Murder Among the Roses

The Violet Carlyle Mysteries #5

by Beth Byers

May 1924.

Spring has arrived, the roses are blooming, and Violet and Victor are off to discover the state of his recent purchase.

When Violet decides to explore a local ramble through the woods, she believes she knows how her day will go. Who would expect to stumble over a body? Or just how scandalous the life of a gardener could be?

Book FIVE in The Violet Carlyle Mysteries. Are you ready for the roaring twenties? For jazz, dancing, night clubs, style, and wit? Violet and Victor are rich, spoiled, and utterly fun. You’ll love Vi, her indulgent twin Vic, their friends, and their hi-jinks. You might even find your interest caught by the handsome Detective Inspector Jack Wakefield. For fans of Carola Dunn, Jacqueline Winspear, Georgette Heyer, and Lee Strauss. A light, cozy mystery with a fun peek into life in the life of a bright young thing. No swearing, graphic scenes, or cliffhangers.

The Violet Carlyle Mysteries
Book 1: Murder & the Heir
Book 2: Kennington House Murder
Book 3: Murder & The Folly
Book 4: A Merry Little Murder
Book 5: Murder Among the Roses
Book 6: Murder in the Shallows
Book 7: Gin & Murder
Book 8: Obsidian Murder
Book 9: Murder at the Ladies Club
Book 10: Wedding Vows & Murder

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Historical Fiction

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2018

Reviews

[Victoria Scott]

This series is light and quick reading. I like them; but, I am using my Kindle unlimited subscription to read them. If I was purchasing each book, I would have stopped. I am about 1/2 way through the 22 book series. I recommend reading in sequence as the characters develop book by book.

[Vintagebooklvr]

3 1/2 stars. It definitely has the atmosphere of the jazzy, cocktail age, including the drunken antics and the morning-after hangover regrets. But underneath it all, this story proves that the age hadn't separated itself as far from old values and attitudes as they wished they were.

This is a fun series.

[Tara Carpenter]

This installment of Violet and friends had a slightly different feel to it. Violet has been dealing with depression (not hard to imagine as she has just dealt with four murders in a year or so) and she is distraught over her stalled relationship with Jack. Victor takes the gang out to stay at a country house he has purchased sight-unseen and fixed up, but the village is less that welcoming and apparently filled with nefarious characters. When Victor's gardener is murdered and Violet discovers the body, Jack is called upon to investigate and Violet feels compelled to help.

I like seeing heroine's go through moods, hard times, illness, etc because it makes them more relateable and I have come to admire Violet very much. She is intelligent, generous, loyal, independent, caring, and empathetic. Yet she is far from perfect and this makes me love her even more. It looks like her love with Jack is becoming pretty secure now.

[Krystyna]

Reputation is all

A good read. Perhaps another one that is just a tad too over dramatic but had it's lighter moments with the proposal as the best part.
A drunken purchase in a pub has made Vic the proud owner of a house in the country. The villagers around the house have made it clear that the new owner and his friends are nothing but a waste of space. Drunkards inclined to loose living. The first thing Vi does is to dislike the lecherous sneers of the gardener and then fall into bed ill. On recovery their visit to the village shows the gardener to have plenty of female company even though he was married. His body however was a surprise. A beaten wife, dead children, a supercilious attitude and more illness. Can they find who killed the man (as Vi has come to hate the house and the judgemental villagers)? Will Vic keep the house? What will he do when Kate is asked to go back home?

[katherine otis]

How divine!!

Once again, Vi and Victor and their friends are embroiled in another mystery. Victor, while in his cups, has purchased a house in the country. The villagers are aghast, Vi is conflicted and everyone is getting sick. Not the most pleasant welcome. Even worse...murder! Our bright, young things have a lot to get through and if you're like me, you'll have to control both your laughing and crying before everything is resolved. Once again, a wonderful glimpse into the world that the author has so smartly and entertainingly created.

[Diane]

Cracking Good Read

I chose the 5 Star rating because of the excellent, most romantic ending. I love Violet and Victor and the 1920s setting for these books. Their coterie of friends and relatives are perfect people for the central characters to interact with time and time again. Can't wait for Violet and Jack to finally the the knot and for both couples to give us babies, moving ahead to the next phase of their lives, all the while stumbling over bodies and solving crimes.

[Stacey]

Violet, Victor & company head to a house Victor bought while he was drunk to see what it's like. The gardens are fabulous thanks to the gardener, who is a serial cheater that no one much likes but Victor keeps on despite that keeping locals from working for him.
Violet goes for a walk in the woods & finds the gardener dead and investigates despite Jack wishing she wouldn't. The village does not think very highly of the group due to Victor being drunk when buying the house. Many insults are given but the investigation continues.
This was a decent mystery, medium romance.

[Brangela]

Another Winner!

If you're a fan of this series this does not disappoint. The story of twins Violet and Victor continues. I love that the author shows that they are maturing while still maintaining their playful side. Their bond is great to read about and doesn't feel forced. Add in the romances, old friendships and murder and prepare yourself for a quick enjoyable read. The only caution is to read the series from book 1 to truly appreciate it. I wasn't too thrilled in the beginning but I'm glad I stuck it out. It was well worth it.

[Larry]

I loved this book! I have loved all the books in this series, so far. Violet is a well to do vamp, a loving caring woman, and a devoted sister to her twin, all in one woman. Like all of us humans, she has her faults, but her generous spirit and sense of right prevails above all else. The plot of this story was easily followed, and although I knew who the "bad" person was at the end, I was still surprised. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the four books, I have read so far and look forward to the next one.

[Amanda Jane]

Thumbs down..

This has jthe weakest storyline so far. Lacking in a decent plot, weak characters, total lack of any kind of sleuthing or casework to solve the crime..

I expected more.. glad I haven't bought it.. definitely a bonus when exploring Indie authors who fail to edit, proofread or correct their manuscripts. Usual level of errors, still using US spellings and phrases.. still irritating.

[Sue]

I initially didn't like the characters, the story, and the mystery didn't happen until over halfway in the book. I find the frivolous. weathly heroine and her twin and cohorts less than admirable people, but they do have some good tendencies and beliefs that come out as the story/mystery and characters ineract and the book develops. The ending was satisfying. I find the upper crust British snobbery less than appealing- so I will not look for more in this series.

[Pauline Dowdall]

The story is good and love the details of the fashion of the period,but what i didn’t like was the way violet carried on her character was so annoying, when you describe her as whimpering and jack use to sit by her bed stroking her back, come on I know she’s spoilt but a grown woman did they really carry on like that, I liked her twin better every one saying how clever she is, so that is why I only gave it three stars.

[Lucia C. Smolski]

Violet being Violet.

Again another murder to solve in the village where Victor bought his house, sight unseen. Lila, Denny, Kate and Jack are visiting Victor's new home. The little village where it's situated leaves a lot to be desired for Violet. Yet, she tries to make the best of it and needs to overachiever as well. More mayhem, some shenanigans and romance makes this an enjoyable book.

[S A W Steel]

A good series but marred by silly mistakes

I like the characters, I like the plots, I like the settings. I don't like the silly errors. People in England in this period, 1920s, didn't drive in an auto, didn't have fish and chips lunches in the pub, didn't have putz village Christmas decorations etc. And if people smirked and winked at each other as much as this lot do, they'd probably be referred for medical attention!

[Joan Husmann]

A first!

After reading a few of the later books, I decided to go to the beginning. First book, “smirked” is only used twice, and Denny is quite normal. “Smirked” appears more often in each successive book. This novel marks the first episode, almost at the end, of Denny giggling. If I were back in college, these books would be great for a drinking game! Take one drink every time someone smirks, do a shot when Denny giggles. Dear Beth, please don’t make is all drunks!

[Joanne Bailey]

Another murder and more possible murderers!

I have a fondness for the twins Victor and Victoria! Each book in the series
you get to know the strength and weaknesses of both of them.
Their group of friends and family members all provide their own expertise
to help find the guilty party and bring them to justice.
Their penchant for liquor, liqueurs and chocolate are an added bonus!

[Terri Borkgren]

Murder Among the Roses Book 5

The Carlyle twins travel to see the mansion that Victor purchased when he was drunk, and with their friends solve a murder and find more friends to share their lives with Violet hates what this house means, her twin will live miles away if he married Kate and keeps this home. Solving a man's murder with the help of their friends is another fantastic cozy by Beth Byers. Enjoy it, I did.

[Gail Gassen]

Always a pleasure

All a pleasure reading the fun mysteries! This is a great series and I love reading what new and exciting things Violet is up to. Love hearing how her romance is going with Jack also! I enjoyed all of these books & look forward to the next one plus the novella coming out.

[Elena]

A great series. So easy to enjoy the characters

The characters feel like old friends. When I start a new episode I feel part of the gang. What are we going to do today? The mystery is important since it is a mystery series. But the friendships and the family dynamics make these books stand out from the crowded field.

[Danielle]

I love these mysteries! They are truly fun, but sometimes I can't get my head around the way the language is used. Yes. I'm Canadian, but I'm married to a Brit and still was confused to find out the Violet was having a fight with Victor! I must be dense. But that didn't keep me from enjoying the story in general!

[Nancy Wilson]

I am learning how to read these. First to figure out how is going to be the victim and second who is the villain. This centers around the house that Victor bought sight unseen while he was drunk and the village it sets in. While the house is acceptable the village has formed its opinion about the Carlyles and it isn't kind. And then Violet finds the gardener stabbed.

[Sharen]

Enjoy!

I really like these Violet Carlyle Cozy mysteries. They are fun, lighthearted, and a nice way to spend a cold rainy morning with a cup of tea. I am getting tired of all the “winking” the characters are starting to do. The author needs to find a different description for teasing. But, other than that...highly recommend!

[Mate Beth]

Not a favorite

…it had a feel of lacking heft, in retrospect, it felt like a transitioning piece. Something designed to get you to the next phase, not existing on its own merits. I think it is probably a necessary part of the total grand story, but not as enjoyable to me as the last 3-1/2 books. I shall go on to number 6, but trepidatiously.

[Sheryl Smith]

Visiting Victor's house

Poor Violet goes through so much turmoil in this wonderful book. Lots of fun between the twins and friends, with lots of love in the air. Of course, there is the murder to solve, but besides that there is much entertainment to be found. The ending is so perfect, too.

[Beth W. Bonne]

Love the Carlyles!

I absolutely love this cozy historical mystery series. The characters are charming, unique, and clever. The historical aspect brings to light the women's struggles during this time, and how Violet reminds the females, and males "the times they are a changin'."

[Meredith]

I love Lady Violet

Another fun adventure with Violet, Jack and the gang! I love this series - great characters and locales with interesting historical detail. I'm always anxiously awaiting the next book.

[Doreen]

Terrific!

This series is cute, clever, well written, and each mystery is well designed and developed. The usual characters are clever and likeable. Each location is different and offers new people and location. An excellent and enjoyable reading experience.

[Kathy Holm]

Murder Among the Roses(A Violet Carlyle Cozy Mystery)

You can always trust this author to give you an excellent story...the story is full of twists and turns, wonderful settings, and surprises...it is a joy to read her stories❤️

[Kimberley O’Malley]

I’m finding myself more and more interested in this series, I can’t put it down once I start reading it.. I look forward to each new adventure, but would like to see Jack and Vi’s relationship come along a bit quicker.

[Tony Hisgett]

I like Violet as a character, although at times she can become quite pathetic, especially around Jack. Fortunately she restored some of my faith in her when sorting out the murderer at the end of the book.