This is a delightful cosy murder mystery set in December 1933 and a brilliant addition to the Miss Underhay Mysteries series. It is another intriguing, cosy, well paced, historical murder mystery that keeps you turning the pages, looking for clues and jumping to conclusions. It features Miss Kitty Underhay as the intrepid young lady who seems to be great at inadvertently becoming embroiled in solving murder mysteries. I actually believe the stories will also work well as standalones, especially as I've only read one of the previous books in the series.

In this story, Kitty is staying with her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin at Enderley Hall for the festive season. She's looking forward to enjoying the festivities as her beau, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, will be staying there, too. They are joined by other guests of her Uncle and, whilst Kitty and Matt were looking forward to a relaxing break, the unease build as they get to know the newcomers and the villagers but there's a murderer in their midst. Can Kitty and Matt help  Inspector Greville bring the perpetrator to justice before any of them become another of his victims? You'll have to read it for yourself to find out!

This is an enjoyable read, a great mix of family drama, romance and murder mystery, with well developed characters and plenty of twists to keep you guessing.  I don't usually comment on the synopsis for a book - but I have to say that some of the official blurb for this one doesn't actually reflect on what happens in the story I read - so be ready for some unexpected surprises! If you enjoy cosy murder mysteries set in the 1930s, I highly recommend you read this one!

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed.

Kitty Underhay is leaving her hotel, The Dolphin in Dartmouth that she runs with her grandmother, to visit her family at Enderley Hall for Christmas. Kitty is going with her beau, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, as well as her dedicated maid Alice. Kitty's aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Medford, have also invited Count Victor Vanderstrafen and his sister Juliet to stay and it is immediately apparent to Kitty that there is history between Matt and Juliet dating back to when Matt worked for the government's Diplomatic Service. Unbeknown to Kitty, Matt has been given an observation job by Lord Metford during his stay at Enderley Hall and Kitty starts to feel that someone is clocking the guests every move. Then the parish clerk, Miss Plenderleith is found dead on her doorstep...

Even though Helena Dixon's Murder in the Belltower is book five in the series, but my first, I still loved reading this book. Cozy mysteries are a definite favourite of mine and the 1930s setting definitely adds to its allure. Kitty and Matthew are great people and have a lovely, flourishing relationship. The storyline surrounding Kitty's mother is a bonus in an already compelling and rewarding tale. I am thrilled that I have the first four books in the series to catch up on and I'm also happily anticipating the sixth one, Murder at Elm House.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bookouture via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Murder in the Belltower is the fifth title in Helena Dixon’s Miss Underhay series. I’m a fan of historical mysteries, and have had my eye on this series, for a while. So I was happy to receive an advance copy of this newest book in the series from the publisher to review.

This is a classic cozy mystery, set in England, in the years between the two World Wars, at a Christmas house party held at an appropriately aristocratic manor and nearby village. Of course, although her grandmother has told her not to stumble into any more murders (!!!), our heroine, Kitty Underhay, and her beau, Matthew Bryant, do just that. So the tale unfolds. The cast of minor aristocrats, dithering companions, captains of industry, village worthies (or not so worthies), globe-trotting adventurers, and (possibly) a spy or two keeps things moving along. And a couple of different story arcs kept me guessing up to the end. (Note: one of the story arcs, concerning the disappearance of Kitty’s mother, has apparently continued over several books, and will continue into the next book, at least, per the blurb at the end.)

Since this is the fifth in the series, I was a little confused at first with all of the different characters, but author Helena Dixon does a good job of providing background information, so after a short while I was able to figure out who was whom, and who was related to whom. That helped a lot! The writing is also enjoyable, and I chuckled from time to time, such as when, towards the end, Matt asks one of the more enigmatic characters who he’s working for, and the character replies, with delightful ambiguity and a wink, “I’m always on the side of the angels”. I suspect we may see more of him in the future…

All-in-all, I enjoyed Murder in the Belltower, and look forward to reading other books in this series. Please note that four stars is my “normal” rating, since I reserve five stars for maybe one in thirty or forty books that I read. As a result, four stars is a solid “read” recommendation from me. And my thanks once more to the publisher, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Christmas 1933, Kitty Underhay is spending the holidays with her Aunt, Uncle and cousin Lucy, and house full of guests. She is looking forward to spending time with her friend Matt Bryant, and letting murders behind. Famous last words. Guests are not what they seem, espionage, blackmail …
This is the 5th book in the series and the first one I read, it was an easy to read, fun cozy mystery. Looking forward to reading the previous books, and future ones.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

Kitty Underhay has solved more than a few murders, but it is time for a break. What is more is that she is getting closer to discovering what happened to her mother years ago. Also, she has recently become acquainted with her father's family and is eager to spend the holidays with her aunt, uncle and cousin.

As she spends an extended trip visiting family, things begin to go awry. For one thing, Kitty starts to feel she is being watched. What is more is that she thinks someone has been rifling through her belongings. One of the other guests, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, begins to have the same sensations. This time should be relaxing for Kitty, especially as she and Matthew are now officially a couple and hope to use this time to draw closer.

However, a parish clerk is soon found dead, and Kitty cannot but help to jump in and start her own investigation. Matthew is there, as well as the local police, but Kitty still soldiers on. All the while, there are other guests causing Kitty concern. One of them is Juliet Vanderstafen. Kitty can sense a connection between Juliet and Matthew and that proves to be quite concerning. The suspect pool might be quite small, but this certainly does not make it easy to find the killer, especially with the hopes of preventing any other loss of life.

Not only did I love this book, I have enjoyed the previous four books in this series. Cozy mysteries are a favorite of mine. The fact that this book is set in the 1930s definitely adds to its charm. I love Kitty and Matthew and enjoy watching their relationship flourish, all while they handle less than pleasant things like murder. The side story of the situation involving Kitty's mother is an excellent addition to an already well-written story. I am excited that I have already been able to sign up for the blog tour for the sixth book in the series, Murder at Elm House, set for release in June.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

“Sometimes the most unexpected people can be capable of murder, do you not agree?”

Kitty Underhay is a very intelligent woman indeed. Full of interesting insights and accurate hypotheses, she's good at spotting the barely visible and influencing the audience. Helena Dixon used this to keep the reader's eyes and ears open to clues, which I love!

The relationship between Matt and Kitty is one factor which contributed to my enjoying this book. It isn't suffocating but not too subtle, concocted just the right way to make one feel all the feels. This is also true when it comes to the Lucy-Kitty tandem (with Muffy as a sidekick).

The plot is very complex yet appealing, its twists so abrupt leaving readers tingling with apprehension. Words are not enough to describe how much prowess the author holds in terms of building suspense! Despite not being very fast paced, Murder in the Belltower will keep you up all night owing to the aforementioned fact. Dixon also set the stakes higher by presenting us with endless possibilities, suspicion and suspects! I liked having to investigate alongside Captain Bryant, scraping Enderley Hall clean for clues (it was rather hard and confusing, a proof of the author's genius).

If you ever decide to pick up this book, which I recommend you do, know that you'll get more than you bargained for, in the most positive way possible. If the first impression cuts it down too low, the content will be an explosion deserving of the high praise.

This book is witty and a fun read, it satiated my appetite for a classic (sort of) setting, aristocratic drama and crime fiction. Helena Dixon is Agatha Christie but with a more ruthlessly sudden, shocking sting!

December 1933. Kitty Underhay and Captain Matt Bryant have been invited to Enderley Hall, home of her relations, for the Christmas period. Bryant has been contacted by his ex-boss at the Diplomatic Service to keep an eye on the other guests as they believe one of the guests may be a spy. But soon one of the villagers is found dead. Inspector Greville is called in to investigate, helped by Kitty and Matt.
Another entertaining well-written cozy historical mystery in this series with its cast of believable and likeable characters.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. Murder in the Belltower is the 5th book featuring Kitty Underhay and her beau Matthew Bryant set during the 1930s. The book could be read as a standalone, but there is a recurring storyline featuring the mystery around the disappearance of Kitty's mother during WWI that has run through all the previous titles. Kitty and Matt travel to Kitty's aunt and uncle's estate for a Christmas house party. Other guests include a young Austrian with a history with Matt that he can't disclose to Kitty. During the party, several deaths in the area occur; Kitty and Matt must determine if the deaths are linked and could be tied to attempts to steal her uncle's work.

As with previous titles in the series, the mystery is nicely done and interesting enough to keep me reading, but the characters are the reason I eagerly look forward to the next title. Kitty is delightful and I appreciate her level headedness. I enjoy watching the relationship between Matt and Kitty continue to develop and appreciate the pace of that development. The mystery around Kitty's mother's disappearance continues to intrigue me and I look forward to the developments revealed in each book. I am looking forward to many more titles in the series.

Murder in the Belltower is the fifth instalment in the Miss Kitty Underhay Mystery series, set in Enderley. The story opens with an advertisement in the Torbay Herald seeking information leading the arrest or conviction of Kitty's mother Elowed Underhay’s killer and a reward of £100 is offered. Elowed disappeared in June 1916 and was subsequently discovered buried behind a false wall in the unsavoury Glass Bottle pub in Exeter. It is widely believed that Ezekiel Hammett, the landlord of the pub, was responsible for the head injury that killed her and that he committed arson to hide the body of both Elowed and his half-brother Denzil who he is also suspected of murdering. Inspector Pinch, the detective in charge of the case is doing his best and keeping his ear to the ground. Fast forward to December 21st 1933 and Kitty is about to depart The Dolphin Hotel in Dartmouth to celebrate Christmas with her aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Medford, and cousin, Lucy, at Enderley Hall, accompanied by her faithful maid Alice. Her partner in crime (solving), private detective and ex-army Captain Matthew Bryant with whom Kitty recently started seeing will also be coming. They arrive just in time for lunch. Before travelling to Enderley, Matt is checking his mail at Torbay Investigative Services when he receives a call from Brigadier Remmington-Blythe who informs him that Lord Medford had agreed to use the occasion to entrap a potentially dangerous enemy of the country and Matt is tasked with watching out for any suspicious behaviour at Enderley and report back.

Count Victor Vanderstrafen and his sister Juliet arrive at Enderley from Austria having been asked to stay by Lord Medford but things get rather sticky when Kitty's new beau Matt turns up in his Sunbeam, and it appears there is history between them from his previous secretive work for the government's Diplomatic Service; they met 5 or 6 years ago at a party at an Embassy in London. Kitty believes someone up is watching the guests every move and when she discovers on a trip to the church that the Hammett's were local to Enderley she becomes even more paranoid. A party takes place for all the guests who were staying at the hall and some guests who lived locally. Mrs Plenderleith, secretary and treasurer of the parish council, decides to leave early after an altercation ensues between Mrs Vernon and Mrs Baker about how the Nativity should look which resulted in Mrs Baker "spilling" her Sherry over Plenderleith and Vernon. They leave early and the following morning Mrs Plenderleith's body is discovered outside her back door by the milkman. Inspector Greville is now on the case as they don't believe that she merely slipped on the icy pathway. Who would kill a seemingly innocent elderly lady and why? This is another compulsive, engrossing and mystery-charged read which makes for superb comfort reading or to escape the real world for a while. Both the time and place are beautifully described, so much so that you feel you're there with the characters. An original and intrigue filled story. Highly recommended

Couple sleuths are my favorite type of cozy mysteries. And Kitty Underhay and Matt Bryant are a great couple. Add to it that the book is set during one of my favorite time periods - the 1930s, and I can't wait for the next book. Helena Dixon's Murder in the Belltower is a fun Christmas time mystery that is full of characters with secrets.

I'm kind of surprised that this book wasn't published in December since the story is set during Christmas. It picks up right after book 4 ended. While Murder in the Belltower is book 5, I've only read book 4, Murder on the Dance Floor. A reader won't have any problem jumping right into the series with this book. The mystery surrounding Kitty's mother is an ongoing mystery that I presume started in book 1, but enough details are shared in this book that you won't be lost. Also, this book has its own stand-alone mystery and it is front and center, while Kitty's mother storyline is more of a minor plot thread.

Kitty and Matt are visiting Kitty's aunt and uncle at their country estate for Christmas. A motley crew of guests has been invited to celebrate the season. But it is just random that all these guests have been invited. There's a spy in their midst, and Matt has been enlisted by his former employer at the foreign office to determine who is leaking state secrets. As all of the guests have secrets it could be any one of them, and Matt isn't allowed to let Kitty know so she can't help him. The death of a local woman though gives the couple plenty of opportunities to play detective.

I really enjoyed the mystery and the unraveling of the many secrets. Some of the secrets I figured out before they were revealed and others I discovered right along with the characters.

While I liked the characters immediately in Murder on the Dance Floor. I enjoyed them even more in Murder in the Belltower. Really only Kitty, Matt, Alice (the chambermaid that serves as Kitty's lady's maid when she travels), and the Inspector are the characters from the previous book, though if you have been reading this series from the beginning you will be familiar with Kitty's aunt and uncle Lord and Lady Medford and cousin Lucy.

This installment reminded me of Rhys Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series. Though Matt is much more present in the story than Darcy is in Bowen's series. But if love Her Royal Spyness series, I highly recommend giving Dixon's Miss Underhay Mystery series a try.

If you are looking at the Goodreads or Amazon summary for the book, note that it isn't very accurate.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Tuesday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/02/murder-in-belltower-by-helena-dixon.html

Kitty Underhay had hoped for a quiet Christmas with her relatives and their guests at Enderley Hall. Her young man and private detective, Matt is going to be a special guest.
But death. seduction, international espionage and intrigue seems to follow Kitty wherever she goes, and with a killer on the run there is no escape.
Helena Dixon has taken the classical remote country house murder mystery and given it a fresh twist with characters to care about in this page-turning cozy mystery.

Christmas 1933 at Enderley Hall and Kitty and Matt have more murders to solve. I love everything about this series. The book is well crafted and the characters are realistic. With 2 murders and some glimpses into Matt's past this is a must read mystery. Bring on book 6!

It's so fun to be back with Kitty and Matthew! I absolutely love this series and I can't believe we're already on book five! It can be read as a standalone but I would recommend at least reading the previous book in the series, Murder On The Dance Floor first as there's a little of the storyline that runs over.

It's Christmas and Kitty has decided to spend it with her cousin Lucy and the rest of her family at Enderley hall, along with of course Captain Matthew Bryant as they are now officially 'walking out together'. She's hoping for a nice relaxing but unfortunately for her things don't quite go to plan as Juliet Vanderstafen, a mysterious woman from Matthew's past, is also a guest at Enderley hall. Things get worse, Miss Plenderleith, the local Parish clerk is found dead and Kitty gets herself wrapped up in the mystery.

Murder In The Bell Tower is such an additive read, I always get caught up in the story, feeling like I've actually been taken back in time to the 1930s.

What I always love about these stories is the attention to detail that Helena Dixon always puts into them. From the fashions, to the language, to the Christmas traditions and even there's even a mention of tensions within Europe with a bit of foreshadowing for the Second World War.

I will say it took a bit longer than I remember from the previous books for someone to actually show up dead but I didn't mind too much as I loved watching Matthew and Kitty navigating their new relationship whilst being surrounded by the tension in the air of Enderley hall.

Murder In The Bell Tower is a great addition to this wonderful series and I for one can't wait for more!

Christmas 1933 & Kitty Underhay is enjoying a restorative break from sleuthing on a visit to her family at Enderley Hall. The only thing marring her peace aside from the uncomfortable sensation she has of being watched is the obvious history between her beau, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant and another guest, the beautiful Juliet Vanderstafen. So, when the parish clerk is found dead on her front doorstep, Kitty leaps at the chance of distraction. The police are happy to conclude that Miss Plenderleith met her unfortunate end on a patch of ice, but Kitty isn’t convinced this was a case of bad weather and worse luck. And then the Reverend Crabtree is found hanging from the bell rope.
This is the fifth book in the series & whilst it could easily be read on its own there is the thread about Kitty’s mother running through the books also the romance between Matt & Kitty, which has its ups & downs. Another very well written book, which drew me in from the start & kept me turning the pages until it was finished. There were plenty of suspects as well as red herrings & twists & turns. The characters are well portrayed & have plenty of depth plus they fit into the era beautifully. I look forward to more books in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Another fabulous tale starring our heroine Kitty Underhay! In this the 5th book in this fabulous cozy crime series set in the 1930’s we see Kitty join her cousin Lucy and her family for a traditional Christmas at Enderley Hall.
Kitty’s family have as usual invited friends and acquaintances to celebrate with and among them Matt Bryant who is now more paramour than friend to Kitty, sharing a love of crime solving.
In usual fashion there is soon a death and then another abs Kitty discovers that Matt may be keeping his own investigation away from her. Using her skills and her friend and maid Alice, Kitty is soon getting stuck into her own investigation.
The characters are becoming well rounded and familiar and although each could be read as a standalone they make a charming series. As others have commented the artist who created the covers is to be complimented as these are delightful and truly evoke the style and atmosphere of the story.
I can’t wait for the next endeavours from Kitty and would highly recommend all the series.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Murder at the Belltower’ by Helena Dixon in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 5 in the Miss Underhay series of historical cosy mysteries. Christmas, 1933 and Kitty Underhay is hoping for a break from sleuthing. She is spending the holidays with her family at Enderley Hall. She is accompanied by ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, who she is now stepping out with (hurrah!).

Of course, along with mince pies and glasses of bubbly there is intrigue going on at the Hall. Kitty is sure that she is being watched and she’s also pretty certain that there is history between Mathew and another guest, the beautiful Juliet Vanderstafen. Oh, careful Kitty.

When a body is discovered Kitty leaps at the opportunity to investigate. The police may think that the unfortunate person slipped on some ice but Kitty isn’t convinced. Plus, there’s nothing like a spot of sleuthing to distract from those niggling doubts courtesy of the green-eyed monster.

This proved an engaging mystery and as with all the books in this series, a delight. It is a cosy mystery in the traditional sense and is light-hearted with an impeccable sense of its period setting. A total pleasure to read. I look forward to many more cases for Miss Underhay.

On a side note congratulations to the design team at Bookouture for such charming covers. They are very inviting.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Matthew and Kitty solve a series of murders at Christmas, where Matthew's past comes back to haunt the couple. I love the dual mysteries in this series, the current crime and the underlying mystery of what happened to Kitty's mother. Very much looking forward to the next one!

It is always a pleasure to return to the world of Kitty Underhay. In Murder in the Belltower, Kitty continues to try and solve her mother’s murder, as well as the mystery (or possibly mysteries) that crop up whilst she is staying with her aunt and uncle for Christmas.

I really enjoyed the wintry, Christmassy atmosphere of this book. It was fun to see more of Lucy (Kitty’s cousin) and her other relatives. I also enjoyed the development of her relationship with Matt - they are beginning to trust each other a little more.

The plot was great - there was a lot going on in this one, with three different (though potentially related) main threads. I thought it was handled well, as it would be easy for it to become confusing.

Overall, this was a fun murder mystery, which kept my attention all the way through. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

I am enjoying this series (2nd one I've read). I like the characters and the setting. The MC is needs to work, but isn't in a situation where you wonder how she has the time off to investigate murders. Things do seem to move forward as well in each book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest reveiw.

This is the sixth in the Miss Underhay series and, is another, light, easy read in the historic mystery genre. Relationships among characters, particularly Kitty and Matt continue to grow and evolve. This series may be best for readers who prefer series books as there are several storylines that began in the first book of the series and are woven through subsequent books. While some of these ultimately resolve, they serve to spark new storylines which are then on-going.

In this book, Kitty and Matt accept an invitation to celebrate Christmas at the home of her aunt and family. There are a number of guests and Matt is advised that Kitty’s uncle, who is on the cusp of an important discovery, believes someone on the guest list is trying to steal his plans. He doesn’t know who specifically, so he asks Matt to help him figure out who is guilty of potential espionage against England, without telling Kitty.

There are two murders in the book, and as they happen Kitty begins to figure out on her own that there is something else going on that Matt and her uncle are keeping from her. True to her nature, she does her own bit of sleuthing and figures out much of what they are trying to keep from her.

Several of the characters in the book are recurring, and interactions with them help to provide atmosphere and depth to the period. The book is fairly predictable, and is a good airplane or beach read. It is probably best enjoyed by fans of the series.