What do you think?
Rate this book
Kate Hamilton Mysteries #6
A Grave Deception: A Kate Hamilton Mystery
Antiques expert Kate Hamilton dives into the past to solve a 14th century mystery with disturbing similarities to a modern-day murder in the sixth installment of the Kate Hamilton mystery series.
Kate Hamilton and her husband, Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, have settled into married life in Long Barston. When archaeologists excavating the ruins of a nearby plague village discover the miraculously preserved body of a 14th century woman, Kate and her colleague, Ivor Tweedy, are asked to appraise the grave goods, including a valuable pearl. When tests reveal the woman was pregnant and murdered, the owner of the estate on which the body was found, an amateur historian, asks Kate to identify her and, if possible, her killer. Surprised, Kate agrees to try.
Meanwhile, tensions within the archaeological team erupt when the body of the lead archaeologist turns up at the dig site with fake pearls in his mouth and stomach. Then a third body is found in the excavations. Meanwhile, Kate’s husband Tom is tracking the movements of a killer of his own.
With the help of 700-year-old documents and the unpublished research of a deceased historian, Kate must piece together the past before the grave count reaches four.
Kate Hamilton and her husband, Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, have settled into married life in Long Barston. When archaeologists excavating the ruins of a nearby plague village discover the miraculously preserved body of a 14th century woman, Kate and her colleague, Ivor Tweedy, are asked to appraise the grave goods, including a valuable pearl. When tests reveal the woman was pregnant and murdered, the owner of the estate on which the body was found, an amateur historian, asks Kate to identify her and, if possible, her killer. Surprised, Kate agrees to try.
Meanwhile, tensions within the archaeological team erupt when the body of the lead archaeologist turns up at the dig site with fake pearls in his mouth and stomach. Then a third body is found in the excavations. Meanwhile, Kate’s husband Tom is tracking the movements of a killer of his own.
With the help of 700-year-old documents and the unpublished research of a deceased historian, Kate must piece together the past before the grave count reaches four.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published December 9, 2025
31 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Connie Berry
8 books148 followersConnie Berry is the author of the Kate Hamilton Mysteries, set in the UK and featuring an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes. Like her protagonist, Connie was raised by antiques dealers who instilled in her a passion for history, fine art, and travel. During college she studied at the University of Freiburg in Germany and St. Clare’s College, Oxford, where she fell under the spell of the British Isles. Besides reading and writing mysteries, Connie loves history, foreign travel, cute animals, and all things British. She lives in Ohio with her husband and adorable Shih Tzu, Emmie.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 24, 2025
Kate is an American expat and antiquities expert married to Tom, a British police officer. She and her business partner Ivor are called on to identify some items at a local archeological dig. The team is mostly friendly, but the team leader, Simon, is an abrasive narcissist. When he is found dead at the site, everyone associated with the dig is a suspect. Another body is discovered, but this one is not medieval--could it be the missing wife of a local man? And is one of the archeologists altering the list of items found to sell things on the side? A well written British police procedural with likable characters and intriguing historical tidbits about Roman Britain. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 14, 2025
A Grave Deception is sixth in Connie Berry's excellent Kate Hamilton Mystery series. An American antiques expert, Kate recently married Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, in England. The owner of an antiques shop, Ivor, has become her business partner, and she also consults with the police on cases that involve antiquities.
This time the focus is on an archaeology crew that is shocked when one of their "finds" is the body of a 14th-century young woman that is unexpectedly well preserved, as is the jewelry buried with her. The owner of the land asks Kate to look into who that woman was and why she was murdered with a baby in her womb. His own background includes a wife who disappeared nine years earlier and was never found. Before long, there is another murder and another unexpected discovery.
As always, Berry has created an exquisitely intricate case, with plenty of suspects to keep the suspense growing. At the same time, Tom is working on another case which, although a connection between the two cases is ultimately revealed, doesn't amount to much and isn't given a lot of attention in the plot. This wasn't my favorite in the series, as I sometimes felt the ultra-detailed accounting of the step-by-step investigation was a bit too much and the character development was not enough. I did enjoy the historical details and a quick reference to Kate's ability to sometimes feel what a murder victim felt by looking at and handling certain items found with the deceased. And the book's last sentence teases more to adventures come for Kate Hamilton.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
This time the focus is on an archaeology crew that is shocked when one of their "finds" is the body of a 14th-century young woman that is unexpectedly well preserved, as is the jewelry buried with her. The owner of the land asks Kate to look into who that woman was and why she was murdered with a baby in her womb. His own background includes a wife who disappeared nine years earlier and was never found. Before long, there is another murder and another unexpected discovery.
As always, Berry has created an exquisitely intricate case, with plenty of suspects to keep the suspense growing. At the same time, Tom is working on another case which, although a connection between the two cases is ultimately revealed, doesn't amount to much and isn't given a lot of attention in the plot. This wasn't my favorite in the series, as I sometimes felt the ultra-detailed accounting of the step-by-step investigation was a bit too much and the character development was not enough. I did enjoy the historical details and a quick reference to Kate's ability to sometimes feel what a murder victim felt by looking at and handling certain items found with the deceased. And the book's last sentence teases more to adventures come for Kate Hamilton.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
December 9, 2025
I am relatively new to Connie Berry's series, but the couple I have read have been engaging and filled with mysteries to solve.
This novel centers on an archaeological dig at a village destroyed by the plague in the mid-1300s. The discovery of a coffin with a body that was well preserved takes the story up a notch. I read in the author's notes that this is loosely based on an actual coffin found dating back to the 1300s. It boggles the mind to think of a body preserved in such a way that it was almost like the person was just interred.
But the mysteries are not centered solely on that coffin. There is the murder of the lead archaeologist and the missing wife of the landowner. The wife went missing nine years ago, and clues are uncovered that solve several mysteries. I loved following the clues and trying to decipher how they fit together and who the killer might be. Just when Kate thought she had all the answers, new information emerged that sent her back to the drawing board.
The story does leave a small cliffhanger regarding Tom's career, so I'm curious how that will play out in the next book.
We give this book 5 paws up.
This novel centers on an archaeological dig at a village destroyed by the plague in the mid-1300s. The discovery of a coffin with a body that was well preserved takes the story up a notch. I read in the author's notes that this is loosely based on an actual coffin found dating back to the 1300s. It boggles the mind to think of a body preserved in such a way that it was almost like the person was just interred.
But the mysteries are not centered solely on that coffin. There is the murder of the lead archaeologist and the missing wife of the landowner. The wife went missing nine years ago, and clues are uncovered that solve several mysteries. I loved following the clues and trying to decipher how they fit together and who the killer might be. Just when Kate thought she had all the answers, new information emerged that sent her back to the drawing board.
The story does leave a small cliffhanger regarding Tom's career, so I'm curious how that will play out in the next book.
We give this book 5 paws up.
Read
December 17, 2025Not a fan of the vague paranormal elements. DNF
November 14, 2025
The sixth Kate Hamilton mystery begins when she and her partner Ivor are invited to appraise some grave goods found at an archaeological site. A miraculously preserved body of a fourteenth century woman has been found. Investigations reveal that she was pregnant and she was murdered. Her sealed and lead lined coffin yields a variety of goods including a large pearl.
The millionaire who owns the land where the dig is happening wants to hire Kate to see if she can discover who the woman was. She also learns that his young wife, a fashion model and amateur archaeologist, disappeared nine years earlier. He was suspected of murdering her, but lack of evidence and a body meant the case was stalled. Now, he is hoping that the grave goods will be the centerpiece of a museum he is creating at his estate in his wife's honor.
When rivalry among the team currently exploring the site results in the death of the lead archaeologist, there is also a current murder to solve. Meanwhile, Kate's husband Tom, now a chief inspector, is trying to find a murderer on the run.
This was an engaging mystery. I liked the setting and the historical details. I enjoyed the way Kate and Tom worked together. I liked the way the murders in the 1400s and the one nine years earlier have so many parallels. I was surprised by the identity of the villain even though the clues were there in the story.
The millionaire who owns the land where the dig is happening wants to hire Kate to see if she can discover who the woman was. She also learns that his young wife, a fashion model and amateur archaeologist, disappeared nine years earlier. He was suspected of murdering her, but lack of evidence and a body meant the case was stalled. Now, he is hoping that the grave goods will be the centerpiece of a museum he is creating at his estate in his wife's honor.
When rivalry among the team currently exploring the site results in the death of the lead archaeologist, there is also a current murder to solve. Meanwhile, Kate's husband Tom, now a chief inspector, is trying to find a murderer on the run.
This was an engaging mystery. I liked the setting and the historical details. I enjoyed the way Kate and Tom worked together. I liked the way the murders in the 1400s and the one nine years earlier have so many parallels. I was surprised by the identity of the villain even though the clues were there in the story.
August 27, 2025
With its familiar cast of characters and idyllic setting in an English village, the latest Kate Hamilton book will be a win for fans of mysteries, antiques, and archeology.
Cozy but not cloying, it finds Kate settling into married life in Long Barton with her new husband, DI Tom Mallory. When an exciting opportunity arises to appraise the grave goods of a 14th century woman, Kate and her colleague Ivor Tweedy readily agree. (I just adore Ivor) As a bit of a side hustle, Kate is hired to investigate who this mystery medieval woman was. Quickly thereafter, a death at the dig site has Tom and Kate joining forces once again to unravel what’s going on, both in the present and in the past.
I enjoy this series, but this one had a bit of a slower pace than others for me. And if I had to voice a pet peeve, it would be that Tom allows Kate to sit in on or observe police interviews despite her not being on the force. Surely that wouldn’t be copacetic?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Cozy but not cloying, it finds Kate settling into married life in Long Barton with her new husband, DI Tom Mallory. When an exciting opportunity arises to appraise the grave goods of a 14th century woman, Kate and her colleague Ivor Tweedy readily agree. (I just adore Ivor) As a bit of a side hustle, Kate is hired to investigate who this mystery medieval woman was. Quickly thereafter, a death at the dig site has Tom and Kate joining forces once again to unravel what’s going on, both in the present and in the past.
I enjoy this series, but this one had a bit of a slower pace than others for me. And if I had to voice a pet peeve, it would be that Tom allows Kate to sit in on or observe police interviews despite her not being on the force. Surely that wouldn’t be copacetic?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 12, 2025
To me this series is an absolute bingeable dream. If your taste runs to a gentle British police mystery featuring an antiques specialist, these are the books for you. In the first book in the series (A Dream of Death), 40 something heroine Kate Hamilton, an American antiques dealer, is in the UK to repair her relationship with her dead husband’s sister and she gets more than she bargained for. In the course of the series she meets her new husband (by book 6 they are happily married newlyweds). In each novel, there’s an unusual antiquity or archaeological find that holds the threads of the plot together.
In this latest book, that binder is the discovery of a corpse in a site near Kate’s home in Long Barston, that dates from the 14th century. Because of the way the body was wrapped, it’s almost perfectly preserved, and Kate and her business partner, Ivor Tweedy, have been asked to assess the “grave goods” or the items the woman was buried with. (Berry based this discovery on a real one, and there’s a note about that discovery at the end of the book).
One of the items is an incredible pearl, and when Kate sees it, she has a violent reaction as she does with many of the objects from the past she deals with. In the pearl she senses trauma and terror. The reactions she has are so intense she can’t stop thinking about them, but she’s yet to share this special skill (if that’s the correct term) with her new husband. In any case, the pearl as well as the women’s body compel Kate to be fully invested in the dig, and even more so when a fresh body is discovered.
Kate’s expertise has earned her a consultancy with a detective agency, and when her combined skills of antiquities expertise and detection are needed, she’s assigned a job. In this novel, the job request comes from the wealthy owner of the manor near the dig, who asks her to try and discover the long-ago dead woman’s identity. The man has his own well of grief – his beloved wife disappeared a decade ago. As Kate gently investigates the relationships between the archaeologists trying to discern the dead woman’s identity, she shakes loose more than a few long-buried secrets.
These are books to pick up if you enjoy the main characters (I do); the description of village life and of Kate and Ivor’s antique business; the pubs and the food within the pubs; and the descriptions of the British countryside. To this long time anglophile, that combination – along with the clever and resonant mysteries Berry provides – are absolute catnip. When I stumbled across book five last year I went back and read the entire series, something I almost never do, because my reading list is usually so long. Reader, I whipped through all of them, hungry for more. This is a worthy addition in the saga of Kate Hamilton, and I cannot wait for the next one.
In this latest book, that binder is the discovery of a corpse in a site near Kate’s home in Long Barston, that dates from the 14th century. Because of the way the body was wrapped, it’s almost perfectly preserved, and Kate and her business partner, Ivor Tweedy, have been asked to assess the “grave goods” or the items the woman was buried with. (Berry based this discovery on a real one, and there’s a note about that discovery at the end of the book).
One of the items is an incredible pearl, and when Kate sees it, she has a violent reaction as she does with many of the objects from the past she deals with. In the pearl she senses trauma and terror. The reactions she has are so intense she can’t stop thinking about them, but she’s yet to share this special skill (if that’s the correct term) with her new husband. In any case, the pearl as well as the women’s body compel Kate to be fully invested in the dig, and even more so when a fresh body is discovered.
Kate’s expertise has earned her a consultancy with a detective agency, and when her combined skills of antiquities expertise and detection are needed, she’s assigned a job. In this novel, the job request comes from the wealthy owner of the manor near the dig, who asks her to try and discover the long-ago dead woman’s identity. The man has his own well of grief – his beloved wife disappeared a decade ago. As Kate gently investigates the relationships between the archaeologists trying to discern the dead woman’s identity, she shakes loose more than a few long-buried secrets.
These are books to pick up if you enjoy the main characters (I do); the description of village life and of Kate and Ivor’s antique business; the pubs and the food within the pubs; and the descriptions of the British countryside. To this long time anglophile, that combination – along with the clever and resonant mysteries Berry provides – are absolute catnip. When I stumbled across book five last year I went back and read the entire series, something I almost never do, because my reading list is usually so long. Reader, I whipped through all of them, hungry for more. This is a worthy addition in the saga of Kate Hamilton, and I cannot wait for the next one.
November 17, 2025
A Grave Deception by Connie Berry is a very highly recommended cozy murder mystery and the sixth book in the series featuring Kate Hamilton. Kate and her husband, Detective Inspector Tom Mallory, have settled into married life in Long Barston, UK.
When members of an archeology team lead by Dr. Simon Sinclair, including Dr. Niall Nevin, DR. Celia Whybrew, and PhD students Mark Lambe and Tamzin Oliver, discover a miraculously preserved body of a 14th century woman, dubbed Egemere woman, while excavating by a church in the ruins of a nearby plague village. Antiques expert Kate Hamilton and her business partner, Ivor Tweedy, are called in to appraise the grave goods being stored at Ravenswyck Court, the estate near the dig owned by wealthy businessman Alex Belcourt. The items include a valuable pearl which Kate has a visceral reaction when she sees it, feeling violence and fear attached to the pearl.
It is discovered that Egemere woman was pregnant when buried and Belcourt wants Kate to try and find out the identity of the woman. He had his wife, Carrie, disappear a decade earlier and is presumed dead. He is mourning her even while he is still a suspect in her death. Tensions rise when the body of Sinclair is found at the dig site with fake pearls in his mouth and stomach. Kate uses 700-year-old documents found through clues left by a deceased historian who was researching the area. At the same time she is keeping her ears open to assist Tom in the case too. Things become even more tense when a third body is found.
This is a very well-written interesting mystery that keeps you guessing right to the end while remaining very compelling while reading. There are several suspects along the way, including almost everyone on the dig team, but although I had my favorite suspects, I did not guess whodunit until it was revealed. There is also plenty of basic information about 14th century artifacts found and/or sold. Adding to the atmosphere are the many pubs Kate and Tom or others visit/eat at while conducting the investigation. There is an interesting tie-in to a group of protestors and the historian, which all helped Kate. Kate and the rest of the recurring characters are all likable and believable.
A Grave Deception is a perfect choice for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a historical bent, and everyone following the series. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
When members of an archeology team lead by Dr. Simon Sinclair, including Dr. Niall Nevin, DR. Celia Whybrew, and PhD students Mark Lambe and Tamzin Oliver, discover a miraculously preserved body of a 14th century woman, dubbed Egemere woman, while excavating by a church in the ruins of a nearby plague village. Antiques expert Kate Hamilton and her business partner, Ivor Tweedy, are called in to appraise the grave goods being stored at Ravenswyck Court, the estate near the dig owned by wealthy businessman Alex Belcourt. The items include a valuable pearl which Kate has a visceral reaction when she sees it, feeling violence and fear attached to the pearl.
It is discovered that Egemere woman was pregnant when buried and Belcourt wants Kate to try and find out the identity of the woman. He had his wife, Carrie, disappear a decade earlier and is presumed dead. He is mourning her even while he is still a suspect in her death. Tensions rise when the body of Sinclair is found at the dig site with fake pearls in his mouth and stomach. Kate uses 700-year-old documents found through clues left by a deceased historian who was researching the area. At the same time she is keeping her ears open to assist Tom in the case too. Things become even more tense when a third body is found.
This is a very well-written interesting mystery that keeps you guessing right to the end while remaining very compelling while reading. There are several suspects along the way, including almost everyone on the dig team, but although I had my favorite suspects, I did not guess whodunit until it was revealed. There is also plenty of basic information about 14th century artifacts found and/or sold. Adding to the atmosphere are the many pubs Kate and Tom or others visit/eat at while conducting the investigation. There is an interesting tie-in to a group of protestors and the historian, which all helped Kate. Kate and the rest of the recurring characters are all likable and believable.
A Grave Deception is a perfect choice for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a historical bent, and everyone following the series. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2025/1...
August 16, 2025
If you like archeology; British history; a good who done it; new babies on the way, four-legged or two, some romance or intrigue, this book has it! Kate Hamilton is rapidly becoming one of my favorite characters. She is an antiques and antiquities dealer who works with Ivor Tweedy, an acknowledged expert. They co-own an antiques shop and consult as needed with both the police and private clients. They are asked to evaluate the findings at a dig nearby and when they view one of the major finds, a large pearl, Kate has one of her "incidents". She often has visions when she is presented with items having intense pasts.
She and Ivor ask to watch some of the activity going on at the dig, but when they go on-site with the team, they find the team leader, Dr. Simon Sinclair dead in one of the trenches. As the investigation gets underway with Kate's husband, DCI Tom Mallory in charge, he asks Kate to continue working with the team because he knows people are more likely to tell her things they will not share with the police and he values her insights. As the story continues more and more comes to light about not only the people currently involved with the dig, but someone involved in a past dig. The story moves along at a fast clip and there are multiple red herrings and turns along the way as Kate, Tom and the rest of the team solve not just one murder, but two and they solve another couple of mysteries as well.
Each book in this series just continues to get better and better. If that continues, all of the review sites are going to need to add additional stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the chance to read an early copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Please know I just wish the 7th book in the series was ready for reader consumption, because this reader is not ready to be without Kate, Tom, Ivor, et al for too long!
She and Ivor ask to watch some of the activity going on at the dig, but when they go on-site with the team, they find the team leader, Dr. Simon Sinclair dead in one of the trenches. As the investigation gets underway with Kate's husband, DCI Tom Mallory in charge, he asks Kate to continue working with the team because he knows people are more likely to tell her things they will not share with the police and he values her insights. As the story continues more and more comes to light about not only the people currently involved with the dig, but someone involved in a past dig. The story moves along at a fast clip and there are multiple red herrings and turns along the way as Kate, Tom and the rest of the team solve not just one murder, but two and they solve another couple of mysteries as well.
Each book in this series just continues to get better and better. If that continues, all of the review sites are going to need to add additional stars!
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the chance to read an early copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Please know I just wish the 7th book in the series was ready for reader consumption, because this reader is not ready to be without Kate, Tom, Ivor, et al for too long!
December 11, 2025
4.5 Star Review
Kate Hamilton is back for an all-new mystery in A Grave Deception by Connie Berry.
Kate and her boss, Ivor Tweedy, are invited to an archaeological dig to evaluate the goods discovered, including a beautiful and haunting pearl. When the dig goes from one body to two, Kate and her husband Tom must work together to find who could have killed the dig’s lead archaeologist. Between finding the identity of the ancient body found in the dig, as well as finding the killer of the archaeologist, Kate must stay on her toes and solve the mystery.
Coming back to a Kate Hamilton Mystery is so comforting. The writing is wonderful, and the characters we have seen in previous books help you engage with the story right away. I found the archaeological dig incredibly interesting and loved following Kate dig into that mystery.
I did struggle a bit with the volume of characters introduced for the dig, however. When the murder happened, I was very confused about who died and who was a suspect because there were so many names. Of course, eventually I did catch on, but it did make it a little harder to engage with the murder mystery than I would have liked. I was able to guess the killer very quickly, which was a little disappointing. But I really enjoyed the twist that was introduced near the end. Overall, Berry continues her incredible series that you just can’t help but love.
A Grave Deception is a wonderful addition to the Kate Hamilton Mystery series with twists and turns that keep you guessing every step of the way.
**REVIEW FOR NOVELSALIVE.COM**
Kate Hamilton is back for an all-new mystery in A Grave Deception by Connie Berry.
Kate and her boss, Ivor Tweedy, are invited to an archaeological dig to evaluate the goods discovered, including a beautiful and haunting pearl. When the dig goes from one body to two, Kate and her husband Tom must work together to find who could have killed the dig’s lead archaeologist. Between finding the identity of the ancient body found in the dig, as well as finding the killer of the archaeologist, Kate must stay on her toes and solve the mystery.
Coming back to a Kate Hamilton Mystery is so comforting. The writing is wonderful, and the characters we have seen in previous books help you engage with the story right away. I found the archaeological dig incredibly interesting and loved following Kate dig into that mystery.
I did struggle a bit with the volume of characters introduced for the dig, however. When the murder happened, I was very confused about who died and who was a suspect because there were so many names. Of course, eventually I did catch on, but it did make it a little harder to engage with the murder mystery than I would have liked. I was able to guess the killer very quickly, which was a little disappointing. But I really enjoyed the twist that was introduced near the end. Overall, Berry continues her incredible series that you just can’t help but love.
A Grave Deception is a wonderful addition to the Kate Hamilton Mystery series with twists and turns that keep you guessing every step of the way.
**REVIEW FOR NOVELSALIVE.COM**
December 10, 2025
The Kate Hamilton mysteries have gotten even better over time--this is my favorite one yet! In addition to the characters and the mysteries solved, I always enjoy learning about the art and antiquities in the story. Berry has the perfect touch of providing details without overwhelming the reader, or at least this reader!
This time around the antiquities and history are centered around the discovery of an almost perfectly preserved body of a woman buried in the 14th century. As Kate and her friend and boss Ivor are examining the finds and looking into the mystery of who this woman was, the murder of one of the archaeologists brings Tom, Kate's police detective husband, into the case. It turns out many people had motive to murder the archaeologist, and as secrets begin to be revealed, Kate and Tom realize the current murder may be connected to a missing person case from years before.
The usual cast of characters are involved in the story, although Lady Barbara, one of my favorites, doesn't play a big role this time around. But the history fits perfectly into the crime, and Kate and Tom work together to solve another mystery. If you read the series, you'll love this book too. If you haven't started, now's the time! Highly recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
This time around the antiquities and history are centered around the discovery of an almost perfectly preserved body of a woman buried in the 14th century. As Kate and her friend and boss Ivor are examining the finds and looking into the mystery of who this woman was, the murder of one of the archaeologists brings Tom, Kate's police detective husband, into the case. It turns out many people had motive to murder the archaeologist, and as secrets begin to be revealed, Kate and Tom realize the current murder may be connected to a missing person case from years before.
The usual cast of characters are involved in the story, although Lady Barbara, one of my favorites, doesn't play a big role this time around. But the history fits perfectly into the crime, and Kate and Tom work together to solve another mystery. If you read the series, you'll love this book too. If you haven't started, now's the time! Highly recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley.
December 5, 2025
Kate Hamilton has found a murder from centuries ago. An archeological group from a college is working in an area nearby, and they’ve found a very well-preserved body. Kate and Ivor are brought in to investigate the items found with the body. The owner of the property where the find was made is very curious and asks Kate to try to find out who this woman was. But that is complicated when a modern-day murder also takes place. Kate is well positioned to figure out what is happening. Can she piece together clues to solve the modern mystery as well?
The characters are the draw for me with this series, and I enjoyed getting to see Kate and Tom’s relationship continue to evolve. Several of the other regulars were also present, which was nice. The plot did get derailed briefly a time or two for me, but those who enjoy British history and antiques will enjoy those detours more than I did. Overall, the plot kept me engaged and lead to a logical climax. And I learned something about history and antiques along the way. Fans of the series will be delighted with this new entry.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
The characters are the draw for me with this series, and I enjoyed getting to see Kate and Tom’s relationship continue to evolve. Several of the other regulars were also present, which was nice. The plot did get derailed briefly a time or two for me, but those who enjoy British history and antiques will enjoy those detours more than I did. Overall, the plot kept me engaged and lead to a logical climax. And I learned something about history and antiques along the way. Fans of the series will be delighted with this new entry.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 4, 2025
A Grave Deception by Connie Berry is the sixth Kate Hamilton mystery. This series just keeps getting better. The author does a lot of historical research and it shows in the book. The story was intricate, complicated and not easy to solve and full of interesting archaeological and historical details. The personal stories in the book were also a key part of the book and it was heartbreaking to read how one horrible person could destroy so many lives. The main characters were all back in this book and it’s always a pleasure to hear about Ivor, Vivian and all of Kate and Tom’s friends. The end of the book left a little bit of the story dangling and I can’t wait to see what will happen next. I have an idea of what I would like to happen, but we will see where Ms. Berry takes this series next. I hope there will be many more stories in this series. Connie Berry is a wonderful storyteller.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
September 5, 2025
Yet another excellent story in the Kate Hamilton series. This edition takes us to Devon where there is a murderer on the lam who Tom is hoping to catch. It also takes us to an archeological dig where Kate and Ivor have been asked to authenticate and date a rather monumental find of jewelry and other items that were found with a highly well preserved corpse from medieval times. As if that isn't enough to make for a great story, there's also an old unsolved murder, and then a new murder to try to solve. And, before you think that's all, there's also another very old murder to solve as well. Connie Berry somehow manages to make all this flow together seamlessly with twists, turns, several viable would be murderers both new and old, and even more intriguing storylines to enjoy and keep you on the edge of your seat. Read this book and find yourself immersed in several different times, several personal stories, and several murders ... all at the same time. Brilliantly written with an ending that I hadn't expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
Antiques expert Kate Hamilton dives into the past to investigate a 14th-century mystery with disturbing similarities to a modern-day murder.
This took me longer to read than I was hoping for, not because I didn’t enjoy but because I kept being called away. It had all the usual elements that make Kate Hamilton mysteries so wonderful! Something about a mystery being solved across the pond is always intriguing. There are a choke full of characters with a twisty but binge-worthy plot to follow, but it’s never too much, and I was able to keep track of everyone. The Kate Hamilton series has become one of my favourite mystery series. I don’t know how Connie Berry does it, but she weaves a tale that is hard to figure out who has done it all, while keeping this reader busy being led around Barston Long, trying to figure out who did it.
Looking forward to the next installment, I only hope it won’t be a long wait.
My gratitude to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.
This took me longer to read than I was hoping for, not because I didn’t enjoy but because I kept being called away. It had all the usual elements that make Kate Hamilton mysteries so wonderful! Something about a mystery being solved across the pond is always intriguing. There are a choke full of characters with a twisty but binge-worthy plot to follow, but it’s never too much, and I was able to keep track of everyone. The Kate Hamilton series has become one of my favourite mystery series. I don’t know how Connie Berry does it, but she weaves a tale that is hard to figure out who has done it all, while keeping this reader busy being led around Barston Long, trying to figure out who did it.
Looking forward to the next installment, I only hope it won’t be a long wait.
My gratitude to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.
December 15, 2025
Love, love, love this series! Definitely read the books in order to enjoy all the developing relationships both friendly and romantic. Especially appreciate the way Kate and Tom compliment each other. She's more imaginative and goes with her gut before she can actually work out why and that balances Tom's pragmatic Detective Investigator style. Plus, Kate has a background in history and antiquities which unexpectedly provides clues in unexpected places.
This time there are two mysteries -- well, really three I guess -- one is centuries old, one is a cold case and then there's the current one. The way Berry entertains them all is absolutely brilliant and all the historical embellishments added to my fascination. Plus there's some wonderful cozy home and hearth kind of stuff between Kate and Tom as well as with particular friends that add to the overall depth of the story. Can't wait for the next Kate Hamilton Mystery (and yes, I know this one just released, but I'm an impatient reader!)
This time there are two mysteries -- well, really three I guess -- one is centuries old, one is a cold case and then there's the current one. The way Berry entertains them all is absolutely brilliant and all the historical embellishments added to my fascination. Plus there's some wonderful cozy home and hearth kind of stuff between Kate and Tom as well as with particular friends that add to the overall depth of the story. Can't wait for the next Kate Hamilton Mystery (and yes, I know this one just released, but I'm an impatient reader!)
August 2, 2025
The Kate Hamilton series is just a fantastic set of thoughtful, compelling, and compassionate mysteries that always have an element of history to them. This latest book is no exception, and is particularly good at capturing all the human emotion that drives so many actions for good or ill. Kate gets involved in another of detective husband Tom’s cases when she and her partner in the antique shop are asked to consult on an archaeological dig. The murder of one of the archaeological team soon starts to overlap with two other cases, one more recent and one much older. All is of course resolved in the case, but not without some developments in the regular characters’ lives and some moving emotional moments all around. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.
October 21, 2025
Kate and her partner, Ivor, are asked to consult on some items found during an archeological dig at the remains of a plague town near them. They have found a sealed coffin with a remarkably preserved body from the 14th century. The team is from a University and everyone seems fine except the egotistical, manipulative team leader, Simon. When Simon is found dead, everyone involved in the dig and protesters are suspects. Kate helps her husband (who is the local DI) with the case, upsetting the newly hired DCI. Tied into the investigation, Kate is investigating the disappearance of the landowner’s wife, years ago.
The mystery is captivating and I really didn’t know who the culprit was before the ending. The ending has twists that will have you anxious for the next book in the series. I enjoy this series and the characters.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
The mystery is captivating and I really didn’t know who the culprit was before the ending. The ending has twists that will have you anxious for the next book in the series. I enjoy this series and the characters.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
November 13, 2025
When a body from the 14th century is found, Kate is asked to help solve both the mystery of who the woman is and who killed her. Always up for a challenge, Kate will do her best.
Then two more bodies are found, and Kate finds herself shifting through old materials and documents trying to solve the mystery. And if she can’t, the question becomes whether Cate can survive this one. Because she’s not just dealing with murder in the past, but also the present and she’s hoping that the future doesn’t hold the same fate for her.
I love how the author writes the series. It’s a true mystery with such intelligence included throughout the storyline that I almost don’t wanna call it a cozy mystery, because I consider those to be a little more frivolous and fun. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great, but this one just takes it up a level and I really enjoy that.
Then two more bodies are found, and Kate finds herself shifting through old materials and documents trying to solve the mystery. And if she can’t, the question becomes whether Cate can survive this one. Because she’s not just dealing with murder in the past, but also the present and she’s hoping that the future doesn’t hold the same fate for her.
I love how the author writes the series. It’s a true mystery with such intelligence included throughout the storyline that I almost don’t wanna call it a cozy mystery, because I consider those to be a little more frivolous and fun. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great, but this one just takes it up a level and I really enjoy that.
December 10, 2025
Kate is an antiques expert married to a British police officer named Tom. She and her partner Ivor are asked to evaluate some items in a near by archeological site. The site also discovered a well preserved body of a woman from the 14th century. The owner of the site asks Kate to find out about the discovered woman, the baby in her womb and why she was murdered. When one of the team members is found dead and then another woman's body who has been missing is also found, it is up to Kate to discover what is going on.
I am a new Kate Hamilton fan! Her work ethic, her personal approach to everything she does and her clairsentient vibes are so likeable. The whole story was entertaining and I was invested in finding out about the woman from the 14th century and the killer of course!
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
I am a new Kate Hamilton fan! Her work ethic, her personal approach to everything she does and her clairsentient vibes are so likeable. The whole story was entertaining and I was invested in finding out about the woman from the 14th century and the killer of course!
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
July 26, 2025
I've enjoyed every one of the Kate Hamilton cozy mysteries and this newest effort did not disappoint. Kate and her elderly mentor, Ivor, work together in an antiquities business in a small village in Suffolk. They are called in to evaluate items that are being excavated in an archeological dig happening nearby. But shortly after their arrival on the scene, and their first viewing of the items, the dig itself becomes the scene of a murder. And the plot thickens from there. Kate's husband is the head police detective in the area, and a decent one, but it is Kate who possesses a rather unique gift that assists in solving not only the murder in the present day, but the mysteries and crimes of the past. A bit of a murder mystery but with an intriguing historical twist.
October 20, 2025
An archeological dig unearths a coffin containing the well preserved corpse of a 14th century woman. She was buried with a valuable pearl and had been stabbed. Who was she? Why was she stabbed? Why was such a valuable pearl buried with her? There are echoes of a 7 year old case of a missing and much loved wife. Then the lead archeologist is murdered. Kate Hamilton is hired by the still grieving husband to find out more about the 14th century woman. Kate's husband is working on the case of the murdered archeologist. Are there connections? This is one in a series with which I was unfamiliar. For me it worked well as a stand alone and it did make me want to read more books from the Kate Hamilton series.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eGalley of this title.
August 8, 2025
A Grave Deception, the sixth mystery starring Kate Hamilton is another great read in the series. This novel has Kate well settled into life with her detective husband Tom and antique store owner boss Ivor. As the series has progressed the plots get more complicated and I did find the plot in this book to be hard to follow at times. There is a large cast of characters and three murders spaced years apart. Ms. Berry does a good, believable job of solving the murders and tying everything up. This book can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend starting from book one and reading them all.
August 3, 2025
The latest in the Kate Hamilton series finds Kate, her mentor in the antiquities trade Ivor Tweedy, and her husband/senior police detective Tom solving a recent murder and two cold cases (one of which is hundreds of years old). The author's empathetic character-building is a strength of the series, and Kate and Tom work well to bring their official and unofficial talents to the investigation. All of the myriad plot threads are detailed and brought to suitable conclusions. Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the eARC.
November 30, 2025
Kate, an American antiques expert, takes on a very cold (700 years old!) case in this latest in the series that sees her work with her husband DI Tom Mallery and her partner Iver. An archeological dig reveals the remains of a dead woman who has, of all things, a pearl in her mouth. That's enough of a surprise but then there's a murder, the murder of an admittedly abrasive man. And another one. Kate must navigate all of this. She's intrepid and this is clever. I like the characters and enjoyed the puzzles Berry offers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.
October 31, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
I enjoy this series. This one was a bit slow going for me and I thought there was too much going on, spreading the story amongst several mysteries. None of the revelations came as a surprise. I definitely recommend the series; this just wasn't my favorite. Ivor is one of my favorite characters and I'm glad he had a bigger role this time.
I enjoy this series. This one was a bit slow going for me and I thought there was too much going on, spreading the story amongst several mysteries. None of the revelations came as a surprise. I definitely recommend the series; this just wasn't my favorite. Ivor is one of my favorite characters and I'm glad he had a bigger role this time.
December 17, 2025
A twisty-turny pleasure.
Archeologists in town are working on a dig and Kate and Ivor are brought in to consult after a perfectly preserved body and expensive pearl is uncovered. Unfortunately, as they begin their task a body of recent vintage is found.
Kate and Tom work together to solve the various mysteries that arise.
Ms. Berry has a deft touch and incorporates beloved characters from previous books while introducing quirky new ones to capture our interest. Highly recommend.
Archeologists in town are working on a dig and Kate and Ivor are brought in to consult after a perfectly preserved body and expensive pearl is uncovered. Unfortunately, as they begin their task a body of recent vintage is found.
Kate and Tom work together to solve the various mysteries that arise.
Ms. Berry has a deft touch and incorporates beloved characters from previous books while introducing quirky new ones to capture our interest. Highly recommend.
December 19, 2025
The discovery of a remarkably preserved medieval murder victim pulls antiquities expert Kate into a dual mystery. While she investigates the ancient crime, a modern murder occurs at the archaeological dig where the body was found. This intriguing novel kept me guessing. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read the series in order.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Read
December 2, 2025Enjoyable cozy mystery with archeology, antiquities, great interiors, good food descriptions and small English villages.
December 15, 2025
4.5 stars. I think this might be one of my favorite Kate Hamilton mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews