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Murder on Location #3
Death in a Stately Home
Good houseguests don’t get accused of murder…
Kate Sharp loves the perks of her location scout profession. When she fills in for a researcher at a Regency-themed English house party, she’s looking forward to indulging in the posh atmosphere of tea on the lawn and elegant candlelight dinners, but when a guest is murdered in a locked room, Kate becomes the prime suspect.
As she turns her attention to the guests, the staff, and the owners, Kate must unlock the mystery and uncover the murderer before she’s arrested for a crime she didn’t commit.
Death in a Stately Home is the third installment in the Murder on Location collection, a series of British cozy mysteries. If you love engaging characters, compelling British detective mysteries, the works of Jane Austen, and vivid locations that transport you to another place, then you’ll love Sara Rosett’s latest whodunit.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2015
650 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Sara Rosett
48 books1,660 followersUSA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, fun characters, and puzzling whodunits.
She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as three contemporary cozy series, the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery.
Publishers Weekly called Sara's books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more at SaraRosett.com.
She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as three contemporary cozy series, the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery.
Publishers Weekly called Sara's books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport and considers dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more at SaraRosett.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
March 16, 2024
Great book! This book is the 3rd book in the "Murder on Location" series, and it's my favorite one so far.
November 25, 2018
Death in a Stately Home by Sara Rosett is the third book in the Murder on Location series and again another intriguing mystery. Kate continues with Alex working for the tv documentary production on Jane Austen's life. This time she is assigned to attend a Regency house party weekend for research. Kate's thrilled to be staying at the beautiful home until a murder occurs in a locked room. There's actually two mysteries to be solved in this one and Kate has her hands full as another guest at this party accuses her of being the murderer. The narrator did an excellent job with this story.
September 8, 2019
Kate Sharp is asked to fill in for the production researcher and attend Parkview Hall's Regency weekend event. Kate is sort of secretly thrilled to dress up in Regency clothes and experience something similar to that which Jane Austen would have known but the timing is bad. Alex's sister Grace has just returned from boarding school for the weekend and Alex is anxious for Grace and Kate to get to know each other. Kate becomes grateful for the excuse of the house party to allow the surly tween time alone with her big brother while Kate figures out what to do about Grace. Then Kate is approached by Beatrice with a problem. An internet troll has been leaving horrible reviews and photos on their website leading people to believe Sir Harold is an awful person. Beatrice is positive the author of the poison pen comments, as she calls them, is one of their staff and she wants Kate to see if she can detect any little somethings that may give away the identity of the troll. It's a tall order but Kate promises to try. Before she can solve the mystery, one of the guests ends up dead in their own, locked bedroom. Worse- the bedroom is next to Kate's with a balcony and someone is accusing Kate of being the killer. Beatrice knows Kate didn't do it but she's worried someone meant to kill Sir Harold or at least give the Hall some seriously negative publicity. Can Kate solve both mysteries and clear her own name?
These stories keep improving but the author needs to fine tune her research skills. Nether Woodmore is apparently located in Derbyshire. The author was inspired by Chatsworth, home of the Duke of Devonshire. The home of a Duke is far more grand than the home of a baronet like Sir Harold. Researchers say Chatsworth is more grand than even Pemberley and I get the impression Sir Harold is the country squire and would go in more for hunting lodge chic than ducal stately decor. The author seems to have drawn inspiration for the cottages from the Cotswolds. I wouldn't have mashed together two very distinct regions in England. I'm sure the architectural styles of Devonshire are different from those in the south. These details matter. At least the author did do some research on Regency house parties even if the characters choose not to participate in the formalities.
The mystery itself isn't difficult to guess. I knew who the troll was right away. It was obvious. I also figured out who and how the killer operated but the story was so full of twists and turns that I was not positive, especially when the clues did not point in that direction.
I'm liking Kate now she's more settled. My only real complaint is that she tends to notice REALLY obscure details no one, not even the police notice, and put together the pieces of the mystery. Yes that's the way the genre works but in this real world setting it seems a bit weird. Alex has grown on me. He's a great guy trying to do what's best for his sister but not understanding tween girl at all. He's the modern parallel to Mr. Darcy raising his younger sister and doting on her but needing a feminine mind to tell him what it's like to be a girl. I have no doubt Elizabeth will be an excellent sister to Georgiana and I think Kate and Grace will become friends. They seem to have something in common. Grace is a typical 12-year-old girl. Sometimes she's snarky and rude and other times she's funny. I think, at first, Grace resents Kate's intrusion into her brother's life, worries that Kate will come between them or ruin Grace's perfect living arrangement. She's hard to like at first but her enthusiasm and eagerness to help solve the locked room mystery made her grow on me. Like Kate, she loves a good mystery and has a keen mind.
DCI Quimby is not available for this investigation so the police send DCI Hopkins instead. He doesn't seem as thorough as Quimby or as tough but he isn't stupid. Hopkins sizes up Kate well.
Beatrice is once again awesome! NOTHING seems to rattle her. Her main concern is for her husband. She doesn't want people thinking badly of him because of a few pictures taken from odd angles or at the worst time. Bea also cares about her home, the business and the village and wants to make sure everyone is taken care of. Sir Harold is a dear. He may be a bit vague but he has his moments and Sir Harold really surprised me at the end. Their staff is very dedicated to staying in Regency character. I would be impressed! Thomas the footman is the best at not breaking character. He's silent and hard working. Waverly, the butler, is not a regular member of the staff but he too works hard to be the omniscient, efficient butler. The female staff are less about the Regency period and more into modern life. The only Regency maid we meet is Ella, a wannabe actress from the village. She has a hard time sticking to her role but to be fair, the guests were difficult and it was an upsetting weekend. Holly, the Parkview Hall publicity director is strictly modern help. She's always on her phone and seems to have secrets. I think she's hard to get to know. Mrs. King is the most scary housekeeper. She's efficient and unperturbed, even by murder. I wouldn't want to cross her.
The guests are not a pleasant lot. Are they who they say they are? Mrs. and Mrs. Jay Funderberg are visiting from Florida. Jay is not into the Regency period thing at all and is so sports obsessed he can't detach from his devices lest he miss part of a baseball game. She's friendly enough but I'm not sure I like her. Beth Coleson is one of the more annoying guests. She's planning her wedding and doesn't stop reminding people OVER AND OVER. She's only just a tiny bit obsessed with her wedding... just a bit... Her bridesmaids are more sensible. Amanda is the most down-to-earth and I really like her. Torrie is more sarcastic but friendly and nice. I had a hard time remembering who was who of these ladies. Audrey is a woman after Kate's own heart. She has a lovely collection of Regency dresses but other than that I can't say we get to know her. She's difficult to remember. Her husband, Simon, is a very weird guy. He's interested in "preparedness" which implies he's some sort of doomsday conspiracy theorist or something. He's not too intelligent. I think he's crazy and don't like him much. Michael Jaffrey could be the most appealing guest. He's a quiet, nervous butterfly scholar but he may be hiding something.
The main action focuses on two specific guests, married couple Mr. and Mrs. Toby Clay. He sounds like a sleaze and is horrible, cruel, vindictive and mean. It is no surprise he ends up dead. Good riddance to him! Monique is his trophy wife. She comes across as shallow, interested only in clothes and only modern designer clothes at that. She is also horrid, snobby, rude, mean and bratty.
I am really into this series now. I can't wait to read the next one. In fact, I binge read Death in an Elegant City already because I love Bath! Review coming up in a little while.
These stories keep improving but the author needs to fine tune her research skills. Nether Woodmore is apparently located in Derbyshire. The author was inspired by Chatsworth, home of the Duke of Devonshire. The home of a Duke is far more grand than the home of a baronet like Sir Harold. Researchers say Chatsworth is more grand than even Pemberley and I get the impression Sir Harold is the country squire and would go in more for hunting lodge chic than ducal stately decor. The author seems to have drawn inspiration for the cottages from the Cotswolds. I wouldn't have mashed together two very distinct regions in England. I'm sure the architectural styles of Devonshire are different from those in the south. These details matter. At least the author did do some research on Regency house parties even if the characters choose not to participate in the formalities.
The mystery itself isn't difficult to guess. I knew who the troll was right away. It was obvious. I also figured out who and how the killer operated but the story was so full of twists and turns that I was not positive, especially when the clues did not point in that direction.
I'm liking Kate now she's more settled. My only real complaint is that she tends to notice REALLY obscure details no one, not even the police notice, and put together the pieces of the mystery. Yes that's the way the genre works but in this real world setting it seems a bit weird. Alex has grown on me. He's a great guy trying to do what's best for his sister but not understanding tween girl at all. He's the modern parallel to Mr. Darcy raising his younger sister and doting on her but needing a feminine mind to tell him what it's like to be a girl. I have no doubt Elizabeth will be an excellent sister to Georgiana and I think Kate and Grace will become friends. They seem to have something in common. Grace is a typical 12-year-old girl. Sometimes she's snarky and rude and other times she's funny. I think, at first, Grace resents Kate's intrusion into her brother's life, worries that Kate will come between them or ruin Grace's perfect living arrangement. She's hard to like at first but her enthusiasm and eagerness to help solve the locked room mystery made her grow on me. Like Kate, she loves a good mystery and has a keen mind.
DCI Quimby is not available for this investigation so the police send DCI Hopkins instead. He doesn't seem as thorough as Quimby or as tough but he isn't stupid. Hopkins sizes up Kate well.
Beatrice is once again awesome! NOTHING seems to rattle her. Her main concern is for her husband. She doesn't want people thinking badly of him because of a few pictures taken from odd angles or at the worst time. Bea also cares about her home, the business and the village and wants to make sure everyone is taken care of. Sir Harold is a dear. He may be a bit vague but he has his moments and Sir Harold really surprised me at the end. Their staff is very dedicated to staying in Regency character. I would be impressed! Thomas the footman is the best at not breaking character. He's silent and hard working. Waverly, the butler, is not a regular member of the staff but he too works hard to be the omniscient, efficient butler. The female staff are less about the Regency period and more into modern life. The only Regency maid we meet is Ella, a wannabe actress from the village. She has a hard time sticking to her role but to be fair, the guests were difficult and it was an upsetting weekend. Holly, the Parkview Hall publicity director is strictly modern help. She's always on her phone and seems to have secrets. I think she's hard to get to know. Mrs. King is the most scary housekeeper. She's efficient and unperturbed, even by murder. I wouldn't want to cross her.
The guests are not a pleasant lot. Are they who they say they are? Mrs. and Mrs. Jay Funderberg are visiting from Florida. Jay is not into the Regency period thing at all and is so sports obsessed he can't detach from his devices lest he miss part of a baseball game. She's friendly enough but I'm not sure I like her. Beth Coleson is one of the more annoying guests. She's planning her wedding and doesn't stop reminding people OVER AND OVER. She's only just a tiny bit obsessed with her wedding... just a bit... Her bridesmaids are more sensible. Amanda is the most down-to-earth and I really like her. Torrie is more sarcastic but friendly and nice. I had a hard time remembering who was who of these ladies. Audrey is a woman after Kate's own heart. She has a lovely collection of Regency dresses but other than that I can't say we get to know her. She's difficult to remember. Her husband, Simon, is a very weird guy. He's interested in "preparedness" which implies he's some sort of doomsday conspiracy theorist or something. He's not too intelligent. I think he's crazy and don't like him much. Michael Jaffrey could be the most appealing guest. He's a quiet, nervous butterfly scholar but he may be hiding something.
The main action focuses on two specific guests, married couple Mr. and Mrs. Toby Clay. He sounds like a sleaze and is horrible, cruel, vindictive and mean. It is no surprise he ends up dead. Good riddance to him! Monique is his trophy wife. She comes across as shallow, interested only in clothes and only modern designer clothes at that. She is also horrid, snobby, rude, mean and bratty.
I am really into this series now. I can't wait to read the next one. In fact, I binge read Death in an Elegant City already because I love Bath! Review coming up in a little while.
April 28, 2025
I really enjoy this series with it's overall love of Jane Austen. Like the coziness of the location. Mystery always keeps me guessing. Also they're not super long. You can finish in a couple of days.
February 18, 2022
A good "read," an entertaining story with enough realistic elements to make it believable. I especially liked the stately home and the interesting characters who came to attend the Regency-themed party, a party that included a death. Heroine Kate Sharp uses her amateur detecting skills to discover what's behind the incident.
The narrator was excellent for Kate and other female voices, but very poor with the male voices. They all sounded the same, and it spoiled the uniqueness of some of the characters.
My disappointment is with the presentation, not the story itself. I will continue to read Sara Rosett's stories.
The narrator was excellent for Kate and other female voices, but very poor with the male voices. They all sounded the same, and it spoiled the uniqueness of some of the characters.
My disappointment is with the presentation, not the story itself. I will continue to read Sara Rosett's stories.
February 26, 2023
This is the third entry in the cozy mystery Death on Location series featuring Kate Sharp, an American who has relocated to a small town in England to work as a location scout for a Jane Austen documentary series.
As the book opens Kate is waiting with her lover Alex for his young sister (and ward) to arrive. Alex assures Kate that his sister will adore her, but it’s clear that’s not the case. Before things get too difficult, Kate’s boss insists Kate spend the weekend at a local estate for a Regency-themed house party. Kate’s job is to figure out if the film company could use the house-party idea for an episode. The location is posh, Regency clothes are provided. What’s not to love?
Then, shortly after her arrival at the estate, the owner of the estate (and a previous acquaintance of Kate) asks for Kate’s help with a series nasty comments they estate has received on its social media accounts. Soon, Kate is trying to learn more about the other guests and staff. Many are clearly not what they seem. And then, of course, there’s a murder.
I love a historical house party murder mystery, and this was a fun take on one, set in contemporary times, but with people dressed in Regency era clothes. There were many possible suspects both for the poison pen letters and the murder, but I was happy with the eventual solution.
I like the addition of Alex’s sister Grace this time, and hope she pops up in future episodes. Alex didn’t play much of a role in this mystery, and I hope to see him have more of a part in the next episode. Despite some minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to more in the series.
As the book opens Kate is waiting with her lover Alex for his young sister (and ward) to arrive. Alex assures Kate that his sister will adore her, but it’s clear that’s not the case. Before things get too difficult, Kate’s boss insists Kate spend the weekend at a local estate for a Regency-themed house party. Kate’s job is to figure out if the film company could use the house-party idea for an episode. The location is posh, Regency clothes are provided. What’s not to love?
Then, shortly after her arrival at the estate, the owner of the estate (and a previous acquaintance of Kate) asks for Kate’s help with a series nasty comments they estate has received on its social media accounts. Soon, Kate is trying to learn more about the other guests and staff. Many are clearly not what they seem. And then, of course, there’s a murder.
I love a historical house party murder mystery, and this was a fun take on one, set in contemporary times, but with people dressed in Regency era clothes. There were many possible suspects both for the poison pen letters and the murder, but I was happy with the eventual solution.
I like the addition of Alex’s sister Grace this time, and hope she pops up in future episodes. Alex didn’t play much of a role in this mystery, and I hope to see him have more of a part in the next episode. Despite some minor quibbles, I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to more in the series.
January 15, 2025
These are light & entertaining cozy mysteries with an American in England. Kate is a location scout now living in a small village & in a relationship with the fellow location scout she met in the first book. Kate is invited to a Jane Austen weekend at the local manor house to help the lady of the manor solve some mysterious communications, but is then in the middle of a murder.
November 11, 2018
rather 3.5/5 - this is the best of the 3 instalments I've read until now - the plot is excellent, with a subplot on the poison pen mails - the Regency atmosphere for clothes and staging was quite nice to read as well - I hope the other books keep the same pace
May 5, 2023
Another fun Sara Rosett mystery in the form of a “locked room” mystery. I love to figure out who is going to die… and why. Bad things keep happening to Kate Sharp but she is quite sharp and gets the mystery solved before the local police every time! Can’t wait to read the next installment.
March 24, 2021
My favorite part was when Henry VIII came in eating a huge turkey leg
June 20, 2024
Another good cozy mystery. And even better- no constant talking about Jane Austen!
January 27, 2025
It was a good short read, I like Kate more now than I did in the first book. She's grown on me I think. It follows the same formula (intro, crime, dci, investigate, find culprit within 2 days, all done) as the rest of the books, which is fine, you know what's coming.
June 10, 2020
A very nice addition to the series. Very charming setting. It is fun getting to know the characters.
June 11, 2022
Great vacation read - enjoyed the characters and the mystery
September 1, 2021
I loved, loved, loved this book! Kate Sharp is looking forward to a quiet weekend with Alex, her boyfriend, and his 12-year old sister who is coming home during her boarding school break. Alex has custody of Grace after issues during their parents' divorce. However, Kate gets a phone call from Elsie asking her to go to the Parkview Regency Weekend instead and cover it for their upcoming documentary on Jane Austen. And Kate gets a couple of messages from Beatrice the Lady of Parkview Manor who needs her help.
Kate makes her apologies to Alex, especially when it seems like Grace would rather spend time alone with her brother, and heads to Parkview. She finds out from Beatrice that someone is posting attacks on Parkview Manor, and Sir Harold on the couple's social media accounts. Beatrice realizes from the posted pictures that whoever is behind the campaign must be on staff and asks Kate to look into it. Kate accepts the assignment.
Kate also meets the other guests for the weekend - a bridal party who booked the weekend so they can plan the bride's wedding, a young man who is researching a book on butterflies, and Victorian butterfly collectors/collections who want to research the collection at Parkview, a wealthy couple - he's a corporate bigwig and she's a spoiled socialite who was always in the tabloids before they married, and Jo and Simon - both of whom turn out to be hiding who they really are.
When the corporate bigwig is murdered overnight, Kate is embroiled in another mystery.
The first morning of the Regency Weekend Kate is awakened when by a very upset maid, Ella. Kate checks it out and discovers that Toby Clay the corporate CEO is dead and his wife Monique is still asleep beside him. Soon guests are milling around and the police are called. But who killed Toby when the room door was locked? Ella, the maid, had to unlock it to enter the room. And the glass door to the balcony is also locked.
Kate begins to investigate not only who is posting hateful messages on Parkview's social media websites - but who killed Toby Clay. Kate returns to her room in the afternoon only to be assaulted by Simon. Simon accuses her of murdering Toby, even though Kate didn't even know him and had never met him before this weekend. He threatens her with a taser and demands the police arrest her. He also claims to be a PI hired by Sir Harold. Kate points out that Beatrice (aka Lady Stone, Harold's wife) asked her to look into the social media attacks. Fortunately, the DCI on the case believes Kate and thinks Simon's wild stories and accusations are just that - wild fantasies.
Kate continues to look into things and does discover who on the staff is sending the "poison pen" letters and why. Beatrice explains to the young woman that she and Sir Harold did not kick her grandmother out of one of the cottages on their property that they turned into vacation cottages. They actually paid the woman quite a lot of money. However, she was then taken advantage of by a con artist who stole everything from her. Even then Sir and Lady Stone had offered her the cottage back and the old woman refused. The young staffer is agast and even apologizes for her behavior.
Kate meanwhile has called Alex a few times to see how his weekend with his young sister Grace is doing. It seems okay, though Grace is a bit moody. Also, the weather turns nasty with a lot of rain which makes outdoor activities difficult. In the middle of a heavy thunderstorm, Grace shows up at Parkview. She's soaking wet and upset. Grace explains she decided to go to Parkview after all and got caught in the rain. Kate takes care of her, drying her off with towels and having Ella find her some dry clothes. Kate calls Alex to tell him Grace is at Parkview and reaches a panicking Alex who says Grace has disappeared. However, before Alex can get to Parkview the river floods the bridge, and Parkview is cut off. Kate tells Alex she will look after Grace. The DCI is also not at Parkview at the moment because he's dealing with the aftermath of finding the person responsible for the social media attacks on Sir Harold. So now, Kate and Grace are trapped in a country house after a murder.
Grace, however, loves it - feeling like she's in an Agatha Christie novel come to life. Slowly, secrets are revealed - we find out who Jo really is. Simon claims to be a PI. Grace discovers the guy writing the book on butterflies isn't who he said he was either. Grace also helps Kate figure out who else was in Toby's bedroom the night of the murder and how they entered a locked room. Finally, it's Kate who figures out who the murderer is and they are turned over to the police.
I loved this book. Kate, Grace, Beatrice, and Alex are great characters - but the guest characters in the book are awesome too, especially Ella, the maid (who had worked at the local pub but was aspiring to be an actress and figured a weekend of historical reenactment would be good practice). The story combines a classic locked-room mystery - with some great reveals and a classic manor house mystery. I loved how the weather and rising river wear woven into the story so it didn't seem like a convenient shock when Parkview was cut off. And the final solving of the actual murder was good too. Plus, as in all good mysteries - everyone has their secrets, all of which are revealed. I highly recommend this series and Death in a Stately Home in particular. I've ordered the rest of the series and I'm eager to read them all!
Kate makes her apologies to Alex, especially when it seems like Grace would rather spend time alone with her brother, and heads to Parkview. She finds out from Beatrice that someone is posting attacks on Parkview Manor, and Sir Harold on the couple's social media accounts. Beatrice realizes from the posted pictures that whoever is behind the campaign must be on staff and asks Kate to look into it. Kate accepts the assignment.
Kate also meets the other guests for the weekend - a bridal party who booked the weekend so they can plan the bride's wedding, a young man who is researching a book on butterflies, and Victorian butterfly collectors/collections who want to research the collection at Parkview, a wealthy couple - he's a corporate bigwig and she's a spoiled socialite who was always in the tabloids before they married, and Jo and Simon - both of whom turn out to be hiding who they really are.
When the corporate bigwig is murdered overnight, Kate is embroiled in another mystery.
The first morning of the Regency Weekend Kate is awakened when by a very upset maid, Ella. Kate checks it out and discovers that Toby Clay the corporate CEO is dead and his wife Monique is still asleep beside him. Soon guests are milling around and the police are called. But who killed Toby when the room door was locked? Ella, the maid, had to unlock it to enter the room. And the glass door to the balcony is also locked.
Kate begins to investigate not only who is posting hateful messages on Parkview's social media websites - but who killed Toby Clay. Kate returns to her room in the afternoon only to be assaulted by Simon. Simon accuses her of murdering Toby, even though Kate didn't even know him and had never met him before this weekend. He threatens her with a taser and demands the police arrest her. He also claims to be a PI hired by Sir Harold. Kate points out that Beatrice (aka Lady Stone, Harold's wife) asked her to look into the social media attacks. Fortunately, the DCI on the case believes Kate and thinks Simon's wild stories and accusations are just that - wild fantasies.
Kate continues to look into things and does discover who on the staff is sending the "poison pen" letters and why. Beatrice explains to the young woman that she and Sir Harold did not kick her grandmother out of one of the cottages on their property that they turned into vacation cottages. They actually paid the woman quite a lot of money. However, she was then taken advantage of by a con artist who stole everything from her. Even then Sir and Lady Stone had offered her the cottage back and the old woman refused. The young staffer is agast and even apologizes for her behavior.
Kate meanwhile has called Alex a few times to see how his weekend with his young sister Grace is doing. It seems okay, though Grace is a bit moody. Also, the weather turns nasty with a lot of rain which makes outdoor activities difficult. In the middle of a heavy thunderstorm, Grace shows up at Parkview. She's soaking wet and upset. Grace explains she decided to go to Parkview after all and got caught in the rain. Kate takes care of her, drying her off with towels and having Ella find her some dry clothes. Kate calls Alex to tell him Grace is at Parkview and reaches a panicking Alex who says Grace has disappeared. However, before Alex can get to Parkview the river floods the bridge, and Parkview is cut off. Kate tells Alex she will look after Grace. The DCI is also not at Parkview at the moment because he's dealing with the aftermath of finding the person responsible for the social media attacks on Sir Harold. So now, Kate and Grace are trapped in a country house after a murder.
Grace, however, loves it - feeling like she's in an Agatha Christie novel come to life. Slowly, secrets are revealed - we find out who Jo really is. Simon claims to be a PI. Grace discovers the guy writing the book on butterflies isn't who he said he was either. Grace also helps Kate figure out who else was in Toby's bedroom the night of the murder and how they entered a locked room. Finally, it's Kate who figures out who the murderer is and they are turned over to the police.
I loved this book. Kate, Grace, Beatrice, and Alex are great characters - but the guest characters in the book are awesome too, especially Ella, the maid (who had worked at the local pub but was aspiring to be an actress and figured a weekend of historical reenactment would be good practice). The story combines a classic locked-room mystery - with some great reveals and a classic manor house mystery. I loved how the weather and rising river wear woven into the story so it didn't seem like a convenient shock when Parkview was cut off. And the final solving of the actual murder was good too. Plus, as in all good mysteries - everyone has their secrets, all of which are revealed. I highly recommend this series and Death in a Stately Home in particular. I've ordered the rest of the series and I'm eager to read them all!
May 27, 2018
I love the recurring characters, and the actual murder mystery was solid. However, there were several typos that I caught, in an *audiobook*. You’d think the narrator or the director would fix those. Also, parts of the mystery were way over the top.
May 17, 2022
Very Charming and brilliant
This is an amazing book. It turned out to be quite an awesome thriller and I kept on turning pages, anticipating what would happen next. A brilliant concept and a novel idea. Kudos to Author Sara Rosett for coming up with such a wonderful, exciting thriller with plenty of twists and turns and a climax that would completely knock you off.
Kate Sharp works as a location scout for Ellise who produces TV documentary series. Her boyfriend, Alex, is expecting his kid sister, Grace, on a vacation, and introduce her to Kate. Initially, Grace is a bit cold towards Kate and the latter doesn't want to create a rift between the siblings.
It's precisely at this moment that her boss, Ellise, asks her to visit a Regency themed English House Party hosted by Lady Beatrice and Sir Harold Stone. Meanwhile, Beatrice also seeks her help to find out who has been sending hate mails to her and Harold.
Kate mingles with the guests and keeps an eye on the staff working in the Parkview Hall, where the party is being hosted because Beatrice fears that hatemonger must be one of the staff members who clicked controversial pictures. She meets, Beth, the bride, and her friends, Amanda and Torrie Peters, Simon Page and his wife, Audrey, the rich business tycoon, Toby and Monique Clay, Michael Jaffery, and Mr. And Mrs. Fundenberg.
Unfortunately, Toby gets killed, and Simon points the finger at Kate whose hairpin was found in Toby's Balcony, insisting that she might be the prime suspect. Kate has two mysteries to solve, flush out the one who has been tarnishing Harold's reputation by sending hate mails and find out the real killer before she gets arrested or killed. There are plenty of surprises in store and this is a book that you could hardly put down.
Highly recommended for reading. It's more than five-star ratings for this one.
This is an amazing book. It turned out to be quite an awesome thriller and I kept on turning pages, anticipating what would happen next. A brilliant concept and a novel idea. Kudos to Author Sara Rosett for coming up with such a wonderful, exciting thriller with plenty of twists and turns and a climax that would completely knock you off.
Kate Sharp works as a location scout for Ellise who produces TV documentary series. Her boyfriend, Alex, is expecting his kid sister, Grace, on a vacation, and introduce her to Kate. Initially, Grace is a bit cold towards Kate and the latter doesn't want to create a rift between the siblings.
It's precisely at this moment that her boss, Ellise, asks her to visit a Regency themed English House Party hosted by Lady Beatrice and Sir Harold Stone. Meanwhile, Beatrice also seeks her help to find out who has been sending hate mails to her and Harold.
Kate mingles with the guests and keeps an eye on the staff working in the Parkview Hall, where the party is being hosted because Beatrice fears that hatemonger must be one of the staff members who clicked controversial pictures. She meets, Beth, the bride, and her friends, Amanda and Torrie Peters, Simon Page and his wife, Audrey, the rich business tycoon, Toby and Monique Clay, Michael Jaffery, and Mr. And Mrs. Fundenberg.
Unfortunately, Toby gets killed, and Simon points the finger at Kate whose hairpin was found in Toby's Balcony, insisting that she might be the prime suspect. Kate has two mysteries to solve, flush out the one who has been tarnishing Harold's reputation by sending hate mails and find out the real killer before she gets arrested or killed. There are plenty of surprises in store and this is a book that you could hardly put down.
Highly recommended for reading. It's more than five-star ratings for this one.
October 12, 2022
I got this book (book 3) for free on Kindle and it was better than a boatload of other indie books. I'm always looking for a mystery author that I can wholeheartedly recommend. The writing was so much better than I could have hoped. I would read another by this author, though maybe not this series as contemporary mystery is not particularly my cup of tea regardless if it has regency undertones or not. SPOILER: the mystery itself left something to be desired, which is a large part of finding books to recommend, isn't it? The clues and suspects and mysterious circumstances were all fine, and even the solution I could live with, though I thought the explanation about the criminal was a little lame. But the part that spoiled this book for me was the explanations for the other suspects' shifty behaviors. One character in particular who had placed themselves in a suspicious position, went to unbelievable lengths and got away with it. It was completely contrived just to create a red herring. Then I learned the author actually planned to make that suspect the guilty party and changed her mind during the writing. Yeah. Should have stuck with the original plan or changed the details, because proving them innocent was much harder to believe than proving them guilty and much more satisfying to the reader than the actual murderer's details. That part just didn't work for me and it kind of soured me for the remaining pages. Mercifully, it was a brief hop from there to the end. So, I have hope for this author. It may have simply been a matter of bad judgement. And as an indie author—lack of objective editorial advice. Looking forward to trying her historical series.
August 27, 2021
Kate Sharp is invited at the last minute to take part in a Regency weekend at Parkview, the stately home outside of Nether Woodsmoor. She had been hoping to spend her free weekend with Alex Norcutt as they explore their budding relationship, but his 12-year-old sister is visiting him while on a break from boarding school and as soon at they meet, Kate knows she must go slowly in getting to know Grace if the girl is to accept her as Alex’s girlfriend. Plus, she is intrigued by the possibility of actually dressing in authentic Regency clothing, eating authentic meals and otherwise immersing herself in the world of 1810! But on the first night in the house, another of the guests is murdered in his sleep and Kate quickly becomes the prime suspect, seeing as how the man’s bedroom was locked and the only way in was via the balcony, a balcony adjacent to the one leading to Kate’s bedroom…. I quite like this cozy series, of which “Death in a Stately Home” is the third: it’s set in the beautiful English countryside, complete with quaint village and villagers, and the main characters are believable and likable. It’s clear that Ms. Rosett has done her research, both into the Regency period, the works of Jane Austen and the workings of a small village that is somewhat, but not entirely, dependent on tourism for its living. And the addition of 12-year-old Grace, at least for this novel, was quite delightful! Recommended.
May 7, 2025
3.75* - Another excellent cosy crime in this series
I very much enjoyed this third offering in this series. The series is maturing well and the characters are becoming book-friends. The character of Beatrice is excellent and the 12 year old Grace was very well portrayed. Children are not always good in books either being over- or under-adult in their behaviour. That is not the case in this book and I very much appreciated it.
The crime, in fact crimes plural, was well constructed and the resolution as appropriate at not excessive.
This one was a little more obviously "American" in its understanding of British issues. In this one it related to the nonsensical planning suggestions for a renovation of the stately home. There was also som very strange behaviour from a PI which would not happen in the UK either. In fact the PI would have been arrested and charged for his actions. Generally this author is very good at being location appropriate so this I probably just a blip and did not materially alter my enjoyment of the book.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
I very much enjoyed this third offering in this series. The series is maturing well and the characters are becoming book-friends. The character of Beatrice is excellent and the 12 year old Grace was very well portrayed. Children are not always good in books either being over- or under-adult in their behaviour. That is not the case in this book and I very much appreciated it.
The crime, in fact crimes plural, was well constructed and the resolution as appropriate at not excessive.
This one was a little more obviously "American" in its understanding of British issues. In this one it related to the nonsensical planning suggestions for a renovation of the stately home. There was also som very strange behaviour from a PI which would not happen in the UK either. In fact the PI would have been arrested and charged for his actions. Generally this author is very good at being location appropriate so this I probably just a blip and did not materially alter my enjoyment of the book.
I look forward to reading the next in the series.
June 2, 2018
I enjoyed this mystery. It is the first I've read in the series and while I could tell by some references that there had been previous books, the story still stood on its own so that wasn't a problem.
The mystery had enough red herrings that I wasn't sure who had committed the murder. It turned out to be the first person I suspected and I had turned my suspicions back that direction before the reveal but I went through several suspects between.
There was an element of romance in the book but I found I wasn't all that interested in the love interest and I found his sister rather annoying. But that was a minor part of the story overall.
And although this book is set in modern England and the main character is American we get to enjoy some of my favorite- Regency England as well.
It is a quick, clean read.
No sex or language. Only violence was the murder but we didn't witness that.
The mystery had enough red herrings that I wasn't sure who had committed the murder. It turned out to be the first person I suspected and I had turned my suspicions back that direction before the reveal but I went through several suspects between.
There was an element of romance in the book but I found I wasn't all that interested in the love interest and I found his sister rather annoying. But that was a minor part of the story overall.
And although this book is set in modern England and the main character is American we get to enjoy some of my favorite- Regency England as well.
It is a quick, clean read.
No sex or language. Only violence was the murder but we didn't witness that.
March 4, 2021
This is my review of “Death in a Stately Home,” the 3rd installment of the “On Location” series. This book gets a solid 4 starts from me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which featured a pseudo-“locked door mystery,” a Regency-era party, and lots of historical details from the Regency times.
I have adored Lady Stone since this series began and was very happy to see her featured prominently in this book. Alex is a peripheral character in this story, which is fine. I haven’t really picked up on any chemistry between Kate and Alex throughout the series (Kate considered Alex a suspect in book 1, Alex was acting super shady in book 2) so I’m not saddened by the lack of romantic scenes.
As mentioned above, this book is focused on Regency era etiquette, and I quite enjoyed the abundance of details shared in this book. Everything from how to be dressed by a maid to specifics about how dinner was served. There was a lot of research put into this story and it shows.
I recommend this book to Thriller-Lite fans, anyone interested in the Regency era, fans of cozy mysteries, and anyone who likes a locked -door mystery. On to book 4…
I have adored Lady Stone since this series began and was very happy to see her featured prominently in this book. Alex is a peripheral character in this story, which is fine. I haven’t really picked up on any chemistry between Kate and Alex throughout the series (Kate considered Alex a suspect in book 1, Alex was acting super shady in book 2) so I’m not saddened by the lack of romantic scenes.
As mentioned above, this book is focused on Regency era etiquette, and I quite enjoyed the abundance of details shared in this book. Everything from how to be dressed by a maid to specifics about how dinner was served. There was a lot of research put into this story and it shows.
I recommend this book to Thriller-Lite fans, anyone interested in the Regency era, fans of cozy mysteries, and anyone who likes a locked -door mystery. On to book 4…
March 18, 2018
This is the third book in the Murder on Location series. Kate Sharp is still working in England when she gets a call from Lady Stone as she is on the way to meet Alex Norcutt's young sister Grace, who is home from boarding school for a visit. The meeting doesn't go too well, and Kate decides to leave Alex and Grace on their own for a bit. Then she is asked to substitute for a researcher at a Jane Austen-themed country house party being held in the home of Lady Stone, where Kate discovers what Lady Stone wanted of her. Somebody has been sending 'poison pen' e-mails and posts and she suspects someone on her staff. When one of the house party guests turns up dead, Kate gets involved and is also a suspect, as usual. It was a little easier to guess whodunit in this one - it was pretty obvious about halfway through, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. I'm getting a kick out of this series - very light, easy reads that are also fun. Also very evocative of the English countryside.
May 17, 2018
Initial Thoughts: I continue to really enjoy this series. The mysteries are not too terribly complex, but they do twist and turn as you figure out the complete picture of the whodunit and why. I continue to enjoy Kate's character and her continuing relationship with Alex. The introduction of Alex's sister, Grace, added another depth to the novel and I enjoyed watching Grace warm up to Kate (and vice versa). Ms. Mollo-Christensen continues to do an excellent job in portraying Kate's character, personality and reactions. Her ability to voice the other characters with unique personalities and accents adds immensely to my enjoyment of the series. I eagerly look forward to listening to the next novel in the series. Please stay tuned for a link to the full review posted at That's What I'm Talking About blog.
February 13, 2020
I am enjoying Kate Sharp, Alex, Beatrice and Sir Harold and all of the recurring characters in Sara Rosett’s Location mysteries. The romance that is developing between Kate and Alex is not distracting and adds a nice thread between the books. I particularly love getting to know the people in Netherwoodsmore. Beatrice is my favorite and I enjoyed Ella from the local pub and meeting Grace, Alex’s sister. Beatrice asks Kate to come for a house party at her stately manor and investigate poison pen letters directed at Sir Harold. Then someone is murdered in the room where Sir Harold slept until the day before the murder. The mystery was fun, as always, easy to follow and had enough components to keep me guessing throughout the story. My library only has audio versions of these books. The narration is totally solid and adds so much to the story for me.
February 23, 2020
A Regency-style house party is where Kate finds herself in this book. Set to find out who is writing terrible online comments and poisonous emails to the Lord and Lady of the manor, Kate is otherwise delighted to participate in this type of reenactment. When one of the guests is found dead she adds murder investigation to her task list. Alex's little sister, Grace, shows up and the river floods the bridge, which traps everyone in the house with lots of suspicions. Kate's previous experiences with murder investigations come in handy until she is loudly accused of being the murderer by a private detective also staying as a guest. Fans of Regency will love the conventions and clothing and cozy mystery fans will love the locked room aspect of this third book in a charming series set in England.
March 12, 2017
"Juggling spoons"
A weekend Regency dinner party experience at Parkview Hall becomes a last minute part of Kate's job as location scout for the company making a T.V. series on Jane Austen's work, life and times. But the fun of dressing up in period costume, attended by a ladies maid (more usually known as Ella from the White Duck pub) and there's even a butler, is dampened by the concerns of her hostess and friend, Beatrice, Lady Stone. Then, yes, there's a body in the bedroom ...
Another delightful light-hearted mystery set in the idyllic English countryside. Undemanding reading but with clues along the way for the reader to solve in the style of Agatha Christie. This series just keeps getting better.
A weekend Regency dinner party experience at Parkview Hall becomes a last minute part of Kate's job as location scout for the company making a T.V. series on Jane Austen's work, life and times. But the fun of dressing up in period costume, attended by a ladies maid (more usually known as Ella from the White Duck pub) and there's even a butler, is dampened by the concerns of her hostess and friend, Beatrice, Lady Stone. Then, yes, there's a body in the bedroom ...
Another delightful light-hearted mystery set in the idyllic English countryside. Undemanding reading but with clues along the way for the reader to solve in the style of Agatha Christie. This series just keeps getting better.
May 17, 2022
An invitation to an elegant Regency weekend at the local manor is the perfect opportunity to both scope out a location for a documentary series and also act as a cover for a subtle investigation. But olde worlde collides with modern times when a murder is committed and Kate Sharp finds herself suspected of the crime.
Whenever I get my hands on a Sara Rosett book, it feels as though it's my birthday, Christmas, Easter and summer holidays all rolled into one. This novel is a wonderful read filled with surprises. Each Murder on Location story makes me say "Oh, this is the best one yet!" and it's always true and then the next one manages to be even better.
So highly recommended for cosy lovers.
Whenever I get my hands on a Sara Rosett book, it feels as though it's my birthday, Christmas, Easter and summer holidays all rolled into one. This novel is a wonderful read filled with surprises. Each Murder on Location story makes me say "Oh, this is the best one yet!" and it's always true and then the next one manages to be even better.
So highly recommended for cosy lovers.
August 27, 2020
This is Book 3 in this innovative series that features Kate Sharp finding murder and mystery as she pursues locations for films and documentaries about Jane Austen. Austen fans will love this one as it is set during a weekend house party where the guests dress,speak, and eat Regency style.
I felt this one started slowly but it had three strong plot lines and interesting characters. I liked the development of friendship and acceptance between Kate and Alex's younger sister. This was an enjoyable read.
I felt this one started slowly but it had three strong plot lines and interesting characters. I liked the development of friendship and acceptance between Kate and Alex's younger sister. This was an enjoyable read.
November 12, 2020
Another nice entry into this series based in rural England. There is the cast of returning characters beginning with Kate, an American location scout who is in England working on a Jane Austen documentary. Kate is tasked with attending a house party at a stately home in the area to see how it might fit with the documentary. When a guest is murdered, though, Kate once again gets involved in the investigation. I love the description of England and the stately home and most of the characters are good and interesting. No sex or profanity.
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