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The Cherkley Court Conundrum: An unputdownable 1920s historical mystery
Not yet published
Expected 17 Jul 26324 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 17, 2026
About the author
Benedict Brown
50 books559 followersWriting has always been my passion. It was my favourite hour a week at primary school, and I started on my first, truly abysmal book as a teenager. So it wasn’t a difficult decision to study literature at university which led to an MA in Creative Writing. I spent a long time writing kids’ books, including funny fairy tales, dystopic adventures and serious issue-based YA, before switching to murder mysteries last year.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.
I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 25, 2026
It was an enjoyable read. The mystery plot was interesting, and it was nice to go back to some familiar characters (even though I still don’t really like Bella, there’s something I can’t point out about her that bothers me). Marius felt a little distant sometimes in this installement, Bella had a bigger presence. There was potential to add some drama with a new character added to the story, but we didn’t really get that (maybe relationships weren’t so messy back in the 1920s…). And the last few paragraphs were definitely intriguing.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While I enjoyed this book, I cannot say I found it exceptional in any particular way. Perhaps because it is book 7 in a series and the first I have read may be impacting my opinions, but I rarely find that to be much of an issue. The only place I think it might influence my thoughts were the last chapter of the actual book itself. It appears to be a reference to an on-going story arc within the series, because it is totally disconnected from the rest of the book.
That said, I thought the descriptions of the house, Cherkley Court, were very interesting and provocative enough to make me want to see the actual house itself and it's furnishings. It definitely adds character to the story. I really cannot say I found any of the characters overly appealing, the main characters reminded me of an old radio program my parents used to talk about, The Bickersons. They did quite a lot of bickering with one another. I did wonder throughout the first half of the book just who could possibly have committed the murder, but once the second murder occurred, I was certain who the perpetrator was. I was only partially correct and the motive was a bit off. I did find many parts of the book easy to predict.
Maybe I am being a bit tough on this because I have read so many reviews of this author's books that rave about his plots and characters and that was just not my experience. I found it to be mildly entertaining and I will likely give him another read just to be fair.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
That said, I thought the descriptions of the house, Cherkley Court, were very interesting and provocative enough to make me want to see the actual house itself and it's furnishings. It definitely adds character to the story. I really cannot say I found any of the characters overly appealing, the main characters reminded me of an old radio program my parents used to talk about, The Bickersons. They did quite a lot of bickering with one another. I did wonder throughout the first half of the book just who could possibly have committed the murder, but once the second murder occurred, I was certain who the perpetrator was. I was only partially correct and the motive was a bit off. I did find many parts of the book easy to predict.
Maybe I am being a bit tough on this because I have read so many reviews of this author's books that rave about his plots and characters and that was just not my experience. I found it to be mildly entertaining and I will likely give him another read just to be fair.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cherkley Court Conundrum is a wonderfully twisty, atmospheric country‑house mystery that captures everything I love about 1920s detective fiction. From the moment Marius Quin is pulled into the case by a figure from his past, the story unfolds with charm, wit, and a steady undercurrent of danger that keeps the pages turning.
Benedict Brown brings Cherkley Court vividly to life — a grand estate full of secrets, shifting loyalties, and a cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something. The domineering Lord Sheridan, his glamorous wife, the trio of young artists, and the uneasy staff each add layers of intrigue, and every conversation feels like it could be a clue or a misdirection. It’s deliciously fun trying to sort out which is which.
Marius and Lady Bella make a delightful sleuthing duo, their dynamic full of warmth, intelligence, and just the right amount of humour. As the evidence piles up and the obvious suspect begins to look a little too convenient, the tension tightens beautifully — and when the killer strikes again, the stakes rise in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable.
The final act is sharp, satisfying, and wonderfully dramatic, tying together the threads of conspiracy woven through the household. It’s the kind of reveal that makes you want to flip back through the pages to spot the clues you missed.
A clever, charming, and thoroughly engaging historical mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie‑style puzzles and richly drawn period settings. An absolute treat.
With thanks to Benedict Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Benedict Brown brings Cherkley Court vividly to life — a grand estate full of secrets, shifting loyalties, and a cast of characters who all seem to be hiding something. The domineering Lord Sheridan, his glamorous wife, the trio of young artists, and the uneasy staff each add layers of intrigue, and every conversation feels like it could be a clue or a misdirection. It’s deliciously fun trying to sort out which is which.
Marius and Lady Bella make a delightful sleuthing duo, their dynamic full of warmth, intelligence, and just the right amount of humour. As the evidence piles up and the obvious suspect begins to look a little too convenient, the tension tightens beautifully — and when the killer strikes again, the stakes rise in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable.
The final act is sharp, satisfying, and wonderfully dramatic, tying together the threads of conspiracy woven through the household. It’s the kind of reveal that makes you want to flip back through the pages to spot the clues you missed.
A clever, charming, and thoroughly engaging historical mystery perfect for fans of Agatha Christie‑style puzzles and richly drawn period settings. An absolute treat.
With thanks to Benedict Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cherkley Court Conundrum is another thoroughly entertaining installment in Benedict Brown's Marius Quin series. With a brutal attack, a stolen treasure, a vanished suspect, and a country house full of secrets, this mystery had all the ingredients I love in a classic Golden Age whodunit.
Marius Quin and Lady Bella continue to be one of the most delightful detective duos in historical mystery fiction. Their partnership brings warmth, wit, and plenty of charm to the investigation, and I always enjoy watching them unravel even the most tangled of cases. The atmosphere of Cherkley Court is wonderfully immersive, filled with suspicious household staff, eccentric residents, conflicting stories, and enough red herrings to keep me guessing throughout.
The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with twists and revelations that steadily raise the stakes as the investigation progresses. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another layer of deception emerged. The final act was especially satisfying, delivering both emotional impact and a memorable resolution.
Fans of Agatha Christie-style mysteries, country house settings, and engaging amateur sleuths will find plenty to enjoy here. Benedict Brown once again combines sharp plotting, vivid characters, and a touch of humor to create a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery. I can't wait to see what case Marius and Bella tackle next.
Marius Quin and Lady Bella continue to be one of the most delightful detective duos in historical mystery fiction. Their partnership brings warmth, wit, and plenty of charm to the investigation, and I always enjoy watching them unravel even the most tangled of cases. The atmosphere of Cherkley Court is wonderfully immersive, filled with suspicious household staff, eccentric residents, conflicting stories, and enough red herrings to keep me guessing throughout.
The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with twists and revelations that steadily raise the stakes as the investigation progresses. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, another layer of deception emerged. The final act was especially satisfying, delivering both emotional impact and a memorable resolution.
Fans of Agatha Christie-style mysteries, country house settings, and engaging amateur sleuths will find plenty to enjoy here. Benedict Brown once again combines sharp plotting, vivid characters, and a touch of humor to create a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery. I can't wait to see what case Marius and Bella tackle next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cherkley Court Conundrum by Benedict Brown was an absolute delight.
Even though this is the seventh book in the Marius Quin mystery series, I never felt lost jumping in and reading this first. Brown provides just enough background to help new readers understand the characters and their relationships without slowing down the story. In fact, this book made me want to go back and read the first six books, I enjoyed this one so much.
The mystery itself was clever and engaging, with memorable characters, plenty of twists, and a solution I never saw coming. I spent the entire book trying to figure out the murderer, and I was completely wrong. Even better, the final twist at the very end completely caught me by surprise.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the setting. Cherkley Court is a real historic estate, and Brown weaves fascinating historical details throughout the story. His extensive research is evident not only in the novel itself but also in the author’s note and research sections, which I really enjoyed reading.
Fast-paced, charming, and entertaining, The Cherkley Court Conundrum is a historical whodunit that I will happily recommend to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Even though this is the seventh book in the Marius Quin mystery series, I never felt lost jumping in and reading this first. Brown provides just enough background to help new readers understand the characters and their relationships without slowing down the story. In fact, this book made me want to go back and read the first six books, I enjoyed this one so much.
The mystery itself was clever and engaging, with memorable characters, plenty of twists, and a solution I never saw coming. I spent the entire book trying to figure out the murderer, and I was completely wrong. Even better, the final twist at the very end completely caught me by surprise.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the setting. Cherkley Court is a real historic estate, and Brown weaves fascinating historical details throughout the story. His extensive research is evident not only in the novel itself but also in the author’s note and research sections, which I really enjoyed reading.
Fast-paced, charming, and entertaining, The Cherkley Court Conundrum is a historical whodunit that I will happily recommend to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
June 14, 2026
Tangled webs and murder
I loved this installment of the 1920’s historical whodunit series staring Marius Quin and Bella Montague. The book had a layered storyline, an intriguing mystery, and surprising plot twists. Marius Quin is an author of murder mysteries. Lady Bella is one of Marius’ oldest friends who he is secretly in love with. They’ve solved several cases together as amateur detectives helping Scotland Yard Inspector Lovebrook. They are asked by Nerea, Marius’ ex-gf for their help finding the person who brutally attacked a maid while stealing an expensive antique in Cherkley Court where she is the language instructor. In addition to the Lord and Lady of Cherkley Court, all the potential suspects are servants or guests staying there. The vexing investigation leads Bella and Marius to confusion, dead ends, plot twists, secrets, and surprising revelations. The reveal was the best part of this story for me because I had not guessed who the murderer was. There are smaller personal story arcs and social commentary which enrich the main plot line and give the characters even greater dimension. I am enjoying the series and am especially intrigued by the surprise at the book’s end.
I loved this installment of the 1920’s historical whodunit series staring Marius Quin and Bella Montague. The book had a layered storyline, an intriguing mystery, and surprising plot twists. Marius Quin is an author of murder mysteries. Lady Bella is one of Marius’ oldest friends who he is secretly in love with. They’ve solved several cases together as amateur detectives helping Scotland Yard Inspector Lovebrook. They are asked by Nerea, Marius’ ex-gf for their help finding the person who brutally attacked a maid while stealing an expensive antique in Cherkley Court where she is the language instructor. In addition to the Lord and Lady of Cherkley Court, all the potential suspects are servants or guests staying there. The vexing investigation leads Bella and Marius to confusion, dead ends, plot twists, secrets, and surprising revelations. The reveal was the best part of this story for me because I had not guessed who the murderer was. There are smaller personal story arcs and social commentary which enrich the main plot line and give the characters even greater dimension. I am enjoying the series and am especially intrigued by the surprise at the book’s end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have really been enjoying Benedict Brown’s books lately. The Cherkley Court Conundrum is one of hisMarius Quin stories and even if you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series you can catch up with the characters very quickly.
A 1920’s murder story set in a country house is the perfect combination for me. There are a great cast of characters from Marius and his partner Lady Bella to the unlikeable owner of Cherkley Court, Lord Sheridan, his glamorous wife and the trio of artists who are staying at the house. Asked by an ex girlfriend to help when her maid was attacked and a jewellery box stolen, the pair arrive at the Court with what seems like a straightforward case of missing jewels and a missing gardener only to find that it is not an easy case at all especially when murder is involved..
I am such a huge lover of golden age crime stories and it is wonderful that authors like Benedict continue to feed my obsession. I loved it!
A 1920’s murder story set in a country house is the perfect combination for me. There are a great cast of characters from Marius and his partner Lady Bella to the unlikeable owner of Cherkley Court, Lord Sheridan, his glamorous wife and the trio of artists who are staying at the house. Asked by an ex girlfriend to help when her maid was attacked and a jewellery box stolen, the pair arrive at the Court with what seems like a straightforward case of missing jewels and a missing gardener only to find that it is not an easy case at all especially when murder is involved..
I am such a huge lover of golden age crime stories and it is wonderful that authors like Benedict continue to feed my obsession. I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Cherkley Court Conundrum is the first mystery I've read by this author. Whilst I enjoyed the description, the cover appealed, and the reviews I saw prior to choosing it on Netgalley.co.uk seemed favourable, I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped.
The narrative voice of Marius's thoughts became annoying very quickly. The bickering back and forth between him and Bella seemed contrived, and the inclusion of the dog Percy seemed a bit pointless at times.
The plot was thin, and the clues were laid on a bit thick. The characters were not particularly likeable or interesting enough to become memorable once the story was finished.
All in all, I had the killer pretty much in my sights early on, and the "twist" the reviewers hinted at was not so much a surprise as an inevitable conclusion.
Perhaps I'm more familiar with the depth and cunning of Agatha Christie to be impressed by this story. Sadly, it wasn't up to the standard I hoped for.
The narrative voice of Marius's thoughts became annoying very quickly. The bickering back and forth between him and Bella seemed contrived, and the inclusion of the dog Percy seemed a bit pointless at times.
The plot was thin, and the clues were laid on a bit thick. The characters were not particularly likeable or interesting enough to become memorable once the story was finished.
All in all, I had the killer pretty much in my sights early on, and the "twist" the reviewers hinted at was not so much a surprise as an inevitable conclusion.
Perhaps I'm more familiar with the depth and cunning of Agatha Christie to be impressed by this story. Sadly, it wasn't up to the standard I hoped for.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Marius and Bella assist their detective friend once again when a maid is brutally attacked at Cherkley Court. A former love of Marius, Nerea, begs their help since the gardener is the main suspect. Was this a theft gone wrong as a valuable box is missing? As Marius and Bella investigate, they find tangled lives, but no strong motives to accuse anyone. Then another murder occurs and the solution is found.
Marius and Bella are wonderful characters. Marius is deeply in love with Bella, but they are also best friends and work well together to solve crimes. The story is perfect for fans of golden age mysteries.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Marius and Bella are wonderful characters. Marius is deeply in love with Bella, but they are also best friends and work well together to solve crimes. The story is perfect for fans of golden age mysteries.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Intricate web of intrigue, secrets, and lies!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Benedict strikes gold again with this mystery! One interesting note is a passing reference to one of Benedict's characters in another of his series which somehow succeeds in propelling both Marius and that character out of fiction into a measure of reality! Brilliant and creative. There were so many possibilities to select as the murderer ~ so many clues and leads to follow ~ and an excellent climatic conclusion. Additionally, Percy manages to be centre stage in my heart with all his little doggie actions! This mystery is going to be hard to top! Thank you Benedict for yet again delivering an unputdownable tale!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Benedict strikes gold again with this mystery! One interesting note is a passing reference to one of Benedict's characters in another of his series which somehow succeeds in propelling both Marius and that character out of fiction into a measure of reality! Brilliant and creative. There were so many possibilities to select as the murderer ~ so many clues and leads to follow ~ and an excellent climatic conclusion. Additionally, Percy manages to be centre stage in my heart with all his little doggie actions! This mystery is going to be hard to top! Thank you Benedict for yet again delivering an unputdownable tale!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1929. An ex-girlfriend, Nerea Barriuso, of Marius Quin needs his help. A devoted maid has been brutally attacked, and a jewellery box stolen, while the head gardener, has disappeared from the estate of Lord Sheridan. Quin and Lady Bella, arrive at Cherkley Court. Also there is friend Detective Inspector Valentine Lovebrook. But it soon turns into a murder investigation.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its likeable and interesting main characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This series and the Lord Edgington series are outstanding. I love the main characters of Marius, Bella and of course Percy. I find the humor to be dry and witty. Quite British. I never solve the mystery and figure out the murderer. Benedict Brown has a way of transporting the reader through time and history. The endings are always amazing and great cliffhangers. Highly recommend.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing. The Opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing. The Opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a fun read.! A cozy mystery in a series set in the 1920's but each book is standalone.
In this book Marius and the love of his life, Bella along with Marius's dog Percy, are called in to help solve a heinous crime which turns into a double murder at Cherkley Court. There is much humor and sarcasm via Marcus throughout the book making this truly an enjoyable read. There are many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing who the murderer is and I loved it. Also the ending leaves you with a cliff hanger for the next book in the series!
In this book Marius and the love of his life, Bella along with Marius's dog Percy, are called in to help solve a heinous crime which turns into a double murder at Cherkley Court. There is much humor and sarcasm via Marcus throughout the book making this truly an enjoyable read. There are many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing who the murderer is and I loved it. Also the ending leaves you with a cliff hanger for the next book in the series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received as an ARC through Netgalley to read and review, this is an honest review.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the pre-approval to read this book.
Truly a witty, provocative read as readers step into the luxurious estates of wealthy people where their lives were something of a real life fantasy.
Beneath all of that status, dark and dangerous criminals are standing in the shadows, to break the delicate security those of privilege have.
Recommended.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the pre-approval to read this book.
Truly a witty, provocative read as readers step into the luxurious estates of wealthy people where their lives were something of a real life fantasy.
Beneath all of that status, dark and dangerous criminals are standing in the shadows, to break the delicate security those of privilege have.
Recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a thoughtful whodunnit with plenty of twists and turns, The plot combined a murder mystery undertaken at the request of an old flame with a romance. The two detectives were besties as children and a major storyline was whether they would be romantically involved as they set about solving the crime despite the presence of a former girlfriend. There was an interesting plot twist at the end as befits the nature of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I kept thinking I had read it before but if so the ending was changed. Did not matter, I always enjoy reading Benedict Brown’s work. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 26, 2026
This was a whodunit mystery novel set back in the 1920's. It is perfect for those that enjoy Agatha Christie novels. Marius Quin and Lady Bella are the main characters who are very fond of each other. Marius is an author of mystery novels and together with Lady Bella have solved crime investigations.
Nerea Barriuso, an ex-girlfriend of Marius, shows up requesting him to help solve the brutal attack of a maid that resides at Cherkley Court where she is employed. A very valuable jewelry box went missing during the attack. Marius and Lady Bella agree to investigate and set out to Cherkley Court for questioning assisting Scotland Yard Inspector Lovebrook.
They question the wealthy owner, Lord Sheridan, his charming wife, and the three artists that are staying at the house. It is discovered that the gardener has disappeared and noone knows his whereabouts. As the investigation continues, another murder in the home takes place. There are many twists and turns that kept me guessing. Did the gardener do it? Where is he? Who are these artists staying in their home? It was a surprise ending for me that I did not expect. The mystery was entertaining and well-written. I recommend reading this book.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nerea Barriuso, an ex-girlfriend of Marius, shows up requesting him to help solve the brutal attack of a maid that resides at Cherkley Court where she is employed. A very valuable jewelry box went missing during the attack. Marius and Lady Bella agree to investigate and set out to Cherkley Court for questioning assisting Scotland Yard Inspector Lovebrook.
They question the wealthy owner, Lord Sheridan, his charming wife, and the three artists that are staying at the house. It is discovered that the gardener has disappeared and noone knows his whereabouts. As the investigation continues, another murder in the home takes place. There are many twists and turns that kept me guessing. Did the gardener do it? Where is he? Who are these artists staying in their home? It was a surprise ending for me that I did not expect. The mystery was entertaining and well-written. I recommend reading this book.
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews