Thank you NetGalley for this wonderful book. I look forward to reading more from this series and author.

This was an intriguing mystery with an undercurrent of romance. The pacing was decent, and the romance doesn't overshadow the mystery. It's a sweet cozy mystery that wasn't hard to solve, but watching the characters and how they interacted made the whole book enjoyable. Great for cozy mystery lovers.

Kate Hamilton, an American widowed antique store owner, arrived in England to experience her fantasy of a traditional English Christmas while visiting her daughter who is working as an intern at one of England's stately homes and exploring a new relationship with a handsome police detective. Best laid plans and all. Soon a murder throws a wrench into her planned holiday. Very enjoyable cozy with an interesting setting and characters. Plot is quite lively with some twists and surprises. And if you have any interest in antiques and history, this series is for you. I've already reserved the next volume at the library.

Although perhaps not as exciting as her terrific debut, A DREAM OF DEATH, this second book in the series is nonetheless an engrossing and pleasurable romp through the English countryside as American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton visits her daughter, who works at a crumbling Finchley Hall. The Hall is full of mystery as several of those associated with it--and its legendary treasures--have turned up murdered over the years. Kate gets drawn into investigating the murders, and much is at stake as her own daughter becomes one of the prime suspects. Connie Berry does an excellent job of creating likable, believable characters. The Christmas setting will have crossover appeal to fans who want a good holiday romp.

A Legacy of Murder is a good murder mystery. Good plot and character development. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Description
American antique dealer Kate Hamilton's Christmastime jaunt to a charming English village leads to an investigation of a missing ruby...and a chain of murders. It's Christmastime and antiques dealer Kate Hamilton is off to visit her daughter, Christine, in the quaint English village of Long Barston. Christine and her boyfriend, Tristan, work at stately-but-crumbling Finchley Hall. Touring the Elizabethan house and grounds, Kate is intrigued by the docent's tales of the Finchley Hoard, and the strange deaths surrounding the renowned treasure trove. But next to a small lake, Kate spies the body of a young woman, killed by a garden spade. Nearly blind Lady Barbara, who lives at Finchley with her loyal butler, Mugg, persuades Kate to take over the murdered woman's work. Kate finds that a Burmese ruby has vanished from the legendary Blood-Red Ring, replaced by a lesser garnet. Were the theft and the woman's death connected? Kate learns that Lady Barbara's son fled to Venezuela years before, suspected of murdering another young woman. The murder weapon belonged to an old gardener, who becomes the leading suspect. But is Lady Barbara's son back to kill again? When another body is found, the clues point toward Christine. It's up to Kate to clear her daughter's name in Connie Berry's second Kate Hamilton mystery, a treasure for fans of traditional British mysteries.

My Review
Kate is at it again in Book 2 "A Legacy of Murder" (Kate Hamilton Mystery Series).

It seems trouble or I should say murder follows Kate. While visiting her daughter during Christmas Kate uses her sleuthing powers to solve the mystery surrounding murders. Will she succeed before a third body shows up?

The story kept me interested until the very end. The characters are well-crafted and I thoroughly enjoyed following Kate as she solved the mysteries.

Highly recommend for those who enjoy British mysteries.
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This was one mystery that I was sad to see end. I love cozies that are set in England and this one was very well-written. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series in the future.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book from Netgalley.

A LEGACY OF MURDER by Connie Berry is the second in the Kate Hamilton mystery series and is set in the present day at Finchley Hall, an Elizabethan House with extensive grounds and a history of murder associated with its treasure, called The Hoard. Hidden in the mid-1500s and missing until much later, these jewels and antique pieces are soon to be put on display. In fact, that is where Kate comes in because she is visiting her daughter who is an intern at Finchley Hall, and one of the other interns dies suddenly. The circumstances mirror events from almost a quarter century ago when another display of The Hoard was planned. Kate steps in to complete the catalogue of materials as well as to assist in the investigation – not quite the way she expected to be spending time with Detective Inspector Thomas Mallory, a romantic interest from an earlier European trip. A LEGACY OF MURDER is a cozy mystery with likeable characters, historic references and some antiquing lore, too. There's also some drama and angst associated with Kate's daughter and her friends which will add to appeal for younger readers.

Kate is on spending the days leading up to Christmas visiting her daughter in England. Even before she can meet up with her daughter, she is among a group who discovers a dead body on the grounds Finchley Hall where her daughter is interning and where Kate will be staying during her trip. She finds herself investigating the murder among other mysteries. I liked this book. The main thing that kept me from loving it was Kate's daughter Christine. She may be grown but she needs a serious attitude adjustment. Otherwise the story and cast of characters made this an enjoyable read.

I recently had discovered Connie Berry’s previous Kate Hamilton story, A Dream of Death, at my local library, so I was delighted to read the next installment.

A Legacy of Murder is a wonderful blend of a compelling mystery, great character development, interesting historical notes and a fascinating setting. For me, Hamilton weaves a great middle place between a cozy mystery and compelling suspense.

In “A Legacy of Murder” the reader is transported to a delightful small village in England, where her heroine Kate Hamilton discovers a body while on vacation visiting her daughter. Throw in a romance with the local detective and a hoard of jewels - and you have the making of a great story. Highly recommend for mystery fans.

I’m already looking forward to the next Kate Hamilton mystery!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This was the second installment in the Kate Hamilton mystery series. Her first novel is titled, "A Dream of Death", was enjoyable and I highly recommend this, as well.

I really enjoyed both installments and think I might have found a new series to devour. They are labeled cozies but they had a little more depth than most in the genre. They are well written, the mysteries kept me engaged and I enjoyed the different settings of both books. I appreciated Berry adding some historical background for each of the locations which added extra interest to the plot.

The author's Kate is a great main character – she is mature, intelligent and has a great heart which makes a perfect combination. The romance with Tom is handled well - there is just enough to spark interest but is not overdone.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I highly recommend this book.

This is a different type of cozy mystery that I usually read but I enjoyed it as much as the first book in the series. The author did a great job setting up the scene and the setting gives it a bit more sophistication than some other cozy mysteries. I am eager to read more books in this series!

A Legacy of Murder ticks many boxes.....murder mystery x 3, romance with a sprinkling of antique speak and many quirky village characters. I spent my childhood being dragged around antique shops and enjoyed that the author and this tale used this, along with a historical house aspect I am also fond of, as the backdrop for a twisting and turning murder story, where amateur sleuthing and village detective work solve all at the end. I was captivated for the entire ride. And while I had guessed the real murderer a little earlier, I was still surprised at the tying up of loose ends.

American antique dealer Kate Hamilton's Christmas trip to visit her daughter Christine, who is undertaking an internship at Finchley Hall located in a charming English village, leads to an investigation into a missing ruby and a chain of murders. Conveniently, the detective in charge is Kate's relatively new boyfriend Tom. Kate is dragged further into the mystery as she takes over the management of the exhibition of Finchley Halls treasures. And then her daughter becomes a prime suspect in the bashing (nearly to death) of one of the staffers. Kate has an appetite for solving the many questions that are raised throughout the whole saga at the hall.

A great holiday read that has kept me reading late into the nights. Thanks to Netgalley, Connie Berry and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to review this book.

Kate Hamilton is back across the pond visiting her daughter on Holiday for the Christmas Holiday. Which times perfectly with a rendezvous with Detective Inspector Thomas Mallory of the Suffolk Constabulary, or Tom as he prefers Kate to call him. After their chance encounter and murder mystery in Scotland the two have decided to get to know each other better. Unfortunately it looks like this will be a case of deja vu in a new locale. In addition to the death of an intern, there is the Finchley family scandal, missing jewels, some new relationship friction, and Christine's boy drama. I am surprised that Kate is able to keep all the players straight. The character development is "spot on" and the location history certainly adds to the intrigue of the story. The only thing this story needs is some true quality time for the couple, but I am sure that will be left for another novel.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was eager to read this one. It didn't disappoint, I'm enjoying getting to know the characters. Although I will admit the daughter irritated the hell out of me and I know I would not have reacted the way the character did.

I look forward to continuing with this series and I will be interested to see how the author manages to keep both characters in the same country.

Sitting down with a new Kate Hamilton book by Connie Berry is, quite simply, pure delight. These are the kinds of stories I look forward to with barely-suppressed eagerness, the sort of warmly delicious novels one can curl up with and become instantly immersed into. The type of book I will pull out and re-read because I just adore the writing voice, the rich turns of phrases, and the development of the plot.

One of the things I loved most about A Dream of Death was the gorgeous writing, and it’s one of my favorite aspects of A Legacy of Murder, too. Sentences like… “Irregular panes of glass set into tall banks of mullioned windows reflected the light like a patchwork quilt of mirrors.”… make my reader heart sigh in bookish bliss. Not trying too hard or too needlessly verbose, just a beautiful way of expressing description and insights. Additionally, the construct of the plot in this sophomore novel is even more intricate than in Berry’s debut. Intriguing, multi-layered murders and thefts (some decades old in both cases) share the stage with an authentic look at life, love, and the combination thereof – not to mention well-defined characters, some of whom enhance the story just by being on the page. (I’m looking at you, Ivor!)

Kate’s struggles (in between mystery-solving) in this book are easily relatable, especially for women in the same stage of life, and Kate herself is just as easily liked. She’s smart, witty, warm, and strong – but also honest in her fears and insecurities. And Tom – oh how I love Tom. He’s certainly not without his faults but he’s just such a good guy. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for their relationship in book #3, and I’m excited about all the storyline possibilities (mysteries included) that the author sets the stage for toward the end of this book.

Bottom Line: A Legacy of Murder is well-plotted and engaging, with layered characters and a lovely English village setting. The writing voice (delightfully enhanced by the first person narrative) wraps you in a warm hug, the descriptions and word choices at times nearly poetic as they flow easily off the page. The mysteries keep piling up in this book and I was intrigued by each one. The perfect choice to curl up with this weekend!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

An Ideal Backdrop....
The second in the Kate Hamilton mystery series. Enjoyable whodunit with a likeable protagonist in antiques dealer Kate. With an ideal backdrop, a colourful cast of credible characters and a nicely plotted mystery this is an enjoyable and engaging read.

Connie Berry immerses antiquities' dealer Kate Hamilton in A Legacy of Murder. Kate's daughter Christine is an intern at Elizabethan Finchley Hall and Kate is visiting for Christmas holiday. Another intern is discovered murdered, things are going missing at Finchley Hall and Kate is entangled in a new relationship with the policeman investigating the murder. How can things get more complicated. Read this delightful cozy and find out.

A holiday timed mystery, there are many interesting characters, some not so likable, though Kate Hamilton is trying her best to get along with all of them, and suspiciously missing information. The setting is quaint and rich with history. This is the 2nd murder of someone planning to showcase the history of the Finchley Hoard, and now Kate is asked to take over the chore. Nobody really wants to answer all her questions and Lady Barbara has limited vision and Mugg gives the impression of her frailty. Most of the staff have long gone, but Mugg orchestrates appearances to keep Lady Barbara in the dark. And then there's yet another murder, and Kate's daughter might be implicated. This drives a stake between Kate and her would be male friend, the policeman in charge of the investigation.

This is a great story for fans of British mystery, rich with description. Kate is very thorough and dedicated, often dealing with conflictual feelings, not all of them specific to the Finchley Hoard or the ruby.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

This is an enjoyable follow-up to the first book in the series, A Dream of Death. I like the atmosphere and the characters. The author builds realistic relationships between her characters and the mystery was a puzzler.