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Maggie Darling #1
The Bagington Hall Mystery
Shadowy secrets lurk beneath the surface of an idyllic Norfolk Country House…
Norfolk, England, 1923. Cromer is a sleepy village on the English coast. But things are about to liven up there, when Maggie Darling returns home from a seventeen year stint in London to work for her uncle's new maid service business. No sooner has she arrived, when she gets mixed up in an agriculture strike, mistaken as a suffragette and loses a three legged kitten. But when a dead body shows up it all becomes very complicated…
Enjoy the Mystery of Bagington Hall, the first book in an entertaining and fast-paced cozy historical mystery series set in 1920s England.
Norfolk, England, 1923. Cromer is a sleepy village on the English coast. But things are about to liven up there, when Maggie Darling returns home from a seventeen year stint in London to work for her uncle's new maid service business. No sooner has she arrived, when she gets mixed up in an agriculture strike, mistaken as a suffragette and loses a three legged kitten. But when a dead body shows up it all becomes very complicated…
Enjoy the Mystery of Bagington Hall, the first book in an entertaining and fast-paced cozy historical mystery series set in 1920s England.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 24, 2020
This is the first time I have read a book by this author. I loved the silliness! I am getting ready to read the next book in the series.
August 11, 2020
Not the best
I was expecting some detective work, but in the end the mystery was solved entirely by accident. Lots of heavy-handed foreshadowing, whereas I prefer that to be subtle. I won’t be reading others.
I was expecting some detective work, but in the end the mystery was solved entirely by accident. Lots of heavy-handed foreshadowing, whereas I prefer that to be subtle. I won’t be reading others.
May 16, 2021
Strange
A very strange tail with an ending not likely. Why did she do it? No much of an answer here.
A very strange tail with an ending not likely. Why did she do it? No much of an answer here.
December 29, 2020
It all comes right in the end
I must say that I probably worried more than Maggie about her future but it turned out right in the end. At one point I nearly gave up on the book but then I remembered that this was England in the 1800s where the Aristocracy could do no wrong and women were of no account, so I continued reading. Then I realized that Maggie and Uncle Tristan had captured my attention and the only way I could get it back was to finish the book. What a surprising end it was! There was someone more evil than those who were obviously characterized as evil!
A book with a well written plot that will sometimes cause you to stop reading but with elements to force you to continue. A good read.
I must say that I probably worried more than Maggie about her future but it turned out right in the end. At one point I nearly gave up on the book but then I remembered that this was England in the 1800s where the Aristocracy could do no wrong and women were of no account, so I continued reading. Then I realized that Maggie and Uncle Tristan had captured my attention and the only way I could get it back was to finish the book. What a surprising end it was! There was someone more evil than those who were obviously characterized as evil!
A book with a well written plot that will sometimes cause you to stop reading but with elements to force you to continue. A good read.
January 12, 2021
Not a very engaging read, I kept finding other things to do instead of finishing it... took me four days just to get through.
**SPOILERS** The characters were either gullible eccentrics... one was just an eccentric plus something else, a killer... still others were just fools. Maggie thought the hippo was just hippo but I just learned that hippopotamuses may be vegetarians but they had killed more people than any wild carnivores because they are territorial and are used to the same routines... so when people get in their way on land, they get killed... same here in this case when the killer's way of life was threatened.
**SPOILERS** The characters were either gullible eccentrics... one was just an eccentric plus something else, a killer... still others were just fools. Maggie thought the hippo was just hippo but I just learned that hippopotamuses may be vegetarians but they had killed more people than any wild carnivores because they are territorial and are used to the same routines... so when people get in their way on land, they get killed... same here in this case when the killer's way of life was threatened.
July 12, 2020
Great depiction of some horrible people, so horrible they’re beyond belief. Colorful details, such as the one-toothed man with his nuts, should be significant is they are mentioned more than once. If that was significant, I missed it. Nevertheless, I read every word and despaired for the protagonists’ desperate situation. It seemed to resolve very quickly at the end. Overall, it was colorful and suspenseful.
December 26, 2020
Gave up at Ch 29
I don't give up on books easily but didn't even make it quite halfway on this one. The setting and background don't feel fully credible to begin with. The pacing is ridiculously slow (body appears end ch 20 and no other suspense replaces it). I might have kept going anyway since I read so fast, but the characters all seem exaggerated, more like caricatures than characters. Maybe it's meant to be humorous, but if so it falls terribly short for me.
I don't give up on books easily but didn't even make it quite halfway on this one. The setting and background don't feel fully credible to begin with. The pacing is ridiculously slow (body appears end ch 20 and no other suspense replaces it). I might have kept going anyway since I read so fast, but the characters all seem exaggerated, more like caricatures than characters. Maybe it's meant to be humorous, but if so it falls terribly short for me.
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March 31, 2021The Bagington Murders
Maggie Darling moves to the countryside to help her Uncle with his new business. Things are not as advertised but she feels that she can whip things into shape. While visiting a prospective client she gets locked in a disguised room and makes a horrible discovery. Everything goes down hill from there and it begins to look like everything was going from bad to worse for them. But hope will out. Read to discover everything.
Maggie Darling moves to the countryside to help her Uncle with his new business. Things are not as advertised but she feels that she can whip things into shape. While visiting a prospective client she gets locked in a disguised room and makes a horrible discovery. Everything goes down hill from there and it begins to look like everything was going from bad to worse for them. But hope will out. Read to discover everything.
December 17, 2020
Cute
I wouldn’t suggest that this is a story for devout mystery lovers. It’s no McBain or Patterson but is a delightful little tale of intrigue. Maggie leaves London for greener pastures and finds herself in the middle of faithless servants, a con man, and a new job gone belly up. Hardly saw the end come as it did either.
I wouldn’t suggest that this is a story for devout mystery lovers. It’s no McBain or Patterson but is a delightful little tale of intrigue. Maggie leaves London for greener pastures and finds herself in the middle of faithless servants, a con man, and a new job gone belly up. Hardly saw the end come as it did either.
December 20, 2020
Almost didn’t finish this book. The characters are unlikable. I got caught up in counting the animal references used to describe them. Two different characters described a third as having a donkey face but later on the character is described as bovine. There were owl-like eyes, owl-like stares and bird’s eyes and twitters, toads more than once. It was distracting. The plot was often ridiculous.
December 29, 2020
A good mystery with very weird characters
While I enjoyed the story and found the solution to the murders clever , some of the characters were so peculiar that I found them distracting. A few of the characters were almost cartoon like in behavior and personality and that detracted from rather than enhanced the story.
While I enjoyed the story and found the solution to the murders clever , some of the characters were so peculiar that I found them distracting. A few of the characters were almost cartoon like in behavior and personality and that detracted from rather than enhanced the story.
March 29, 2021
English Countryside Mystery
This book was to slow moving for me. Yes, the last few chapters picked up the pass This book is something that I would recommend to those who enjoy. slow paced whodunits. I must admit the ending was not expected and the twists and turns what kept me reading.
This book was to slow moving for me. Yes, the last few chapters picked up the pass This book is something that I would recommend to those who enjoy. slow paced whodunits. I must admit the ending was not expected and the twists and turns what kept me reading.
July 27, 2022
A Great Fun Read
With a cast of off-the-wall characters, each so British, as each is eccentric, this lively mystery will keep you on your toes to the end. Maggie Darling is a strong willed woman, who doesn't take to forgetting about the mysterious deaths that occur while she stays in this interesting corner of England. But of course, there she is at the grant reveal.
With a cast of off-the-wall characters, each so British, as each is eccentric, this lively mystery will keep you on your toes to the end. Maggie Darling is a strong willed woman, who doesn't take to forgetting about the mysterious deaths that occur while she stays in this interesting corner of England. But of course, there she is at the grant reveal.
July 17, 2020
Slow but good finish
As a new series it was slow to getting started, but had a good finish! I'll try the 2nd in the series to read if the author has tightened up the writing, and what mayhem lies in this small English town setting.
As a new series it was slow to getting started, but had a good finish! I'll try the 2nd in the series to read if the author has tightened up the writing, and what mayhem lies in this small English town setting.
September 2, 2020
Maggie Darling moves back to Norfolk, England where she grew up to help her uncle with his placement company. Couple of problems right from the start - only 1 client, no people to place and she finds a dead body when she at Bagington Hall. Can she solve the crime and help get her uncle's business going.
Maggie is a great character, the story was a little weak.
Maggie is a great character, the story was a little weak.
September 12, 2020
Enjoyable unique and funny mystery
First I’ve read from this author but it had me hooked - wanting to read onto the night. I enjoyed the odd and entertaining characters and the surprises along the way.
First I’ve read from this author but it had me hooked - wanting to read onto the night. I enjoyed the odd and entertaining characters and the surprises along the way.
December 12, 2020
Vivid description and memorable characters
NC Lewis’s Maggie Darling uses her experiences as a server in a pie-and-mash shop in 1923 London to good stead as the resourceful 42-year-old moves back to her rural hometown and changes the fortunes of a cast of incredible characters.
NC Lewis’s Maggie Darling uses her experiences as a server in a pie-and-mash shop in 1923 London to good stead as the resourceful 42-year-old moves back to her rural hometown and changes the fortunes of a cast of incredible characters.
December 13, 2020
Charming cozy mystery!
I enjoyed this mystery set in England. There are twists and turns and the characters are believable and they represent the innocence of their times! Have a cup of tea and have a nice enjoyable read!
I enjoyed this mystery set in England. There are twists and turns and the characters are believable and they represent the innocence of their times! Have a cup of tea and have a nice enjoyable read!
October 29, 2021
Historical mystery
This was a fun and humorous mystery. Maggie is about the only Dane character and seeing her trying to deal with the other characters is entertaining. The mystery kept me guessing until the end.
This was a fun and humorous mystery. Maggie is about the only Dane character and seeing her trying to deal with the other characters is entertaining. The mystery kept me guessing until the end.
March 2, 2022
a very enjoyable mystery
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. An enjoyable mystery, plenty of interesting characters, a cross-section of society, with their own concerns melding together really well. Highly recommend this author.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. An enjoyable mystery, plenty of interesting characters, a cross-section of society, with their own concerns melding together really well. Highly recommend this author.
April 26, 2022
It was a crazy story. As always there are several unsavory people and several murders. It takes place in a small English farm area in the mid 1920's where the town is striking for far wages and working conditions.
There are a lot of twist and turns, but as all mysteries all ends well.
There are a lot of twist and turns, but as all mysteries all ends well.
February 18, 2024
Quick read, twist at end
A cozy English countryside mystery taking place in the early 20th century. The ending has a twist that was a bit unexpected. A good book to read on a rainy evening.
A cozy English countryside mystery taking place in the early 20th century. The ending has a twist that was a bit unexpected. A good book to read on a rainy evening.
June 16, 2025
First-time reader of N C Lewis
I thought it was a bit slow to start, then I realised it was a page-turner. Thank you, Mr Lewis, you have a convert I look forward to reading the next in line...
I thought it was a bit slow to start, then I realised it was a page-turner. Thank you, Mr Lewis, you have a convert I look forward to reading the next in line...
July 17, 2020
Enjoyable and easy read mystery.
July 27, 2020
always a twist and turn. never would have guess who did it
August 10, 2020
I don’t usually not finish a book but I only made it 1/3 of the way. Lots of detail but the entire premise was boring and the characters uninteresting. Oh well you win some you lose some!
September 10, 2020
Cozy
An easy read, with plenty of characters. Not a great depth of character development but a fun book to enjoy with a cup of tea on the back deck or an easy chair.
An easy read, with plenty of characters. Not a great depth of character development but a fun book to enjoy with a cup of tea on the back deck or an easy chair.
September 28, 2020
Ridiculous
Insane characters and events that make no sense. No redeeming virtues. Plot lines go in too many different directions at once.
Insane characters and events that make no sense. No redeeming virtues. Plot lines go in too many different directions at once.
October 1, 2020
Suspense.in the manor
Good help is hard to find. So is finding a murderer
Three missing,. fourth stabbed to death. Who knew running a staffing agency would.be.so treacherous.
Good help is hard to find. So is finding a murderer
Three missing,. fourth stabbed to death. Who knew running a staffing agency would.be.so treacherous.
December 22, 2020
The Bagington Hall Mysteries
The Bagington Hall Mysteries, more than one suspicious death have Maggie and Uncle Tristen in the detective mode and will there be a twist in the end?
The Bagington Hall Mysteries, more than one suspicious death have Maggie and Uncle Tristen in the detective mode and will there be a twist in the end?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews