The Mask of Merryvale Manor

by Pete Sherlock

Merryvale Manor keeps its secrets. On the cusp of the 1960s, when fourteen-year-old Ben moves into the ancestral home of his aunt and uncle, he is initially shocked by their wealth and glamour. Over his first summer at Merryvale, he learns to appreciate their languid opulence, and quickly settles into his new rich lifestyle. Until five years later... when the body of a missing woman is found on the estate. As the murder investigation hones in on its key suspect, Ben's memories of that summer resurface and he sees his family's manipulative power in a harsh new light. Placed on a collision course with the powerful Drummonds, he faces a should he choose his family or his principles?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

Reviews

[kelly ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story follows benjamin, who was taken under the wing of the drummonds in the merryvale manor after his mother’s untimely death. he was mesmerized by the magnificent house and glamorous lifestyle, not realizing that beneath the grandeur and aesthetics, the family is trying to hide something sinister and disturbing.

as the story progresses, benjamin notices how the family is obsessed with appearances and how they can be very manipulative. he then sees them in a terrible new perspective, as the family uses him for their own gain.

this was definitely a thrilling read. from start to finish, the author kept the story really interesting. the suspense in this book keeps getting intense as the story unfolds. i was really on the edge of my seat the whole time trying to deduce to find who’s the real culprit. the ending gave me shivers because i did not expect it at all!

overall, it was an entertaining and quick read. might even recommend it too!

the mask of merryvale manor will be out on june 25, 2024.

thank you, netgalley, fairlight books, and pete sherlock for the advanced digital reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

—

pre-read:

another arc got approved, yay!!! can’t wait to start reading this.

[Heathers_readss · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mask of Merryvale Manor is a historical fiction, murder mystery, set amongst the elite and wealthy.

The story follows Benjamin, a young boy whose mother recently passed away. He is taken to live with his Aunt, Uncle and twin cousins in their upscale manor, he has never known such wealth before and finds himself adjusting to the chaotic lifestyle.

I enjoyed Natasha’s character, she has a lot of charm and charisma and doesn’t take herself too seriously despite growing up with a silver spoon. Her and Benjamin become fast friends and he finds himself infatuated with her despite her being his cousin.

Fast forward 5 years later and it is Natasha’s wedding day, events unfold and a body is found putting that family under the spotlight of investigation.

Overall I found the pompous nature of the family to be quite amusing, it is somewhat surprising they weren’t involved in a public scandal much earlier on.

Historical fiction is not my typical go to genre however the synopsis sounded interesting combined with the murder mystery aspect so I decided to give it a shot. For the most part it was an entertaining story and I’m sure people who enjoy the dialogue and nature of historical fictions would enjoy it even more.

Thank you to Fairlight books, Pete Sherlock and Netgally for an ARC.

[Bryony · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are not who we think we are, but we are condemned to to be who we think we are.

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Fairlight Books for providing me with an e-ARC for The Mask of Merryvale Manor.

The Mask of Merryvale Manor, as a good murder mystery should, truly kept me guessing all the way through to the final act. The characters felt very real throughout the book, and the banter and quips made me laugh many times. Enough evidence is planted throughout the book to allow the reader to have multiple suspects as the plot progresses and make their own judgement prior to the reveal of the true culprit.

I loved the inclusion of the ever looming Ooser mask, it created a horror aspect that I was not fully expecting. Even though I was not originally familiar with the folklore - there is enough context and explanation given to allow an understanding of its nature.

My only criticisms of this book is that personally I wish that the flashbacks were either broken up more or additionally flashbacks were added in-between the later chapters to give more hints to who the true culprit could be. Additionally, I would have loved if the Ooser mask was able to be more of its own supernatural entity - in line with Benjamin's dreams.

Content warnings for this book include: mentions of sexual harassment, mentions of war, mentions of animal harm

[Neff's Reading Again! · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.”

The Mask of Merryvalle Manor follows Benji (or Benjamin or Ben) as his life shifts and he settles into his new normal. After his mother passes, he is adopted by his aunt Eva and moves in with her family at the Merryvale Manor. Benji goes from a working-class lifestyle with his mother to a wealthy, privileged of the highest degree life with his aunt. The book kicks off about five years later when a woman’s body is found at the lake on the estate.

The book gives very much murder mystery, whodunit vibes with some interesting southwestern English folklore. While the mystery of who the woman is, how she was murdered, and her connection to the family (if there is one) is being explored, Benji is torn between staying true to his morality and doing what’s best for the family. The book also does a good job of exploring the lengths we are willing to go to not be alone and how we sometimes knowingly ignore obvious red flags for family and closeness.

I loved the folklore element of the Dorset Ooser mask and thought it was an amazing addition to the story and how things unfold in the book. If you read this book in an old English accent, I promise it will make your reading experience that much better LOL. The dialogue between the family members at times was a chef’s kiss! Tom was hands down my favorite character. Pure unfiltered, chaos LOL. The family as a whole was just pure, unfiltered, chaos which was amusing. The ending was surprising (in a good way) BUT it made complete sense after thinking back on some hints throughout the book.

The book was super fun to read, engaging, and reflective. If you want to get cozy and vibe with a fun (and funny at times) engaging murder mystery, whodunit, type book, then definitely give this book a shot!

Thank you so much to Fairlight Books, Pete Sherlock, and Netgalley for the ARC!!!

[V ❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced murder mystery novel that I seriously could not put down. Every time I picked this book up, I was sucked into the story, characters, atmosphere.
We follow Benjamin as he goes to live with his aunt, uncle, and twin cousins at Merryvale Manor. At the time, he is a shy boy of only 14 trying to make sense of his new home and family. His uncle is in Parliament, and this new lavish lifestyle is all very foreign to him.
Years later, during his cousins wedding, a body is discovered on Merryvale property. Here, our story truly takes shape as we follow Ben on his quest to uncover the truth - whether he has to go against his beloved family or not.
There is murder, secret rendezvous, family drama, a trial at the Old Bailey, and of course…. The peculiar and strange Ooser mask that looms over them all with knowledge of what occurred on one fateful evening.
A wonderful debut! I absolutely adored it.

3.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pete Sherlock for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Mask of Merryvale Manor coming out June 20, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

‘We’re actually all rather terrible.’ On the cusp of the 1960s, when fourteen-year-old Ben moves into the ancestral home of his aunt and uncle, he is shocked by their wealth and glamour. Under the watchful eye of the Merryvale Mask, his sophisticated cousins teach him how to appreciate their languid opulence and draw him into the world of the elites. But five years later, when a woman’ s body is found on the estate, his new life begins to crumble. As the family is placed at the centre of a murder investigation, Ben starts to see their manipulative power in a harsher light. Placed on a collision course with his family, Ben faces a dilemma: how far is he willing to go to fit into their world?

I was really interested in checking out this book. I love stories set in manors in the past. I think the story was a little procedural and there was definitely an order to the investigation. I wasn’t as interested in the trial as I was in the other aspects of the book. But I understand the need for law and order. Overall, I really enjoyed the story. The characters were definitely interesting and flawed. I would definitely check out another book by this author!

[historic_chronicles · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Benjamin is taken in by his distant Drummond relatives at their ancestral home of Merryvale Manor following the sudden death of his mother, he cannot help but become drawn in by their undeniable wealth and opulent lifestyle.

Yet, five years later when a human body is found on the estate, is the illustrious grandeur just a mask hiding the most sinister of secrets? A family under scrutiny, will Benjamin come to realise that the people he has grown to love are not all they say they are?

Against the backdrop of the 1960s, this is an ingenious murder mystery that stands apart from the others. With intricate plotting, almost overwhelming suspense and an array of perfectly unlikable (yet deeply entertaining) characters, Pete Sherlock's literary debut is a marked success.

Reminiscent of the powerhouse success, Saltburn, Sherlock's characters drive forth the story with their pompous, privileged attitudes and at times laugh out loud dialogue.

The author is able to pull in the atmosphere of 1960s England, threading horror elements throughout alongside folklore that ultimately left this book to be a layered and thrilling read - The Mask of Merryvale Manor has proved to be one of my more interesting reads thus far.

Thank you to @fairlightbooks who kindly sent me a copy to review.

[Sarah-Grace (Azrael865) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story opens with Benjamin, walking with his cousin Natasha, on her wedding night. They are at the family estate in Dorset 1964. As Benjamin broods and listens to Natasha prattle he makes a grisly discovery.....a woman's shoe, with her foot still in it.
The story flashes back to when Benjamin, orphaned at 14, was taken in by his mother's family, event unfold over his time moving in with them, that lead to him believing he may know the identity of the dead woman.
Back in the present Natasha's twin brother Tom, has been indicted for murder and Ben is unsure what he believes.
This is kind of a slow build story with an ending that I had not anticipated.

Thank you to Netgalley and Fairlight Books for the opportunity to enjoy this mystery e-ARC

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published June 25, 2024.

Following the death of his mother Ben moves into Merryvale Manor in the late 1950s; it’s the ancestral home of his aunt and uncle Eva and Rupert Drummond and he is awestruck by their wealth. His cousins Tom and Natasha teach him to live a life of luxury.

Five years later a woman’s body is found on the estate and things begin to fall apart. The family is at the center of the investigation. What happened?

I thought this would be a cozy mystery but it most definitely is not. Well-drawn characters throughout. I quite enjoyed it. I hope it finds an audience. Recommended.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up at a local book fair and I'm glad I did as I may not have known about it otherwise. The plot was so twisty and fun and Pete Sherlock has a gift of writing interactions between characters that feel so genuine, I loved his writing.

This was a fantastic debut and I look forward to any further books which he may write.

Side point, although he was on a break when I picked up my copy, I did speak to his wife who had come along with him to promote his debut and she was lovely, she designed the cover which is what immediately drew me in and it was so nice to bond over books and writing with her.

[Contrary Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this hybrid of a book, lapping up every turning page. It’s got murrdur. It’s got privilege. It’s got bildungsroman. It’s got hints of horror hiding in the hedgerows. Mostly it’s just a yarn very well told. Cannot believe I missed that twist!! Devoured in a day. Tells you everything you need to know

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Mask of Merryvale Manor is an atmospheric, often creepy, psychological historical murder mystery by Pete Sherlock. Released 25th June 2024 by Fairlight Books, it's 320 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

A coming of age story set in the early 1960s, MC Ben comes to his aunt and uncle after the death of his mother. Having grown up in modest means, he's entirely unprepared for the indolence and opulence of the family, and is by turns fascinated and horrified by his cousins' attitudes of privilege and lack of compassion.

There are elements of gothic horror (a macabre mask positively *looming* throughout the story), bits of psychological thriller, standard English country house murder mystery, cold case disappearance, as well as being impressively redolent of the early 60s. Despite being a real mish-mash of genres, it manages to straddle them quite well and develops into a shocking denouement. There's not much resolution included here and it stops on a dime (quite effectively).

It's not at all derivative, but there are flashes of Shirley Jackson and Susan Hill.

For sensitive readers, there are mentions of casual sexual harassment, animal abuse (not graphic, just mentioned in context), political corruption, and war/PTSD.

Four stars. Well worth a look.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Haxxunne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mid-century suspense novel where no-one is as innocent—or as guilty— they appear

Reading my second mystery this month set in the south west of England, I understand the appeal of setting a mystery in a corner of the country that keeps its own counsel and has its own mysterious ways. Keeping a distance from the major cities gives it a zest, a gloss that comes from being unknown and ultimately unknowable. However, like all mysteries, the red herrings are clues to other books, other stories and in this they could have made a stronger, more thematically consistent novel.

The narrator Benjamin is a cipher and he is pulled this way and that by the forceful Drummonds, each of them controlling or forthright in their own ways. Ben doesn't want anything, neither to be there nor to get away, and even his homesickness is mentioned once then never again, as if he's just a series of commands rolled out for a particular situation. His relatives are painted as being slightly eccentric rich types in a post-war Devon of little C and big C Conservatives, maintaining a surface of snobbery and propriety over a core of selfishness and sarcasm. I didn't know who to root for, who I didn't want to have done the deed, who I wanted punished, or who to get a happy ending. As it turned out, no-one got anything, and nobody really wanted anything.

I can see the novel's literary forebears, including du Maurier and Salinger and a little bit of Hollingsworth, but without a desiring centre, I felt lost throughout, without even the consolation of a brilliantly rendered landscape to fall into, or a mysterious world of post-pagan ritual, or anything at all really.

Two stars, for failing to make me care.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently orphaned Ben moves into his Aunt and Uncle’s ancestral home, Merryvale Manor. There, he becomes close with his twin cousins, and particularly Natasha. This book explores his being thrown into an extremely privileged lifestyle as a boy, and how some of the events of their teenage years become relevant when a body is discovered on the night of Natasha’s wedding on the Manor grounds.

This reads as a blend of dysfunctional rich people similar to the film Saltburn, with a quintessentially english atmosphere and characters. The author absolutely nails the atmosphere of England in the 1960s, and weaving in elements from folk traditions (the Ooser mask) gave it an interesting edge.

My greatest struggle with the book, is that I was so invested in chapter 1 when they find human remains, and we glimpse a bit of this family’s dysfunction - but then we slip back in time to Ben’s arrival to Merryvale for the next 20%, which was tricky because it did slow the pacing. However, I did enjoy the atmosphere and characters introduced along the way.

I think this might appeal to readers who enjoy Lucy Foley or Donna Tartt, and are looking for a mystery with rich interpersonal drama.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher and author Pete Sherlock for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALERT: Substance use, non-explicit sex. Book almost impossible to put down.
The Mask of Merryvale Manor is an excellent blend of genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction and Mystery Thriller full of twists and turns and the occasional red herring to keep the reader's attention. And best of all, with this book the author, Pete Sherlock, makes his debut.
Young Benjamin, orphaned at 14 years of age, is adopted by his aunt Eva Drummond and taken to live at Merryvale Manor, the ancestral home of the Drummond family: Aunt Eva, her husband Rupert, a member of Parliament, and their cousins, the twins. Tom and Natasha.
Some years later, during Natasha's wedding, she and Ben find human remains in the lake on the property, just days before holding elections in which Uncle Rupert is one of the candidates.
Young Ben struggles with his conscience: should he talk to the authorities about the macabre discovery or remain silent to protect his adoptive family?
Over the course of the story, clues begin to appear about the identity of the victim and his killer, but the author keeps a surprise for us right at the end of the book.
Excellent story, highly recommended.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is the 1960s and Ben a boy of ten, now orphaned moves into his aunt and uncles home with two ready made cousins. At the beginning he is awkward with the comfort and opulence of his surroundings but then grows into it comfortably.

Fast forward a few years and human bones are discovered. The forensics will eventually identify the victim, but Ben knows at once who the victim was identified by him by the shoes. The French tutor brought in by his Aunt, also sacked without a seemingly apparent reason by his Aunt. She was last seen with his cousin who supposedly dropped her at the station.

The Mask in the story seemed a bit out of place for me. Its seemingly supernatural powers attributed to the family did not quite gell with the rest of the story. The characters themselves were very good with the Aunt and Uncle indulgent, self satisfied that their position in the county would protect them from the law. When it did catch up with the Drummond family it was a surprise for them.

For Ben it became a choice of family versus others. Others included justice which was not served for the nanny and Benjamin was manipulated to the end.

The obvious suspect was very apparent from the beginning but the actual suspect was totally different.

Excellent reading with lots of twists and turns set with perfect characters to suit their respective roles.

[Caroline Blackmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of murder mysteries and love a debut novel, so was eager to read The Mask of Merryvale Manor. It did not disappoint; so much so that I devoured it in one day.

Sometimes a novel can flit so frequently between characters and points in time that it becomes confusing and I have to reread parts for coherence. This book maintained fluidity and kept my interest from the very start; I engaged with the richness of each character and their connections, cared about what happened to them, envisaged the beautifully described settings and followed the twisting plot with full clarity as it all unravelled.

Pete Sherlock displays intellect across a breadth of topics including politics, sociology, literature, history, science and law, among others. He cleverly weaves his knowledge into the story, injecting comprehensible interest and intrigue from beginning to end.

This is a stunning page-turner of a debut novel with a dramatic, unexpected ending. I highly recommend it and cannot wait to see more from the incredibly talented Mr Sherlock.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a historical fiction and murder mystery. The writing is good and characters were mysterious. The setting was kind of atmospheric. The plot encapsulates in five acts. There were twists and turns.

Benjamin, a fourteen year old boy moves in with his Aunt and uncle in their ancestral home after his mother’s death. The Manor is nothing like he has ever imagined in his life. He has never seen such a wealth but getting used to a chaotic life. Natasha is Benjamin’s cousin but they form an unbreakable bond. The author shares about the family and Benjamin and then after five years, Natasha is getting married and on the day of her wedding, they find a body of a woman on the estate. Then the police investigates the case but a memory of the summer unveils the secret, Benjamin must make a choice.

Many Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher

[Shawna Borman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s the last Wednesday of June, so you know what that means. Book review time! This month, I decided to go with a standard mystery with historical and horror-adjacent (not quite horror, but close) elements. The Mask of Merryvale Manor by Pete Sherlock was released on some platforms on the 20th and others on the 25th (which isn’t confusing at all, ugh) by Fairlight Books. As usual, I must thank them and NetGalley for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Let’s get to it!

The Mask of Merryvale Manor follows Ben, a 14-year-old boy who moves in with his rich aunt’s family after his mother dies. At first, he’s seduced by a life of opulence. He’d do anything to fit in. To be accepted. But a few years later, he returns home from university for his cousin’s wedding and finds remains in the lake that’s on the family property. That’s when he really starts to see the family for who they are. In the end, he must decide if fitting in is worth throwing his morals away.

Plotwise, it’s your standard English murder mystery. If you’ve ever watched Midsomer Murders, you can pretty easily guess where this one is going. There’s only one person the remains could be, so the “figuring out who the victim is” part felt a bit drawn out. I also pegged the killer right off the bat, but it was still an interesting journey to uncover them. There was also a weird fixation on the Ooser mask (it has to do with the region’s folklore) that I enjoyed. Nothing super exciting, but a satisfying plot nonetheless.

The characters were interesting, if mostly unlikable. But that’s really the point. As an outside observer, the reader can see how repugnant these people are which ups the pity we feel for Ben as he struggles to fit in with them. Not all of them are evil, some are just so self-absorbed that they fail to see what’s happening around them. I found the book more interesting as a study of human behavior than I did as an actual mystery.

As far as the writing goes, I enjoyed it. There was an old timey feel to it that lent itself well to late ’50s/early ’60s setting. It created a nice atmosphere.

Ultimately, I appreciated The Mask of Merryvale Manor for what it is. It’s not wonderful or groundbreaking or anything, but it’s a perfectly adequate mystery.

Overall, I gave it 3 out of 5 stars. It didn’t wow me, but it didn’t disappoint me either. If you enjoy mysteries, especially ones like Midsomer Murders, you’ll probably enjoy this one. It’s worth picking up.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book full of historical spookiness, gripping suspense, and family drama with a capital 'D'!

From the first page, I was transported back in time by Sherlock's vivid writing and atmospheric scene-setting, to a time before the 60s got swinging. The grandiose Merryvale Manor provided a perfect backdrop where dark shadowy corners hid secrets of times past. The relatable protagonist, Benjamin and his quest to unmask the truth, provided a pacy rollercoaster ride that I didn't want to end, but conversely, I wanted to arrive at the concluding destination.

If you're looking for fun, immersive escapism with a splattering of murder mystery then "The Mask of Merryvale Manor" is the perfect holiday read. Thank you Pete Sherlock I'm already looking forward to your second book!

[Jeff Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully crafted and controlled debut novel from Pete Sherlock. While the cast of characters are on the whole a rather privileged and unlikeable bunch, his flair for dialogue and adeptness of touch skilfully drives the narrative forward, leaving you continuously wanting to discover more about the grotesque inhabitants and the secrets they are hiding within the decaying grandeur of Merryvale manor.

Set in Dorset against the backdrop of the 1964 general election, the elite are feeling threatened and fighting hard to maintain their relevance but what lengths will they go to in order to protect their own? This part historical fiction, part psychological thriller explores the battle between loyalty and truth and keeps you gripped and guessing until the bitter end.

I can’t wait to see what Sherlock does next.

[Rainy Day Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it's meant to be summer but it rains all weekend and you've nothing to do. And then you fall into a book that transports you to a different time and place and the weekend is over and you've finished the book. What joy. That's what happened to me. I loved the themes of loyalty, betrayal and family ties alongside the classic murder mystery elements. A cast of unlovable characters who I yet somehow rooted for (some of them, some of the time). The addition of the English folklore gave this novel an eerie dimension that I really enjoyed. I always get the guilty person wrong but there were enough clues to have made it possible if you're more astute! If you're looking for your next rainy day - or summer hols - book, I highly recommend.

[Faye Fenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. It’s so much more than a murder-mystery novel. We had two copies of it in our house on holiday, and it was a BIG topic of conversation for the whole week! The teens and the Fifty-somethings were all glued to it.

The characters are so interesting and nuanced; I wanted to find out more about their minds and desires - and secrets - right from the get go.

There’s a memory Ben keeps coming back to. His Mother telling him something along the lines of “You are not what you think you are, and yet condemned to be everything you think you are”. This recurring theme weaves its way throughout the story, raising issues of institutional power and privilege, but also personal truths, mental health and manipulation.

[Jessica Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Mask of Merryville Manor is a captivating blend of mystery, gothic suspense, and historical intrigue that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set in the atmospheric and hauntingly elegant Merryville Manor, the novel effortlessly combines elements of classic suspense with a modern sensibility. The Mask of Merryville Manor is a highly satisfying read for fans of historical fiction with a gothic flair, as well as anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery. The combination of atmosphere, character depth, and a thrilling plot makes it a standout in its genre. Highly recommended for those seeking a story full of twists, secrets, and an unforgettable setting.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tale; full of twists and turns and you certainly do not want to put the book down. Beautifully drawn characters exploring relationships, families, politics, class and education.

You were there in the 1960s, being concerned about the issued raised, yet engaged with this story of mystery, intrigue and suspense. The narrator, Benjamin, keeps you there, always , wanting to understand more of this family he has landed in.

The environment of the south west, people and places, a soft spot for me, added another layer of enjoyment.

A must read and I look forward to the next book by this new author.

[Steve Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author of The Mask of Merryvale Manor, Pete Sherlock, at Leek Loves Books at the start of June and bought this, his debut novel, direct from him. I strongly urge you to buy it too. The writing is accomplished, the story and characters compelling and the plotting immaculate. Our narrator, Ben, is thrust into a world of apparently genteel opulence in Dorset when he’s orphaned and taken in by his mother’s sister and her privileged family at Merryvale. But this is the sixties and the world is changing. What lies behind the mask? This is, quite simply the best book I’ve read this year.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pete Sherlock's "The Mask of MerryVale Manor" is an absolute masterpiece that captivates from the very first page. This gripping tale expertly weaves mystery, suspense, and rich character development, drawing readers into a world of intrigue and secrets. The atmospheric setting of MerryVale Manor is vividly brought to life, making it easy to lose oneself in its eerie charm. Sherlock's skilled storytelling and the intricate plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a well-crafted mystery. I would highly recommend this book.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Mask of MerryVale Manor" is a captivating mystery set in the enigmatic southwest of England, where the landscape itself adds an intriguing layer of secrecy. The story revolves around the narrator, Benjamin, who navigates the complex dynamics of the Drummond family, each member vividly characterised by a mix of eccentricity and control. Pete Sherlock masterfully intertwines red herrings and literary influences, creating a rich, suspenseful atmosphere. This novel is a must-read for fans of sophisticated, character-driven mysteries. I couldn’t put it down and would highly recommend it.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always looking for a captivating historical mystery. I think what I love most is the nostalgia and coziness to them without them necessarily falling into the cozy mystery category. The story’s biggest strengths are its true-to-life characters, and the tension I felt from the very beginning. There were tiny touches of horror I did not expect going in, and I felt they worked well. I also have to mention the banter between the characters; it was witty and fun and even had me giggling a few times.

The manor setting is full of atmosphere, and there was a more procedural feel to the investigation. Where I think it shines the most is in the dynamics between the characters. There were some keen observations I just loved. Overall, this was unexpected in how it evolved and my enjoyment was high throughout. I’m grateful for this reading experience with something a little different for me.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Alanis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little bit harder to get into, but I think that's just how I am with most mysteries. Once I got into it though, I couldn't stop reading. I loved how you actually go in the courtroom and hear all the circumstantial evidence. As opposed to other murder mystery books where you find out who did it at the end of the book and that's that. At least for me, I had my money on the murderer being a certain someone but I was wrong. So I found it great that at least I wasn't able to predict who it was.
Thank you NetGalley