Mulled Murder

Pennyfoot Hotel #21

by Kate Kingsbury

More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA.

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Holiday

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 2013

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

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost made it through the year with only 1 book that I couldn't finish...then I picked up this one. It's our book club book so I didn't bother to look it up. I didn't know it was a historical mystery until after starting it. I'm not a huge fan of them anymore, but I do still read them. With this one, however, I couldn't finish it. The main characters (or the ones that I was introduced to) were annoying. She purposely tried to hide evidence from the constable?? Also, I couldn't grasp the wording that was used. It got on my nerves! Maybe I would've enjoyed it more had I started with the first book in the series (and not the last!!), but who knows.

Made it to page 54 before quitting this one.

[AJourneyWithoutMap · Rating 5 out of 5]

After more than two decades of entertaining readers around the globe with her Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery series comprising of twenty-one books, including nine Christmas editions counting her latest book in the series Mulled Murder, bestselling author Kate Kingsbury has decided to call it a day on this long-running series and in a fitting finale to this thrilling saga writes a book that fans will remember for a long time to come.

Mulled Murder brings Cecily and Baxter close together again, as they work together to find a killer lurking in the secret tunnel below the Pennyfoot Hotel. It is a mystery waiting to be read.

Beginning with Room with a Clue (Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery) which was published nearly twenty-one years ago, Kate Kingsbury has delighted fans of her Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery series with thrill after thrill in books such as Do Not Disturb (A Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery), Service for Two (A Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery), Eat, Drink, And Be Buried, Check-out Time, Grounds for Murder (Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries), Pay the Piper (A Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery), Chivalry Is Dead, Ring for Tomb Service (Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery), Death with Reservations (Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries), Dying Room Only (Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery Series), Maid to Murder (Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery Series, 12), No Clue at the Inn, Slay Bells (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Myst), Shrouds of Holly (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery), Ringing In Murder (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Myst), Decked with Folly (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Myst), Mistletoe and Mayhem (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Myst), Herald of Death (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Myst), The Clue is in the Pudding (A Special Pennyfoot Hotel Myst) and, now, Mulled Murder. (I have painstakingly included Amazon links to all Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery books to assist potential readers and fans who'd like to check them out - but Amazon says only ten links are permitted)

The first Pennyfoot Hotel Mystery book Room with a Clue containing 204 pages was published October 1st 1993 by Berkley. And the final installment in the series Mulled Murder containing 304 pages has been brought out by the same publisher Berkley on October 29, 2013. The series lasted 7333 days which is exactly 20 years and four weeks. It is one of the longest running series not only in terms of years but also in terms of books.

Thank you, Katie, for bringing to us characters like Cecily, Baxter and Gertie. It will be so hard to let them go. Thank you for creating unforgettable characters and adventures that we enjoyed so much over the years. Thank you for your time, the silent moments that we shared together, through the pages of your books. It is hard to say goodbye to a series that so many of us love so much...

But ciao, adieu, ta-ta, cheerio, goodbye, farewell, adios, so long it is..

[Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder strikes again close to home as holiday season draws near at Pennyfoot. It's bad enough that Cecily Sinclair Baxter has to deal with loosing one of her housemaids as she is leaving to get married, but the new additions and guests at Pennyfoot leave her plenty to be curious about. When the first dead body turns up a little too close to the country club, there is talks once again that Pennyfoot might be cursed. The last thing Cecily wants is for this to be revealed to everyone else with Christmas around the corner.

I picked this one up hoping to get my Christmas reading fix. I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet and I am already craving all those warm holiday stories. I have to say, this did not deliver as much as I wanted it to. Christmas, or holiday season was mentioned in passing. There was a lot going on in this book, not only with murder, but with guests and the downstairs staff, and upstairs. I felt the story branched out a couple of times and although it was easy to follow, everything just out of no where fell together in the last few chapters of the book. Things that I wouldn't have found related, just suddenly where related.

The murder I felt also took kind of a back seat in this one as well. Most of the focus seemed to be on Pansy, Lilly and the new girl Alice. Although Cecily was investigating the murder, she only appeared ever so often and sometimes left me in question how she entered the conclusion about what's going on, cause it left me scratching my head with the lack of investigating going on.

I did like the book, the characters were interesting, the writing was very nice. Kingsbury can tell a story well. I was a bit disappointed about how the murder and the wedding where also mentioned in passing in the end, but it was still a pleasant read!

I got a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mulled Murder by Kate Kingsbury will be the last book she will write in this series. At the beginning of this book, the author told the readers In Acknowledgments, Ms. Kingsbury states "I'm sad to say that this book will be the last in the Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries. Most of the characters are looking forward to new lives, and it's time to let them go." Having just discovered this series, I will have lots of other books in the series to read so I'm not sad that this is happening, but I am sure that the author will miss her characters who live in Badgers End in southeast England. Mulled Murder, a holiday cozy mystery, is fun, but I feel that the author put too many problems/small mysteries into the major mystery. It almost became confusing keeping track of everything and everyone. Possibly Ms. Kingsbury is trying to let the characters, old and new, say 'good-bye." Luckily for the readers, the author is going to continue to write. Thus, good-bye citizens of Badgers End. Good luck and be happy!!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sighing, deeply, to do this review. I am so sorry that this will be the last Pennyfoot book. I read all of the Christmas books in the series in the month of December, back to back. I drew close to the characters, enjoying their accomplishments, their happiness and on the flip side was saddened when they faced struggles, and hurts. I really loved these books and am just so sorry this is it.
Finally those who were separated have come together, those in love are now side by side.
Thank you Kate Kingsbury for a delightful, meaning and fun series. I will miss the Pennyfoot.

[Marilyn Fontane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every year Kate Kingsbury turns out a Pennyfoot Hotel Christmas mystery. Enjoyable cozy; fits the season. Some repetition, yes, but it is once a year--the time for tradition. The Pennyfoot Hotel is now the Pennyfoot Country Club (liquor and gaming allowed);after all the advent of Edward VII brings a different type of decorum to vacation spots in southern England, such as Badger's End, but the season is the same. One of Cecily Sinclair Baxter's (the owner of the hotel) best friends, Phoebe Carter-Holmes Fortescue, always puts on a pantomime/play/dance, which turns out to be a disaster, as she does in this novel, but it takes a much smaller portion of the plot. Another of her friends, Madeline Prestwick, wife of Dr. Kevin Prestwick, is a bit of a witch, who uses folk herbs and remedies (contrary to her physician husband's medicine), and "intuits" future problems. Again she utters her concealed warning, but briefly and without much elaboration. The romantic yearnings of Cecily's staff are often prominent, but in this one Pansy, a serving maid, is to marry Samuel, a former stable manager at the Pennyfoot, who now has his own garage for the new-fangled cars and can afford a bride. The wedding is set for Christmas Eve, but even it is not strongly elaborated, and Samuel barely makes an appearance other than to claim his bride. Gertie McBride, the chief house-maid is still a strong character, but her man Clive, has left off caring for the yard and has opened a toy shop. It is doing so well, that he proposes to Gertie, and so soon the major serving folk, except for the chief housekeeper, Mrs. Chubb, and the cook, Michael, will be off stage from the Pennyfoot. Thus the main topic is the usual Christmas curse--a couple murders at the Pennyfoot. The first is found on the beach at the beginning of the novel; he was a guest and was soon found to have been a private detective who had come to the Pennyfoot because his investigations led him there. Later, one of the new serving folk, Jacob Pinstone, who had taken Clive's position is killed in the same way--a knife to the heart. Fortunately we didn't learn to love Jacob as we have many of the other workers at the Pennyfoot. Cecily again puts herself in danger, but since Samuel has gone, Baxter, her husband is more helpful that previously. The basement rooms, where people used to hide to gamble, which were attached to a tunnel to the seashore where in former times pirates unloaded treasure, had been reopened by a small gang of criminals who had hidden stolen paintings in them. Although the small gang is ruthless, Cecily is able to ferret out the problem and keep her hotel running during the busy Christmas season. Obviously, some of the criminals are staying at the Pennyfoot--either as guests or workers, to keep an eye on things. Although many parts of the novel are formulaic (see above), the main plot is intriguing and different (although the Christmas curse brings murder every year, the circumstances surrounding the dastardly deeds and the solutions to saving the day are totally different in each of the novels). But alas, this is the last. Kingsbury has married off the main characters. Cecily is finally going to give up the Pennyfoot and let her husband take the job in Paris he has longed for for so long. We will miss them.

[Hemavathy DM Suppiah-Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having not read any of the Pennyfoot Hotel mysteries, I dove into this book unawares. The reader is introduced to early 1900s England, dizzy with delight at being able to let loose and party again after the end of the Victorian era. So far, so good. Christmas is a coming, and the kitchen is full of cooking and baking, while mistelote and holly and ivy and Christmas trees and tinsel decorate the newly minted country club. The proprietress is the much loved Cecily Sinclair Baxter, a self-appointed detective who believes herself to be better than the local bobby. To be fair, the constable is so inept it's a wonder he can tie his own shoelaces, while the Inspector, is set up to be her Mortal Enemy (she actually seriously calls him that!), the Bad Man who persists in becoming involved when there is a Crime, instead of leaving it to the amateur. How awful! Nothing groundbreaking so far.

I have a problem with plotlines like these. The familiar and overused trope of the smart, efficient, interfering, has a great support system, and gets away with everything amateur detective who goes where angels fear to tread; versus the professional, stuffy and by the book police personnel. It is lazy writing, and I was disappointed to encounter it here.

There were also multiple back stories of Baxter being rivals with other male characters for the hand of other women before he finally married Cecily, which was just annoying and irrelevant. Baxter also whined a lot and was generally annoying. I'm not sure what exactly his role was. He talked about the Evans murder in the dining room in full view of the other guests, complained about Cecily intentionally/inevitably becoming involved with murders all the time, complained about the lavatories not having water (yet didn't make any attempt to get a plumber, leaving that to Cecily), and in fact did nothing to help with the running of the country club while whining about everything. Actually, most of the male characters here (with the exception of a few) are dislikeable. They're either flirts wanting to harass and date every pretty girl, or angry and bitter, or nincompoops.

Baxter improves over time, but Cecily's adamant refusal to call in the police, supressing evidence and suspecting the innocent (really bad red herrings) was annoying. Cecily is not a likeable character and since it was so obvious that Alice and Bernie were the criminals from the start, it became rather annoying that Cecily was still groping in the dark, and determined to do it alone. And how a responsible hotel owner could allow her guests to go for days without water and plumbing, without making sure the plumber was on his job, was mind-boggling.

The writing style is engaging, and descriptions of early 19th century British clothing and customs and Christmas traditions fascinating.

But it is still a weak plot.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so sad to be at the end of this series. I have been reading one of these Christmas at the Pennyfoot books every year and it has become a part of my holiday traditions. The setting is so cozy and I love the fact that it takes place in such a interesting time in the past. Things like motorcars are new all the rage (though some people are still wary). These characters are ingrained in my heart and I will always think about them around Christmastime.
I think this was a good series wrap-up book. The happiness that was shared throughout the book made me smile (Pansy's wedding excitement made me feel full of love). I was so surprised when Baxter offered to help Cecily in her snooping and his act of trying to keep her out of danger by going into the frey himself hit me in the heart. Their relationship has come such a long way since the start and I have loved following it.

Though the murder and mystery itself seemed very simple to me, it might just be from the experience of this series. I still think it was neatly laid out and I loved following Cecily along the way as she did her snooping. I am always terribly suspicious of any "new comer" to the Pennyfoot and I think that lead me to be suspicious of Bernie, Alice, Henry, and Jacob. When we learned all their secrets I wasn't as surprised as I might have been without this initial suspicion. I think a huge part of the reason why I was able to guess the story line is the way that Kate Kingsbury is always true to her story and her characters. Her descriptions of people especially allow them to come alive so easily for me. The Pennyfoot and the characters are the reason I'm always coming back.

I do wish we saw more of Phoebe and Madeline in this novel. I feel like we did not get any closure with them and they were barely present other than their "standard" roles in the series.

Luckily for me, I do not have to say goodbye to these characters quite yet. I am still catching up with the books in the middle of this series so I have many more years to cherish this setting.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Christmas time at the Pennyfoot Country Club and Cecily Sinclair Baxter is looking forward to her favorite things about the holidays - her friend Madeline's exquisite decorations, the caroling, Phoebe Carter-Holmes Fortescue’s pageants (even if they usually end disastrously). One tradition she wouldn't mind not happening is the murder mystery that seems to happen each year. Alas, she won't get her wish as a body is found washed up on the shores near the Pennyfoot - and the death was no accident. Cecily is once again caught up in trying to solve a murder but will her actions put those closest to her in danger?

“Mulled Murder” is the last book in the series of Pennyfoot Country Club Holiday Cozy Mysteries. While I am sorry the series is ending, I am pleased with the way author Kate Kingsbury wrapped up the series. The storylines for most of the characters, especially the household staff, were tied up and many left a smile on my face. As for the mystery itself, it is nicely done. There are a lot of new characters in this book, many of whom have secrets, so there are plenty of suspects to keep readers guessing as to who the killer is. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book - not all involving the murder mystery - that will keep readers delighted. As for Phoebe's last pageant, you won't be disappointed :-)

“Mulled Murder” is a fitting ending to a long-running cozy mystery series that will be missed.

[Laura Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last one in the Pennyfoot series. The author trys to connect all the dots with her characters as she closes the series out. I didn't feel this last one was as good as her others so maybe good it's over. But the book has some humor and okay to read, just rather so so.

[rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

MULLED MURDER

I really enjoyed this book as I have all the Pennyfoot Christmas series

Sadly, this was the last in the Pennyfoot Hotel series

[Joann Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I finish her books I always feel like I've been staying at their lovely country club. Anxious for the next one'

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that cozy mysteries could also be historical ones so I was surprised when I started this one. But I caught on quickly & realized it’s Edwardian England era.

I thought that was a nice spin on the typical cozy story.

Since this is the first one in this series I wasn’t lost in a sea of people. I was able to remember & understand who everyone was.
Also, I thought it was written in a simplified style. (i.e. not a lot of historical factual detail taking up pages of descriptions) I was able to figure out what the time period was.
For example, it opens with the dead body, introduces the regular characters, introduces the suspicious clues and then the story moves along quickly.


I only got confused about one detail:
Did Cecily own a hotel & live there w/her husband? And now the hotel was a country club? If so, what’s the difference?

but i will say b/c it was simple, i did figure things out quickly.
ah well. it's sometimes fun to feel like a super smart sherlock holmes when you get to the end & can say " Aha! I knew it!"

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good cozy mystery...the Pennyfoot Hotel's preparations for the busy holiday season are already being compromised by a lack of staff, when news comes that one of their guests has been murdered at a local beach. Cecily Sinclair Baxter, hotel proprietess, quickly ascertains that the deceased was a private investigator, looking into mysterious and definitely illegal activities at the Pennyfoot. Armed with a hunch and her righteous indignation, Cecily investigates...

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. This is the second in the series that I have read. Would love to visit the Pennyfoot Hotel. Which is the fictional setting for the story . I felt there were some inconsistencies in the plot and at times I wanted to shake some of the characters. It was a nice distraction especially while on quarantine.

[Beverly Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend wanted me to keep an eye out for Pennyfoot Hotel mysteries for her. When I found this one, I thought I'd read it before giving it to her, so I'd know a little something about it. I'm hooked! Anyone who loves Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs will love the characters in this suspenseful, but lighthearted tale, and there are many more books in the series.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this better than most in the series because for a change Baxter was his old friendly loving self again. Very .move feel of Christmas. Perhaps a few too many new characters roaming about. Felt like the end was nicely wrapped

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Pennyfoot Country Club is having problems with getting help during the Christmas holidays. And the bathrooms are flooded with a subsitute plumber that seems to be getting nothing done, a body on the beach and one of the maids getting married on Christmas eve.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kate Kingsbury is no Agatha Christie, but then few are. The writing was decent, hence the two stars. Boring, predictable, rather undeveloped mystery that was really no mystery at all. Skip this one and read Christie instead.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last of the Pennyfoot Holiday Series. I'd give it a 3.5. I liked the regular series better. This one had plenty of adventure and murder. Maybe I have read too many of them in a row, but this one felt a little forced and it kind of dragged on a little too long.

[Terese Louise Tuminello · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every Christmas I like to read a light, holiday story that is fairly meaningless. Being the 9 th in the series, the cast of quirky characters has been developed, so I might have missed out on feeling the warmth of their relationships.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book as I have others in the series. Unfortunately, I found out that this will be the last one of this series. So now I want to check and see if I missed any of the others.

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun murder mystery set in England about a hundred years ago, I'm guessing.

[Michael Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a big fan of this series. Occasional reads are about all I can do.

[Sharon W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Pennyfoot series

This is one of best in the series and has me excited to see what comes next for wonderful cast of characters.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to see this series end.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most exciting or suspenseful mystery, but likable characters working at the Pennyfoot.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a beach read and provided just enough entertainment to finish it.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this storyline!

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review can be found at my blog http://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/20...

Mulled Murder by Kate Kingsbury is a Christmas themed cozy mystery set in England in the Edwardian era. It is the last of the Pennyfoot hotel mystery series, although you do not need to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this. I bought this having no idea it was part of a series, and it was no big deal. The story starts off with a body washed up on a beach outside the Pennyfoot hotel. It turns out that murders and mystery are no stranger to Cecily Baxter, the owner of the hotel. The hotel is known for having strange going on, especially at Christmastime, no doubt a reference to earlier novels in the series. The body turns out to be a guest of the hotel, and when it is discovered later that he was a private detective working on a case, the plot deepens.

There’s a lot going on at the Pennyfoot hotel this season, including a wedding for one of the housemaids, a theater production on Christmas Eve and new staff to train. To make matters worse, the plumbing goes out- but the new plumber seems more interested in the housemaids than in getting the lavatories back in operation. Cecily soon discovers that the murder and some of her staffing issues may be related. A young woman is found one morning in the courtyard, half conscious and with no memory of who she is or where she comes from. Cecily takes her in and tries to keep everything together long enough to get through the holidays, but soon finds that something nefarious is happening at the Pennyfoot... or perhaps under the hotel, in the tunnels beneath the wine cellar.

I likd this story well enough, however it didn’t grab me and demand to be read, so I did drift away from it a couple of times. The perspective shifts between Cecily and various of the help staff- Pansy (the maid getting married) and Gertie (the chief housemaid) primarily. Several of the supporting characters were fun and interesting- Mrs. Chubb the cook reminded me of Mrs. Patmore from Downton Abbey, although that may mean I’ve just been watching too much of that show! Madeline, the mysterious woman who may be a witch, and occasionally has premonitions she shares with Cecily, could have been utilized more perhaps- I suspect she may have played a role in earlier installments.


The author sprinkles enough red herrings to keep you guessing, although some readers may figure things out a little in advance- or rather figure who out, as everyone here has a secret and some are related to the murder and some are not. There’s not a lot of suspense here although the end picks up a bit, with Cecily exploring an old smugglers tunnel and putting herself in a bit of peril. I would have liked to have had more of this earlier on, rather than just alternating peeks upstairs and downstairs, but Mulled Murder is a fine read and a comfortable little Christmas mystery.