"Death at Thorburn Hall" is a historical mystery set in 1935 in England. It's the sixth book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the previous mysteries.

The characters had depth and reacted realistically to events. The mystery was a clue-based puzzle with some complexity. I was pretty certain of whodunit by about 75% of the way in and and only became more convinced as the story finished. It took Drew a little longer to figure out whodunit, but I felt that the reasons he didn't see it sooner were reasonable.

The main characters were Christian, and Carrie struggled with trusting God with her future (and Nick's safety). There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting mystery.

This was the perfect final book to the series, where all those little things--like Nick and Carrie's relationship and a certain mystery I had completely forgotten about--are finally resolved. I loved the sense of the international scene in this one--not so much the golfing (a very minor part of the story, anyway), but how people are keeping an eye on eastern Europe and the new regime growing in Germany, and how it is a controversial topic and growing point of concern. The clock is noticeably ticking down toward WWII.

I really appreciate how the author portrays Drew and Madeline's relationship. They got married three books ago, and yet somehow the adventure hasn't ended! Plus they're still cute and romantic, even after several years of marriage (the climbing up to the window scene was adorable and funny). Like all married couples, they've had to work through issues, but they've also found their rhythm and now they get to help Nick and Carrie work through their issues, having experienced much the same things themselves.

This was a case where I really had no good guess on the murderer. Now that it's solved, I can see why Drew was a confused as I was; it was a sneaky trick on the author's part. I heartily approve. Complex, yet the clues were really all there, if I had only recognized them as such.

If I'm wrong about this being the last Drew Farthering mystery, then I won't be disappointed.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for an e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

[Note:  This book was provided free of charge by Bethany House Publishing.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

This is a novel that has a lot to do with family, and faith.  It was a well-crafted novel, full of genuine mysteries and family secrets, and yet even though the mystery was certainly revealed at the end of the story, it is the sort of novel that sits a bit uneasily with me, because it was about more than just the mystery itself.  Having read the first two novels of the series myself [1], I was familiar with a few of the characters in the novel at least.  Yet this novel pushes divine providence to a somewhat uncomfortable level and ends with some loose ends tied up that are a bit too convenient.  At any rate, it is well crafted story that ought to satisfy those who are fans of the series so far, and certainly encourage the reader in knowing that there are likely to be a great many mysteries in the future of this series, although they will likely have to travel in the future as well, since there is no doubt that any police constable of any area is likely to see the presence of Drew Farthering is a bad sign, definitely in the bottom ten list of people one would want to see in one's jurisdiction.

In terms of the story, there is not much that can be done without a spoiler alert, and this is the sort of novel that deserves a fair hearing and not to have all of the mysteries spoiled at the start.  Drew and his wife and friends are invited to attend the British Open at the home of one of his relatives, where the master of the house asks him to discreetly investigate the goings on of a friend and business partner whose activities have seemed a bit shady of late.  In the midst of that investigation the pater familias winds up dead, and the person brought in as a chief suspect is none other than a sponger and hanger on of another couple present, a man with a mysterious identity that is too preposterous to be believed unless you read it for yourself, although I had an inkling of it about halfway through the novel and still couldn't believe it when I finally read it.  The novel deals with family on multiple levels--the family involved with the series of murders in Scotland, Drew's own family background, with his mysterious French mother who he has been unable to find out more about, and the marriage plans of Nick and his American beloved Carrie, who does not seem to be the brave sort given the dangers that Drew and Nick are always finding themselves in.

This is a novel that combines a love of mystery with a deep concern for divine providence and questions of forgiveness and redemption.  In at least one case, this novel presents a case for redemption that appears, on the face of it, ridiculous and overly convenient, and which will likely require a bit more consistent evidence of improvement in order to believe, although as the character is an entertaining one it is likely that there will be more heard from him in the future.  In another case, the author paints a rather chilling picture of entitled youth that feels rather discomfiting, especially given contemporary concerns about the spoiled youth of the current generation.  Besides the murder plot in the story, there is considerable concern about the rise of Hitler and the patriotism of Brits, and all of that adds a considerable weight to the novel itself.  Even though the novel is set several years before the start of World War II, it is filled with the foreboding of that conflict and unpleasant echoes of World War I.  What may have been intended to be a light and pleasant mystery novel from an author of a deep interest in divine providence ends up dwelling uncomfortably close to deep and serious evils of contemporary as well as historical relevance, and that gives this novel a bit of seemingly unintended weight.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014/04/28/book-review-death-by-the-book/

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014/07/08/book-review-murder-at-the-mikado/

I am coming into this series at book six, but it made for a great stand-alone read. I am looking forward to going back and catching up on the previous escapades of Drew and Madeline Farthering and Nick Dennison. My husband and I are fans of several BBC mystery series, and I could absolutely see a series built around these characters. I would recommend The Drew Farthering Mysteries to both men and women.
Set in England in the 1930s, the Drew Farthering series has the feel of Christie, Sayers and James; names well known to fans of British writers from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction. In Death at Thorburn Hall Drew and his entourage are tasked to unearth the secrets of their host’s formerly trusted business partner who has begun to act in a very suspicious manner. The investigation quickly turns into the search for a murderer, a search that turns even more deadly and pits our detectives against possible Nazi spies. Nick, Drew’s right-hand man, struggles throughout the investigation as he is torn between dedication to Drew and love of country and his attempts to win the hand of Carrie, the love of his life who has a major aversion to his detective work.
Julianna Deering, who also writes under her real name, DeAnna Julie Dodson, may live in Texas, but she provides her readers with a real flavor of 1930s England’s upper class. In the fashion of other writers of the same era, Deering provides a cast of suspects and plenty of red herrings. She allows her readers to wade through these and to weed out the important clues, avoiding giving them surprises that come out of nowhere as the solution to the mystery comes to light. Mystery fans will find this book a real treat.
I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me a copy of Death at Thorburn Hall in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Drew and his wife Madeline are in Scotland for the British Open. They were ostensibly invited by Drew's cousin Lady Rainsby but Lord Rainsby confides that he was the one who wanted Drew to come. But before he can reveal his reasons, Lord Rainsby is murdered.
There are several subplots with Nick trying to drum up the courage to finally ask Carrie to marry him and the search for Drew's long-lost mother continues.
I didn't love the ending of this book. It didn't seem fairly clued. Even the role the mysterious Count has to play is weird and seems tacked on. It's overall a very nice book and it very much makes me want to re-read the first book in the series.

This book came out November 7
Three and a half stars
ARC provided by NetGalley

Death at Thorburn Hall starts off mysterious enough with a Russian wanting his satchel, but Drew and Madeline were wanting for Nick and Carrie on the Train stand, and thus the mystery begins - did I tell you it was in Scotland? This book is wonderful. It can be described as exciting, thrilling, fearless, flamboyant, gregarious, hypnotic, lackadaisical, mysterious, observant and faithful. The four of them went to Scotland for the British open while staying at Thorburn Hall with Lady and Lord Rainsby, Lord Rainsby is thrown from his horse and the police think it is an accident - but guess what - something happens to someone else and so it begins - there are several guests staying at the Hall - who is doing all of this and why? Will they figure it out before someone else dies?

My favourite detective is back on the case! Not only that, but with Carrie’s return from the States, the whole gang’s back together again! Unfortunately, Carrie’s not as enthusiastic about amateur sleuthing as her friends (those who have read some of the earlier novels will know why), so poor Nick is sometimes torn between helping Drew and Madeline, and spending time with Carrie, but when Lord Rainsby’s daughter asks Drew to look into her father’s ‘accidental’ death, the gentleman in him can hardly say no, now, can he?

Once again, there’s a great ensemble cast here:
- the grieving widow, Lady Louisa Rainsby, and her daughter Joan;
- golf caddie Jamie Tyler, who’s earned a reputation as a cad as well as a caddie;
- Lord Rainsby’s long-time friend and business partner Reginald MacArthur, a cartographer whose political loyalties might be in question;
- Lady Louisa’s dear friend Elspeth Pike and her somewhat dour-faced husband;
- and last, but most definitely not least, the enigmatic, nimble-fingered Russian Count Kuznetsov, who claims that Elspeth Pike is his muse (he’s writing a symphony, you know), much to her husband’s chagrin.

Only one or two of these characters avoided any serious suspicion during the story, and I remained clueless as to the real villain until the end.

If you’ve read any of Drew’s previous adventures, you’ll know that Julianna Deering captures the 1930s era and her characters perfectly. In this instance, I particularly enjoyed Drew’s interactions with Count Kuznetsov, which showed Drew at his politely ironic best (I seriously don’t know how he kept a straight face, because I sure didn’t!) And as always, I love the beautiful picture of married love and companionship that Drew and Madeline portray.

There are also some personal developments for some of our favourite characters. As previously mentioned, Nick and Carrie are finally on the same continent again. It’s no secret that Nick’s ready to pop the question, but there are still a few clouds on the horizon. And Drew’s search for his birth mother has been unsuccessful to date. Is it a waste of time and money to continue?

As a lover of Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie, this series has been a thoroughly enjoyable addition to my mystery collection, and I sincerely hope it’s not the last we see of Drew and friends!

An excellent addition to the series, though not a stand-alone novel. There are multiple references to an incident that includes Carrie, and why she is afraid when the murder is discovered, that one wouldn't know unless they'd read previous books. However, I love when books continue with the series assuming everyone has been along for the ride the entire time. It's tedious to have the past rehashed in a book just in case a reader is unfamiliar with the plot and characters from before. Love that this author didn't do that!!

I admit I was back and forth with who I thought was the killer, and who was a 'bad guy'. This was a very well constructed mystery with several plot lines running through it. Enough to keep me interested and guessing without becoming confusing.

I love the main characters, and their respect and love for each other. Drew is a dependable guy who is smart, but doesn't patronize the local law enforcement, or push into their investigations. So many mystery novels depend on characters pushing themselves into unnatural relationships with the police, etc. Drew and Nick investigate on their own without breaking the law or making stupid decisions that put them at risk.

I wasn't sure what the Russian "count" was doing in the book at first, and still didn't know until near the end- interesting twist there! I am glad to know that storyline is complete though. It was becoming a little tiresome to have no leads over a long period of time.

I would highly recommend this book and the preceding novels in the series to anyone who enjoys a clean mystery with a little romance thrown in, with a period backdrop. I hope there will be more from the Fartherings and co. Very enjoyable read!

Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield, hoping for a relaxing holiday with his wife, Madeline, and friend Nick. But death meets him once again when Lord Rainsby, their host at Thorburn Hall, is killed in a suspicious riding accident--only days after confiding in Drew his fears that his business partner was embezzling funds.

Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each appears to have dark motives for wanting Rainsby out of the way. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.

Death at Thorburn Hall by Julianna Deering is the second book in the Drew Farthingering Mystery series that I have read. And I do enjoy this series. It is such a nice cozy mystery, a lovely change of pace for me as a reader. Yes, there is death under mysterious circumstances and such, but overall the feeling you get reading this book is a nice, pleasant, cozy feeling. The marriage of Drew and Madeline lovely to see and their friendships and connections are cheerful and encouraging. When I think about these books, I keep coming back tot he word pleasant. And that is nice. The ending is quite a page turner too, so don't expect to be able to put this book down once you get near the end. This is a great addition to a fun series to read.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and Baker Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book rises to the top in a number of areas - and those areas can be summed into three categories:
1. Mystery: It's a good mystery. It's involved, intricately detailed, offers a number of false leads, and gives a satisfying culmination. There's a grand reveal at the end which may bother some - but that's very typical of murder mysteries - and is not something I would count as a drawback. This book knows its genre and sticks with it.
2. Characters: Here's where the book really took off for me. To begin with, it felt like a beautifully splendid combination of Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes and William Powell's Thin Man series.
This book includes the serious deduction of Basil Rathbone's Sherlockian sleuth (or "consulting detective", if you will) and is also replete with the wit, charm, and relational characteristics of Nick Charles of The Thin Man film series. Drew Farthering is a marvelous character - and the same can be said of his wife, Madeline. (She shines even more than Nora Charles, who is often stuck on the sidelines of The Thin Man mysteries). A wonderful addition is the relational aspects that flesh out the characters. Drew and Madeline Farthering are an entertaining and believable couple, much more three-dimensional than other mysteries I've read. A surprising but well-done addition are Nick and Carrie, whose relationship you get to observe from the wings. There's also no shortage of interesting and well-developed characters - and I don't mean just the main ones. This is a full-bodied whodunit, filled with an enchanting (and nefarious) cast.
3. History. There are a lot of historicals that offer a great setting but plop more contemporary characters down in them. This one never felt like that. I found Drew and Madeline Farthering to be relatable, but wonderfully grounded in their own time period. I loved the way history played a part in the mystery, and the setting came alive in Deering's well-crafted narrative. The plot doesn't slow, but keeps on steadily as characters and the reader gather new information as the pages turn, and every aspect remains fully rooted in the appropriate time period.
Death at Thorburn Hall is a great read for a chilly fall day. Wrap yourself in a blanket, grab a cup of cocoa or cider, and enjoy escaping to pre-WWII Scotland. Intrigue awaits.

Drew and Madeline Farthering have been invited up to Thorburn Hall in Scotland for the week of the British Open at Muirfield by Drew’s cousin, Lady Louisa Rainsby. Nick is joining them, as is Madeline’s friend Carrie who is coming for a visit from America (and they hope Nick can convince her to stay for quite a while). Lord and Lady Rainsby’s daughter Joan is to return from Cannes soon, and one other set of guests arrived on the same train as the Fartherings, a Mr. & Mrs. Pike along with Mrs. Pike’s pet project the musician Count Kuznetsov (whose musical skills are unproven, but his leeching skills are evident to all but Mrs. Pike). While the week starts off with some restful golf enjoyment, Lord Rainsby asks Drew to keep an eye on his old friend Mac saying something just doesn’t seem right. The next day while the group is out for a ride, Lord Rainsby is thrown from his horse and dies. Though the police believe it is nothing more than a tragic accident, Drew receives requests to look into it further from the family. Carrie’s brush with own personal tragedy makes her eager to run off before Nick can pop the question. Drew becomes more afraid events are linked to that German man getting more and more news coverage. And it will take all of his wits plus some help from Nick, Madeline, and a friend of Inspector Birdsong to puzzle out the tangled mess.

I think this is my favorite Drew Farther book since the first one. And there are a number of reasons for that. First off, for quite a while it seems like there are simply no suspects with good motives. And the mystery elements (yes, there’s more than one…a few deaths, the German link, and the question of Count Kuznetsov’s real game) kept me guessing for the majority of the book. One ongoing mystery for the series is answered while another one is opened. Drew and Madeline are just as cute a couple as ever. I love their witty banter and moments of mushiness. Hooray for a married couple still in love after more than a year of marriage in literature! Carrie’s return was wonderful, added a touch of tenderness to the story (and humor as Drew and Madeline struggle to be patient waiting for Nick to propose) and offered an opportunity to explore how an average person would respond to being constantly in the line of danger and how Drew, Madeline, and Nick deal with the fear. Drew and Madeline’s Christian faith comes up as they discuss this issue with Carrie. It feels natural and fitting, and isn’t preachy. Golf history fans may appreciate the golfers Drew is cheering on during the Open. The start of a segue into the WWII era was a very interesting touch with Brits/Scots divided on their feelings about whether Hitler is going to be good for Germany or not. And lastly, Count Kuznetsov and Mrs Pike reminded me quite a bit of a side plot in the old black and white movie My Man Godfrey. Deering had to have been thinking of that somewhat when she wrote this. It starts off so very similar to that movie but Kuznetsov’s story ends a bit differently. In all, a delightful historical fiction mystery that keeps you guessing and feels very much like one of the old classics.

Notes on content (based on the ARC): No language issues. No sexual content. It’s hinted that one guy is a bit of a player and that the Rainsby daughter was having an affair, but absolutely no lurid details. There are three fatalities, only one has some blood described but even then hardly any. As normal for the time period, side characters are described smoking and drinking.

The weather is turning colder (even here in South Carolina--for today), and the days are getting shorter. There's no better time to snuggle up with a good murder mystery! The Drew Farthering books are some of my favorites! These books have all the hallmarks of great mysteries--a handsome detective, slightly bumbling police officer, charming sidekick, and quaint English scenery. I read my first Drew Farthering mystery several years ago, and I've been hooked ever since!



Death at Thorburn Hall might be Drew Farthering's most challenging case yet. He's been invited to Scotland with his wife, Madeline, and their friends, Nick and Carrie, to enjoy the Open. But before the fun can get underway, his host, Lord Rainsby, pulls him aside and tells him some troubling facts. Lord Rainsby, is part owner of a cartography business. It seems that within the past few months, his partner has started acting strangely, and dropping little phrases about how he thinks Hitler is on the right track in Germany. He asks Drew to do some investigating, but before Drew can even get started, there is a murder. As Drew starts looking into the strange circumstances, things become more and more complicated. Who could be guilty? The murdered man's wife? The golf caddy who he paid off to stop seeing his daughter? They mysterious Russian who's pilfering the silver? The investigation becomes more dangerous, and as Germans begin to enter the picture, Drew realizes he may be in the middle of some international intrigue. Every historical murder mystery is better when you throw in a few German spies!

I'm not going to lie to y'all, Drew Farthering is over-the-top, a little bit corny, and a whole lot cheesy--but in all the best ways! Reading these novels is like stepping back in time to the old radio shows with a husband and wife detective team. Even though Drew and Madeline move in the highest of British society circles, they will always be involved in a murder. The local police are almost always going to ask Drew to keep his nose out of their business. Drew is going to find the answers, and he's going to see stuff the police don't see. He's going to suspect the wrong person, then accidently stumble upon the right answer. Then, he'll be in terrible danger when the real murderer realizes he's figured it out. He'll be rescued at the last minute, and all will be well again. But, it's the storyline that works, and has kept readers, including yours truly, coming back for more--five times! I was afraid this series would be a trilogy, since that's what is popular, but Death at Thorburn Hall is number six! I'm always trying to figure out at the end if the series is over, and I don't think it is, yet! And, I need to just drop in a word about how much I love the cover. All of the Drew Farthering books have the most beautiful, retro-looking covers!

I think my favorite book in this series so far has been Murder on the Moor, but I really like Death at Thorburn Hall, too. It has a really great plot, and the change of scenery to Scotland was a nice touch. Usually, when I read a book like this, I can figure out the culprit before it's revealed--but not this time! I absolutely could not figure it out. The moment when Drew followed Mac into the alleyway, my theory was blown to bits.

It's the time of year to pull out those cozy mysteries, curl up in front of the fire, and read the night away. Or, if you're like me and live in a warmer climate, get a glass of lemonade, and sit under the ceiling fan. Either way, Death at Thorbun Hall is a great choice for your fall reading list!



I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, but you won't pay anything extra. Thanks for your support!

In this sixth installment in the Drew Farthering Mystery series, Drew, Madeline, Nick & Carrie are heading to Scotland for the British Open. When Lord Rainsby, their host, ends up dead, Drew is compelled to check it out.

I loved that Chief Inspector Birdsong happened to be in Scotland too. He seemed to know that Drew would get all mixed up in another mess before Drew did.

The mystery is solid. So many people have a motive that it was a challenge to try to figure out who the villain was. The melodramatic Mrs. Pike and the slick-fingered Count were pretty entertaining. There’s even an unexpected twist that surprised me.

As with other books in the series, there is a serious undercurrent. Carrie struggles with fear and must come to terms with who Nick is and what he seems to be called to do if she is going to be able to move forward with him.

Although this book was not as funny as the first two books in the series, the relationships between Drew and Madeline and Drew and Nick were so rich, beautiful, and satisfying. I love it when one of the main romances occurs between a husband and wife.

If you love a good mystery, check this series out. Although you could read this as a stand-alone book, it’s better when read with the backstories of the main characters in mind.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Drew Farthering Mystery series:

Book 1: Rules of Murder

Book 2: Death by the Book

Book 3: Murder at the Mikado

Book 4: Dressed for Death

Book 5: Murder on the Moor

Book 6: Death at Thorburn Hall

Another fun who-done-it featuring Drew Farthering, a British estate owner and his American wife. This time a distant relative invites him and his wife to Scotland for the 1935 British Open. When his host dies in an unfortunate accident just days after confiding in Drew his suspicions about his business partner, Drew wonders if something more sinister has arrived at Thorburn Hall.

Together with his wife Madaline and his best friend Nick, Drew starts to investigate the accident. The deeper he digs, the worse it seems—a mysterious murderer takes the sleepy village hostage with fear. Unfortunately, Drew and Nick’s penchant and solving murders strains Nick’s relationship with his girlfriend Carrie.

Fans of Sherlock Holms will love this period series.

I love history. I love suspense. Putting them together seems to be a great novel for me. With historical mysteries, many of them leave something to be desired in my opinion. But Julianna Deering and Rachel McMillan are my favorite two authors who write historical mysteries in the early twentieth century. I love how both authors create characters who are loveable and stick with you long after the novel is done. The mystery is just right. The settings are wonderful. As for Deering's final installment in her Drew Farthering series, I really enjoyed Death at Thornburn Hall as well as all the other books.
The plot is what grips me in a historical mystery. I need to be drawn into the story pretty quickly and allowed to sit and hang out for a while. Deering does a fabulous job at inviting me into Drew and Madeline's life before the mystery even occurs. Usually they are just going along, like in Death at Thornburn Hall, on a horse ride, and they stumble across a dead body, which in turns throws Drew into solving the mystery mode. The mystery was written really well. Even though I had a really good suspicion who was the bad guy was, Deering proved me right.
Since the story centers around the 1930's, Deering included some historical elements of Hitler, which we know now, is the precursor to World War II. I enjoyed seeing that hinted at in the plot, especially since I'm a huge World War II fantic.
The romance really centered around NIck and Carrie, who have been flirting around the idea of a relationship since the series started with Rules of Murder. Madeline and Drew play more matchmaker than anything, but it was nice seeing a married couple interact after we watched their dating era.
Overall, Death at Thornburn Hall by Julianna Deering is a nice way to end the series. Hanging out with Drew and Madeline for so long reminds me of some distant cousin who you see once a year at the holidays, but when you play catch up, it is like no time has parted you at all. I love the mystery in this addition, it was more sneaky and kept me glued to the page. I really wish there were more, but for now, this is the last book that I know of. I highly recommend if you like Deering's writing, than pick up Rachel McMillan's Herringford and Watts Mysteries series.
I received a complimentary copy of Death at Thornburn Hall by Julianna Deering from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

As soon as Death at Thorburn arrived, I had to tuck in! I’ve missed the Fartherings’ adventures and, within a few pages, Nick and Carrie are on the scene – the four, all back together, are poised for a simple Scottish holiday to go awry! As with Julianna Deering’s previous novels, the cast of characters is diverse, rich and several have questionable motives. The mystery is a tangle of threads to be unravelled and the resolution is surprising! Just the thing for a detective story!

The references to Christianity are subtle and a favourite aspect for me, it feels naturally woven in. The romance between Nick and Carrie is another lovely story line. All in all, a great novel, 5 out of 5 on the en-JOY-ment scale!