What do you think?
Rate this book
Lady Ellen Investigates #6
The Reckless Reporter: A 1920s Cozy Mystery
A missing notebook. A dead reporter. A killer at large.
When the formidable Marchioness of Bandberry arrives at Ashcombe Hall, Lady Ellen feels the weight of her critical gaze upon her. But pomp and pageantry soon give way to scandal when a London journalist is found dead on Ellen’s drive. And his body has been marked with the chilling symbol of the Vigilante Slasher.
The missing notebook he carried could ruin reputations and, worse, cast suspicion on Ellen’s closest ally, Captain Ernest Hamilton. With Inspector Stone breathing down her neck, Ellen resolves to uncover the notebook’s contents herself, chasing threads from West End London drawing rooms to East End rescue homes, and consulting a celebrated psychologist tied to the late reporter.
Can Ellen find this terrifying killer before the secrets of the notebook are revealed?
A 1920s cozy with drama and suspense. The Reckless Reporter is a British cozy mystery for fans of classic country house crime.
When the formidable Marchioness of Bandberry arrives at Ashcombe Hall, Lady Ellen feels the weight of her critical gaze upon her. But pomp and pageantry soon give way to scandal when a London journalist is found dead on Ellen’s drive. And his body has been marked with the chilling symbol of the Vigilante Slasher.
The missing notebook he carried could ruin reputations and, worse, cast suspicion on Ellen’s closest ally, Captain Ernest Hamilton. With Inspector Stone breathing down her neck, Ellen resolves to uncover the notebook’s contents herself, chasing threads from West End London drawing rooms to East End rescue homes, and consulting a celebrated psychologist tied to the late reporter.
Can Ellen find this terrifying killer before the secrets of the notebook are revealed?
A 1920s cozy with drama and suspense. The Reckless Reporter is a British cozy mystery for fans of classic country house crime.
- GenresCozy Mystery
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2025
About the author
Kelly Mason
23 books59 followersHi, I love writing mysteries and started with a paranormal series. In the last couple of years I have been writing 1920s mysteries. I love the atmosphere of the time, that has been depicted on our screens and in fiction. Of the fashion, the cars, the parties following the war which gave everyone that 'live for the day' attitude.
I set my books in Somerset close to where I live, although the towns and villages are fictional they are based on real places local to me. They have to be fictional as I change them to fit the story. I do use the real cities though, such as Bristol and Bath Spa. They are places I visit often and it's great to be able to spend time researching what the cities were like 100 years ago.
I hope you enjoy reading my books.
I set my books in Somerset close to where I live, although the towns and villages are fictional they are based on real places local to me. They have to be fictional as I change them to fit the story. I do use the real cities though, such as Bristol and Bath Spa. They are places I visit often and it's great to be able to spend time researching what the cities were like 100 years ago.
I hope you enjoy reading my books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Currently Reading
July 20, 2025Dear Reader,
I’m still deep into writing this book, so thought would give you an update!
So far, I have decided on the victim, I have invented all of my characters and the crime has been committed! The start of the book is the part I find the easiest to write. Introducing all of the new characters, imagining them in my head, giving them all a reason to wish harm upon the victim, making them real people with real problems and also think about how they are linked to other characters in the story. It’s always plain sailing until after the crime has been committed and then I stop and think... what happens next?
Then I get a little stuck…this is where I am today!
The reason being, is that I don’t know at this stage who actually committed the crime! It sounds odd to say, considering I’m writing the book, but when writing my first series, I found that if I knew who the murderer was from the start, so did everyone else when they read the book. Sometimes I have an inkling who it is, but mostly if I do, that person changes. I’m one of those people where I like everything to be neat, so everything in my mind has to slot together. Often, I’m convinced I know who the killer is and then one part of evidence just doesn’t seem to fit. Then it becomes apparent that it was actually – someone else.
It seems so much harder if I’m writing a book, not knowing the outcome, not knowing ‘whodunnit’ but I feel in the end it’s a more authentic book if I’m going on a journey myself, feeling my way, rather than looking at something already mapped out in detail via a plot and writing the book is simply a case of typing.
It does mean that my first draft can be rather haphazard, to say the least! I’d hate for anyone to read my early drafts! But in the end, I hope that I’m making the experience for my readers more interesting than it might be if I’d plotted it out. And maybe I instil a sense of angst and urgency into Lady Ellen, not knowing who has committed the crime, as I am after all, on a deadline! That feeling of: 'Oh no! The book needs to be with Becky (my editor) by the end of August, and I don’t even know whodunnit yet!!' …is more than a little stressful…
I had better get back to it and will do another update this soon...
Thank you so much to those going on this journey with me,
Kelly xxx
I’m still deep into writing this book, so thought would give you an update!
So far, I have decided on the victim, I have invented all of my characters and the crime has been committed! The start of the book is the part I find the easiest to write. Introducing all of the new characters, imagining them in my head, giving them all a reason to wish harm upon the victim, making them real people with real problems and also think about how they are linked to other characters in the story. It’s always plain sailing until after the crime has been committed and then I stop and think... what happens next?
Then I get a little stuck…this is where I am today!
The reason being, is that I don’t know at this stage who actually committed the crime! It sounds odd to say, considering I’m writing the book, but when writing my first series, I found that if I knew who the murderer was from the start, so did everyone else when they read the book. Sometimes I have an inkling who it is, but mostly if I do, that person changes. I’m one of those people where I like everything to be neat, so everything in my mind has to slot together. Often, I’m convinced I know who the killer is and then one part of evidence just doesn’t seem to fit. Then it becomes apparent that it was actually – someone else.
It seems so much harder if I’m writing a book, not knowing the outcome, not knowing ‘whodunnit’ but I feel in the end it’s a more authentic book if I’m going on a journey myself, feeling my way, rather than looking at something already mapped out in detail via a plot and writing the book is simply a case of typing.
It does mean that my first draft can be rather haphazard, to say the least! I’d hate for anyone to read my early drafts! But in the end, I hope that I’m making the experience for my readers more interesting than it might be if I’d plotted it out. And maybe I instil a sense of angst and urgency into Lady Ellen, not knowing who has committed the crime, as I am after all, on a deadline! That feeling of: 'Oh no! The book needs to be with Becky (my editor) by the end of August, and I don’t even know whodunnit yet!!' …is more than a little stressful…
I had better get back to it and will do another update this soon...
Thank you so much to those going on this journey with me,
Kelly xxx
October 7, 2025
The Lady Ellen Investigates series is my happy place! I’m so excited for the Christmas novella and Death on the Deck can’t be released soon enough.
October 2, 2025
The reporter is hunting down the Vigilante Slasher & I convinced he is someone Lady Ellen knows. He insists on meeting with her & she agrees to see him late at night, she takes, Prince, her dog with her. The next day he is found dead in the driveway! Added to this she has several unwanted guests arrive & they all are told not to leave. Lady Ellen does get permission to go with one of her guest to London. She returns home with several vexed questions ringing in her head. Will she, or the police, solve this crime?
October 25, 2025
Lady Ellen is preparing for the unwanted visit of the Marchioness of Bandberry. She’s determined to make a good show in front of the woman who has highly critical opinions about the way Ellen conducts her life. Everything seems to be going smoothly – until a reporter shows up, threatening to reveal secrets about people Ellen cares for, unless she divulges certain information to him regarding the Vigilanty Slasher, who he believes to be Ellen’s good friend, Captain Hamilton. Naturally, Ellen tells him to leave. But in the morning, his body is found on her drive…
This time around, Ellen is determined not to get caught up in the investigation. She has quite enough to contend with, what with Inspector Stone insisting everyone remains at Ashcombe Hall while he delves into the murder. This includes a number of unwanted visitors, and the anxiety that if the inspector discovers the reporter’s missing notebook, he may accuse Hamilton once he reads the so-called evidence within its pages.
Determined to prove Hamilton’s innocence, Ellen pursues enquiries not related to the murder. Or are they?
Once again, Ellen proves to be a strong and independent woman, willing to move beyond the strictures of her expected position in society. The mysteries dovetail together nicely, though still leaving the question of the Slasher’s identity open. By the end, Ellen has solved the murder, even though she didn’t intend to become involved. The plot is perhaps a little less targeted as a result, but it still makes for a good read, with great characterisation, and many period details that create a gentile atmosphere, despite the murder.
If you enjoy period murder mysteries, I highly recommend the Lady Ellen series.
This time around, Ellen is determined not to get caught up in the investigation. She has quite enough to contend with, what with Inspector Stone insisting everyone remains at Ashcombe Hall while he delves into the murder. This includes a number of unwanted visitors, and the anxiety that if the inspector discovers the reporter’s missing notebook, he may accuse Hamilton once he reads the so-called evidence within its pages.
Determined to prove Hamilton’s innocence, Ellen pursues enquiries not related to the murder. Or are they?
Once again, Ellen proves to be a strong and independent woman, willing to move beyond the strictures of her expected position in society. The mysteries dovetail together nicely, though still leaving the question of the Slasher’s identity open. By the end, Ellen has solved the murder, even though she didn’t intend to become involved. The plot is perhaps a little less targeted as a result, but it still makes for a good read, with great characterisation, and many period details that create a gentile atmosphere, despite the murder.
If you enjoy period murder mysteries, I highly recommend the Lady Ellen series.
October 23, 2025
What a week this is turning out to be for Laady Ellen. The formidable Marchioness of Banberry has arrived on a visit, her butler and her cook are getting married, and Ellen is faced with another murder. This time on her doorstep. Literally.
A decidedly pushy reporter threatens Ellen with a scathing article about Lottie and Sebastian if she doesn't talk to him. The reporter believes he has irrefutable proof that Ernest Hamilton is the infamous Vigilante Slasher. She meets with him in her pavillion and the next day he's found dead in her driveway, with his throat slashed and his arm marked with the Vigilante's cross. Thank goodness Ernest is in Landon and has a strong alibi, proving to all and saundry he is NOT the Slasher.
But then, it turns out the murderer is a copycat. Ellen is ashamed of her doubts, but...
I love this series. The characters are well described and become more and more familiar with each instalment, the plots are intriguing and the denouement always comes as a bit of a shock
Well done!
A decidedly pushy reporter threatens Ellen with a scathing article about Lottie and Sebastian if she doesn't talk to him. The reporter believes he has irrefutable proof that Ernest Hamilton is the infamous Vigilante Slasher. She meets with him in her pavillion and the next day he's found dead in her driveway, with his throat slashed and his arm marked with the Vigilante's cross. Thank goodness Ernest is in Landon and has a strong alibi, proving to all and saundry he is NOT the Slasher.
But then, it turns out the murderer is a copycat. Ellen is ashamed of her doubts, but...
I love this series. The characters are well described and become more and more familiar with each instalment, the plots are intriguing and the denouement always comes as a bit of a shock
Well done!
October 15, 2025
No one likes reporters at the best of times, and certainly not an unscrupulous one who is prepared to blackmail in order to get information, but it does take quite a cold-hearted killer to actually decide to end the man's life.
I do enjoy the Lady Ellen mysteries but I am sorry to report that I am actually more Team Alex than Team Ernest, so I am looking forward to reading the next one, to see how things pan out!!
I do enjoy the Lady Ellen mysteries but I am sorry to report that I am actually more Team Alex than Team Ernest, so I am looking forward to reading the next one, to see how things pan out!!
February 3, 2026
I really like this series of books. Twists and turns with a red herring or two thrown in makes it very enjoyable. The author shows the progression of the changes occurring in the Peerage of England. After WWI, lord’s married wealthy heiresses from America, to fund their estates. Now, after WWII, ladies who inherited their titles are starting to date men who are not in the upper classes. The author also continues to bring the Vigilante Slasher into this novel. Even though she has not revealed him, she gives us some interesting hints. Fast paced and great characters.
October 31, 2025
This is sixth in the Lady Ellen Investigates. This is a fast moving plot with some familiar characters and the introduction of some previously referenced characters, including Lottie and Sebastian’s families. I enjoy this series and look forward to the next installment.
October 8, 2025
a fun story, characters we know but learn more about. A really good who done it !
October 27, 2025
Entertaining
I enjoy Lady Ellen’s adventures and I hope Captain Hamilton is really the nice guy we all wish him to be. I am ready for the next one.
I enjoy Lady Ellen’s adventures and I hope Captain Hamilton is really the nice guy we all wish him to be. I am ready for the next one.
November 24, 2025
Intrigue
A page turner for sure! Insightful. Beautifully written. Village living, aristocracy, corruption, and of course murder! I enjoyed and heartily recommend.
A page turner for sure! Insightful. Beautifully written. Village living, aristocracy, corruption, and of course murder! I enjoyed and heartily recommend.
December 31, 2025
Kelly Mason and her Lady Ellen Investigates series are both excellent. This is a fabulous series, and this is another terrific read. One that you should definitely add to your 2026 must reads,
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews