The Problem at Two Tithes

Angela Marchmont Mystery #7

by Clara Benson

On a reluctant visit to her painfully respectable brother and his wife, Angela Marchmont finds herself once again caught up in murder when a local farmer is shot dead, apparently at the hands of his sworn enemy. But the case is not as simple as it seems, for other motives and suspects soon come to light. With reporters hot on the scent and her friend Inspector Jameson battling a conflict of interest, Angela must use all her ingenuity to unravel the case and bring the murderer to justice—or more than one person will suffer the consequences.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Historical Mystery, Historical

270 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Clara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures - traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn't do any of those things.

If you want to be the first to hear about new releases, and to receive a free, exclusive short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.

Reviews

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I always enjoy an outing with Angela Marchmont, not so much for the mysteries, although those are generally fine, but more for the characters - I guess that’s typical for a “cozy” mystery series. I don’t really like that term, but I guess it aptly describes the type of character driven, no bloody gore mysteries I enjoy.

Here, in book 7, which picks up immediately after Angela’s last case in Italy, we learn a bit more about her family, as she is finally paying a duty visit to her childhood home. It’s been 15 years since she left home, her parents are both dead, and Two Tithes is now held by her very stuffy, proper brother and his wife.

Angela’s internal musings upon arrival show her brother was always a straight-laced, rather greedy type, even as a child, while the younger Angela was a bit of a scamp. She’s not nostalgic about being home - indeed, she hasn’t been home for 15 years since she left for London to work and support herself, then lived in America for awhile. Fans of the series know there is a husband somewhere in America, but the circumstances of the separation, and the source of her wealth, are rather mysterious. Needless to say, her very respectable brother and sister-in-law do not approve of her choices, her vague marital status, or her involvement in detecting crimes. That is, until a murder occurs between feuding neighbors during her visit, and a family member is arrested.

Of course, Angela gets involved eventually, and as her friend, reporter Freddy Pilkington-Soames is on hand to cover the murder, he lends a hand. I particularly enjoyed him in this book, probably because he comes off as a much more decent fellow than scurrilous rival reporter Corky Beckwith, who nearly blows the investigation! Fun for fans of golden age English mysteries.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't even begin to explain what a delight this series is. If you're a fan of British Golden Age mysteries, but find Miss Marple a bore, please check out these books, which were written in the 1920s and 30s but only discovered by the author's family after her death in the 1960s. The detective figure, Angela Marchmont, has recently returned to England after living in the United States for many years, sans her American husband...and what happened to him is an ongoing mystery through the series, since Angela doesn't want to talk about her marriage and how (or whether) it ended. She's got her own money, however, and is determined to be independent.

In this installment, she pays a long overdue visit to her uptight brother and his wife in rural England, where she of course stumbles across a murder during the village fete. Her brother has Ben appalled at Angela's detecting, and forbids her to get involved...until his own sister-in-law gets arrested as an accessory to the crime.

Another funny and well-written mystery from Clara Benson.

[Andrea]

We learn a lot more about Angela's past as we visit her childhood home, meet her stuffy family, and tackle a murder where the obvious suspect is quickly eliminated, but no-one is very keen on bringing the murder home to the next-most obvious people.

One of the things I like about this series is the time and sympathy it gives to characters who are often considered uninteresting, such as the murdered man's wife.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘No!’ said Freddy, and regarded her with some surprise. ‘Really? Tell me you’re joking. I can’t believe you have a brother. In fact, I don’t believe you were born in the normal way at all. I’ve always supposed that you emerged fully formed from a fountain, in a shower of jewels and rose-petals. Please don’t shatter my illusions like that—I fear I shall never get over it.’

Fredddyyyy! I liked this one a bit more than the other books. There were many colorful characters, and we get to meet Angela's family.

small pig, match making. crazy reporter. charming reporter, and a cunning granny

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having returned from her holiday, Angela Marchmont is visiting her stuffy brother, Sir Humphrey Cardew and his disapproving wife, Elizabeth. Angela is determined to be on her best behaviour and be utterly respectable but, of course, murder intervenes. The victim is the deeply unpleasant Mr Tipping, whose son is courting Elizabeth’s widowed sister. It has to be said that this possible marriage is looked upon with more indulgence by Sir Humphrey, who is keen to offload the responsibilities of school fees for his nephew and, indeed, there is much in this novel about the way that women have to conform and marry and of how they are often viewed as financial burdens, with – often – little control over their money or their destiny.

I like the characters in these books and enjoyed the fact that Freddy Pilkington-Soames arrives on the scene to investigate with Angela. There is also the gloriously named Corky Beckwith, a rival journalist, who is also on the trail of the truth – while trying to bribe Angela’s maid for her beauty tips! Overall, though, there is a little too much romance (for once, not involving Angela herself) and the crime aspect is not very strong. As always, though, it is interesting to learn more about Angela and her family background.

Rated 3.5

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very readable book by Benson. Angela goes down to stay with her very straight-laced brother and his wife. He makes it clear that he disapproves of any of Angela's past, and especially her notoriety regarding investigating crimes. Seems she has really got roped-in to helping with the local fete, however during this event a murder occurs. She promises she will keep out of any dealings with it, but obviously she is interested, and so we are lead through the investigation.
I did enjoy the book and this time it is not a romance concerning Angela, but the romance centers around her sister-in laws, sister. This romance does become a bit slushy for my liking at times. I do like this series and would have liked to see more her Angela's chauffeur William, so hoping he plays a bigger roll in the next one.

[Tracey North · Rating 5 out of 5]

Country life can be murder

I've enjoyed this series from the very first. Each installment gets better. In The Problem at Two Tithes we get the opportunity to get to know more about Angela and her family. When an old feud results in the death of of one of the participants suspicions falls on the his counterpart. But when he has a solid alibi, the next to be arrested is a member of Angela's family. Suddenly Angela is in the middle of another murder mystery that is very close to home. The usual characters are on hand as well as some new and often malicious ones who stir up plenty of trouble.
A fun and clever read that will keep you guessing until the end.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seventh in the series. Angela returns to her familial home, and we see her interacting with her ever so proper brother and his haughty wife. A local farmer is murdered while the community fair was occurring, and when Inspector Jameson is called in, Angela is there to help her old friend. A subplot about his romantic interest becomes a driving force in the novel, but as he is such a nice guy and so bashful, you don't mind rooting for him while working through all the possibilities of just who is the murderer.

[Beth Gea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Acabant com acaba l'anterior, m'ha decebut una mica. Jo el que volia era saber què va passar a Venècia!

Des del llibre anterior que la part de romanç sobresurt una mica més. I tot i que en el llibre anterior em va agradar, el romanç que apareix en aquest llibre és una mica cringe i totalment innecessari. Espero que no es converteixi en un costum i no sigui tan forçat en els següents llibres.

[Craftyhj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* - Angela back to her detecting rather than romancing

I much preferred this story to the previous one. I like the combination of Angela and Freddy together and I think this author's writing style is better suited to detective books rather than romance.

The crime itself was perhaps a little weak but the family relationships made this more interesting than it otherwise might have been. There was a little bit of romance at the end which was not necessary "on page". It feels awkward from this writer's pen.

I move on to the next one.

[Shatara · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic Red as usual

I love all the books. None are disappointing. Keeps you going every page. This one answers most of the questions you have about Angela. You get a bit of an understanding in the previous book about her life prior and after her marriage and a sneak peak as to why she left him. This book gives us more information about it and a softer side of inspector Jameson

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and easy read! I have been enjoying the Marchmont series, and this one was no different. It was comical to see the situations she got her self into even when she tried to be on her best behavior. It gave the series a nice change of pace, as opposed to her diving right in to solve the mystery.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another visit, another murder

Its seems Angela Marchmont simply cannot go anywhere without a murder popping up & involving her. Much like Jessica Fletcher, she soon sees the only possible solution & spares the local police the trouble of solving the crime themselves. Jolly good fun!

[Jane Shibilski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the main character in this series, Angela Marchmont. She is not only financially independent, but truly her own woman in a time when a woman’s identity was only through her husband. The mystery was pretty simplistic, easy to solve about halfway through. Still, there is something so satisfying with this series I know I will keep on reading them.

[Annette Mordec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Marchmont back home...

Another great story by Clara Benson brings Angela back home.
Sworn off detecting by a stiff brother and his wife, she tries her best to let Police work when a murder does occur.
As always she saves the day, but her thought keep going back to Venice .....

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela's brother and SIL are so rigid and boring. It was really funny how her brother has to eat his words to request Angela to solve the murder to help release his wife's sister from the jail.

then there is Corky. Can't there be a way to let him learn that he can't just make up whatever he wants to sell newspaper?

[Amanda Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure..

Some characters that came out far too over the top! Some very wooden and really not very appealing ones. The witness who William has to ask is a stretch. as is Corky taking the weapon.. it would have helped if it was funny but it wasn't..

[KD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should have been a 3 but..

This story itself would have been 3 stars but the author earned a 4th by making a recurring character I like really happy. Also Freddy is present, and while he didn't have enough of a role, I always enjoy his appearances!

[Valerie]

Although I managed to figure a lot of it out, as I have with some of the previous books in this series, I found it interesting, as always. The plot took some interesting turns, and as always, the characters were engaging. On to #8!

[Emily Grabatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading British mysteries is a fascinating genre, in that much of the protagonists thoughts and feelings are only partially revealed to the reader or shown tongue-in- cheek. Clara Benson does this artfully with her Angela Marchmont series.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww….

Such a nice ending for such a complicated mess. Angela, fresh from Venice, visits her brother with every intention of being proper, but quickly gets pulled into the case of a murder in the local village. Sorrow, joy, and complete silliness ensue.

[Leanne Pazik · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun!!

Another great Angela Marchmont book!!! I won’t spoil anything!!! But worth the reading. There is nothing like a clean murder mystery!!!!

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a rather weak mystery, but everything works out in the end. It also had comic relief in the form of Freddy Pilkington-Soames.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are kind of fun. However, I can usually figure out "who dunnit" by about the middle books.

[Sneha Pathak (reader_girl_reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light n breezy read. You will like it if you are a fan of Agatha Christie novels..

[Teddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much better book in the series than the last couple . I like a village mystery and the characters were good.

[Louisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this edition of the series more than the last book in the series.

[Polly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun meeting the family while watching the murder being solved.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 7 in the series was fun and a good read. We meet the brother and sister-in-law of Angela Marchmont....whoa. A good mystery.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a delightful listen.