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Cleopatra Fox #6

Murder at the Crown and Anchor

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Listening time: 7 hours and 37 minutes.

A wealthy businessman with a reputation for taking risks rose from the slums to the height of success. But success comes at a price, especially when it’s achieved at the expense of others.

When a former guest of the hotel is found dead in a dockside tavern, the police rule it suicide. After all, some say his negligence caused one of his company’s ships to go down in a storm, along with all its cargo and several members of the crew. The guilt would be too much for many. But when evidence of murder is uncovered, Cleo feels compelled to bring the killer to justice.

With Harry Armitage on a separate case that involves many of the same suspects, their paths cross and sparks fly. And there are more suspects emerging every day. With a victim whose past was shrouded in mystery, who was a bully to some and a brilliant businessman to others, it’s difficult to separate fact from fiction.

As Cleo and Harry peel back the layers of lies, one fact is undeniable—a man’s past follows him to the grave, something Harry knows all too well.

8 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 6, 2023

387 people are currently reading
1968 people want to read

About the author

C.J. Archer

96 books5,634 followers
C.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.

She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.

Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com

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5 stars
1,538 (32%)
4 stars
2,347 (49%)
3 stars
843 (17%)
2 stars
52 (1%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
Profile Image for Phrynne.
4,035 reviews2,725 followers
September 26, 2023
The sixth book in the Cleopatra Fox series, which we now have to accept is a murder mystery series with only a very minor touch of romance.

Cleo and Harry are working together again engaged in separate but linked cases. The mystery is excellent with lots of suspects and some clever investigation. The romance is going nowhere since neither of them is prepared to admit anything to the other. At this point I would rather like both of them to marry someone else and keep working together since it is their investigations which make up the best part of the book.

Still four stars for the mystery and fingers crossed our would be lovers sort something out in the next book. I will be waiting.
Profile Image for Lady Tea.
1,789 reviews126 followers
June 10, 2023
Rating: My journey ends here / 5

Okay, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but wtf is CJ Archer doing?!

I HATE romances where there's a stupid and forced love triangle, especially when the author keeps shoving it in your face over and over again, which the author does relentlessly in this addition to the Cleopatra Fox series.

I mentioned in my previous of the previous book that I want it ENDED before it even begins, but I guess that's a minority opinion and peeve.

Unfortunately, it's a turnoff for me, and so I'm done and bah-bye with the series here. BYYYYYYYYEEEEEEE!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,582 reviews180 followers
June 22, 2023
I am always so eager to read the new Cleopatra Fox mystery! This one had a fun mix of elements. There is the murder mystery (possibly my favorite of the series so far), the opening of the new restaurant at the Mayfair Hotel, the dynamics between Cleo and her aunt, uncle, and cousins, the struggle of being a woman in a man's profession (and a man's world!), Cleo's friendships with the hotel staff (especially Harmony), and Cleo's relationship with two men, Jonathon and Harry. Cleo and Harry spend a lot of time together investigating, and we get a couple glimpses of Miss Morris.

Profile Image for Hannah.
2,257 reviews473 followers
July 28, 2024
This one was the most mediocre of the series. Only three left. Will finish them up for the sale of completeness, take a break from the author, and go back and wait for the next Glass Library book. I’m far more invested in those characters.
Profile Image for Eva Trotter.
30 reviews
June 15, 2023
The romance in this book couldn’t burn any slower 😫
Profile Image for Rachel.
21 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2023
I've been eagerly waiting for 6+ months for this to come out, and then I devoured it in less than a day. Now I have to wait another 6 months for the next book. *sigh* As always, I loved the story and the characters and the slow burn romance. Although, I do wish it was a slightly faster burn. 😁
Profile Image for Robyn.
2,379 reviews131 followers
August 1, 2023
MURDER AT THE CROWN AND ANCHOR
CJ Archer

This is my first CJ Archer book and I actually enjoyed it. I read some of the reviews and it would seem that the romance has been dragging a bit, but as a first-time reader, I was not aware or bothered by this. I read this as a standalone, it is #6 in the series, but it reads as a single as well.

I did think that it was a slow-moving book, but I don't ever expect these cozy murders to move at neck break speed, I don't think that is why we read them. I use them to slow down and clear my mind. I think I will probably read another in the series just to see what Harry and Cleo do when they kiss.

I really liked HArmony and Floyd in this book and hope that they hang out for a book or so.

In this one, a guest at the hotel is found dead at the Crown and Anchor, it is initially ruled a suicide based on the idea that the victim has caused a terrible business mistake and is responsible for the loss of the ship, part of the crew, and the cargo. Based on this, it isn't too hard to see why someone would off themselves while carrying all that guilt. However, it just isn't that way and Cleo comes to the rescue to solve the case.

She asks Harry, another investigator to assist her, and they get busy. The plot includes several suspects that have to be eliminated and Cleo and Harry do a great job. I wasn't really expecting the killer to be who it was (this is a kudo) or for the reason. While a bit slow in motion, the plot is very layered and quite well-thought-out.

4 stars

Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Yadi.
563 reviews8 followers
September 12, 2023
At this point I don't know if I want to continue reading this series. after 6 books there has not been much progress on the story. Yes Cleo is been solving cases but aside from that everything has stay the same since book one. Her relationship with Harry which is another focal point of the story has amount to one kiss in 6 books couple of hand touches and that's about it. I'm really starting to dislike Harry tell me how he started to court another girl after kissing Cleo, is it that he's not interested in her. Also I thought that by this point their business partnership would had been official by this point but it seems that Harry doesn't want anything to do with her. I'm wondering why Cleopatra keeps seeking him if in every book he has made it very clear that he doesn't want to work with her. I would not mind Harry disappearing completely from the story since with him she is getting nowhere nor a romantic relationship or a job partnership.

I really hope that by the next book their is a major change in the story otherwise I would have to stop reading these books, it is staring to feel like I been just wasting my time in a story that has become stagnant.
Profile Image for Kaily Warren.
199 reviews
July 12, 2023
I’ve been reading this series since the first book came out and I’ve enjoyed every book. By this point I’m getting antsy over Harry and Cleo’s relationship and I’m hoping by next book the two finally become transparent regarding their feelings.

I am enjoying the character development of the secondary characters, especially Floyd and Harmony.
Profile Image for Alyssa.
751 reviews10 followers
August 2, 2025
I’ve never wanted two characters to fall in love and kiss so much.
Arghhhh!!

Oh yeah. And the murder mystery was great too.
Profile Image for Jonathan.
342 reviews
October 3, 2025
an sinking of a ship, did that sinking , then lead on to murder, you will need to get an copy of this book to find out.
225 reviews
July 6, 2023
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Marian Hussey, who consistently does a good job. I like this series with the historical fiction mystery and romance combo. This was a solid addition to the series from the mystery side. As I finished it, I was debating whether to give it 3 or 4 stars. It is well written, a good mystery, but didn't have as much action as some others in the series and didn't grow the characters or the relationships much. It didn't have much to make it stand out. I am looking forward to the next book.
1,419 reviews5 followers
June 20, 2023
3.5 stars. Enjoyable cozy mystery though not quite as good as some of the previous ones. I’m really liking Cleo and Harry.
Profile Image for QNPoohBear.
3,583 reviews1,562 followers
September 14, 2024
The Mayfair Hotel is busier than ever with Floyd planning all the details of the new restaurant launch. Uncle Ronald is in tizzy! He's furious Floyd's guest list contains actresses and unsuitable people and fewer Society people (in modern terms "influencers" vs. established celebrities). Uncle Ronald turns his wrath on Cleo next. She's been SEEN with Harry Armitage again. Cleo reassures her uncle that they're just friends and associates and she would never do anything to damage the reputation of the Mayfair or the family and besides, Harry is courting Miss Morris. Uncle Ronald agrees to allow Cleo to investigate crimes if it doesn't interfere with her duties to the family. When Cleo learns a former hotel guest, a wealthy shipping magnate has been found dead at the dockside tavern The Crown and Anchor, hanged, presumed suicide, Cleo knows something is up. A friend of D.I. Hobart's suspects murder but the case is closed and he's not allowed to investigate. Harry is busy with another case so this one falls to Cleo. Ultimately she has to team up with Harry again to investigate the crime. Cleo has to navigate the tricky balance of being in between social classes and being female. Can she solve the crime AND help those she loves even if she's bound by restrictions?

This is a great mystery. It got off to a fast start after the first chapter. I was interested in the mystery. I thought for sure it was about and while it was about it wasn't what I thought. I didn't guess who the murderer was but I kind of had my suspicions about that person early on but they faded as more plausible suspects came up.

I like Cleo. She's a good negotiator and knows what to say to people to get them to do things her way. However, she can be incredibly naive when it comes to her own feelings. She knows she has feelings for Harry but she's aware that it can never be, not unless she rejects her family and is a successful private investigator. Uncle Ronald would have apoplexy! A more inflexible man you will never meet. I think Aunt Lillian would fuss and worry but ultimately accept what Cleo wants is to be happy. Floyd is obliged to accept and Flossie would worry her own reputation would be ruined. Harry has feelings for Cleo, that much is obvious but he's trying to deny them because he knows the way the world works and how her uncle feels about him. He may be unsure of Cleo's feelings. Cleo keeps pushing Miss Morris as a suitable wife for Harry and trying to push Harry into more of a relationship than there actually is. This belief suits Cleo's purpose because if Harry is unavailable, Cleo gets to keep investigating. Miss Morris is nice and she's intelligent. I feel sorry for her because Harry doesn't really give her a chance. It will become obvious to her he's in love with Cleo soon anyway. His MOTHER vastly prefers Miss Morris.

Jonathon reveals himself as a despicable cad. He's arrogant, snobby and all he wants is to thumb his nose at his father. Did Jonathon propose to Cleo just to spite his father or does he love her? His actions are horrendous and designed to punish Cleo. There's no need to involve Floyd and do something devious. Cleo's revenge is fabulous. Floyd is growing up somewhat. He has his finger on the pulse of what is new and trendy while his father is stuck in the past. Floyd may be a couple decades too soon though. Floyd is still immature enough to have a mistress but the actress is the most sought after celebrity of the moment. It didn't seem to work out between Floyd and the sweet American girl, Miss Massey. Miss Massey has a new suitor who hopefully adores her the way she deserves and she can finally be free of the horrible mother of hers. Her mother is just awful and not just a bore, a title hunter and generally awful, she's a terrible mother who doesn't value her own daughter. Cleo's solution to the problem is perfect and I hope it works out. Harmony gets her just due in this book. She's a wonderful character and I hope she moves up in the world.

Tobias Plumtree was a shipping magnate. Why was he at The Crown and Anchor? Cleo and Harry discover Tobias Plumtree was not always Tobias Plumtree. He was once Thomas Plum from the slums. Did the past finally catch up to him? Maybe. His young widow is fragile in the typical Victorian feminine way. She doesn't know what to do but she isn't 100% totally sad at her husband's death either. He was a tyrant and a bully who abused her. He had a low opinion of women, didn't suffer fools gladly and had no empathy for others. Kitty Plumtree's life must have been miserable. Perhaps she killed her terrible husband to give her son a better present and not wait for the future? She may have realized her husband would bully their son into submission and she didn't want that. Or maybe she was angry about her husband seeing other women? If she weren't so meek and weak I'd think that was the case. Maybe she had help.

Plumtree's partner, Mr. Gooding, is also a bully. He's snobby, sexist and owns half the business. I don't trust him. His son, Jeremy, is a nice young man. I think he may be in love with Mrs. Plumtree but he also seems to be courting Miss Massie. Lowell, the Plumtrees' butler is unfailingly loyal and quick to offer up information but perhaps not the correct information. He seems suspicious to me. Who was the brother of the crewman who died on the Elsie May? The man threatened Mr. Plumtree and may have killed him. That seems like a plausible motive. A lower class person would know where to find the Crown and Anchor and a man would be strong enough to stage a hanging.

The barman at the Crown and Anchor, a Scot nicknamed "Bull" is friendly and lively but paid not to notice certain people and activities. Nancy, the barmaid, is more forthcoming. She may be lying, however. She may only be telling Harry and Cleo what they want to hear. She doesn't seem that clever to me but who knows. Nancy makes her opinion of Mr. Plumtree known and she isn't sorry he's dead but what motive would she have to kill him? There's no reason for her to benefit from his death other than revenge against a horrible patron. UNLESS she's somehow connected to the ship that went down at sea. Maybe a sister of the crewman and angry brother?

I didn't catch every word or ever character's name and information. I was listening while I worked but I enjoyed the story. I really like this narrator. Her voice sounds proper and aristocratic but too old to be Cleo.
Profile Image for Ashley Pope.
19 reviews
June 28, 2023
It is very annoying when an author continues to dangle a romantic subplot in a series. This is book six in a series with more to come. The love between Cleo and Harry should have already been worked out. Not to develop this subplot as some others have been developed, is just a way to continue the series without producing any real progress in the characters and story. If this series continues, then I will consider it again around book fifteen. I won’t read book after book while the author decides what to do with the subplots. I’m glad I borrowed this book from the library instead of buying it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle Fritz PA.
1,357 reviews98 followers
June 20, 2023
The attraction between my favorite detectives was absolutely undeniable and pulsed from these intriguing pages! I'm one happy and content reader!

Gah!! I almost threw my phone when I realized that my wish came true! I won't spoil things, but I'm tremendously relieved to know that two interlopers have been removed. Huzzah!

This edition kept me on my toes with second guesses and what would happen next. Cleo and Harry are simply fabulous together, and I can't wait to see what they will tackle next.
Profile Image for Dotti.
367 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2024
A fun continuation of an enjoyable series. It’s not profound or challenging, but the mysteries are fun and so are the relationships.
Profile Image for Julie Guzzetta.
447 reviews28 followers
August 22, 2023
Another great read! Aside from Cleo, it was really great to see some character growth in other quarters - especially Floyd and Harmony. I'm not sure if Cleo is growing or to what extent she's growing, but her family seems to be accepting her more, which I appreciate. It can be tiring, even as a reader, to have her constantly hiding from her family. I like that she can be a little more open with them. For now.

I'm glad that Cleo and Harry were able to pick up where they left off and continue investigating together. I wasn't sure what to expect after the previous book ended. (I don't think that's a spoiler, but I'm always happy to mark it if needed). And even more exciting, I learned that the next book is coming out in December! So I get to continue the story sooner rather than later.
Profile Image for Shawn.
188 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2023
Each subsequent book of this series continues to get even better. The murder mystery in this book was rather clever with some interesting misdirections that weren’t too ridiculous, and had significantly fewer wild leaps of fancy from the still relatively new investigator, Cleo. I also enjoyed that Harmony, the hotel maid and Cleo’s friend, had more to in this book than fix ladies hair and listen to Cleo’s various theories. The slow burn romance between Cleo and Harry is becoming ridiculously slow, but the ending did hint that there might be some development on that end as well in the next book. Or maybe I’m just being too hopeful. Overall, a really enjoyable story.
Profile Image for alicia.
91 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2025
I said Harry Armitage could do no wrong in my eyes but apparently I lied. What was the need for that stupid love triangle that had the chemistry of a dead fish?? None, it angered me so much wth.

Anyways the mysteries are getting better with each book and it’s becoming harder to guess definitely didn’t expect this one
Profile Image for Carrie.
200 reviews4 followers
January 4, 2024
Good. Nothing too descriptive or gross for a murder story. Mild and entertaining. 3/5 just because I'll forget the story shortly.
Profile Image for Brooke Neal.
158 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2024
These books are enjoyable and a fast read for me. I’m excited to continue in the series (and maybe the main characters will FINALLY get together?!).
20 reviews
August 1, 2024
Like the mystery, but the dragging on of the "romance" needs to go.
Profile Image for Basia.
223 reviews26 followers
April 29, 2025
i'm all for a slow burn but god above we are practically moving backwards
Profile Image for Connie.
498 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2023
I have so enjoyed this series. Cleo is very feisty, considering the time frame of the stories.
She is again investigating a murder while busy going to balls and helping the family get ready for the hotel restaurants grand opening.
Profile Image for LaRae☕️.
716 reviews10 followers
November 12, 2023
I continue to love this series, which I’m listening to on audio. I’m enjoying the developing characters, the setting, and the time period; and the mystery in this story was a fun one. I’m looking forward to book seven coming out next month.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews

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