Bidding for Murder

by E.C. Bateman

A brilliant new whodunnit, perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton and Richard Osman! A night of tricks, treats, and murder…

When an old school acquaintance calls on auctioneer Felicia Grant for help, she finds herself at a glittering bash at the exclusive yet mysterious Aquitaine club.

What starts as an enchanting evening of feasting and spooky traditions soon turns deadly. With the clock ticking towards midnight, Felicia finds herself in a race against time to uncover a clever killer hiding among the shadows…

Every book in The Stamford Mysteries series can be read as a standalone.

Praise for Bidding for Murder: 'A delightful treat … satisfyingly twisty. Pour yourself a glass of something autumnal and settle in—this one’s a page-turner with personality' ★★★★

'A lovely cozy mystery murder … Beautifully written and wonderfully descriptive' ★★★★

'A great read for a cosy stay-at-home afternoon. I loved every minute' ★★★★

Cosy crime readers are loving E.C. ‘Ideal for fans of Richard Osman’s books… this murder mystery will keep you guessing as the bodies stack up! Full of red herrings, twists and turns, wonderful characters and fabulous houses.’ ★★★★★

‘Set in the historic town of Stamford, this murder set in the antiques trade is a brilliantly plotted mystery.’ ★★★★★

‘A thoroughly enjoyable cosy murder mystery… I’m looking forward to the next book already!’ ★★★★★

‘Mystery and intrigue… written by a talented and gifted author.’ ★★★★★

‘An absorbing murder mystery… Lots of interesting information about Antique auctions was a added bonus.’ ★★★★★

Cover illustrated by local Stamford illustrator Katie Cardew. Discover more at www.katiecardew.com

Genres: Cozy Mystery

Audible Audio

Published October 24, 2025

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bidding for Murder is the 3rd-installment in E.C. Bateman's Cozy Mystery series, The Stamford Mysteries.

If you're unaware, this series follows Felicia Grant, a single-mom, who has returned to her home village of Stamford to help her Dad run their family-owned Auction House after her Dad's health took a turn.

At this point, Felicia has been back in the village a while, and a lot has happened, including a few murders, which she's become embroiled in solving.



Felicia's ex, Dexter, the father to their son, Algernon, now 13-years old, has also returned to the village, so the family dynamics are chaotic and fun to follow. Add in her curmudgeon father, and you're sure to be chuckling.

The mystery in this book kicks off when an old classmate of Felicia's, Lucia, comes to town and asks Felicia to appraise some of her jewelry. The two meet up at the exclusive and mysterious Aquitaine Club, a private lodging and club in Stamford that regular residents really know nothing about.

Lucia, wife to a powerful politician, is staying there at the invitation of a friend, and Felicia is a bit overwhelmed and intrigued to even be invited in.



The meeting with Lucia is memorable indeed, and Felicia is drawn into the dramatic and secretive world of the Aquitaine. In fact, she's invited back, along with her family, for their annual Halloween celebration the following day.

The evenings activities include a truly haunting Mummers performance, but everyone seems to be in good spirits. That is until the first body falls, followed quickly by another.

Before she knows it, Felicia is caught up in another investigation. Will she be able to weed out the killer lurking in the shadows before they successfully take another life?



There's no doubt this is my favorite of the series thus far. A Murder Mystery set on Halloween night at a prestigious private club? Yes, please.

As a Spooky Season girlie through and through, I was loving the atmosphere Bateman was bringing to this story. It definitely had full-fledged Halloween vibes.

Additionally, I'm so attached to these characters now. As with many Cozy series, I feel like the further you go along, the more you feel like returning to the main characters is almost like going home. You get attached to their lives and whatever they have going on in it.



I found the mystery in this story so fun. I loved the locked room feel. Since it is set at the Aquitaine, and its being a private club, it is quite insular. The only people involved were those members staying there, as well as the employees, and Felicia and her family.

Over the course of the story, you learn a lot about the members and employees, and boy are they messy. There was so much going on amongst them, a lot of unlikable folks and certainly plenty of motives for any potential killers.

Pettifer and Jess are the police called to the scene, who we've come to know in previous books, and I loved having them back. I love how Pettifer and Felicia's relationship has grown an developed across the books.



I really enjoyed trying to solve this one. There were so many clues, and I did have a lot of theories. It kept me hooked and therefore, up late into the night until I was able to finish. There's no way I was sleeping on it.

I'm guessing from the final chapter and Epilogue that we'll be getting another installment too, which I'm very happy about. I have no idea how long this series is slated to be, but I'm here for the long run.

I would definitely recommend this to Cozy Mystery fans, particularly if you enjoy charming village vibes and an amateur sleuth with a lot of pluck and a fun family dynamic.



Thank you to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me for a copy to read and review. I'm so excited for more Stamford Mysteries!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an old school acquaintance calls on auctioneer Felicia Grant for help, she finds herself at a glittering Halloween bash at the exclusive yet mysterious Aquitaine club. What starts as an enchanting evening of feasting and spooky traditions soon turns deadly. With the clock ticking towards midnight, Felicia finds herself in a race against time to uncover a clever killer hiding among the shadows…
The third book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own, relationships are developing & there’s a mystery spanning the books. I really like Felicia who is intelligent & like a terrier when she gets involved in a case. I also like the dynamics between her & her family & friends. There’s also the police & Inspector Pettifer welcomes her help. The case revolves around the up market Aquitaine Club, whose members are not exactly likeable but on Halloween the body count rises, there were twists, turns as well as red herrings & I must admit I was kept guessing as to who the villain was & was surprised at the denouement. A well written cosy mystery, which I thoroughly enjoyed
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Lisa (Two Bookish Brits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a mystery this one was.

Bidding For Murder is book 3 in The Stamford Mysteries series but can be read as a standalone like I did. Book 3 was my introduction to this world and although it’s chaos, it’s been absolute fun seeing where the story was going to go.

This series follows Alicia Grant who returned home to help her dad at the Auction House and just happened to come across some murders.

When Alicia is asked to appraise some jewellery belonging to an old classmate she finds herself at the Aquitaine Club, a club that only the rich get into.

A party ends with a dead body and a mystery surrounding it. Who did it? Why did they do it? How did they get away without being seen?

It’s a mystery that kept me hooked until the last page. The moment we find out who it was…oh my jaw was on the floor because WHAT??

I have to admit that beginning and ending had me confused because who tf is Margaret and why did we get those bits? I’m so confused 😅 I don’t know if I missed something whilst reading it but what was the purpose of her part??

This is my first read from this author and I am loving their work. I need to go get the first two in the series to get caught up with them.

If you’re a fan of book recommendations that include

Cosy Mystery
Who Done It?
Small Town
Cluedo Vibes
Amateur Sleuth

than you’ll enjoy this one.

[Abi Schofield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latest in the series I love reading this series as it’s based in my town and keeps me guessing!

[Amy Quinn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNF’d this (at 90%) maybe because it was an audio book but I just could never get into this. Felt the plot was so vanilla and a waste of time reading this. It was that bad I couldn’t be bothered finishing it, but only 10% left

[MinglingThreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series and the direction that it is headed. The explanation/history of the Mummers is very different from what I know. NFLD's mummering tradition at Christmas is a silly bit of singing, dancing and fun.

[Jess Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that I had read these in order, but I missed the second in the series. Although there were times I didn’t know the full backstory of a few characters, this didn’t detract from the storyline and this installment could be read on its own (though I suggest reading in order).

I love that the book took us out of the auction house to a secret club where an old school acquaintance is requesting Felicia’s help. What starts off as a fairly normal meeting introduces us to the eccentric character of the Aquataine Club.

The character in this book were particularly fun, and the premise being around Halloween and its traditions added an extra special holiday feel. I’m so glad I read this in October! I didn’t see the ending coming, but thought it was a well-thought out and enjoyable cozy. There are plenty of little breadcrumbs along the way.

This book was reminiscent of Agatha Christie to me, and I loved it! Looking forward to the next.

Thank you to #Netgalley #HarperCollinsUK and #OneMoreChapter for this ARC

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been an influx of antiques-related cozy crime books on my reading lists lately and I love it. And the Stamford Mysteries are among my favourites.

Felicia is a really great character, not just her interesting background, but also the variety of relationships she has, including a friendly one with her ex-husband, a grudging one with her father, and a flirtatious one with the mysterious Jack. Plus, Felicia is a competent and smart amateur sleuth who gets on with her police connections.

The mystery was really interesting and well-done and there were some very interesting characters. I also loved learning about the history of mummers and how a medieval tradition morphed into our modern-day trick-or-treating.

* Thanks to the publisher for a free ebook via Netgalley for review purposes

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh! What a waste of time reading this far-fetched murder mystery. Once started I p lowed on hoping that it would improve. The only exception I have is that I didn’t guess the murderer.

Residents and visitors of the Stamford village elite, gather together for the annual performance of the Halloween Mummers, and then one after another of this exclusive club are murdered. Who solves the crimes, but none other than a local auctioneer guiding the police inspector. If this is an imitation of Agatha Christie’s stories, the author has fallen far short of the excitement and drama. Give me Miss Marple any day.

My thanks nevertheless to the NetGalley and the publishers for granting me access to review this ARC novel.

[Laurel Kristick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series, but can be read as a stand alone. Overall, a good mystery, set on a foggy spooky night with mysterious mummers (masked figures) and multiple deaths. I didn't figure out the killer (I had my eye on a different character) but the solution was satisfying. I did wonder when the prelude would figure into the story, but it never did. I'm unsure whether the. prelude characters story has been developing behind the scenes over the series or is a reference to the next book.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Jillian Digiantonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the previous books in this series, I couldn't wait to read the third set at Halloween! In this one Felicia gets invited to an exclusive party at the mysterious club in Stamford. Of course, murder happens and chaos ensues. There were lots of fun characters in this one and having it set at the club lent a locked room vibe to it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend for cozy mystery lovers!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Chris Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reposted from CB Book Reviews on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRzaA5SjN...

This is the long awaited third novel of E.C Bateman’s Stamford Murder Mysteries Series.

In this latest instalment, we as the reader rejoin lead character, Felicia Grant, as she is asked to attend the mysterious Aquitaine Club, a fictional prestigious hotel for those of high rank within society, to use her skills as an auctioneer for valuing some items of jewellery owned by a member, who is also an old acquaintance. Following the meeting, Felicia and her family become invited back to The Aquitaine Club the following evening for a medieval Halloween performance, placing the events of this book approximately 3 months after the last. As the guests partake in the evening’s performance, some underhand events take place leaving Felicia in the middle of a murder investigation once again.

I found myself enjoying this book, and I would go as far as to say that I think this is the best instalment of the series to date. After re-reading my two previous reviews, I recall being concerned about repeat characters taking sideline roles with little character development. But on this occasion I liked that this continued and that the storyline centres largely around a group of new characters, as I feel that this is required for the storyline to work. Despite this, I felt that previous experiences over the series have allowed for trust to have developed between the police officers and Felicia, to the point where she is being treated as a third member of their team. Whilst this is unrealistic, I feel it is easier and more enjoyable as opposed to reading conflict regarding her involvement.

Whilst the storyline took a little while to develop, when it did I found it enjoyable. I found that as the ‘big reveal’ approached towards the end of the book, there were some real diversions thrown in, along with a big twist as to who the culprit was, and some additional detail thrown in right up to the last few pages. At the same time, I also felt that some aspects of the diversions had been undersold and could have been explored further.

As someone who is originally from the local area, I also enjoyed this book due to the fact that it taught me about some of Stamford’s quirks that I wasn’t previously aware of/hadn’t previously noticed. However, whilst this is interesting for me and I’m sure many other local people supporting a local author, I do also feel that the number of local references means that this is a far more accessible read if you know the local area and layout of the town, and I wonder if this already is or could become a limiting factor to a wider audience.

Overall, I thought this was a good addition to the series, I enjoyed it, and will be back for book four which is rumoured to be released in October 2026!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Bidding for Murder is the third Stamford mystery by E.C. Bateman. Released 6th Nov 2025 by HarperCollins on their One More Chapter imprint, it's 384 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Cozy mysteries set in and around the antiques trades are wildly popular, and this is a good one. MC Felicia is in the trade, and once again is drawn into investigating a sudden death which is soon followed by bodies left, right, and centre. The first books in the series were lightly humorous, but this installment has a more serious vibe (could be the body count).

There's a distinct Agatha Raisin vibe, and fans of MC Beaton, Deanna Raybourn, and Richard Osman will probably like this series as well. The resolution and denouement were as expected. This is the third book; if read as a standalone, expect minor spoilers for the earlier books in the series.

Three and a half stars. It would make a good selection for public library acquisition, home use, or possibly a binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love your mysteries with a touch of glamour, a dash of Halloween mischief, and a heroine who’s as sharp as she is charming, Bidding for Murder is a delightful treat. E.C. Bateman invites us into the world of Felicia Grant, an auctioneer with a knack for uncovering secrets—and apparently, murderers.

Set during a glittering Halloween bash at the exclusive Aquitaine club, the story kicks off with spooky elegance and quickly spirals into a clever whodunnit. The setting is rich with atmosphere: candlelit corners, masked guests, and just enough eerie tradition to keep you on edge. When the party turns deadly, Felicia must navigate a maze of red herrings and hidden motives before the clock strikes midnight.

Bateman’s writing is witty and warm, with just the right amount of bite. Felicia is a joy to follow—smart, stylish, and refreshingly grounded. The mystery itself is satisfyingly twisty, with enough surprises to keep even seasoned cosy crime fans guessing.

Perfect for fans of Richard Osman and M.C. Beaton, this is a murder mystery that feels both classic and fresh. Pour yourself a glass of something autumnal and settle in—this one’s a page-turner with personality.

Wtih thanks to EC Bateman, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Reviewer Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the first page. Felicia Grant is the kind of protagonist you want to spend time with—clever, grounded, and utterly relatable as she navigates a glittering Halloween auction that spirals into murder. The atmosphere is pitch-perfect: spooky, stylish, and brimming with tension as the bids—and body count—rise.
What makes this mystery so satisfying is how Bateman keeps you guessing. I found myself constantly revising my theories, only to be genuinely surprised when the twists landed. Stamford itself feels like a character, brought to vivid life through Bateman's eye for atmospheric detail and a cast of delightfully quirky locals. The writing strikes that rare balance between witty and suspenseful, making this the kind of cozy mystery you can't put down. It's smart, engrossing, and a thoroughly enjoyable addition to the series.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third entry in the series, Felicia Grant finds herself yet again trying to solve a murder. No good deed goes unpunished so when she helps her find out, she certainly didn’t expect to find herself so a a murder. Yet, here she is and if Felicia doesn’t figure out who the culprit is before the clock strikes 12, this may just be her last Halloween celebration.

This is such a fun series. Felicia is smart and a very likable protagonist. I have found each and every mystery in these books so far to be solid and filled with red herrings that keep you guessing until the end. I always look forward to seeing a new release and settling in for a good read with a cup of tea.

[Selçuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

My enjoyment of the book plummeted as soon as the author cast the use of AI to summarize info about a church’s history in positive light

Also, the plot really drags along quite a while before anything happens, and there are so, so many red herrings from the start.

Disappointed to see the shilling of AI.

[Sandra Armor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline did absolutely nothing for me. Kind of a shame as I have liked the previous two books in the series. Not sure if I’ll continue with it now.

[Jane Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mad story but left me wondering what next? There must be a sequel soon

[Brittany Fovargue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a good while to get going but a really good read by the end! Not sure how believable the dynamics between Pettifer and Felicia are but I like it!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

!What a Tantalizing Tale!

Pretty interesting Layered characters move in these mysteries! Plenty of activity-twists & turns-Halloween spookiness at a posh club & Murder!!!