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Miss Busby #4
A Very Elegant Murder
A Very Elegant Murder
Book 4 In the Miss Busby Series
Set amidst the picturesque Cotswolds, Hamnett Hall Hotel is known for its elegance, charm, and the annual spectacle of its Halloween Ball—a night of glamour and revelry. But this year's celebration takes a dark turn when Mrs. Olivia Fortesque collapses mid-waltz, her heart giving out at the stroke of midnight. Her untimely death sparks whispers of foul play, as Olivia had yet to finalize her will, leaving a fortune in limbo and potential heirs vying for a share. With rumors of murder swirling, Detective Inspector McKay arrives from Oxford to investigate. But it's the shrewd Miss Busby and the ever-determined Mrs. Adeline Fanshawe who may hold the key to unraveling the truth, as they delve into the secrets hidden within the stately walls of Hamnett Hall. A genteel mystery unfolds, where nothing is quite as it seems.
Book 4 In the Miss Busby Series
Set amidst the picturesque Cotswolds, Hamnett Hall Hotel is known for its elegance, charm, and the annual spectacle of its Halloween Ball—a night of glamour and revelry. But this year's celebration takes a dark turn when Mrs. Olivia Fortesque collapses mid-waltz, her heart giving out at the stroke of midnight. Her untimely death sparks whispers of foul play, as Olivia had yet to finalize her will, leaving a fortune in limbo and potential heirs vying for a share. With rumors of murder swirling, Detective Inspector McKay arrives from Oxford to investigate. But it's the shrewd Miss Busby and the ever-determined Mrs. Adeline Fanshawe who may hold the key to unraveling the truth, as they delve into the secrets hidden within the stately walls of Hamnett Hall. A genteel mystery unfolds, where nothing is quite as it seems.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
348 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Karen Baugh Menuhin
43 books798 followers1920's, Cozy crime, Traditional Detectives, Downton Abbey - I love them!
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 20, 2025
Entertaining mystery relationship listening 🐕😯
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book four of five
A women has died at the resort. Miss Busby is ask to investigate by going to the resort. It is an interesting investigation with lots of twist and turns of misdirection leading to the arrest of the killers! 😀
I would highly recommend this series and authors to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures action British mystery novels 😎🎊 2025 😋
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book four of five
A women has died at the resort. Miss Busby is ask to investigate by going to the resort. It is an interesting investigation with lots of twist and turns of misdirection leading to the arrest of the killers! 😀
I would highly recommend this series and authors to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures action British mystery novels 😎🎊 2025 😋
June 16, 2025
I really like this author, but unfortunately this book just couldn’t hold me. I’m not going to blame the book is probably my age and finding how to concentrate.
June 22, 2025
Very disappointing. Too many characters, and before you know it, it's all padding and waffle. If this had been my first Miss Busby book, I would not have read the rest. Let her do her detecting on her own, as she did in the beginning, with just a little interference from Adeline. And not enough Inspector McKay. Is he going to be sidelined now? Very disappointing.
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June 19, 2025Too long!
I liked the premise but not the characters. It went on at a slow pace with information repeated too often. It's too bad because I really liked all of her earlier books.
I liked the premise but not the characters. It went on at a slow pace with information repeated too often. It's too bad because I really liked all of her earlier books.
June 17, 2025
Karen Baugh Menuhin is a fine writer and the Miss Busby series is entertaining. However, surprises aside, I really felt that this cozy mystery just dragged on a little bit. I was longing for the conclusion. So, it's only three stars from me. Great characters. Just too much regurgitation of the facts of the case as various characters are updated on events. Groan.
August 2, 2025
an awesome who done it series.
This is an awesome whodunit story that takes place in England in the early years of the last century. It holds you, every page wondering who is the culprit and learning all the new characters. You will love the descriptions.. you will be taken right to the Manor houses. And the people will become friends that you will think about from time to time long after you finish reading. Enjoy.
This is an awesome whodunit story that takes place in England in the early years of the last century. It holds you, every page wondering who is the culprit and learning all the new characters. You will love the descriptions.. you will be taken right to the Manor houses. And the people will become friends that you will think about from time to time long after you finish reading. Enjoy.
June 15, 2025
A Very Elegant Murder
Book 4 of the Miss Busby Investigates begins with Inspector McKay asking for her help and opinion on the suspicious and sudden death of Violet Fortescue. I believe that the reader will be as confused as Miss Busby is until the denouement. A very clever cosy mystery.
Book 4 of the Miss Busby Investigates begins with Inspector McKay asking for her help and opinion on the suspicious and sudden death of Violet Fortescue. I believe that the reader will be as confused as Miss Busby is until the denouement. A very clever cosy mystery.
July 27, 2025
This one was very repetitive. I think it could be halved and still tell the tale.
Not really up to their usual standard.
I love Miss Busby and some of TBE other characters mostly or whol!y missing from this book.
Lucy and m Kay's story needed more looking into., in my humble yet determined Fab opinion.
These books are fun and interesting yet need more relationship exploration.
Love both Miss cohorts...usually both...in crime discovery...yet I do find in this book, her associate is truly annoying and a tad dense!
I will hope for better next time.
Love Barnaby and his constant antics...he is often the comic relief.
Enjoyed the characters surroundings Miss Busby, Richard and Mrs Fans base in this book.
However the ending seemed a bit rushed after so much repetition.
I love the Heath off Lennox stories, though there too would love to know more about the main characters.
Recommend for cozy mystery lovers who like a fast read, an engaging cast and an understandable story in a lovely little village with a couple of interesting and quirky pets...Pus, the cat and Barnaby, a jack Russell Terrier.
Happy reading!
Not really up to their usual standard.
I love Miss Busby and some of TBE other characters mostly or whol!y missing from this book.
Lucy and m Kay's story needed more looking into., in my humble yet determined Fab opinion.
These books are fun and interesting yet need more relationship exploration.
Love both Miss cohorts...usually both...in crime discovery...yet I do find in this book, her associate is truly annoying and a tad dense!
I will hope for better next time.
Love Barnaby and his constant antics...he is often the comic relief.
Enjoyed the characters surroundings Miss Busby, Richard and Mrs Fans base in this book.
However the ending seemed a bit rushed after so much repetition.
I love the Heath off Lennox stories, though there too would love to know more about the main characters.
Recommend for cozy mystery lovers who like a fast read, an engaging cast and an understandable story in a lovely little village with a couple of interesting and quirky pets...Pus, the cat and Barnaby, a jack Russell Terrier.
Happy reading!
June 22, 2025
I have liked the series so far, but this instalment is disappointing.
It is of the familiar country house/closed group of suspects variety, and not much happens while our sleuths are at work. Therefore, the book records faithfully and in detail what everybody (including the dog) does and with whom (including the dog). In between, each and every new morsel of a red herring is rehashed at length and leads to endless, repetitive speculations. Toward the end, I lost all interest in finding out whodunnit. This turned out to be a good thing, because, well, there are those solutions that need page after page of explanation, and that's never a good sign of quality.
I hope the next book will redeem the series.
It is of the familiar country house/closed group of suspects variety, and not much happens while our sleuths are at work. Therefore, the book records faithfully and in detail what everybody (including the dog) does and with whom (including the dog). In between, each and every new morsel of a red herring is rehashed at length and leads to endless, repetitive speculations. Toward the end, I lost all interest in finding out whodunnit. This turned out to be a good thing, because, well, there are those solutions that need page after page of explanation, and that's never a good sign of quality.
I hope the next book will redeem the series.
September 24, 2025
(Miss Busby #4). Cotswolds, England, November 1923. At the Hamnett Hall Hotel's Halloween Ball, its owner, Olivia Fortesque, collapses when her heart gives out at midnight. Detective Inspector Alistair McKay asks Miss Isabelle Busby to spend a few days at the hotel with her friend and fellow investigator, Adeline Fanshawe, to gather background as the matter is looked into by Scotland Yard. It turns out Mrs. Fortesque had no will, leaving her fortune in limbo, and there are quite a few scheming potential heirs willing to do just about anything to claim it. (2.5 stars)
June 29, 2025
This book really sludged on. I’ve liked her other books. The earliest ones were best. Now she’s just cranking them out and it shows. This one was soooo slow and soooo repetitive. There was no tension. And how many times can you walk around lake and then show up for food? The characters were dull, forgettable and predictable. And who done it was obvious. When I found her books I thought I’d found the next Agatha Christie. I was wrong.
October 11, 2025
Vin Mariani
Very interesting story of murder with so many people involved in the story. Miss Busby and Mrs. Fanshawe are asked by the Inspector to have an all paid few days at a very nice hotel, just to listen! The reason was because the owner of the hotel had passed away with uncertain circumstances. Needless to say, Miss Busby put her observations to good use. This murder was a very unusual story. (Be sure to read the Wikipedia about the Vin Mariani.)
Very interesting story of murder with so many people involved in the story. Miss Busby and Mrs. Fanshawe are asked by the Inspector to have an all paid few days at a very nice hotel, just to listen! The reason was because the owner of the hotel had passed away with uncertain circumstances. Needless to say, Miss Busby put her observations to good use. This murder was a very unusual story. (Be sure to read the Wikipedia about the Vin Mariani.)
December 25, 2025
Another mystery to solve - and this time at the request of the Inspector. I liked the setting and time period and the usual cast of characters. However, I felt it was a little too long. And a little too suddenly tied up with the very slightest of evidence. It was a bit of a stretch for me. But as usual the writing was cozy. I like this author but I prefer her Heathcliff Lennox series better.
June 18, 2025
Very Good
Miss Busby is always really interesting. In all these books they future strange facts that are not widely known like the Vin Martini. The plot good though a bit confusing at times, specially with Adalind’s interventions. The characters all great. I will certainly read the next one.
Miss Busby is always really interesting. In all these books they future strange facts that are not widely known like the Vin Martini. The plot good though a bit confusing at times, specially with Adalind’s interventions. The characters all great. I will certainly read the next one.
June 22, 2025
Hotel madness
Isabelle Busby is asked by inspector Makay to stay at a hotel were a suspicious death has occurred..
Isabelle, along with Adaline embark on a stay at the prestigious hotel in hope of discovering if anything sinister happened.
I loved this book as I enjoy all the books written by this author.
Isabelle Busby is asked by inspector Makay to stay at a hotel were a suspicious death has occurred..
Isabelle, along with Adaline embark on a stay at the prestigious hotel in hope of discovering if anything sinister happened.
I loved this book as I enjoy all the books written by this author.
December 1, 2025
Miss Busby Does It Again
A very convoluted crime, if you like to have the clues available before the final confession, you may be frustrated with this one. However, Miss Busby solves it before all the suspects leave town. Adeline and Richard are her assistants with Inspector McKay just making a cameo appearance at the end.
A very convoluted crime, if you like to have the clues available before the final confession, you may be frustrated with this one. However, Miss Busby solves it before all the suspects leave town. Adeline and Richard are her assistants with Inspector McKay just making a cameo appearance at the end.
June 12, 2025
A Gentle whodunit
Another excellent Miss Busby novel, I can recommend these four novels if you wish to be transported to an earlier time. It is a lovely change from the graphic modern detective books
Another excellent Miss Busby novel, I can recommend these four novels if you wish to be transported to an earlier time. It is a lovely change from the graphic modern detective books
June 13, 2025
Oh what a tangled web...
The authors certainly wove a tangled web with this book. It twists and turns until knots abound. I did guess correctly about a couple of things and I had suspicions about a certain person but not enough to say "they did it"! All in all a very good read.
The authors certainly wove a tangled web with this book. It twists and turns until knots abound. I did guess correctly about a couple of things and I had suspicions about a certain person but not enough to say "they did it"! All in all a very good read.
June 13, 2025
A wonderful mystery!
This mystery is wonderfully written with great details and well thought out characters. I have read all the books about Miss Busby and they just keep getting better!
This mystery is wonderfully written with great details and well thought out characters. I have read all the books about Miss Busby and they just keep getting better!
June 18, 2025
loved it!!!
Do you know when you are reading a really fun book, but life gets in the way!!!! I kept trying to sneak in a chapter here and a few pages there!!! This one I had NO idea, none!!!! It was so fun at the end.
Do you know when you are reading a really fun book, but life gets in the way!!!! I kept trying to sneak in a chapter here and a few pages there!!! This one I had NO idea, none!!!! It was so fun at the end.
June 21, 2025
Miss Busby is one of my favorite characters! Every time I think that I figured out who did it she proves me wrong. I love the way she ties things up. Then I sit there and think “Well, why didn’t I figure that out?” I highly recommend this book!
June 11, 2025
wonderful addition to the Miss Busby series. each of Karen's books is fresh, not a re-hash of the previous ones, as many authors seem to do. congratulations on another winner. well done yet again.
June 16, 2025
Good read
Loved the book. Love all the characters in the book. The book draws you in right away and has a surprise ending.
Loved the book. Love all the characters in the book. The book draws you in right away and has a surprise ending.
June 22, 2025
November 1923. Miss Isabelle Busby and Mrs Adeline Fanshawe are asked by Inspector Alistair McKay to stay at the Hammett Hall Hotel. To discreetly ask questions, as the owner Mrs Olivia Fortesque died at their Halloween Ball.
An entertaining historical mystery
An entertaining historical mystery
June 22, 2025
Very enjoyable. Totally delightful and very clever
The delightful Miss Busby once again excels in solving an intriguing murder mystery. I could not put the book down!
The delightful Miss Busby once again excels in solving an intriguing murder mystery. I could not put the book down!
June 30, 2025
good
Twisty historical mystery. It dragged a bit in a few places but I enjoyed the story. Looking forward to more
Twisty historical mystery. It dragged a bit in a few places but I enjoyed the story. Looking forward to more
July 6, 2025
Great who-done-it
In my opinion, this is the best book in the Miss Busby Investigates series. So many twists and turns the ending will delight and shock you.
In my opinion, this is the best book in the Miss Busby Investigates series. So many twists and turns the ending will delight and shock you.
July 7, 2025
A Sweet Murder
I enjoyed this cosy murder story. The ending was a surprise which is why I gave the book 4 stars.
I enjoyed this cosy murder story. The ending was a surprise which is why I gave the book 4 stars.
July 23, 2025
A Fine Mystery
This is another fine mystery in the Miss Busby Investigates series. The characters are endearing as well as clever. It kept me guessing till the end.
This is another fine mystery in the Miss Busby Investigates series. The characters are endearing as well as clever. It kept me guessing till the end.
September 20, 2025
Felt that story was dragged out too long - was ready for reveal about 1/2 through.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews