Helen Golden – MJ Porter

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Husband is Hushed Up #bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Husband is Hushed Up #bookreview #historicalmystery #blogtour #avidreader @rararesources @rachelsrandomresources @helengoldenauthor

Here’s the blurb

A fatal fall. A duchess determined to uncover the truth. And barely any time for tea.

Fenshire, 1891. It was meant to be a birthday celebration weekend in the country—cucumber sandwiches, polite conversation, and maybe a waltz or two. But when the Duke of Stortford is found dead in a crumpled heap at the foot of the stairs everything goes dreadfully sideways. The police declare it a tragic accident. His wife, Alice, has her doubts. After all, only hours before, the Duke had promised to give up his mistress and make a go of their marriage. Now he’s inconveniently deceased.

Driven by a need for answers, and helped by her fiercely loyal maid Maud, her observant footman George, and her childhood friend Lord Rushton, Alice sets about uncovering the truth. But as she navigates a house full of secrets, simmering tensions, and more than one guest with murderously bad manners, her suspect pool grows to include those closest to her. Can she piece together the truth? Or will her husband’s murderer get away with it after all?

The guests are leaving. The killer may be among them. Time is running out…

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Husband-Hushed-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FB916FDV

https://www.amazon.com/Husband-Hushed-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FB916FDV

My Review

A Husband is Hushed Up is the first full-length novel in Helen Golden’s new historical mystery series (I have read the prequel).

The first book takes readers to a very familiar location, and alas, also quite a familiar tragedy as a body is discovered on the staircase early one morning. Alice determines to find the truth of what happened, even though everyone else is sure it’s simply a tragic accident. While she’s driven by the need to discover the truth, it is quite possible that she might regret her actions as the story unfolds.

This is another well-plotted mystery from Helen. I do love her mysteries. They’re always a sure-fire hit for me, and a treat because a bit of a curse of also writing mysteries is that I often realise the threads and clues along the way. For this one, my suspicions were leaning in the right direction, but I’m not going to say why. That’s a writer trick:)

Another excellent mystery, and I look forward to the series continuing.

Check out my reviews for the books in Helen Golden’s Right Royal Mystery series, featuring one of Lady Alice’s descendants.

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

A Dead Herring

A Cocktail to Die For

A Death of Fresh Air

I Kill Always Love You

A Murder Most Wilde

And my review for the prequel in the new historical mystery series.

An Heir is Misplaced

Meet the author

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

Connect with the author

Posts

Stay up to date with the latest from the blog.

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, An Heir is Misplaced. #bookreview #cosymystery #blogtour #avidreader

Here’s the blurb

A missing heir. An out of sorts duchess. A Season in High Society that just became far more interesting…

London, 1891. With the gossip broadsheet The Society Page speculating that her husband is getting far too cosy with their female neighbour back at his country estate, Alice, Duchess of Stortford, is fed-up. And it’s raining! But when a flustered nobleman appears at her door, knowing of her reputation for managing discreet enquires, he begs her for help. His nephew, who is about to inherit an Earldom, has gone missing.

But the deeper Alice digs, the murkier things become. Why are the late Earl’s wife and his stepson so evasive? What really happened at The Carlton Hotel the night the heir was last seen? And who’s set to gain the Earldom if the heir ends up dead?

Aided by her loyal maid Maud, her quick-thinking footman George, and the ever-resourceful private investigator Ben Beaumont—not to mention a certain well-known detective with a pipe—Alice must untangle a web of secrets to find the missing heir before it’s too late.

The clock is ticking, the gossip is swirling—and only Alice can set things right.

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heir-Misplaced-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FB93JSMS

https://www.amazon.com/Heir-Misplaced-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FB93JSMS

My Review

An Heir is Misplaced sees Helen Golden creating a new feisty female sleuth, set in the later Victorian era. Alice, the Duchess of Strotford, clearly has some very interesting connections, as we learn through this first encounter with her.

Tasked with finding a missing heir, she calls on all the resources a well-born lady of high society has at her disposal, while remaining within the confines of what would have been acceptable. As ever, the mystery isn’t quite all it seems, and Alice quickly grows suspicious, as the tangled threads begin to make sense.

This is a fabulous introduction to Alice, and I’m excited to read more of her backstory, as well as her future sleuthing endeavours.

Check out my reviews for the books in Helen Golden’s Right Royal Mystery series, featuring one of Lady Alice’s descendants.

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

A Dead Herring

A Cocktail to Die For

A Death of Fresh Air

I Kill Always Love You

A Murder Most Wilde

Meet the author

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

Connect with the author

Posts

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, Murder Most Wilde. #bookreview #cosymystery #blogtour #avidreader

Here’s the blurb

In the world of amateur theatre, the drama isn’t all onstage…

Tragedy Strikes the Windstanton Players

Popular local actor, Noel Ashworth, who collapsed during the rehearsal of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, was pronounced dead at the scene. As shock ripples through Windstanton’s tight-knit amateur theatre group, the Fenshire Police are looking at them as suspects.

I can’t let Perry’s acting debut end in disaster! With the cast spooked and the local police under-resourced, Bea—along with Perry, Rich, Simon, and her trusty Westie, Daisy must shift through the cast’s petty jealousies and diva behaviour to unmask the killer before they strike again.

When the show must go on…will everyone make it to opening night?

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Wilde-Right-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DS2PP3WJ

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Murder-Wilde-Right-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DS2PP3WJ

My Review

Murder Most Wilde is the latest installment in Helen Golden’s Right Royal Investigation mystery series. I’ve read all the books in the series so far, including all the short stories. Lady Bea and Perry, our amateur detectives, are both fab characters, even if, these days, they do have a large collection of professionals on hand to help out.

This time, we return to Windstanton, after our brief holiday in Portugal. We’ve been hearing about Perry’s debut on the stage for a few books now, and he’s so excited to be cast in The Importance of Being Earnest. But of course, not everything goes to plan, and he and Bea find themselves once more investigating a suspicious death.

New readers will not be disappointed if they dip their toe into this series. It’s always reliably good (that might sound boring, but it’s a compliment). The mysteries are enjoyable to unravel, and it’s always a race to see if I’ll solve it before the characters do (not very often).

Check out my reviews for the other books in this fabulous series.

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

A Dead Herring

A Cocktail to Die For

A Death of Fresh Air

I Kill Always Love You

Meet the author

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

Connect with the author

Posts

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, I Kill Always Love You. #bookreview #cosymystery #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

A perfect sunny getaway with no drama. Or so they’d hoped…

BREAKING NEWS Woman Taken in for Questioning in Death of Actress’ Husband

Police in Portugal this morning told reporters that a woman is being questioned in connection with the murder of the film producer Jason ‘JT’ Kenda, who was married to award-winning actress Ariella St Gerome.

Mr Kenda, who was found dead in the swimming pool of the couple’s villa, was initially thought to have died following an accident, but now police believe the American was killed intentionally. The villa is next door to where Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Rossex, is currently holidaying with family and friends at the villa of TV’s Sir Hewitt and his wife, Lady Grace.

Who can say no to Lady Grace? When the daughter of Lady Grace’s housekeeper is suspected of murder, her ladyship requests that Bea and her friends prove the maid’s innocence. But with time running out, can they navigate the tangled web of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives before an innocent woman is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit? Because even on holiday, the sleuthing never stops!

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Right-Royal-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D768B2VL

https://www.amazon.com/Always-Right-Royal-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D768B2VL

My Review

I Kill Always Love You is a fun addition to Helen Golden’s Right Royal Investigation mystery series. I’ve read all the books in the series so far, including all the short stories. I adore spending time with Lady Bea and Perry, and this time, we also have help from Simon and Richard, not to mention Isla.

I’ve come to expect well-plotted stories from this series, and I Kill Always Love You doesn’t disappoint. Did I work out what had happened? Not quite all of it because there were many red herrings and interesting side stories alongside the mystery of what really happened. I certainly appreciated the careful plotting and piecemeal revelations, even if I do wish Perry would buy himself a decent pair of running shoes.

A firm addition to this charming series. New readers will not be disappointed.

Check out my reviews for the other books in this fabulous series.

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

A Dead Herring

A Cocktail to Die For

A Death of Fresh Air

Meet the author

Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my step-daughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my step-son, and our tortoise.

I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes

Connect with the author

I’m delighted to welcome a returning Helen Golden to the blog with her new book, A Death of Fresh Air. #bookreview #cosymystery

Here’s the blurb

In a charming seaside town, secrets don’t stay buried for long…

Body of Chef Found in Wall Three Years After He ‘Left to go to Australia’

Human remains found inside the wall of a disused building have now been identified as those of Victor Blackwell. He was the head chef at Windstanton’s The Seaside Lounge until just over three years ago, when, according his friends, he left for a job in Australia. Detective Inspector Albert Finch from Fenshire’s Cold Case Unit has asked for anyone who has information about the chef’s movements three years ago to come forward.

We have no choice! With only three weeks until the Grand Opening, the last thing Bea and Perry need is the grim discovery of a skeleton in the wall of Simon and Ryan’s soon-to-open restaurant, SaltAir. But when it’s designated a crime scene, and the policeman in charge of the investigation into Vic’s murder refuses to let them have access to continue the refurbishment, they have no other option than to investigate the murder themselves or risk letting Simon and Ryan down.

But in a town where everyone harbours secrets, can they uncover the truth in time or will SaltAir’s opening be a damp squib?

Cover image for A Death of Fresh Air by Helen Golden. Part of the A Right Royal Cozy Investigation Mystery series

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Fresh-Right-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CWVGLW2Y

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Fresh-Right-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CWVGLW2Y

My Review

A Death of Fresh Air is the new book in the Right Royal Cozy Mystery series. I’ve read all the previous books and love the series and characters. It’s always a treat to have a new one to devour.

The new book begins with the chance discovery of a man believed to have left the country three years before. What follows is typical of Bea and Perry’s determination to solve the mystery of how the body ended up in the new restaurant, who put it there, and why the poor man had to die. Never to be put off by looming deadlines, our intrepid duo, ably assisted by some of our series regulars, get to work. And the story that unfolds is as complex and satisfying as other books in the series. I enjoy these stories because the solutions never feel contrived while remaining complex. The solution is never easy.

While all this is happening, both Bea and Perry are contending with challenges in their personal lives as well, which moves the series on but never overwhelms the mystery. I think it’s a tough balancing act, and Helen Golden manages it perfectly.

Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Check out my reviews for the other books in this fabulous series.

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

A Dead Herring

A Cocktail to Die For

Meet the author

Connect with the author

Today, I’m excited to share my review for Helen Golden’s new cosy crime mystery, I Spy With My Little Die #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

Uncovering a web of conspiracy that intertwines past and present, can Lady Beatrice and DCI Richard Fitzwilliam catch a killer and unveil the truth of her husband’s death at long last?

BREAKING NEWS Second Senior Police Officer Dies Within a Week

A senior officer from the Protection and Investigations (Royal) Services died unexpectedly yesterday. His death comes hot on the heels of Detective Inspector Ethan Preece (43) from City Police, who died of a suspected heart attack last week. Although he’s not yet been named, the dead officer was a greatly respected public figure, who had served in policing for over thirty years. A PaIRS spokesperson has confirmed that ‘neither men’s death is being treated as suspicious at this time’.

With the senior PaIRS officer dead, so is any hope of reopening the inquiry into Lady Beatrice’s husband’s accident fifteen years ago. Unless, of course, there is something that links the two men to the earl’s fatal car crash?

Can she and Fitzwilliam, along with their friends, work together to unravel the mystery and catch a killer before the truth is buried forever?

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Right-Royal-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0C2D19H1D/

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Right-Royal-Investigation-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0C2D19H1D/

My Review

I Spy With My Little Die is the sixth book in the Right Royal Cozy Investigation Mystery Series. I have read ALL the previous novels, including the prequel, which has to be read at a certain point in the series, and the author’s free short story about how some of the characters first met. You guessed it, I love this series, and this new instalment doesn’t disappoint.

There has been a long-running mystery burbling away in the background of the previous books. In I Spy With My Little Die, we finally get our answers – I’m not moaning – I’ve adored how the author has woven this other element through the stories – but it does feel as though it’s the right time to GET SOME ANSWERS. And the answers we get are well worth the wait.

As with any series, the characters grow on the reader. Lady Bea, Perry, Simon and Fitzwilliam have all had their moments throughout the earlier books, and in this one, it’s really Fitzwilliam who gets his chance to shine – which, again, is good and about time. There is much less of the ‘stately home as a background element’ to this book. Much of the action takes place in London, and much of it in offices, and there is a bit more of a police-procedural feel to this one, but don’t let that put you off. Fitzwilliam really does have an intriguing murder to solve, and while we, the reader, might be more clued in than Fitzwilliam, leading to a few ‘don’t do that moments,’ it really does only add to the enjoyment.

The plotting is tight, and the story moves quickly towards our long-awaited conclusion. While I’m not one to put my star marking on the blog, I assure you this is a 5/5.

If you’ve not yet read any of the Right Royal Cosy mystery books but you love contemporary cosy mysteries, then I urge you to give the first book in the series a chance. I assure you, you’ll soon be hooked and surging towards this sixth book. And despite how pleased I am to finally have some answers, I’m also delighted that the series will continue. I think there’s a lot more for Lady Bea, Fitzwilliam, Perry, Simon and one little white terrier to uncover.

Check out my reviews for previous books in the series

Spruced Up For Murder

For Richer For Deader

Not Mushroom For Death

An Early Death

A Dead Herring

Meet the author

Connect with the author

Insta: Facebook: TikTok:

Today, I’m excited to share my review for Helen Golden’s new cozy mystery, A Dead Herring #blogtour

Here’s the blurb

BREAKING NEWS Urshall United FC Owner Dies at Drew Castle

Details are sketchy at this stage, but it is believed businessman Ben Rhodes (38) was found dead in his bathroom at the king’s Scottish home by his twin brother Max, where the pair were guests at a shooting party hosted by Lord Frederick Astley (39), brother of Lady Beatrice (36). The cause of Mr Rhodes’ death is not known, but he started receiving death threats from football fans after his controversial takeover of the club and had recently employed his own personal security.

How unlucky can a girl get? Is fate playing a cruel trick on her for boorish Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam to be the only person who can get to the snowed-in castle to investigate Ben Rhodes’s death? And with no other external resources available to him, he now needs her, her smart dog, and her best friends’ help to catch the killer. Can they put their issues behind them and work together to find the murderer before the weather improves and the perpetrator is free to leave?

Another page-turning cozy British whodunnit with a hint of humour from author Helen Golden.

Purchase Link

https://books2read.com/u/3GWBZ8

My Review

If you don’t know that I adore this series, then you’ve been hiding under a rock:)

The Right Royal Cozy Investigations, of which the fabulously titled, A Dead Herring is the latest release, are a fantastic series of stories (with a thread running through them all that I will not be alone in being desperate to see the resolution for) which are just that bit elevated from other books of the genre.

The plotting is tight, the characters have great and very human interactions, the crimes are shocking, the investigations are robust, and the stories all have a great little twist where the reader has an ‘I know who did it moment,’ even if the characters haven’t quite reached it yet.

A Dead Herring is no different. Lady Bea and Perry, alongside Simon, find themselves being asked to help Pairs with this one, which makes a nice change, and the true moment of peril also has a great twist.

I find this series to be dependably great. That might not sound like praise, but it is. I know if I read one of these books, I’m going to be entertained and amused, and I’m always eager for the next book in the series. If you enjoy cosy crime, you must check out this series, and I recommend reading them in order.

Check out my reviews for the books in the series:

Spruced up for Murder

For Richer, For Deader

Not Mushroom for Death

An Early Death

Meet the author

Connect with Helen

Website – https://helengoldenauthor.com/

I’m reviewing An Early Death by Helen Golden on the blog #cosycrime #blogtour

Here’s the blurb:

BREAKING NEWS Mystery Woman was in the Earl of Rossex’s car when it crashed

Reports are coming in that an unidentified woman was in the car that killed James Wilshire (24), the Earl of Rossex, when it crashed in Fenshire late on Tuesday evening and died from her injuries later in hospital. The police have not named the woman, but sources at Francis Court, where the earl lived with his wife Lady Beatrice (21) claim the dead woman was the wife of a member of staff.

The impertinence of the man! Who does this Detective Sergeant Richard Fitzwilliam think he is asking personal questions about the state of her marriage and insinuating that James was having an affair with the estate manager’s wife? Of course he wasn’t! She knew her husband and he wouldn’t do that to her. But what was James doing back in Fenshire on that fateful night when he’d told her he would be London? And why was Gill Sterling in the car with him when they barely knew each other? Unless, of course, she didn’t know her husband as well as she thought she did…

PLEASE NOTE: This is a prequel in the A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series and is not intended to be read as a standalone.

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Universal Link

My Review

A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series is fast becoming one of my favourites, and An Early Death is a fabulous prequel novel, answering so many questions and leaving much more unanswered for those readers enjoying the series, which begins about a decade after the events of An Early Death.

I really, really can’t wait for the next book, A Dead Herring, which I hope might finally contain all the answers fans of the series are after.

The author makes it very clear the prequel shouldn’t be read until after reading the first three books in the series, and I echo this. Don’t spoil it for yourself:) Check out my reviews for the first three books below.

Check out my reviews for:

Spruced up for Murder. For Richer, For Deader. Not Mushroom for Death. An Early Death. A Dead Herring. I Spy with my Little Die.

Meet the author

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes

Connect with Helen

Website – https://helengoldenauthor.com/

I’m reviewing Not Mushroom for Death by Helen Golden on the blog #cosycrime #blogtour #contemporary

Here’s the blurb:

TV Chef Luca Mazza Dies After Collapse at Food Show on the King’s Private Estate

Luca Mazza (38), who was taken ill during a food demonstration at the Fenn House Food and Wine Festival two days ago, is now known to have ingested poison. Lady Beatrice (36), the king’s niece, who is working on a refurbishment project at Fenn House with her business partner Perry Juke (34), is believed to be comforting Luca’s boss and close friend Sebastiano Marchetti (38), who she began dating last month.

Is he crazy? Why else would Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam suggest that Sebastiano poisoned Luca without any evidence? So now, with the help of her little dog Daisy and her best friends Perry and Simon, Lady Beatrice will have to prove to Mr Know-it-all Fitzwilliam that Seb is innocent. But with so many people having access to the food preparation area at the show how will she find out who did murder Luca before Fitzwilliam lets his personal dislike get the better of him and arrests Seb?

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

My Review

Not Mushroom for Murder is the third book in the Right Royal Cozy Investigations series of books, which is fast becoming one of my favourites. This time, the death of renowned chef Luca brings Lady Rossex and her nemesis Fitzwilliam back into conflict. And by now, it really is only Lady Bea herself who’s oblivious to the attraction between the pair of them, as she determines to clear the name of her beau, Seb, even though doubts about their relationship are growing in her mind.

As to be expected from this series, Perry, Simon, and Daisy are instrumental in helping Lady Bea solve the case, which is a particularly nasty and premeditated one, and while they’re busy determining who’s responsible, factoring in a tricky love pentagon (or something like that, I can’t remember how many people are involved:)) there are also developments in Lady Bea’s personal life and a few little snippets about the case all fans of the series will want solved, what really happened on THAT fateful night 14 years ago. I really enjoy the pesky online news outlet where we get all those juicy snippets of gossip, as well. It’s a lovely touch.

Not Mushroom for Death is a mighty fine addition to this series. I’ve just preordered the prequel (will I get my answers?) and signed up for the mailing list. I’m becoming a fan of this writer and these characters, and that doesn’t actually happen as often as you might think.

Fans of cozy crime will want to read this charming series, set at the fictional royal court of King James and Queen Olivia. Each story is well crafted, and while the solution to this one might have come to me sooner than others in the series, it was still a very thrilling end to a hugely enjoyable story.

Check out my reviews for:

Spruced up for Murder. For Richer, For Deader . An Early Death. A Dead Herring. I Spy with my Little Die.

Meet the author

Connect with Helen

Website – https://helengoldenauthor.com/

Follow the Not Mushroom for Death blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources

I’m reviewing For Richer, For Deader by Helen Golden, book 2 in her Right Royal Cozy Investigations series #blogtour #cosycrime #contemporary

Is the Wedding Between Sir Hewitt Willoughby-Franklin’s Step-Daughter and Billionaire’s Son Off?

Rumours are that the recent death of Kelley Lindsell (29), the personal chef of tycoon Rudy (68) and Sheri Trotman (65) at Sir Hewitt’s Fawstead Manor country estate in Fenshire, has spooked Sybil Bransgrove (36) so badly she’s considering cancelling her nuptials.

Meanwhile the bride and her mother, Lady Grace (61), are being supported by family friend Lady Beatrice (36), the Countess of Rossex, who, alongside her business partner Perry Juke, is currently managing the project to refurbish the Manor House and Lodge on the estate.

Not again! Now that Lady Grace has asked Lady Beatrice to liaise with the police during the investigation into Kelley’s death, she’ll have to cooperate with boorish Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam whether she likes it or not. Her only relief will be solving the murder with the help of her friends Perry and Simon and her dog Daisy to get rid of him faster. But with so many wedding party guests staying on-site, any one of them could be the killer. Can they find out who it is before Sybil calls off the wedding…

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BF5P3C9N (UK) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BF5P3C9N (US)

My Review

For Richer, For Deader is the second in the Right Royal Cozy investigations series, and the series is a bit of a delight.

Lady Beatrice, once more engaged on one of her interior design projects, finds herself at the centre of another strange mystery, with threatening notes, an over-anxious bride, and an even more over-anxious mother-of-the-bride, and that’s before the murder even takes place.

The same cast are here, Perry, Simon, and Daisy the dog, as well as Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam, and that pesky online rag, the Society Page Online stirring up problems.

The mystery is well put together, and again, I didn’t decipher the true culprit thanks to the liberal dosing of red-herrings. And it was a really enjoyable cozy mystery. I’m looking forward to book 3, Not Mushroom for Murder.

Spruced up for Murder. Not Mushroom for Death. An Early Death. A Dead Herring. I Spy with my Little Die.