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suvata's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
4.0
• Historical • Cozy Mystery • Christie adjacent • 2nd in Phyllida Bright series • 4-Stars
“A Trace of Poison” is the second novel in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series. The story revolves around a Murder Festival hosted by the village of Listleigh to raise funds for the repair of St. Wendreda’s orphanage. The event is attended by members of the Detection Club, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, and Anthony Berkeley. Aspiring writers have been encouraged to submit a short story, and the winner will receive a publishing contract. The first event of the fete is a cocktail party, but things take a dark turn when someone dies. It’s a mystery too intriguing for Phyllida Bright, housekeeper for Agatha Christy and her husband Max, to resist. It’s a daunting task considering that every guest is an expert in murder—and how to get away with it. . .
#ATraceOfPoison #PhyllidaBright #ColleenCambridge #Bookstagram
“A Trace of Poison” is the second novel in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series. The story revolves around a Murder Festival hosted by the village of Listleigh to raise funds for the repair of St. Wendreda’s orphanage. The event is attended by members of the Detection Club, including Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, G. K. Chesterton, and Anthony Berkeley. Aspiring writers have been encouraged to submit a short story, and the winner will receive a publishing contract. The first event of the fete is a cocktail party, but things take a dark turn when someone dies. It’s a mystery too intriguing for Phyllida Bright, housekeeper for Agatha Christy and her husband Max, to resist. It’s a daunting task considering that every guest is an expert in murder—and how to get away with it. . .
#ATraceOfPoison #PhyllidaBright #ColleenCambridge #Bookstagram
kcherry's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
marilynw's review
4.0
A Trace of Poison: A Phyllida Bright Mystery, Book 2
Colleen Cambridge (Author), Jennifer M. Dixon (Narrator)
Phyllida Bright is back and she is as persnickety as ever. Yes, yes, she is a snobbish know it all but she really does know almost all and what she doesn't know she will find out. A few months ago she solved a double murder (book 1) and now she is running the show (behind the scenes) for the Murder Fête, organized to benefit a local orphanage. Celebrated authors such as G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Agatha Christie will be there along with aspiring mystery writers. It's fun hearing the amateur mystery writers rant and rave about real life mystery writers of their time. Rumors and gossip abound in this story, everybody is doing it, talking about everyone else.
And wouldn't you know it, at the cocktail party before the fete, one of the aspiring writers drops dead in front of everyone. A murder! Everyone has an opinion about who did it, how they did it, and why it was done. But be assured that Phyllida will get the answers, with the total backing of her employer, Agatha Christie.
Once again, Phyllida is aided and abetted by Bradford, the chauffeur, whether she wants his help and presence or not. Where Bradford goes his shaggy mop of a dog usually goes which riles Phyllida, a cat lover, NOT a dog lover, to no end. Just know that Phyllida runs the show, any show, and she will put you in your place at any misstep. Bradford has her number though and knows just how to good naturedly ruffle Phyllida's feathers. After the first book, I have a better expectation of the way this series goes so I was prepared for all the discussion, so much discussion, and settled in for the show. Jennifer M. Dixon does a great job with the narration.
Pub October 25, 2022
Colleen Cambridge (Author), Jennifer M. Dixon (Narrator)
Phyllida Bright is back and she is as persnickety as ever. Yes, yes, she is a snobbish know it all but she really does know almost all and what she doesn't know she will find out. A few months ago she solved a double murder (book 1) and now she is running the show (behind the scenes) for the Murder Fête, organized to benefit a local orphanage. Celebrated authors such as G.K. Chesterton, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Agatha Christie will be there along with aspiring mystery writers. It's fun hearing the amateur mystery writers rant and rave about real life mystery writers of their time. Rumors and gossip abound in this story, everybody is doing it, talking about everyone else.
And wouldn't you know it, at the cocktail party before the fete, one of the aspiring writers drops dead in front of everyone. A murder! Everyone has an opinion about who did it, how they did it, and why it was done. But be assured that Phyllida will get the answers, with the total backing of her employer, Agatha Christie.
Once again, Phyllida is aided and abetted by Bradford, the chauffeur, whether she wants his help and presence or not. Where Bradford goes his shaggy mop of a dog usually goes which riles Phyllida, a cat lover, NOT a dog lover, to no end. Just know that Phyllida runs the show, any show, and she will put you in your place at any misstep. Bradford has her number though and knows just how to good naturedly ruffle Phyllida's feathers. After the first book, I have a better expectation of the way this series goes so I was prepared for all the discussion, so much discussion, and settled in for the show. Jennifer M. Dixon does a great job with the narration.
Pub October 25, 2022
katreader's review
5.0
A TRACE OF POISON by Colleen Cambridge
The Second Phyllida Bright Mystery
In order to help St. Wendreda's orphanage raise funds for a new roof Agatha Christie and fellow members of the Detection Club are holding a Murder Fête in the village of Listleigh. Eminently competent housekeeper Mrs. Phyllida Bright is there to make sure everything is just so and everything is running smoothly, that is until Father Tooley drops dead. It seems the good Father was poisoned. But was he the intended victim? With all of the suspects well versed in murder, finding the killer will be a challenge. Will Phyllida be able to guide the local constabulary to the correct suspect?
An actual murder at a murder fête? A fête filled with not only aspiring mystery novelists, but some of the greatest minds of crime fiction? What a fantastic concept, and one actualized brilliantly in A TRACE OF POISON. Who would know better how to plot an actual murder than a murder mystery author? And who better to solve it? While most members of the Detection Club are keen to solve the crime, Agatha Christie knows her friend and housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is the woman who can puzzle it out, while keeping the press at bay.
I love how Mrs. Bright investigates, though she says she's merely guiding the police to the correct path. Listening to the servants, most of whom are in awe of her and keen to impress, following leads, and using her own little grey cells lead Phyllida on a path with plenty of twists and turns. I thought I had solved the thing only to discover I fell into one of the killer's traps. I also love how other real people from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction were brought in. Like some members of the fictional local writing club, I was also fangirling G. K. Chesterton and Dorothy Sayers. As a fan of Father Brown, I loved reading references about him as well. The combination of real historical people with fictional characters is handled with aplomb and adds something special to the story.
With an incredible cast of characters and a puzzling murder in a bucolic setting A TRACE OF POISON is a captivating read reminiscent of the novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
The Second Phyllida Bright Mystery
In order to help St. Wendreda's orphanage raise funds for a new roof Agatha Christie and fellow members of the Detection Club are holding a Murder Fête in the village of Listleigh. Eminently competent housekeeper Mrs. Phyllida Bright is there to make sure everything is just so and everything is running smoothly, that is until Father Tooley drops dead. It seems the good Father was poisoned. But was he the intended victim? With all of the suspects well versed in murder, finding the killer will be a challenge. Will Phyllida be able to guide the local constabulary to the correct suspect?
An actual murder at a murder fête? A fête filled with not only aspiring mystery novelists, but some of the greatest minds of crime fiction? What a fantastic concept, and one actualized brilliantly in A TRACE OF POISON. Who would know better how to plot an actual murder than a murder mystery author? And who better to solve it? While most members of the Detection Club are keen to solve the crime, Agatha Christie knows her friend and housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, is the woman who can puzzle it out, while keeping the press at bay.
I love how Mrs. Bright investigates, though she says she's merely guiding the police to the correct path. Listening to the servants, most of whom are in awe of her and keen to impress, following leads, and using her own little grey cells lead Phyllida on a path with plenty of twists and turns. I thought I had solved the thing only to discover I fell into one of the killer's traps. I also love how other real people from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction were brought in. Like some members of the fictional local writing club, I was also fangirling G. K. Chesterton and Dorothy Sayers. As a fan of Father Brown, I loved reading references about him as well. The combination of real historical people with fictional characters is handled with aplomb and adds something special to the story.
With an incredible cast of characters and a puzzling murder in a bucolic setting A TRACE OF POISON is a captivating read reminiscent of the novels from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.
rants_n_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
counthannahreadsalot's review against another edition
3.0
Just okay. The character work was probably the most interesting part of the book, and the murder club setup and historical context was interesting. The murder was interesting at first, but ended up feeling overly complicated and intricate. I had no idea who did it, but I feel like too much information was withheld for it to really be a fair contest. Even the final reveal took pages of explanation and exposition, because it was so complicated! If it had followed a more logical track, that would have been enjoyable, but the connections seemed loose. All that being said, I’ll likely read another one, because Mrs. Bright (and the driver!) were interesting characters. I also didn’t read the first book, which could have contributed to some confusion, but things were explained well enough I never felt like I was missing anything major.
hmhurst's review
4.0
I liked this one even better than the first one. Both are perfect for Agatha Christie fans since the main character is the fictional housekeeper for Dame Agatha and solves murders. This second one was even more delightful because the suspects are members of The Detection Club. Can’t wait to read the third in the series later this year.
cschmitz3's review against another edition
5.0
awesome!
I love the fact that I am totally wrong in trying to figure out who the murderer was! But it all comes together and makes perfect sense!
I love the fact that I am totally wrong in trying to figure out who the murderer was! But it all comes together and makes perfect sense!