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Phyllida Bright Mystery #5
Two Truths and a Murder
Agatha Christie’s trusted housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, has become an amateur sleuth in her own right. When a party game leads to murder, she decides to crash the investigation.
While her famous employer is happily back home at Mallowan Hall, wrestling with her Belgian detective’s dilemma on board the Orient Express, Phyllida is finding her local renown as a sleuth has put her in high demand. A distraught Vera Rollingbroke suspects her husband of infidelity and has invited Phyllida to a dinner party to observe his behavior, particularly in regard to one Geneva Blastwick.
What she does observe at the party is that Geneva craves attention, in contrast to her shy sister Ethel. Geneva introduces a game called Two Truths and a Lie, and one of her questionable statements is that she once witnessed a murder. At this bold claim, the guests react with disbelief and pepper her with questions. Geneva remains cagey, withholding details, but insists this is not her lie.
The next morning Phyllida learns poor Ethel was purposely run down by a motorcar the previous night while inexplicably walking home alone from the party. She fears Geneva may have been the target, which means someone at the party is a killer—twice over. A chilling thought. With Geneva in potential danger—and Inspector Cork proceeding ponderously as usual—Phyllida takes it upon herself to unmask the killer. With two murders to solve, she will need to grill Geneva and the guests as well as re-examine any past sudden deaths or disappearances. And if she’s smart, she’ll look twice before crossing the road . . .
While her famous employer is happily back home at Mallowan Hall, wrestling with her Belgian detective’s dilemma on board the Orient Express, Phyllida is finding her local renown as a sleuth has put her in high demand. A distraught Vera Rollingbroke suspects her husband of infidelity and has invited Phyllida to a dinner party to observe his behavior, particularly in regard to one Geneva Blastwick.
What she does observe at the party is that Geneva craves attention, in contrast to her shy sister Ethel. Geneva introduces a game called Two Truths and a Lie, and one of her questionable statements is that she once witnessed a murder. At this bold claim, the guests react with disbelief and pepper her with questions. Geneva remains cagey, withholding details, but insists this is not her lie.
The next morning Phyllida learns poor Ethel was purposely run down by a motorcar the previous night while inexplicably walking home alone from the party. She fears Geneva may have been the target, which means someone at the party is a killer—twice over. A chilling thought. With Geneva in potential danger—and Inspector Cork proceeding ponderously as usual—Phyllida takes it upon herself to unmask the killer. With two murders to solve, she will need to grill Geneva and the guests as well as re-examine any past sudden deaths or disappearances. And if she’s smart, she’ll look twice before crossing the road . . .
272 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 2025
211 people are currently reading
4699 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Cambridge
24 books1,148 followersColleen Cambridge is the pen name of Colleen Gleason, an award-winning USA Today and New York Times bestselling author.
Colleen Cambridge writes mostly historical-set mysteries with famous people as the sidekick or friend of her protagonists and has a blast doing so. She's written about Agatha Christie's (fictional) housekeeper, Abe Lincoln's (fictional) aide, and Julia Child's (fictional) best friend in Paris.
Colleen lives in the midwest United States with her family and two dogs, and is always plotting her next murder—er, book.
Colleen Cambridge writes mostly historical-set mysteries with famous people as the sidekick or friend of her protagonists and has a blast doing so. She's written about Agatha Christie's (fictional) housekeeper, Abe Lincoln's (fictional) aide, and Julia Child's (fictional) best friend in Paris.
Colleen lives in the midwest United States with her family and two dogs, and is always plotting her next murder—er, book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
November 23, 2025
Colleen Cambridge is a fantastic historical fiction writer (as well as other genres too, as I've started sampling some of her books written under pseudonyms too). The Phyllida Bright series is such a treat for fans of Agatha Christie and early 20th century England. From all the wonderful setting in history to the upstairs/downstairs feel you get from the different character arcs, it's packed with a little something for everyone. This was one of the better ones, too, and knowing it took place while Christie wrote my 2nd favorite books of hers, Murder on the Orient Express, and it had some Halloween-ish moments... it was pretty close to 5 stars for me!
October 27, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER (A Phyllida Bright Mystery Book #5) by Colleen Cambridge is another intricately plotted historical mystery in this fun and intriguing series featuring Agatha Christie’s housekeeper and friend, Phyllida Bright, who seems to have a penchant for solving murders. While you can read each book in the series as a standalone with a complete whodunit crime plot, I feel they are best read in order of publication to follow the evolution of all the recurring characters.
When Agatha and Phyillda return to Mallowan Hall after their trip to London, Phyllida is surprised by a visit from Vera Rollingbroke, who is looking for her and not Agatha. She is afraid her husband is having an affair and wishes Phyllida to investigate the matter at a coming dinner party at their manor. After dinner, Genevra Blastwick pulls everyone into a game called Two Truths and a Lie. When she takes the first turn, after her shy sister, Ethel demurs, Genevra announces she has witnessed a murder and swears this is not her lie. The guests react with disbelief, and the party soon breaks up.
The next morning Phyllida learns Ethel was purposefully run over by a motorcar. Phyllida believes Ethel died mistaken for her sister and is asked by the Blastwick’s to look into Ethel’s murder. What she learns as she begins to investigate is that this murder may be tied to a previous death in the village, but which one? Questioning everyone at the dinner party, she begins to discover secrets and lies that someone does not want to be revealed and Phyllida soon finds herself in danger.
I thoroughly enjoy this series and find Phyllida a wonderful lead character and amateur sleuth. While she may seem prickly, she is intelligent, inquisitive, has a large heart, and is extremely loyal. I found the mystery plot intriguing and well plotted throughout to keep me turning the pages. It was twisted and when I was expecting one crime, it branched off into two crimes and mysteries for Phyllida to solve. I also enjoyed the continuing romance between Phyllida and Bradford. Both still have many secrets that can be revealed, but you know the other servants know what is going on between the two even if Phyllida refuses to believe it.
I highly recommend this compelling historical mystery addition to this endearing series.
TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER (A Phyllida Bright Mystery Book #5) by Colleen Cambridge is another intricately plotted historical mystery in this fun and intriguing series featuring Agatha Christie’s housekeeper and friend, Phyllida Bright, who seems to have a penchant for solving murders. While you can read each book in the series as a standalone with a complete whodunit crime plot, I feel they are best read in order of publication to follow the evolution of all the recurring characters.
When Agatha and Phyillda return to Mallowan Hall after their trip to London, Phyllida is surprised by a visit from Vera Rollingbroke, who is looking for her and not Agatha. She is afraid her husband is having an affair and wishes Phyllida to investigate the matter at a coming dinner party at their manor. After dinner, Genevra Blastwick pulls everyone into a game called Two Truths and a Lie. When she takes the first turn, after her shy sister, Ethel demurs, Genevra announces she has witnessed a murder and swears this is not her lie. The guests react with disbelief, and the party soon breaks up.
The next morning Phyllida learns Ethel was purposefully run over by a motorcar. Phyllida believes Ethel died mistaken for her sister and is asked by the Blastwick’s to look into Ethel’s murder. What she learns as she begins to investigate is that this murder may be tied to a previous death in the village, but which one? Questioning everyone at the dinner party, she begins to discover secrets and lies that someone does not want to be revealed and Phyllida soon finds herself in danger.
I thoroughly enjoy this series and find Phyllida a wonderful lead character and amateur sleuth. While she may seem prickly, she is intelligent, inquisitive, has a large heart, and is extremely loyal. I found the mystery plot intriguing and well plotted throughout to keep me turning the pages. It was twisted and when I was expecting one crime, it branched off into two crimes and mysteries for Phyllida to solve. I also enjoyed the continuing romance between Phyllida and Bradford. Both still have many secrets that can be revealed, but you know the other servants know what is going on between the two even if Phyllida refuses to believe it.
I highly recommend this compelling historical mystery addition to this endearing series.
September 8, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Book 5 in a series, TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER can be read as a standalone cozy mystery, altho’ it might be more enjoyable if you have read another volume or two. As is common with cozies, there is a good sized supporting cast that all have an history with lead character, Phyllida Bright, housekeeper to Agatha Christie. Phyllida has earned a reputation for solving murders in the town of Listleigh.
The time frame for this story is after the Great War and the town of Listleigh is the address to many formidable homes that are staffed by maids, butlers, cooks, gardeners, assistants, most of whom are supervised by the housekeeper. Phyllida knows all these folks and treats them with respect. They trust her and confide in her because of it which gives her information to solve the mysteries. It’s not always helpful.
Because Phyllida is in Agatha Christie’s employ, she also moves freely among the upstairs people of the town. In fact, the
story begins when the lady of one large home looks to hire her to discover whether or not her husband is having an affair. Phyllida attends a party where this couple and most of the town’s upstairs residents are in attendance. Lots - LOTS of threads are sewn into the fabric of this storyline and almost every character is involved to some degree making the tale far more complex than it needs to be.
Complexities can make for intrigue when it comes to solving mysteries. Unfortunately, for this one, it only elongated the timeline and had me hearing the same things over and over. After a while, it was annoying and I scanned every interview with the next character to look for words that were different from preceding interviews. Honestly, I could have skipped 100 pages or more in the middle of the story, jumped to the last few chapters and would still have understood the story, even tho’ I missed about a third of the pages. Perhaps that’s because I wasn’t as invested in the characters and town but frankly, I just didn’t care because of the level of minutiae.
Another thing I found odd is how Agatha Christie appears in the story. She is very accommodating towards Phyllida. Her trusted housekeeper rarely keeps the house. She uses Agatha’s vehicle, other staff for investigative tasks and actually has Agatha doing research for her while she’s in London writing her new book! This relationship is very interesting and not anything like what I’d expect based on what I know about Ms. Christie.
I really wanted to love this book and have a new cozy series to read. Even with the frustrating elements, I’m not ready to give up. In fact, I’m going to get a copy of book one and read it to see if starting at the beginning will help give purchase to this installment. The mechanics of the writing are good - grammar and such. Author, Colleen Cambridge, refrains from foul language, descriptive violence and all sexual content happens off screen, left to the imagination of individual readers, where it belongs. Kudos to her for taking the high road. If only there were a few less stops on her trip to a few less people and better, less redundant questions to solve TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle, with thanks
Book 5 in a series, TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER can be read as a standalone cozy mystery, altho’ it might be more enjoyable if you have read another volume or two. As is common with cozies, there is a good sized supporting cast that all have an history with lead character, Phyllida Bright, housekeeper to Agatha Christie. Phyllida has earned a reputation for solving murders in the town of Listleigh.
The time frame for this story is after the Great War and the town of Listleigh is the address to many formidable homes that are staffed by maids, butlers, cooks, gardeners, assistants, most of whom are supervised by the housekeeper. Phyllida knows all these folks and treats them with respect. They trust her and confide in her because of it which gives her information to solve the mysteries. It’s not always helpful.
Because Phyllida is in Agatha Christie’s employ, she also moves freely among the upstairs people of the town. In fact, the
story begins when the lady of one large home looks to hire her to discover whether or not her husband is having an affair. Phyllida attends a party where this couple and most of the town’s upstairs residents are in attendance. Lots - LOTS of threads are sewn into the fabric of this storyline and almost every character is involved to some degree making the tale far more complex than it needs to be.
Complexities can make for intrigue when it comes to solving mysteries. Unfortunately, for this one, it only elongated the timeline and had me hearing the same things over and over. After a while, it was annoying and I scanned every interview with the next character to look for words that were different from preceding interviews. Honestly, I could have skipped 100 pages or more in the middle of the story, jumped to the last few chapters and would still have understood the story, even tho’ I missed about a third of the pages. Perhaps that’s because I wasn’t as invested in the characters and town but frankly, I just didn’t care because of the level of minutiae.
Another thing I found odd is how Agatha Christie appears in the story. She is very accommodating towards Phyllida. Her trusted housekeeper rarely keeps the house. She uses Agatha’s vehicle, other staff for investigative tasks and actually has Agatha doing research for her while she’s in London writing her new book! This relationship is very interesting and not anything like what I’d expect based on what I know about Ms. Christie.
I really wanted to love this book and have a new cozy series to read. Even with the frustrating elements, I’m not ready to give up. In fact, I’m going to get a copy of book one and read it to see if starting at the beginning will help give purchase to this installment. The mechanics of the writing are good - grammar and such. Author, Colleen Cambridge, refrains from foul language, descriptive violence and all sexual content happens off screen, left to the imagination of individual readers, where it belongs. Kudos to her for taking the high road. If only there were a few less stops on her trip to a few less people and better, less redundant questions to solve TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC via Kindle, with thanks
November 28, 2025
Reading a Phyllida Bright book is always a delight! Phyllida is the friend turned housekeeper for Agatha Christie, but it's Phyllida who becomes the real-life detective in each book. This book focused on the mystery of a woman hit by a car after a dinner party where her sister said she'd witnessed a murder. Phyllida expertly explores all avenues with the help of her trusty sidekick (turned lover), Bradford.
November 9, 2025
Back from London and the drama surrounding murder at the theater, Agatha Christie’s housekeeper and friend is settled back in keeping Mallowan House running like a top and pretending she doesn’t care where a certain quick-witted chauffeur and his annoying dog are. But, of course, she goes to a local party and murder tops off an interesting evening. Colleen Cambridge’s cozy historical mysteries set in the world of Agatha Christie continues to sparkle and leave me craving more.
Two Truths and a Lie is the fifth in the Phyllida Bright series. Though each book presents a standalone murder mystery, the world building is established in book one and the characters and relationships grow throughout the series so best to get them in order.
Phyllida is requested by a neighbor to come to her party and nose out whether her husband is having an affair and is it with Genevra, a local woman. Phyllida thinks Genevra is a boastful woman and that the affair is all in Vera Rollingbroke’s head, but she no sooner gets to the bottom of that problem than a bigger one presents itself. Genevra wants to play the Two Truths and a Lie game and tells of a murder no one else knew about and swears this statement isn’t the lie. But, though Genevra purportedly witnessed it, the death that night was her quieter twin sister, Ethel.
The local constabulary aren’t up to the problem and Phyllida handily takes over, ahem partners with the police, that is. She knows not only there is Ethel’s death, but that older death that is at the bottom of it all. And, obviously someone now has room to worry and they’re willing to kill to keep their secrets.
Two Truths and a Murder struck me as a very familiar plot. In the book, Agatha is working on Murder on the Orient Express, but Phyllida’s new murder investigation is reflective of an entirely different Christie plot, Hallowe’en Party. I loved that one so I was tickled to see it reflected in this one.
Enjoyed Phyllida’s skirmishes below stairs with Dobble, the butler, particularly the little secret of what Dobble had in the crate hidden away in his butler pantry. And, also, the way her love interest, Bradford the chauffeur banters with her and gets under her usually unruffled skin. Phyllida was something of a closed off character in the first book and slowly, but surely the mystery of her background is revealed. I’m glad she has loosened up and isn’t annoying as a result. This book continues this and pursues the fragile new understanding she has with Bradford who was also something of a mystery for several books.
One little niggle, isn’t Vera supposed to be Lady Rollingbroke if her hubby is a ‘Sir’? Although maybe I missed it in the past and she said she preferred to go by Mrs.
But, the case, yes, tasty and twisting the way I have come to like. Back in the village and neighborhood around Mallowan House, firmly set in post-war English countryside time period, with snatches of housekeeping, neighborhood scenes and characters, and investigation forays, it was comfy and entertaining addition to the series.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 10.29.25.
Two Truths and a Lie is the fifth in the Phyllida Bright series. Though each book presents a standalone murder mystery, the world building is established in book one and the characters and relationships grow throughout the series so best to get them in order.
Phyllida is requested by a neighbor to come to her party and nose out whether her husband is having an affair and is it with Genevra, a local woman. Phyllida thinks Genevra is a boastful woman and that the affair is all in Vera Rollingbroke’s head, but she no sooner gets to the bottom of that problem than a bigger one presents itself. Genevra wants to play the Two Truths and a Lie game and tells of a murder no one else knew about and swears this statement isn’t the lie. But, though Genevra purportedly witnessed it, the death that night was her quieter twin sister, Ethel.
The local constabulary aren’t up to the problem and Phyllida handily takes over, ahem partners with the police, that is. She knows not only there is Ethel’s death, but that older death that is at the bottom of it all. And, obviously someone now has room to worry and they’re willing to kill to keep their secrets.
Two Truths and a Murder struck me as a very familiar plot. In the book, Agatha is working on Murder on the Orient Express, but Phyllida’s new murder investigation is reflective of an entirely different Christie plot, Hallowe’en Party. I loved that one so I was tickled to see it reflected in this one.
Enjoyed Phyllida’s skirmishes below stairs with Dobble, the butler, particularly the little secret of what Dobble had in the crate hidden away in his butler pantry. And, also, the way her love interest, Bradford the chauffeur banters with her and gets under her usually unruffled skin. Phyllida was something of a closed off character in the first book and slowly, but surely the mystery of her background is revealed. I’m glad she has loosened up and isn’t annoying as a result. This book continues this and pursues the fragile new understanding she has with Bradford who was also something of a mystery for several books.
One little niggle, isn’t Vera supposed to be Lady Rollingbroke if her hubby is a ‘Sir’? Although maybe I missed it in the past and she said she preferred to go by Mrs.
But, the case, yes, tasty and twisting the way I have come to like. Back in the village and neighborhood around Mallowan House, firmly set in post-war English countryside time period, with snatches of housekeeping, neighborhood scenes and characters, and investigation forays, it was comfy and entertaining addition to the series.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 10.29.25.
Currently reading
July 20, 2025Seriously can’t wait for this book by my alter ego to hit the shelves. It’s inspired by Agatha Christie’s HALLOWE’EN PARTY and takes the game “Two Truths and a Lie” to a new level. A murderous one. ;-)
November 14, 2025
* I love Phyllida. She is one of the best female "detectives" that I currently read. She is smart, no-nonsense, brusque [in that very British "DO NOT MESS WITH ME" way], yet is also deeply kind, caring, willing to admit when she is wrong and respectful, especially with Agatha and "knowing her station". Even though she and Agatha were friends before Phyllida went into service for her, Phyllida tries very hard to never overstep those bounds and she is a better character for that.
* This was an excellent mystery [with several side mysteries that really add to the overall story]. I had guessed the killer early on [if you have read ANY Poirot, this too might be the case for you], but completely talked myself out of it until it was clear it was absolutely this person; the why was a surprise and left me just shaking my head at what people will think and do, even in books.
* Ohhhh, Mr. Dobble.
* Bradford and darling [naughty] Myrtle. I love watching their relationship with Phyllida flourish and grow.
* Agatha, Poirot, and the struggle with "Murder on the Orient Express". ;-)
I love this series and eagerly await each new book with ill-disguised glee - this has been such a great series for me and I can only hope it continues for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Colleen Cambridge, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
* This was an excellent mystery [with several side mysteries that really add to the overall story]. I had guessed the killer early on [if you have read ANY Poirot, this too might be the case for you], but completely talked myself out of it until it was clear it was absolutely this person; the why was a surprise and left me just shaking my head at what people will think and do, even in books.
* Ohhhh, Mr. Dobble.
* Bradford and darling [naughty] Myrtle. I love watching their relationship with Phyllida flourish and grow.
* Agatha, Poirot, and the struggle with "Murder on the Orient Express". ;-)
I love this series and eagerly await each new book with ill-disguised glee - this has been such a great series for me and I can only hope it continues for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley, Colleen Cambridge, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2025
I love the Phyllida Bright mystery series and this one might be my new favorite! I loved the spooky fall vibes which makes sense since it’s inspired by Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party. The plot was very twisty and kept me guessing, and I really love the romance that continues to bloom throughout this series. The banter really is top tier! I will just add that this one is definitely the darkest of the series plot-wise and flirts with the line on “cozy” mystery. Keep that in mind if you prefer your mysteries cozier. I highly recommend this book and series, Phyllida Bright is the best!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy! All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy! All opinions are my own.
February 7, 2026
Do you like British cozy mysteries? Historical fiction? You might give this series a try. The plucky housekeeper for Agatha Christie solves mysteries in 1920's England. This was a good addition to the series, though the murderer was easy to spot early in the book.
October 11, 2025
Mrs Phyllida Bright is invited to a dinner party at the Rollingbrookes. A game of Two Truths and One Lie is introduced by guest Genevra Blastwick, of which one was 'I saw a murder'. This results in a death presumed because of the statement. Phyllida investigates but which death in the village in the past year was a murder.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery with its cast of varied characters. Another good addition to this series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
(1933)
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery with its cast of varied characters. Another good addition to this series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
(1933)
August 13, 2025
Coming Oct 28th! Make sure to add this to your Halloween TBR!
The immersive descriptions of the setting, particularly the meticulous detail given to the gardens and floral arrangements, truly transported me to the English countryside. It felt as if I was strolling alongside Phyllida as she delicately pieced together the clues, her investigation unfolding with the implicit blessing of the queen of mystery herself, Agatha Christie.
My enjoyment, however, was slightly tempered by the length of the chapters. While the intricate plotting kept me engaged, the extended chapters occasionally led to somewhat lengthy reading sessions. It’s worth noting that I typically devour a book within a few evenings, but this one stretched over an entire week. This was solely due to the chapter length.
Despite that, "Two Truths and a Murder" is a highly enjoyable read, particularly for fans of cozy mysteries and Agatha Christie’s style. The engaging plot, along with Phyllida’s fun side notes created a captivating experience. I certainly want to explore more works by this author.
The immersive descriptions of the setting, particularly the meticulous detail given to the gardens and floral arrangements, truly transported me to the English countryside. It felt as if I was strolling alongside Phyllida as she delicately pieced together the clues, her investigation unfolding with the implicit blessing of the queen of mystery herself, Agatha Christie.
My enjoyment, however, was slightly tempered by the length of the chapters. While the intricate plotting kept me engaged, the extended chapters occasionally led to somewhat lengthy reading sessions. It’s worth noting that I typically devour a book within a few evenings, but this one stretched over an entire week. This was solely due to the chapter length.
Despite that, "Two Truths and a Murder" is a highly enjoyable read, particularly for fans of cozy mysteries and Agatha Christie’s style. The engaging plot, along with Phyllida’s fun side notes created a captivating experience. I certainly want to explore more works by this author.
July 28, 2025
This series just keeps getting better! Two Truths and a Murder is another delightful installment in the Phyllida Bright mysteries—clever, charming, and full of classic whodunit twists.
Phyllida, Agatha Christie’s no-nonsense housekeeper-turned-sleuth, is once again one step ahead of the local inspector. When a seemingly harmless party game leads to a chilling hit-and-run, Phyllida suspects more than coincidence—and she’s right. As secrets unravel, the game of Two Truths and a Lie turns deadly, and nearly every guest has something to hide.
I loved the nods to Christie, the layered character work (Genevra was fascinating), and the classic country house mystery setup. Even five books in, the series feels fresh and addictive—perfect for fans of traditional mysteries with a feminist twist.
Smart, witty, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend if you like Miss Marple with a bit more bite.
Phyllida, Agatha Christie’s no-nonsense housekeeper-turned-sleuth, is once again one step ahead of the local inspector. When a seemingly harmless party game leads to a chilling hit-and-run, Phyllida suspects more than coincidence—and she’s right. As secrets unravel, the game of Two Truths and a Lie turns deadly, and nearly every guest has something to hide.
I loved the nods to Christie, the layered character work (Genevra was fascinating), and the classic country house mystery setup. Even five books in, the series feels fresh and addictive—perfect for fans of traditional mysteries with a feminist twist.
Smart, witty, and impossible to put down. Highly recommend if you like Miss Marple with a bit more bite.
August 10, 2025
This is an easy to read cozy mystery. I have been enjoying this series and this one didn't disappoint. The characters are interesting and the time period is too. I look forward to more in this series. I feel like this can be read as a stand alone even with references to the past books.
Thanks for the ARC Netgalley.
Thanks for the ARC Netgalley.
March 21, 2026
This was a delightful read/listen. I felt like I was listening to a fun episode of Murder She Wrote but with Angela Lansbury as a 30 something in a small English town/village. If you’ve seen the 1980/1990s show and listen to this audiobook you will know exactly what I mean. So, really you ought to watch the show and then listen to this series. A comparison can also be made with Netflix’s Enola Holmes movies, but Phyllida Bright is a more mature protagonist in many ways. Phyllida also does not need to compete with a very famous older brother, nor does she really have to prove herself as she already has an established reputation and credentials by this novel.
It’s also really cute that Agatha Christie is a sweet secondary character writing her real novels and loving the drama of both Phyllida’s personal life and all the murder mysteries she gets caught up in. An Agatha Christie fan fiction where Christie is an influential side-character in her head housekeeper’s story as an incredible detective. It’s a premise that’s just really funny to me, and the way Christie is written just adds to the fun. References to Agatha’s actual novels were also nicely sprinkled about.
Having said that, I had no idea this book was part of a series. I recommended it to my mother when I was a few chapters in and then she asked me why I started the series at book five! I mention this to say that this can be read as a stand alone novel. However, some little details will make much more sense and probably have a more impactful lay off if you read the previous novels first. I did not go back to read the earlier installments and still enjoyed this plenty.
The mystery was not at all hard to figure out. There were some carefully placed red herrings which did distract me and made me doubt myself more than once. There is also a sweet and somewhat “hot” romance throughout the novel, and some characters behave scandalously (by 1930s standards). It really was a fun listen! The narrator did a wonderful job in voicing all the different characters and smoothly hit all the right beats and nuances to make this novel come alive. The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that it is quite predictable. I would argue though, that sometimes we just need silly “mysteries” and a cozy touch.
It’s also really cute that Agatha Christie is a sweet secondary character writing her real novels and loving the drama of both Phyllida’s personal life and all the murder mysteries she gets caught up in. An Agatha Christie fan fiction where Christie is an influential side-character in her head housekeeper’s story as an incredible detective. It’s a premise that’s just really funny to me, and the way Christie is written just adds to the fun. References to Agatha’s actual novels were also nicely sprinkled about.
Having said that, I had no idea this book was part of a series. I recommended it to my mother when I was a few chapters in and then she asked me why I started the series at book five! I mention this to say that this can be read as a stand alone novel. However, some little details will make much more sense and probably have a more impactful lay off if you read the previous novels first. I did not go back to read the earlier installments and still enjoyed this plenty.
The mystery was not at all hard to figure out. There were some carefully placed red herrings which did distract me and made me doubt myself more than once. There is also a sweet and somewhat “hot” romance throughout the novel, and some characters behave scandalously (by 1930s standards). It really was a fun listen! The narrator did a wonderful job in voicing all the different characters and smoothly hit all the right beats and nuances to make this novel come alive. The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that it is quite predictable. I would argue though, that sometimes we just need silly “mysteries” and a cozy touch.
October 13, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
This is not a bad book at all but it just lacked too much of emotion for me to care about the characters. Two truths and a murder is a cozy mystery that is part of a series but could be read on its own. I haven’t read previous books in the series and though I didn’t feel lost at all, I just felt like it was too many people involved that we were supposed to know beforehand.
Phillyda, as a character, really felt flat to me. I don’t really have much to say about her because I feel like I don’t really know her and I don’t really care about her. She has no real apparent personality traits (I mean things that are shown not said) and it’s a shame cause the book in itself has real potential.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!
This is not a bad book at all but it just lacked too much of emotion for me to care about the characters. Two truths and a murder is a cozy mystery that is part of a series but could be read on its own. I haven’t read previous books in the series and though I didn’t feel lost at all, I just felt like it was too many people involved that we were supposed to know beforehand.
Phillyda, as a character, really felt flat to me. I don’t really have much to say about her because I feel like I don’t really know her and I don’t really care about her. She has no real apparent personality traits (I mean things that are shown not said) and it’s a shame cause the book in itself has real potential.
October 31, 2025
Another fun and dramatic installment in this mystery series. I have developed such a soft spot for Phyllida as I think many of the characters have. She seems tough and non-nonsense on the outside, but is very caring and does handle people with gentleness when necessary. She has the attitude of being forthright when needed and I think it makes people trust her and go to her with their problems, without worrying how she will treat them. I love the glimpses of Agatha Christie that we see (and tiny fun fictional glimpses into her writing process) and how much she trusts and supports her housekeeper. This one was very tricky and I was shocked by all the reveals and how Phyllida got to the answers in the end. I am also happy that she is getting her own romance with someone to care about her and look out for her.
Thanks to the publisher for a ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
Thanks to the publisher for a ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
October 27, 2025
Agatha Christie’s trusted housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, has become an amateur sleuth in her own right. When a party game leads to murder, she decides to crash the investigation.
I have been enjoying this Phyllida Bright Mystery. This is book five in the series and we find Phyllida really embracing her new role as detective. After going to a dinner party and playing the game Two Truths and a Lie, a dinner guest is killed on her walk home. Will Phyllida be able to solve the mystery and will her boss Agatha Christie be able to finish her book The Orient Express? I think we know the answer to one of those questions…
If you enjoy mysteries then I think you will enjoy this. It has a little bit of romance and some action.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for an advanced copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.
I have been enjoying this Phyllida Bright Mystery. This is book five in the series and we find Phyllida really embracing her new role as detective. After going to a dinner party and playing the game Two Truths and a Lie, a dinner guest is killed on her walk home. Will Phyllida be able to solve the mystery and will her boss Agatha Christie be able to finish her book The Orient Express? I think we know the answer to one of those questions…
If you enjoy mysteries then I think you will enjoy this. It has a little bit of romance and some action.
Thank you Kensington Publishing for an advanced copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
Although I didn't warm to the first Phyllida Bright mystery, this one proved a decent historic cozy. Cambridge's character was much more relatable and "human" in this installment with a decent assortment of suspects who witnessed a parlor game which turned lethal. Secondary crimes were deftly woven into the story, but the protagonist's withholding of crucual evidence until the final pages was an annoyingly unforgiveable tactic, which really soured my enjoyment of the book.
February 23, 2026
This was a really good entry in the series, loosely based on Agatha Christie's Hallowe'en Party. The mystery was intriguing, and I liked how we got some further progress in some o Phyllida's personal relationships.
March 20, 2026
4/5 stars
I picked this up at the library not knowing it was a series. However, I found it enjoyable. Phyllida Bright is the housekeeper for Agatha Christie and she becomes involved in the murder of Ethel, one of the party members. Mystery
I picked this up at the library not knowing it was a series. However, I found it enjoyable. Phyllida Bright is the housekeeper for Agatha Christie and she becomes involved in the murder of Ethel, one of the party members. Mystery
November 25, 2025
The narrator did a great job bringing the characters and the story to life. I was guessing until the end.
February 19, 2026
What had been a great setup in
Two Truths and a Murder
just got pulled back to a "meh" book by the whodunit(s).
I really enjoyed the idea of Phyllida Bright (housekeeper to the one and only Agatha Christie) doing her own sleuthing. Even at the dinner party that kicked off the action in the book, it was very novel to have her - a mere housekeeper - be invited to attend as a guest.
The book had some nice moments but was pretty weak overall...
Bradford was a nice sidekick to Phyllida, and I am glad he returned from London to play a role. (Without him, my review would drop to 2 stars.)
I really enjoyed the idea of Phyllida Bright (housekeeper to the one and only Agatha Christie) doing her own sleuthing. Even at the dinner party that kicked off the action in the book, it was very novel to have her - a mere housekeeper - be invited to attend as a guest.
The book had some nice moments but was pretty weak overall...
Bradford was a nice sidekick to Phyllida, and I am glad he returned from London to play a role. (Without him, my review would drop to 2 stars.)
March 7, 2026
I loved this book!!! Phylllida is fictionally Agatha Christie’s housekeeper and is also a great amateur sleuth!
I have read all 80+ A. Christie’s books more than once, I believe she would have loved this book!
Now I’m going to read the first books in this series!!!
I have read all 80+ A. Christie’s books more than once, I believe she would have loved this book!
Now I’m going to read the first books in this series!!!
September 14, 2025
I’ve been a big Agatha Christie fan for years, so when the first Phyllida Bright book was released, I snapped it up right away. As the series has grown, so has my fondness for Phyllida. This latest installment especially made her feel more personable and softer than we’ve seen her before.
I enjoyed the hint of romance beginning to develop for Phyllida—true to cozy mystery style, the details are left to the imagination. The mystery itself was a bit trickier for me to piece together this time, though I did miss some of the “why” behind the murder.
One thing I’m really hoping for in future books is a deeper look at Phyllida’s friendship with her friend and employer, Agatha Christie. There’s clearly rich backstory there, and I’d love to see it explored. That said, while Phyllida may be busy channeling her inner Hercule Poirot, she still manages to keep Mallowan Hall running like a well-oiled machine.
Although I’ve read every book in the Phyllida Bright series, this one could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, starting from the beginning really allows you to appreciate how the characters and relationships have developed over time.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and the author for the advance copy—I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I enjoyed the hint of romance beginning to develop for Phyllida—true to cozy mystery style, the details are left to the imagination. The mystery itself was a bit trickier for me to piece together this time, though I did miss some of the “why” behind the murder.
One thing I’m really hoping for in future books is a deeper look at Phyllida’s friendship with her friend and employer, Agatha Christie. There’s clearly rich backstory there, and I’d love to see it explored. That said, while Phyllida may be busy channeling her inner Hercule Poirot, she still manages to keep Mallowan Hall running like a well-oiled machine.
Although I’ve read every book in the Phyllida Bright series, this one could easily be enjoyed as a standalone. That said, starting from the beginning really allows you to appreciate how the characters and relationships have developed over time.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and the author for the advance copy—I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
September 5, 2025
Phyllida shines here as she solves several murders. As far as the main mystery, it’s a good one. These books are well plotted and well paced and I’m always here for more of Phyllida’s layers to be peeled back. And I was waiting for Bradford to come back as much as Phyllida was, although I’m willing to admit it. I enjoyed following the clues along with Phyllida in this one. There were a few POV changes that were odd. One chapter from Bradford, which wasn’t too jolting, and then another from a tertiary character talking to the unidentified killer. But I already want the next one, and not just for more of prim and controlled Phyllida sneaking around with the chauffeur.
But why was Sir Rolly a sir and his wife a missus? If he’s Sir Paulson Rollinbrooke, he’s a knight or a baronet and she’s not Mrs. Rollinbrooke. She’s Lady Rollinbrooke. It distracted me. Who is editing this series? Still, I’m on board for more.
I received an arc from NetGalley
But why was Sir Rolly a sir and his wife a missus? If he’s Sir Paulson Rollinbrooke, he’s a knight or a baronet and she’s not Mrs. Rollinbrooke. She’s Lady Rollinbrooke. It distracted me. Who is editing this series? Still, I’m on board for more.
I received an arc from NetGalley
September 5, 2025
This was fun. I liked the nods to Agatha Christie, who is herself a character in the series, although not the sleuth, thank goodness. Phyllida Bright is a great character, smart and full of contrasts, and the mystery itself was interesting and mostly satisfying in the end. I do have a few grumbles which prevented this from being a 5 star mystery. Firstly, although Cambridge does a pretty good job of writing an "English" setting, she slips up a few times, which an editor should have caught. For example, English country people in the nineteen thirties would not have used words like "passel" and "critters", which are Americanisms. My second gripe is more serious. Unless I totally missed it, there is one loose end that is not tied up in any way, despite the time and effort Phyllida spends on it as a clue. It relates to a car and who was driving it and why. It is presented as important and then never mentioned again. However, I had a good enough time with this cozy historical mystery to give it 4 stars.
October 25, 2025
This series just keeps getting better and better. Plot, characters, time/place...every detail is meticulously crafted to provide entertainment, humor and doses of intelligent sleuthing.
This fifth in series centers around our housekeeper to Agatha Christie, Phyllida Bright, who by this point has earned a reputation as an amateur sleuth. She is solicited by a neighborhood socialite to investigate the possible infidelity of her spouse. She attends a dinner party hosted by the socialite to witness the interactions of the two possible lovers only to find herself investigating a murderous hit and run following the dinner. As things evolve it becomes evident that one of the dinner guests is the villain...a sort of locked door mystery. As the body count rises, there's also a possible connection to a previous suspicious death the year before. The plot is well-devised and even though I wasn't entirely surprised by the identity of the murderer, there were enough red herrings to keep things interesting.
I also found the burgeoning romantic relationship between Phyllida and the resident chauffeur Bradford sweet and was intrigued to see a whole different side to our heroine as her softer side stepped forward. Phyllida and Bradford's sometimes antagonistic, always humorous banter from previous books is giving way to something deeper and more serious between the two, and as they are apart during a portion of the story, it was a pleasure to watch them begin to reinvent their relationship as they reunited.
One more mention of a favorite aspect of this series is the development and fleshing out of the supporting cast. From the neighbors to the villagers, and especially Phyllida's fellow house staff, they are all so wonderfully drawn and such a pleasure to re-visit with each subsequent adventure.
Cambridge does a wonderful job in every way in bringing this series to life, and I'm just happy to be able to spend a few hours enjoying every moment of my time in each subsequent book.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing / Kensington for providing the free early arc of Two Truths and a Murder for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
This fifth in series centers around our housekeeper to Agatha Christie, Phyllida Bright, who by this point has earned a reputation as an amateur sleuth. She is solicited by a neighborhood socialite to investigate the possible infidelity of her spouse. She attends a dinner party hosted by the socialite to witness the interactions of the two possible lovers only to find herself investigating a murderous hit and run following the dinner. As things evolve it becomes evident that one of the dinner guests is the villain...a sort of locked door mystery. As the body count rises, there's also a possible connection to a previous suspicious death the year before. The plot is well-devised and even though I wasn't entirely surprised by the identity of the murderer, there were enough red herrings to keep things interesting.
I also found the burgeoning romantic relationship between Phyllida and the resident chauffeur Bradford sweet and was intrigued to see a whole different side to our heroine as her softer side stepped forward. Phyllida and Bradford's sometimes antagonistic, always humorous banter from previous books is giving way to something deeper and more serious between the two, and as they are apart during a portion of the story, it was a pleasure to watch them begin to reinvent their relationship as they reunited.
One more mention of a favorite aspect of this series is the development and fleshing out of the supporting cast. From the neighbors to the villagers, and especially Phyllida's fellow house staff, they are all so wonderfully drawn and such a pleasure to re-visit with each subsequent adventure.
Cambridge does a wonderful job in every way in bringing this series to life, and I'm just happy to be able to spend a few hours enjoying every moment of my time in each subsequent book.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing / Kensington for providing the free early arc of Two Truths and a Murder for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
November 20, 2025
Two Truths and a Murder has a strong foundation: a classic whodunit setup with clear Agatha Christie inspiration, which is exactly what drew me to it. The atmosphere, the structure of the mystery, and the nods to Christie’s style are all there. And to be fair, the overall plot is solid — nothing groundbreaking, but definitely enjoyable for fans of traditional mysteries.
However, I guessed the murderer from the very beginning, and that took away quite a bit of the tension for me. Even with the red herrings sprinkled in, nothing really shifted my first impression, so the final reveal didn’t land as strongly as it could have.
My bigger struggle was connecting with the characters. I never really clicked with Phyllida, which is tough since she carries the whole series. Her dynamic (and supposed romantic tension) with Bradford was especially difficult to enjoy. Those scenes felt forced and, honestly, like filler. The romance didn't add emotional depth or stakes — it just slowed down the pacing and made parts of the book feel endless.
And that was a recurring issue for me: the pacing. The plot is stretched out with a lot of details and side-story moments — the dog storyline, the repetitive conversations, the goings-on in Agatha’s manor, and the constant reminders of Phyllida’s feelings for Bradford. None of these subplots strengthened the mystery. Instead, they diluted it and made the book feel much longer than it needed to be.
I kept wishing the story had been trimmed down and more focused on the actual investigation. A tighter structure would have made the central mystery shine much more clearly.
I think I went in expecting something closer in tone and consistency to a Christie novel, so the extra embellishments (including hints of unnecessary sexual tension, which seems to be an obligatory trend in many modern books) really didn’t work for me.
All of that said, this isn’t a bad book. The mystery itself works, the setting is charming, and I can see the appeal for readers who love this series and enjoy character-driven cozies with lots of side details. It just wasn’t quite the experience I was hoping for.
However, I guessed the murderer from the very beginning, and that took away quite a bit of the tension for me. Even with the red herrings sprinkled in, nothing really shifted my first impression, so the final reveal didn’t land as strongly as it could have.
My bigger struggle was connecting with the characters. I never really clicked with Phyllida, which is tough since she carries the whole series. Her dynamic (and supposed romantic tension) with Bradford was especially difficult to enjoy. Those scenes felt forced and, honestly, like filler. The romance didn't add emotional depth or stakes — it just slowed down the pacing and made parts of the book feel endless.
And that was a recurring issue for me: the pacing. The plot is stretched out with a lot of details and side-story moments — the dog storyline, the repetitive conversations, the goings-on in Agatha’s manor, and the constant reminders of Phyllida’s feelings for Bradford. None of these subplots strengthened the mystery. Instead, they diluted it and made the book feel much longer than it needed to be.
I kept wishing the story had been trimmed down and more focused on the actual investigation. A tighter structure would have made the central mystery shine much more clearly.
I think I went in expecting something closer in tone and consistency to a Christie novel, so the extra embellishments (including hints of unnecessary sexual tension, which seems to be an obligatory trend in many modern books) really didn’t work for me.
All of that said, this isn’t a bad book. The mystery itself works, the setting is charming, and I can see the appeal for readers who love this series and enjoy character-driven cozies with lots of side details. It just wasn’t quite the experience I was hoping for.
March 8, 2026
3.5 stars
Trigger warning: worry over elderly pets and talk of pet death :(
Necessary spoiler: Don't worry, the dogs Myrtle and Jarvis end up fine!!
This was a good book, but not amazing. I haven't read any of the others in this series, and I know I was starting on Book 5. (It caught my eye on the New shelf at the library.) Would I read more in this series? Maybe. Now I feel like I know what I would be getting, more or less.
I guessed kind-of correctly about the murder, but like all murder mysteries, I was sort of confused throughout the book (which is the point, right? To confuse/mislead the reader!).
I also found that the map in the front of the book didn't really match up to many of the descriptions of where Phyllida was walking, the footpaths, the river, etc. Why include a map if it's going to be incorrect?
Phyllida was a little TOO "prim and proper" English, to the point of caricature, so that got a bit old. I didn't mind her romance with Bradford, but I did find it annoying that multiple attractive men were attracted to her -- OF COURSE! Give me a break.
I also found the book to be very sad. Without revealing any spoilers, it's a murder so obviously someone dies, but this book had multiple tragic deaths. Also there were a lot of elderly pets and tragic pet stuff. So when I closed the book, it was a bummer, you know?
I wasn't sure about the side story of the butler Dobble, the vicar Mr. Billdop, and the crate. When it started mentioning Dobble's friendship with the vicar, with everyone being awkward and blushing, I thought maybe some gay romance was being suggested. The author clears up the "mystery" in one way, but to my mind it's written as open to a relationship between Dobble and Billdop (which is fine by me!). Does anyone know more? Maybe it's in the other books.
Trigger warning: worry over elderly pets and talk of pet death :(
Necessary spoiler: Don't worry, the dogs Myrtle and Jarvis end up fine!!
This was a good book, but not amazing. I haven't read any of the others in this series, and I know I was starting on Book 5. (It caught my eye on the New shelf at the library.) Would I read more in this series? Maybe. Now I feel like I know what I would be getting, more or less.
I guessed kind-of correctly about the murder, but like all murder mysteries, I was sort of confused throughout the book (which is the point, right? To confuse/mislead the reader!).
I also found that the map in the front of the book didn't really match up to many of the descriptions of where Phyllida was walking, the footpaths, the river, etc. Why include a map if it's going to be incorrect?
Phyllida was a little TOO "prim and proper" English, to the point of caricature, so that got a bit old. I didn't mind her romance with Bradford, but I did find it annoying that multiple attractive men were attracted to her -- OF COURSE! Give me a break.
I also found the book to be very sad. Without revealing any spoilers, it's a murder so obviously someone dies, but this book had multiple tragic deaths. Also there were a lot of elderly pets and tragic pet stuff. So when I closed the book, it was a bummer, you know?
I wasn't sure about the side story of the butler Dobble, the vicar Mr. Billdop, and the crate. When it started mentioning Dobble's friendship with the vicar, with everyone being awkward and blushing, I thought maybe some gay romance was being suggested. The author clears up the "mystery" in one way, but to my mind it's written as open to a relationship between Dobble and Billdop (which is fine by me!). Does anyone know more? Maybe it's in the other books.
September 6, 2025
I dropped into this series for the first time with this book and all I can say is, I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get to it! Phyllida Bright is an awesome main character. She is a master, or should that be mistress, of her crafts, both being a housekeeper to Agatha Christie and being an investigator par excellence. The book opens with her receiving an invitation to a dinner party where the hostess would like her to determine if her husband is having an affair. By the time the evening is over, she is investigating the death of another of the dinner guests, a young woman, Ethel Blastwick.
Mrs. Agatha is most preoccupied with Poirot and his evil villain on the Orient Express, so heads off to London hoping the drive and a change of scenery will help Poirot and her solve the case. As she leaves she encourages Phyllida to continue her her investigation. As she does, Mrs. Bright learns of additional murders to be solved, which of course she does, all with her customary aplomb. One of her major concerns is to ensure her household staff does not discover she is involved with the chauffer, Bradford. I enjoyed her interactions with Bradford immensely and found them typical of the time and ever so entertaining.
I must say that I was surprised when I reached the point where the killer was unmasked, but in thinking about it, the clues were all there. I am obviously just not as astute as Mrs. Bright!
If you don't already have this on preorder or aren't on the hold list for it at your local library, I highly recommend doing so now!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Mrs. Agatha is most preoccupied with Poirot and his evil villain on the Orient Express, so heads off to London hoping the drive and a change of scenery will help Poirot and her solve the case. As she leaves she encourages Phyllida to continue her her investigation. As she does, Mrs. Bright learns of additional murders to be solved, which of course she does, all with her customary aplomb. One of her major concerns is to ensure her household staff does not discover she is involved with the chauffer, Bradford. I enjoyed her interactions with Bradford immensely and found them typical of the time and ever so entertaining.
I must say that I was surprised when I reached the point where the killer was unmasked, but in thinking about it, the clues were all there. I am obviously just not as astute as Mrs. Bright!
If you don't already have this on preorder or aren't on the hold list for it at your local library, I highly recommend doing so now!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
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