It was an enjoyable read. I liked the historical setting and the british atmosphere. The main characters are still pleasant, and the new ones are interesting. The plot is well-rounded even though I wish it would have taken another direction. But if you’re looking for a really good historical cosy mystery series, I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I. Am. Obsessed.
Reading this, I felt like I was transported back to childhood, watching Poirot and Miss Marple with my mom in the summer. I realize that's a very specific feeling that many won't relate to, but if you enjoy a "cozy" mystery, this is your book!
Marius? I love him. Bella? She's great, I want more from her. Percy? Let's be real, he's the star of the show.
The case itself became predictable relatively quickly once all the suspects were introduced, although I was wrong with the actual do-er of the deed, so that was exciting. I appreciated that all of the clues that Marius had, we had as well. I DESPISE when I'm reading a mystery book and vital information (that the main character will have learned during the investigation) is withheld to keep readers from figuring out the mystery.
I haven't read anything from this series (or author), so I really jumped in the deep end with this. Brown does an excellent job of catching up new readers without (at least from what I could tell) overloading folks who have read the previous books and don't want to sit through a million recaps. I look forward to reading the next book that comes out. In the mean time, I need to catch up on the first four books!

Well this was a busy one!

From a death in the first page to a long ago miscarriage of justice and new murders, we still have our stately home, our bumbling detectives - although they have both grown in confidence - and all the hallmarks of a good 1920's mystery.

By 30% of the way through the book, so much had happened that I couldn't even begin to guess where the other two thirds could possibly go. This was the most action packed of the Marius books. I have read them all, but there is a handy little recap in the first chapter so I don't think you need to have read the previous ones to be able to understand and enjoy this.

It was a little bit of a shame that so little of the book was actually devoted to Gilbert - he was a recurring character, he meant a lot to Bella and I hope that he doesn't become just a footnote like Marius' father, trotted out at the start and end of every book. We need answers to what happened. Also, Marius, its really not a good look to be that enamoured with Bella so quickly after what happened. I know you love her, but you were far too light hearted about the whole thing.

The story was one of the stronger in the series, a good set of murders, a really good, evil motive, and a charming cast of characters. A very pleasant read.

Mystery writer Marius Quin is avoiding the murder in his own home when he’s drawn into the case of Felicity Mortimer. Though she had been imprisoned for poisoning her husband fifteen years earlier, Marius quickly becomes convinced of her innocence. With his sleuthing partner Lady Bella Montague, and their loyal basset hound Percy, his search for the truth leads them to a secluded manor in the New Forest, where buried secrets and a deadly plot threaten to erupt once more.

It was a delight to return to this series. This book hits the ground running. Marius is met with the death of his partner’s fiance in his own home. Naturally, he cannot investigate it himself and needs something to occupy himself. Because the novel his publisher is expecting is not taking shape. Thus, Marius throws himself into an old case.

I liked the pace of this book. It had my attention from start to finish, and I was never sure what was going to happen next. It all flowed naturally. Lady Bella had my sympathy as she worked to solve a murder while grieving the loss of her fiance.

Overall, this was a fantastic follow-up to the previous book. Anyone who is a fan of cozy historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this one.

Arsenic and Old Lies is book 5 in Benedict Brown’s Marius Quin Mystery series. Although there are a few references to previous events and/or people, this book is easily read as a standalone novel.

Arsenic and Old Lies is set in England in 1928, and reminds me a bit of reading an Agatha Christie novel, probably partly due to the time
One.

The relationships between the characters were interesting, especially between Marius and Bella, and I would like to read future books to see if their friendship ever progresses to something more.

I really enjoyed the mystery, and did not figure out the killer before the end, although I did figure out another part of the mystery relatively early (but that didn’t ruin the story for me).

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I had read a previous novel in this series but not all of them. I did feel lost with not knowing all the history with Lucien Pike, at the beginning and the end. The main story of the novel about a woman wrongly jailed for 15 years was interesting. Lots of supremely unlovable characters but I was surprised at the murderer, looking back I should have seen the clues. Good writing, I may go back and read earlier books in the series.

I got to read the next book in the Marius Quin Mystery series, Arsenic and Old Lies by Benedict Brown, and if you’ve been following my book reviews you already know that I’ve been praising this book series as a perfect series for those that enjoy cozy mysteries in the vein of Agatha Christie novels. That type of writing continues even as the series has now evolved into expanding the lore of the mystery surrounding Marius’ father and what happened to him. With another death that’s personal to Marius and Bella that they’re not allowed to look into, we follow Marius’ grieving process and see a new depth to him and how he really felt about that person. Needing to keep himself busy, Marius discovers a misjustice carried 15 years ago with a potentially framed murderer and some connections to his own drama. As always, Benedict Brown’s writing while cozy keeps you on the edge of your seat with each chapter bringing in new clues and cliffhangers as Marius and Bella attempt to uncover the truth hidden by corruption in the justice system as well as the wealthy. While wanting to get more answers regarding Marius’ father and now this new murder soon, I still found myself deeply engrossed with the book’s current mystery and I think I will always be a fan of Marius and Bella and their wit even as we see them struggle to carry that same level because of the events they go through at the start of this novel. It’s interesting to see Bella grow from the character she started at in Murder in Everham Hall and how that will continue in future installments. I will always gladly recommend a Marius Quin Mystery novel and Arsenic and Old Lies continues that tradition for my reviews.

This is another great book in the series and Marius and Bella are as great as ever. The murder and mystery are told beautifully with Bella’s connections and way of getting information out of people working great alongside Marius and his more methodical investigation. There are two strands to this particular plot and they go together well with the information sprinkled into each chapter and keeping the book moving on at a fair pace. There is a familiarity to Marius and Bella, perhaps through hearing them speak when they are in the car together or seeing the love they have for Marius’ dog. The book is familiar and comforting despite the topic and such a good read.

I loved it. You could say I’m biased because whenever a new book in this series comes out, I immediately add it to my list and read it. This one touched me a little more than the others, probably because of the whole “did she do it?” angle. Brown did such a great job keeping the suspense going all the way through, and the characters felt so real.

I’m also an avid romance reader, so the romantic thread in this series is definitely a plus for me. I love how slow-burn it is. It just feels natural and adds an extra layer without taking over the mystery.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment. If you're after a cozy mystery with a sprinkle of romance and characters you can really connect with (especially a sleuth who’s also a writer), look no further: give Marius Quin’s series a try.

Thank you, NetGalley, Benedict Brown, and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC.

July 1928. The body of Gilbert Baines, fiancé of Lady Bella, is discovered in Quin's flat, so Quin is recused from investigating. To distract himself from his own problems he finds himself investigating the case of a woman judged guilty of poisoning her husband fifteen years ago. There were mixed feelings about that judgement at the time, so Marius contacts her at the prison and begins the investigation. That leads to the next murder. Throughout, Marius is nagged at by his publisher to produce the mystery novel that he promised.
Not an unbiased review because I laughed my sox off reading the other books in this series! Excellent historical cozies with a wicked sense of humor that makes them perfect for ignoring reality. The end notes and historical research are well worth reading, too.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Jul 11, 2025 ***** review #goodreads @librarythingofficial @bookbub @the.storygraph
#ArsenicandOldLies by @benedictbrownauthor #MariusQuinMysteriesBk5 @stormbooks_co
#britishcozymystery #NetGalley #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #poison #oldcase #historicalnovel #prison #poison #writingaboutwriter #humorous #pethound #theft #murders

You had me at the title!
What’s not to love about such a clever play on the title of a Christie novel?
Mystery writer Marius Quin discovers a dead body in his study. Forbidden by the police to investigate he seeks a distraction and latches onto an old case, where he believes a woman has been wrongfully imprisoned for poisoning her husband. Marius sets off to investigate, along with sidekick Lady Bella Montague, which leads them to a country house, another murder, locked doors, and tight-lipped relatives.
I started out loving this book – a sort of Lord Peter Whimsy but for the modern reader, with the motor cars, new fangled telephone, and general sense of decorum. The setup – a dead body appearing in the author’s study – was intriguing, and I accepted the tangent of needing something to distract Marius from this distressing situation. The gentle humour (who doesn’t love a detective with a dog, especially one so adorable as Percy) was a deft touch, and the cast of privileged characters were sufficiently irritating as to be engaging.
For me the ‘love’ went to ‘like’ in the final quarter of the book. The action dropped off and there was an awful lot of talking (verging on explaining) which lacked tension and got a little wearing. That said, I didn’t see the murderer coming, and the final solution was a surprise. The overall atmosphere and setting, along with the characters of Marius and Bella carried this one over the line, and I would happily give the author the benefit of the doubt and dip my toe in with another read by Benedict Brown.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for kindly providing me with this eARC.

This cozy series by Benedict Brown is one of my absolute favorite series to come back to whenever a new book is published and this was no different. Brown has a way to keep you so intrigued and interested with the writing that you are bound to keep turning the pages and finish to figure out the story.

In this book we have our beloved detective Marius Quin who is absolutely devastated by his friends murder in his own home and since he is too close to the case he is forced to stay away, so to divert his mind he becomes involved in another mystery where a woman who is imprisoned for her husband death but Quin believes in her innocence. So to figure out what really happened he and his partner in crime Lady Bella Montague goes to a picturesque estate and they so find out nothing is what they seem.

It has that classic feel of old books and murder mystery which I love and absolutely adored this book.

Classic whodunit with requisite wealthy and not very nice family, lush estates, greed and snobbery. Throw in lots of motives, secrets and unrequited love and you have a very satisfying tale. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Arsenic and Old Lies transported me straight into the atmospheric world of 1920s London and the English countryside, complete with a charmingly clever detective duo and a well-crafted whodunit.

Marius Quin is a great protagonist—witty, intelligent, and a bit world-weary, which made his determination to clear Felicity Mortimer’s name feel all the more compelling. Lady Bella Montague is the perfect partner, bringing sass, sharp instincts, and some much-needed firepower to their investigations. And of course, Percy the basset hound added a delightful dose of humor and heart.

The pacing was steady, with plenty of twists to keep me guessing, and the setting of Rhinefield House provided the perfect backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The plot felt classic but fresh, with just enough complexity to satisfy mystery lovers without becoming overwhelming.

The only reason I’m giving it four stars instead of five is that some secondary characters felt a bit underdeveloped, and a few clues were a touch predictable for a seasoned mystery reader like me. Still, the clever writing, engaging characters, and cozy vintage vibe made this an enjoyable read.

If you’re a fan of classic-style mysteries with modern flair, Arsenic and Old Lies is well worth diving into.

Marius comes home to find the murdered body of his former love’s fiancé in his study. Marius is a mystery writer and investigator who, with Lady Bella (his former love), has solved several mysteries already. But the murder of the fiancé is not one he is allowed to investigate, so he busies himself in an old case which he believes has led to an innocent woman being jailed wrongfully.
The story is set in 1928 London and the countryside with a wonderfully eccentric cast of characters. The solution to the mystery is quite a twist and just when you think it’s over, there’s another surprise. Arsenic and Old Lies is an enjoyable cozy mystery, perfect with a cup of tea!
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

"A dead body in the study, a terrible wrong to put right, and a trail that leads to murder...

London, 1928. Mystery writer and amateur detective Marius Quin is reeling from his friend's murder in his own home. Forced to stay away from the case, he's in urgent need of distraction when fate points him towards Felicity Mortimer, a woman imprisoned for poisoning her husband fifteen years earlier.

Marius soon becomes convinced of Felicity's innocence, and when he discovers a key witness with his throat cut, it's clear that the real killer is still on the loose. Determined to uncover the truth, Marius drags his partner-in-crime-solving, Lady Bella Montague, (not to forget his basset hound, Percy) to a manor house deep within the New Forest. But what dark secrets are concealed at the picturesque estate where Felicity once lived?

As their search for answers stirs up more violence, can Marius and Bella expose a deadly plot before death stalks the halls of Rhinefield House...again?"

I'm obviously here for the house.

This exciting adventure story follows the misadventure of mystery writer and wannabe detective Marius Quin. Now I haven't read the other books so I'll leep this brief. A dead body is found in his house and of course Marius is a suspect even though he didn't do it and a clue that he didn't do it is that the supposed murderer left a calling card with the name Pike on it. Marius also finds himself drawn to another case that happened years before as well.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own.

3.5 stars

This is book 5 in the Marius Quin series, an enjoyable cozy mystery set (and I am not a cozy mystery person at all but I really like the ones written by this author, especially his Lord Edgington books. Brown does so much great research and he tells you all about it at the end. That is fun for a nerd like me. But I digress. Oh, and the book also gives you a reminder of what happened in book 4, in case you forgot (which, naturally, I had.)

Gilbert Baines, Lady Bella’s finance is found dead in Marius’s writing room and a calling card from Lucien Pike is found alongside the body (Pike figured prominently in the previous installment in the series.). Who would want to do away with Gilbert (well, besides Marius, since he’s still in love with Bella, but I suppose it wasn’t him….but wouldn’t THAT be a shocker!)

Anyway, the police won’t allow Marius to have anything to do with Gilbert’s case so, to keep himself busy, he starts investigating the cold case of Felicity Mortimer. Felicity has been in Holloway Prison for fifteen years, convicted of murdering her husband on what Marius is convinced is little evidence. He convinces Bella it will help her grief to assist him and off they go.

I liked this fine, I guess. I’m still going to need Brown to go back to using Percy’s full name, but I was glad to see so much of him here. I much prefer stories with Marius’s fun mother, aunt and uncle - they are adorable and funny. But this was OK. And great quote: “I adore libraries, perhaps even more than bookshops. The very smell as you enter should be sold as a perfume, though it’s a good thing it’s not, as, like an overly excited schoolboy, I would fall in love with every woman who wore it.”

Title: Arsenic and Old Lies
Series: Marius Quin Mystery Book #5
Author: Benedict Brown
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: July 11, 2025
My Rating: 4. 2 Stars
Pages: 305

Set in 1928 London, this story follows mystery writer Marcus Quin and his one-time sweetheart, Lady Bella Montague, as well as his basset hound, Percy.
Story spicks up after Marcus finds the body of Gilbert Baines slumped over his desk in Marcus’ writing room. Marcus is beyond shocked. Gilbert is someone he knew – in fact, he is Lady Bella’s fiancé and Marcus really didn’t like him but he never wanted him dead.
Since Marcus is too close to this case he is requested aka forced to stay away from the case.

So he is needs of distraction and looks for something else to fill his time. The case of Felicity Mortimer sparks that interest as he was convinced of her innocence. So look closely at the evidence even though she has been fifteen years since she was convicted of killing her husband.by poisoning him.

Aww we find out in that Felicity was inspired by a real character Florence Maybrick.
I have read several: Benedict Brown's stories and I know the back of the book is full of information – a must read. In fact, a story in its self!

 Additionally Mr. Brown has a very detailed section entitled “Historical Research”.
 Another fun section entitled ‘Words and Phrases’ with Brit words and or slang
-E.g. Shoeing horn- now referred to as an appetizer
-Get an iggri on – get a move on
Plus many fun others!
 There is also a Character List with new as well as Returning Characters


I am looking forward to more Marius and Bella sleuthing adventures, also hoping for a romantic relationship – perhaps Book #6!

Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 11, 2025.