The Chester Grand Murders: Heathcliff Lennox Investigates

Heathcliff Lennox #17

by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Murder, mystery and a dog of distinction.
Book 17 - Heathcliff LennoxWhen three wealthy hoteliers die within months of one another – each death neat, tidy, and labelled an accident – the seven surviving members of the Grand Proprietors’ Syndicate are no longer convinced of coincidence.
Summoned to the opulent Grand Hotel in the heart of Chester, Major Heathcliff Lennox and ex Inspector Swift find a luxury building running with understated efficiency under the formidable Miss Martin – known behind her back, and never to her face, as “Miss Martinet.” The staff whisper nervously, the corridors echo with unease, and the syndicate’s aristocratic members demand answers before one of them becomes the next casualty. The investigation leads Lennox and Swift through a maze of old grudges, romantic intrigue, and whispered scandals.
As tensions rise and another death looms, they must uncover the truth hidden behind the hotel’s gleaming façade – before the murderer strikes again.

Major Heathcliff Lennox - ex WW1 war pilot, 6feet 3inch, tousled dark blond hair, age around 30 – named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother – much to his great annoyance.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Cozy

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

1920'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.

Reviews

[Kathy]

I join the other many readers on this site in applauding the author for delivering yet another satisfying Heathcliff Lennox book. The characters and action combine to make this book interesting and compelling.


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[Kim Campbell]

Really, really good

I rarely give a five star rating on the books I've read, mainly because I am damn hard to please! But this was excellent. I really, really enjoyed it. I read a lot of books and admit I rarely step outside my favourite genre (crime) or my favourite authors and I've become choosy. So please believe that I am not being patronising in any way when I say well done Karen Baugh Menuhin!

[Kirk]

Great books!

If you want to know what the books are about, read the excerpts!
These books are fabulously written, the main characters quickly become your favorite.
Each murder is almost a masterpiece, and all the little clues, leave you guessing whodunit!
For British Crime fans, these are a must read.

[Sarah]

Murder and theft

A solid mystery, Lennox is worrying about his newborn son's recent vaccination when Scotland yard calls with a string of accidental deaths. The shareholders of a bunch of hotels are dropping like flies and it's too many accidental deaths to be a coincidence. It's a will thought out mystery with an assorted cast. I'd love to see how a couple of people turn out later, but the mystery is good and I confess I was hoping I was wrong about the killer. The thefts were an intriguing addition to it all as well.

[Vero]

Another good addition - it becomes a bit repetitive, but still entertaining enough.

[Susan]

October 1924 DCI Billings sends Lennox and Swift to the Chester Grand Hotel. Home of the Grand Deva Syndicate, which three of the members have met supposed accidental deaths.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery

[Kathy Kurtz]

I love this series

This time, I knew “who done it” the moment the character was introduced. But, unraveling the many details of the case was very satisfying and I love the way our main characters are evolving. Remember we started with the awkward bachelors and now we have these two beautiful families. And, what’s not to love about the settings, the history and the wonderfully developed mysteries? I can’t wait until the next one is released!

[Maria Kornysheva]

I honestly really enjoyed this book. It has that classic murder mystery atmosphere where everyone seems polite on the surface, but you can tell secrets are hiding underneath. The Grand Hotel setting was one of my favorite parts because it felt elegant and unsettling at the same time, especially as the so-called “accidents” kept piling up.

Heathcliff Lennox is also such a strong main character, intelligent, calm under pressure, and genuinely interesting to follow. I liked the way the story slowly revealed old grudges, hidden relationships, and motives without feeling rushed. Every time I thought I had figured things out, another detail made me question everything again.

What really made this book stand out for me was the atmosphere and pacing. It felt very much like a classic British whodunit, but still fresh and entertaining. If you enjoy mysteries with clever twists, memorable characters, and a tense hotel setting full of suspicion, this is definitely a fun and satisfying read.

[Mrs Karen Henderson]

Another great read

I read this over a couple of days, trying to identify the killer but I didn’t see that coming!
I know it would be, at that time, unconventional to have Persi and Florence helping with the investigation but I enjoyed the family times, as they discussed it.
Karen Baugh Menuhin weaves a great mystery and I enjoy reading her books. Her characters are believable and I find it amusing that Lennox prioritises food over murder investigation. The introduction of the children, dog and cat adds to the interest but it was disappointing that Foggy had a very small role to play in this story, being overshadowed by the children. Come on, Lennox, don’t neglect your doggy sidekick!

[Charlene]

Chester, England, October 1924. Major Heathcliff Lennox is enjoying spending time with his wife Persi and their newborn baby boy, Ethan, at their peaceful Cotswolds estate. But when three wealthy hoteliers, members of the Grand Proprietors’ Syndicate, are found dead in Chester, a historic walled city in northwest England, Lennox and Scotland Yard Inspector Jonathan Swift must travel there to the Grand Hotel to investigate. Lennox and Swift, along with their families, pets, nannies, and stalwart butler Greggs, try to untangle the connections hidden behind secrets, grudges, romantic intrigue, and scandals as even more murders occur.

[Carol]

A great book for my mystery club



I have run a mystery club for over 15 years for the local library. A month ago, I became too ill to continue as leader of the group. I definitely would have chosen this book for the book club had I not become sick. However, I will let the book club know how much I enjoyed the characters and the plot.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCDL46NP

Ppl myZocal library

[Maryann]

Love This Series

I thought it was a bit of a stretch to have the wives and children (one an infant) show up to help investigate. I do love the whole crew but I did think Lennox and Swift could have managed on their own. So maybe this is really a 4.5.
The mystery was very elaborate, the body count high and our duo was a little slow to the solution. Do these sort of syndicates really exist? They are a wonderful device for a cozy mystery.

[Faith Trinkl]

A well written and entertaining series

Basically, if the author's name on the book reads Karen Baugh Menuhin, you're looking at an exceptionally well written story with settings and characters and plots that you'll want to read repeatedly. The love stories between Lennox and Persi and Swift and Florence add interest to these books without taking attention from the investigations.

[Wendy]

So Good I couldn't put it down

I laughed a little & I cried a little. I was angry and astonished along with everyone in the room when Lennox revealed the murderer. This series is one of my favorites and I always look forward to the next book. This one I wanted to get to the end to see who the murderer was, but I also didn't want it to end.

[Anne Marie Schauman]

Another winner!

If you are a fan of Heath cliff Lennox and I can't imagine who is not, you won't be disappointed in this latest installment. As usual the author provided enough visual detail that you could picture events as they unfolded. It was a quick read and much enjoyed!

[Leanne Pazik]

The Author must be tired of my reviews!!!

Yikes, this book was SO good!!! I loved it! I love that the ladies are now officially part of the investigation! I love that Heathcliff is not as cranky as he used to be. If I could give this book 10 stars I would!! I cannot wait for the next one!!!!!

[Bernard Lowekamp]

The Best of All the Heathcliffe Lennox Books

Karen Baugh Menuhin has an uncanny gift for not only concocting first rate mysteries, but infusing them with thought provoking observations on life. Her family of characters are incredibly real and endearing. Thank you Karen Baugh Menuhin for sharing your wonderful gift with us

[Kerrie Howard]

Another good mystery

I very much enjoy this series. The main characters are always interesting. There's humor, which is a must for me. It's interesting to read how Lennox solves the mystery with help from Swift and Greggs. I enjoy that Lennox's wife, Persi, and Swift's wife, Florence, are often also in the thick of things.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor]

The Chester Grand Murders

After a series of deaths amongst the ten shareholders of The Chester Grand Hotel, all of which are deemed accidental by the coroner, Lennox and Swift are dispatched to Chester to investigate the improbable coincidences. When another death occurs they realise that they are dealing with a killer.

[Jean Teague]

Another Winner!

If you have enjoyed Menuhin and this genre, you will love this one. The author writes--not always grammatically perfectly--but descriptively and effectively presenting the characters, settings and complex p!ots. Go ahead---see if you you can solve this mystery before the end.

[Lavada Haga]

Great book

I love the Heathcliff Lennox series! Lennox and Swift make a great team. The mysteries they get called to investigate are complicated. Swift collects clues and Lennox studies the people and clues and somehow figures out who done it!

[Michael Nims]

connecting to old friends

I love the characters. It’s like catching up to old friends. Was very surprised at the ending but all very believable. And, the best, is the high note Ms Menuhin always leaves at the end of the story

[Jacquie Parry]

This series goes from strength to strength

This is the 17th book in this series and I read and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them
Reading them is like catching up with old and much loves friends

[Carola Mac]

Excellent

I always enjoy Lennox and Swift investigations. This one I found Lennox a bit more serious than in previous books. Ethan seems to be a beautiful baby, I will enjoy Lennox travelling through fatherhood. Great read.

[Jim May]

Hard to put down!

You’ve done it again, Karen Baugh Menuhin! The detectives and their families we’ve come to love. The descriptions of the setting, the food they enjoy all adds to a wonderful and difficult mystery to solve! Thank you for sharing your talent!

[Nadine Gardner]

As always, totally delightful!

Once again, an absorbing plot, detailed characterisation of atmosphere and the delightful Major Lennox, his wife and baby - and the Swift family, altogether make for an involving and wonderful mystery read!

[Demea Loyd]

I never tire of this series and author.

This book, like life, will move you to smiles and sorrow. I highly recommend and, if you haven’t read the previous books in the series, please do so.

[Cindy Cynthia]

Excellent Story

The characters, the plot, the interactions, the denouement, everything about this story is well written. I enjoyed it and did not guess the culprit! I look forward to everything by this author.

[Charline Romine]

Retribution

Just like Miss Fairchild, One sometimes gets a feeling of who the culprit is. This is that time. Lennox and Swift managed to get through the carnage to find the right person doing the wrong things. I love reading about their children and wives. Good story.

[gloria thomas]

Another GREAT read!

I fell in love with Heathcliff & Swift from the very first book!
I've anxiously waited each new book. Although I'm American I've loved everything British my entire life. I can't wait for the next installment in this perfect series!