Murder at Keyhaven Castle

Stella and Lyndy Mystery #3

by Clara McKenna

With her wedding to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst just days away, strong-willed American ex-pat Stella Kendrick is the talk of Edwardian society—and the focus of a deadly mystery—in Clara McKenna’s third historical mystery set in England’s New Forest region at the turn of the 20th century.

Between ornate bridal gown fittings and meetings with Lyndy’s distant relatives, Stella finally feels less like an out-of-place American and more like a respected aristocrat. Everything changes as the arrival of an anonymous gift and return of her overbearing father cast a dark shadow over the festivities, conjuring difficult memories and new fears . . .

Tensions intensify when a daytrip to Southampton ends with a suspicious stranger getting trampled by a horse-drawn cab. Before anyone can explain why the victim possessed a newspaper clipping about the upcoming ceremony at Morrington Hall, tragedy strikes again, this time resulting in a murder that turns Stella’s world completely upside down while implicating one of Lyndy’s well-regarded family members . . .

Stella and Lyndy rush to connect two very different crimes and identify the guilty culprit hiding among elite wedding guests. But as the couple blows the lid off of scandalous secrets, they realize that catching this killer—and living to tell the tale—may prove as impossible as closing the class divide.

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

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2021

About the author

Clara McKenna is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical cozy mysteries. The Stella & Lyndy Mystery series involves an unlikely couple who mix love, murder, and horseracing in Edwardian England. The Hattie Davish Mystery series follows a 19th century secretary who solves crime in every historical town she visits.

Clara is a member of Sisters in Crime and the founding member of Sleuths in Time, a cooperative group of historical mystery writers who encourage and promote each other's work.

An avid teacup collector and self-proclaimed anglophile with an incurable case of wanderlust, Clara enjoys afternoon tea from her prized collection and travels every chance she gets, the UK being a favorite destination. When she can't get to the UK, she's happy to write about it from her home in the Upper Midwest.

To learn more, and subscribe to her monthly newsletter, visit her online at www.claramckenna.com

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading this I thought this cannot be the first book in a series and sure enough it was the third! This did not affect my enjoyment of the book but it made me want to go back and get the first two!

Anyway, meeting Stella and Lyndy for the first time in Murder at Keyhaven Castle I was immediately aware that they had not had an easy time getting to the altar. At last their wedding is about to take place but there are still a lot of bad feelings between various family members. This is 1905 and the purpose of the wedding is to match Stella, the rich American heiress to Lord Lyndhurst, the not so rich but titled Englishman.

Then things begin to go wrong, there are a couple of murders and some confusion over race horses, stolen guns and people turning up to the wedding uninvited. Stella is a delightful main character who manages to save herself in several moments of crisis. I liked Lyndy too and thought their relationship seemed solid and that it would survive all the trials and tribulations.

This was a very entertaining and enjoyable story, nicely told and with well written characters. I will certainly be seeking out the first two books and looking forward to book four.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Keyhaven Castle is my favorite of the series so far. It is time for Stella and Lyndy's wedding with guests from America arriving. But the occasion is marred with a terrible event on the wharf that exposes some shenanigans from the horse racing field resulting in a murder. Another murder hits close to Stella as does danger. There are suspects to weed through close to the wedding party with other surprises. I really like the setting, time period, and characters, for the most part, although there are some not so nice ones in this story. I listened to the audio book through Chirp and really enjoyed the narrator, Sarah Zimmerman.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wedding of American heiress Stella Kendrick to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst is just days away, and they can’t wait. A murder in a nearby town doesn’t seem like it could interfere, until they learn the man was ranting about killing someone before he died and he had a copy of the newspaper’s announcement of their wedding in his pocket. When another murder happens during an outing to the ruins of Keyhaven Castle, it threatens their wedding. Are the two deaths related? Will Stella and Lyndy be able to get married?

This is another case where you could jump in here, but the events and the characters’ reactions to them will make more sense if you’ve read the first two books in the series. The story walks a fine balance between taking the events of the story seriously and being too dark, and I appreciated how that was handled. I did figure out a few things early on, but there was so much happening, it didn’t really ruin the story for me. Part of that is because of the strong romance in the series – I think I was rooting for Stella and Lyndy to get married as much as they were. Obviously, I love them, and they continue to lead a great cast of characters. Again, the world of 1905 was brought to life wonderfully. If you are a fan of this series, you’ll definitely enjoy this book. If you are new, I suggest you meet Stella and Lyndy soon.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The words ‘very busy’ came to mind as I finished Murder at Keyhaven Castle. Miss Stella Kendrick and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst were just days away from marrying each other.

As expected, guests were arriving from America; some were intentionally invited and others showed up on a whim. Into the muddle up, Stella’s father threw his weight around making some unbearable moments for his daughter. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a murder.

I’ve enjoyed reading about this young couple in the previous two stories, minus a couple of annoying characters. Soon after they first met as polar opposites, Stella and Lyndy inadvertently became amateur sleuths. They grew on each other and they grew on me. I was looking forward to their wedding.

What affected my enjoyment of this historical mystery were the multitude of characters, some new and some old, and the issue of too much going on. Thoughts were rehashed. When another murder took place, it wasn’t hard to determine the killer; I looked for the characters that served no purpose.

I am happy they earned their HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Kendrick and Lord Lyndhurst are about to be wed at last. They can't wait to be alone together but first they have to make it through the last minute rush of wedding prep and guest arrivals. Stella's dad is eager for her to meet their old neighbors, the Swensons, who have just arrived in Southhampton. At the quay, a man named Jesse waits to enact revenge against a man who has wronged him. Another man arrives with his two young children, headed to the same destination as Jesse's quarry, Morrington Hall. A pickpocket makes off with items to pawn and most importantly, Jesse's pearl handed pistol said to have belonged to his namesake, Jesse James. His frustration mounting, Jesse causes a loud commotion, threatening to kill someone. Then he stumbles into the path of an oncoming wagon traveling at a fast speed and doesn't survive. The police can't find identification or any information concerning the identity of the man, except for a news clipping about Stella's engagement. The man is later identified as disgraced American jockey Jesse James Prescott. Did he come to England to murder Lyndy or one of the family or was someone else his target? When Stella's father meets the new horse of wealthy collector Baron Brason-Hill, Mr. Kendrick swears the Baron has been cheated for the horse is NOT the winning Challacombe but a ringer! Then Stella's dad is killed in a fall at Keystone Castle and Inspector Brown believes it was murder! Who would want to kill Mr. Kenrick? (Stella tries not to think about the answer) Why now? Can Stella and Lyndy see justice done so they can finally be wed?

This series is getting better as it goes along. My eyes crossed at all the horsey stuff. The last one was all about horse racing if I remember correctly. Pick something new. I figured out who killed Jesse right away and ended up figuring out most of the puzzle by the halfway point. It was very obvious who and I had a good inkling as to why even if I didn't have an exact motive. I had most of it. I skimmed the details of Edwardian life and skipped ahead to the end to verify my suspicions before shutting off the tablet for the night. I returned to finish the book anyway. I noted a couple of historical inaccuracies. No matter WHO Stella marries, Mr. Kendrick will not be allowed in Mrs. Astor's ballroom. For one thing, the list was made many years earlier and included only people 3 generations removed from the initial fortune. She did not associate with "new money" people so no go there, Mr. K. ALSO, Mrs. Astor was retired from society by 1905 and living with dementia. Mr. Kendrick would do better to get invited to one of Mamie Fish's fun parties and make nice with Alva Belmont and Tessie Oelrichs too. One other error I spotted, Stella claims she had only ever been on a boat once and that was the ship across the Atlantic. Yet she remembers several times visiting Newport in the summer so how on earth did she get there without a boat? It's on an island and the bridges were not yet built! For a MUCH better series on the Gilded Age, try Alyssa Maxwell's Gilded Age Newport series. Murder at Beechwood is where you will meet Mrs. Astor but start with Murder at the Breakers.)

The characters are still very two-dimensional. There's not much depth to Stella and Lyndy. She shows more depth of feeling and more personality than he does. He's a nice chap except when someone he cares about is threatened and then he gets all lordly. He loves Stella and is fierce to defend her to his friends but not so much his mother. Stella is a sweet girl. She's been lonely her whole life and desperate for family. She has discovered family is found and created not necessarily who you are related to by blood. She loves her family, especially her horses, but has conflicted feelings about her father. Stella is stubborn though and doesn't like to be told what to do. She defies the rules of etiquette when it suits her. I like her a lot. Yes it is possible to love someone but wish they would go away. I don't think it's possible to love her father though. He's a tyrant, a bully, and uses her to get what he wants. He doesn't love her or care about her in any way shape or form except how she can help him achieve his goals. Stella is a means to an end for him and he will tolerate no disobedience. He also doesn't tolerate things he doesn't understand- like dress fittings! He's too impatient to show off his new carriage. The one good thing about Mr. Kendrick is his dedication to the integrity of the sport of racing. That's the only good thing about him. I wasn't surprised he was murdered. I won't miss him, sorry Stella.

Aunt Rachel is hilarious. She's a tolerant chaperone and though she knows the rules, she's willing to allow Stella and Lyndy a LITTLE bit of alone time. I love her folksy sayings. In this story we meet Aunt Ivy for the first time. Stella's maternal aunt was a mother figure to her for many years until she stopped visiting. Stella doesn't understand what happened but I can guess. Aunt Ivy is fun. She's a pistol. She adores Stella and can stand up to Mr. Kendrick on her own. Aunt Ivy is hiding something though. I think she has good reason to kill Stella's father but would she do that to Stella? I strongly suspect she would in order to free Stella IF Stella wasn't madly in love with Lyndy.

Stella's Uncle Jed is fun and jovial. He loves his children and loves Stella. He seems to have limited funds, perhaps caused by excess drinking. He blames his brother for cheating him out of his rightful inheritance but we never get the full story. His children are very sweet. Sammy is trying to be a proper young gentleman but he's still just a boy. Gertie is too young to understand anything that's going on but happy to have attention from Stella.

I'm not a big fan of Lyndy's friends. Sir Alfred Goodkin seems like a good fellow. He's good natured, a little shy and stays out of trouble. Owen Roundtree, on the other hand, loves horses and women and though he's a good sport about being clumsy and never coming in first, I don't trust him. His attitude towards women is gross and disrespectful. Your friend is about to marry, don't denigrate the woman he has chosen! That's just rude. Owen was nearby the scene of Mr. Kendrick's murder and spotted with blood on his face. Was it from the not-so-charming Penelope Swenson or a struggling victim? I don't trust him.

The villain, Jesse, is nursing a grudge against someone. He's angry, hurt and lashes out at anyone who stands in the way of his goal. He is one dangerous man yet he makes a mistake and it results in his death. Did he deserve it? No I don't think so. There's not much about how culpable he was in the wrongdoing at the racecourse. I doubt he was the ringleader and may have been doing what he had to do to get along. Of course he gambled and lost and lost everything.

Baron Branson-Hill IS a nincompoop if he bought the wrong horse. I would like to think he wasn't that stupid. He seems nice and is good enough to drag his horse over from the Isle of Wight. If he was cheated then shame on HIM. Maybe he was involved in the scandal and buying the champion horse is a cover up? He claims he isn't into racing but what if someone from his stable is and clued him in? The Swensons are ghastly. Theo is OK but he's Mr. Kendrick's biggest rival on the racecourse so I would expect some of that to carry over into their personal life. The women are awful. Mrs. Swenson sees herself as a surrogate mother to Stella now that Stella is to be married. Mrs. Swenson keeps referring to Stella as "poor" because she's motherless. Stella feels that Mrs. Swenson has been holding her on a pedestal her whole life and comparing Stella to her own daughter, Penelope. Penny is a typical mean girl. She's come to England to find herself a noble husband, being jealous of Stella. Penny reveres Mr. Kendrick as the father she would have loved to have. Um ok then. Penny is selfish and cares only about material things. She IS to blame for some of what happened in her personal life. It takes two to tango and she was naïve or just plain stupid. She shows some surprising depth of character at the end but she is not at all likable. Even Lyndy's mother doesn't seem to like Penny and is more kind and sympathetic to Stella. I think Lady A sees how lucky she is to have Stella as a future daughter-in-law. It could be worse. Stella could be like Penny!

Inspector Brown is a good fellow. He trusts Stella and believes everything she tells him. He does his job well and is not overzealous. Sure he stumbles and doesn't put the whole thing together but he was getting close. He's a good copper. Mrs. Robertson, the housekeeper at the dower house, is fussy and overbearing. She's worrying about her future though and the futures of the staff and wondering what will happen when Stella and Lyndy marry. Mrs. Robertson is also worried that everything should be perfect for the arrival of her nephew who is coming from America. She thinks of him as a wee boy still but he's grown man and arrived on the same day as the Swensons. Was he involved in the incident on the docks? Is he hurt or worse? I don't know if this "wee lad", Robbie, can be trusted. Living in America now, he could have been involved in the racing scandal. Several people were never caught after all.

Though the mystery was easy to solve, I like Stella and may be interested in seeing what she gets up to next.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just like Stella and Lyndy together so much. This wasn't how I would have chosen to eliminate my least favorite part of these books, but I guess I'll take it? Looking forward to their married life together and more mysteries to come.

[Sophia]

We have arrived at the moment that has been coming since early in the first book. Stella, the American heiress, is on the eve of her nuptials to her English Viscount, Lyndy. They might have started out as different in circumstances and inclination as two people can be, but surprisingly, they found love, respect and understanding over the course of their two previous detecting adventures. This is good because the latest murder will push Stella to her limits and a danger will arise that Lyndy could never imagine facing.

My full review posted at The Reading Frenzy TBA.

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. I really like this series. Stella is somewhat unconventional for the time period but not acting out of character for someone of the time. There are plenty of real life biographies of American women who were pressured into marrying the aristocrats in Europe to bring social prestige to the Americans and money to the European families. The clash between these cultures and class divides were legendary and play out very much in this series.

In the end, I really like how Stella and Lyndy come together. Their relationship feels real and has built over time. Maybe a little quick for falling in love but it can happen in a short time, particularly when under highly emotionally packed times, like investigating murder.

This installment brings in another delay to the pending nuptials when someone close to the wedding party is murdered. Family members are suspected, etc. Surprises and scandals are revealed and there is, finally, a happy ending.

A good solid mystery based on very real shenanigans give it that authenticity that is sometimes lacking in historical mysteries. I think most people today don't realize just how popular racing and betting was during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It was as popular as the Super Bowl or the World Series. It was a sport whose popularity spread over class lines, even though it was only the people rich as kings who could afford it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Between ornate bridal gown fittings and meetings with Lyndy’s distant relatives, Stella finally feels less like an out-of-place American and more like a respected aristocrat. Everything changes as the arrival of an anonymous gift and return of her overbearing father cast a dark shadow over the festivities, conjuring difficult memories and new fears. Tensions intensify when a daytrip to Southampton ends with a suspicious stranger getting trampled by a horse-drawn cab. Before anyone can explain why the victim possessed a newspaper clipping about the upcoming ceremony at Morrington Hall, tragedy strikes again, this time resulting in a murder that turns Stella’s world completely upside down while implicating one of Lyndy’s well-regarded family members.
This is the third book in the series & whilst it could be read on its own I’d recommend reading in order as the two main characters Lyndy & Stella's relationship develops throughout the series. A very well written page turning read with plenty of twists & turns plus red herrings so I was guessing until the end. I was engrossed from cover to cover & a rainy day meany I was curled up & read it in a couple of sittings. There were a couple of loose ends which I hope are resolved in the next book
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

MUCH better than the previous one, this one grabs your attention from the first page and keeps it until the very end. Even though I guessed the killer fairly early on [and had a huge shock in who was killed - one often wished disagreeable characters are the ones that are killed off, but it never happened until this book and I. WAS. SHOCKED.] and then guessed the side story almost immediately, this still kept me reading feverishly until the end [there WERE moments where I was second guessing myself and that makes it even more fun]. I love Stella and Lyndy together and I adore how Stella just takes everything thrown at her with grace and composure, even when she doesn't want to be [especially with her upcoming MIL and the very conventions that are very much England], and also refuses to sit back and just let things move forward with no help from her - her independence is awesome. Her father may not love her, but his indifference instilled an independence in Stella that continues to serve her well and makes her an amazing character. Very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Clara McKenna, and Kensington Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Roslyn Stillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in the series. It was an exciting read that kept me turning the page. Although it took a while to get to the murder the journey was beautifully written. The characters were so full of life and enjoyable to read. The mystery of who was going to be the victim and then working out who done it made it a very exciting read. At times I wanted to read the last page to know the answers but I resisted. There were twist and turns to keep you reading. There was no sex in this book but it was still a nice dose of romance and love. I received this book as an ARC and freely give my review.

[Katreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER AT KEYHAVEN CASTLE by Clara McKenna
The Third Stella and Lyndy Mystery

With her wedding to Viscount Lyndhurst mere days away Stella is blissfully happy and willing to overlook her father and mother-in-law dictating all of the preparations. Overjoyed when she sees her Aunt Rachel has accepted her invitation and traveled to England for the ceremony, Stella is also happily surprised to see her father's brother, though her father is furious. Her joy isn't to last, however, when tragedy strikes at a pre-wedding picnic. Does the murder have anything to do with the death of the man at the docks? With Lyndy to support her, Stella is determined to find justice, but will doing so cause her own death?

MURDER AT KEYHAVEN CASTLE is a story about conflicting emotions. It's about family, loyalty, and doing what you believe is best, despite the cost. It's about supporting others when they need it most, and perhaps even shifting your perspective.

I've enjoyed the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series from its inception and was thrilled that their wedding day is about to arrive in this third book in the series...or is it? Major surprises occurred impacting everything...but you'll get no spoilers from me. I'll merely say that friends and relatives aren't always what they seem, and neither are horses. I absolutely loved the horse angle here. Indeed, I loved practically everything about this book from the layered characters to the period detail.

MURDER AT KEYHAVEN CASTLE is a taut historical drama that combines anticipation, determination, and the search for justice.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

This was definitely my favorite installment of the series. The writing style here is still not great, the stories are a little too busy, and I would really love to read one installment where a large number of supporting characters aren't legitimately terrible to Stella (seriously, the Swensons were all awful and good riddance to all of them), but I'm interested in where this series goes from here. Also, can someone please cut Stella a break?? I certainly am not sorry to see her father go, but the circumstances that brought it about was not something anyone should have to deal with.

[Cat Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters of this historical fiction/mystery set in early 1900s England. The plot held me at first, but became predictable with too many “Calvary to the rescue” moments. There was also too much endless internal ruminating by multiple characters in their different POVs over plot points (why would he do x? Where could the x be? Could x possibly be the murderer?) that turned me off. Still, I was invested in the two main characters and would read another in this series.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continues to be an enjoyable historical series, though this book suffered from some truly egregious editing errors!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Stella and Lyndy mystery yet! Lots of action and secrets uncovered! I really enjoyed that the murder mystery in this one was way more personal for them and for the reader so the stakes were quite high!

[Donna Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is, Wow! This latest Stella and Lyndy Mystery is one terrific read! The big wedding is just days away. Stella has her final bridal gown fitting. Her family is arriving from the States. Well, not all were invited which will be a problem. This marriage, which began with Stella’s father literally selling her to an impoverished titled British family, has turned out to be a real love match.

A brutal murder sees the pair involved in trying to discover if their families are in danger. What happens next is a series of stunning developments. Another murder! The stunner is the identity of the victim and the impact on the wedding. And why is Stella’s aunt acting so mysteriously? Well, that’s yet another stunner, only not quite as unexpected.

I love the British setting and newly minted 20th Century timeline. We’re still riding horses and depending on the telegraph to exchange messages. Wealthy Americans are focused on buying into titled families. But love is love, and when we add an interesting and intricate, well-developed mystery to the mix we have the recipe for a terrific historical fiction book and series. Read this one: you’ll soon want to grab the first two as well!

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a whirlwind. Though it’s written as if it could be the end of the series, I’ve seen reports that book 4 will be out in spring of 2022 and at least one more book is in the works. Whew!

As if Stella hasn’t endured enough trauma, she has to deal with some pretty incredible tragedies in this book. The one thing I think is a little off is the immediate follow-up to each (I’m thinking of three) is way too fast. Like truly terrible things happen to her and she bounces back seemingly within hours. It’s a bit unrealistic and a bit of time could have been written into the story to make it more believable.

Still, I love these characters and these books are written in such a way that they can read in a day or so.

I only regret I have to wait months for the next one!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series more with every book! Stella and Lyndy are an interesting couple, each with their own flaws and insecurities, but together are learning they can face anything. Even the death of Stella's father! Not anyone's favorite person but who would want to kill him? Stella and Lyndy must figure out the mystery before they can walk down the aisle and begin their married life. I highly recommend and look forward to their next adventure. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #MurderatKeyHavenCastle.

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series: A Stella and Lyndy Mystery #3
Publication Date: 6/29/21
Period: Edwardian – 1905 Hampshire, England
Number of Pages: 304
** 4.5-Stars **

I came to absolutely adore Stella and Lyndy over the last two books. She’s the filthy rich American heiress and he’s the pockets-to-let English heir to an earl. I know you are thinking – so what - that is the theme of a lot of historical romances. True, but these two are really special and they both do a lot of growing and changing over the course of these three books. Of course, they also find dead bodies and solve murders while they are at it.

Only a couple of days left until the wedding and Lyndy and Stella are so excited. They can hardly wait to begin their new lives together. Stella’s father is still just as awful, overbearing, hateful, manipulative, demanding, and downright mean as ever, but he’ll be headed back to Kentucky once the wedding is over. Happy sighs will be heard by all.

Stella’s father demands she travel with him to Southampton to meet his friends from America who are coming in for the wedding. While waiting, they witness a horrendous accident that results in a man being trampled to death by horses. Definitely not a very auspicious welcome for her father’s friends.

To relieve some of the mounting tensions between family members, unwelcome guests, invited guests, and hosts, Stella plans an outing to nearby Keyhaven Castle. While the guests are exploring the castle another tragedy occurs. This one turns Stella’s world upside down.

Can Lyndy and Stella find the murderer? Are all of the murders related? After an attempt is made on Stella’s life, they know they have to solve the murder – and quickly – or they may never have their wedding.

This is a wonderfully well-written, well-plotted mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page. There are lots of suspects and lots of motives – Stella and Lyndy just have to find the right one. I rated this book at 4.5 stars because I wanted to learn a bit more about Jedidiah Kendrick. Perhaps we’ll learn more in the next book, but this one just sort of left the fate of his two children unknown. I’m sure Stella and Lyndy would see them cared for, but we didn’t actually learn that. I just wanted a bit of closure there.

I highly recommend this book – and this series – and I hope you’ll love it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Stella and Lyndy mystery series, although it was easy to read as a standalone novel.

Stella Kendrick is a modern (for 1905) American young woman, only child of ambitious billionaire Elijah Kendrick who has arranged for Stella to marry the impoverished Lord Lyndhurst. After the events of the two previous books I understand that Stella has actually fallen in love with Lyndy, although she still resents her father for forcing her to marry a complete stranger.

As the wedding day approaches family and friends descend upon Lyndy's home Morrington Hall in the New Forest, including Lyndy's best friends, Stella's aunts, her father's business rival/friend Theo Swenson, his wife and their daughter Penny. Unexpectedly, Elijah's ne'er do well brother Jed and his two children have also arrived, uninvited, to join the party.

As the Hendricks go to the Southampton docks to collect the Swensons they witness a terrible accident, a runaway cart and horses run over and kill a young man. However, it appears that the young man has a connection to Morrington Hall, as he was overheard threatening to kill someone there. Then a murder far closer to home throws everything into turmoil, but with everyone a suspect can Stella and Lyndy uncover the murderer and finally get married?

I have to admit I struggled with the start of this book. The appearance of an American cowboy in Southampton docks and the rather offensive way Lyndy's friends spoke were a little off putting. However, I wasn't going to throw in the towel at only 7% so, after a bit of a delay, I started again.

This was a cracking romp, lots of suspects in a fairly isolated country house. Scandals, cheats, blackmail, secret correspondents, and horse race fixing all swirled into a fun mix. I guessed the murderer's identity quite early on, I specifically noted it at 55% through the book, although I had thought so for some time, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Barbara Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at Keyhaven Castle, the third book in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series, is another winning novel by Clara McKenna. The anticipation of a wedding coupled with the suspense of a murder make this a cozy mystery that will keep you reading all night long.

The day is fast approaching for the wedding of American heiress Stella Kendrick and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, and Stella’s friends and family from America are arriving in England for the festivities. In the course of collecting a group of these friends, Stella and her father witness an “accident” which results in the death of a jockey under what turn out to be suspicious circumstances. Because of her father’s connections with the horseracing community, and because the jockey is carrying her wedding announcement, Stella is immediately interested in the case. When murder strikes closer to home, Stella finds herself immersed in a situation that is as horrifying as it is dangerous.

Clara McKenna is masterful at world building. From the docks of Southampton to the splendor of Morrington Hall, the attention to detail, the rich description, the sights and the sounds, all propel you into the story. The characters, too, are vivid and distinct. Stella is a force to be reckoned with – intelligent, headstrong, and clearly in love. Lyndy is often the voice of reason, the calm to her storm. As couples go, they are a nearly perfect match. Stella’s father borders on the obnoxious, while Lady Atherly is decidedly pretentious. The mystery itself is intriguing, filled with several plot twists and red herrings and a large cast of suspects. And the second murder is, in my opinion, is wholly unexpected, ratcheting up the suspense until the perpetrator is finally revealed.

Murder at Keyhaven Castle is one of those cozy British historical mysteries that makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea. I am looking forward to settling in with the next book in this charming series.

Note: I received an ARC of Murder at Keyhaven Castle from NetGalley and Kensington Books. The above is my honest review.

[Niki (nikilovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Keyhaven Castle is the third in the Stella and Lyndy mystery series. I have thoroughly enjoyed each book and this installment definitely didn't disappoint. One of the things I love about this series is that you never know what is going to happen and who the victim might be in the new book. No one seems to be safe. This time round, it's only a few days from Stella and Lyndy's wedding when friends and family start to arrive for the wedding. Unfortunately, disaster arrives right on their heels.

I love how close Stella and Lyndy have become after being forced into an arranged marriage by their parents. They suit each other so well and it's been fun getting to meet more of their family, too. I highly recommend this series. It's filled with a fun cast of characters, intriguing mysteries, and lots of red herrings. You could read this as a standalone without any issues, but I do recommend reading the whole series. It's fun to see the characters' relationships grow throughout the books.

Thanks so much to Kensington and Netgalley for the arc!

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better! I absolutely love Stella and Lyndy! They are such a sweet couple. The mystery and how it flowed along with new characters really made the story come together in the perfect way. Their was also plenty of twists and turns, and one shocker that I definitely didn’t see coming.

Synopsis: Stella and Lyndy are just days away from their wedding. Stella and her father are surprised that friends from Kentucky, the Swensons, have travelled all the way to England just for Stellas wedding. They get an even bigger suprise when Elijah Kendricks estranged brother, Jed Kendrick, his two kids in tow, also show up for the wedding. While meeting the Swensons on the docks of Southampton, everyone witnesses a man getting trampled to death by a team of runaway horses. Was it an accident or murder? Is the death of the mysterious stranger connected somehow to Lyndy or Stella?

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Keyhaven Castle by Clara McKenna is a English Historical Mystery Series at the turn of the Century. Mysteries, murders, and scandals until the end. I love the intricate plots, historical facts, animals and unusual characters in this series. Stella and Lyndy are exciting, clever and loving without being sappy. Every old and new character is well woven into each mystery. I can’t wait to read the conclusion but sorry when each book ends and I’m left wanting the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 bk 350 I did not see this one coming, especially since I know there is a fourth book in the series. The appearance of Stella's relatives, one uncle, two aunts, two cousins on top of her Kentucky neighbors, change some of the plans for the wedding. A trip to the nearby Keyhaven Castle results in a death that puzzles the young couple and the Inspector. Curiosity and the possible involvement of Stella's family results in their working to solve the mystery. Well done and slightly emotionally draining.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back with this intriguing couple. It's like visiting two old friends, and the mystery hit close to home this time. It weaves in and out, keeping you guessing right to the end. I hope there's more to the series because I'll miss Stella and Lyndy and their inevitable mystery if there's not.

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella and Lyndy give me heart eyes

I'm in love with this series and never want it to end EVER

full review at spinebreaker!

[mikaela (spinebreaker) · Rating 5 out of 5]

just so SATISFYING giving me all the good feelings <3

I'm in love with this series and never want it to end EVER

full review at spinebreaker!

[Avid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book in a great series. I love these historical cosy mysteries.