Sophia Rose reviews: Murder on Mistletoe Lane by Clara McKenna

 

Murder on Mistletoe Lane by Clara McKenna

#5 Stella and Lyndy

Historical Mystery

Publisher:  Kensington Books

Published:  10.24.23

Pages:  302

Rating: 4.5 stars

Format: eARC

Source:  NetGalley

Sellers: Amazon

ADD TO: GoodReads

 

GoodReads Blurb:

Ex-pat Stella and British aristocrat Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst are thrilled to celebrate their first Christmas together as Morrington Hall comes alive with caroling, intricate decorations . . . and a deadly murder.

Taking on the responsibilities that come with being Lady Lyndhurst, Stella is eager to embrace yuletide traditions in the Edwardian English countryside and use her strong social influence for good. Her world becomes so consumed with starting a horse farm charity for the holidays that she barely notices the usual oddities attached to her upper-crust lifestyle. At least, not until items vanish from her bedroom and maligned housekeeper, Mrs. Nelson, becomes seriously ill—only to be found dead in the cold on Mistletoe Lane . . .

Cheery spirits are dashed following the sudden death, especially once Stella questions whether her own staff knows what—or who—killed the woman. Her suspicions mount when another person dies under strange circumstances during New Forest’s annual Point‑to‑Point Boxing Day race. Then there’s the case of Morrington Hall becoming plagued by false identities, secret affairs, and disgruntled employees . . .

Now, with two murders unfolding before their eyes in late December, Stella and Lyndy realize they can’t fully trust anyone except for themselves while investigating. Because as disturbing answers come into focus, identifying the criminal responsible and surviving into the new year would be the greatest gift of the season . . .

 

Sophia Rose's Review:

Back from their honeymoon just in time for the holidays at home, Stella and Lyndy are up to their sprig of mistletoe in mysteries, secrets, and murder before the bang of their first Christmas cracker.  This Edwardian Era historical cozy series has become highly anticipated must reads and this latest release was no exception.

 

With a blend of relationship development and clever murder mystery plotting set against a vibrant Edwardian era backdrop in the holiday season, Murder on Mistletoe Lane, the fifth of the connected Stella and Lyndy series opens back at Moorington Hall for the holidays.

 

I enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs connection of family, guests, locals and servants that brought an interesting cast of characters together with the murder involving the serving staff more than previous books.  There is no shortage of mysteries even before the death occurs from why the countess invited certain guests to the goings on of some of the staff.  I liked how it all ends up having relevance to the ongoing series plot or to the new murder to be solved.  But, most of all, I’ve enjoyed seeing Stella and Lyndy grow in confidence as a couple, in their position, but also as a detecting pair.  Stella is still working out her place in the household as the American and non-aristocratic wife, but she is staying true to herself even while respecting tradition and the responsibility that comes with her new title.  Her heart for anyone and anything in need and respect for others no matter their circumstances is what makes her so loveable and Lyndy prizes her for it and has grown to be a man worthy of her.

 

There is a lovely amount of holiday atmosphere, sweet moments of romance for the new married pair, family secrets, and the murder that Stella and Lyndy help Inspector Brown work to solve.  I meant to spend longer time relishing the book, but it drew me in and I read it swiftly to the end.  Historical cozy mystery fans really need to jump on board with this series.

 

Author Bio:

Clara McKenna writes the acclaimed historical cozy Stella & Lyndy Mysteries series, about an unlikely couple who mix love, murder, and horseracing in Edwardian England. SUSPENSE MAGAZINE voted MURDER AT KEYHAVEN CASTLE, the third book in the series one of the BEST of 2021.

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 https://bit.ly/BookBubClara or visit her website at http://claramckenna.com

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.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816

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