The Palace Guard

Kelling & Bittersohn #3

by Charlotte MacLeod

Sarah knows her Kellings family have never returned since an unfortunate incident when Madam Wilkins first opened her palatial Boston museum. But her Beacon Hill lodger Max Bittersohn has free passes to today's concert, and she cannot refuse him. Suddenly, something falls past them from the floor above, and the oldest guard sprawls dead among the hyacinths.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Humor

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1981

About the author

Naturalized US Citizen

Also wrote as Alisa Craig

Charlotte MacLeod, born in New Brunswick, Canada, and a naturalized U.S. citizen, was the multi-award-winning author of over thirty acclaimed novels. Her series featuring detective Professor Peter Shandy, America's homegrown Hercule Poirot, delivers "generous dollops of...warmth, wit, and whimsy" (San Francisco Sunday Examiner and Chronicle). But fully a dozen novels star her popular husband-and-wife team of Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn. And her native Canada provides a backdrop for the amusing Grub-and-Stakers cozies written under the pseudonym Alisa Craig and the almost-police procedurals starring Madoc Rhys, RCMP. A cofounder and past president of the American Crime Writers League, she also edited the bestselling anthologies Mistletoe Mysteries and Christmas Stalkings.

Reviews

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Three of this series brings us a few changes, and they are wonderful as usual! Charlotte MacLeod has been compared to Agatha Christie and for good reasons. Well paced books, interesting and diverse characters and wonderful plots with solutions to the mysteries being held until the very end. Here we have the Murder of not one, but two security guards at a Boston museum, lost art and a huge scandal with regard to even more lost art from the past. Into the fray come Sarah and Max to help solve the crimes, along with Sarah's 4th cousin, twice removed, Brooks. He is a delightful character who works at the museum and is a dedicated bird lover and has this neat little belt buckle camera that helps solve the case. Art, art forgeries and art theft are center stage in this book, a book where Sarah is happy that none of the murders occur in her boardinghouse, a change that helps in the believability of the book. If you have never read MacLeod, as I had not until a few months ago, give these delightful and well written books a chance. If you like mysteries or even just a good read, you cannot go wrong with MacLeod and her Kelling & Bittersohn mysteries.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for mysteries, love stories, and series. This has it all unfortunately it also had the most cringeworthy scene at a party with a lot of shady artists where the “middle-aged hippies” sound like a bunch of over the top beatniks, daddy-o. You dig? Ugh! Other than that and a glaringly obvious mystery, it was a pleasantly quick read. The real mystery is how did this get published? Perhaps it is the case of the missing editor?

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars - still a fun read, love the Countess! I always find myself drawn in with MacLeod’s witty, fun cozy mysteries, like potato chips, I can’t stop with just one! That’s why I reread this series and her Peter Shandy mysteries- sheer fun.

Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn are at a concert at “the Madam’s” - the former grand home of a robber baron’s widow turned into a museum jam-packed with haphazardly displayed works of art. Taking a break on the balcony overlooking a grand courtyard complete with waterfall, they are stunned to see a figure hurtle past from above; the oldest guard on duty lies sprawled below them- did he fall, or was he pushed?

Thus kicks off the first mystery Sarah and Max investigate together; third in the series, but previously Max investigated behind the scenes and Sarah did a lot of internal monologues of potential theories that didn’t amount to much. I enjoyed later books more, but this book introduced Cousin Brooks Kelling, art expert Bill Jones and the delightfully off-kilter Countess, so it is fun and clever.

[Francis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few hours of gentle and amusing sleuthing not unlike watching a late night movie with some stylishly dressed actors, a little witty dialogue and an actress with a flirty wink. Light but entertaining.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Sarah are on the case when a security guard plunges off a balcony in front of them. Ms. MacLeod's writing is smoothly paced with plenty of twists to keep me guessing until the reveal.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a guard falls from an upper story of the Wilkins Museum right in front of Max and Sarah, Max of course begins detecting. The dead guard had claimed that something had changed in the painting of his 'girlfriend' - The Rape of Lucrece - and Max begins to think that many of the other paintings may be fakes. In the process of discovering who did it, another guard is killed, Sarah becomes a spy in an extremely tight Indian sari outfit (she and Max are in disguise), and the relationship between Sarah and Max begins to simmer. There are a host of well-delineated characters, the plot is interesting even on a reread, and some of the MacLeod humor appears. However, this series is not as cutesy at the Shandy or Grub-and-Stakers series are - it is much more of a murder mystery with fun and a little romance involved.
August 2020 Rereading - again. Still just as enjoyable as the previous times!
April 2023 rereading

[Kamas Kirian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little cozy mystery. Of the first three in the series, I think this one is my favorite. While the copyist was pretty obvious, the ultimately responsible party I dithered about somewhat until towards the end. I liked most of the new characters that were introduced, the ones I didn't like were the ones we weren't meant to like. And I really liked that Mrs. Sorpende found a beau of her own. I also liked that Sarah and Max recognized that they were meant for each other, finally.

The story line fairly flew along with it's pacing. There was no plodding along like in previous installments. I'm quite looking forward to the next books in the series.

The eBook was formatted well with no obvious spelling errors and only one noticeable punctuation error.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle Deal | This series is good for exactly what it is, but won't satisfy anyone looking for something even slightly different. | I still find myself frustrated by the amount of time spent musing over ridiculous theories that never go anywhere or lead to anything. It's weird that the Kellings apparently go straight from infatuation to marriage, generally right at the end of the book. But still this is a good fluff mystery, with interesting characters and nice roundabouts to get Sarah and Max to the solution.

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces Theonia's romance. Brooks Kelling, another of Sarah's numerous relatives, is filling in for a guard at the Madam's Palace, when Sarah and Max, on a date to a concert, when a guard falls off the balcony. Max begins to investigate and Sarah insists on accompanying him during some of the investigation. Things begin to get kind of wild. More development of Sarah's and Max' romance. She is still running the boarding house and Theonia is helping out at the boarding house at times.

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series - the books are short, they're light, the plots are convoluted just enough to be intriguing, and the manners are so old fashioned and sweet.
This time Max and Sarah are trying to figure out what's going on at the museum, where nearly all the paintings are fake.

[Jane (Avid reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third Max and Sarah book and more murder, mayhem and detecting ensue. In this case a guard at an art museum dies falling off the roof and there are many page turning twists before reaching a satisfying reveal. Light and enjoyable cosy mystery read

[Maire M Machens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the books of Charlotte MacLeod but prefer the Peter Shanly series. from references to aging hippies the story must take place in the 70's or 80's, but the formal speech patterns were from decades earlier. That made the story very uneven for me.

[Beth Morrissette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the deepest of mysteries but great characters and an enjoyable read!

[moxieBK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Palace Guard — Charlotte MacLeod (25 chapters) September 23-27, 2020

This is the third book in Sarah Kelling cozy mystery set, and it’s the first one where Sarah and Max become closer than friends. Still, it’s vanilla love, and that’s quite fine with me.

Sarah and Max and hanging out a a concert when a body whizzed by on the way downward. Police call it an accident or suicide, but then another body connected the the concert ends up dead as well, and things suddenly look like a murderer is running loose.

As Sarah becomes closer to Max, they both investigate the museum where the concert was held, with Max realizing that the painting are all fake. Who took them and are the replaced masterpieces connected to the murders?

This was above average story in the series. Good placement of humor. Ms. MacLeod started to come into her place with these characters in this book and it shows.

There are dated scenes, since this is set in late 70’s early 80’s, but the plot is timeless and well written.

Four stars.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The body of a security guard being pushed off the third floor balcony of Madam Wilkin’s Palazzo is the beginning of a mystery with a couple of murders and a mishmash collection of art with questionable provenance.

Sarah Kelling, of the Boston Kellings and landlady of an elegant Beacon Hill boarding house, acts as assistant to Max Bittersohn, art expert and boarder, in investigating the various aspects of the case. This is not their first case and won’t be their last.

Among the suspects is a Countess who makes her money forging antique icons, some of the most inept security guards and staff, and one of the Kelling cousins. Screaming peacocks lend an unusual touch, along with the impresario who provides the musical talent for the museum concerts, knows quite a bit about the museum and staff. The murder takes place during one of the concerts so there are plenty of witnesses/suspects…maybe.

It is a cozy read with humour, a touch of romance and some good twists and turns.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Sarah have been spending a lot of time together. He has a lot of free passes to various events (at least that's what he's telling Sarah) so they've been stepping out. Too bad an evening of music at Madam's (a building the Kellings have a fraught history with the building's original owner) is ruined when one of the security guards plummets off a balcony to the floor below. One of Sarah's many cousins is substituting in as another guard. He is able to tell them some of the behind the scenes information. When another guard dies though, this time by paint remover put into the alcohol bottle he kept hidden in his locker, it all starts to get very, very serious.
A quick read - we get to learn more about Max and Sarah and the mystery is sound. Unfortunately, there is some casual racism in the book which made me uncomfortable and I'm hoping it doesn't continue in future books.

[Nancy]

The most enjoyable aspect of this light romantic mystery was the interaction among Ms. Kelling's boarders in her most elegant boarding house. Each meal was a small party and the quirky and very entertaining "paying guests" really added to allure of this not-very-compelling mystery novel.

I loved the Museum setting and the haute Boston environment mingled with the arty neer-do-wells (or crooks) that MacLeod brought in to her story.

I am familiar with MacLeod's other series' and thought it would be fun to give these characters a whirl. I loved the protagonists, loved the setting, but found the book overall was less than satisfying as anything other than very light airport reading.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could remember which author used the same setup for a more recent mystery. A guard falls from a museum that the original owner tried to model after a palace but then took pride when it was more like a bordello. And insisted that all art be left as is. But someone had fakes substituted for everything.
I was sure that this original version had a defter touch, but was not quite sure until the end when a different "who" "dunnit" that I was not just rereading and had forgotten too much.
I can remember the cover illustration of the copy so clearly. Pity I can't remember the author's name.

[Scilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wilkins Museum seems to have a lot of paintings which are copies with the original missing. Brooks Kelling is a substitute guard during a concert at the museum. One of the guards goes over the railing into the courtyard, and Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn see him go. They begin investigating the paintings and the museum characters. The Wilkins Museum seems to have a lot of paintings which are copies with the original missing. Sarah and Max with the help of Brooks do some investigating and finally realize the parts of all the interesting characters in this book. It's a clever mystery about Boston society.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macleod does fun characters and laugh-out-loud moments so well. This is the one with the over-the-top painter of genuine Byzantine icons, Countess Lydia Ouspenska, and all the art theft shenanigans over at the Madam’s palazzo in Boston.

Sarah and Max fall a little deeper in love, but are they actually going to make a thing of it??? (Spoiler: there is no actual doubt here. We’re just along for the ride.) I wish I could be comfortable handing this series to my tween, but it’s just a little dirty still.

[Jane Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed every Charlotte MacLeod book that I have ever read, and this one is no different. I have recently seen that she is referred to as America's Agatha Christie, and I would agree with that characterization.
Her books are all well-written and fun. There is plenty of humor and excitement. These would definitely be considered cozy mysteries, with no violence, bad language or sexual situations. They would be considered a clean read.
If you haven't tried Charlotte MacLeod, you really should. You are in for a treat!

[Peter Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another in one of several series written by Charlotte MacLeod. It's a pretty good mystery with a single woman getting along running a boarding house in Boston and an art investigator who solve murders. Unfortunately, of the four series that Charlotte MacLeod wrote, it is my least favorite. The others, a garden club in Quebec, an agricultural college in Massachusets and an RCMP in New Brunswick, were more entertaining to me. Still, it is readable and I'll probably read another.

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this series. I discovered it a long time ago and are just starting to re-read. However, I think this book is one of the weakest, if not the weakest, book in the series. I thought the story was not that interesting and I didn't care much about anything that was going on. The growing relationship between Max and Sara just did not seem real – it lacked either tension or passion between them. Fortunately as a re reader, I know this book is not the norm and better is to come.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was particularly confusing and not particularly interesting. To the point where I tossed the book out after I finished it. Sarah and Max have an art mystery to deal with. They deal with it but the usual fun that the book have just wasn't there. It was more kind of sad and pathetic than anything else. Not recommended. I'm going to read more since I know I've enjoyed some of the series but as at least one other person mentioned, this title is likely the weakest of the whole series.

[Teri Am · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah & Max investigate the murder of a museum guard. The emphasis in this book is more on Max as he works as an investigator into art thefts and forgeries. This is #3 in the series and can be read without reading the prior books. This series reminds me of the screwball comedies from Hepburn & Tracy, totally enjoyable with lots of snappy patter. Didn't figure out the murderer until the reveal, which, for me, makes a satisfying read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah and Max come up right in the middle of things once again! Sarah is surrounded by relatives and also her boarders as murder intrudes once again, but romance is finally in the air for Sarah and Max as well as cousin Brooks Kelling and an interesting boarder. I love this vintage series!
Andi Arndt is great as narrator!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these old fashioned mysteries with the mildly eccentric characters and interesting settings - in this case an art museum with paintings of questionable provenance. Sarah and Max's romance is continuing slowly but inexorably and they just can't help getting involved when a murder happens right before their eyes. And I'm off to the next in the series!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the the audiobook published by Mysterious Press/High Bridge narrated by Andi Arndt. This cozy is another clever, witty and entertaining mystery by Charlotte Macleod. The plot is twisty, well paced and populated by distinctive characters, some ongoing and some new. Now on to the next in series!

[Charlie Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book that furthers our acquaintance with Sarah Kellings and Max Bittersohn and their Boston world. MacLeod's clever writing and deft humor are appreciated, and the mystery is elegantly solved.

[Sherry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read a little. Then read the end. Not going to read any more of this series. It's just stupid-silly.