Murder, Mystery and a dog, and cat, of distinction Book 9 in the Heathcliff Lennox series A mediaeval moated Manor, and a series of strange deaths. Scotland Yard take an interest, and decide Lennox and Swift can investigate, but nothing is as simple as it looks and the bright days of Spring take a sinister turn. Barton-Regis is without an heir, the last Lord died, leaving 6 illegitimate off-spring. Only one can inherit, and they must vie for it according to the task of the Talents. But there is more than just sibling rivalry, there's a monster among them, a killer who is as clever as he is insane. Which of them is the imposter, and can Lennox and Swift uncover the culprit before more die at his hands?
Major Heathcliff Lennox - ex WW1 war pilot, 6feet 3inch, tousled dark blond hair, age around 30 – named after the hero of Wuthering Heights by his romantically minded mother – much to his great annoyance.
1920's, Cozy crime, Traditional Detectives, Downton Abbey - I love them! Along with my family, my dog and my cat. At 60 I decided to write, I don't know why but suddenly the stories came pouring out, along with the characters. Eccentric Uncles, stalwart butlers, idiosyncratic servants, machinating Countesses, Fogg the dog and the hapless Major Heathcliff Lennox. Suddenly a whole world built itself upon the page and I just followed along.
This one is one of my favorites so far. History and family ties. Who to trust, who is the killer. Can they solve this one before another person is murdered or all family members. I loved it, the characters were believable, the plot was astounding. I kinda figured it out, but had no idea how I came to it as well, untilennox solved it for me. Ms. Menuhin is a great story teller, however I read them in a day and then I have to wait months for her next book. Highly recommend this one.
Heathcliffe is such an adorable detective with Swift as his counterfoil plus of course Tuibbs and Foggy. These are so relaxing stories you don't want to end
I've been very fond of Lennox and Swift from the start. This mystery has enough confusion to satisfy any armchair detective : An inheritance up for grabs by six illegitimate offspring, a dithering Oxford don to decide the winner, deaths that may or may not be murder, a medieval estate with no electricity or telephone yet complete with drawbridge and portcullis, Greggs, Fogg and Tubbs on hand, and a shocking admission by Lennox... A fun read. Can't wait for the next one!
In “A Wreath of Red Roses,” Karen Baugh Menuhin delivers a most ingenious tale of long buried family secrets, deception, and murder. This time, Major Heathcliff Lennox and Inspector Swift are called upon by Scotland Yard to investigate two strange deaths at a medieval manor surrounded by a moat. The last Lord, Barton-Regis, died without an heir and left behind six illegitimate children. Upon their arrival to the castle, Major Lennox and Inspector Swift are introduced to Professor Babbington who must decide which of the siblings should inherit the estate based on a competition called the Talents. However, a devious, crazed imposter lurks in the shadows, and another death occurs. As Major Lennox and Inspector Swift peel away the layers of veneer shrouding the circumstance of each murder, they discover that the murderer is not as he outwardly seems, and the unexpected twists and turns reveal a darker scheme. Ms. Menuhin lures the reader into the story with her colorful imagery, fascinating historical detail of life in Great Britain during the 1920s, and vibrant characters. A highly entertaining mystery that keeps the reader deducing and finds it hard to put down.
Okay, for a little while, I thought I might not enjoy this book. It seemed to lack some of the depth and actually, the fun of the others in the series. But then... wham. It got good and good FAST. If that had happened a little earlier, I think it would have been a five-star read. Still, eager to read the next book.
I feel like there might have been a word or two that I didn't appreciate, but don't quote me on that.
Heathcliff (his mother was a Bronte fan) and Swift ( a former inspector for Scotland Yard) have been called to investigate 2 deaths of older ladies. Scotland Yard is happy to use these two to investigate. Swift loves to be called and Heathcliff likes the challenge of solving difficult puzzles.
When they arrive at a castle, the scene of the two deaths, they find a very unusual situation. There are 6 young people who are all in attendance in order to inherit the estate. All of them are illegitimate offspring of the late owner of the estate. All of them look alike, they have dark eyes and very light, almost white, blonde hair. There are 5 boys and 1 girl and they have been given a task to determine who is most qualified to inherit and care for the property. They each have lives which are interesting as well as productive.
And it turns out that one of them may be an insane murderer.
This series is a wonderful cozy mystery series.
Heathcliff is an unusual detective. He travels to crime scenes with his butler, his cocker spaniel and his cat. Quite often, he is most concerned with what he will be eating. His appetite is one of his most consistent qualities. That and the fact that he is a whiz at seeing facts and finding a murderer
Swift left Scotland Yard when he married and inherited a Scottish estate which happens to make excellent Scotch whiskey. He enjoys the investigations which make him remember how wonderful it was to be an acting policeman. The adventures help keep him sane.
These two make a perfect team. They have respect for one another’s abilities. And they are aware they are very good at what they do.
This particular case is difficult, because they both rather like the young people who are the suspects. But, there is a murderer among them, and that person must be stopped,
This book is part of a wonderful series. It does work as a stand alone read. But, in reality, the enjoyment is so much better after reading each book in order.
Ms Menuhin has created a wonderful atmosphere of life after the Great War. Heathcliff was a major in the British flying service. The war had a terrible affect on everyone in Europe, Britain lost nearly an entire generation of young men. The changes in British life and attitudes are not happening easily, but they are happening.
These stories are entertaining.
Yes, I found the murderer early. But, the finding was a wonderful journey.
I love this series and this book is no exception…...Love It!
This is my favorite so far in this series. There is quiet beauty in the countryside and chaos in the castle as Swift attacks the problem of finding a psychotic killer by using strict police procedure while Lennox wanders around with Fogg, his dog, and Tubbs, his chubby cat.
Lennox, as always, devotes more attention to the good food and his favorite macaroons than to facts and fingerprints.
The lord of the castle has died, and his six (6!!) illegitimate adult children have met for the first time to learn who will inherit the castle. Then carefully constructed murders, disguised as natural deaths, begin to occur.
I enjoy the regular characters enormously. For this book, I even paid attention to the clues and found the murderer, in spite of many red herrings.
I like that the author does not fall back on the old ploy of having the love interest be placed in mortal danger. Instead, Tubbs the cat plays the part of a damsel in distress, and does a good job of stirring Lennox into fury.
I just finished visiting old friends. I read the first three books in the series, and then life got in the way. Sad to say, not much reading has gone on at all. I measure my well-being by the amount of reading I do. A dear friend was going to have knee surgery, and I wanted to give her books for her recovery period. I came back to Goodreads to search what I had enjoyed in the past. I wanted to give her Book ONE of several “series”, so when she was finished with each book, she’d have many more by these same authors to buy and enjoy. I gave her book one of my favorite Major Heathcliff Lennox stories and sure enough she enjoyed it. Excellent, but it had ME once again wanting to delve into another myself. Lennox was still traveling with his little dog and cat in 1920s England. How lucky could I get?
Loved it. Loved this series. This one offered a great history lesson about the War of the Roses with wonderful quotes from Shakespeare’s historical plays. Our favorite characters are all present.
I’ve read every book in this delightful series, and this one is the crème de la crème. I welcome each and every character when they return as Heathcliff—erm—Lennox, solves another murder mystery with the help of Swift, his by-the-book ex-Scotland Yard partner. Lennox almost always travels with his spaniel and his cat, which makes him especially endearing.
This mystery was most bizarre in the good way. No doubt I was hooked before I started reading and this uniquely original situation impressed me when I was already impressed. It has all the tenets of a grand whodunit that keeps you guessing till the end. I had a few theories, none of which panned out, although I did figure out part of one how-dun-it.
Plenty of history in this one, contributing to the story without bogging it down. Everything about the drawbridge mechanism sadly confused me, but was obviously well-researched and the drawbridge (with the moat!) were important factors in setting up the tale.
I read someone describe this series as a mix of Downton Abbey and Agatha Christie. I wish I could take credit, but alas, I can only agree with it. A WREATH OF RED ROSES is lacking for nothing in its genre. I can’t fault it. Five stars.
This is a kindle e-book novel from kindle unlimited book nine in the series.
Lennox and Swift are ask by Scotland Yard to look into two death at a manor. After a long trip they arrive at the estate that takes you back to the 1500s. No electricity, running water, a draw bridge, and a dead lord. The estate has to be awarded to one of the surviving offspring. But dead comes along. Lennox and Swift work out the truth and arrest the killer.
Lennox wife informs him that the Lord of the estate next door has been murdered. Continued in the next book.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of British 🏰👑 romantic family and friends relationships adventure murder mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😉😉😡
I love the Lennox and Swift Mysteries. This is one of the first mystery books that I guessed who done it, well, almost. I thought, hmm, it just might be him. But, then immediately talked myself into realizing it couldn't be. Well, it was, so I came closer than I ever have before. I love well written mysteries, even if I can't guess who done it! Only problem I have now, I have to find another well written mystery book. If you haven't guessed, I highly recommend this book.
If you like the other books in this series, you'll like this one too. Not too complicated a mystery...good for when you want a. break from other heavy "literature."
I do enjoy these so much. The characters, the mystery, the setting. The plots are very engaging, and while the structure is always the same, I do quite like that. In this one I had a susbicion on who the culprit might be, and that made me feel clever.
The excellent narration is very much part of the pleasure. There was a short moment where the audio was badly cut. You could hear the narrator breathe before changing into the next voice. It was kind of interesting, to hear him work. But of course not ideal mid book.
Isn't that a phrase people used when enthusiastic about a good tale? Well, let me join the chorus and ring in with a enthusiastic review. I've read 3 of the Heathcliff novels and enjoyed everyone. Although these stories take place in the early 1920s, we aren't subjected to politics or news of the day. After all, these murders occur on rural English estates, where tea and manners are served.
Nothing too serious happening outside the story to distract from the murders and these well-formed characters. Heathcliff always travels with his man-servant, Greggs, and his dog and cat. His close friend, Swift, is a retired Scotland Yard detective. Swift is like the bloodhound, nose to the ground; while Heathcliff often works the bigger picture. Recommend you read books in order of publication. All the characters (including the dog and cat!) are well-developed and easy to get to know.
If a light hearted , good murder mystery is your cup of tea, then this is the series for you.
Almost forgot. Personal quirk but I don't like to hand out 5 stars. 4 stars means I like everything about the book.
I started reading these books a few months ago and didn’t stop. I’ll eventually run out of them which will be sad because I love Heathcliff, Swift, Tubs, Gregg, and Fogg! These are truly enjoyable cozy mysteries.
A Wreath of Red Roses is a great addition to the series because it’s a well plotted mystery and nearly every character has something interesting to contribute - even Tubs and Fogg.
The story starts with Heathcliff and Swift being sent to investigate two suspicious drownings at an ancient estate in a rural area. It’s the perfect manor house mystery because the cast of characters is basically stuck there by an old drawn bridge. Throughout the perplexing story English history is weaved through the narrative and is a shameful family secret. Heathcliff and Swift are up to their usual antics.
And so finally I delved into another adventure with the gang who once are investigating two suspicious deaths within a medieval castle including a working drawbridge. There is a madman intent of gaining what they think is theirs and it's not just the humans that are in danger. I loved this latest instalment and honestly thought I had sussed it out but then a twist which had me saying "What?" with the pieces falling into place. This adventure caught me out and was very much a page turner. With all their adventures together, this book has eclipsed my firm favourite of The Black Cat Murders and has pushed it into my second favourite. Fabulous writing and story plot. Cannot wait for the audiobook and then onto their next adventure.
I love these books! Well crafted, well written, funny, familiar...great characters...only one complaint; the women in the stories, Persi, Florence, Lennon's cook...would love to know them better...want them all to participate more in the stories...capable, able, left behind to do the important stuff women! The tales are wonderful, the characters ...the main ones...are idiosyncratic, funny, serious when appropriate, and so good at what they do...and well turned out! I recommend these books...all of them...for anyone who loves a wonderful, cozy, mystery series that's fun to read, a fast read, a pet lover's dream, and well written. Have fun!
Two women die within a day of each other connected to the same castle (moat and all), and Billings from Scotland Yard calls on Lennox and Swift once again to decide if foul play is involved. The last living heir to the castle and all that goes with it has died. but there are six illegitimate children. The attorney is to gather them at the castle and decide which will inherit via a Bibically based test of Talents. Another death occurs, one of the persons within the castle keep is an imposter and one a killer. It's up to our heroes to solve this before there are more deaths. This was my favorite so far! I'm very much looking forward to #10, which is coming soon.
This is one of the best Heathcliff Lennox books, as it avoids too much extraneous exposition [there's just enough historical background to be interesting] and concentrates on characters and story. Of course, a favorite cat and dog duo is there, Mr. Tubbs and Foggy, in fact, playing an important role, but not anthropomorphized. These are animals, not offering opinions or inappropriate behaviors... just being their beloved themselves. I enjoy this series for light, intelligent, period detecting.
I've read several in the series but particularly enjoy the Audible versions, read to perfection by Sam Dewhurst-Phillips. His character voices are always distinct and never overblown
Oh, did I enjoy this one. The call is coming from inside the house. I loved it! We get a bit more of Lennox being insecure about his new life, mainly in the money department. He's never really run his estate as much as he's simply allowed it to exist. Swift is still very eager to become a working detective once again, as he prompts Heathcliff during this investigation that Scotland Yard would pay them to solve crimes if they could prove their worth.
They proved their worth here. A wealthy estate up for grabs by one of six illegitimate heirs, one of whom is not who they say they are. Heathcliff and Swift have a devil of time unmasking the imposter.
Another good Heathcliff Lennox story. I’ve read the first three in the series, too, and Lennox is written so well in each book. The story here is interesting with a full cast of characters to like and dislike. Lennox’s relationship with Swift as they piece the mystery together provides witty banter between good friends, and Lennox’s affection for Persi, his wife, and Foggy and Tubbs (his dog and cat) is endearing. I couldn’t keep all the siblings straight at times, but it didn’t matter. Great ending.