A great read full of interesting characters I want to learn more about, I did find the mystery very easy to figure out though.

I mentioned in the first review that this series held promise. It is a rare occasion when I can happily admit my prediction came true. This second instalment is a much better work than its predecessor. The writing was smooth and flowing, with emotions tied up to the ongoing investigations. It drew me in, to the extent that I ended up reading it in one sitting, not really pausing during my meal and ending up sleeping later than I have recently.
I could point out the factors that play out in its favour:
1) Lyndy is not the typical supportive fiancee. He is flawed and has very few real interests. He does not make any claims to be anything other than an ordinary gentleman. Particularly with a focus only on his girl and horses (and not necessarily in that order always).
2) We get a few chapters, scattered throughout the narrative from the point of view of even some small players. This enhanced the overall atmosphere of the narrative.
3) The plot was simple, sad, but well done. It had me emotionally invested in the outcome as well as the collateral damage that was caused. I almost suspected the culprit(s), unsurprisingly I got it wrong (although not entirely, which is not much better than being wrong in this case).
.4) The side characters were very vivid, and there were some hidden gems among the lighter moments.
5) It has really stepped up my hopes for the next instalment.
I may not have mentioned our leading lady Stella in the above points or the content of the mystery, but that doesn't mean her part is small. She is open and engaging, and her emotions are visible to the public. The engaged couple is slowly coming to understand and trust each other. This slow build of the relationship was also presented in a very appealing manner. The mystery is better met while reading as it takes a while to set in, and then the unravelling is also done similarly.

I look forward to reading the next instalment. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes reading historical cozies. 
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Clara McKenna’s Murder at Blackwater Bend is the second in her series of early twentieth century cosy mysteries. Set, like the first, in the New Forest, it features Kentucky heiress Stella Kendrick and Lord Lyndhurst (“Lyndy”), the fiancé-of-convenience with whom she is inevitably falling in love, as they career through the countryside solving high society murders. 

As with the first, I really enjoyed this book. Stella’s unconventional approaches and friendships (with the local snake man, for example! And a girl of inferior social status!) scandalise her would-be in laws, while her cantankerous father only make things worse. I loved the characterisations, especially Lyndy — whose amused fondness for his maverick future wife is touchingly wholesome — but there’s a gallery of others, too, from the local innkeeper through to the hard-nosed female journalist, the swashbuckling adventurer and the savagely predatory Lady Philippa. I also particularly enjoyed the New Forest settings. 

All in all a pacy, well-written adventure that kept the pages turning. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

A delightful and entertaining mystery, centering around 1900's.  This is the second installment of the series and Clara Mckenna continues to intrigue and capture her readers.  I highly recommend this novel. 

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Murder at Blackwater Bend
by Clara McKenna

This book is the second book in the series and despite not having had the chance to read book 1, reading this worked as a stand alone. I enjoyed this book so much that I will read the first book in the series. I really enjoyed this historical fiction cozy mystery a lot. Stella Kendrick is a fun character - a native from Kentucky who gets caught up in British high society and of course Murder. I love the writing and reading this fun cozy story with a mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I recommend this for a great escape read and for fans of cozy mysteries, this is a wonderful series.

I really enjoy this series. I love the historical setting, the characters and the mystery is always keeps me guessing. One domineering parent for each, so they at least have that in common. Rich American girl, Titled poor Englishman, but will they ever get to the alter with Mom not wanting it?

Clara Mckenna immerses us in Edwardian society with Stella and Lyndy who are celebrating their engagement as a notorious lord is murdered and Stella finds him.  Lyndy's mother tries to break the engagement  but Stella and Lyndy hang in there.  Whodunit?  The widow?  A visitor?  A local?  Mystery with manners.  Worthy second mystery in this series.

I am loving this series.  Lyndy and Stella are great together, I just wish they’d elope already!  

Engaging story.  Fast paced. Great mystery that keeps you guessing.  And everyone gets what they deserve.  I only wish Lyndy’s mother and Stella’s father would get their comeuppance.  

I can’t wait for future additions to this series.

First time reading "Clara McKenna" and I have to say,this was a fantastic read,I really enjoyed the story! It was so much fun to read,her in to read! Historical fiction crime story where the characters in this story were so interesting with the plot! I love her writing style and I'm pretty sure I haven't read any of her stories but I'm sure going to make sure I look for more. In this story,you have everything that makes one story great,mysterious,adventurous,you have a crime to figure out! Enjoy ,wait til you find out who is behind this! No,not telling you! Thank you Net Gallery for letting me read this!

Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna is an interesting combination of historical romance and murder mystery. The story is complex and well developed. The characters are delightful showing the Cultural differences between Americans and English as well as various classes. I also liked that the setting wasn’t London.

I think there's a lot of potential in this series but this story didn't keep my attention.
I will try the next installment, this one wasn't my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Murder at Blackwater Bend is Clara McKenna’s second Stella and Lyndy Mystery, in which the young couple is now formally engaged although a wedding date has yet to be set. Kentucky heiress Stella Kendrick has endured a crash course in aristocratic mores from her fiancé’s mother. Lady Atherly is a stiff, snobbish woman who resents her family’s need for an American bailout. She dislikes Stella’s refreshing openness and has nothing for disdain for Lord Atherly’s happiness with the betrothal. 

Besides, what did happiness have to do with it? This was about tradition, decorum, survival. And everything rested precariously on the shoulders of a young, ill-bred American girl. How could that possibly make her happy?

How could the earl be unhappy? He has everything he wants, particularly enough money to continue funding archeological endeavors, his passion.  If Lady Atherly were to ask her son how he felt about his engagement, Lyndy would say he was as pleased as punch. Kendrick’s money will rescue Morrington Hall, particularly the racing stables which will be elevated to the standard of his grandfather’s day.

Fortuitously, Stella and Lyndy are both horse-mad, something they’ve had in common since they first met. They also have a flair for solving mysteries. Lastly, the more time they spend together, the more vital Stella becomes to Lyndy’s personal happiness. 

How Lyndy loved that smile. He’d basked in it for the past two months, getting to know the woman who wore it. He’d never done anything as frustrating, challenging, or thrilling; much like the woman herself.

Everywhere Stella goes, she’s evaluated and judged, obviously because one day she’ll be the mistress of Morrington Hall but also because she sticks out. She’s a wealthy, independent American, who drives her father’s Daimler. But perhaps most shocking to stratified English society, she’s friendly to everyone. There are events that Stella and Lyndy are expected to attend, like the New Forest Pony Challenge, where all the local landowners enter their ponies into competition. Cecil Barlow, a dashing exotic plant hunter who divides his time between England and South America, acts as the master of ceremonies.

“May the best pony win,” Cecil Barlow shouted.

 

“Bloody chance of that happening!” a shout rang out above the applause. Abruptly murmurs and gasps replaced the applause and cheers. “Seems more likely me pony will sprout a horn than win as it should.”

It’s George Parley, a wealthy landowner with excellent ponies, that shouts at the crowd. He’s not subtle: he flat out accuses the judges of fixing the results. The recipient of said judge-fixing is not pleased.

“I say, Lyndhurst, shall we proceed?” Fairbrother, nonplussed by George Parley’s accusation, pushed open the gate in the fence and entered the ring. “I have no doubt the judges know a good pony when they see one.”

 

Lyndy didn’t doubt it either. Pity they probably weren’t going to let the best one win.

Nor did they—the 1905 Cup ends up going to Lord Fairbrother, for the seventh year in a row. Stella is not a fan of Lord Fairbrother, finding his attitude and swagger quite unappealing. Additionally, he’s married to the oh-so-perfect Lady Phillipa, who was once touted as Lyndy’s future viscountess. The gathering degenerates into a brawl, erupting with accusations. Lyndy storms out, thoroughly fed up. Stella follows him outside, and they share her umbrella. Before Stella visits the stables to see her favorite horse Tully, Lyndy crushes her in an embrace and invites her to come fly-fishing with him.

“I’d like to teach you.” Of course, she’d agreed, the strength of his arms still wrapped around her. She never imagined she’d enjoy it so much.

While fishing, beginner’s luck is with Stella…or so it seems. When Stella tries to free her feathered fly, she falls into the water awkwardly when her boot becomes wedged under something beneath the water. That something turns out the body of Lord Fairbrother. Perhaps he drowned by accident? Stella, Lyndy, and Aunt Rachel are soon joined by the local police, Constable Waterman and Inspector Brown. Stella is shaken by Lord Fairbrother’s death and her fiance’s instinctive reaction is to get her warm and supply her with a cup of tea. But Stella is made of sterner stuff.

Lyndy meant well, but she hadn’t asked any of her questions yet. She twisted in his embrace to face the policemen again.

 

“But what happened to him, Inspector?” She’d avoided asking but couldn’t stand it any longer. She had to know. “Did he drown, or was he murdered.”

Not unexpectedly, Inspector Brown hedges his bets but when Lyndy pushes, Brown admits that he expects foul play. In Murder at Morrington Hall, the police found it disconcerting that Lyndy and Stella insisted on being part of the investigation of the local vicar’s murder, but Brown has no misgivings this time.

Besides, Brown had thrown away any semblance of standard protocol when these two aided him with his last murder case. They’d caught the killer, hadn’t they? What was the harm in involving them again?

You won’t get any complaints from Stella. She’s “supposed” to be planning an elaborate engagement dinner, a test of her ability to mingle with the local hoi polloi. Lyndy reminds her of it when on the day of the party, she insists on tracking down Inspector Brown.

“Why, Miss Kendrick,” Lyndy teased, “some would accuse you of being lax in your duties, willing to do anything, even delve into the sordid details of the murder, rather than host a dinner party.”

Laughing, Stella agrees, “they would be right.” Stella and Lyndy come from different backgrounds but together they’re creating a life that combines the best of the old and new worlds. I look forward to their next adventure, hopefully after a splendiferous wedding.

I have only just started reading historical murder mysteries and as with the other few I have read, I find the beginning a little slow as the scene is set and the characters set up but once the murder has been done and the mystery starts I found this book very hard to put down. I found the characters very well written and even though this is the second in the series and the character's relationships had started then, I didn’t feel as if I was missing anything.  The characters were also very easy to follow, having had a little trouble keeping up with some other books. I liked the way there was more than one mystery and it was enjoyable trying to work out who done it! I thought I had worked it out ¾ of the way through but I was wrong. This, I feel makes a good mystery. For those who like historical romance, this book also had enough to keep you happy. There was no sex or swearing in this book.  It was a very pleasant read and I will be looking forward to reading more by this author.

This book was interesting and full of historic and descriptive detail. I enjoyed the story, but I found the number of different characters introduced and all their storylines a bit difficult to follow and remember. All in all the plot was well thought out and made for a very enjoyable summer read, highly recommend!

Thank you, Net Galley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 
	In this book, we follow recently engaged Viscount Lyndhurst “Lyndy” and his fiance Stella who must follow social protocols. When Lord Fairbrother’s horse wins best in breed again, the town is outraged. While out for a morning fishing trip, Stella and Lyndy discover his body floating in the river. And they decide to try and solve what happened.

	This is a fast-paced read that immerses you in the 1900s, it was very reminiscent of Downtown Abbey. At times the author relied heavily on the phrase ‘Stella’s eyes popped open.’ It was repeated many times throughout the text. What would have made this book have a higher rating would be if Stella had more agency. She lacked depth and came across as superficial. It would have been interesting to see more of how Stella felt about the murder and having to balance her life with pleasing Lyndy’s mother and aunt. I think this is a good set up for the series, and I haven’t read the first book, and I wasn’t lost at all. I think if there was more character development, it would have elevated this book more.

'Wild-hearted Kentuckian Stella Kendrick cautiously navigates the strict demands of British high society as the future Lady of Morrington Hall. But when petty scandals lead to bloody murder, her outspoken nature could be all that keeps her alive . . . 
 
Following a whirlwind engagement to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, Stella is finding her footing within an elite social circle in picturesque rural England. Except tea time with refined friends can be more dangerous than etiquette faux pas—especially in the company of Lady Philippa, the woman Lyndy was once set to marry, and her husband, the ostentatious Lord Fairbrother . . .  
                
Outrage erupts and accusations fly after Lord Fairbrother’s pony wins best in breed for the seventh consecutive year. The man has his share of secrets and adversaries, but Stella and Lyndy are in for a brutal shock when they discover his body floating in the river during a quiet morning fishing trip . . . 
 
Suddenly unwelcome around hardly-grieving Lady Philippa and Lyndy’s endlessly critical mother, Stella faces the bitter reality that she may always be an outsider—and one of her trusted new acquaintances may be a calculating killer. Now, Stella and her fiancé must fight against the current to catch the culprit, before they’re the next couple torn apart by tragedy.'
_______________________________

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.

Murder at Blackwater Bend is the second book in Clara McKenna's debut A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series and is a historical mystery.

I felt that we got to know more about the main characters, Stella and Lyndy, in this book. We can see in comparison to the first in the series how Stella's free spirit and compassion is aiding her to gain acceptance in New Forest instead of being looked at as the crass American heiress. Of course she still has certain staunch detractors that she must put up with though.

I was very happy with how everything turned out with this mystery. There was a good balance of red herrings, unsavory characters, and sleuthing. I wasn't really taken by surprise by the identity of the villian, but there were additional plot points that I wasn't expecting and that I thought really added to the story.

One of the things that I enjoy most from this series is just how very clumsy this amatuer sleuthing duo is. Bodies seem to always find the way into their path and their hearts are always in the right place, but largely most of their success comes from inadvertantly stumbling across clues. For me that makes it much more realistic and amusing for me to read and endears the characters to me that much more.

I am really enjoying the A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series so far and look forward to the next book. I would recommend this series to others who enjoy historical mysteries.
_____

I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing a copy of Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna with me. This is my honest review.

Murder at Blackwater Bend is the second outing for Stella and her betrothed, Lyndy (Viscount Lyndhurst). Her future mother-in-law still dislikes her, wishing that her son had married Philippa. Instead, Stella's wealthy and disagreeable father, makes a financial deal with the Viscount's family, a deal that will be a massive help to the cash poor family. What starts out as a marriage for financial reasons turns into a true affection between Stella and Lyndy. Soon, however, their wedding plans hit another snag, this time in the form of murder. Philippa had married money after all but he was a bounder and a cheat. To say he was disliked was mild, somebody bumped him off and made Philippa a very wealthy young widow. Soon the Vicount's mother, Lady Atherly, sees a possibility of getting rid of Stella's money and replacing it with the much more socially acceptable Lady Philippa and her new wealth. Stella is more comfortable with horses and the lower classes and that isn't what Lady Atherly has planned.
I enjoy historical mysteries- this is set in 1905 England - and the mystery was very satisfying, full of well developed characters, lovely settings and a romance. This series has earned a place on my must read list.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is an excellent series. Stella and Lundy have barely got over their last encounter with a murder investigation but find themselves embroiled in another one.
Stella is a lovely character. She is elegant, rich, and nice! American women are so often portrayed as supremely confident and ready to take the world by storm but Stella is a much quieter character. She is clever and brave but she also has moments where she is overwhelmed by what she's is witnessing and experiencing and that makes her much more relatable and likeable. Lyndy is sweet and nice and I love the way the two of them become closer as they navigate their way to married life together.
This mystery had me guessing. There were so many characters with questionable behaviour it could easily have been any of them. The suspense and fast pace kept me gripped and the romance will keep me invested in the rest of the series. I can't wait.

Murder at Blackwater Bend is the second in Clara Mckenna's totally adorable Lundy and Stella series. The story takes place in Hampshire, England, in 1905 at Morrington Hall, the seat of Lyndy's parents, Lord and Lady Altherly. Stella and Lundy are betrothed, despite the fact Stella is an American, or rather because of it: Stella is an American heiress. Her father, less than attractive in his behaviors, sold her to the highest bidder, but she and Lyndy have hit it off despite Stella's very unpredictable behavior. Lady Atherly hates her openness, but it was what had made Lyndy fall in love. There's a lot going on in this book, aside from the main plot which is figuring out who murdered poor Harvey Milkham, the local snakecatcher, and later, Lord Fairbrother. 

This is a really cute Victorian novel, which plays on the differences between American society and English society at the turn of the 20th century. Some of the characters are quite entertaining, including the two, Barlow and Miss Cosslett, who are both total frauds and present for their own reasons.  Lady Atherly is amusing in her attempts to come between Lyndy and Stella, as is Lady Phillipa who thinks she had Lyndy by the nose. Stella keeps them both in line and charms most of the rest of the cast as she does it. The murder plot is a good one and it takes a little to unravel all the false clues and red herrings. All's well that ends well, and it looks like Lyndy and Stella may actually make it to the altar. I recommend it. 

I was invited to read an ARC of Murder at Blackwater Bend by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #murderatblackwaterbend

This is the second book in Clara McKenna's Stella and Lyndy mystery series set in 1905 England. I thought the first book was delightful and this one doesn't disappoint.  I loved the descriptions of Stella driving the roads around New Forest in her motorcar with Lyndy hanging on for dear life!! Stella is still trying to navigate the English aristocracy hoping for Lyndy's mother's approval. But Lyndy loves Stella and finds her a breath of fresh air that he doesn't want to change. Of 
course murder pops it's ugly head up and Lyndy and Stella are drawn into the investigation. 
There's much to love about this book.  It's a fast read with a layered, intriguing mystery, Stella and Lyndy are characters to root for and enjoy. The secondary characters are well written as well. I also enjoyed the setting of New Forest...in fact I did a Google search to learn a little more about it. I like a book whose location is like another character. I'm hoping this will be a long running series. 
Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.