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Stockingham & Pike #1
The Murder at World's End
Not yet published
Expected 6 Jan 26Secrets, murder, and mayhem collide as this unlikely sleuthing duo—an under-butler and a foul-mouthed octogenarian—hunt a killer in a manor sealed against the end of the world.
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom—every window, chimney, and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within... By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Steven Pike, Tithe Hall's newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn't commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, eighty-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she's been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges, and rising terror to unmask the killer before it's too late...
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom—every window, chimney, and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within... By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Steven Pike, Tithe Hall's newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn't commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, eighty-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she's been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges, and rising terror to unmask the killer before it's too late...
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2025
95 people are currently reading
16254 people want to read
About the author
Ross Montgomery
33 books275 followersRoss Montgomery has worked as a pig farmer, a postman and a primary school teacher, so writing books was the next logical step. He spent his childhood reading everything he could get his hands on, from Jacqueline Wilson to Beano annuals, and it taught him pretty much everything that's worth knowing. If you looked through his pockets you'd find empty crisp packets, lists of things to do, and a bottle of that stuff you put on your nails to stop you biting them. He lives in London with his girlfriend, a cat called Fun Bobby, and a cactus on every available surface.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
September 9, 2025
The year is 1910, and Stephen Pike has been lucky enough to obtain the position of second footman at Tithe Hall on an island off the Cornish coast. The island (Worlds End) has a causeway that is inaccessible from the mainland at certain times of the day, due to tidal forces.
Stephen was recently released from Borstal, after being involved in a gang fight in a pub in Bow, East London, but he was told he’d been recommended for the position of footman by the Lady of Tithe Hall as part of her charitable work.
Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt of Tithe Hall is convinced that the recently sighted Halley’s Comet will bring about the end of the world. With that in mind he orders that everyone, both family and staff, seal themselves into their rooms, every window and door, chimneys and even keyholes completely sealed. The very next morning, after the comet had passed closely to the earth without any such disaster, he was discovered brutally murdered in his study.
Stephen had spent the night, on orders from his superior, looking after elderly, eccentric, Miss Decima Stockingham. Decima is a very difficult, foul mouthed lady, and the staff are terrified of her, but surprisingly she hits it off with Stephen, and it leads to the two of them
investigating who killed Lord Conrad, and why.
This was a great locked room murder mystery, with very much of an Agatha Christie feel to it. The plot is very clever, not to mention humorous, with plenty of red herrings, precluding the sleuths among us from getting to the truth too easily, although I did guess something along the way. Very entertaining!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Stephen was recently released from Borstal, after being involved in a gang fight in a pub in Bow, East London, but he was told he’d been recommended for the position of footman by the Lady of Tithe Hall as part of her charitable work.
Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt of Tithe Hall is convinced that the recently sighted Halley’s Comet will bring about the end of the world. With that in mind he orders that everyone, both family and staff, seal themselves into their rooms, every window and door, chimneys and even keyholes completely sealed. The very next morning, after the comet had passed closely to the earth without any such disaster, he was discovered brutally murdered in his study.
Stephen had spent the night, on orders from his superior, looking after elderly, eccentric, Miss Decima Stockingham. Decima is a very difficult, foul mouthed lady, and the staff are terrified of her, but surprisingly she hits it off with Stephen, and it leads to the two of them
investigating who killed Lord Conrad, and why.
This was a great locked room murder mystery, with very much of an Agatha Christie feel to it. The plot is very clever, not to mention humorous, with plenty of red herrings, precluding the sleuths among us from getting to the truth too easily, although I did guess something along the way. Very entertaining!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
September 22, 2025
Oh! This was quite fun. I'm generally a big fan of any book that involves a “foul-mouthed octogenarian” and this one is no exception. The Murder at World's End is a locked-room murder mystery that involves Halley's Comet and family secrets and an ex-con and a full cast of entertaining characters (including, of course, the above-mentioned octogenarian), and it's really rather delightful. You probably shouldn't expect Agatha Christie-level plot twists or subterfuge — I guessed the identity of the murderer a good fifty pages before the main characters did — but the mystery is solid and it's a story full of humor and heart.
The setting is, of course, fabulous. We have the Edwardian Era combined with Halley's comet “apocalypse” shenanigans in a fancy ancestral hall on oft-inaccessible island with a slightly nutty viscount and his despicable family members. I mean, I'm pretty sure that if you asked me to describe my ideal murder mystery novel setting, this would be it. I've always been fascinated by Halley's Comet (I was six when it last passed by Earth and couldn't get enough of hearing about it), and the comet's appearance makes for a ethereal backdrop to the events at Tithe Hall.
And the characters? So much fun. Steven the ex-con-turned-under-butler is a perfectly likeable main character, but Miss Decima is the true star of the novel. She's smart and feisty and disagreeable, and she's certainly a person I'd want on my side if I were being falsely accused of murder. However, my one complaint about this book is that she really isn't as awful as I'd hoped she'd be. Her family and the servants are all terrified of her and quiver in her presence, but she's really not all that bad? Sure, there's the hilarious dinner scene where she causes a bit of a ruckus, but otherwise she's mostly just a little crotchety and says “fuck” a lot. But, still, she's a lot of fun and so are the other characters — even the most unlikeable of the Tithe Hall guests are entertaining.
The mystery, too, is well-written and will keep you guessing. Again, it's not exactly Agatha Christie, but there are twists and turns and a long list of suspects, both family members and servants alike. I enjoyed the locked-room aspect tremendously, and even though I managed to guess the killer before the big reveal, it was still a suspenseful ride to the end.
So, yeah. This book was a lot of fun and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next installment in the series — I can only imagine what shenanigans Miss Decima and Steven will get involved in next time.
4.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is January 6, 2026.
The setting is, of course, fabulous. We have the Edwardian Era combined with Halley's comet “apocalypse” shenanigans in a fancy ancestral hall on oft-inaccessible island with a slightly nutty viscount and his despicable family members. I mean, I'm pretty sure that if you asked me to describe my ideal murder mystery novel setting, this would be it. I've always been fascinated by Halley's Comet (I was six when it last passed by Earth and couldn't get enough of hearing about it), and the comet's appearance makes for a ethereal backdrop to the events at Tithe Hall.
And the characters? So much fun. Steven the ex-con-turned-under-butler is a perfectly likeable main character, but Miss Decima is the true star of the novel. She's smart and feisty and disagreeable, and she's certainly a person I'd want on my side if I were being falsely accused of murder. However, my one complaint about this book is that she really isn't as awful as I'd hoped she'd be. Her family and the servants are all terrified of her and quiver in her presence, but she's really not all that bad? Sure, there's the hilarious dinner scene where she causes a bit of a ruckus, but otherwise she's mostly just a little crotchety and says “fuck” a lot. But, still, she's a lot of fun and so are the other characters — even the most unlikeable of the Tithe Hall guests are entertaining.
The mystery, too, is well-written and will keep you guessing. Again, it's not exactly Agatha Christie, but there are twists and turns and a long list of suspects, both family members and servants alike. I enjoyed the locked-room aspect tremendously, and even though I managed to guess the killer before the big reveal, it was still a suspenseful ride to the end.
So, yeah. This book was a lot of fun and I will definitely keep an eye out for the next installment in the series — I can only imagine what shenanigans Miss Decima and Steven will get involved in next time.
4.35 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is January 6, 2026.
October 21, 2025
Cornwall, 1910 and the place Stephen Pike had just secured a job at on the tidal island of World's End, Tithe Hall, was going into lockdown. Halley's Comet was due to pass overhead and the Viscount of the Hall was certain the gasses from the Comet would kill everyone. So locking down the Hall, blocking all entry from outside and every room inside was deemed to keep them safe. But when morning came, and staff and guests gradually made their way out of their rooms, the Viscount was found dead inside his study, which had been closed up and secured all night.
Stephen knew immediately he'd be blamed - he'd spent two years in prison for something he didn't do - so he needed to find the murderer before the finger pointed to him. With the eighty year old invalided matriarch, Miss Decima Stockingham, needing him for her aid, they formed an unlikely and uneasy working relationship. Miss Decima was hated by all her family, never left her room, was a genius of all things puzzling, and foul-mouthed to boot; Stephen wasn't sure what he'd struck. Would they discover the murderer before someone else died?
The Murder at World's End is the 1st in the Stockingham & Pike series by Ross Montgomery, a new to me author. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery; Miss Decima was an absolute character! She cracked me up, had me laughing out loud on many occasions! Stephen was naive, unprepared for life with little confidence in himself - Miss Decima changed that... I'm really looking forward to the next in the series, and recommend this one highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin UK for my digital ARC to read and review.
Stephen knew immediately he'd be blamed - he'd spent two years in prison for something he didn't do - so he needed to find the murderer before the finger pointed to him. With the eighty year old invalided matriarch, Miss Decima Stockingham, needing him for her aid, they formed an unlikely and uneasy working relationship. Miss Decima was hated by all her family, never left her room, was a genius of all things puzzling, and foul-mouthed to boot; Stephen wasn't sure what he'd struck. Would they discover the murderer before someone else died?
The Murder at World's End is the 1st in the Stockingham & Pike series by Ross Montgomery, a new to me author. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery; Miss Decima was an absolute character! She cracked me up, had me laughing out loud on many occasions! Stephen was naive, unprepared for life with little confidence in himself - Miss Decima changed that... I'm really looking forward to the next in the series, and recommend this one highly.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin UK for my digital ARC to read and review.
December 23, 2025
A brilliant mix of Agatha Christie, Knives Out, and Downton Abbey, The Murder at World’s End was, to put it bluntly, a truly great read. From the Golden Age feel of the early 1900s time period to the locked-room setting of the often-cut-off manor, the backdrop to this story was second to none. That, however, wasn’t the best piece of this by a mile. Oh no. The shining star in this fun murder mystery was Miss Decima Stockingham and the rest of the characters. Likable, compelling, and beyond well-developed, I was instantly a fan of the whole motley crew. Don’t get me wrong, that didn’t make me stop side-eying them all. Beyond suspicious, they were everything I could want in a crafty whodunnit. I mean, who doesn’t love oodles of red herrings? And the fact that the amateur sleuths were quite the unlikely duo? Well, that added one heck of a boost to my rating when I ended up writing my review.
All said and done, I’m now a brand-spanking-new fan of your writing, Mr. Montgomery. Clever, sharp, and laugh-out-loud funny, I was absolutely riveted as the ingenious twists and dark family secrets were revealed one by one. Making it all even better was Miss Decima and her foul-mouthed behavior. Paired with the redemption-seeking ex-con Stephen, their investigations were beyond fun. I mean, how could you not love a book that has a truly wicked sense of humor? Add in the classic mystery vibe that even included a “shocking” change to the will, and this was a guaranteed one-sitting read for this whodunnit-lover. So if you love feisty octogenarians, shrewd plotting, and suspenseful scenes, grab this book now. After all, I wouldn’t be surprised is this first book in series finds its onto a screen near me one day soon. I’m really, really hoping it does, at the very least. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom—every window, chimney, and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within... By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Stephen Pike, Tithe Hall's newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn't commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, eighty-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she's been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges, and rising terror to unmask the killer before it's too late...
Thank you to Ross Montgomery and William Morrow Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2025
Content warning: murder, cursing, alcoholism, bullying, animal death, infidelity
All said and done, I’m now a brand-spanking-new fan of your writing, Mr. Montgomery. Clever, sharp, and laugh-out-loud funny, I was absolutely riveted as the ingenious twists and dark family secrets were revealed one by one. Making it all even better was Miss Decima and her foul-mouthed behavior. Paired with the redemption-seeking ex-con Stephen, their investigations were beyond fun. I mean, how could you not love a book that has a truly wicked sense of humor? Add in the classic mystery vibe that even included a “shocking” change to the will, and this was a guaranteed one-sitting read for this whodunnit-lover. So if you love feisty octogenarians, shrewd plotting, and suspenseful scenes, grab this book now. After all, I wouldn’t be surprised is this first book in series finds its onto a screen near me one day soon. I’m really, really hoping it does, at the very least. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom—every window, chimney, and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within... By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Stephen Pike, Tithe Hall's newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn't commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, eighty-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she's been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges, and rising terror to unmask the killer before it's too late...
Thank you to Ross Montgomery and William Morrow Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 6, 2025
Content warning: murder, cursing, alcoholism, bullying, animal death, infidelity
November 4, 2025
It probably isn't quite the perfect book, but the fun time I had reading it was perfect!
September 28, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
This was so amazing, and I really hope this turns into a series! I haven't read any other books by Ross Montgomery but will definitely be looking at his other books and keeping an eye out for future books. So glad to have come across this while looking in the NetGalley catalog for a new book to read.
I can honestly say that I had not one clue who the killer was or even how the murder was committed. Had some suspicions on the killer that were all wrong, but I had no guesses on how the murder was actually executed. Of course, once it was revealed, it all made perfect sense.
Every single side character was developed so perfectly that they could each have their own spin-off series or book written just about them. Every single house guest and servant. Not that you necessary would want a book about each one, though, obviously, just that you get to know the characters that well.
Definitely would recommend this book! So good that I finished it in one sitting (other than having to set it aside for work; hate that).
This was so amazing, and I really hope this turns into a series! I haven't read any other books by Ross Montgomery but will definitely be looking at his other books and keeping an eye out for future books. So glad to have come across this while looking in the NetGalley catalog for a new book to read.
I can honestly say that I had not one clue who the killer was or even how the murder was committed. Had some suspicions on the killer that were all wrong, but I had no guesses on how the murder was actually executed. Of course, once it was revealed, it all made perfect sense.
Every single side character was developed so perfectly that they could each have their own spin-off series or book written just about them. Every single house guest and servant. Not that you necessary would want a book about each one, though, obviously, just that you get to know the characters that well.
Definitely would recommend this book! So good that I finished it in one sitting (other than having to set it aside for work; hate that).
December 9, 2025
This was a fun diversion, even if it’s a little amateurish. I guessed the killer early on, but only part of the how-dunit, which feels like something I’ve seen elsewhere. I feel like I’m always arguing that I’m not a prude here on Goodreads, and I’m not. Lol, but I felt our “Maggie smith” character could have dropped fewer F bombs, the constant swearing pulled me out of the story and I didn’t believe this character, who was supposed to be super smart, would only have one swear word in her arsenal. I also don’t think people used “fu**” that much in 1910. I did a bit of digging and the results were inconclusive, even the author addresses it at the end of the book, like why make it such a large part of the story if you have to add a note that basically says, “people used fu**, but maybe not as much as is in this book. A very strange choice.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an early read.
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an early read.
November 3, 2025
Cornwall, 1910. Op een afgelegen eiland bereidt de burggraaf van Tithe Hall zich koortsachtig voor op de apocalyps, waarvan hij denkt dat die gepaard zal gaan met het passeren van de komeet Halley. Tithe Hall moet van boven tot onder worden afgesloten, maar wat de pompeuze burggraaf niet heeft overwogen, is dat het gevaar binnenin schuilt… Tegen de ochtend wordt hij dood aangetroffen in zijn verzegelde studeerkamer, vermoord met zijn eigen voorouderlijke kruisboog.
Alle ogen zijn gericht op Steven Pike, de nieuwste onderbutler van Tithe Hall. Hij is de verkeerde man op de verkeerde plaats op het verkeerde moment. Zijn onwaarschijnlijke bondgenoot blijkt niemand minder dan Miss Decima Stockingham te zijn, de grofgebekte, scherpe tachtigjarige oudtante van de graaf, die ook in Tithe Hall woont.
Samen baant dit onwaarschijnlijke speurdersduo zich een weg door verborgen gangen, lang bewaarde geheimen en een dreigend gevaar om een moordenaar te ontmaskeren voor het te laat is.
Dit verhaal begint met een interessante proloog en vervolgens lees je een krantenartikel over een naderende ramp. Niet veel later maak je kennis met Steven Pike. Hij is op weg naar Tithe Hall om daar als onderbutler te gaan werken.
Eenmaal daar leert Steven verschillende mensen kennen, waaronder de aparte Miss Decima. De opbouw van het verhaal is fijn en de spanning neemt écht toe als de burggraaf dood wordt gevonden. Het is overduidelijk dat hij vermoord is. En dan is er ook nog de naderende apocalypse...
En vanaf dan vraag je je als lezer af wie hierachter zit. Iedereen lijkt verdacht en ik vond de zoektocht naar de moordenaar erg interessant. De samenwerking tussen Steven en Miss Decima is ook fijn.
'De moord in het landhuis' is dan ook zeker een aanrader voor mensen die van 'whodunits' houden, want de schrijfstijl en opbouw van het verhaal is heel leuk, vlot en spannend.
Ik wil @boekerij dan ook heel erg bedanken voor het recensie-exemplaar!
⭐️: 4,0
Alle ogen zijn gericht op Steven Pike, de nieuwste onderbutler van Tithe Hall. Hij is de verkeerde man op de verkeerde plaats op het verkeerde moment. Zijn onwaarschijnlijke bondgenoot blijkt niemand minder dan Miss Decima Stockingham te zijn, de grofgebekte, scherpe tachtigjarige oudtante van de graaf, die ook in Tithe Hall woont.
Samen baant dit onwaarschijnlijke speurdersduo zich een weg door verborgen gangen, lang bewaarde geheimen en een dreigend gevaar om een moordenaar te ontmaskeren voor het te laat is.
Dit verhaal begint met een interessante proloog en vervolgens lees je een krantenartikel over een naderende ramp. Niet veel later maak je kennis met Steven Pike. Hij is op weg naar Tithe Hall om daar als onderbutler te gaan werken.
Eenmaal daar leert Steven verschillende mensen kennen, waaronder de aparte Miss Decima. De opbouw van het verhaal is fijn en de spanning neemt écht toe als de burggraaf dood wordt gevonden. Het is overduidelijk dat hij vermoord is. En dan is er ook nog de naderende apocalypse...
En vanaf dan vraag je je als lezer af wie hierachter zit. Iedereen lijkt verdacht en ik vond de zoektocht naar de moordenaar erg interessant. De samenwerking tussen Steven en Miss Decima is ook fijn.
'De moord in het landhuis' is dan ook zeker een aanrader voor mensen die van 'whodunits' houden, want de schrijfstijl en opbouw van het verhaal is heel leuk, vlot en spannend.
Ik wil @boekerij dan ook heel erg bedanken voor het recensie-exemplaar!
⭐️: 4,0
September 13, 2025
4.5 stars. Loved this start to a new series.
July 25, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ever since I attended Ross Montgomery’s event and heard him read an excerpt, I had a feeling I’d enjoy The Murder at World’s End — and I absolutely did. Witty, clever and thoroughly absorbing.
Set in Cornwall in 1910 on a remote tidal island called World’s End, the novel opens with Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt convinced that Halley’s Comet heralds the end of the world. He orders his manor completely sealed — every window, chimney and keyhole locked up tight. By morning, he’s dead, killed with his own ancestral crossbow—and the house remains locked from within. All suspicion falls on Stephen Pike, the new under-butler who has a murky past and happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul‑mouthed octogenarian matriarch with a flair for chaos and solving puzzles. Together they uncover hidden clues, old grudges and a host of secrets as they try to unmask the killer before more darkness falls.
It felt like Agatha Christie meets P.G. Wodehouse, with a modern twist — but set firmly in 1910. A sharp, classic murder mystery with a wicked sense of humour.
The plotting is ingenious, the dialogue frequently laugh‑out‑loud funny, and the duo of Decima and Stephen is a delight. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read from a children’s author branching impressively into adult fiction.
I had a cracking time reading this and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for anyone who fancies a smart, engaging mystery with a twist of humour.
Ever since I attended Ross Montgomery’s event and heard him read an excerpt, I had a feeling I’d enjoy The Murder at World’s End — and I absolutely did. Witty, clever and thoroughly absorbing.
Set in Cornwall in 1910 on a remote tidal island called World’s End, the novel opens with Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt convinced that Halley’s Comet heralds the end of the world. He orders his manor completely sealed — every window, chimney and keyhole locked up tight. By morning, he’s dead, killed with his own ancestral crossbow—and the house remains locked from within. All suspicion falls on Stephen Pike, the new under-butler who has a murky past and happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul‑mouthed octogenarian matriarch with a flair for chaos and solving puzzles. Together they uncover hidden clues, old grudges and a host of secrets as they try to unmask the killer before more darkness falls.
It felt like Agatha Christie meets P.G. Wodehouse, with a modern twist — but set firmly in 1910. A sharp, classic murder mystery with a wicked sense of humour.
The plotting is ingenious, the dialogue frequently laugh‑out‑loud funny, and the duo of Decima and Stephen is a delight. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read from a children’s author branching impressively into adult fiction.
I had a cracking time reading this and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for anyone who fancies a smart, engaging mystery with a twist of humour.
November 2, 2025
4,5 ster!
Voor VrouwenThrillers.nl las ik ´De moord in het landhuis´ van Ross Montgomery, gepubliceerd door Uitgeverij Boekerij.
Intriges en geheimen in een landhuis anno 1910
Ross Montgomery heeft naam gemaakt met goed verkopende en bekroonde kinderboeken. Met 'De moord in het landhuis' debuteert hij in het genre voor volwassenen. Het verhaal speelt zich af in 1910 op Tithe Hall, een afgelegen landhuis op een getijdeneiland. Na een gevangenisstraf mag Stephen Pike er aan de slag als assistent-butler. Al bij aankomst blijkt het huis een chaos. De burggraaf is ervan overtuigd dat een komeet de aarde zal vernietigen en besluit iedereen in zijn of haar kamer op te sluiten. Wanneer hij de volgende ochtend dood wordt aangetroffen, valt de verdenking meteen op Stephen. Samen met Miss Decima, de eigenzinnige oudtante van de burggraaf, gaat hij op zoek naar de waarheid.
Montgomery weet vanaf de eerste pagina een mysterieuze sfeer neer te zetten. De afgelegen locatie, die slechts een deel van de dag bereikbaar is, versterkt de spanning. Het verhaal is doorspekt met scherpe dialogen en humor, terwijl krantenknipsels over de naderende komeet een speelse en originele toevoeging vormen. De toegankelijke schrijfstijl zorgt ervoor dat de gebeurtenissen soepel in elkaar overvloeien en de lezer gemakkelijk in het verhaal wordt meegenomen. Het perspectief van Stephen Pike werkt sterk: ondanks zijn verdachte positie probeert hij de moord op te lossen, al maakt hij het zichzelf soms lastig. De wisselwerking tussen Stephen en Decima is een van de hoogtepunten. Zij is slim, brutaal en dwingend, waardoor hij voortdurend wordt uitgedaagd. Haar taalgebruik voelt soms iets te modern voor de tijd waarin het verhaal zich afspeelt, wat storend kan zijn. Daarnaast is er een groot aantal bijfiguren, waardoor het oplettend lezen vraagt.
Voor liefhebbers van Downton Abbey en de klassieke mysteries van Agatha Christie is deze cozy thriller een aanrader. Montgomery weet een sfeervol en toegankelijk mysterie neer te zetten dat de lezer volledig onderdompelt in de intriges van een landhuis anno 1910.
Voor VrouwenThrillers.nl las ik ´De moord in het landhuis´ van Ross Montgomery, gepubliceerd door Uitgeverij Boekerij.
Intriges en geheimen in een landhuis anno 1910
Ross Montgomery heeft naam gemaakt met goed verkopende en bekroonde kinderboeken. Met 'De moord in het landhuis' debuteert hij in het genre voor volwassenen. Het verhaal speelt zich af in 1910 op Tithe Hall, een afgelegen landhuis op een getijdeneiland. Na een gevangenisstraf mag Stephen Pike er aan de slag als assistent-butler. Al bij aankomst blijkt het huis een chaos. De burggraaf is ervan overtuigd dat een komeet de aarde zal vernietigen en besluit iedereen in zijn of haar kamer op te sluiten. Wanneer hij de volgende ochtend dood wordt aangetroffen, valt de verdenking meteen op Stephen. Samen met Miss Decima, de eigenzinnige oudtante van de burggraaf, gaat hij op zoek naar de waarheid.
Montgomery weet vanaf de eerste pagina een mysterieuze sfeer neer te zetten. De afgelegen locatie, die slechts een deel van de dag bereikbaar is, versterkt de spanning. Het verhaal is doorspekt met scherpe dialogen en humor, terwijl krantenknipsels over de naderende komeet een speelse en originele toevoeging vormen. De toegankelijke schrijfstijl zorgt ervoor dat de gebeurtenissen soepel in elkaar overvloeien en de lezer gemakkelijk in het verhaal wordt meegenomen. Het perspectief van Stephen Pike werkt sterk: ondanks zijn verdachte positie probeert hij de moord op te lossen, al maakt hij het zichzelf soms lastig. De wisselwerking tussen Stephen en Decima is een van de hoogtepunten. Zij is slim, brutaal en dwingend, waardoor hij voortdurend wordt uitgedaagd. Haar taalgebruik voelt soms iets te modern voor de tijd waarin het verhaal zich afspeelt, wat storend kan zijn. Daarnaast is er een groot aantal bijfiguren, waardoor het oplettend lezen vraagt.
Voor liefhebbers van Downton Abbey en de klassieke mysteries van Agatha Christie is deze cozy thriller een aanrader. Montgomery weet een sfeervol en toegankelijk mysterie neer te zetten dat de lezer volledig onderdompelt in de intriges van een landhuis anno 1910.
October 30, 2025
Stephen Pike has been invited to take a position as second footman at Tithe Hall, a remote stately home on a Cornish island. He has just been released from Borstal after serving two years for a gang fight in a Bow pub. An orphan, whose only living relative died while he was in Borstal, he knows that this is his last chance to redeem himself.
When Stephen arrives he finds that the house is boarded up, yet there are family, guests and staff inside. The owner, Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt firmly believes that Halley's Comet will bring death and destruction to the World and the only way to survive is to seal everyone inside the house until it has passed over.
Stephen is immediately set to boarding up fireplaces, locking people in their rooms, sealing locks with wax and stuffing wadding around door frames etc (although thinking about it, if the house is sealed from the outside why do they also need to seal people up individually as well?). Then he is handed the poison chalice of being forced to look after Miss Decima Stockingham, a foul-mouthed elderly woman who resides in a separate wing of the house and has terrorised all the maids.
Much to his surprise, Miss Decima pooh-poohs Conrad's fears and instead insists that Stephen take her outside so that she can chart the comet's progress across the sky.
The next morning when Stephen, the first footman Lowen, and the butler Mr Stokes start unsealing the rooms Stephen makes a grisly discovery. Conrad has been murdered by a crossbolt through the eye ... in a sealed room (duh duh duh).
Stephen is terrified, as the newest member of staff, with a criminal record he is obviously going to be the primary suspect, something which is borne out when the police inspector arrives from the mainland. Only Miss Decima believes him and together they set out to discover who killed Conrad and why. Was it his cousin Edwin Welt, MP, who expects to inherit the money and the house on Conrad's death? Or his cousin Rear Admiral Jolyon Welt, the alcoholic? Or Lettice Welt, who has allegedly seen off her husband, daughter, and son-in-law? Or Lettice's grandson the foul Gilbert? What about Conrad's German friend and co-founder of his Halley's Comet society Professor Wolf Muller? What about one of the servants?
This is a good old-fashioned, locked-room mystery. Loved it. Plenty of obnoxious suspects. Plenty of red herrings. Lots of accusations, dead fish, a suit of armour, a maze, missing laundry, a change of will.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release and to correct some heinous typos.
When Stephen arrives he finds that the house is boarded up, yet there are family, guests and staff inside. The owner, Lord Conrad Stockingham-Welt firmly believes that Halley's Comet will bring death and destruction to the World and the only way to survive is to seal everyone inside the house until it has passed over.
Stephen is immediately set to boarding up fireplaces, locking people in their rooms, sealing locks with wax and stuffing wadding around door frames etc (although thinking about it, if the house is sealed from the outside why do they also need to seal people up individually as well?). Then he is handed the poison chalice of being forced to look after Miss Decima Stockingham, a foul-mouthed elderly woman who resides in a separate wing of the house and has terrorised all the maids.
Much to his surprise, Miss Decima pooh-poohs Conrad's fears and instead insists that Stephen take her outside so that she can chart the comet's progress across the sky.
The next morning when Stephen, the first footman Lowen, and the butler Mr Stokes start unsealing the rooms Stephen makes a grisly discovery. Conrad has been murdered by a crossbolt through the eye ... in a sealed room (duh duh duh).
Stephen is terrified, as the newest member of staff, with a criminal record he is obviously going to be the primary suspect, something which is borne out when the police inspector arrives from the mainland. Only Miss Decima believes him and together they set out to discover who killed Conrad and why. Was it his cousin Edwin Welt, MP, who expects to inherit the money and the house on Conrad's death? Or his cousin Rear Admiral Jolyon Welt, the alcoholic? Or Lettice Welt, who has allegedly seen off her husband, daughter, and son-in-law? Or Lettice's grandson the foul Gilbert? What about Conrad's German friend and co-founder of his Halley's Comet society Professor Wolf Muller? What about one of the servants?
This is a good old-fashioned, locked-room mystery. Loved it. Plenty of obnoxious suspects. Plenty of red herrings. Lots of accusations, dead fish, a suit of armour, a maze, missing laundry, a change of will.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
Bumped for release and to correct some heinous typos.
October 31, 2025
Thank you to William Morrow for a free eARC of this book. Entertaining and enjoyable, with two compelling main characters, The Murder at World’s End is a must-read historical mystery for those pining for the Golden Age or more Downton Abbey. I loved the fascinating backdrop of Halley’s Comet paired with an upstairs/downstairs dynamic.
December 5, 2025
This is a very entertaining book. The action takes place in 1910, when Halley’s Comet passed “close” to the earth. It’s a detective novel. There are familiar tropes. The clever detective, the slightly challenged sidekick, the locked-room murder, a large house full of suspects, and the stupid policeman from Scotland Yard. The victim is owner of a large house in the West Country that is on a piece of land that is only accessible at low tide. The detective is an old aristocratic woman, who is so much smarter than the poor policeman. Her sidekick, who has only recently been released from Borstal, is the narrator.
Some of the writing is a little cheesy. Ross Montgomery is better known as chlidren’s author, and sometimes the prose has that feel of young adults’ fiction. But the plot moves along at a cracking pace. And it’s nicely resolved. I did guess the perpetrator, but it’s about time that I got one right, and it didn’t spoil the book for me.
It definitely has the potential to be made either into a TV series or a film. I am sure that the author and his publisher have set this up for many more books with these characters. And I suspect that I will be reading them!
Some of the writing is a little cheesy. Ross Montgomery is better known as chlidren’s author, and sometimes the prose has that feel of young adults’ fiction. But the plot moves along at a cracking pace. And it’s nicely resolved. I did guess the perpetrator, but it’s about time that I got one right, and it didn’t spoil the book for me.
It definitely has the potential to be made either into a TV series or a film. I am sure that the author and his publisher have set this up for many more books with these characters. And I suspect that I will be reading them!
November 2, 2025
This is a fabulous read, set in Cornwall in 1910. The setting is an island accessible via a causeway at low tide.
Stephen Pike arrives as a new employee at Tithe Hall. His employment is somewhat dubious, but as there is a celebration due to Halley's Comet, an extra pair of hands is welcome. There is a lot of superstition about its imminent arrival, and the house will go into lockdown. All staff and guests will be required to bar windows and fill gaps in doors to prevent gases from entering. It is during this time that there is a murder, fingers point to Stephen, and when you understand where he came from, you can then understand why.
This is a brilliant story; it has a gothic feel, with that locked-room or locked-house mystery. It is well laid out, and the characters are gradually introduced; there are secrets, well, there would be, wouldn't there?
I really enjoyed the inclusion of the Comet, this adds to the superstitious and atmospheric style of this whodunnit murder mystery. As the story gets more and more into the natures of the characters, you naturally form your own ideas and theories. Did I get the culprit? Well, not really. I had an inkling, but then dismissed it.
This is a very clever murder mystery story and one that I absolutely adored and would definitely recommend.
Stephen Pike arrives as a new employee at Tithe Hall. His employment is somewhat dubious, but as there is a celebration due to Halley's Comet, an extra pair of hands is welcome. There is a lot of superstition about its imminent arrival, and the house will go into lockdown. All staff and guests will be required to bar windows and fill gaps in doors to prevent gases from entering. It is during this time that there is a murder, fingers point to Stephen, and when you understand where he came from, you can then understand why.
This is a brilliant story; it has a gothic feel, with that locked-room or locked-house mystery. It is well laid out, and the characters are gradually introduced; there are secrets, well, there would be, wouldn't there?
I really enjoyed the inclusion of the Comet, this adds to the superstitious and atmospheric style of this whodunnit murder mystery. As the story gets more and more into the natures of the characters, you naturally form your own ideas and theories. Did I get the culprit? Well, not really. I had an inkling, but then dismissed it.
This is a very clever murder mystery story and one that I absolutely adored and would definitely recommend.
September 3, 2025
A big thank you to NetGalley, Penguin and Ross Montgomery for the opportunity to read an ARC of The Murder at World’s End in exchange for an honest review.
The Murder at World’s End is a captivating murder mystery set in 1910 on a remote island during the ominous passing of Halley’s Comet. Stephen Pike arrives at the grand and imposing Tithe Hall expecting to begin work as a footman but instead finds himself drawn into a chilling murder investigation. Teaming up with the formidable Miss Decima Stockingham, an elderly lady of high standing, the unlikely duo must navigate a house full of secrets and suspects to uncover the truth.
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in just two sittings. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the characters are all distinctly drawn, each with believable motives and hidden depths. Montgomery’s ability to weave twists and turns throughout the narrative is nothing short of masterful. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would pivot in a completely unexpected and satisfying direction.
This has easily been one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s an engaging, atmospheric, and intelligent mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. It seems this might be the start of a series and if so, I simply cannot wait for the next installment!
The Murder at World’s End is a captivating murder mystery set in 1910 on a remote island during the ominous passing of Halley’s Comet. Stephen Pike arrives at the grand and imposing Tithe Hall expecting to begin work as a footman but instead finds himself drawn into a chilling murder investigation. Teaming up with the formidable Miss Decima Stockingham, an elderly lady of high standing, the unlikely duo must navigate a house full of secrets and suspects to uncover the truth.
I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in just two sittings. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the characters are all distinctly drawn, each with believable motives and hidden depths. Montgomery’s ability to weave twists and turns throughout the narrative is nothing short of masterful. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story would pivot in a completely unexpected and satisfying direction.
This has easily been one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s an engaging, atmospheric, and intelligent mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. It seems this might be the start of a series and if so, I simply cannot wait for the next installment!
November 24, 2025
*glances at the very high ratings*
Uhm... Guys, could it possibly be the case that you don't read very many twisty, turny mysteries very often? (Read: I do.)
I'm wondering because I can't understand the raving reviews on here. The book was good, yes, but not brilliant or great enough to stand out very much, if at all.
In fact, I felt like the author hadstolen borrowed the main characters directly from other books I've listened to the last couple of years and therefore: This book didn't stand out at all to me personally.
No, not even the old lady cursing a lot could make me blink twice, because it's a "one trick pony" I've encountered plenty before, lately, thank you very much.
Decima was however the part of the book I liked the best. In fact, the book didn't kick into gear until she turned up and I thought about DNF:ing the whole thing before she (finally) made an appearance.
As for Pike, our other main character - so humorously plastered over with a penguin on the audiobook cover (extra funny when you think about the fact that he runs around in a livery through out the book): He is an OK protagonist. Nothing more. Nothing less. Adequate, but a bit on the boring side.
As for the mystery ... Well, I did guess everything really quickly, to be honest, and the murder victim was of the sort where you think "Good riddance!" rather than "Ohh, how horrible, I wonder who did it!?". So that part didn't offer much food for thought.
The enjoyment I got, eventually, was the relationship between Decima and Pike.
Maybe not enough to check back in with them in a future book though. Time will tell, and all that, but at the moment, I think not.
Uhm... Guys, could it possibly be the case that you don't read very many twisty, turny mysteries very often? (Read: I do.)
I'm wondering because I can't understand the raving reviews on here. The book was good, yes, but not brilliant or great enough to stand out very much, if at all.
In fact, I felt like the author had
No, not even the old lady cursing a lot could make me blink twice, because it's a "one trick pony" I've encountered plenty before, lately, thank you very much.
Decima was however the part of the book I liked the best. In fact, the book didn't kick into gear until she turned up and I thought about DNF:ing the whole thing before she (finally) made an appearance.
As for Pike, our other main character - so humorously plastered over with a penguin on the audiobook cover (extra funny when you think about the fact that he runs around in a livery through out the book): He is an OK protagonist. Nothing more. Nothing less. Adequate, but a bit on the boring side.
As for the mystery ... Well, I did guess everything really quickly, to be honest, and the murder victim was of the sort where you think "Good riddance!" rather than "Ohh, how horrible, I wonder who did it!?". So that part didn't offer much food for thought.
The enjoyment I got, eventually, was the relationship between Decima and Pike.
Maybe not enough to check back in with them in a future book though. Time will tell, and all that, but at the moment, I think not.
November 6, 2025
Set in Cornwall in 1910, this lively mystery introduces Stephen Pike, newly released from Borstal and desperate for a fresh start. With no references and few prospects, he’s surprised to receive a letter offering him a position at Tithe Hall. There, he finds Viscount Stockingham in a frenzy, convinced Halley’s comet heralds the end of the world. But the real disaster strikes when the Viscount is murdered overnight—and Stephen, as the newest arrival, becomes the prime suspect. His only hope lies in uncovering the truth, aided by the sharp-tongued and thoroughly entertaining Miss Decima, an octogenarian with no patience for nonsense.
This book is a delight from start to finish. It opens with Lord Stockingham-Welt’s madcap preparations for the apocalypse and quickly pivots into a classic locked-room mystery, laced with wit and eccentric charm. Montgomery balances humour and suspense beautifully, keeping the tone light without sacrificing intrigue.
The characters are a strong point, with both Stephen and Miss Decima being instantly likeable, and others being the complete opposite. They are well drawn, and I felt I had a good measure of the crowd locked in at Tithe Hall. There are some obvious suspects and some more unexpected - you'll need to keep your eyes and ears open if you want to figure out the culprit ahead of Stephen.
The plot is fast paced and easy to follow, despite there being lots of quick developments. I found the book hard to put down, and raced through it even though I was on a busy city break. Montgomery explores some of the classic locked room scenarios - I won't spoil things by saying too much about this, but it's safe to say that this is a fun and inventive twist on a classic and well used trope.
I thought I had read other books by Ross Montgomery but it seems this is actually my first. It definitely won't be my last (hopefully there is more to come of Stephen and Miss Decima!)
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for an arc in exchange for an honest review
This book is a delight from start to finish. It opens with Lord Stockingham-Welt’s madcap preparations for the apocalypse and quickly pivots into a classic locked-room mystery, laced with wit and eccentric charm. Montgomery balances humour and suspense beautifully, keeping the tone light without sacrificing intrigue.
The characters are a strong point, with both Stephen and Miss Decima being instantly likeable, and others being the complete opposite. They are well drawn, and I felt I had a good measure of the crowd locked in at Tithe Hall. There are some obvious suspects and some more unexpected - you'll need to keep your eyes and ears open if you want to figure out the culprit ahead of Stephen.
The plot is fast paced and easy to follow, despite there being lots of quick developments. I found the book hard to put down, and raced through it even though I was on a busy city break. Montgomery explores some of the classic locked room scenarios - I won't spoil things by saying too much about this, but it's safe to say that this is a fun and inventive twist on a classic and well used trope.
I thought I had read other books by Ross Montgomery but it seems this is actually my first. It definitely won't be my last (hopefully there is more to come of Stephen and Miss Decima!)
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for an arc in exchange for an honest review
August 16, 2025
I had the absolute pleasure of being sent an advanced reading copy of The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery.
I can honestly say that this is one of the best murder mystery books that I have read in a long, long time. It is brilliantly written, it is fast paced, it is laugh out loud funny and it is absolutely consuming.
The relationship between Stephen and Miss Decima is wonderful, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened with them next and what outlandish thing she was going to say, she's one of my favourite characters I've ever met in a book. I need to find an older friend like her.
The book is due to be released in October, please pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to proudly display a physical copy of this wonderful novel in my bookcase.
If you enjoyed the Knives Out movie then you will enjoy this book as it has that same feel. 5 stars out of 5 is almost an injustice to how good this book is.
I can honestly say that this is one of the best murder mystery books that I have read in a long, long time. It is brilliantly written, it is fast paced, it is laugh out loud funny and it is absolutely consuming.
The relationship between Stephen and Miss Decima is wonderful, and I couldn't wait to find out what happened with them next and what outlandish thing she was going to say, she's one of my favourite characters I've ever met in a book. I need to find an older friend like her.
The book is due to be released in October, please pick up a copy, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to proudly display a physical copy of this wonderful novel in my bookcase.
If you enjoyed the Knives Out movie then you will enjoy this book as it has that same feel. 5 stars out of 5 is almost an injustice to how good this book is.
October 30, 2025
BRILLIANT! I enjoyed this book so much that, even only a few chapters in, I was ready to give it five stars!
It was fast-paced with a good “locked room” murder mystery and mixed with a good dollop of humour as served by the delightful Miss Decima! The lead characters were definitely Miss Decima and Stephen who were funny yet kind. Miss Decima was also extremely intelligent with a particular specialism in science.
I would LOVE to read another murder-mystery with this wonderful duo of Decima and Stephen who were an absolute delight to read, from start to finish. I enjoyed this book SO much that I will be purchasing a hardback copy once published!
It was fast-paced with a good “locked room” murder mystery and mixed with a good dollop of humour as served by the delightful Miss Decima! The lead characters were definitely Miss Decima and Stephen who were funny yet kind. Miss Decima was also extremely intelligent with a particular specialism in science.
I would LOVE to read another murder-mystery with this wonderful duo of Decima and Stephen who were an absolute delight to read, from start to finish. I enjoyed this book SO much that I will be purchasing a hardback copy once published!
September 19, 2025
A really good locked door mystery that kept me guessing throughout.
Stephen receives a letter inviting him to take a job at World's End a big manor house in Cornwall, but when he gets there the house is in disarray as the owner thinks the world is ending and the house goes into lock down.
Cue an unexplained death, amateur detectives and an old lady character that had me cackling away whilst reading and it made for a jolly good time.
Miss Decima really is the best character! I'm really hoping that this becomes a series.
Stephen receives a letter inviting him to take a job at World's End a big manor house in Cornwall, but when he gets there the house is in disarray as the owner thinks the world is ending and the house goes into lock down.
Cue an unexplained death, amateur detectives and an old lady character that had me cackling away whilst reading and it made for a jolly good time.
Miss Decima really is the best character! I'm really hoping that this becomes a series.
November 20, 2025
Ross Montgomery is een veelzijdige man. Zo startte hij zijn carrière als varkensboer, daarna werd hij postbode en nog later werd hij leerkracht in het lager onderwijs. Sinds zijn jeugd was hij een echte boekenliefhebber, dus het was maar een kleine stap voor hem om zelf boeken te beginnen schrijven. Zijn jeugdboeken hebben reeds heel wat prijzen in de wacht gesleept. De moord in het landhuis is zijn eerste boek voor volwassenen.
1910, de komeet van Halley zaait heel wat onrust. Hij nadert namelijk aarde en zou weleens het einde van de mensheid kunnen betekenen. Ondertussen, op een afgelegen schiereiland in Cornwall, wordt Tithe Hall volledig voorbereid op de komst van deze komeet. De burggraaf is overtuigd dat er een heuse Apocalyps aankomt. Het gebouw wordt hermetisch afgesloten en iedereen moet op zijn kamer blijven tot het gevaar geweken is. Maar de volgende ochtend wordt de burggraaf dood aangetroffen in zijn afgesloten studeerkamer.
Stephen Pike is de nieuwe assistent-butler, met een crimineel verleden. Hij wordt dan ook al snel als verdacht beschouwd. Maar hij vindt steun bij Miss Decima Stockingham, de oudtante van de burggraaf. Samen gaan ze op onderzoek om de dader te ontmaskeren.
De moord in het landhuis lijkt wel een perfecte mix tussen Downton Abbey en Sherlock Holmes. Het verhaal speelt zich af rond dezelfde periode als Downton Abbey in een landhuis, waar heel wat intriges zijn tussen het personeel, de bewoners en adellijke familieleden. Door de beeldende schrijfstijl van de auteur kan je je het afgelegen landhuis met zijn karikaturale personages goed voor de geest halen.
De twee hoofdpersonages, de twee speurneuzen, lijken uit de verhalen van Sherlock Holmes te zijn ontsnapt. Door de rebelse oudtante Decima als een van de speurneuzen te bombarderen komt de auteur wel origineel uit de hoek. De dynamiek tussen Decima en de jonge butler zorgt ervoor dat je in het verhaal gezogen wordt en het niet meer opzij kan leggen. Wat een olijk duo zijn zij.
Het boek kreeg het label van thriller, maar ik zou er toch eerder een cosy crime van maken. Het verhaal is niet echt nagelbijtend spannend, maar draait eerder rond het oplossen van een soort vraagstuk. Hoewel de uiteindelijke plot origineel is, vond ik het gegeven van een afgesloten landhuis waar een moord gebeurt uitgekauwd. Meerdere misdaadauteurs hebben zich hier reeds aan gewaagd en een meer vernieuwende setting had het verhaal beter kunnen maken.
Dat Montgomery een uitstekende auteur is en van veel markten thuis is, heeft hij weeral eens bewezen. Want De moord in het landhuis is een prima misdaadroman, geschreven in een fijne schrijfstijl. Dit is het eerste deel van een serie en smaakt naar meer. 4 sterren.
1910, de komeet van Halley zaait heel wat onrust. Hij nadert namelijk aarde en zou weleens het einde van de mensheid kunnen betekenen. Ondertussen, op een afgelegen schiereiland in Cornwall, wordt Tithe Hall volledig voorbereid op de komst van deze komeet. De burggraaf is overtuigd dat er een heuse Apocalyps aankomt. Het gebouw wordt hermetisch afgesloten en iedereen moet op zijn kamer blijven tot het gevaar geweken is. Maar de volgende ochtend wordt de burggraaf dood aangetroffen in zijn afgesloten studeerkamer.
Stephen Pike is de nieuwe assistent-butler, met een crimineel verleden. Hij wordt dan ook al snel als verdacht beschouwd. Maar hij vindt steun bij Miss Decima Stockingham, de oudtante van de burggraaf. Samen gaan ze op onderzoek om de dader te ontmaskeren.
De moord in het landhuis lijkt wel een perfecte mix tussen Downton Abbey en Sherlock Holmes. Het verhaal speelt zich af rond dezelfde periode als Downton Abbey in een landhuis, waar heel wat intriges zijn tussen het personeel, de bewoners en adellijke familieleden. Door de beeldende schrijfstijl van de auteur kan je je het afgelegen landhuis met zijn karikaturale personages goed voor de geest halen.
De twee hoofdpersonages, de twee speurneuzen, lijken uit de verhalen van Sherlock Holmes te zijn ontsnapt. Door de rebelse oudtante Decima als een van de speurneuzen te bombarderen komt de auteur wel origineel uit de hoek. De dynamiek tussen Decima en de jonge butler zorgt ervoor dat je in het verhaal gezogen wordt en het niet meer opzij kan leggen. Wat een olijk duo zijn zij.
Het boek kreeg het label van thriller, maar ik zou er toch eerder een cosy crime van maken. Het verhaal is niet echt nagelbijtend spannend, maar draait eerder rond het oplossen van een soort vraagstuk. Hoewel de uiteindelijke plot origineel is, vond ik het gegeven van een afgesloten landhuis waar een moord gebeurt uitgekauwd. Meerdere misdaadauteurs hebben zich hier reeds aan gewaagd en een meer vernieuwende setting had het verhaal beter kunnen maken.
Dat Montgomery een uitstekende auteur is en van veel markten thuis is, heeft hij weeral eens bewezen. Want De moord in het landhuis is een prima misdaadroman, geschreven in een fijne schrijfstijl. Dit is het eerste deel van een serie en smaakt naar meer. 4 sterren.
November 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 rounded up to 5)
This is book one in the Stockington and Pike Historical Cozy Mystery series, set in the tidelands of Cornwall in 1910 — the year Halley’s Comet sent the world into a mild frenzy. With newspapers predicting the end of days (despite scientific assurances otherwise), panic reigns even in the secluded estate of World’s End, home of the eccentric Viscount of Tithe Hall. Convinced the comet will destroy the Earth, he locks his family and staff — including his formidable octogenarian aunt, Decima, and the newly arrived footman, Stephen Pike — inside the manor to wait for impact.
Stephen joins the household just as chaos sets in, with everyone packing up and preparing for the supposed apocalypse. He’s a young man with a chequered past — recently released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit — trying to make a fresh start in a world that’s quick to judge. So when a crime is discovered the morning after Halley’s Comet was meant to strike, Stephen’s history makes him an easy scapegoat. Fortunately, he has an alibi: the razor-sharp Aunt Decima herself. Together, they form an unlikely investigative partnership to uncover the truth.
This was such an enjoyable read. Stephen is endearingly gormless yet quietly observant, while Aunt Decima is a total firecracker (I couldn’t help picturing Maggie Smith in full Dowager Countess mode). The dynamic between them absolutely sparkles — like a Fawlty Towers episode meets Gosford Park.
I also loved the setting and historical texture: that sense of an England on the cusp of modernity, class systems beginning to shift, and science challenging superstition. The comet backdrop gives everything a charged, slightly surreal edge — and for me, it even stirred a bit of nostalgia for my own Halley’s Comet experience back in 1986. Comparing the 1910 and 1986 reactions reminded me how far we’ve come, both scientifically and culturally.
Yes, we’ve seen a recent wave of “elderly sleuths who are secretly badasses,” but this one feels fresh. Decima doesn’t just school the young — she learns from Stephen too, which gives their partnership unexpected warmth and depth.
I may not be around for the next Halley’s Comet sighting, but I definitely plan to be around for the next book in this delightful new series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
This is book one in the Stockington and Pike Historical Cozy Mystery series, set in the tidelands of Cornwall in 1910 — the year Halley’s Comet sent the world into a mild frenzy. With newspapers predicting the end of days (despite scientific assurances otherwise), panic reigns even in the secluded estate of World’s End, home of the eccentric Viscount of Tithe Hall. Convinced the comet will destroy the Earth, he locks his family and staff — including his formidable octogenarian aunt, Decima, and the newly arrived footman, Stephen Pike — inside the manor to wait for impact.
Stephen joins the household just as chaos sets in, with everyone packing up and preparing for the supposed apocalypse. He’s a young man with a chequered past — recently released from prison for a crime he didn’t commit — trying to make a fresh start in a world that’s quick to judge. So when a crime is discovered the morning after Halley’s Comet was meant to strike, Stephen’s history makes him an easy scapegoat. Fortunately, he has an alibi: the razor-sharp Aunt Decima herself. Together, they form an unlikely investigative partnership to uncover the truth.
This was such an enjoyable read. Stephen is endearingly gormless yet quietly observant, while Aunt Decima is a total firecracker (I couldn’t help picturing Maggie Smith in full Dowager Countess mode). The dynamic between them absolutely sparkles — like a Fawlty Towers episode meets Gosford Park.
I also loved the setting and historical texture: that sense of an England on the cusp of modernity, class systems beginning to shift, and science challenging superstition. The comet backdrop gives everything a charged, slightly surreal edge — and for me, it even stirred a bit of nostalgia for my own Halley’s Comet experience back in 1986. Comparing the 1910 and 1986 reactions reminded me how far we’ve come, both scientifically and culturally.
Yes, we’ve seen a recent wave of “elderly sleuths who are secretly badasses,” but this one feels fresh. Decima doesn’t just school the young — she learns from Stephen too, which gives their partnership unexpected warmth and depth.
I may not be around for the next Halley’s Comet sighting, but I definitely plan to be around for the next book in this delightful new series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions in this review are my own.
November 1, 2025
It's 1910 & Steven Pike has recently been released from Borstal for a crime he didn't commit & is in need of a job. Fortune smiles for once as he receives the offer of a post as under-butler at Tithe Hall. The Hall is built on a remote island off the coast of Cornwall & by the time Steven arrives, the Hall is being boarded up from top to bottom. The Viscount who owns the Hall is of the opinion that the passing of Halley's Comet that evening will herald cataclysmic events & he orders everyone to be sealed inside their rooms for the night.
Steven is sent to look after elderly, irascible, foul-mouthed, but surprisingly astute Miss Decima Stockingham as no-one else can deal with her. By the next morning, the Viscount is found dead in his study, with the door locked from the inside. With fingers pointing at the newly arrived Steven, he reluctantly joins forces with Miss Decima to find out who killed the Viscount & how.
This turned out to be a very entertaining read mainly due to Miss Decima who was an absolute hoot. Yes there is a lot of swearing in this book but she's very funny & her tentative friendship with Steven is a highlight. The mystery itself was also well planned, although I had a feeling who it was from the start, & the inclusion of newspaper articles from the time period regarding the arrival of the comet was a nice touch. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries & doesn't mind the language, & I would definitely read more Stockingham & Pike books.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Penguin General UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Steven is sent to look after elderly, irascible, foul-mouthed, but surprisingly astute Miss Decima Stockingham as no-one else can deal with her. By the next morning, the Viscount is found dead in his study, with the door locked from the inside. With fingers pointing at the newly arrived Steven, he reluctantly joins forces with Miss Decima to find out who killed the Viscount & how.
This turned out to be a very entertaining read mainly due to Miss Decima who was an absolute hoot. Yes there is a lot of swearing in this book but she's very funny & her tentative friendship with Steven is a highlight. The mystery itself was also well planned, although I had a feeling who it was from the start, & the inclusion of newspaper articles from the time period regarding the arrival of the comet was a nice touch. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries & doesn't mind the language, & I would definitely read more Stockingham & Pike books.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Penguin General UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
November 3, 2025
Stephen Pike a recently released convict has gotten a servant job at a manor just in time for the passing of Haleys comet,
Sadly for him. His employer lord conrad is convinced the comet will collid with and end the world and as such everyone is locked tight within their rooms as it is due to come, when said employer turns up dead shortly after. Pike as a ex Con is obviously a prime suspect, but how did the actual killer do it? And can Pike prove it wasn't him?
The murder at the world's end , the adult debut of Ross following the great success of last year's Rebel was a fantastic locked room mystery that kept me guessing throughout. I Particularly LOVED Aunt Decima, a elder relative of the lord who fancies herself a bit of a detective ,the smartest person in the room and swears like a drunken sailor, kind of like a foul mouthed miss Marple she is a fantastic character whose interactions with Stephen bring many of the best lines of the book
The two are determined to find the true killer but it quickly becomes clear that this isn't exactly the closest of families and with old grudges coming to light and secrets being uncovered there are many possible subjects.
I'm not sure if this is a one and done or Ross plans to revisit Pike but I am really hoping for the later personally
Sadly for him. His employer lord conrad is convinced the comet will collid with and end the world and as such everyone is locked tight within their rooms as it is due to come, when said employer turns up dead shortly after. Pike as a ex Con is obviously a prime suspect, but how did the actual killer do it? And can Pike prove it wasn't him?
The murder at the world's end , the adult debut of Ross following the great success of last year's Rebel was a fantastic locked room mystery that kept me guessing throughout. I Particularly LOVED Aunt Decima, a elder relative of the lord who fancies herself a bit of a detective ,the smartest person in the room and swears like a drunken sailor, kind of like a foul mouthed miss Marple she is a fantastic character whose interactions with Stephen bring many of the best lines of the book
The two are determined to find the true killer but it quickly becomes clear that this isn't exactly the closest of families and with old grudges coming to light and secrets being uncovered there are many possible subjects.
I'm not sure if this is a one and done or Ross plans to revisit Pike but I am really hoping for the later personally
September 24, 2025
I have a new favourite heroine peeps. Her name is Miss Decima Stockington. She may be an octogenarian, but boy is she sassy. With a keen interest in science, razor sharp wit, and a foul mouth, Miss Decima takes no prisoners. ☄️
Miss Decima is not just my personal heroine, she is one of the amateur sleuths in The Murder at World's End, the other being Stephen Pike, ex Borstal boy, now recently employed as second footman at Tithe House, home of the Viscount, Conrad Stockington Welt.
The year is 1910. Halley's Comet is passing close to Earth. Many believe that it will bring about a global disaster. It is against this backdrop that murder is committed at Tithe House. The victim is Conrad, Miss Decima's nephew. ☄️
There's no shortage of suspects, but when the Inspector from Scotland Yard proves to be inept, Miss Decima enlists Stephen's help to try to find the murderer. ☄️
This was a fun read, with some really likeable characters. I love a locked room mystery, and this one was perfectly executed, if you'll pardon the pun. ☄️
Our amateur sleuths, Stephen and Miss Decima, are an unlikely pairing, but they make a formidable team. I really hope we will more from them in the future. ☄️
Thanks to Viking Books UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Miss Decima is not just my personal heroine, she is one of the amateur sleuths in The Murder at World's End, the other being Stephen Pike, ex Borstal boy, now recently employed as second footman at Tithe House, home of the Viscount, Conrad Stockington Welt.
The year is 1910. Halley's Comet is passing close to Earth. Many believe that it will bring about a global disaster. It is against this backdrop that murder is committed at Tithe House. The victim is Conrad, Miss Decima's nephew. ☄️
There's no shortage of suspects, but when the Inspector from Scotland Yard proves to be inept, Miss Decima enlists Stephen's help to try to find the murderer. ☄️
This was a fun read, with some really likeable characters. I love a locked room mystery, and this one was perfectly executed, if you'll pardon the pun. ☄️
Our amateur sleuths, Stephen and Miss Decima, are an unlikely pairing, but they make a formidable team. I really hope we will more from them in the future. ☄️
Thanks to Viking Books UK and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2025
It was ok book I enjoyed the storyline but it didn’t scream at me
Blurb
Downton Abbey meets Knives Out in the gripping new crime series from the bestselling author where an unlikely sleuthing duo - an under-butler and a foul-mouthed octogerian - hunt a killer in a manor sealed against the end of the world.
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom - every window, chimney and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within... By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Stephen Pike, Tithe Hall's newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn't commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, 80-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she's been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges and rising terror to unmask the killer before it's too late...
Blurb
Downton Abbey meets Knives Out in the gripping new crime series from the bestselling author where an unlikely sleuthing duo - an under-butler and a foul-mouthed octogerian - hunt a killer in a manor sealed against the end of the world.
Cornwall, 1910. On a remote tidal island, the Viscount of Tithe Hall is absorbed in feverish preparations for the apocalypse that he believes will accompany the passing of Halley's Comet. The Hall must be sealed from top to bottom - every window, chimney and keyhole closed off before night falls. But what the pompous, dishonest Viscount has failed to take into account is the danger that lies within... By morning, he will be dead in his sealed study, murdered by his own ancestral crossbow.
All eyes turn to Stephen Pike, Tithe Hall's newest under-butler. Fresh out of Borstal for a crime he didn't commit, he is the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time. His unlikely ally? Miss Decima Stockingham, the foul-mouthed, sharp as a tack, 80-year-old family matriarch. Fearless and unconventional, she relishes chaos and puzzles alike, and a murder is just the thrill she's been waiting for.
Together, this mismatched duo must navigate secret passages, buried grudges and rising terror to unmask the killer before it's too late...
November 26, 2025
I read this book because when I looked it up here on goodreads it said that it wasn't out yet and wouldn't be for a while. I then proceeded to see it in multiple stores so I'm confused, but not unhappy that I picked it up.
I enjoyed this well enough, but it's a flat 3 stars for me. This book made me realise that caricatures are not my thing. If you do like characters that sort of "over-act" then thats great and I can tell you you'll love inspector Jarvis, but it wasn't for me. The main reason for the 3 stars, though, is that I don't like the big reveal. I saw it coming and was hoping I was wrong, because it just doesn't make sense in relation to the rest of the book. I don't like plot twists that feel like they're there for the sake of a plot twist and are otherwise not thought out. Or maybe I'm dumb and didn't pick up on all the subtle clues and I should've seen it coming from a kilometer away. I did read this during a week of night shifts so that is a genuine possibility.
Anyway, good book, would recommend because I flew through it and it was fun.
I enjoyed this well enough, but it's a flat 3 stars for me. This book made me realise that caricatures are not my thing. If you do like characters that sort of "over-act" then thats great and I can tell you you'll love inspector Jarvis, but it wasn't for me. The main reason for the 3 stars, though, is that I don't like the big reveal. I saw it coming and was hoping I was wrong, because it just doesn't make sense in relation to the rest of the book. I don't like plot twists that feel like they're there for the sake of a plot twist and are otherwise not thought out. Or maybe I'm dumb and didn't pick up on all the subtle clues and I should've seen it coming from a kilometer away. I did read this during a week of night shifts so that is a genuine possibility.
Anyway, good book, would recommend because I flew through it and it was fun.
December 11, 2025
Many thanks to Harper Audio for the preview. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
Well this was a delight! There's some sort of magic you get when you combine 2 highly unlikely people to solve a mystery, and this saucy octogenarian-hapless footman pairing was just brilliant. More foul-mouthed old ladies please!
The locked house murder-mystery combined with the backdrop of Halley's comet was great! Especially with Miss Decima being a scientist herself. The comps to Knives Out are good since the whole family is awful, everyone is there to see who gets the money, and they could all be a suspect. The mystery kept me guessing until the end with plenty of red herrings. I didn't catch on to the culprit until right before the reveal.
It seems like we might get more mysteries with Steven and Miss Decima in the future and I am 100% here for it! I definitely recommend. Also, the narration for the audiobook was great. The interludes with newsreel-style sound was particulary good.
4.5 stars
Well this was a delight! There's some sort of magic you get when you combine 2 highly unlikely people to solve a mystery, and this saucy octogenarian-hapless footman pairing was just brilliant. More foul-mouthed old ladies please!
The locked house murder-mystery combined with the backdrop of Halley's comet was great! Especially with Miss Decima being a scientist herself. The comps to Knives Out are good since the whole family is awful, everyone is there to see who gets the money, and they could all be a suspect. The mystery kept me guessing until the end with plenty of red herrings. I didn't catch on to the culprit until right before the reveal.
It seems like we might get more mysteries with Steven and Miss Decima in the future and I am 100% here for it! I definitely recommend. Also, the narration for the audiobook was great. The interludes with newsreel-style sound was particulary good.
December 13, 2025
A young man down on his luck has been given a second chance in the mansion of a pseudoscientific Viscount. When the viscount is very mysteriously murdered, Stephen and the Viscount’s very quirky and foul-mouthed elderly aunt Miss Decima team up to find the murderer.
The unlikely duo are 60 years apart but their skills complement each other. I found myself laughing quite often at their banter. Not sure I’ve ever read a book with such a strange pairing but they make it work.
What I liked about it:
The audiobook narration by Derek Jacobi and Joe Jameson was fantastic. Voices so well done. Highly recommend listening to it.
The 1910 English mansion setting was described beautifully and came to life in mind. I had no idea what a butler’s mirror was until this book but now I do and I want one.
The twists and turns kept coming, right until the very end.
I would recommend Murder at World’s End to anyone who loves a good ol fashioned murder mystery with a bit of historical and scientific flavor.
Thank you HarperAudio Adult for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The unlikely duo are 60 years apart but their skills complement each other. I found myself laughing quite often at their banter. Not sure I’ve ever read a book with such a strange pairing but they make it work.
What I liked about it:
The audiobook narration by Derek Jacobi and Joe Jameson was fantastic. Voices so well done. Highly recommend listening to it.
The 1910 English mansion setting was described beautifully and came to life in mind. I had no idea what a butler’s mirror was until this book but now I do and I want one.
The twists and turns kept coming, right until the very end.
I would recommend Murder at World’s End to anyone who loves a good ol fashioned murder mystery with a bit of historical and scientific flavor.
Thank you HarperAudio Adult for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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