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ajbird84's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! This is the first I’ve read from this author and it won’t be the last! I enjoyed everything about from the atmosphere, the humor, music and the reveals. Absolutely perfect cozy mystery!!
mhoffrob's review against another edition
3.0
Absolutely delightful cozy, historical mystery. Set in an 1927 England, the protagonist, Marius Quinn, is invited by his childhood friend Lady Bella to attend a New Years Eve weekend at the manor home of a famed film star. Resulting in a closed door mystery when the host is found shot as a blizzard blocks access into and out of the grounds, the other guests turn to Marius, an author of a best selling mystery novel, to solve the crime as best he can, until the police arrive. With Bella at his side, he endeavors to do just that.
Well read by the audiobook narrator, the mystery almost trips into a British farce, but never quite pushes that too far.
Well read by the audiobook narrator, the mystery almost trips into a British farce, but never quite pushes that too far.
kudeern1's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
anndudzinski's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
What did I love about this book? The setting - a snowed-in estate during the 1920s. There could be so much mileage gotten out of the setting alone! Then, a weekend party where neither the reader nor the MC knows much about the guests. Again, great fodder for a mystery.
The actual story didn't disappoint, but I disliked both the MC and the narrator. Both came across as snarky and better than everyone else, except for Bella, whom he seemed willing to forgive anything, despite having dumped him a decade before. So, it's kind of hard to really get into an audio book when both the MC and narrator are grating.
I realize this is an ARC and normally I wouldn't let technical difficulties get in the way of my rating, but I had so many problems with this book not playing correctly. So, I already wasn't crazy about the narrator/MC, then had to fight with the app to get all of the chapters to play. All that to say, I probably would have rated this higher if I'd read it rather than listened to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for providing the ARC audiobook. I've left my review honestly and voluntarily.
The actual story didn't disappoint, but I disliked both the MC and the narrator. Both came across as snarky and better than everyone else, except for Bella, whom he seemed willing to forgive anything, despite having dumped him a decade before. So, it's kind of hard to really get into an audio book when both the MC and narrator are grating.
I realize this is an ARC and normally I wouldn't let technical difficulties get in the way of my rating, but I had so many problems with this book not playing correctly. So, I already wasn't crazy about the narrator/MC, then had to fight with the app to get all of the chapters to play. All that to say, I probably would have rated this higher if I'd read it rather than listened to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for providing the ARC audiobook. I've left my review honestly and voluntarily.
thereadingmum's review against another edition
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? No
3.5
My first Christmassy book of the year was a great choice and I enjoyed this cosy 1920s murder mystery.
It has all the right elements, closed group of suspects, large English country house and perky amateur sleuths. The pace was perfect with the set up not too tedious and the action starting very soon. A few good red herrings and a set of well thought-out characters.
The only thing I found a bit niggly was the soggy relations between Marius and Isabella and her OTT obnoxious fiance as the love rival.
Would definitely recommend this if you're a fan of the genre or want a seasonal read that's light and entertaining.
Thanks very much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my gifted copy of this audio book.
It has all the right elements, closed group of suspects, large English country house and perky amateur sleuths. The pace was perfect with the set up not too tedious and the action starting very soon. A few good red herrings and a set of well thought-out characters.
The only thing I found a bit niggly was the soggy relations between Marius and Isabella and her OTT obnoxious fiance as the love rival.
Would definitely recommend this if you're a fan of the genre or want a seasonal read that's light and entertaining.
Thanks very much to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my gifted copy of this audio book.
lottiebrooks's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun Agatha Christie style mystery!
ecrirejenesaisquoi's review against another edition
4.0
I immensely enjoyed myself listening to "Murder at Everham Hall," narrated by George Blagden (narration was *chef's kiss*). I don't know why I don't read more cozy mysteries, I love whodunnits! This was perfect to listen to, and even more so during the upcoming holiday season. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 already.
sanne_vds's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Mystery writer turns amateur detective.
Marius Quinn is having trouble writing his second book. Pressured by his publisher to write something substantial or not getting paid, Marius needs to think of something quick to lift his writer’s block. Meet lady Isabella, his old love, who he hasn’t seen or spoken to since he left for the war. She ends up inviting him to a party at an old English estate to celebrate the end of the year. While there one of the guests ends up being murdered and Marius suddenly finds himself thrust into the role detective. During his investigation secrets are revealed, relationships exposed, old feelings emerge again, and the taunting murderer attacks another partygoer whilst still snowed in at the estate. Tensions and feelings rise high in this 1920’s novel with many twists and turns you won’t expect.
I loved this book and the narration. The narrator did a splendid job at making each character sound distinct and easily recognisable. The singing also added a nice touch. This book sets up a solid foundation for more novels to come but can just be read by itself for now without feeling like something was missing. The author put a lot of background research into creating this novel and it shows. The authors note at the end was interesting to listen to.
Thank you NetGalley, the author, Dreamscape Select & Storm Publishing for letting me listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.
the_aesthete_nerd's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
It's winter, 1927, London. The city, with all its snowflakes and fireworks and pies and puddings, is ready to usher in 1928. And so is our one-hit-wonder, mystery-writer, protagonist, Marcus Quin, with a writer's block, a basset hound, a fancy car, a flat at St. James' and well, nothing in the bank.
When a chance encounter with his long-lost, one-true-love Bella, brings with it an invitation to a famous actor's lavish new year's eve party, our writer could hardly resist. Hence he ends up at the actor's mansion, replete with turrets and towers, Everham hall, on the eve of 1928, where drinking and drugs and fanfare leads to murder and mayhem.
All snowed-in, with a peculiar cast of suspects, each with their own hidden motives, Marcus and Bella play detectives. How does the mystery author fare when faced with a real crime? Well, that only Benedict Brown can tell you.
The writting is beautiful and era-appropriate. It's a classic mystery, a bit of a slow-burn, it delivers a perfect Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit and has a certain old world charm about it which simply spells Christmas.
Imagine snowfall, imagine a hot cup of cocoa, a cozy throw blanket, Christmas decor, soft melody and all that you would need is the Murder at Everham Hall for a perfect winter evening. It's as much a thriller as a subtle romance and my only complaint is that it does drag a bit towards the end.
I would highly recommend the audiobook, because not only would you fall in love with George Blagden's voice but also the jokes land perfectly, the British humour is on point and the narration elevates this to a whole new level.
Also, don't miss out on the extra bits at the end where the author gives us a sneak peek into his thorough research on the 1920s, and a glimpse into his writing process. This itself was so interesting, that if ever Brown decides to write a research piece on the glorious 20's, I would read it in a heartbeat.
When a chance encounter with his long-lost, one-true-love Bella, brings with it an invitation to a famous actor's lavish new year's eve party, our writer could hardly resist. Hence he ends up at the actor's mansion, replete with turrets and towers, Everham hall, on the eve of 1928, where drinking and drugs and fanfare leads to murder and mayhem.
All snowed-in, with a peculiar cast of suspects, each with their own hidden motives, Marcus and Bella play detectives. How does the mystery author fare when faced with a real crime? Well, that only Benedict Brown can tell you.
The writting is beautiful and era-appropriate. It's a classic mystery, a bit of a slow-burn, it delivers a perfect Agatha Christie-esque whodunnit and has a certain old world charm about it which simply spells Christmas.
Imagine snowfall, imagine a hot cup of cocoa, a cozy throw blanket, Christmas decor, soft melody and all that you would need is the Murder at Everham Hall for a perfect winter evening. It's as much a thriller as a subtle romance and my only complaint is that it does drag a bit towards the end.
I would highly recommend the audiobook, because not only would you fall in love with George Blagden's voice but also the jokes land perfectly, the British humour is on point and the narration elevates this to a whole new level.
Also, don't miss out on the extra bits at the end where the author gives us a sneak peek into his thorough research on the 1920s, and a glimpse into his writing process. This itself was so interesting, that if ever Brown decides to write a research piece on the glorious 20's, I would read it in a heartbeat.
librarybelle's review against another edition
4.0
**I received an advanced listener's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
The first in the new Marius Quin series, this is a fun addition to the 1920s-set house party murder mystery whodunits. I could see elements of Agatha Christie in this - a somewhat isolated house party, stuck together in a snowstorm, with a slightly reluctant amateur sleuth, and a grand reveal at the end of the novel. Plus, a red herring or two along the way! Very entertaining, and the voice narrator was great as the voice of Marius.
I would definitely read another in this series, as well as the author's other series.
The first in the new Marius Quin series, this is a fun addition to the 1920s-set house party murder mystery whodunits. I could see elements of Agatha Christie in this - a somewhat isolated house party, stuck together in a snowstorm, with a slightly reluctant amateur sleuth, and a grand reveal at the end of the novel. Plus, a red herring or two along the way! Very entertaining, and the voice narrator was great as the voice of Marius.
I would definitely read another in this series, as well as the author's other series.