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Kurland St. Mary Mystery #3

Death Comes To Kurland Hall

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As wedding bells chime in Kurland St. Mary, a motley group of visitors descends on the village—and with a murderer on the prowl, some of them may not be returning home…

Lucy Harrington has returned to Kurland St. Mary to help with her friend Sophia Giffin’s wedding. But her homecoming is made disagreeable by the presence of Major Robert Kurland, whose bungled proposal has ruffled Lucy’s composure, and a meddling widow who has designs on her father, the village rector.

Wary of the cloying Mrs. Chingsford from the start, Lucy has doubts about the busybody’s intentions with her father. But everyone else seems to think they make an ideal match—until the courtship is curtailed when Mrs. Chingsford is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. It’s clear that it wasn’t an accident, and in hopes of finding the culprit, Lucy and Robert call a truce and begin scrutinizing the wedding guests.

But the widow left behind plenty of enemies, and when one of them is the next to turn up dead, Lucy and Robert discover that the truth is far more scandalous than anyone could have imagined…

281 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 2015

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622 people want to read

About the author

Catherine Lloyd

18 books527 followers
Catherine Lloyd was born just outside London, England, into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers. She completed her education with a master’s degree in history at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and uses the skills she gained there to research and write her historical mysteries. Catherine currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and youngest daughter..

Please note only the Kurland St. Mary mysteries are written by this Catherine Lloyd, not the romances.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
Profile Image for Jeannine.
1,074 reviews74 followers
March 16, 2022
Why does a woman who is intelligent, keenly observant, and perceptive get called meddling and “managing?” It’s annoying that everyone ignores Lucy’s intelligence and acts like she’s some nosy gossip. Ugh.

Also, why doesn’t Lucy get a real, heartfelt proposal? She doesn’t even get a proper first kiss. Poor thing.

And why are these friends-since-childhood still refraining from using first names?

The mystery was good. I’m just sad for Lucy.
Profile Image for Hannah.
671 reviews59 followers
December 26, 2015
I found the first book in the Kurland St. Mary series intriguing and really liked the second, but I claim unabashed love for Death at Kurland Hall, which finally brought me everything I'd wanted from the characters, their relationship and the mystery.

Major Robert Kurland and Lucy Harrington are the highlights, as usual - far from remaining stagnant, both their characters and relationship have come a long way from the grouchy invalid/downtrodden spinster combination they made at their initial outing. By now, just about everyone around them can see that independent, intelligent and "managing" Lucy provides the perfect counterpart to Robert, whose bluntness and disregard for upper-class norms shocks most people and who admits to himself that he rather likes being "managed" by Lucy. We were left at a pretty exciting development at the end of their previous adventure in London and this book gives me everything I'd hoped for - a bit of jealousy to spice things up and push Robert towards important emotional realizations (not to mention it makes Lucy look less the "unwanted spinster" she was portrayed as in the first two books and far more sought after and appreciated, which I liked), more of their delightful bickering and a bit of medicine in the form of "absence makes the heart grow fonder." Major Robert Kurland finally comes through! He very much reminded me of Mr. Darcy in this book - all of his initial arrogance and rudeness completely undone once he's humbled by love. It's enough to bring joy to any romantic.

The mystery and setting were also thoroughly enjoyable. We've had dead bodies in this series before, but the suspense, Lucy and Robert's sleuthing and the gradual reveal of clues (including the threats to our protagonists' safety) were far better paced and balanced here. I particularly liked the complicated web of connections between the victim and the many suspects, plus the hints of multiple hidden pasts that come with blackmail; it makes for a more intriguing mystery. If there is a weakness in the mystery, it's the fact that the murderer was far too easy to guess - I guessed whodunit just over halfway through the story. At least the full extent of their motivations are less easy to grasp?

I was hesitant at the return to Kurland St. Mary since I liked the upper class pomp and circumstances (and the balls!) of London in book 2, but I was happy to see that the village setting has been... upgraded here, for lack of a better descriptor. With the mystery taking place at Kurland Hall, the manor opened to large-scale events and with many of the upper-middle class acquaintances of Lucy and Robert in attendance, it was a combination of the best parts of the intimate village setting and the London excitement. Some of the familiar faces back for this book are far more likeable than they were previously as well - notably Miss Chingsford, whose developing friendship with Lucy is proving surprisingly delightful.

It would not be an understatement to say that this book is by far the best yet and genuinely leaves me wishing that the book was at least twice as long as it was, just so that I could spend more time immersed in it. I'm actually devastated that I can't find any information about a fourth book yet; please tell me there'll be more adventures for Major Kurland and Lucy! We can't stop here, satisfying as this installment has been.
Profile Image for Jaclyn.
808 reviews192 followers
November 11, 2015
Death Comes to Kurland Hall is the third of Lloyd’s historical mystery series featuring amateur sleuthing duo, Major Robert Kurland and Miss Lucy Harrington. Having enjoyed both the first and the second book, I was anxiously awaiting this third installment - and I was not disappointed. In this outing the murder investigation is rather closer to home. That is, the murder occurs in the Major’s home just after a friend’s marriage. Of course, Robert and Lucy must investigate, if only they could agree on how to proceed.

At the end of the previous book, Death Comes to London, Robert made a less than appealing offer of marriage to Lucy (spoiler alert: she refused). From the start of Death Comes to Kurland Hall, this residual tension colours their interactions, which makes from some great and snappy dialogue. However, personal matters must be set aside because of the murder of the unlikable Mrs. Chingsford (the mother of Robert’s ex-fiancé). Is Mrs. Chingsford’s death really an accident? It seems unlikely when another guest also meets an untimely demise…

In the previous two books Robert and Lucy have made a great team. Their verbal sparring is delightful and reminiscent of a traditional Regency romance. That is no different in Death Comes to Kurland Hall. What is different is their relationship dynamic. Robert and Lucy aren’t “just friends” any more. That marriage proposal has changed the dynamic between these two, forcing them both to acknowledge that they just might have feelings for one another. Yes, this is Regency England, restraint is key, so of course neither can speak of such delicate matters in frank terms (much to my chagrin). Complicating matters further is Robert’s lack of enthusiasm for Lucy’s participation in the investigation. He misses her company when they argue, but she might be in danger if she’s back on the case! Thankfully, Lucy’s spunky enough not to let Robert’s attitude railroad her; she’s going to investigate whether Robert helps her or not.

Death Comes to Kurland Hall is another light, charming and witty addition to this traditional series. While the mystery does involve murder, it’s not particularly violent or overly complex. The murders themselves are motivated by gossip and inheritance and investigated by complete amateurs. If you like procedural mysteries, it’s likely that this is not the book for you. But if you like cozy mysterious filled with quirky characters, witty dialogue with a dash or romance, you’re likely to enjoy this just as much as I did. Death Comes to Kurland Hall is a lovely litter departure from reality and I will be back for the next book especially because it is a charming and diverting read. Robert and his grumpy ways are no match for Lucy and her headstrong personality, and I can't wait to see where they go from here.

Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.
Profile Image for Lauren.
2,516 reviews159 followers
March 25, 2016
Death Comes to Kurland Hall
4 Stars

Lucy Harrington returns home to Kurland St. Mary to help with the preparations for her best friend’s wedding. Her homecoming is marred not only by the irascible Major Robert Kurland, whose bungled proposal of marriage has set Lucy’s teeth on edge, but also the presence of Mrs. Chingford, a meddling widow who has set her sights on Lucy’s father. When the infuriating woman is found dead at the bottom of a staircase, Lucy and Robert are convinced that any one of the many wedding guests with a motive might have done away with her.

A charming cozy mystery series set in Regency England.

Lucy Harrington is not your usual historical heroine content to either manage her father’s home or marry the first man who proposes. She is intelligent, outspoken and confident to the point of recklessness at times.

Major Kurkland, however, is the epitome of the domineering hero convinced that Lucy, as a member of the "weaker and fairer sex", is in need of his protection even as he reluctantly comes to realize that his feelings for her run much deeper than duty and responsibility.

Even as they fight against their growing attraction and fail again and again to recognize what is so clear to everyone around them, Lucy and Robert finally take those irrevocable yet necessary steps in their slow burn romance.

The murder mystery in this installment is slightly more complex than in previous books due to the nature of the victim. Mrs. Chingford’s tendency toward capitalizing on the secrets of others and spreading malicious gossip results in the accumulation of numerous suspects and motives. That said, the ultimate revelation of the culprit is not that surprising given the evidence.

In sum, this is an entertaining addition to an engaging series with wonderful characters. I look forward to reading the next book as soon as it becomes available.
Profile Image for Linda Baker.
944 reviews19 followers
October 30, 2015
Lucy Harrington has returned from a less than successful visit to London. No marriage proposal, at least none that interested her, has come her way. The irascible Major Robert Kurland proposed, in possibly the most spectacularly inept manner since Darcy and Elizabeth, but managed to only offend and hurt her in the process. It is unfortunate that her good friend, Sophia is marrying the Major's cousin. Lucy and Robert must learn to live in the close confines of Kurland St. Mary peaceably.

Things become even more complicated when the Chingford family, made up of Robert's former fiance, her disagreeable mother and younger sister arrive for the wedding. Mrs. Chingford sets her cap for Lucy's vicar father but when she dies in a fall down the stairs that courtship is over. It seems clear that it was no accident and Robert and Lucy must form an uneasy alliance to find the murderer. There are plenty of candidates among the wedding guests; Mrs. Chingford was universally hated.

I find the Kurland St. Mary mysteries entertaining and quite different from the usual Regency era fare. Lucy is that most disparaged "managing female", competent and outspoken. Robert is irascible, domineering and in great need of Lucy's "managing", whether he likes it or not. The two have an irresistible attraction for each other in spite of themselves. I hope to see more from Kurland St. Mary in the future. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of Death Comes to Kurland Hall.

RATING- 3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Barbara Rogers.
1,759 reviews210 followers
September 5, 2016
Third book in this series -- next one is out in November!! Can't wait. These books are expensive (to my way of thinking) so get them from your library if you can.

Major Robert Kurland is home with a new land steward and a new valet and his home is filling up with wedding guests. His good friend is marrying Lucy's best friend and the village is filled with strangers. Then, at the bottom of the back stairs, they find the body of a really nasty wedding guest -- Mrs Chingford. First -- they aren't positive she's been murdered, but they really think she has AND there is definitely no shortage of suspects. She was a nasty piece of work and the more you learn about her the less you like her.

Then there is another murder -- or is it murder????? Are they connected???? How??? Why???? Read the book for all the answers.

It is a really good, fast paced, no dull spots kind of book. Something going on every minute!
883 reviews51 followers
October 18, 2015
This is the third book in this series and the second, after Death Comes to London) which I have read. My reaction to the first novel was rather lukewarm and I had hoped that finding the assembled cast of characters back in Kurland St. Mary would help me enjoy this novel more. That didn't happen for the same reasons I was lukewarm on the previous book. I began to be suspicious of one particular character very early on after a death occurred and the progression of the story simply solidified my conviction. Really, in a mystery novel where the murderer is supposed to be concealed until the end of the story, to figure it all out so quickly is a big disappointment to me.

A wedding is taking place at Kurland Hall. Lucy Harrington's friend Sophia is marrying Andrew Stanford, a close friend of the baronet, Sir Robert Kurland. Major Kurland has offered his home as accommodation for many of the wedding guests as well as the place various functions associated with the wedding will take place. With the help of his new estate agent all the arrangements should be carried out easily enough. Unfortunately one of the guests has all the subtlety of a cement mixer when it comes to dispensing tidbits of gossip and outright lies to keep everyone stirred up. It seemed inevitable that someone should have a secret they were willing to kill to keep hidden.

I noted in a review of the second book in this series that the characters written by Catherine Lloyd seemed to be either all good or all bad. That certainly holds true in this novel as well and was, once again, one of the things which kept me from enjoying the book more. The romance or attraction between Lucy and Robert has also suffered too long from the "I hate him", "Oh, maybe I don't hate him" roller coaster method. I love reading historical mysteries and this one, set in a rural English village in 1817, would have been a better fit for me if the characters and plot had been more complex because of the restrictions caused by the time and setting. Surely the doctor could and should have been given a more important part in the investigation. After reading two of the books in this series with the same results on my enjoyment scale I think it is probably time for me to wish these characters well with their future mysteries.

I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Mystereity Reviews.
778 reviews50 followers
September 29, 2015
Death Comes To Kurland Hall, the third in the Kurland St Mary series, is a superb story blending a fine mystery  a charming village setting, light romance, Victorian customs and contemporary feminist themes.
 
Lucy finds herself again at Kurland Hall for the marriage of Sophia to Andrew, cousin of the lord of Kurland hall, Major Robert Kurland.  The Major and Lucy find themselves investigating another death when, during the wedding reception, a guest is found dead at the bottom of a stairwell.  The woman, an unlikable gossip, has no shortage of people who want her dead.
 
A riveting plot that was full of so many twists and turns that I was fooled many times  One of the things I enjoy about this book (and the whole series) is that there are such strong female characters, no shrinking violets here.  I've seen too many times in books when the female characters faint or cry whenever there's the slightest hint of action; to me, that's never been realistic.  While social customs may have been different 200 years ago, I've always doubted that all women were the fragile blossoms typically depicted in books of this period. 
 
I felt at times that the tone of the dialogue didn't always match the time period and location in which the book is set. At some points, I thought it sounded almost Gone With The Wind era southern American rather than Victorian English.  I didn't find it objectionable, it's just that this impression distracted me somewhat from the story.  
Overall, a truly enjoyable read and I will recommend this and the rest of the series to others.
 
Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Olga Godim.
Author 12 books85 followers
January 2, 2020
Readable but no more. It’s #3 in the series, and I don’t think I want to read the other books in this series. It keeps deteriorating. I liked book #1. The next book was OK. This one is just adequate. Besides, if I wasn’t familiar with the all the characters from the previous books, they would all seem flat and bland, their actions, and especially their emotions, inexplicable. Overall: really meh.
Profile Image for Alison.
476 reviews7 followers
May 28, 2023
Another pleasant instalment in this easy to enjoy series. The mystery was good and the perpetrator not the person I wanted it to be. I will read on but not straight away.
Profile Image for ☺Trish.
1,431 reviews
November 2, 2019
Another entertaining mystery featuring rector's daughter and amateur detective Lucy Harrington and her neighbor, friend, and co-conspirator Major Robert Kurland.
Just as in the first two books of this series, Lucy and Robert team up to solve the two murders that have occured. I really enjoyed the ending!
Profile Image for Sheri.
2,116 reviews
September 13, 2015
Death Comes To Kurland Hall (Kurland St. Mary Mystery series, #3)
by Catherine Lloyd

Lucy Harrington goes to Kurland to help with her friend Sophia's wedding. Once there it is a bit awkward with Major Robert Kurland present, a man whose proposal she has turned down. Even though her friends think they would make a perfect couple.

Adding to it all, there is Mrs. Chingsford, who is an annoyance to just about everyone, accept Lucy's Father. Lucy is suspicious of Mrs. Chingsford's intentions with her Father, and not fond of her at all.

Not long after the wedding Mrs. Chingsford is found dead, a fall from a flight of stairs. Soon it becomes apparent this was no accident, but a murder. Everyone is suspect, since she had more enemies than friends. Lucy and Robert put aside their differences and work together to solve this mystery.

Lucy is very likable, she knows what she wants out of life. Robert is likable as well. He too knows what he wants, and one being Lucy. The pairing of the two is very clever. The plots is fantastic with many twists and secrets revealed.

A well written murder/mystery with a splash of romance, Death Comes To Kurland Hall has it all. I highly recommend this enjoyable read. I also liked the cover, very fitting to the story.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Veronica .
777 reviews210 followers
March 4, 2016
The third entry into this series falls much in line with the previous two books. It doesn't offer the most intricately plotted mystery ( I was suspecting the guilty party fairly early on) but Lucy and Major Kurland and their challenging interpersonal shenanigans continue to amuse.

**Per the author's Facebook page a fourth book, tentatively titled Death Comes to the Fair, will be out September 2016.**
Profile Image for Barbara K..
761 reviews21 followers
October 5, 2019
This third mystery in the Regency era series has a lot of twists and turns, as well as more romance than previous books. At the end of the last installment, Major Sir Robert Kurland had made an awkward offer of marriage to Miss Lucy Harrington, to which she had said no, thinking he was coerced by the demands of London society, an exaggerated sense of honor, and her uncle the earl, into proposing.

But her friend, war widow Mrs. Sophia Giffin did become engaged while in London, so now a wedding is planned in the village, with the breakfast to take place at Major Kurland's home. The groom is his good friend, and he and Lucy are both involved in the plans for the wedding. Then Kurland's former fiance, Miss Penelope Chingsford, turns up with her mother and sister, and they are to stay as guests at the rectory. There are a lot of people who are at odds with Mrs. Chingsford, all except Lucy's father, who seems to be falling for the horrible woman. Right after the wedding he announces his plan to marry her. But soon after that Mrs. Chingsford lies dead at the foot of a staircase. Was it a terrible accident, or murder?

Once again, Lucy and Kurland are thrown together, trying to get to the bottom of her death, both of them anxious to learn the truth, each for their own reasons. But the twists and turns in this story kept me guessing almost to the very end, and the solution to the mystery was indeed a surprise. I loved the characters in this story, who seemed so real that I kept thinking about them once the story was over. Some elements reminded me a bit of Pride and Prejudice, mainly in the form of a Wickham-like person, as well as Miss Chingsford turning out to be a bit like Miss Bingley, except that I began to like her. Other portions reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre, and yet this story is unique and incredibly good. Not only the mystery but the romantic elements as well kept me turning pages. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Elaine Nickolan.
663 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2022
3.75 stars. This third story of Miss Lucy Harrington and Major Kurland was not as great as the past two stories in this series.
The pair still make an interesting team of sleuths, but the dialogue didn't seem as snappy as in the past. The storyline was interesting, with a twist or 2 thrown in.
Who killed the despised gossip? Who is on the long list of potential suspects? What will happen when a possible answer to this mystery presents itself? Well there is more to this story than meets the eye.
Looking forward to see the next adventure/mystery these 2 will be thrown in together.
Profile Image for Joe.
1,209 reviews27 followers
October 24, 2023
I absolutely adore this series! The twists just keep coming. There are many deaths in this book but it's not clear to the end if they are even murders. (The reader knows early because, of course they're murders! Otherwise, what are we even doing here?!)

The best sexual tension in the business as well. Will they, won't they (and what would will they even look like!?)

I also love how there are murderers in this book but the true bad guys are gossips and in-laws, just like in real life!

Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,963 reviews39 followers
January 2, 2020
This is my favorite book of the series thus far. I adore Lucy and her fighting spirit. The banter between she and Robert are my favorite moments. I look forward to the next book.
241 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2020
This involved the mysterious and disturbing disappearance of a purple van. The crime remains unsolved.
Profile Image for Sharlin.
76 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2023
Probably 2.5 stars. Mildly entertaining bedtime read.
Profile Image for Annette.
1,768 reviews10 followers
October 8, 2015
Lucy is helping her best friend with her wedding. She is the attendant to the bride. Robert is the attendant to the groom. That creates a rather difficult situation, but Lucy is determined to over come the strain. She firmly believes that Robert's proposal of marriage to her was merely some sort of an ugly mistake.

During the wedding pre-celebration, one of the wedding guests decides to set her cap to marry Lucy's father, the village rector. When Lucy becomes familiar with this woman, Mrs. Chingford, she realizes that the woman is a viper in the disguise of a sickly sweet human being. In fact, Mrs. Chingford has made it her life's work to meddle and damage the lives of nearly everyone she meets.

When Mrs. Chingford is found dead at the bottom of some stairs it is possible that she may have been pushed. The number of people who would have been willing to push her is nearly as large as the number of the many wedding guests.

This is a mystery, there is murder, there is blackmail and the people who may be responsible are all interesting characters. All the suspects are well rounded and interesting people.

This is the third in a series. In the past, Lucy and Robert have formed a team to investigate mysteries. They have been very successful. But, their teamwork has created a difficult situation between them. Their feelings for one another are complicated.

He is a wounded veteran of the war. He is dealing with a damaged hip and leg and at times he finds it painful and difficult to walk and stand. But, he does not want sympathy from Lucy. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and he is quite used to giving orders and having those orders obeyed.

She is the daughter of the village rector and she has been managing the rectory and her family since her mother died. She is a very analytical thinker and she is a good judge of human nature. Lucy is naturally a very sympathetic woman. She is not familiar with the concept of taking orders.

They are a good couple as main characters. Each of them bring different skills to their sleuthing. And both of them are addicted to solving the puzzles that arise.

This is a well plotted book with many opportunities to find villains around every corner. No one is exactly who they appear to be on the surface. As the story moves forward, the reader is led into every nook and cranny of village life and the lives of the main characters as well as the secondary characters. Just when you think you know someone, they surprise you.

That is the theme of the book, people and surprises. This is a character driven story with well written characters and terrific plotting.

I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley with the hope of a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Maggie .
95 reviews11 followers
May 10, 2016
Death comes to Kurkland Hall is the third novel in the Kurland St. Mary Mystery series and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable story. At this point in the series, the relationship between the major characters, Lucy and Robert – which have been developing in a steady if somewhat difficult pace through the series – is a great point of the narrative, and the arc the author has been developing does progress in a satisfactory way. However, the mystery part of the novel is also an elaborate affair that kept me guessing more than the first two installments.
Lucy Harrington is a strong female character and the author does try to set her inside the restrictions of the Victorian era at the same time that she finds room to act by herself – being the daughter of a widowed and distracted rector being the main reason for that, but also because she does not rely on the male character to act, protect and direct her. I found her yearnings and her coping with restrictions very interesting. Major Robert Kurland is also an interesting character since he is a strong male but is obliged to cope with restrictions and weakness – his lame leg specially, but also his traumas, his temper and his stubbornness. Their relationship and their humanness makes this book a little better than most historical romance/mysteries books.
The mystery is also interesting and riveting, developing into a believable end without complete turnabouts. The secondary characters that surround the main plot are very colorful and help to enrich it. Miss Chingsford, who we know since the beginning of the series, is an example of how the author can write good characters (I like the mysteries, but the portraits are her best feature, in my opinion): pathetic, selfish, funny, enraging, completely insane sometimes and even likeable. Some goes to her villains.
Overall, a charming read set in a gorgeous Victorian village with mystery and light romance. I look forward for the next book in the series and I recommend the whole series to everyone who enjoys the genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.
Profile Image for Connie.
2,523 reviews62 followers
November 24, 2015
Kurland St. Mary, England - 1817

Sophia and Andrew Stanford are to marry soon so Lucy Harrington is nearby Kurland Hall for the wedding. Major Sir Robert Kurland, Baronet and Lucy are at odds with each other. He had asked Lucy to marry him but she refused him when she found that her uncle had pushed Major Kurland to propose to her.

Lucy lives with her father, a rector, and her twin brother and sister, Anna and Anthony. Major Kurland’s ex-fiancee, Miss Chingford, daughter of the snide Mrs. Chingford, are staying at Kurland Hall to attend the wedding. Mrs. Chingford is a mean woman who enjoys stirring up trouble and discord wherever she goes. Surprisingly, Lucy's father announces his engagement to Mrs. Chingford. However, after the wedding of Sophie and Andrew, Lucy finds Mrs. Chingford dead from falling down the stairs. As Lucy and Major Kurland have worked together in the past to solve mysteries, they immediately join together once again to try and solve the mystery of the woman’s death. Soon after, Mrs. Fairfax, a recent widow is found dead from what appears to be an overdose of laudanum. While both Lucy and Major Kurland are working together to find out the truth behind these deaths, a Mr. Reading, fiancee of one of Mrs. Chingford’s daughters, makes threats to Lucy that she should back off from her investigations, things turn dangerous.

Will Lucy and the Major manage to solve the mystery while they continue to be at odds with one another?

I did not read the first two books of this series. Perhaps if I had, I would not have been so confused as I struggled through this story. Many times, I felt like I had walked into a movie in the middle of it and had no clue as to what was going on. However, if readers have read the first two novels and liked them, then I’m sure you will be pleased with this novel too.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Profile Image for SOS Aloha.
183 reviews71 followers
December 13, 2015
Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it. - Rabindranath Tagore

DEATH COMES TO KURLAND HALL is Book Three is Catherine Lloyd's cozy mystery series set in Regency England. I enjoyed the first two books and recently purchased DEATH COME TO KURLAND HALL ... I could not put it down!

The series focuses on the friendship between Major Robert Kurland, a veteran of Waterloo, and Miss Lucy Harrington, the rector's daughter. Lucy prodded Robert out of his post war funk and helped him recover the use of his leg. Their friendship turned into a partnership when they became entangled in a mystery in the village of Kurland St. Mary (Book 1) and during Lucy's introduction to London (Book 2). Their partnership is now threatened by their growing feelings for each other - can a cripple and a spinster find happiness together? Neither have time to ponder on their circumstances when a murderer strikes during a wedding party.

DEATH COMES TO KURLAND HALL follows the typical pattern of a cozy mystery - suspicious characters, red herrings, and the amateur sleuth (Lucy) exposes herself to danger. Lloyd sets this series apart with its historical setting, secondary characters who are not quite who they seem to be, and the budding romance between the practical Lucy and the cranky Robert. Lloyd is not afraid to allow Lucy and Robert to make mistakes with the mystery and their relationship. Likewise, Lloyd pleasantly surprised me with a few twists of the mystery plot and how secondary characters flushed out from previous books.

Recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries and historical settings.
Profile Image for Ian.
385 reviews33 followers
September 22, 2015
ARC review for Netgalley.

As wedding bells chime in Kurland St. Mary, a motley group of visitors descends on the village—and with a murderer on the prowl, some of them may not be returning home…

Lucy Harrington has returned to Kurland St. Mary to help with her friend Sophia Giffin’s wedding. But her homecoming is made disagreeable by the presence of Major Robert Kurland, whose bungled proposal has ruffled Lucy’s composure, and a meddling widow who has designs on her father, the village rector.

Wary of the cloying Mrs. Chingsford from the start, Lucy has doubts about the busybody’s intentions with her father. But everyone else seems to think they make an ideal match—until the courtship is curtailed when Mrs. Chingsford is found dead at the bottom of a staircase. It’s clear that it wasn’t an accident, and in hopes of finding the culprit, Lucy and Robert call a truce and begin scrutinizing the wedding guests.

But the widow left behind plenty of enemies, and when one of them is the next to turn up dead, Lucy and Robert discover that the truth is far more scandalous than anyone could have imagined…

The 3rd book in the Kurland St. Mary mystery series, and another feather in Catherine Lloyds cap. I love this regency mystery series, with Lucy Harrington as the interfering busybody and Major Sir Robert Kurland’s gruff manner and stiff upper lip. They work beautifully together…like fire and ice!
510 reviews8 followers
December 7, 2015
This the first book in the series and by the author that I rated. I enjoyed it the characters and the mysterious plot.

Lucy Harrington returns to Kurland for her friend Sophia's wedding. She finds Major Robert Kurland the who she has turned down from marriage. Everyone thinks they would make a perfect couple but she thinks he is an overbearing typical man looking to control her.

We have Mrs. Chingsford, who is an annoyance to just about everyone with her snide remarks and gossip. The only one who seems to like her is Lucy father and that puts her in guard.
Soon after the wedding Mrs. Chingsford is found dead, from a so call fall from the stairs. It soon becomes more like murder since she has more enemies than friends. Lucy and the major put aside their differences and work together to solve this mystery.

I enjoyed both characters as they had this love hate relationship. They worked well together trying to solve this murder as well as the the other twists and turns the occur throughout the story.

A good murder/mystery adding in a twist of romance. I recommend this enjoyable read. The only negative was I wish the ending gave us more on Lucy and the Major.

*This book was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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