4.5* rounded up

"Murder at the English Manor" is the twentieth instalment in Helena Dixon's Miss Underhay Mystery series and once again delivers a thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery that as always gives us a wonderful blend of mystery, intrigue and period detail that I always enjoy from this series.

This time, Kitty and Matt are engaged by Mrs Craven to attend a engagement celebration at the home of Lord and Lady Faversham to look into the disappearance of a housemaid, Agnes, but the festivities soon take a dark turn ensuring that it's a race against the clock to solve the mystery before it's time to head home. As always there are plenty of motives and secrets amongst the guests which gives us plenty of red herrings and twists along the way.

Kitty's character continues to shine and develop in this book and her relationship with Matt adds depth and warmth to the story. The mystery is overall highly engaging but unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing us to get to know the characters and enjoy an immersive journey into the historical period in which it is set.

"Murder at the English Manor" is one of my favourite recent additions to the Miss Underhay series, and the storytelling, settings, characters and attention to detail makes this series a must-read for fans of period cosy mysteries. It's a story that entertains and intrigues, and as always, has left me eager for Kitty's next adventure.

Happy 20th Book!
Due to family issue a review will follow in the next days Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Book 20 and Kitty and Matt are attending a celebration at Markham Hall which goes well until Bertie discovers the dead body of a maid the next morning. Kitty and Matt's P.I. talents are needed to investigate before anyone else dies.

As usual it was enormous fun watching all my favourite characters in action again. Mrs. Craven demonstrated some previously unknown and remarkable talents which was delightful. Bertie managed to eat a good number of sausages and Matt made progress with his other special case. All good and I am already looking forward to the next book.

Kitty is invited to tea with her Grams, also present is Mrs Craven who has a favour to ask of Kitty & Matt. Dora, Mrs Craven’s maid is worried about her sister Agnes who she hasn’t heard from in a month & she would like The Bryant’s to investigate. So Matt & Kitty find themselves attending a ball at the very grand but run down Markham Hall. But the next morning, the party feels well and truly over when Kitty stumbles across a body while out walking her dog, Bertie. The maid, Agnes, is dead. Kitty and Matt set about piecing together the puzzle, although Inspector Lewis would rather they went home.
The twentieth book in the series & another well written engrossing cosy mystery. I love Matt & Kitty who work so well together ably aided & abetted by Bertie their spaniel. There are a limited number of suspects but the author throws quite a few red herrings as well as twists & turns. I must admit I didn’t like the family especially the dowager who was clinging onto nineteenth century values. There is also the ongoing mystery of one of Matt’s army colleague’s who faked his death, the ending opens this up & I can’t wait to see what happens. I was also lucky enough to receive an audiobook as well & the narrator was amazing really brought the book to life
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Murder at the English Manor is the latest in the long running series. Kitty and Matt find themselves drawn into a mystery when Mrs. Craven convinces Kitty to look into the disappearance of the sister of one of Mrs Craven's servants. Kitty and Matt travel to Markham Hall for a home party where an engagement between the heir and an American
heiress is to be announced. They are ostensibly there to provide security as someone attempted to break into a safe in London. The mystery is well done as always as Kitty and Matt work overtime to determine if the missing maid was the subject of foul play or moved on on her own. There is some additional developments related to the new overarching mystery surrounding the fake death of a former solider who recovered in the same hospital as Matt during the war that regular readers will appreciate.

In this 20th incarnation of the Miss Kitty Underhay Mysteries, Kitty and Matt are coerced by Kitty’s least favourite aged pensioner to pursue the problem of a missing maid.
The maid is missing from Markham and nobody seems to care, until the body turns up that is. The ever disapproving Inspector Lewis joins the fray as we hunt for the now murder.
As always, Dixon weaves an intriguing plot around the well-loved familiar characters and the introduction of new ones that I really enjoyed the dynamics with. There is growing tension as suspects are identified and rejected, liars are exposed and new secrets exposed. Kitty and Matt are up against a close-mouthed family and a truculent inspector, as they work to find the responsible person.
Whilst Dixon leaves clues to help the reader solve the problem, the reader needs to be paying close attention to identify them.
In the end, the murderer is found and Kitty and Matt are able to return to their quiet family life in Toukay, but is it really so quiet? On their arrival a letter asking their assistance on a new case awaits them and the next adventure is already calling.
Overall, Murder at the English Country House is up to Dixon’s usual standards. I’d say it’s fairly middle of the pack in terms of the series but at 20 and counting it gets harder to have anything entirely new with the same set of characters following the familiar plot structure. However, when it’s an enjoyable series, the middle isn’t a bad place to be still sitting at a 4 star review. If this is your thing and you love a period murder mystery, it’s highly enjoyable and well worth a read.

One of my favorite cozy historical mystery series!

I’m off to Markham Hall with Matt and Kitty! At the behest of her grandmother’s best friend, Mrs. Craven, they are looking into the disappearance of a maid. Agnes Jones worked for Lord and Lady Faversham near Dartmoor at Markham Hall but her sister, Dora who is Mrs. Craven’s maid and sister to Agnes, is concerned because she hasn’t heard from Agnes for almost a month. Where had the girl gone and why hadn’t she taken her things? It’s almost inevitable that she’s come to no good end. Matt and Kitty need to find out the truth before one of the Faversham sons weds a wealthy American heiress to save the estate and Markham Hall.

I really enjoy this series and love the main characters. Although I miss the original setting of the Dolphin Hotel now that Matt and Kitty have married and moved to manage their detective agency, they don’t spend a lot of time at home and so each book takes us to a new location and a new crime to solve, most often a murder or two. I love the period details and descriptions of 1930s South Devon. Looking forward to the next installment and the continuation of an unsolved mystery from Matt’s past.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publisher. The narrator, Karen Cass, did an excellent job of voicing all the characters and lending wonderful tone and appropriate dramatic flair to the novel. The production really enhanced my enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this entire series!

Kitty (the former Miss Underhay) and husband Matt Bryant work together as private investigators. This time they are invited to an engagement party at a family's country house. They learn a lot about the families involved including the genteel poverty of the groom's titled family and the wealth of the bride's American family. The cast of characters alone is highly entertaining even before the local grumpy detective arrives to investigate a body and a missing maid. The story moves along quickly with twists and surprises galore. I think that it probably stands alone as well as being very welcome to those of us who are addicted to this series.
This is hardly an unbiased review as I really love the Missy Underhay series.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Bookouture via NetGalley.
#MurderattheEnglishManor by Helena Dixon @helenadixonuk #MissUnderhayMysteryBk20 #BritishCozyCrimeMystery @bookouture #Cornwall #cozymystery #cozymysteryseries #NetGalley @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo @Waterstones #England #MurderInvestigations #privateInvestigators #twisty

Thanks to Bookouture and Net Galley for this ARC. Great series, still going strong, the first dozen books had an arc running through them and a new one started two books ago and looks to be just as good. Can't wait for more to come.

A missing maid, an unpaid loan, a matrimonial match made for financial reasons, an engagement party, an attempted jewel theft, and a dead body. This book got off at a good pace with all the elements for an intriguing story.

Kitty and Matt are invited to the engagement party at a country manor house where they enjoy the champagne and hospitality but there are clear signs that finances are strained. They embark on their investigation into the circumstances around the missing maid. The two characters nicely complement each other and the story has good pace. The setting in rural Devon is described in nice detail as is the below stairs life and the challenges that the servants face.

Overall, an enjoyable quick read.

I enjoy this series. I like the characters and the different historical settings. The mystery kept me guessing.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Miss Underhay Mysteries is one of my absolute favourite series, so I was thrilled to be invited to review the 20th book, Murder at the English Manor.

Kitty and Matt are called in by Mrs Craven, who is worried about the disappearance of her maid’s sister.

I loved this book. There’s a fine collection of characters for Kitty and Matt to investigate, and things are not always as they seem. I had a lot of fun following along as they tried to figure out what has been going on.

I liked the setting too. The rather dilapidated house, with its mausoleum and lake, was an excellent place for a murder mystery.

I can’t say too much more without spoilers, but the culprit was not who I expected, which is always a fun outcome.

Overall, this was an excellent mystery, in a great setting, alongside characters who feel like old friends. What could be better?

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

Kitty Underhay (now Bryant) and her husband Matt - both Private Investigators - were asked by Millicent Craven to attend a ball the following weekend at the manor house - Markham Hall - belonging to friends of hers. Mainly because a young maid was missing, not heard of by her sister Dora in four weeks. Agnes had been working at the manor and vanished after lunch one day. Matt and Kitty were also requested to be security for the couple of days everyone was there. Bertie, their mischievous dog, was with them, and instrumental in discovering the body of the missing maid. Was she murdered, or was it a terrible accident?

When Inspector Lewis arrived on the scene, he was horrified to discover Matt and Kitty there. They didn't like him, and he didn't like them! But Kitty was determined to solve Agnes' murder, even though Inspector Lewis would take the credit...

Murder at the English Manor is #20 in the Miss Underhay series by Helena Dixon and once again I loved it! Fun, entertaining, fast paced with plenty of twists to keep the reader guessing, I've loved each and every one in this series. A tip - don't take any notice of the blurb for this one; it's not correct! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

I love this prolific series. Kitty and her husband Matt are clever and delightful. Bertie,their dog is special, too. This story left a nice cliffhanger, so I’m ready for the next book. I always enjoy the settings, and the mystery. The author is so descriptive that I was often transported to the unfolding scene. Highly recommend the entire series.

I was blessed with an ARC, and the opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

Kitty and Matt has been invited to attend an engagement in Markham Hall where a young maid has disappeared.

Suspicion falls upon the household when Agnes's body turns up in the family crypt.

Another book in this series and one that you can not put done until the murderer is discovered!!

The latest mystery in the Miss Underhay series continues the sleuthing adventures of wife and husband duo Kitty and Matt Bryant. This time, Kitty and Matt are drawn into a murder mystery by Mrs. Craven (one of my least favorite characters in the series, but who does something hilarious toward the end of this book). A young maid to an old aristocratic family loosely connected to Mrs. Craven through her deceased husband has gone missing and the maid’s sister is looking for answers. Enter Kitty and Matt who head down to Markham Hall to look into the matter. Based on the title alone, I don’t think it will come as a shocker to anyone that the poor maid is dead (though that isn’t revealed until about 30% of the way through the book), and soon it’s not a case of tracking down a missing maid, but uncovering her killer.

It may sound strange, but the best thing about these books, in my opinion, is their low stakes nature. Sure, Kitty and Matt are investigating a disappearance/murder, but there is plenty of time for fancy meals, long walks with their dog, and tea. Typically, there is no sense of urgency until the final 4 or so chapters, which makes this the perfect book to read before bed. As someone who has a lot of trouble falling asleep, these are the perfect books to read right before you turn out the lights. Just interesting enough characters and mystery to keep you reading, but not so much that you can’t turn off your brain. That may sound strange, but I mean it as a real compliment. These are the definition of a cozy, murder mystery read.

In Murder at the English Manner, we’re treated to an interesting mystery, a small look at the woes of the impoverished aristocracy (cue a tiny violin), and a small update on the overarching multi-book ongoing mystery of the man who faked his death during the war. The characters embroiled in this mystery are fairly one note, but it doesn’t really detract from the events or the story and, as I mentioned above, Mrs. Craven finally has a scene where I don’t entirely dislike her.

I highly recommend starting this series at the beginning when Kitty was actually Miss Underhay and enjoy 20 fun cozy murder mysteries with, hopefully, more to come.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

murder mystery and mayhem in a country village.

Kitty and Matt are back on the case, and with Mrs. C along to help

Another good cozy mystery with the gang we all love. This time, Mrs. C needs Kitty and Matt's assistance with old family friends and distant relations. Find a missing maid and follow the clues in a rundown estate.

I can't believe this is Book 20!! The series is awesome, and this latest installment was a great addition.
I love the main characters, Kitty and Matt, and all the situations they get themselves involved in. As always, the plot captures my attention, and keeps me reading to see "Who did it"! All the books in the series can be read as stand alone.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read "Murder at the English Manor" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 20th book in the fantastic Miss Underhay series. As always the story starts with articles from the Torbay Herald. This time dated May 1937. An ad for a 'Situation Vacant' - looking for a live-in general maid. The next ad is a 'Forthcoming Marriage' ad from the same address in Bovey Tracey.

When Mrs. Craven the best friend of Kitty's grandmother invites her for tea, Kitty has a feeling that she will once again be roped into something. Mrs. C's maid Dora is beside herself with worry when she can't locate her sister Agnes who writes every week and they meet up for tea every fortnight. She disappeared a month ago and hasn't sent for her trunk or belongings.

Mrs. C wants Kitty and Matt to investigate. She's been invited to an engagement party and wants them to come along, and she will help them investigate - what could go wrong? Dowager Lady Faversham's late husband Lord Norman was the cousin of Mrs. C's late husband Peregrine.

Of course, where Kitty goes there is sure to be a murder, this time spotted by Bertie everyone's favourite roan cocker spaniel who they have taken along with them because he tends not to be on his best behaviour at all times.

The family is in dire straights, they need the marriage to happen because that will bring money into the family. The estate is quite rundown and the bride and groom appear to be a strange match. The bride's father wants a title and the family want his money.

The family is rather cold and uncaring that something has happened to Agnes. No one seems to be worried about her. They just insist that she ran off with some young man. They're more concerned with keeping Mr. Conway happy so that his daughter will marry into the family and bring her money. Sadly Inspector Lewis makes an appearance. He couldn't solve a crime to save his own life and is probably jealous that Matt and Kitty are so bright and solve everything with the greatest of ease.

Matt is also working on his investigation that started when they returned from New York and saw someone that he thought was long dead, very much alive on the dock. It's a complex mystery that Matt is determined to solve.

Once again Ms. Dixon has brought together an interesting cast of characters and an ingenious plot. As always worth more than 5 starts and very much looking forward to the next adventure!

Kitty heads to a party in the English countryside. Naturally a murder happens and she steps in to help solve it. This is book 20, and I have read some of the others I was not lost. Fun cozy mystery set in the 1920s England. Highly recommend.