjoyed the reading
January 13, 2022
Filled with good witty writing but I didn't love the story as a whole. I got lost with the car of characters and found the story head scratching.
Read
September 11, 2015In which we spent time in a snow-bound castle, learn a little bit more about Angela's past, discover the game 'sardines', and admire the number of self-determined women Benson puts into her stories - and their flexible range of morals.
I must admit to wondering if these really are the trunk novels of someone born in 1890 and written when she was a young woman, or if that's merely an author identity constructed for the books.
I must admit to wondering if these really are the trunk novels of someone born in 1890 and written when she was a young woman, or if that's merely an author identity constructed for the books.
November 5, 2017
Too much diversion
This is the third book in the Angela Marchmont series which I have read. I enjoyed the first two much more. It seemed more like a novella stretched into a novel. One theme disappeared entirely--the discovery of atomic energy. Too many false leads were included, and I felt like the real villain was picked out of a hat. I haven't decided whether to read the next in the series. We will have to see.
This is the third book in the Angela Marchmont series which I have read. I enjoyed the first two much more. It seemed more like a novella stretched into a novel. One theme disappeared entirely--the discovery of atomic energy. Too many false leads were included, and I felt like the real villain was picked out of a hat. I haven't decided whether to read the next in the series. We will have to see.
July 31, 2018
Barely a 3 star rating. This is a murder mystery .... why does the author spend so many pages introducing characters, showing interaction (building a snowman?? This is a murder mystery!)
There are too many characters, all confined to the castle due to a snowstorm, a very old and tired concept. Still, why not have the murder occur much earlier? I have read the previous books and like the primary character Angela, but someone new to the series may not read very far into the book. Nothing much happens for a long time. This is true of several of the books.
The long delay in getting to the meat of the plot is true of several of the books. The best of the series is Riddle at Gipsy's Mile (Book #4). It starts with the plot (discovery of the body) and introduces the secondary characters later. This is the way to organize a murder mystery. Not with page after page of people chatting, dining, drinking ....Get to the murder and make the book about the plot ... not about Angela Marchmont and her interactions with others.
There are too many characters, all confined to the castle due to a snowstorm, a very old and tired concept. Still, why not have the murder occur much earlier? I have read the previous books and like the primary character Angela, but someone new to the series may not read very far into the book. Nothing much happens for a long time. This is true of several of the books.
The long delay in getting to the meat of the plot is true of several of the books. The best of the series is Riddle at Gipsy's Mile (Book #4). It starts with the plot (discovery of the body) and introduces the secondary characters later. This is the way to organize a murder mystery. Not with page after page of people chatting, dining, drinking ....Get to the murder and make the book about the plot ... not about Angela Marchmont and her interactions with others.
June 21, 2022
The story starts at a slower pace with the odd cast of characters meeting at the Castle for Christmas, but with a hidden political agenda. A scientist has been developing and is bringing to a political meeting the plans for a new, most-powerful-ever weapon. But he doesn't show up. Has the snowstorm delayed him? Or have some enemy agents gotten their hands on the scientist and his precious plans?
This remains a minor question left hanging and we get to read for awhile about the characters interacting with one another during the week or so they're together. Some are certainly raising eyebrows and suspicions. The author has chosen to spell out most contractions---it is fine; you are thinking of; we will play a game--which makes the dialogue a seem a little stiff, but maybe this is more British?
A stranger is found hiding in an out-building, then the scientist is found and the action finally takes off with a number of surprising twists.
This remains a minor question left hanging and we get to read for awhile about the characters interacting with one another during the week or so they're together. Some are certainly raising eyebrows and suspicions. The author has chosen to spell out most contractions---it is fine; you are thinking of; we will play a game--which makes the dialogue a seem a little stiff, but maybe this is more British?
A stranger is found hiding in an out-building, then the scientist is found and the action finally takes off with a number of surprising twists.
December 1, 2020
From Famous Five to Agatha Christie
If the previous book in this series gave me a strong flash back to my Enid Blyton days, this one was a homage to Agatha Christie. The background was very reminiscent of the Secret of Chimneys. Ms Benson can't claim Agatha Christine's ability to drop clues all through the book and yet manage to shock the reader at the end, but she has a flair for writing entertaining characters that make you want to read on hoping the book doesn't end anytime soon. She's created a lovely world and I'm so grateful to have these books to escape into. Add to that the fact that they cost about 1/6th the cost of an average book (at least the books I read) and you can be sure I will read all this series and the Freddy series even if not all the books are as good as this one.
If the previous book in this series gave me a strong flash back to my Enid Blyton days, this one was a homage to Agatha Christie. The background was very reminiscent of the Secret of Chimneys. Ms Benson can't claim Agatha Christine's ability to drop clues all through the book and yet manage to shock the reader at the end, but she has a flair for writing entertaining characters that make you want to read on hoping the book doesn't end anytime soon. She's created a lovely world and I'm so grateful to have these books to escape into. Add to that the fact that they cost about 1/6th the cost of an average book (at least the books I read) and you can be sure I will read all this series and the Freddy series even if not all the books are as good as this one.
February 18, 2024
Character list for your convenience. I listened to the audiobook so sorry if the spelling is off.
- Earl and Countess of Strathmerrick - hosts and owners of Fives
- Their daughters: Gertie (who we know from previous books), Clemmie (18) who wants to be a scientist, and Priss who is engaged to Claude Burford (politician). Gus (10) and Bobbie (8) are their sons.
- Miss Letitia Foster, Strathmerrick family governess and companion
-Alexander (Sandy) Buchanan, Foreign Secretary, and his wife Eleanor
-Henry Jameson, government official
-Aubrey Nash, American Ambassador, his wife Selma and his secretary Gabriel Bradley
-Professor Klaussen - Danish Scientist
Angela
Freddie
Marta - Angela’s ladies maid
William - her chauffeur
StJean(Sinjin) Bagshaw - acquaintance of Freddie’s and Communist sympathizer.
Hope this helps
- Earl and Countess of Strathmerrick - hosts and owners of Fives
- Their daughters: Gertie (who we know from previous books), Clemmie (18) who wants to be a scientist, and Priss who is engaged to Claude Burford (politician). Gus (10) and Bobbie (8) are their sons.
- Miss Letitia Foster, Strathmerrick family governess and companion
-Alexander (Sandy) Buchanan, Foreign Secretary, and his wife Eleanor
-Henry Jameson, government official
-Aubrey Nash, American Ambassador, his wife Selma and his secretary Gabriel Bradley
-Professor Klaussen - Danish Scientist
Angela
Freddie
Marta - Angela’s ladies maid
William - her chauffeur
StJean(Sinjin) Bagshaw - acquaintance of Freddie’s and Communist sympathizer.
Hope this helps
December 11, 2019
This was a great festive -time read. It is actually set at snowbound Scotland, where the guests are both friends and politicians, celebrating Hogmanay. Angela Marchmont being among them, soon finds herself caught up in a mystery involving a missing scientist, his papers, blackmailing and espionage. I think these books are getting better as they go along. We do find out more of Angela's past, which is interesting, and we can also enjoy the humour surrounding her and Freddie Pilkington-Soames, and certain others. The mystery was well done, and although I had guessed the the murderer, this, I think has been the best book so far.
October 9, 2019
Angela Marchmont has been invited by the daughter Gertie, of the Earl of Strathmerrick, to Fives Castle to see in 1928. On arriving she becomes suspicious when she realises the Foreign Secretary, Alexander Buchanan and wife Eleanor, the American Ambassador, Audrey Nash and wife Selma with the Head of British Intelligence, Henry Jameson are among the guests. She is proved right when a body is discovered.
An enjoyable and well-written cozy mystery
An enjoyable and well-written cozy mystery
July 2, 2020
A Fun Find
I enjoy a fun mystery, and this was my first Angela Marchmont book. Not sure how I started with book five, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous four. Angela Marchmont is a fun character. She is bright, but she avoids the cliche of being socially awkward. The story was as much about the characters as it was the murder that intrudes into a holiday party. In short, it is a fun mystery worth the time.
I enjoy a fun mystery, and this was my first Angela Marchmont book. Not sure how I started with book five, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous four. Angela Marchmont is a fun character. She is bright, but she avoids the cliche of being socially awkward. The story was as much about the characters as it was the murder that intrudes into a holiday party. In short, it is a fun mystery worth the time.
May 16, 2022
This is a bit of a divergence from the first four books in this series....it should have been as good because it added espionage to the usual murder mystery. However, this one felt a bit disjointed and difficult to follow. All was tied up in a bow by the end but the ending felt rushed after a little bit of a slow moving build up on a short book. Still like the main character and the theme of the book.
August 24, 2024
Classic isolated house mystery!
Angela and Freddy are invited to a remote castle in Scotland for Hogmanay. Little do they know there’s a critical government meeting happening at the same party. Before they know it, they’re snowed in, the phone lines are down, and bodies start to appear…. I feel like both Angela and Freddy’s characters are developing a lot during this series, and they’re just delightful to spend time with.
Angela and Freddy are invited to a remote castle in Scotland for Hogmanay. Little do they know there’s a critical government meeting happening at the same party. Before they know it, they’re snowed in, the phone lines are down, and bodies start to appear…. I feel like both Angela and Freddy’s characters are developing a lot during this series, and they’re just delightful to spend time with.
February 26, 2017
I'm hooked
I'm hooked on Clara Bensons books. Her Angela Marchmont stories are full of wit and mystery Angela is a smart woman who uses her intellect to solve the puzzle within the story. This book has important government secrets and traitors within. Plus there's a castle in Scotland that is the icing on the cake.
I'm hooked on Clara Bensons books. Her Angela Marchmont stories are full of wit and mystery Angela is a smart woman who uses her intellect to solve the puzzle within the story. This book has important government secrets and traitors within. Plus there's a castle in Scotland that is the icing on the cake.
May 1, 2019
I love this series of stories. This particular one is a little long but it wraps up pretty quickly. I did guess who did it early in the story but there were a few red herrings thrown in. All in all I do like the story lines as they are believable.
July 20, 2020
And now it's traitors and spies!
This is a big cliché.. almost verging on a farce.. it's obvious who is involved because she over wrote them.. made them a little too noticeable.
Shame as again it had potential.
This is a big cliché.. almost verging on a farce.. it's obvious who is involved because she over wrote them.. made them a little too noticeable.
Shame as again it had potential.
Read
February 1, 2021An interesting plot in an interesting setting, but as has happened in at least two of the previous books in this series, I had a pretty good idea whodunnit. There were an awful lot of characters to keep track of, too, but all in all, an enjoyable mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2023
I really like this series, Angela Marchmont has class and very sharp. I like her chauffer, I like how she consider each situation. I like Freddy the son of the pushy woman.
the series is just getting better and better. looking forward to the next book.
the series is just getting better and better. looking forward to the next book.
September 11, 2023
Superb
It is a delight to experience a series of cozy mysteries with which once can spend many hours, getting to know the characters in dept.
Ms Benson has written another fine mystery.
It is a delight to experience a series of cozy mysteries with which once can spend many hours, getting to know the characters in dept.
Ms Benson has written another fine mystery.
June 5, 2024
This light-hearted series is growing on me as it goes on.
I enjoy the combination of Angela Marchmont and Freddie Pilkington-Soames. It is easy reading but it is enjoyable reading.
The culprits were relatively easy to identify but the path to the reveal was well structured.
I enjoy the combination of Angela Marchmont and Freddie Pilkington-Soames. It is easy reading but it is enjoyable reading.
The culprits were relatively easy to identify but the path to the reveal was well structured.
March 11, 2017
Delightful version of trapped by snow in a Scotland castle in 1930s England...a death! Who did it and why?? Intrigue, espionage, and a pluckly, elegant woman to help in the answer.
September 9, 2017
Not my favorite. The actual plot was good but it was mired down by, a lot of wordiness in between happenings. Also, I'm never crazy about politics in general, that being a large part of this plot.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews