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The Maid and the Mansion #1
The Maid and the Mansion: A Mysterious Murder
In post-World War II England, a clever, young woman named Mary Adams finds herself thrust into a world of privilege and secrets as she transitions from being a wartime factory worker to a maid in the grand estates. When Mary’s wealthy employer propositions her, she refuses. And when he is discovered dead the next morning, Mary becomes the prime suspect. Relying on clues around the mansion and her sharp intellect, Mary must prove her innocence. Will her pursuit of the truth lead her to the killer? Or is she being framed?
199 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2023
343 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Grace
482 books730 followersDebut author Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 28, 2023
The book was good, but the audio book had some annoying glitches.
June 13, 2025
The story is fine, as cosy mysteries go. But I strongly recommend you do not listen to the audiobook.
The narration is synthesised (this is clearly indicated on retailer pages) and this isn't a remark about politics of doing this but the quality of the end product. There are frequent glitches that aren't in the text. Some sound like odd utterances or squawks, others are longer and in a difference voice, almost as though the synthesised narrator is briefly possessed. Also some notably poor word pronunciations, 'otherwise' pronounced as 'other-wheezy', for example. All of which pull the reader out of the story and detracts from the written material.
The narration is synthesised (this is clearly indicated on retailer pages) and this isn't a remark about politics of doing this but the quality of the end product. There are frequent glitches that aren't in the text. Some sound like odd utterances or squawks, others are longer and in a difference voice, almost as though the synthesised narrator is briefly possessed. Also some notably poor word pronunciations, 'otherwise' pronounced as 'other-wheezy', for example. All of which pull the reader out of the story and detracts from the written material.
January 13, 2026
Siamo nel secondo dopoguerra. Mary Adams fino a quel momento ha lavorato in una fabbrica per sostituire gli uomini al fronte, ma, non appena questi sono rientrati, le donne hanno perso il lavoro per cui si erano ormai specializzate. Dopo aver cercato posto in altre fabbriche, Mary decide di spostarsi in campagna per rispondere a un avviso di lavoro in un pub, l'unico lavoro ad avere una paga decente. Ma, naturalmente, il posto viene assegnato a un uomo. L'unico lavoro prettamente femminile a cui Mary può ambire è quello di cameriera, ma la paga è decisamente più bassa. Purtroppo, però, Mary ha perso anche la casa, quindi ha fretta di trovare qualcosa che le consenta di affittarne un'altra. Così, quando le viene offerto di andare a lavorare in una tenuta nobiliare, Coldstream Lodge di Lord e Lady Farthing, Mary accetta, anche se, fin da subito, si rende conto che lei è molto snob e lui allunga un po' troppo le mani, facendola apparire molto goffa davanti agli ospiti e alla moglie. All'ennesimo disastro, però, Mary fa una scenata a Lord Farthing per cui, quando quella notte l'uomo viene assassinato, tutti puntano il dito contro di lei.
Mi aspettavo di peggio. La narrazione non è male, anche se, visto che poi la serie si chiama La domestica di palazzo, la parola domestico o servitore in traduzione venga perennemente resa come inserviente... che strana scelta dell'AI! E poi, che strano che la protagonista, anziché Mary venga chiamata sempre per cognome, Adams, creando un distacco assurdo, come se lei fosse una comprimaria e non il personaggio principale.
Il caso giallo non è nulla di che: Mary indaga andando dai sospetti e questi la convincono di non essere colpevoli, cosicché lei passa al successivo, convinta dalle loro giustificazioni. Niente menzogne, niente personaggi segreti che covano nell'ombra... Continuerò la serie perché la prima parte non mi è dispiaciuta, soprattutto con il particolare periodo storico e con la vita in stile Downton Abbey.
Mi aspettavo di peggio. La narrazione non è male, anche se, visto che poi la serie si chiama La domestica di palazzo, la parola domestico o servitore in traduzione venga perennemente resa come inserviente... che strana scelta dell'AI! E poi, che strano che la protagonista, anziché Mary venga chiamata sempre per cognome, Adams, creando un distacco assurdo, come se lei fosse una comprimaria e non il personaggio principale.
Il caso giallo non è nulla di che: Mary indaga andando dai sospetti e questi la convincono di non essere colpevoli, cosicché lei passa al successivo, convinta dalle loro giustificazioni. Niente menzogne, niente personaggi segreti che covano nell'ombra... Continuerò la serie perché la prima parte non mi è dispiaciuta, soprattutto con il particolare periodo storico e con la vita in stile Downton Abbey.
December 17, 2024
It started out well but kept getting worse as it went. i did not feel like i was in the UK at all, with the American spelling/wording, and it didn't quite nail the Historical feel either. Am quite happy to be done with this main character tbh and was nearly rooting for the murderer when they told her, "Come here and let me kill you." That got a Star. lol
January 14, 2026
Chi è Fiona Grace? Forse un'autrice (o un autore) indipendente con molto tempo libero e una buona dimestichezza con l'AI; forse un gruppo di autori che, insieme, hanno dato vita all'impressionante produzione - 41 citati in questo volume, ma ce ne sono altri - di romanzi di vari genere, che spaziano dal giallo al romance al "thriller leggero". Di gialli, in particolare, la Grace ha prodotto molte serie, tematiche: ci sono romanzi ambientati in un maniero, tra i vigneti della Toscana, con cani e gatti, e poi quelli della pasticceria sulla spiaggia e quelli che hanno per protagonista "una dubbiosa strega" o Lacey Doyle. Un misterioso omicidio è il volume #1 della serie Una domestica di palazzo; il palazzo, però, non è davvero un palazzo, in qualsiasi senso lo si intenda (le scelte di traduzione sono opinabili), ma una dimora inglese delle più tradizionali, con tanto di tenuta verde, maggiordomo, cameriere, cuoca e cani (corgi e spaniel, addirittura otto). Non aspettatevi, però, un giallo classico alla Agatha Christie, anche se in breve la protagonista, Mary Adams, si ritroverà a fronteggiare un delitto in un ambiente circoscritto - l'antico maniero - e ricco di sospetti. La Christie, da lassù, sarebbe un po' a disagio nel constatare che un'ambientazione così adatta a un mistery venga sfruttata per un racconto che è più che altro un'avventura, inseguimenti compresi; e si chiederebbe come mai la cerchia di personaggi, salvo due o tre, non venga mai descritta; della maggior parte non si conosce nemmeno il nome. Ma, soprattutto, si meraviglierebbe di come si identifichino i sospetti senza indagini o indizi, e dove sia finito il fairplay nel presentare al lettore gli elementi che lo possano portare alla soluzione. Detto questo, se non vi aspettate un bel giallo, troverete soddisfazione nel leggere un romanzo avvincente.
Mary Adams, la protagonista (che per tutta la storia viene chiamata spesso "la Adams", e non Mary, rallentando il processo di identificazione del lettore con il personaggio principale), è stata appena licenziata dalla fabbrica in cui lavora: gli uomini sono tornati dalla guerra - quale, non è dato sapere se non si leggono le note editoriali - e stanno riottenendo i loro posti di lavoro. Spinta dalle difficoltà, e alla ricerca urgente di un impiego, decide di tentare la fortuna nella campagna inglese. Il suo cammino sarà costellato di imprevisti, uno dei quali però piacevole: l'incontro con un bel giovane, che purtroppo rivedremo solo alla fine del romanzo, a cose fatte, senza che egli vi abbia avuto alcun ruolo. Questo non è un romance, certo, anche se a fine volume ben tre misteriosi "lettori recensori" lo definiscono come tale, pur in assenza di storie d'amore. Di Fiona Grace avevo già letto
Una villa in Sicilia (come questo, gratis su Amazon); probabilmente, se lo trovo in regalo, leggerò il #2 di questa serie, per sapere che fine farà la maldestra domestica di palazzo.
Mary Adams, la protagonista (che per tutta la storia viene chiamata spesso "la Adams", e non Mary, rallentando il processo di identificazione del lettore con il personaggio principale), è stata appena licenziata dalla fabbrica in cui lavora: gli uomini sono tornati dalla guerra - quale, non è dato sapere se non si leggono le note editoriali - e stanno riottenendo i loro posti di lavoro. Spinta dalle difficoltà, e alla ricerca urgente di un impiego, decide di tentare la fortuna nella campagna inglese. Il suo cammino sarà costellato di imprevisti, uno dei quali però piacevole: l'incontro con un bel giovane, che purtroppo rivedremo solo alla fine del romanzo, a cose fatte, senza che egli vi abbia avuto alcun ruolo. Questo non è un romance, certo, anche se a fine volume ben tre misteriosi "lettori recensori" lo definiscono come tale, pur in assenza di storie d'amore. Di Fiona Grace avevo già letto
Una villa in Sicilia (come questo, gratis su Amazon); probabilmente, se lo trovo in regalo, leggerò il #2 di questa serie, per sapere che fine farà la maldestra domestica di palazzo.
April 7, 2025
April is Cozy Mystery month and I started with reading The Maid in the Mansion. This was a new author and series for me but it sure was a fun read! It takes place at the end of World War II where the main character Mary, has just been relieved of her duties working in the manufacturing facilities now that the soldiers are returning home and need work. She's in dire need of a job as she's completely on her own.
Mary finds a job advertisement in the paper for an in-house maid position in a nearby small town. She packs up all her belongings and heads out to acquire the job. She gets it, but settling into the new household turns out to be more difficult than she imagined. The Lord of the house has a bit of a problem with being handsy with the help and Mary can only take so much of his bad behavior. When she finds him stabbed to death after a large dinner with lots of guests, she's the main suspect.
The first half of the book really sets up the circumstances with Mary and her position, as well as the dynamics between her and everyone else in the house. The second half of the book is her investigating the death of her employer and trying to clear her own name.
This story was a low-intensity murder mystery, perfectly cozy! It definitely fit what I was looking for in terms of reading for the month, but it was lacking a little in any type of common sense for the characters. The household staff was a little dismissive of everything, not in a job protecting kind of way either, but more in a "I have no thoughts in my head" kind of way. With some cozy mysteries, this is an added plus because they are meant to be low-intensity, but in this case it took away from the dynamics a little bit and made it slightly boring.
I enjoyed Mary's character though and she was the center point, so that balanced the supporting characters feeling a little lacking. The investigation elements of the story were perfect and had me jumping from one to the next in terms of who I thought had committed the crime.
If you enjoy a casually paced cozy mystery that's set in a mansion, then I think you'll enjoy this one!
Mary finds a job advertisement in the paper for an in-house maid position in a nearby small town. She packs up all her belongings and heads out to acquire the job. She gets it, but settling into the new household turns out to be more difficult than she imagined. The Lord of the house has a bit of a problem with being handsy with the help and Mary can only take so much of his bad behavior. When she finds him stabbed to death after a large dinner with lots of guests, she's the main suspect.
The first half of the book really sets up the circumstances with Mary and her position, as well as the dynamics between her and everyone else in the house. The second half of the book is her investigating the death of her employer and trying to clear her own name.
This story was a low-intensity murder mystery, perfectly cozy! It definitely fit what I was looking for in terms of reading for the month, but it was lacking a little in any type of common sense for the characters. The household staff was a little dismissive of everything, not in a job protecting kind of way either, but more in a "I have no thoughts in my head" kind of way. With some cozy mysteries, this is an added plus because they are meant to be low-intensity, but in this case it took away from the dynamics a little bit and made it slightly boring.
I enjoyed Mary's character though and she was the center point, so that balanced the supporting characters feeling a little lacking. The investigation elements of the story were perfect and had me jumping from one to the next in terms of who I thought had committed the crime.
If you enjoy a casually paced cozy mystery that's set in a mansion, then I think you'll enjoy this one!
April 22, 2024
Her work on the factory assembly line coming to an end as the soldiers return from the war, Mary Adams finds herself out of work and without a home. When an ad promising a job at an inn is posted, Mary moves to the country. On arrival, she finds the position has already been filled, but her luck changes as a maid from the local estate suggests that Mary should apply to the same manor house she works at. It would have been good counsel if the Lord of the manor hadn't been so handsy and if he hadn't been found murdered not hours after Mary accused him publicly of sexual assault.
I realised, as I was writing my synopsis, how complex the story is. Such a rich telling.
There is, of course, misogyny and scenes of an intimate nature - a warning for those who dislike that sort of thing.
I was caught up in the tale and look forward to more in this series. This was a fine beginning.
I realised, as I was writing my synopsis, how complex the story is. Such a rich telling.
There is, of course, misogyny and scenes of an intimate nature - a warning for those who dislike that sort of thing.
I was caught up in the tale and look forward to more in this series. This was a fine beginning.
May 5, 2024
Definitely lives up to its billing as a cozy murder mystery. An easy listen, enjoyable tale, with likable characters who are a bit silly at times. The audiobook was read by a synthesized voice, Amelia. This voice did a pretty decent job with an English accent, lifelike intonation and inflection, etc. but there were weird audio artifacts scattered throughout, like quick strangled or garbled sounding voices (like when a cassette tape is already playing and you’d hold the fast forward down at the same time…for anyone old enough to remember that) or loud ‘record’ scratch sounds (again…if you know what vinyl records sound like). Almost like Amelia has Tourette’s? Jarring at first and might cause some listeners to stop. Not one to discriminate against the differently-abled (even non-humans), I got past it and it was fine.
July 19, 2024
A Great Escape!
You don't get the maids perspective in a mystery very often and Grace offers an entertaining story. A womanizing employer makes life difficult for pretty maids and Mary must take her skills of adaptation learned at her former wartime job and apply time here. She's having a hard time submitting but her friend Hannah makes things a bit easier. It's too bad the master of the mansion shows up dead and she's the prime suspect. Mary is determined to clear her name but the police have got it all wrong!
This is a clean and sweaty free read. Because of the mention of unwed births it is probably better for mid teens and adults who enjoy action, mystery, a bit of a love crush and a satisfying end. Though a standalone story, it's easy to get involved in Mary's world and want to read more. Enjoy!
You don't get the maids perspective in a mystery very often and Grace offers an entertaining story. A womanizing employer makes life difficult for pretty maids and Mary must take her skills of adaptation learned at her former wartime job and apply time here. She's having a hard time submitting but her friend Hannah makes things a bit easier. It's too bad the master of the mansion shows up dead and she's the prime suspect. Mary is determined to clear her name but the police have got it all wrong!
This is a clean and sweaty free read. Because of the mention of unwed births it is probably better for mid teens and adults who enjoy action, mystery, a bit of a love crush and a satisfying end. Though a standalone story, it's easy to get involved in Mary's world and want to read more. Enjoy!
October 20, 2025
Un cozy mystery che non è né cozy né mystery. Se non fosse scritto nella trama generale che l’ambientazione è il dopoguerra della seconda guerra mondiale sinceramente non si capirebbe perché le descrizioni di luoghi, abiti e persone sono talmente vaghi che poteva essere benissimo pure il 1918 invece del 1945 e avrebbe funzionato lo stesso, forse anche meglio.
La soluzione del mistero è banalissima e le abilità da “detective” della protagonista sono ridicole, il che unito ai suoi continui flussi di coscienza per ogni minima cavolata e persino nel bel mezzo delle scene d’azione rende l’idea della confusione del tutto.
Inoltre, non so se è per via della traduzione o anche il testo originale è così, ma alcuni passaggi erano veramente senza senso e incomprensibili. Due stelle perché comunque c’è di peggio, ma anche di molto meglio.
La soluzione del mistero è banalissima e le abilità da “detective” della protagonista sono ridicole, il che unito ai suoi continui flussi di coscienza per ogni minima cavolata e persino nel bel mezzo delle scene d’azione rende l’idea della confusione del tutto.
Inoltre, non so se è per via della traduzione o anche il testo originale è così, ma alcuni passaggi erano veramente senza senso e incomprensibili. Due stelle perché comunque c’è di peggio, ma anche di molto meglio.
July 7, 2024
Cute cozy mystery. Not very plausible but fun. Mary , the protagonist is smart. Too smart to be a factory worker, but war times means life is not what is expected. After being let go from her factory job because the war is over and the boys coming home deserve the jobs, she finds a position as a maid in a mansion. Just as expected, the lady of the manor is unpleasant and the lord has roving hands and wandering eyes. There’s a murder. Mary is the main suspect and sets out to find the real killer to clear her name. Mayhem ensues and alls well that ends well. A fun, quick read with all the cozy mystery boxes checked.
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January 25, 2024I have no idea how this ended in my Libby queue (my sister SWEARS she didn't check it out but not sure I believe her-lol) and as it has 2 days left thought I'd check it out since it's a super short listen.
Just like others have mentioned the audio has weird glitches but I'm just going to power through see how it goes.
DNF @45minutes in because I was bored out of my skull!
This also had an AI narrator FYI
Just like others have mentioned the audio has weird glitches but I'm just going to power through see how it goes.
DNF @45minutes in because I was bored out of my skull!
This also had an AI narrator FYI
May 14, 2024
This was an excellent book!!! Rich in language that seemed to also fit the era. This was one book I didn't want to put down and I'm not normally one for period books. You quickly get to know the kind-hearted, tenacious Mary Adams who finds herself in trouble, repeatedly, through no fault of her own. You get to know her surroundings vividly. It is a masterful mystery of twists and turns until all is revealed. I also like the hint of a future love interest. I highly recommend this book!
June 1, 2024
Roller Coaster Ride
Mary Adam's, such a common name, but the story wasn't common. She is accused of killing the Lord of the manor after loudly proclaiming that he had inappropriately grabbed her. Of course Mary didn't kill him. So the readers go on a Roller Coaster of accusations and failures as Mary tries to prove her innocence. Though the plot was predictable at times,it was a good read.
Mary Adam's, such a common name, but the story wasn't common. She is accused of killing the Lord of the manor after loudly proclaiming that he had inappropriately grabbed her. Of course Mary didn't kill him. So the readers go on a Roller Coaster of accusations and failures as Mary tries to prove her innocence. Though the plot was predictable at times,it was a good read.
June 21, 2024
A new mystery series by one of my most favourite mystery authors.
I enjoyed the main character: a strong, smart and kind young woman.
I enjoyed the story: about her difficulties about being all alone in the world without a job and a place to live. And then of being wrongly accused by almost everyone of murder. And her investigations.
With a plot twist at the end.
Good story! I'm looking forward to read more about Mary's adventures!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
I enjoyed the main character: a strong, smart and kind young woman.
I enjoyed the story: about her difficulties about being all alone in the world without a job and a place to live. And then of being wrongly accused by almost everyone of murder. And her investigations.
With a plot twist at the end.
Good story! I'm looking forward to read more about Mary's adventures!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
December 26, 2023
I liked this book, very much! The main character was dealt some rotten cards, but she managed to stumble her way into much better circumstances, through intelligence, and a heavy dose of luck. She made at least one good friend and survived some harrowing experiences. I am looking forward to the next book and have ordered all four of them. I definitely recommend this book.
March 28, 2024
Overall a good audiobook with a little bit of suspense and mystery. I would have like a little more information on the possible suspects. The minimal information given on most of the characters made it hard to even fathom who murdered the main character. Past that it flowed well and kept my interest. About 3.5 hours on 1.75x speed
April 24, 2024
Mary Adams
After losing her job at the end of the war, Mary Adams goes job hunting in the country and lands a good one as a live in maid in a large country estate. Within a day there is a murder and to keep from being the major suspect she decides to solve the case. Full of twists and turns. Good reading!
After losing her job at the end of the war, Mary Adams goes job hunting in the country and lands a good one as a live in maid in a large country estate. Within a day there is a murder and to keep from being the major suspect she decides to solve the case. Full of twists and turns. Good reading!
May 26, 2024
Flirtation leads to murder
Loved the characters in this cozy mystery.Lord farthing is a philanderer and his unwanted advances are legendary. The maids in the mansion have been on the receiving end. When he is stabbed suspicion falls on the maids in the house. Has he been murdered due to his lecherous ways?
Loved the characters in this cozy mystery.Lord farthing is a philanderer and his unwanted advances are legendary. The maids in the mansion have been on the receiving end. When he is stabbed suspicion falls on the maids in the house. Has he been murdered due to his lecherous ways?
September 18, 2024
The story is set in England post World War II. When the resourceful Mary Adams loses her factory job to returning soldiers, she ends up working as a maid in a grand mansion. She gets more than she bargained for when there is a murder in the mansion.
The book is a wonderful whodunit. There were parts that were absurd and laughable but I enjoyed the book and was entertained.
The book is a wonderful whodunit. There were parts that were absurd and laughable but I enjoyed the book and was entertained.
January 11, 2024
I absolutely enjoy a good mystery. This book doesn’t disappoint with that. This book does seem like a light novel, more intent to be read as entertainment than as a serious read. Plot wise, I couldn’t predict what will happen next. I’m glad I came across this book.
April 27, 2024
The best thing I can say is the actual writing was well
down. However, the story elements were amateur. This is a desk drawer novel—and should have stayed there until the author became more experienced enough to overhaul it. The bones are good, but the meat is silly and unrealistic.
down. However, the story elements were amateur. This is a desk drawer novel—and should have stayed there until the author became more experienced enough to overhaul it. The bones are good, but the meat is silly and unrealistic.
May 19, 2024
Would give 4.5 if able. Such a cute, fun short audiobook! I loved Mary and her adventures and can not wait to see her and Hannah's friendship develop (hopefully) at the new manor they are being moved to!
May 21, 2024
This was a nice easy to read cosy murder mystery. I enjoyed following along with Mary as she tried to solve what had happened to the master of the mansion, and the twists that were involved. It was brilliantly written and fun to read.
June 8, 2024
I guess by definition a cozy mystery is easy reading. "The Maid and the Mansion #1" was easy reading but at times became so much about the characters' personalities that the search for a killer got lost. This, for me, made the book a little disappointing. Still, I did enjoy it.
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October 3, 2024Unrealistic
Nice cutie story. Entertaining on a simple basis. The story happened quickly, would have liked to have it fleshed out a bit. Hope author does more police procedure research in the future.
Nice cutie story. Entertaining on a simple basis. The story happened quickly, would have liked to have it fleshed out a bit. Hope author does more police procedure research in the future.
January 19, 2024
Good story, however, audio file has a lot of issues.
January 24, 2024
Although the audiobook has quite a few glitches , the story had a good plot and a great protagonist.
January 30, 2024
A fun read
February 18, 2024
Listened as an audiobook.
This book was just ok, it had a nice pace and wasn't overly complex but the mystery part wasn't that great. Paired with the audiobook being glitchy I settled on a 3/5.
This book was just ok, it had a nice pace and wasn't overly complex but the mystery part wasn't that great. Paired with the audiobook being glitchy I settled on a 3/5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews