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Mary Blake #2
A Death at Dinner
She spent her life acting as a detective on tv... now she has to be one for real... When Mary Blake is called to help an old acquaintance who’s being blackmailed, the last thing she expected was to find herself in the midst of a murder investigation… again.However, within 24 hours of her taking on the case there is a suspicious death and the staff of the Rudolph Hotel are thrown into chaos before their big Christmas event.With the police unconvinced of foul play, Mary throws herself into the case along with her assistant Dot and her brother Pea, attempting to track down the killer and prove themselves for the new career they have planned."...plenty of suspects and twists lead to an unexpected conclusion."Perfect for fans of Diana Xarissa, Lee Strauss, Blythe Baker and Clare Chase.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2020
About the author
A.G. Barnett
29 books115 followersAG Barnett lives in Oxfordshire with his wife, daughter, three ridiculous spaniels, and four frizzle chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 15, 2020
I am loving this series.
This series of murder mysteries/ amateur sleuthing is becoming quite addictive.
An invitation from an old acquaintance to a celebratory dinner leads to more than a quiet weekend in the country for Mary, Dot and Pea.
Hard to put down, this is yet another page turner for me.
P.S. This series would make an excellent TV show.
This series of murder mysteries/ amateur sleuthing is becoming quite addictive.
An invitation from an old acquaintance to a celebratory dinner leads to more than a quiet weekend in the country for Mary, Dot and Pea.
Hard to put down, this is yet another page turner for me.
P.S. This series would make an excellent TV show.
March 11, 2021
Most entertaining
A bit Scooby doo meets Agatha Raisin, meets murder she wrote. I didn't enjoy this as much as the first one but still money and time well spent and look forward to the next in the series. Characters are developing nicely.
A bit Scooby doo meets Agatha Raisin, meets murder she wrote. I didn't enjoy this as much as the first one but still money and time well spent and look forward to the next in the series. Characters are developing nicely.
August 2, 2024
It’s been long enough that I don’t remember much about the first one in this series, but it’s short and enjoyable enough. I did figure out the murderer, however, but didn’t ruin the enjoyment. Needs a good editor.
May 4, 2020
Disappointing!
January 14, 2020
This is a very entertaining light mystery story, similar in style to an Agatha Christie.
The characters are quite well described, and are what you'd expect from a book in this genre, so no surprises with them. The story is well written, with the requisite 'red herrings' to throw the characters and the reader off the scent and the culprit was well concealed until nearly the end.
So, in summary an enjoyable, if a little formulaic read, a very solid four stars.
This honest review was written from an advance copy of the book provided by the author.
The characters are quite well described, and are what you'd expect from a book in this genre, so no surprises with them. The story is well written, with the requisite 'red herrings' to throw the characters and the reader off the scent and the culprit was well concealed until nearly the end.
So, in summary an enjoyable, if a little formulaic read, a very solid four stars.
This honest review was written from an advance copy of the book provided by the author.
December 30, 2025
The first book was definitely better.
Way too many gin and tonics and the series has now fallen into the same routine as so many other cozy mysteries out there. Nosy MC thinks she can do better than the police and there is a potential romance on the horizon - at which point I will stop reading.
I'll try the next book (only because it's included in Kindle unlimited) but I suspect it will be my last.
Way too many gin and tonics and the series has now fallen into the same routine as so many other cozy mysteries out there. Nosy MC thinks she can do better than the police and there is a potential romance on the horizon - at which point I will stop reading.
I'll try the next book (only because it's included in Kindle unlimited) but I suspect it will be my last.
January 9, 2024
They drink a lot of gin and tonics in this one. There were all sorts of clues as to who did the dastardly deed, but it took a while for Mary to put the pieces together. It might have been all the gin and tonics she was drinking that slowed the thinking process. The book was a quick read and enjoyable.
September 15, 2020
Good mystery!
This mystery was a joy to read. The characters were relatable, and the plot was good. I liked the humor in the book, also. I look forward to reading more Mary Blake mysteries and highly recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers.
This mystery was a joy to read. The characters were relatable, and the plot was good. I liked the humor in the book, also. I look forward to reading more Mary Blake mysteries and highly recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers.
December 11, 2020
Well Done
Barnett’s mysteries are very interesting and also quick reads. He does a very good job of making it difficult to decide who the murderer is. Again I was sure I knew who it was but was very wrong.
Barnett’s mysteries are very interesting and also quick reads. He does a very good job of making it difficult to decide who the murderer is. Again I was sure I knew who it was but was very wrong.
January 9, 2021
A Death at Dinner
This series is exciting, I just couldn't put it down. As usual, there at twists and turns everywhere. Throw in a little romance and you got a interesting story. Enjoy!
This series is exciting, I just couldn't put it down. As usual, there at twists and turns everywhere. Throw in a little romance and you got a interesting story. Enjoy!
February 28, 2021
Lumbers to a good ending
As with his first Mary Blake mystery, it seemed to take a very long tone for him to develop the plot and move it along.but you have to like the characters and have an affinity for them. I digging into the next one now...
As with his first Mary Blake mystery, it seemed to take a very long tone for him to develop the plot and move it along.but you have to like the characters and have an affinity for them. I digging into the next one now...
December 19, 2021
Gotcha!
Another well written story!!! A little murder, a little romance, and a few twists, what more can you ask for or need! I'd say more but I'm always afraid to give anything away! Enjoy!
Another well written story!!! A little murder, a little romance, and a few twists, what more can you ask for or need! I'd say more but I'm always afraid to give anything away! Enjoy!
February 20, 2024
Mary Blake is back in the second book in the series. The former TV detective and her assistant Dot and brother Pea are helping a friend who claims to be blackmailed. While she attends a dinner there as a featured guest. Until a murder accurs. It was fun and great like the first one.
February 22, 2020
Cozy
Enjoyable cozy mystery . But as the other reviews say the proof reader was obviously having a bad day. But murder mystery and not a romance story yet.
Enjoyable cozy mystery . But as the other reviews say the proof reader was obviously having a bad day. But murder mystery and not a romance story yet.
November 24, 2020
Brilliant and funny
Totally enjoyable read with humour and a good storyline . Can't wait to start the next escapade of Mary , Dot & pea.
Totally enjoyable read with humour and a good storyline . Can't wait to start the next escapade of Mary , Dot & pea.
December 21, 2020
Reading this topped off my weekend of relaxation and book after book after book. Another great series I'll finish before tomorrow's end! A true fan!
February 22, 2023
She did again!
Barnett continues to entertain the world with the 2nd in the Mary Blake mystery series. I love them. Now on to the next one!
Barnett continues to entertain the world with the 2nd in the Mary Blake mystery series. I love them. Now on to the next one!
February 25, 2023
There seems to be quite a lot of gin and tonic consumed. Drunken benders with belligerent behaviour indicate a problem.
June 18, 2024
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
February 12, 2025
Very good mystery that an astute reader may be able to solve themselves.
I enjoy the fact that all the clues needed to solve the mystery are available to the reader the entire time.
I enjoy the fact that all the clues needed to solve the mystery are available to the reader the entire time.
March 9, 2025
Death at Dinner
Another great installment in the Mary Blake Mystery Series! Love the characters. Enjoyable read and I enjoy reading about the locale!
Another great installment in the Mary Blake Mystery Series! Love the characters. Enjoyable read and I enjoy reading about the locale!
December 9, 2025
Feisty or rude?
MC isn’t feisty so much as rude and a bit obnoxious. Stories are decent but I can’t take any more of Mary.
MC isn’t feisty so much as rude and a bit obnoxious. Stories are decent but I can’t take any more of Mary.
January 8, 2026
Nice Read
A good mystery with a touch of romance that even a guy can enjoy.
Well and I guessed the killer.
A good mystery with a touch of romance that even a guy can enjoy.
Well and I guessed the killer.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews