Saturday, January 9, 2016

Book Review and Giveaway - Murder Most Malicious by Alyssa Maxwell

Synopsis

In post–World War I England, Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, step outside of their social roles and put their lives at risk to apprehend a vicious killer…

December 1918: As a difficult year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate for nineteen-year-old Phoebe Renshaw and her three siblings at their beloved family estate of Foxwood Hall. The dreadful war is finally over; eldest daughter Julia’s engagement to their houseguest, the Marquis of Allerton, appears imminent; and all have gathered to enjoy peace on earth, good will toward men.

But the peace of Foxwood Hall is shattered on the morning of Boxing Day, when the Marquis goes missing. Not entirely missing, however, as macabre evidence of foul play turns up in gift boxes given to lady’s maid Eva Huntford and a handful of others. Having overheard her sister and the Marquis in a heated exchange the night before, Lady Phoebe takes a personal interest in solving the mystery.

As the local constable suspects a footman at Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva follow the clues to a different conclusion. But both young women will need to think outside the box to wrap up this case—before a cornered killer lashes out with ill will toward them…

My Review

I had high hopes for Murder Most Malicious and was delighted to find that this historical mystery not only met, but exceeded, my expectations.

This novel is a wonderful read for anyone who loves Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs.  It has a great cast of characters both upstairs and down.  The story takes place after the end of World War II.  The period details are perfect, and sure to delight fans of historical fiction.

Murder Most Malicious is also a cozy mystery.  I loved the way that Lady Phoebe and her lady's maid Eva became involved in the mystery and worked together to solve it.  I found the mystery kept me guessing until the end.

The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue moves both characterization and plot along.   I especially enjoyed all the scenes with Phoebe and Eva.

This is a lovely, leisurely read for a winter weekend ... perfect to enjoy with a pot of tea.   Very highly recommended!
About The Author   
Alyssa Maxwell has worked in publishing as an assistant editor and a ghost writer, but knew from an early age that being a novelist was what she wanted most. Growing up in New England and traveling to Great Britain fueled a passion for history, while a love of puzzles of all kinds drew her to the mystery genre. She lives in South Florida in the current year, but confesses to spending most of her time in the Victorian, Edwardian, and post WWI eras. In addition to fantasizing about wearing Worth gowns while strolling manor house gardens, she loves to watch BBC and other period productions and sip tea in the afternoons.  

Author Links
Webpage – www.alyssamaxwell.com
Twitter – @Alyssa__Maxwell
GoodReadshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163135.Alyssa_Maxwell
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/AlyssaMaxwellauthor/
Purchase Links
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Most-Malicious-Ladys-Mystery/dp/1617738301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446575133&sr=8-1&keywords=Murder+Most+Malicious
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25387762-murder-most-malicious
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-most-malicious-alyssa-maxwell/1121697428?ean=9781617738302
IndieBound – http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781617738302

Giveaway
(1) Print Book Copy along with A Cozy Grab Bag of Books inside of a Kensington Mystery tote.  (Ends 1/18).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
  I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 comments:

ptclayton said...

Such a good write up and looking forward to reading your book. ptclayton2@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the intro & review! I love a good historical cozy. Looking forward to reading this one.

Julie Waldron said...

Thanks for the review. I love the cover & it makes me want to read the book.

Julie Waldron said...

Looks like a good winter read.

Anonymous said...

This book looks like an exciting read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Marion