Убийство в театъра

Miss Underhay #3

by Helena Dixon, Хелена Диксън, Анета Пантелеева (Translator)

Късното лято на 1933 година.
Капитан Матю Брайънт и аматьорката детектив Кити Ъндърхей се изправят пред ново предизвикателство. Пърл Брайт – обещаващата млада актриса, е открита удушена с връзката на обувката на капитан Брайънт. Полицията арестува Матю, защото всички улики сочат, че именно той е извършил убийството.
Кити започва разследване, за да изчисти името на своя партньор, което я отвежда до стар импресарио, свързан с театъра, опасни тайни и далеч по-сериозен заговор от скалъпеното обвинение срещу Матю.
И така привлича вниманието на истинския убиец...



Хелена Диксън отново ни потапя в Англия отпреди почти 100 години и майсторски ни оплита в умело замислена мистерия, която освен напрежение носи и очарованието на една отминала епоха.

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

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2020

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
For other authors of this name, see also:

see: Helena Dixon - Erotica



This author also writes as:

Nell Dixon - Contemporary Womens Fiction




Nell is an multi-award winning author who splits her time between Devon and the Black Country. She lives with her husband, daughters, a tank of tropical fish, and a crazy Cockerpoo called Teddy. She writes contemporary romance as Nell Dixon and historical cozy crime set in 1930's Dartmouth as Helena Dixon. She is represented by the Kate Nash Literary Agency.

Reviews

[JEN A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the dynamics between the characters in this historic cozy mystery. In general I love cozy British mysteries to begin with but the author adds in authenticity from the 1930s that I really appreciated. The hero and heroine are very likable and the supporting cast helps make the story a fun read. Though it wasn’t very difficult to figure out who the murderer was, the story was still very enjoyable.

Merged review:

I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 30 June 2020

I really liked the dynamics between the characters in this historic cozy mystery. In general I love cozy British mysteries to begin with but the author adds in authenticity from the 1930s that I really appreciated. The hero and heroine are very likable and the supporting cast helps make the story a fun read. Though it wasn’t very difficult to figure out who the murderer was, the story was still very enjoyable.

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books in this series so I was keen to read more about Kitty and Matt and their entertaining lives.

In Murder at the Playhouse Kitty finds herself again being drawn in to help solve the murder of a young girl. This time however it is because Matt has been arrested for committing the crime. Kitty and all their friends know he could not have done it, but how will they prove his innocence.

I found this one to be a very fast read, mostly because I did not want to put it down. There were lots of possible suspects and another murder, and things got dangerous for Kitty despite her being very careful. The continuing themes of Kitty and Matt's relationship and the search for Kitty's mother both had developments and hopefully indicate that there is going to be a book four!

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

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable episode in this historical mystery series featuring Kitty Underwood, hotelier and amateur sleuth and PI Cap Matt Bryant.

During the previous two books in the series, Kitty and Matt had been growing closer but a blistering row about Kitty taking too many risks had cooled the relationship. However, when a dead woman is found on the golf course behind his house and Matt is arrested, Kitty rushes to his aid to help him clear his name. she discovers that the woman and her friend are actresses who attended a party at the Davenports who live next door to Matt. To find out more about the family and find the killer, Kitty has to involve herself in helping organise the Davenport's amateur theatrical fundraiser, putting herself in the killer's sights.

It was good to see Kitty and Matt's relationship back on track (even though Matt is right that Kitty takes too many risks, but he may have to learn to live with that!). Kitty has also found out a bit more about what her mother was doing before she disappeared when Kitty was a child and has a new lead to follow up.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The party at the Davenport’s had been noisy with many people wandering around, especially those participating in the treasure hunt. But it was the following morning when Kitty Underhay discovered her good friend, Captain Matthew Bryant had been arrested for the murder of a young woman found on the golf course. Of course, Matt was innocent, and Kitty proceeded to the police station to tell Inspector Grenville he had made a mistake. Kitty was the proprietor of the Dolphin Hotel and along with her grandmother, ran the hotel very well. But she was about to take some time off to find a murderer and prove Matt’s innocence.

As Kitty investigated, the danger intensified and with another death, the police as well as Matt and Kitty were desperate to find the culprit. But would they? It seemed the killer was also desperate…

Murder at the Playhouse is the 3rd in A Miss Underhay Mystery series by Helena Dixon and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced, filled with tension, Kitty was once again up to her usual tricks putting herself in danger. A loyal friend, Kitty and Matt’s friendship had some bumps last book, but seems to be on track in this one 😊 An excellent historical cozy mystery series, Murder at the Playhouse is a great addition. Looking forward to #4. Highly recommended.

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

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the body of a young girl is found strangled on a golf course Captain Matthew Bryant comes forward with some information and gets himself arrested for the murder. After Kitty learns about it she decides to help prove his innocence and clear his name investigating the murder with the help of some old friends we already met in previous books.

It's always a pleasure reading about Kitty and Matthew. They make such a cute couple. I'm glad to see their relatioship is evolving, although at quite a slow pace. It was also nice seeing back some characters as Mrs. Craven. I couldn't help but laugh at her conversations with Kitty. One of the things I like about this series, that not always happen in the amateur detectives genre, is that the police seek actively Kitty and Matthew's help (I can't stand when they inmediately dismiss the findings of the amateur detectives and treat them condescendigly).

The murder investigation was interesting enough and not too convoluted as it's sometimes the case.

I could end my review here but I'm terribly curious so I have a question for all you british friends. How many gallons of tea can you drink every day? Cause these characters are constantly "sending for tea"! When I reached the last page I felt like I had drank it all myself!

Another great addition to this cozy historical mystery series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is the three installment in the Miss Underhay Mystery series. If you haven’t read the first two books, don’t worry you can definitely still enjoy this one as a standalone (I definitely recommend the first two though!).

After the quarrel at Enderley Hall, Miss Kitty Underhay and Captain Matt Bryant aren’t exactly on speaking terms when the story first opens. Matt is interrupted one evening by a loud knock at the door where he discovers two girls that are partaking in his neighbor’s scavenger hunt. Being the gentlemen that he is, Matt offers up the item that the ladies seek and continues his night in solitude. Everything comes crashing down when one of the girls ends up dead and he becomes suspect suspect number one.

While Kitty may not be happy with the way things ended at Enderley Hall with Matt, she will hardly stand for Matt to be wrongfully accused of murder. Even though everyone wants Kitty to simply do what is becoming of a lady and not be involved in such matters, Kitty decides to investigate on her own to clear Matt’s name. In doing so, Kitty has to go head to head with very influential people while not losing herself along the way.

I’ll be honest, of the three books this far, I felt that this one was much more subdued in terms of the spark that Kitty and Matt have since they are both still nursing the wounds of the row they had at Enderley Hall. Even though Kitty refuses to be chalked up to a fragile woman who needs to be constantly protected, there’s still hesitation between her and Matt which was a bit frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, they end up getting into their normal stride, but the first half of this book isn’t the snark that we’ve grown to love with this dynamic duo.

One thing that I always love about Kitty is her determination to always throw herself into the messiest of situations without any care for what people might think of her. It is clear that she goes to head with some pretty influential families, and rather than lose her cool, she manages to get information while being involved in high society events that would normally bore her to tears.

I always enjoy the fact that Helena Dixon introduces us to some many possibilities surrounding the murder at hand, but nothing is ever overly obvious. There’s always lots of twists and turns that really keep you guessing and then second guessing up until the very end.

Overall, if you love cozy mysteries and historical fiction, definitely pick up this series!

Thank you to Bookouture for the blog tour invite and providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third in the cozy mystery series featuring Kitty Underhay is another hit with me. I like these for so many reasons -- and if you agree, this is definitely one you should follow.

I love the time period. I'm addicted to the 1920s and 1930s. The clothes, the customs, the manners, and all things cultured and classy. Despite dealing with murder and mayhem, Kitty is always poised but very modern in her thoughts and actions. Another aspect I enjoy is that it is set in a small English town and that Kitty and her grandmother own and operate a hotel. The characters are fun and the author uses a lot of description and detail to make them come alive so that I can visualize them quite clearly. The only thing I can't quite wrap my head around is this obsession with tea -- I mean, really, it's a constant thing this tea drinking! I'm also certain that people of that time period ate food other than eggs, biscuits and fish -- don't they? Regardless, this is a fun whodunit and might be predictable but that thoroughly entertained me over the course of the couple of hours it took to read.

I feel that one should read the installments in order from the beginning so to get a feel for the relationships that have evolved over the past cases and events that have transpired. We're still following a couple of storylines that have yet to be resolved so I look forward to the next book.

If you're a fan of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries or Gran Hotel or Downton Abbey or any of the other similar television dramas, you'll like this too. As I said, for me it's mainly the time period and the setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for this E-book ARC to read, review and recommend.

[Nila (digitalcreativepages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa!! The stakes were raised in this book 3. Author Helena Dixon wrote another historic cozy where plain ole determination set about making inroads and solving a murder.

A young actress was murdered, and Matt was arrested. It was after all his bootlaces that strangled her. But how could Miss Kitty Underhay allow anyone to throw him in the slammer? On she went to find the killer and save Matt.

Set in the 1930s, the book was quaint yet a fast read. The author was clever in placing Kitty in quite a few precarious situations and raising the tension in the story. A second murder added to the pace. Now Kitty had to move fast. A secondary theme of finding her mother too continued in the background.

Characters were eclectic, with maid Alice making her presence felt with her observations. Motives and suspects were plentiful, the web of deceit soon enveloped the characters. It took all of Miss Underhay's determination to cut through them and reveal the killer. Investigation had its twists, I could guess the murderer, but that didn't deter me from the charm of the book.

I quite enjoyed this historical murder mystery, set in supposedly cozy times, where friendship was tinged with love, but nothing spoken outrightly, and where murders occurred at regular instances.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at the Playhouse by Helena Dixon is the 3rd book in the Miss Underhay Mystery series. When the body of a young girl is found strangled on the golf course and ex-army Captain Matthew Bryant is arrested for her murder, Kitty Underhay investigates to help clear him. A captivating and enjoyable mystery and I'm glad to see the rekindling of the romance between Kitty Underhay and Matthew Bryant. The investigation into Kitty's mothers disappearance is also proceeding in the background. I'm happy that Alice is again included in the investigation. An enjoyable and entertaining historical cozy mystery.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty Underhay likely thought solving more than one murder was more than enough for her. Already quite busy with her hotel, and the time she spends with her grandmother is quite enough. Still reeling after a heated argument with dear fried, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, Kitty is unbelievably shocked when she discovers constables knocked at his door to arrest him for the murder of his neighbor, a young actress.

Kitty has no doubt that Matt is innocent, and will do anything to clear his name. While Kitty often wonders if there is any future between her and Matt, she has her own mystery to solve. So it seems that Kitty is deemed to certainly be an amateur detective. Despite the objections of the inspector in charge of the case, Kitty leaves no stone unturned when it comes to proving Matt's innocence. As she delves into things, she finds herself at the home of Stanely Davenport, a man previously very involved with everything to do about the theater.

Quite naturally, the more Kitty digs, the closer she comes to unveiling the real murderer, thus placing herself in great risk, as she has done at least a couple of times before. Despite her ardent efforts to clear Matt's name, Kitty is still searching for information about her mother, as she had gone missing years ago. Can the pair work to work both matters out? Or will they both end up losing their lives in the process?

I am truly loving this series by Helena Dixon. Both Kitty and Matt are quite likable characters. I love their slow romance, one built on friendship, affection and shared purposes. I am very much looking forward to continuing this series and to see when they finally become a couple, especially with Matt's past military past, trauma and other losses. Their age difference works for me as well, as I think he is perfect for Kitty. Another thing I like about the series is that Kitty is a strong young woman, intelligent, focused and caring. So, this was an enjoyable treat for me to read.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Matt Bryant seems to be made the fall guy for the murder of a girl on the golf course. It was he who first made the detectives aware that he was the last person to have seen the murdered girl . The Davenports are the rich family of the area and seem to be able to make a lot of noise so it is upto Kitty Underhay who has worked with Matt before to make sure that he is not made the scapegoa for the Davenport's actions.

The Davenports seem to be a rum lot. Peter the son is typical of a high flyer - lots of money, no sense or purpose and then there is his "friend" Seb giving rise to lots of speculations as to his sexual identity, the daughter who is a frumpy girl but the brains in the family ignored by both father and mother, the mother the neuroitic dipsomaniac and the father only wanting to keep his reputation clean with an impending peerage in the reckoning.

Uncovering a trail which is complicated and involves blackmail, a second girl is killed and when an attempted murder of Kitty goes unsuccessful those who are sleuthing know that the killer is now becoming desperate.

Full of contrasting characters all which added depth and color to the story, the second in the Kitty and Matt series this was a page turner set in a slightly older vintage than the current thriller reads.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in the series by Helena Dixon and it reads just as wonderfully as book one. I love Helena Dixon's take on the 1930's and her protagonist, Kitty Underhay is a spirited young woman whose grandmother owns a hotel, but she wants more out of life. A budding friendship/romance with Captain Matthew Bryant seems to be in her cards.

There's a body of an aspiring young actress, Pearl Bright, and she's been found strangled at a golf course. Matthew Bryant goes to the police with some information which could provide assistance, unfortunately it lands him in jail, being arrested for the possible murder of the young woman. After Kitty hears about the arrest, she goes about trying to prove his innocence and clear his name. Her trusted employee, Alice, is quick to help her. I love how Alice's character is developing, she makes an excellent Watson for Kitty's Sherlock.

This is a great murder mystery series with a feel of the Golden Era/Agatha Christie whodunnit to it. The author does an excellent job with her characters and has a well-written plot. I love the heroine, Kitty. I look forward to reading her further adventures. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of cozies, historical fiction cozies and spunky heroines.

I would like to thank Helena Dixon, Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[LJ (ljwritesandreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the first two books of this series and so I was looking forward to Murder At The Playhouse, especially when I saw the absolutely gorgeous cover!

Murder At The Playhouse is a historical cozy mystery set in the 1930’s with a likeable amateur sleuth and plenty of memorable characters.

Poor Matthew is locked in a cell, accused of the murder of a young woman found dead on the golf course behind his house. He’s banned from looking into the case so it’s up to Kitty to find out more.

I enjoyed the fact we got to know Matthew a little better in this story, he’s starting to open up after his traumas during the war. We even got to meet his parents which was interesting to say the least! I also love the slow burn romance going on between Matthew and Kitty, I’m rooting for them to get together.

I liked the attention to detail these novels have with nice historical facts and features that makes it stand out from other modern novels set around this time.

There’s also a nice sub-plot building with Kitty’s mother and I’m anxious to see how that pans out.

Murder At The Playhouse is a puzzling whodunnit and a must for fans of golden age mysteries! I can’t wait to read more of this series.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read absolutely any historical mystery published by Bookouture. They do such a lovely job of curating the best of the genre.

I struggled a bit with my first Helena Dixon mystery in this series but found that I liked this one quite a bit. Though this series isn’t quite on the same exceptional plane as the publisher’s Verity Bright and Fliss Chester series, it’s still fun and I feel it has improved since the early novels.

There isn’t quite enough history or sense of place in these books for me to consider them truly exceptional historical mysteries, and they could certainly stand to add a bit of humor, but the characters are good and the mysteries solidly constructed.

The continuing mystery of Kitty’s mother’s disappearance has also proven to be a good hook for the series, and Dixon has done well to keep that plot thread continuously interesting by revealing just enough to keep the story fresh while still holding back enough to keep you going for the next offering in the series.

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

[Йоана Вълчева · Rating 4 out of 5]

Тази книга от поредицата леко ми бледнееше в сравнение с първите две. От една страна взаимоотношенията между главните герои най-сетне бяха на дневен ред и имахме солидно придвижване напред. Хареса ми как беше представено всичко - плавното задълбочаване на чувствата, които Кити и Матю изпитват един към друг, както и това, че виждат подкрепа и разбиране в другия.

Но... криминалната загадка ми се стори доста претупана. Докато в другите книги постоянно се чудех кой е убиецът и да подозирах ту един герой, ту друг - в тази, някак си това усещане липсваше. И накрая, когато най-сетне се разкри кой е престъпникът, стана някак набързо. Както вече казах, претупано. Липсваха ми мотиви и изобщо достатъчно задълбаване в "защо, кога, как" и т.н.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book although there are times I'd like to give the two main characters a shake and there are a few things which seem so obvious that it is somewhat unbelievable when you hear they haven't been done e.g. when the police haven't bothered to get contact details for a strong suspect's place of employment well after they have first questioned them. Also I felt this time that the misdirection was rather obvious and if you hadn't been suspicious of who the actual culprit was quite some time before their identity was revealed you need to read a few more murder mysteries.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I look for in a cosy mystery.
It kept things both interesting and light.
Loved the characters and am definitely looking forward to seeing where this will go.
That being said though I should probably have started with the first book in the series. I'll do that next.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy Murder

Murder at the Playhouse was another great mystery featuring Kitty and Matt. I am happy to see that their romance is blossoming, but it does not overshadow the story itself. Also, I like that she is getting more information about what may have happened to her mother.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit slow for me.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook

[Dimana Iv. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Уютна кримка, идеална за лятно четиво

[Nanette Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've grown attached to the characters--Kitty and Matt, Lucy, Alice, and Inspector Greville. I read the series staight thru, and now I have to wait for the next one!

[Triinu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minu arvamuse raamatust leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...

[Joanne D'Arcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty Underhay is definitely on track to be a popular favourite amongst fans of cosy mysteries and with this her third adventure.

Kitty having still not made it up with Matthew Bryant the debonair ex Army Captain and now private investigator from the previous two novels, she finds herself rather lost and missing him.

Matthew is much in the same mood, but that is all forgotten when a knock at his door reveals the police come to arrest him for murder.

Kitty rushes to his aid.

The deceased is a young actress on the cusp of something bigger, Pearl Bright, found strangled with one of Matthew's bootlaces. There is a straightforward believable explanation from Matthew.

Stanley Davenport a theatre impresario and on verge of a knighthood is as well as Matthew's neighbours seemed convinced it his him and that there is no need to look any further, especially not at Stanley Davenport and his family and associates seem to have a lot to hide.

Kitty manages through Mrs Craven to get to know the Davenport's and she finds herself centre stage with helping with a local theatre show for a charity. Being this involved means she might be able to get to the truth if it all plays out right.

It will be alright on the night - surely?

Regular characters are back, including the insurmountable Mrs Craven as well as Kitty's maid at the hotel, Alice who is a great character and I am pleased she is featuring more dominantly. Her sound advice and obvious observations are a great for Kitty.

The sub plot of Kitty's missing mother is still throughout this book and Matthew is kept occupied with this and we start to find out a bit more of what might have happened to her.

All in all a great mystery with good characters both likeable and absolutely dreadful that you love them and the continual mystery makes we excited to read book four!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late Summer, 1933. Kitty Underhay & dashing ex-army captain Matthew Bryant are not speaking after an argument a few weeks before, when there’s a heavy knock at the door and he finds himself arrested for murder. The body of aspiring actress Pearl Bright has been found, strangled with one of Matt’s own bootlaces, and the evidence seems to be stacked against him. The local constabulary might have locked Matt up, but before they can throw away the key, Kitty hears the news and hies to his aid, determined to prove his innocence. And when her investigations lead her to the home of retired theatre impresario Stanley Davenport, and the local amateur dramatics society. But Kitty’s digging is bringing her to the attention of the killer.
This is the third book in this enthralling series, it could be read on its own but to fully appreciate it I’d recommend reading in order as there is the developing relationship between Matt & Kitty that is gradually building throughout the series also the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Elowed, Kitty’s mother sixteen years ago. A very well written book that had me hooked from the start when Matt had been arrested. Strong characters & a well paced story with plenty of red herrings & twists & turns had the pages flying by & I read it in two sittings. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Anjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite mentioning several times that the writing style was not for me, I was lured into trying out this book just to see where the storyline for Kitty’s mother would go and on that front, I was not disappointed. Some headway was made in not just that but also in the relationship between Kitty and Matthew, the latter though expected was done in a smooth but interesting manner.

The crime was very different from the last two books and especially since Kitty is given sole charge of figuring out the culprit she had free reign to rush headlong into the situations. It is her luck that keeps her alive. Unfortunately for me, this time I figured out the criminal with the mention of one particular event because it seemed quite random for it to be described in that manner. An unknown woman has been found on the golfing green and everyone is claiming to not know who she is! The case has a lot of quirky, artsy people thrown in together, the rise of the individual relying on another. There are multiple dynamics at play in the background. It should satisfy those who are enjoying the series and for me, I will try to read the next one if I can because I would like to know about the mother situation!

⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[J Soligo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in the Miss Underhay Mystery series and I have been eagerly anticipating the third instalment! Kitty and Matthew have solved murders togethers before, but will they be able to solve this one? As Matthew is cast as the killer and the evidence continues to be stacked against him, can Kitty (along with the delightful help of Alice, Inspector Granville and of course the handful of Mrs. Craven) prove his innocence? Through twists and turns that keep you guessing and the continued blossom of romance that leaves you wanting more I had only one question as I finished the last page… when can I read book four?

Do yourself a favour, cozy up with a blanket, a cup of something warm and dig into this cozy mystery.

A big thank you to Bookouture for providing an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #MurderAtThePlayhouse #Goodreads

[Karren Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Helena Dixon.

I really enjoyed getting to know both Kitty and Matt a little better and appreciated their complicated relationship. Kitty also continues to investigate her own past and this thread is increasingly intriguing. The balance between the personal narrative and the resolving of the murder mystery is exquisite. Not easy to achieve, and indeed well done in this instance

The mystery is wrapped up very neatly, and this time I hadn't guessed whodunnit!

The relationship between Kitty and Matt...Hmm, let’s just say I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

This is a most enjoyable cozy murder mystery. Easy to read with well-written characters. I highly recommend it.

With thanks to #NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for my free advanced reader copy to review in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Murder at the Playhouse’ is another good adventure for Kitty Underhay, hotelier and amateur detective. Third in this nicely developing between-the-wars mystery series by Helena Dixon, Kitty now finds herself drawn into the theatrical world.
Starting weeks after the ending of the previous book, ‘Murder at Enderley Hall,’ Kitty is still not on speaking turns with her fellow investigator, Captain Matthew Bryant. And she isn’t only missing their cooperation as detectors. But before she can work out how to break the ice after their quarrel, everyday turns into drama when Matt is arrested on suspicion of murder. A young girl taking part in a treasure hunt at a party, is found dead on the golf course. She was strangled with a bootlace, the bootlace given to her and her friend by Matt when they knocked on his door to enquire about clues. Kitty, who soon discovers that the party was hosted by Matt’s next door neighbours, the theatrical Davenport family, volunteers for charity work with the Davenport’s daughter Genny and goes undercover.
Kitty and Matt’s relationship has reached an interesting stage, past their acknowledgement of mutual attraction they must now face up to their differing social expectations. Kitty is determined to prove her credentials as a detective, able to handle difficult and dangerous assignments as well as Matt himself. Soon she is part of the theatre company as it prepares for a charitable production. Burning the candle at both ends, Kitty’s assessment of likely risk becomes a little wobbly as she pushes on in her objective to clear Matt’s name. The cast of theatrical characters includes some colourful, and distasteful, people, so there are plenty of suspects. Assigned as prompter, Kitty fears sitting in the wings will prevent her ability to eavesdrop and discover clues. So she engages the Dolphin Hotel’s housemaid Alice to assist her again. Alice, deft with a needle and thread, proves adept at organising the theatrical costumes and props and rallying the troop of child performers.
Needless to say, Kitty takes one risk too many and, not wanting to worry Matt while also wanting prove herself to him, does not tell him everything that is happening. In the background is the longer-running mystery of Kitty’s lost mother; where did she disappear to during the war?
Kitty is a very likeable heroine while Matt has a complicated history. He is a widow and a war veteran, more of both in this book. The plot moves on nicely and the whodunnit is full of possibilities without being so complex that the clues become entangled in an impenetrable knot. More please.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-revie...

[Chelle W (teaandplottwists) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty is gobsmacked to discover that her friend and partner-in-crime, Matt has been arrested for the murder of a girl who had been attending a party locally. But although Kitty and the police know Matt couldn’t have done it, the evidence is against him. Kitty sets out to discover who the real culprit is, and to clear Matt’s name. But as she does so, the killer realises that she’s poking her nose in and she ends up putting herself in danger. Will she be able to clear Matt’s name? And will she make it out alive?

I was completely sucked into this delightful story. As we all know I love historical fiction, and teaming it with a cozy mystery is a dream! The plot is fantastic and I flitted back and forth between characters and who I thought was the murderer, and was actually still quite surprised by the ending!

I’ve not read any of the the previous Miss Underhay Mystery series, so this was my first meeting with Kitty and Matt and I adore them. Kitty is a charming and determined young woman, caring and resilient but definitely with a hint of fieriness hiding under the surface. Matt is also a charming gentleman, with his own past issues and I really really want them to get together! Kitty’s Grandmother is also brilliant, and I love that there are interfering busy bodies in this who are tolerated, but you can still see how their behaviour affects the main protagonists.

Dixon’s writing is wonderful and descriptive, and I honestly felt like I was back in 1933. I could picture the outfits, the hotel, the theatre, the cars and the scenery; the writing brings it all beautifully to life. The way the characters greet and speak with each other, and how Kitty formally dines every night with her Grandmother, just makes it even more real and gives a good sense of what times would have been like.

As well as being beautifully written, it is easy and enjoyable to read and follow; I enjoyed it so much I didn’t want it to end! I’ll definitely be reading the first two books when I have time, and looking out for more from Helena.

If you love a good murder mystery that will keep you turning pages and thoroughly enchant you then you should definitely check this out. Highly recommended by me.