Deadly Derailment at Honeychurch Hall: An unputdownable cosy murder mystery

by Hannah Dennison

'This series just keeps getting better and better!' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Fifty years ago, the glorious Honeychurch Hall estate made headlines as the scene of a botched train heist that left two men dead and the whereabouts of a chest of diamonds unknown.

So when the daughter of the signalman on duty that night asks antiques dealer Kat Stanford to value her father's railway memorabilia, Kat jumps at the chance. But the collection contains more surprises than Kat could've imagined, and soon it's full steam ahead on a very modern-day murder investigation.

Meanwhile, Kat's mother Iris is wrapped up in the writing of her latest steamy novel; estate manager Delia is preoccupied by the upcoming grand opening of the Hall's Polar Tearoom; Kat's beau, local detective Mallory, is spending far too much time with his impressive ex, Chief Superintendent Stella Greenleigh; and there's a stuffed polar bear on the loose . . .

Amid the chaos, Kat stays on the track of a series of puzzling clues which lead her to a thrilling final confrontation. As long-held secrets explode into the open, will life at Honeychurch Hall be permanently derailed?

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Readers and reviewers love the Honeychurch Hall series!

'These books fill me with joy!... they are fabulous, light, funny and joyful mysteries... they entered my world and I felt a little better.' - NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


'You wouldn't believe how excited I get when a new instalment of Honeychurch Hall pops up on my Kindle!' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'As fun, lively and cosy as it gets' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'I love this series... the madcap characters and beautiful setting enhance the magic of the writing... thoroughly enjoyable and unfathomable... Great read. Great series. Can't wait for the next one' - Amazon reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Just the thing to chase the blues away' - M. C. Beaton, author of the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series

'The perfect classic English village mystery but with the addition of charm, wit and a thoroughly modern touch' - Rhys Bowen, author of The Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy Mysteries

'Downton Abbey was yesterday. Murder at Honeychurch Hall lifts the lid on today's grand country estate in all its tarnished, scheming, inbred, deranged glory' - Catriona McPherson, author of the Dandy Gilver Murder Mystery Series

'Sparkles like a glass of Devon cider on a summer afternoon' - Elizabeth J. Duncan, author of the Penny Brannigan Mysteries

Genres: Mystery

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2026

About the author

British born, Hannah originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant and Hollywood story analyst. After twenty-five years living on the West Coast, Hannah returned to the UK where she shares her life with two high-spirited Hungarian Vizslas. She enjoys all country pursuits, movies, and theatre, reading and seriously good chocolate.

Hannah writes the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Constable) the Island Sisters Mysteries (Minotaur) and the Vicky Hill Mysteries (Constable)

Fun Fact: Hannah is part of the BookTalk author group on social media with pals Kate Carlisle, Jenn McKinlay and Paige Shelton.

Reviews

[Allison Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifty years ago, there was a deadly botched train heist that left two men dead, one of them being a police constable. The train had stopped at the Honeychurch Halt, and that’s where the attempted robbery occurred. (I had never heard of a Halt either - it’s a small stopping point on a railway line. Halts are unstaffed, lack a building of any kind, and have only a small platform and a name board.) Supposedly, a treasure trove of diamonds was on that train, but they never turned up.

Our intrepid amateur sleuth, Kat Stanford, pretty much falls into the investigation. Things happen around her, people talk to her, and the police are baffled. And it doesn’t help that when she is in trouble, her boyfriend, Inspector Mallory, won’t talk to her to let her know why he’s so distant…and spending so much time with his ex, Chief Superintendent Stella Greenleigh.

The author brings Honeychurch Hall to life, as well as the different characters. She weaves red herrings seamlessly into the plot.

The theme for this book is trains, and I learned several very interesting things about them. The ending was certainly gasp-worthy in several places as secrets were revealed. I believe this book is a runaway hit! (Pun intended…)

Thank you to the author and Cozy Mystery Review Crew for choosing me to read an advanced copy of the book. I loved it, and am happy to leave my honest opinion.

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery is full of twists and turns. Kat is asked to appraise some railway memorabilia for a man who once worked for a local railroad. Now in a nursing home, his daughter is clearing out his house. The man was tied to a botched railroad heist years ago, where two men died and rumors swirled about stolen diamonds. Meanwhile, at Honeychurch Hall, Delia is working to open the Polar Tearoom to raise funds, all while starting a new online romance. When the daughter is found dead after calling Kat to return the memorabilia, things take a dark turn. The nursing home, now under new management, also asks Kat to value residents’ property, where she notices troubling inconsistencies. Trouble at Honeychurch Hall convinces her the events are connected, but she can’t share everything with Mallory, who’s busy on a secretive case with his ex. Kat believes she could help, but no one will listen. What’s her next move?

[Heather Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a train expo dredges up a crime from the past, Kat gets involved. Murders in the present day make it even more important to find out what actually happened that night in the past.

I love the charming English setting, and learning what it actually takes to keep a Downton Abbey-style estate running in the present. As with any good British mystery, there is a cast of quirky side characters that add to the charm. I was glad to see a more grown up version of Harry in this book. He seems to have a moral compass that no one else in his immediate family has. Dame Edith is also still alive and kicking, though I fear she might not be in too many future books.

If you are fan of the Honeychurch Hall series or a fan of trains, then this mystery would be a good choice.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 12th book in this delightful cozy mystery series set in a small village outside London. I’ve read most of the previous books, but this book can stand alone fine. Kat is famous for her previous role hosting an antique show and she now has a booth to display antique wares (specialty: teddy bears) and she also appraises the worth of various objects. She tends to get involved in investigating local mysteries, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend, who is a police detective. Kat becomes involved in rumors about a train robbery that happened fifty years ago and that leads to some more recent suspicious goings-on. The book is well-written and hard to put down and I love savoring this series.

[Glenda J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this series until I read this latest installment. I have always loved riding on trains and thought this book would be an enjoyable read. It definitely was! The mystery begins when Kat Stanford is asked to do a valuation on a box of trains that were owned by her client's father when he was a signal man on the railway years before. In the twists and turns of the story we discover that this valuation will eventually have ties to the Earl's family and Kat will risk all she holds dear to find out the truth of what happened in the Robbery at Honeychurch Halt.

[Vicki May · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the latest Honeychurch Hall mystery a model train uncovers long held secrets and murder which have Kat racing to find the answers.

I love this series. The characters are well developed and full of quirky fun. I have really enjoyed how they and their relationships have evolved over the series. It's always a fun return visit with each installment of the series. The mystery is always filled with twists and turns that keep me guessing.. I eagerly await each new book in the series and highly recommend this series to all cozy mystery readers.

[Lisa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly derailment at Honeychurch Hall is a great continuation of the series. The model belonging to the Hall has a rich history and is very interesting. The history of the great explorer is revealed as is more of the family history. I enjoyed the solving of the case and the continued development of the characters and their interactions. I do hope that Kay’s claim to the cottage and shop is solidified and not up to the arbitrary whims of the lord of the manor.

[Paula Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

best one yet!

This is one of my absolute favorite book series! Just absolutely wonderful! I am a total Anglophile and most of the books I read are British mysteries just like this one. Since I am all caught up now and this is the latest one of the series I may start over at the beginning until a new one comes out!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love LOVE the Honeychurch series. What an absolute joy this book was to read, the best yet!

I really hope there will be further books in this series, but the beautiful ending made me wonder if this is the last we will hear from these wonderful characters.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the latest Honeychurch Hall mystery and a model train holds secrets and murder. Kate is on the case. I really enjoy this series. I love the setting in England and the characters. This is an excellent series and this is another wonderful add to the series.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! And the whole series! Just wondering how come it still says not yet published? 💕