The Cherkley Court Conundrum

Marius Quin Mystery #7

by Benedict Brown

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Cozy

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2026

About the author

Writing 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.

Reviews

[Vanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: 4 stars!! (The ending was so frustrating!! )
Audio: 5 stars!!

[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brown got me. 100% got me. I was so sure that I was right that my heart actually hurt until the reveal when it sagged. Relieved. Such a good mystery. The only reason it's not a five-star for me is that there were a few parts where I felt like he lost his way. Instead of showing Marius losing HIS way, it kind of felt like Brown did. Did I care? Not really. But it did make for a couple of near-slogs (never really got sloggy!!!). I'd say that those parts felt a bit more like Christopher Prentiss playing Clue (the movie) where the characters all run around to show the "it could've been this way" thing. Weak description, but it's the best that I could come up with while needing some serious sleep.

I love Brown and his mysteries, and this one was excellent. The ending? SERIOUSLY. How could he do that to us!

I can't say much about some of the content that is in this one without huge spoilers and such, but what I can say is that it was tastefully done and without much emphasis or detail for those who prefer books without said content that I can't tell you without spoiling. So that's all you get from me.

[TF · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cherkley Court Conundrum is the seventh book in the author's 'Marius Quin' series. Set in the south of England in the late 1920's, Marius - a mystery novelist - has developed a second career as an amateur sleuth, which takes himself and his childhood friend Bella into some very intriguing situations. In this instance, a figure from Marius' past asks for his help in solving an attempted murder and robbery at their employer's country estate...
I have to admit that I have binge read this series since discovering it on Kindle Unlimited; despite this - and thinking I can spot all the clues - I was totally blindsided when the killer was revealed!
If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries or books by Agatha Christie etc this is the book for you - don't be put off by the fact that it's part of a series, as all the books can be read as stand-alone mysteries. The author definitely gets brownie points from me for all the additional research and information chapters at the back! Enjoy!

[Acantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining Marius mystery.

The start is a little vague, it felt like it took too long for the story to actually properly start. Maybe its because it starts off as investigating a robbery and attack rather than murder. It certainly doesn't help that when it does become a murder, everyone is insistent that there is no motive and no matter what Marius and Bella do, they can't find a wiff of one. It all feels a little vague.

The second half of the book is much better, as the plot comes together really well. There is a tightness and purpose that was lacking and I found myself racing through it. There is also some really gentle but entertaining humour here, never enough to pull you out of the book but enough to make you smile. Such as Percy having a bath or a name that means more than you first think.

The characters were great, there was one who I started off hating and felt very sympathetic towards by the end, they were very well done.

We also see some movement on both of the overarching story threads that have been dangling from the start of this series. Marius and Bella's relationship is explored in some detail here, from the first chapter and a soft 'oh Marius' at his actions, to learning more about each other, to how it ended. I can't say I was thrilled with how Bella reacted to Marius' past but it was also an incredibly human reaction so I can't blame her.

I also really enjoy the author and history notes. These books are very clearly labours of love from the author and his dedication to getting the historical facts are to be commended. As is his obvious delight in sharing some of the random little historical nuggets he has found.

Is this the best written book in the world? No. But is it a highly entertaining one? Yes, very much so. I had such fun reading this, its one of the strongest in the series.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[mo • lesmotsdemo · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Laura McConn · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.5**

The perfect light summer mystery.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would beat nearly to death Lady Sheridan’s maid Penny and steal a valuable box from her boudoir? And who knew that Marius loved someone else besides Bella!? Well this previous lady -love asks for Marius’ help to find the culprit.

[Tzia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marius, Bella, and basset hound Percy are back and looking into a new case - and this one has come to them from an unusual source, Marius' ex-girlfriend Nerea. She's working at Cherkley Court as a language tutor and comes to Marius after one of the maids in the house is attacked and her current squeeze is implicated. The case, though circumstantial, seems pretty clear cut - is there really more to it than there first appears?

I had a lot of fun with this one and it was interesting that it started in such a different way - not only does the case come to Marius via his ex (at a very inopportune moment by the way) but for the longest time there's not actually a clear mystery to solve. Although that slowed the pace of the first half of the book I did appreciate it as a unique approach.

Things quite rapidly gain pace as you get towards the end of the book and although that can be a frustration, it does work on the whole here. Once the conclusion is reached you realise that the book has been tightly plotted, comes together well and has a motive which both makes sense and that the reader has been given enough clues to piece it together even if you only realise it in hindsight.

The characters do genuinely have their own personalities and are distinct from one another and there are a couple of nice scenes where a character has a poignant moment - and because they are all their own distinct people those poignant moments are both memorable and believable. There are also the humorous moments that we've come to know and love from this series - whether it's a suspect bathing the dog or the banter between Bella and Marius.

An unusual feature of these books that I really enjoy has to be the authors notes - I am a history geek, and Benedict Brown clearly is too judging from the amount of research which goes into the settings of his books.

This is such an entertaining book - it's not perfect, it's not a masterpiece but it is almost guaranteed to make you smile and to make you invest in these characters. Cannot wait for the next in the series!

- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -

[Sheri Metzger Karmiol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a reminder of the review you wrote:
The Cherkley Court Conundrum is my first Benedict Brown novel. I quickly realized that Brown has written quite a few mystery novels, and indeed, had written several different series. I was surprised to read that I had missed so many of his novels. Reading mysteries constitutes a large part of my reading life. The Cherkley Court Conundrum is book 7 in the Marius Quin Mystery Books series. I had no problem picking up the characters and their connections to one another. The Cherkley Court Conundrum focuses on the murder of a much loved household servant. The solving of this crime and subsequent crimes tie together nicely. I liked the primary characters, Marius and Bella, and Marius' dog, Percy. A writer can never go wrong with the addition of a dog. A terrier is best if the murder victim is a nicely roasted chicken. But I rather think when it comes to murders that perhaps the hound makes a good addition to the plot. Marius writes mystery novels, which means he has a good head for solving puzzles and mysteries and stringing together clues. Most often Bella and Marius work well together, although not always, but those occasional good guy/bad guy moments are brief.. These characters engage in well-constructed suspect interviews. The clues were effective in keeping readers interested in the story. The Country House Murder Mystery is a favorite trope, and what worked so well for Agatha Christy works quite well for Brown. I am a big fan of the Golden Age Mysteries, and Brown fits that formula quite well. Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ADC. I enjoyed this novel quite a lot, and I do recommend it. And obviously, I am a terrier person, Airedales for the last 35 years. Many a roast chicken has required rescuing. But I definitely liked Percy and how he lightened the tension. in The Cherkley Court Conundrum. 5 stars

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advance reader copy of The Cherkley Court Conundrum. All opinions and comments are my own.

Marcus Quin is ruminating over the events of his “life so far” as his latest fictional adventure begins, realizing that life is going fairly well, as long as Lady Isabella is at his side. And then an old flame shows up to break the spell. Who needs his help getting her “very good friend” out of a theft and assault charge. To get something good to come out of this, Marius and Bella agree to assist Inspector Lovebrook with the case at Cherkley Court. But wait, there’s more….

With Benedict Brown’s adept command of characters along for the ride -- foolish fops, a lady of the manor defying the usual conventions, a brooding butler -- the two amateur detectives traverse their way through a convoluted case of deceit and double-dealings. It does take a while, as Marius does a bit of moaning about his present “lost love,” and explaining why the ex is an ex tends to gets in the way of the story. But that’s all forgiven with our bang-up of an ending, whereby a cunning killer is revealed and once again Marius and Belle can consider themselves really, really clever detectives. Then… no good deed goes unpunished, as Marius finds out to his cost. And if that wasn’t enough, readers get a bang-up of a last page. I hope Mr. Brown is working his fingers to the bone writing the next, as it needs to come out sooner than later!

Do take the time to peruse the Research section at the end of the book. These “what I found out while writing this book” are always fascinating to read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cherkley Court Conundrum by Benedict Brown is a 1920’s British cozy with the primary sleuths being Lady Isabella and Marius Quinn. They have been accosted by a former love of Marius’ who met them at Marius’ front door. It was complicated now. Nerea had left Marius years before for a richer man. For a few months he was broken hearted, but then he returned home. One of the investigations they had undertaken successfully had been the murder of Bella’s fiance. Marius had been in love with Bella for many years and was trying to determine when to make his move, when they got dragged into this crime, ostensibly because Nerea’s beau was the primary suspect and she didn’t believe it. Coincidentally, Valentine Lovebrook, a member of law enforcement was calling Marius to invite Bella and him to assist.

This was a very circular story, well-thought-out, as was the crime. The whole situation was odd. A self-made man who had married the owner’s daughter. A lady of the house who cavorted with “artists” thirty years younger than her. A house full of people who swore the victim was everyone’s favorite. And a suspect who had run. Marius and Bella, as amateur sleuths are able, used connections not available to the police. They thought they had it solved when there was another murder. Bella and Marius are both interesting characters, especially Bella. They were are successful partnership and this was an engaging book.

I was invited to read The Cherkley Court Conundrum by Storm Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StormPublishing #BenedictBrown #TheCherkleyCountConundrum

[CrabbyPatty · Rating 3 out of 5]

At this point in the Marius Quin Mystery series, we've grown accustomed to Lady Bella and Marius Quinn being brought into a murder mystery - usually involving the aristocracy - and solving it after a series of mis-directions and a final big reveal. And this seventh book folds true to that formula.

The case starts with Marius' former girlfriend Nerea asking for help with an incident in Cherkley Court, where she is working as the language mistress to Lord Sheridan's young son. A beloved maid has been bludgeoned, a valuable item has been stolen and the gardener Dennis Apps, whom Nerea is been dating, is missing and believed to be behind the crimes. Once Marius and Bella become involved with the case, there is another murder and now everyone is a suspect.

This book is chock-full of characters - servants as well as an eccentric trio of young artists vying for Lady Sheridan's support of their artistic endeavors - and Marius and Bella slowly work through the case, solving the case in due order (and I will say I was surprised by the conclusion).

And then, we get a big "Wait!! WHAT??" moment. We are left with what looks to be a huge swerve for the next book in the series, as yet unnamed. As always, I appreciate the author's extensive research and his "About this Book" and would honestly enjoy reading an entire book (or two) about the interesting bits of history Benedict Brown has uncovered. However, this book in the series was a miss for me, while I completely understand other readers may feel differently. 3 stars.

I received an ARC from Storm Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

This is one of those series I keep reading with the hope that the author will stop doing the things that I find annoying and then get disappointed when I find that they did not. I really enjoy the mystery parts of every one of these books and I like Marius as character and detective. What I really dislike is his infatuation with Bella. Every time he goes on about how perfect and wonderful she is I roll my eyes. She's a rich, privileged woman who, when you really get down to it, is not always very nice to Marius. She is not really supportive and often makes jokes about him to others or openly laughs at him. She also only wanted to get involved in investigations because she was bored with her life. And she cannot stand when any other woman shows any interest in him. It is also difficult to forget that if they do end up together by the end of the series it is only because her fiancé was murdered. Now, for the mystery, it was another masterfully crafted tangled web of suspects and motives. The big reveal at the end involved some good twists and sort of vindicated Marius's early thoughts on the crime. The author has a gift for murder mysteries, if he could just either make Bella more interesting or Marius less of a lovesick puppy dog the books would be even better. As a final thought, if the next mystery does not involve Marius's father I will be very upset with him - it's time to move that story forward rather than just giving us little flashes to keep our interest.

[John Presler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marius Quin gets a visit from a previous girlfriend, Nerea, who he knew after the war in France. She is asking for his help with investigating a murder at Lord Sheridan's Cherkley Court estate. Nerea also says that her boyfriend, Dennis Apps, has disappeared and she wants Marius to help prove his innocence. Marius also gets a call ffrom Inspector Lovebrook asking for his help with the same case. When they arrive at Cherkley Court, Lord Sheridan seems to be too busy with business to care about anything that is happening there. When speaking with the house staff, Inspector Lovebrook, Marius, and Lady Bella get conflicting stories about the circumstances of the death of the maid and the theft of a jewelry box. When Dennis is found in Scotland, he has a note that was given to him asking him to go there and wait for a package to be delivered. The note is supposedly from Lord Sheridan, but the writing is very sloppy and difficult to determine who actually wrote it. Before Dennis is brought back to Cherkley Court, there is a second murder to investigate. Since Dennis Apps was in transit, he could not be responsible for the second murder.

Who killed Penny Baker, the maid? Who committed the second murder? Are the two murders connected? Why were the people killed? Can Marius, Lady Bella and Inspector Lovebrook unravel the mystery and find the truth?

Benedict Brown has created another wonderful mystery with plenty of lies to unravel in an attempt to expose the truth. This mystery is guaranteed to keep the reader engaged clear to the end.

[Peter Baran · Rating 3 out of 5]

The situation - if I can use that word- in this particular set of period, classic, amateur sleuth, cosy-murders - is that the crimes are solved by crime novelist Marius Quin. So far, so Murder, She Wrote, but the additional wrinkle here is that he is aided by his lost love and old flame, Lady Isabella. And so we get Britain in the 1920's, some posh shenanigans and a slow burning romance between these two characters. We are so far into the series now that Marius and Bella get called up regularly by their pet detective inspector, though this investigation is initially instigated by an old flame of Marius - requiring Benedict Brown to invent a rebound romance between Marius and Bella's first affair and now. A little bit of jealousy stokes the fire of this will-they/won't they romance.

The murder itself is rather contorted, and owes perhaps a bit more to Highsmith than Christie. There is some good Upstairs, Downstairs action and Brown is well aware that his audience knows exactly how country houses operate from Downton Abbey. This allows him to slide in at least three or four motives and red herrings before we get a second murder and the plot literally thickens. This is the second of this series I have read, and whilst it didn't quite have the novelty of the previous (solving the murder of the chairperson of a society of murder fans) this operates well within its genre bounds, with a nice little cliffhanger and a little bit of history for the real Cherkley Court (Lord Beaverbrook's manor).

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tammy Moldovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Julie Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seventh installment in the Marius Quin series is as cozy and entertaining as its predecessors. Mystery novelist Marius Quin and his crime-solving partner, Lady Isabella, are drawn into the brutal murder of a beloved maid at the country estate of a wealthy lord and his noble wife.

What initially seems like a straightforward investigation is actually far more personal. Marius is persuaded to take the case by a former lover, whose new love interest has become the prime suspect and has vanished. Once Marius and Bella arrive at the estate, they discover that nothing is as it first appears.

Brown delivers a classic country-house mystery filled with a number of suspects, well-placed red herrings and a traditional gathering of the suspects for the final reveal. I especially enjoyed learning more about Marius' past, which added depth to his character. Although I correctly guessed the culprit, the solution was far from obvious.

The novel concludes with a cliffhanger that leaves me eager to see where Brown takes the series next. I recommend reading the series in order for the best experience. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. The book will release on July 17.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benedict Brown is a murder mystery writer whose protagonist and amateur sleuth, Marius Quin, writes murder mysteries. In fact, the reader feels a lot of author Brown in his portrayal of Marius. This is the seventh installment of his delightful cosy mystery series where charm and character are on full display. Marius and Bella team up once again to solve a seemingly unsolvable conundrum at Cherkley Court, where a maid has been brutally beaten and a valuable antique stolen.
Brown brings dry wit into his telling despite the seriousness of the crime and Marius and Bella offset each other with an agile and sophisticated repartee, each bringing a different perspective to the situation along with Lovebrook, the stoic, long-suffering inspector.
This is a series I happily recommend because the standalone books don’t stray into repetition of character or plot. The quirky cast of this one seems particularly hard to pull off without resorting to caricature-like stereotypes, but Brown does this with aplomb. We might think these folks oddly eccentric in their interactions and perhaps overblown as aristocrats, but they snugly fit the scenario as Marius and Bella interview one after the other in their own inimitable manner. I heartily recommend this and look forward to the next.

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an old flame brings Marius Quin knowledge of a shocking crime, he and his sleuthing partner, Lady Bella, are drawn into the mysterious attack of a maid, the theft of a valuable jewellery box, and the disappearance of a country estate's head gardener. At Cherkley Court, conflicting stories from the domineering Lord Sheridan, his glamorous wife, their artistic guests, and troubled staff point to the missing gardener, but Marius suspects the truth is far more complicated.

I have really come to love each time Marius Quin’s next adventure pops up. I adore Marius’ sense of humor, and just how hard he works to live up to Lady Bella’s opinion of him. With each adventure, I have enjoyed how his own backstory has unfolded even more and he makes strides towards the overarching mystery.

The mystery kept me guessing. I had my suspicions, but couldn’t quite pin it down. With the reveal at the end, I went “Oh! That makes sense!” Which, in my mind, makes it a book I could easily re-read to look for the clues I missed.

Readers who have enjoyed Marius’ adventures so far will definitely enjoy this one. I received an advance reader copy and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an old flame from Marius Quin’s past turns up at his door with knowledge of a shocking crime, he is drawn into a new case. A devoted maid has been brutally attacked, a valuable jewellery box stolen, and the head gardener has fled from the grand estate where they work. With his sleuthing partner, Lady Bella, alongside him, Marius descends on Cherkley Court, the home of the domineering business magnate Lord Sheridan. Although plenty of evidence points to the missing gardener, Marius isn’t convinced, and his hunch is proven right when the killer strikes again.
The seventh outing for Marius & another well written, entertaining cosy mystery. Strong characters & a well paced story had me reading it in two sittings. I really like the dynamics between Marius & Lady Bella. There are the usual twists, turns & red herrings & I was kept guessing. The denouement was dramatic & satisfying as all the loose ends were tied up. Roll on book eight
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Sue Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brown is improving with each installment of the Marius Quin series. I love the interaction between Marius and Bella, how they encourage, challenge, enjoy, and frustrate each other. They're a great team and I hope they are able to actually get back together again.

The Cherkley Court Conundrum lived up to its name! I think I've been reading too many murder mysteries lately... I thought I knew who it was (suspicious of each new person) but no, I didn't have it sorted this time. Plenty of red herrings and confusion, false starts and failures, but they do end up solving it and justice is served appropriately.

I think the stories are getting longer, which is a nice touch and allows for the story to build (and for more distraction to happen).

The ending is bittersweet on a couple of levels. I really hope that we don't have to wait too long for the next Marius book to be published.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

[Colin Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marius and Lady Bella are asked by an old flame of his to investigate the vicious attack on a maid at a country estate, where her friend was the prime suspect.
Although this is the seventh book in the series this is the first one, and indeed the first by this author, that I have read. Set in the Victorian era it does reflect life in those times as I imagine it, although no doubt I would be one of those below stairs rather than above them. There is much made of the interplay between Marius and Lady Bella, old friends with unresolved issues, as much as the actual investigation, which would have been clearer if I'd read the previous books in the series. The actual investigation is full of twists and turns and revelations, with many suspects possible, and I honestly didn't know the outcome until the final scene revealed all.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

[Noemi Proietti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading the Marius Quin Mystery series since the first book came out and I’ve been enjoying each one of them, completely immersed in the mystery and often laughing out aloud at Marius’s adventures. The Cherkley Court Conundrum is the seventh book in the series and Marius still hasn’t confessed his undying love to his first love and now partner-in-investigation Lady Bella Montague, there are still a couple of mysteries to solve from the previous books, i.e. his father’s disappearance and the murder of Bella’s fiance, and his dog Percy still shows more loyalty to strangers than to him.

The story opens with Marius and Bella’s lovely evening together being interrupted by the arrival of a woman from Marius’s past who asks for their help in solving the brutal attack on a maid at Cherkley Court, the immense estate where she works as a tutor. Also asking for their help is their friend, Inspector Lovebrook, who finds the case quite confusing.

The mystery is quite engaging and fast-paced. There are twists and turns, everything seems laid out perfectly and then something happens that put everything on the table and Marius and Bella will have to interrogate a cast of interesting characters, from the unusual lady of the house to the three artists she is hosting, from the arrogant owner of the house to the suspicious staff.

The Cherkley Court Conundrum is yet another charming and enjoyable addition to this fantastic series and I am already looking forward to the next one!

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an old flame from Marius Quin’s past turns up at his door with knowledge of a shocking crime, he is drawn into a new case. A devoted maid has been brutally attacked, a valuable jewelry box stolen, and the head gardener has fled from the grand estate where they work. Marius and Lady Bella work with multiple clues and suspects at first taking them in several directions. Lady Bella is the calm aristocratic influence and Marius at time is the leap first and ask questions later! The story ends on a cliffhanger and you will never guess who the culprits are. It gets more complicated when there are two murders. You start to wrap your head around why there is the first then there is a second. Nonstop action until the very end! This my first foray into this series and I was not completely lost at all! I received a copy from Netgalley for my unbiased review!