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The Sally and Johnny Heldar Mysteries #3
Mord auf Westwater Manor
Mord in der Bibliothek - Sally und Johnny ermitteln
Zwischen den sonnenverbrannten Hügeln der englischen Countryside erstreckt sich das Landgut der Familie Thaxton. Kaum ist das Buchhändlerpaar Sally und Johnny auf Westwater Manor angekommen, entpuppen sich die seltenen Erstausgaben, die die Bibliothek der Thaxtons auszeichnen, als fragwürdige Fälschungen. Zudem wird der Gutsherr Sir Mark vor den Augen der Gäste in hitzige Debatten verwickelt. Denn zum Leidwesen seiner Nachbarn hat er eine große Farm errichtet und den nebenliegenden Fluss durch einen Damm aufgestaut. Die scheinbare Idylle wird endgültig erschüttert, als Sir Mark leblos aufgefunden Jemand hat ihn mit einem präzisen Schlag ermordet. Auf raffinierte Weise entwirren Sally und Johnny in ihrem zweiten Fall die Verstrickungen rund um den Gutsherren und kommen dem Mörder dabei bedrohlich nah. Dieser könnte noch immer auf Westwater Manor weilen und jederzeit ein weiteres Mal zuschlagen.
»Mord auf Westwater Manor« ist die Cosy-Crime-Wiederentdeckung des Sommers, voll flirrender Spannung und kluger Ermittlungen.
Zwischen den sonnenverbrannten Hügeln der englischen Countryside erstreckt sich das Landgut der Familie Thaxton. Kaum ist das Buchhändlerpaar Sally und Johnny auf Westwater Manor angekommen, entpuppen sich die seltenen Erstausgaben, die die Bibliothek der Thaxtons auszeichnen, als fragwürdige Fälschungen. Zudem wird der Gutsherr Sir Mark vor den Augen der Gäste in hitzige Debatten verwickelt. Denn zum Leidwesen seiner Nachbarn hat er eine große Farm errichtet und den nebenliegenden Fluss durch einen Damm aufgestaut. Die scheinbare Idylle wird endgültig erschüttert, als Sir Mark leblos aufgefunden Jemand hat ihn mit einem präzisen Schlag ermordet. Auf raffinierte Weise entwirren Sally und Johnny in ihrem zweiten Fall die Verstrickungen rund um den Gutsherren und kommen dem Mörder dabei bedrohlich nah. Dieser könnte noch immer auf Westwater Manor weilen und jederzeit ein weiteres Mal zuschlagen.
»Mord auf Westwater Manor« ist die Cosy-Crime-Wiederentdeckung des Sommers, voll flirrender Spannung und kluger Ermittlungen.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2021
The amateur sleuths in this story are an antiquarian book dealing husband and wife team. That in itself I liked - quite a good and unusual set up, and it felt authentically described (I’ve since read the author had personal experience in this field). They take on a job to reorganise a library in a country house/ mansion, where someone is subsequently murdered. All in all, a decent mystery, but have you heard of show don’t tell? I felt sometimes it was a tad more on the ‘tell’ side, even though it was via dialogue; a lot of the dialogue consists of long unbroken explanations of what happened, rather than an exchange, or people finding out for themselves. Maybe it was to keep the size of the book down? I notice it is quite short. But the upside of that is it’s a quick read.
I’ve read a few of these rediscovered golden age mysteries and there is nearly always some casual racism/ discrimination/ stereotypes that were prevalent at the time, so be prepared for that. It is set a decade after the second world war has ended, and its repercussions deeply affect each character – although I didn’t feel I got to know any of them in depth; but then this is book two in a series, and I haven’t read book one – so that may have placed me at a disadvantage. Some books age better than others and this one still gives you a good puzzle to solve.
I’ve read a few of these rediscovered golden age mysteries and there is nearly always some casual racism/ discrimination/ stereotypes that were prevalent at the time, so be prepared for that. It is set a decade after the second world war has ended, and its repercussions deeply affect each character – although I didn’t feel I got to know any of them in depth; but then this is book two in a series, and I haven’t read book one – so that may have placed me at a disadvantage. Some books age better than others and this one still gives you a good puzzle to solve.
May 3, 2021
Henrietta Hamilton is an author I was unaware of until recently. This is now the second book of hers I have read; it is the second in her Sally and Johnny Heldar mysteries which I am happy to say I’ve read in order.
This however can be read out of order for its own merits as it does not demand any knowledge of their first adventure into crime sleuthing.
Sufficient to understand they met at work in an antiquarian bookshop and their relationship blossomed solving a murder close to home.
When Johnny is approached by an old friend and long-standing customer to his home to catalogue his library and make a valuation for him. The couple look forward to a break in Hampshire, a bit of a busman’s holiday.
Matters take a turn for the worse when their host takes a fall but no-one thinks it a serious attempt on his life.
Unfortunately the police believe his subsequent death was indeed murder. With a narrow window of opportunity and a finite number of suspects among the guests and visitors that afternoon, suspicion falls on nearly everyone, servants included. (Did the Butler do it?).
His heir who is aware of the Heldar’s previous dabbling into detective matters asks them to help him find the truth.
In the best tradition of this genre, various motives abound, recent agreements take on more significance and the changing of a will seems to add clarity and point to guilt.
Not quite Agatha Christie but worthy to be read by fans of her work; it was a quick and interesting read full of mystery and suspense.
I liked the characters the general ease, regarding suspects interactions and motivations.
It has almost an historical drama feel, with references to wartime service and stuttering postwar Britain. A genuine attempt to portray life in a stately home in Hampshire with colloquial dialects included.
A gentle paced and much less a stressful book than some action thrillers. However it still will stimulate your imagination but saves you being overwhelmed by adrenalin.
A serious book nonetheless, not just a cosy murder.
Enlightening and a doff of the cap to a less well imagined time in history and an almost forgotten author.
This however can be read out of order for its own merits as it does not demand any knowledge of their first adventure into crime sleuthing.
Sufficient to understand they met at work in an antiquarian bookshop and their relationship blossomed solving a murder close to home.
When Johnny is approached by an old friend and long-standing customer to his home to catalogue his library and make a valuation for him. The couple look forward to a break in Hampshire, a bit of a busman’s holiday.
Matters take a turn for the worse when their host takes a fall but no-one thinks it a serious attempt on his life.
Unfortunately the police believe his subsequent death was indeed murder. With a narrow window of opportunity and a finite number of suspects among the guests and visitors that afternoon, suspicion falls on nearly everyone, servants included. (Did the Butler do it?).
His heir who is aware of the Heldar’s previous dabbling into detective matters asks them to help him find the truth.
In the best tradition of this genre, various motives abound, recent agreements take on more significance and the changing of a will seems to add clarity and point to guilt.
Not quite Agatha Christie but worthy to be read by fans of her work; it was a quick and interesting read full of mystery and suspense.
I liked the characters the general ease, regarding suspects interactions and motivations.
It has almost an historical drama feel, with references to wartime service and stuttering postwar Britain. A genuine attempt to portray life in a stately home in Hampshire with colloquial dialects included.
A gentle paced and much less a stressful book than some action thrillers. However it still will stimulate your imagination but saves you being overwhelmed by adrenalin.
A serious book nonetheless, not just a cosy murder.
Enlightening and a doff of the cap to a less well imagined time in history and an almost forgotten author.
February 2, 2021
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March 11, 2021
Despite reading these out of order, but I am nonetheless enjoying them. Although this narrative felt more streamlined, it paled compared to the other two (for me). If anyone is working their way through the series, this should be read to see how the husband and wife duo are sharpening their deductive skills.
This is the second book of the series with Sally and Johnny, who are now married. Sally has given up her job, which felt odd to me, given that it is a family establishment. Also, given that Johnny has a prominent role in the unravelling of the case, he does not feature on the cover in some capacity too!
Coming back to the plotline, the wedded couple is tasked with cataloguing a man's library. There has been a few unexpected twists and turns in the fate of the estate in question, and their presence on site is preferable to them popping in and out. While there, they are given the full brunt of the swirling emotions around the current owner. One incident occurs and immediately after another happens, leading to the Heldars now part of a murder inquiry. It was quite refreshing to see the police being level-headed and on the right track. It is only insider information that the Heldars chance upon that leads them to the correct answer before the person in charge of the inquiry.
It was a decent storyline, and although I guessed the culprit quite early on, I was not disinterested in the goings-on in the book. I liked the other two books better than this one, mostly because I enjoyed the rapport and the banter between the lead couple as much as I liked their sleuthing capacity. I, therefore, had to rate this one differently. It is not a big book, and reading it is quite an easy feat. I would not dissuade anyone from picking this up, if on the lookout for an older mystery written by a more unknown author.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my reading experience of this and the other books by the same author.
This is the second book of the series with Sally and Johnny, who are now married. Sally has given up her job, which felt odd to me, given that it is a family establishment. Also, given that Johnny has a prominent role in the unravelling of the case, he does not feature on the cover in some capacity too!
Coming back to the plotline, the wedded couple is tasked with cataloguing a man's library. There has been a few unexpected twists and turns in the fate of the estate in question, and their presence on site is preferable to them popping in and out. While there, they are given the full brunt of the swirling emotions around the current owner. One incident occurs and immediately after another happens, leading to the Heldars now part of a murder inquiry. It was quite refreshing to see the police being level-headed and on the right track. It is only insider information that the Heldars chance upon that leads them to the correct answer before the person in charge of the inquiry.
It was a decent storyline, and although I guessed the culprit quite early on, I was not disinterested in the goings-on in the book. I liked the other two books better than this one, mostly because I enjoyed the rapport and the banter between the lead couple as much as I liked their sleuthing capacity. I, therefore, had to rate this one differently. It is not a big book, and reading it is quite an easy feat. I would not dissuade anyone from picking this up, if on the lookout for an older mystery written by a more unknown author.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my reading experience of this and the other books by the same author.
July 6, 2021
This brought back memories of a childhood spent listening to adult conversations over endless cups of tea in which the words, actions and attitudes of relatives and neighbours were analysed, dissected and interpreted. It was the way my English-born grandparents and parents made sense of their world, gathering intelligence and preparing for the future. The antiquarian book expert amateur detectives in this book use much the same method.
I don’t doubt the efficacy of the method. It does, however, become a bit tedious to read , even for one like me, who is a crime procedural tragic.
There are plenty of red herrings and options. The characters are engaging and the mystery convincing. I’d like to see the conversational deliberations edited and summarised,
I don’t doubt the efficacy of the method. It does, however, become a bit tedious to read , even for one like me, who is a crime procedural tragic.
There are plenty of red herrings and options. The characters are engaging and the mystery convincing. I’d like to see the conversational deliberations edited and summarised,
February 11, 2021
The style of writing, characters and setting were good. But the plot was a disappointment since I was able to figure out the murderer quite early on. While I understand why none of the characters in the book figured it out It was obvious to a modern reader who would not look at the problem with the cultural and social assumptions of someone living in post-war UK.
November 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters, especially the investigating couple Sally and Johnny Heldar, well written. Both Sally and Johnny and their relationship are written in an understated way and are very believable.
The story is set in the 1950's when Sir Mark Mercator is living at Westwater, the traditional home of the Thaxton's of whom he is the only surviving member (by marriage), having brought it from his nephew's fiancee after the nephew's death in the Korean War. However it was discovered that Richard, the nephew, had not been killed but was kept in a Chinese prisoner of war camp and he has just recently been released. Sir Mark is a very rich and amenable, as well as being very fond of his nephew so there is no problem with transferring ownership of Westwater back to Richard, except for two things. First Sir Mark had combined his own personal library with the Westwater one and this needs sorting out for which he hires the Heldars, and second is the dislike he has for his nephew's fiancee. Then Sir Mark has a fall, believed to have been caused by tripping on a carpet on a highly polished floor and then he is found dead in his study, a death that may have been written off except for Johnny - an ex-commando - recognising the signs of a blow to his throat. Does his murder have its roots in the Second World War.
For all that I liked this book especially Johnny, Sally, Sir Mark and Richard, there were some moments of racial stereotyping as Sir Mark, one of his employees and another character are Jewish. But considering the time the book was written these moments are few and are not overtly derogatory, certainly Sir Mark is very warmly written as a kind, considerate, courtly and slightly mischevious person. What I think was more jarring to me was a line by Richard where he is explaining that his uncle had some prejudice against Germans which he was aware of and tried to fight against, and I'm thinking is it any surprise he had a prejudice considering his daughter, who had married a German count, had died in a concentration camp as had her husband and most of Sir Mark's family!! I understand the concept that not every German was a Nazi which I think is where this is coming from but it does seem to almost brush aside a terrible event.
Overall though I did enjoy this and will certainly look out for others in the series.
The story is set in the 1950's when Sir Mark Mercator is living at Westwater, the traditional home of the Thaxton's of whom he is the only surviving member (by marriage), having brought it from his nephew's fiancee after the nephew's death in the Korean War. However it was discovered that Richard, the nephew, had not been killed but was kept in a Chinese prisoner of war camp and he has just recently been released. Sir Mark is a very rich and amenable, as well as being very fond of his nephew so there is no problem with transferring ownership of Westwater back to Richard, except for two things. First Sir Mark had combined his own personal library with the Westwater one and this needs sorting out for which he hires the Heldars, and second is the dislike he has for his nephew's fiancee. Then Sir Mark has a fall, believed to have been caused by tripping on a carpet on a highly polished floor and then he is found dead in his study, a death that may have been written off except for Johnny - an ex-commando - recognising the signs of a blow to his throat. Does his murder have its roots in the Second World War.
For all that I liked this book especially Johnny, Sally, Sir Mark and Richard, there were some moments of racial stereotyping as Sir Mark, one of his employees and another character are Jewish. But considering the time the book was written these moments are few and are not overtly derogatory, certainly Sir Mark is very warmly written as a kind, considerate, courtly and slightly mischevious person. What I think was more jarring to me was a line by Richard where he is explaining that his uncle had some prejudice against Germans which he was aware of and tried to fight against, and I'm thinking is it any surprise he had a prejudice considering his daughter, who had married a German count, had died in a concentration camp as had her husband and most of Sir Mark's family!! I understand the concept that not every German was a Nazi which I think is where this is coming from but it does seem to almost brush aside a terrible event.
Overall though I did enjoy this and will certainly look out for others in the series.
January 31, 2021
This is book two (of four) in the Johnny and Sally Heldar mystery series though the third to be re-published by Agora Books. Johnny and Sally are now happily married and this book is much more focussed on the mystery at hand than ‘The Two Hundred Ghost’ which centred more on their romance with the crime much less to the fore. As such, this novel is much more traditional and, unlike many of its contemporaries from the 1950s, is a straightforward puzzle harking back to the golden age rather than the more psychological type thriller that was becoming increasingly popular at that time.
The author uses the novel to introduce several characters who have been affected in some way or other by war. This is always subtle and never at the expense of the story but we are certainly shown the different ways in which conflict can scar people even if they are physically well. Although the period in which the story is set shows, in many ways, a simpler and less frenzied world than now, clearly damaged souls with greed in their hearts and gentle people who wanted to be good neighbours were just as prevalent as they are today. The setting seems just as relevant and modern in these pandemic-stricken times as it was when it was written.
Although the set up for the plot is fairly straightforward there are twists and turns aplenty and many suspects. I think I pinpointed the culprit at almost the exact point in the story when Johnny worked it out although he had a much better explanation than me! I was quite proud of myself though as I rarely work these stories out prior to the dénouement. The clues are all there though, this is definitely a fair play mystery for those who like to pit their wits against the detective.
This is the book which I have enjoyed most so far from this series so far (though I thought both books one and four were excellent). I look forward to book three being republished in the near future so that this excellent set of detective stories is available once more in its entirety for us to enjoy.
The author uses the novel to introduce several characters who have been affected in some way or other by war. This is always subtle and never at the expense of the story but we are certainly shown the different ways in which conflict can scar people even if they are physically well. Although the period in which the story is set shows, in many ways, a simpler and less frenzied world than now, clearly damaged souls with greed in their hearts and gentle people who wanted to be good neighbours were just as prevalent as they are today. The setting seems just as relevant and modern in these pandemic-stricken times as it was when it was written.
Although the set up for the plot is fairly straightforward there are twists and turns aplenty and many suspects. I think I pinpointed the culprit at almost the exact point in the story when Johnny worked it out although he had a much better explanation than me! I was quite proud of myself though as I rarely work these stories out prior to the dénouement. The clues are all there though, this is definitely a fair play mystery for those who like to pit their wits against the detective.
This is the book which I have enjoyed most so far from this series so far (though I thought both books one and four were excellent). I look forward to book three being republished in the near future so that this excellent set of detective stories is available once more in its entirety for us to enjoy.
January 28, 2021
This is a reissue of an excellent classic crime book. Sally and Johnny Heldar had a long honeymoon in March and April, but now it's a hot summer in London. Johnny has been asked to do a rush job on a private library in the country by Sir Mark Mercator. He asks if Sally would go with him to help, and they could make it partly a vacation. Mercator's wife was a Thaxton, and Mercator had bought the Thaxton family seat Westwater near Fanchester about a month previously. The older generations of owners had died, and the son Richard was shotdown in Korea when he was in the RAF. He had left everything to his girlfriend, Lisa Harz, who had made the sale to Mercator. However, two days before, the Chinese had released Richard. In the mean time Mercator had merged his own library with the Thaxton library.
When Richard and Lisa arrive at Westwater, there were immediate tensions. A pompous neighbor, Colonel Darby comes by and starts to complain about some changes Mercator had been making. The estate agent George Willesdon is usually drunk and not very effective, and he has been fired. On their first day in the library they find a conterfeit book (a later edition has been doctored to look like the first edition which is supposed to be in the library). Then, Mercator has a fall and hits his head. The Heldars are not sure whether it was an accident or a murder attempt. When Mercator is murdered, the police have a lot of suspects. When Willesdon is found drowned by the dam, it is assumed he committed suicide because he was Mercator's killer. However, Richard asks the Heldars to investigate and figure out the real murderer. It is found that Mercator had written a new will leaving everything to Richard; if Richard marries Lisa, then it all goes to charity. This makes Richard the prime suspect. Can the Heldars identify the real murderer before the wrong person is charged?
When Richard and Lisa arrive at Westwater, there were immediate tensions. A pompous neighbor, Colonel Darby comes by and starts to complain about some changes Mercator had been making. The estate agent George Willesdon is usually drunk and not very effective, and he has been fired. On their first day in the library they find a conterfeit book (a later edition has been doctored to look like the first edition which is supposed to be in the library). Then, Mercator has a fall and hits his head. The Heldars are not sure whether it was an accident or a murder attempt. When Mercator is murdered, the police have a lot of suspects. When Willesdon is found drowned by the dam, it is assumed he committed suicide because he was Mercator's killer. However, Richard asks the Heldars to investigate and figure out the real murderer. It is found that Mercator had written a new will leaving everything to Richard; if Richard marries Lisa, then it all goes to charity. This makes Richard the prime suspect. Can the Heldars identify the real murderer before the wrong person is charged?
October 11, 2026
Gleich zu Beginn will ich die Sünde des Querlesens gestehen. Und interessanterweise erinnerte ich mich beim energischen Durchblättern daran, dass es mir beim ersten Teil auch so erging, nur zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt.
"Mord auf Westwater Manor" ist der dritte historische Krimi um die beiden Charaktere Sally und Johnny, die ich auch bereits aus dem ersten Teil kannte (den zweiten Band habe ich ausgelassen bzw. ging ich davon aus, dass "Westwater Manor" der zweite Teil sei...). Die beiden bibliophilen jungen Leute werden zu einem älteren Herren auf einem großen Landsitz eingeladen, um die große Bibliothek zu katalogisieren. Und es kommt, wie es kommen musste, erst gibt es einen Unfall und schließlich findet ein Mord statt.
Zentrum ist das große Herrenhaus, was ich als Ort sehr charmant finde. Die ersten 100 Seiten hatte ich auch noch viel Spaß beim Lesen, doch mit der Zeit merkte ich, dass ich nur noch mühsam vorankam. Und das lag daran, dass die diversen Ermittlungsansätzen der verschiedenen Charaktere mir einfach zu viel des Guten waren. Zu viele Details, zu viele Schleifen und kein Vorankommen. Und irgendwann machte ich dann Nägel mit Köpfen, ließ den gesamten Mittelteil aus, um mich auf die letzten vier oder fünf Kapitel zu konzentrieren. Was soll ich sagen? Ich kenne nun den Mörder, das Motiv und habe nicht den Eindruck, sehr viel verpasst zu haben.
Der Krimi ist nicht schlecht und gerade diese vielen "Umdrehungen" bei den Ermittlungen sind ein typisches Element der Autorin. Das muss man einfach mögen bzw. die Geduld dafür haben. Wenn man diese hat, würde ich auf jeden Fall die Reihe versuchen, ansonsten eher zu einem Klassiker von Agatha Christie greifen.
"Mord auf Westwater Manor" ist der dritte historische Krimi um die beiden Charaktere Sally und Johnny, die ich auch bereits aus dem ersten Teil kannte (den zweiten Band habe ich ausgelassen bzw. ging ich davon aus, dass "Westwater Manor" der zweite Teil sei...). Die beiden bibliophilen jungen Leute werden zu einem älteren Herren auf einem großen Landsitz eingeladen, um die große Bibliothek zu katalogisieren. Und es kommt, wie es kommen musste, erst gibt es einen Unfall und schließlich findet ein Mord statt.
Zentrum ist das große Herrenhaus, was ich als Ort sehr charmant finde. Die ersten 100 Seiten hatte ich auch noch viel Spaß beim Lesen, doch mit der Zeit merkte ich, dass ich nur noch mühsam vorankam. Und das lag daran, dass die diversen Ermittlungsansätzen der verschiedenen Charaktere mir einfach zu viel des Guten waren. Zu viele Details, zu viele Schleifen und kein Vorankommen. Und irgendwann machte ich dann Nägel mit Köpfen, ließ den gesamten Mittelteil aus, um mich auf die letzten vier oder fünf Kapitel zu konzentrieren. Was soll ich sagen? Ich kenne nun den Mörder, das Motiv und habe nicht den Eindruck, sehr viel verpasst zu haben.
Der Krimi ist nicht schlecht und gerade diese vielen "Umdrehungen" bei den Ermittlungen sind ein typisches Element der Autorin. Das muss man einfach mögen bzw. die Geduld dafür haben. Wenn man diese hat, würde ich auf jeden Fall die Reihe versuchen, ansonsten eher zu einem Klassiker von Agatha Christie greifen.
January 30, 2021
Death at One Blow is the second book in the Sally & Johnny Heldar series and was originally published in 1957. Agora Books is republishing it as part of their Uncrowned Queens of Crime series and I am so glad that they are!
Sally and Johnny, antiquarian booksellers, leave London for the countryside. Sir Mark Mercator has asked them to sort out two jumbled library collections at his newly acquired estate, Westwater Manor. There is an accident, a murder, and another death.
I really enjoyed this classic mystery! There were a small number of suspects, an intelligent inspector, red herrings, and the type of amateur sleuths that I like - reluctant and smart and aware of the importance of not impeding the police in their investigations. People seem to confide in Sally and Johnny and that works in their favour as they try to distinguish the truth from the lies. The repercussions of World War 2 are a huge part of this story even though it takes place 12 years after the war has ended. I found it fascinating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sally and Johnny, antiquarian booksellers, leave London for the countryside. Sir Mark Mercator has asked them to sort out two jumbled library collections at his newly acquired estate, Westwater Manor. There is an accident, a murder, and another death.
I really enjoyed this classic mystery! There were a small number of suspects, an intelligent inspector, red herrings, and the type of amateur sleuths that I like - reluctant and smart and aware of the importance of not impeding the police in their investigations. People seem to confide in Sally and Johnny and that works in their favour as they try to distinguish the truth from the lies. The repercussions of World War 2 are a huge part of this story even though it takes place 12 years after the war has ended. I found it fascinating.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 11, 2021
Oh the delights of Henrietta Hamilton!
I read the first of Henrietta Hamilton's delightful Sally and Johnny Heldar mysteries (The Two Hundred Ghost) a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Agora Books are reissuing the series and some of the stand alone titles so I settled down to read Death at One Blow...and couldn't put it down. My only problem with Ms Hamilton is that she wasn't a prolific writer. Her plots are innovative, her characters are three dimensional, she writes beautifully and although the manners and subject matter are vintage, the novels truly are a joy to read. So if, like me, you are a fan of the Golden Age of Crime fiction please let me invite you to try one of her titles, I promise that you won't regret it.
I read the first of Henrietta Hamilton's delightful Sally and Johnny Heldar mysteries (The Two Hundred Ghost) a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Agora Books are reissuing the series and some of the stand alone titles so I settled down to read Death at One Blow...and couldn't put it down. My only problem with Ms Hamilton is that she wasn't a prolific writer. Her plots are innovative, her characters are three dimensional, she writes beautifully and although the manners and subject matter are vintage, the novels truly are a joy to read. So if, like me, you are a fan of the Golden Age of Crime fiction please let me invite you to try one of her titles, I promise that you won't regret it.
January 27, 2021
I love this series and was very happy to read this mystery.
It's an engrossing and entertaining story set in a country mansion and with a limited number of possible culprits.
Golden Age at its best, a puzzle to be solved that kept me hooked and turning pages very fast.
The mystery is solid, full of red herrings and twists, and it kept me guessing.
One note: some phrases about race can sound a bit racist in 2021 but they are part of the spirit of the age and this book is an interesting snapshot of post WWII situation.
I cannot wait to read another book in this series, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's an engrossing and entertaining story set in a country mansion and with a limited number of possible culprits.
Golden Age at its best, a puzzle to be solved that kept me hooked and turning pages very fast.
The mystery is solid, full of red herrings and twists, and it kept me guessing.
One note: some phrases about race can sound a bit racist in 2021 but they are part of the spirit of the age and this book is an interesting snapshot of post WWII situation.
I cannot wait to read another book in this series, this one is strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 27, 2021
This is the second in the series of four novels which the author wrote about the engaging detective duo and antiquarian booksellers, Sally and Johnny Heldar.
Although I have read many GAD novels which feature the long arm of consequences, in human terms, of WWI this is the first I have encountered which explores the same aspect of WW2.
On the surface, this is the investigation of the murder of a rich man in his country house, but there is more to it than that. The Heldars have to explore what lies under the veneers of sophistication and appearances to reach a solution.
Interesting and easy- to- read.
3.5 stars.
Although I have read many GAD novels which feature the long arm of consequences, in human terms, of WWI this is the first I have encountered which explores the same aspect of WW2.
On the surface, this is the investigation of the murder of a rich man in his country house, but there is more to it than that. The Heldars have to explore what lies under the veneers of sophistication and appearances to reach a solution.
Interesting and easy- to- read.
3.5 stars.
March 6, 2021
Enjoyable crime/murder mystery recently reissued by Agora Press. This is the second in the series.
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first, however it is still a good read.
As this was originally published in the 1950s, the views of some of the characters can seem sexist and have some prejudices. It has to be born in mind when reading this that times were different back then.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.
I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first, however it is still a good read.
As this was originally published in the 1950s, the views of some of the characters can seem sexist and have some prejudices. It has to be born in mind when reading this that times were different back then.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.
January 29, 2021
This is the third book I’ve read in Henrietta Hamilton’s murder mystery series featuring Sally and Johnny Heldar. The country house setting gives a real Golden Age feel to the story, but there were also unfortunately some hints of paternalistic sexism and anti-Semitism which made this modern reader a little uncomfortable. Otherwise, the blustering colonel, the rare books and characters zooming here and there in cars were quite fun.
A worthwhile read, especially for readers who have enjoyed the previously published Heldar adventures.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
A worthwhile read, especially for readers who have enjoyed the previously published Heldar adventures.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.
March 7, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy. When John and Sally are asked to sort out two family libraries that had got mixed they ended up in a murder mystery. The family ask John and Sally to do some investigating. A delightful story with loveable characters.
October 14, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great murder mystery novel. Great weekend read.
February 24, 2026
story line: ****
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: ***
editing: *****
audio: *****
main characters: *****
side characters: ****
world building: ***
editing: *****
audio: *****
March 23, 2025
Henrietta Hamiltons Mord auf Westwater Manor ist der zweite Fall von Sally und Johnny Heldar und verbindet die Nostalgie klassischer Detektivgeschichten mit einer raffinierten Handlung. Die Geschichte entführt uns in die malerische englische Landschaft, wo das frisch verheiratete Buchhändlerpaar nicht nur kostbare Erstausgaben katalogisieren soll, sondern auch in einen Mordfall verwickelt wird.
Auf dem weitläufigen Anwesen von Sir Mark Thaxton entdecken sie gefälschte Bücher, während der Gutsherr sich mit den Dorfbewohnern wegen eines aufgestauten Flusses überwirft. Als er ermordet aufgefunden wird, müssen Sally und Johnny sich durch familiäre Spannungen und eine Reihe von Verdächtigen arbeiten.
Hamiltons Schreibstil ist präzise, atmosphärisch und voller feiner Beobachtungen, die das Setting lebendig machen. Sie versteht es, subtile Hinweise einzustreuen, die zum Miträtseln anregen, ohne dabei allzu vorhersehbar zu sein. Besonders gelungen sind die Dialoge, die die Dynamik zwischen Sally und Johnny unterstreichen – ein charmantes Ermittlerduo, das mit Intelligenz und trockenem Humor überzeugt.
Für Liebhaber klassischer britischer Krimis ist Mord auf Westwater Manor eine echte Entdeckung. Die Mischung aus sanfter Spannung, liebenswerten Charakteren und einer stimmungsvollen Kulisse macht diesen Roman zu einem perfekten Wohlfühl-Krimi.
Auf dem weitläufigen Anwesen von Sir Mark Thaxton entdecken sie gefälschte Bücher, während der Gutsherr sich mit den Dorfbewohnern wegen eines aufgestauten Flusses überwirft. Als er ermordet aufgefunden wird, müssen Sally und Johnny sich durch familiäre Spannungen und eine Reihe von Verdächtigen arbeiten.
Hamiltons Schreibstil ist präzise, atmosphärisch und voller feiner Beobachtungen, die das Setting lebendig machen. Sie versteht es, subtile Hinweise einzustreuen, die zum Miträtseln anregen, ohne dabei allzu vorhersehbar zu sein. Besonders gelungen sind die Dialoge, die die Dynamik zwischen Sally und Johnny unterstreichen – ein charmantes Ermittlerduo, das mit Intelligenz und trockenem Humor überzeugt.
Für Liebhaber klassischer britischer Krimis ist Mord auf Westwater Manor eine echte Entdeckung. Die Mischung aus sanfter Spannung, liebenswerten Charakteren und einer stimmungsvollen Kulisse macht diesen Roman zu einem perfekten Wohlfühl-Krimi.
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