Murder in City Hall

Massachusetts Cozy #3

by ANDREA KRESS

She’s excited by a new job assignment working with the Mayor. But things quickly get
dark as she finds murder and deceit lurk in the corridors of City Hall.

Public servants in City Hall aren’t being very honest with the public. When a citizen reports an employee’s attempt at extortion, all hell breaks loose. And then that worker is murdered.

Detective Halloran investigates with the perspective of his girlfriend, Amanda, an amateur sleuth. It’s his job on the line but she is pulled in out of curiosity and to avoid the drama at home.

As they dig deeper, they find another layer of corruption that points to people in high places. The detective and the sleuth are faced with scheming civils servants, complacent bosses, a raft of suspects, murky motives and flimsy alibis.

Can they uncover the culprit with so many people and higher ups blocking their progress?

MURDER IN CITY HALL is the third book in the Massachusetts Cozy mystery series. If you like strong female characters, feel-good stories and plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing, then you'll love Andrea Kress's page-turning whodunnit.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 28, 2023

About the author

Hooked on mysteries at an early age by Nancy Drew, Andrea blasted her way through all the Golden Age authors. Her work is reminiscent of that genre with an inquisitive amateur sleuth, a puzzling murder, a slew of suspects, multiple motives, a few red herrings and a surprise ending.

The BERKSHIRES COZY MYSTERY Series features Aggie Burnside, a young nurse and amateur sleuth trying to figure out whodunnit in 1930s small town Massachusetts. There are 9 books.

The MASSACHUSETTS COZY MYSTERY series has Amanda, Aggie's cousin, solving mysteries in the neighborhoods of Boston. There are 9 books.

The CAROLINA COZY MYSTERY series is a contemporary collection of 3 books.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost good.

This was ok but nothing really happened; the mystery lacked detail and suspense and there was no advancement in the romance between Detective Halloran and Amanda.
This author’s pacing problems and repetitiveness continue in book three. See my review of previous books, I’m too tired to cover this again.

[Lori Gronewold · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate when a book ends without solving the problems that were introduced. I feel that I have to read the next book to find out what happened . I feel the author doesn't think people will read any more books
If I lik

[Debra B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the three books that make up the Massachusetts Cozy Mysteries. The writing was fast paced and the characters and plot interesting. I rated the first two books as only 3 stars because though well written, both seem to end abruptly with not much explanation/resolution of the mystery involved (unless you go on to read the next book in the series). Book 3, however, contains it all... good writing, interesting characters and plot, and a satisfying ending earning a 5-star review from me. I look forward to the next book because I can't wait to see what happens in the character's lives!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three

Henrietta takes on a case alone. She goes to Canada to get a very old book. A man 🚹 is murdered in the book store when she arrives. It all comes out leading to the arrest and finding out the truth.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024👒😤

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least the murder was solved in this book so this was an improvement. The younger sister is a trial 🙄🙄🙄 corruption at city hall.. no way!!!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy mystery lover's must have!

Set in 1933, Amanda Burnside is a Massachusetts socialite turned amateur sleuth who works with the mayor at city hall bringing a medical clinic to the undeserved citizens of the North End. When a corrupt city inspector is murdered at city hall, Amanda and her boyfriend, Detective Halloran, work together to solve the murder and ferret out the root of the corruption, all while navigating their growing relationship. Amanda is a smart and confident protagonist who craves more than her position in society expects of her. I enjoyed the unfolding relationship between her and her sister, Louisa, who seems to embody more of the debutante qualities that were expected of wealthy young women of that time. You can tell Amanda is more of a modern thinker because she doesn't seem to care about the class system, as is evident from her friendship with her former maid, Nora, and her relationship with Halloran who is from a middle-class family. Truly diverse characters who all add to the overall story's dynamic. Author Andrea Kress writes with a historical authenticity that enhances the story versus overwhelming it. When coupled with her deft plotting and pacing hand, I was quickly drooling for more as soon as I finished the book! This series is a cozy mystery lover's must have!

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuing adventures of Amanda Burnside, including a very special possible development for her. Another excellent book giving a fascinating insight, which rings very true, into Boston politics of the era. Characters are developing nicely and this book especially had some interestingly weird characters who are specific to this story so we might not see them again, but other ongoing characters leave quite a bit of room for additional virtues and foibles to emerge. Amanda Burnside is a strong woman who is actually having a career at a time when it was not expected or even allowed for women to work outside the home. I was especially pleased to see what Amanda imagines for her future and can’t wait to see it happen, but I don’t want to include any spoilers. You will have to read the book. I am very much looking forward to Amanda’s future activities and I think it will be fun, opening up a wide range of possibilities for this series. Again, as with all of the books by Andrea Kress, I heartily recommend this one as well.

[Carol Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy story of corruption at City Hall in the inspection offices. The inspectors look for ways to make more money than their meager salaries. One inspector is found dead at the office, and an investigation follows.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

City Halll isn't as clean as you thought it was, is it??? Who killed Inspector Kehoe and why??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books are good. They are just a bit too short sometimes; I feel like I want a deeper dive into our characters, of whom I have become quite fond...

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amanda Burnside has gotten a new position that has her working with Boston's mayor. Having an office in City Hall makes it easier for her to run into Detective Brenden Halloran as they are developing into a couple. There have been complaints about agents from the business licensure department taking bribes and/or scamming the public. Then one of these men is found dead in a building basement. There are too many potential suspects, but a lack of motive or opportunity for Amanda and the detective to investigate.

This book has the same proofreading issues as the previous two books in the series. It's too bad because they are very off-putting while the characters and plot are enjoyable.