Poisoned in the Pavilion

by Kelly Mason

A 1920s Cozy Christmas Mystery

The Ashcombe Ladies’ Society have worked tirelessly to prepare the most anticipated event of the season. Much publicised, the Christmas fair is drawing visitors from neighbouring towns, and for the very first time it will be held in Ashcombe Hall’s grand pavilion. Lady Ellen is determined the day will be nothing short of perfect.

But the festivities turn sinister when Mrs Mott, the vicar’s wife, suddenly collapses at the foot of the glittering tree. Only moments earlier she had been making her rounds, sampling delicacies from the stalls. Now, with Gwen rushed to hospital and the fair in disarray, Ellen and the Ashcombe Ladies’ Society must keep the event afloat, while unravelling the troubling mystery of how Mrs Mott was Poisoned in the Pavilion.

A festive country-house mystery for fans of classic whodunits and seasonal stories.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2025

About the author

Hi, I love writing mysteries and started with a paranormal series. In the last couple of years I have been writing 1920s mysteries. I love the atmosphere of the time, that has been depicted on our screens and in fiction. Of the fashion, the cars, the parties following the war which gave everyone that 'live for the day' attitude.

I set my books in Somerset close to where I live, although the towns and villages are fictional they are based on real places local to me. They have to be fictional as I change them to fit the story. I do use the real cities though, such as Bristol and Bath Spa. They are places I visit often and it's great to be able to spend time researching what the cities were like 100 years ago.

I hope you enjoy reading my books.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the excitement and tumult of organising the Christmas bazaar, Lady Ellen is looking forward to a rather more gentle event when she opens the pavilion in her grounds for a pre-Christmas local produce sale, along with the best plum pudding competition. All seems to be going well, until the vicar’s wife, Mrs Mott, collapses, and the distinctive smell of almonds on her breath leads to suggestions she may have been poisoned with cyanide.
But as she spent the afternoon sampling everybody’s wares, tracking down the culprit isn’t going to be simple.
During Lady Ellen’s investigation, all sorts of small village rivalries and scandals come to light, but would anyone really take it so far as to attempt murder?
Another fun chapter in Lady Ellen’s life, along with Lottie and the Ashcombe Ladies’ Society, and a host of colourful characters from the local villages. Very much looking forward to the next instalment, when Ellen finally gets away for her highly anticipated trip to Cairo, to be with the man she has accepted as her beau, Captain Ernest Hamilton, despite the gap between their social standings and the disapproval of many, including the police who suspect him of being the Vigilante Slasher…

[Ruth Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poisoned in the Pavilion: A 1920’s Christmas Mystery Novella (Lady Ellen Investigates Book 7)

This is one of my favourite Murder/Mystery series of books. Lady Ellen has another mystery to solve, this time what would appear to be an attempted poisoning of the Vicars wife the day before the village’s Christmas fete, she and the Ashcombe Ladies Choir decide to investigate and it turns out everything is not what it seems. A lovely gentle story with some lovely characters. If you’re looking for something light and engaging to read this is exactly what you need.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A busy time setting up the Pavilion for the Christmas Fair. Then Mrs Montt, the Vicar’s wife suddenly collapses & it seems that she’s been poisoned. Rushed off to hospital in the local town where she eventually comes “to her senses” after being delirious. The next day is the day of the Fair & fortunately, having made several inquiries, Lady Ellen is able to solve the mystery as to whom had made Mrs Mott so sick. Another entertaining tale. Now Lady Ellen is off to Cairo.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs Mott, the vicar's wife can be difficult and sometimes downright unpleasant but it is hard to believe that anyone would want her dead, just for her awkward ways. And yet, someone did administer poison to her food and drink, so perhaps it is not that hard to believe after all.

I always enjoy the Lady Ellen mysteries and this is no exception. Good read

[Joan Husmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dictionaries are available

Wretch, retch; broach, brooch: Homophones with distinctly different meanings.
This mystery was rather dull, and the Ladies’ Club members weren’t particularly interesting, nor distinctive.

[Delores Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. it's #6 in the series, but I was able to get familiar with the main characters without having read the previous 5 books.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice slice of life in a village with a little intrigue on the side.

[Julie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and slightly different than the other books but a good read.

[Carola Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

I enjoy Lady Ellen’s investigations though this one was a bit “ crowded”. Too much gossip involved, but it was fun. I’m missed Captain Hamilton.