Black Moonlight

A Marjorie McClelland Mystery #4

by Amy Patricia Meade

BOOK FOUR IN THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED MARJORIE McCLELLAND MYSTERY SERIES 

It’s 1935—mystery writer Marjorie McClelland and her new husband, millionaire Creighton Ashcroft, have sailed to a secluded island near Bermuda for a romantic getaway. Instead they find the Ashcroft vacation home filled—to Creighton’s horror—with his family. The honeymoon is most definitely over when one of the group is found murdered. Can Marjorie untangle the multiple motives and family turmoil to find the killer among them?



   

 

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

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 8, 2010

About the author

Author of the critically acclaimed Marjorie McClelland Mysteries, the Rosie the Riveter historical mysteries, and the recent Vermont series, Amy Patricia Meade is a native of Long Island, NY, where she cut her teeth on classic films and books featuring Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown.

Later in her youth, she’d come to admire the works of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, leading her to pursue a degree in English as well as business.

Amy currently resides in Bristol, England where she's busy adding to her Tish Tarragon and Vermont Country Living Mysteries.
When not writing, Amy enjoys travel, testing out new recipes, classic films, and, of course, reading mysteries.

Reviews

[Lynx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marjorie and Creighton sail off to Bermuda for their honeymoon. Where better to enjoy their first moments of wedded bliss than the Ashcroft's deserted family retreat? Only problem is it's not so deserted and any bliss they hoped to indulge in has disappeared now that a body has been discovered. With the police eyeing Creighton as their main suspect, Marjorie must once again put her mystery writing brain to work to uncover the real killer.

As usual with this series I found the mystery to be easily solvable but I enjoy the atmosphere Meade creates too much to really care.


3/5 Stars

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun interwar mystery with dashing Marjorie McClelland and her husband Creighton Ashcroft. Their romantic honeymoon of moonlit beaches on an isolated island soon runs to family drama when they discover Ashcroft's family getaway island off of Bermuda that is never used during this time of the year filled with relations. Tensions run high in this fractured family and the patriarch is murdered soon after the celebratory dinner to honor the newlyweds ends with long hidden secrets revealed, harsh words and many of the family being disinherited. Marjorie must work her magic to discover the real murderer when her husband is accused of homicide or the honeymoon will be the end of this promising marriage just as it is beginning...

An enjoyable and clever mystery that is solvable if someone reads the clues carefully. Some might not find it challenging but others will. You read it as much for the characters as the mystery but there is a mystery.

[Deb]

What could be more romantic than a Caribbean island honeymoon? Well, it would certainly help if your new father-in-law hadn't turned up on the island in a month when he had never come before. It would also be good if that self same father-in-law weren't found stuffed in a chest in the dining room the very morning after you arrive! Whodunit? Your new husband? His brother? The man's bride of only four months? The housekeeper or her son? The secretary? The local police don't seem u to the task of finding out, or at least the local detective doesn't. So while her husband is locked up in town, mystery writer Marjorie must solve the crime. The tropical breezes and the flowing cocktails do seem to help the mood and Marjorie's newly minted mother-in-law turns out to be an excellent ally. Meanwhile, back in Connecticut, Marjorie and Creighton's friends are planning a big surprise...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery novelist Marjorie McClelland has eloped with wealthy beau Creighton Ashcroft, but unfortunately the cruise ship they're on gives her seasickness. So they debark in Bermuda to visit his family's summerhouse, which comes with certain disadvantages: his family. The worst of it is his abrasive father, who insults them, his new wife, Creighton's brother and sister-in-law, the self-effacing secretary, and the housekeeper and her son, the houseboy. When the old man is found dead, no-one is exactly surprised, but the police pick Creighton as most likely suspect. Now Marjorie has to set to work to clear her man.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

4th in a series about mystery author and amateur sleuth Marjorie McClelland, and her now husband, millionare Creighton Ashcroft, which follows immediately after the events in Shadow Waltz. Having impulsively eloped and married aboard ship, Creighton and Marjorie head for his family's island getaway near Bermuda for a honeymoon, not realizing that his family—his brother and his wife, his father, and his young new stepmother—are already in residence. This mystery takes a slightly darker turn that the previous three, perhaps because the mystery hits much closer to home, and the stakes are higher.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s is the 4th in the Marjorie McClelland mysteries. I’ve never read any of the others but I may go back and read them. It takes place in the 1930s. Marjorie and her new husband Creighton are in the Caribbean where Creighton’s family has a manor on a small island. Much to their surprise, the family is home. There are many colorful characters. On the first night a murder occurs. One of the party is a murderer, another accused of it. Really fun book and a fast read.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was fun! This book reminded me of the Miss Fisher TV series: a well-to-do, intelligent mystery solver surrounded by quirky people, fun humor and murder.
Marjorie elopes with her sweetheart on a cruise ship but she's terribly seasick. So, since the ship is passing by Bermuda and his family just happens to have a family vacation home, currently thought to be empty, in the area, they disembark to have a honeymoon in peace and quiet.
But the entire dysfunctional family is at the home. Then murder occurs and the solving begins.
I enjoyed this story. A pleasant, relaxing, fun read.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A honeymoon (not going so well,) a family reunion (not going so well,) and a murder investigation, okay you've figured it out, not going so well, is why you need to read this book.

Our character has solved the issues around her marriage and in the style of Hepburn/Grant or Steward/Reed, is truly in love. Smooth sailing...anything but!

If you enjoy old movies with glamor and excitement and mystery...this is a book and series you need to meet!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and this may be my favorite back of them all. It was set up something like Clue, in that the number of suspects were limited to the people on the island. My guess was wrong, but the way the facts of the case lined up, it was fun to see the pieces come together. Mostly, I am excited to learn, via Twitter, that there may be more books in this series forthcoming! I will certainly be watching for them.

[Lady D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Simple and elegant, if predictable. Not much detail on surrounding areas or characters which felt a bit odd. Modern writers tend to tell you every microscopic detail. So for me that was quite refreshing.
Storyline was fast paced, everything in it had a point to the ending. Just needed bit more, not tons, more detail.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the quickest reads ever which is good since there is a reserve on it. I didn't like this quite as much as the first 3 in the series as the two main characters were separated (by space) resulting in less humor.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the most recent book in an entertaining series. The tone is much lighter than the Maise Dobbs series written by Jacqueline Winspear even though both are set in the same historical time period.

[Nancy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems to be the end of a 4-volume series. This book was at least easier to follow. Marjorie and Creighton elope, sail to his family's tropical island and encounter the entirety of Creighton's family. Of course there is a murder, two in fact.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Kindle)....loved the continuing adventures of Marjorie and Creighton....

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun book! Marjorie continues to entrance as the heroine. I really enjoyed the alternate Jameson and Noonan.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, quick read

[Doris Smith]

I chose three books to read while visiting Bermuda

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were more in the series.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Fun, exciting, and entertaining. The characters are developing with each book. Give this book a chance I don't think you will be disappointed.

[Judith McGraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kudos

Another great mysterious turn in a fourth book in the Marjorie McLellan series! Can't wAit to read more Marjorie and Creighton shenanigans

[Glor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose the book because of the Bermuda - CT connection. A cute little mystery.

[Clemmie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family

Love the way the author put a twist to this series to get the mind to working. Truely enjoyed the hilarious characters.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romp with dangerous undertones as Creighton and Marjorie attempt a honeymoon on his family's small island next to the town of Hamilton, Bermuda, only to find the family in residence!
When one of the family is murdered and Creighton ends us in jail as the lead suspect, Marjorie has to not only sort out who did it and why, but she has to live with the suspects while doing so!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While on their honeymoon, Creighton and Marjorie Ashcroft stop at the Ashcrofts' private island in the Bahamas. They are surprised to find Creighton Senior and his new wife, Griselda, already in residence.

Before too long, though, Paradise is spoiled by two murders ... And everyone on the island is a suspect.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery! I read it in one sitting! Although I had not read the three previous books in the series, I understood the mystery perfectly well! Highly recommended!

[Jek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as funny, exciting or clever as the earlier books. Characters weren’t consistent and it was a bit eye rolly at times. Sad because the second book was SO fun.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one the most. It was great to learn about Creighton's family and see Marjorie in action without Creighton's help. Good mystery with a few surprises.

[Grey853 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found that this was barely a two-star book. It's a very pedestrian version of where a group gets together in an old manor house, one gets killed, so the amateur detective has to find the real killer among all those who had plenty of motive. Only in this one, they're on an island, it's Margorie's nasty father-in-law who gets knocked off, and her husband is the prime suspect.

I found the writing and characterization very weak compared to the traditional Christie and Wentworth styles. There was little effort to build the atmosphere and tension, so I was disappointed.

Still, it was a quick, easy read.

Having read this a second time, I found it more interesting. It was worth another look.

[molliekay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The fourth book of Meade's Marjorie MacClelland series. Marjorie and Creighton are newlyweds and looking to escape to a magical honeymoon on the Ashcroft family's island in Bermuda. Unfortunately, the rest of the Ashcroft family has decided to vacation there at the same time. When a dead body is discovered, the honeymoon is all but over for Marjorie.

This installment, though I was eagerly anticipating it, felt rushed and unfinished. The book was quite shorter than the others, and it almost felt like Meade has hit a wall. Hopefully the next books won't feel the same.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, but disappointing. Fourth in a series about a mystery writer and a wealthy young Englishman who live 1930s Connecticut and solve crimes. In this entry the two are on their honeymoon on a private isalnd off of Bermuda. Missing the fairly successful repartee of the first in the series and with a rather thin plot.