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Behind the Scenes: The Exhibition of Castlewood Manor
An entertaining blend of humor, suspense, and mystery!
As Lady Gemma prepares for the opening night of the Exhibition of Castlewood Manor, mishaps and tragedy strike, placing the grand opening in jeopardy. Is it a series of unfortunate incidents, or are more nefarious schemes at play in this kick-off to the holidays whodunnit?
From the desk of award-winning author Veronica Cline Barton comes the ninth thrilling installment in the My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series. This new tale is packed with mystery, intrigue, and unexpected twists!
In the weeks before Thanksgiving, Gemma and her family and friends travel to the family estate of Shadow Ridge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The manor, steeped in a family scandal of years past, has been renovated to host the festivities leading up to the holiday and the launch of the highly anticipated exhibition.
As opening night for the Exhibition of Castlewood Manor looms, the glamorous displays are being finalized for the fan-fav settings and costumes used in the hit period drama series. The mayor and businesses in the nearby town of Smoky Gulch seem eager to have the star-studded tourist attraction in their midst... but is everyone on board?
The start of the holiday season and a glamorous celebrity event can bring out the best and worst in people. Especially when a murderer is watching… waiting… and ready to strike.
Slip into something glamorous, sharpen your sleuthing skills, and enjoy a glittering mystery that will have you guessing until the last page!
Get your copy!
ALL BOOKS by VERONICA CLINE
👑 My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series
The Crown for Castlewood Manor (Book 1)
Cast, Crew & The Filming of Castlewood Manor (Book 2)
Deadly The Debut of Castlewood Manor (Book 3)
Mistletoe and Yuletide at Castlewood Manor (Book 4)
Double Showtime at Castlewood Manor (Book 5)
Twins in the Playtime at Castlewood Manor (Book 6)
Blood on the Harvest at Castlewood Manor (Book 7)
Murder on the Fashion Week at Castlewood Manor (Book 8)
Behind the The Exhibition of Castlewood Manor (Book 9)
*** Rikkhe St. Claire Hygge & Bisous Holiday Mysteries
Christmas Bizarre
A Novel Noel
As Lady Gemma prepares for the opening night of the Exhibition of Castlewood Manor, mishaps and tragedy strike, placing the grand opening in jeopardy. Is it a series of unfortunate incidents, or are more nefarious schemes at play in this kick-off to the holidays whodunnit?
From the desk of award-winning author Veronica Cline Barton comes the ninth thrilling installment in the My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series. This new tale is packed with mystery, intrigue, and unexpected twists!
In the weeks before Thanksgiving, Gemma and her family and friends travel to the family estate of Shadow Ridge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The manor, steeped in a family scandal of years past, has been renovated to host the festivities leading up to the holiday and the launch of the highly anticipated exhibition.
As opening night for the Exhibition of Castlewood Manor looms, the glamorous displays are being finalized for the fan-fav settings and costumes used in the hit period drama series. The mayor and businesses in the nearby town of Smoky Gulch seem eager to have the star-studded tourist attraction in their midst... but is everyone on board?
The start of the holiday season and a glamorous celebrity event can bring out the best and worst in people. Especially when a murderer is watching… waiting… and ready to strike.
Slip into something glamorous, sharpen your sleuthing skills, and enjoy a glittering mystery that will have you guessing until the last page!
Get your copy!
ALL BOOKS by VERONICA CLINE
👑 My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series
The Crown for Castlewood Manor (Book 1)
Cast, Crew & The Filming of Castlewood Manor (Book 2)
Deadly The Debut of Castlewood Manor (Book 3)
Mistletoe and Yuletide at Castlewood Manor (Book 4)
Double Showtime at Castlewood Manor (Book 5)
Twins in the Playtime at Castlewood Manor (Book 6)
Blood on the Harvest at Castlewood Manor (Book 7)
Murder on the Fashion Week at Castlewood Manor (Book 8)
Behind the The Exhibition of Castlewood Manor (Book 9)
*** Rikkhe St. Claire Hygge & Bisous Holiday Mysteries
Christmas Bizarre
A Novel Noel
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2024
About the author
Veronica Cline Barton
20 books72 followers
Veronica Cline Barton earned graduate degrees in both engineering and business and has had successful careers in the software and technology industries. Her lifelong love affair with British murder mysteries inspired her to embark on a literary career.
She loves all things glamorous; royals, acting, fashion (emphasis on boots and crowns) and loads of yummy foods and cocktails. When not traveling and spinning mystery yarns, she lives in California with her husband, Bruce, and her two cats, Daisy and Ebbie.
The Crown for Castlewood Manor is the first book in the My American Almost Royal Cousin Series, followed by Cast, Crew, & Carnage; the Filming of Castlewood Manor; Deadly Receptions, the Debut of Castlewood Manor; Mistletoe and Mayhem, Yuletide at Castlewood Manor and Double Trouble: Showtime at Castlewood Manor.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 3, 2025
This is the 9th installment of Barton’s My American Almost-Royal Cousin Series, and so far, my absolute favorite. Barton always brings the epitome of glitz, glamor, celebrity, royalty, and opulence into her murder mysteries. For a brief time, with vivid descriptions and beautifully fleshed out characters, we commoners get to live among this close-knit group of friends and family (royalty, movie stars, celebrity chefs, world famous designers, and fashionistas) in a world of luxury and grandeur. You might assume from the extensive wealth and privilege that these characters would be self-serving, elitist, and unapproachable, but you would be wrong. They are caring, giving, approachable, fiercely loyal, and very approachable, each one bringing their own unique quirkiness, humor, and charm to their personality. I’ve read the last three books in the series and every time it was like visiting old friends.
There are several unique elements to this story. The setting is usually in the UK among mansions and castle estates, but this is set in a small village, Smokey Gulch, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams has discovered an ancestorial estate, Shadow Ridge, owned by her family that has been abandoned for decades. The appearance of the estate is shrouded in mystery and scandal and rumors of tragedy. The estate has just been renovated for the family, and they are getting ready to debut an exhibition in town of the famous costumes from the period hit TV series and hit movie of Castlewood Manor to kick off the holiday season. The estate is cloaked in secret, mystery, and strange happenings and sightings. It quickly becomes evident that things are more dangerous than they appeared. There are elements of a gothic mystery that build tension, suspense, and add a spooky and eerie atmosphere. The plot is intricately woven with plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages. Once I began reading, I had to know what was going to happen. I highly recommend this complex and multilayered mystery. I loved it!
There are several unique elements to this story. The setting is usually in the UK among mansions and castle estates, but this is set in a small village, Smokey Gulch, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams has discovered an ancestorial estate, Shadow Ridge, owned by her family that has been abandoned for decades. The appearance of the estate is shrouded in mystery and scandal and rumors of tragedy. The estate has just been renovated for the family, and they are getting ready to debut an exhibition in town of the famous costumes from the period hit TV series and hit movie of Castlewood Manor to kick off the holiday season. The estate is cloaked in secret, mystery, and strange happenings and sightings. It quickly becomes evident that things are more dangerous than they appeared. There are elements of a gothic mystery that build tension, suspense, and add a spooky and eerie atmosphere. The plot is intricately woven with plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages. Once I began reading, I had to know what was going to happen. I highly recommend this complex and multilayered mystery. I loved it!
October 21, 2024
Ghosts, Murder, Glamour and Intrigue to Keep You Turning Pages!
Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams, married to Sir Kyle, has had many dangerous adventures in England. But she doesn’t leave trouble behind when she travels across the pond to the US. In “Behind the Scenes,” Gemma has very little time to get her bearings in the family estate located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The recently renovated homestead might have a beautifully updated interior, but that doesn’t mean a ghostly presence has been exorcised. It’s up to Gemma and her helpful family and friends to sort out the reason for the ghost’s presence, a scandal that included a previous occupant and her untimely death.
The mystery and danger surrounding the ghost is only one element in this beautifully written mystery. The living are clearly determined to threaten Gemma’s reason for coming to Shadow Ridge. While she’s trying to launch an extraordinary exhibition in the small town of Smoky Gulch, a murderer is on the loose. But this is no ordinary killer. This person is brilliant and clearly insane.
I won’t go into too much detail and spoil the fun of reading this clever mystery, but I will say there are many twists to keep you guessing. They include a complicated family history with lots of secrets to be discovered, underground chambers to explore, and high tech equipment that will keep you intrigued. While you’re busy trying to solve murder cases and scandals, you can also enjoy Gemma’s endearing family, delicious food and spirited drinks and a sometimes cozy, sometimes dangerous small town with a holiday atmosphere.
Author Veronica Cline Barton’s latest mystery leaves you feeling very satisfied and knowing you can highly recommend the book to your friends. Enjoy!
Lady Gemma Lancaster Williams, married to Sir Kyle, has had many dangerous adventures in England. But she doesn’t leave trouble behind when she travels across the pond to the US. In “Behind the Scenes,” Gemma has very little time to get her bearings in the family estate located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The recently renovated homestead might have a beautifully updated interior, but that doesn’t mean a ghostly presence has been exorcised. It’s up to Gemma and her helpful family and friends to sort out the reason for the ghost’s presence, a scandal that included a previous occupant and her untimely death.
The mystery and danger surrounding the ghost is only one element in this beautifully written mystery. The living are clearly determined to threaten Gemma’s reason for coming to Shadow Ridge. While she’s trying to launch an extraordinary exhibition in the small town of Smoky Gulch, a murderer is on the loose. But this is no ordinary killer. This person is brilliant and clearly insane.
I won’t go into too much detail and spoil the fun of reading this clever mystery, but I will say there are many twists to keep you guessing. They include a complicated family history with lots of secrets to be discovered, underground chambers to explore, and high tech equipment that will keep you intrigued. While you’re busy trying to solve murder cases and scandals, you can also enjoy Gemma’s endearing family, delicious food and spirited drinks and a sometimes cozy, sometimes dangerous small town with a holiday atmosphere.
Author Veronica Cline Barton’s latest mystery leaves you feeling very satisfied and knowing you can highly recommend the book to your friends. Enjoy!
October 19, 2024
Yay! The ‘My American Almost Royal Cousin’ series returns!
True to form, Lady Gemma et al find the preparations for an exhibition roll-out do not go smoothly. Moreover, it is rumored that, “The King is not amused” that the event is being held in the US rather than on the shores of Perfidious Albion.
As prima donna actors and fans descend on Shadow Ridge (Smoky Gulch, North Carolina), and local Mayor Luella MacLaughlan scents an opportunity for tourist dollars, what could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, quite a lot. And no MAARC novel would be complete without a murderer to hand.
The author throws in her hallmark treats of twists and red herrings galore, seasoned with human interest elements. Plus – if that weren’t enough – sabotage, deceit, drama, and a whole family under threat. If you’re a fan of this series, you won’t be disappointed. Bring on Book Ten!
And if you haven’t yet dived into Ms. Cline Barton’s writings, why not?
Here’s the opening, so you can see what you’re missing:
“Lightning tore through the sky perilously close. Its luminosity lit up the dark waters of Wolf Moon Lake. The waves lashed violently at the waterfront pummeling the terrace and docks. The mist loomed over the surrounding mountain tops providing an ominous, swirling cloak for the raging storm…”
True to form, Lady Gemma et al find the preparations for an exhibition roll-out do not go smoothly. Moreover, it is rumored that, “The King is not amused” that the event is being held in the US rather than on the shores of Perfidious Albion.
As prima donna actors and fans descend on Shadow Ridge (Smoky Gulch, North Carolina), and local Mayor Luella MacLaughlan scents an opportunity for tourist dollars, what could possibly go wrong?
As it turns out, quite a lot. And no MAARC novel would be complete without a murderer to hand.
The author throws in her hallmark treats of twists and red herrings galore, seasoned with human interest elements. Plus – if that weren’t enough – sabotage, deceit, drama, and a whole family under threat. If you’re a fan of this series, you won’t be disappointed. Bring on Book Ten!
And if you haven’t yet dived into Ms. Cline Barton’s writings, why not?
Here’s the opening, so you can see what you’re missing:
“Lightning tore through the sky perilously close. Its luminosity lit up the dark waters of Wolf Moon Lake. The waves lashed violently at the waterfront pummeling the terrace and docks. The mist loomed over the surrounding mountain tops providing an ominous, swirling cloak for the raging storm…”
December 1, 2024
Behind the Scenes: The Exhibition of Castlewood Manor, the 9th installment of Veronica Cline Barton's My American Almost-Royal Cousin series, begins the fun with main character Gemma being visited on a stormy night by a ghostly presence...and things just keep escalating from there! In this delightfully spooky tale, Gemma and family find themselves back in the United States situated in a lovingly restored estate home in North Carolina. A glamorous fan exhibition for the Castlewood Manor series has been carefully planned, but between ghostly encounters and foul play, a mystery is in the works as well. I love how this author has mastered the art of giving readers a cast of characters we adore and placing them in the midst of a page-turning, diabolical mystery. I won't give away any of the finer points of the plot, but a huge thumbs up for this one. A must read for fans of cozy mystery with an irresistible touch of royalty and glam!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews