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The Mystery of the Midnight Swan (Miss Busby Investigates Book 5): A 1920s Cotswolds Murder Mystery
Miss Busby Investigates Book 5: The Mystery of the Midnight Swan
A young man died, consumed by fire. There was no evidence of crime, but suspicions persist. Julian Courtauld had raised hackles, not that he cared. Rich, confident and handsome, he saw a glittering future for himself. He was a budding playwright, he had girls swooning at his feet despite just becoming engaged to a dazzling heiress. And then the fire ended it all.
Five years later a parcel arrives on Miss Busby's doorstep. The anonymous letter begs for her help. Julian Courtauld was murdered, the letter writer is convinced the evidence is hidden within the pages of Julian's play, but they haven't been able to decipher them. Perhaps Miss Busby can? Charred pages are included in the parcel. It's the play, or what's left of it.
Miss Busby and Adeline must piece together the secrets woven into the script. But someone else remembers that fire — and they’ll do anything to keep the truth from surfacing.
A young man died, consumed by fire. There was no evidence of crime, but suspicions persist. Julian Courtauld had raised hackles, not that he cared. Rich, confident and handsome, he saw a glittering future for himself. He was a budding playwright, he had girls swooning at his feet despite just becoming engaged to a dazzling heiress. And then the fire ended it all.
Five years later a parcel arrives on Miss Busby's doorstep. The anonymous letter begs for her help. Julian Courtauld was murdered, the letter writer is convinced the evidence is hidden within the pages of Julian's play, but they haven't been able to decipher them. Perhaps Miss Busby can? Charred pages are included in the parcel. It's the play, or what's left of it.
Miss Busby and Adeline must piece together the secrets woven into the script. But someone else remembers that fire — and they’ll do anything to keep the truth from surfacing.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2026
259 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Karen Baugh Menuhin
34 books817 followers1920's, Cozy crime, Traditional Detectives, Downton Abbey - I love them!
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
Along with my family, my dog and my cat.
At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox.
Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 22, 2026
10 stars! An excellent, well written mystery. It had me guessing until the very end!
March 22, 2026
The Mystery of the Midnight Swan
Another enthralling story in the “Miss Busby Investigates” series. After being sent a very fire damaged manuscript by someone unknown Miss Busby Adeline Fanshaw being researching the apparent suicide of Cesar Courtauld and the subsequent accidental death of his son Julius. What they find leads them to suspect that one or both of them were actually murdered. This time I didn’t manage to guess correctly the murderer’s identity nor their motive. If I’m honest I hoped it would be a particular character that I found very loathsome and duplicitous.
Another enthralling story in the “Miss Busby Investigates” series. After being sent a very fire damaged manuscript by someone unknown Miss Busby Adeline Fanshaw being researching the apparent suicide of Cesar Courtauld and the subsequent accidental death of his son Julius. What they find leads them to suspect that one or both of them were actually murdered. This time I didn’t manage to guess correctly the murderer’s identity nor their motive. If I’m honest I hoped it would be a particular character that I found very loathsome and duplicitous.
March 23, 2026
Very good book
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is well written. The time period is after the first World War. Miss Busby receives a charred manuscript in in mail and a letter suggests murder! The investigation begins with a gathering of friends who help to uncover clues. It's a twisted path that leads to murder!
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is well written. The time period is after the first World War. Miss Busby receives a charred manuscript in in mail and a letter suggests murder! The investigation begins with a gathering of friends who help to uncover clues. It's a twisted path that leads to murder!
March 24, 2026
What an amazing mystery!
This is another incredible mystery by Karen Baugh Menuhin. Well developed characters, interesting details, and a complex mystery. This book has everything a murder mystery needs to make it outstanding! Well done! I highly recommend this book.
This is another incredible mystery by Karen Baugh Menuhin. Well developed characters, interesting details, and a complex mystery. This book has everything a murder mystery needs to make it outstanding! Well done! I highly recommend this book.
March 28, 2026
Very good
These books would be better if only someone would stand up to Adeline every now and again. The fact that she simply tanks over anyone (usually Miss Busby) without any comeback is rather annoying. That said the actual mystery was very good.
These books would be better if only someone would stand up to Adeline every now and again. The fact that she simply tanks over anyone (usually Miss Busby) without any comeback is rather annoying. That said the actual mystery was very good.
March 28, 2026
Great and sad.
I liked this story even though it was so sad that both after and son that seemed lovely were both dead. Miss Busby is so smart and kind, no wonder Sir Richard is sweet on her. I like Adalind even if I find her a bit overbearing. Alistair and Lucy are adorable.
I liked this story even though it was so sad that both after and son that seemed lovely were both dead. Miss Busby is so smart and kind, no wonder Sir Richard is sweet on her. I like Adalind even if I find her a bit overbearing. Alistair and Lucy are adorable.
March 28, 2026
Well done
I love these mysteries, I never know who did it until the end. I admit I had hope Julian escaped the fire and faked his death, but the solution still fit. I look forward to the next one.
I love these mysteries, I never know who did it until the end. I admit I had hope Julian escaped the fire and faked his death, but the solution still fit. I look forward to the next one.
March 23, 2026
Another great read!
I love how this author writes and enjoy all her books. I look forward to the next in the series.
I love how this author writes and enjoy all her books. I look forward to the next in the series.
March 23, 2026
On the Edge of my seat!
Did not predict the ending as I sometimes do with other novelists!
Love, loved it! Thanks MS Menuhin-- another winner!!
Did not predict the ending as I sometimes do with other novelists!
Love, loved it! Thanks MS Menuhin-- another winner!!
March 28, 2026
wow
I read EVERYTHING this Author writes!! She just keeps getting better and better with every word she writes!!! I can’t next for her next book!!!!
I read EVERYTHING this Author writes!! She just keeps getting better and better with every word she writes!!! I can’t next for her next book!!!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews