Murder in the Grotto

Lottie Sprigg Country House 1920s Cozy Mystery Series #2

by Martha Bond

Festivities turn fatal at the Christmas Fayre

Christmas at Fortescue Manor is always celebrated in style. The highlight is the annual Christmas Fayre hosted by Lord and Lady Buckley-Phipps. With ice skating, entertainment, and tobogganing, Lottie Sprigg and her dog, Rosie, are looking forward to the festivities! But Lottie’s sleuthing skills are called upon when a body is found in the spooky shell grotto in the manor house grounds. Locals have long said the place is cursed. Can Lottie separate fact from fiction and uncover the culprit before the body count rises?

Genres: Fiction, Cozy, Christmas, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Mystery

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2023

About the author

While Lottie Sprigg is solving mysteries with her beloved corgi, Rosie, I like curling up by the fire with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. I love reading mysteries as much as I enjoy writing them, nothing beats the puzzle of a whodunnit! I hope you decide to join Lottie on her adventures to Venice, Milan, Paris and many more!

You can keep up to date with my books and get a free read via my website marthabond.com

Reviews

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the grotto surely lived up to its fame *laughs*

It seems that country houses aren't very safe, aren't they? Not even the mayoress is safe!

I must say I enjoyed the story very much. Not only the mystery, but also the little details and the continuity with the previous story. I'm glad that Barty and Emily still have a chance and that Lotty is closer to finding his mum. And I also liked how nonchalant was Mrs Moore about her invitation to the ball at Buckingham Palace, so in character for her!

All in all, another great, fun story in this series. :D

[KathleenWH · Rating 1 out of 5]

A big disappointment

I found that the earlier Lottie Sprigg books were much better written, and
it seems to me, had better plots than these last two.

Both of the England-based books appear to have been written in a great
hurry and depend upon solutions or denouement which the author
has not developed in the narratives.

If you have read “Murder in the Library,” book 1 of this England-based
series, you may have been as surprised as I was to learn the identity of
the murder.

Likewise, this mystery: at nearly the end of the book, the author rushes into the grand reveal, the “yes, I did it” section, again seemingly with little narrative preparation for the reader.

Maybe it’s just my own disappointment, but in all honesty, I cannot
recommend this new Lottie Sprigg series, and I shall not be back for the third
volume.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. It was fine, just not great. One thing I'm not crazy about with this series is that the clues aren't there for you to find throughout the book. Something totally new comes up at the end, Lottie makes her accusation and then the killer confesses. I much prefer a smart mystery where you can look back and see how all the clues were there, but you just didn't put it together. I do like the characters, and I enjoy Lottie's relationships with Mildred and Mrs. Moore. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series or not. From other reviews, it seems as though some people like the original Lottie series more, so perhaps I'll try those.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder in the Grotto" continues Lottie Sprigg's mystery-solving adventures at Fortescue Manor, where she was formerly a maid before becoming Mrs Moore's companion.

This is a great English Country House murder mystery and reminds me a bit of Nancy Drew and her chums discovering secret passages - in this case, Lottie with her maid friend Mildred. We also get to better know the servants in the house and more of the townspeople, with their rivalries and intrigues.

This is a Christmas-themed story revolving around incidents at the "Christmas Fayre". Many mince pies are consumed!

I love all the Lottie Sprigg books and I highly recommend this one.

[Dallass · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read.

Follows on not long after the revelations of the first book. Lottie, and her employer, Mrs Moore, are still at the country estate for the Christmas season. Loved this. An intriguing murder mystery, with some red herrings, small town gossip and some tension as personalities clash in the race to chair the local women’s charity group. If you’ve ever lived in a small town (<200 people), you’ll know exactly what I mean. Definitely picking up book three when it comes out in early 2024.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty-three Skidoo.

🖊 Nicely written, clean language, straightforward plot, believable characters and dialogue. The use of a dog, a corgi named Rosie, was clever and added to the enjoyment of the plot. I relished reading this mystery novel. Attractive book cover, too.

જ⁀🟡 Kindle Unlimited.
༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻ ༺ ༅ ✬ ༅ ༻






My ratings for this work:
Plot: ★★★★★
Content: ★★★★★
Grammar: ★★★★★
Writing style: ★★★★★
Character(s): ★★★★★
Ease of reading: ★★★★★
My recommendation: ★★★★★
My total rating for this work: ★★★★★ (5.0)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touch of nostalgia!
It's the holidays and everyone is enjoying winter festivities! I loved that the description made me feel as if I was right there and included in the activity. I felt the excitement of my youthful days as Lottie and others went sledding, skating, and drank steaming hot chocolate. In this mystery the supporting characters play a greater role and it's interesting to see them develop. There are a number of little clues or ideas or just tidbits that are strategically placed leading the reader in various directions trying to figure who is the murderer. A notable development is seen in the villain who's more calculating and ruthless. Loved all the new aspects of the series and am looking forward to more adventures at the Manor with Lottie! With the holiday season on the horizon the Lottie series would make an excellent gift for someone ~ maybe yourself too!

There's a free book from Martha entitled Murder At The Castle that you should check out! Fast paced murder mystery that begins shortly after Lottie and Mrs.Moore's arrival at Cragloch Castle for a fancy event. The suspense escalates when a prize possession is stolen.....I'll not tell you what as that'd be a spoiler! Of course our favourite girl Lottie is quick to sort out the murder and theft! A wonderful adventure and a super addition to the series!

[John Keeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roughly A Three And A Half Stars Rating

I enjoyed this book but I think I enjoyed the first in the series more - thus my rating. It is true that it is somewhat hard to zero in on who you think the murderer is because there are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader unsure of who exactly is the murderer. The book is worth reading, however, and I definitely plan to read the next one in the series when it comes available.

[Peggy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Really enjoyed the second installment of Lottie Sprigg. It's almost Christmas and Lottie is getting ready to go to the Christmas Ball at the palace in London with her traveling companion. But, There is a murder during the Christmas Fayre. Who could the murderer be? You won't be able to guess so you'll just have to read it. It's a wonderful walk back in time and into another country.

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun fluff filler, this is book #2 in a cosy, amusing, light and entertaining series where the Lady’s Companion is an intrepid sleuth with skills of deduction useful for murder and
mayhem running amok through tunnel, grotto, gardens, Christmas in the Manor precincts
Thank you for your words Martha Bond, much appreciated. :-)

[Janiska nordstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Lottie Spriggs series. This book was enjoyable, but the ending was very abrupt. The reader didn’t really have the same clues and there was no building up to the reveal. It just seemed that Lottie was making something up quickly to hurry things along and the murderer just confessed because he was in a hurry too.

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder in the Grotto

Little was enjoying the estate fair and her friend and she were going to visit an old hermit's grotto that had been decorated and lit for the occasion. When exploring they found a body of a well known village lady. From then on she and her friend spent their time looking for clues to the murder. Who will be accused of the terrible crime and why?

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lottie and Rosie are on the trail of a murder, spooky grotto, and an interrupted fun Fayre. Christmas at Fortescue Manor has a terrifying turn of events but Lottie doesn't let this stop her sleuthing skills or her way to the truth. Highly Recommended.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lottie’s adventures are very enjoyable

This is a lovely cosy read series which keeps you guessing until the end. Lottie is a very smart young lady and hopefully soon she will solve the mystery of her parentage too.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters are intelligent, fun, and the reader learns more about them with each book read. The plot is straight forward and easily followed, and the premise was finding the murderer before too many people died. I definitely recommend this book.

[✨Jinglemarco✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are delightful! I was left a tad bit disappointed by this one because there was no mention to the previous culprit, like that crime never happened, and this new culprit wasn't as shocking as the last one. But as a whole I utterly love this series. Whole-heartedly recommended!

[Lee Rozinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read!

This was a fun read with many interesting characters. Christmas and snow and murder and a gauge and Father Christmas. And a secret hidden tunnel. All the ingredients for a mystery. Enjoy!

[Brian Holmwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lottie Sprigg series has moved from her travels to a country house setting. The books seem to be getting better with every new book. These are easy to read,well written English cosy mysteries with a number of suspects and a sensible conclusion.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

This is another fun cozy in this series. Set in 1920 at Christmas time when the Christmas Fayre is going on but murder interrupts the fun. Characters are charming and Lottie is spunky, smart and quick witted. It is a fast paced enjoyable read.

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Exciting Mystery by Martha Bond

This book was just as well written and fast pased as book one. The characters are full of surprises and secrets. Lottie has an instinct for peoples motives and deception. Don't miss this excellent mystery.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family secrets

I didn't notice one essential clue which would have revealed the murderer sooner to me. Great read and more of Lottie's history revealed.

[Lynda Brady]

Such a fun read for New Year’s Day! A quick but fun read!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT COZY

Loved the characters loved Lottie and Mrs. Moore enjoyed how the author kept the suspense alive right up until the end!

[Maureen Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever mystery

A fun setting, the Christmas Fayre, hosts a murder, and launches a look at the secrets in what seemed to be a jolly town.

[Thomas C. Schildhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good writing. No syntaxes, punctuation, other errors. Plot and denouement very well done.

[lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was full of red herrings and clues , I enjoyed every twist and then hope to read more by this Author soon

[Lorie Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good read when you find out who done it was a surpise.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and well-thought-out mystery.