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Mydworth Mysteries #13
A Deadly Match
When heart-throb American tennis coach Todd Winters careens off the road in his speeding car one night and plunges in the river, it seems like a tragic accident. But Winters was a young man with many dangerous secrets, and Harry and Kat discover there’s no shortage of people who wanted him out of the picture. Soon they discover clear evidence: the accident was no accident at all. And now Harry and Kat had best be careful too... even in the genteel world of the Mydworth Lawn Tennis Club, a desperate murderer could be ready to kill again.
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Published March 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 5, 2023
This may be the 13th book in the series featuring Sir Harry Mortimer and his American wife Kat Reilly, but readers will be in luck. The gay, charismatic pair investigate the death of an American tennis pro who worked for the Mydworth Lawn Tennis Club. Neither his death, initially thought an accident, nor tennis pro Todd Winters are what they seem. A wonderful read.
December 11, 2025
Een goed deel van het duo Jack en Sara. Over een priveschool en de intrigerende perikelen aldaar. Ook erg leuk om hun onderlinge relatie en de opbouw ervan mee te maken. 4
November 18, 2025
This was a complex mystery and the ending was actually a little surprising. I love Sir Harry and Kat. They make such a great team. Another good episode in the series.
January 14, 2026
The Mydworth Mysteries are written by Neil Richards and Matthew Costello, and narrated by Nathaniel Parker. I started this series after completing the first 48 volumes of the Cherringham Mysteries by the same authors (the 49th volume is now available and I'll be listening to it later this week). I enjoyed the Cherringham series, as is obvious by the fact that I've read 48 of them. I'll say more about them when I post about the most recent one, but in the meantime, what attracted me to them in the first place was the fact that I'm always up for a cozy mystery set in England and the brevity of the individual titles (roughly 2-3 hours each), which made them ideal low-stakes bedtime listening. So when I ran out of Cherringham titles, I was happy to find another series by the same authors (though no longer narrated by the great Neil Dudgeon).
The Mydworth series suffers by comparison to the Cherringham series. The format has some similarities: both series are set in England and feature a man and a woman--one from England and one from the USA-- who work together as amateur detectives; however, while the Cherringham series is set in the present day, the Mydworths begin in 1929. And, as I mentioned earlier, both series consist of short self-contained stories with one case to be solved. Each story can be read independently, but in the Cherringham series in particular there is a continuing narrative in which characters and relationships develop over time.
This character development is where the Mydworth series falls short for me. The main characters are Lord Harry Mortimer and his the former Kat Reilly (now Lady Mortimer), who met while involved in secret service activities for their respective governments during the first World War, and despite their very different social and economic backgrounds fell in love and are now happily married. Harry is a wealthy member of the nobility, while Kat grew up in the Bronx, NYC, helping tend bar for her father. This is where the series falls a bit flat for me. Their relationship feels flat, static, and formulaic. In each story there is an excess of references to Kat's beauty and how much the two adore each other, but after a while it just feels repetitive rather than showing any character development or deeper insights into their relationship.
While the narration by Nathaniel Parker is very good overall, his attempts to represent some of the female characters, especially Kat, can be jarring. I assume that his intention in creating Kat's voice is to emphasize her rough-around-the-edges, working-class New York accent, but instead it undermines all the references to her beauty. She sounds like what I imagine my dock-worker grandfather probably sounded like. I do find that this has improved in the later volumes including this one.
Okay, enough complaining. Clearly I'm enjoying this series enough to keep listening. In
"A Deadly Match," the thirteenth in the series, Kat and Harry investigate the suspicious death of a handsome, popular, and womanizing tennis coach. It's an enjoyable cozy mystery, just the thing for a cold winter night's listen.
The Mydworth series suffers by comparison to the Cherringham series. The format has some similarities: both series are set in England and feature a man and a woman--one from England and one from the USA-- who work together as amateur detectives; however, while the Cherringham series is set in the present day, the Mydworths begin in 1929. And, as I mentioned earlier, both series consist of short self-contained stories with one case to be solved. Each story can be read independently, but in the Cherringham series in particular there is a continuing narrative in which characters and relationships develop over time.
This character development is where the Mydworth series falls short for me. The main characters are Lord Harry Mortimer and his the former Kat Reilly (now Lady Mortimer), who met while involved in secret service activities for their respective governments during the first World War, and despite their very different social and economic backgrounds fell in love and are now happily married. Harry is a wealthy member of the nobility, while Kat grew up in the Bronx, NYC, helping tend bar for her father. This is where the series falls a bit flat for me. Their relationship feels flat, static, and formulaic. In each story there is an excess of references to Kat's beauty and how much the two adore each other, but after a while it just feels repetitive rather than showing any character development or deeper insights into their relationship.
While the narration by Nathaniel Parker is very good overall, his attempts to represent some of the female characters, especially Kat, can be jarring. I assume that his intention in creating Kat's voice is to emphasize her rough-around-the-edges, working-class New York accent, but instead it undermines all the references to her beauty. She sounds like what I imagine my dock-worker grandfather probably sounded like. I do find that this has improved in the later volumes including this one.
Okay, enough complaining. Clearly I'm enjoying this series enough to keep listening. In
"A Deadly Match," the thirteenth in the series, Kat and Harry investigate the suspicious death of a handsome, popular, and womanizing tennis coach. It's an enjoyable cozy mystery, just the thing for a cold winter night's listen.
February 11, 2023
Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 1/30/23
Period: Interwar – 1930s – Mydworth, England
Number of Pages: 140
I always jump for joy when each new book releases, and then slump forlornly when the read is over because I then have to wait for the next release. This series is consistently well-written with wonderful characters and exciting mysteries. I have loved each book in the series, and this is certainly no exception to that. Kat and Sir Harry are made for each other and, as former spies during the war, they are uniquely qualified to solve all of the intrigues that come their way.
Kat and Harry are participating in a tournament at the tennis club when they are approached by a timid woman whose husband browbeats her all the time. She tells them she doesn’t believe the recent accident that took the life of the tennis pro was actually an accident. While the accident certainly looks to be just that, Kat and Harry decide to just do a little looking to see if it is possible. Yep, it definitely is possible and the more they look the more sure they are – and – they are also sure there is something more than murder going on as well.
It appears Kat and Harry have kicked a nest of hornets because things start to buzz – and our erstwhile detectives find themselves in real danger. Not that they can’t handle it, they were, after all, spies in some of the most dangerous places of the war. However, they’d just as soon neither of them got hurt. The investigation takes them in a far different direction than they thought – and the villain(s) will surprise you – or not.
I thoroughly enjoy these books and am always excited when a new one is on the horizon. You’ll absolutely love Kat and Harry as well as the other series regulars like Aunt Lavinia. These are always short, tightly-written, well-developed stories in which you quickly get engrossed and forget there is a ‘real’ world out your window. Should you choose to read the story, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Series: Mydworth Mysteries #13
Publication Date: 1/30/23
Period: Interwar – 1930s – Mydworth, England
Number of Pages: 140
I always jump for joy when each new book releases, and then slump forlornly when the read is over because I then have to wait for the next release. This series is consistently well-written with wonderful characters and exciting mysteries. I have loved each book in the series, and this is certainly no exception to that. Kat and Sir Harry are made for each other and, as former spies during the war, they are uniquely qualified to solve all of the intrigues that come their way.
Kat and Harry are participating in a tournament at the tennis club when they are approached by a timid woman whose husband browbeats her all the time. She tells them she doesn’t believe the recent accident that took the life of the tennis pro was actually an accident. While the accident certainly looks to be just that, Kat and Harry decide to just do a little looking to see if it is possible. Yep, it definitely is possible and the more they look the more sure they are – and – they are also sure there is something more than murder going on as well.
It appears Kat and Harry have kicked a nest of hornets because things start to buzz – and our erstwhile detectives find themselves in real danger. Not that they can’t handle it, they were, after all, spies in some of the most dangerous places of the war. However, they’d just as soon neither of them got hurt. The investigation takes them in a far different direction than they thought – and the villain(s) will surprise you – or not.
I thoroughly enjoy these books and am always excited when a new one is on the horizon. You’ll absolutely love Kat and Harry as well as the other series regulars like Aunt Lavinia. These are always short, tightly-written, well-developed stories in which you quickly get engrossed and forget there is a ‘real’ world out your window. Should you choose to read the story, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
February 26, 2025
Harry and Kat have entered a tennis tournament, mostly for the fun of it rather than winning. Kat, however, does have a wicked serve. When tennis coach Todd Winters drives off the road to drown in his car, the duo have little trouble proving that it is murder and solving the crime. Unfortunately, the plot requires the police to be totally incompetent. The story is still fun to read, but the authors have to work on coming up with some better ideas.
March 22, 2023
The epitome of British cozies
A Deadly Match is the most recent story of American war heroine, Kat Reilly Mortimer and her husband, British government agent, Sir Harry Mortimer. The novellas are set in the countryside, not far from London.
The stories are well written, articulate, and fun to read if you are in the mood for a lighthearted murder mystery. Highly recommend.
A Deadly Match is the most recent story of American war heroine, Kat Reilly Mortimer and her husband, British government agent, Sir Harry Mortimer. The novellas are set in the countryside, not far from London.
The stories are well written, articulate, and fun to read if you are in the mood for a lighthearted murder mystery. Highly recommend.
February 2, 2023
Enjoyable
Another enjoyable read from Mydworth. My only complaint is that these books are over too quickly. I rather think I would like a full length novel featuring Sir Harry & Lady Mortimer. What about it chaps?
Another enjoyable read from Mydworth. My only complaint is that these books are over too quickly. I rather think I would like a full length novel featuring Sir Harry & Lady Mortimer. What about it chaps?
April 22, 2023
Lukijana fantastinen Nathaniel Parker.
Taas mielenkiintoinen kertomus, tosin henkilöitä oli niin paljon, että etenkin lopussa sai tosiaan keskittyä siihen, että kuka oli kukakin. Mutta Kat ja Harry ovat loistava pääpari ja pidän ajankuvauksesta.
Taas mielenkiintoinen kertomus, tosin henkilöitä oli niin paljon, että etenkin lopussa sai tosiaan keskittyä siihen, että kuka oli kukakin. Mutta Kat ja Harry ovat loistava pääpari ja pidän ajankuvauksesta.
April 1, 2024
Another easy read.
This one had some twist and turns and only by the last chapter you find out the who's and what's.
This had some easy and obvious suspects from the start and yet you might be surprised by the end.
This one had some twist and turns and only by the last chapter you find out the who's and what's.
This had some easy and obvious suspects from the start and yet you might be surprised by the end.
May 4, 2025
3.5 stars. Enjoyable cozy mystery read by Nathaniel Parker. Lord & Lady Mortimer join the local tennis club only to uncover a murder that was wrapped up as an accident. Plenty of suspects - jealous husbands, ex-girlfriends, fast friends…Harry and Kat have their hands full.
February 8, 2023
Great book
Love Harry and Kat. They work so well together. Interesting characters. Love Aunt Laconia getting involved with the details of the plot.
Love Harry and Kat. They work so well together. Interesting characters. Love Aunt Laconia getting involved with the details of the plot.
February 18, 2023
Fun historical mystery
I'm a big fan of this series. The characters are charming, the mystery is intriguing, and the stories are short, perfect for an afternoon read.
I'm a big fan of this series. The characters are charming, the mystery is intriguing, and the stories are short, perfect for an afternoon read.
March 13, 2023
Always sluething
Easy read with continues twist and turns in the character plots. Third is only one sure thing, if it can be twisted then it will be by the end of this story.
Easy read with continues twist and turns in the character plots. Third is only one sure thing, if it can be twisted then it will be by the end of this story.
April 3, 2023
Love this duo and the stories.
April 13, 2023
As always, great story.
May 6, 2023
Audible audiobook
June 19, 2023
Not as a good as the other ones, the good-bad-divide is so strict and obvious in this one.
Read
November 15, 2023Audiobook
June 17, 2024
I was worried, but this installment is back on track! Very exciting and engaging. The town of Mydworth is hotbed of mystery. Love the characters too!
June 29, 2024
Liked the plot. The type of book you read in one sitting.
October 20, 2024
Getting toward the end - hope there are more forthcoming!
January 18, 2026
I keep forgetting that in comparison to my Bunburry series, these books are truly criminal and the investigations are always very good for the short cosy type they are.
July 14, 2023
I really do love this series, and this is another one of my favourite stories so far!
This is book thirteen, and the series is still thankfully going strong. This story is set in Mydworth, and centred around the members and employees of the tennis club, following the tragic death of Todd Winters, the tennis coach. As Harry and Kat investigate they discover some very interesting facts about the former Tennis Coach, which makes them realise that all is not perfect at the club.
Just like in an Agatha Christie mystery everyone seemed suspicious and looked like they could have been involved in the car accident. I was convinced it was one particular character, so when the big reveal came I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was someone else completely!
As always Nathaniel Parker’s narration was perfect. I loved all the voices he used for all the different characters, particularly Briggs and Julian Manners.
Highly recommended on audio if you enjoy cosy mysteries set in the 1920s.
This is book thirteen, and the series is still thankfully going strong. This story is set in Mydworth, and centred around the members and employees of the tennis club, following the tragic death of Todd Winters, the tennis coach. As Harry and Kat investigate they discover some very interesting facts about the former Tennis Coach, which makes them realise that all is not perfect at the club.
Just like in an Agatha Christie mystery everyone seemed suspicious and looked like they could have been involved in the car accident. I was convinced it was one particular character, so when the big reveal came I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was someone else completely!
As always Nathaniel Parker’s narration was perfect. I loved all the voices he used for all the different characters, particularly Briggs and Julian Manners.
Highly recommended on audio if you enjoy cosy mysteries set in the 1920s.
September 11, 2024
Tränaren på Mydworths tennisklubb dör i en olycka, då han kör av vägen och ner i en å.
Men är det verkligen en olycka? Sir Harry och hans fru Kat inser att så inte är fallet, men vem är den skyldige? För det visar sig att den unge mannen har både många hemligheter och många som inte vill honom väl...
***
Böckerna om sir Harry och Kat är spännande, roliga och härligt kluriga. Den här är inget undantag.
Och som vanligt inläst av... 😍 #happysigh
Men är det verkligen en olycka? Sir Harry och hans fru Kat inser att så inte är fallet, men vem är den skyldige? För det visar sig att den unge mannen har både många hemligheter och många som inte vill honom väl...
***
Böckerna om sir Harry och Kat är spännande, roliga och härligt kluriga. Den här är inget undantag.
Och som vanligt inläst av... 😍 #happysigh
March 14, 2024
Niet helemaal goed uitgewerkt. Het motief is een beetje bij elkaar gerommeld.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews