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The Caxton Manor Murders : Book 1 Alexander Wolfe Series
Book 1 The Alexander Wolfe Series
Best selling author with sales of over one million books
Christmas at Caxton Manor promises to be a festive gathering of old friends, but the holiday cheer turns deadly when an uninvited guest, the ruthless industrialist Boris Bullen, is found murdered in the snow. Called in to discreetly investigate, the enigmatic Alexander Wolfe arrives to find himself embroiled in a perplexing mystery with echoes of a past crime. With a pearl-handled knife as the only clue and a house full of secrets, Wolfe—accompanied by his newly appointed and rather inept valet, Dicks, the erratic James Fox, and the mischievous terrier, Wilf—must navigate a labyrinth of suspicious characters, hidden agendas, and a potentially dangerous woman with a killer past. As the snow falls and the secrets unravel, Wolfe must uncover who killed Boris Bullen and why, before the festive season turns into a deadly winter nightmare.
Best selling author with sales of over one million books
Christmas at Caxton Manor promises to be a festive gathering of old friends, but the holiday cheer turns deadly when an uninvited guest, the ruthless industrialist Boris Bullen, is found murdered in the snow. Called in to discreetly investigate, the enigmatic Alexander Wolfe arrives to find himself embroiled in a perplexing mystery with echoes of a past crime. With a pearl-handled knife as the only clue and a house full of secrets, Wolfe—accompanied by his newly appointed and rather inept valet, Dicks, the erratic James Fox, and the mischievous terrier, Wilf—must navigate a labyrinth of suspicious characters, hidden agendas, and a potentially dangerous woman with a killer past. As the snow falls and the secrets unravel, Wolfe must uncover who killed Boris Bullen and why, before the festive season turns into a deadly winter nightmare.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2025
491 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Karen Baugh Menuhin
43 books801 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 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 29, 2025
A good cozy murder mystery as one can expect from this author and a good start to a new series.
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September 15, 2025
I admit, I wasn't sure about this. Mainly because I couldn't warm to Alexander Wolfe. I warmed to Dicks however, and initially it was he and Wilf that kept me reading. But as the story unfolded, I became more interested in Mr Wolfe and wanted to see how he solved the case. Not that I like his "woe is me" attitude. It's like "woe is me I've lost the woman I love". "Woe is me all my family is dead and I'm all alone". And even "woe is me I have all this money". Well, join the club! I too lost the man I loved. My family have died and I am alone. I don't even have the solace of money. But life is for living and I intend to live it for as long as I can. So get over yourself Mr Wolfe and go get a life!
September 29, 2025
Good writing. Introduction to new characters and new series. Look forward to next books in3 series!
Pretty repetitive...story a bit hard to follow and resolved in the end.
Know that the main characters need to have an introduction in the first outing of a new series...appearance, background, purpose, reasons for being where they find themselves....all are well done here.
The story itself is a bit convoluted and well explained over the course of the book.
I recommend this (these) author(s).
Her (their) books are a fast, sometimes, fun, reads. I love the Heath cliff Lennox books...this series is very similar with a more hard headed protagonist. I love her other series with the women of a certain age protagonists.. Appeals to me, especialky, at 70, still wishing to participate fully in kufe!
This series holds promise foe imaginative plots and three men from very different situations in their pasts working together to make the world a safer place...and their evolving relationship to one another and to the people they are bound to meet...
I look forward to reading more.
Recommended
Pretty repetitive...story a bit hard to follow and resolved in the end.
Know that the main characters need to have an introduction in the first outing of a new series...appearance, background, purpose, reasons for being where they find themselves....all are well done here.
The story itself is a bit convoluted and well explained over the course of the book.
I recommend this (these) author(s).
Her (their) books are a fast, sometimes, fun, reads. I love the Heath cliff Lennox books...this series is very similar with a more hard headed protagonist. I love her other series with the women of a certain age protagonists.. Appeals to me, especialky, at 70, still wishing to participate fully in kufe!
This series holds promise foe imaginative plots and three men from very different situations in their pasts working together to make the world a safer place...and their evolving relationship to one another and to the people they are bound to meet...
I look forward to reading more.
Recommended
November 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve enjoyed all the Heathcliffe Lennox stories so I thought I’d give this one a go and I’m glad I did.
Alexander Wolfe worked undercover during the war, a man who could ‘find things out’. And so it is in peacetime. His boss Hector Sommerton sends him to Caxton Manor to find out why a certain businessman has invited himself to their Christmas festivities.
The story is set after WW1 and Heathcliffe gets a quick mention from Wolfe’s brand new (foisted on him) valet young Dicks. Seems Greggs is his uncle.
A body is discovered in the snow-covered garden and no sooner has Wolfe taken some charge than a strange police inspector with a slightly wonky moustache appears. Now Wolfe must contend with an unwelcome interloper and a bunch of house guests who are, quite frankly, quite suspicious of him.
The character of Wolfe is interesting. He is quite severe at times and a bit snippy but he has reason to be. This murder and these houseguests are not easy to come to terms with.
I’d say another hit from Karen. Look forward to book 2.
Alexander Wolfe worked undercover during the war, a man who could ‘find things out’. And so it is in peacetime. His boss Hector Sommerton sends him to Caxton Manor to find out why a certain businessman has invited himself to their Christmas festivities.
The story is set after WW1 and Heathcliffe gets a quick mention from Wolfe’s brand new (foisted on him) valet young Dicks. Seems Greggs is his uncle.
A body is discovered in the snow-covered garden and no sooner has Wolfe taken some charge than a strange police inspector with a slightly wonky moustache appears. Now Wolfe must contend with an unwelcome interloper and a bunch of house guests who are, quite frankly, quite suspicious of him.
The character of Wolfe is interesting. He is quite severe at times and a bit snippy but he has reason to be. This murder and these houseguests are not easy to come to terms with.
I’d say another hit from Karen. Look forward to book 2.
October 14, 2025
I like Karen Menuhin's writing and I liked this book...with just a couple of exceptions. It is obviously a spy mystery with a complex plot. And that was my first exception - the plot was just a bit too convoluted to follow and still remember all the twists and turns from the past. The other exception is along the same lines - too many characters so the reader was challenged keeping past and present straight. The central character, Alexander Wolfe was a positively abrasive man and only mellowed toward the end. I can only hope that he improves with time. The series concept has plenty of potential, but - because I'm a great fan of the Heathcliff Lennox series - it remains to be seen whether this one will be as much fun to read. My thanks to Menuhin for offering this for free prior to release - a nice opportunity to test a new series!
September 3, 2025
Most excellent
This series is a great addition to the Lennox and Miss Busby series. It is a little more "hard boiled" than the other two. The three main characters (plus Wilfy!) are well thought out and are in character with post-WW 1 1920's. MS Menhuin has written a superb little tie-in with Lennox including the Braeburn Malt! I recommend this series for anyone that likes novels set in the 1920's era, witty language, and interesting characters. This is not a "cozy". Looking forward to the next book.
This series is a great addition to the Lennox and Miss Busby series. It is a little more "hard boiled" than the other two. The three main characters (plus Wilfy!) are well thought out and are in character with post-WW 1 1920's. MS Menhuin has written a superb little tie-in with Lennox including the Braeburn Malt! I recommend this series for anyone that likes novels set in the 1920's era, witty language, and interesting characters. This is not a "cozy". Looking forward to the next book.
October 2, 2025
The Caxton Manor Murders
I was a bit miffed that we readers wouldn’t be able to solve the murders and the mystery as we weren’t privy to vital information that Wolfe received via a telephone conversation. A plot device that Agatha Christie was often accused of. As a whodunnit it was well written and felt period perfect, the characters were on the whole relatable but generally unsympathetic apart from “Pinks”didn’t really grab me in the way that “Lennox & Swift” and their regular cast do. I’ll still read the next in the series as I did enjoy the book on the whole.
I was a bit miffed that we readers wouldn’t be able to solve the murders and the mystery as we weren’t privy to vital information that Wolfe received via a telephone conversation. A plot device that Agatha Christie was often accused of. As a whodunnit it was well written and felt period perfect, the characters were on the whole relatable but generally unsympathetic apart from “Pinks”didn’t really grab me in the way that “Lennox & Swift” and their regular cast do. I’ll still read the next in the series as I did enjoy the book on the whole.
October 2, 2025
A decent story but it got confusing near the end. Not really any likable characters other than Dicks and maybe Fox.
Also, this book included one of my biggest pet peeves - I couldn't picture any of the characters as there was really no description of any of them. It's like reading a book with a bunch of insubstantial ghosts as characters, all of indeterminate age. All I knew of the main character Wolfe was that he was tall and had grey eyes. It frustrates me!
This is a new series and just under a year to wait until the projected release of the next....
Also, this book included one of my biggest pet peeves - I couldn't picture any of the characters as there was really no description of any of them. It's like reading a book with a bunch of insubstantial ghosts as characters, all of indeterminate age. All I knew of the main character Wolfe was that he was tall and had grey eyes. It frustrates me!
This is a new series and just under a year to wait until the projected release of the next....
September 5, 2025
The Caxton Manor murders
What a dark complex character Wolfe is! It is tempting to compare him to Lennox but apart from references at the beginning of the book there the similarity ended. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found myself being drawn deeper and deeper into the plot with no idea at all as to how it would end. Fox and Dicks are likeable characters, i hope they'll be sharing more investigations in the future.
What a dark complex character Wolfe is! It is tempting to compare him to Lennox but apart from references at the beginning of the book there the similarity ended. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found myself being drawn deeper and deeper into the plot with no idea at all as to how it would end. Fox and Dicks are likeable characters, i hope they'll be sharing more investigations in the future.
September 6, 2025
The Best Work Yet
This was a terrific book, by far the best work by this author. Both style and plot or significantly elevated. As with such things, the directness an absence of superfluous embellishment or sentimentality put it in a different higher league, in my view,than what came before. There’s great potential for broadening through character development, In the context of an ongoing and intriguing plot. I liked it a lot.
This was a terrific book, by far the best work by this author. Both style and plot or significantly elevated. As with such things, the directness an absence of superfluous embellishment or sentimentality put it in a different higher league, in my view,than what came before. There’s great potential for broadening through character development, In the context of an ongoing and intriguing plot. I liked it a lot.
September 8, 2025
Exciting new series. Darker than Ms. Menuhin other series, but I am looking forward to the next book. The hero Alexander Wolfe is working for the Home Office trying to solve a crime that is linked to the past war WW1. He has been invited to a holiday celebration in the country. There are a number of people with links to a chemical business that is not what it seems. Alexander has some interesting companions; a man named Fox and a teen named Dicks and a loveable dog.
October 3, 2025
Good start
This was a good start to a new series. The main character Wolfe, is very abrupt and short tempered. But the main secondary characters being humour and a certain lightness to the story. With Dicks, being nephew to Greggs, Heathcliff Lennox's butler, I'm sure there will be a crossover book in the future. Wolfe was lightening up at the very end. I assume he will continue to albeit slowly.
This was a good start to a new series. The main character Wolfe, is very abrupt and short tempered. But the main secondary characters being humour and a certain lightness to the story. With Dicks, being nephew to Greggs, Heathcliff Lennox's butler, I'm sure there will be a crossover book in the future. Wolfe was lightening up at the very end. I assume he will continue to albeit slowly.
October 13, 2025
Socks
Sometimes the characters were confusing but eventually unscrambled. Murder, mayhem and unforgiven war stories. I found Alexander Wolfe a broken man but coming back to life and service after the war. There were many ways the story could go and the satisfaction of exposing the true murderer was quite interesting! Young Dicks was my favorite character, always wise for his age and yearning for attention and yes, maybe a permanent place to serve and be loved and appreciated.
Sometimes the characters were confusing but eventually unscrambled. Murder, mayhem and unforgiven war stories. I found Alexander Wolfe a broken man but coming back to life and service after the war. There were many ways the story could go and the satisfaction of exposing the true murderer was quite interesting! Young Dicks was my favorite character, always wise for his age and yearning for attention and yes, maybe a permanent place to serve and be loved and appreciated.
November 20, 2025
Wolfe and Fox oh my!
Well, he is no Heathcliff, that's for sure. Slightly cast adrift, I almost gave up on this new trio several times. But I sense there is something there, the possibility of a workable team. But like this new team I sure didn't like the house party they had Been thrust into. And it took quite a lot of sorting to figure out who.these guys were. We'll see where this all leads.
Well, he is no Heathcliff, that's for sure. Slightly cast adrift, I almost gave up on this new trio several times. But I sense there is something there, the possibility of a workable team. But like this new team I sure didn't like the house party they had Been thrust into. And it took quite a lot of sorting to figure out who.these guys were. We'll see where this all leads.
August 30, 2025
once again the author delivers a gem of a book. this is the first in a new series and it promises to be as special as her other two series. none of her books ever falls below five stars. it is a bit darker than the others but still has a few chuckles. characters are fully formed and the settings glorious. Karen has an undeniable talent. please can she keep them coming.
September 2, 2025
Humm. Rather hard to like Mr. Wolfe right now.
Good story and plot. But Mr. Wolfe will hopefully in coming stories, lose his upper class som,,ewhat snobby attitude. I just hope Menuhin irons out some of the rough edges of the man. Hopefully he has made his peace with the memory of Elsa and get on with life.
Good story and plot. But Mr. Wolfe will hopefully in coming stories, lose his upper class som,,ewhat snobby attitude. I just hope Menuhin irons out some of the rough edges of the man. Hopefully he has made his peace with the memory of Elsa and get on with life.
September 2, 2025
First of new series
I've read all of the authors heathcliff Lenox stories and the miss Busby series and enjoyed this new book tremendously! A bit edgier than the other series but very enjoyable. I liked the references to things from the Lenox stories. Alexander Wolfe is someone I'd like to meet!
I've read all of the authors heathcliff Lenox stories and the miss Busby series and enjoyed this new book tremendously! A bit edgier than the other series but very enjoyable. I liked the references to things from the Lenox stories. Alexander Wolfe is someone I'd like to meet!
September 2, 2025
A new series from one of my favorite authors! Set post World War I, it is set in an estate outside of London at the holidays; we are introduced to our new investigator who works as the lone “Wolfe” he is.
But is he truly a lone wolf? Or is it time to have people working with him to solve a murder.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one
But is he truly a lone wolf? Or is it time to have people working with him to solve a murder.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one
September 4, 2025
A new series and a new writing partner. I enjoyed this and found it an easy read, but I did not like it as much at the Lennox series. The plot was convoluted and quite difficult to follow at times and I found I didn't warm up either Wolfe or Fox as I would have expected, although I did love Dicks and Wilf. 3.75*
September 7, 2025
Exciting, authentic, moving, great mystery!
Karen Baugh Menuhin's expertly creates interesting, sharply drawn characters and compelling mysteries that I don't have solved twenty pages before the end of the book. The protagonist Wolfe is intriguing and the story involving; a great read for cozy mystery fans!
Karen Baugh Menuhin's expertly creates interesting, sharply drawn characters and compelling mysteries that I don't have solved twenty pages before the end of the book. The protagonist Wolfe is intriguing and the story involving; a great read for cozy mystery fans!
September 11, 2025
Characters become friends
At first I was put off by the main character’s grumpy and superior attitude, and the timidity and silliness of his companions. As the tale progressed and history began to explains the characters it was impossible not to warm to them all. And I did not work out who-dun-it!!
At first I was put off by the main character’s grumpy and superior attitude, and the timidity and silliness of his companions. As the tale progressed and history began to explains the characters it was impossible not to warm to them all. And I did not work out who-dun-it!!
September 12, 2025
Excellent New Series!
Wolf is darker, tortured WWI hero but a hero non-the-less. Along with Fox and Dicks, both unwantingly thrust upon him by Wolf's boss, they coalesce into a highly efficient, personable trio that crack the case and do a little healing along the way. Excited to read more!
Wolf is darker, tortured WWI hero but a hero non-the-less. Along with Fox and Dicks, both unwantingly thrust upon him by Wolf's boss, they coalesce into a highly efficient, personable trio that crack the case and do a little healing along the way. Excited to read more!
September 23, 2025
enjoyable characters and mystery
I had the most fun reading this new series. The characters were unique and refreshing. I love the idea of a place for all the misfits toys to come together and solve crimes. I am super excited for the next one to come out! I love the three of them together and hope they maintain their partnership throughout
I had the most fun reading this new series. The characters were unique and refreshing. I love the idea of a place for all the misfits toys to come together and solve crimes. I am super excited for the next one to come out! I love the three of them together and hope they maintain their partnership throughout
September 25, 2025
Hopefully a good start.
Good writing but has lots of holes. Typical toffs who make terrible witnesses and worse murderers. Who is our hero? Little background. Yes i know I'm supposed to pick it up in the story...but a little more exposition would be nice. Not as good as Heathcliff Lennox ....but I'll get the next one and see how it is.
Good writing but has lots of holes. Typical toffs who make terrible witnesses and worse murderers. Who is our hero? Little background. Yes i know I'm supposed to pick it up in the story...but a little more exposition would be nice. Not as good as Heathcliff Lennox ....but I'll get the next one and see how it is.
October 20, 2025
an unexpected pleasure. I love Ms Menuhin's writing
This book is carefully constructed beautifully written, and the characters are well constructed as well as the plot. This book is also very good at researching the effects of war and its complexities. Which are shown in the after effects on everyone involved.
This book is carefully constructed beautifully written, and the characters are well constructed as well as the plot. This book is also very good at researching the effects of war and its complexities. Which are shown in the after effects on everyone involved.
November 11, 2025
It was fine. This book has some tropes I absolutely despise in historical books/mysteries and the main character was not super likable. On the bright side, it was short, atmospheric and fun read. In general I like Karen Baugh Menuhin writing and interested to see what authors will do with the series.
November 14, 2025
Enjoyable
This is the beginning of a new series which I found to be very entertaining and hosting a interesting storyline with charming characters that have back stories that no doubt be interwoven within future storylines. Ms. Menuhin has created an new exciting and interesting character in Alexander Wolfe.
This is the beginning of a new series which I found to be very entertaining and hosting a interesting storyline with charming characters that have back stories that no doubt be interwoven within future storylines. Ms. Menuhin has created an new exciting and interesting character in Alexander Wolfe.
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November 19, 2025Yeah, no.
This is a hard pass for me.
I really like the Major Lennox series, but this "special agent"/secret service/bond meets detective stuff threw me off.
I am happy to stave off some disbelief if it is a gripping story, but this conspiracy stuff with secret organisations just doesn't work for me.
I want my fictional worlds orderly or pure fantasy.
That's it.
This is a hard pass for me.
I really like the Major Lennox series, but this "special agent"/secret service/bond meets detective stuff threw me off.
I am happy to stave off some disbelief if it is a gripping story, but this conspiracy stuff with secret organisations just doesn't work for me.
I want my fictional worlds orderly or pure fantasy.
That's it.
December 10, 2025
Alexander is too angry and dark for me, and I didn't enjoy that the plot was mostly about something that happened during the war in the past. More an intrigue novel rather than a murder whodunnit. I did like the side characters introduced that were the only bits of levity (and Wilf the dog), otherwise kind of depressing and dark.
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January 10, 2026Another between wars series from Karen Menhenuin__hooray!
Very enjoyable ! Heathciff Lennox remains my favorite, but Wolf, this protagonist is quite promising. I truly enjoy her books, and am about to start book 2 of this series. I do recommend her work, especially if you're a fan of the between wars period and a good period drama.
Very enjoyable ! Heathciff Lennox remains my favorite, but Wolf, this protagonist is quite promising. I truly enjoy her books, and am about to start book 2 of this series. I do recommend her work, especially if you're a fan of the between wars period and a good period drama.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews