Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall

Honeychurch Hall Mystery #2

by Hannah Dennison

When the body of a transport minister is discovered in the grounds on the Honeychurch Hall estate, suspicion as to his unusual demise naturally falls on the residents. After all, who could possibly want a high-speed train line and rolling stock depot built in their front yard?

News of the murder soon reaches our heroine Kat Stanford’s nemesis Trudy Wynne. A ruthless tabloid journalist and the ex-wife of Kat’s discarded lover, Trudy is out for revenge. She is also interested in exposing—and humiliating—Kat’s mother Iris, who is secretly the international bestselling romance writer Krystalle Storm.

As the body count begins to build, Kat becomes inextricably embroiled in the ensuing scandal. Is the minister’s death the result of a local vendetta, or could it be connected to her mother’s unusual past?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Contemporary, British Literature, Mystery Thriller

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2015

About the author

British born, Hannah originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant and Hollywood story analyst. After twenty-five years living on the West Coast, Hannah returned to the UK where she shares her life with two high-spirited Hungarian Vizslas. She enjoys all country pursuits, movies, and theatre, reading and seriously good chocolate.

Hannah writes the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Constable) the Island Sisters Mysteries (Minotaur) and the Vicky Hill Mysteries (Constable)

Fun Fact: Hannah is part of the BookTalk author group on social media with pals Kate Carlisle, Jenn McKinlay and Paige Shelton.

Reviews

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry for the lack of reviews, life’s been crazy!

Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall is a perfect British cozy mystery. Filled with intrigue, amazing characters, and a picturesque setting, this book was a winner.

I love Kat, she’s a strong, independent MC, but I feel like she’s not the star. Iris, her mother is the true star, and it works! Iris is hilarious and fun, and her interactions with Kat are wonderful. The Honeychurch family is also wonderful, though I wish they would be more heavily featured. The mystery was superb. Overall an absolutely wonderfull read, that I greatly enjoyed. Highly recommend!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I read Murder at Honeychurch Hall and now I am wondering what took me so long to read the second book in this series. Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall brings us back to the English for another mystery. Kat Stanford is planning head back to London shortly to open an antique shop, but with news of a high speed rail coming to the area, she decides to stick around to protect her mother's interests as well as to help with the campaign to "Stop the Bullet Train". Lavinia, has an old acquaintance who is an environmentalist and is willing to help them fight. As well a representative from the Transport Ministry has arrived in the village to talk to the villagers about their options. When he disappears, Kat is concerned something has happened to him. There are many things going on in this story. Of course Kat's mother, Iris, is still trying to keep Krystalle Storm, her pseudonym for her bodice ripping novels, a secret but reporters are lurking. Iris is also involved in some possible money smuggling from an offshore account, and her step-brother Alfred has been hired to look after the horses following his release from prison. Harry keeps running away from school and Eric is still a pain in the butt. Can they stop the railway? What happened to Valentine? Will Kat and David get back together? Will the public find out who Krystalle Storm really is? A lot of questions with answers in a well plotted story.

These characters are fantastic and a few like “Uncle” Alfred and Patty are quite eccentric. Kat and Iris are two very independent woman and butt heads on more than one occasion like typical mothers and daughters. We meet several new characters as the rail system would affect so many people plus there is a new maid at the hall. All of the characters have very different personalities and have a quirky side to them. The plot was entertaining with humourous spots as well as some suspense. I enjoy the way Kat thinks. She is able to spin realistic theories, but needs the proof before the police can act. A fun series that is quite character driven as well as entertaining.

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, if you can call a murder mystery fun. Zany happenings in an small English town.

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

*As an aside, I found out what a sloe was. It's a British berry that is used to make gin.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This was a story I was anxiously awaiting and the author exceeded my expectations!

Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall brings us back to English countryside and all the characters I loved in Murder at Honeychurch Hall. Kat Stanford is planning head back to London soon but with news of a high speed rail coming to this quaint, historical area she feels she needs to stick around to be sure of her mother’s options and how Honeychurch Hall will be affected. Then a local woman is found dead on the side of the road and the transport minister has gone missing. Are these events connected? and what does it mean for the railway? Meanwhile Kat’s mother is trying to keep her life as Krystalle Storm, international bestselling romance writer, a secret but that isn’t the only thing she is hiding.

These characters are fantastic and a few like “Uncle” Alfred are quite eccentric. Kat and Iris are two very independent woman and butt heads on more than one occasion but what mother and daughter don’t. Their dialogue is delightful and can be very comical especially when Albert joins the conversation or when they are “investigating”. We meet several new characters as the rail system would affect so many people plus there is a new maid at the hall. All of the characters come to life right off of the pages.

The plot was very entertaining a full of funny moments but suspenseful moments as well. Kat has several ideas and scenarios of what may have happened but no solid proof and asking the wrong person the right questions could put her and her mother in danger. The author does a wonderful job of storytelling and like the first story in the series this was a pure joy to read. I love traveling across the pond to visit Honeychurch Hall, I am booking my virtual tickets for next year right away.

[Chaitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun series, not marred by making the mistake of having a stupid heroine at the center. I find Kat to be logical and pragmatic. I don't feel overwhelmed by the details of her occupation - neither the television or the antiques. History is mentioned, but plot isn't halted for its sake. I love her interaction with the people around her, her mom (what a hoot she is!) being the best of a very good cast. The mystery itself isn't bad either, even though I will continue the series for its characters.

But that blurb though! Looking at the Goodreads one, I can't help but shake my head. A plot point that isn't brought up until the tail end of the book (although it can certainly be guessed) is casually mentioned. I wish this wasn't so, and with so many books. Anyway, this is a fun book, fast read. I will definitely be reading more of this author!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this book for review.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the character development of the personalities that I met in book #1. The new characters were interesting, too. The books in this series should be read in order to get the fullest reading pleasure.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read and enjoyed the first book so I was happy to see this book up on NetGalley. Like the first book, "Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall" was quirky and funny. The books are more soap opera with a side order of mystery than a full-fledged mystery. This one does have several mysteries going on but it takes a while for the action to kick in. The Honeychurch Hall mysteries are more about the people than the actual mysteries. They're character driven, not plot driven.

The events in this book unfold about six weeks (more or less, I couldn't find where exactly the time frame was mentioned; I didn't highlight it) after the events of the first book. Many secrets are being kept about those events, most especially from Lady Edith, who may or may not be senile, and her young grandson Harry. Kat thinks that they should know the truth and would tell them if she could.

Kat and her mother join the movement to prevent the train from building in their area, but right from the beginning things don't go smoothly. What follows is a sometimes twisty, sometimes quirky, often meandering story of people living their lives, for better or worse. Actually, though the story seems to meander at first, as the story progresses, you realizes it's more tightly woven than it appears. Little details take on new meaning and look different when turned just a little bit. I like that Dennison doesn't ignore what happened in the earlier story but incorporates it into this story. The impact of events is carried along into future stories and adds a depth and richness sometimes missing in cozy mysteries.

I didn't love "Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall" as I often had trouble relating to Kat, her mother, or many of the characters. Kat is pleasant enough but there's just something about her that keeps me at a distance. But I enjoyed watching the story unfold and trying to guess what would happen. I was pleased to find I was partially correct but I was more wrong than correct.

"Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall" was a little confusing at times and I had trouble keeping all of the characters straight (it's a large cast), but if you like small town life, quirky characters, and lots of detail, this is the story for you.

[SOS Aloha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Principles are like prayers. Noble of course. But awkward at a party. - Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Downton Abbey

The denizens of Little Dipperton have principles. They are taking a stand against the proposed high speed railroad, "Save seconds in travel, loose a 1000 years of history". The project would destroy their village, devalue their property, and detract from the grand house that has ruled over their area, Honeychurch Hall. While the earl escapes to London, the villagers vow to take back their heritage. They call upon Kat Stanford, a reality TV star from Fakes and Treasures, to lead them in this endeavour. Kat reluctantly accepts the challenge, only to find herself entangled in another mystery set in Devon countryside.

DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL is the second novel in the series. Dennison offers a brief recap of how Kat (an antiques appraiser) relocated from London to Devon. Although Kat intended to return to London, her stubborn mother and another mystery keeps her in Little Dipperson. Kat is also drawn to the manor house, Honeychurch Hall, forging a bond with the dowager countess, Lady Edith, and the heir apparent, 7 year old Master Harry. This is where Dennison shines; she adds depth to this cozy mystery with details of modern life in a historical village. Dennison also mixes a century old legend with realty TV, tabloid journalism, and Downton Abbey to create an entertaining read.

DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries, English country life, and, of course, Downton Abbey. Although it can be read as a stand alone novel, I recommend reading book 1, MURDER AT HONEYCHURCH HALL, to enjoy the backstory of Kat and the cast of colorful characters.

I purchased DEADLY DESIRES AT HONEYCHURCH HALL as I enjoyed the first book. I also love Devon.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Antiques take a back seat in the second of this series, as Kat and her mother join with the local villagers to fight a railway line that's supposed to go right through their quaint, historic community. One of the local women dies in a suspicious accident; the expert sent down to discuss compensation with the villagers disappears; the new housekeeper at the Hall is acting suspiciously; and Kat's jailbird uncle returns home. Even Kat's ex-boyfriend, who wants to reconcile with her, plays a part. Not a strong mystery, but full of lovable and unusual characters.

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rumor mill is working overtime and it's believed that there's going to be a rail going through the town. It would destroy half the homes and the property values of the rest. So, there's a major protest going on to stop it. Kat and her mother are right in the middle of all the action.

The problem with this book was that the constant bickering between Kat and her mother wasn't humorous or amusing, just annoying. It distracted from the main story.

[Tabata66 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bought this book because I like british crime mysteries. Didn't realize, it was the 2nd book of a series. To tell the truth: it bored me zo death. I thought it was a fun read, but unfortunately I didn't enjoy it one bit. Sorry.

[Erin L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should like this. Some of the characters are interesting - Harry (too bad he's hardly in the book) and Cat is a reasonable character as well. But so many of the other characters are not my cup of tea. Which is really weird because I do love a good British cozy with all the unusual characters. Sometimes it feels like too many of these characters are too similar and almost caricatures rather than well-developed characters. Her mother in particular becomes very annoying by the end as someone who does everything she possibly can to actually sabotage herself and her life. And once she creates a problem, she avoids it and then Cat has to deal with it.

She also bullies her daughter a bit and encourages others to do it as well which is pretty awful behaviour. But also, as someone with parents in that same generation, not that far out of the norm for them.

Mystery was interesting. Iris's money situation is just insane. And everyone needs to learn boundaries - how to both HAVE boundaries AND respect someone else's boundaries. But here we are.

I'll still read the next in the series.

[MELANIE · Rating 3 out of 5]

On retrouve Kat et sa mère, ainsi que les autres habitants du village, qui se rassemblent pour lutter contre un projet de voie ferroviaire.
Pour commencer, je trouve que le résumé au dos du livre n'est pas adapté, il spoile trop et certains passages, comme "les meurtres s'enchaînent comme les scones à l'heure du thé" sont exagérés.
Ensuite, j'ai un ressenti mitigé, ça part un peu dans tous les sens, beaucoup de choses sont abordées, qui annoncent les tomes suivants, mais c'est un peu fouilli.L'intrigue est assez intéressante, j'ai deviné ce qui se tramait avant la fin, mais c'est bien construit. Cependant, certains points sont trop rapides, il y a tellement d'événements que certains manquent de développement.J'aime bien le personnage de Kat, mais j'ai un peu de mal à m'attacher aux autres.
J'ai le tome 3 dans ma PAL, je vais le lire, mais je ne suis pas plus emballée que ça.

[Ppcfransen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun.

The blur on the backcover is grossly misleading. Or better put: it only had the name of the main character right.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly found this book tedious. Yes, there was a mystery but the characters did not engage me and there were a lot of sidebar stories which were unnecessary. I finished it but only because I hate to not finish a book.

[Katherine P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once we again we are back ta Honeychurch Hall and back with Kat through her many adventures. Dennison writes with such a breezy wit that it's impossible not to be entertained and drawn into the stories. I could picture Honeychurch and the Carriage House and Eric's junkyard. The issue with the train and the devastation that it would cause in the village was very real and the villager's frustration seeped from the pages. It was nice to get to know the villagers a bit better as the previous book had mostly focused on the residents of the Hall.

The main issue I had was all the connections to the previous book. There were so many characters involved in the current mystery and then thrown in half from the first book and it could be difficult to keep all the whos and whys straight. While I like watching Iris's past unravel it did get a little confusing.

Despite the flaw I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery. It reminds me very much of a modern day Agatha Christie or Patricia Wentworth with engaging characters, bright and snappy banter, and a well paced and intricately plotted mystery.

Full Review: http://iwishilivedinalibrary.blogspot...

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in the series Murder at Honeychurch Hall so I was eager to read this book. This cozy mystery is set in Little Dipperton England on the Honeychurch estate. Kat Stanford's mother has purchased the carriage home on the estate. The citizens of the area are very upset that a high speed train is possibly being planned to go through their beloved land and homes. Soon bodies start turning up.

What I really like about this series is the humor and the characters. The relationship between Kat and her mother is quite entertaining and funny. Characters have their secrets and it is always fun when the secrets come out. As a reader I find that I am surprised too as secrets unfold. I can't predict what is going to happen. There was a scene when Kat was listening in secret to her mother and Lavinia having what they thought was a private conversation. I enjoyed the humor in this scene. The author has a creative mind and a good sense of humor. I find for myself the read is unpredictable and can surprise with twists. . If you like English carriage house mysteries with humor and zany unpredictable characters you should like this series. The mystery is also different and very good.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this entertaining series. Kat Stanton is still staying with her mother and being pursued by her ex-boyfriend David Wynne. The village is horrified to find out that there is going to be a high speed train line built through their properties and they start a protest group.

Can Kat's mother keep her secrets from the wider world? Will Kat decided to resume her life in London or will she decide to stay with her mother who seems determined to make a match between her and the handsome Valentine - a consultant advising the villagers about the compensation they can claim?

This is am amusing and well written murder mystery with plenty of suspects and secrets. There are lots of eccentric characters, some funny situations and plenty of amusing dialogue. This is a light hearted murder mystery for when you don't want anything too heavy or series. If you like series such as M C Beaton's Agatha Raisin you will probably enjoy this book.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the first book, Murder at Honeychurch Hall and didn't love it, but thought I'd give the series one more try and requested and received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I didn't love this outing either. The author has a remote English village full of characters who just leave me cold. I don't find them amusing or even interesting. Kat, the main character, leaves me cold too. I just don't care what happens to her.

The mystery element, what is really going on, I liked more. I, like the villagers, didn't see what was really going on. However, there was no real detecting going on either by Kat or Shawn. The "mystery" was primarily discovered by accident and "why" was discovered by a quick internet search. So, from a mystery stand point, this book failed for me as well.

I'd give it a 1.5.

[Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in a very promising series, this story takes us back to the town of Little Dipperton.( I just love the quaint names for English villages.) Honeychurch Hall is a stately hall and the Countess Dowager and her son and his wife are trying very hard to maintain it. When the town finds out that a highspeed rail line is proposed to come through the town and that woodlands and farms are at risk, they bond together to stop it from happening. Along the way we have murders and more secrets that are almost revealed. A great book and fun to read. I am looking forward to seeing what the characters are up to in the next one which I hope will be soon.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Irritating characters who squabble endlessly in a mostly boring book.

Also annoying that the author does not know the difference between "laying" and "lying." Used incorrectly throughout along with other grammatical errors.

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall - Honeychurch Hall Mystery Book 2
Author: Hannah Dennison
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 5-5-2015
Pages: 303
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Amateur Sleuths; British Cozy
ISBN: 0781250007803
ASIN: B00P5JNC0G
Reviewed For NetGalley and St. Martin's Press
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.5 Stars


Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall is the second charming and witty whodunit in Hannah Dennison's amazing cozy series. Set at an English manor house, fans of British mysteries and Downton Abbey are sure to enjoy this contemporary take on murder at the manor house.

When the body of a transport minister is discovered in the grounds on Honeychurch Hall, suspicion about his unusual demise naturally falls on the folks in the village. After all, who could possibly want a high-speed train line built in their front yard?

News of the murder soon reaches our heroine Kat Stanford's nemesis Trudy Wynne. A ruthless tabloid journalist and the ex-wife of Kat's discarded lover, Trudy is out for revenge. She is also interested in exposing--and humiliating--Kat's mother Iris, who is secretly the international bestselling romance writer Krystalle Storm.

As the body count begins to build, Kat becomes inextricably embroiled in the ensuing scandal. Is the minister's death the result of a local vendetta, or could it be connected to her mother's unusual (to say the least) past?


This is the second book in the series, but can easily be read without becoming lost. Kat may never get back to London, but the people and mysteries of Little Dipperton, ensure she doesn't miss it.


My rating of "Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall" is out 4.5 of 5 stars.



Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P5JNC0G/...

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[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming series. Kat Stanford has been staying with her mother, who is trying to keep her identity as the bodice ripping author Krystall Storm a secret, to help as she recovers from a broken hand. A highspeed train line has been proposed which will cut through the town and most of the homes will have to be demolished to make way. Kat and Iris get involved in the protest against the project when the body of one of the transport ministers is found in the local moor. Kat was the last person to be seen with the victim. Can the project be stopped by an environmental expert who is looking for an endangered species that needs protecting? This is a story will a lot of facets. There is Kat and her mother, the Lord and Lady and Dowager Duchess of the manor and their problems, the local bag lady/hoarder. And then there is Kat's ex-fiancee who is insisting on getting her back. And finally, a seven year old boy who may be the hero they are looking for. An excellent book and a lot of fun to read.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like shopping for books on Mt Git'r'Read from time to time. I found this one on the shelf in my closet section of Mt G'r'R a few days ago and I'm glad I did. I read this in one day. I had a few hours of reading time on my hands and it's a rather fast, smooth running story.
I read book one in the series several years ago and liked it a lot. I still feel the same about mother and daughter and their relationship and as separate characters.
I did get a bit irritated at all of the secret keeping from pretty much everybody. I don't know how anyone could keep all of it straight. I don't remember any of this from the first book. It didn't keep me from enjoying the book and maybe that was part of the premise of this particular story.
It's a busy book just like book one was. A threat of a railway coming into the area has everyone up in arms. They protest, they want to keep their corner of the world safe and pleasant and suspicious deaths start to occur.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly better than Murder at Honeychurch Hall. The relationship between Kat and her mother, Iris, is very frustrating and I found that I would rather read about Eric (and his latest scheme) than sit through more mother/daughter sniping.

The murder mystery itself was interesting.
However the addition of more new characters didn't help my enjoyment of the book. While I found Valentine and his rapport with Kat a positive, it was over too quickly.

Lavinia plays more if a prominent role in this story, and I am finding her less annoying, but unfortunately my favourite quirky characters Harry and Lady Edith were not front and centre this time. Those were trivial issues, but I found the shoehorning of Trudi and David back into this book most annoying.

Still nothing on the Shawn front, but there are signs that this will be the underlying romance of the series.

Will give the series one last try.

[Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

J'aime beaucoup l'ambiance des cosy mistery anglais. J'ai dévoré les Agatha Raisin, Hamish Macbeth et les Détectives du Yorkshire. Je pensais qu'il en serait de même avec Les Mystères de Honeychurch. Mais après un premier tome un peu mou (mais on m'avait prévenu) je n'ai pas non plus été séduite par ce second tome. Je trouve les personnages peu attachant (à part Kat peut être). L'histoire est pleine de longueurs et le côté enquête est sous utilisé. On suit les petites histoires du village mais je ne les trouve pas particulièrement intéressante. Ici il est question de la construction d'une ligne de chemin de fer qui pourrait faire beaucoup de tort aux habitants. Mais cette intrigue n'est qu'un prétexte très peu exploité puisque encore une fois l'histoire nous ramène à Kat et son ex ...
Je lirais la suite car je les ai et qu'on m'a dit que l'histoire s'améliorait avec le temps.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dennison does a good job crafting unique stories that use the history of the setting to help build the mystery. I must admit that I really enjoy the mysteries and the story, but the characters sometimes annoy me. I don't think that is Dennison's fault though. I think she is true to the characters but Kat and her mother are just different enough that it annoys me they don't react like I would or like I want them to. But in the end, I like them and I like where they are going in their relationship and character development. I also like that Dennison continues to develop the characters around them--all the other neighbors and townsfolk. The more I read, the more I feel they are each a little bit deeper (and maybe more likable) than I originally thought. I look forward to reading more of this series and seeing what adventures await in the Devon countryside!

[Jenny Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the covers of Hannah Dennison's Honeychurch Hall series - prettily rendered landscapes of the stately pile set in idyllic fields with horses and dogs prominently featured. Downton Abbey downsized is the expectation they set up for readers. And the popularity of the TV series has certainly infused Book Two in the Honeychurch Hall series. There's even an actress who fakes her identity to get a servant's job at the Hall so she can find out about real life amongst the nobility - and then score a role in Downton Abbey.
It's all rollicking harmless fun as our heroine - a TV retired celebrity in her own right - continues to acclimatise to Devon village life while keeping her eccentric romantic novelist mother in check. An amusing confection, very Country Life.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The people of Honeychurch Hall and Little Dipperton are energized to fight the plan for a railway to go through their village. Did no one think to ask "IF you destroy the entire village, who will need a rail station here?" One man has arrived in town to talk to each homeowner about their options. A second man has come to town to "help" the villagers to fight the railway based on environmental concerns. A new maid at the Hall is acting very oddly. A elderly hoarder is found dead along side the road. Both men newly arrived to the village have disappeared. And Iris Stanford's step brother Alfred, newly released from prison, has arrived to take a job caring for the horses at the Hall. An odd bunch of characters.

[Helen Geng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concept: 3 stars
Execution: 2 stars

This book has many great British details I’ve found nowhere else. It is like one of Barbara Pym’s novels set in a country cottage, crossed with a zany murder mystery. I like how the heroine is a little older than your usual, yet manages to have a full life.

After a while, the plot just goes off the rails.

One of the characters lives in a hoarder home with her mother.

I really disliked the cheap shots at “Krystalle Storm, the romance novelist”.
The author belittles the bad writing of “bodice rippers” but bemoans the big money that is supposedly rolling in.

Romance novels are really about women’s empowerment; what woman wouldn’t want that?