A Deception at Thornecrest is an entertaining mystery with a charming English countryside as the backdrop. The description from Netgalley sounded appealing so I quickly grabbed a copy not realizing this was the 7th book in the Amory Ames series. The book can be read as a standalone since I found it to easy to become familiar with the characters. I enjoyed this one so much that I will go back and read the first books in this series, if nothing else but to understand Milo and Amory's strange relationship. I was drawn into the story with the first sentence-Amory is enjoying the slow-pace of country living expecting her first child, a woman arrives on her doorstep claiming to be married to Amory's husband Milo. The arrival of this stranger begins a tale of secrets revealed as Amory works through the layers of deceptions, deceptions so deep that it leads to murder. The ending was unique and surprising! Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I recommend pouring yourself a cup of tea and enjoy your time in the English countryside.

Ashley Weaver's Amory Ames series has become one of my favorite mystery series; I love the setting (1930s England/America), the new mystery in each installment, the fashion, and the ongoing development of the relationship between Amory and her mysterious and often reticent husband Milo. This new installment was distractingly fun, setting the current mystery at the Ames's country house and the neighboring village.

The first sentence cleverly opens the door to an intriguing dilemma for the protagonist. This dilemma plays out in a small English town (centered on the great house of Thornecrest, home to the Ames. Soon that dilemma twists and turns, with secrets old and recent, and of course, death.

I could not put the book down. It is distinctly a page-turner. What are the currents running in this English town (and English towns never seem to lose their luster when investigations are needed.) Who is the mysterious young woman from London? What secret is the stable boy holding? Is the village girl finally settling on a suitor? What is the Deception? Is there only one?

I cannot wait to go back to the beginning of the Amory Ames novels and read them all.

As soon as I finished this book, I immediately missed the characters. I could read short stories about Milo and Amory going on walks or eating a meal and be thoroughly entertained. Amory has moved to the country estate, Thornecrest, to prepare for the birth of her first child. Everything is peaceful until a woman shows up on her doorstep claiming to be Mrs. Ames....Mrs. Milo Ames. Of course there's a murder and Amory, though weeks from giving birth, is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery filled with mistaken identities and long buried village secrets.

I thought this was a well written period murder mystery. I found this book to flow well and not drag at any point during the story. I liked that the author brought in several twists to keep me engaged in the story and wonder who committed the murders. I did not suspect the actual murderer. After reading this book, I want to read the other 6 books in this series.

The author has really done a good job of creating a sense of place and time so that you can imagine living near Thorncrest in the 1920's in England. That is the kind of reading experience I look for in a historical murder mystery.

A Deception at Thornecrest is a mystery that delightfully weaves interesting characters along with unexpected plot twists. The reader is captivated from the start. You will have a hard time putting this book down. It will leave you wanting to read other books by this author!

This is the first book in this series that I've read. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to give feedback. I enjoyed this murder mystery set in 1930's England. There is a cast of unique characters and a story that has you guessing "Whodunnit?" until the end. For an amateur sloth, Amory does a great job. I'm looking forward to starting at the beginning of the series.

This novel is 7th in a series. I read this book as a stand-alone novel and initially thought that the characters were underdeveloped. If I had known that there are six previous novels I would have understood that the main characters have been more deeply developed over time. The novel is set in the English countryside during the 1930s. The era and setting gives the reader the sense of a gentler time gone bye. At first glance it appears that an accident has occurred during the town festival. A closer look at the scene reveals this is no accident. A newcomer is arrested for the murder. However, while the newcomer is still in jail a second suspicious death occurs causing the newcomer to be released from jail. Murder in this small town leads to multiple suspects each with possible motives. Who would want to take the lives of these two people and why?

This is my first Amory Ames novel and I found it to be a delightful cozy set in 1930’s England. Amory is married to a landed gentry and delights in playing sleuth to happenings in their small village and during travels (or so I assume from hints in the story). This ebook #adeceptionatthornecrest starts with a new, heretofore unknown, member of the family showing up and frolics along after that. There is heartbreak, horses, murder and complications throughout and it turns out to be a great summer read! Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review ahead of publication.

Thank you to NetGlley and St. Matins Press/Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book to review.
This is the first book by this author that I have read and I can't wait to go back and read earlier books to get to know the characters backstory better. A great story, several murders and I as guessing until the end.

Took me about 2/3 of the book to really start to enjoy it. I enjoyed how there was no obvious answer to the murders; I kept guessing right up til the reveal. I also liked Amory and Milo, and enjoyed their interactions. This was the first Amory Ames book that I have read, so that might have influenced my rating.

I haven't read the other books in this series, but I was still able to enjoy this as a stand-alone novel. This book was so charming that it made me want to read the other books in the series. I loved the characters. The mystery kept me guessing. And I love the time period the book was set in.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy. I have not read the previous installments of this series, but this novel can be a stand-alone without much trouble. This tale takes place in the 1930’s, but I can’t say I felt a strong sense of time in the story. Perhaps it was the English country setting that Milo and Amory Ames find themselves in that could have been in several other decades. Amory is about to have a baby when a young lady appears to claim she is also Milo’s wife. All is revealed (not in an overly original fashion) while dead bodies must be contended with. This is very definitely a “cozy”, but not the most compelling I’ve read. Milo is largely distant and useless and Amory endures even more episodes of tea-taking than seem wise. The mystery was fairly neatly set out, but I doubt I read any others in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, an easy read that I consumed in one day. I had no idea that this was part of a cozy mystery series (Amory Ames) until the protagonist referred to her previous involvement in murder investigations. Knowing that, however, helped to explain the flow of the story and craftsmanship of the author.

Set in 1930s Great Britain, the book gives a glance at the life of rich country folk in a small village where scoundrels are given a second chance, pretty girls yearn for someone to steal them away, and murder is possible but highly unlikely. Amory Ames, the pregnant wife of a handsome wealthy local with a questionable past of his own, uses her inquisitive mind and unflagging dedication to problem-solving to get to the bottom of things. The result is an enjoyable, if somewhat predictable, escapade among a variety of suspects and a satisfying conclusion.

This is the first book I have read in this series, and it does stand alone, but I do need to go back and get to know the characters better.

I thought the start was really good and I got right into the book, but the first issue was resolved really quickly. I was like, okay. . . what's next as the book slowed down, and I got kind of bored, but then it picked up again with a murder. And eventually another murder. And then it was good again, and the ending was fantastic.

This is definitely worth reading!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of A Deception at Thornecrest. Great characters and a very enjoyable read.

First time I have read this author and will look forward to reading additional books by this author.

Ashley Weaver delivers marvelously on the "Who Done It" with a Deception at Thorncrest in the style of Agatha Christie and in the same time period.

I love the characters and hope we get to see Teddy grow up. Amory and Milo are expected for the time period and their station in life.

Thank you for such a great book and capturing my attention from the very beginning. The author kept the pace steady throughout and I loved the twist at the end. I will be looking for more books from this author.

Absolutely delighted to be given an advanced reader copy of A DECEPTION AT THORNECREST by Ashley Weaver, thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books. Ms. Weaver's series about Milo and Amory Ames has quickly become one of my true favorites these past few years. When I first discovered them, there were three in the series and I read them as fast as I could. Each one is different in its own way, just enough that you don't feel like you're reading the same story, as some series books do. In each book, I feel like we've seen the relationship between Milo and Amory grow as they are faced with new challenges. A DECEPTION AT THORNECREST was no different. In this episode, Milo and Amory are home in Allingcross, Kent eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child. It is April 1934 and the book starts off with a bang--a strange woman comes to call and claims she is also married to Milo. I'm always impressed by how truly unflappable Amory is! What follows is a mystery involving real and imagined new relations to the Ames, as well as several murders in their hometown. I LOVED the introduction of two new characters in their lives, who I hope will be a frequent presence in future books. Ms. Weaver has a great rhythm writing about this lovely couple. I feel like every one I pick up, I'm getting reacquainted with old friends. Highly recommend!!!!

Another delicious mystery with Milo and Amory. Though it held its own as a standalone mystery, The relationship between Milo and Amory is far more exciting when you know their history.

Excellent author, excellent mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

More like 3 1/2 stars - I can say that, having read all previous books in this series, this one is a great improvement over the last one. I still love the characters but miss the atmosphere of the earlier novels. This one lacked the details that would firmly place it in that historical time period. Where I used to get lost in the world of ‘30s glamour, now we get details of what color the dress is and whether it covered her pregnancy. There was still a bit of a taboo at that time about showing, but the author/Amory’s approach was more about acknowledging that it existed rather than living with that reality. In other words, it felt thrown in with an eye roll rather than a natural part of the story. Show, don’t tell.

Having said all that, I actually did enjoy the book. It is still closer to my beloved golden age mysteries than any other current authors I’ve read in this genre. I just wish she could recapture the feel of the earlier books. I still enjoy the strong relationship between Amory and Milo, and have enjoyed watching them learn to appreciate and respect each other more. While I missed seeing more of Winnelda throughout the book, she clearly comes through when it counts. It will be interesting to see where Weaver goes with these family additions and how it will play out.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for a fair review.