This book had everything I wanted in a good mystery. It had been a while since I read a whodunnit that made me question my own thinking processes and this one had me pleasantly shocked. There were so many great characters, with intriguing story lines of their own, that had motives. Womanizing Wes made you wonder if he had it coming!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the privilege of reading this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Okay, let me get this out of the way first: what?! wow.

I have been scouring my shelves for a mystery that truly catches me by surprise, and this one FINALLY hit the mark. I guessed a lot of things, but I never could have predicted that ending. Never ever. I was blown away.

Really, the beginning was fantastic; the setting drew me in, the tangle of romantic prospects and secrets kept me hooked, and it was impossible to stop reading until about the 40% mark, at which point things started to flatten out a little and get really repetitive, especially Eloise's chapters. I thought the multiple perspectives were done pretty well, though sometimes the tones were too similar and I found myself wanting for more of the girls' backstories.

There are SO many red herrings. I can't even mention them because everything played a part in some small way. My suspicions repeatedly were turned on their head, torn apart and reassembled, and by the climax I was confused in the best way and desperate to know WHO DID IT.

Really, really good. The writing style was lovely and easy to read, and the epilogue seems to set up for a sequel, or at least a spinoff, which I will be greedily awaiting!!

A Rather Peculiar Poisoning by Chrystal Schleyer is an engaging and atmospheric whodunit set against the backdrop of a grand manor during a week of celebration. The story’s twin brothers, Easton and Weston, are both in love with their childhood friend Eloise, but her heart belongs elsewhere—until the unexpected happens. When Wes is poisoned amid mounting suspicions and secrets, the story takes a compelling turn that kept me guessing until the very end. Schleyer masterfully balances intrigue, character development, and a touch of romance, creating a mysterious yet cozy reading experience. The cast of characters, from the heiress Della to the housemaid Violet, all have motives that make them intriguing suspects. The author’s pacing is well-managed, gradually building suspense while revealing layered motives and hidden histories, leading to a satisfying conclusion. This novel delivers a fun and addictive mystery with charming period details and clever plot twists. Perfect for fans of Victorian cozy mysteries or stories with a classic whodunit feel.

Twins Easton and Weston Asquith are holding a gathering at their lake estate to celebrate their dual engagements. Although both twins are in love with their old friend Eloise, as the oldest twin, Easton is set to inherit and therefore Eloise is to marry him. She really loves Weston, but he has told her they can't marry since he won't inherit much and instead, he's become engaged to the heiress Della. Della has been forced into the engagement by her overbearing mother, who constantly reinforces Della's low opinion of her appearance and marital prospects. Those are the "upstairs" characters in the book (along with the twins' widowed father Lachlan). The "downstairs" cooks and maids have lots going on as well. Two maids in particular, Violet and Sadie, have caught the eye of one of the brothers. Violet is convinced she is going to be elevated to lady of the manor, while Sadie is the victim of unwanted attention. When one of the twins suffers some strange "accidents" (one poisoning and a gunshot wound in a shoulder), it begins to look as if someone doesn't want the weddings to go through.

I found the story really hard to follow. The twins were forever doing this or that and it was hard to keep up with which one was which. The timeline also jumped around and added to the confusion. Then there was a lot of going around and around with Eloise proclaiming her love to Weston, who seemed to string her along while at the same time pushing her toward Easton. It was all very hard to follow at times. The ending was good and tied everything together -- if you make it that far!