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Ginger Gold Mystery #3
Murder at Bray Manor
A poltergeist guilty of murder?
Ginger Gold receives a letter from her sister-in-law, Felicia, requesting Ginger come straightaway to her late husband's family home, Bray Manor. Dowager Lady Gold, Ginger's nervous grandmother through marriage, believes the old manor is haunted.
Ginger doesn't believe in ghosts, but is haunted nevertheless by memories of her husband and the lure of his gravesite she just can't bring herself to visit.
In order to keep Bray Manor afloat financially, Felicia and Ambrosia have opened the estate to the public for club meetings and special events. Knitters, stamp collectors and gardeners converge weekly--targets for the poltergeist that seems to find amusement in hiding small things from their owners.
Bray Manor hosts a dance to raise money for maimed soldiers who struggle with peacetime after the Great War. Felicia invites her flapper friends and her new beau, Captain Smithwick, a man Ginger has met before and definitely doesn't like.
When the dance ends with the discovery of a body, Ambrosia is certain the poltergeist is to blame, but Ginger is quite sure the murderer is made of flesh and blood.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2017
2037 people are currently reading
1372 people want to read
About the author
Lee Strauss
129 books2,340 followersFor fans of Golden Age who-dun-its ~ from a USA TODAY Bestselling author!
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
December 27, 2019
Lady Ginger Gold has been asked to return to her late husband's home. Her relatives believe there is a poltergeist in their home. Items have turned up missing or moved. Ginger doesn't believe in ghosts and is determined to find out who is playing games. Ginger's sister-in-law Felicia has opened the home to clubs to hold their meetings. Knitters, Gardeners, and Antique Collectors hold their meetings at the manor along with special events. A dance to help maimed veterans is held. When it is over, a body is discovered.
The third book in the Ginger Gold Mystery series. Ginger and her friend Hailey Higgins help Chief Inspector Basil Reed with the murder investigation. It was a little hard to keep track of all of the characters. This one had lots of potential suspects in the mix. My rating: 4 Stars.
The third book in the Ginger Gold Mystery series. Ginger and her friend Hailey Higgins help Chief Inspector Basil Reed with the murder investigation. It was a little hard to keep track of all of the characters. This one had lots of potential suspects in the mix. My rating: 4 Stars.
December 5, 2018
2.5 -2.75 stars
Lady Ginger Gold is busy redying her new dress shop Fathers & Flair for opening day. When she gets a frantic call from her younger sister-in-law Felicity ranting about a poltergeist and to please come solve the mystery NOW, Ginger can't refuse. She has been reluctant to return to her late husband Daniel's childhood home and his gravesite, despite affection for the family. She's happy to provide money for the upkeep of the manor house but isn't ready to face the fact Daniel will not be there with her. Ginger and her best friend Hayley head off to Bray Manor to investigate. Right away Ginger realizes that the "poltergeist" must be one of the new knitting society members or other guests who rent space in the home for their meetings. Which one is it and why? Ginger intends to leave the next morning but Felicity insists the older ladies stay for a charity veterans' ball and to meet Felicia's new beau. Ginger has a good time getting to know the brave men who fought in the war and once knew Daniel but then someone from her past turns up to make trouble. When Felicity's friend, Miss Muriel Ashton, is found dead the next morning, Ginger suspects she has another murder mystery to solve. She calls on Inspector Basil Reed of Scotland Yard for help. Can she save her grandmother and sister-in-law from fear of living in their own home?
This mystery was not so great. I figured out the murder weapon and murderer from one tiny clue. That was all I needed and Ginger could have done that too. She needed to find proof of course, and some of the clues made me doubt myself briefly. I did not guess the motive but I did wonder whether certain events were connected. I was really disappointed I guessed correctly.
The romantic plot is starting to take shape. Ginger addresses her feelings about losing Daniel head on. She confesses how she still expects him to return even though she knows he is long dead and buried. Ginger acknowledges she plays hot and cold with Basil everytime they're together. Yes she's attracted to him but she feels guilty for her feelings. Like TV Miss Fisher's Jack, Basil is married but estranged from his wife. He too has feelings to acknowledge here about his relationship before the pair can move forward. This is going to be a slow burn romance.
The period details are much better, except for a few expressions I thought might be too modern/American and the major problem of Bray Manor and the Gold inheritance. If Daniel was the Baron, who inherited his title and was the estate entailed with the title? We know from Downton Abbey the estates usually went with the title. I think some of this was covered in the previous book but it should have been addressed more in this one. Why are Grandmother Gold and Felicia still living there and what happened to the estate and dependants? Bray Manor is not as charming as I expected it to be. I thought this would be an English country manor murder mystery and it really wasn't. I liked the references to World War I and meeting the veterans of that war. The author did a nice job capturing atmosphere of post-war England. The women were left husbandless or the men who survived lost limbs, eyes and/or have experienced trauma no one can understand. The men in this novel seem realistic enough for the brief moments they appear. Then the women just want to forget and have fun. There is the flapper type who doesn't give a care about anything except her personal fun and the "bright young thing" who is lively and energetic but a little less selfish. If you love 1920s fashions, this book is also for you. Ginger name drops several designers and describes everything she's wearing. I'm not into 1920s fashions so I can't tell you anything about accuracy.
Now for the characters. Felicia is a "bright young thing." She's desperate to leave the country and go to London to experience life. The only way she can do that is if she's married. Her choices are limited thanks to the war. Felicia is very naive and innocent about real life. Ambrosia, the Dowager Lady Gold, is stuck in the Victorian era where everything was proper and everyone knew their place. She's deeply distressed by the new post-war social order and the lack of money to keep up pre-war appearances. Lady Gold just doesn't understand or want to understand modern society. The local police are complete fools and I didn't care for the weird Irish accent.
All the rest of the new characters are involved in the mystery. First we have the poltergeist mystery. The being spiriting away objects and moving them is either a guest or servant. Mrs. Richards lost her husband in the war. She seems kind and doesn't have a lot of personality. Miss Smith is a spinster and volunteer librarian. I was SO disappointed she fits the stereotype too well and SO upset that library work was described as boring several times. (Two of my big pet peeves). Mrs. Richards lost her husband in the war and she doesn't get along with Dowager Lady Gold but seems kind enough to everyone else. Staff members include Wilson, the butler cum chauffeur. He's starchy and not very pleasant. Evelyn Langley is the ladies' maid and she certainly could be playing tricks on her employer. Lady Gold is not very nice to her servants or those she considers beneath her. Phyllis, the maid, had the opportunity to act as poltergeist. Could the servants be in it together?
Then we have the murder of Muriel Ashton, soon to be Croft, a flapper. She is crazy! All she does is flirt with men wildly, drink and party- until she ends up dead. She barely remembers she has a fiance and all she cares about is his title and wealth. Digging deeper she may have more depth, such as desire to help her family, but none of that comes out in the story. Still, a young lady in the prime of her life should not be murdered just for being a flirt. Or is there another motive? It's an open secret Mrs. Croft hates Miss Ashton and does not feel the young lady will make a good wife for her beloved son. Mr. Croft was maimed in the war and returned cynical and brooding. He seems to drink a lot and is not in love with his fiance. Could he have killed her for not behaving like a future Baroness? Miss Whitton works as a nurse at the Croft Convalescent Home. She is tough and hard. Her motive seems a bit silly to me. Miss Webb is another friend of Miss Ashton's or maybe not so much friend as bullying victim. Miss Webb is mousy and plain. She doesn't seem to have much in common with vivacious Miss Ashton. Could she be a murderer?
Finally, Captain Smithwick deserves his own paragraph. He is someone from Ginger's past and I did not like the teasing. I want to know more about Ginger's backstory and here we get a few clues. This man is horrid. He's a dangerous bully. Ginger doesn't trust him so the reader does not either.
I don't know whether I want to continue the series. I'm not interested in the frivolous fashions and 20s lifestyle but I do want to know more about Ginger's wartime experiences and her relationship with Daniel. I also like the growing romance between her and Basil. Maybe I will return to this series or maybe I will not.
Lady Ginger Gold is busy redying her new dress shop Fathers & Flair for opening day. When she gets a frantic call from her younger sister-in-law Felicity ranting about a poltergeist and to please come solve the mystery NOW, Ginger can't refuse. She has been reluctant to return to her late husband Daniel's childhood home and his gravesite, despite affection for the family. She's happy to provide money for the upkeep of the manor house but isn't ready to face the fact Daniel will not be there with her. Ginger and her best friend Hayley head off to Bray Manor to investigate. Right away Ginger realizes that the "poltergeist" must be one of the new knitting society members or other guests who rent space in the home for their meetings. Which one is it and why? Ginger intends to leave the next morning but Felicity insists the older ladies stay for a charity veterans' ball and to meet Felicia's new beau. Ginger has a good time getting to know the brave men who fought in the war and once knew Daniel but then someone from her past turns up to make trouble. When Felicity's friend, Miss Muriel Ashton, is found dead the next morning, Ginger suspects she has another murder mystery to solve. She calls on Inspector Basil Reed of Scotland Yard for help. Can she save her grandmother and sister-in-law from fear of living in their own home?
This mystery was not so great. I figured out the murder weapon and murderer from one tiny clue. That was all I needed and Ginger could have done that too. She needed to find proof of course, and some of the clues made me doubt myself briefly. I did not guess the motive but I did wonder whether certain events were connected. I was really disappointed I guessed correctly.
The romantic plot is starting to take shape. Ginger addresses her feelings about losing Daniel head on. She confesses how she still expects him to return even though she knows he is long dead and buried. Ginger acknowledges she plays hot and cold with Basil everytime they're together. Yes she's attracted to him but she feels guilty for her feelings. Like TV Miss Fisher's Jack, Basil is married but estranged from his wife. He too has feelings to acknowledge here about his relationship before the pair can move forward. This is going to be a slow burn romance.
The period details are much better, except for a few expressions I thought might be too modern/American and the major problem of Bray Manor and the Gold inheritance. If Daniel was the Baron, who inherited his title and was the estate entailed with the title? We know from Downton Abbey the estates usually went with the title. I think some of this was covered in the previous book but it should have been addressed more in this one. Why are Grandmother Gold and Felicia still living there and what happened to the estate and dependants? Bray Manor is not as charming as I expected it to be. I thought this would be an English country manor murder mystery and it really wasn't. I liked the references to World War I and meeting the veterans of that war. The author did a nice job capturing atmosphere of post-war England. The women were left husbandless or the men who survived lost limbs, eyes and/or have experienced trauma no one can understand. The men in this novel seem realistic enough for the brief moments they appear. Then the women just want to forget and have fun. There is the flapper type who doesn't give a care about anything except her personal fun and the "bright young thing" who is lively and energetic but a little less selfish. If you love 1920s fashions, this book is also for you. Ginger name drops several designers and describes everything she's wearing. I'm not into 1920s fashions so I can't tell you anything about accuracy.
Now for the characters. Felicia is a "bright young thing." She's desperate to leave the country and go to London to experience life. The only way she can do that is if she's married. Her choices are limited thanks to the war. Felicia is very naive and innocent about real life. Ambrosia, the Dowager Lady Gold, is stuck in the Victorian era where everything was proper and everyone knew their place. She's deeply distressed by the new post-war social order and the lack of money to keep up pre-war appearances. Lady Gold just doesn't understand or want to understand modern society. The local police are complete fools and I didn't care for the weird Irish accent.
All the rest of the new characters are involved in the mystery. First we have the poltergeist mystery. The being spiriting away objects and moving them is either a guest or servant. Mrs. Richards lost her husband in the war. She seems kind and doesn't have a lot of personality. Miss Smith is a spinster and volunteer librarian. I was SO disappointed she fits the stereotype too well and SO upset that library work was described as boring several times. (Two of my big pet peeves). Mrs. Richards lost her husband in the war and she doesn't get along with Dowager Lady Gold but seems kind enough to everyone else. Staff members include Wilson, the butler cum chauffeur. He's starchy and not very pleasant. Evelyn Langley is the ladies' maid and she certainly could be playing tricks on her employer. Lady Gold is not very nice to her servants or those she considers beneath her. Phyllis, the maid, had the opportunity to act as poltergeist. Could the servants be in it together?
Then we have the murder of Muriel Ashton, soon to be Croft, a flapper. She is crazy! All she does is flirt with men wildly, drink and party- until she ends up dead. She barely remembers she has a fiance and all she cares about is his title and wealth. Digging deeper she may have more depth, such as desire to help her family, but none of that comes out in the story. Still, a young lady in the prime of her life should not be murdered just for being a flirt. Or is there another motive? It's an open secret Mrs. Croft hates Miss Ashton and does not feel the young lady will make a good wife for her beloved son. Mr. Croft was maimed in the war and returned cynical and brooding. He seems to drink a lot and is not in love with his fiance. Could he have killed her for not behaving like a future Baroness? Miss Whitton works as a nurse at the Croft Convalescent Home. She is tough and hard. Her motive seems a bit silly to me. Miss Webb is another friend of Miss Ashton's or maybe not so much friend as bullying victim. Miss Webb is mousy and plain. She doesn't seem to have much in common with vivacious Miss Ashton. Could she be a murderer?
Finally, Captain Smithwick deserves his own paragraph. He is someone from Ginger's past and I did not like the teasing. I want to know more about Ginger's backstory and here we get a few clues. This man is horrid. He's a dangerous bully. Ginger doesn't trust him so the reader does not either.
I don't know whether I want to continue the series. I'm not interested in the frivolous fashions and 20s lifestyle but I do want to know more about Ginger's wartime experiences and her relationship with Daniel. I also like the growing romance between her and Basil. Maybe I will return to this series or maybe I will not.
March 7, 2020
Murder at Bray Manor, the third book in Lee Strauss’s Ginger Gold mystery series, is a light read that is highly entertaining. Although I had not read the first two books in this series, I found the plot easy to follow, and enough background was given to make this novel read just as well as a standalone.
Ginger Gold, proprietress of the Feathers & Flair boutique, is summoned by her sister-in-law, Felicity, to Bray Manor, the family home of Ginger’s late husband. Felicity, and her grandmother, Ambrosia (the Dowager Lady Gold) are convinced that a poltergeist is responsible for several nefarious goings on at the manor and ask Ginger to investigate. Shortly after Ginger and her friend, Haley Higgins, arrive at the manor, one of the guests is murdered, and Ginger finds herself with two mysteries to solve. Is there, as Ambrosia suspects, a poltergeist taking and moving things throughout the manor, or are the strange disappearances the work of a flesh-and-blood trickster? And if the latter, is that same person responsible for the death of Felicity’s friend?
Ginger Gold is a terrific character. She is smart, quick witted, and practical. The secondary characters, too, are infused with lively qualities that make each memorable. Basil Reed, in particular, shines as the Chief Inspector in charge of the murder investigation and a potential love interest for Ginger. Felicity’s beau, Captain Smithwick, makes a striking villain. Even Ginger’s dog, Boss, gets in on the action. The plot moves quickly, with ample clues and twists and turns provided for both mysteries. And the solution is both logical and satisfying. The additional subplot involving Ginger’s having to face her late husband’s gravesite provides a very humanizing touch.
If Murder at Bray Manor is any indication, the Ginger Gold series is one I will be reading more of. Not only was the novel enjoyable, but the audio narration was spot on.
Ginger Gold, proprietress of the Feathers & Flair boutique, is summoned by her sister-in-law, Felicity, to Bray Manor, the family home of Ginger’s late husband. Felicity, and her grandmother, Ambrosia (the Dowager Lady Gold) are convinced that a poltergeist is responsible for several nefarious goings on at the manor and ask Ginger to investigate. Shortly after Ginger and her friend, Haley Higgins, arrive at the manor, one of the guests is murdered, and Ginger finds herself with two mysteries to solve. Is there, as Ambrosia suspects, a poltergeist taking and moving things throughout the manor, or are the strange disappearances the work of a flesh-and-blood trickster? And if the latter, is that same person responsible for the death of Felicity’s friend?
Ginger Gold is a terrific character. She is smart, quick witted, and practical. The secondary characters, too, are infused with lively qualities that make each memorable. Basil Reed, in particular, shines as the Chief Inspector in charge of the murder investigation and a potential love interest for Ginger. Felicity’s beau, Captain Smithwick, makes a striking villain. Even Ginger’s dog, Boss, gets in on the action. The plot moves quickly, with ample clues and twists and turns provided for both mysteries. And the solution is both logical and satisfying. The additional subplot involving Ginger’s having to face her late husband’s gravesite provides a very humanizing touch.
If Murder at Bray Manor is any indication, the Ginger Gold series is one I will be reading more of. Not only was the novel enjoyable, but the audio narration was spot on.
October 28, 2021
Sometimes you just want a fun little cozy mystery to help relieve the stress of the day. This book fits the bill nicely! I'm really starting to warm up to Lady Georgia "Ginger" Gold and her assortment of friends and family. Set in post-WWI England (1924 toe be exact) this book brought together all the elements of a engaging countryside who-done-it.
July 28, 2017
This is the third book in the Ginger Gold Mysteries and once again you just can't put it down until the end! And once again we are left with wanting MORE! Ginger Gold receives a frantic letter from her sister-in-law Felicia begging her to come to Bray Manor. It seems her grandmother Ambrosia was obsessed with a poltergeist doing strange things in the manor. Ginger and her friend Hayley agree to go to the manor to get to the bottom of the poltergeist problem feeling the poltergeist was someone trying to play with Ambrosia's head. While there Ginger finds that Felicia convinced her grandmother to open a portion of the manor to outside groups in order to pay for needed expenses. Also while Ginger and Hayley are there Ambrosia and Felicia host a fund-raiser dance for the Croft war veterans hospital. She finally meets Felicia's new love who she has a history with and not a pleasant one. The dance ends and the next morning a body is discovered by the lake. So many twists and turns and so many possible suspects including Felicia, Ginger's sister-in-law that Ginger must get involved. She has the local constables contact Scotland Yard for assitance and in particular her "friend" Basil. And so goes the crazy twists and turns and suspects and poltergeist problems! WOW you just can't put this down!!!!! I received and ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here are stricly my own!
July 29, 2017
I truly cannot get enough of this series. Like the first two books, I was anxious for the mystery to be solved. I just did not want the book to end.
I love that Ginger opened a dress shop. It is perfect for her. Unfortunately, as soon as it opens, she is called to Bray Manor to help her late husband's family to solve a mystery which quickly turns into two.
Ms. Strauss has the unique ability of describing characters and scenery so that I can easily picture them in my mind.
All of the characters are interesting, both primary and secondary. I want to know what happens with all of them, especially Ginger and Basil.
The entire book was fabulous, but oh that ending. It brought tears to my eyes.
While this can be read as a standalone, if you do, please go back and read the first two. It's fun to learn more about Ginger, Haley and Basil.
I love that Ginger opened a dress shop. It is perfect for her. Unfortunately, as soon as it opens, she is called to Bray Manor to help her late husband's family to solve a mystery which quickly turns into two.
Ms. Strauss has the unique ability of describing characters and scenery so that I can easily picture them in my mind.
All of the characters are interesting, both primary and secondary. I want to know what happens with all of them, especially Ginger and Basil.
The entire book was fabulous, but oh that ending. It brought tears to my eyes.
While this can be read as a standalone, if you do, please go back and read the first two. It's fun to learn more about Ginger, Haley and Basil.
June 26, 2018
Ginger receives a letter from her sister-in-law Felicia asking her to come to Bray Manor immediately. It seems Ambrosia (Dowager Lady Gold, Ginger's late husband's grandmother) thinks the Manor is haunted because things have been disappearing and moved about. Ginger hasn't been to Bray Manor since returning to England--her late husband is buried in the family cemetery on the property and she's not yet ready to deal with the past. Besides she's just opened her dress shop, Feathers & Flair, and it needs her attention. After an anxious phone call from Felicia, that same night, Ginger and Haley leave for Hertfordshire by train the next morning.
Arriving at Bray Manor, Ginger finds out Ambrosia and Felicia have been renting rooms to the knitters' circle, the stamp collectors, and a gardeners' association for meetings, for income to keep the house afloat. There's also a charity dance scheduled for the next night, which Ginger and Hayley plan to attend. At the dance we discover Felicia's new beau, Captain Smithwick, is someone Ginger is quite familiar with, and seems to dislike and distrust.
The morning after the charity dance, the gardener stumbles upon the body of Angela Ashton, a friend of Felicia's, face down in the lake. Upon closer examination, it's determined Miss Ashton was murdered. Because the small town police officers can't even remember when the last time someone was murdered, Ginger realizes they're in over their heads and offers to call Scotland Yard to help with the investigation, and that's how Chief Inspector Basil Reed comes into the picture.
I enjoy reading about Ginger and her exploits, her new dress shop Feathers & Flair, her friend Haley, and of course her Scotland Yard "friend" Basil Reed. There were so many people who could've killed Angela Ashton I couldn't figure out which one it was, but of course Ginger does. We find out a little bit more about what Ginger did during the war and that Basil Reed's wife does exist! This puts a kink in where I thought Ginger and Basil's relationship was headed. There's a big surprise towards the end of the book and I wonder how that will affect the stories in the future. As always the author describes in great detail the clothing, cars and other things of this era. I usually end up Googling the car names to see what they looked like.
This is a clean read as far as romance and violence. The murder is discussed but only in general terms.
Arriving at Bray Manor, Ginger finds out Ambrosia and Felicia have been renting rooms to the knitters' circle, the stamp collectors, and a gardeners' association for meetings, for income to keep the house afloat. There's also a charity dance scheduled for the next night, which Ginger and Hayley plan to attend. At the dance we discover Felicia's new beau, Captain Smithwick, is someone Ginger is quite familiar with, and seems to dislike and distrust.
The morning after the charity dance, the gardener stumbles upon the body of Angela Ashton, a friend of Felicia's, face down in the lake. Upon closer examination, it's determined Miss Ashton was murdered. Because the small town police officers can't even remember when the last time someone was murdered, Ginger realizes they're in over their heads and offers to call Scotland Yard to help with the investigation, and that's how Chief Inspector Basil Reed comes into the picture.
I enjoy reading about Ginger and her exploits, her new dress shop Feathers & Flair, her friend Haley, and of course her Scotland Yard "friend" Basil Reed. There were so many people who could've killed Angela Ashton I couldn't figure out which one it was, but of course Ginger does. We find out a little bit more about what Ginger did during the war and that Basil Reed's wife does exist! This puts a kink in where I thought Ginger and Basil's relationship was headed. There's a big surprise towards the end of the book and I wonder how that will affect the stories in the future. As always the author describes in great detail the clothing, cars and other things of this era. I usually end up Googling the car names to see what they looked like.
This is a clean read as far as romance and violence. The murder is discussed but only in general terms.
March 4, 2018
It's now 1924 and Lady Ginger Gold is called back to her dead husband's home by news that Bray Manor may have a ghost. That weekend the Manor hosts a dance to raise money for the maimed soldiers from the Great War. But events accelerate when a body is found.
An entertaining cozy mystery.
An entertaining cozy mystery.
August 25, 2019
Ginger and Inspector Reed are a good team. Fair warning you will love the twists and turns in this series and look forward to the next book. This series is extremely well written and developed. This is a great series with a wonderful heroine. Fantastic series.
August 9, 2017
I'm addicted! Each book gets better than the one before! A shame I have to wait until October for the next one to be released!
February 3, 2018
Obviously hooked on these cozy mysteries, book 3 was no disappointment!
February 21, 2021
Lady Ginger Gold has just gotten her new London dress shop off the ground when she receives a plea for help from her sister-in-law Felicia at Bray Manor--it seems there is a poltergeist harassing the Dowager Lady Ambrosia Gold. Household items are moved to random, nonsensical places throughout the manor. Ginger doesn't want to leave her fledgling business, though she has hired a highly competent shop manager, but the two ladies seem truly in distress. So she and her American friend Hayley venture out to the country house to investigate.
The Gold family have a title, but the coffers are pretty bare so Felicia and a reluctant Ambrosia have opened the estate up to the public for room rentals. Various clubs rent rooms on a once-a-week basis where they may hold their club meetings and special events. Ginger becomes convinced that one of the club members is playing the practical jokes specifically to irritate the somewhat snobbish Ambrosia. She's barely begun to investigate when tragedy strikes.
On Saturday night, Bray Manor hosts a charity ball to benefit a local society in aid of wounded soldiers. Felicity has invited some of her flapper friends and her beau--a certain Captain Smithwick who incidentally has a bit of history with Ginger. Not a pleasant history at all--Ginger knew him during the war and had hoped never to see him again. She's not the only one who doesn't seem to care for the captain. One of Felicity's friends, Miss Ashton has a bit of an argument with him on the dance floor. The next morning, Miss Ashton is found dead at the edge of the estate's large pond...with an odd puncture wound in her back. When the weapon is found to be a knitting needle that disappeared after the last knitter's club meeting, Ginger has to wonder if the "poltergeist" has now turned killer.
The local police have had zero experience with murders and seem a bit overwhelmed, so Ginger tactfully suggests that they might call in the Yard...and specifically ask for Inspector Basil Reed. She and Reed have had other mystery adventures together and she trusts him to investigate intelligently and discreetly....until circumstantial evidence points to Felicity and his duty forces him to take her in for questioning. Then Ginger has to find the real killer on her own...before her sister-in-law can be tried for murder.
This is a totally new-to-me historical mystery series set in the 1920s. Lee writes with a light touch and it has a cozy feel to it. But it does also address some heavier social issues such as the differences between the classes and the pressures that can be brought to bear...even by one's supposed friends. Ginger Gold is a fine central character and I found her interactions with her friends, family, and Inspector Read to be quite interesting. I definitely can see myself visiting Ginger's world again.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
The Gold family have a title, but the coffers are pretty bare so Felicia and a reluctant Ambrosia have opened the estate up to the public for room rentals. Various clubs rent rooms on a once-a-week basis where they may hold their club meetings and special events. Ginger becomes convinced that one of the club members is playing the practical jokes specifically to irritate the somewhat snobbish Ambrosia. She's barely begun to investigate when tragedy strikes.
On Saturday night, Bray Manor hosts a charity ball to benefit a local society in aid of wounded soldiers. Felicity has invited some of her flapper friends and her beau--a certain Captain Smithwick who incidentally has a bit of history with Ginger. Not a pleasant history at all--Ginger knew him during the war and had hoped never to see him again. She's not the only one who doesn't seem to care for the captain. One of Felicity's friends, Miss Ashton has a bit of an argument with him on the dance floor. The next morning, Miss Ashton is found dead at the edge of the estate's large pond...with an odd puncture wound in her back. When the weapon is found to be a knitting needle that disappeared after the last knitter's club meeting, Ginger has to wonder if the "poltergeist" has now turned killer.
The local police have had zero experience with murders and seem a bit overwhelmed, so Ginger tactfully suggests that they might call in the Yard...and specifically ask for Inspector Basil Reed. She and Reed have had other mystery adventures together and she trusts him to investigate intelligently and discreetly....until circumstantial evidence points to Felicity and his duty forces him to take her in for questioning. Then Ginger has to find the real killer on her own...before her sister-in-law can be tried for murder.
This is a totally new-to-me historical mystery series set in the 1920s. Lee writes with a light touch and it has a cozy feel to it. But it does also address some heavier social issues such as the differences between the classes and the pressures that can be brought to bear...even by one's supposed friends. Ginger Gold is a fine central character and I found her interactions with her friends, family, and Inspector Read to be quite interesting. I definitely can see myself visiting Ginger's world again.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Read
January 5, 2021CHAPTER ONE
Ginger Gold folded the letter she was reading and dropped it on the side table. “Haley, do you believe in ghosts?”
Haley Higgins, an American student at the London School of Medicine for Women, lounged on the settee in the sitting room of Hartigan House as she sipped an after-dinner sherry. She arched a dark brow. “Why? Have you received mail from beyond?”
Ginger sighed as she put her feet up on the ottoman. She’d removed her strappy shoes but resisted the urge to unsnap her stockings and revert to bare legs. The lace border of her turquoise chiffon tunic draped casually over her knees. This recent frock acquisition from a well-known Parisian fashion house had thick embroidery along the bodice and a cluster of sequins that sparkled in the firelight.
Boss, her Boston terrier, curled up on her lap. She petted his soft black fur. “It’s a letter from Bray Manor—my sister-in-law, Felicia.”
“Still unhappy about living in the country?” Haley asked.
“Frightfully. And I can’t imagine Ambrosia moving from her family home. Even if Felicia was properly matched, Ambrosia would insist that the newlyweds lived there with her.”
Haley clicked her tongue, commiserating. “Poor Felicia. How is the good Dowager Lady Gold anyway?
Ginger pushed locks of her red bob behind her ears, picked up the letter, and read.
Dearest Ginger,
I hope this letter finds you well. News of your new shop is exciting, and I’m very keen on visiting it one day—hopefully soon!
I’m writing to you because I’m concerned about Grandmama. Her nerves since we last visited you have grown worse, to the point where she now believes Bray Manor to be haunted. I haven’t seen evidence of the supernatural, but Grandmama insists there is a poltergeist at work.
Oh Ginger, you promised to visit us and it’s already been weeks! Could I prevail upon you to come speedily? I’m at a loss as to how to comfort Grandmama, and since you are so clever at solving mysteries, perhaps you can figure this one out, too.
With sincerest affection,
Felicia
“A poltergeist?” Haley said. A dark stray curl escaped her faux bob and her lips pursed to the side of her mouth as she blew it off her cheek. “It sounds as if the elder Lady Gold is starting to lose her memory. It’s quite probable that she moves things and forgets that she’s done it. Her only conclusion is the interference of a mischievous apparition.”
Ginger yawned, covering the chasm with the back of her hand. Since opening her new dress shop—Feathers & Flair—her days had been long, busy, and exhausting.
“You’re probably right. Though, it’s quite unfair of me to expect Felicia to bear the burden of caring for Ambrosia alone. Felicia’s young and should be free to focus on her own life.”
“You make a good point, Lady Gold.”
Ginger had acquired her title through her marriage to the late Daniel, Lord Gold, Felicia’s brother and Ambrosia’s grandson. He was buried in the family cemetery behind Bray Manor. Ginger had yet to visit his grave since her return to London, but something knotted in her chest at the thought of it. She wasn’t quite yet ready to face the past.
Besides, a journey to Hertfordshire was the last thing Ginger needed at the moment. She had to fight against the irritation she felt at this new obligation.
“I just don’t know how I can leave Feathers & Flair right now,” she said. “It’s still in its infancy and needs constant attention.”
“Then don’t go.” Haley stretched, brushed down her tweed skirt that hung mid-calf, and moved to the fireplace to stoke the flames. “Surely, you can employ someone to check in on Ambrosia for you?”
“I suppose. It just seems so heartless, and I did promise to visit before winter sets in.”
“Then go.”
Ginger cast a glance of annoyance at her friend. “Everything is so black and white with you.”
Haley shrugged. “I’m a scientist.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the telephone bell in the hall.
“Who could be ringing at this hour?” Ginger said.
Haley checked her wristwatch. “It’s only nine o’clock.”
“Really?” Ginger responded with another yawn. “It feels much later.”
Pippins tapped on the door of the sitting room and stepped in. “Telephone for you, madam,” he said. He was tall and slim with a bald head and skin sagging as it does when one is in ones seventies. A loyal servant of the Hartigan family since Ginger was a child, she held the butler in high esteem and with much affection.
Ginger placed Boss on the floor. The dog stretched his hind legs then situated himself on the round Turkish rug in front of the fireplace and promptly went back to sleep.
“Who is it, Pips?” Ginger asked, using her pet name for him.
“Miss Felicia Gold, madam.”
A pang of concern spread across Ginger’s chest. First a letter and now a telephone call? She hurried to the hall and placed the receiver of the candlestick phone to her ear. “Felicia?”
“Oh, Ginger.” Felicia’s voice sounded thin and worried through the wire. “I’m afraid.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“I thought Grandmama was losing her mind with her tales of moving objects, but now I’ve seen it for myself. The coat rack has moved, and I know Grandmama didn’t do it because it’s too heavy for her—and none of the servants admits moving it either.”
“Oh, mercy,” Ginger muttered. “Don’t panic, Felicia. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”
“I don’t mean to cause trouble, but would you come? Tonight?”
“Tonight? That’s awfully short notice.”
“Tomorrow then? Please, Ginger, I don’t know what to do, and Grandmama is just beside herself with nerves.”
“Very well,” Ginger said, resigned. “I’ll come tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Ginger! I don’t think I’ll sleep a wink until you get here.”
Haley sat upright when Ginger returned to the sitting room. “Is everything all right?”
“I don’t suppose you’d like to join me on a short holiday to Hertfordshire.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Felicia is losing her head and I promised to come straightaway.”
“It is soon the weekend,” Haley said, “and as it happens, I don’t have any classes tomorrow.”
“So you’ll come?”
“Only if we take the train.”
“I’m not a bad driver!”
“I’m sorry, Ginger, you know I get ill when you drive, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to traffic running on the left-hand side of the road.”
“Fine,” Ginger huffed, annoyed that Haley didn’t trust her driving abilities. “We’ll take the train.” She was too exhausted to concentrate on the road for that long anyway. She might even be able to sleep a little on the way there. The rhythmic churning of the train wheels as the steam engine pushed on could make one quite drowsy.
Ginger patted her thigh and called to her pet. “Hey Bossy,” she said as she scrubbed behind his pointy ears. “How would you like to go ghost hunting?”
Ginger Gold folded the letter she was reading and dropped it on the side table. “Haley, do you believe in ghosts?”
Haley Higgins, an American student at the London School of Medicine for Women, lounged on the settee in the sitting room of Hartigan House as she sipped an after-dinner sherry. She arched a dark brow. “Why? Have you received mail from beyond?”
Ginger sighed as she put her feet up on the ottoman. She’d removed her strappy shoes but resisted the urge to unsnap her stockings and revert to bare legs. The lace border of her turquoise chiffon tunic draped casually over her knees. This recent frock acquisition from a well-known Parisian fashion house had thick embroidery along the bodice and a cluster of sequins that sparkled in the firelight.
Boss, her Boston terrier, curled up on her lap. She petted his soft black fur. “It’s a letter from Bray Manor—my sister-in-law, Felicia.”
“Still unhappy about living in the country?” Haley asked.
“Frightfully. And I can’t imagine Ambrosia moving from her family home. Even if Felicia was properly matched, Ambrosia would insist that the newlyweds lived there with her.”
Haley clicked her tongue, commiserating. “Poor Felicia. How is the good Dowager Lady Gold anyway?
Ginger pushed locks of her red bob behind her ears, picked up the letter, and read.
Dearest Ginger,
I hope this letter finds you well. News of your new shop is exciting, and I’m very keen on visiting it one day—hopefully soon!
I’m writing to you because I’m concerned about Grandmama. Her nerves since we last visited you have grown worse, to the point where she now believes Bray Manor to be haunted. I haven’t seen evidence of the supernatural, but Grandmama insists there is a poltergeist at work.
Oh Ginger, you promised to visit us and it’s already been weeks! Could I prevail upon you to come speedily? I’m at a loss as to how to comfort Grandmama, and since you are so clever at solving mysteries, perhaps you can figure this one out, too.
With sincerest affection,
Felicia
“A poltergeist?” Haley said. A dark stray curl escaped her faux bob and her lips pursed to the side of her mouth as she blew it off her cheek. “It sounds as if the elder Lady Gold is starting to lose her memory. It’s quite probable that she moves things and forgets that she’s done it. Her only conclusion is the interference of a mischievous apparition.”
Ginger yawned, covering the chasm with the back of her hand. Since opening her new dress shop—Feathers & Flair—her days had been long, busy, and exhausting.
“You’re probably right. Though, it’s quite unfair of me to expect Felicia to bear the burden of caring for Ambrosia alone. Felicia’s young and should be free to focus on her own life.”
“You make a good point, Lady Gold.”
Ginger had acquired her title through her marriage to the late Daniel, Lord Gold, Felicia’s brother and Ambrosia’s grandson. He was buried in the family cemetery behind Bray Manor. Ginger had yet to visit his grave since her return to London, but something knotted in her chest at the thought of it. She wasn’t quite yet ready to face the past.
Besides, a journey to Hertfordshire was the last thing Ginger needed at the moment. She had to fight against the irritation she felt at this new obligation.
“I just don’t know how I can leave Feathers & Flair right now,” she said. “It’s still in its infancy and needs constant attention.”
“Then don’t go.” Haley stretched, brushed down her tweed skirt that hung mid-calf, and moved to the fireplace to stoke the flames. “Surely, you can employ someone to check in on Ambrosia for you?”
“I suppose. It just seems so heartless, and I did promise to visit before winter sets in.”
“Then go.”
Ginger cast a glance of annoyance at her friend. “Everything is so black and white with you.”
Haley shrugged. “I’m a scientist.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the telephone bell in the hall.
“Who could be ringing at this hour?” Ginger said.
Haley checked her wristwatch. “It’s only nine o’clock.”
“Really?” Ginger responded with another yawn. “It feels much later.”
Pippins tapped on the door of the sitting room and stepped in. “Telephone for you, madam,” he said. He was tall and slim with a bald head and skin sagging as it does when one is in ones seventies. A loyal servant of the Hartigan family since Ginger was a child, she held the butler in high esteem and with much affection.
Ginger placed Boss on the floor. The dog stretched his hind legs then situated himself on the round Turkish rug in front of the fireplace and promptly went back to sleep.
“Who is it, Pips?” Ginger asked, using her pet name for him.
“Miss Felicia Gold, madam.”
A pang of concern spread across Ginger’s chest. First a letter and now a telephone call? She hurried to the hall and placed the receiver of the candlestick phone to her ear. “Felicia?”
“Oh, Ginger.” Felicia’s voice sounded thin and worried through the wire. “I’m afraid.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“I thought Grandmama was losing her mind with her tales of moving objects, but now I’ve seen it for myself. The coat rack has moved, and I know Grandmama didn’t do it because it’s too heavy for her—and none of the servants admits moving it either.”
“Oh, mercy,” Ginger muttered. “Don’t panic, Felicia. I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation.”
“I don’t mean to cause trouble, but would you come? Tonight?”
“Tonight? That’s awfully short notice.”
“Tomorrow then? Please, Ginger, I don’t know what to do, and Grandmama is just beside herself with nerves.”
“Very well,” Ginger said, resigned. “I’ll come tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Ginger! I don’t think I’ll sleep a wink until you get here.”
Haley sat upright when Ginger returned to the sitting room. “Is everything all right?”
“I don’t suppose you’d like to join me on a short holiday to Hertfordshire.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Felicia is losing her head and I promised to come straightaway.”
“It is soon the weekend,” Haley said, “and as it happens, I don’t have any classes tomorrow.”
“So you’ll come?”
“Only if we take the train.”
“I’m not a bad driver!”
“I’m sorry, Ginger, you know I get ill when you drive, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to traffic running on the left-hand side of the road.”
“Fine,” Ginger huffed, annoyed that Haley didn’t trust her driving abilities. “We’ll take the train.” She was too exhausted to concentrate on the road for that long anyway. She might even be able to sleep a little on the way there. The rhythmic churning of the train wheels as the steam engine pushed on could make one quite drowsy.
Ginger patted her thigh and called to her pet. “Hey Bossy,” she said as she scrubbed behind his pointy ears. “How would you like to go ghost hunting?”
December 24, 2025
This one just didn't do it for me. I felt like there was no opportunity to discover clues to the murderer's motive along the way. The end just sort of happened with a big "huh"? I missed something. The motive was pretty dramatic and that kind of crazy doesn't just hide itself all the time. There should have been more signs. And since when do the police go arresting people because their finger prints are on their own personal property? Maybe they did back then in England, idk, it just felt a little lazy. It was ok. I might go back to this series at some point in the future.
August 30, 2022
Another body for Ginger Gold to investigate.
More sleuthing for Ginger and Inspector Reed. Does crime follow her around?
This series is addictive.
Well done in a terrific time period. I love the descriptions of the houses, countryside and fashions.
*I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions are my own.*
More sleuthing for Ginger and Inspector Reed. Does crime follow her around?
This series is addictive.
Well done in a terrific time period. I love the descriptions of the houses, countryside and fashions.
*I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions are my own.*
February 10, 2025
Ginger travels to Bray Manor and solves a crime with the help of her friend, a police detective and her dog. These books have a formula and it works, so I enjoy them. Ginger is a little tiresome in this one, she blames the detective for simply doing his job and hinders his investigation. I fee she just could have worked to prove him wrong…. Ugh
February 27, 2019
Manor house murder
A gold digging trollop was stabbed to death at a dance party for wounded soldiers held at Lady Gold's in-laws' home. We get to see how bullying and simple meanness can have horrifying consequences.
A gold digging trollop was stabbed to death at a dance party for wounded soldiers held at Lady Gold's in-laws' home. We get to see how bullying and simple meanness can have horrifying consequences.
March 13, 2020
Glad these are available in audio on Scribd because I do enjoy the series
October 30, 2021
A quick, wholesome, easy read with interesting historical references.
December 30, 2021
Everything you could ask for in a period cozy.
December 7, 2022
Better than the first book, but I'm still so-so on this series. But the books are so short that I don't mind reading them when I want something mindless.
October 9, 2024
Good story.
September 3, 2022
These books are cute reads but not great mysteries. I will read more of them when i want a light story to be entertained by.
March 3, 2022
Another enjoyable Ginger Gold mystery.
August 7, 2017
I received this book via ARC and was thrilled to read it. After reading the first Ginger Gold mystery, Murder on the SS Rosa, I bought the second book, Murder at Hartigan House. I love this series! As someone mentioned, it is a bit like Miss Fishers Mysteries (for us in the US on PBS). This third book of the series brings Lady Gold (Ginger) and Inspector Basil Reed back together to solve both a murder and poltergeist problem at Bray Manor (the home of Ginger's late husband. Daniel). Ms. Strauss has a way with descriptive scenes that I really like. The description of what steps Ginger must take to get the car started tickled me as I remembered a story my mother told. As this was an ARC, I did see a few minor sentence errors and a punctuation error, but nothing to distract from the story. I felt for Ginger as this story helps her to really begin to come to terms with her late husbands death as she struggles with having feelings for the Inspector. Ms. Stauss gives us great mysteries with great characters:Ginger, who has yet to give us all her secrets of work done during the war; her little dog Boss who is obviously a well mannered fellow that likes to snuggle; her companion Haley, who wants to become a Dr.; the Inspector (love interest) who has come to respect Ginger and her detecting abilities. In this book we get to learn more about Daniel's (Gingers late husband) family. Daniel's sister, Felicia and grandmother, Dowager Lady Gold play a big part in this book and add to the emotional ties Ginger still has to Daniel. Speaking of emotional ties... Great job Ms. Strauss of being able to draw us (ME) in to your series!
August 19, 2017
What a joy it was to return to the 1920s with Ginger, Haley, Felicia, the Dowager Lady Gold, the delectable Basil, and not forgetting Boss. Mrs Strauss continues to write this enjoyable mystery series with a light touch and plenty of gorgeous fashion details. How I would love to wear one or two of the outfits she describes!
The Hertfordshire country home of the Gold family makes a delightful and perfect setting for a murder. The mystery is well developed and, as usual, there are plenty of interesting characters/possible suspects. I had no idea who the murderer was and how they’d done it until the facts were eventually revealed. It’s quite ingenious. The author continues to give us a wonderful, fairly light-hearted series in the vein of Agatha Christie. There is, however, a bit more emotional depth reached in this book as Ginger and Basil take a few tentative steps towards each other, and a bit more about their pasts and circumstances is disclosed. Will they or won’t they take more steps though? We’ll have to wait until the next book to find that out.
One thing that I particularly love about these books is that Mrs Strauss pays so much attention to the details of the characters’ lives and the era in which they are living. It’s not just her description of the fashions of the day that hold one’s interest, but she also draws the cars and the village community of Chesterton well. This coupled with the varied, and at times eccentric, people makes for an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
The Hertfordshire country home of the Gold family makes a delightful and perfect setting for a murder. The mystery is well developed and, as usual, there are plenty of interesting characters/possible suspects. I had no idea who the murderer was and how they’d done it until the facts were eventually revealed. It’s quite ingenious. The author continues to give us a wonderful, fairly light-hearted series in the vein of Agatha Christie. There is, however, a bit more emotional depth reached in this book as Ginger and Basil take a few tentative steps towards each other, and a bit more about their pasts and circumstances is disclosed. Will they or won’t they take more steps though? We’ll have to wait until the next book to find that out.
One thing that I particularly love about these books is that Mrs Strauss pays so much attention to the details of the characters’ lives and the era in which they are living. It’s not just her description of the fashions of the day that hold one’s interest, but she also draws the cars and the village community of Chesterton well. This coupled with the varied, and at times eccentric, people makes for an enjoyable read. I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
October 16, 2017
This one was a bit slow, except for the last quarter of the book. Ginger is always meeting people she has past ties to but never lets the reader (or the characters in the book) into what her super-secret wartime mission was, and it's kind of annoying. Why mention it then?
Also, if you're going to go with a poltergeist, it would be good to use that to create some added mystery and spookiness but that didn't really happen. A missing knitting needle? Welp. That must be a ghost for sure.
Also, considering how short these books are, a few flashbacks really wouldn't hurt the story. Especially if it was well tied into the mystery.
Also, if you're going to go with a poltergeist, it would be good to use that to create some added mystery and spookiness but that didn't really happen. A missing knitting needle? Welp. That must be a ghost for sure.
Also, considering how short these books are, a few flashbacks really wouldn't hurt the story. Especially if it was well tied into the mystery.
August 29, 2023
Bezaubernder Cosy-Krimi
Klappentext:
Um Bray Manor finanziell über Wasser zu halten, vermieten Felicia und Ambrosia das Anwesen für Vereinstreffen und Veranstaltungen. Dadurch geraten Strickerinnen, Briefmarkensammler und Gartenbegeisterte wöchentlich ins Visier eines Poltergeistes, der es lustig zu finden scheint, Gegenstände vor ihren Besitzern zu verstecken.
Als auf Bray Manor ein Tanzabend veranstaltet wird, um Geld für verletzte Soldaten zu sammeln, die nach dem Krieg Schwierigkeiten haben, sich zurechtzufinden, lädt Felicia auch ihre Flapper-Freundinnen und ihren neuen Verehrer, Captain Smithwick, ein. Ginger hat den Mann bereits kennengelernt, mag ihn jedoch nicht.
Der Abend endet mit einem Toten und während Ambrosia den Poltergeist für den Schuldigen hält, ist Ginger fest davon überzeugt, dass der Mörder aus Fleisch und Blut ist.
„Mord auf Bray Manor“ ist der 3. Band einer bezaubernden Cosy-Krimireihe von Lee Strauss.
Ginger Gold hat mittlerweile ein Modehaus eröffnet und fühlt sich ganz als Geschäftsfrau.
Jetzt wird sie von ihrer jungen Schwägerin Felicia auf Bray Manor gebraucht.
Dort treibt anscheinend ein Poltergeist sein Unwesen.
Ihre Großmutter Ambrosia, die Dowager Lady Gold ist schon völlig verzweifelt und Felicia möchte, dass Ginger sie etwas aufmuntert und beruhigt.
Begleitet wird Ginger von ihre amerikanische Freundin Haley Higgins.
Haley studiert mittlerweile in London Medizin.
Die beiden Frauen lassen sich überreden noch bis zum Tanzabend auf Bray Manor zu bleiben, zumal Felicia Ginger gerne ihren Verehrer Captain Smithwick vorstellen möchte. Doch der ist Ginger nur allzu gut bekannt.
Der Tanzabend endet mit einem Mord an einer von Felicias Freundinnen.
Das ruft Chief Inspector Basil Reed von Scotland Yard auf den Plan.
Die Protagonisten sind gut in Szene gesetzt.
Ginger mit ihrer quirligen Art gefällt mir besonders gut.
Sie ist eine intelligente und selbstbewusste Frau.
Haley Higgins, die Freundin von Ginger ist im Charakter so ganz anders, sie war mir auch gleich sympathisch.
Auch Chief Inspector Basil Reed, der schon an Bord der SS Rosa und auch in Hartigan House ermittelt hat, ist recht sympathisch. Mittlerweile hat er sich daran gewöhnt, dass Ginger sich nicht aus seinen Ermittlungen raus hält. Irgendwie hat man auch immer das Gefühl das es zwischen den beiden sympathischen Protagonist knistert.
Die Fahndung nach dem Täter wird mit Spannung und einer Prise Humor erzählt.
Lee Strauss erzählt die Geschichte auf eine Art, dass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen mag.
Die 1920er Jahre werden wieder richtig lebendig.
Auch die Upperclass wird anhand der Dowager Lady Gold gut dargestellt.
Wie ein Film läuft die Geschichte vor dem inneren Auge ab.
„Mord auf Bray Manor“ ist ein unterhaltsamer Cosy-Krimi den ich sehr gerne gelesen habe.
Ich freue mich auf viele weitere Fälle mit Ginger Gold und Chief Inspector Basil Reed.
Klappentext:
Um Bray Manor finanziell über Wasser zu halten, vermieten Felicia und Ambrosia das Anwesen für Vereinstreffen und Veranstaltungen. Dadurch geraten Strickerinnen, Briefmarkensammler und Gartenbegeisterte wöchentlich ins Visier eines Poltergeistes, der es lustig zu finden scheint, Gegenstände vor ihren Besitzern zu verstecken.
Als auf Bray Manor ein Tanzabend veranstaltet wird, um Geld für verletzte Soldaten zu sammeln, die nach dem Krieg Schwierigkeiten haben, sich zurechtzufinden, lädt Felicia auch ihre Flapper-Freundinnen und ihren neuen Verehrer, Captain Smithwick, ein. Ginger hat den Mann bereits kennengelernt, mag ihn jedoch nicht.
Der Abend endet mit einem Toten und während Ambrosia den Poltergeist für den Schuldigen hält, ist Ginger fest davon überzeugt, dass der Mörder aus Fleisch und Blut ist.
„Mord auf Bray Manor“ ist der 3. Band einer bezaubernden Cosy-Krimireihe von Lee Strauss.
Ginger Gold hat mittlerweile ein Modehaus eröffnet und fühlt sich ganz als Geschäftsfrau.
Jetzt wird sie von ihrer jungen Schwägerin Felicia auf Bray Manor gebraucht.
Dort treibt anscheinend ein Poltergeist sein Unwesen.
Ihre Großmutter Ambrosia, die Dowager Lady Gold ist schon völlig verzweifelt und Felicia möchte, dass Ginger sie etwas aufmuntert und beruhigt.
Begleitet wird Ginger von ihre amerikanische Freundin Haley Higgins.
Haley studiert mittlerweile in London Medizin.
Die beiden Frauen lassen sich überreden noch bis zum Tanzabend auf Bray Manor zu bleiben, zumal Felicia Ginger gerne ihren Verehrer Captain Smithwick vorstellen möchte. Doch der ist Ginger nur allzu gut bekannt.
Der Tanzabend endet mit einem Mord an einer von Felicias Freundinnen.
Das ruft Chief Inspector Basil Reed von Scotland Yard auf den Plan.
Die Protagonisten sind gut in Szene gesetzt.
Ginger mit ihrer quirligen Art gefällt mir besonders gut.
Sie ist eine intelligente und selbstbewusste Frau.
Haley Higgins, die Freundin von Ginger ist im Charakter so ganz anders, sie war mir auch gleich sympathisch.
Auch Chief Inspector Basil Reed, der schon an Bord der SS Rosa und auch in Hartigan House ermittelt hat, ist recht sympathisch. Mittlerweile hat er sich daran gewöhnt, dass Ginger sich nicht aus seinen Ermittlungen raus hält. Irgendwie hat man auch immer das Gefühl das es zwischen den beiden sympathischen Protagonist knistert.
Die Fahndung nach dem Täter wird mit Spannung und einer Prise Humor erzählt.
Lee Strauss erzählt die Geschichte auf eine Art, dass man das Buch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen mag.
Die 1920er Jahre werden wieder richtig lebendig.
Auch die Upperclass wird anhand der Dowager Lady Gold gut dargestellt.
Wie ein Film läuft die Geschichte vor dem inneren Auge ab.
„Mord auf Bray Manor“ ist ein unterhaltsamer Cosy-Krimi den ich sehr gerne gelesen habe.
Ich freue mich auf viele weitere Fälle mit Ginger Gold und Chief Inspector Basil Reed.
September 14, 2023
„Mord auf Bray Manor“ von Lee Strauss ist der dritte Fall für Ginger Gold. Er spielt in den 1920er Jahren in England.
Schweren Herzens muss Ginger für einige Tage ihren neueröffneten Modesalon im Stich lassen, um nach Bray Manor zu fahren, nachdem sie einen Brief von ihrer Schwägerin Felicia bekommen hat. Im Haus soll es spuken und Ginger soll den Spuk beenden. Also fahren sie und ihre Freundin Haley hin. Um das große Anwesen zu finanzieren, werden einzelne Räume an Vereine vermietet und vor Ort erfahren sie, dass außerdem an diesem Wochenende eine Tanzveranstaltung stattfindet, um Geld für Kriegsheimkehrer zu sammeln. Bei dieser Gelegenheit trifft Ginger Captain Smithwick wieder, Felicias Verehrer, der ihr ein Angebot macht. Kurz danach wird eine Leiche gefunden. Die einheimischen Polizisten sind überfordert mit einem Mord, daher wird, auf Gingers Anraten, Scotland Yard hinzugezogen. Natürlich reist der sehr attraktive Chief Inspector Reed an und übernimmt den Fall. Zusammen mit Ginger kann er den Fall lösen.
Für Ginger ist das eine sehr emotionale Zeit. Auf dem Anwesen hat sie einige Zeit mit ihrem verstorbenen Mann Daniel gelebt und alles erinnert dort an ihn, es macht sie wehmütig und auch traurig. Dann ist da noch Basil Reed, die Anziehungskraft ist nicht zu übersehen, beide merken es und machen immer wieder Rückzieher.
Die einzelnen Charaktere sind sehr gut herausgearbeitet und beschrieben. Ginger ist eine emanzipierte, aufgeschlossene junge Frau, die so leicht nichts aus der Ruhe bringt. Gewisse Fähigkeiten hat sie in Kriegszeiten erlernt und sind ihr immer noch hilfreich. Haley Higgins studiert Medizin, ist im Verhalten und der Mode eher das Gegenteil von Ginger. Aber die beiden sind sehr gute Freundinnen und immer füreinander da. Die Hausherrin von Bray Manor ist die Schwiegeroma von Ginger. Sie ist sehr auf den guten Ruf der Familie bedacht, achtet auf Etikette, ist anderen gegenüber aber oft taktlos und arrogant, innerlich trotzdem eine gute Seele.
Auch bei diesem Buch hat mir das Lesen große Freude bereitet. Es ist so authentisch und charmant geschrieben, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, dabei zu sein. Die 20er Jahren mit ihren Veranstaltungen, der Mode und den Standesunterschieden sind so wunderbar beschrieben, dass ich die Menschen und Orte regelrecht vor mir sehen konnte. Die einzelnen Kapitelüberschriften sind auch wieder wunderbar illustrierte. Ich bin restlos begeistert und freue mich auf weitere Abenteuer mit Ginger Gold.
Das Cover ist ebenfalls wieder sehr schön und passend zu den Vorgängern.
Schweren Herzens muss Ginger für einige Tage ihren neueröffneten Modesalon im Stich lassen, um nach Bray Manor zu fahren, nachdem sie einen Brief von ihrer Schwägerin Felicia bekommen hat. Im Haus soll es spuken und Ginger soll den Spuk beenden. Also fahren sie und ihre Freundin Haley hin. Um das große Anwesen zu finanzieren, werden einzelne Räume an Vereine vermietet und vor Ort erfahren sie, dass außerdem an diesem Wochenende eine Tanzveranstaltung stattfindet, um Geld für Kriegsheimkehrer zu sammeln. Bei dieser Gelegenheit trifft Ginger Captain Smithwick wieder, Felicias Verehrer, der ihr ein Angebot macht. Kurz danach wird eine Leiche gefunden. Die einheimischen Polizisten sind überfordert mit einem Mord, daher wird, auf Gingers Anraten, Scotland Yard hinzugezogen. Natürlich reist der sehr attraktive Chief Inspector Reed an und übernimmt den Fall. Zusammen mit Ginger kann er den Fall lösen.
Für Ginger ist das eine sehr emotionale Zeit. Auf dem Anwesen hat sie einige Zeit mit ihrem verstorbenen Mann Daniel gelebt und alles erinnert dort an ihn, es macht sie wehmütig und auch traurig. Dann ist da noch Basil Reed, die Anziehungskraft ist nicht zu übersehen, beide merken es und machen immer wieder Rückzieher.
Die einzelnen Charaktere sind sehr gut herausgearbeitet und beschrieben. Ginger ist eine emanzipierte, aufgeschlossene junge Frau, die so leicht nichts aus der Ruhe bringt. Gewisse Fähigkeiten hat sie in Kriegszeiten erlernt und sind ihr immer noch hilfreich. Haley Higgins studiert Medizin, ist im Verhalten und der Mode eher das Gegenteil von Ginger. Aber die beiden sind sehr gute Freundinnen und immer füreinander da. Die Hausherrin von Bray Manor ist die Schwiegeroma von Ginger. Sie ist sehr auf den guten Ruf der Familie bedacht, achtet auf Etikette, ist anderen gegenüber aber oft taktlos und arrogant, innerlich trotzdem eine gute Seele.
Auch bei diesem Buch hat mir das Lesen große Freude bereitet. Es ist so authentisch und charmant geschrieben, dass ich das Gefühl hatte, dabei zu sein. Die 20er Jahren mit ihren Veranstaltungen, der Mode und den Standesunterschieden sind so wunderbar beschrieben, dass ich die Menschen und Orte regelrecht vor mir sehen konnte. Die einzelnen Kapitelüberschriften sind auch wieder wunderbar illustrierte. Ich bin restlos begeistert und freue mich auf weitere Abenteuer mit Ginger Gold.
Das Cover ist ebenfalls wieder sehr schön und passend zu den Vorgängern.
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