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Lady Ashcombe Murder Mysteries #1
Murder At Ashcombe Hall: A 1920’s Historical Cosy Mystery
When an unfashionably practical vicar’s daughter inherits a grand estate, she expects property disputes, not poisoned port...or a game of murderous intrigue in the genteel English countryside.
Fresh from London’s nursing wards (and armed with nothing but a stiff upper lip, a startling lack of etiquette, and her fiery Jack Russell, Pip), Cecily arrives at her inherited Oxfordshire estate to discover that grand country houses are nothing like the vicarage back home—and infinitely more dangerous.
Between Pip’s enthusiastic assaults on priceless antiques, Mrs Fotheringill’s steely housekeeper glare, and an Earl who keeps keeling over at the most inconvenient moments, Cecily must untangle a web of family secrets, vulture-like relatives, and suspicious villagers before she becomes the main course. With dinner guests dropping like flies—and one particularly imperious Persian cat—our intrepid novice hostess will need all her wartime grit (and a dash of divine providence) to clear her name… and keep her new home from becoming her last.
Who poisoned Lord Oswald? Everyone—and we mean everyone—has a motive in this laugh-out-loud historical page-turner—but no one can fool Cecily or her terrier partner-in-detection!
Bursting with English flair, razor-sharp humour, and more twists than a country lane, Murder at Ashcombe Hall is perfect for fans of witty whodunits, genteel suspense, and the golden glow of 1920s charm. Welcome to Little Codding—you’ll never want to leave (assuming you survive).
Fresh from London’s nursing wards (and armed with nothing but a stiff upper lip, a startling lack of etiquette, and her fiery Jack Russell, Pip), Cecily arrives at her inherited Oxfordshire estate to discover that grand country houses are nothing like the vicarage back home—and infinitely more dangerous.
Between Pip’s enthusiastic assaults on priceless antiques, Mrs Fotheringill’s steely housekeeper glare, and an Earl who keeps keeling over at the most inconvenient moments, Cecily must untangle a web of family secrets, vulture-like relatives, and suspicious villagers before she becomes the main course. With dinner guests dropping like flies—and one particularly imperious Persian cat—our intrepid novice hostess will need all her wartime grit (and a dash of divine providence) to clear her name… and keep her new home from becoming her last.
Who poisoned Lord Oswald? Everyone—and we mean everyone—has a motive in this laugh-out-loud historical page-turner—but no one can fool Cecily or her terrier partner-in-detection!
Bursting with English flair, razor-sharp humour, and more twists than a country lane, Murder at Ashcombe Hall is perfect for fans of witty whodunits, genteel suspense, and the golden glow of 1920s charm. Welcome to Little Codding—you’ll never want to leave (assuming you survive).
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 29, 2026
1923. Cecily has inherited the title and estate of Ashcombe in Little Codding Village much to the disgust of the heir presumptive Lord Oswald Crowthorne. Thankfully for Cecily at her first dinner party Oswald is poisoned and dies. Constable Fenchurch investigates while Cecily aims to clear her name.
(It would better if Cecily learnt better manners and controlled her annoying dog and get a strong lead for him and stop with the constant religious quotes)
(It would better if Cecily learnt better manners and controlled her annoying dog and get a strong lead for him and stop with the constant religious quotes)
August 12, 2026
Confusing and Preachy
The main character’s back story was inconsistent. Did she grow up here or does no one know her? But everyone knows her father? I was often confused and the story moved rather slowly. I didn’t mind a Christian main character, but the constant quoting of Bible verses detracted from the story.
Also, as someone else has mentioned, if you know your dog is a menace, get him a leash or leave him at home!
The main character’s back story was inconsistent. Did she grow up here or does no one know her? But everyone knows her father? I was often confused and the story moved rather slowly. I didn’t mind a Christian main character, but the constant quoting of Bible verses detracted from the story.
Also, as someone else has mentioned, if you know your dog is a menace, get him a leash or leave him at home!
September 5, 2025
I picked this up on a whim after reading a similar book, and I was not disappointed. I seem to find myself picking up cozy mysteries set in the 1920-30s more often these days, and I think it is because there is no technology. No mobile phones, no computers, no TVs, or other modern devices that can interfere with a mystery story.
The characters were fun to follow. I liked how the humble vicar's daughter suddenly becomes lady of the manor - and titled to boot! - and the problems that creates in a world that is already dealing with so many upheavals post-war. Cecily is just a really nice woman, who is practical, considerate, and willing to work with people... and it doesn't hurt that she is rather intelligent. The dog is another selling point. Who can resist a furry sidekick? Anyway, the mystery in this book does revolve around her said inheritance, and it was fast paced enough that I devoured this in one sitting. Have already picked up the second book for a read. A great first impression.
3.75 stars
The characters were fun to follow. I liked how the humble vicar's daughter suddenly becomes lady of the manor - and titled to boot! - and the problems that creates in a world that is already dealing with so many upheavals post-war. Cecily is just a really nice woman, who is practical, considerate, and willing to work with people... and it doesn't hurt that she is rather intelligent. The dog is another selling point. Who can resist a furry sidekick? Anyway, the mystery in this book does revolve around her said inheritance, and it was fast paced enough that I devoured this in one sitting. Have already picked up the second book for a read. A great first impression.
3.75 stars
May 13, 2026
murder At Ashcombe Hall (The Lady Ashcombe Murder Mysteries Book 1)
First of all I’m a big fan of the 1920’s Cozy Murder/Mystery books.
This is the first time I’ve read this author, although the basic plot was very good I found the constant reference to her time working as a nurse in the war WW1 and having to deal with problems on the wards and dealing with the officers and officious and overbearing doctors and surgeons, the author established this at the beginning of the book we didn’t need to be reminded of it on a regular basis, the other thing that I found irritating was the dog Pip’s continually destructive antics at every moment. There were other things that a good continuity check would have resolved. I noticed in some of the other reviews, reviewers found the regular religious references and quotes irritating, I didn’t have a problem with this.
I’ve downloaded the second book and will hope it is better.
First of all I’m a big fan of the 1920’s Cozy Murder/Mystery books.
This is the first time I’ve read this author, although the basic plot was very good I found the constant reference to her time working as a nurse in the war WW1 and having to deal with problems on the wards and dealing with the officers and officious and overbearing doctors and surgeons, the author established this at the beginning of the book we didn’t need to be reminded of it on a regular basis, the other thing that I found irritating was the dog Pip’s continually destructive antics at every moment. There were other things that a good continuity check would have resolved. I noticed in some of the other reviews, reviewers found the regular religious references and quotes irritating, I didn’t have a problem with this.
I’ve downloaded the second book and will hope it is better.
August 15, 2026
So Very British
This was an English puzzle mystery extroadinaire, complete with a new lady of the village, a vicor, a titled villain, servants to be impressed and a fitting mansion to house them all.
I love the beautiful house and the lively village and the naughty pup to add comic relief.
I did not care for the stilted language (if I'd seen the word "whilst" one more time I might have screamed) or the drawing room solving of the murder. But that was more the fault of the genre than the author. If you're going to read British cozies, these are the stepping stones to the end.
This story is true to its genre, and entertaining as such.
This was an English puzzle mystery extroadinaire, complete with a new lady of the village, a vicor, a titled villain, servants to be impressed and a fitting mansion to house them all.
I love the beautiful house and the lively village and the naughty pup to add comic relief.
I did not care for the stilted language (if I'd seen the word "whilst" one more time I might have screamed) or the drawing room solving of the murder. But that was more the fault of the genre than the author. If you're going to read British cozies, these are the stepping stones to the end.
This story is true to its genre, and entertaining as such.
January 1, 2026
A delightful read
I noticed and appreciated the writing style; descriptive, well developed with the right amount of period formality. Story moved along at a good pace...with a mix of all the essential elements... Humor, character development (early days as this is first in what I hope will be a series ) time, place and purpose. A delightful read indeed!!
KLH
I noticed and appreciated the writing style; descriptive, well developed with the right amount of period formality. Story moved along at a good pace...with a mix of all the essential elements... Humor, character development (early days as this is first in what I hope will be a series ) time, place and purpose. A delightful read indeed!!
KLH
June 12, 2026
A Very Nice New Series
I didn't know what to expect from this book. It is a nice, sweet story about a young woman who comes into a completely unexpected inheritance from her late father's dear friend. Sadly, the Lord's only relative has been counting on the inheritance his whole life. Not the best start for our new Lady Ashcombe.
I didn't know what to expect from this book. It is a nice, sweet story about a young woman who comes into a completely unexpected inheritance from her late father's dear friend. Sadly, the Lord's only relative has been counting on the inheritance his whole life. Not the best start for our new Lady Ashcombe.
November 12, 2025
Lady Ash com he's First Murder
A new author and new series for me. I enjoyed the story even though it was a bit more complex than my usual reads. But, it did make me think and that's always good. I look forward to the next mystery.
A new author and new series for me. I enjoyed the story even though it was a bit more complex than my usual reads. But, it did make me think and that's always good. I look forward to the next mystery.
December 17, 2025
Run of the mill without any charm
Gave up on it! Between constant religious quotes and far too pretentious language amongst themselves, it was,tedious. Characters were not interesting either! Very forgettable!
Gave up on it! Between constant religious quotes and far too pretentious language amongst themselves, it was,tedious. Characters were not interesting either! Very forgettable!
March 13, 2026
A very pleasant story with an interesting mystery. Characters I look forward to seeing again
The writing style and vocabulary evens out as the story advances. Good story with interesting characters. I would recommend it to all mystery lovers.
The writing style and vocabulary evens out as the story advances. Good story with interesting characters. I would recommend it to all mystery lovers.
August 3, 2026
Good read
A pleasant read getting to know all the staff at Ashcombe hall.The story is a light hearted read that introduces the reader to Lady Ashcombe (Cecily) and her four legged companion Pip.
A pleasant read getting to know all the staff at Ashcombe hall.The story is a light hearted read that introduces the reader to Lady Ashcombe (Cecily) and her four legged companion Pip.
August 6, 2026
Old Fashioned Narrative
In this mystery we have the death of a wicked man at a dinner party through poison. Its administration seems straightforward but it isn't. I found this book long and tedious to read.
In this mystery we have the death of a wicked man at a dinner party through poison. Its administration seems straightforward but it isn't. I found this book long and tedious to read.
August 8, 2026
A good mystery
Overall a very well written story. It is nice to see murder mystery written with a Godly undertone of scriptures. Great characters help to shape the village and the murder. An evil man was murdered but it was justified.
Overall a very well written story. It is nice to see murder mystery written with a Godly undertone of scriptures. Great characters help to shape the village and the murder. An evil man was murdered but it was justified.
August 11, 2026
This book was absolutely terrible! I gave up after chapter 9 when Cecily was still wandering around town meeting people without any mystery element whatsoever. She and her dog are annoying and unbelievable. I'm wondering if this book was written by AI - it's THAT BAD!
August 23, 2026
Good Read
Very warm-hearted main character unexpectedly inherits a considerable property. She inserts wisdom and charity in solving a perplexing murder. Delightful and wholesome read!
Very warm-hearted main character unexpectedly inherits a considerable property. She inserts wisdom and charity in solving a perplexing murder. Delightful and wholesome read!
November 24, 2025
Nicely done story with the vicar's daughter (i.e. not an aristocrat) inheriting an estate and having to cope with it all that entail.
Very enjoyable to see how see manages it all.
Very enjoyable to see how see manages it all.
January 4, 2026
I found this very enjoyable! The first book in a series can sometimes seem slow as characters and settings are introduced, but this one kept my attention throughout. Looking forward to book 2!
February 26, 2026
Liked
Very much. Intriguing story line. Interesting characters. Admirable Protagonist! Intend to follow Lady Ashcombe as she settles more comfortably into Lady of a Manor.
Very much. Intriguing story line. Interesting characters. Admirable Protagonist! Intend to follow Lady Ashcombe as she settles more comfortably into Lady of a Manor.
April 26, 2026
a lot of wordy paragraphs with biblical refernces, which I don't mind, but not much plot or suspense
May 11, 2026
What a wonderful story
I love this series the characters are really well written and enjoyable to read would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery series.
I love this series the characters are really well written and enjoyable to read would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery series.
May 11, 2026
A fun period cozy mystery with entertaining characters, well plotted with a touch of quirkiness, gentle humour and a cute dog. I just bought the rest of the series. Highly recommended
June 2, 2026
Great easy read
A relaxing not too taxing read, kept me hooked before going to sleep at night. Would also be good for a holiday read.
A relaxing not too taxing read, kept me hooked before going to sleep at night. Would also be good for a holiday read.
June 27, 2026
Storia carina e poco impegnativa, personaggi non particolarmente originali, ma ben caratterizzati. Peccato per la solita, sciatta traduzione.
August 18, 2026
Absolutely a brilliant work of fiction
Loved this and hope to read more in the future. Interesting characters and thoughtfully written. A fine work for certain!
Loved this and hope to read more in the future. Interesting characters and thoughtfully written. A fine work for certain!
August 22, 2026
Horrible traducción
August 27, 2026
It started out quite charming and fun but then got tedious and repetitive. The plot was very similar to Agatha Christie's Mysterious Affair at Stiles and the writing style increasingly felt like it was AI generated; if not then it's just very poor writing with long run on sentences and repetitive style. I persevered and finished it but won't read the rest of them.
November 4, 2025
It's very elaborate language, with an effusion of adjectives, but it doesn't really get in the way of the story, despite some dialogue sounding entirely unnatural. Oddly for a woman brought up in the local vicarage, she seems to have to introduce herself to the villagers, it's an odd dichotomy, but again doesn't distract from the book. Worth a read despite the quirks.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews