Death on Display

Charleton House Mysteries #10

by Kate P. Adams

Egypt, thou knew’st too well my heart was to thy rudder tied…
In a shadowy, atmospheric gallery of a Victorian building, a beautiful Egyptian sarcophagus is the main attraction of a new exhibition. But the mummified body inside is not that of an ancient pharaoh; it belongs to the chair of the museum’s trustees, who until recently was alive and well.
Charismatic, philanthropic and enthusiastic about all things Egyptian, Sheridan Tasker didn’t appear to have an enemy in the world. However, someone clearly wanted him dead. His murder coincides with the latest in a series of artefacts going missing from the museum, but the placing of his body inside a sarcophagus seems far more personal than the spontaneous act of a desperate thief.
It is part-time super-sleuth and full-time coffee aficionado Sophie Lockwood who finds the body, and despite stern warnings from the local police, she immediately sets to work on unravelling the mystery. But every lead takes her back to the same why would anyone want to kill such a highly regarded man?
Then Sophie’s world is rocked when she finds another body at the museum. Only this time, it’s someone she loves dearly…
Share in laughs and laments, puzzles and pastries, and, of course, plenty of coffee with Sophie and her friends in this, the tenth book in the Charleton House series of cosy mysteries. But beware the voodoo dolls and curses!

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2023

Reviews

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fun and engaging Charleton House mystery. Sophie becomes involved in another murder investigation when she discovers the body of Sheridan Tasker, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Pilston Museum, where Mark, Sophie's friend, was temporarily working on an exhibition. It turns out he had more than one enemy. Who killed him and why? Will Sophie and Mark be able to identify the killer? Find out the answers to these questions by reading this unputdownable book. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death on Display is another seriously twisted, cozy mystery in the Charleton House Mystery series! Sophie, Mark and crew always uncover the most interesting mysteries. There are many things happening in this well plotted book. There is the murder, the thefts from the museum, Harnby’s odd mood, difficult employees and more. I was fascinated by this book from the very beginning and spent the day trying to follow the clue’s with Sophie. As always, Ms. Adams brings everything to a satisfactory conclusion.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This group of characters keep developing into the finest, wittiest group of trail-blazing sleuths in this lively story that has Sophie and Mark hot on the trail of a museum thief and murderer. Yes, wit and sarcasm go hand-in-hand the way only Ms. Adams can do so flawlessly. A fun read that will have you scratching your head as you try to unravel the puzzle of who did the dirty deeds.
Highly Recommended.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love A Charleton House Mystery series and Death On Display is a great addition! The characters are likable and the cozy mystery kept me guessing until the end. Sophie is the Manager of the three cafes at Charleton House. Her friend Mark is a Tour Guide and has his own local TV show. Mark is working at Pilston Museum setting up an Egyptian exhibit. Joyce is the Manager of the shops at Charleton House. The three of them are great and provide some humor to the story. Another friend of theirs is Joe who is the local (British) Police Detective. One of the people involved with the exhibit, Sheridan Tasker, ends up dead and Sophie and Mark find him. The suspects are primarily people at the Pilston Museum. Some items are stolen too which adds some intrigue. Sophie, Mark, and Joyce need to find the killer before anyone else gets hurt. The mystery had me guessing until the end. There is a much better balance with the characters in this book. Sophie and Joe are friends again and they actually hang out along with Mark and his husband Bill (Joe's half brother). Joyce is away on vacation at the beginning of the book but returns and is an integral part of the story. The 4 main characters (Sophie, Mark, Joyce and Joe) are what I really enjoy about this series and it is nice to have the comradery back! Sophie is kind of dating Ryan who is away on a book tour. They talk twice on the phone but he isn't really part of the story. Time will tell with him. This is my favorite book in the series and it is very enjoyable! I received an advance copy from the author Kate P Adams for free and I voluntarily leave this review. #DeathOnDisplay #ACharletonHouseMystery @KatePAdams

[John Presler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Boxer is working part time at the Pilston Museum, where an Egyptian sarcophagus is the main attraction of a new exhibition. The project is headed by Sheridan Tasker, who has also contributed money to other projects with better than expected results. During one trip to the museum, Sophie discovers a body in the sarcophagus, but it is not the mummy. The body turns out to be that of Sheridan Tasker. Sheridan seemed to be popular and had no known enemies. Since the museum is not open to the public, it seems that the most likely culprit works with the museum. The museum has also experienced numerous thefts over the years but they have also gone unresolved. A couple of days later, Mark is attacked outside the museum, but is still alive. Sophie is determined to find out who attacked Mark.

Who killed Sheridan? Why was he killed? Did the same person attack Mark? Why was Mark attacked? Can Sophie and Mark unravel the mystery and expose the culprit or culprits?

Kate Adams has created another fabulous adventure related to Charleton House employees. She has wonderful characters and realistic situations with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged throughout.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back at Charlton House with our favorite characters, Sophie who manages 3 cafes there, Mark who is the house tour guide and Joyce who manages the shops there. They are a great group of very close friends and we have to add Pumpkin to the mix. And we also have Joe a local detective who have worked with the trio before. This is a fantastic series that you must read. In this book, Mark takes on a side job of helping to arrange an Egyptian exhibit at the Pilston Museum. When he and Sophie were at the museum, they find one of the sarcophagus that's supposed to be empty - isn't! It seems Sheridan Tasker was murdered and stashed in there. Who would want to murder him? He seemed to be liked by everyone, a philanthropist and very knowledgeable about all things Egyptian. Add to that and there seems to also be some things missing from the museum. Did Tasker know about the missing items? Could that have gotten him killed? Why was his office trashed and his car keyed? It is up to Sophie, Mark and Joyce to work the murder out before the museum is set to open. With a bit of wit and sarcasm we are taken on a page turning ride until the very end! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad there is another book in this wonderful mystery series!

Oh Kate, I'm so happy you have graced us with this most recent Charleton House mystery. I adore these characters and wish I could move into their lives for real. Although I imagine Sophie is your alter ego (with Pumpkin thrle cat), I could be happy with Mark or Joyce as my best friends. This was an especially great plot, having Mark consulting on a new exhibit at another museum. Now that he is a TV personality he has the stature and charisma to do an excellent job. However, when he and Sophie find a body in the currently empty sarcophagus, their lives become as complicated as usual dealing with the murder. I love that Joyce has just returned from her visit to Scotland wearing everything tartan pulling in the Joyce and Ginger Mysteries back to Charlton house from their exciting adventures. I could definitely imagine her being a wonderful Lady Brocklehurst. But like Sophie I do not want Joyce to leave her current job or Mark either for that matter. They all belong at Charlton house and I'm sure will not run out of murders to solve. This was a wonderful book and I hope I don't have to wait too much longer for the next one in the series.

[Avis Witter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering the trauma and sadness this author has gone through this year I was curious to see what my ARC would bring. There was no disappointment. The usual snooping Sophie who just can’t stop herself getting involved. Along with her colleague Mark she sets out to investigate a murder at the nearby Pilston Museum and thefts of some of its artifacts. We see another side to Joyce who is not dishing out her usual scathing wit.

A great addition to the series and well written as usual. The author immerses herself into each situation she creates and writes the conversations as she hears them. Each thread of the plot is followed through to the end where everything is tied up with a bow. Culprit found and explanation given. Ms Adams has a fantastic sense of humour and and drama along with a knack for getting the reader involved and keeping their attention. She must have been a wonderful person to work with in her previous career and this is showing through in her writing venture. Long may it last and thanks for my ARC which I always look forward to.

Highly recommended folks.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all the books in this series and enjoyed each one. I love the characters in the series and how they interact with each other. I loved that from this series came another great series with Joyce and Ginger which is a hoot. I also love that you could read each of these books on their own and enjoy them as well. But I will say that read in order you get a little more insight and smiles from your read. Okay, on with this book review. 4.5 stars for me and only because I had a hard time wrapping my head around a softened form of Joyce. I have loved the banter between Mark, Joyce, and Sophie and to have that softened it was hard for me. Great story, and a great ending. Maybe I am reading too much into it but I could see a future Joyce and Ginger story emerging too. If you love a good clean mystery this series is a must-read.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charleton House is without the services of their premier tour guide. Mark is working at the Pilston Museum . He is helping set up an Egyptian sarcophagus as one of the displays. Unfortunately murder intrudes when the chair of the trustees is killed. Sophie and Mark start asking questions. Someone doesn't like that. Mark is attacked and left to die. Now the case becomes personal. Sophie and Mark won't give up! Can they find the killer? I enjoyed this mystery. I saw a very different side of Joyce which shows a different woman The mystery is very complicated and includes a second storyline about continual theft from the museum. Death on Display is excellent. The story keeps me guessing. It's fast paced and has unexpected twists. I always enjoy what trouble Sophie and her friends can get into.

[Catherine Stratman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite series!

Mark is on loan to another museum helping set up an Egyptian exhibit, but what he and Sophie find in the sarcophagus at the center of the exhibit isn't your usual mummy. The body belongs to the chair of the museum's trustees and chief benefactor on the upcoming renovations. And not everyone is happy about all the changes that are about to happen. Throw in a voodoo doll and of course a curse, missing items, and a ransacked office. Sophie is warned off the case by the police, but when does she ever listen? And it might just cost her the life of one of her closest friends. Outstanding from start to finish.

I was gifted a copy of this book. This is my honest review.

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A museum to envy...and to die for?

Mark is helping to put together an exhibit for a museum near the estate where he, Joyce, and Sophie work. Just before the exhibit opens, the body of a museum benefactor is found hidden in the new exhibit. The same night, the latest in a series of thefts from the museum is discovered. Are these events connected? Naturally, Mark and Sophie are driven to solve the crimes. Even more importantly, Pumpkin is stalking a mouse. Will she catch it? What will she do with it? I definitely didn't expect the guilty parties to be who they were, but that's half the fun. If you haven't read the whole series yet, you really should. Kate P. Adams only writes superbly. Highly recommended!

[Janet Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why would anyone murder a likable philanthropist? Could it have been a mistaken identity? Did the victim walk in on a theft in progress? How could so many items disappear without a clue? Will this be the first edition without Joyce who is vacationing in Scotland. In this case, comments made after social drinking lead to the murder solution. Does this addition have two murders? Will Sophia really be able to allow Mark to take the lead in getting a confession? Can Mark and Pumpkin really bond? So many questions to be answered and suspects to clear. This is an honest review of an ARC copy.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in The Charleton House Mysteries, and it didn't disappoint! This series is easily one of my favorites and I'm always delighted when my copy arrives. Once again, Sophie and Mark find themselves in the thick of a murder investigation. This time Mark is attacked and an entire new side to the larger-than-life Joyce emerges. Just like the previous books in this series I have no trouble visualizing the setting and I always come away with the sense I've learned something new. And finally, there's Pumpkin, I was laughing at loud at the Great Mouse Hunter! Bring on book 11!! I received an ARC of this book and I'm voluntarily proving my honest review.

[Barb Foerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is consulting at the Pilston Museum, a neighboring museum that’s undergoing a renovation. Sheridan Tasker is the money behind the project. When Sophie visits the museum, she finds Sheridan’s body in the sarcophagus. Who would have killed him? Mark and Sophie are up to their detecting which causes Mark to be attacked. Joyce returns from her vacation while Mark is recovering. Joyce has a surprise change in her personality. You need to read this and find what this trio is really up to. Love this series.

[Emme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful addition to the Charleton House series. It was fun to have the gang all together for another mystery, this time set in a different museum. There are many twists and turns and I enjoyed seeing Joyce so out of character. Definitely a fun series, but I recommend reading from the beginning to understand their relationships and development. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Though I'm not a short-story fan, Ms. Adams does have a few good ones available to her readers worth a read.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of this book takes place at a local(ish) museum where Mark has been asked to help display Egyptian antiques. Then Sophie sees a body in a sarcophagus that should have been empty! It’s the Director & a great scholar of things Egyptian. The night he was killed some very rare coins had also gone missing. Then the Chairman’s car gets keyed & his office trashed. It turns out that many things had gone missing over the years. A very entertaining tale.

[Naticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story in the Charleton House series. The settings in this one were lovely; I always enjoy seeing our stars outside their comfort zones. And while I guessed the villain earlier than usual, I was still surprised by all the twists and turns the story took. I also especially loved that Pumpkin got more screen time, as she so rightly deserves. Mostly though, I need to know what happened to Joyce!!

[G.Terenzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and Ananya put an exhibition of Egyptian artifacts together at a small private museum.
It includes a sarcophagus, minus the mummy which has been removed for further tests.

When Sophie does see a mummy in the sarcophagus, it turns out to be the much younger body of the chair of trustees.

Mark and Sophie feel a moral obligation to investigate the murder and are getting themselves into great danger, with Mark being savagely attacked.

I received an ARC and that is my honest opinion.

[Teri-Anne Swerdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has two mysteries in it. For the first time ever, I actually figured one of them out. As for the murder, I did not know who would be killed, why they would be killed or who they would be killed by. Just once I want to figure out who the killer is.

With all of Miss Kate's books, there is plenty of humour in them. I often find myself giggling. I must say that Miss Kate has Pumpkin's behaviour down pat. Pumpkin reminds me of my own cat.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun bunch of characters. I love their relationships and their personalities. So different and yet so compatible. This was a fun mystery…lots of red herrings to keep you off the trail of the truth. I enjoyed the museum and all the interesting things there. I liked Mimi, so blunt and straightforward. I hope she does get hired at Charleton House, her baking sounds amazing! I loved this latest adventure in an awesome series!

[Anne Kavcic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't get enough of the characters in this series - and the excellent writing and wit round out a wonderful reading experience. Here, Sophie and Mark work at another museum where a generous donor is murdered. A little off-the-books poking around is of course in order, since the police seem to find the culprit a little too easily. Lots of clues to follow and you will be puzzled until the end, I'm sure! - I received a review copy and freely leave this honest review.

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofie the manager of the cafes at Charleton House and Gardens is with Mark the Tour Guide there, are at the preopening of Pilston Museum that Mark is working for when Sophie fins a body in the supposed empty Sarcophagus. As usual she was told not to get involved with the case by the police, but her curiosity prevails and she starts questioning the ones that are involved with the opening of the Museum along with a lot of artifacts that have been stolen in the past. Great ending!

[Beverly Harlow Leake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is among my favorite series, as evidenced by my reading it through on Black Friday and ignoring putting up Christmas decorations. It did not disappoint!! Laugh out loud moments, as well as tenderness that grows in all close relationships. The depth of the series continues, and I’m already looking forward to the next installment of The Charleton House; although, truth be told, I’m looking forward to NEXT in all Kate P. Adams’ series. They’re his, and keep getting better. Thank you, Kate!!

[Kestrelmorn Geiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved this entire series, but this one was a doozy! There were a lot of assorted crimes in this story, some against our favorite characters. One causing another favorite character to act totally out of character for most of the story, to the chagrin and fascination of the other characters. I hate to write spoilers, so I'm going to let it go there. This story was well worth the wait and I urge you to read it as soon as you can. You won't be sorry!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and Mark are at it again!

Sophie is visiting Mark at a nearby museum when she finds a body in a sarcophagus. Needless to say she and Mark begin investigating the murder. We meet new people at the museum, while maintaining our connections to people at Charleton House. It starts off with Joyce away in Scotland but she returns before the end. Now I can’t wait to read the book about her adventures there. An excellent book continuing the story of Charleton House.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of a mummified body is about to be unravelled. Sophie will discover the body of an art philanthropist. With the aid of her trusty friends they will set out to find a killer.

It’s a mesmerizing read as you watch the story unravel in this fast paced read. A wonderful instalment in this series.

[MS M ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another murder solved by Sophie will a little help from Mark.

It was nice to have Mark and Sophie without too much Joyce, I love her but she does tend to take over. Seems like a lot of personal changes at Charleton House, much to look forward too but don’t want too much to change! Can’t wait for the next one though!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of the book but this is my honest opinion. This is the 10th book in the series and have loved them all! An Egyptian enthusiast is found murdered and the mayhem begins. Lots of twists and turns interesting complex characters and an entertaining story makes this a real page turner and a must read!

[Jody Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death On Display

I absolutely loved this book! But I love everything Kate Adams writes. I was quite surprised at who the bad guy was. Though I shouldn't have been. Once you knew it was obvious.
The last two Books have been about Joyce and, yes, I really liked them but I have really missed the Charleton gang.
Am now waiting impatiently for the next book.
Jody