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Miss Busby #3
The Lord of Cold Compton
Lord of Cold Compton
Book 3 In the Miss Busby Series
A woman lies dead, shot and bleeding. Behind her body stands a large old manor house, her house, and now her son's. She ran the rural estate as a minor fiefdom, all had to subjugate themselves to her will, or they were put out of their homes and ejected from the community. Lady Compton was hated, nobody mourned her passing, but her murder brought suspicion and dismay to the closely allied village, and it brought the police into their midst.
Everyone has secrets, just as she had. Was the secret the cause of her murder? Had her deceit finally caught up with her? Was the man rumoured to be the culprit really the killer? Not that anyone would name him, not to outsiders, anyway.
Miss Busby is unaware of these undercurrents, until her advice, and help, is sought. It's a terrible dilemma, she is told. No-one knows what to do. Should the police be told? Or should silence prevail? Whatever she does will put her in contention with Inspector McKay and he has distractions enough.
If you love Agatha Christie, Miss Marple, you'll love this.
Book 3 In the Miss Busby Series
A woman lies dead, shot and bleeding. Behind her body stands a large old manor house, her house, and now her son's. She ran the rural estate as a minor fiefdom, all had to subjugate themselves to her will, or they were put out of their homes and ejected from the community. Lady Compton was hated, nobody mourned her passing, but her murder brought suspicion and dismay to the closely allied village, and it brought the police into their midst.
Everyone has secrets, just as she had. Was the secret the cause of her murder? Had her deceit finally caught up with her? Was the man rumoured to be the culprit really the killer? Not that anyone would name him, not to outsiders, anyway.
Miss Busby is unaware of these undercurrents, until her advice, and help, is sought. It's a terrible dilemma, she is told. No-one knows what to do. Should the police be told? Or should silence prevail? Whatever she does will put her in contention with Inspector McKay and he has distractions enough.
If you love Agatha Christie, Miss Marple, you'll love this.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2024
501 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Karen Baugh Menuhin
43 books798 followers1920's, Cozy crime, Traditional Detectives, Downton Abbey - I love them!
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 5, 2025
Entertaining mystery listening 🐕😉
This kindle ebook is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four.
Miss Busby and friends are involved in the investigation of a woman in Compton. Then another person is murdered. Once again Miss Busby and friends are helpful to the Scottish chief detective.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships action adventure mystery novels 😎😯 2025 🏡🐕
This kindle ebook is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four.
Miss Busby and friends are involved in the investigation of a woman in Compton. Then another person is murdered. Once again Miss Busby and friends are helpful to the Scottish chief detective.
I would recommend this series and author to readers of family and friends relationships action adventure mystery novels 😎😯 2025 🏡🐕
November 5, 2024
I think this one is the best of the lot. I really felt like the characters have been fully fleshed out now. We get a strong feel for each one, and Whoa... IS it Adelaide? Is that her name? Agatha? Something. That woman made me want to throw the book and then hug her. She was fabulous in this one. Despite me wanting to throttle her.
The plot was really good, and while I totally called who did it and even the "secret," I also loved getting to see what was coming and how it would all tie together (or not). Well done all, and now I'm REALLY eager for the next.
The plot was really good, and while I totally called who did it and even the "secret," I also loved getting to see what was coming and how it would all tie together (or not). Well done all, and now I'm REALLY eager for the next.
November 23, 2024
Slightly disappointed.
I think that Miss Busby is a very attractive character. However I find Adeline somewhat overpowering and almost irritating. In my opinion she takes from Miss Busby.
I think that Miss Busby is a very attractive character. However I find Adeline somewhat overpowering and almost irritating. In my opinion she takes from Miss Busby.
January 8, 2025
Enjoyable
I enjoyed the story. It reads fast. I liked most of the characters, especially Miss Busby and Barnaby. I had to reduce the rating because I could not stand Adeline, though I did like how she affected the outcome.
I enjoyed the story. It reads fast. I liked most of the characters, especially Miss Busby and Barnaby. I had to reduce the rating because I could not stand Adeline, though I did like how she affected the outcome.
October 28, 2024
Best Yet of Ms Busby
This is the best yet of Miss Busby. There was an interesting development of Miss Busby and her friend Adaline. The initial character development is a bit slow to develop, but I suspect this was a longer work initially and has been edited down to size. That’s too bad as I think the authors should give themselves the room to develop these women fully. The interesting secondary characters help carry the story along, so perhaps that’s the way to expand a continuing to hold the reader. It’s really a thoroughly enjoyable read. But it’s time to go full tilt boogie. Make this a novel not just a cozy mystery.
This is the best yet of Miss Busby. There was an interesting development of Miss Busby and her friend Adaline. The initial character development is a bit slow to develop, but I suspect this was a longer work initially and has been edited down to size. That’s too bad as I think the authors should give themselves the room to develop these women fully. The interesting secondary characters help carry the story along, so perhaps that’s the way to expand a continuing to hold the reader. It’s really a thoroughly enjoyable read. But it’s time to go full tilt boogie. Make this a novel not just a cozy mystery.
December 12, 2024
The Cotswolds, 1923. Lady Compton is found murdered on the grounds of her lavish estate in a small village. The village residents aren't sad to see the end of her, since she's been ruling over them with an iron hand ever since her husband died years ago. Because the villagers are so reticent to share information, it makes it hard to even begin to solve the murder. Miss Busby and her friend, Adeline Fanshaw, invite themselves into the investigation and uncover a massive secret that is likely the motive, if only they could get someone to talk. I found the mystery intriguing, with just enough twists and turns. The ending of the book was so heartwarming, and I really enjoyed getting to know Miss Busby better, as well as her friends and fellow Cotswolds citizens
October 11, 2024
The Lord of Cold Compton
When Lady Compton is found murdered on the front lawn Miss Busby and the indomitable Adeline Fanshaw are drawn into the investigation. Lady Compton was universally disliked and despised for her autocratic views and conduct therefore the investigation is severely hampered.
Karen and Zoe have written a wonderfully detailed account of a murder set in the early 1920’s when women were coming into their own and the elderly were generally respected. A delightful addition to the series.
When Lady Compton is found murdered on the front lawn Miss Busby and the indomitable Adeline Fanshaw are drawn into the investigation. Lady Compton was universally disliked and despised for her autocratic views and conduct therefore the investigation is severely hampered.
Karen and Zoe have written a wonderfully detailed account of a murder set in the early 1920’s when women were coming into their own and the elderly were generally respected. A delightful addition to the series.
November 8, 2024
Fun up to the resolution
The book was fun and the characters loveable and interesting. I enjoyed it tremendously up until the mystery was hurriedly and clumsily resolved. The murderer wasn't well described or woven into the plot and the ending seemed contrived.
I noticed more typographical, logical and grammatical errors in this book than the other books in the series. Perhaps two authors working on the book made it more difficult to catch errors. I prefer the books written by Karen Menuhin alone.
The book was fun and the characters loveable and interesting. I enjoyed it tremendously up until the mystery was hurriedly and clumsily resolved. The murderer wasn't well described or woven into the plot and the ending seemed contrived.
I noticed more typographical, logical and grammatical errors in this book than the other books in the series. Perhaps two authors working on the book made it more difficult to catch errors. I prefer the books written by Karen Menuhin alone.
October 12, 2024
Lovely. This series is just right for cozy mystery fans everywhere.
Lovely characters, beautiful scenery, nicely crafted stories, gentle, tales of murder and mayhem!
These are well done. I love Ms. Menuhin's Heathcliff Lennox series. This does not have quite the same impact and is a wonderful series on its own.
Glad to have both series available to me!
Have read them all and will continue to...
Lovely characters, beautiful scenery, nicely crafted stories, gentle, tales of murder and mayhem!
These are well done. I love Ms. Menuhin's Heathcliff Lennox series. This does not have quite the same impact and is a wonderful series on its own.
Glad to have both series available to me!
Have read them all and will continue to...
October 18, 2024
Fun Cozy Installment in a Fun Series
A fun third installment in the series. It wrapped up perhaps a bit to quickly, but as always the characters are endearing and put a smile on this reader's face without being overly sweet. As always, Adeline never fails to bring a laugh. Hopefully the next installment will give us more of Lucy and the Inspector who were a bit absent in this book.
A fun third installment in the series. It wrapped up perhaps a bit to quickly, but as always the characters are endearing and put a smile on this reader's face without being overly sweet. As always, Adeline never fails to bring a laugh. Hopefully the next installment will give us more of Lucy and the Inspector who were a bit absent in this book.
October 18, 2024
Lovely
Ido enjoy Miss Busby’s investigations though it’s unbelievable they survive with Adalind being so outspoken. But I guess they are a good balance. I would like mis Busby to take Sir Richard more seriously, as much as she love her Randolph even he would think Miss Busby deserves a nice gentleman to keep her company in her old age. I will now wait for the next one.
Ido enjoy Miss Busby’s investigations though it’s unbelievable they survive with Adalind being so outspoken. But I guess they are a good balance. I would like mis Busby to take Sir Richard more seriously, as much as she love her Randolph even he would think Miss Busby deserves a nice gentleman to keep her company in her old age. I will now wait for the next one.
October 23, 2024
Miss Busby is once again unwillingly dragged into the hunt for a murderer
KBM winds this sinuous storyline around Miss Busby who triumphs over the dastardly evil doers. She quietly seems to be having the time of her life as she crosses the Cotswolds with her friends in a classy car. Why was the body moved? Who is the mysterious stranger? All will be revealed.
KBM winds this sinuous storyline around Miss Busby who triumphs over the dastardly evil doers. She quietly seems to be having the time of her life as she crosses the Cotswolds with her friends in a classy car. Why was the body moved? Who is the mysterious stranger? All will be revealed.
December 19, 2024
While the mystery was good, and I do enjoy the authors grasp of the historical period, for some reason Adeline’s character bugs me. I think I’d enjoy watching her as a TV character so I can’t quite figure out why she bugs me in print. But it won’t stop me from reading more of this series when it comes out.
May 2, 2025
that's the type of story I'd like to see as a TV series!
I enjoyed the audiobook, the narrator was great. I have actually not read any of the earlier books so jumping in to this book without knowing it's a 3rd of a series, I was a bit hesitant but it was a very pleasant read as a stand alone. I will get to the previous two books eventually.
I enjoyed the audiobook, the narrator was great. I have actually not read any of the earlier books so jumping in to this book without knowing it's a 3rd of a series, I was a bit hesitant but it was a very pleasant read as a stand alone. I will get to the previous two books eventually.
November 8, 2025
Always a Twist
Another delightful adventure for the senior ladies. So good to know Zoe and Karen are keeping it real. In this third book about Miss Busby and her rather stalwart friend, it seems more realistic when the duo require more frequent rests between clues, while solving this twisted plot.
Another delightful adventure for the senior ladies. So good to know Zoe and Karen are keeping it real. In this third book about Miss Busby and her rather stalwart friend, it seems more realistic when the duo require more frequent rests between clues, while solving this twisted plot.
October 16, 2024
Another great read. I had told myself I would pace myself and only read a couple of chapters a night so it lasted longer … I failed miserably book finished before I realised.
So now I’m going to re-read all three.
So now I’m going to re-read all three.
October 16, 2024
Another 10/10 from me for this series. I love reading this genre and Miss Busby doesn't disappoint.
I tried guessing 'whodunnit' but couldn't be certain until the denouement. I'm not going to give spoilers. It's a really good read - try it for yourself.
I tried guessing 'whodunnit' but couldn't be certain until the denouement. I'm not going to give spoilers. It's a really good read - try it for yourself.
October 20, 2024
Miss Marple? Miss Busby?
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I'm A great fan of Miss Marp!e but I'll tell you, I think Miss Busby is neck in neck with my old friend Miss Marple. Great story.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I'm A great fan of Miss Marp!e but I'll tell you, I think Miss Busby is neck in neck with my old friend Miss Marple. Great story.
October 20, 2024
enchanting
Again a great story and the star player are becoming vastly enjoyable and rounded. The audio addition complements seemingly, effortlessly.
I will have reread it a couple of times before the next story shows up.
Again a great story and the star player are becoming vastly enjoyable and rounded. The audio addition complements seemingly, effortlessly.
I will have reread it a couple of times before the next story shows up.
October 25, 2024
A lovely feel to this book
A 4 star rating well deserved. Allowing the reader to visualize both characters and scenery, I find it total de-stressing set in a more innocent time - or was it?! Well written, set a good pace - looking forward to the next in the series
A 4 star rating well deserved. Allowing the reader to visualize both characters and scenery, I find it total de-stressing set in a more innocent time - or was it?! Well written, set a good pace - looking forward to the next in the series
January 14, 2025
At the start I wasn’t sure I’d like this book but a few chapters in and I was hooked and loved the actions of the septuagenarians! Like me! Great read and story. Sure didn’t see the murderer early on!
March 22, 2025
Grand
This was quite the mystery with Miss Busby trying not to meddle only to get caught up in the mystery anyway. The way the suspects were simultaneously making things harder for her and helping added to the mix. I look forward to the next book.
This was quite the mystery with Miss Busby trying not to meddle only to get caught up in the mystery anyway. The way the suspects were simultaneously making things harder for her and helping added to the mix. I look forward to the next book.
October 9, 2025
Soccer Ball
Miss Busby is at it again with her friend Mrs. Fenshaw. They are visited by a nurse who has information about an “adoption” 25 years ago. And now there is a death in the community, who have closed ranks against the police. Good story!
Miss Busby is at it again with her friend Mrs. Fenshaw. They are visited by a nurse who has information about an “adoption” 25 years ago. And now there is a death in the community, who have closed ranks against the police. Good story!
November 4, 2025
Miss Busby and Adeline Save the Day
Inspector McKay and Lucy have very little to contribute this time but Miss Busby puts it all together. Fortunately for our tactful sleuth, her friend, Adeline, and her Rolls Royce plow into into enough clues to nab the culprit.
Inspector McKay and Lucy have very little to contribute this time but Miss Busby puts it all together. Fortunately for our tactful sleuth, her friend, Adeline, and her Rolls Royce plow into into enough clues to nab the culprit.
December 2, 2025
Book 3 is another cozy mystery. Once again, I opened the book and was immediately transported into the lovely Cotswolds setting and time period. I thoroughly enjoy all the books written by this author. The cast of characters is always delightful.
Read
November 2, 2024Very good loved the book
November 26, 2024
Dependable, sensible Miss Busby solves another one.
December 2, 2024
Thank you again!
I don't always write reviews, but any Karen Menuhin book is bound to be well written and a light read. Even with murder and obfuscation. Enjoy!
I don't always write reviews, but any Karen Menuhin book is bound to be well written and a light read. Even with murder and obfuscation. Enjoy!
December 6, 2024
Very good
Another excellent offering from Karen and Zoe. Who knows, maybe Miss Busby will become as famous as Miss Marple or Miss Silver.
Another excellent offering from Karen and Zoe. Who knows, maybe Miss Busby will become as famous as Miss Marple or Miss Silver.
December 8, 2024
Always Good Fun
Miss Busby is an excellent addition to the family. Her sleuthing adventures with Adeline keep my interest every time. Great fun!
Miss Busby is an excellent addition to the family. Her sleuthing adventures with Adeline keep my interest every time. Great fun!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews