Murder at the Grand National

A Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Mystery #4

by Olivia Rose

Horses, high stakes, and a homicide at the hurdles.

When the 1924 Grand National ends in tragedy, Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne finds herself embroiled in a deadly conspiracy that reaches far beyond the racetrack.

As the dust settles on Aintree's hallowed turf, celebrated jockey Reggie Blackwood lies dead, and Alfie – a former stable boy from Hawthorne Hall – stands accused of murder. Convinced of Alfie's innocence, Elizabeth is determined to uncover the truth.

With a Chief Inspector eager to close the case and the enigmatic Jonathan Ashcroft, whose true motives grow increasingly suspect with each encounter, Elizabeth must navigate a treacherous course. Every step brings her closer to a truth that powerful forces want buried – and puts her squarely in the crosshairs of a killer who'll stop at nothing to keep their secrets.

In a world where fortunes are won and lost on the turn of a hoof, Elizabeth is about to discover that the deadliest wagers are made far from the finish line. Can she unmask the true culprit before the killer strikes again, or will her pursuit of justice lead her to a fate worse than Becher's Brook?

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2024

Reviews

[A Look Inside: Reviews and Interviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Murder at the Grand National, Olivia Rose delivers a richly layered historical mystery that gallops through the upper echelons of British society with the grace of a thoroughbred and the bite of a scandal sheet. Featuring the return of Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne, this installment blends equestrian elegance, aristocratic intrigue, and a deftly plotted murder investigation set against the high-stakes backdrop of England’s most prestigious horse race.

Lady Elizabeth is hoping for a relaxing escape in the countryside after a harrowing Riviera adventure, but her arrival at Rosewood Park for the Grand National is met not with peace—but with tension, secrets, and ultimately, bloodshed. When a prominent and polarizing figure connected to the race is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Elizabeth is reluctantly drawn into another investigation.

Rose excels at capturing the atmosphere of 1920s England, from the lush countryside and dusty stables to the tension-charged drawing rooms filled with veiled insults and champagne-fueled flirtations. The prose is elegant and immersive: “The countryside rolled by, dotted with vibrant daffodils and primroses… Delicate wildflowers peeked out from the undergrowth, heralding spring’s arrival.” Such descriptions not only ground the reader in setting but also evoke the contrast between pastoral charm and looming danger.

The cast is equally compelling—Lady Elizabeth is sharp, observant, and unwilling to be confined by society’s expectations. Her cousin Meli adds spirited commentary and emotional depth, while the supporting characters—including the bold Lady Georgia Fairfax and the troubled jockey Alife—each bring layers of complexity. Amelia Standford, in particular, steals scenes with her reckless charm and troubling desperation, leaving readers guessing about her loyalties and intentions until the final act.

The mystery itself is well-paced, with plenty of red herrings and character-driven suspense. Rose carefully unspools motivations, rivalries, and long-held grudges, making the reader feel as much a detective as Elizabeth herself. The book also weaves in themes of class, gender roles, and personal sacrifice without ever feeling heavy-handed.

Fans of T.E. Kinsey’s Lady Hardcastle mysteries and Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series will find much to love here—witty dialogue, strong female leads, and a mystery that respects both intellect and emotion. What truly sets this series apart is its sense of continuity and growth; Elizabeth is no static sleuth, but a woman increasingly shaped—and sharpened—by the dangers she encounters.

Final Verdict:

Murder at the Grand National is a five-star triumph that artfully balances period charm with gripping mystery. Olivia Rose continues to solidify Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne’s place among the great amateur sleuths of historical fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thrilling Lady Hawthorne mystery that was enjoyable to read. The setting of this mystery at a horse ranch and at the grand national horse race was entertaining and fun. I enjoyed visiting the scenery’s of the landscapes of the country side, stables, barn and the grand national horse race park. Lady Hawthorn does not disappoint with her crime solving ways and getting out of pickles. Lady Hawthorn’s cousin Meli is along for the ride again and she brings in the excitement, I would have liked to see her have more involvement in the mystery and investigation, she does add some flare to the story that I thought was slightly lacking in this episode. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I did find the story was more predictable than the previous volumes and one may catch on to the clues early on in the story as to who is behind the murder and scandal. Overall, I found this to be a fun, enjoyable and quick book to read. Definitely recommend for an entertaining weekend read

[virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Rose added another good, cozy mystery to her Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne mystery series. Following a racing accident, suspicions arise about a family friend being involved in a murder. Was it an accident, and is the suspect guilty?

As is usual for Lady Elizabeth, she finds her life in peril, and plot twist after plot twist kept me reading well into the night. The characters were well-developed, and I thought I was walking the streets and story with all of them. It is a cute little beach read or a great mystery for one of those rainy-day weekends. So put on the kettle, settle in your favorite reading nook, and enjoy.

Olivia Rose kept me reading when I should have been sleeping, adding another book to my O. Rose Collection.

I want to thank Book Sirens, the author, and the publisher, for another enjoyable story in the Lady Elizabeth mysteries. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 4th book in the Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Cozy Mystery Series, 'Murder at the Grand National,' finds Elizabeth visiting Rosewood with her family. They have come to Rosewood to watch Alfie Tanner, whose family works for the Hawthorne's, race in a horse race. Soon, she is involved in a murder investigation that leads her into the sights of a gangster.

I enjoy reading The Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Series. It's a fun, easy read. Rose is developing the characters in a great way. I like the flirting between Lady Hawthorne and Mr. Ashcroft. I always smile when I read their interactions.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, I think you would enjoy the Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Series.

Published October 30, 2024

Thank you to Booksiern and Rose for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊Happy Reading 😊

#Booksiern #oliviarose #theladyelizabethhawthorneseries #murderatthegrandnational #arc #cozies #cozymysyery #readaway2024

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the least liked racters dies!! Is it accidentally , intentionally, murder for love or revenge??? My mind was racing to guess whodunit. There certainly were enough possible suspects, plus the secret about the races is uncovered by a stealthy sleuthing lady. Now is she a target?? Oh the twist with a twist. My mind was blown! It got scary intense there for a while!! It escalated quickly and ended almost as quickly. Check it out. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Elizabeth and her cousin are a lovely pair of ladies who is 1924 find themselves embroiled with the murder of a 'nasty' jockey!

Despite warnings from the enigmatic Jonathan Ashcroft to not get mixed up in the events they do investigate.

The events become perilous….

This is a lovely period novel with engaging characters - it is part of the series and is best read in the order but each book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superior mystery!
Absolutely love this series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There's so much substance in Rose's writing! Once again I wasn't able to put it down~the plot runs along smoothly and then suddenly there's action on every side as the threads come together in a nail biting conclusion! Brilliant! The characters are well written and I enjoy Meli's bubbly enthusiastic personality ~ this could lead to further adventures for her. Jonathan's character is mysterious and elusive~ hopefully next mystery we'll learn more about him! Truly recommend the series to all mystery aficionados!

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The young race horse winner being a stable boy had only his upper class benefactors who believed him innocent of the crime he was accused of. The death of Reggie Black a rival race horse champion was making it very difficult to prove his innocence . Lady Elizabeth being an amateur sleuth is determined to find the truth . A intriguing read which has you on the edge of your seat. I received this ARC copy via Booksirens and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong fourth entry in the Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Mystery series, it had everything that I was looking for from the previous three books. The characters worked in this time-period and was engaged with what was happening. It uses the historical feel that I wanted and was glad I got to read this. Olivia Rose has a great overall concept and was written well.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likeable characters in an entertaining mystery that kept me guessing. My first read by this author, and I plan to continue with the series. I would have liked a bit more description of the characters, and more background information. Also, Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne would be addressed as “Lady Elizabeth”, never as “Lady Hawthorne”. But the story was interesting enough that I want to see what happens next.

I received free copy via Booksirens, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is another enjoyable addition to the Lady Elizabeth Hawthorne Mystery series. A family friend finds himself suspected of murder after a horse racing incident. As plots are unraveled and secrets revealed, Lady Elizabeth finds herself in peril. I had my suspicions but it kept me guessing. This can be read as a standalone.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite like the series, but the author has unfortunately now introduced a baddy who's going to keep recurring, which is a trope I find deeply annoying. Just write the full story and tidy up properly, don't try and make folk continue reading the series by leaving things unresolved - that's annoying and feels vaguely like coersion.

[Barb Hegreberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story starts with too much detail & contains too many characters. It was hard to follow.

I received this book free from the author, publisher, or other source. My only obligation is to provide a fair and honest review.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid cozy mystery. Not necessary to read the prior books. Strong FMC with the intuition you expect from a historical mystery.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so exciting a death at the Grand National has Lady Elizabeth investigating after a jockey is accused of murder who is a family friend. Her investigation leads to getting into danger and then leads to a dramatic conclusion. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it.

[Sherry Priddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun historical mystery. The story is fast paced. I look forward to the next.

[joann moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very surprised

As always, I picked the wrong culprit. I hope I get it correct in the next book.
I do so enjoy Olivia Rose's books. Can't wait for the next one.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. It felt like a slow start, but I enjoyed the last half.