Murder at the Magnolia Inn

Bunburry #11

by Helena Marchmont

Miss Marple meets Oscar Wilde in this new series of cosy mysteries set in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Bunburry.

The picturesque village of Bunburry is about to be enhanced by the late Mrs Benson's mansion being transformed into a luxury hotel. But when the project is sabotaged, who is responsible? Careless workers, a disgruntled rival, a vengeful ex-husband, Mrs Benson's criminal nephew, or Mrs Benson's troubled ghost? After damage comes death, and it's up to amateur sleuth Alfie McAlister, his friends Liz and Marge, and police constable Emma Hollis to uncover the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery, Crime, British Literature, Contemporary, Fiction

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2021

About the author

Helena Marchmont is a pseudonym of Olga Wojtas, who was born and brought up in Edinburgh. She was encouraged to write by an inspirational English teacher, Iona M. Cameron. Olga won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award in 2015, has had more than 30 short stories published in magazines and anthologies and recently published her first mystery Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar.

Reviews

[Sonja Rosa Lisa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Band 11 der Bunburry-Reihe.
Eine alte Villa soll zu einem Hotel umgebaut werden, doch es scheint Gegner dieses Projekts zu geben. Erst handelt es sich nur um einen zerstörten Parkettboden, doch dann liegt ein Toter am Fuße der Treppe...
💖 Alfie und seine Freunde forschen nach. Dieser Fall entwickelt sich sehr langsam, ist nicht ganz so spannend, aber dafür gibt es am Ende des Buches noch eine Überraschung, die sich wohl auf die weitere Entwicklung der Serie auswirken könnte. Ich bin gespannt.
Ich mag "Bunburry" und freue mich auf den nächsten Band!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ = Good.
Audio.
Bunburry #11.
This was a really enjoyable audio version of this book.The narrator did a great job of getting over each characters personality without being too forced.
The village setting was comforting, despite the murderous activity!

You might like this series if you like a gentle mystery without too much gore.😁

[Sina & Ilona Glimmerfee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wie immer war es schön nach Bunburry zurückzukehren, doch die Liebesgeschichte zieht sich jetzt doch ein wenig zu sehr, ohne Fortschritte zu machen und den Krimi fand ich dieses Mal wirklich langweilig. Am Ende gibt es jedoch eine Überraschung, sodass ich kaum den nächsten Band erwarten kann!

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Die Geschichten von Helena Marchmont sind cozy-trash, um es einmal so zu formulieren.
Eigentlich hat dich das Konzept der Autorin inzwischen totgelaufen, so oft wie alle Themen von ihr jetzt strapaziert wurden. Alles etwas piefig und angestaubt und diese endlose Leier um ein dubioses Familiendrama und dieser ach so schlimme Verlust vor wie viel Jahren?
Im ersten Band mochte das noch angehen, beim zweiten Mal denkt man "schon wieder?" aber das war der 11. Band. Da ist, was das angeht, absolut die Luft raus. Es sind nur kleine Geschichtchen von 100 Seiten oder so. Bekommt die Autorin die nicht voll ohne Lama-Drama?
Sollte sie ihr Augenmerk lieber mehr auf den Fall richten. Der war dieses Mal nämlich recht flau.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the Bunburry Triangle usually cracks the cases in this village, Alfie McAllister proves the hero in this eleventh entry in the delightful Bunburry series. The lazy Sergeant Harry Wilson stymies the investigation into a dead man found at the soon-to-open Magnolia Inn; however, McAllister with the help of Wilson’s beleaguered Constable Emma Hollis, helps solve the crime. Yet another wonderful novella by Helena Marchmont.

[Sharon Draffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming

I can’t wait for the next installment. I foresee Oscar becoming a more prominent character. I have found him amusing throughout the series and since he will have his own suite at the Magnolia Inn it seems as if he will be spending significant time in Bunburry and becoming more involved in crime solving. I’m looking forward to potential interactions between Oscar and Sargent Wilson.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this series better than I like the execution.

Does the author really need to make so many of these characters such over-the-top caricatures, and so incredibly inane? I am wondering why in the world I am continuing with this series. I think it is only because each is short and sweet, and they fill the time when I have a gap in between novels that I REALLY want to read. I read them when I was pressed for time, but I am getting real tired of the absurdity of them all.

All we need is Agatha Raisin to move in next door, and the series would be complete!

Audiobook
Nathaniel Parker - Narrator
Duration: 03:30:58

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in this fun series. Once again, nicely narrated.

[Kataklicik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook : Spotify.
Read by Nathaniel Parker.

[Colin Benbow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely Storyline

Enjoyed this nearly as much as other books in the series. As an expatriate however I am appalled at the cuisine of curries and rice. Feel so sad at the disparagement of the North and that the English have lost their heritage of good ale, Stilton cheese and steak and kidney.

[Arnis · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Masha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute little story. It's supposed to be a murder-mystery, but in actuality it comes across like a genuine day to day life in an English village, with a bit of spice. The into is very long, it takes quite a while to get to the actual crimes and investigation, the entire story is more about the people than the crimes themselves. It also lacks the usual deductive part of the story, as our 'bad guy' ends up being someone just remotely connected to the story, and to be honest what little inference you have to make, the logical jump is pretty simple.
In any case, it made a nice afternoon audio book for me.

[Arliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I use the Bunburry novella series, along with the very similar Cherringham and Mydworth novella series, as a palate cleanser either during or after a heavy read. These books are all such a joy and I love Alfie. I do hate it that Marge has become shrill and stupid. This was not the case earlier in the series and it is a shame Marchmont made such a big change. Otherwise, “Murder at the Magnolia Inn” is a lovely, cozy romp worth taking.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are too many to review, thanks to Goodreads' not-working sidebar, so I'm copying and pasting a series review on each one:

Marchmont has created a delightful village, hilarious characters, and interesting mysteries that kept me buying the next to find out what's up in the Cotswolds. An absolute delight.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to go Bunburrying, too!

These books are so much fun and I love love love the characters. Meeting new ones is fun, especially since old ones do pop up to continue last stories without taking away from the current one.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

To new friends

I love these stories. I have been following them since the first book came out. As the stories continue the characters do too. It is like being a part of Bunburry and getting further into friendship. Good mystery and all about friends.

[Lorelle Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read.


A good story line , a little humor, interesting characters. Looking forward to starting the next book and meeting all the characters again and finding out a little more about the mysterious life of Alfies aunty.

[Debbie Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bunburry.

I love the Bunburry mysteries. My favorite part of Magnolia Inn was Emma's story of meeting in person the guy she met online. When I read the Bunburry mysteries, I feel like they are people in my home town. The suspense and comes defy are very entertaining.

[Kathryn Scarborough]

Cute story will Alice ever meet his father????

I have read all the Bunbury books and enjoyed them all. This one seemed a little rushed, but still well drawn characters. Thanks Bunbury Triangle.

[Lisa Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone a bunburry if

I first discovered this series on Audible and got hooked. I love the characters, settings, and literary allusions. My only complaint is they are too short - I finish them much too soon!

[Kaija · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lukijana Nathaniel Parker.
Vietin taas mukavia hetkiä Bunburryssa Alfien seurassa. Kivasti yhteisöön tulee uusia jäseniä vanhojen tuttujen lisäksi. Oikein nautittava kirja jälleen kävelyllä ja ruokaa laittaessa kuunneltavaksi.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story

Alfie, Marg and Liz investigate the strange vandalism of a new hotel being renovated when a body shows up. Is it murder and how is it connected to the investigation. Ms. Larchmont writes such wonderful characters and storylines.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfie’s is finally ready to remodel his bathroom but all the contractors in Bunburry are busy at the Magnolia Inn. Several crimes derail the inn project, which also introduces new characters to the village.

[Deborah Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

It keeps me intrigued and wondering what is about to happen next.

I like how the author develops her characters so I can see them in my minds eye. I love her sense of humor --- it keeps me smiling throughout the story,

[Neely Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a new grand hotel being created in an old Victorian mansion. Everything is going well until the two ladies building the hotel discover someone is destroying the parquet floors! Then there’s an unexpected body.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review for Murder at the Magnolia Inn

I absolutely loved it! Another excellent Bunburry story! I love all the characters! This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!

[PrytaniaGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enjoyable, and some new additions to the cast of characters at the soon-to-be-opened Magnolia Inn. Mystery and murder must be solved by Alfie and Constable Emma Hollis, with their will-they-or-won't-they chemistry.

[Janet Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming!

Good cosy murder mystery. Keeps you hopping from premise and locale. Well, written and engaging to unwind after a long day at work.

[June Mathis]

Enjoyable short story series

Development of the characters continue. Love the Oscar Wilde references. New characters and Oscar from London! Fun times ahead. Enjoyable

[Jennifer Hoey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I lived in Burberry

Just the right length for a cozy and every installment brings new wonderful characters. Looking forward to the next book. Happy reading!