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Kate Hamilton Mysteries #2
A Legacy of Murder
American antique dealer Kate Hamilton's Christmastime jaunt to a charming English village leads to an investigation of a missing ruby...and a chain of murders.
It's Christmastime and antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is off to visit her daughter, Christine, in the quaint English village of Long Barston. Christine and her boyfriend, Tristan, work at stately-but-crumbling Finchley Hall. Touring the Elizabethan house and grounds, Kate is intrigued by the docent's tales of the Finchley Hoard, and the strange deaths surrounding the renowned treasure trove. But next to a small lake, Kate spies the body of a young woman, killed by a garden spade.
Nearly blind Lady Barbara, who lives at Finchley with her loyal butler, Mugg, persuades Kate to take over the murdered woman's work. Kate finds that a Burmese ruby has vanished from the legendary Blood-Red Ring, replaced by a lesser garnet. Were the theft and the woman's death connected?
Kate learns that Lady Barbara's son fled to Venezuela years before, suspected of murdering another young woman. The murder weapon belonged to an old gardener, who becomes the leading suspect. But is Lady Barbara's son back to kill again? When another body is found, the clues point toward Christine. It's up to Kate to clear her daughter's name in Connie Berry's second Kate Hamilton mystery, a treasure for fans of traditional British mysteries.
It's Christmastime and antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is off to visit her daughter, Christine, in the quaint English village of Long Barston. Christine and her boyfriend, Tristan, work at stately-but-crumbling Finchley Hall. Touring the Elizabethan house and grounds, Kate is intrigued by the docent's tales of the Finchley Hoard, and the strange deaths surrounding the renowned treasure trove. But next to a small lake, Kate spies the body of a young woman, killed by a garden spade.
Nearly blind Lady Barbara, who lives at Finchley with her loyal butler, Mugg, persuades Kate to take over the murdered woman's work. Kate finds that a Burmese ruby has vanished from the legendary Blood-Red Ring, replaced by a lesser garnet. Were the theft and the woman's death connected?
Kate learns that Lady Barbara's son fled to Venezuela years before, suspected of murdering another young woman. The murder weapon belonged to an old gardener, who becomes the leading suspect. But is Lady Barbara's son back to kill again? When another body is found, the clues point toward Christine. It's up to Kate to clear her daughter's name in Connie Berry's second Kate Hamilton mystery, a treasure for fans of traditional British mysteries.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2019
141 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Connie Berry
7 books157 followersConnie Berry is the author of the Kate Hamilton Mysteries, set in the UK and featuring an American antiques dealer with a gift for solving crimes. Like her protagonist, Connie was raised by antiques dealers who instilled in her a passion for history, fine art, and travel. During college she studied at the University of Freiburg in Germany and St. Clare’s College, Oxford, where she fell under the spell of the British Isles. Besides reading and writing mysteries, Connie loves history, foreign travel, cute animals, and all things British. She lives in Ohio with her husband and adorable Shih Tzu, Emmie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
September 25, 2019
The second in the Kate Hamilton Mystery series by Connie Berry has antique dealer Kate Hamilton travelling to England for a Christmas visit with her daughter, Christine, who is working as an intern on a hundreds year old estate. Christine makes arrangements for Kate to have an empty room in an area where most interns lived, which gives her proximity to the action. Almost immediately there is a murder, the death of another intern who was working as curator for a huge exhibit that is being mounted as a fundraiser for the upkeep of the estate.
As the murder is being investigated, the owner of the estate, Lady Barbara asks Kate to fill in for the murdered girl and complete the creation of the exhibit. At the same time, Kate’s visit to England is designed to allow her to spend some time with Tom, a police Chief Inspector whom she met on a trip to Ireland. Tom gets called in to investigate this initial murder and a second one later in the book which implicates Christine.
Although the relationship between Kate and Tom, the Chief Inspector, began in the first book, the author does a good job of providing enough information so it isn’t necessary to have read that book first. However, if you are a reader who likes to experience relationships between characters from the outset, you might want to read all the books in order.
The book is well plotted and moves at a good pace. There are some charming secondary characters who are introduced, as well as further development of Kate’s relationships with both Christine and Tom. The book does stand alone in that there is a murderer who is unmasked and brought to justice within this book.
While I solved this mystery prior to the end of the book, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the entire book. This is a good, cozy series that will likely appeal to many cozy readers who enjoy good character development. There is enough interest in secondary relationships to encourage the reader to pick up the next book without feeling obligated just to get the solution to this current murder. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Digital Read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m looking forward to continuing to explore this series.
As the murder is being investigated, the owner of the estate, Lady Barbara asks Kate to fill in for the murdered girl and complete the creation of the exhibit. At the same time, Kate’s visit to England is designed to allow her to spend some time with Tom, a police Chief Inspector whom she met on a trip to Ireland. Tom gets called in to investigate this initial murder and a second one later in the book which implicates Christine.
Although the relationship between Kate and Tom, the Chief Inspector, began in the first book, the author does a good job of providing enough information so it isn’t necessary to have read that book first. However, if you are a reader who likes to experience relationships between characters from the outset, you might want to read all the books in order.
The book is well plotted and moves at a good pace. There are some charming secondary characters who are introduced, as well as further development of Kate’s relationships with both Christine and Tom. The book does stand alone in that there is a murderer who is unmasked and brought to justice within this book.
While I solved this mystery prior to the end of the book, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the entire book. This is a good, cozy series that will likely appeal to many cozy readers who enjoy good character development. There is enough interest in secondary relationships to encourage the reader to pick up the next book without feeling obligated just to get the solution to this current murder. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Digital Read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m looking forward to continuing to explore this series.
October 10, 2019
Kate Hamilton has traveled to the small village of Long Barston in England. Her daughter, Christine, is spending her semester break working at Finchley Hall as one of several college aged interns who work on the premises, and Kate can visit Christine and her new friend Tom Mallory, a policeman she met in Scotland and is falling for, before heading back home to Ohio to spend Christmas with her mother. On her first day, Kate is taking a tour of Finchley Hall. The guide is talking about the murders that have taken place on the estate when a scream interrupts her. Kate and several others run to find one of the interns dead. The police are quick to label it murder. With Tom on the case, it is cutting into the time Kate thought they would have together. But she can’t help but worry. Is Christine in danger since she is an intern?
I’ve just teased the first couple of chapters, so things obviously get off to a fast start. However, the pace is uneven, especially early on in the story. I know part of that is me since Kate loves England much more than I do, and her wonder at spending time there didn’t translate to me. However, there is a good mystery here, with some decent twists and surprises. The climax is page turning and perfect logical. The characters are absolutely wonderful. We have a rather large cast, but I never had any issue keeping everyone and their relationship to the events unfolding around Kate straight. While the book is set in December, there is so much going on we don’t get lots of scenes directly related to Christmas, although I certainly enjoyed the references to the season we did see. This book isn’t quite as strong as the first one, but I’m glad I read it. This is a series that anyone who loves the British Isles needs to pick up today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’ve just teased the first couple of chapters, so things obviously get off to a fast start. However, the pace is uneven, especially early on in the story. I know part of that is me since Kate loves England much more than I do, and her wonder at spending time there didn’t translate to me. However, there is a good mystery here, with some decent twists and surprises. The climax is page turning and perfect logical. The characters are absolutely wonderful. We have a rather large cast, but I never had any issue keeping everyone and their relationship to the events unfolding around Kate straight. While the book is set in December, there is so much going on we don’t get lots of scenes directly related to Christmas, although I certainly enjoyed the references to the season we did see. This book isn’t quite as strong as the first one, but I’m glad I read it. This is a series that anyone who loves the British Isles needs to pick up today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
November 15, 2019
Sitting down with a new Kate Hamilton book by Connie Berry is, quite simply, pure delight. These are the kinds of stories I look forward to with barely-suppressed eagerness, the sort of warmly delicious novels one can curl up with and become instantly immersed into. The type of book I will pull out and re-read because I just adore the writing voice, the rich turns of phrases, and the development of the plot.
One of the things I loved most about A Dream of Death was the gorgeous writing, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of A Legacy of Murder, too. Sentences like… “Irregular panes of glass set into tall banks of mullioned windows reflected the light like a patchwork quilt of mirrors.”… make my reader heart sigh in bookish bliss. Not trying too hard or too needlessly verbose, just a beautiful way of expressing description and insights. Additionally, the construct of the plot in this sophomore novel is even more intricate than in Berry’s debut. Intriguing, multi-layered murders and thefts (some decades old in both cases) share the stage with an authentic look at life, love, and the combination thereof – not to mention well-defined characters, some of whom enhance the story just by being on the page. (I’m looking at you, Ivor!)
Kate’s struggles (in between mystery-solving) in this book are easily relatable, especially for women in the same stage of life, and Kate herself is just as easily liked. She’s smart, witty, warm, and strong – but also honest in her fears and insecurities. And Tom – oh how I love Tom. He’s certainly not without his faults but he’s just such a good guy. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for their relationship in book #3, and I’m excited about all the storyline possibilities (mysteries included) that the author sets the stage for toward the end of this book.
Bottom Line: A Legacy of Murder is well-plotted and engaging, with layered characters and a lovely English village setting. The writing voice (delightfully enhanced by the first person narrative) wraps you in a warm hug, the descriptions and word choices at times nearly poetic as they flow easily off the page. The mysteries keep piling up in this book and I was intrigued by each one. The perfect choice to curl up with this weekend!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
One of the things I loved most about A Dream of Death was the gorgeous writing, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of A Legacy of Murder, too. Sentences like… “Irregular panes of glass set into tall banks of mullioned windows reflected the light like a patchwork quilt of mirrors.”… make my reader heart sigh in bookish bliss. Not trying too hard or too needlessly verbose, just a beautiful way of expressing description and insights. Additionally, the construct of the plot in this sophomore novel is even more intricate than in Berry’s debut. Intriguing, multi-layered murders and thefts (some decades old in both cases) share the stage with an authentic look at life, love, and the combination thereof – not to mention well-defined characters, some of whom enhance the story just by being on the page. (I’m looking at you, Ivor!)
Kate’s struggles (in between mystery-solving) in this book are easily relatable, especially for women in the same stage of life, and Kate herself is just as easily liked. She’s smart, witty, warm, and strong – but also honest in her fears and insecurities. And Tom – oh how I love Tom. He’s certainly not without his faults but he’s just such a good guy. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for their relationship in book #3, and I’m excited about all the storyline possibilities (mysteries included) that the author sets the stage for toward the end of this book.
Bottom Line: A Legacy of Murder is well-plotted and engaging, with layered characters and a lovely English village setting. The writing voice (delightfully enhanced by the first person narrative) wraps you in a warm hug, the descriptions and word choices at times nearly poetic as they flow easily off the page. The mysteries keep piling up in this book and I was intrigued by each one. The perfect choice to curl up with this weekend!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 11, 2023
Roughly one month after A Dream of Death ended, Kate Hamilton found herself back in Great Britain with the intention of spending time with her daughter, Christine. She also planned to spend time getting to know DI Thomas Mallory of the Suffolk Constabulary a little better. He wanted an in-depth one-on-one relationship with Kate and hoped he had time to convince her before she returned to the states.
As expected, a murder took place.
~~~~~
Kate was a caring if not, imperfect, character. She juggled her association with her daughter and it wasn't always easy. There was an underlying amount of conflict that simmered below the surface.
Then there was Tom; a man who loved her, but also had some issues. One of them was his mother and the other was his job. He appeared to be on call day and night, 24/7.
Similar to A Dream of Death, there were quite a few secondary characters. For Kate, it was a matter of unearthing long-ago secrets, exploring who was related to whom and discovering how to keep a floundering estate afloat.
With regards to family, Kate tried to apply a prudent hand, but Christine's faulty logic offered a challenge. It not only affected Kate, but also Tom. I found Christine somewhat immature. I also thought Kate had some rash moments and, if not for Tom, I might have not enjoyed the mystery as much.
I hope to see even more of him in The Art of Betrayal. He provided a smooth polish to Kate's edges and I think they make a good pair.
As expected, a murder took place.
~~~~~
Kate was a caring if not, imperfect, character. She juggled her association with her daughter and it wasn't always easy. There was an underlying amount of conflict that simmered below the surface.
Then there was Tom; a man who loved her, but also had some issues. One of them was his mother and the other was his job. He appeared to be on call day and night, 24/7.
Similar to A Dream of Death, there were quite a few secondary characters. For Kate, it was a matter of unearthing long-ago secrets, exploring who was related to whom and discovering how to keep a floundering estate afloat.
With regards to family, Kate tried to apply a prudent hand, but Christine's faulty logic offered a challenge. It not only affected Kate, but also Tom. I found Christine somewhat immature. I also thought Kate had some rash moments and, if not for Tom, I might have not enjoyed the mystery as much.
I hope to see even more of him in The Art of Betrayal. He provided a smooth polish to Kate's edges and I think they make a good pair.
September 2, 2019
This is the second book in the Kate Hamilton Mystery series and I found it to be a well written, fast-paced mystery with a plot and characters that kept me engaged. I was a fan of the first book in the series. I found Kate Hamilton to be a smart, mature woman who was someone that I could easily relate to in terms of her age, if not her experiences. She is level headed and has a good sense of putting the puzzle pieces together where murder is concerned. This time around, Kate is in England to visit her daughter before Christmas. While I love Kate's character, I was not a fan of her daughter Christine. She comes across as a bit spoiled, sullen and someone who cannot learn from her past romantic disasters. Tom Mallory makes a return appearance and the author is crafting Kate's relationship with Tom in a way that feels natural with the bumps one would expect from a new relationship where both parties come with baggage. The secondary cast of characters is rounded out by the interns who work at Finchley Hall in some capacity and the local townspeople.
There are two different mysteries going on in the book that become intertwined along the way. There is the murder of a young intern on the first day Kate arrives at Finchley Hall. Given Kate's background, she is asked to assist with an exhibit that was being handled by the dead intern. Kate tries to put the puzzle pieces together, including how some local thefts of valuable antiques fit into the valuables being displayed at Finchley Hall and whether that could have led to the intern's death. Along the way, Kate also has to clear her daughter's name from assault charges of another intern whom she had a conflict with over a young man.
This was a very enjoyable sophomore entry in this series. It has a fast pace and characters that engage the reader. The mysteries are well done and the clues laid by the author, along with some twists and turns, will have the reader trying to guess the identity of the killer/thief until the climactic reveal. I'm looking forward to seeing where Ms. Berry takes this series and the character of Kate Hamilton.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
There are two different mysteries going on in the book that become intertwined along the way. There is the murder of a young intern on the first day Kate arrives at Finchley Hall. Given Kate's background, she is asked to assist with an exhibit that was being handled by the dead intern. Kate tries to put the puzzle pieces together, including how some local thefts of valuable antiques fit into the valuables being displayed at Finchley Hall and whether that could have led to the intern's death. Along the way, Kate also has to clear her daughter's name from assault charges of another intern whom she had a conflict with over a young man.
This was a very enjoyable sophomore entry in this series. It has a fast pace and characters that engage the reader. The mysteries are well done and the clues laid by the author, along with some twists and turns, will have the reader trying to guess the identity of the killer/thief until the climactic reveal. I'm looking forward to seeing where Ms. Berry takes this series and the character of Kate Hamilton.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley.
June 29, 2019
Kate Hamilton is visiting the English town of Long Barston for the Christmas Holidays were her daughter Christine is interning at Frinchly Hall, a building originating from medieval times. Kate is planning on spending time with her boyfriend, DI Tom Mallory. On a tour of Frinchley Hall she learns about the 4 murders that have occurred at he Hall and the body of one of the interns was discovered. Evidence points to Christine and Kate becomes involved with the investigation to clear Christine 'name. The gas and turns The BOOK takes will keep you occupied until the surprising finished. I am looking forward to the next book. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Disclosure: Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
November 6, 2019
If your favoured reading material is a compelling tale with a good sprinkling of mystery, murder, relationships and good old-fashioned policing and sleuthing then A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry is a must-read for you!
It’s nearly Christmastime and independent and level-headed American antique dealer Kate Hamilton is back, along with a very busy DI Tom Mallory, in this fabulous continuation of a brilliant series! This traditional mystery plot was very appealing to me in many ways. There were elements of history surrounding an unsolved murder, a large bunch of colourful characters, a whisper of troubled romance and a fantastic setting in the English countryside.
This was a whodunnit mystery containing many red herrings that threw me off the scent and would satisfy even the most meticulously thorough armchair detective. Connie Berry’s knowledge of antiques was admirable and she clearly knew her subject matter very well. I found that this novel was suspenseful enough to keep my level of interest high and I wanted to keep scrolling on my e-reader.
All in all, A Legacy of Murder was a brilliant addition to marvellous, compulsive series and it was the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly autumn weekend along with a steaming mug of hot chocolate! I am already looking forward to reading the next instalment.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel through Great Escapes Book Tours and the publisher via NetGalley, at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.
It’s nearly Christmastime and independent and level-headed American antique dealer Kate Hamilton is back, along with a very busy DI Tom Mallory, in this fabulous continuation of a brilliant series! This traditional mystery plot was very appealing to me in many ways. There were elements of history surrounding an unsolved murder, a large bunch of colourful characters, a whisper of troubled romance and a fantastic setting in the English countryside.
This was a whodunnit mystery containing many red herrings that threw me off the scent and would satisfy even the most meticulously thorough armchair detective. Connie Berry’s knowledge of antiques was admirable and she clearly knew her subject matter very well. I found that this novel was suspenseful enough to keep my level of interest high and I wanted to keep scrolling on my e-reader.
All in all, A Legacy of Murder was a brilliant addition to marvellous, compulsive series and it was the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly autumn weekend along with a steaming mug of hot chocolate! I am already looking forward to reading the next instalment.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel through Great Escapes Book Tours and the publisher via NetGalley, at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.
September 9, 2019
I love English countryside mysteries and this one was perfect. The mystery had all the cozy countryside elements - a gorgeous manor setting, wintry weather, hidden treasure, intrigue and a mystery with red herrings. The main character, Kate Hamilton, is an antiques expert, vacationing in England and visiting her daughter who is an intern at the manor. She soon who finds herself in the middle of historical intrigue and past and present day murder.
The book was fast-paced and kept my interest, so much so that I did not want to put it down and I read the book in two sittings. Kate is a likable character who has been through the loss of her husband and is rebuilding her life. She is independent, stubborn and exceedingly kind. Her headstrong daughter Christine, a twenty-something intern was a bit of a handful. The romance between Kate and Inspector Tom Mallory did not overshadow the mystery, but added to the story. The supporting characters were charming, and uniquely British. My favorite was Ivor, an elderly antique dealer who Kate befriends.
The is a perfect book to curl up with and read while having a cup of tea. I'm looking forward to the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of the book.
The book was fast-paced and kept my interest, so much so that I did not want to put it down and I read the book in two sittings. Kate is a likable character who has been through the loss of her husband and is rebuilding her life. She is independent, stubborn and exceedingly kind. Her headstrong daughter Christine, a twenty-something intern was a bit of a handful. The romance between Kate and Inspector Tom Mallory did not overshadow the mystery, but added to the story. The supporting characters were charming, and uniquely British. My favorite was Ivor, an elderly antique dealer who Kate befriends.
The is a perfect book to curl up with and read while having a cup of tea. I'm looking forward to the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review of the book.
May 17, 2022
This second of a series finds Kate Hamilton away from her Wisconsin home for the Christmas season united with her daughter Christine who is serving an internship at a large country house in English village Long Barston. There is a murder to solve very early on of a young woman who was organizing a display of treasures held by the lady of the manor. Kate steps into the role of organizing the displays as BBC is scheduled to come as well as the public invitation for viewing to raise needed funds to keep the old house from crumbling. Another line of interest is the budding relationship between Kate and her policeman, Tom Mallory.
This is easy reading with antiques values and descriptions holding some interest, but there is a load of silliness to digest as well. There is a Barston in west Midlands, apparently, that can be traced back to medieval times. Will I continue reading series? Perhaps.
on sale now at Amazon for $1.99
This is easy reading with antiques values and descriptions holding some interest, but there is a load of silliness to digest as well. There is a Barston in west Midlands, apparently, that can be traced back to medieval times. Will I continue reading series? Perhaps.
on sale now at Amazon for $1.99
September 1, 2021
Ohio antique dealer, Kate Hamilton, has been invited to Suffolk, England by her daughter Christine who has landed an internship at a country estate. The interns are all working frenetically to get an exhibit mounted of the entire collection of the estate's artifacts, including the Finchley Hoard. Lady Barbara is in severe need of a cash infusion to maintain the aged estate (without selling off any of the assets) and a successful exhibition may just be the ticket. Then someone throws a wrench in the works by doing in the exhibit organizer. With so much relying on the successful outcomes, Lady Barbara implores Kate to take over the organizing of the exhibit. Meanwhile, DCI Tom Mallory, Kate's quasi-love-interest, is called to handle the murder investigation. All goes according to plan until Christine falls under the scrutiny of the local constabulary. Can Kate clear her daughter's name an also solve the myriad of crimes. Only time will tell.
This second book of Connie Berry's, "Kate Hamilton Mystery" series is a delightful continuation of Kate's British Isles encounters. It's part cozy mystery, a bit of police procedural work and it holds a small touch of later-in-life blooming romance. The story calls into play Kate's knowledge of history and antiques. There were a number of red herrings where everyone is a suspect at some point or another. There's a fair amount of secrets held and troublesome relationships which leads one to perhaps unfair conclusions. As cozy mysteries go, there was a bit more gravitas than is often found in the genre which personally, I found quite appealing. All in all, this was a most enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
This second book of Connie Berry's, "Kate Hamilton Mystery" series is a delightful continuation of Kate's British Isles encounters. It's part cozy mystery, a bit of police procedural work and it holds a small touch of later-in-life blooming romance. The story calls into play Kate's knowledge of history and antiques. There were a number of red herrings where everyone is a suspect at some point or another. There's a fair amount of secrets held and troublesome relationships which leads one to perhaps unfair conclusions. As cozy mysteries go, there was a bit more gravitas than is often found in the genre which personally, I found quite appealing. All in all, this was a most enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
September 22, 2019
This was the second installment in the Kate Hamilton mystery series. I hadn’t read the first one so I tracked it down and read it in preparation. I’m glad I did because I felt one built on the other and the character development in A Dream of Death was beneficial.
I really enjoyed both installments and think I might have found a new series to devour. They are labeled cozies but they had a little more depth than most in the genre. They are well written, the mysteries kept me engaged and I enjoyed the different settings of both books. I appreciated Berry adding some historical background for each of the locations which added extra interest to the plot.
Kate is a great main character – she is mature, intelligent and has a great heart which makes a perfect combination. The romance with Tom is handled well - there is just enough to spark interest but is not overdone, sappy or too "sexy".
I would highly recommend the series and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment. 4 solid stars.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed both installments and think I might have found a new series to devour. They are labeled cozies but they had a little more depth than most in the genre. They are well written, the mysteries kept me engaged and I enjoyed the different settings of both books. I appreciated Berry adding some historical background for each of the locations which added extra interest to the plot.
Kate is a great main character – she is mature, intelligent and has a great heart which makes a perfect combination. The romance with Tom is handled well - there is just enough to spark interest but is not overdone, sappy or too "sexy".
I would highly recommend the series and I’m looking forward to reading the next installment. 4 solid stars.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2019
A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry is the second A Kate Hamilton Mystery. Kate Hamilton is visiting her daughter, Christine who obtained a position as an intern at Finchley Hall in Long Barston, Suffolk, England. Kate is enjoying a tour with the docent’s spiel on the four murders that have occurred on the Elizabethan estate as well the infamous Hoard. As they approach the lake, a young boy screams, and Kate sees the body of a woman. Kate calls her beau, Detective Inspector Tom Mallory with the Suffolk Constabulary who rushes to the scene. The victim is Tabitha King who is an intern on the estate working on the upcoming display of the Finchley Hoard. When Lady Barbara Finchley-fforde learns of Kate’s background, she asks if Kate would take over Tabitha’s work for the upcoming exhibit. Kate also agrees to help Tom by keeping her eyes and ears open for intel that would help the investigation. Kate’s pleasant Christmas vacation takes a turn when she gets caught up in mysterious happenings at Finchley Hall. Connie Berry is a descriptive writer whose details brings the scenes and characters alive. The setting was lovely, and I felt like I was in Suffolk. The antiques store in town sounded wondrous along with its quirky owner. If you have not read A Dream of Death, you will not be lost. Everything a new reader needs to know is included in A Legacy of murder. I thought the story contained good writing, but it does moves along at a slower pace. Things do pick up later in the story. Kate is a strong female protagonist. She is a widow with two grown children and runs an antique shop in Ohio. I can tell the author is familiar with antiques and this knowledge is beautifully incorporated into the story. The mystery is multifaceted which I enjoyed. Kate also gets to spend time with Tom, and I like that he finds her observations helpful. Kate’s daughter, Christine has some growing up to do. She needs to learn that work and hunky boyfriends do not mix. A Legacy of Murder is an intriguing cozy mystery with multiple murders, extraordinary exhibition, boyfriend brouhaha, and a stately estate.
June 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this second book in the Kate Hamilton mystery series. The mystery was complicated, and i definitely didn't guess who the villain was. It was filled with interesting secondary characters, and a great setting (small English village and a large manor house).
While I didn't care for Kate's daughter, it was rather interesting to have a main character with a not-so-perfect young adult child. We'll see if her daugher matures a bit as the series goes on. I also liked the development in Kate and Tom's relationship.
I've already downloaded the next in the series, and will start it shortly!
While I didn't care for Kate's daughter, it was rather interesting to have a main character with a not-so-perfect young adult child. We'll see if her daugher matures a bit as the series goes on. I also liked the development in Kate and Tom's relationship.
I've already downloaded the next in the series, and will start it shortly!
January 21, 2020
I really liked the first in this series, and the second is pure gold. Antiques dealer widowed Kate Hamilton is visiting England to see her daughter, who's an intern at a stately home, and not so incidentally to spend time with the English policeman she met in the first book. On a tour of the stately home, a young boy discovers a dead body--that of a woman who was organizing a show of the trove of treasure found 200 years ago on the grounds of Finchley Hall. Kate takes over arrangements for the show, which may help the fragile Lady Barbara preserve her home, which desperately needs repairs. Wonderful incidental characters add to the fun.
October 14, 2019
I truly enjoyed reading this wonderfully entertaining and captivating story. A Legacy of Murder was my first experience reading a book by Connie Berry and I was pleasantly surprised by her engaging writing style, her many well developed characters and her realistic and detailed mystery. Although the beginning of the story was a little slow, I was soon pulled in by the well developed plot that held my attention and kept me guessing until the very end. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery with a historical background, a hidden treasure, great characters, a really engaging plot and a little bit of romance.
A Legacy of Murder is the second book in Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton Mystery series and is set in the English town of Long Barston. Although this is the second book in this series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The story is told in the first person point of view and features Kate Hamilton, a 46 year old antique dealer from Jackson Falls, Ohio. Kate is a strong, independent woman who is trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She is level headed, kind hearted and very talented at putting clues together to solve crimes.
Kate Hamilton has decided to spend the two weeks before the Holidays visiting her daughter, Christine in England. Christine is working as an intern at Finchley Hall and has made arrangements for her mother to stay in one of the private rooms on the estate where the interns live. Kate is also hoping to spend time with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory who she met one month ago in Ireland. Kate is hoping to get to know Tom better to see if their new relationship has a future despite the obstacles and great distance that separate them. “Leave it to me to fall in love with a man that lives 3700 miles away.” Although Tom was first introduced in the previous book the author provides enough background information about their relationship to easily jump right into the story.
At the beginning of the story Kate arrives at Finchley Hall and decides to takes a tour of the estate where she learns about the history of Finchley Hall, its famous treasure and its well known legacy of murder. While on the tour a young boy comes across the dead body of Tabitha King, an intern in charge of preparing an exhibit of the Finchley treasure. Kate soon learns that Tabitha’s murder is very much like another interns murder that took place 23 years earlier. Soon, Kate is asked by Lady Barbara Finchley-fforde to fill in for the intern and to help with the exhibit of the famous Finchley treasure. Since the exhibit is essentially to the financial security of the estate Kate agrees to help. When she notices that some items on the list are unaccounted for, she starts to investigate. Soon Kate finds herself in the middle of several murders, a local ring of thefts involving stolen antiques and having to prove her own daughter's innocence.
Kate’s dream vacation to London was supposed to help her form a strong relationship with her daughter Christine, meet Tristan- Christine’s new boyfriend, buy some antiques for her shop in Ohio, and spend time with Tom. Instead Tom is too busy investigating the murders, Christine is upset with Tristan and refuses to talk to Kate and Kate has committed herself to setting up the exhibit for the estate. Will Kate be able to find out what happened to the missing items from the treasure? Will she be able to uncover those responsible for the murders before it’s too late? Will she be able to clear her daughter from any involvement and still be able to have the close relationship that she was hoping for? Finally, will she be able to spend time with Tom and have a meaningful relationship with him despite the distance? Kate’s dream vacation is far from what she was hoping for!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry. The story was fast paced, the plot was extremely well developed and the mystery completely held my attention. Although I was pretty sure I knew who was responsible for the murders, the many twists and turns of the story kept me guessing about possible motives and made me suspicious of many. I enjoyed Kate’s relationship with Tom, their interactions and the very realistic challenges they face. The secondary characters were all very colorful and absolutely delightful. Although, I must note that I really did not like Christine. I found her to be spoiled, immature and quite a handful. I did however enjoy Kate’s friendship with Lady Barbara, Vivian and little Danny. I especially liked her friendship with Ivor, an elderly antique dealer and felt it added a special warmth to the story. I also found the rivalry between the two town pubs very entertaining and often humorous. This was a wonderful and very engaging story that had a lot of depth and great detail. Connie Berry is a very talented author and I look forward to reading her next book in this series. I highly recommend this story. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly autumn or winter day!
I would like to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review!
A Legacy of Murder is the second book in Connie Berry’s Kate Hamilton Mystery series and is set in the English town of Long Barston. Although this is the second book in this series, it can easily be read as a standalone. The story is told in the first person point of view and features Kate Hamilton, a 46 year old antique dealer from Jackson Falls, Ohio. Kate is a strong, independent woman who is trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She is level headed, kind hearted and very talented at putting clues together to solve crimes.
Kate Hamilton has decided to spend the two weeks before the Holidays visiting her daughter, Christine in England. Christine is working as an intern at Finchley Hall and has made arrangements for her mother to stay in one of the private rooms on the estate where the interns live. Kate is also hoping to spend time with Detective Inspector Tom Mallory who she met one month ago in Ireland. Kate is hoping to get to know Tom better to see if their new relationship has a future despite the obstacles and great distance that separate them. “Leave it to me to fall in love with a man that lives 3700 miles away.” Although Tom was first introduced in the previous book the author provides enough background information about their relationship to easily jump right into the story.
At the beginning of the story Kate arrives at Finchley Hall and decides to takes a tour of the estate where she learns about the history of Finchley Hall, its famous treasure and its well known legacy of murder. While on the tour a young boy comes across the dead body of Tabitha King, an intern in charge of preparing an exhibit of the Finchley treasure. Kate soon learns that Tabitha’s murder is very much like another interns murder that took place 23 years earlier. Soon, Kate is asked by Lady Barbara Finchley-fforde to fill in for the intern and to help with the exhibit of the famous Finchley treasure. Since the exhibit is essentially to the financial security of the estate Kate agrees to help. When she notices that some items on the list are unaccounted for, she starts to investigate. Soon Kate finds herself in the middle of several murders, a local ring of thefts involving stolen antiques and having to prove her own daughter's innocence.
Kate’s dream vacation to London was supposed to help her form a strong relationship with her daughter Christine, meet Tristan- Christine’s new boyfriend, buy some antiques for her shop in Ohio, and spend time with Tom. Instead Tom is too busy investigating the murders, Christine is upset with Tristan and refuses to talk to Kate and Kate has committed herself to setting up the exhibit for the estate. Will Kate be able to find out what happened to the missing items from the treasure? Will she be able to uncover those responsible for the murders before it’s too late? Will she be able to clear her daughter from any involvement and still be able to have the close relationship that she was hoping for? Finally, will she be able to spend time with Tom and have a meaningful relationship with him despite the distance? Kate’s dream vacation is far from what she was hoping for!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry. The story was fast paced, the plot was extremely well developed and the mystery completely held my attention. Although I was pretty sure I knew who was responsible for the murders, the many twists and turns of the story kept me guessing about possible motives and made me suspicious of many. I enjoyed Kate’s relationship with Tom, their interactions and the very realistic challenges they face. The secondary characters were all very colorful and absolutely delightful. Although, I must note that I really did not like Christine. I found her to be spoiled, immature and quite a handful. I did however enjoy Kate’s friendship with Lady Barbara, Vivian and little Danny. I especially liked her friendship with Ivor, an elderly antique dealer and felt it added a special warmth to the story. I also found the rivalry between the two town pubs very entertaining and often humorous. This was a wonderful and very engaging story that had a lot of depth and great detail. Connie Berry is a very talented author and I look forward to reading her next book in this series. I highly recommend this story. It’s the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly autumn or winter day!
I would like to thank Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest, unbiased review!
May 26, 2020
Kate is looking forward to her trip to England for Christmas to spend some time with her daughter who is working as an intern at historic Finchley Hall and her new gentleman friend. A budding relationship with him is scaring Kate who knows long distance relationships are difficult. Several murders later and Kate's involvement put her relationships with everyone to the test!
November 8, 2019
Antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is in England to visit her daughter Christine, an intern at Finchley Hall, a down-at-its heels country manor steeped in local history and lore, which over the years has been the site of murder and misfortune. Desperately in need of major repairs, its current owner Lady Barbara hopes the 200th Anniversary Exhibition of the Finchley Hoard, a collection of family treasures, will generate much-needed revenue. During the preparation of the exhibit, however, the village is beset by a series of murders, attacks, and thefts.
Kate agrees to stay on at Finchley Hall to complete the exhibition work begun by Tabitha King, whose lifeless body is found submerged in a lake on the property. The similarity between this murder and the unsolved death of another curator in 1996 raises alarms that history may be repeating itself. Were both crimes committed by the same person, or is someone else responsible? Detective Inspector Tom Mallory of the local constabulary is tasked with finding out.
Kate’s work on the exhibit uncovers items missing from the collection, and a rash of burglaries of precious objects in the area has the staff on high alert. As the murder investigation proceeds, more attacks occur, leaving the community on pins and needles. Are these criminal activities connected? And could a rare missing book hold the key to the solution of the murders and thefts? There seems to be danger at every turn.
A Legacy of Murder is a thoroughly engrossing mystery with no shortage of lively characters, dead bodies, mysterious circumstances, and plausible murder suspects. The author has a real talent for character and setting development, and interweaving the past and the present. Berry creates a rich ancestral history for her quaint village, with families intermarrying over generations, producing a plethora of interesting relationships and motives for murder.
Moreover, Berry enriches the development of the series which she began with A Dream of Death. The budding long-distance romance between Kate and Tom is nurtured and tested, and we learn more about supporting characters from each of their families. It is thus that Berry increases the appeal of the series and readers’ investment in the characters.
Kate agrees to stay on at Finchley Hall to complete the exhibition work begun by Tabitha King, whose lifeless body is found submerged in a lake on the property. The similarity between this murder and the unsolved death of another curator in 1996 raises alarms that history may be repeating itself. Were both crimes committed by the same person, or is someone else responsible? Detective Inspector Tom Mallory of the local constabulary is tasked with finding out.
Kate’s work on the exhibit uncovers items missing from the collection, and a rash of burglaries of precious objects in the area has the staff on high alert. As the murder investigation proceeds, more attacks occur, leaving the community on pins and needles. Are these criminal activities connected? And could a rare missing book hold the key to the solution of the murders and thefts? There seems to be danger at every turn.
A Legacy of Murder is a thoroughly engrossing mystery with no shortage of lively characters, dead bodies, mysterious circumstances, and plausible murder suspects. The author has a real talent for character and setting development, and interweaving the past and the present. Berry creates a rich ancestral history for her quaint village, with families intermarrying over generations, producing a plethora of interesting relationships and motives for murder.
Moreover, Berry enriches the development of the series which she began with A Dream of Death. The budding long-distance romance between Kate and Tom is nurtured and tested, and we learn more about supporting characters from each of their families. It is thus that Berry increases the appeal of the series and readers’ investment in the characters.
November 1, 2023
Kate Hamilton goes to England to visit her daughter who's doing an internship. On a guided tour of the estate another of the interns is found dead. Kate takes an interest in solving the murder and also takes over the job of the dead girl to organize an exhibition of the Hoard, a collection of jewels and coins.
I never got into the story much. Kate talks a little to this person and to that person, but is mostly busy with the exhibition (which seems a lot of effort for just a one day thing.) Very little snooping content: i.e. no list of possible suspects with varying motives, and no chasing after red herrings.
What didn't help was that I didn't like Kate, didn't like her boyfriend (why's he always kissing her hair or forehead? That's how you show affection to your child, not to your lover.) and I most of all did not like Kate's daughter Christine (mental health issues perhaps?)
I read an ARC through Netgalley
I never got into the story much. Kate talks a little to this person and to that person, but is mostly busy with the exhibition (which seems a lot of effort for just a one day thing.) Very little snooping content: i.e. no list of possible suspects with varying motives, and no chasing after red herrings.
What didn't help was that I didn't like Kate, didn't like her boyfriend (why's he always kissing her hair or forehead? That's how you show affection to your child, not to your lover.) and I most of all did not like Kate's daughter Christine (mental health issues perhaps?)
I read an ARC through Netgalley
November 14, 2019
I love this series! And, while this second book could certainly be read as a standalone, I think you'll get a better feel for Kate's backstory if you've read the first one. Love the way the author blends a historical mystery with a current one. And the quaint English village at Christmastime makes this read extra special.
July 12, 2021
Another fun addition to this new series. I enjoy the characters - except I think Kate's daughter is a bit of a brat. Also, the entire plot "I'll tell Tom later" got a bit repetitive. And speaking of Tom, Kate and Tom really didn't get to spend much time together. I hope they get to share more time together in the next book.
June 24, 2019
It's nearing Christmas and Kate Hamilton, an American antiques dealer, is visiting England to see both her daughter Christine and her new boyfriend Tom Mallory, a DI with the Suffolk police. She's staying in a private room on the Finchley estate where her daughter works as an intern, and she, too, is housed there. On this day she's taking a tour of the estate while Christine is in orientation. But the tour is cut short when a young boy - who is on the tour along with his mother - discovers the body of a young woman in the pond.
It turns out the woman is Tabitha King, who also worked as an intern. She was designing and preparing an exhibit on the estate - an exhibit of The Hoard, the Finchley treasure - which had only been seen as partial items on exhibit throughout the years. This was to be the first time that the entire Hoard would be shown.
When Kate finally meets Christine's new boyfriend, Tristan Sorel, she takes an instant dislike to him, but says nothing to Christine, having realized that Christine was always attracted to men who were less than she thought they were, and she believed Tristan to be another of this ilk.
But then the lady of the manor, Barbara Finchley, is determined that the Hoard will be shown, because they've already sold tickets and the estate needs the funding. When she discovers Kate's background in antiques, she eventually gets her to agree to take over Tabitha's job. But it's not too long before Kate finds Tabitha's notes and discovers discrepancies; it seems pieces that should be in the group are not, and no one seems to know where they've gone to.
But there's more drama afoot when Tristan is pursued by Alex, who works at the estate. She makes an overt play for him, and he doesn't resist very much. Now, with Christine angry at both Tristan and Alex, a dead girl that's turned out not to be a suicide, and missing pieces from the collection, how will Kate find time to be with Tom while he's investigating a murder? And is the murderer among them - one of the interns, an employee, or a mysterious stranger who's been traveling through town? Kate's up to her ears in intrigue, and she needs to find out the truth before she's due to return home to spend Christmas with her mother...if she ever does...
This is the second book in the series and I have to say that I did like it much better than the first. The author is finding her way and honing the characters, and we have more depth and feeling out of Kate than we did in the first book, so that's a good thing.
The following has spoilers, so if you haven't read the book, please do not read what is here:
However, once I got past the annoying things, the book took a decent turn and I followed the clues along with Kate right down to the end of the book. When the killer was revealed it was actually a bit of a surprise, but even in its being necessary, there is no excuse for murder to keep secrets hidden.
I will say of all the characters introduced in this book, I liked the one of Ivor Tweedy the best. Although I knew from the beginning where the ending was going to go, he was such a whimsical character, full of exuberance of life. I hope to see much more of him in later books. All in all, I really did enjoy this book and hope to see the next in the series arrive soon. Recommended.
It turns out the woman is Tabitha King, who also worked as an intern. She was designing and preparing an exhibit on the estate - an exhibit of The Hoard, the Finchley treasure - which had only been seen as partial items on exhibit throughout the years. This was to be the first time that the entire Hoard would be shown.
When Kate finally meets Christine's new boyfriend, Tristan Sorel, she takes an instant dislike to him, but says nothing to Christine, having realized that Christine was always attracted to men who were less than she thought they were, and she believed Tristan to be another of this ilk.
But then the lady of the manor, Barbara Finchley, is determined that the Hoard will be shown, because they've already sold tickets and the estate needs the funding. When she discovers Kate's background in antiques, she eventually gets her to agree to take over Tabitha's job. But it's not too long before Kate finds Tabitha's notes and discovers discrepancies; it seems pieces that should be in the group are not, and no one seems to know where they've gone to.
But there's more drama afoot when Tristan is pursued by Alex, who works at the estate. She makes an overt play for him, and he doesn't resist very much. Now, with Christine angry at both Tristan and Alex, a dead girl that's turned out not to be a suicide, and missing pieces from the collection, how will Kate find time to be with Tom while he's investigating a murder? And is the murderer among them - one of the interns, an employee, or a mysterious stranger who's been traveling through town? Kate's up to her ears in intrigue, and she needs to find out the truth before she's due to return home to spend Christmas with her mother...if she ever does...
This is the second book in the series and I have to say that I did like it much better than the first. The author is finding her way and honing the characters, and we have more depth and feeling out of Kate than we did in the first book, so that's a good thing.
The following has spoilers, so if you haven't read the book, please do not read what is here:
However, once I got past the annoying things, the book took a decent turn and I followed the clues along with Kate right down to the end of the book. When the killer was revealed it was actually a bit of a surprise, but even in its being necessary, there is no excuse for murder to keep secrets hidden.
I will say of all the characters introduced in this book, I liked the one of Ivor Tweedy the best. Although I knew from the beginning where the ending was going to go, he was such a whimsical character, full of exuberance of life. I hope to see much more of him in later books. All in all, I really did enjoy this book and hope to see the next in the series arrive soon. Recommended.
October 9, 2019
A Legacy Of Murder is the second book in the A Kate Hamilton Mystery series.
Kate is looking forward to visiting her daughter Christine, who’s working at the renowned Finchley Hall as an intern inventorying the family’s papers that hundreds of years old. Kate was happy to learn that another intern failed to show up and Kate will be given that room and will be able to spend even more time with Christine.
Shortly after arriving at Finchley Hall decides to take a guided tour of the hall to become familiar with it. Finally, Alexa Devereux shows up and apologizes for being late but the scheduled guide didn’t show up to conduct the tour. Alexa is pointing out interesting spots relating to the murders that have occurred at the hall. As they are approaching the lakeside, she points out that this was where the last murder was committed some twenty years earlier. As she is finishing, the group hears a scream from a young boy. They rush to where the boy is standing, screaming at a dead body who is later identified as the intern who should have been conducting the tour.
Kate vows not to get involved in the murder investigation, but to devote her time to visiting with her daughter and maybe developing a relationship with Tom. When Lady Barbara, owner of the hall, offers Kate the job the deceased intern was working on, the organizing of display of the hoard at the hall. Lady Barbara hopes the exhibit will be able to bring in much-needed funds to halls coffers. Kate soon finds that some items from the collection might be missing and her daughter’s life might be in danger.
Kate is also dealing with problems in her personal life. She doesn’t think that Christine’s boyfriend, Tristan is the right one for her, but knows that if tells Christine that her relationship with Christine might be damaged. Also, her relationship with Tom might be facing problems. Tom’s mother is trying her best to come between them.
The book is well-written and plotted and moves at a nice pace. There is also a wonderful cast of believable and interesting characters. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing to the end.
I will be watching for the next book in this interesting series.
Kate is looking forward to visiting her daughter Christine, who’s working at the renowned Finchley Hall as an intern inventorying the family’s papers that hundreds of years old. Kate was happy to learn that another intern failed to show up and Kate will be given that room and will be able to spend even more time with Christine.
Shortly after arriving at Finchley Hall decides to take a guided tour of the hall to become familiar with it. Finally, Alexa Devereux shows up and apologizes for being late but the scheduled guide didn’t show up to conduct the tour. Alexa is pointing out interesting spots relating to the murders that have occurred at the hall. As they are approaching the lakeside, she points out that this was where the last murder was committed some twenty years earlier. As she is finishing, the group hears a scream from a young boy. They rush to where the boy is standing, screaming at a dead body who is later identified as the intern who should have been conducting the tour.
Kate vows not to get involved in the murder investigation, but to devote her time to visiting with her daughter and maybe developing a relationship with Tom. When Lady Barbara, owner of the hall, offers Kate the job the deceased intern was working on, the organizing of display of the hoard at the hall. Lady Barbara hopes the exhibit will be able to bring in much-needed funds to halls coffers. Kate soon finds that some items from the collection might be missing and her daughter’s life might be in danger.
Kate is also dealing with problems in her personal life. She doesn’t think that Christine’s boyfriend, Tristan is the right one for her, but knows that if tells Christine that her relationship with Christine might be damaged. Also, her relationship with Tom might be facing problems. Tom’s mother is trying her best to come between them.
The book is well-written and plotted and moves at a nice pace. There is also a wonderful cast of believable and interesting characters. There are plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing to the end.
I will be watching for the next book in this interesting series.
October 7, 2019
4.5 stars.
A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry is a perplexing addition to the Kate Hamilton Mysteries series. Although this newest release is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
American Kate Hamilton is looking forward to spending time with DI Tom Mallory and her daughter Christine during her trip to England. She has barely settled in at Finchley Hall when she is with a group of visitors who find a dead body. The victim is Tabitha King who is an intern at Finchley Hall. Vowing not to become involved with another murder investigation, Kate volunteers to fill Tabitha's position. She is soon quite busy setting up the exhibit for Lady Barbara Finchley-fforde's exquisite collection of family heirlooms. But Kate cannot resist when Lady Barbara asks her to look into the sightings of a mysterious man who has been seen around the estate and the local village. Despite her best efforts to stay out of Tom's investigation, Kate is soon uncovering clues and tracking down leads. And when the case takes a shockingly personal turn, Kate is determined to identify the murderer in order to save her daughter, Christine.
Kate is excited to see Tom again but she is still questioning the future of their long distance relationship. She is also delighted to spend time with Christine, but her daughter is busy with her boyfriend, Tristan, and her internship. Kate busies herself with setting up the exhibit and asking questions about the mysterious man. She and Tom manage to carve out time together, but he is frequently called away as new information about Tabitha's case is discovered.
Kate is an absolutely charming, warmhearted woman but her daughter Christine is nothing like her mother. Christine is immature, quick to anger and prone to violent outbursts. She is known to hold grudges and exact revenge for perceived betrayal. Her relationship with Tristan becomes volatile after their boss Alex Devereux begins pursuing Tristan. Plenty of drama ensues as Christine refuses to give up on her troubled romance.
Set against a bucolic backdrop, A Legacy of Murder is an intriguing mystery with a clever storyline and interesting characters. Kate is a wonderful lead character who is quite endearing. Tom is a wonderful man who is very sure of himself and what he wants. Through misdirection and clever red herrings, Connie Berry brilliantly obscures the perpetrator's identity and motive for the murders until the story's nail biting conclusion. I thoroughly enjoy this second installment in the Kate Hamilton Mysteries series and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry is a perplexing addition to the Kate Hamilton Mysteries series. Although this newest release is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.
American Kate Hamilton is looking forward to spending time with DI Tom Mallory and her daughter Christine during her trip to England. She has barely settled in at Finchley Hall when she is with a group of visitors who find a dead body. The victim is Tabitha King who is an intern at Finchley Hall. Vowing not to become involved with another murder investigation, Kate volunteers to fill Tabitha's position. She is soon quite busy setting up the exhibit for Lady Barbara Finchley-fforde's exquisite collection of family heirlooms. But Kate cannot resist when Lady Barbara asks her to look into the sightings of a mysterious man who has been seen around the estate and the local village. Despite her best efforts to stay out of Tom's investigation, Kate is soon uncovering clues and tracking down leads. And when the case takes a shockingly personal turn, Kate is determined to identify the murderer in order to save her daughter, Christine.
Kate is excited to see Tom again but she is still questioning the future of their long distance relationship. She is also delighted to spend time with Christine, but her daughter is busy with her boyfriend, Tristan, and her internship. Kate busies herself with setting up the exhibit and asking questions about the mysterious man. She and Tom manage to carve out time together, but he is frequently called away as new information about Tabitha's case is discovered.
Kate is an absolutely charming, warmhearted woman but her daughter Christine is nothing like her mother. Christine is immature, quick to anger and prone to violent outbursts. She is known to hold grudges and exact revenge for perceived betrayal. Her relationship with Tristan becomes volatile after their boss Alex Devereux begins pursuing Tristan. Plenty of drama ensues as Christine refuses to give up on her troubled romance.
Set against a bucolic backdrop, A Legacy of Murder is an intriguing mystery with a clever storyline and interesting characters. Kate is a wonderful lead character who is quite endearing. Tom is a wonderful man who is very sure of himself and what he wants. Through misdirection and clever red herrings, Connie Berry brilliantly obscures the perpetrator's identity and motive for the murders until the story's nail biting conclusion. I thoroughly enjoy this second installment in the Kate Hamilton Mysteries series and I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 1, 2022
A Legacy of Murder was a fabulous read. The setting was so well realized that it felt like I was right there with Kate Hamilton at the once stately Finchley Hall, and in the nearby quaint village, all decorated for Christmastime, and yet full of tension and deadly mysteries. The plot was deliciously twisty. I never guessed who was responsible for the crimes or their motives until the nail-biting climax. I especially enjoyed how the history and details of the Finchley Hoard wove into the plot on several levels.
Throughout the novel, the characters were as multi-layered as the plot. Kate and her daughter don’t have an easy relationship. It’s turbulent and feels more real because of that. Troubles with Kate’s family back home in the US only add relatable issues to her already full plate. And then there is her romance with Inspector Tom Mallory. In the hands of a lesser author the romance could have become predictable, but Connie Berry layered it with obstacles that leave the reader wondering if they’ll end up together or not.
I’m not going to go into the host of wonderful secondary characters. All I’ll say is that I’m looking forward to reading the next book and seeing who returns. Connie Berry is a master storyteller. This series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys traditional mysteries.
Throughout the novel, the characters were as multi-layered as the plot. Kate and her daughter don’t have an easy relationship. It’s turbulent and feels more real because of that. Troubles with Kate’s family back home in the US only add relatable issues to her already full plate. And then there is her romance with Inspector Tom Mallory. In the hands of a lesser author the romance could have become predictable, but Connie Berry layered it with obstacles that leave the reader wondering if they’ll end up together or not.
I’m not going to go into the host of wonderful secondary characters. All I’ll say is that I’m looking forward to reading the next book and seeing who returns. Connie Berry is a master storyteller. This series is a must-read for anyone who enjoys traditional mysteries.
October 18, 2021
Okay, well. In this case a second trial didn't make up my mind--I'm still undecided about this series.
I guess I like it...so long as the library has it. I certainly don't like it well enough to pay money for it.
Here's the deal: the "detective" is an antiques dealer in America somewhere. In the first book she goes to England to help out a sister-in-law from her first marriage and ends up embroiled in the woman's murder. And she falls in love with a police detective. But she has to go back to the states and carry on a long distance relationship.
In this one she goes to England again to visit her daughter. And murder most foul keeps her busy again.
And it looks like the next one will be set in England, too. Or is it Scotland? Sorry I get confused--I am by no means an anglophile of any sort. And thus, that makes strike 1 for me.
Strike 2 is the absolute bland boringness of the relationship. Which is good, in a way--I'm spared any angst of the "does he/doesn't he?" nature. Strike 3 is--well, there's isn't a strike 3 yet. I like everything else about the books and I really, really like the antique detection and the elderly antique dealer she works with to search for the missing item which will explain the whole murder thingy. That stuff is way cool.
I guess I like it...so long as the library has it. I certainly don't like it well enough to pay money for it.
Here's the deal: the "detective" is an antiques dealer in America somewhere. In the first book she goes to England to help out a sister-in-law from her first marriage and ends up embroiled in the woman's murder. And she falls in love with a police detective. But she has to go back to the states and carry on a long distance relationship.
In this one she goes to England again to visit her daughter. And murder most foul keeps her busy again.
And it looks like the next one will be set in England, too. Or is it Scotland? Sorry I get confused--I am by no means an anglophile of any sort. And thus, that makes strike 1 for me.
Strike 2 is the absolute bland boringness of the relationship. Which is good, in a way--I'm spared any angst of the "does he/doesn't he?" nature. Strike 3 is--well, there's isn't a strike 3 yet. I like everything else about the books and I really, really like the antique detection and the elderly antique dealer she works with to search for the missing item which will explain the whole murder thingy. That stuff is way cool.
July 1, 2021
Kate Hamilton, an American widowed antique store owner, arrived in England to experience her fantasy of a traditional English Christmas while visiting her daughter who is working as an intern at one of England's stately homes and exploring a new relationship with a handsome police detective. Best laid plans and all. Soon a murder throws a wrench into her planned holiday. Very enjoyable cozy with an interesting setting and characters. Plot is quite lively with some twists and surprises. And if you have any interest in antiques and history, this series is for you. I've already reserved the next volume at the library. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this book even without reading the first book in the series. I love regency romance and I enjoy crime fiction (not too gritty though please) this was like a combination of the two. Set in current times but at an old regency mansion, the history is woven throughout the story. Well written and engaging it has been a while since I read a "can't put it down book", but this was one. I enjoyed the characters and trying to figure out who done it which was pleasingly not obvious.
November 27, 2023
I can’t decide if I want to give this book a 3 or 4 star rating, so 3.5 it is. Like in the last book there were many possible suspects and of course Kate figured they each could have done it (except, of course, her daughter). I enjoy the characters in the book, and I enjoyed the mystery, but I found the story at times to be all over the place.
I will probably read the next book, but I’m in no rush.
I will probably read the next book, but I’m in no rush.
April 25, 2022
The second installment in this above-average cozy series that offers a good mystery, touches of humor without being silly, and a healthy dose of British history and knowledge of antiques without seeming like it was written to be a term paper.
November 23, 2025
I finished this way too long ago to have actual thoughts BUT I tore through the available books from my library which sort of speaks for itself.
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