Sipping Manhattan cocktails, strolling through Central Park and sightseeing at the Empire State building. Kitty Underhay is loving life in New York… until she stumbles across a murder!
Winter, 1936. Kitty receives an unexpected telegram just before Christmas saying that her father in New York is seriously ill. She and her husband Matt swiftly set out for America and, after a fraught ocean crossing, they arrive to discover he is much improved. Kitty decides to make the most of her visit by taking in the sights and attending a costume party thrown by her father’s friend, Mrs Dangerfield.
After a fabulous night, Kitty and Matt blow away the cobwebs with a chilly morning walk in Central Park. They enjoy watching ice skaters glide across one of the frozen lakes but then they discover their hostess Mrs Dangerfield murdered, her body partly hidden in some bushes. She is still in her evening wear, but her diamond earrings and necklace are missing.
Soon Mrs Dangerfield’s resentful daughter, elderly chauffeur and secret lover make Kitty and Matt’s suspect list. The finger of suspicion seems to be pointing towards Mrs Dangerfield’s secretary, but then the typist turns up dead too. With a mystery killer spoiling their trip to the big apple, will the amateur sleuths save the day, or will they breathe their last in the city that never sleeps…?
Fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey or Lee Strauss will adore this utterly charming murder mystery. The perfect treat for cozy crime fans!
Nell is an multi-award winning author who splits her time between Devon and the Black Country. She lives with her husband, daughters, a tank of tropical fish, and a crazy Cockerpoo called Teddy. She writes contemporary romance as Nell Dixon and historical cozy crime set in 1930's Dartmouth as Helena Dixon. She is represented by the Kate Nash Literary Agency.
Eighteenth in the Miss Underhay Mystery series and this time the author takes Kitty and Matt away from Devon and off to America.
It is fast approaching Christmas in 1936 when Kitty receives a telegram saying her father is sick. She and Matt immediately board a ship to New York but on arrival discover it was just another of her father's scams. They stay on to enjoy Christmas in New York but it becomes a working holiday when they find a dead body in the snow.
This was really nicely written and the atmosphere of New York in 1936 and in the holiday season was conveyed beautifully. There were plenty of suspects and an intriguing mystery which made the whole book a pleasure to read. Great too to know that #19 must already be underway since the author sets up its premise in the final pages of this book. Exciting!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
It was winter, not far from Christmas in 1936, when Kitty received a telegram from New York, saying her father, Edgar Underhay, was gravely ill and could Kitty come quickly. She and husband Matt Bryant, booked passage on a ship to New York, praying they'd arrive on time. But, as was usual with her father, Kitty discovered he wasn't unwell at all; he had his reasons for feigning illness. She was cross he hadn't sent another telegram, or answered her frantic calls. It was his good friend Nora Dangerfield who'd summoned them - now they were to go to a costume party in Nora's apartment in the lead up to Christmas.
The party was a vibrant one, but there were ructions among a few of the guests. When Matt, Kitty and Edgar finally returned to Edgar's apartment, they were exhausted. The following morning, Matt and Kitty headed out to breakfast, only to discover a dead body lying in the frost and snow behind the building. With the police on the job, Kitty still felt the need to investigate, even being so far from home and not knowing the procedures the NY police followed. Would she get herself and Matt in trouble, either with the local police or the murderer?
Murder in New York is the 18th in the Miss Underhay series by Helena Dixon and once again it was fun, entertaining and enjoyable. I've read this series from the beginning, and hope the author continues for a long time to come! Matt & Kitty are great characters, and their stories are usually set around Devon in England, so this was a pleasurable departure from the norm. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.
Christmas 1936 is fast approaching when Kitty Bryant receives news that her father is seriously ill in New York City. The journey by sea isn't quick, and Kitty and her husband Matt fear the worst until they see Edgar Underhay and realise the telegram may have been overstating things just a little!
The sender of the telegram and close friend of Kitty's father, Mrs Nora Dangerfield, extends them an invitation to her famous pre-Christmas charity ball, and they are happy to attend. Unfortunately, the following morning, as the couple head into Central Park for breakfast, they discover the body of one of the party goers and instantly their holiday changes!
I loved the atmosphere of book 18 in this great series and could picture Kitty's father's apartment, the views from the windows, and the world weary detective assigned to the case. The storyline was entertaining throughout and ended on a cliffhangerwhich was a bit of a shock!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and now need book nineteen to find out what happens next!
It is just about the Christmas season in 1936, and Kitty Underhay and her husband Matt are looking forward to celebrating their upcoming anniversary as well as participating in Christmas festivities. However, Kitty receives a disturbing telegram stating that her father is seriously ill. Kitty and Matt leave England and take a transatlantic trip to New York. During their weeks of travel, Kitty was really worried about her father. Imagine her surprise when she and Matt arrive and her father is in pretty good health.
Well, Christmas is in just a matter of days, so with a few parities ahead, Kitty and Matt will be spending the holiday in New York. When her father’s friend and neighbor Nora Dangerfield is murdered, police just may have more than one suspect. Back at home, Kitty and Matt are private investigators, so they cannot help but to begin poking around looking for answers themselves.
As a true fan of this long-running cozy mystery series by Helena Dixon, the murder mystery was intriguing as always. I couldn’t help but chuckle a couple of times when Kitty’s father expected to be waited on. Another thing I really enjoyed was Matt’s working on puzzles during his free time. As an avid jigsaw puzzle enthusiast, I found it gratifying that this hobby was seamlessly woven into the narrative. And let’s not forget Kitty’s penchant for snooping around while searching for answers.This book was a breeze to read and a total blast. I can’t wait to dive into the next book with Kitty and Matt and see what adventures they have in store for us. This series is a must-read for anyone who loves cozy mysteries, and I highly recommend it!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
4.5 Stars Winter, 1936. Kitty receives an unexpected telegram just before Christmas saying that her father in New York is seriously ill. She and her husband Matt swiftly set out for America and, after a fraught ocean crossing, they arrive to discover he is much improved. Kitty decides to make the most of her visit by taking in the sights and attending a costume party thrown by her father’s friend, Mrs Nora Dangerfield. After a fabulous night, Kitty and Matt decide to blow away the cobwebs with a chilly morning walk in Central Park. but then they discover their hostess Mrs Dangerfield murdered, her body partly hidden in some bushes. She is still in her evening wear, but her jewellery is missing. There are plenty of suspects & then her assistant dies too. Another entertaining, enjoyable cosy mystery, a very different setting but Matt & Kitty are soon in the thick of an investigation. I love the couple who work so well together. The cast of supporting characters are, apart from Edgar & Nora are not very likeable. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as red herrings until Kitty & Matt finally work out who the villain was & the climax is thrilling. I also liked the teaser about Matt’s former army friend &fingers crossed things seem to be looking up for Robert & Alice. A well written cosy mystery which was a riveting read I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
I'm back with Kitty and Matt for their eighteenth adventure, this time instead of England we're off to the big city of New York.
Kitty is summoned to New York by a telegram informing her that her father Edgar is ill. When she and Matt arrive, Kitty finds her father is not on death's door as she feared. Instead, she and Matt get themselves wrapped up in yet another murder investigation.
What a wonderful, wintery mystery this was! I've read every book in this series so far and not one has ever been a disappointment.
In the last few books, Kitty and Matt have been broadening their horizons from the English coast, travelling to the French Riviera and now America. It's quite the culture shock for the pair, seeing the decadence and over the top personalities over there.
As usual, there are a good number of suspects, clues and red herrings to follow along and see if you can work out the mystery before it's revealed. I'm going to be honest this one had me stumped!
It was also nice to Kitty's errant father, Edgar, who is always fun to read, making an appearance.
There was a nice bit of intrigue at the end of the book, which I looked forward to seeing how it plays out in the next book.
A brilliant series that I will never stop recommending to those who love a historical cozy mystery.
It's glitz and glamour in this instalment of the Miss Underhay series as Kitty and Matt have been called to New York at the behest of Nora Dangerfield, upstairs neighbour and friend of Kitty's father Edgar.
Fearing the worst and arriving to find Edgar in the rudest of health the Bryant's aim to enjoy a Christmas in New York and celebrate their wedding anniversary. As always though murder has other plans as Nora is found dead following a charity ball in her penthouse apartment. With so many suspects, motives and secrets and an uncooperative detective on the case it's up to our intrepid duo to piece together the clues and try and solve the case before Christmas Day.
This story came along just at the right time for me. I needed a new cosy mystery fix of one of my favourite series and I felt that this location worked well for Kitty and Matt. The case is intriguing and the supporting cast of characters are small enough and well rounded enough to ensure my interest in them as any number of them could have done it.
I had my suspicions of the murderer but enough red herrings were thrown my way to never make me sure which is something I feel Helena Dixon does well in these books. It ensures it's an overall satisfying read and you don't come away from it feeling it was too obvious or conversely too overly plotted.
A great addition to the series and one that ended on a cliff hanger that already has me ready and waiting for book 19 in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital review copy of "Murder in New York" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
In the historical cozy mystery MURDER IN NEW YORK Kitty and her husband, Captain Matthew Bryant, travel across the sea from England to New York after getting a telegram from Mrs. Nora Dangerfield with news that Kitty’s father, Edgar Underhay, is ill. When Kitty and Matt get to New York, they find Edgar in fine health. Kitty and Matt decide to stay at Edgar’s apartment and attend a Christmas costume party held at the upstairs apartment of Nora Dangerfield. I want to know if Edgar had actually been ill and want to find out about the costume party. I read on.
I view the books in the Miss Underhay series as comfort reads, and this eighteenth book is no exception. I do, however, long for a better description of New York City as Kitty and Matt do some sightseeing in the winter of 1936. The Kitty and Matt backstory is a nice addition to the main mystery. Great characters and an interesting plot make this a good read. The teaser for the next book is great, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Thank you, Bookouture and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of MURDER IN NEW YORK.
This is another book that is deep into the series it comes from. Murder in New York is the 18th book in Helena Dixon’s Miss Underhay Mystery series. It stands well on its own, possibly because Dixon takes her heroine away from the usual setting of England to New York City. The territory here is fresh for Kitty Underhay as well as this reader.
After receiving a telegram that her father is gravely ill and begging her to come to New York, Kitty Underhay arrives by steamship with her husband, Matt. The setting is New York City in the 1930s. They arrive at her father’s apartment and find him quite well. It seems he had to lay low for a while and he told a concerned neighbor he was ill, which prompted her to send the telegram.
Kitty and Matt decide to embrace Christmas in New York, despite being summoned under false pretenses. They attend a fundraising party hosted by Nora Dangerfield, the neighbor who sent the telegram. The following morning, as they are making their way to Central Park for breakfast, they find Mrs. Dangerfield’s body in the snow outside the apartment building.
Although Edgar, her father, urges them to stay out of it, Kitty and Matt find themselves in the middle of the investigation. When Mrs. Dangerfield’s assistant is poisoned, the suspect list is long. There are numerous people who might have wanted either or both of them dead. https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co... in New York by Helena Dixon – Murder in 1930s New York
As the book opens, Matt and Kitty are landing in New York. They'd received a telegram that Kitty's father was seriously ill, and they should get to him as soon as possible. So much for a peaceful Christmas and first wedding anniversary back in England. However, when they arrive at her father's apartment, he seems perfectly healthy. The two try to make the best of the trip, and soon are embroiled in another murder.
Matt and Kitty meet many of her father's acquaintances, and they're mostly thoroughly unpleasant people. After Kitty and Matt stumble over the body of one of them, they have trouble figuring out who killed the person, as seemingly everyone has a motive.
I thought the mystery was interesting, but look forward to getting back to England with the two.
I love Christmas in New York so I really enjoyed being there with Kitty and Matt in the 1930s. Since we didn't know any of the characters it made it more difficult to rule people out for the murder. A fun, festive read. Read my full review at Girl Who Reads.
Kitty and Matt are called to New York by a friend of Edgar, kitty's never do well father. When they arrive they find him in good health. Edgar's wealthy friend Nora, who lives in the pemthouse just above Edgar, invites th see m to her annual charity ball. They attend and meet all the family, friends, enemies, and in betweens of Nora. Nora is murdered after the ball and it is up to Kitty and to find out who did it and why. Another great read with lots of red herrings and interesting people along the way.
I did not enjoy this as much as some of the other stories in the series. I did not like the characters in New York and I did not like the resolution of the plot in New York. Hopefully, the next instalment in the series will be set in Devon again with the usual cast of characters.
An enjoyable addition to the Kitty Underhay series, this sees Kitty and husband Matt sail to New York after learning her wayward father is very ill. They arrive only to find him much recovered in the time it took them to travel over, but they are soon tripping over bodies again, after one of her father’s neighbours is murdered.
All the bits you love are here, with the fresh location of New York and a few new characters. Don’t worry, while Grams, Alice and Mrs Craven aren’t there in person, they do get name checked several times!
Perfect if you like a cosy historical mystery, NYC and a little Christmas snow.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I only gave this 3 stars because I just felt that all the storylines were not concluded. Yes, we found out who did it, but there were other side-characters' stories that we did not get satisfactory endings to. I like everything squared away even if they weren't the murderer!
As much as I love the characters in this series this book seemed to drag along too much for me, and the back and forth who done it just didn’t do much for me.
I have to say the ending left too many unanswered questions, with the cheating son in law, it went from them solving it to be on the ship home, not one of my favorite in the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Murder in New York" in exchange for my honest review.
This is the 18th book in the wonderful Miss Underhay series which gets better and better with each book. This story started on December 12th, 1936 with a telegram for Kitty to come to New York because her father was seriously ill. Kitty and her husband Captain Matthew Bryant booked passage on the SS Manhattan sailing from Plymouth to New York. A mysterious N. Dangerfield had sent the telegram but there had been no further telegrams and no answer on the phone when they tried to call Edgar. He had left for America at the beginning of the Great War and Kitty was raised by her beloved grandmother at The Dolphin Hotel in Dartmouth, Devon after her mother vanished. Trouble seems to follow Edgar and Aunt Hortense calls him a ne'er-do-well.
When they get to his flat they find that is he perfectly fine but as soon as Kitty figures out that he only responds to coded bell signals, he's up to no good once again. Nora, the upstairs neighbour is the one that sent the telegram. We learn that he's hiding from debt collectors following his latest shenanigans. We meet a cast of characters including Nora's daughter Lorena and her husband Rudolph, neighbours Titania and her husband Mortimer. Kitty and Matt are invited to a fancy party at Nora's. The following morning when they are on their way to breakfast, they find a body in the bushes - minus all her expensive jewelry. It seems wherever Kitty travels, body's will turn up.
Later Matt is woken from strange noises coming from the Penthouse above where Nora had lived. When he investigates, he finds another body. This time it appears there was poison in a tonic. There appears to be items missing from the flat, possibly at a pawnshop, things that reappear..
Kitty is always offended when she is left out of things or her "helpfulness" is not appreciated the way she feels it should be. Her father is always less than honest about his situation.
Why was Peggy pawning Nora's silver? What did she need the money for? Why was Peggy posting letters the night she died? Nora for certain was lured by someone she knew because she would never have worn her expensive jewelry otherwise.
Kitty and Matt are also celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary amid all this chaos. This was probably not how they had planned to spend this day. There is a lot of danger and a very exciting capture of someone that the reader probably did not consider as the killer.
When Matt and Kitty arrive back in England, Matt rushes off as he sees someone familiar in the crowd. Who is Captain Redvers Palmerston? And how can he be on a dock when he was injured in the Great War and passed away. The perfect set-up possibly for the next great adventure for Kitty and Matt!!!!
BEST COZY MYSTERY SERIES SINCE NANCY DREW!! Kitty and Matt are back at another mystery! My little mystery loving heart was so elated and I found out they were going to New York City! I couldn't wait to hear about their adventures in America! What could Christmas bring them? 🎙️
Kitty and Matt get an urgent call from a friend of her father saying he is ill! 'Tis the season for rejoining family! And maybe a little murder?! I love how attentive that Matt is always of Kitty! Any moment of distress for her he is there to protect her. And vice versa! 💖
Kitty and Matt arrived in New York to find her father Edgar is perfectly fine! He was sick prior now he is back to his good old entertaining self LOL. He convinces the couple to stay for Christmas and come to a party with a lovely and mysterious socialite! Our favorite detective couple enter a game of cat and mouse when murder takes place and there is no suspect to trace! 🫢
(I totally imaged the apartment from The Marvelous Mrs Maisel as one of the movie sets in my mind LOL) 📖
The way Helena Dixon writes her mystery series is layered to perfection! I easily follow along with the flow of her writing such as a multitude of icings coming together to create a cosmic cupcake! 🧁
Every time I turn to chapter Helena always gives us a surprise or curiosity around the book corner! I actually kept jotting down notes thinking I know who it is! But then evidence would remove that character and I was on the hunt again! My blood was pumping, and my mind was racing when all the pieces started to fall together! ☕
Kitty is a force to be reckoned with lol!! In between shopping and going to visit the Rockefeller Christmas Tree she was determined to get justice jingle bell style! I really love how Helena describes the characters reactions in certain scenes. The vocabulary she uses makes each scene really pop! I felt like I was in a Christmas episode of Murder She Wrote and Kitty can be Jessica's aunt! 🎆
I still swoon over Matt LOL that man had my heart since book 1! He is a protective wolf around Kitty and the charm shines through for him in this book during the Christmas season! 😊
The side characters were a lot of fun! It was as if I was getting to know an estranged family and couldn't wait to see what shenanigans and secrets they held! 💕
I will be reading Helena's books for life! I have always been a mystery fan! And Helena and her writing are the essence of mystery and pure entertainment. Every time a character is mentioned in a new volume I think back to how I first read about them. I'm collecting Helena's books in paperback and I always go to them when I'm having a good or bad day or in between days lol 🍨
Bravo!!! I cannot wait for more Kitty and Matt mysteries and any other series she will give to us!🌌
Set in a less hectic time, readers wanting a somewhat leisurely read will enjoy this mystery set in New York City during Christmas, 1936. Kitty and husband Matt receive a telegram in England telling them her NYC based father is ill. Although her relationship with her father is, well, complicated, they're on a ship heading to New York. The voyage isn't a smooth one but when they arrive, they discover her father not only living in an upscale apartment overlooking Central Park, but that he's far from seriously ill. Nevertheless, the decide to spend the holiday there, enjoying all 1936 NYC has to offer. They're enjoying the scenery, which includes ice skating and a lovely tree, not to mention the shopping and delicious food to be had. Then, there's a murder.
This is really where the story begins. Kitty knows her father is occasionally, well, frequently involved in less than lawful activities and fears he may be accused. That said, as much as I enjoy Kitty and Matt, it seemed like the investigation was largely Kitty snooping rather than professional. I've got to admit that I was somewhat disappointed in that as I was thinking it'd be interesting to see the contrasting styles of American and British investigators of the time, not to mention seeing how they might work together (or not). Hence a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars. In any case, as Kitty surely knows by now, trying to eavesdrop can get you in trouble. Matt's skills come into play, too, and we're reminded of his past injuries in the war and how they may impact his efforts. I'd forgotten he once routinely suffered from sleep walking, for instance, which explains Kitty's worry when he isn't beside her when she wakes in the night. In any case, they're a likable couple and even her father, while rather furtive at times, seems likable enough. Unfortunately, not all the people they meet are the same and it's up to their smarts and instincts to sort out whodunit.
Bottom line, a pleasant read. While more leisurely than more modern cozies, after all, this one is set in a pre-techie time when communications and police work were slower in nature, it's difficult not to like this young, adventurous couple. I liked that the author included some of Matt's background and felt this one worked as a standalone. I honestly wasn't sure of the culprit until the end, either, which is always fun, if frustrating for those of us who try to solve it before our sleuths. Thanks #Bookouture for giving me an early peek at how life is going for Kitty and Matt. It was great fun to visit and tour NYC in a far less hectic, complicated time. I could just envision the colorful lights, figure skaters, and sights and sounds of 1936 New York City.
Murder in New York is the newest and 18th book in the Miss Underhay Mystery series. This one has Kitty and Matt investigating far from home. When Kitty gets an emergency telegram from the upstairs neighbor of her father in New York, she and Matt head across the pond for Christmas, not sure what condition her father would be in when they arrive. When they arrive at his apartment, they find him much improved, so plan on spending a pleasant holiday in New York. They attend a costume ball at the neighbors and meet others from the building. There is an altercation between two women, so Kitty, Matt and her father, Edgar decide to leave. The next morning when Kitty and Matt head over to a restaurant in the park, they come across a body. It is their hostess from the previous evening. She has been killed and all the jewelry she was wearing has been stolen. They call for the police and because we know how curious Kitty is, end up getting involved in the investigation. Using her father's connections, they begin to put pieces together. What they discover is that almost everyone has secrets and many of the people they have met are having affairs. What would Mrs. Craven think? Who killed Nora Dangerfield and why?
This was another wonderful historical mystery. Although they were in America and many of the characters that I have come to know and love were missing, the characters in New York were an interesting lot. They were an eclectic group, rich, spoiled, selfish, yet with some redeeming characters. Nora was a great friend to Kitty's father, but was lonely and had an affair with a neighbor. He had planned to leave his wife to marry Nora. Was his wife the killer? Her daughter was in love with an philanderer and he was not a very nice man, did he kill his mother-in-law because he was afraid she would tell his wife and meal ticket. What about her servants who she treated and paid poorly. Because they were in New York, they didn't have the same working relationship with the police as they do in England, so their investigation went very slowly. For every step forward, there were two steps backward. Even though they were busy investigating, they had time to visit several wonderful restaurants as well as balls and parties, so they still got to enjoy some festive activities as well as celebrate their anniversary. I enjoyed the descriptions of Christmas in New York in 1936 along with the mystery. Another great addition to this series.
Murder in New York by Helena Dixon sees Matt and Kitty rushing (as fast as a steam liner can carry them) to the bedside of Kitty’s father who is deathly ill in New York City. When they arrive they discover that his friend, Nora Dangerfield, had overreacted and communication being what it was and the fact the ship couldn’t turn around anyway, they found themselves in New York City for Christmas. The first item on the agenda was a masked ball at Nora’s penthouse, right above the apartment in which Edgar was staying. It was a lovely evening, despite the fact some of the guests were a little less reserved that what Kitty and Matt were used to. One woman even slapped Nora across the face, although it turned out Nora had been having an affair with her husband. Still, it was out of the ordinary and the woman had been drunk. The evening was soon lost to memory when Kitty and Matt came across Nora’s body outside the building, dead, sans her expensive jewelry. They called the police and were treated to quite a different investigation than the ones they were used to in England.
Kitty and Matt are a very cute married couple. For most of the series they were not married and by American standards are still conservative in their public affection for one another. Edgar, was still Edgar, one step away from being a criminal. Sadly the police detective recognized him, although did not really consider him a suspect. The suspects were rife, as always, and each very odd, in their own ways. Then, Nora’s daughter fired both her mother’s butler and assistant and gave them until after Christmas to be gone. The butler was charged with packing up the penthouse as they would be redecorating before moving in while they escaped for a vacation in California. It seemed rather cold-hearted. The investigation did not run smoothly and when Kitty finally figured it out, she found herself in a spot of danger. What a great couple these two are: beautifully written and perfect for each other. The mystery was a good one but made sense when everything came to light, if murder ever makes sense. It is a cleverly written book, thoroughly an English mystery, reflective of the time.
I was invited to read Murder In New York by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #HelenaDixon #MurderInNewYork
I just wrapped up Murder in New York by Helena Dixon, and let me tell you, it was a delightful ride! This book has everything I love about cozy mysteries, and it’s set against the fabulous backdrop of 1936 New York City. Talk about a perfect combo!
So, here’s the scoop: our protagonist, Kitty Underhay, gets an unexpected telegram that her father is seriously ill, prompting her and her husband Matt to rush to New York. After a choppy ocean crossing, they arrive to find out he’s actually on the mend. Kitty decides to embrace the city while she’s there, indulging in classic Manhattan cocktails and taking leisurely strolls through Central Park. But, just when things seem to be going swimmingly, Kitty stumbles upon a murder—not just any murder, but that of her father’s friend, Mrs. Dangerfield, who is discovered dead after a fancy costume party. Talk about a buzzkill!
The story unfolds as Kitty and Matt try to untangle the mystery surrounding Mrs. Dangerfield’s death. The suspects are as colorful as the setting: there's the resentful daughter, the elderly chauffeur, and even a secret lover. As if that wasn’t enough to keep you guessing, another death complicates things even further. I found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering who the culprit could be.
What I absolutely loved about this book was how enjoyable it was. It stands strong as a standalone read—perfect for those who haven’t dived into the series yet. The writing is top-notch; it flows well and keeps you engaged from start to finish. The pacing felt just right, never dragging but still allowing enough time to savor the sights and sounds of New York. The characters are wonderfully likable, making it easy to root for them as they navigate this tangled mystery.
Overall, this book is a well-plotted whodunit that kept me guessing right until the end. I can’t express how much I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series! If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries or just looking for a fun escape into the past, I highly recommend giving Murder in New York a read. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
ARC provided by Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
Murder in New York by Helena Dixon is another delightful installment in the Miss Underhay Mystery series, bringing charm, suspense, and sharp wit to a thrilling whodunit set in the bustling heart of 1930s New York. Fans of historical mysteries will find this latest adventure irresistible.
This time, Kitty Underhay and her dashing fiancé, Captain Matt Bryant, have traveled across the Atlantic for what promises to be a celebratory occasion. However, their plans quickly take a darker turn when a glamorous party at a Manhattan high-rise ends in murder. Amid the glittering lights of the city that never sleeps, Kitty and Matt are thrust into a deadly mystery involving betrayal, secrets, and danger at every turn.
Helena Dixon masterfully brings 1930s New York to life, painting vivid scenes of the city's grandeur and grit. From the roaring jazz clubs to the shadowy alleys, the setting becomes a character in its own right, providing the perfect backdrop for Kitty's sleuthing adventures.
Kitty Underhay continues to shine as a protagonist—clever, courageous, and endlessly resourceful. Her dynamic with Matt is as engaging as ever, blending romance and partnership in a way that feels genuine and heartwarming. The supporting cast, both familiar faces and new ones, add depth and intrigue to the story, keeping readers guessing as the suspects pile up.
The mystery itself is impeccably crafted, with red herrings and twists that will keep you hooked until the final reveal. Dixon’s attention to detail and her ability to weave historical elements into the narrative add authenticity and richness to the plot, making the stakes feel all the more real.
Murder in New York is everything fans of the series could hope for—charming, suspenseful, and utterly captivating. Helena Dixon continues to deliver top-notch historical mysteries, and this latest book is no exception. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to Miss Underhay’s adventures, this is a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts.
Kitty Underhay visits the Big Apple and finds herself stumbling upon on a dead body in Murder in New York, the latest enjoyable instalment of Helena Dixon’s historical cosy crime series.
When she receives a telegram just before Christmas informing her that her father is seriously ill in New York, Kitty immediately books herself and her husband Matt passage on the next available ship. After a fraught ocean crossing, they arrive and much to their relief discover that Kitty’s father’s health is much improved. Having come all this way, Kitty and Matt decide to make the most of their trip to New York by taking in the sights and attending a party hosted by Mrs Dangerfield, a friend of her father’s. The couple have a wonderful time at the costume ball, however, the following morning after going on a brisk walk in Central Park, they get the shock of their lives when they find Mrs Dangerfield’s body in her evening wear with her jewels missing!
Never able to resist a mystery, Kitty and Matt begin doing some sleuthing and discover that there were plenty of people who stood to gain from the deceased’s passing. But which one of them is the killer? Could it be Mrs Dangerfield’s daughter? The elderly chauffeur? Or a secret lover? Kitty and Matt think that Mrs Dangerfield’s secretary might be the killer, but when she turns up dead too, this investigation becomes more complicated than they initially realised!
Can the sleuths get to the bottom of this case? Can they solve the crime and find out whodunnit? Or will this murder in New York go unsolved?
I always enjoy Helena Dixon’s Kitty Underhay mysteries and Murder in New York is another fun page-turner I devoured in a matter of hours. Full of wit, humour, red herrings and shocking revelations you simply do not see coming, Murder in New York is an entertaining and captivating whodunnit from Helena Dixon perfect for mystery fans everywhere!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A missive via Telegram sent from New York, telling Mrs Kitty Bryant her father is seriously unwell, sees Matt and Kitty ocean bound on the SS Manhattan, in a desperate bid to get to New York to assist her father, Edgar Underhay, a man who had only in recent years, returned to her life. Arriving in New York, she discovers that Edgar seems to have made a somewhat miraculous recovery, if indeed he was unwell at all, he is living in a very luxurious apartment and has been befriended by Mrs Norah Dangerfield, a wealthy society patron and widow, who lives on the floor above. Kitty and Matt are convinced Edgar is up to something, but what, and as he seems to be restored to good health they decide to make the most of their time in New York. Invited to Norah’s annual Christmas fundraiser, they have a rather enjoyable if unexpected evening, but are interested in the dynamics between the people in attendance after a confrontation occurs between Norah and one of her inebriated guests. A walk in search of breakfast the following morning sees them discover the body of Norah in the deep snow, still in her evening gown, but very definitely dead. The police are called and even though Matt and Kitty explain their business in England they are warned by New York’s finest, not to meddle in their murder enquiry. When another death occurs, they find that in spite of their best efforts not to get involved they do, much to the chagrin of the local Police department. As they live almost on the spot, they find that watching the other residents of the Apartment block becomes a daily occurrence and even though there are several people who could have murdered Norah, why would they murder again! Murder in New York is a gripping, intriguing and challenging case to solve once again from the pen of Helena Dixon, as Kitty and Matt discover that all is most definitely not as it seems, as they and the New York Police Department finally combine their resources to catch a ruthless killer!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Helena Dixon for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder in New York coming out November 25, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Winter, 1936. Kitty receives an unexpected telegram just before Christmas saying that her father in New York is seriously ill. She and her husband Matt swiftly set out for America and, after a fraught ocean crossing, they arrive to discover he is much improved. Kitty decides to make the most of her visit by taking in the sights and attending a costume party thrown by her father’s friend, Mrs Dangerfield.
After a fabulous night, Kitty and Matt blow away the cobwebs with a chilly morning walk in Central Park. They enjoy watching ice skaters glide across one of the frozen lakes but then they discover their hostess Mrs Dangerfield murdered, her body partly hidden in some bushes. She is still in her evening wear, but her diamond earrings and necklace are missing.
Soon Mrs Dangerfield’s resentful daughter, elderly chauffeur and secret lover make Kitty and Matt’s suspect list. The finger of suspicion seems to be pointing towards Mrs Dangerfield’s secretary, but then the typist turns up dead too. With a mystery killer spoiling their trip to the big apple, will the amateur sleuths save the day, or will they breathe their last in the city that never sleeps…?
I’ve read a few books in this series now. I still need to read all of them. I really love cozy mysteries. I’m obsessed with Kitty and Matt’s relationship. I love their support. The time period is really interesting. New York is always a fun setting for books. I loved the mystery. I would definitely read more by this author!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy historical mysteries!
Kitty Bryant rushes to New York with her husband Matt when she gets a telegram saying her father is seriously ill. On arrival, the pair discover that Edgar is not as ill as he claimed and they decide to enjoy the sights of the city. But instead they find the body of a neighbour and become embroiled in another murder investigation... Murder in New York is the 18th book in the historical cosy murder mystery series set in the 1930s which features Kitty Bryant and her husband Matt. There are no spoilers about earlier books in the series although there are some mentions of Kitty and Matt's pasts. Nora Dangerfield is a vibrant yet caring neighbour, welcoming Kitty and Matt to New York. Sadly they find her dead body and can't resist investigating. Motives and suspects are everywhere they look: Nora's lover and his jilted wife, two members of staff whose employment was at risk, Nora's daughter and son in law concerned about their inheritance. On the personal side, Kitty has had a strained relationship with her father in the past so it is to her credit that she races to his bedside when she hears he is ill. Luckily the pair enjoy a better relationship in this book despite her annoyance that his illness was exaggerated. I did miss the peripheral characters that usually feature in this series but I liked the focus on Kitty and Matt. The writing style is easy to read and I liked how the descriptions brought New York in the 1930s to life. Kitty and Matt get on quite well with the American detective but do manage to place themselves in danger in the course of the investigation. There is a big mystery at the end, hopefully setting us up for the next book... Murder in New York is an enjoyable cosy historical murder mystery.
Murder in New York by Helena Dixon is another fabulous entry in the Miss Underhay series. This time Kitty and Matt are spending Christmas in the Big Apple, due ultimately to shenanigans by Kitty’s mischievous father, Edgar. Perfect for the current weather, New York is beautifully described, with freshly falling snow, department stores decorated for the season and lots of classy restaurants. Edgar appears to have landed on his feet in a luxurious city centre apartment.
Kitty and Matt are invited with Edgar to a society fundraising party in the building’s penthouse suite. The party is glamourous but not without incident as someone slaps the hostess! The next morning, Kitty and Matt are upset to discover the corpse of their charismatic hostess in the snow behind the building. Not confident in the local cops, they decide to investigate themselves.
Murder in New York is another cosy triumph, featuring many beautiful sights of New York, alongside a lot of amateur sleuthing among a good group of suspects, the city’s rich elite. This is despite being warned away by the local lieutenant. It is well-written and engaging and the descriptions of the cold weather are seasonally appropriate. Kitty is a fun character who cannot help getting herself involved.
I had no idea whodunit and was surprised by the outcome. It was a dramatic denouement and there was a further twist in the tale at the very end of the book. I hope this means there is more to come from Miss Underhay. With huge thanks to the publisher for my copy of Murder in New York and for my spot on the blog tour.
The Miss Underhay Mystery series is now on book eighteen! Murder in New York sees Kitty and Matt receiving a telegram to say Kittys' father in New York is seriously ill. They hot foot it back to New York to discover her father seems to have recovered well. They attend a costume party hosted by Mrs Dangerfield, her fathers' friend.
What they don't know yet is that they will discover Mrs Dangerfield dead. This gives the duo something to investigate (as they tend to do rather a lot). Will they be able to solve this mystery, or will the killer get to them first?
I have read some of the books in this series and have always enjoyed them. It's a large series of books, and although I haven't read them all, I bet it's fabulous when read concurrently and from the start. Helena Dixon does write characters so well. I always love returning to Kitty. She gets into some situations, that's for sure.
The setting of New York made this an even more entertaining read. The glitz and glam that comes with this city during the christmas period especially made me feel all festive too! There are plenty of suspects along the way to give Kitty and Matt plenty to do. It was refreshing to see the duo work together with none of their usual backup.
Another book and series I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading cosy crime with great characters and a plot that keeps you turning the pages. Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my gifted ebook to write my honest review.
I love this series. It’s one of the few historical cozies that constantly delivers the perfect blend of period detail and a good mystery. And did I mention that the covers are always enticing and set the mood.
In this installment, Kitty and Matt are bound for New York when they receive a message that Kitty’s father, Edgar, is ill. When they arrive, they find him much improved and suspect that perhaps he was not sick but perhaps hiding from people he didn’t want to see. Regardless, they decide to make the best of the holidays and accept an invitation to attend a charity costume party up in the penthouse of Edgar’s somewhat swanky building. It’s a shock when they find their hostess, the wealthy widow Nora Dangerfield, dead alongside a path in the park the next morning on their way to breakfast. Not only does it appear that she had been murdered, she had also been robbed of all of her jewels.
Despite being far from home and unable to use their credentials, Kitty and Matt begin their own investigation without permission of the local NYC police. There are many friends and acquaintances to question and lots of them have plenty of motive, means, and opportunity to kill Nora. But who did it?
I love the characters and the way the author writes the stories. I always feel like I am meeting up again with old friends when I pick up a new book featuring Kitty and Matt. This is the 18th and I feel it is important to begin this series at the beginning. I highly recommend it for a comfort read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.