Death with Reservations

Pennyfoot Hotel #10

by Kate Kingsbury

Cecily is unable to accept the ruling that a Pennyfoot guest, Lord Sittingdon, died of food poisoning, and she begins her own investigation, fearing that murder will become the hotel's daily special. Original.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Historical Mystery, Historical

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Kate Kingsbury grew up in London, England, and at a very early age began telling stories to her school friends during the London Blitz of WW II while huddling in bomb shelters. Kate moved to the U.S. in the early sixties, and had passed her 50th birthday when she published her first book. Writing as Doreen Roberts, (her real name at the time) she published 26 romance novels for Harlequin/Silhouette. In 1991 her first Pennyfoot Hotel book was published and since then Kate has written 35 mysteries, including the Manor House mysteries, the Bellehaven House mysteries(written as Rebecca Kent) and the Raven's Nest mysteries, (written as Allison Kingsley.) Her new series, The Merry Ghost Inn Mysteries debuted in January, 2017 with Dead and Breakfast, featuring a B & B on the Oregon coast. She has one son, Regan, and lives with her husband, Bill, in the beautiful state of Oregon.

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good character development in this book. Liking this couple more and more and pulling for their romance.

[Deann Doolittle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't stand to read the word bleeping or bleeding one more time. Sorry!

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think of the results when you act in anger!!!!!!

10 stars!!
Cecily had a lot going on at the Pennyfoot this time. With Baxter back, Gertie and her babies, Ethel is back.
Guests acting strange, the gardener wondering who is messing in his flowers.
Mysterious letter being delivered, suffragettes movement going on and no full moon.
You are going to find out what is happening when you read this book.
It's great. Some women would like to act on some thoughts, but know of the results are not worth it in the long run.
You will cheer somewhat.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never read this series before - I don't know if that made any difference. The story was good but I found the characters weird and the dialogue stilted. Gertie cannot complete one sentence without swearing, Baxter is in love with Cecily but calls her madam, even though he kisses her more than once. It just didn't feel comfortable. I know it takes place in Edwardian times but it just felt weird.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery based in old England when women were second class citizens. The story of some female activists was secondary to the mystery. Poison, gardening shears, romance and gin (not the card game) were among the clues to two murders.

[Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books in this series are getting more and more predictable. I keep reading them because I find the characters simply delightful!

[Mare · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one almost as much as the other, but Gertie rather got on my nerves.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. I did guess who the murderer was towards the end. I would recommend this book to others, in fact, I'd recommend the whole series.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another enjoyable installment in the Pennyfoot Hotel cozy mystery series. I look forward to the further development of the characters I have come to enjoy reading about. I love the ins-and-outs, the daily workings of the staff, their loves and trials. I'm enjoying the underlying Beaufort of the women's movement/suffragettes and the beginning of the courtship between Baxter and Cecily. I really hope that Gertie gets her man.

[IslandRiverScribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 10th entry in the Pennyfoot Hotel series. It’s September 1910 and Baxter has returned to the Pennyfoot as part owner/manager of the hotel and as Cecily’s suitor.

One of the guests, Lord Sittingdon, a London prosecutor and judge, dies of food poisoning one day after Baxter returns. There are several people in the hotel, guests and staff alike, who have very good reason to rejoice in his death. Cecily feels she must investigate because they (Baxter and Cecily) can be charged with the death because they provided the food that was poisoned and the hotel would be shut down as a result.

All this happens in the first few pages of the book and the rest of the cozy mystery is involved with three things:
(1) Determining the identity of the murderer (you spot the definitive clue very easily in this book);
(2) Updating and expanding the social changes of the post-Victorian era, particularly involving suffragette issues but also involving abortion issues and basic women’s right to business and social access; and
(3) Progressing the relationship between Cecily and Baxter.

The writing style is smooth, the editing is accurate and the dialog is spot-on based on experience with writers who actually lived in that time period. Also, the upstairs-downstairs tableaux feel historically accurate.

This is a fine book, good for the mind and soul after a hard day, and I look forward to the next in the series.

[Donna Zigmont · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this installment. But once again was disappointed because I guessed the killer rather early on. This one was just too obvious. I'm still disliking Phoebe more and more, although her encounter with Gin and the Colonel in the rose garden gave me a few laughs. I like that Ethel has come back. She and Gertie have a great dynamic together. I was sad that the gardener John was killed off. not sure why but really disliking the Doctor. I'm glad Baxter and Cecily are now together. I rather like Michel the chef he makes me laugh. Especially the interaction he has with Mrs. Chubb and Gertie.

[Nancy Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I don't think the writing is necessarily any better or the mysteries any more "mysterious", but I am enjoying the continued development of the characters. The mystery as always is somewhat predictable and Cecily's insistence on handling things herself is a little annoying, but at least this time there were enough clues around so it didn't appear as if Cecily was making stuff up.

It's a cozy mystery, heavy on the cozy and light on the mystery, but I enjoyed it for what it is and continue to look forward to the development of the people I have grown quite fond of.

[Bayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, light read. The perfect "airport" book, an easy to follow mystery set in Edwardian England with quirky characters and a lush hotel setting. The content is clean, only a few slurs and mentions of murder and adultery, but nothing graphic. Recommended to an older crowd.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Baxter returns as manager and partner of the Pennyfoot Hotel, but is unable, of course, to stop the poisoning of a guest! The mystery in the 10th of the series was a little transparent, but still a pretty good read.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok ok I have been reading these on the sly. I think I am on on my 3 or 4th. Ok now I will not comment on them again.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot my book at home one day so I picked up this little book. Literally it is about 100 pages of formulaic murder mystery. Quick read, totally fluff - very little substance.

[Susan Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Kingsbury is one of my favorite current mystery authors. I've enjoyed all the Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries I've read, and I'm keeping an eye out for the books I'm missing in the series.

[Linda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very smart

I am so attached to these characters and the way they bring these mysteries to life. Very good all around

[L.Joy Dunnigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read

Another easy read in the life and drama of the Pennyfoot hotel staff and guest! If you are enjoying this series keep reading!