Sophia Rose Reviews: Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna

Today Sophia Rose returns with her review of Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna
read on to see what she thought.
Enjoy!

Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna, narrator Sarah Zimmerman

#4 Stella and Lyndy

Historical Mystery

Publisher:  Highbridge Audio

Published:  12.27.22

Time: 9 hours 9 minutes

Rating: 4.5 stars

Format: audio

Source:  library loan

Sellers: Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads

 

GoodReads Blurb:

Leaving behind tragedies surrounding their wedding at Morrington Hall, travel-worn Stella and Lyndy arrive at the grand Majestic Hotel in York to more misfortune—their stately honeymoon suite has been given away to Horace Wingrove, owner of England’s largest confectionery. Stella refuses to let an innocent booking mistake spoil the mood, but her optimism vanishes when Horace suffocates in the room where she and Lyndy should have stayed . . .

Unlike authorities on the scene, Stella can’t believe the business magnate’s death can be explained away as an accident. Troubling signs are everywhere—strange murmurs in the hallway, tight-lipped hotel staff, and a stolen secret recipe for Wingrave’s famous chocolate. Then there are Horace’s murky intentions for visiting the historic cathedral city, and those who were closely watching his every move . . .

As Stella and Lyndy tour Yorkshire and mingle with royals as husband and wife, they face a sinister mystery that puts their vows to the test. Can the couple work together to discover the truth about their romantic destination and the strange happenings haunting their trip before they’re treated to another terrifying surprise?

 

Sophia Rose's Review:

Wedding bells have tolled and the happy couple are arrived in York for their honeymoon coinciding with a royal princesses visit to dedicate a statue of Queen Victoria.  Stella and Lyndy no sooner get settled into the second best suite at the hotel when the old gent who got their honeymoon suite is dies in a mysterious manner and dangerous incidents begin in the ancient city of York.  Stella and Lyndy are torn between their desires for a honeymoon to themselves and the mysteries around them.

 

Murder at the Majestic Hotel is fourth in the engaging Edwardian era Stella and Lyndy historical cozy mystery series.  The personal side to the story is deeply connected through each book so these read best in order.

 

I’ve enjoyed seeing this couple grow from strangers to a lovely pair.  Lyndy has grown a great deal from a frivolous aristocrat to a man worthy of the generous, bright and smart cookies who is Stella.  He is proud of his American bride though many tend to look down on her for not being British or a blue blood.  Stella, in her turn, saw the potential in Lyndy and gave him a chance.  She’s grown less individualistic and turns to him as a partner in their relationship and in their sleuthing.  I appreciated how Clara McKenna brought this out.

 

Stella and Lyndy encounter more of his family and I hoped it would go well for poor Stella since it was her honeymoon.  Let’s just say that Lyndy’s aunt is nothing like her sister, Lyndy’s stuffy mother.

 

The mystery was interesting with so many threads going different directions.  Good misdirections and twists with a cast of very suspicious people.  I’ve had an inkling in past books, but I had no idea if all the threads tied together or some were separate or who was up to what in this one.  I ended up just enjoying the ride.

 

On a side note, I appreciated the author taking the time to bring Stella and Lyndy’s honeymoon locale to life.  York is a grand old place going back into ancient times and that description of the cathedral and the medieval city walls had me jumping online to see it all.  And, the other descriptive element being the deceased man’s chocolate company and chocolates.  The creamed milk chocolates had me wanting to try them.

 

Sarah Zimmerman continues to do fabulous work with Stella and Lyndy sharing the narration and the greater cast of distinct voices.  I like her husky-bright tone and the way she brings the scenes to life.

 

All in all, another fabulous series entry that left me more in love with Stella and Lyndy.  Historical mystery fans who like it closer to cozy and appreciate a strong character element alongside the mystery should keep these in mind for the book stack.

Author’s Bio:

Clara McKenna writes the new historical cozy Stella & Lyndy Mysteries series, about an unlikely couple who mix love, murder, and horseracing in Edwardian England. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the founding member of Sleuths in Time, a cooperative group of historical mystery writers who encourage and promote each other’s work. With an incurable case of wanderlust, she travels every chance she gets, England being a favorite destination. When she can't get to England, she happily writes about it from her home in Iowa. Be sure to follow her on BookBub for the latest on sales:https://bit.ly/BookBubClara

 

Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.

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GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose