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jo_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Kitty Underhay is spending Christmas at her relatives home Enderley Hall, hopefully without the dead bodies that littered the place the last time she was there for a visit.
Alongside Kitty is her dependable maid Alice, taken from the Dolphin Hotel that Kitty runs alongside her grandmother in Dartmouth.
Now that Kitty is officially stepping out with Captain Matthew Bryant, she is delighted that an invitation has been extended to him as well. To make up the eclectic house party along with Kitty's Aunt, Uncle and cousin; there is Hattie, a distant relation of Kitty's Uncle, Lord Medford. Simon Frobisher; a botanist, The Cornwells; two Americans wanting to experience an English Christmas and Victor and Juliet Vanderstrafen who it turns out know Matthew Bryant from his previous work.
It seems this mix of people and the transudations in the house are going to make for an interesting Christmas.
When some village disputes make there way to a cocktail party given at Enderley Hall it isn't long before a dead body turns up.
Enter Inspector Greville, it seems there is much to this death and when rooms are mysteriously searched and it appears someone might be watching Kitty, it only seems inevitable that another body is going to be found.
But this time it looks like suicide and it seems that Kitty cannot resist all the intrigue and questions she has and when she thinks Matthew is keeping something from her, she turns to sleuthing, ably assisted by Alice who innocently with her downstairs gossip possibly hits on a clue or two herself.
This really is a wonderful example of a murder mystery set in a country house. Who are all these people thrown together? What secrets are they holding? And is their behaviour a true reflection of who they really are?
Helena Dixon carefully weaves the tale and the mystery to it's denouement in true Christie style and you could briefly imagine that Poirot was sitting in a corner nodding sagely at Kitty. All the characters are there to be liked and loathed in equal measure and you get a real sense of setting and place as the story progresses.
Whilst each of these books can be read as standalone, there is a common thread running through them all, of course there is the burgeoning relationship between Kitty and Matthew but also the disappearance of Kitty's mother. I implore you to start at the beginning they are an absolute joy to read.
I cannot wait to see what Kitty gets up to next.
Alongside Kitty is her dependable maid Alice, taken from the Dolphin Hotel that Kitty runs alongside her grandmother in Dartmouth.
Now that Kitty is officially stepping out with Captain Matthew Bryant, she is delighted that an invitation has been extended to him as well. To make up the eclectic house party along with Kitty's Aunt, Uncle and cousin; there is Hattie, a distant relation of Kitty's Uncle, Lord Medford. Simon Frobisher; a botanist, The Cornwells; two Americans wanting to experience an English Christmas and Victor and Juliet Vanderstrafen who it turns out know Matthew Bryant from his previous work.
It seems this mix of people and the transudations in the house are going to make for an interesting Christmas.
When some village disputes make there way to a cocktail party given at Enderley Hall it isn't long before a dead body turns up.
Enter Inspector Greville, it seems there is much to this death and when rooms are mysteriously searched and it appears someone might be watching Kitty, it only seems inevitable that another body is going to be found.
But this time it looks like suicide and it seems that Kitty cannot resist all the intrigue and questions she has and when she thinks Matthew is keeping something from her, she turns to sleuthing, ably assisted by Alice who innocently with her downstairs gossip possibly hits on a clue or two herself.
This really is a wonderful example of a murder mystery set in a country house. Who are all these people thrown together? What secrets are they holding? And is their behaviour a true reflection of who they really are?
Helena Dixon carefully weaves the tale and the mystery to it's denouement in true Christie style and you could briefly imagine that Poirot was sitting in a corner nodding sagely at Kitty. All the characters are there to be liked and loathed in equal measure and you get a real sense of setting and place as the story progresses.
Whilst each of these books can be read as standalone, there is a common thread running through them all, of course there is the burgeoning relationship between Kitty and Matthew but also the disappearance of Kitty's mother. I implore you to start at the beginning they are an absolute joy to read.
I cannot wait to see what Kitty gets up to next.
leacherry's review
4.0
So the tale continues at Christmas, back at Enderley Hall. So much mystery surrounds the guests that Kitty feels a bit jealous when Matt’s attentions are elsewhere. A very interesting read, but not as full of excitement as the rest of the series.
ldv12's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dogearedandfurry's review
4.0
I received a free ARC of this via NetGalley and Bookouture in return for an unbiased review. This was another excellent instalment in the Underhay series, with Kitty and Matt spending Christmas at Enderley. Kitty wasn’t sleuthing as much in this one, as the first murder happened a ways into the book, but it was still an interesting plot with varied characters - and Kitty was the one to solve the two murders. Lovely to see her and Matt become a little closer now they are officially dating - I look forward to them becoming even close and maybe an engagement soon...
alise410's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Took a while for me to get into it but eventually did. I hate that the blurb spoils who dies. Not too bad, but I guess the mystery of Kitty's mother ia getting dragged out too much.
annarella's review
5.0
This is one of my favorite historical cozy series so it gets harder to write a meaningful review as I can only repeat what I already wrote.
It's a highly entertaining and well written series and I read this instalment in an afternoon.
I'm a fan of Christmas mystery and this novel features all the tropes I love in this kind of novel.
This series improves with each instalment, this one was a slow burning mystery as the first part was introducing the setting and the new characters.
It's a mix of spy story and mystery and I loved the plot full of twists and turns.
The characters are interesting and I was happy to catch up with Kittiy and Matt. The character development is excellent and they are all interesting.
Even if it can be read as a stand alone it's better to read the book in order as there's some backstory.
I strongly recommend it and can't wait to read the next one.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a highly entertaining and well written series and I read this instalment in an afternoon.
I'm a fan of Christmas mystery and this novel features all the tropes I love in this kind of novel.
This series improves with each instalment, this one was a slow burning mystery as the first part was introducing the setting and the new characters.
It's a mix of spy story and mystery and I loved the plot full of twists and turns.
The characters are interesting and I was happy to catch up with Kittiy and Matt. The character development is excellent and they are all interesting.
Even if it can be read as a stand alone it's better to read the book in order as there's some backstory.
I strongly recommend it and can't wait to read the next one.
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
ljwrites85's review
4.0
It's so fun to be back with Kitty and Matthew! I absolutely love this series and I can't believe we're already on book five! It can be read as a standalone but I would recommend at least reading the previous book in the series, Murder On The Dance Floor first as there's a little of the storyline that runs over.
It's Christmas and Kitty has decided to spend it with her cousin Lucy and the rest of her family at Enderley hall, along with of course Captain Matthew Bryant as they are now officially 'walking out together'. She's hoping for a nice relaxing but unfortunately for her things don't quite go to plan as Juliet Vanderstafen, a mysterious woman from Matthew's past, is also a guest at Enderley hall. Things get worse, Miss Plenderleith, the local Parish clerk is found dead and Kitty gets herself wrapped up in the mystery.
Murder In The Bell Tower is such an additive read, I always get caught up in the story, feeling like I've actually been taken back in time to the 1930s.
What I always love about these stories is the attention to detail that Helena Dixon always puts into them. From the fashions, to the language, to the Christmas traditions and even there's even a mention of tensions within Europe with a bit of foreshadowing for the Second World War.
I will say it took a bit longer than I remember from the previous books for someone to actually show up dead but I didn't mind too much as I loved watching Matthew and Kitty navigating their new relationship whilst being surrounded by the tension in the air of Enderley hall.
Murder In The Bell Tower is a great addition to this wonderful series and I for one can't wait for more!
It's Christmas and Kitty has decided to spend it with her cousin Lucy and the rest of her family at Enderley hall, along with of course Captain Matthew Bryant as they are now officially 'walking out together'. She's hoping for a nice relaxing but unfortunately for her things don't quite go to plan as Juliet Vanderstafen, a mysterious woman from Matthew's past, is also a guest at Enderley hall. Things get worse, Miss Plenderleith, the local Parish clerk is found dead and Kitty gets herself wrapped up in the mystery.
Murder In The Bell Tower is such an additive read, I always get caught up in the story, feeling like I've actually been taken back in time to the 1930s.
What I always love about these stories is the attention to detail that Helena Dixon always puts into them. From the fashions, to the language, to the Christmas traditions and even there's even a mention of tensions within Europe with a bit of foreshadowing for the Second World War.
I will say it took a bit longer than I remember from the previous books for someone to actually show up dead but I didn't mind too much as I loved watching Matthew and Kitty navigating their new relationship whilst being surrounded by the tension in the air of Enderley hall.
Murder In The Bell Tower is a great addition to this wonderful series and I for one can't wait for more!
sohma4uesugi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My least favorite of the series so far but still enjoyable
robinlovesreading's review
4.0
Kitty Underhay has solved more than a few murders, but it is time for a break. What is more is that she is getting closer to discovering what happened to her mother years ago. Also, she has recently become acquainted with her father's family and is eager to spend the holidays with her aunt, uncle and cousin.
As she spends an extended trip visiting family, things begin to go awry. For one thing, Kitty starts to feel she is being watched. What is more is that she thinks someone has been rifling through her belongings. One of the other guests, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, begins to have the same sensations. This time should be relaxing for Kitty, especially as she and Matthew are now officially a couple and hope to use this time to draw closer.
However, a parish clerk is soon found dead, and Kitty cannot but help to jump in and start her own investigation. Matthew is there, as well as the local police, but Kitty still soldiers on. All the while, there are other guests causing Kitty concern. One of them is Juliet Vanderstafen. Kitty can sense a connection between Juliet and Matthew and that proves to be quite concerning. The suspect pool might be quite small, but this certainly does not make it easy to find the killer, especially with the hopes of preventing any other loss of life.
Not only did I love this book, I have enjoyed the previous four books in this series. Cozy mysteries are a favorite of mine. The fact that this book is set in the 1930s definitely adds to its charm. I love Kitty and Matthew and enjoy watching their relationship flourish, all while they handle less than pleasant things like murder. The side story of the situation involving Kitty's mother is an excellent addition to an already well-written story. I am excited that I have already been able to sign up for the blog tour for the sixth book in the series, Murder at Elm House, set for release in June.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
As she spends an extended trip visiting family, things begin to go awry. For one thing, Kitty starts to feel she is being watched. What is more is that she thinks someone has been rifling through her belongings. One of the other guests, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant, begins to have the same sensations. This time should be relaxing for Kitty, especially as she and Matthew are now officially a couple and hope to use this time to draw closer.
However, a parish clerk is soon found dead, and Kitty cannot but help to jump in and start her own investigation. Matthew is there, as well as the local police, but Kitty still soldiers on. All the while, there are other guests causing Kitty concern. One of them is Juliet Vanderstafen. Kitty can sense a connection between Juliet and Matthew and that proves to be quite concerning. The suspect pool might be quite small, but this certainly does not make it easy to find the killer, especially with the hopes of preventing any other loss of life.
Not only did I love this book, I have enjoyed the previous four books in this series. Cozy mysteries are a favorite of mine. The fact that this book is set in the 1930s definitely adds to its charm. I love Kitty and Matthew and enjoy watching their relationship flourish, all while they handle less than pleasant things like murder. The side story of the situation involving Kitty's mother is an excellent addition to an already well-written story. I am excited that I have already been able to sign up for the blog tour for the sixth book in the series, Murder at Elm House, set for release in June.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.