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Lady Ashcombe Murder Mysteries #2
Murder in the Manor Garden: A 1920’s Historical Cosy Mystery
An ancient curse. A hidden treasure. A very modern murder…
When Lady Cecily Ashcombe inherits the crumbling Ashcombe Hall, she vows to restore its lost beauty—even the overgrown Wild Garden whispered to be cursed. But when a treasure hunter turns up dead beneath the ancient oak, gossip blames the ghost of Old Silas, the long-dead gardener said to guard buried gold.
Cecily, however, has no patience for superstition. With her loyal terrier Pip, a sharp mind honed on wartime nursing, and a household full of secrets, she sets out to untangle the truth. From the village museum curator and a garden engineer with an axe to grind, to a flamboyant London architect far too eager to dig up the past, everyone seems to have a stake in the mystery.
But as treasure fever grips the countryside and long-buried rivalries resurface, Cecily soon discovers that the most dangerous threats are not spectral at all. Someone is willing to kill for Ashcombe’s secrets—and if she isn’t careful, the next body found in the garden may be her own.
The ghost of Old Silas is said to guard Ashcombe’s treasure. But ghosts don’t wield murder weapons… or do they?
Discover the charm, danger, and wit of 1920s England as Lady Cecily Ashcombe embarks on another fun and phantom-filled 1920s historical cosy mystery.
When Lady Cecily Ashcombe inherits the crumbling Ashcombe Hall, she vows to restore its lost beauty—even the overgrown Wild Garden whispered to be cursed. But when a treasure hunter turns up dead beneath the ancient oak, gossip blames the ghost of Old Silas, the long-dead gardener said to guard buried gold.
Cecily, however, has no patience for superstition. With her loyal terrier Pip, a sharp mind honed on wartime nursing, and a household full of secrets, she sets out to untangle the truth. From the village museum curator and a garden engineer with an axe to grind, to a flamboyant London architect far too eager to dig up the past, everyone seems to have a stake in the mystery.
But as treasure fever grips the countryside and long-buried rivalries resurface, Cecily soon discovers that the most dangerous threats are not spectral at all. Someone is willing to kill for Ashcombe’s secrets—and if she isn’t careful, the next body found in the garden may be her own.
The ghost of Old Silas is said to guard Ashcombe’s treasure. But ghosts don’t wield murder weapons… or do they?
Discover the charm, danger, and wit of 1920s England as Lady Cecily Ashcombe embarks on another fun and phantom-filled 1920s historical cosy mystery.
- GenresCozy Mystery
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 5, 2025
Okay, I started reading this the night I finished the first book, and I ended up being so tired that I couldn't keep my eyes open past the first few chapters. Then, I thought I'd read a bit while on my lunch break at work, and boy, was that a mistake. I just wanted to keep reading this and find out what was going on with the legend, the 'ghost', the treasure, and all the weirdos that rocked up and all but demanded that they stay for an indeterminate period of time - rude! Anyway, after sneaking a chapter or 3 on my afternoon break, I knew that I had to put this down until I got home, or I'd just waste the last 90min of work reading more.
So, got home fine, made dinner, and picked this up on my iPad. I flew through this as it was oh, so entertaining. I really do like Cecily, and the rapport she has built with not only the staff at the estate, but the inhabitants of the wider area. There is a character that perhaps could be a future romantic interest, but this book is focused on the mystery of the supposed treasure hidden in the wild wood garden. Like I said. I really enjoyed this story. Only a shame that there are only 2 books in this series at present.
4 stars
So, got home fine, made dinner, and picked this up on my iPad. I flew through this as it was oh, so entertaining. I really do like Cecily, and the rapport she has built with not only the staff at the estate, but the inhabitants of the wider area. There is a character that perhaps could be a future romantic interest, but this book is focused on the mystery of the supposed treasure hidden in the wild wood garden. Like I said. I really enjoyed this story. Only a shame that there are only 2 books in this series at present.
4 stars
May 18, 2026
Murder in the Manor Garden
Book two in the Lady Ashcombe Murder Mysteries and it’s definitely better than the first one, there isn’t the constant reminders of Lady Ashcombe experience of being a nurse on a surgical ward at the front during WWl and we also have a lot less of the dog Pip’s destructive antics. The plot is good and strong and the characters are well written and have their own definite personalities. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Lady Connie who has invited herself to stay at the Hall and the resident Lady Fenella, well written. I found the final summation in the library a bit long winded and to technical, to be honest I lost interest half way through. The book ended well and happily and with regards of continuity with Elsie when we first met her in book one she was Cecily’s childhood friend and in this book she’s her ladies maid, we also have Mary as her ladies maid as well at the same time. But on the whole I enjoyed this book better (apart for the convoluted summation at the end in the library) than the first one, I will be reading book three having read this one.
Book two in the Lady Ashcombe Murder Mysteries and it’s definitely better than the first one, there isn’t the constant reminders of Lady Ashcombe experience of being a nurse on a surgical ward at the front during WWl and we also have a lot less of the dog Pip’s destructive antics. The plot is good and strong and the characters are well written and have their own definite personalities. I particularly enjoyed the interaction between Lady Connie who has invited herself to stay at the Hall and the resident Lady Fenella, well written. I found the final summation in the library a bit long winded and to technical, to be honest I lost interest half way through. The book ended well and happily and with regards of continuity with Elsie when we first met her in book one she was Cecily’s childhood friend and in this book she’s her ladies maid, we also have Mary as her ladies maid as well at the same time. But on the whole I enjoyed this book better (apart for the convoluted summation at the end in the library) than the first one, I will be reading book three having read this one.
November 15, 2025
Murder in the Manor Garden, 2nd book of Lady Ashcombe mysteries.
I enjoyed this book as much as I did Cecily's first mystery. Quite a few interesting characters that many of them seem to be hiding something. Cecily manages to find our the truth with the help of her Jack Russell terrier. There were a few inconsistent things, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment..
I enjoyed this book as much as I did Cecily's first mystery. Quite a few interesting characters that many of them seem to be hiding something. Cecily manages to find our the truth with the help of her Jack Russell terrier. There were a few inconsistent things, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment..
February 26, 2026
You expect a "COZY" Mystery to have a Happy Ending,
however Lady Ashcombe's challenges are met in unexpected ways. The denouncement, arrives at its own pace. The "Perp" might not be who you expected, or who you hoped it would be.
however Lady Ashcombe's challenges are met in unexpected ways. The denouncement, arrives at its own pace. The "Perp" might not be who you expected, or who you hoped it would be.
March 16, 2026
Delightful unique mystery
I really enjoy the characters in this book and the Biblical references are uplifting and something one would expect from a pastor's daughter. Well written and much appreciated. I hope there are more books coming!
I really enjoy the characters in this book and the Biblical references are uplifting and something one would expect from a pastor's daughter. Well written and much appreciated. I hope there are more books coming!
June 15, 2026
Kept Me Reading
Thoroughly enjoyed this second book. Must admit that I didn't really understand all the science involved until later in the story. But, like Cecily, I finally understood what was going on. Fun to read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this second book. Must admit that I didn't really understand all the science involved until later in the story. But, like Cecily, I finally understood what was going on. Fun to read.
November 5, 2025
Better book than the first as the overblown language is much less in evidence.
April 11, 2026
Refreshing!
The Lady Cecily Ashcombe mysteries are a refreshing twist to the aristocratic lady detective genre. Hope that Felicity Penn will continue the series.
The Lady Cecily Ashcombe mysteries are a refreshing twist to the aristocratic lady detective genre. Hope that Felicity Penn will continue the series.
May 16, 2026
Brilliant
I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery series.
I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery series.
June 8, 2026
A cosy mystery
A great book her lost in on holiday or just when you need a bit of time out and escapism 😊
A great book her lost in on holiday or just when you need a bit of time out and escapism 😊
August 2, 2026
Brilliantly written and beautiful Christian content 🙏🦋🎉🎶🥰♥️thank you for this amazing cozy read 💖💚🌟💙💛💕⛄️ felicity penn 🙌🙌🙌🙌
September 16, 2026
Very interesting story and characters and I enjoyed the book very much 😊
October 23, 2026
An enjoyable read. My main quibble is that we never find out what the key is for. 🫤
August 26, 2026
La traducción ha mejorado, poco, respecto al primer libro.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews