I'd say that I quite enjoyed how the pace is set for this one, especially in the meticulous way the writer gives us details. I think that the ending was a bit rushed, from how slow it was building at the beginning, I feel like the case was solved in such a rush. Though I like the suspense in the twist at the culprit's revelation.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing an advanced copy for an honest review.

I just finished Murder at the Palace by N. R. Daws, and it was such a fun and charming read. It’s a cozy historical mystery set in Hampton Court Palace, where a resident named Miss Philomena Franklin is found dead at her desk. Lydia Bramble, the palace housekeeper, ends up right in the middle of a locked-room murder mystery filled with secrets, staff gossip, and plenty of twists.

What really worked for me was Lydia as the main character. She’s sharp, observant, and totally believable as someone who knows all the ins and outs of the palace. The setting adds so much atmosphere too—the old hallways, the quiet tension between residents, and the layers of history make everything feel rich and intriguing.

The book balances mystery and humor really well. Some characters bring just the right amount of lightness to keep things fun, even as the stakes rise. The pacing moves along nicely, and there are enough red herrings to keep you guessing, but not so many that you feel lost. The ending was clever and satisfying without feeling too out there.

Final Thoughts: If you like smart, well-paced mysteries with a bit of historical flair and a strong, likable heroine, Murder at the Palace is definitely worth checking out. It’s got just the right blend of suspense and charm to make for a perfect cozy mystery read.

The first in a new cozy series about a murder in the palace apartments. There were a lot of characters here, and while the character list at the beginning was helpful, I feel like there were too many too quickly. It made it a little confusing, which made it harder to get into. Like many other reviewers mentioned a map would have also made a huge difference. The setting was really unique and one of the best parts about this book, but it made following the exact movements of people hard without a visual.

(Thank you to Orion Publishing Group for providing an eARC.)

The mystery was okay. I would've enjoyed it more if there hadn't been such a large cast of characters; they all blended together. While I did like reading about the background information about the historic palace, I wished there had been a map of the palace grounds to know where events were taking place. The explanations for the mysteries felt dragged out with the repetitive descriptions: characters exclaiming at each piece of revealed evidence, someone interrupting the discussion, Mrs. Bramble/the Inspector getting annoyed, and more explanations.

A very much old fashioned cosy crime novel set in amongst Grace and Favour residents of Hampton Court Palace. It follows the housekeeper, Mrs Lydia Bramble as she tries to solve the mystery of a murder amongst the genteel ladies residing under her care. The Scotland Yard detective sent to solve the case is truly hopeless so Mrs Bramble, a former nurse and all together no nonsense lady, decides to take matters in her own hands. The ladies residing in Hampton Court Palace have their own idiosyncrasies and animosities, be it about baths or pets, and this squabbling group makes a perfect set of suspects in a murder mystery. It is a very much traditional whodunnit, following the rules of the genre, solid and dependable, if not innovative. A just right amount of entertainment for the evening.

A deliciously cosy novel which explores the grounds of Hampton Court Palace (one of my favourite palaces) in a way I'd never thought of before. This novel had so many red herrings and theories and I flew threw them all at breakneck speed. Mrs Bramble was such a multi-faceted character, caring, assiduous, realistic, and someone you really found yourself rooting for.

2.5 stars

I was excited by the premise of this work but something about it didn't keep my attention. I may try it again in a different format.


Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

This was perfect for anyone who is a fan of ‘Glass Onion’, Agatha Christie and a cosy murder mystery. Set in Hampton Court Palace, it also would be great for people who love books set in 1800s. I have to say that I was not able to work out who did it as there were many twists with new evidence arising. I do feel like there may have been a few too many different conflicting theories that seemed to drag out the investigation a bit too much.

Historical Cosy Mysteries are quite popular at the moment and always like to see what concepts can be used to deliver a story.

It is 1891 and we are in Hampton Court Palace and a body has been found. The resident housekeeper Mrs Bramble thinks that the police are not taking this death seriously and with the help of the maid of the dead lady start to do their own investigating.

Along with the help of the Reverend Weaver who can easily be in places and talk to people that Mrs Bramble cannot.

With twists, turns, red herrings and some rather snooty residents, gullible maids and companions, the characters come to life within the Palace confines. The setting of the Palace is clever but I would have liked to know more background to the grace and favour apartments and the layout of the place, so I could picture the action taking place.

This is the start of what clearly will be a series, but I am not sure if it is overall strong enough for me to return to.

This was a fun and cozy historical mystery set in 1891 at Hampton Court Palace. It kicks off with the murder of Miss Philomena Franklin, who’s found with a knife in her back. While Scotland Yard sends Detective Inspector Cole to investigate, it’s really Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the palace housekeeper, who takes the lead, roping in Reverend Thomas Weaver to help her solve the case.

The setting is great, and the cast of characters adds a lot of charm to the story. Mrs. Bramble is a likable amateur detective, and her partnership with the reverend made for some fun moments. It’s a solid, easy read.

That said, I didn’t find the mystery super gripping. The pacing felt a bit uneven, and the ending wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. Still, if you enjoy cozy mysteries with historical flair and amateur sleuths, this might be a good pick for you.

When Neil first mentioned that he was going to write this is loved it. The idea behind it was brilliant and what a setting. Im sure those research trips were awful.
Anyway, this is deep in the cozy realm of crime, very much in the Agatha Christie/Conan Doyle style of mystery.
Mrs Bramble is the amateur detective here. The head of the ladies residing at the opulent Hampton Court Palace, it is her job to keep them happy. Well she tries, with their petty gripes.
So when a young woman is found with a knife in her back, she takes it upon herself to investigate this too. Much to the chagrin on Scotland Yard Detective Cole. She's somewhat aided by the Reverend, my favourite character.
Each of the characters has been brilliantly drawn and have clearly defined personalities and quirks. Mrs Bramble is clever, patient, always calm and quick to spot inconsistencies.
This is set post war so the women are generally widowed and still not afforded the freedoms of today.
I hadn't figured it out at all by the time it was uncovered and I loved the lay it all out style of everything that had been discussed up to that point.
It seems there may be a sequel and I certainly hope that's true.

A very knives out / glass onion vibe! I liked being able to follow along and try to solve the mystery! If you are good at picking up clues and solving problems this will be for you!!

Murder at the Palace is a cozy mystery that takes place in 1891 at Hampton Court Palace where the housekeeper discovers the body of Miss Philomena Franklin a resident of the palace’s Grace and Favour apartments. I enjoyed the plot with some unexpected twists. I honestly thought it seemed to go kind of slow at times. I also would have loved a map of the grounds and palace to help follow along with the story.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Orionpublishing for this ARC!

I wish authors would focus on not overdoing it in books. Because that’s exactly what happened in this book. The author had a really decent synopsis and framework, but added way too much. I spent more time trying to figure it out and remember who all the characters were and what was going on rather than focusing on the actual mysteries itself. I’ll pass on another in this series at this rate.

The small village vibes of the Palace, where everyone knows some business of someone else leads to gossip between the ladies and staff, pointing fingers before evidence it provided.
I did feel the ending was drawn out in revealing who did it.

In 1891, at Hampton Court Palace, Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the housekeeper, finds out that Miss Philomena Franklin, one of the residents, has been found dead with a knife in her back. Detective Inspector Cole from Scotland Yard is called to investigate. However, Mrs. Bramble believes she can solve the case herself. She asks Reverend Thomas Weaver for help.

Together, they explore the lives of the palace residents, searching for clues and uncovering secrets. The story features a range of interesting characters, making it both engaging and enjoyable.

This historical cozy mystery is well-written and serves as a start to a new series. The publisher provided an advance reading copy (ARC) via NetGalley.

Murder at the Palace is an interesting locked-room, historical mystery about a woman (Philomena Franklin) who was found dead with a knife in her back while in residence at Hampton Court Palace. After Scotland Yard is called in to investigate the murder, Mrs. Bramble is convinced that they are ill equipped to handle the case. Given her position within the palace and having previous experience as a nurse in the war, the palace housekeeper (Lydia Bramble) is set on solving the mystery of Miss Franklin’s demise along with Rev. Weaver.

There were many things to love about this book. I enjoyed Mrs. Bramble’s character and her sleuthing skills. Women during this time period were often ignored and marginalized, so I loved how the author painted Mrs. Bramble as a clever, strong female lead character. The Reverend working alongside Mrs. Bramble in this mystery was also entertaining. The mystery itself was also strong and was similar to the personality of Agatha Christie’s Miss Jane Marple. There were many red herrings, which always amps up the pacing of any cozy mystery.

The issues I found with this book included the long list of characters, the geography of the palace itself, and the way in which the ending seemed to be thrown together. There is a very long list of characters and it was hard to remember each person because they all seemed to have similar personalities. The placement of the palace was so detailed but was also confusing, and I feel like this could have been remedied if the author had included a map or visual reference. The first half of the book moves at a slower pace and the few chapters really sped up and felt rushed. Even though there were a few issues, the story was enjoyable.

I rate this a good 3.75.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
📖 Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery
📅 Publication Date: March 13, 2025

🕵️‍♀️ Summary:

Set in 1891 at the illustrious Hampton Court Palace, Murder at the Palace introduces readers to Mrs. Lydia Bramble, the diligent palace housekeeper. When Miss Philomena Franklin, a resident of the palace’s Grace and Favour apartments, is discovered dead with a knife in her back, the shocking crime sends ripples through the royal residence. With the official investigation veering off course, Mrs. Bramble, alongside Miss Franklin’s maid, takes it upon herself to delve into the intricate web of secrets and rivalries among the palace’s esteemed inhabitants.

🖋️ My Thoughts:
N. R. Daws crafts a compelling narrative that seamlessly blends historical ambiance with the intrigue of a classic whodunit.

🔍 What I Loved:

✔ Authentic Setting: The depiction of Hampton Court Palace is richly detailed, immersing readers in its grandeur and the unique dynamics of its Grace and Favour apartments. The collaboration with the palace adds depth and authenticity to the setting.

✔ Engaging Protagonist: Mrs. Lydia Bramble is a standout character — intelligent, observant, and resourceful. Her perspective as a servant provides a fresh angle on the investigation, highlighting the often-overlooked insights of those working behind the scenes.

✔ Intricate Plot: The mystery is well-constructed, with red herrings and unexpected twists that keep readers guessing. The exploration of the residents’ secrets and the societal norms of the era adds layers to the narrative.

🔸 Minor Drawbacks:

▫ Pacing Variations: Some sections delve deeply into character backstories, which, while enriching, occasionally slow the momentum of the main plot.

✨ Final Verdict:
Murder at the Palace is a delightful addition to the historical cozy mystery genre. N. R. Daws delivers a story that is both engaging and atmospheric, with a protagonist who shines in her role as an amateur sleuth. Despite minor pacing issues, the novel offers a satisfying and immersive reading experience that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and character-driven stories.

📌 Recommended For:

✔ Readers who enjoy historical settings with authentic details.

✔ Fans of cozy mysteries with strong female leads.

✔ Those intrigued by the secrets lurking within grand establishments.

Embark on a journey through the opulent yet secretive halls of Hampton Court Palace with Mrs. Bramble as she uncovers the truths hidden behind its majestic facade.

3.5 - This was a cozy mystery set at the Hampton Court Palace way back when. I thought I had it figured out about 30% of the way through, but there was a last minute twist I didn't see coming! Some of the characters felt a little stereotypical, like the detective from Scotland Yard who only saw things one way. Overall, it was a cute story that I enjoyed!

Thank you to NetGalley, NR Daws, and the publisher for the eARC I received! All opinions are my own.

1891 Hampton Court Palace. Housekeeper Mrs Lydia Bramble is informed that one of the inhabitants, Miss Philomena Franklin, has been found dead with a knife in her back. DI Cole of Scotland Yard is called in but Mrs Bramble believes she is better equipped and recruits Reverend Thomas Weaver to aid her in her investigations.
An entertaining and well-written historical cozy mystery with its varied characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.