Murder at Morrington Hall

Stella and Lyndy Mystery #1

by Clara McKenna

Stella Kendrick is an all-American heiress who can’t be tamed. But when the lively aspiring equine trainer tangles with British aristocracy, she meets her match—and a murderer . . .
 
Spring, 1905:  Free-spirited like the Thoroughbreds she rides across the Kentucky countryside, Stella takes adventure by the reins when she’s asked to attend a mysterious wedding in rural England. But once she arrives at the lush Morrington Hall estate, her cold and ambitious father confesses that he won’t only give away his best racehorses as gifts—he has also arranged to give away his daughter as bride to the Earl of Atherly’s financially strapped son . . .
 
Stella refuses to be sold off like a prized pony. Yet despite a rough start, there’s something intriguing about her groom-to-be, the roguish Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst. The unlikely pair could actually be on the right track with each other . . . until they find the vicar who was to marry them dead in the library.
 
With culture clashes mounting between families, a scandalous murder case hangs over Morrington Hall. Now, Stella and Lyndy must go from future spouses to amateur sleuths as they team up to search for the truth—and prevent an unbridled criminal from destroying their new life together right out of the gate . . .

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Romance

304 pages, Hardcover

First published May 28, 2019

About the author

Clara McKenna is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical cozy mysteries. The Stella & Lyndy Mystery series involves an unlikely couple who mix love, murder, and horseracing in Edwardian England. The Hattie Davish Mystery series follows a 19th century secretary who solves crime in every historical town she visits.

Clara is a member of Sisters in Crime and the founding member of Sleuths in Time, a cooperative group of historical mystery writers who encourage and promote each other's work.

An avid teacup collector and self-proclaimed anglophile with an incurable case of wanderlust, Clara enjoys afternoon tea from her prized collection and travels every chance she gets, the UK being a favorite destination. When she can't get to the UK, she's happy to write about it from her home in the Upper Midwest.

To learn more, and subscribe to her monthly newsletter, visit her online at www.claramckenna.com

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars -- I really liked the atmosphere/setting of this, and the country house mystery was a light rompy good time. The heroine, Stella, was also a delight... the problem is that (aside from the Inspector) NONE of the other characters deserved to make eye contact with her, much less be related to her, marry her, hang out with her, etc., so I was actively rooting against the romance and pretty much wanted her to steal a horse & some cash and go be a lady detective somewhere far far away

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna is the first book in the historical cozy A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery series each book in the A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series will have it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be read as a standalone or any in order if choosing to do so. There will be character development that carries over from book to book for those that follow the series from the beginning.

Stella Kendrick is an American who grew up on the Kentucky countryside where her family raised thoroughbreds. Stella is going to be traveling with her father to England on a business trip to deliver some of their horses. After arriving however Stella finds that her father has arranged her marriage to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst as part of the deal. Before Stella can even process the news she and her groom to be find the body of the vicar who was supposed to marry them and knew there is a murderer on the loose.

The A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series gained my interest by having not only the element of it being historical but also romance involved in this cozy so I was really hoping to enjoy the mixed genres. However, after reading this one I didn’t really care for most of the characters in the story and felt the romance lacking. The mystery was a decent one but with not connecting to the characters this one turned into a just alright start to this series for me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I borrowed this from the free side of audible and rate it 2.5*. I just didn't like anyone in the cast of characters except Lyndy. The mystery and slow build romance were tepid with a weak rationale for the murder. Plus....did I say I just didn't like anyone in the book (especially Stella's father)

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in England when Kentucky heiress Stella Kendrick and Lyndy, Viscount of Lyndhurst are to wed. She is not informed about the arrangement until she, her aunt, and her father arrive at Moorington Hall. What a shock for her! Her horse breeder father is overbearing, self-centered, and loud. He wants a title for his daughter and Lyndy's family estate needs the money and new horse blood in their stable. Stella puts up with a lot from most everyone, including her father and the snobby women of the Peerage. But Lyndy and Stella come together in friendship to find who killed the vicar who was to marry them. There is a great mystery to solve and one that I did not guess ahead of time. Stella and Lundy are likable characters in a great setting and time period. I thought that the narrator did a good job. I have already started listening to the next in the series.

[Jaclyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love historical mysteries and historical romance - the combination of the two was what immediately drew my attention to Murder at Morrington Hall. Unfortunately, I thought the mystery and romance were both rather underwhelming. If one had grabbed my attention, I am sure that I would have enjoyed this more. I loved Stella as a character and her drive to be more than her station and gender will allow her to be. Sadly, her romantic foil and sleuthing partner, Lyndy, did not measure up to Stella's dynamic personality. Lyndy was by far the best male character in the book, but considering the others (i.e. Stella's dad), the bar was not high. Perhaps the series will build on these characters, but for the first installment, I felt that the characters and the mystery lacked substance.

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Stella Kendrick is thrilled to join her father on a trip to England in 1905 until she learns that he has arranged for her marriage to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst. Before she can fully process this news, Stella and Lyndy find the body of the vicar who was supposed to marry them. What does this mean for their future? Can they figure out what is going on?

I might have passed by this series had I not won the first three in a contest earlier this year. I’m glad I did. The romance is a stronger part of the story than I would normally like, but I’m torn on that here since I really found it easy to root for Stella and Lyndy. The story is told from multiple points of view, and early on, it is the scenes from the local inspector’s point of view that really advanced the mystery. Ironically, I found myself wanting to get back to Stella and Lyndy when we got those scenes. There is a solid mystery here, and I appreciate how the clues were scattered throughout the story. While I loved Stella and Lyndy and some of the others, some of the characters fell into the love to hate category, which was actually fun. I definitely want to find out what is next for the lead characters, so I’ll be picking up the next book soon.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara McKenna's debut novel, Murder at Morrington Hall, is the first in a promising new mystery series. Stella Kendrick is an American heiress from Kentucky, who is under the impression that she is accompanying her father for business to deliver some of their racehorses to be presented as a wedding gift. She is horrified to discover after her arrival, that she is part of the buisness deal as well. Her father has arranged a marriage for her to a member of the British arisotcracy and the racehorses are being offered to sweeten the deal.

Stella discovers the deception the very day of her arrival and is determined that she will not be managed by her father, won't be married off to this stranger. Her intended groom is the Viscount Lyndhurst, or Lyndy, only son and heir to the Earl of Atherly. The estate is failing and so saving it rests on thier ability to marry their son to a young woman from a wealthy family, while thowing in a few race horses for good measure.

The book starts of being about this marriage arrangement and Stella and Lyndy's feelings about the arrangement, but it soon takes a turn towards mystery as the pair stumble across a dead body in the library. The murder is only the start of strange things happening around the estate. Stella and Lyndy learn to work together as they seek to find the responsible party.

A lovely little cozy mystery and a quick read, it's engaging and entertaining. There are red herrings and plot twists too that keep the story going and the mystery fresh, well worth the read. There were several subplots, which would normally weigh down a mystery and detract from the story, but the author balanced them all so perfectly. I'm very excited about this author and will be looking forward to reading the next in the series to see how things develop between Stella and Lyndy and to jump into a new mystery! I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new author and is a fan of the cozy or historical mystery genres.

I received a copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

May 1905: Viscount Lyndhurst is awaiting the arrival of his new American bride with some trepidation. Due to his father's favorite hobby, collecting horse fossils, the estate needs an infusion of cash and who better to provide it than the daughter of an American horse breeder? It's a nice bonus that Mr. Kendrick has decided to throw in a trio of racehorses as well. Unfortunately the bride, Stella Kendrick of Lexington, Kentucky and New York has no idea what is in store for her future. Stella is delighted Daddy wants her to accompany him to England when he makes a gift of horses to the Earl of Atherly. She is loathe to part with Tully, her favorite horse, when she returns home. Daddy has other ideas. Stella and Tully are to stay permanently in England when Stella marries the Viscount. The sooner the marriage takes place, the better, according to Mr. Kendrick. Lady Atherly is appalled. Then Stella and Lyndy discover the bloodied, lifeless body of the vicar on the library floor. Inspector Brown can hardly get straight answers out of any of the household upstairs or down. The local publican hasn't seen anyone suspicious, only a "grockle", someone from outside the New Forest region. When one of the horses goes missing, Inspector Brown believes the crimes may be connected. He needs people to tell him the truth and he also needs Stella and Lyndy to discover the darkest secrets of the houseguests and servants. Meanwhile, Stella must make up her mind whether to risk defying her father or marry Lyndy. Lyndy enjoys staring at Stella's graceful neck and luscious curves but Stella is more than her body, she's a gentle, kind, unconventional woman he wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life with. Now, how can he convince Stella to stay.

This story is clearly inspired by Downton Abbey and is likely the author's first novel or first period novel. There are so many elements similar to the show. The writing is awkward in spots. There are too many times Stella's physical attributes were mentioned. The story is more romance novelish than I expected. I also had a problem with the head jumping. The point-of-view switches between characters too many times. I would have preferred it to be limited to Stella and Lyndy. It's difficult to tell who is speaking because the author doesn't employ use of dialect, if there is one in Hampshire. Only the word "grockle" appears to show us the publican is thinking or speaking. Both upstairs and downstairs characters utter the phrase "Bloody Hell!" more frequently than I would like. However, the writing is also gorgeous in spots. I got an excellent picture of the New Forest region based on the beautiful descriptions. I also learned a lot about race horsing in Lexington, Kentucky, something that does not interest me in the slightest.

The mystery is not all that compelling. The reader is clued in early on who did it but the identity of that person has to be discovered. There are a couple of red herrings and plot twists but I was not ultimately surprised by the identity of the killer. I was surprised at the motive and how cold the killer was.

Stella is an appealing character. She is unconventional but not unconventional on purpose. She is a warm-hearted, kind and genuine lady. Stella is kind to those considered lesser beings like servants and animals and wants to be loved for herself. This makes Stella the complete opposite of English heiresses and of course the Countess and her friends. I like how Stella makes mistakes and feels embarrassed by them but doesn't feel compelled to change who she is. It's a miracle she is as lovely as she is with a Daddy like hers. "Daddy" Kendrick is an awful human being. He's proud of being a self-made man but not at all humble about it. At first he seems like the stereotype of the vulgar nouveau riche American but we soon learn he's worse than that. He cares more about his horses than his daughter. To him, his daughter is a commodity to be traded away for something he wants. He isn't afraid to bribe, threaten, hurt, badger people or barge into situations where he wants to be. I would completely expect him to be the murderer but he hadn't arrived yet when the murder occurred. Aunt Rachel is a stereotypical American with her Wild West style casual speech. She sounds like a hoot and a fun person but is too elderly to be in the story much.

I have mixed feelings about Lyndy. He's kind but he's also a product of his upbringing. He doesn't push boundaries too far or challenge his mother. He's physically attracted to Stella but he quickly comes to see her good qualities. I believe they can have a successful marriage but they are not quite in love yet. The Earl is a nice man but weak. His hobby is a little weird but I like this hobby better than the bird killing hobby he had before. If he sells his fossils he could actually make money and maybe his wife wouldn't be so horrid to him. I understand they have this patrimony and blah blah but the lack of industry these gentlemen employ bothers me as much as it bothered many of the fathers who married off their daughters to English Lords.

The other upstairs characters are not at all compelling or likable except Lyndy's sister Lady Alice. Alice has potential to become a modern woman. I think I like her. The Countess is pretty typical for her time and situation but she doesn't do anything to help Stella feel comfortable or guide her in her new role. She apparently sees her children as a duty and probably her marriage as well, which is sad, but not uncommon for the period. She is nothing compared to her friend Mrs. Westwoode. She is the mean girl of the bunch. I was under the impression ladies didn't say those things to other people's faces, they just gave disapproving looks. It's one thing to correct someone's behavior when they don't know the etiquette but Mrs. W goes full-on mean girl and doesn't miss an opportunity to insult Stella. Her daughter, Elizabeth, is quiet and overawed by her mother's forceful personality. Mr. Westwoode is always disappearing and hardly in the story. I don't blame him for trying to escape his wife. Hugh, Lyndy's oldest friend and Elizabeth Westwoode's fiancé, is a complicated character. He's the most nuanced of them all. A veteran of the South African war he suffered from "battle fatigue" although he did not show outward signs. He probably is still suffering but seems to have adjusted better than many others did. He also has baggage from being the younger son of a Duke. He was raised with certain beliefs and values, as was Lyndy, but Lyndy is a more innocent and honest person.

Downstairs we have a cast of unmemorable characters. Finn's story is interesting. Fulton the butler is always correct and knows right when to interrupt to save his mistress from an awkward situation. The stable staff are more important to the plot. Mr. Gates, the stable manager and head coachman is a good and fair man. Herbert, the groom, is a lazy good-for-nothing who should have been fired in the beginning of the story.

In between the classes we have Inspector Brown. He's tough and a bit cold but not unfair. He evaluates evidence rather than jumping to conclusions. His job is difficult because the upstairs people don't respect him and the servants fear being made into scapegoats. Also, the vicar falls somewhere in the in-between category. He seems to be a greedy glutton and may have scandalous secrets in his past. No one seems to have known him well and only his housekeeper mourns his loss. It's very sad.

Fans of Downton Abbey will love this book. It is also endorsed by Victoria Thompson (much darker writer than this story), Nancy Herriman, Alyssa Maxwell (whose books are similar but better written), Ashley Weaver (a little different style), and Radha Vatsal (different story). I would also suggest Dianne Freeman for another similar author.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.50 stars

Stella Kendrick, an American heiress, was bamboozled by her father. They crossed the pond and she believed it was because he wanted to sell some of his horses. Little did she know, she was part of the deal: horseflesh + marriage = Daddy’s connection with high society.

I felt a deep empathy for Stella. She was intelligent, kind (considering how her father and several others treated her), self-sufficient, and down-to-earth. She was given little time after learning of her father’s betrayal before the murder of the local vicar was discovered. The very last thing she wanted was to be married.

Initially, I wasn’t sure about ’Lyndy’ but in a short time he won me over. His family needed an infusion of money to save their estate. He was to be sacrificed as much as Stella. But after witnessing Mr. Kendrick’s deplorable behavior and realizing his daughter had little say in the matter, Lyndy went out of his way to become her champion.

Murder at Morrington Hall was strongly reminiscent of 1905: acceptance of class and their distinctions were part of everyday life. The mystery suffered from those matters typical with the first story in a series. There were many secondary characters that were introduced and keeping track of who was whom was a little daunting. I wished Stella and Lyndy spent more time together and fewer moments were devoted with Daddy, Lady Atherly and Mrs. Westwoode.

The whodunit was complicated enough to keep me guessing until almost the end. I have enough confidence to follow their exploits with book #2 when it is published. I look forward to reading more of this couple’s forays with murder and mayhem.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna is the first in a new historical cozy mystery.

I found the pace of the plot to be slow at first; but after the introductions of the characters and the detailed description of Morrington Hall and the surrounding English countryside, the pace picked up quickly. Stella is a lovely American heiress who has a strong and distinctive personality. Being raised by an abusive and arrogant father she finds she prefers horses over people for the most part. Once Stella and Lord Lyndhurst decide to work together to resolve the murder, the story flew as the red herrings, plot twists and viable suspects became more the center of attention. It was an enjoyable afternoon read and a good beginning for this new series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Chantel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would stand out as a decent read for those who are not overly enticed by or exposed to the Mystery genre. As for myself, I have been a seasoned mystery reader for some time so, was not able to fully appreciate this book for what it might mean to others. I found my mind wandering. I was stuck in a vicious loop of working very hard to remain focused on what I was reading only for my subconscious to decide that whatever was on those pages was really not worth paying attention to.
 
I suppose the main reason I had such difficulty retaining my enthusiasm was that there was a lot happening within the plot which dealt with circumstantial descriptions rather than actual plot advancement. For example, every time a character performed an action or a character was introduced to a scene, we were given stage descriptions which left me feeling bored, it was as though we were circling the point. I definitely appreciate the details attributed to world-building but before I knew it, I felt we were focusing too heavily on this aspect rather than presenting characters who were fleshed-out & distinctive. McKenna did have a clear idea about the scene she intended to set & I will acknowledge that I had little to no difficulty in imagining the world in which the story took place.

My main qualm with the enumerable details was the fact that we returned to a set of characters that felt very flat & boring once everything was described at length. I don’t enjoy using the term ‘boring’ because truly, what does it mean, however, each & every one of the people in this story did absolutely nothing to entertain the notion of them being useful to the plot or the general story, in the least.

We circle & circle, & come back & circle some more; their use of the same inner monologues: is __ making fun of me, people are teasing me, horses horses horses horses, we get it. Show me an aspect of each character that is not bogged down with superfluous tendencies. Neither main character (Lyndy & Stella) was enjoyable to read about. Both seemed incredibly disconnected from the real world & yes, I acknowledge that both lived in wealth & luxury but, I digress.
 
The main characters were duds; they were sullen & sulky, entitled & snobbish, dull & dumb, & ridiculous. I kept waiting for something to stand out, for some aspect of their characters to intrigue or entice me. I was hoping for even just a small aspect that would render their desire to involve themselves in a murder mystery in 1905 logical but, that never happened. There were, as I said, too many other things happening for the mystery to be the main focal point.

I appreciated the multiple genres employed in this book but, near the end, I was annoyed at the marriage being a focal point of the plot because Stella wallows in her shock that her pompous abusive, money-hungry, delirium-ridden excuse for a father, would trade her off into marriage, as though that wasn’t obviously what men of his style in such a time period would & had been doing. In any case, I was left feeling disappointed.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series: A Stella and Lyndy Mystery #1
Publication Date: 5/28/19
Number of Pages: 304

This was a smashing good debut novel for Clara McKenna. My absolute favorite genre is Historical Mystery – but that has to have a romance in it as well, and this book definitely meets those needs. The writing is excellent and the mystery was well done with twists, turns, and red-herrings.

I enjoyed meeting both Stella Kendrick and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst. Both were very relatable characters for that time, both were likable, and I think we saw both begin growing into themselves. My favorite was Stella because she had the shock of her life thrown at her all at once – and in front of a bunch of strangers – not to mention having the devil himself for a father – and she handled in all with great aplomb. Lyndy caused me consternation at times because he seemed to take on some of the same disapproving attitudes as the rest of the family and friends. I mean, HE was the one in need – his family was the one in need – Stella wasn’t really getting anything out of the bargain. However, he did mostly appreciate Stella’s being different and became quite supportive of her.

Bright, fun-loving, free-spirited, open, honest, and beautiful, Stella was delighted when her father told her he was taking her with him on a visit to England to attend the wedding of an acquaintance’s son. Her father is cold, aggressive, abusive, and never does anything without it having some benefit to him – but – she can’t find any of that in this wonderful opportunity. He has even insisted on bringing her very own horse along for her to ride while they are there. As the premier horse breeder in the United States, he is also bringing along a couple of thoroughbreds to give to the groom as wedding presents.

Lyndy has known about and reluctantly agreed to, wedding the American for many weeks. It isn’t the marriage he would have chosen, but he’ll do it to save his family and estate. He’s not sure what to expect, but he’s not exactly enthusiastic about it. His mother, on the other hand, is totally set against the alliance – while his father is the one who set the wheels in motion.

Stella certainly doesn’t make a good impression on the up-tight, strait-laced, unsmiling, disapproving English family who seems to be determined to belittle her. Then, she discovers the REAL reason she’s there and flatly refuses. Not that her father gives her any choice.

A comment here about the parents – I disliked all of them, but I almost found myself disliking Lyndy’s parents more than Stella’s father. Yes, her father was rude, crude, and abusive, but at least he didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t. What he said, he said out loud and plainly spoken. Lyndy’s parents and friends (even sometimes Lyndy) put up a false front, belittling in snide little comments. So, I disliked them – especially his mother – almost as much as I disliked Stella’s father.

On the day Stella arrived at Morrington Hall, and discovered that she was to be the bride, she also discovered a dead body. The body belonged to the Vicar who was there to perform her wedding ceremony. Who would murder a man of God? There are no clues – even the murder weapon is missing. Then, a few days later, a prized champion racehorse is stolen. Are the two events related? Next, one of the wedding guests is attacked. Again? Do we have three unrelated crimes? Oh! My! The investigation is on and Stella and Lyndy have to join forces to help solve it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I hope you will as well. I loved seeing Lyndy and Stella comes to realize that they have a lot in common and come to appreciate their differences and see them as strengths rather than weaknesses. I can’t wait to see how Lyndy and Stella come to deal with his family and the rest of the aristocracy in England. Also hopefully, Stella’s father will head back to America and we won’t have to deal with him anymore.

[Scott Rezer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. I love period pieces like this, but unfortunately, I think I’ve been a bit spoiled by Anna Lee Huber’s Verity Kent series to enjoy this one as much. I might try it again someday down the road, but for me it was just a bit lackluster.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I thought this was going to be another typical cozy with an aristocratic woman saving the day while bucking up against expectations. Well. Stella is the curve ball in that she’s an American who was tricked into an arranged marriage by an odious father (a truly despicable character). Stella does her own thing and while she feels a twinge of hurt when the English women criticize her (oh my gosh, belittling her for eating), she isn’t devastated by it.

There is a “not like other girls” undercurrent here that has her intended falling for her, but they don’t end this one on a typical way (no spoilers, but it makes sense).

I could do without the jerk father being a prominent. He’s the worst.

[Lady Tea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.2 / 5

Okay, so, um...I'm not sure what the author was going for here.

The other reviews on this book--which I didn't read until after finishing it--are spot on, is all I can say. This story advertises several things, but maybe through trying to incorporate all of them, it just can't...quite deliver on any of them.

In terms of the mystery element, you'd think that it would be central to the plot, but it just...wasn't. It felt like it was completely sidelined, not only by the characters themselves, but also...just. all. the. goddamn. focus. on. HORSES! Like...a note to the author: your audience base for both cozy romances and cozy mysteries is likely women, and most women don't give a damn about the Derby. (Actually, I can't think of ANYONE who does, so cut it out of your story entirely, and the readers will be missing exactly NOTHING.)

Ahem, and then in terms of the romance element...I wasn't feeling it. I mean, I got the sense that Lyndy was horny for Stella, but I didn't get any chemistry between them, or really ANY bit of inkling in terms of even liking Lyndy on Stella's behalf. If the sole thing that he's got going for him is that he's NOT an asshole like Stella's father and that's why she should go for him....*winces* Sorry, but nope, that ain't enough to base a marriage off of!

Also, the characters themselves being sidelined was also an issue, as it just kept switching perspectives to the detective and then new/servant/pub characters whom no one cares about but that "somehow connect to the mystery", but ultimately just felt like a waste of time to read through.

Conclusion?

It's a MESS.

Readers, just...follow the lower star reviews on this one, honestly. It will save you from reading what's supposed to be a mystery, but honestly feels like anything but.

*coughs and walks away*

[human · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 for stella kendrick and stella kendrick alone

if i'm being completely honest, the only thing this book lacks is substance to its characters, which is actually quite a lot for just one thing. stella is a sweetheart and i loved reading chapters from her perspective, but as much as stella is wonderful, the other characters are just as horrid and generally boring to make up for it. even (urgh) LyNdY, who is our mmc and love interest, was super boring (and honestly borderline creepy). while i get that the whole point of the book was how stella first acclimated to living in britain and how lyndy fell in love with her (?), their characters were so personable that everyone else in comparison felt extremely flat and one-dimensional.

speaking of the man, the romantic subplot was also subpar at best. while i get that the romance is not the main plot of the book as much as stella and "the americans" showing up and turning everything upside down was, the jump from "ugh here's my mail order bride this is gonna be terrible" to straight up "you have bewitched me body and soul" in a number of chapters on lyndy's part was just not it?? let's just say the man needs a bit more character development (along with less insta-love, because that's exactly what it was on his part, no build-up, nothing) to get my vote.

as for the ACTUAL plot of the book, aka the murder mystery, i actually thought it was pretty solid. the hints weren't obvious nor did the reveal feel unfounded, but its weakness ultimately boils down to having been stretched out throughout the length of the book. there's so much other stuff happening that the murder isn't even at the forefront of the characters' minds, making it less effective or exciting than it could have been.

so yeah. it could have been worse, but it definitely could have been better. oh well.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is no way around it: this novel was painful.
It doesn't feel much like a detective novel. Besides Stella and her erstwhile fiancé, there are random POVs from the bartender and inspector and other random characters. The story meanders around until Stella stumbles upon the solution. Then she comes up with a rather idiotic scheme to 'prove' how it happened.
Not my favorite. Not terrible, I can't say I hated it. Sometimes I liked Lyndy. Sometimes he came across as a perv. Not really interested in going further.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong resident of Kentucky but an ardent fan of British mystery and crime books, how could I not be drawn to a new series featuring a young woman from Kentucky who is betrothed to a young English lord. Add to that Stella Kendrick is an independent thinking horsewoman whose father is famous for his race horses and horse farm, and Murder at Morrington Hall is an irresistible read for me. The time period is a favorite of mine, too, he early 1900s, 1905 to be exact, when so much change is occuring in the world, and inventions are on the rise to bring the 20th century into a wonder of convenience never before seen. The Daimler car Stella, her father and her aunt arrive in at the English estate of Morrington Hall is the first taste that the proper English family of Lord and Lady Atherly have of the Americans and their faster, less formal approach to life.

Stella Kendrick is excited that her father has included her in his trip to England where he is taking his prize thorougbred and a couple of other horses to an English estate where their stable is in dire need of new blood. Her father even included Stella's horse Tully that she rides so that she wouldn't miss him while in England. Or, this is the scenario Stella believes up until it becomes painfully obvious upon arrival and upon meeting Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst, the son of Lord and Lady Atherly, that the real reason for the horses accompanying them is a marriage deal between the set of parents. With Stella's mother being deceased, it is Stella's unfeeling father who decides that his daughter will help to raise his social standing by marrying the young Lord Lyndhurst. Furious with her father and tripping all over herself from being out of step with the English way of doing things, Stella is miserable. So, she does what she has always done in her loneliness growing up with a disinterested father, she goes to the stable for comfort from her horse where she runs into Lyndy, who also uses horses as an escape from tedious responsibilities. While they do bond over their love of riding, and Lyndy is quite the charming, considerate man, Stella is far from convinced that marrying him is her fate. Of course, she soon has an encounter with her father who ensures her that she will do as he says. Mr. Kendrick is not a nice man, and readers will be impressed by Stella's strength in the face of his brutality.

As is the English custom, tea must be observed that first afternoon, and the vicar who is to marry the couple will appear at tea to discuss matters. When the vicar doesn't show up at the appointed time, Lyndy offers to show Stella around the house while they look for him, as the vicar was to have been waiting at the house. The two find the vicar in the library, but he won't be performing anybody's wedding every again. He is dead and it is murder. Yes, my anglophile self, lover of British mystery, is quite happy with the "dead in the manor's library and found at tea time" situation. But, this is no simple Professor Plum in the library with the fire poker. Well, it was the fire poker, but finding the murderer is going to be a journey any mystery reader will savor. Stella and Lyndy learn to trust each other quickly as they are thrown into uncovering facts and evidence that will lead to the killer. While Stella's American style of conducting herself may clash with the English approach, it is helpful to her and Lyndy's efforts to accomplish that goal, and Lyndy gets the chance to see Stella as she really is, something he is intrigued by and most receptive to.

I can say without a doubt in my mind that Clara McKenna has given readers the first book in what will be a winning series. The consistency of its engaging writing from page to page is what makes it a book that's unputdownable. It is simply a well-written, captivating story. The characters have all been given an excellent start in their development. Stella and Lyndy have already shown a maturing of minds and an ability to evolve into a future that they control. Their witty dialogue demonstrates the intelligence and relatability of the two. While Stella's father and Lyndy's parents could be said to be stereotypical of the boorish American and the uptight British, it is the place where they must naturally start, with the future determining whether they can overcome their prejudicial temperaments. The minor characters that include Lyndy's sister Alice, the staff, and the police have also presented a great potential for growth and inclusion in the continuing story line. And, the setting should get a nod, too, the New Forest region with its wild New Forest ponies and countryside. It speaks of much mystery to unfold, which every great mystery series should have.

I received a copy of Murder at Morrington Hall from the author, and my review is my absolute true assessment of how much I enjoyed it and how much I think other readers will love it, too.

[Lia Marcoux · Rating 1 out of 5]

Despite the classy cover and the fun premise, this isn't, as I hoped, a sassy Transatlantic Nick-and-Nora kind of tale. Lead female Stella is none too sharp, and though she constantly describes lead male Lyndy as alternately pretentious or charming, his only actual perceivable trait is that he's a nasty little lech. The mystery is bad. The characters are bad. The word 'grockle' is fine, I guess, but it's in there way too many times. Book, bad.

[Jude: The Epic Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really a fan of this one, I love historical mysteries but I'm not a big fan of heroines who really try to be individual and completely disregard everything about society. Stella is very much this, she doesn't know how to act and we go through this book with her always doing something wrong. I like adventurous heroines but not if they are always at war with society and everyone in it. Doesn't help that the mystery was really boring. I liked Lyndy a lot though.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7) Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightfully romantic murder mystery. An arranged marriage between an American heiress and a titled fellow in high British society get to know each other while trying to solve a murder. It is no surprise that they turn out to be a good team. I notice this is book 1. Good beginning to a series.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not that bad of a book. And I wasn't really sure when it came to the reveal [though I had a bit of an idea, but not the why] so that was extra fun. I think this could be a fun series. I like Stella very much and Lyndy COULD be a good character. Looking forward to the second book.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was never quite comfortable in the writing style in this, but on the whole I liked the story and I liked the pairing of Stella and Lyndy and I am going to read the follow up and see if I am more settled in the writing.

[Artemiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minu mõtteid saate lugeda siit.

[Ksenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 stars
I didn't like this one. It was nor exactly bad, but not good either. The mystery was somewhat boring. It's true that it is supposed to be more of a romance, the problem is that the romance is boring at best, and at places quite cringy. Stella is ok as characters go, but no more than that. Besides her there is not one nice or relatable character. The upper class are all stereotypically rude, ignorant and snobbish. The "commoners" are somewhat more interesting, but don't really contribute to the book in overall. Definitely unsuccessful take on Downton Abbey. The worst character by far is the love interest. Each time the book was from his POV I wanted to throw it away. If the book was written from Stella's POV only I could have written it to her prejudice, but we actually know what's going inside his head. His attitude toward Stella is extremely objectifying. I can't believe the book was written by a woman! Not once does he try to court her or to give her the impression that he would not like to marry her against her will. No, for him marriage is just a question of When. For him both Stella and the horse are already his. Most of his POVs are dedicated to looking at Stella's carves and thinking how he would like to bed her. And I don't even want to touch the issue of their first kiss. I saw in reviews that the characters go through growth in later books, but I will not going to read any to see it. 

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Morrington Hall is the first in the Stella and Lyndy mystery series by Clara McKenna. We first meet our unconventional American heiress, Stella, when she unsuspectingly travels to England with her father having no idea that he has already made arrangements with an English family to marry her off. Viscount Lyndhurst, or Lyndy for short, fairs a bit better in that he at least knows about the upcoming wedding, but he is not much happier about the situation his parents have put him in. When their first meeting is interrupted by a murder, the pair find themselves coming together to figure out who the murderer might be.

The series is off to a fun start. I love that the characters, especially Stella, are unconventional. It's fun to see her starting to find her footing in a society so different from what she is used to despite her horrible father. She is definitely starting to bring out the best in Lyndy and I look forward to seeing where they go from here. I also like how the story wrapped up. It seemed a nice way to lead into the next in the series.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of potential here, but I think that the writing held it back somewhat - there were many moments where I wanted more on the character/relationship front, or I felt like a scene ended too abruptly. I liked Stella and Lyndy a lot, and I'm interested in seeing more of them. That said, virtually all of the supporting characters (at least among the family and friends) are varying degrees of terrible. Her father was the worst of them all, of course, but really none of the family and friends except for Lady Alice and maybe Elizabeth were decent people. I'll definitely read more in the series, but I don't think this worked for me as well as some other series I've been reading of late.

CW for some potentially triggering mentions of eating habits and weight. It's not handled well with respect to either Stella or her father.

[Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this light hearted historical mystery.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Turn of the Century caper of courtship and murder set in the British countryside had strong appeal so I happily put in my earbuds and listened in to the first of Clara McKenna’s Stella and Lyndy Historical Mysteries told by new to me narrator, Sarah Zimmerman.

Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst and his family await the arrival of his future American heiress bride on the doorstop of the Earl of Atherly’s family estate. He is ambivalent about his parents’ plans to marry him off to put money in the family coffers to save the estate, but the arrival of Miss Stella Kendrick driving a flashy motorcar and her free manners and broad smile have him growing more interested by the minute even with her uncouth father’s ways and the later realization that poor Miss Kendrick had no idea the wedding in the country she attended was to be her own.

Stella’s shock over her rich domineering father’s wish for her to join him on a trip into the English countryside to see the most famous English horserace is only subterfuge to wed his daughter into the aristocracy and give himself a leg up from his humble beginnings. But, she has little time to ponder this and the ill-disguised reaction Lyndy’s family has to her brash American ways when a murder is discovered. She finds herself oddly interested in helping figure out the truth and she is more surprised when Lord Lyndy puts away his insouciant posture and attempts to charm her with boyish smirks to partner her in this endeavor.

I love when an author can tell a stellar story even while not stinting on historical background and clever character work. Murder at Moorington Hall is a historical cozy murder mystery, but it is also a class difference romance that mirrors some real life similar courtships when an American heiress is introduced to an impoverished British aristocrat. It was fun that horseracing and riding was a keen interest for both Stella and Lyndy along with the need to dig out the answers to the murder.

Stella was lively and sparkling. She notices much and cares about what others think, but this does not stop her from being herself and doing what she feels she must. She’s an intrepid horsewoman and she can drive a motorcar in an age when few motorcars are even on the road. She doesn’t see class distinctions and befriends her ladies’ maid and other staff. She might not like the way her father set her up, but she does give Lyndy a chance.
Lyndy is also interesting. At first glance, he’s a spoiled rich playboy and he is that, but even before Stella’s arrival he’s had a good look at what the men and women his age in society are doing. He’s starting to find it all rather dull and he’s avoided the excesses of others. Seeing his father squander the family money on his explorations makes him cautious. Stella is the breath of fresh air and impetus he needs to continue growing into a man who cares about more than the racing news and his tailored clothes.

The mystery is well plotted with some side plottings woven in to keep one guessing until the end. There are a few secrets that come out as the police, Stella and Lyndy start digging. I liked seeing this pair starting out in detecting using their insider knowledge from being on the spot and knowing all the players to get at evidence to help the police.

Sarah Zimmerman worked great voicing both Stella and Lyndy’s narration times and she matched up with the tone of the book. She had a variety of characters to bring to life and I thought she did great. I hope she voices the rest of the series.

All in all, this was a fab start and I can’t wait to continue with Stella and Lyndy’s personal journey as well as seeing them partnering in detecting once again. Definitely recommend!

My full review posted at The Reading Frenzy on Aug 16th