Historical cozies are always so much fun to read, and the author does an amazing job of creating a story that is well-written and believable.

Even though Emma Cross is now the acting editor of the Messenger, she is forced to fill in as Society reporter at the Harvest Festival held at Crossways. All society is excited because eligible Prince Otto of Austria is scheduled to attend. Mrs Fish, the hostess, is horrified when the Prince is a no show but even more so when the Prince is found murdered in her garden. Mrs. Fish insists on teaming up with Emma to solve the murder and clear her name.

The mystery is further compounded by the discovery of another body on the beach who looks amazingly like Emma's brother Brady and who turns out to be connected with the Prince. When one of the young ladies at the Festival is murdered in the same manner several days later, Emma and Mrs. Fish begin to worry that others could be in danger.

This series is so interesting not just because it is well-plotted but because the research of the time period and descriptions come through masterfully. One can almost see the glitter jewels and elegant dresses!

*4.5 stars

1898 and Emma Cross is about to get herself in another investigation. A visiting prince is going to be the highlight of Mamie Fish's Harvest Festival party, but when he fails to show up, speculation begins until he's found murdered on the property of Crossways. This was a good mystery but my favorite was the character of Mamie. She was brash and had no problem weaving her way into helping Emma with her interviews with suspects. She made the story fun and humorous. Another great installment in the Gilded Newport mysteries.

I really have liked how Emma Cross is making her way as a reporter, up the ranks to acting editor, all in what is known as the gilded age in America. Newport, Rhode Island is the height of society of the day, and when a real prince is to attend the Harvest Festival, Emma is called back to society coverage again.

This continues to be an enjoyable series, but we seem to have reached the point at book 7 where nothing is new anymore.

A good protagonist and better than usual quality plots for the cozy mystery genre keep this series readable, but it lacks the panache and uniqueness of the series’ earlier installments.

This one had a satisfactory but convoluted solve, and we’ve reached the point where the side characters are largely too reminiscent of earlier members of the secondary cast. The exception in this one was Mrs. Fish, who was a delightful dose of comic relief in a story that otherwise had very little levity and humor.

Mostly, I worry about this series because it’s moving away from the one thing I liked best about it: the setting. The stories obviously still take place in the gilded mansions of Newport and involve members of the 400, but the setting (be it the town or the mansions) seems to be figuring less and less into the story as the series progresses. I’m hoping Maxwell can right that in the future.

Another interesting entry in a cozy mystery series by Alyssa Maxwell. This one contains a host of interesting and interconnected murder mysteries interwoven with just enough real life history to keep you interested. Can hardly wait for the next entry.

Alyss.a Maxwell continues her Gilded Newport mysteries with Murder at Crossways. Mamie Fish, leader of the Four Hundred, hosts a Harvest Festival at her new mansion in Newport. Murder comes to call and Emma, poor relative of the Vanderbilts, is at the party to report for the Newport Messenger which she now edits. Prince Otto, the victim, is the second murdered man in the week. Then a young lady dies. Whodunit? Was the first dead man the missing father of a Katherine's half brother? Who among the Four Hundred is involved? Meanwhile there is trouble at the newspaper as accidents pile up. Excellent historical cozy of 1898.

Set in Newport, Rhode Island in 1898 this historical cozy mystery features Emma Cross, an editor-in-chief of a local newspaper during a time when it was not always accepted for women to have that sort of employment. I enjoyed the authors writing, the historical setting and the strong woman characters (I loved Mrs. Fish!). Although Murder at Crossways is part of a series I did not feel lost jumping in with this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #MurderAtCrossways #cozymystery #mystery #historical

Princess Fuzzypants here: Emma Cross is a modern woman in late Victorian times. She straddles social classes as her own immediate family is of modest means but her cousins number amongst the 400. She is a journalist and the editor of a Newport newspaper. She is challenged and second guessed constantly but manages to prevail with grit and talent but not without some danger.
This time, a foreign prince is murdered during a big party she is covering for her Society page. His is the second body that has shown up in days. The first one may or may not be the long lost and assumed dead father of her step brother. When a third person is killed, it becomes painfully apparent these deaths are interconnected although not in any obvious way. Emma’s instincts and investigatory prowess help reveal the connections much to the chagrin of the killer.
At the same time she must figure out who is sabotaging her paper and why. A series of incidents makes it clear it has to be someone inside. Emma has come too far to let anyone defeat her.
The story has all sort of lovely historical bits and the reader gets swept into Newport of the waning days of the 19th Century. The books are always satisfying and entertaining and this one is no exception. Four purrs and two paws up.

Every time I read one of Alyssa Maxwell’s Gilded Newport Mysteries, I feel like I’m taking a guided walking tour of late 1890s Newport. Maxwell gives such details and historical context without any fussiness. I truly had no idea where this murder mystery was headed, and I gasped out loud at one point. I missed the physical presence of Derrick, but he was mentioned in such ways that I know we’ll see him again. And Emma’s growing confidence in herself, in her choices, in her work is a true sight to behold. This is a standout novel for Maxwell.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

1890's + mystery + Newport = win!!! This is the 7th installment in the Gilded Newport Mystery series and it can be read as a stand alone. I have read some of the books in the series and loved every one, this being no exception. Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. I love being drawn into the Newport society of the 1890's and "helping" Emma solve yet another murder mystery! I can't wait for #8!!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

A dead body can really ruin a day at the beach. Emma Cross had hoped for a relaxing day, but first, a prominent lady almost drowns and then a short time later a man is found dead. A man who looks remarkably like the father of her half-brother Brady.

With that case on her mind, Emma attends the Harvest Festival at the home of Mamie and Stuyvesant Fish to cover the affair for the Newport Messenger. The “cottage” is full of the elite and almost all the area’s eligible daughters hoping to catch the eye of the guest of honor, Prince Otto of Austria. The festival goes late into the night but the Prince never arrives. While cleaning up the estate Prince Otto’s body is found in the garden. The wound appears to be the same as the man found on the beach.

Again Emma finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery. With the family connection, she feels she has no choice.

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Alyssa Maxwell again draws readers back in time to Newport, Rhode Island 1898. This time we visit Crossways, An American “cottage” owned by Marion Graves Anthon Fish a.k.a. “Mamie” and her husband Stuyvesant “Stuyvie” Fish. What this author does so well is blending history with her fictional tale. She describes everything so well but I still find myself wanting to see the people and places with my own eyes after I finish the story to learn more about the characters and settings that kept me captivated for 288 pages. I love The Gilded Age Era site for all things Newport.

The thing I enjoyed most about this book was that Alyssa found herself with an unexpected sidekick. Maimie Fish was determined to apprehend the person that used her party and property as the backdrop for murder. She glued herself to Emma’s side and even offered to hire someone to handle Emma’s real job at the paper until the case was solved. Emma is a smart woman and realized Maimie could be a real asset. Maimie was a grand character, not your typical rich socialite. She is very down to earth and very opinionated and doesn’t hold back expressing her thoughts or wishes. She was a complete treasure and together with Emma, they made a wonderful team. I love the way this author focuses on strong and independent women.

The mystery was multifaceted as connections between the murders needed to be delved into as the confirmed identity of the first victim was totally up in the air. Emma and Maimie tracked down each clue and checked out each twist no matter where the led. Emma’s brother Brady was not handling all the news well so he was a constant concern. She was also dealing with a mystery at the newspaper but she was clearly able to juggle everything thrown at her. I enjoyed following along with all the developments and was pleased that all the clues dropped into place for me at the same time as Emma.

Murder at Crossways is unique and entertaining. Maxwell’s characters are so strong and believable. I totally enjoyed my visit to Newport and am looking forward to returning again soon. For me, this was A Perfect Escape!

This is the seventh book in The Gilded Newport Mystery series. I love reading about the Vanderbilts' and the Astors' back in the late 1800's. This was a great book that held my interest from beginning to end. Even though this is part of a series it can be a stand alone. I will be going back and reading the first six.

Newport, Rhode Island - 1898

Cornelius Vanderbilt, II is being taken to the beach in his wheelchair. He had suffered a stroke 2 years ago, followed by several mini-strokes. Many of the wealthy families living in the area are enjoying the beach as well.

Emmaline (Emma) Cross, niece to the Vanderbilts, is with the family today. She is on the poor side of the family and had earned her living as a society journalist for the “Newport Observer.” Now, she is the editor-in-chief of the “Newport Messenger."

Many women are wearing woolen bathing costumes considered by some to be quite shocking for the time period. One woman in particular, Mrs. Lucy Clews, wife of the New York financier, Henry Clews, begins floundering in the water and some of the men go out and rescue her. At the same time, Emma hears some shouting further down the beach. Running to see what’s happening, she finds the body of a man who has just washed ashore and who looks just like her half brother, Brady, She realizes with relief that it is not Brady, but an older man that looks similar to him. She wonders if it could be Brady’s father who went missing years ago. Detective Jesse Whyte of the Newport Police is investigating the find. He is also a dear friend of Emma’s.

Crossways is the home of Mamie Fish and his just been completed. Tonight, Mamie is hosting a Harvest Festival party. Emma is attending in her capacity to cover social events for the “Newport Messenger” and is simply observing from the sidelines. Prince Otto of Austria is reportedly to be attending as the guest of honor with many mothers hoping to match him with their daughters. But when he is delayed, people wonder if it’s all a hoax. But later, the Prince is found murdered in the garden, and another murder occurs a couple of days later. Emma soon finds herself investigating these deaths, along with the help of Mrs. Fish.

This is the seventh book of the Gilded Newport Mysteries Series by Alyssa Maxwell. I have enjoyed learning about the beautiful homes that housed some America’s very wealthy during the late 19th century. She has perfectly woven mysteries with each of the homes and the people who inhabited them. Her characters are well-created and true to the time period. I can’t say that these books could necessarily be stand-alone novels, as the characters could cause confusion as to who is who. However, the author does her best to do a brief explanation of how they fit into her life. Pay attention as you read this book to pick up the clues to see if you can solve the mystery before the end of the book. Enjoy.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I'll start by saying that I'm a huge fan of this series. I always feel like I've been transported to Newport Beach. The writing is descriptive and elegant. I can picture myself right there with Emma. I will anxiously await the next book in the series and I highly recommend this book!

August 1898 in Newport, Rhode Island and Emma Cross is the acting Editor-in-Chief of the Newport Messenger. While she may have lots of Vanderbilt blood coursing through her veins, their money doesn't flow through her bank account. She mingles with the Upper Crust more because of her journalistic position rather than her pedigree. Along the way she encounters lots of crimes and she has a talent for investigation.
In this, the seventh entry to this wonderful historical mystery series, Emma first encounters death in the form of a body on a beach and it's no accidental drowning - the man has been stabbed. On top of that, he bares a resemblance to Emma's half brother, Brady. Stranger still, the man went missing years ago. He was out sailing and was presumed to have drowned. Her concern is not only why was he murdered and where had he been all this time but concern for the emotional state of Brady. How will he react to the news?
Beyond the puzzle of the body on the beach, Emma will attend the Fall Festival Ball being held by Mamie and Stuyvesant Fish (actual historical figures in Newport) at their cottage, Crossways. Such a magnificent home it is, as are all of the Upper Crust cottages of the time.
The guest of honor is to be Prince Otto of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, soon to be the late Prince Otto - he is found stabbed to death and Emma starts to figure out if the stabbed body on the beach and the stabbed Prince are connected. If that wasn't enough of a puzzle, a third person is killed.
If you are new to this series, don't worry, each book stands on its own but be ready to line up the rest of the series and binge read them in order. It will be reading time well spent. Emma is a very intelligent and confident woman, one with a talent for getting the answers when a homicide or two crosses her path. Add to this entry is Mamie Fish and she is quite a character. I love spending time with Emma and her worlds - the day to day one of a working woman in a man's world and the rarified world of the Newport rich. This is a series that is pitch perfect in every way.

August 1898 and Emma Cross is picnicing on the beach in Newport when a group of people discover a body of a man, presumably drowned. Emma is distressed to realise that the man resembles her half-brother Brady's father, presumed dead in a yachting incident many years ago.
Circumstances a few days later mean that Emma although Editor-in-Chief of the local newspaper, must attend a function of Mamie Fish, at their grand "cottage," Crossways. With the added bonus that Prince Otto of Austria will attend. But in the gardens his body is discovered.
Is there a connection between the two deaths, will there be more murders.
Another enjoyable and well-written mystery, which also has a couple of sub-plots added to the mix. Joined to this are the likeable characters and description of the era, which makes a satisfying addition to this series.

Murder At The Crossways is the seventh book in The Gilded Newport Mystery series.

Emma had hopes of an enjoyable day at the shore with the Vanderbilt's, her distant relation, ends of being ruined when she discovers the body of a man that has had his throat cut, lying on the Spouting Rock. Emma is startled when she first looks at the body as she fears it is her half-brother, Brady. She soon realizes that it isn’t Brady, but wonders if it might be his father that had reportedly, fallen off a yacht and drowned while sailing off of Newport some twenty years ago.

Before Emma can get started on investigating the identity of the dead man, learns that she must replace the reporter she had assigned to attend the Harvest Festival at The Crossways, the home of Mrs. Mamie and her husband. This is the last ball of the summer season and it has been reported that Prince Otto, from Austria, will be a special guest. The guests are anxiously awaiting the Prince’s arrival, while some are commenting that it was just a ploy to attract more attendees. But soon a scream is heard and the dead body of the Prince is found. The method of the Prince’s death and the body found at Spouting Rock are identical. Emma and Jesse Whyte, police detective, both feel that the two deaths are related, but are stymied by how. Once again Jesse welcomes Emma’s help in the investigation. Jesse has learned early on that Emma’s link to the Vanderbilt’s and other members of society will allow her to get information that they wouldn’t willingly share with the police.

I love this series. The books are well-written, plotted and the times are well researched. I particularly enjoy reading the descriptions of the houses that Ms. Maxwell is having the reader visit. The characters are well developed and I find it interesting to read about the interacting of the various classes of people.

I looking forward to the next book in this very enjoyable and informative series.

It's Fall in Newport and time for the annual Harvest Festival. Reporter Emma Cross has returned to Newport after a year living and working in New York. She had hoped that she could break out of the mold of "society" reporting but found that was an impossibility. When her love interest, Derrick Andrews, offers her a chance to be the editor-in-chief of her old newspaper, she jumps at the chance. Things are not all rosy at The Messenger, however. As usual, she faces opposition from the male staffers and what appears to be outright sabotage. And, she finds a body on the beach, one strongly resembling her half-brother, Brady's long-missing father, Stuart Gale. Emma fears that the man's reappearance will send Brady into an emotional, and probably drunken tailspin. The breakdown of The Messenger's society reporter's carriage throws Emma back into her old role. Stuyvesant and Mamie Fish are having a ball for the Harvest Festival, at which the guest of honor is to be Prince Otto of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Of course, The Messenger must be there. A murder in bizarre circumstances at the ball calls for Emma's investigation with the assistance of the flamboyant and eccentric Mamie Fish.

The Gilded Age Mysteries is an exceptionally well-researched series, aided by the author's long association with Newport. I enjoy all the descriptions of fashions and social mores, and especially the characters themselves. Mamie and Stuyvesant Fish are precisely what the historical record describes, especially Mamie's penchant for outspoken behavior! This is a historical mystery series well worth reading, and I thank Kensington Books and NetGalley.com for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.

RATING- 3.5 rounded up to 4 Stars

This is the seventh installment in the Gilded Newport series. The main character, Emma Cross, is now the editor-in-chief of a local newspaper while her love his interest attends to business interests in Providence. She is a Vanderbilt relative, which allows her access to the social circuit, but she is not wealthy in her own right. A body appearing to be the long-lost father of her half-brother Brady washes ashore, then Prince Otto of Austria is murdered at socialite Mamie Fish's Harvest Fall Festival. Are the murders connected? Emma intends to find out!

I've not read all the books in the series but I was easily able to pick right up into the storyline. I enjoyed the grand descriptions of the fashions and homes of the aristocrats. The suspects and plot twists progressed nicely throughout the book. While Emma's character was as strong as in the first books, Mamie's refreshing energy made this a 5-star one for me. I plan to read the middle books in the series and look forward to the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for a digital ARC. My review is voluntary.