It's open season at Penford Manor! But someone has murder in their sights...
At Penford Manor, the guests are arriving to celebrate the start of the grouse-hunting season: lords and ladies, barons and baronesses, a Member of Parliament - and chemistry graduate turned detective, Miss Clara Vale, an old friend of the family. But Clara is no ordinary guest: she's secretly investigating a blackmail plot against Lady Penford herself.
Someone in the house is already up to no good, but when the body of a local trade unionist is found in the grounds, Clara's case gets even more complicated because a clue left by the body links it to the blackmail note.
Who has discovered Lady Penford's secret? Can Clara and her trusted assistant Bella work together to find the murderer? And what do the cornflowers which keep popping up everywhere mean?
Amidst the glittering dresses and sparkling conversation of society, Clara must find the truth - before the killer acts again!
The perfect Golden Age cosy mystery for fans of Helena Dixon, Agatha Christie and Verity Bright won't want to miss this!
A wonderfully layered country house mystery with a deliciously polite veneer hiding all sorts of shady dealings.
The Penford Manor Murders delivers exactly what I love in a Golden Age style cosy: a closed circle of suspects, a grand estate full of secrets, and a mystery that grows more tangled the deeper Clara digs. The contrast between the refined setting of a shooting party and the decidedly unrefined motives simmering beneath the surface made the whole story feel lively and engaging.
The mystery itself is satisfyingly complex. There are multiple suspects, overlapping agendas, and plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. I really enjoyed how the various shady dealings slowly intertwined, revealing a much bigger picture than I first expected.
My standout character this time was Bella. Her no-nonsense attitude, sharp observations, and complete refusal to be intimidated by anyone, regardless of their title or self‑importance, added so much humour and energy. She’s the perfect foil to Clara, and I loved every scene she was in.
Overall, this is a clever, entertaining instalment in the series. It is atmospheric, twisty, and full of personality. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Clara and Bella head next.
I listened to the audio version of this book and I highly recommend the series in this format. It is also available in all other formats and in Kindle Unlimited.
