Murder Stalks a Mansion

A Newport Mystery #1

by Anne-Marie Sutton

When her husband dies in a car crash, Caroline Kent faces selling the family's Newport, Rhode Island, estate. Instead she makes the decision to turn the house into an inn catering to wealthy visitors to the famous city. The bucolic atmosphere of the Inn at Kenwood Court is quickly threatened when the Hargreaves arrive from Boston to spend the weekend. Uncle Maurice enjoys taunting his family for their shortcomings, their avarice and their dependence on him. Tensions ignite, and murder is the result of this deadly game. Lt. Hank Nightingale of the Newport Police Department takes charge of the case, and Caroline is determined to help the handsome police detective solve the mystery before the killer can strike again. Murder Stalks a Mansion is a puzzling country house mystery set amid the Gilded Age mansions of Newport's famous Bellevue Avenue. Complete with an inn full of suspects, red herrings and baffling clues, the story has a surprise ending which will please avid mystery fans.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2003

Reviews

[Kim Kaso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the setting of this book as I spent much time in Newport through my life in the Navy. The characters were likeable enough, and the plot was workman-like. It was the familiar places that I really enjoyed. I will probably read the next in the series.

[Jennifer (not getting notifications) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the perfect summer read. Light and easy. I love reading about Newport, RI, so it was a fun book.

[Janice K. O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read!

I would have rated this book a five if there had been more description of the mansion and the the aura of the Newport society. All in all this was a nice read. I would recommend this book to a friend.

[Roberta Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

All nine members of the Hargreave family, owning a wealthy business together but not exactly on loving terms with each other, meet for a family celebration at a historical mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. There is quite an amount of nastiness in the air as they assemble for the party – now isn’t at least one of them going to get murdered?
A clever and entertaining whodunnit, with interesting characters and a plausible solution. This book will enthral all fans of good old-fashioned murder mysteries!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Murder Mystery Weekend Most Unexpected

When a widow and her mother-in-law return to the family home and make it into an inn, a family of guests who have come to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their parents, one of them is found murdered in the gazebo. The survivors all have the motive, means, and opportunity to do so. As such, the author does a great job of preventing the reader from discovering "whodunit." Recommended. I received this downloaded copy from a cozy giveaway that was not affiliated with a Goodreads giveaway.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, liked visiting Newport

[Verity W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another for my 50 states challenge. Picked because I like a mystery, liked the sound of the plot and it was in Kindle Unlimited but I have to say the cover has me worried...

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I bought it in Newport when I was there this fall. I like that there are lots of descriptions of the attractions and real places in Newport.
The main character runs an inn out of her dead husband's family's summer home Kenwood Court. A family rented out the inn for an anniversary celebration, and two members of the family are murdered.
Caroline meets the police detective in charge, and of course, there is an attraction as they solve the murders together.
It was a clever plot. I didn't guess the ending.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book while in Newport, Rhode Island. I enjoyed remembering the places we visited as several of them are mentioned in the story. The mystery involves several members of an extended family who are at a bed and breakfast to celebrate a wedding anniversary. I would have appreciated a listing of the family members and their wives in order to keep everyone straight at the beginning. The book could have been a little shorter, but it was a light read for the summer.

[Campbell, c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inn love with mon-urder

Caroline and her mother-in-law, Louise try to make go of a new business by opening up house as Inn. First customers, Oh No!, how can they save their new adventure through two murders. All you can do is join forces with the police and rely on your super-slooth intuition. Great read! Excellent author. No on to next book for me.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly pleased with this classic country house murder mystery. I'm looking forward to seeing if this next one in the series gets better. As an architecture and Newport fan, I could have used a few more details but that might have overloaded the story.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute mystery. Takes place during present day in New Port, RI near the famous summer "cottages ". Ameteur detective Corloline Kent and police Detective Hank Nightengale set out to discover who the murderer is. Perfect beach read.

[Nancy]

A puzzling country house mystery set amid the mansions of Newport's famous Bellevue Avenue. Innkeeper Caroline Kent becomes a detective when one of her wealthy guests is murdered.


Can't remember who did it. Not great.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery set in present day Newport, RI. I didn't figure out the
perpetrator(s) until the end. There were a few spots that could have used a bit of editing and more careful proofreading, but overall, I really enjoyed the book.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok little mystery. Interested to see if book2 is a continuation of some of the same charaters?? I liked the local connection...

[Pam]

great book but it was quite a task keeping up with all the characters

[Linda Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

this was a good old-fashioned murder mystery. it reminded me of Christie books. there was a lot of characters to which added to the twists and turns

[Rosey Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read!

I'm usually a non fiction fan, though I have enjoyed the setting of the summer homes of the GildedAge in this murder mystery work of Fiction.

[Audrey Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read........

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me baffled until the reveal. Good cozy mystery.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really don't care for romance in my mysteries, but it was a great newport read for location

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It as fun to read this while in Newport.