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Murder at the Palace
It has been a night of festivities at Hampton Court Palace, with a soiree in the Great Hall. But when one of the ladies in residence doesn't answer her maid's call in the morning, Mrs Lydia Bramble, palace housekeeper, is called in to investigate.
What Mrs Bramble finds shocks the whole Miss Philomena Franklin slumped over her bureau with a knife in her back.
With the police seemingly determined to bark up the wrong tree, Mrs Bramble decides to take up her own investigation with the help of Miss Franklin's maid. After all, as servants, they know just how many dangerous secrets and secret squabbles the seemingly genteel residents of the palace apartments harbour.
What Mrs Bramble finds shocks the whole Miss Philomena Franklin slumped over her bureau with a knife in her back.
With the police seemingly determined to bark up the wrong tree, Mrs Bramble decides to take up her own investigation with the help of Miss Franklin's maid. After all, as servants, they know just how many dangerous secrets and secret squabbles the seemingly genteel residents of the palace apartments harbour.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2025
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101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 18, 2025
2.5 Stars
One Liner: This didn’t work
After a night of festivities at the Hampton Court Palace, one of the ladies doesn’t answer the door in the morning. Mrs. Lydia Bramble, palace housekeeper, steps in to investigate and finds Miss Philomena Franklin murdered with a knife in her back. When the police seem to be on the wrong track, it’s up to Mrs. Bramble to play a sleuth and find the killer. After all, who better than servants to know things the masters and mistresses won’t talk about?
The story comes in Lydia Bramble’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
So, this is a debut historical cozy mystery set in an apartment complex (a sort of mix between a modern apartment and a gated community from what I understood) where widows live with their wards/ children and maids. Also, the author’s note reveals the setting is based on a real place.
The book starts with a list of characters, which I appreciated. Even though the list was detailed and provided information about who lived where I still got confused. A map would have helped.
The death happens fairly soon, so it is not a long wait to get to the mystery. We are introduced to the characters during the initial round of investigation (by our amateur sleuth, of course).
I liked the attempt to show how the detective (from Yard) was proud of his credentials and looked down upon others (especially the sleuth). It is also a display of misogyny where men consider women inferior and weak.
However, this is a women-dominant book with most characters being widows, maids, or wards. Still, it was hard to enjoy this one. No one was easy to like. Everyone was judgmental, even the MC.
I went along despite the slow pacing but started to zone out often. Then, I switched to speed-reading. This helped a little. Still, I was ready for the book to end at 60%. The reveal came a long time afterward!
The mystery as such was okay. It was certainly well-thought-out with red herrings, suspects, and twists. However, being unable to empathize with even a single character meant I couldn’t appreciate it as I should.
The ending is set for a series with a lead for the next book. My journey stops here, though.
To summarize, Murder at the Palace has a historical writing style and vibe but the characters fail to make an impact.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderAtThePalace
One Liner: This didn’t work
After a night of festivities at the Hampton Court Palace, one of the ladies doesn’t answer the door in the morning. Mrs. Lydia Bramble, palace housekeeper, steps in to investigate and finds Miss Philomena Franklin murdered with a knife in her back. When the police seem to be on the wrong track, it’s up to Mrs. Bramble to play a sleuth and find the killer. After all, who better than servants to know things the masters and mistresses won’t talk about?
The story comes in Lydia Bramble’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
So, this is a debut historical cozy mystery set in an apartment complex (a sort of mix between a modern apartment and a gated community from what I understood) where widows live with their wards/ children and maids. Also, the author’s note reveals the setting is based on a real place.
The book starts with a list of characters, which I appreciated. Even though the list was detailed and provided information about who lived where I still got confused. A map would have helped.
The death happens fairly soon, so it is not a long wait to get to the mystery. We are introduced to the characters during the initial round of investigation (by our amateur sleuth, of course).
I liked the attempt to show how the detective (from Yard) was proud of his credentials and looked down upon others (especially the sleuth). It is also a display of misogyny where men consider women inferior and weak.
However, this is a women-dominant book with most characters being widows, maids, or wards. Still, it was hard to enjoy this one. No one was easy to like. Everyone was judgmental, even the MC.
I went along despite the slow pacing but started to zone out often. Then, I switched to speed-reading. This helped a little. Still, I was ready for the book to end at 60%. The reveal came a long time afterward!
The mystery as such was okay. It was certainly well-thought-out with red herrings, suspects, and twists. However, being unable to empathize with even a single character meant I couldn’t appreciate it as I should.
The ending is set for a series with a lead for the next book. My journey stops here, though.
To summarize, Murder at the Palace has a historical writing style and vibe but the characters fail to make an impact.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderAtThePalace
February 16, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. This is a fun cozy historical murder mystery with a wonderful contrast of male ego that constantly underestimated the cleverness and scheming of women. These widowed or unmarried society women all live in royal housing with their servants and Mrs. Bramble, the Housemaid who manages the estate.
I enjoyed the strong personality of Mrs. Bramble using her skills and knowledge to ensure the assigned detective did not just find the easiest explanation and leave her household squabbles unresolved. The story was outlined to show the personalities and history of the women under suspect along with slowly tying the story of the murdered victims and suspected murderers together. The end result was a fun twist that tied everything together nicely and made me happy I pushed through to the end.
However, while I do understand the is an ARC and still needs some final editing it was difficult at times to follow the story as the author kept mixing up Rosie and Kitty and mislabeling them in the story. There also were too many characters introduced without any backstory that made you remember them or distinguish them. If there was a bit more background and intrigue to the characters I may have been hooked early on in the story versus it taking over half the book before I became intrigued.
I enjoyed the strong personality of Mrs. Bramble using her skills and knowledge to ensure the assigned detective did not just find the easiest explanation and leave her household squabbles unresolved. The story was outlined to show the personalities and history of the women under suspect along with slowly tying the story of the murdered victims and suspected murderers together. The end result was a fun twist that tied everything together nicely and made me happy I pushed through to the end.
However, while I do understand the is an ARC and still needs some final editing it was difficult at times to follow the story as the author kept mixing up Rosie and Kitty and mislabeling them in the story. There also were too many characters introduced without any backstory that made you remember them or distinguish them. If there was a bit more background and intrigue to the characters I may have been hooked early on in the story versus it taking over half the book before I became intrigued.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
This is a locked room murder mystery that takes place in Hampton Court Palace
It started off at a leisurely pace, but as the book progressed, the story galloped away with itself.
There were a confusing number of characters who seemed very similar, and I think even the author got confused
The reveal of the murderer was directed in a very Agatha Christie manner and a complete surprise, leaving room for a sequel.......
It started off at a leisurely pace, but as the book progressed, the story galloped away with itself.
There were a confusing number of characters who seemed very similar, and I think even the author got confused
The reveal of the murderer was directed in a very Agatha Christie manner and a complete surprise, leaving room for a sequel.......
January 3, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. I had high hopes for this book. I am personally a fan of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse, and I was excited for a mystery set in a palace with the main detective being a housekeeper. I felt this book had many great ideas, but the execution was a bit of a let-down.
The things I liked:
-I really liked the characters. While I did feel they could have been fleshed out more, I especially enjoyed Mrs. Bramble and Reverend Weaver as a detecting duo. I thought the different residents/suspects and their squabbles were entertaining.
-The ending was great. It was very reminiscent of Christie and I was at the edge of my seat. The last 20% was by far the most enjoyable part of the book and I found the way the author wrapped up the mystery very clever. The solution of the mystery took this book from 3 to 3.5-4 stars for me.
-There were some good plot twists, and I enjoyed how well thought out the book was.
-Humor: one of the strongest points of this book was the humor. I loved the bird, I loved the petty squabbles of the residents, and I loved Mrs. Bramble's quick wit.
What I liked less:
-The plot felt rushed at times, and I felt it could have used more exposition. I felt like a lot of the plot was just Mrs. Bramble running around talking to residents, which at times got repetitive and made it difficult to stay engaged keep track of the mystery. At times I felt like Mrs. Bramble was. video game character running around and choosing dialogue options.
-There were certain parts of the book that could have been fleshed out more, for example Mrs. Bramble's worry that the murderer would strike again felt more paranoid than based on evidence.
-The writing was nice at times, but it wasn't a highlight, and often the dialogue felt a little stunted. Bramble did have a nice internal monologue though.
In conclusion, if someone is looking for a good cozy mystery, I would probably recommend one of my five star reads instead of this one, but I certainly wouldn't discourage someone from picking this up if they were interested. Especially if someone is new to mystery and doesn't want to start with something more intense.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC
The things I liked:
-I really liked the characters. While I did feel they could have been fleshed out more, I especially enjoyed Mrs. Bramble and Reverend Weaver as a detecting duo. I thought the different residents/suspects and their squabbles were entertaining.
-The ending was great. It was very reminiscent of Christie and I was at the edge of my seat. The last 20% was by far the most enjoyable part of the book and I found the way the author wrapped up the mystery very clever. The solution of the mystery took this book from 3 to 3.5-4 stars for me.
-There were some good plot twists, and I enjoyed how well thought out the book was.
-Humor: one of the strongest points of this book was the humor. I loved the bird, I loved the petty squabbles of the residents, and I loved Mrs. Bramble's quick wit.
What I liked less:
-The plot felt rushed at times, and I felt it could have used more exposition. I felt like a lot of the plot was just Mrs. Bramble running around talking to residents, which at times got repetitive and made it difficult to stay engaged keep track of the mystery. At times I felt like Mrs. Bramble was. video game character running around and choosing dialogue options.
-There were certain parts of the book that could have been fleshed out more, for example Mrs. Bramble's worry that the murderer would strike again felt more paranoid than based on evidence.
-The writing was nice at times, but it wasn't a highlight, and often the dialogue felt a little stunted. Bramble did have a nice internal monologue though.
In conclusion, if someone is looking for a good cozy mystery, I would probably recommend one of my five star reads instead of this one, but I certainly wouldn't discourage someone from picking this up if they were interested. Especially if someone is new to mystery and doesn't want to start with something more intense.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC
March 4, 2025
I partly enjoyed reading this book, but there was some issues with it. It was hard to visualize a palace with all the passage ways and apartments with their being no map in the book. Also there was a lot of characters and it was not easy to keep them straight, sometimes they were mixed up in the book by the author, and by myself. I realize it is an arc and not the final copy. Also the ending it took a long time to wrap it up and explain it all out, the final conclusion was confusing and the last line of the book took an unexpected turn which suggests another book may follow this one. Thank you #netfalley for this arc and I have gave my honest opinion.
February 23, 2025
Historical mystery. Mrs. Bramble, the head housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, finds one of her residents murdered and decides to investigate things herself as she is not happy with the way the police are handling the case. This was okay, but Mrs. Bramble was a little too forceful in her investigating, in my opinion. The ending of the book suggested this will become a series, but I don't think I would read another. 3 stars.
February 19, 2025
1891 Hampton Court Palace. Housekeeper Mrs Lydia Bramble is informed that one of the inhabitants, Miss Philomena Franklin, has been found dead with a knife in her back. DI Cole of Scotland Yard is called in but Mrs Bramble believes she is better equipped and recruits Reverend Thomas Weaver to aid her in her investigations.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2025
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
📖 Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
📅 Publication Date: March 13, 2025
🕵️♀️ Summary:
Set in 1891 at the illustrious Hampton Court Palace, Murder at the Palace introduces readers to Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the diligent palace housekeeper. When Miss Philomena Franklin, a resident of the palace’s Grace and Favour apartments, is discovered dead with a knife in her back, the shocking crime sends ripples through the royal residence. With the official investigation veering off course, Mrs. Bramble, alongside Miss Franklin’s maid, takes it upon herself to delve into the intricate web of secrets and rivalries among the palace’s esteemed inhabitants.
🖋️ My Thoughts:
N. R. Daws crafts a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends historical ambiance with the intrigue of a classic whodunit.
🔍 What I Loved:
✔ Authentic Setting: The depiction of Hampton Court Palace is richly detailed, immersing readers in its grandeur and the unique dynamics of its Grace and Favour apartments. The collaboration with the palace adds depth and authenticity to the setting.
✔ Engaging Protagonist: Mrs. Lydia Bramble is a standout character — intelligent, observant, and resourceful. Her perspective as a servant provides a fresh angle on the investigation, highlighting the often-overlooked insights of those working behind the scenes.
✔ Intricate Plot: The mystery is well-constructed, with red herrings and unexpected twists that keep readers guessing. The exploration of the residents’ secrets and the societal norms of the era adds layers to the narrative.
🔸 Minor Drawbacks:
▫ Pacing Variations: Some sections delve deeply into character backstories, which, while enriching, occasionally slow the momentum of the main plot.
✨ Final Verdict:
Murder at the Palace is a delightful addition to the historical cozy mystery genre. N. R. Daws delivers a story that is both engaging and atmospheric, with a protagonist who shines in her role as an amateur sleuth. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel offers a satisfying and immersive reading experience that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and character-driven stories.
📌 Recommended For:
✔ Readers who enjoy historical settings with authentic details.
✔ Fans of cozy mysteries with strong female leads.
✔ Those intrigued by the secrets lurking within grand establishments.
Embark on a journey through the opulent yet secretive halls of Hampton Court Palace with Mrs. Bramble as she uncovers the truths hidden behind its majestic facade.
📖 Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
📅 Publication Date: March 13, 2025
🕵️♀️ Summary:
Set in 1891 at the illustrious Hampton Court Palace, Murder at the Palace introduces readers to Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the diligent palace housekeeper. When Miss Philomena Franklin, a resident of the palace’s Grace and Favour apartments, is discovered dead with a knife in her back, the shocking crime sends ripples through the royal residence. With the official investigation veering off course, Mrs. Bramble, alongside Miss Franklin’s maid, takes it upon herself to delve into the intricate web of secrets and rivalries among the palace’s esteemed inhabitants.
🖋️ My Thoughts:
N. R. Daws crafts a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends historical ambiance with the intrigue of a classic whodunit.
🔍 What I Loved:
✔ Authentic Setting: The depiction of Hampton Court Palace is richly detailed, immersing readers in its grandeur and the unique dynamics of its Grace and Favour apartments. The collaboration with the palace adds depth and authenticity to the setting.
✔ Engaging Protagonist: Mrs. Lydia Bramble is a standout character — intelligent, observant, and resourceful. Her perspective as a servant provides a fresh angle on the investigation, highlighting the often-overlooked insights of those working behind the scenes.
✔ Intricate Plot: The mystery is well-constructed, with red herrings and unexpected twists that keep readers guessing. The exploration of the residents’ secrets and the societal norms of the era adds layers to the narrative.
🔸 Minor Drawbacks:
▫ Pacing Variations: Some sections delve deeply into character backstories, which, while enriching, occasionally slow the momentum of the main plot.
✨ Final Verdict:
Murder at the Palace is a delightful addition to the historical cozy mystery genre. N. R. Daws delivers a story that is both engaging and atmospheric, with a protagonist who shines in her role as an amateur sleuth. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel offers a satisfying and immersive reading experience that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and character-driven stories.
📌 Recommended For:
✔ Readers who enjoy historical settings with authentic details.
✔ Fans of cozy mysteries with strong female leads.
✔ Those intrigued by the secrets lurking within grand establishments.
Embark on a journey through the opulent yet secretive halls of Hampton Court Palace with Mrs. Bramble as she uncovers the truths hidden behind its majestic facade.
March 9, 2025
Neil Daws displays an impressive knowledge of the geography of Hampton Court Palace in his new book, Murder at the Palace. In one paragraph, the heroine, Mrs Bramble, trots from Base Court through Anne Boleyn’s Gateway, Clock Court, George II’s Gateway and Fountain Court. In doing so, she passed the Great Hall. Yes, it adds verisimilitude, but I felt I was wading through names rather than chasing a suspect and the names did not enhance the story.
Mrs Bramble is the Lady Housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, where a lot of widows live in grace and favour apartments. One widow’s unmarried sister is found dead and Detective Inspector Cole from Scotland yard is sent to investigate. Mrs Bramble immediately takes against the Inspector and is convinced that he will fail to find the murderer. Although the author probably intends Mrs B to be straight-talking, I felt she was unjustifiably rude. Although the narrative follows Mrs Bramble, we readers are seldom privy to her thoughts. At one point, the narrator states “If she’d listened to her instincts…” but we have no idea what those instincts were. The author tells us Mrs Bramble’s actions but doesn’t show her thought process.
Mind you, those thoughts may be confused anyway. At one point, Mrs B is concerned about the murderer noticing her leaving the grounds again and fears that she might be stopped – permanently. However, a few pages later, she is “Confident that the murderer […] had no reason to be out and about looking to kill anyone else.” So is the murderer watching her or not watching anyone? We are told that a character is concerned about being tainted by a scandal but I couldn’t work out how that taint would affect her plans – it might be embarrassing, but is unlikely to change anyone’s intended plans.
I stated that a lot of widows live in the apartments supervised by Mrs Bramble. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I struggled to tell them apart. Most of them seemed selfish and spiteful, thus failing to make me sympathetic and interested in them. Overall, I was disappointed in the book. It was promising but I felt none of the characters merited my interest and sympathy so they remained names on a page.
#MurderatthePalace #NetGalley
Mrs Bramble is the Lady Housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, where a lot of widows live in grace and favour apartments. One widow’s unmarried sister is found dead and Detective Inspector Cole from Scotland yard is sent to investigate. Mrs Bramble immediately takes against the Inspector and is convinced that he will fail to find the murderer. Although the author probably intends Mrs B to be straight-talking, I felt she was unjustifiably rude. Although the narrative follows Mrs Bramble, we readers are seldom privy to her thoughts. At one point, the narrator states “If she’d listened to her instincts…” but we have no idea what those instincts were. The author tells us Mrs Bramble’s actions but doesn’t show her thought process.
Mind you, those thoughts may be confused anyway. At one point, Mrs B is concerned about the murderer noticing her leaving the grounds again and fears that she might be stopped – permanently. However, a few pages later, she is “Confident that the murderer […] had no reason to be out and about looking to kill anyone else.” So is the murderer watching her or not watching anyone? We are told that a character is concerned about being tainted by a scandal but I couldn’t work out how that taint would affect her plans – it might be embarrassing, but is unlikely to change anyone’s intended plans.
I stated that a lot of widows live in the apartments supervised by Mrs Bramble. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I struggled to tell them apart. Most of them seemed selfish and spiteful, thus failing to make me sympathetic and interested in them. Overall, I was disappointed in the book. It was promising but I felt none of the characters merited my interest and sympathy so they remained names on a page.
#MurderatthePalace #NetGalley
February 17, 2025
As someone who hasn't read, watched or engaged with anything to do with. murder mysteries outside of An Inspector Calls for school exams, or the play The Mousetrap as a trip, this was a refreshingly fun, different and exciting read!
Daws did an excellent job of setting up the world- Hampton Court, sometime after a World War (which in my opinions is all that was necessary for the plot), and kept giving us little hints throughout of who the murder and the culprit could have been (and should I re-read this, i'm sure they'll be glaringly obvious, but only a few things stood out as being odd (in a 'why is that being highlighted' way), but they weren't glaringly obvious. I had my suspicions about who the murderer was and was foiled twice! Mrs Bramble and Reverend Weaver are a wonderful duo, and show a great take on the 'inspector and his deputy' (given that the real inspector was almost an anti-hero in this) and I adored their dynamic throughout. We had a colourful cast of side characters, and while there was many people to get to know from the start (thanks to the list) it was quite clear which residents of the palace were people to be focused on, and who served to fill out the background. Mrs Bramble got to show that women should be listened to, and not just cast aside and I quite liked how defiant she was towards Inspector Cole and his opinions on women and their 'weaknesses'.
Something that would have helped me understand the timeline of events a little more was either a map of the grounds at the start, or possibly having days/times at the start of each chapter (as I had no clue this happened in the span of three days I think?). It was quite hard figuring out some of the pieces as I wasn't sure how close buildings were to each other or any sense of direction. The final 1/3 of the book did have me hooked and gripped (it took me a while to get going- but it has a quick starting plot) and I could do nothing else but laugh at the final line! I really hope this gets a sequel of sorts so we can see what happens next, i was highly entertained reading this.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC!
Daws did an excellent job of setting up the world- Hampton Court, sometime after a World War (which in my opinions is all that was necessary for the plot), and kept giving us little hints throughout of who the murder and the culprit could have been (and should I re-read this, i'm sure they'll be glaringly obvious, but only a few things stood out as being odd (in a 'why is that being highlighted' way), but they weren't glaringly obvious. I had my suspicions about who the murderer was and was foiled twice! Mrs Bramble and Reverend Weaver are a wonderful duo, and show a great take on the 'inspector and his deputy' (given that the real inspector was almost an anti-hero in this) and I adored their dynamic throughout. We had a colourful cast of side characters, and while there was many people to get to know from the start (thanks to the list) it was quite clear which residents of the palace were people to be focused on, and who served to fill out the background. Mrs Bramble got to show that women should be listened to, and not just cast aside and I quite liked how defiant she was towards Inspector Cole and his opinions on women and their 'weaknesses'.
Something that would have helped me understand the timeline of events a little more was either a map of the grounds at the start, or possibly having days/times at the start of each chapter (as I had no clue this happened in the span of three days I think?). It was quite hard figuring out some of the pieces as I wasn't sure how close buildings were to each other or any sense of direction. The final 1/3 of the book did have me hooked and gripped (it took me a while to get going- but it has a quick starting plot) and I could do nothing else but laugh at the final line! I really hope this gets a sequel of sorts so we can see what happens next, i was highly entertained reading this.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for the ARC!
March 16, 2025
Murder at the Palace is an interesting locked-room, historical mystery about a woman (Philomena Franklin) who was found dead with a knife in her back while in residence at Hampton Court Palace. After Scotland Yard is called in to investigate the murder, Mrs. Bramble is convinced that they are ill equipped to handle the case. Given her position within the palace and having previous experience as a nurse in the war, the palace housekeeper (Lydia Bramble) is set on solving the mystery of Miss Franklin’s demise along with Rev. Weaver.
There were many things to love about this book. I enjoyed Mrs. Bramble’s character and her sleuthing skills. Women during this time period were often ignored and marginalized, so I loved how the author painted Mrs. Bramble as a clever, strong female lead character. The Reverend working alongside Mrs. Bramble in this mystery was also entertaining. The mystery itself was also strong and was similar to the personality of Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple. There were many red herrings, which always amps up the pacing of any cozy mystery.
The issues I found with this book included the long list of characters, the geography of the palace itself, and the way in which the ending seemed to be thrown together. There is a very long list of characters and it was hard to remember each person because they all seemed to have similar personalities. The placement of the palace was so detailed but was also confusing, and I feel like this could have been remedied if the author had included a map or visual reference. The first half of the book moves at a slower pace and the few chapters really sped up and felt rushed. Even though there were a few issues, the story was enjoyable.
I rate this a good 3.75.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.
There were many things to love about this book. I enjoyed Mrs. Bramble’s character and her sleuthing skills. Women during this time period were often ignored and marginalized, so I loved how the author painted Mrs. Bramble as a clever, strong female lead character. The Reverend working alongside Mrs. Bramble in this mystery was also entertaining. The mystery itself was also strong and was similar to the personality of Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple. There were many red herrings, which always amps up the pacing of any cozy mystery.
The issues I found with this book included the long list of characters, the geography of the palace itself, and the way in which the ending seemed to be thrown together. There is a very long list of characters and it was hard to remember each person because they all seemed to have similar personalities. The placement of the palace was so detailed but was also confusing, and I feel like this could have been remedied if the author had included a map or visual reference. The first half of the book moves at a slower pace and the few chapters really sped up and felt rushed. Even though there were a few issues, the story was enjoyable.
I rate this a good 3.75.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.
February 16, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. This is a fun cozy historical murder mystery with a wonderful contrast of male ego that constantly underestimated the cleverness and scheming of women. These widowed or unmarried society women all live in royal housing with their servants and Mrs. Bramble, the Housemaid who manages the estate.
I enjoyed the strong personality of Mrs. Bramble using her skills and knowledge to ensure the assigned detective did not just find the easiest explanation and leave her household squabbles unresolved. The story was outlined to show the personalities and history of the women under suspect along with slowly tying the story of the murdered victims and suspected murderers together. The end result was a fun twist that tied everything together nicely and made me happy I pushed through to the end.
However, while I do understand the is an ARC and still needs some final editing it was difficult at times to follow the story as the author kept mixing up Rosie and Kitty and mislabeling them in the story. There also were too many characters introduced without any backstory that made you remember them or distinguish them. If there was a bit more background and intrigue to the characters I may have been hooked early on in the story versus it taking over half the book before I became intrigued.
I enjoyed the strong personality of Mrs. Bramble using her skills and knowledge to ensure the assigned detective did not just find the easiest explanation and leave her household squabbles unresolved. The story was outlined to show the personalities and history of the women under suspect along with slowly tying the story of the murdered victims and suspected murderers together. The end result was a fun twist that tied everything together nicely and made me happy I pushed through to the end.
However, while I do understand the is an ARC and still needs some final editing it was difficult at times to follow the story as the author kept mixing up Rosie and Kitty and mislabeling them in the story. There also were too many characters introduced without any backstory that made you remember them or distinguish them. If there was a bit more background and intrigue to the characters I may have been hooked early on in the story versus it taking over half the book before I became intrigued.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2025
3/5 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC
Well written and well researched cozy historical mystery.
Mrs. Bramble, the head housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, which has been turned into grace-and-favour housing, gets involved in the locked-room murder of one of the residents. She's a clever woman, who knows her domain, and is often quite far ahead of Scotland Yard as they try to find the murderer.
If you like cozy mysteries grounded in a real place, this may be the book for you. The detailed descriptions of the Palace space and grounds made it very real. I did like Mrs. Bramble as well, and that she remained unfazed by the patronizing Scotland Yard detective.
I struggled to care about any of the residents, as they all seemed to be similar boring and entitled pensioners, or put upon domestic staff. I wasn't intrigued by the investigation either as so much of it seemed to be going nowhere. My biggest issue was that I never quite understood when this was supposed to have been set - 1870-1890s? I guess this can save the author having to co-ordinate historical events with his characters - but it seems odd reading a 'historical' mystery with so little history involved.
A very little blood, no violence, easy to pick up and put down.
Well written and well researched cozy historical mystery.
Mrs. Bramble, the head housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, which has been turned into grace-and-favour housing, gets involved in the locked-room murder of one of the residents. She's a clever woman, who knows her domain, and is often quite far ahead of Scotland Yard as they try to find the murderer.
If you like cozy mysteries grounded in a real place, this may be the book for you. The detailed descriptions of the Palace space and grounds made it very real. I did like Mrs. Bramble as well, and that she remained unfazed by the patronizing Scotland Yard detective.
I struggled to care about any of the residents, as they all seemed to be similar boring and entitled pensioners, or put upon domestic staff. I wasn't intrigued by the investigation either as so much of it seemed to be going nowhere. My biggest issue was that I never quite understood when this was supposed to have been set - 1870-1890s? I guess this can save the author having to co-ordinate historical events with his characters - but it seems odd reading a 'historical' mystery with so little history involved.
A very little blood, no violence, easy to pick up and put down.
September 23, 2025
A good fun lighthearted cosy mystery set in Hampton Court Palace, in particular the grace and favour apartments which are occupied by widows and families of deceased gentlemen who had served the Crown. The apartments are overseen by Mrs Lydia Bramble, the palace housekeeper, former nurse and widow of an army officer. There are a lot of characters introduced quite early on and I did get them confused a bit at first, the list of characters at the beginning was very useful.
Briefly, when she is unable to raise her mistress, Miss Philomena Franklin, her maid calls Mrs Bramble who find Miss Franklin dead, with a paper knife in her back. The police arrive in the form of DI Cole, who it is soon clear is a bit of a buffoon. Mrs Bramble decides to take matters into her own hands and with Reverend Thomas Weaver keeping his eye on Cole, her investigation starts.
I did like Lydia and I particularly enjoyed the setting, and the descriptions thereof. She is a strong woman and an intelligent one and how she copes with Coles made me smile! The plots a good one and I didn’t guess the outcome or who was responsible for murder. An enjoyable cosy locked room drama which kept me entertained.
Briefly, when she is unable to raise her mistress, Miss Philomena Franklin, her maid calls Mrs Bramble who find Miss Franklin dead, with a paper knife in her back. The police arrive in the form of DI Cole, who it is soon clear is a bit of a buffoon. Mrs Bramble decides to take matters into her own hands and with Reverend Thomas Weaver keeping his eye on Cole, her investigation starts.
I did like Lydia and I particularly enjoyed the setting, and the descriptions thereof. She is a strong woman and an intelligent one and how she copes with Coles made me smile! The plots a good one and I didn’t guess the outcome or who was responsible for murder. An enjoyable cosy locked room drama which kept me entertained.
March 10, 2025
Perfect for Jane Marple's fans and those who love cozy mystery with the classic England as the set!
I'd say that I quite enjoyed how the pace is set for this one, especially in the meticulous way the writer tries to give us details. It would be perfect to read if you love to enjoy a light mystery case while sipping your tea. Although it would be better if it has an illustration on how the castle is designed and which room is which, I think it would help me imagine the situation better.
Ending-wise, I do think that the ending was a bit rushed, from how slow it was building at the beginning, I feel like the case was solved in such a rush. Though, I like the suspense in the twist at the culprit revelation. Quite good to enjoy for avid-mystery readers out there.
If you have difficulties in remembering a long list of cast, then I suggest you to take a note when reading this book as you will faced by a lot of characters. Regardless, it was such a fun time for me meeting each one of them (especially Sunny--this is one character that I want you to bear in mind when you read this book). Oh and the hint of a second book at the epilogue....quite intriguing!
I'd say that I quite enjoyed how the pace is set for this one, especially in the meticulous way the writer tries to give us details. It would be perfect to read if you love to enjoy a light mystery case while sipping your tea. Although it would be better if it has an illustration on how the castle is designed and which room is which, I think it would help me imagine the situation better.
Ending-wise, I do think that the ending was a bit rushed, from how slow it was building at the beginning, I feel like the case was solved in such a rush. Though, I like the suspense in the twist at the culprit revelation. Quite good to enjoy for avid-mystery readers out there.
If you have difficulties in remembering a long list of cast, then I suggest you to take a note when reading this book as you will faced by a lot of characters. Regardless, it was such a fun time for me meeting each one of them (especially Sunny--this is one character that I want you to bear in mind when you read this book). Oh and the hint of a second book at the epilogue....quite intriguing!
March 17, 2025
When Neil first mentioned that he was going to write this is loved it. The idea behind it was brilliant and what a setting. Im sure those research trips were awful.
Anyway, this is deep in the cozy realm of crime, very much in the Agatha Christie/Conan Doyle style of mystery.
Mrs Bramble is the amateur detective here. The head of the ladies residing at the opulent Hampton Court Palace, it is her job to keep them happy. Well she tries, with their petty gripes.
So when a young woman is found with a knife in her back, she takes it upon herself to investigate this too. Much to the chagrin on Scotland Yard Detective Cole. She's somewhat aided by the Reverend, my favourite character.
Each of the characters has been brilliantly drawn and have clearly defined personalities and quirks. Mrs Bramble is clever, patient, always calm and quick to spot inconsistencies.
This is set post war so the women are generally widowed and still not afforded the freedoms of today.
I hadn't figured it out at all by the time it was uncovered and I loved the lay it all out style of everything that had been discussed up to that point.
It seems there may be a sequel and I certainly hope that's true.
Anyway, this is deep in the cozy realm of crime, very much in the Agatha Christie/Conan Doyle style of mystery.
Mrs Bramble is the amateur detective here. The head of the ladies residing at the opulent Hampton Court Palace, it is her job to keep them happy. Well she tries, with their petty gripes.
So when a young woman is found with a knife in her back, she takes it upon herself to investigate this too. Much to the chagrin on Scotland Yard Detective Cole. She's somewhat aided by the Reverend, my favourite character.
Each of the characters has been brilliantly drawn and have clearly defined personalities and quirks. Mrs Bramble is clever, patient, always calm and quick to spot inconsistencies.
This is set post war so the women are generally widowed and still not afforded the freedoms of today.
I hadn't figured it out at all by the time it was uncovered and I loved the lay it all out style of everything that had been discussed up to that point.
It seems there may be a sequel and I certainly hope that's true.
March 1, 2025
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and N. R. Daws for this ARC.
Murder at the Palace is book 1 in this historical cozy mystery series.
When Hampton Court Palace housekeeper, Mrs Bramble, is called to use her extra key when one of the residents fails to answer or open the door, she finds the resident murdered with a knife in her back! Mrs Bramble is unhappy with the way Scotland Yard is investigating the murder, she decides to take matters in to her own hands and find the killer before the police arrest an innocent person.
This was a cozy read but it could have been shorter. There were some parts that felt repetitive and I just wanted to skim read. But the overall mystery and ending was satisfying.
Murder at the Palace is book 1 in this historical cozy mystery series.
When Hampton Court Palace housekeeper, Mrs Bramble, is called to use her extra key when one of the residents fails to answer or open the door, she finds the resident murdered with a knife in her back! Mrs Bramble is unhappy with the way Scotland Yard is investigating the murder, she decides to take matters in to her own hands and find the killer before the police arrest an innocent person.
This was a cozy read but it could have been shorter. There were some parts that felt repetitive and I just wanted to skim read. But the overall mystery and ending was satisfying.
May 12, 2025
A very much old fashioned cosy crime novel set in amongst Grace and Favour residents of Hampton Court Palace. It follows the housekeeper, Mrs Lydia Bramble as she tries to solve the mystery of a murder amongst the genteel ladies residing under her care. The Scotland Yard detective sent to solve the case is truly hopeless so Mrs Bramble, a former nurse and all together no nonsense lady, decides to take matters in her own hands. The ladies residing in Hampton Court Palace have their own idiosyncrasies and animosities, be it about baths or pets, and this squabbling group makes a perfect set of suspects in a murder mystery. It is a very much traditional whodunnit, following the rules of the genre, solid and dependable, if not innovative. A just right amount of entertainment for the evening. Many thanks to the publisher and the Netgalley for a free ecopy of the book.
March 11, 2025
Read this on Netgalley. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!!
This is a historical whodunit where a murder happens in a palace and Mrs Bramble tries to find out who did it after the Male police from Scotland Yard is hell bent on pinning it on a reaident of the Palace.
Pros:
1. Mrs Bramble is like Miss Marple, sharp and astute and ahe schemes and sniffs out clues
2. There are adequate clues to guess whodunit at the start, and it isn't like magic from the detective 's side
3. Book is very well written, so despite the cons you want to read until the end
Cons:
1. Holy British Empire. I had no idea this was a historical fiction, but Lord this Lady that was exhausting
2. The sheer number of characters and their maids was exhausting.
This is a historical whodunit where a murder happens in a palace and Mrs Bramble tries to find out who did it after the Male police from Scotland Yard is hell bent on pinning it on a reaident of the Palace.
Pros:
1. Mrs Bramble is like Miss Marple, sharp and astute and ahe schemes and sniffs out clues
2. There are adequate clues to guess whodunit at the start, and it isn't like magic from the detective 's side
3. Book is very well written, so despite the cons you want to read until the end
Cons:
1. Holy British Empire. I had no idea this was a historical fiction, but Lord this Lady that was exhausting
2. The sheer number of characters and their maids was exhausting.
March 18, 2025
In 1891, at Hampton Court Palace, Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the housekeeper, finds out that Miss Philomena Franklin, one of the residents, has been found dead with a knife in her back. Detective Inspector Cole from Scotland Yard is called to investigate. However, Mrs. Bramble believes she can solve the case herself. She asks Reverend Thomas Weaver for help.
Together, they explore the lives of the palace residents, searching for clues and uncovering secrets. The story features a range of interesting characters, making it both engaging and enjoyable.
This historical cozy mystery is well-written and serves as a start to a new series. An advance reading copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Together, they explore the lives of the palace residents, searching for clues and uncovering secrets. The story features a range of interesting characters, making it both engaging and enjoyable.
This historical cozy mystery is well-written and serves as a start to a new series. An advance reading copy (ARC) was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
October 7, 2025
No Grace and little Favour at Hampton Court!
I discovered this book a mere two days after visiting Hampton Court Palace for the very first time, so naturally I had to read it! I’m so glad I did! I have to admit that being able to envisage where various events in the story took place definitely enhanced my enjoyment but that in no way detracts from the excellent plotting and characterisation. With enough twists and turns to satisfy the most avid historical crime reader, I can heartily recommend Mr Daws’ book. Sadly, I believe there are no longer people living in Grace & Favour apartments at the Palace although there are still names on doors at some entrances and stairwells showing who used to inhabit them. Do both visit Hampton Court and read the book!
I discovered this book a mere two days after visiting Hampton Court Palace for the very first time, so naturally I had to read it! I’m so glad I did! I have to admit that being able to envisage where various events in the story took place definitely enhanced my enjoyment but that in no way detracts from the excellent plotting and characterisation. With enough twists and turns to satisfy the most avid historical crime reader, I can heartily recommend Mr Daws’ book. Sadly, I believe there are no longer people living in Grace & Favour apartments at the Palace although there are still names on doors at some entrances and stairwells showing who used to inhabit them. Do both visit Hampton Court and read the book!
January 29, 2025
A cozy mystery set in the grand halls of Hampton Court Palace, this book had all the right ingredients—an intriguing murder, a sharp-witted housekeeper-turned-detective, and plenty of humor. Mrs. Lydia Bramble and Reverend Weaver made for an entertaining sleuthing duo, and the palace’s residents provided enough drama and secrets to keep things interesting. While the plot sometimes felt rushed and repetitive, the final act delivered clever twists and a satisfying resolution reminiscent of Agatha Christie. Though not a top-tier mystery, it’s an enjoyable read for those looking for something light and entertaining. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
February 21, 2025
1/5 stars: This is the first entry in Daws's Historic Royal Palaces series which is a Historical Mystery set in Victorian England and features the Hampton Court Palace Lady Housekeeper, who's in charge of the grace-and-favor apartments, as she turns sleuth after one of the ladies in residence is found with a knife in her back. Daws's writing and character work are well done. Unfortunately, I simply lost interest in this story; leading me to DNF it at 25%.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group | Orion in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group | Orion in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
June 6, 2025
This wasn't too bad, but did feel overlong. That's probably because every time Mrs Bramble went anywhere we followed her every step. Whilst it shows the author's no doubt impressive knowledge of Hampton Court Palace, I really didn't need to know every court, cloister, corridor or garden that Mrs B went through whilst looking for the ladies who occupied the Grace and Favour apartments. And can someone please explain why it is necessary to make the police look lazy and stupid just so the amateur can look clever, rather than them being a nosy so-and-so. I can confidently say that I will not be reading more in this series and have actually returned my copy of a refund.
February 10, 2025
Love Love Love!
I absolutely devoured this book. A cosy mystery set in Hampton Court Palace.
A grace and favour apartment resident is found murdered and the Housekeeper wants to get to the bottom of it. I loved being able to picture exactly where everything was taking place and seeing how everyone had a small part to play or a clue to uncover. Her sidekick is the Reverend and was my absolute favourite! Always 5 steps behind and completely clumsy. I loved all the scenes he was in.
If you love historical fiction and mysteries then this book will take your fancy!
I absolutely devoured this book. A cosy mystery set in Hampton Court Palace.
A grace and favour apartment resident is found murdered and the Housekeeper wants to get to the bottom of it. I loved being able to picture exactly where everything was taking place and seeing how everyone had a small part to play or a clue to uncover. Her sidekick is the Reverend and was my absolute favourite! Always 5 steps behind and completely clumsy. I loved all the scenes he was in.
If you love historical fiction and mysteries then this book will take your fancy!
March 5, 2025
A cosy murder mystery where the head housekeeper at Hampton Court Palace, Mrs Bramble, gets involved in a locked-room murder of one of the residents. She enlisted the help of Reverend Weaver to try to solve it, as she thinks the policeman leading the investigation is not up to the job. There are very detailed descriptions of the palace, which is interesting, but there are a lot of characters to contend with, so you need to try to keep up with who’s who.
Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and N. R. Daws for the eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and N. R. Daws for the eARC.
May 5, 2025
Mrs Lydia Bramble, housekeeper in charge, is unchuffed when a lady turns up not only dead, but seemingly murdered, and takes it upon herself to find the murderer.
I didn’t care for this. The characters are dull, and so is the mystery. Bramble is insufferable, and only shines by going up against the stupidest oaf of a copper to ever exist.
The author obviously needed to prove just how much time they spent pouring over Hampton Court Palace maps. And holy HECK do I wish an editor had demanded mentions of Bramble’s time as an army nurse be capped to no more than 10.
I didn’t care for this. The characters are dull, and so is the mystery. Bramble is insufferable, and only shines by going up against the stupidest oaf of a copper to ever exist.
The author obviously needed to prove just how much time they spent pouring over Hampton Court Palace maps. And holy HECK do I wish an editor had demanded mentions of Bramble’s time as an army nurse be capped to no more than 10.
February 15, 2025
I was given Murder at the Palace by N.R. Daws in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.
Mrs. Bramble, a palace housekeeper, finds herself investigating a murder when the police fumble their investigation. A clever and engaging mystery that was a little slow in the beginning, but wrapped up in an unexpected way.
This would be a great novel for the cozy mystery lover or someone new to the genre.
Mrs. Bramble, a palace housekeeper, finds herself investigating a murder when the police fumble their investigation. A clever and engaging mystery that was a little slow in the beginning, but wrapped up in an unexpected way.
This would be a great novel for the cozy mystery lover or someone new to the genre.
March 15, 2025
3.5 - This was a cozy mystery set at the Hampton Court Palace way back when. I thought I had it figured out about 30% of the way through, but there was a last minute twist I didn't see coming! Some of the characters felt a little stereotypical, like the detective from Scotland Yard who only saw things one way. Overall, it was a cute story that I enjoyed!
Thank you to NetGalley, NR Daws, and the publisher for the eARC I received! All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, NR Daws, and the publisher for the eARC I received! All opinions are my own.
March 26, 2025
I wish authors would focus on not overdoing it in books. Because that’s exactly what happened in this book. The author had a really decent synopsis and framework, but added way too much. I spent more time trying to figure it out and remember who all the characters were and what was going on rather than focusing on the actual mysteries itself. I’ll pass on another in this series at this rate.
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