Eigentlich wollte Honey Driver, Hotelbesitzerin aus Bath, das vornehme Landhaus Cobden Manor kaufen und zu einem Hotel umbauen lassen. Aber nachdem sie die Leiche der Fernsehmoderatorin Arabella Neville im Kamin des schönen Anwesens gefunden hat, verzichtet sie gern darauf. Sie muss jetzt auch erst mal den Mörder von Arabella finden. Und da ist nicht nur der Ehemann des Fernsehstars verdächtig. Die launische Arabella hatte unzählige Neider und Feinde. Natürlich steht Honey wie immer das charmante Raubein Chief Inspector Steve Doherty tatkräftig zur Seite.
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*
I started this series at book 3 and have loved every book since then. I love Julia Bird as our amateur sleuth to take us through the twists and turns of each case. The ongoing joke involving the tomatoes was also a nice break from the more serious parts involving the murders. It is also nice to see that the author has allowed the supporting characters to grow and develop throughout the series as well. The mystery here is a good one and offers up a handful of suspects who all would have had their reasons for committing the crimes. The alibi for one of the suspects offered another bit of humor to offset what was going in the investigation. The big reveal was a bit of a surprise; I like that the author usually has us discover the killer's identity at the same time Julia does (unlike some where the lead character has it suddenly pop into their head and the readers feel silly as the killer's identify is revealed based on something known only to that character). I also like that Hayley Gibson has pretty much resigned herself to the fact that Julia will get involved in these investigations and does often find worthwhile leads.
DNF at 21%. So boring. Nothing is happening apart from 'house shopping' and the explanation of its decorations. I honestly couldn't care less. I wanna read a murder mystery, not two big long chapters about a house! I recommend A Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series as it's much more entertaining.
I love a great mystery that actually works the crime. The thought process that goes into solving the murders through the clues and the human interest story behind each character is excellent.
Another book I was not disappointed in. The author had me constantly guessing the murderer was and was not. The characters were as usual smart. Can't wait for next book.
All the books in this series are entertaining with engaging characters. Bath is well described and really comes to life. On the down side, each book could benefit from thorough copy editing specifically around the narrative timelines.
The readers of this book have told me that it is about, Selling the Green River Hotel and relocating to the country seems a good idea at the time - that is until Honey is given a guided tour of a country mansion suitable for conversion. Old houses for such purposes are usually better without bodies stuffed up the chimney. The fact that she comes this close to a murder is quite off putting. So, should she press ahead, or stick to the job in hand? Doherty is on hand of course as the world of a TV diva and up market estate agents is laid bare. And by the looks of things it seems like great book to read.