After attending the wedding of her cousin, Emma is drawn into the marital troubles of a new friend with the possibility of an attempted murder. Absolutely wonderful from the beginning to the revealing of the unexpected villain.

Murder at Arleigh by Alyssa Maxwell
Leave reading about thee earlier times on the island. I live in southern portion and it's amazing how much I still learn about the whole island with every book I read.
This one starts out with Emma and she's been to the wedding of Reggie and hears all about his escapades. Bessie Lehr is upset, her husband she fears wants her dead so he can take over her inheritance. He has no money of his own and doesn't want to work.
Love the scene on the beach with boys being fished out. Love caves and tunnels where, in Portsmouth there were rum runners during the time frame.
Such scary situations Bessie finds herself in.
There are so many episodes of harm and even death to others that were meant for Bessie, or were they?
Love how Emma and Derek are able to gather clues and find out who's at fault. Jessie their friend also helps out as the police had finally been summoned. Love learning about how certain events are still ongoing today in Newport that generated from the early 1900's.
Love hearing more about the stables in Portsmouth and at the end what is at the location of this house now. Know friends who work there. Amazing how the author makes a full circle to the story. Easy to keep the characters straight and all scenes are described so you can picture yourself in them. Glad baby was introduced to us, what a cutie!
Received this review copy from Kensington Publishing | Kensington via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

MurderatArleigh #NetGalley

Book number 13, and the mystery felt as fresh and complex as the first. Lots of red herrings that kept me as confused as Emma and crew. And for long time readers, the small moments, slices of life, in and around Emma’s immediate circle are everything one could hope for. Thanks to Kensington for the ARC.

Murder at Arleigh is a richly woven historical mystery that transports readers straight into the opulence and secrets of the Gilded Age, where high society’s sparkling surface hides a darker undercurrent of manipulation, desperation, and danger. April 1903 finds Emma and Derrick Andrews drawn into a web of suspicion at the luxurious Bellevue Mansion, where a lavish wedding quickly gives way to a far more sinister affair.

The historical detail is impeccable, bringing to life the grandeur of Newport’s elite with lush descriptions and real-life figures like the Vanderbilts seamlessly interwoven into the fictional narrative. You can almost hear the rustle of silk gowns and the click of crystal glasses, even as you anticipate the creak of a faulty stair or the snap of a balcony rail.

Murder at Arleigh is more than a whodunit—it’s a chilling exploration of control, isolation, and the quiet terror of not being believed. A standout addition to the historical mystery genre, this book is a page-turner with heart, substance, and a heroine you’ll want to follow wherever danger—and deception—may lurk. A must-read for fans of Downton Abbey, Deanna Raybourn, and mysteries with a perfect blend of glamour and grit.

Set on the east coast around the early 1900s. With the new rich and old rich circles. As her friend asks for help, when she thinks her husband is trying to kill her, there are many clues and red herrings before the real killer is found. Enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it.

Another sumptuous Gilded Newport Mystery, with an ending I never saw coming. I’ve always been fascinated by the Gilded Age and know quite a bit about, but Maxwell’s wonderful series always sends me down the search engine rabbit hole to learn more. I love how protagonist Emma Cross Andrews manages a career, family, and sleuthing, abetted by a supportive husband. I never miss a book in this series and eagerly await the release of each.