Grace Among Thieves

Manor House Mystery #3

by Julie Hyzy

  As curator and manager of the Marshfield Manor, Grace Wheaton is delighted to be part of the estate’s magnificent history, but no one told her solving murder was in her job description…
When Grace’s former professor calls to warn her that there have been a rash of thefts at various historical sites, Grace isn’t surprised—because Marshfield Manor has been targeted, too. She wonders if it has something to do with the film crew roaming the grounds, digitally immortalizing the manor, but then she gets distracted by an incident much more the shooting of one guest and the murder of another. Grace does her best not to go looking for trouble, but with a murderer on the loose, she can’t seem to leave the dirty work to the cops—especially since the killer still seems to be lurking around town, waiting to finish the job of making Grace history…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Contemporary, Crime

278 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 5, 2012

About the author

New York Times bestselling author, Julie Hyzy, has won the Anthony, Barry, Phobos, and Derringer Awards for her fiction.

Novels include:
Virtual Sabotage
The White House Chef Mystery series
The Manor House Mysteries
Deadly Blessings
Deadly Interest
Dead Ringer
Artistic License
Playing With Matches


Visit:
www.juliehyzy.com

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like every book I've read recently has hit that 4/5 star mark. They've all been good, solid mysteries, but just fell short of the "amazing" books I want when I rate 5/5 stars. Grace Among Thieves unfortunately didn't break that rut I'm currently in, but it did keep me engrossed for longer than the last few books I've read have.

Grace is a simply wonderful main character. She actually does her job in the books (which is rare in modern cozies) and she shows weaknesses. I simply adore her! The rest of the main characters in this book; Frannie, Bennett, Jack, Hillary, and others also reappear in this book. Both Flynn and Frannie, who had been strictly antagonistic earlier in the series, were fleshed out and made more 3D, and I hope both take large roles in the next book.
The setting is absolutely to die for. I would love to find an enormous mansion filled to the brim with artifacts and antiques to explore! However, the mystery fell slightly flat to me. I suspected the person from almost the beginning, and I almost skimmed the reveal because I had already guessed parts of it.

Overall an excellent book with a transparent mystery. I won't wait very long to read the next one! Recommend.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is a lot of fun. The most exciting part of this book for me was that I totally figured it out which doesn’t happen all that often. The characters are likeable and I like that I have a real setting in my mind that I base this one on. #readforkimberly

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book three in the Manor House Mystery series, starring Grace Wheaton, curator and manager of the estate / museum in the North Carolina mountains.

As cozy mysteries go, this is a pretty good series. I like Grace, who is generally calm in a crisis, and obviously competent at her job. She does seem to take more chances and she has a blind spot where romance is concerned. I like most of the supporting characters and wish that her roommates Scott and Bruce had a larger role in this episode. Her irascible assistant Frances is a hoot! Millionaire Bennett’s stepdaughter Hilary is a distraction but provides some needed tension. My stars but that woman behaves like a teenager, and a spoiled brat teen at that! Of course, Grace will help the police discover the culprit, proving her worth to Bennett and further securing her future role at Manor House.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace has her hands full. There is film crew making a souvenir movie of Marshfield Manor and the owner's stepdaughter has dropped by for an unexpected visit. The last thing she needs is the news she received from former professor. Apparently historic places like Marshfield Manor are being targeted by thieves. She is confident in their security team until a guest is murdered and another one shot. There is just not enough manpower to spread around.

Grace has reason to believe the killer and thieves are lurking about. The two things may even be connected. She will do anything for Marsheild Manor and its owner even if it means putting herself in danger. Grace my just find herself armed and dangerous.

Dollycas's Thoughts
I couldn't wait to read this story. I have become invested in the people at Marshfield Manor. Grace, Frances, Bennett and even Hillary. They is never a dull moment when she is around.

Grace again gets involved in all the drama with all the best intentions. Frances tries to keep everyone in line and Bennett watches over everyone.

The author reeled me in with this one and had me hook, line and sinker. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. So much excitement and suspense I forgot it was a cozy!

Julie Hyzy writes wonderful stories and each one is better than the last. If you were waiting for this one like me you will really enjoy it. If this is a new author for you start at the beginning, read them in order, and enjoy. I can't wait to she what kind of trouble Grace gets into next!!

[Lindig · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who lives about five miles from Biltmore House in Asheville NC, I feel a connection to this character and the setting of Marshfield Manor. On the other hand, there's so many improbable events that I found myself groaning a lot and saying "oh please" from time to time. A fast, light read with some fun and some large nits to pick for fun.

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what Grace does, because she doesn't do whatever she's supposed to be doing for the manor house. But she does spend a lot of time staring vacantly at nothing because her love life is complicated. I can get that she's emotionally down, but here she is stupid. She recovers from it rather well, but it's worth questioning why she was so attracted to some yahoo she knew nothing about that she was willing to jump into bed on a second date. That whole incident was beyond creepy. I've only really read one White House Chef book, but the horrible romantic relationship in that book stayed with me. It's a repeat in Grace. I wonder if it's a motif. It's not a good one. But the advantage is that I'm so sorry for these ladies who endure so much from their no good maybe boyfriends that I'm not as irritated when they miss very obvious neon signposts.

I hate Jack if it wasn't clear. I hope he's gone for good. I also really like that she's allergic to cats but can keep Bootsie. It's not addressed enough.

[Christine Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

was good

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good had me going until the end. I love this series.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Julie Hyzy graces us (pardon the pun) with another great Manor House Mystery, as we delve into the world of antiques and sticky fingered guests. We learn a little more about the fall-out between Grace and her potential beau, Jack, as the third novel begins. Marshfield Manor is pushing into the 21st Century with a DVD to bring the tourist into a digital version of the Manor, so there are camera crews all over and more people than can be properly monitored. When a guest is shot and another dies, Grace turns into the new-age Jessica Fletcher and tries to crack the code, all the while wondering if she is cursed.

Hyzy has made this series a little more… realistic in her depiction of the main character than, perhaps, The White House Chef Mysteries. I find a stronger connection to the ‘crew’ of characters, though fewer books have been published. Hyzy is surely a gifted author, with great ideas, and I cannot imagine her zany wit being attributed to anything else.

As I have said before, these books are lighter fare and not meant to measure up to some of the major crime and mystery writers out there. They remain highly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable by all who partake. Though not meaning any disrespect, they are best read on planes or at the beach (or on a road trip) as they tend to be quick reads.

Kudos Madam Hyzy! Another great book!

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read overall. I'm a fan of this series characters and this book has a LOT of character development. I felt the murderer was fairly obvious from about halfway through, but the trials that Grace goes through kept my attention and kept me from being frustrated. A pet peeve of mine is authors that don't let their characters listen and Grace did her fair share of not listening and conclusion jumping but I'm hoping this is a one-off and not a sign of things to come.

I enjoyed this story, but not as much as the others - I suspect this book will lead to a more enjoyable series, however. I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Lorraine J. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read cozy mysteries before (except for Agatha Christie,) so when I started reading them in order to catch up with a favorite author who has written other types of fiction, I found out how much I enjoyed them. And Julie Hyzy is one of the best cozy mystery authors I've found.

I won't recap the book -- I don't want to give away plot points -- but Grace Among Thieves continues with the high standards I've come to expect from her "Manor House Mystery" series and her "White House Chef Mystery" series. I didn't want to put the book down. I recommend this highly.

[Lucy Burdette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Julie Hyzy's white house chef series so hoped I'd like this one as much. The author is particularly good at fleshing out a main character and her relationships with the folks in her world. Grace is an appealing, spunky woman that the reader grows to root for--and the ending was very exciting.

[Leslie Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hyzy's a reliable author; this one's readable, but I didn't think it was as good as the last one because it was predictable.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, with the characters drawing us into the story. It's between 3 stars (on par for the genre) and 4 stars (thoroughly enjoyable) for me. 5 stars is a book I'd reread, which seldom happens once I know whodunit.

It's cool that Grace had some college fencing experience. So do I, although mine was on a smaller scale.

I don't understand why Grace didn't notify her team sooner about the tip of the thefts at the other institution.

"I only wished she's learned to converse rather than confront." Amen.

"She wants to be happy, but doesn't have a clue how to get there." True for a lot of people.

About "Unless we strive for normal, we risk getting sucked into depression." AND "Work was the greatest panacea for heartbreak."

I've found the opposite to be true in my life. When I push through something and work, I tend to feel worse about whatever I'm grieving, almost physically ill, but if I take the time to grieve and reflect, I tend to do better.

I did guess whodunit, but not because of any clues. It was only because I didn't like the character and that's not fair. I'm not sure there were any clues there for us to gather other than opportunity, and that was wide open for a number of people.

It seems the chief complaint of other reviewers is the poor romantic decisions. I have to concur. Yes, it was emotional, but have a little common sense, too. One reviewer said Grace ignored "glowing orange flags".

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful entry to the series. For one, the characters all appear to be moving forward. Their relationships are also evolving from the previous two entries. Grace's relationship with her assistant Frances is improving, as well as her relationship with amateur detective Ronny Tooney. At the end of the book, even Flynn asked her to address him by his first name! It's always lovely to see in a series relationships evolve through time.

Premise: series of burglaries that may or may not be related to other burglaries on the West coast, a dead body, and a wounded tourist.

It was easy to spot who was one of the antagonists mainly because the character was trying too hard to be damn charming. Any reader would already have red flags screaming in their heads while reading it. But Grace had to learn a lesson.

Overall, took me a short time to finish this because it was engaging and an easy read.

[Chris Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the unabridged audio edition of this book which I obtained free from my local public library.

This third installment in the series is an enjoyable story like its predecessors. It starts with some valuable items found to be missing from Marshfield Manor and then pivots to be about yet another murder at the manor. The least enjoyable part of the story for me was that Grace, who it turns out it's blonde contrary to what I had imagined from the first two installments, makes some questionable and hasty romantic decisions which almost lead to disaster. Despite the character flaw, it was nevertheless an enjoyable read.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book I didn't remember that I had read either 1 or 2 in the series. Fun to reconnect with the characters and the beautiful mansion they work in. I enjoyed the story was glad when Grace begins to grow up a little and take control of her life.
The story is about the Marshfield Mansion, which people can tour and now to add another Several of the mansions priceless treasures have gone missing. The security team cannot figure out how this was happening under their very watchful eyes. Then a murder happens during one of the tours with another visitor is wounded. Who done it!!!
A fun read that had me wondering till almost the end.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) This is the third book in the series. Grace has been dealing with a series of small thefts from the manor, when she is alerted by a friend and colleague that a similar situation at a different property led to a major theft. She is also dealing with a video crew making a documentary for the manor and the challenges of Bennet’s step daughter who has her own agenda. When a death and a shooting occur, Grace becomes more deeply involved in the investigation and finds herself romantically attracted to the shooting victim. She has decided to move on from her feelings for Jake. But will Grace be able to figure out the mystery before things become more deadly?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a charming cozy mystery. As usual, I tend to pick up the first-book-to-me in a series somewhere in the middle (Grace Among Thieves is Book #3 in the Manor House series) so I didn't exactly know the background of the series or characters. However, that didn't distract from my reading. I did like to see the background of the thefts, which reminded me of the Gardner museum heist (a fascinating case).

I was able to figure out the mystery about 2/3 through, but still found it enjoyable to the end. Grace is no Mary Jane and I like Bruce, Scott, Bennett, and most of all the acerbic Francine. I'll be looking for more books in this series.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
An enjoyable light mystery. Grace is a smart woman who's passionate about history and her job as curator at Marshfield Manor. She once again gets involved in solving a murder and some thefts that have happened at the Manor. Some secondary characters add colour including Frances her acerbic assistant and her boss and mentor, Marshfield's owner Bennett.

The plot was not as complex as the first two books, and I guessed who the villain was fairly early. Romance is not a big part of the book, but we do see a couple of potential suitors for Grace.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a lot of good twists and kept me guessing all the way through. I wanted to be mad at how love-lorn Grace seemed in this book, but honestly it seems really in character for her as I think about it following the ending and I think it will allow the character to show some real growth moving forward. I like the relationship between Grace and Frances and watching that evolve. Hillary is an annoying foil, but she’s meant to be so I can only hope that character evolves in a realistic way as well.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is managing an East coast stately home...whose owner is her grandmother's onetime lover....while chasing down murderers who keep popping up in the bushes. She's already wondering if she's put a deathly curse on the place, so I'm not sure how Hyzy will keep this series going with a death every 6 months!
However, the backstage look at stately homes is interesting, and the plot is somewhat believable. The writing is solid, and the characters do change/grow a little as the series continues. So I enjoyed my visit to the Manor!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best in the series.

This is basically murder manor and at this point if they don't have a Halloween Banquet I'm suing. Like make it classy or for charity but like, this place is def haunted and who is in charge of marketing anyway?

This was the best mystery in the series and all her intincts were a mess and I really enjoyed this novel. I feel like the muder was unnecessary in this story but that's none of my business.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Wheaton enjoys her job at Marshfield Manor and she is surprised to hear from a former professor warning her of a rash of thefts at various historical sites. Marshfield Manor is making a DVD to help promote the Manor as it is opened to the public for tours. Graced is not looking for trouble but sometimes trouble seems to find her when a murder occurs and once again she is involved with the police.

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are the missing objects from Marshfield Manor lifted by a petty thief or the opening salvo of a smart group of thieves testing the waters before a bigger heist? Grace has the figure it out pretty quickly to protect the priceless objects in her charge. Quirky characters abound in these novels and it's fun to see the complex nature their sometimes annoying quirks hide. Not my favorite in the series so far but still entertaining.

[Amy Bangsund · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. To be fair to this author, I recently read an Agatha Christie novel. Sadly, this did not compare. Also, I received this book as part of a White Elephant gift exchange, and I think it is the third in this series. So, that didn't help. The characters and plot felt contrived. The reason for the murder made no sense to me. It all felt a bit like a Hallmark movie. I'm not a fan of those either. But if you are, try this series! Maybe you'll love it! 😂

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always love the mysteries by this author. Great read and lots of clues regarding the thefts at Manor house. Grace knows there is a murderer on the loose and cannot let the dirty work be done by the cops. Lots of adventure and two murders keep the suspense going as you turn the pages. Hope you enjoy the read as much as i did.

[Mary Newcomb]

This series was on my probationary do not read list. While I am not ready to remove it from that list, I am not moving it to the do not read list. The mansion is experiencing some thefts, highly specialized. And then two guests are injured, one fatally. Grace has a great first date with one of those guests. The mystery is resolved due to some unexpected information.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed reading books in this series. I thought I had read all the early ones, but apparently missed this one. It was good, although I was surprised how trusting the heroine was of someone she had just met.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically read a new series from the beginning. I don’t like to miss any background that might be necessary in following storylines in subsequent books within the series. This book was gifted to me, however, and I read it out of sequence because it was there and because I love Julie Hyzy‘s White House Chef series so much. I am really happy to have discovered this series! It’s just as much fun as the other and I find the manor and the characters interesting, intriguing and engaging. However, I was a little lost for a bit because I didn’t have background included in the first two books. So now, of course, I must go back and read those. Happy to a found a new series to immerse myself in and eager to see what happens before and after this book!