What do you think?
Rate this book
A Terribly Savage Killing: A 1920s Mystery
A funeral on a remote country estate descends into chaos and murder when the deceased proves unexpectedly and most inconveniently alive in this latest Mr. Quayle mystery.
England, 1926. Following the death of the Viscount Featherstone, his closest friends and most hated family descend upon his isolated mansion for the funeral and—more importantly—for the will-reading. Among the guests are Featherstone’s first and second wives with their assorted brood of ne'er-do-well children, along with the love of Featherstone’s life, the woman he jilted almost forty years before—Lady Constance.
The only trouble is that Featherstone is very much alive and is not at all pleased to see them, but when someone starts picking the unwanted guests off one by one, Mr. Quayle must race against time not only to save the Unsworth’s reputation but their very lives!
A Terribly Savage Killing is the third novel in the Mr. Quayle Mystery series.
England, 1926. Following the death of the Viscount Featherstone, his closest friends and most hated family descend upon his isolated mansion for the funeral and—more importantly—for the will-reading. Among the guests are Featherstone’s first and second wives with their assorted brood of ne'er-do-well children, along with the love of Featherstone’s life, the woman he jilted almost forty years before—Lady Constance.
The only trouble is that Featherstone is very much alive and is not at all pleased to see them, but when someone starts picking the unwanted guests off one by one, Mr. Quayle must race against time not only to save the Unsworth’s reputation but their very lives!
A Terribly Savage Killing is the third novel in the Mr. Quayle Mystery series.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2026
About the author
Anthony Slayton
5 books89 followersAnthony Slayton is a self-confessed Anglophile, at least when it comes to murder and death. Author of the Mr. Quayle Mysteries, he is a life-long mystery aficionado—the more bodies, the better! In his spare time, he can probably be found walking in the park or binge-watching one mystery series or another (possibly just rewatching Poirot and Midsomer Murders for the umpteenth time). You can follow him on BookBub for the latest on sales https://bit.ly/BookBubslayton
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 19, 2026
A g0od, basic whodunit.
Review of advance copy
This is the 3rd book featuring Mr. Quayle and in my humble opinion, I think it is the best. Mr. Quayle is somewhat of an amateur sleuth, although not by design or preference. In his role as a private secretary to Lord Edward Statham, Earl of Unsworth, he happens to be thrust into the midst of murder and mayhem. His background is somewhat mysterious, but we know he used to be in government service, lost that job unfairly, then was recommended for his current position. Lord Unsworth and his sister, Lady Constance (and other members of the family in previous books), seem to attract foul play, and A Terribly Savage Killing is no exception. You can find plot summaries elsewhere.
This novel has hints of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, given its locked door setting. There are multiple suspects for the killing, and even Mr. Quayle is stumped. I thought I knew whodunit early on, but time after time, I was wrong. I love a book that stumps me! The characters are well drawn. The 1920s English setting is my favorite. Mr. Slayton explains in the author’s notes at the end that this book took him some time to finish due to family emergencies and other disruptions to his life. IMHO it was well worth the wait. The story moves along at a brisk pace – you’ll want to read just one more chapter before you put the book down! I enjoy the portrayal of the British aristocracy. So polite when inside they are seething. So nice to one another when they cannot stand one another. It must have been exhausting to live like that, although I suppose their money and position helped. Mr. Quayle handles them all with patience, forbearance, and good humor. The ending was satisfying and I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as Mr. Quayle explains everything to Lady Constance and Lord Unsworth. There is some humor throughout but how could there not be when dealing with the aristocracy? Especially Lady Constance! I’m looking forward to seeing how Mr. Quayle’s and Lady Constance’s relationship evolves in future adventures.
To sum up, this is a delicious, fast-paced murder mystery full of quirky characters, action, and surprises galore. So many secrets and they all will out! The story is complete and you do not have to read the first two books to enjoy this one (although I highly recommend you do since they are both excellent).
Thank you to Mr. Slayton and Booksirens for the free Advance Review Copy of A Terribly Savage Killing. I leave this review voluntarily and with great pleasure.
This novel has hints of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, given its locked door setting. There are multiple suspects for the killing, and even Mr. Quayle is stumped. I thought I knew whodunit early on, but time after time, I was wrong. I love a book that stumps me! The characters are well drawn. The 1920s English setting is my favorite. Mr. Slayton explains in the author’s notes at the end that this book took him some time to finish due to family emergencies and other disruptions to his life. IMHO it was well worth the wait. The story moves along at a brisk pace – you’ll want to read just one more chapter before you put the book down! I enjoy the portrayal of the British aristocracy. So polite when inside they are seething. So nice to one another when they cannot stand one another. It must have been exhausting to live like that, although I suppose their money and position helped. Mr. Quayle handles them all with patience, forbearance, and good humor. The ending was satisfying and I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as Mr. Quayle explains everything to Lady Constance and Lord Unsworth. There is some humor throughout but how could there not be when dealing with the aristocracy? Especially Lady Constance! I’m looking forward to seeing how Mr. Quayle’s and Lady Constance’s relationship evolves in future adventures.
To sum up, this is a delicious, fast-paced murder mystery full of quirky characters, action, and surprises galore. So many secrets and they all will out! The story is complete and you do not have to read the first two books to enjoy this one (although I highly recommend you do since they are both excellent).
Thank you to Mr. Slayton and Booksirens for the free Advance Review Copy of A Terribly Savage Killing. I leave this review voluntarily and with great pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Lord Edward Statham, Earl of Unsworth, and his sister Lady Constance are invited to the remote estate of Viscount Featherstone, Withermere Court, accompanied by Lord Unsworth’s secretary Mr. Quayle. There, they arrive along with the Viscount’s siblings, his first and second wives and their respective children and children’s spouses, all of whom are stunned to see Viscount Featherstone alive and grumbling. They had all apparently been summoned to the estate following the Viscount’s death, in order to attend the reading of his will; the Earl and Lady Constance being included as distant cousins but also because the Viscount and Lady Constance had once been engaged. There is a great deal of confusion when everybody arrives, not least because of thwarted expectations, but tensions ratchet up considerably when one of the party is poisoned, and Mr. Quayle is asked to investigate. His problem, of course, is that there are too many suspects, too many motives and far too many opportunities for murder…. This is the third of Mr. Slayton’s very engaging series featuring Mr. Quayle, who is kind of a mix between Poirot and a more bumbling Jeeves. Set in the 1920s, with echoes of the Great War still reverberating amongst the characters, this book (and the series as a whole) invokes a very different time and place, which Mr. Slayton exquisitely describes. Lest that sounds a tad solemn, I should also note that there are some bright flashes of humour thrown into the mix too, especially with respect to the acerbic Lady Constance and Mr. Quayle’s placid response to her digs. Mr. Quayle himself remains a bit mysterious, although we learn a little more about him with each book; the aristocratic characters are all just a little bit ridiculous, as they should be, and the ways in which they conceal or reveal their true characters is spot on. Recommended! I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2026
This is the third installment in The Mr. Quayle Mysteries by Anthony Slayton. The book starts with friends and family of Viscount Augustus "Goose" Featherstone gathering at his remote island home, Withermere Court. Among the guests are Lord Unsworth, his sister, Lady Constance, and Lord Unsworth's private secretary, the mysterious Mr. Quayle. However, on their arrival, the guests discover that Lord Featherstone is alive, and angry at the deception.
The weather is terrible, so the guests are unable to return to their homes. They are assigned rooms in the house, and while visiting the library, Mr. Quayle overhears Lord Featherstone's oldest son, Reginald in conversation with his mother's brother plotting to kill their host. Quayle immediately reports this to Lord Featherstone and his lawyer, Rodger Asquith.
Not long afterward, Reginald is poisoned and it is not long before the body count rises. Lord Featherstone asks Mr. Quayle to investigate with the provision that Mr. Asquith accompany him. While trying to contact the police, it is discovered that the phone lines are down and the only boat that can take the guests back to the mainland has been sabotaged. They are trapped. This makes investigating a bit tricky, particularly since just about everyone on the island has a reason to want Lord Featherstone dead.
It was nice to see that the caustic Lady Constance was starting to approve of Mr. Quayle more. She asks him to keep his "beady little eyes" open for clues. It was fun to see them working together.
Again, not much information is provided about Mr. Quayle. We learn that Lord Featherstone had been one of his commanding officers during the war, and that as a boy, he was an avid reader of the books by Lord Featherstone's brother, Sir Arnold Featherstone, who had been a world traveling adventurer.
I am enjoying this series very much and look forward to the next installment.
The weather is terrible, so the guests are unable to return to their homes. They are assigned rooms in the house, and while visiting the library, Mr. Quayle overhears Lord Featherstone's oldest son, Reginald in conversation with his mother's brother plotting to kill their host. Quayle immediately reports this to Lord Featherstone and his lawyer, Rodger Asquith.
Not long afterward, Reginald is poisoned and it is not long before the body count rises. Lord Featherstone asks Mr. Quayle to investigate with the provision that Mr. Asquith accompany him. While trying to contact the police, it is discovered that the phone lines are down and the only boat that can take the guests back to the mainland has been sabotaged. They are trapped. This makes investigating a bit tricky, particularly since just about everyone on the island has a reason to want Lord Featherstone dead.
It was nice to see that the caustic Lady Constance was starting to approve of Mr. Quayle more. She asks him to keep his "beady little eyes" open for clues. It was fun to see them working together.
Again, not much information is provided about Mr. Quayle. We learn that Lord Featherstone had been one of his commanding officers during the war, and that as a boy, he was an avid reader of the books by Lord Featherstone's brother, Sir Arnold Featherstone, who had been a world traveling adventurer.
I am enjoying this series very much and look forward to the next installment.
Review of advance copy
I really enjoy this series in the classic British post World War 1 mystery mood. Mr. Quayle, our main character, works as personal secretary and all round problem fixer for a British lord and his family. He used to work for His Majesty's government, but gracefully departed after a scandal which he didn't cause but accepted some blame for. He is a stand up guy, a bit buttoned up, a bit impersonal, but extremely smart and capable.
He and his employer's quirky family are called to attend the funeral of an aristo who has a history with the lord's sister. They are stunned to find, upon their arrival on the isolated weather battered island, that the gentleman in question is still very much alive, and that his entire family has also been summoned.
It doesn't take long for the bodies to begin piling up. And naturally, horrible weather has precluded calling in the police. There are ex-wives, blended families, dubious heirs, and lots and lots of old baggage to decipher. Who called them all together? And why? And who is bumping off various family members and guests one by one? Quayle and the family's old lawyer are tasked with uncovering the culprit.
The story moves at a nice pace with lots of action and nicely portrayed oddball characters. It is a pleasure to see Mr. Quayle at work and this is a very enjoyable read. One minor quibble: there is an awful lot of sneering and smirking -- perhaps a few of those could be edited out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
He and his employer's quirky family are called to attend the funeral of an aristo who has a history with the lord's sister. They are stunned to find, upon their arrival on the isolated weather battered island, that the gentleman in question is still very much alive, and that his entire family has also been summoned.
It doesn't take long for the bodies to begin piling up. And naturally, horrible weather has precluded calling in the police. There are ex-wives, blended families, dubious heirs, and lots and lots of old baggage to decipher. Who called them all together? And why? And who is bumping off various family members and guests one by one? Quayle and the family's old lawyer are tasked with uncovering the culprit.
The story moves at a nice pace with lots of action and nicely portrayed oddball characters. It is a pleasure to see Mr. Quayle at work and this is a very enjoyable read. One minor quibble: there is an awful lot of sneering and smirking -- perhaps a few of those could be edited out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 stars
This is an intricate, complicated little mystery. It is 1926.
Lord Featherstone’s family has joined together at his mansion located on an island - an isolated island. During storms, the island becomes surrounded by sea water. Nearly landlocked.
Several relatives and in-laws show up. They are a contentious bunch. There is an additional someone who accompanies them, a Mr. Quayle.
Having received notice of Lord Featherstone’s unexpected death, they are all at once shocked to find him most alive.
What follows is a delightful tale of avarice, grudges, backstabbing, and profound family dysfunction.
The surprising Mr. Quayle is on the case. He ferrets out through being watchful, listening and his talent for parsing the intentions of the others he is observing. Murders! Oh my!
This is a very well written book. It is interesting, easy to read and fun. I appreciate novels set in the early 20th Century. It was a time unto itself. Mr. Slayton gets so much right. The attitudes of the characters - how very polite everyone appears to be, even though they may hate each other, is a case in point. It's delightful.
I want to thank NetGalley and Ink and Dagger Press for forwarding to me a copy of this good book. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
This is an intricate, complicated little mystery. It is 1926.
Lord Featherstone’s family has joined together at his mansion located on an island - an isolated island. During storms, the island becomes surrounded by sea water. Nearly landlocked.
Several relatives and in-laws show up. They are a contentious bunch. There is an additional someone who accompanies them, a Mr. Quayle.
Having received notice of Lord Featherstone’s unexpected death, they are all at once shocked to find him most alive.
What follows is a delightful tale of avarice, grudges, backstabbing, and profound family dysfunction.
The surprising Mr. Quayle is on the case. He ferrets out through being watchful, listening and his talent for parsing the intentions of the others he is observing. Murders! Oh my!
This is a very well written book. It is interesting, easy to read and fun. I appreciate novels set in the early 20th Century. It was a time unto itself. Mr. Slayton gets so much right. The attitudes of the characters - how very polite everyone appears to be, even though they may hate each other, is a case in point. It's delightful.
I want to thank NetGalley and Ink and Dagger Press for forwarding to me a copy of this good book. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
April 24, 2026
I’ve been following the Mr. Quayle Mysteries since 2022, so of course I had high hopes for this latest installment after the long wait since book two.
It’s always a treat to return to Mr. Quayle and the Unsworth family, and this time he’s untangling another murder mystery involving another family.
I still enjoy his amateur sleuth style — there’s something charming about the way he pieces things together.
At under 250 pages, this was a quick read with short chapters that made it easy to devour in a single day. I had fun testing my guesses against the culprit’s identity (and yes, I was right this time!)
That said, the suspense didn’t quite land for me. Even with multiple murders on a secluded place, the tension felt muted.
The big reveal wasn’t as grand as I’d hoped, and the twists weren’t twisty enough to deliver that surprise punch I crave in a mystery.
I have to admit, this book isn’t my favorite of the series — book one still holds that crown for me. But I’ll definitely keep following along, the author’s note hints at another Mr. Quayle adventure in the works, and I’m hoping it brings back more of the sharp suspense that made the debut so memorable for me.
I received a review copy from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death, murder
It’s always a treat to return to Mr. Quayle and the Unsworth family, and this time he’s untangling another murder mystery involving another family.
I still enjoy his amateur sleuth style — there’s something charming about the way he pieces things together.
At under 250 pages, this was a quick read with short chapters that made it easy to devour in a single day. I had fun testing my guesses against the culprit’s identity (and yes, I was right this time!)
That said, the suspense didn’t quite land for me. Even with multiple murders on a secluded place, the tension felt muted.
The big reveal wasn’t as grand as I’d hoped, and the twists weren’t twisty enough to deliver that surprise punch I crave in a mystery.
I have to admit, this book isn’t my favorite of the series — book one still holds that crown for me. But I’ll definitely keep following along, the author’s note hints at another Mr. Quayle adventure in the works, and I’m hoping it brings back more of the sharp suspense that made the debut so memorable for me.
I received a review copy from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death, murder
April 14, 2026
Anthony Slayton has achieved the voice and atmosphere of the Golden Age mysteries with his Mr. Quayle series. In A Terribly Savage Killing, all the classic elements are here: a locked-room puzzle, aristocratic intrigue, an amateur sleuth, and a remote estate cut off from help (even a dark and stormy night). It may sound contrived, but it absolutely works.
In this latest installment, Quayle accompanies his employer, Lord Unsworth, and Unsworth’s sister, Lady Constance, to the funeral of Major General Augustus “Goose” Featherstone, who was once romantically linked to Constance. Upon arrival, however, they discover that Goose is very much alive. The question quickly becomes who would orchestrate such a deception, and is Goose actually in danger?
It isn’t long before a body appears, and Quayle is drawn into the investigation. With a house full of suspects and no clear motive, the mystery unfolds with all the intrigue of a classic whodunit.
Slayton also deepens the series by offering glimpses into Quayle’s past, particularly his experiences during World War I. I hope Slayton will explore this more depth in future books. If you like a vintage whodunit, give the Mr. Quayle mysteries a try. Thank you to NetGalley and Ink and Dagger Press for the ARC.
In this latest installment, Quayle accompanies his employer, Lord Unsworth, and Unsworth’s sister, Lady Constance, to the funeral of Major General Augustus “Goose” Featherstone, who was once romantically linked to Constance. Upon arrival, however, they discover that Goose is very much alive. The question quickly becomes who would orchestrate such a deception, and is Goose actually in danger?
It isn’t long before a body appears, and Quayle is drawn into the investigation. With a house full of suspects and no clear motive, the mystery unfolds with all the intrigue of a classic whodunit.
Slayton also deepens the series by offering glimpses into Quayle’s past, particularly his experiences during World War I. I hope Slayton will explore this more depth in future books. If you like a vintage whodunit, give the Mr. Quayle mysteries a try. Thank you to NetGalley and Ink and Dagger Press for the ARC.
May 22, 2026
This is the third in the Mr Quayle series and I think it's the best so far. The author explains at the end that it took longer to write due to difficult circumstances but I think it was worth the wait.
Quayle joins Lady Constance at the funeral of an old acquaintance only to find the man alive and well. It seems all his family have also been lured under false pretences to the estate and this proves fatal with the murder of one of the sons. I love this locked room style story and this was riveting. Everyone has a motive and further deaths proves even more confounding. I love Quayle's unassuming style yet he sees so much. The reveal of the killer took me by surprise and the ending felt quite satisfying. I can't wait for the next book to come along.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Quayle joins Lady Constance at the funeral of an old acquaintance only to find the man alive and well. It seems all his family have also been lured under false pretences to the estate and this proves fatal with the murder of one of the sons. I love this locked room style story and this was riveting. Everyone has a motive and further deaths proves even more confounding. I love Quayle's unassuming style yet he sees so much. The reveal of the killer took me by surprise and the ending felt quite satisfying. I can't wait for the next book to come along.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a fab read! It was the best parts of Jonathan Creek and Poirot!
While attending a funeral of a friends former acquaintance, Mr Quayle is thrown into quite a mystery! The deceased is alive and well, however those attending his 'funeral ' are being picked off.
This one kept me guessing..I read it in one sitting . The plot was fun, fast and intruguing. The writing really captivates the imagination and allows you to sit in the room with the guilty party. There was no over the top motive or murder, just matter of fact action.
I am definitely going to read all books by this author.
Thank you to netaglley for the arc!
While attending a funeral of a friends former acquaintance, Mr Quayle is thrown into quite a mystery! The deceased is alive and well, however those attending his 'funeral ' are being picked off.
This one kept me guessing..I read it in one sitting . The plot was fun, fast and intruguing. The writing really captivates the imagination and allows you to sit in the room with the guilty party. There was no over the top motive or murder, just matter of fact action.
I am definitely going to read all books by this author.
Thank you to netaglley for the arc!
Review of advance copy
A Terrible Savage Killing is Book 3 in The Mr. Quayle Mysteries by Anthony Slayton. England 1926 finds Featherston Stone opening the door to his family. They came for his funeral, but, he is very much alive… this complicates the will reading. Both of his wives and children as well as the love of his life are ready for the reading of the will… it is shocking when Featherstone's family members start dropping dead! While the story is complex, it is so good and very good mystery. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
April 17, 2026
This book entertained me from the very first word. I think the author managed to recreate the world of the 1920's with ease.
The characters were interesting even though at points I didn't like them. The Featherstone family is messy. Two wives and an assortment of children. A sister and an ex fiance. The viscount has lived a crazy life. I did not like him. I liked Mr. Quayle. He was a good investigator. He had a cool head on his shoulders.
I think that this was an interesting mystery. I didn't guess the murderer until the very end.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksirens.
The characters were interesting even though at points I didn't like them. The Featherstone family is messy. Two wives and an assortment of children. A sister and an ex fiance. The viscount has lived a crazy life. I did not like him. I liked Mr. Quayle. He was a good investigator. He had a cool head on his shoulders.
I think that this was an interesting mystery. I didn't guess the murderer until the very end.
I received a complimentary copy from Booksirens.
April 26, 2026
Another great Mr. Quayle Mystery!
I have loved Mr. Quayle mysteries and this did not disappoint. It had a darker tone and Mr. Quayle is showing some cracks in his veneer and hinting at a flawed human as the walls of his well compartmentalized life are buckling.
This wasn’t quite the comfortable read I was expecting but it makes his character more interesting as the story unfolds. It occurred to me I usually feel a first name affinity with many of my mystery heroes/heroines. Sherlock, Maisie, etc. But he is Mr. Quayle.
Congrats, Mr. Slayton, on the new baby and thank you for still writing as life threw some stones in your path. Your mysteries mean a lot in these insane times and I look forward to the next story.
I have loved Mr. Quayle mysteries and this did not disappoint. It had a darker tone and Mr. Quayle is showing some cracks in his veneer and hinting at a flawed human as the walls of his well compartmentalized life are buckling.
This wasn’t quite the comfortable read I was expecting but it makes his character more interesting as the story unfolds. It occurred to me I usually feel a first name affinity with many of my mystery heroes/heroines. Sherlock, Maisie, etc. But he is Mr. Quayle.
Congrats, Mr. Slayton, on the new baby and thank you for still writing as life threw some stones in your path. Your mysteries mean a lot in these insane times and I look forward to the next story.
April 25, 2026
Trapped in the house with a murderer, Mr. Quayle has his hands full and suspects are all around. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Interesting who-dun-it, but was a bit slow in spots. The house was suitably creepy and set in the past. Most of the characters were not very likable and I wasn't shocked at the first murder. The others did make sense in a way. Mr. Quayle was often complaining about being watched by his counterpoint and making sure he upheld the honor of his employers, who I thought were rather uppity.
Interesting who-dun-it, but was a bit slow in spots. The house was suitably creepy and set in the past. Most of the characters were not very likable and I wasn't shocked at the first murder. The others did make sense in a way. Mr. Quayle was often complaining about being watched by his counterpoint and making sure he upheld the honor of his employers, who I thought were rather uppity.
April 13, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Anthony Slayton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Terribly Savage Killing coming out April 13, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I’ve read the first book in this series. I really enjoy this author’s writing. I love 1920s mysteries. It was a fun book with interesting characters. I would check out more books by this author.
I’ve read the first book in this series. I really enjoy this author’s writing. I love 1920s mysteries. It was a fun book with interesting characters. I would check out more books by this author.
April 15, 2026
The family and guests arrive at an out of the way location, invited to attend a funeral, only to find the supposedly dead host, very much alive. Surprises yes, and even more so when many of the invited were not really there to mourn, but more to collect their inheritance. And then, the dead bodies begin to start piling up.
Exciting and baffling mystery, well written with an atmospheric backdrop. Loved it!
Exciting and baffling mystery, well written with an atmospheric backdrop. Loved it!
April 21, 2026
Another Mr. Quayle mystery - need I say more?
I am a reader who typically reads several books at a time, so to speak. But not when one is an Anthony Slayton mystery featuring Mr. Quayle. The author has painted a scene with depth and characters with rich detail, and a mystery that left me guessing (wrong) until the very end. I suggest reading the books in this series in their published order for the deepest appreciation.
I am a reader who typically reads several books at a time, so to speak. But not when one is an Anthony Slayton mystery featuring Mr. Quayle. The author has painted a scene with depth and characters with rich detail, and a mystery that left me guessing (wrong) until the very end. I suggest reading the books in this series in their published order for the deepest appreciation.
April 26, 2026
Mr. Quayle accompanies his employers to a will reading, but the deceased is very much alive. Soon all are trapped on an island, as the bodies start to fall. Atmospheric, with great characterization, and a mystery that kept me guessing until the end. Best to read the series in order to get all the backstory on the main characters. On to the next adventure!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 26, 2026
Mr. Quayle and the family he "serves" have traveled to a remote island estate to attend the will reading of Lady Constance's old beau. Surprise! Upon arrival they discover he is not dead. A storm has trapped them, along with the old flame and his odd family on the island. Naturally people will start to die. Can Mr. Quayle solve this one before too many bodies pile up? Enjoyable and well constructed read.
Review of advance copy
1926 Withermere Island, one of the homes of 5th Viscount Featherstone is invaded by all his family to attend his funeral. Only to find him alive. But then the murders started. Quayle, shadowed by the family lawyer, Asquith, is called upon to investigate.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its interesting main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its interesting main character. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2026
This is the perfect murder mystery. Everyone is trapped and there is a killer in the midst. It was well written, interesting, full of twists and turns and a whole host of unlikeable potential perpetrators. Do yourself a favor, buy the book, sit out by the water, grab a drink and enjoy. This is an easy 5 0f 5 stars.
May 8, 2026
Completely Shocked!
This book was filled with so many possible suspects. Relationships both familial & for personal advantage. Emotions both tender & hate filled.
If you want to be entertained till an ending you should have seen coming, this is the book for you!
This book was filled with so many possible suspects. Relationships both familial & for personal advantage. Emotions both tender & hate filled.
If you want to be entertained till an ending you should have seen coming, this is the book for you!
June 26, 2026
As much as i have enjoyed the previous mysteries in this series, this one was not very compelling in my opinion. Motivation for the plot premise i found unconvincing. Lots of dead bodies though to enliven things.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews