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Lottie Sprigg Country House 1920s Cozy Mystery Series #1
Murder in the Library
Murder mystery at the manor!After months of travel, former maid, Lottie Sprigg, returns to Fortescue Manor in the rolling hills of Shropshire. Her arrival coincides with a celebratory dinner to mend a family feud. But the flow of champagne dwindles to a trickle when a body is found in the library…Who committed the atrocity? Suspicion falls on several some above stairs and some below. The local detective has his work cut out, and Lottie feels sure her sleuthing skills will help. With her trusty dog companion, Rosie, she embarks on the task.But detective work can be dangerous. And when the killer strikes again, Lottie realises no corner of Fortescue Manor is safe.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2023
340 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Martha Bond
10 books62 followersWhile 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
You can keep up to date with my books and get a free read via my website marthabond.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 20, 2024
This is a good and quick-reading mystery set in an English country house after World War I. When the two feuding neighboring families try to get together to end the feud, one of the family members in murdered. Things get worse before a young woman who is a companion to a family member can figure out who really committed the murder.
February 24, 2024
This was a fun cozy mystery. It was easy to read; it almost seemed more like a young adult novel. I had a little trouble suspending my disbelief with some of the plot, and particularly the ending. Further, though it's a period piece, set in the 1920s, the author occasionally seemed to slip into more modern-day speak. e.g. a character said that he "lost his cool." Did people say that then? Probably not. Still it was enjoyable.
June 28, 2024
This was an enjoyable mystery. I didn't realize that there was a five-book series before this one, featuring Lottie solving murders while traveling. A lot of the cozy mysteries I read are quite humorous, so I was expecting this book to be funny, but it had a more serious tone. Even though it wasn't quite what I expected, I still thought it was a nice mystery with likable characters and a surprising ending. Also, I loved the dogs! There's a little bit of a cliffhanger at the end which makes me want to start the next book right away. On to book two!
May 8, 2025
Surprisingly good!
I've read quite few books of the previous series of Lottie Sprigg and I wasn't too impressed. I had this one still waiting on me and decided to go for it so to be done with this Author. I'm so glad I did it! Contrary to the others, this story is very well developed, the characters are well described and the setting is a delight. I could see a lot of the vintage mysteries as the base for this book and is a pleasure to see those scenarios come to life again on these pages.
I've read quite few books of the previous series of Lottie Sprigg and I wasn't too impressed. I had this one still waiting on me and decided to go for it so to be done with this Author. I'm so glad I did it! Contrary to the others, this story is very well developed, the characters are well described and the setting is a delight. I could see a lot of the vintage mysteries as the base for this book and is a pleasure to see those scenarios come to life again on these pages.
April 16, 2024
A good story
It's amazing how a good story can make up for deficiencies in grammar, punctuation and usage. But this one succeeds in doing just that.
Bond has created a likable character in Lottie Sprigg. I hadn't realized the travels of Lottie and Mrs. Moore are chronicled in a separate series until I checked, since they make reference to Lottie's having solved four previous murders.
I'll have to read those too, especially since, unlike other authors in this genre, Bond doesn't wear the reader out with trivial stuff or repetitive and empty speculations. Instead she keeps Lottie on target in a natural way while misdirecting us cleverly so we can't figure things out too fast ourselves. I wasn't at all bored, nor did I skim like I usually end up doing. So I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and the characters. I also loved that it's clean and not religious.
A pleasant read.
It's amazing how a good story can make up for deficiencies in grammar, punctuation and usage. But this one succeeds in doing just that.
Bond has created a likable character in Lottie Sprigg. I hadn't realized the travels of Lottie and Mrs. Moore are chronicled in a separate series until I checked, since they make reference to Lottie's having solved four previous murders.
I'll have to read those too, especially since, unlike other authors in this genre, Bond doesn't wear the reader out with trivial stuff or repetitive and empty speculations. Instead she keeps Lottie on target in a natural way while misdirecting us cleverly so we can't figure things out too fast ourselves. I wasn't at all bored, nor did I skim like I usually end up doing. So I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and the characters. I also loved that it's clean and not religious.
A pleasant read.
October 31, 2023
A delightful mystery!
Murder In The Library is Lottie's first trip back to the manor where she had worked as a maid prior to being Mrs. Moore's travelling companion. Not only must she solve the murder but she's also having to navigate her way around staff with whom she used to work. She's now sitting at the table rather than serving so there's bound to be some who are happy for her and some who are resentful. It's a challenge at the best of times but compound that with emotions running high from an untimely murder and blackmail and you've got an exciting intrigue. One of the things I enjoy about Martha's writing is the inclusion of details about attitudes of the time period towards intelligent women, social norms, and your 'place.'
I'm looking forward to more of Lottie's adventures!
Murder In The Library is Lottie's first trip back to the manor where she had worked as a maid prior to being Mrs. Moore's travelling companion. Not only must she solve the murder but she's also having to navigate her way around staff with whom she used to work. She's now sitting at the table rather than serving so there's bound to be some who are happy for her and some who are resentful. It's a challenge at the best of times but compound that with emotions running high from an untimely murder and blackmail and you've got an exciting intrigue. One of the things I enjoy about Martha's writing is the inclusion of details about attitudes of the time period towards intelligent women, social norms, and your 'place.'
I'm looking forward to more of Lottie's adventures!
December 29, 2023
A fast paced mystery.
I picked this up on a whim, and found myself completely engrossed by the story. Loved Lottie, and her relationship with Mrs Moore. Rosie was a sweetie, and the interactions and tensions among the household were vital to the story. The identity of the murderer was pretty easy to unravel, but it didn’t detract from how entertained I was reading this. Definitely worth a read, and I’m off to Amazon to download book 2. That God for KU.
I picked this up on a whim, and found myself completely engrossed by the story. Loved Lottie, and her relationship with Mrs Moore. Rosie was a sweetie, and the interactions and tensions among the household were vital to the story. The identity of the murderer was pretty easy to unravel, but it didn’t detract from how entertained I was reading this. Definitely worth a read, and I’m off to Amazon to download book 2. That God for KU.
November 3, 2023
A cosy mystery that really keeps you guessing
I’ve read all of the Lottie Spriggs books and I’m glad there is a new series, after her travels with Mrs Moore ended. Lottie is a bright young woman with a real talent for solving murders! An enjoyable read that keeps you interested and invested until the end.
I’ve read all of the Lottie Spriggs books and I’m glad there is a new series, after her travels with Mrs Moore ended. Lottie is a bright young woman with a real talent for solving murders! An enjoyable read that keeps you interested and invested until the end.
November 10, 2023
If you enjoy historical fiction, Murder in the Library is a good read with an ending that is awesome. At the end of the novel I was treated to Martha Bond's other work. Low and behold I have enjoyed her other works writing under various names. Definitely a 5 Star author!
December 15, 2023
I enjoy the Lottie Sprigg series, and it is still entertaining now that she's back from her travels, though I think I did enjoy the "abroad" series a bit better. The ending was not entirely unpredictable though so for that gave it 3 stars.
February 8, 2024
A n intriguing read.
I'm new to this series. It started slowly, as background story was given, but eventually an unusual crime happened. After the crime things picked up and secrets came out. I will read the next book in the series.
I'm new to this series. It started slowly, as background story was given, but eventually an unusual crime happened. After the crime things picked up and secrets came out. I will read the next book in the series.
March 30, 2024
Brilliant
A really good mystery story ,this is a new author for me ,I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
A really good mystery story ,this is a new author for me ,I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
January 23, 2024
Great Cozy Book
Love these cozy books. The writing flow nicely and gets to the point. love the author of these books. Can’t wait until the next one.
Love these cozy books. The writing flow nicely and gets to the point. love the author of these books. Can’t wait until the next one.
October 30, 2023
In "Murder in the Library" Lottie Sprigg has returned from her travels on the continent with her employer, the middle-aged rich American Mrs Roberta Moore. They are residing at the Shropshire estate of Mrs Moore's sister, Lady Buckley-Phipps. We meet the residents of this English country house, as well as those of the neighboring estate with whom they have been having a centuries-long feud.
The interactions between the aristocrats, the servants and Lottie make for a fun and interesting mystery. Lottie's delightful dog Rosie, and Mrs Moore's hapless nephew Barty are also again part of the plot.
The author has fooled me again - I did not guess the murderer!
This is the beginning of a new Lottie Sprigg series, and shows "stay-at-home" Lottie just as perceptive an investigator as in the previous travel books. I highly recommend it.
The interactions between the aristocrats, the servants and Lottie make for a fun and interesting mystery. Lottie's delightful dog Rosie, and Mrs Moore's hapless nephew Barty are also again part of the plot.
The author has fooled me again - I did not guess the murderer!
This is the beginning of a new Lottie Sprigg series, and shows "stay-at-home" Lottie just as perceptive an investigator as in the previous travel books. I highly recommend it.
June 9, 2024
I really enjoyed Martha Bond's, Murder in the Library. It takes place in 1923. Due to a dispute over a boundary wall, the Abercromby family and the Buckley-Phipps family have been feuding for hundreds of years. Lady Elizabeth Abercromby attempts to mend the feud once and for all by inviting the Buckley-Phipps over for dinner at Fortescue Manor. After accepting the invitation, Lucinda, Ivan, and their son Barty along with Aunt Roberta Moore and her companion Lottie Sprigg, make an appearance. The night ends in disaster when Percy Abercromby is found dead in the library. Lottie Sprigg uses her sleuthing skills and Rosie her dog, to discover who the murderer is. This is a fun, easy to read cozy mystery that doesn't contain foul language or hot bedroom scenes. I enjoyed the characters and was surprised by the ending. I look forward to reading other books in this series.
November 18, 2023
Superficial
I found this Lottie Sprigg volume to be without any of the clever writing
and tight narratives of the Sprigg adventures found in Lottie’s travels in
Europe and Cairo.
Over all, there seems to be a great rush to a ending in the writing of
“Murder in the Library,” and I find there is very little of the cleverness
found in the earlier books.
The result, for me, is vey dissatisfying mystery and a denouement that is
forced and quite unsatisfactory.
I hope that in “Murder in the Grotto” Ms Bond will be able to return
to the quality of writing found in the first four volumes.
I found this Lottie Sprigg volume to be without any of the clever writing
and tight narratives of the Sprigg adventures found in Lottie’s travels in
Europe and Cairo.
Over all, there seems to be a great rush to a ending in the writing of
“Murder in the Library,” and I find there is very little of the cleverness
found in the earlier books.
The result, for me, is vey dissatisfying mystery and a denouement that is
forced and quite unsatisfactory.
I hope that in “Murder in the Grotto” Ms Bond will be able to return
to the quality of writing found in the first four volumes.
April 18, 2024
I utterly adored and loved this book! More that the first one in the around Europe and Cairo series.
It has a lot of what I love: English countryside mystery, a corgi, and... ok, that's already enough for me to love a book.
And this one was succinct, yes, but not underdeveloped. It has Agatha Christie feelings with a more relatable and likable main character and a cute corgi, plus an intruguing murder mystery solution. I did not foresee that. Not predictable at all and that is not the case of many mysteries (such as Murder in Venice by the same author, where the culprit is kind of obvious).
So, a cute and successful whuddunit.
It has a lot of what I love: English countryside mystery, a corgi, and... ok, that's already enough for me to love a book.
And this one was succinct, yes, but not underdeveloped. It has Agatha Christie feelings with a more relatable and likable main character and a cute corgi, plus an intruguing murder mystery solution. I did not foresee that. Not predictable at all and that is not the case of many mysteries (such as Murder in Venice by the same author, where the culprit is kind of obvious).
So, a cute and successful whuddunit.
May 30, 2024
A mystery of the nobility
Lottie has just returned from her travels to other countries. She was a maid at the manor, but now she is a traveling companion.
Her former employers invite a rival family to dinner and their only son is murdered.
This is a well-written mystery full of strange happenings and few suspects. Lottie, it seems, is somewhat good at solving crimes. She discovers a lot about different people, some of which are doing illegal things. She figures out who and how the murder occurred with the help of her dog, Rosie.
An interesting read and quite fun in many ways.
Lottie has just returned from her travels to other countries. She was a maid at the manor, but now she is a traveling companion.
Her former employers invite a rival family to dinner and their only son is murdered.
This is a well-written mystery full of strange happenings and few suspects. Lottie, it seems, is somewhat good at solving crimes. She discovers a lot about different people, some of which are doing illegal things. She figures out who and how the murder occurred with the help of her dog, Rosie.
An interesting read and quite fun in many ways.
November 3, 2024
This book was a gift from my daughter. It's a cute cozy mystery set in Bonnie Old England in 1923. It features Lottie Sprigg, a former house maid at Fortescue Manor, turned traveling companion to a wealthy woman. After traveling to foreign places, they both return to Fortescue Manor, just in time for the lady of the manor to host a dinner for archrivals. While attempting to heal the feud, a murder is committed, turning reconciliation to blame and hatred.
There are a lot of little side plots that cast suspicion on almost everyone. Will Lottie save the day and unmask the murderer?
I enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to other readers.
There are a lot of little side plots that cast suspicion on almost everyone. Will Lottie save the day and unmask the murderer?
I enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to other readers.
May 8, 2024
Fine fluff filler, a new author and series for me, with no gratitous anything, this is a cosy, light,
entertaining and mildly amusing.
The bilingual housemaid is elevated to Lady’s Companion, as the two newly returned from a manhunt on The Continent to the family Manor are refamiliarizing themselves to home, latent deducing skills rose to the fore as inadequacies in the village Detective become overt
when murder and mayhem at dinner becomes a family affair.
Thank you for your words Martha Bond, much appreciated. :-)
entertaining and mildly amusing.
The bilingual housemaid is elevated to Lady’s Companion, as the two newly returned from a manhunt on The Continent to the family Manor are refamiliarizing themselves to home, latent deducing skills rose to the fore as inadequacies in the village Detective become overt
when murder and mayhem at dinner becomes a family affair.
Thank you for your words Martha Bond, much appreciated. :-)
October 5, 2024
Lottie to the rescue
What an engaging story. I love reading historic murder mysteries. This is my first by Martha Bond, but I will be looking for more stories from her. It encompasses a 300 year old feud that the ladies of each household want to get rid of. They plan a friendly dinner, and things go surprisingly well all around until someone is murdered. Now, the search is on for the guilty party. Thank goodness Lottie is on the job. It's almost impossible to guess who the killer is, what a suprise ending.
What an engaging story. I love reading historic murder mysteries. This is my first by Martha Bond, but I will be looking for more stories from her. It encompasses a 300 year old feud that the ladies of each household want to get rid of. They plan a friendly dinner, and things go surprisingly well all around until someone is murdered. Now, the search is on for the guilty party. Thank goodness Lottie is on the job. It's almost impossible to guess who the killer is, what a suprise ending.
February 18, 2024
This Is The First Of A New Series
This book was so interesting that I couldn’t put it down and read it nonstop until I had finished it.The plot was unbelievably well constructed. I felt sure I knew who the murderer was by midway through. I am not going to give anything away by saying whether I was correct or not. I will say Agatha Christie would be very pleased with this book. Definitely don’t bypass this one.
This book was so interesting that I couldn’t put it down and read it nonstop until I had finished it.The plot was unbelievably well constructed. I felt sure I knew who the murderer was by midway through. I am not going to give anything away by saying whether I was correct or not. I will say Agatha Christie would be very pleased with this book. Definitely don’t bypass this one.
August 5, 2024
Delightful cozy.
Lottie has been hired as a lady's and she and Mrs. Moore have just returned home from their European travels and are staying with Mrs Moore's sister. Lucinda, Mrs Moore's sister has lol invited their neighbors for dinner in hopes of ending a 300 year old feud. And then the murder occurs. After many wrong turns, Lottie solves the murder ( and some wrong doings along the way). Nice read.
Lottie has been hired as a lady's and she and Mrs. Moore have just returned home from their European travels and are staying with Mrs Moore's sister. Lucinda, Mrs Moore's sister has lol invited their neighbors for dinner in hopes of ending a 300 year old feud. And then the murder occurs. After many wrong turns, Lottie solves the murder ( and some wrong doings along the way). Nice read.
June 20, 2025
This is the first book featuring Lottie Sprigg that I have read , but I see there are previous books relating to her travels which are mentioned in this book. This is a typical country house mystery and a very quick easy read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot moved along quickly. I think it is a reflection on the amount of similar books that I read, that I did work out who the murderer was quite early in the book. Nevertheless an enjoyable read and I will read others in the series.
November 2, 2023
a fun lively series
I absolutely love this series. Lottie is our intrepid hero who while ahead of her time isn’t so much so to be utterly unbelievable. There are good characters and again not so quirky to be annoyingly unbelievable. This is probably one of my favorite 1920’s set series and I read a lot of them!
I absolutely love this series. Lottie is our intrepid hero who while ahead of her time isn’t so much so to be utterly unbelievable. There are good characters and again not so quirky to be annoyingly unbelievable. This is probably one of my favorite 1920’s set series and I read a lot of them!
January 9, 2024
Better than I expected!
This is a fun and interesting story. The characters are individually unique the plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding the killer before more people die. Well the killer was found but I would never have suspected them! I definitely recommend this book!
This is a fun and interesting story. The characters are individually unique the plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding the killer before more people die. Well the killer was found but I would never have suspected them! I definitely recommend this book!
February 22, 2024
Well, Lottie and company are still here *laughs*
And what a debut in England's lands! A very compelling mystery with a surprising solution, one I didn't see coming. At all.
And what an ending! I really hope Lottie will be able to solve this very personal mystery, quickly :D
Another lovely and fun story :D
And what a debut in England's lands! A very compelling mystery with a surprising solution, one I didn't see coming. At all.
And what an ending! I really hope Lottie will be able to solve this very personal mystery, quickly :D
Another lovely and fun story :D
March 26, 2024
Feuds and Rivalry
Trying to end a 300+ year feud between families seemed like a good idea. Unfortunately, bloodshed is a part of every feud. When the heir to one family is murdered in the library of the other family, Things dissolve into chaos. So Lottie is called back into action to find who the murderer is.
Trying to end a 300+ year feud between families seemed like a good idea. Unfortunately, bloodshed is a part of every feud. When the heir to one family is murdered in the library of the other family, Things dissolve into chaos. So Lottie is called back into action to find who the murderer is.
June 16, 2024
An intriguing story
This mystery was full of well developed characters and lots of villains. With so many crimes to solve I wasn’t sure if we would ever solve the actual murder. But in the end everything was tied up until a neat little package with a bow on top. Okay there was no bow but you might enjoy it all too.
This mystery was full of well developed characters and lots of villains. With so many crimes to solve I wasn’t sure if we would ever solve the actual murder. But in the end everything was tied up until a neat little package with a bow on top. Okay there was no bow but you might enjoy it all too.
July 2, 2024
Enjoyable Read
I enjoyed this cozy. It had a good plot and characters. Families that have been feuding for centuries decided to bury the hatchet but when there is a murder it seems that won't happen. This has several suspects and many possible solutions with a surprise ending. A fun read
I enjoyed this cozy. It had a good plot and characters. Families that have been feuding for centuries decided to bury the hatchet but when there is a murder it seems that won't happen. This has several suspects and many possible solutions with a surprise ending. A fun read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews