Murder at Westminster, book 2 in Magda Alexander's Kitty Worthington series is an enjoyable cozy mystery set in 1920's London. Kitty and her crew investigate the murder of the Duke of Wynchecombe, in a race to save her sister Margaret's sweetheart Sebastian from hanging. A little romance, some 1920's history, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

First time reading this author, and I really enjoyed the book. I will be looking into getting the first book in the series. The murder kept me guessing and I liked all of the characters.

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

Murder at Westminster by Magda Alexander is am English mystery taking place in the early 1920s. It has all the charm and many of the customs of The British aristocracy from earlier periods but is beginning to loosen, particularly with regard to appropriate behavior for women. Kitty Worthington is a young woman of the aristocracy who also enjoys solving crime. She has a sister, Margaret, who is an unabashed suffragist and is currently organizing a protest rally. Their mother wants them both married titles preferable. Sebastian is a young man in thrall with Margaret and spends most of his time with her. She is the heir to a dukedom but his grandfather the duke, refuses to see him and gives him a very minimal amount of money on which to live. His primary concern is his sister, who is the ward of the duke, and whom he is unable to see. They communicate by post. Now, his grandfather has betrothed Lily to a man three times her age and Sebastian must find a way to stop it. In the commotion, the duke ends up dead and Sebastian is arrested for his murder. There are any number of complications.

Sebastian is a good young man, but not creative. Creativity is left to Kitty and to her mother, although in different realms. Kitty immediately organizes a "committee" to investigate the murder and the members learn all manner of interesting things along the way. Kitty has a potential beau, Inspector Robert Crawford, of Scotland Yard. He proves to be helpful in the investigation but is taking his time in the romance department. It is a good plot and written formally, as are most traditional English mysteries. The clues are all there; it is a matter of putting them together. It is a very enjoyable read, an early twentieth century cozy. I loved it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder at Westminster by Hearts Afire Publishing, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #netgalley #heartsafirepublishing #magdaalexander #murderatwestminster

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all opinions are my own. 3.25 stars rounded down to 3. Murder at Westminster is the second title to feature Kitty Worthington, but this title can easily be read as a standalone. After helping clear her brother's name, Kitty has thrown herself into the whirlwind of the London season in order to make her mother happy. She's also helping her sister plan a march for women's suffrage. Her sister Margaret's special friend, Sebastian Darlymple, the Marquis of Thropplethorpe finds himself the prime suspect in his grandfather's death and only Kitty can help clear his name and obtain his freedom. With assistance from her sister, friends, and the rest of her family, will Kitty be able to unmask the culprit in time?

I found this title to be a strong second title that built on the promise of the first one. I enjoyed the mystery and felt there were enough twists to keep me interested even though I was able to figure out the culprit. Kitty continues to be enjoyable, and the secondary cast is well-developed and interesting in their own right. I really appreciated the inclusion of the suffrage movement and general political environment in post WWI. I will definitely be looking for future titles in the series.

Kitty And Her Faithful Troupe…
The second in the Kitty Worthington series of mysteries, set in a 1920’s London, finds the sometime amateur sleuth on the heels of a killer. A member of high ranking nobility has been murdered and she is determined to discover the truth. Her sisters honour is at stake after all, as it’s her beloved that appears number one suspect. Has he been framed? Kitty and her faithful troupe, including endearing Basset Hound, rush around Westminster in a race against time. Another frothy, enjoyable romp and a fitting series addition.

Great detective story! Kitty, main character, is a lovely girl with strong character and opinions and her ways to find out the truth. Who's the culprit? Will she help to rescue her sister's love from murder accusations? Read to find out 😁

This was a fun cozy mystery set in the 1920s and the second book in the series.

Kitty Worthington is out amateur sleuth. She’s from an upper crust family and she’s in the middle of the season, but she and her sister Margaret are also becoming more involved in the suffragette movement. When an awful, manipulative peer is murdered, there’s no shortage of suspects and Kitty becomes invoked after the Peet’s grandson is accused of the murder, because he’s friends with Margaret. She ends up working together again with Inspector Robert Crawford.

This book is probably best described as fun, with a good mystery that has some red herrings. There’s some nicely developed characters and we’re starting to get more layers to their personalities in this second book and we have even more sparks between Kitty and Crawford. It’s a bit light in the historical details, for example I continue to be a bit surprised by the amount of healthy young men considering women outnumbered men considerably after WWI.

I’m looking forward for more of Kitty’s adventures in the next book!

Such a fun murder mystery! I wasn't aware this was a series, so every once in awhile I got caught up in what might have happened in the first murder, but I loved it it nonetheless. I plan to go back and read the first in the series, and I can't wait to read more about Kitty and her adventures.

I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from the very beginning, and I’m happy to say I will be continuing to read this entire series. I am sad I did not get to begin with the first novel in the series but I am grateful to not have too much revealed about what transpired so I could still go into the book without being spoiled.

Kitty Westminster, an amateur sleuth previously helped solve a precarious murder on a train that involved her brother. Now in wake of another murder her sister Margaret and Lily the sister of the accused Sebastian who’s Grandfather was murdered and all signs point to his grandson, who he did not favor or acknowledge.

I enjoyed the development of the story over time as each piece of the puzzle was discovered into to finally figure out what truly happened that night in the garden. Who Killed the Duke? And why?

Thank you to Hearts Afire Publishing, NetGalley, and of course Magda Alexander for writing this amazing book and series! I cannot wait to read the rest of series and continue this journey with Kitty and her lovely friends and family! This review will be posted on my Goodreads haleyyneal thank you!!!

A fun romp of a historical cozy mystery set in 1920s London. After a noble is found murdered, Kitty's sister's beau is being framed for the crime. Kitty along with her trusty maid and other nobles set out to find the killer.

This novel has all the elements of a historical romance - young woman with unscrulous guardian, smitten young man and seemingly oblivious object of his desire, struggle for equality and emancipation, wrongful accusation and mystery in this well crafted story with intelligent protagonists and dialogue.

there are two identity mixups Ch 12should be Lilly not Kitty
p81 “Who’s Ned?” Kitty asked, her gaze bouncing between Margaret and me
p82, “I’m sure it can be arranged,” Kitty said with a smile. “My brother is now the Duke of Wynchcombe. They would want to be in his good graces.”

Set in 1923 in London, England, Murder at Westminster is the second book in the Kitty Worthington series by Magda Alexander. This books opens just weeks after book one closed with Kitty still heavily involved in her debutante season but also helping her sister Margaret with the organization of an upcoming suffrage march. Although the marchers committed to maintaining a peaceful presence, a number of antagonists confront them part way through the march and begin attacking them, which ends up with the marchers and the antagonists all being arrested and taken to jail. The following morning the grandfather of Margaret's boyfriend Sebastian is discovered murdered and due to the strained family relationship the focus is quickly put on him as the culprit.

This series does a good job of enlightening the reader as to the customs and practices of the aristocracy of England as well as the relationships between economic classes and the author has created several multi-dimensional characters whose interactions are completely believable. By showing the friction and opposition that occurred when women in England were lobbying to be allowed to vote, the author has given a platform for educating the reader on the proper ways to effect substantive change in society..

As the clues are unraveled, the reader is also treated to a number of twists and red herrings that point to a variety of suspects and motives but as Kitty and her "investigating committee" pursue the numerous directions, it becomes clear that there are more intricate issues than originally indicated. I was particularly impressed with how the author made the culprit into a somewhat sympathetic character who appeared to be on the side of justices but still took the time to throw suspicion on Sebastian as he committed the crime.

I look forward to reading more from this author and seeing how the characters continue to develop and grow as individuals and a group in future installments of this series.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

3.5 stars

This second book in the Kitty Worthington series is fun and diverting. Kitty is an independent woman, sort of, in the early 20s in England. She comes from a loving and wealthy family and is involved in the social season, a sanctioned marriage market, where her mother is hoping for a suitor with a title. Kitty has lots of offers but really isn't interested in settling down for a few years.

She and her sister Margaret have gotten very involved in the suffrage movement and their family is unusually supportive. When their brother Ned was accused of murder (last book) Kitty jumped in to help clear his name and met hunky Scotland Yard Inspector Robert Crawford. Kitty can't quite figure him out -- his clothes, bearing and education point to someone well off. There is definitely a spark there between them.

This mystery involves the murder of a thoroughly awful man, a peer who is trying to marry off his granddaughter to an old lech with money and a title. The grandson is totally ignored. The murder victim likes to manipulate people and play power games and dozens of people are in his debt for gambling losses. It's no surprise and not much loss when he turns up dead.

But when the grandson, Margaret's particular friend, is accused, Kitty and entourage step in again to solve the crime. These characters are likable and fun and this is a quick read.

My big gripe is that any book written in England set in the early 20s should be a little more historically sensitive. The Great War had ended not long before, and Britain and most of Europe was devastated. And the sons of the ruling classes as well as everyday citizens and laborers suffered horrendous losses. The war is barely mentioned here and the pages teem with healthy young men. It just feels a bit tone deaf.

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

Set in London in the early 1920s, this is the second adventure starring Kitty Worthington, daughter of a wealthy family of the English upper class, who - after having brilliantly solved a crime of which a family member had been accused, preventing the handsome Inspector Crawford "put a noose around his neck" - hopes to survive her debut season, made of dancing, afternoon tea and silly marriage proposals (also, and above all, encouraged by his mother, whose only wish seems to be to finally see her married to a member of the British aristocracy).
But a crime is around the corner and Kitty, once again, will have to work hard to clear an innocent close to her family from the accusations (and from the gallows). Gathered a group of trusted family and friends, our heroine will direct their investigations by questioning dukes and butlers, sneak into dangerous and infamous taverns and come to reveal the real culprit in pure Agatha Christie's style, gathering investigators and suspects in a room for final explanations.
A book that deserves 4 stars with a writing that strikes you from the very first pages for how lively, bubbly and ironic it is, an intelligent and stubborn protagonist who moves against the background of a London that is still very tied to traditions (some scenes's descriptions, and the attitudes of certain exponents of the old aristocracy remind a lot of Dowton Abbey) but also is going towards modernity (you drive cars, you dance the Charleston, you march for the right to vote for women). A special mention for Sir Winston, the family basset hound which, between gargantuan meals and various flatulences, accompanies us to the discovery of the culprit.

Set in 1923 London (I just love reading from this era), Murder at Westminster, the second in the series, is pure joy. Magda Alexander writes with a sort of freshness and vigour which is engaging. Her wit is fun, too. And just look at the charming cover!

Debutante Kitty Worthington is unconventional yet proper. Her parents actually love each other (!) but Kitty is in no rush to marry though the list of options is as long as her arm. Fiercely independent, she finds herself enmeshed in the second murder in her...career. An important man of nobility is found murdered so she enlists her circle of friends to help inveigle and investigate. The inspector isn't terribly helpful. Her sister Margaret's beloved's neck is on the line for the murder. His back story is enthralling and he (and others) harbour many secrets which are peeled back, layer after layer. Parts of the ending are predictable but there is so much to like about the book that it actually doesn't matter in this case.

My favourite aspects of this book are the historical details and the quirky personalities, especially that of Kitty. The murder is great fun but there is more to it than "just" the mystery...it is very enjoyable as a whole. I lost myself in it, utterly and completely. If you enjoy cozy Historical Fiction with delectable murder, do read this series. It is cozy but not silly cozy.

My sincere thank you to Hearts Afire Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this marvellous book. Can't wait to get my hands on the third in the series!

This is a great cozy historical mystery novel. I loved the fact that it was very well written and told a great story. The cast of characters were both fun and interesting. A very solid quick read, highly recommend!!!

What a great read. This novel, Murder at Westminster was even better than I expected. I finished it in one reading. Can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you so much for this ARC :)
This was a cozy read, perfect for winter days! The cast of characters is interesting and delightful. If you like mysteries and historical fiction, then this is the perfect intersection of both genres. Lots of great details to really set the stage and transport you to the 1920s. Although the ending was slightly predictable, that added to the overall comfort vibe. In these unpredictable times, it's nice to have something to rely on!

2nd book of a series but works well as a standalone. Kitty Worthington is enjoying the London season after solving her first mystery, only to have another mystery land in her lap. Her sister's friend/beau is accused of murdering his grandfather. With the help of her family and friends, Kitty must find answers before Sebastian is hanged.

ARC via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Loved this murder mystery set in 1920s London. Which is a setting that I haven’t see much in mysteries and I’m here for it.