Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "Murder at the Charity Ball" in exchange for my honest review.

This is book #11 in the Miss Underhay series and finally the day of Kitty and Matt's wedding has arrived but nothing is ever quite that simple with this couple. The story begins with an article in the Torbay Herald on December 15th, 1934 announcing that Millicent Craven is organizing a charity ball on behalf of Lady Eliza Foxley and her sister Mrs. Lillie Trentham in aid of the Seafarers' Widows and Orphans Fund.

Over the course of the story family are gathering at the Dolphin Hotel to join Kitty and Mrs. Treadwell - her grandmother. Edgar Underhay - Kitty's father has chosen to stay at Villa Lamora, owned by Lady Foxley after meeting her on the crossing of the Atlantic from New York. Kitty's aunt and uncle from Enderley Hall, along with her cousin Lucy who is returning the favour of being her bridesmaid after Kitty was bridesmaid not that long ago when she married Rupert. Matt's parents and aunt also arrive and they are not all that pleased with his choice of wife. Kitty consoles herself with the fact that they didn't like Matt's first wife either.

At the charity ball of course there is a murder and who a better suspect than Kitty's father Edgar. This is following by a poisoning, an attempt to push someone down the stairs and another poisoning. Of course, Inspector Greville as usual arrests several people who are innocent of the crimes. It is a shock when Kitty and Matt figure out who the true murderer is and the reasons for all the attempts and murders.

Mrs. Craven and Kitty's grandmother are once again more invested in the wedding and how Kitty should live her life after the wedding than Kitty is. We get a glimpse into the future Mrs. Bryant when Matt gives Kitty her wedding gift.

And no Miss Underhay adventure would be complete without another visit from Esther Hammett. Perhaps this will be the book where she is finally captured and out of Kitty's life for good. Many threads from previous books appear to be wrapped up in this one leaving way for new adventures for our favourite couple.

Always great to catch up with these characters. Book 11 in the series was such a captivating read! Amazing cover art that was super eye catching would definitely recommend to all! Impossible to resist, impossible to predict, impossible to put down . . .

The newest Kitty Underhay mystery finds her investigating after she is invited to a ball and the hostess ends up dead. If wedding planning wasn't chaotic enough, now she has another murder on her hands. As she and her fiancé start to investigate, another woman ends up murdered. Kitty must solve the murder so that she can actually get married.

A solid mystery, although not my favorite.

Christmas is just around the corner and Kitty Underhay is especially looking forward to the 24th December, her wedding day! With fiance, Captain Matt Bryant, and her beloved Grams helping out the extensive plans have gradually taken shape and, with the Dolphin Hotel closed to all but wedding attendees, everyone can finally relax and attend the annual charity event held locally by Lady Eliza Foxley.

When a body is found Kitty is dismayed to discover her father, recently arrived from New York, is one of the main suspects. Excluded from Inspector Grenville's investigation but anxious to be involved Kitty along with her maid, Alice, are soon finding things out for themselves. The killer is ruthless however, and determined to remain one step ahead but, with the added jeopardy of a possibly even more dangerous foe reported to be nearby, will Kitty's first journey up the aisle also be her last?

After ten wonderful books the eleventh is both an ending and beginning. With her marriage to Matt just days away this had more than just the expected murder investigation and although some of it was more formulaic than usual the wedding preparations made up for some of that.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I enjoyed the transitional aspects of this story the most and the suggestions of changes afoot for all the familiar and much loved main protagonists means I am looking forward to finding out what happens next very much.

Murder at the charity ball by Helena Dixon.
A miss underhay mystery book 11.
Winter 1934. Kitty Underhay is enjoying a night off from wedding planning as she attends a charity ball at the home of Lady Eliza Foxley. She’s excited to see her father, roguish Edgar Underhay, who is also a guest in the house. But the evening of cocktails and waltzing turns into a dance macabre when Edgar finds their lively, fun-loving hostess dead, strangled by her own silk stocking.Who has made this uncharitable donation to the evening’s entertainments? When suspicion falls on Edgar and he is arrested for murder, Kitty has to act fast if she doesn’t want her father walking her down the aisle in shackles. Together with her fiancé Matthew, they vow to clear Edgar’s name and discover who used hosiery to commit homicide.Lady Eliza’s widowed sister is the main beneficiary of her will, but before Kitty and Matt can question her, she is struck down by a severe case of poisoning. Time is running out for Kitty to solve this case and make it to the church on time. But with a devious killer on the loose, will she end up leaving as a newlywed, or newly dead…?
Really good read. I liked Kitty and Matt. Twisty and gripping. It wasn't who I thought it would be. 5*.

This is another strong entry in a very enjoyable series. I would recommend reading the rest before starting this one, partly just because they’re a great read. Kitty and Matt are facing big changes as their wedding approaches and family starts to gather. This time the mystery centers on a family they meet through Kitty’s ne’er-do-well father. The mystery is well plotted and engaging, and it’s always good to catch up with favorite characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.