WWI is finally over. The quirky and fun Renshaw siblings decide to travel to Staffordshire with their lady's maids to visit a renowned pottery factory to have a one-of-a-kind china service designed and created for their grandparents' anniversary. Naturally, there are as many differing opinions on style as there are siblings.

Death arrives at the factory as one of the two leading pattern designers is found in a messy position. Mysteriously, a crucial pattern book disappears. Eva, Lady Phoebe's Lady's Maid, inveigles her way into the factory to snoop around and befriends a female employee. Despite ensuing danger, Eva and Phoebe investigate, though the local inspector orders them to stop.

Meanwhile, a young friend of the youngest Renshaw siblings, Fox, is arrested for murder. The rest of the book follows this as well as family relationships and the search for the missing patterns.

The historical pottery and china details are uniquely fascinating and really taught me a lot. My mom collects china so will be thrilled to read this.

Though a couple of characters were shallow in ways, there was growth, too. I like and appreciate flawed characters. Twists were well written. Discover which china pattern is chosen in the end!

Cozy mystery meets historical fiction readers will enjoy this novel which oozes with charm, the sixth in the series (though could easily be read as a standalone).

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

Our protagonist, Phoebe Renshaw and her brother and sisters have traveled to Langston to visit Crown Lily Pottery where they are going to purchase a china service for their grandparents as an anniversary present. They meet two different designers and make arrangements to return the next day to review the designs and decide. On their visit, Phoebe's brother Fox is delighted to run into an old school chum who had left Eton to work at the pottery.

They are in the pottery owner's office the next day, when the body of one of designers is found. The police arrest Fox's friend, who was known to be disgruntled about leaving school and because his dog was found at the scene of the crime. Phoebe has solved crimes before so her family turns to her to help prove the innocence of Fox's friend.

Phoebe's maid and conspirator Eva goes undercover at the factory while their driver goes to the local pub to talk with the factory workers and gain info. The information gathered gives them more motives to work through and the story and resolution of the murder is entertaining and well done even if Phoebe has a crisis of faith when something goes horribly wrong.

I highly recommend this series-it is a great light historical mystery,

I requested and received an ARC of the book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

Phoebe and Eva are back to solve another murder in the sixth book in the series. The designer of a set of chins has been murdered, and he’s the father of Trent, who is a friend of Phoebe’s brother. Trent is initially a suspect but then it appears to more of a rivalry from another chins manufacturer. To get to the bottom of this mystery, Phoebe and Eva work together like always and Eva gets to go undercover a bit in this book.

As always, the mystery is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing. I like some of the historical details that pop up in the book which make it fairly obvious that this takes place in the early 1920s. The series including this book are highly recommended to anyone who likes historical mysteries.

This series and author just gets better and better as more novels are published. The two main characters are both feisty and fun. The writing is well crafted and both the mysterious story line and plot are extremely entertaining. Another fabulous addition to the historical mystery genre. I highly recommend this novel.

England, cosy-mystery, historical-fiction, historical-research, amateur-sleuth, women-sleuths

November 1920. The service in the title is pottery for dining on and refers to events that transpire in Staffordshire. The publisher's blurb gives a fair intro into the convoluted family history and involvements but is a little iffy on the sleuthing and murders. There is intrigue afoot in the factory and the first murder rather coincides with the family's arrival. The sleuthing is well done by Lady Phoebe and her best friend/maid Eva, especially since they believe that the constabulary is bent on pinning the crime on the 15 year old son of the victim/co-owner of the factory. It is a well formulated story with any fascinating, if exasperating, characters. I was riveted by it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!