Mrs. Malory and the Fatal Legacy

Mrs. Malory Mysteries #10

by Hazel Holt

When Shelia Malory ran into her old college chum, Beth, now a bestselling novelist, she expected a pleasant lunch, some reminiscing, and a little harmless gossip. What she didn't expect was her friend to wind up dead shortly after their meeting. Now Sheila must act as literary executer, which means sifting through Beth's papers and letters, writing her biography, and preparing her short stories for press. But in her attempt to keep her friend's work alive, she discovers something deadly...the means and motives for murder!

And Mrs. Malory will have to read between the lines to find out the truth, before someone else dies for this legacy...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, British Literature

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 19, 1999

About the author

Hazel Holt is a British novelist. She studied at King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham, England, and then Newnham College, Cambridge. She went on to work at the International African Institute in London, where she became acquainted with the novelist Barbara Pym, whose biography she later wrote. She also finished one of Pym's novels after Pym died.

Holt wrote her first novel in her sixties, and is a leading crime novelist. She is best known for her "Sheila Malory" series. Her son is the novelist Tom Holt.

Reviews

[The_Ugly_Squid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Help my grandpa gave me this book and he lives in China so I think he just chose some random English book and gave it to me 💀

[Joan Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a joy these Brit mysteries are, the perfect diversion with a literate heroine and interesting settings and plots. Ms. Holt is a wonder, far beyond the average genre of cozies. I particularly enjoyed this one with its emphasis on writers and publishing.The denouement is somewhat hurried, but convincing.

[Pamela Mclaren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend of Sheila Malory has died in what seems to be a tragic accidental mix-up of pills and Mrs. Malory finds herself a bit out of her depth as the woman's literary executor.

While going through papers and manuscripts of her friend, Beth, Sheila is faced with numerous questions about how to handle the secrets and questions she is receiving. And Sheila has her own questions about the Beth and her relationships with friends, family and her publisher.

As she is usually found, Sheila Malory doesn't actively go out of her way to investigate a mystery but she does mull it over and pick at it mentally, all while meeting with and discussing it with others in her sphere. And she does so again, although in this book, its her friends and their families in which she is delving and it has her questioning her memories and feelings for these individuals.

And I have to say, considering that the book was published in 2000, her feelings seem to be very outdated (although author Holt was at the time of the book was 72 years old and perhaps this is a reflection of her age than anything else). I think that Mrs. Malory would not be quite that surprised if she found that one of her friends has had an affair or grown apart from his/her spouse or gone through a divorce; its even more strange when she has 20-somethings wilting/falling to pieces over these same issues and their parents. So imagine my surprise at how ... sheltered for lack of a better word ... she has made many of her characters when they learn certain things. A bit of a disappointment to me, anyway.

And this time, I felt a little let down on the mystery itself — Holt writes well, the mystery has its twists but I didn't feel that it was quite as clever as I would have expected. But as its a cozy mystery — and as I do like the main character, I give it three stars as a fun, light read.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When Sheila Malory ran into her old college chum, Beth, now a bestselling novelist, she expected a pleasant lunch, some reminiscing, and a little harmless gossip. What she didn't expect was for her friend to wind up dead shortly after their meeting. Now Sheila must act as literary executor, which means sifting through Beth's papers and letters, writing her biography, and preparing her short stories for press. But in her attempt to keep her friend's work alive, she discovers something deadly ... the means and motives for murder! And Mrs. Malory will have to read between the lines to find out the truth, before someone else dies for this legacy ..."
~~back cover

The book revolves around the age old question: "Did she jump or was she pushed?" -- actually "Was it murder or was it suicide?" Beth had a thriving career as a novelist, a happy marriage, and two grown successful children ... why would she commit suicide? And yet ...

Then Mrs. Malory discovers that Beth was having an affair, and that her daughter had found out and was therefore not speaking to her. And Beth's son has left the family to live with an older woman, and keeps in touch by telephone only. Beth's husband is allegedly a successful businessman but suddenly it's revealed that his company is in serious trouble. So Beth's life isn't as perfect as it seemed to be ... so was it suicide?

Mrs. Malory continues to investigate, and of course eventually solves the riddle. But also of course, it's not who was suspected, nor was it necessarily ...

[Alison C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheila Malory doesn’t often attend literary events, but she is pleased to see old friends from Oxford at this one, especially her good friend Beth Blackmore, now a celebrated novelist happily married to an international businessman. Although Beth has complaints about her children, Sheila thinks that she is doing well and looking forward to a research trip to Greece, but a few weeks later she is informed that Beth has died unexpectedly, apparently mixing up several of her many medications that were treating her arthritis and heart condition. Sheila is surprised to learn that Beth has named her as literary executor, which involves going through her papers, readying any suitable manuscripts for publication and preparing a biography, but soon Sheila finds the papers hold more information than she thought, information that leads her to suspect murder…. This is the tenth book in the Mrs. Malory mystery series and like all the others, it’s a nicely written cozy that specializes in the heroine’s understanding of human nature and her intuition, which enables her to make connections that otherwise might pass unseen. Although I guessed the culprit relatively early on, that in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the story, and Sheila remains an engaging and slightly silly protagonist, a Miss Marple for the modern age. I don’t think this series is one that demands the reader follow the books in order, although some references may be missed if one has not; either way, recommended!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating:3.5 stars. A very good entry in the Sheila Malory series. I thought I had the culprit figured out, but there were a few twists coming that kept me guessing!
This book with its rather extensive look at the ins and outs of the publishing world, (albeit of some 20+ years ago) with special emphasis on just what a "Literary Executor" does, is interesting in general, but given the author's role in the estate of the writer, Barbara Pym, it seems very personal as well.
I will leave it to other reviewers to discuss the plot. Suffice it to say that this was a typical cozy British mystery, which makes the reader wonder if all English murderers are as polite and harmless when cornered as the one portrayed here!
Author Hazel Holt really manages to strike the perfect balance between comfort and situation. Her characters have just enough depth to make them acceptably realistic. She is always a good choice when you want a genuine puzzle without stress!

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first read of this series. I enjoyed it. Strange to see it read like a bygone era and yet it was published only 25 years ago. I am shocked that it's been 25 years since the year 2000. Interesting plot line. Lots of realistic twists. No rambling. Moves along quite nicely.

[Peggi Warner-Lalonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting read.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read but just a little short of the Holt's high standards.

[Helen Geng]

Read June 2021

[Martha Kearsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying all of this series. They are cozy, but not too cozy.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 10th book in the Mrs. Malory series, I have to tell, in case you couldn't tell by looking at my recently read list, these books are highly addictive, I finish one and right away want to start reading the next one I just love the time I spend with Mrs. Malory and her family and friends.

This time around one of Mrs. Malory's friends, an old college chum meets an untimely death and Sheila is left with the overwhelming task of trying to go through her friend's old papers and even an unfinished novel and arrange them and write a biography of her all at the same time. Since the friend was a very well known author and had many friends and even some enemies.

Sheila begins to think there may be something not quite right about this death and applies her amateur sleuthing skills to the task of finding out what actually happened.

The mystery is a good one and the character all very well drawn as per usual, a very good cozy read!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this series out of order, but it doesn't seem to matter. Mrs. Malory visits with an old friend, a bestselling literary author, who dies shortly afterward. Mrs. Malory finds herself in the position of literary executor. She's also supposed to write Beth's biography but discovers that she didn't know her friend as well as she suspected. The more she knows the more deadly the stakes become. It's a well-written mystery with interesting characters, Mrs. Malory first and foremost. I hope to pick up more of these at library book sales. Very entertaining.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mystery with academic tendencies. Sheila Malory writes literary criticism and this one involves the death of her fellow writer and old college friend. Sheila finds herself appointed as her friend's literary executor and as she sorts papers and letters, she begins to wonder if the death really was suicide. Very enjoyable, even though this one is a bit darker in tone than the rest of the series that I've read so far. Still has a lot of the cozy, English village feel...but this story has been dipped a little more thoroughly into the well of despair.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent Mrs. Malory tale that involves her literary criticism publishers and the group of her youth Oxford days. Much of this one is in London and also includes a 3 day to Greece. And the mystery is fine and more difficult to discern this time too. Or was it an accidental suicide, rather than a murder? Quick read with decent reveal, but my only complaint is AFTER the reveal. Regardless, very entertaining and another cat takes central stage too at her cousin Hilda's (love this new character), with some impish results.

[Rachel N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old college friend< Beth, of Mrs. Malory's dies and leaves her as literary executive of her estate. There is some question if Beth's death was an accidental mixing of pills or something more sinister. There isn't a lot of mystery here, more details of being a literary executive and conversations of Mrs. Malory with friends. The killer was very obvious so not a lot of suspense for me. I read one other book in this series a long time ago and I'm not even sure why I own this book but I'm glad it's off my TBR pile.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs Malory becomes lterary executor for a friend. And the death appeared to be such a stupid mistake. This opens the door for one of Hazel Holt's best stories. Mrs Malory must go through all the letters, manuscripts, and notebooks and is to try and write a biography. However, the more she looks the less she feels she knows her old friends from Oxford and their families. Very well written is Ms Holt's wonderful style - gentle calm and building slowly to a civilized ending.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's plot was perhaps suggested by Holt's own experiences as Barbara Pym's literary executor. I hope she didn't find herself in as much hot water as Sheila Malory in this book! Interesting insights into what being a literary executor is like, and decent plot.

[Virginia Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Mrs. Malory's old college friends became a noted novelist; and when the woman dies, Sheila is named her literary executor. It turns out that her life held secrets that led to her murder, and Mrs. Malory uses her intuition and literary analytical skills to figure out who did it.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn’t even know where to begin to review this novel… the focal character is a complete BONEHEAD!

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesteding literary mysery: the author dies, her appointed biographer becomes suspicious and more murders occur. A cat is involved. Any Mrs. Mallory book has dogs and cats. Very cozy. Perfect for end of summer!

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

sad, mildly sordid with a classic golden age ending

[Julie]

liked it - off to the next hazel holt mystery

[Sandy Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cozy Sheila Malory mystery... I liked the scene change to London and Cousin Hilary's house. Good character, too!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting musings on how things change as we grow older. You feel the closeness of her ties to college friends, and the effect when they start dying.

[Beth Koehnke speakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agatha Christie type mystery. Cute!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

wonderful English mystery series featuring, Mrs. Mallory middle aged widow who writes biographies.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheila Malory is delighted to meet with old college chums, particularly her Beth, who has become a well-known fiction writer. Sheila, who writes the occasional historical biography or literary criticism article, is shocked when Beth dies suddenly and Sheila finds herself named as Beth’s literary executor. As she deals with Beth’s papers and Beth’s family, she finds that not all was what she had believed. When a young woman using Beth’s papers for a research project is murdered, Sheila begins questioning all her beliefs about her friend.