The Mystery of Albert E. Finch

Victorian Book Club Mystery #3

by Callie Hutton

"Bath, England, 1892. Celebrated mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is set to tie the knot with Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great-aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, has offered to host their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the eve of the ceremony, the festive air in the drawing room is marred by Mrs. Alice Finch's argument with her husband, Albert, in another room. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast--dead. When Amy and William's favorite detectives are summoned to the house, they see two champagne glasses in front of Mrs. Finch and none in front of her husband. Did Albert give his wife a poisoned drink? Always looking for the easiest solution, the detectives charge Albert with the murder. But Lady Amy is not convinced that Albert is guilty. There are too many things that don't add up. In the hopes of being able to leave Bath and begin their honeymoon, Amy and William once again take things into their own hands. Suspects begin to pop up, but nothing takes them more by surprise than the discovery of a second body. Stuck in Bath until the whole poisonous predicament is solved, Amy and William are anxious to collar the perfidious poisoner and be on their way to their honeymoon. If they can't catch the killer, not only is their newlywed bliss under threat, but they may not live to see happily-ever-after at all"--

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

466 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2022

About the author

http://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ (receive a free book for signing up and be up to date on new releases and sales)

Hi Romance Fans,

My historical romances are full of heat, humor, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.

I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Romantic Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A Study in Murder released last year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been excellent. The second book, The Sign of Death, released this year and the next book, The Mystery of Albert E. Finch will release in January of 2022.

I've also been busy keeping up with my Regency/Victorian romances. Check out my latest series, The Rose Room Rogues. Four brothers who own a gambling club and find themselves caught in the net of love.

Watch for my new Highlander series, The Sutherlands of Dornoch. The first book in that series, To Deceive a Highlander, will release March 30th.

Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers. www.calliehutton.com

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series and love its Victorian setting. In this, the third book in the series, Lady Amy and Lord William manage to achieve a wedding, but no cake and no honeymoon. What they do get instead is a murder to investigate.

In fact there are a couple of murders, a suicide and a few other significant moments as our intrepid duo vie with the police force to see who can solve the crimes first. Since the police in cosy novels are usually hopeless it is pretty obvious who will succeed.

I enjoy all of the characters in this series, especially Amy, William and Persephone (Amy's delightful dog as shown on the cover). William is long suffering but supportive and there is a lot of very humorous dialogue between him and Amy.

All very enjoyable and I look forward to more!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Amy Lovell was nervous on the day of her wedding to Lord William Wetherington, but as soon as she saw her fiancé waiting for her, her nerves calmed. Nothing would go wrong now William was to be her husband. The setting was Bath in England, in 1892 and Lady Amy was a mystery writer who used a pseudonym for her books. Her father – and most males, but thankfully not William – was horrified and disgusted that a gentle woman would delve into the sordid life of mystery books. Both William and Amy belonged to the Mystery Book Club of Bath and enjoyed the discussions immensely. But after the ceremony and during the wedding breakfast, one of the guests, Mrs Alice Finch, fell forward into her food, dead beside her husband, Albert.

Two detectives arrived – the newlyweds ‘favourite’ detectives – and proceeded to investigate in their usual laid-back manner, stopping everyone from leaving, including the bride and groom from heading off on their honeymoon. They were sure it was an open and shut case and Albert was guilty. But Lady Amy wasn’t so sure, so to assure she and Lord William left on their honeymoon eventually, they were determined to discover who killed Mrs Finch. With plenty of suspects, they felt they were going in circles, all made worse by the detectives closing the case. Would Lady Amy find the killer? Would she and her new husband ever get away on their honeymoon to Brighton Beach?

The Mystery of Albert E. Finch is the 3rd Victorian Book Club Mystery series by Callie Hutton and the first I’ve read of the series, but it easily stands alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the ineptness of the two detectives, to the determination of Amy to find the answers. I had worked out who the killer was very early in the piece, but the journey to the finish was most entertaining. This is also my first by this author – it won’t be my last 😊 An excellent historical cosy mystery which I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Victorian Book Club Mystery #3
Publication Date: 1/11/22
Period: Victorian Bath, England - 1892
Number of Pages: 330

The Wedding Day! It has finally arrived and Amy and William couldn’t be happier. After the ceremony, they’ll be off to Brighton Beach for their honeymoon. Well – that was the plan anyway. The wedding went off perfectly and the wedding breakfast was going wonderfully until Alice Finch falls face-first into her plate – dead – poisoned. When the two most bumbling detectives in Bath (maybe the only two detectives in Bath) show up, William and Amy know there won’t be a honeymoon anytime soon.

Detectives Edwin Marsh and Ralph Carson do the same thing they always do – they rush to judgment and immediately arrest the person they think is the most obvious suspect. Amy isn’t so sure though and she and William start their own ‘secret’ investigation. The detectives know what they are doing and take great delight in exerting power over them. After all, William and Amy cannot leave for their honeymoon without the detectives allowing them to leave town. Poor William is frustrated beyond belief when they are repeatedly refused permission to leave.

Things go from bad to worse for William and Amy when a solicitor arranges to have Albert Finch released into their custody. It is either that or leave the man in an unforgivably awful jail, so they give in and allow it. Little do they know Amy’s loud, argumentative, demanding family is also going to descend on them – along with a thirty-year-old, Shakespeare-quoting cockatoo named Othello. Ah! Sweet William, did you ever expect your quiet, peaceful life to be turned upside down like this? Isn’t it a good thing he loves her?

“Only a few weeks ago, he had lived in this house with just himself and a staff of five. Now he had a wife, a brother-in-law, a father-in-law, an aunt, a bird, a dog, and an ever-growing staff of temporary and permanent employees. This was certainly not what he had intended when he’d proposed to Amy.”

With almost no clues – other than the obvious suspect – Amy and William find themselves running in circles – and then there is a second body. This body is discovered in their home!

There is so very much to love in this book! The wit and humor will keep you smiling even while you are commiserating with poor William who just wants to go on his honeymoon. The crimes will puzzle you – but you might think you know who committed one of the murders – but what about the other? You’ll root for Amy’s brother to get his own HEA, and you’ll take great delight at seeing Amy’s father thwarted.

I definitely recommend this book and this series. I hope you’ll give it a read and love it as much as I did.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery of Albert E. Finch is the third book in the Victorian Book Club Mystery Series by Callie Hutton following on from "The Sign of Death". Lady Amy Lovell, a mystery author, becomes embroiled in a mystery at her wedding.

Set in Bath, England in 1892, this was an entertaining yarn with a host of quirky characters. Along the way, Lady Amy and Lord William play hosts to wedding guests including Aunt Margaret's chatty parrot named Othello and you will be cheering the couple on to identify the culprit as they compete with the police. Will they get to go to Brighton for their honeymoon? The mystery itself is well-thought-out and there are a good number of suspects. Lady Amy is intelligent and smart and the soupçons of romance are enjoyable to read. Now I need to catch up on book one, "A Study in Murder".

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Lady Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 / 5

In this third addition to the Victorian Book Club Mystery series, we have Amy and William f-i-n-a-l-l-y married (and yes, I say this with irony, seeing as having them married in the third book of a cozy mystery series is in fact quite early by cozy mystery standards). However, disaster strikes at their wedding breakfast when Amy's cousin falls dead into her entrée, leaving poor Amy and William effectively delayed from their honeymoon.

Now, I'll be honest: I didn't like this book as much as the first two of the series. Sure, it's great to have Amy and William together and see them working together as a team (as well as sneaking off a few times to try and salvage what they can of their "honeymoon"), but the book felt like it was a tad lacking in the mystery aspect or...well, really having any focus, since a lot of scenes were either

A) repetitive
B) useless
or
C) just a way to unnerve poor Amy and William as one misfortunate after another falls upon their supposed-to-be-peaceful household

By the time the mystery elements took front and centre and a few "twists" were introduced, I was kind of too bored to care, and really wish the author would have introduced those elements sooner.

Additionally, the stakes weren't as high for either Amy or William personally in this book, so them getting involved in their own investigation felt more like an afterthought than the main focus. Although these events took place at their wedding and all, this time it really did feel like they were butting in unnecessarily to the police officers' investigation--however lacking that investigation was.

All in all, it leaves me kind of lukewarm, though I am still rounding it up to four stars since it wasn't particularly bad and, once again, I did enjoy having Amy and William together as a married couple.

If more books of this series come out, I shall be most happy to read them, though I would ask that the author include more action and mystery next time. This is definitely a "light" cozy mystery, to be sure.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy-style mystery.
I enjoyed Lady Amy and Lord William's latest investigation. A few humorous episodes involving a dog, a parrot, and too many relatives in one house helped to keep the mood relatively light. The book is brimming with anachronisms, though, including noticeably modern language and American terminology, so be prepared to suspend your disbelief. And it's far from a challenge to solve the mystery. But if you're looking for very easy light reading, this would fit the bill.
Incidentally the cover makes me think of cotton candy, and while I'm not normally a fan of that much pink and purple, I do have to admit it's pretty cute.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this digital review copy.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Mystery of Albert E. Finch” by Callie Hutton the 3rd instalment in the " Victorian Book Club Mystery". What an amazing follow up to book two, This is my favourite historical mystery series. Book releases on January 11, 2022

Bath, England, 1892. Celebrated mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is set to tie the knot with Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great-aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, has offered to host their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the eve of the ceremony, the festive air in the drawing room is marred by Mrs. Alice Finch's argument with her husband, Albert, in another room. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast—dead.

The story pulled me in right away, I was so engrossed in it that I read in one night.

I like how there were several stories woven into this mystery but they flowed seamlessly together. I liked the inclusion of the disappearing parrot, Aunt Margaret’s Othello, and Amy’s dog, Persephone, that added some tension to the already on edge household. Plus what’s happening with Michael and Eloise …

The mystery itself was well plotted, entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises at the end.

I can’t wait for the next instalment!

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bath, England, 1892. Mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is marrying Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, is hosting their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the night before the ceremony Mrs. Alice Finch is heard arguing with her husband, Albert. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast, dead. Albert is accused of the murder, then, his dead body is found. Can Lady Amy and Lord William find the truth before their honeymoon plans are null and void?
I loved this story. The main characters are very likeable and wonderful to read about. I loved how the plot kept me on my toes, and I was surprised about who the culprit turned out to be. I like the historical aspect of the story and how Lady Amy fights for her independence. I received an advanced reader’s copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this one without doing my due diligence (though it's 4 starred here so that might not have helped) because it was set in Bath England, a vastly interesting place. Outside of two mentions of Sally Lunn's this could have been set anywhere, that's how badly the setting was used. Sigh. It didn't even do a particularly good job at setting the time period, other than a few mentions of carriages and a scattering of t'is and t'was thrown in for...yeah I'm not even sure. There are so many better historicals out there.

To be fair, I didn't read the first two (nor do I plan t0) and I had high hopes since the author has many titles (beginning to think it was because she shotguns them out there). I even gave it some credit because it's a personal preference to not have moron cops and the two in this are super stupid (to the point even their boss tells them they're dumb and try again).

Amy and William have married only to have the husband of her cousin, Alice to be accused of killing Alice right at their wedding dinner table. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum detectives tell the newlyweds they can't leave Bath nor can they get involved in the case. They ignore the latter and spend at least 200 pages whining about missing their Brighton Beach honeymoon to the point I was ready to throw this thing into a woodchipper if I had to hear about it one more time.

So if they want to go be newly weds, they have to solve Alice's murder and yet somehow don't put an obvious suspect on their list for literally ages. There aren't that many suspects so I figured out what happened the moment it was mentioned Albert doesn't like champagne and gave it to his wife. Annabel her twin however is sure he killed Alice and doesn't want Amy to investigate (and thanks for giving 4 characters A names).

Amy and William are very one note characters. Amy spends a lot of time getting angry over the littlest of things. Now I came in with book three so never really saw her write anything let alone a mystery and the book club scenes were pointless (unless you want to give them more reasons to complain about the honeymoon. No lie Amy is more upset about this than she ever seems about her cousin's death. Oh well Alice is dead but damn it I can't go on my honeymoon).

Her family is forced to live with her and William for a short time because of a leak in the plumbing of her father and brother's new place in Bath. Why? To prove her father is a jerk? To set up her brother's arc? None of it added to the story. Eloise is supposed to be Amy's best friend. She's barely in this so her little arc at the end has no impact. Heck even the parrot Othello's sex changes from time to time (along with other things that should have been caught in editing).

This was a definite miss for me. Sad because I would have loved a series set in Bath but it's definitely not going to be this one.

[Lea Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start by saying love this series!!

William and Amy have and their family have become very dear to my heart as they go about their sleuthing adventures.

In this latest installment they are celebrating their wedding and one of their guests falls face down in their plate due to poisoning.

Reminds me of another series I love that always starts with ‘Face down…’ by Kathy Lynn Emerson but I digress.

So our sleuthing duo are detained from leaving for their honeymoon by the local bumbling police who are not nice to our couple.

In order to get permission to leave our couple has to step in and solve the murder. Along the way Lady Amy’s family has domestic issues and family pets Othello and Persephone keep disappearing and reappearing.

Our duo has to go their a ever increasing cast of suspects to solve the murder(s) and regain domestic tranquility.

5 stars and I can’t wait to their next adventure.

This is an honest review for ARC I received by NetGalley.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bath, England, 1892. Celebrated mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is set to tie the knot with Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great-aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, has offered to host their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice Finch falls face-first into her food—dead. When Amy and William's favourite detectives are summoned to the house, they see two champagne glasses in front of Mrs. Finch and none in front of her husband. Always looking for the easiest solution, the detectives charge Albert with the murder. But Lady Amy is not convinced that Albert is guilty. There are too many things that don't add up. In the hopes of being able to leave Bath and begin their honeymoon, Amy and William once again take things into their own hands. Suspects begin to pop up, but nothing takes them more by surprise than the discovery of a second body. Stuck in Bath until the whole poisonous predicament is solved, Amy and William are eager to find the villain and be on their way to their honeymoon.
This is the third book in the series &is easily read on its own. However if you love series I’d recommend reading from the start to fully appreciate William & Amy & how their relationship blossomed. I love both William & Amy & how they feed off each other & also how they are now a true partnership. Another well written cosy mystery, the characters are a delight & have depth. There are lots of suspects, red herrings plus twists & turns some of which I didn’t see coming. I hope there are more mysteries to come
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Can I say just one thing? I am in LOVE with this series. This is the third book in this series and it is as good as the others before. This series is incredibly constant in the mysteries as well as the private lives. Again I could not put this book down!

In this book the big day is finally here. Lady Amy and Lord William are tying the knot. At the wedding breakfast one of the guest suddenly collapses and is found to be dead. All the indications are there that her husband is the murderer. But as always Lady Amy has doubts and the detectives have ordered for them not to go on their honeymoon. So Lady Amy and Lord William dive into another investigation of their own and uncover quite some hidden secrets.

But in their new home life as newlyweds everything isn't going that easily as well. As a married woman, Lady Amy now lives with Lord William, but water damages see that Lady Amy's Father, Brother Michael and Aunt, together with Lady Amy's dog Persephone and Aunt Margaret's Parrot also move in, which gives for some amusing scenes! But what is happening between Michael and Lady Amy's best Friend Eloise?

The ending made me feel knocked out as I had no idea who actually did it and why. This person was on my list, but I dismissed this person quite quickly. I highly recommend this series! It is so, so much fun and so incredibly well written!

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery Of Albert E. Finch is the third book in the Victorian Book Club Mystery series by Callie Hutton.

Lady Amy Lovell and Lord William Wethington have just exchanged their wedding vows and are headed for Amy’s great-aunt Lady Priscilla’s home for their wedding breakfast. The guests are seated at the table enjoying their meals when Alice Finch falls face-first into her dish - dead. The police are called, and soon the inept duo of Detectives Marsh and Carson arrive to investigate the suspicious death of Alice Finch. They will find Finch’s champagne glass in front of Alice’s place setting, in addition to her glass. They will suspect poisoning, and when Marsh and Carson learn that the Finch’s had a heated argument during the rehearsal dinner the night before, as they are apt to do, feel they have an open and shut case and arrest Albert for murdering his wife. Not only was there a murder at their wedding breakfast, but the police have ordered that no one could leave Bath until the case is solved; therefore no honeymoon for Amy and William until the killer is caught.

Amy and William have no confidence that Marsh and Carson will look farther than Albert Finch as the killer, so they begin their own investigation. This case will prove to be the most difficult one yet, but maybe that is because they want to head off on their honeymoon. William’s solicitor is able to work out an agreement for Finch’s release from jail, with the proviso that he be confined in Amy and William’s home.
Also staying at the newlywed’s home are her Aunt Margaret, her father, brother, and Margaret’s chatty parrot. During a torrential rainstorm, a leaky roof caused significant damage to the home, causing them to move to Amy and William’s house.

I love this series. The books are well-written and plotted and appear to be historically accurate. This one had plenty of twists and turns and red herrings that kept me guessing until the end as to the killer’s identity. The characters are well-developed and believable. I particularly enjoyed Aunt Margaret’s parrot and how he would disappear and reappear.

I am looking forward to the next book in this enjoyable series.

[Caley Gredig · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mystery of Albert E. Finch by Callie Hutton is set in 1891 in Bath, Somerset County, England. Taking up where the earlier installments of this series left off, this book begins with the wedding of Lady Amy Lovell to Lord William Wethington. Although the ceremony comes off without a hitch, the young couple are soon embroiled in another murder when a cousin of the bride dies during the wedding breakfast being hosted by a great aunt.

As with the previous books, this murder is investigated by Detective Ralph Carson and Detective Edwin Marsh are called into action to bumble their way through this investigation. The detectives inform the newlyweds that they are not to leave town and so they commence their own investigation so as to, hopefully, be able to go on their scheduled honeymoon. In addition to the occurrence of the murder, Lady Amy's family residence sustains flood damage during a storm and her father, brother and aunt temporarily move in to the Wethington home with the newlyweds. In addition to this stress, the detectives focus on the husband of the deceased as their primary suspect. After he is arrested and charged, the barrister that Lord Wethington recommended for him is able to arrange bond for him only if the Wethingtons are willing to assume custody and responsibility for him.

Throughout this book, the author keeps the reader guessing as to the motive and therefore the culprit behind the murder as various suspects are brought to light especially after the husband of the deceased is also found dead while in the Wethington home. Because the newlyweds are not comfortable with the "easy" solution proposed by the detectives, murder and then suicide, they continue their investigation and are asked to provide assistance to the police after their chief investigator felt there was more involved in the cases.

After several twists of the plot, the mystery is solved in an unexpected turn of events that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. I truly hope that there are many more books ahead for this series and these characters.

I received a copy of The Mystery of Albert E. Finch through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lady Amy and Lord William are finally married, but a mysterious death at their wedding breakfast means that they cannot leave for their honeymoon as planned. When they finally are able to leave the site of the breakfast and return to William's home, they find that an emergency has forced Amy's gruff father, her brother, and the aunt who raised her to seek lodgings with them. That includes Othello, her aunt's talking bird, and of course her own beloved dog, and an influx of new servants to help care for the new guests. And the honeymoon seems further away than ever. Then they accept custody of the suspect in the death, to save him from the insalubrious prison he'd otherwise be confined to. Talk about a full house! Again I'm taken out of the story by the author's use of words like "twas" and "tis," which seem out of period in a novel set in 1893.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very pleased with the character development in this book concerning the usual characters. There were also many guest characters, and many of them were suspects for the murder of Albert Finch's wife and also for the second murder. I was kept guessing who the real murderer(s) were, and I did not have it figured out before the end of the book. The Victorian Book Club Mysteries are unique because the usual characters are of the upper crust, and they live in Bath, England during the eighteen hundreds. Consequently, many of the attitudes and customs are different from what they would be today, but that makes for an interesting story!

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the Victorian Cozy series by cozy author Callie Hutton. I enjoy this series for its historical aspects. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. My review opinions are my own.

This next in series centers around a wedding and a murder. The sleuth was interesting to conclusion, the setting of Victorian England fun and the charcters likable. I will continue this series. It is a enjoyable fun read for all that enjoy historical reading .

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am totally loving this cozy mystery series and the delightful characters. I am having a small problem with the narrator on the audiobook however. Her voice seems, at times, way too old for the main character, Amy, who is only in her late 20’s. Other times, though, her voice whines like a young child. But this is not going to stop me from continuing to listen to the series on audiobook.

[Helen Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is "just" a cozy mystery, it was so much fun and the characters are so appealing that it deserves 4 stars. Hutton's mysteries are a great escape from the daily grind.

[Anna Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved attending the wedding of Lady Amy Lovell and Lord William Wethington, I like that he is so supportive of her writing (although there was one time he should have told her father off, as Amy now "belongs" to him). I was able to figure out part of the mystery but not all of it. I like the characters and hope to read more about them.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jersey Girl Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

These characters have less chemistry than mud. What a dull couple. There was nothing in the way of romance, they were newlyweds for goodness sakes, their conversation lackluster. What a dull dull dull dull boring couple and book. Yawn.

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥂The Mystery of Albert E. Finch 🥂
A Victorian Bookclub Mystery
A VICTORIAN BOOK CLUB MYSTERY 3
✒️ Callie Hutton
https://www.facebook.com/calliehutton...
Release Date 01/11/2022
Publisher Crooked Lane Books
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09285VG3F/...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

In USA Today bestselling author Callie Hutton's third Victorian Book Club mystery, will wedding bells or death knells ring for Lady Amy and Lord William?

Bath, England, 1892. Celebrated mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is set to tie the knot with Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great-aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, has offered to host their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the eve of the ceremony, the festive air in the drawing room is marred by Mrs. Alice Finch's argument with her husband, Albert, in another room. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast—dead.

When Amy and William's favorite detectives are summoned to the house, they see two champagne glasses in front of Mrs. Finch and none in front of her husband. Did Albert give his wife a poisoned drink? Always looking for the easiest solution, the detectives charge Albert with the murder. 

But Lady Amy is not convinced that Albert is guilty. There are too many things that don't add up. In the hopes of being able to leave Bath and begin their honeymoon, Amy and William once again take things into their own hands.  Suspects begin to pop up, but nothing takes them more by surprise than the discovery of a second body.  
 
Stuck in Bath until the whole poisonous predicament is solved, Amy and William are anxious to collar the perfidious poisoner and be on their way to their honeymoon. If they can't catch the killer, not only is their newlywed bliss under threat, but they may not live to see happily-ever-after at all.

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

When their wedding day turns into their first investigation as a married couple…

I confess I was torn about which book to read next as every book releasing at this precise date is one I have longed to read them since they landed on my shelves.
As my reading day had been a been cute short with the usual beginning of the year paperwork burden, I thought first to choose the shorter story, but instead went for the one I wondered if it would be the last in this series I just love, but I much hope not.
It was such a pleasure to see again Amy and William, and it was a sure thing their wedding could not be a simple quiet affair.
As like the two previous books, it was fun to follow them on their merry chase as they also try to settle into married life, a bliss everyone seems determined to prevent them to enjoy.
The detectives are still the same oblivious duet, choosing as usual to focus their inquiries to the pinpointed-by-everybody culprit, dismissing everyone else.
Yet William and Amy are too running circles as secrets and clues which did not add pile up and have them rethink again and again their list of suspects and their motives.
And while my suspicions were right, it was fun to see them untangle the case all the while facing the changes of their life as now a married couple.
With wits, humor and quips, the author immerses us in the couple new life as a wedded entity with the ins and outs and expected disturbances as the body count rises.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Crooked Lane Books, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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[Ameya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mystery of Albert E. Finch, Callie Hutton

Cozy, comforting murder mystery in Bath, England, 1892.

This is the first in the Victorian Bookclub Mystery series by Callie Hutton that I've read. It was a pleasant, sometimes humorous, oft times mysterious read. It's told in the third person, past tense POV of respectively Lady Amy Lovell, late 20s, and her new husband, Lord William Wethington.

At their wedding breakfast hosted by Amy's great aunt, Amy’s cousin, Alice Finch, slumps dead at the dining table. Mr and Mr Plod, the 2 detectives assigned to the suspicious death, Detectives Carson and Marsh, go about their plodding way, irritating the newly married couple and everyone else, and making no headway at all. With barely any detective work, they arrest Alice’s husband, the eponymous Albert Finch, on suspicion of murder.

Amy is a successful mystery novelist, and she and William do their parallel investigation, under the Plods' radar. As to be expected in a murder mystery, there's a second, more surprising murder. Soon William's and Amy's home is shared with Albert Finch on home arrest under the Wethington's guardianship, Amy's brother. Michael, father, Franklin, Aunt Margaret and her Shakespeare-quoting parrot, Othello, and Amy’s dog Persephone. Far be it from going on their honeymoon, the new couple, are hemmed in at all sides, at all times, by people, pets and mayhem. This makes for humour and a light touch.

Amy and William are likeable characters, the reader is rooting for. The other main characters include Alice Finch's twin, Anabelle, Amy's best friend, Eloise, a set of relatives, a line of suspects, household serving staff and a couple of lawyers.

Some of the mannerisms and language seemed shoe-horned for late 19th century England, especially women's limited place in society; and the elegant manners of the gentry seemed overstated. The contrast of William's liberated views on feminism, was refreshing. Detective Carson's boorish, debasing views of women just paints the Plods in the couple's opposite corner.

Their solving of the murder was somewhat long-winded, due to a paucity of clues. The revealed culprit was not obvious but on my list of suspects.

Then there was the delightful mystery of the disappearing parrot, Aunt Margaret’s Othello, and Amy’s dog, Persephone, that added a measure of intrigue and frisson. Nicely resolved too.

Not so good was the repetitive nature of the suspect list, the slow investigation, and the continual references to the delayed honeymoon, which wasn't as funny as it was supposed to be. The tiff with the Plods also became predictable. The case's resolution seemed like it fell into their laps rather than good deductive work.

Amy, William and the cast of characters are entertaining, and I look forward to reading more books in the Victorian Bookclub Mystery series.

Thanks to Crooked Lane publishers, #Netgalley and the author for my advance reade.r copy in exchange for my review.
#TheMysteryofAlbertEFinch #NetGalley

This review also appears in Netgalley and https://thereadersvault.blogspot.com/...

[Ameya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy, comforting murder mystery in Bath, England, 1892.

This is the first in the Victorian Bookclub Mystery series by Callie Hutton that I've read. It was a pleasant, sometimes humorous, oft times mysterious read. It's told in the third person, past tense POV of respectively Lady Amy Lovell, late 20s, and her new husband, Lord William Wethington.

At their wedding breakfast hosted by Amy's great aunt, Amy’s cousin, Alice Finch, slumps dead at the dining table. Mr and Mr Plod, the 2 detectives assigned to the suspicious death, Detectives Carson and Marsh, go about their plodding way, irritating the newly married couple and everyone else, and making no headway at all. With barely any detective work, they arrest Alice’s husband, the eponymous Albert Finch, on suspicion of murder.

Amy is a successful mystery novelist, and she and William do their parallel investigation, under the Plods' radar. As to be expected in a murder mystery, there's a second, more surprising murder. Soon William's and Amy's home is shared with Albert Finch on home arrest under the Wethington's guardianship, Amy's brother. Michael, father, Franklin, Aunt Margaret and her Shakespeare-quoting parrot, Othello, and Amy’s dog Persephone. Far be it from going on their honeymoon, the new couple, are hemmed in at all sides, at all times, by people, pets and mayhem. This makes for humour and a light touch.

Amy and William are likeable characters, the reader is rooting for. The other main characters include Alice Finch's twin, Anabelle, Amy's best friend, Eloise, a set of relatives, a line of suspects, household serving staff and a couple of lawyers.

Some of the mannerisms and language seemed shoe-horned for late 19th century England, especially women's limited place in society; and the elegant manners of the gentry seemed overstated. The contrast of William's liberated views on feminism, was refreshing. Detective Carson's boorish, debasing views of women just paints the Plods in the couple's opposite corner.

Their solving of the murder was somewhat long-winded, due to a paucity of clues. The revealed culprit was not obvious but on my list of suspects.

Then there was the delightful mystery of the disappearing parrot, Aunt Margaret’s Othello, and Amy’s dog, Persephone, that added a measure of intrigue and frisson. Nicely resolved too.

Not so good was the repetitive nature of the suspect list, the slow investigation, and the continual references to the delayed honeymoon, which wasn't as funny as it was supposed to be. The tiff with the Plods also became predictable. The case's resolution seemed like it fell into their laps rather than good deductive work.

Amy, William and the cast of characters are entertaining, and I look forward to reading more books in the Victorian Bookclub Mystery series.

Thanks to Crooked Lane publishers, #Netgalley and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for my review.
#TheMysteryofAlbertEFinch #NetGalley

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 1892 in Bath and Lady Amy Lovell is going to marry Lord William Wethington. What should be the most wonderful day of their lives soon takes a deadly turn at their wedding breakfast. Amy and William are eager to make their escape and start their honeymoon in Brighton but all of their plans come to a halt when one of the guests, Mrs. Alice Finch, is poisoned and falls face first into her breakfast plate, dead. Her husband, Albert, was seated next to her and had been overheard the previous evening having a rather loud argument with her. She was was heard to declare "Never again". Having only been married three years, it was common knowledge that they argued a lot and loudly. Could it have escalated to murder? Amy and William don't believe that but soon Albert is arrested by a pair of less than stellar police officers, neither one admirers of Amy and William. Honestly, if the police could lock up Amy and/or William they would do it without a second thought. Not being able to do that, the lead detective decides to ruin their honeymoon.
The guest list is about fifty people and the detective decides that nobody will be allowed to leave the house until the case is solved. When that fails he comes up with a smaller list of suspects and insists that they must stay - without ample space for staying overnight. From there it becomes a race for the newlyweds to catch the killer and salvage what remains of their honeymoon plans. Much as they love their family, having to share their house with her father, brother, aunt, a parrot and Amy's dog is not the way to start their married life.
This is one of my favorite historical series and I was hooked from the first page. Not only is it a well plotted mystery with great characters, it is also full of subtle humor, all things I expect from a cozy.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Caitlin Gonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love the Victorian Bookclub Mystery series by Callie Hutton, and was so excited to see a third one in the series. Lord William Wethington and Lady Amy Lovell have gotten married! What should be a happy occasion is marred at the wedding breakfast when Lady Amy’s cousin Alice Finch jumps dead in to her food. Amy and William battle wits again with Detectives Carson and Marsh when they decide that Alice’s husband Albert is the killer. With Amy’s mystery writer identity revealed to all, and the couple’s previous successes, Albert has requested their assistance to proving his innocence. Unfortunately for everyone who is investigating, suspects begin to pile up including Albert, and soon a second body is discovered. According to the same detectives and to William’s consternation, the happy couple is not allowed to go on their honeymoon. To add insult to injury, Amy’s father, brother, and Aunt Margaret have temporarily moved into William and Amy’s home as unexpected repairs are being done to their own home. Now that there is a threat to their happiness, the two decide to take matters into their own hands before there becomes one to their lives as well.

I was so happy that the author didn’t extend out the relationship with these two characters, Amy and William. Too many authors do that, and it just becomes this annoying situation that is distracting to the plot lines. Callie Hutton appears to have a wonderful intuition for character growth. She expands on Amy and William, but also on the people that surround them. I enjoyed the extra interaction with Amy’s father and her brother Michael. I am excited to see what happens with two other couples, but also what will happen with Amy’s father and Aunt Margaret. I was also excited to see William with progressive ideals towards his new wife as opposed to what society thought of females.

I am still greatly annoyed with Detective Carson, but I really want to know what the deal with Detective Marsh is. Does that man ever argue with his partner and the rude, slightly stupid things that he says? I was happy to see that the chief inspector does require more from these two individuals, so again it is a situation that the author doesn’t allow to extend throughout the series without consequences. I would like to see a different detective couple or one different detective. I would even like to see the chief inspector, and how he interacts with William.

The murder was elaborate but not convoluted which I appreciated. The suspect list growing with each new discovery made it difficult to guess at the ending. It was interesting how the murderer choose when to strike, because it such felt out of place, but I also wasn’t expecting the overall outcome. The side mystery with Aunt Margaret’s Othello, and Amy’s dog Persephone was simply adorable. I laughed at the solution, which felt like it should have been obvious, but wasn’t what I was expecting. I will also say that I was happy Persephone was mentioned, and had her own mystery, but she wasn’t actively involved like she was in the second book. I was also happy to see that Amy could, and would, compromise with William concerning Persephone and her place in the household.

Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars, since I couldn’t find anything wrong or that put me off with the writing or the plot line. I sincerely hope that there is more to come.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bath, England, 1892. Celebrated mystery author Lady Amy Lovell is set to tie the knot with Lord William Wethington, a fellow member of the Mystery Book Club of Bath. Amy's great-aunt, Lady Priscilla Granville, has offered to host their wedding at her stately Derby Manor House. But on the eve of the ceremony, the festive air in the drawing room is marred by Mrs. Alice Finch's argument with her husband, Albert, in another room. The next morning at the wedding breakfast, Alice falls face-first into her breakfast—dead.

When Amy and William's favorite detectives are summoned to the house, they see two champagne glasses in front of Mrs. Finch and none in front of her husband. Did Albert give his wife a poisoned drink? Always looking for the easiest solution, the detectives charge Albert with the murder.

But Lady Amy is not convinced that Albert is guilty. There are too many things that don't add up. In the hopes of being able to leave Bath and begin their honeymoon, Amy and William once again take things into their own hands. Suspects begin to pop up, but nothing takes them more by surprise than the discovery of a second body.

Stuck in Bath until the whole poisonous predicament is solved, Amy and William are anxious to collar the perfidious poisoner and be on their way to their honeymoon. If they can't catch the killer, not only is their newlywed bliss under threat, but they may not live to see happily-ever-after at all.
A laugh a minute mystery.
Callie Hutton has written another winner. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd installment of the Victorian Bookclub Mystery series. Lady Amy Lovell is marrying Lord William Wethington and after their ceremony and they are at their wedding breakfast when Amy’s cousin Alice dies. Her husband Albert was sitting right next to her and he becomes the prime suspect. Lady Amy and Lord William cannot leave for their honeymoon and are at the mercy of the detectives Carson and Marsh who seem to be good at looking at the most obvious answer and failing to investigate. Albert is arrested and Amy and William are not convinced he did the deed. They agree with her cousin’s twin Annabelle that Albert has been a horrible husband but is he a murderer? Lord William hires the barrister that helped both Amy and William in their last issues with the detectives and he gets Albert released until his trial, unfortunately he has been released into Lord Wethington’s custody and Amy’s Father, Aunt and brother Michael are forced out of their townhouse for repairs and all are under the same roof. This is difficult for everyone and Albert does not leave his room until he is found one day dead in his bed of an apparent poisoning just like his wife. There are other surprises in store for everyone along the way to solving these two murders. This was a griping mystery with lots of twists and turns. This is such an enjoyable series and there was lots more family involved as Amy’s Father and Brother are planning on moving to Bath. An exiting twist at the end that will prove to be interesting in the next book. Can’t wait for the next in this series.

[Malin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the third in the cozy mystery series set in the Victorian era and the two main characters are getting married when a cousin falls dead to the floor. They set out to find out who did it.
First, I want to say that even though the book references the two previous books (which I haven’t read) I didn’t feel like it would be necessary to pick them up other than to read them for their own stories.
I truly enjoyed the story and characters, all of whom had their own personalities and quirks—except, which is becoming a trope in cozies, the police who blunder about. I’m happy that their boss got a little mad at their incompetence too, that makes it more of a fun thing.
The era was also written with a finesse that didn’t make the customs/facts too overbearing, and it was a breath of fresh air to find such a well functioning romantic relationship that didn’t, at any time, take over the plot.
I usually find out the killer in mysteries early, and this time, I did too. I’m not sure what tipped me off, but there wasn’t a doubt in my mind, yet, I enjoyed seeing the other clues and such laid out. There was a little bit too much luck involved for my taste too.

Toward the end, (around 80% on my kindle) I feel the story got a bit bogged down, but after the reveal, there’s a satisfying ending.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been holding on to this one since September just waiting for it to be closer to publication date to dive in. I didn't only dive, I devoured. I began reading on Tuesday.
I finished Wednesday afternoon.
The good news is that Amy and Michael are married!!!
The bad news is that Amy's cousin is killed at the post-ceremony wedding breakfast and her husband, Albert E Finch, is the only real suspect in the eyes of our least favorite detective duo from the first two books.
Yes, again, I beg of you .... read these in order.
And thank me later.
Finch ends up being placed at Amy and Michael's house .... along with her father, brother, aunt, various pets, and an onslaught of temporary staff. As if that wasn't chaos enough, another death occurs just as Amy and Michael are busy trying to work out what happened to her cousin .... without the aforementioned detective duo getting in their way.
Twists and turns and herrings of all sorts of colors besides the usual red made this most definitely NOT the honeymoon that the two had been dreaming of, but it did make for a wonderful read.
Yet again I'm left hoping that Callie Hutton is a fast writer.