What do you think?
Rate this book
Manor House Mysteries #5
Paint by Murder
The new Manor House Mystery by the author of Dig Deep for Murder.
In World War II England, the quiet village of Sitting Marsh is faced with food rations and fear for loved ones. But Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton, lady of the Manor House, stubbornly insists that life must go on--except for her kindly tenent, who's been murdered.
In World War II England, the quiet village of Sitting Marsh is faced with food rations and fear for loved ones. But Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton, lady of the Manor House, stubbornly insists that life must go on--except for her kindly tenent, who's been murdered.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2003
45 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Kate Kingsbury
81 books565 followersKate 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 1, 2024
Why does everyone in WWII fiction forget about the Official Secrets Act? I swear if the things that happened in these books happened in the war we would've lost for sure. Elizabeth's becoming more annoying a kind of dumb as the series goes on. When a painter is found dead in his cottage she as usual barges in expecting she knows best. I'm also getting sick of the idiot cop trope in cozy stories. This time she's told that the case is being handled in London. That should've been enough to know hey maybe I should back off as this could be dangerous but she knows better than anyone. She's also incredibly dumb when it comes to Earl. Why is someone who went through a horrible divorce so gullible? Earl tells her the age old my wife doesn't understand me and she buys it. He also says his kids don't like him. How many red flags do you need? His flags are redder than the October Revolution. If his wife and kids don't want anything to do with him why make him married with kids? There's other things that can be obstacles to a relationship though why you'd want it I don't know just let them get together and not have that obstacle at all. Their romance is kind of creepy and I agree with Violet more and more. She knows Earl is bad news and everyone should shut up about the damn spies. The mystery was okay, there were plenty of side plots that were interesting and sad. Polly's sister Marlene is nearly run over by a posh man who asks too many questions, Rita Crumm and mom's army are on the lookout for spies and failing hilariously and poor Martin seems to be getting scammed. But Elizabeth is starting to get on my nerves.
February 20, 2017
This is the 5th book in the Manor House series, which takes place in WWII England circa 1942 – 1944. I would not consider this a standalone novel as so much character and societal development has taken place previously. And this story begins only a few months after the conclusion of the previous.
In the prior novel, “Dig Deep for Murder,” the Beckham cottage on the manor had been the focus of several incidents. Fred Beckham had died of a heart attack in the cottage and then his body was mutilated in order to cover up a crime of a different sort. Before the tale was finished, the villain had attacked Lady Elizabeth in the cottage and left her to die.
Now Lady Elizabeth has found another body in the Beckham cottage, the new tenant, an artist by the name of Basil Thorncroft. Thorncroft has been stabbed to death through the heart, with no clues as to the identity of the murderer. And, thus, the first of the three plot threads is established.
The second plot thread, while truly secondary to the other two, is the continuing story of Polly, Lady Elizabeth’s assistant, and her relationship with the American pilot, Sam Cutter. In the last novel, Sam, by way of his own anger, wrecked a Jeep, causing massive injuries to his face. The psychological damage is even more massive and that aspect is part of this novel.
The other major plot thread is the relationship between Lady Elizabeth and Major Earl Monroe, a friendship that is really so much more for each of them but as yet un-confessed to the other. Then circumstances surrounding the murder serve as catalyst for those un-confessed feelings to begin their path toward a public declaration.
In this regard, feelings that had just been barely touched on or alluded to erupt into full acknowledgment in both Elizabeth’s internal monologues and Earl’s dialog. And it is in Elizabeth’s internal monologues that Kingsbury’s research and insight into the culture of the British nobility and the culture of that era shines. Elizabeth examines her feelings for Earl, acknowledges to herself that she loves the man and still decides that she must choose what is right in the long run rather than the temporary high of succumbing to the wants of the present.
The scenes between Lady Elizabeth and Earl are charged with honest emotion and the author cuts to the quick in their depth of understanding. Kingsbury paints a heart-rending clash between what they feel for each other and what they should do about what they feel, which, in the culture of the time, is nothing since Earl is married. But their friendship survives and even deepens as their sense of honor and their guiding principles remain steady.
By the end of the novel, the murderer is revealed and caught by the teamwork of Elizabeth and Earl. We are caught up on the activities of Violet (the cook), Martin (the senile butler), Sadie (the maid) and Marlene (Polly’s sister). And we are introduced to Douglas McNally, whose presence and purpose in Sitting Marsh is definitely the prelude to at least one more novel, if not more.
In the prior novel, “Dig Deep for Murder,” the Beckham cottage on the manor had been the focus of several incidents. Fred Beckham had died of a heart attack in the cottage and then his body was mutilated in order to cover up a crime of a different sort. Before the tale was finished, the villain had attacked Lady Elizabeth in the cottage and left her to die.
Now Lady Elizabeth has found another body in the Beckham cottage, the new tenant, an artist by the name of Basil Thorncroft. Thorncroft has been stabbed to death through the heart, with no clues as to the identity of the murderer. And, thus, the first of the three plot threads is established.
The second plot thread, while truly secondary to the other two, is the continuing story of Polly, Lady Elizabeth’s assistant, and her relationship with the American pilot, Sam Cutter. In the last novel, Sam, by way of his own anger, wrecked a Jeep, causing massive injuries to his face. The psychological damage is even more massive and that aspect is part of this novel.
The other major plot thread is the relationship between Lady Elizabeth and Major Earl Monroe, a friendship that is really so much more for each of them but as yet un-confessed to the other. Then circumstances surrounding the murder serve as catalyst for those un-confessed feelings to begin their path toward a public declaration.
In this regard, feelings that had just been barely touched on or alluded to erupt into full acknowledgment in both Elizabeth’s internal monologues and Earl’s dialog. And it is in Elizabeth’s internal monologues that Kingsbury’s research and insight into the culture of the British nobility and the culture of that era shines. Elizabeth examines her feelings for Earl, acknowledges to herself that she loves the man and still decides that she must choose what is right in the long run rather than the temporary high of succumbing to the wants of the present.
The scenes between Lady Elizabeth and Earl are charged with honest emotion and the author cuts to the quick in their depth of understanding. Kingsbury paints a heart-rending clash between what they feel for each other and what they should do about what they feel, which, in the culture of the time, is nothing since Earl is married. But their friendship survives and even deepens as their sense of honor and their guiding principles remain steady.
By the end of the novel, the murderer is revealed and caught by the teamwork of Elizabeth and Earl. We are caught up on the activities of Violet (the cook), Martin (the senile butler), Sadie (the maid) and Marlene (Polly’s sister). And we are introduced to Douglas McNally, whose presence and purpose in Sitting Marsh is definitely the prelude to at least one more novel, if not more.
November 11, 2018
As usual with this series, the mystery was far from complex and I guessed the culprit early on. But, you know, I don't mind. I probably wouldn't even miss the mystery at all if it weren't written into the story. I mainly enjoy these books for the complex relationships between the characters and the growth of the characters in each book (the latter particularly in regards to the younger characters).
I really liked the end. Kingsbury aptly portrays the way people's emotions run amok during wartime and how so many end up living for the moment which sometimes results in their doing things or making decisions they normally might not. Looking forward to the next one.
I really liked the end. Kingsbury aptly portrays the way people's emotions run amok during wartime and how so many end up living for the moment which sometimes results in their doing things or making decisions they normally might not. Looking forward to the next one.
September 7, 2017
A tale of intrigue
Who is this artist, Roger Thornton, who rented a cottage on a estate I war torn England? Murdered, does one of his paintings hold a clue? A spy lingers in the community. Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh and the Housewives League try to solve this mystery. A delightful "who done it" with touches of humor.
Who is this artist, Roger Thornton, who rented a cottage on a estate I war torn England? Murdered, does one of his paintings hold a clue? A spy lingers in the community. Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh and the Housewives League try to solve this mystery. A delightful "who done it" with touches of humor.
September 25, 2023
Paint by Murder is the 5th book of the Manor House mystery series set in England during WWII. A painter dies mysteriously; local constables are unusually secretive about the investigation; rumors circulate of a spy in town. Business is hopping at the local pub, due to a new lively & outgoing barmaid. feels responsible for the village. Although Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton is strapped for funds, the Manor House worse for wear, aging servants at best eccentric, she feels responsible for the village. She needs a new tenant for the cottage where the painter was murdered. Most of all, she needs to keep her growing romantic yearning for Major Earl Munroe under wraps. Or...does she?
Polly, Elizabeth's young eager secretary, still has hopes her would-be beau Sam Cutter will resume their friendship. Polly's sister Marlene meets a dashing wealthy young man, and her hopes soar for a life of ease. In due time, all mysteries are solved by Elizabeth & Earl. An engaging series with quirky characters.
Polly, Elizabeth's young eager secretary, still has hopes her would-be beau Sam Cutter will resume their friendship. Polly's sister Marlene meets a dashing wealthy young man, and her hopes soar for a life of ease. In due time, all mysteries are solved by Elizabeth & Earl. An engaging series with quirky characters.
October 8, 2016
Each book that I read out of this series, Kate Kingsbury's MANOR HOUSE SERIES is a breath of fresh air. I feel so at home with Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton & her staff, Marton who's the Butler but is so up in years he does more talking to ghosts in an armor found upstairs, Violet who mercilessly spends her time chewing him out for forgetting everything. Plus there's the handsome Major Earl Monroe who has captivated Lady Elizabeth's heart. When reading this series I feel like I've come home & I'm going to be very disappointed when this series ends. You'll fall in love with the characters in a WWII background, while Lady Elizabeth takes on solving murder cases that the two bumbling police officers prefer to overlook. Kate Kingsbury keeps you guessing until the very end of each story. This is a fantastic series to spend your time with.
August 11, 2014
Three stars seem lukewarm, but this is so light and nice, so I don't mean to be negative. I can see where we are going in the way of relationships, unless there is a BIG surprise somewhere. I'd love to have the Housewives' League bully Rita cut down to size. A little thing that irritates me: why do they address Lady Elizabeth as "m'm"? How is that pronounced? It just looks silly to me. Anyway, I'll certainly read the rest of the series. Shouldn't take too long ...
Read
March 22, 2016Small village life in WW II England is anything but easy. Between rationing, worry about the war, spies and all those Yanks at the nearby air base, Lady Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton has much to be concerned about. When her artist tenant is found murdered she swings into investigative action and solves it all handily.
May 1, 2014
I enjoy these Manor House mysteries and the English countryside, WWII setting. I enjoy the characters as well and how Elizabeth and Earl work together. This one dealt with finding a German spy in the village.
January 6, 2014
A cozy re-read taking place during WWII. Recommend for a light read.
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/738162...
Full review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/738162...
May 30, 2013
Needed a small book to carry to BEA, finished this in one day. again, I figured out the whodunnit but like the characters.
January 18, 2015
These books are beginning to feel quite similar. Hopefully the next one spins a bit differently.
March 24, 2015
Delightful
I am hooked on this series. Lady Elizabeth is a just what a proper English lady who has a knack for solving crime.
I am hooked on this series. Lady Elizabeth is a just what a proper English lady who has a knack for solving crime.
January 31, 2016
This is the first book of this series I've read and I can't wait to read the other books!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews