What do you think?
Rate this book
Kitty Goring Investigates #1
Murder at Merivale Manor
A cozy dinner party, a playful game… and a very real murder.
London, 1923
Kitty Goring seems to have it all—lavish parties at London’s finest clubs, elegant soirées, and a parade of charming bachelors vying for her hand. But despite the glamour, Kitty longs for something a little more… thrilling.
In a bid for excitement (and to avoid her mother’s constant reminders that she really ought to be searching for a husband), Kitty dreams up the perfect diversion. A playful mock robbery at her family’s grand estate, Merivale Manor. It’s all meant to be fun—until one of the guests turns up very much dead.
With a real killer on the loose in quaint Hampstead Village, Kitty’s keen instincts kick in. Forget matchmaking—Kitty’s determined to unmask the culprit before anyone else falls victim. With a sharp wit and a flair for mischief, she dives headfirst into the investigation. But getting to the truth won’t be easy, especially with the brooding Detective Inspector Henry Burton underestimating her at every turn.
Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance—Kitty’s got her hands full in this charming whodunit!
Murder at Merivale Manor is the delightful first book in the Kitty Goring Investigates historical cozy mystery series; perfect for fans of Magda Alexander, Verity Bright and Kelly Mason.
Author's
London in the 1920s is a glamorous and exciting city, but danger and death are never too far behind. Join Kitty Goring and her group of Bright Young Things in the adventure of a lifetime, as they race to catch a killer who lurks amongst them.
Each book in this series is a cozy period mystery that features our plucky heroine, aided in her investigations by her scrappy little dog, Scottie, and a group of eccentric and lovable characters.
London, 1923
Kitty Goring seems to have it all—lavish parties at London’s finest clubs, elegant soirées, and a parade of charming bachelors vying for her hand. But despite the glamour, Kitty longs for something a little more… thrilling.
In a bid for excitement (and to avoid her mother’s constant reminders that she really ought to be searching for a husband), Kitty dreams up the perfect diversion. A playful mock robbery at her family’s grand estate, Merivale Manor. It’s all meant to be fun—until one of the guests turns up very much dead.
With a real killer on the loose in quaint Hampstead Village, Kitty’s keen instincts kick in. Forget matchmaking—Kitty’s determined to unmask the culprit before anyone else falls victim. With a sharp wit and a flair for mischief, she dives headfirst into the investigation. But getting to the truth won’t be easy, especially with the brooding Detective Inspector Henry Burton underestimating her at every turn.
Murder, mystery, and a dash of romance—Kitty’s got her hands full in this charming whodunit!
Murder at Merivale Manor is the delightful first book in the Kitty Goring Investigates historical cozy mystery series; perfect for fans of Magda Alexander, Verity Bright and Kelly Mason.
Author's
London in the 1920s is a glamorous and exciting city, but danger and death are never too far behind. Join Kitty Goring and her group of Bright Young Things in the adventure of a lifetime, as they race to catch a killer who lurks amongst them.
Each book in this series is a cozy period mystery that features our plucky heroine, aided in her investigations by her scrappy little dog, Scottie, and a group of eccentric and lovable characters.
- GenresMystery
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2024
169 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 21, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free and this is an honest review.
Murder at Merivale Manor is a cozy mystery set in 1920s London. The main character, Kitty, lives at the manor along with her mother and brother.
...
I really wanted to enjoy this book, liked the premise, I like a fun mystery. The characters were flat caricatures with little development. I despised the main character, a spoiled, immature child-woman who was a nuisance, and never developed into a strong female lead as I'd hoped. Her friend who is murdered at the beginning is viewed by her only in an unflattering light (sour, holding a candle for Kitty's brother whom everyone seems to agree she is not good enough for) UNTIL she dies. Then she WAS a dear friend and referred to as OUR _____. Her brother Jimmy is a worthless, jobless loser who is broke but gambles with his loser friends. Her mother whined and moaned and bitched endlessly about two single things. Where's my necklace? and You two need to marry into money to settle our debts! None of them were redeemable.
As Kitty began "investigating" (loosely accusing pretty much everyone, convinced of their guilt with the bare minimum of reasons and no recognition that she keeps being wrong), she is inexplicably angered by the detective who seems to be her archrival, and I don't understand why. He's a capable but gruff professional-- perhaps the only person I rooted for in the book. Her determination zooms from being for the murdered victim, her "dear friend," as she fights back the tears when the detective asks her to stop playing with the investigation, to refusing to stop her involvement, because where would the fun be in that? She's a bored little girl so she has every right to play the neighborhood's most inexperienced detective.
I could've handled the flat characters if I hadn't guessed who did the crime right as the guilty party was introduced early in the book.
Also, if you want to read the previous book, you'll have to read it ahead of time, because this book gives you all the spoilers of the previous book. Not a stand alone.
Murder at Merivale Manor is a cozy mystery set in 1920s London. The main character, Kitty, lives at the manor along with her mother and brother.
...
I really wanted to enjoy this book, liked the premise, I like a fun mystery. The characters were flat caricatures with little development. I despised the main character, a spoiled, immature child-woman who was a nuisance, and never developed into a strong female lead as I'd hoped. Her friend who is murdered at the beginning is viewed by her only in an unflattering light (sour, holding a candle for Kitty's brother whom everyone seems to agree she is not good enough for) UNTIL she dies. Then she WAS a dear friend and referred to as OUR _____. Her brother Jimmy is a worthless, jobless loser who is broke but gambles with his loser friends. Her mother whined and moaned and bitched endlessly about two single things. Where's my necklace? and You two need to marry into money to settle our debts! None of them were redeemable.
As Kitty began "investigating" (loosely accusing pretty much everyone, convinced of their guilt with the bare minimum of reasons and no recognition that she keeps being wrong), she is inexplicably angered by the detective who seems to be her archrival, and I don't understand why. He's a capable but gruff professional-- perhaps the only person I rooted for in the book. Her determination zooms from being for the murdered victim, her "dear friend," as she fights back the tears when the detective asks her to stop playing with the investigation, to refusing to stop her involvement, because where would the fun be in that? She's a bored little girl so she has every right to play the neighborhood's most inexperienced detective.
I could've handled the flat characters if I hadn't guessed who did the crime right as the guilty party was introduced early in the book.
Also, if you want to read the previous book, you'll have to read it ahead of time, because this book gives you all the spoilers of the previous book. Not a stand alone.
January 22, 2025
Loved it. A great 1st in the series. I will be hoping for more. Great characters.
March 15, 2025
This is book one in a new series. It’s a nice cosy little mystery. I can’t say I really cared for any of the characters. They all seemed more interested in money than anything else. I was a bit surprised who the murderer was. If you like light hearted easy to read books this is for you.
January 18, 2025
What happens when you throw a robbery party but it turns into a real life murder investigation? Kitty Goring may have been bored but she wasn't expecting that. Nor was she expecting the infuriating Scotland Yard detective, questionable friends of her brother, spoiled relatives, or a valuable jeweled necklace to really go missing. Even worse, she definitely wasn't expecting murder.
While I spent considerable time rolling my eyes at Kitty's occasionally dangerous impulses, I ultimately warmed up to her a bit more by the end of the book. As the first book of the series, the characters weren't fully fleshed out, but it was easy to see a possible romance ultimately blooming between Kitty, society girl, and Detective Henry Burton. Me thinks she protests too much of how annoying he is. He is patient, however, at least to an extent, even when she seems to come up with a new suspect that she proclaims as the murderer to him multiple times. I actually found myself sympathizing with him more than Kitty although it was clear she felt genuine guilt at how wrong an idea born from her boredom had gone.
Who killed poor Jane? Why do multiple bodies keep piling up? Are they connected? Kitty seems to suspect almost everyone at one time or the other, even her own mother. Mother, aka Lady Goring, is a piece of work, that's for sure. She is fixated on marrying off her children to well-to-do partners and seems to be more concerned with finding the thief who took her necklace than the killer. Or killers? Kitty's brother Jimmy is a nice enough guy, albeit all we really know of him at this point is he likes to gamble and has questionable friends, but murder? Even his friends seem unlikely murderers but why did they lie to Detective Burton? There are secrets everywhere, it seems, but who would have killed to prevent them being revealed? Kitty is already feeling guilt over things she didn't do. How does it all connect?
But, enough teasers. While I wasn't immediately taken by Kitty, I am considering catching up with this series asap. As it was, other than the basics, we don't know much about the characters, innocent or guilty, at this point, and I'm curious to see what the author has done with them. People are not always who they appear to be, of course, so that's another fun aspect, sorting out who's for real and who is the faker. I actually had a hunch about the guilty party early on but, like Kitty, no real proof, so it was interesting to read the big reveal of whodunit. Thanks to #BookSirens and the author for introducing me to Kitty and company. It's always intriguing to discover what happens when secrets explode in characters' faces, so to speak. And, oh, I can't forget Scottie. He was a great, fearless addition to the mix. More Scottie, I hope.
While I spent considerable time rolling my eyes at Kitty's occasionally dangerous impulses, I ultimately warmed up to her a bit more by the end of the book. As the first book of the series, the characters weren't fully fleshed out, but it was easy to see a possible romance ultimately blooming between Kitty, society girl, and Detective Henry Burton. Me thinks she protests too much of how annoying he is. He is patient, however, at least to an extent, even when she seems to come up with a new suspect that she proclaims as the murderer to him multiple times. I actually found myself sympathizing with him more than Kitty although it was clear she felt genuine guilt at how wrong an idea born from her boredom had gone.
Who killed poor Jane? Why do multiple bodies keep piling up? Are they connected? Kitty seems to suspect almost everyone at one time or the other, even her own mother. Mother, aka Lady Goring, is a piece of work, that's for sure. She is fixated on marrying off her children to well-to-do partners and seems to be more concerned with finding the thief who took her necklace than the killer. Or killers? Kitty's brother Jimmy is a nice enough guy, albeit all we really know of him at this point is he likes to gamble and has questionable friends, but murder? Even his friends seem unlikely murderers but why did they lie to Detective Burton? There are secrets everywhere, it seems, but who would have killed to prevent them being revealed? Kitty is already feeling guilt over things she didn't do. How does it all connect?
But, enough teasers. While I wasn't immediately taken by Kitty, I am considering catching up with this series asap. As it was, other than the basics, we don't know much about the characters, innocent or guilty, at this point, and I'm curious to see what the author has done with them. People are not always who they appear to be, of course, so that's another fun aspect, sorting out who's for real and who is the faker. I actually had a hunch about the guilty party early on but, like Kitty, no real proof, so it was interesting to read the big reveal of whodunit. Thanks to #BookSirens and the author for introducing me to Kitty and company. It's always intriguing to discover what happens when secrets explode in characters' faces, so to speak. And, oh, I can't forget Scottie. He was a great, fearless addition to the mix. More Scottie, I hope.
February 24, 2025
It all started innocently enough. Kitty Goring planned a fun game of Robbery at the dinner party her mother was throwing at their estate, Merivale Manor. She and her friends teamed up into two teams and competed to see who would be the first one to steal her mother’s ruby necklace. The winner had to wear the necklace in public the next day to prove they stole it, then the team would claim their prize. One of Kitty’s teammates agreed to wear the necklace at the faire the next day. It was a great lark until Kitty found her friend’s dead body in the woods and the necklace nowhere to be seen.
Unfortunately, the whole town blames Kitty for the crime. If she hadn’t come up with that stupid game, there wouldn’t have been a murder. Kitty decides to solve the murder, not just for justice for her friend, but to assuage her guilt at setting the tragedy in motion.
With a cast of delightful characters and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the end, Murder at Merivale Manor is a terrific read. Ella Strike captures the essence of England in the Roaring Twenties to a tee. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am enthusiastically leaving a 5-star review.
Unfortunately, the whole town blames Kitty for the crime. If she hadn’t come up with that stupid game, there wouldn’t have been a murder. Kitty decides to solve the murder, not just for justice for her friend, but to assuage her guilt at setting the tragedy in motion.
With a cast of delightful characters and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the end, Murder at Merivale Manor is a terrific read. Ella Strike captures the essence of England in the Roaring Twenties to a tee. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy of this book and am enthusiastically leaving a 5-star review.
March 15, 2025
Kitty Goring is bored. Life in Post WWI is far less exciting than she would like and her mother is attempting to solve the family's financial difficulties by marrying off Kitty and her brother to anyone with money.
So, Kitty decides to throw a party. She invites her friends to Merivale Manor for “A Grand Robbery”- a type of party popular with the gentry in London. The game sets teams of three against each other as they race to steal an object that is the target and then display it in public before returning it to the owner.
The object in question is an expensive ruby and diamond necklace that belongs to Kitty's mother and Kitty assures her it will be safe.
But, when Kitty's good friend and teammate, Jane is murdered and the necklace stolen from around her neck, Kitty is compelled to solve the case and recover the necklace.
This is a great book with many plot twists and it kept me involved throughout! Just when I thought I knew the culprit, new clues threw me off track and I had to rethink things- something I love in a mystery!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries set in 1920s London.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and I am pleased to leave this voluntary review.
So, Kitty decides to throw a party. She invites her friends to Merivale Manor for “A Grand Robbery”- a type of party popular with the gentry in London. The game sets teams of three against each other as they race to steal an object that is the target and then display it in public before returning it to the owner.
The object in question is an expensive ruby and diamond necklace that belongs to Kitty's mother and Kitty assures her it will be safe.
But, when Kitty's good friend and teammate, Jane is murdered and the necklace stolen from around her neck, Kitty is compelled to solve the case and recover the necklace.
This is a great book with many plot twists and it kept me involved throughout! Just when I thought I knew the culprit, new clues threw me off track and I had to rethink things- something I love in a mystery!
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries set in 1920s London.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and I am pleased to leave this voluntary review.
May 2, 2025
A dinner party game goes horribly wrong and ends in murder…
Murder at Merivale Manor is the first book in a new series of cosy murder mysteries set in England in the 1920s.
Kitty and her aristocratic family do not have much money so she tries to come up with some cheap entertainment. She devises a game where dinner guests need to steal her mother’s ruby necklace then be seen wearing it at the village fair the next day. Kitty’s team successfully steal the necklace but her friend Jane is murdered at the fair and the necklace is stolen.
This was a very short book but I really enjoyed it. Kitty is easy to like but finds herself at odds with most other characters. She is quite a sparky character and doesn't like to be constrained by the social norms attributed to her. I particularly liked the despair of the DI Burton at Kitty’s interference in his investigation.
The historical elements were enjoyable and the book seemed well researched. I did manage to guess the killer's identity but not the motive.
Murder at Merivale Manor is a very entertaining murder mystery, a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading more about Kitty.
Murder at Merivale Manor is the first book in a new series of cosy murder mysteries set in England in the 1920s.
Kitty and her aristocratic family do not have much money so she tries to come up with some cheap entertainment. She devises a game where dinner guests need to steal her mother’s ruby necklace then be seen wearing it at the village fair the next day. Kitty’s team successfully steal the necklace but her friend Jane is murdered at the fair and the necklace is stolen.
This was a very short book but I really enjoyed it. Kitty is easy to like but finds herself at odds with most other characters. She is quite a sparky character and doesn't like to be constrained by the social norms attributed to her. I particularly liked the despair of the DI Burton at Kitty’s interference in his investigation.
The historical elements were enjoyable and the book seemed well researched. I did manage to guess the killer's identity but not the motive.
Murder at Merivale Manor is a very entertaining murder mystery, a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading more about Kitty.
April 4, 2025
I love mysteries, although it has been a while since I read any. So this story was the perfect reintroduction. Historical fun with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming!
Kitty hosts a robbery game at her mother’s dinner party. One of the attendees is found the next day, without the stolen necklace or her life. When a detective comes to investigate, Kitty can’t help getting involved in solving the mystery. But can she solve it with danger lurking in the dark?
Highlights:
Kitty’s mother reminds me of Mrs Bennett
Life after WWI
Detective Burton
I love Kitty because she is smart and observant. I love that she is inquisitive and fun.
“My mother’s interview was over, which meant that I had no business lurking behind this tapestry any more. I should go back to the sitting room, but I couldn’t help myself. I simply had to hear the rest of the interviews, not because I didn’t trust DI Burton to find Jane’s killer, but because I wanted a stake in the game myself. I couldn’t sit by while someone else solved the mystery. I wanted to share in the solving of it, too.”
Kitty hosts a robbery game at her mother’s dinner party. One of the attendees is found the next day, without the stolen necklace or her life. When a detective comes to investigate, Kitty can’t help getting involved in solving the mystery. But can she solve it with danger lurking in the dark?
Highlights:
Kitty’s mother reminds me of Mrs Bennett
Life after WWI
Detective Burton
I love Kitty because she is smart and observant. I love that she is inquisitive and fun.
“My mother’s interview was over, which meant that I had no business lurking behind this tapestry any more. I should go back to the sitting room, but I couldn’t help myself. I simply had to hear the rest of the interviews, not because I didn’t trust DI Burton to find Jane’s killer, but because I wanted a stake in the game myself. I couldn’t sit by while someone else solved the mystery. I wanted to share in the solving of it, too.”
March 16, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is a delightful cosy mystery set in 1920s London. It's the first in the Kitty Goring Investigates series. Kitty organises a mock-up robbery at Merivale Manor, just for entertainment, but her fun evening doesn't go entirely as planned. In fact, it goes horribly wrong, when one of the guests is found dead.
I quickly warmed to these characters, especially Kitty and her mother. They made me smile, and I found that in general, this book had the type of atmosphere I was hoping for. Cosy mysteries are a favourite of mine, and always a good choice when I'm looking for a book to escape with and help me relax. I found this book charming, entertaining and easy to read in one sitting. In fact, it did remind me of Agatha Christie. I hope to read more books featuring Kitty as a protagonist.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is a delightful cosy mystery set in 1920s London. It's the first in the Kitty Goring Investigates series. Kitty organises a mock-up robbery at Merivale Manor, just for entertainment, but her fun evening doesn't go entirely as planned. In fact, it goes horribly wrong, when one of the guests is found dead.
I quickly warmed to these characters, especially Kitty and her mother. They made me smile, and I found that in general, this book had the type of atmosphere I was hoping for. Cosy mysteries are a favourite of mine, and always a good choice when I'm looking for a book to escape with and help me relax. I found this book charming, entertaining and easy to read in one sitting. In fact, it did remind me of Agatha Christie. I hope to read more books featuring Kitty as a protagonist.
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
March 9, 2025
Murder at Merivale Manor is the first book in the Kitty Goring Investigations series of historical mysteries set in the 1920s.
This first book introduces us to Kitty, a headstrong woman with a varied collection of friends and associates and a somewhat overbearing mother. The family is somewhat down on its luck but still working to keep up appearances. One of those is the need for Kitty's brother to marry well to recover the family fortunes.
But, as ever, all is not as it appears when a woman keen on Kitty's brother is unexpectedly murdered at the local fete. Feeling guilty about a silly game Kitty initiated that seems to have led to Jane's death, Kitty is determined to investigate and find the culprit.
This is a fun, quick read, and readers of the genre will enjoy discovering who the true culprit was.
This first book introduces us to Kitty, a headstrong woman with a varied collection of friends and associates and a somewhat overbearing mother. The family is somewhat down on its luck but still working to keep up appearances. One of those is the need for Kitty's brother to marry well to recover the family fortunes.
But, as ever, all is not as it appears when a woman keen on Kitty's brother is unexpectedly murdered at the local fete. Feeling guilty about a silly game Kitty initiated that seems to have led to Jane's death, Kitty is determined to investigate and find the culprit.
This is a fun, quick read, and readers of the genre will enjoy discovering who the true culprit was.
January 24, 2025
An excellent mystery. Also a good reminder of how marriage would often be used to save status, gain money, gain a title or because parents wanted the merger to another family…………….. no hint of love.
Kitty is a clever impoverished young aristocratic lady in 1923 who organizes a party based on planning a 'playful' theft of her mother's valuable necklace. The robbery is meant to be a game with the jewels to then be returned. However the theft becomes real and sadly one of the team players is murdered.
Kitty feels guilty as she organized the party and feels she must uncover the truth. This is a very interesting story with twists and turns and the goring family are very likable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kitty is a clever impoverished young aristocratic lady in 1923 who organizes a party based on planning a 'playful' theft of her mother's valuable necklace. The robbery is meant to be a game with the jewels to then be returned. However the theft becomes real and sadly one of the team players is murdered.
Kitty feels guilty as she organized the party and feels she must uncover the truth. This is a very interesting story with twists and turns and the goring family are very likable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2025
Much as I wanted to like this novel, I felt a bit turned off by Kitty's immaturity and wilingness to blame everyone else for ill deeds but possibly her own brother. While I was a little unclear in the very beginning who the murderer was in a game that turned ugly, I figured that out pretty quickly. I love this kind of novel usually but this one was not a complete pleaser. Maybe this was all done deliberately so we can watch Kitty "grow up", so to speak, as this is part of what, I believe, is meant to be a series. Although I received an advance review copy for free, my opinion are my own and left voluntarily.
March 10, 2025
Losing a friend to murder.
Kitty Goring is in need of something to rekindle the adrenalin rush she felt during the war. She decides on a robbery party and invites several friends of her's and her brother's. She plans the crime to win the contest and sends the object of the robbery home with her friend Jane. When Jane is murdered and the necklace goes missing she feels tremendous guilt and responsibility. A fine quick and easy read with good development of characters as the book goes on. A fine story set in 1920's London with a much different method of solving crime to modern times.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kitty Goring is in need of something to rekindle the adrenalin rush she felt during the war. She decides on a robbery party and invites several friends of her's and her brother's. She plans the crime to win the contest and sends the object of the robbery home with her friend Jane. When Jane is murdered and the necklace goes missing she feels tremendous guilt and responsibility. A fine quick and easy read with good development of characters as the book goes on. A fine story set in 1920's London with a much different method of solving crime to modern times.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 23, 2025
This delightful mystery honors the enduring love of Agatha Christie with a story and cast of characters reminiscent of so many iconic works. The story may not be as dark as some of her more memorable works, but it has enough depth and character to delight lovers of cozy mysteries everywhere. The book is in first person, which is a modern update from the usual cozy mystery style. I enjoyed the change. I found it deepened the mystery to have such limited perspective. Kitty Goring is a strong protagonist. She has a good sense of humor, quick wit and depth enough to be a believable sleuth. I give this one a strong recommendation for anyone who loves Jessica Fletcher or Miss Marple mysteries.
February 20, 2025
This was a fun read. What should be a robbery game ends up with a real robbery and murder. Kitty feels guilty for organising the game so sets out to catch the killer and thief much to the annoyance of the police inspector who is handling the case.
I quite enjoyed this. There was some misdirection and even though I figured things out, I enjoyed how the killer was unmasked. Look forward to seeing how the series progresses.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I quite enjoyed this. There was some misdirection and even though I figured things out, I enjoyed how the killer was unmasked. Look forward to seeing how the series progresses.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 13, 2025
This is a fun, fast-paced mystery that at 155 pages, readers can take in a sitting or two. As the first in a new historical cozy series, readers are introduced to a wide-range of characters. While I frequently wanted to reach through the pages and shake Kitty for making such impulsive decisions, I did enjoy the journey of discovering the true culprit. I honestly thought I had it figured out and at the last minute realized how wrong I was. Looking forward to reading more about Kitty and her adventures in future entries.
February 17, 2025
Well, she didn't get herself killed, which was good, because then there wouldn't be a book to read, right? Meantime, another inexperienced female sleuth sticks her nose in nobody's business, defying the local detective -- is this plot getting old, or what? -- and stumbles upon (lo and behold) the object of the theft. A fun read, but a stupid premise, sorry.
July 13, 2025
A wonderful historical cozy mystery! I recently signed up for a ARC copy of the newest addition to this series, but wanted to start at the beginning. So far, I absolutely adore this series! Kitty and Scottie are wonderful and I cannot wait to see where this story leads them.
Stay tuned!
Highly recommend!
Happy reading! 📖
Stay tuned!
Highly recommend!
Happy reading! 📖
July 26, 2025
I love Kitty she just needs to get things sorted out and can't bear it when the crimes, in this case the murder of her poor friend Jane, the vicar's daughter and the theft of her mother's valuable necklace are just too much for her to sit back and wait for the murderer to be found.
I am enjoying the Kitty Goring series and will read the next one ASAP.
I am enjoying the Kitty Goring series and will read the next one ASAP.
September 21, 2025
Kitty is having a dinner party at Merivale manor and she decides to play a game where they will steal her Mothers necklace. Her Mother is against this but they do it all the same. The next day when her friend is to return the necklace she is murdered. Kitty decides to investigate the murder and find out who killed her friend. This was a fun story and I recommend it.
February 26, 2025
A light period cozy mystery. The characters are colourful and the story is entertaining. I worked out the killer before the main chassis but not by much. An enjoyable quick read from a author new to me. Highly recommended.
March 18, 2025
This historical cozy mystery is a fun read for fans of the genre. It's the start of a new series and a new to me author. I found the mystery kept me intrigued and wasn't one I guessed beforehand.
An enjoyable cozy read.
An enjoyable cozy read.
December 10, 2024
A fun story, I enjoyed reading it.
April 7, 2025
BOOK 12/52 READ FOR THE 52 BOOK CHALLENGE 2025
PROMPT 3: TITLE BEGINS WITH 'M'.
Great cover and a promising synopsis; with only 176 pages, a relatively short read in which I enjoyed identifying who the true murderer was {quicker than Kitty who rather frustratingly accused just about everyone, mostly on the flimsiest of grounds}, I had such high hopes for this book and Katie in particular and yet ...
A big fan of feisty female characters, Katie was such a huge part of this book that alas I couldn't help but be heartily disappointed that she failed to materialise as the strong female protagonist I'd both hoped for and expected.
That her mother proved to be disagreeable was one thing {after all how many 'disagreeable' characters have made a book a great read for me?}, that she proved to be uninteresting as a character was quite another.
These two aside, speaking for myself, if only there had been one strong character the book might have been more to my taste but, as it was, the only character I could vaguely get behind was the gruff but handsome Detective Inspector Henry Burton.
Still, set in 1920's London, a book that will doubtlessly be enjoyed by many fans of period cozy mysteries with a dash of romance {I know its proving popular with the members of my reading group}. For myself, whilst the characters are yet to be fully fleshed out there are enough spoilers pointing to the fact that this isn't the last we'll be hearing of Katie and DI Burton that I'm hopeful that in time we'll see them and the others develop and become more fully rounded.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.
PROMPT 3: TITLE BEGINS WITH 'M'.
Great cover and a promising synopsis; with only 176 pages, a relatively short read in which I enjoyed identifying who the true murderer was {quicker than Kitty who rather frustratingly accused just about everyone, mostly on the flimsiest of grounds}, I had such high hopes for this book and Katie in particular and yet ...
A big fan of feisty female characters, Katie was such a huge part of this book that alas I couldn't help but be heartily disappointed that she failed to materialise as the strong female protagonist I'd both hoped for and expected.
That her mother proved to be disagreeable was one thing {after all how many 'disagreeable' characters have made a book a great read for me?}, that she proved to be uninteresting as a character was quite another.
These two aside, speaking for myself, if only there had been one strong character the book might have been more to my taste but, as it was, the only character I could vaguely get behind was the gruff but handsome Detective Inspector Henry Burton.
Still, set in 1920's London, a book that will doubtlessly be enjoyed by many fans of period cozy mysteries with a dash of romance {I know its proving popular with the members of my reading group}. For myself, whilst the characters are yet to be fully fleshed out there are enough spoilers pointing to the fact that this isn't the last we'll be hearing of Katie and DI Burton that I'm hopeful that in time we'll see them and the others develop and become more fully rounded.
Copyright ... Felicity Grace Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... One of several bloggers participating in the Blog Tour of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.
May 1, 2025
In London 1923 Kitty Goring has organised a mock robbery at her family home Merivale Manor. But the game quickly turns deadly when a body is discovered.
This was a really short and quick read. It was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s definitely one that I would recommend if you want a short read and like cosy crime with many twists and turns. Although this was a short read I didn't feel like that there was anything missing from the story.
Kitty's under a lot of pressure from her mother to marry so she tries to distract everyone by organising a mock robbery of her mother’s ruby and diamond necklace. This was meant to be a fun game but when her friend Jane who was last seen with the necklace is murdered, the game turns deadly. Kitty was a brilliant character. She is independent, knows her mind, is curious and won’t bow down to societal norms and pressures.
When Kitty discovers Jane murdered and the necklace missing she makes it her mission to find out what exactly happened. Despite the fact that the case is being investigated by Detective Inspector Henry Burton she doesn’t want to leave the case to him to investigate because she believes that he will miss important information. In some ways Kitty is the ideal person to investigate the case because she created the game, discovered Jane and knows all of the suspects.
There were many suspects and Kitty did have her work cut out for her. She had to look at everyone very closely to see me if they were involved or if they could be ruled out. I really did enjoy the banter between Kitty and Henry because they are the complete opposite. Henry sees Kitty as someone who is interfering in the investigation and Kitty sees Henry as someone who needs her help. But Henry does discover that Kitty is a valuable asset and does at times point him in the right direction. I could never have guessed the culprit and when all was revealed I was really surprised.
A brilliant cosy crime novel.
This was a really short and quick read. It was one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s definitely one that I would recommend if you want a short read and like cosy crime with many twists and turns. Although this was a short read I didn't feel like that there was anything missing from the story.
Kitty's under a lot of pressure from her mother to marry so she tries to distract everyone by organising a mock robbery of her mother’s ruby and diamond necklace. This was meant to be a fun game but when her friend Jane who was last seen with the necklace is murdered, the game turns deadly. Kitty was a brilliant character. She is independent, knows her mind, is curious and won’t bow down to societal norms and pressures.
When Kitty discovers Jane murdered and the necklace missing she makes it her mission to find out what exactly happened. Despite the fact that the case is being investigated by Detective Inspector Henry Burton she doesn’t want to leave the case to him to investigate because she believes that he will miss important information. In some ways Kitty is the ideal person to investigate the case because she created the game, discovered Jane and knows all of the suspects.
There were many suspects and Kitty did have her work cut out for her. She had to look at everyone very closely to see me if they were involved or if they could be ruled out. I really did enjoy the banter between Kitty and Henry because they are the complete opposite. Henry sees Kitty as someone who is interfering in the investigation and Kitty sees Henry as someone who needs her help. But Henry does discover that Kitty is a valuable asset and does at times point him in the right direction. I could never have guessed the culprit and when all was revealed I was really surprised.
A brilliant cosy crime novel.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews