Scan barcode
ssejig's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Sir Robert Kurland is somewhat astonished to hear that his aunt is pregnant. She's not exactly old but she has a grown child, Henrietta. True, Henrietta isn't very pleasant and her husband, Basil, is even worse. And, since she's married to his wife Lucy's father, it's not as though he wanted to think of them like... that. It's just unfortunate that Basil and Henrietta have decided to visit right as that announcement is made. And it's while any number of other family members are visiting for the baptism of Lucy and Robert's younger child.
It's the odious Basil who ends up dead in the rectory study. Henrietta is quick to blame Lucy's father. Is it because she believes her accusation or because she knows that her mother has signed a will making the reverend her new beneficiary.
There are any number of suspects as Northam was not only a blackmailer, he put together a Ponzi scheme that ruined any number of people who are in the immediate area.
As is usual in this series, there is a very convoluted ending but overall an enjoyable listen.
It's the odious Basil who ends up dead in the rectory study. Henrietta is quick to blame Lucy's father. Is it because she believes her accusation or because she knows that her mother has signed a will making the reverend her new beneficiary.
There are any number of suspects as Northam was not only a blackmailer, he put together a Ponzi scheme that ruined any number of people who are in the immediate area.
As is usual in this series, there is a very convoluted ending but overall an enjoyable listen.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Death comes to Kurland St. Mary for the final time in "Death Comes to the Rectory".
As Robert and Lucy Kurland prepare for their infant daughter's christening, they receive two unexpected surprises, one welcome and the other decidedly not. Robert's Aunt Rose and Lucy's rector father are expecting a baby--a welcome surprise though most definitely unexpected given their ages. The other unexpected surprise? Rose's daughter from her first marriage and her terrible husband, Lord Northam--and they are furious to learn that Rose is having another child, one that will take money away from them.
But no one expected that such a joyous occasion would be marred when Lord Northam is found murdered in the rector's study--and Lucy's father quickly becomes suspect number one. But plenty members of the party has means and motivation to want the philandering Lord Northam dead--especially when it comes to light that he was the instigator of a fraudulent shipping scheme that has made quite a lot of people considerably poorer. With all fingers pointing at the rector, will Robert and Lucy be able to find the real killer?
In the last "Kurland St. Mary" mystery, Lloyd pulls out all the punches. Multiple suspects, missing money, scams, wayward sons, and Robert and Lucy divided between facts and morals as they face their toughest case yet. Readers will bid a fond farewell to the familiar characters and charming country village as they interview suspects, search for clues, and formulate their own suspicions as to who-dunnit that will keep them guessing until the very end!
Death comes to Kurland St. Mary for the final time in "Death Comes to the Rectory".
As Robert and Lucy Kurland prepare for their infant daughter's christening, they receive two unexpected surprises, one welcome and the other decidedly not. Robert's Aunt Rose and Lucy's rector father are expecting a baby--a welcome surprise though most definitely unexpected given their ages. The other unexpected surprise? Rose's daughter from her first marriage and her terrible husband, Lord Northam--and they are furious to learn that Rose is having another child, one that will take money away from them.
But no one expected that such a joyous occasion would be marred when Lord Northam is found murdered in the rector's study--and Lucy's father quickly becomes suspect number one. But plenty members of the party has means and motivation to want the philandering Lord Northam dead--especially when it comes to light that he was the instigator of a fraudulent shipping scheme that has made quite a lot of people considerably poorer. With all fingers pointing at the rector, will Robert and Lucy be able to find the real killer?
In the last "Kurland St. Mary" mystery, Lloyd pulls out all the punches. Multiple suspects, missing money, scams, wayward sons, and Robert and Lucy divided between facts and morals as they face their toughest case yet. Readers will bid a fond farewell to the familiar characters and charming country village as they interview suspects, search for clues, and formulate their own suspicions as to who-dunnit that will keep them guessing until the very end!
kraley's review
3.0
She said this was the last one in this series and it was like it was a bit phoned in. It was ok, but missed the spark of banter between Lucy and her husband.
smarkies's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pyiab's review
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
fiction_gryphon's review against another edition
3.0
To be frank, it was a bit disappointing, and unfortunately it’s the last in the series. I hated seeing Robert and Lucy so at odds with each other for the majority of the story. They always have their differences in opinion on how to conduct an investigation, but they were downright cruel with one another... right up until the end when we get a quick make-up, which felt a little halfhearted. Overall as a series, I adore the Kurland St. Mary mysteries! I would just have to say this book was my least favorite of the bunch. I would still thoroughly recommend all the other books in the collection!
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Death Comes to the Rectory
3 Stars
In this final installment, Lucy and Sir Robert investigate the murder of the obnoxious Basil Northam, who was, unfortunately, stabbed in the rectory making Lucy's father, the rector, the prime suspect.
While I have enjoyed this series immensely and count Lucy as one of my all-time favorite historical mystery heroines, this particular addition is not of the same caliber as the previous books.
To begin with, the mystery itself is rather uninspired. The victim is completely deserving of his fate; the suspects lie incessantly, and the investigation is tedious and repetitive. By the time the culprit is revealed, it is difficult to care one way or the other, especially considering the.
Lucy and Robert's interactions are also missing the wit and spark that has characterized their relationship thus far. Moreover, the book ends rather abruptly, and it could have done with an epilogue to provide closure for the Kurlands and their friends.
Overall, it seems that Lloyd has run out of steam with regard to this series, so perhaps it is for the best that it has come to an end.
3 Stars
In this final installment, Lucy and Sir Robert investigate the murder of the obnoxious Basil Northam, who was, unfortunately, stabbed in the rectory making Lucy's father, the rector, the prime suspect.
While I have enjoyed this series immensely and count Lucy as one of my all-time favorite historical mystery heroines, this particular addition is not of the same caliber as the previous books.
To begin with, the mystery itself is rather uninspired. The victim is completely deserving of his fate; the suspects lie incessantly, and the investigation is tedious and repetitive. By the time the culprit is revealed, it is difficult to care one way or the other, especially considering the
Spoiler
selfish nature of her motiveLucy and Robert's interactions are also missing the wit and spark that has characterized their relationship thus far. Moreover, the book ends rather abruptly, and it could have done with an epilogue to provide closure for the Kurlands and their friends.
Overall, it seems that Lloyd has run out of steam with regard to this series, so perhaps it is for the best that it has come to an end.
nordseestrand's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jesslane88's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. I’m bummed this is the last book in the series because this one just didn’t do it for me. I struggled to get info it. I just didn’t find the mystery compelling and the plot seemed slow. This didn’t really seem like a series wrap up. I’m disappointed, the characters don’t really seem resolved.