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A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery #1-2
Murder in the Manor / Death and a Dog
A bundle of books #1 (MURDER IN THE MANOR) and #2 (DEATH AND A DOG) in Fiona Grace’s Lacey Doyle cozy mystery series. This bundle offers books one and two in one convenient file, with over 150,000 words of reading.
In MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), Lacey Doyle, 39 years old and freshly divorced, needs a drastic change. She needs to quit her job, leave her horrendous boss and New York City, and walk away from the fast life. Making good on her childhood promise to herself, she decides to walk away from it all, and to relive a beloved childhood vacation in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire. Wilfordshire is exactly as Lacey remembers it, with its ageless architecture, cobblestone streets, and with nature at its doorstep. Lacey doesn’t want to go back home—and spontaneously, she decides to stay, and to give her childhood dream a try: she will open her own antique shop. Lacey finally feels that her life is taking a step in the right direction—until her new star customer turns up dead. As the newcomer in town, all eyes are on Lacey, and it’s up to her to clear her own name.
In DEAD AND A DOG (Book #2), spring is in the air. With last month’s murder mystery behind Lacey, a new best friend in her English shepherd, and a budding relationship with the chef across the street, it seems like everything’s finally settling into place. Lacey is so excited for her first major auction, especially when a valuable, mystery artifact enters her catalogue. All seems to go without a hitch, until two mysterious bidders arrive from out of town—and one of them winds up dead. With the small village plunged into chaos, and with the reputation of her business at stake, can Lacey and her trusty dog partner solve the crime and restore her name?
In MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), Lacey Doyle, 39 years old and freshly divorced, needs a drastic change. She needs to quit her job, leave her horrendous boss and New York City, and walk away from the fast life. Making good on her childhood promise to herself, she decides to walk away from it all, and to relive a beloved childhood vacation in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire. Wilfordshire is exactly as Lacey remembers it, with its ageless architecture, cobblestone streets, and with nature at its doorstep. Lacey doesn’t want to go back home—and spontaneously, she decides to stay, and to give her childhood dream a try: she will open her own antique shop. Lacey finally feels that her life is taking a step in the right direction—until her new star customer turns up dead. As the newcomer in town, all eyes are on Lacey, and it’s up to her to clear her own name.
In DEAD AND A DOG (Book #2), spring is in the air. With last month’s murder mystery behind Lacey, a new best friend in her English shepherd, and a budding relationship with the chef across the street, it seems like everything’s finally settling into place. Lacey is so excited for her first major auction, especially when a valuable, mystery artifact enters her catalogue. All seems to go without a hitch, until two mysterious bidders arrive from out of town—and one of them winds up dead. With the small village plunged into chaos, and with the reputation of her business at stake, can Lacey and her trusty dog partner solve the crime and restore her name?
- GenresMystery
457 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2020
26 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Grace
489 books725 followersDebut author Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 10, 2023
On the heels of a divorce from a 14-year marriage, interior decorator Lacey Doyle takes a vacation to make a fresh start. She travels across the Atlantic to the small idlyllic, coastal community of Wilfordshire, England, where she remembered playing as a young child in her father's antique shop. Her father left the family when she was seven and has not been seen since. While investigating the town, she walks into an abandoned shop which has the same layout as her father’s and decides to rent it and open her own antique shop.
Shortly after opening the shop, an elderly matron of a local manor requests her services in assessing the value of her vast collection of antiques. However, before she can be found the matriarch is discovered murdered. Since Lacey is new to the town and has recently conducted business with her, rumors begin to fly and fingers point at her as the primary suspect. Lacey decides that she must find the murderer to save her reputation and new career.
I probably would not have picked this book up if it wasn’t a book selection for my local book discussion group. The fact that it cost me nothing on Kindle was also a draw. This book includes many characteristics of cozy mysteries: amateur sleuth; no extreme violence; budding romantic interest; scenic small community populated with quirky characters, investigatory “rabbit trails.” This book appears to be self-published with the author or friends as the editor as evidenced by her several uses of “infamous.” “…the Easter holiday brought many people to Wilfordshire and they all seemed to want to partake in his infamous pastel-colored macarons.” If the macarons were truly infamous (i.e., well known for some bad quality or deed), shouldn’t all be running away? A professional editior would have caught this frequent error.
The mystery ends with a teaser, which draws you into the second book of the series. The book was enjoyable but not enough to continue reading it.
Shortly after opening the shop, an elderly matron of a local manor requests her services in assessing the value of her vast collection of antiques. However, before she can be found the matriarch is discovered murdered. Since Lacey is new to the town and has recently conducted business with her, rumors begin to fly and fingers point at her as the primary suspect. Lacey decides that she must find the murderer to save her reputation and new career.
I probably would not have picked this book up if it wasn’t a book selection for my local book discussion group. The fact that it cost me nothing on Kindle was also a draw. This book includes many characteristics of cozy mysteries: amateur sleuth; no extreme violence; budding romantic interest; scenic small community populated with quirky characters, investigatory “rabbit trails.” This book appears to be self-published with the author or friends as the editor as evidenced by her several uses of “infamous.” “…the Easter holiday brought many people to Wilfordshire and they all seemed to want to partake in his infamous pastel-colored macarons.” If the macarons were truly infamous (i.e., well known for some bad quality or deed), shouldn’t all be running away? A professional editior would have caught this frequent error.
The mystery ends with a teaser, which draws you into the second book of the series. The book was enjoyable but not enough to continue reading it.
April 30, 2025
Second time around
I'm not sure how I feel about Lacey and her need to put herself in danger. Blindsided with divorce papers, she heads off to England to assess her life choices by visiting the last family vacation destination. Once there, she decides to open her own business, rent a house, adopt a dog, and solve a murder....or two. Amateur sleuth as a side gig after finding bodies and becoming a suspect? Gotta clear her name by finding the real killer, while navigating a new landscape.
Book 2 picks up with another murder after her second auction. An annoying tourist, a valuable antique, and more arguments with the lead detective. The joys of being the newcomer.
I'm not sure how I feel about Lacey and her need to put herself in danger. Blindsided with divorce papers, she heads off to England to assess her life choices by visiting the last family vacation destination. Once there, she decides to open her own business, rent a house, adopt a dog, and solve a murder....or two. Amateur sleuth as a side gig after finding bodies and becoming a suspect? Gotta clear her name by finding the real killer, while navigating a new landscape.
Book 2 picks up with another murder after her second auction. An annoying tourist, a valuable antique, and more arguments with the lead detective. The joys of being the newcomer.
June 19, 2020
What woman and can't relate to another woman wanting to get away and reinvent herself after a divorce. Lacey Doyle takes it a step further, she leaves the continent. An interesting array of caracters surrounding this mystery, they are vibrant,most are down to earth, friendly and welcoming, but not all. I mean after all this is a murder mystery ,a clean cozey murder mystery. Aquier a copy of of "Murder in the Manor"so you to may enjoy it as much as I have. 😞🤔🙄😊Kat
December 1, 2021
😁I listened to this very entertaining little audiobook and was pleasantly surprised ☺️ beautiful descriptions that take your mind on holiday while your hands complete other tasks😏 I found myself happily adding extra hours of work so that I could hear how the story would unfold🤪😁
June 26, 2021
Listened to the audiobooks. The reader is pleasant and love the accents. Some fun characters. A really good mystery and of course romance ☺ A good read/listen.
September 8, 2021
A very fun, easy read. Glad I picked it up!
August 3, 2022
Good audio listen
July 11, 2025
I would've had a much more enjoyable experience if they had chosen a less cloying narrator. Unfortunately, I will be avoiding any future audiobooks narrated by Mary Sarah.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews