Author: Clara McKenna
Genre: Mystery
Hardcover; Paperback (LP); Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781496738202; 9788885794589
Kensington Publishing
304 Pages
$27.00, $27.99; $12.99 Amazon
October 24, 2023
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Taking on the responsibilities that come with being Lady Lyndhurst, Stella is eager to embrace yuletide traditions in the Edwardian English countryside and use her strong social influence for good. Her world becomes so consumed with starting a horse farm charity for the holidays that she barely notices the usual oddities attached to her upper-crust lifestyle. At least, not until items vanish from her bedroom and maligned housekeeper, Mrs. Nelson becomes seriously ill -- only to be found dead in the cold on Mistletoe Lane...
Cheery spirits are dashed following the sudden death, especially once Stella questions whether her own staff knows what -- or who -- killed the woman. Her suspicions mount when another person dies under strange circumstances during New Forest's annual Point-to-Point Boxing Day race. Then there's the case of Morrington Hall becoming plagued by false identities, secret affairs, and disgruntled employees...
Now, with two murders unfolding before their eyes in Late December, Stella and Lyndy realize they can't fully trust anyone except for themselves while investigating. Because as disturbing answers come into focus, identifying the criminal responsible and surviving into the new year would be the greatest gift of the season...
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Stella, Lady Lyndhurst, is celebrating her first British Christmas as a married woman, she came to England from her home of Kentucky in America, and fortunately fell in love with the man she was slated to marry by her father. She's still finding her way around new customs, and her new mother-in-law is decidedly frosty in her presence, and it's not because of the weather.
It doesn't help that there are visitors arriving -- Sir Edwin, his wife Lady Isabella, and their son Frederick -- and Lyndy is curious because they've not been there in many years, at least since before he was born.
One night she is awakened by a maid because the housekeeper, Mrs. Nelson has taken ill and she doesn't know what to do. Stella has her call the doctor, and once he informs her it's a case of food poisoning, Stella leaves her in the maid's care. But the next day Mrs. Nelson is nowhere to be found. Both Lyndy and Stella are stunned when they discover that she's been killed on Mistletoe Lane, and Stella wonders why she was out in the night at all, being so ill.
Now Stella has a murder to solve, and she wants it done before Christmas, so as not to spoil the holiday. But there are other things afoot as well -- personal items from her room have been stolen, strange notes appear, Sir Edwin seems to be flirting with her (making her uncomfortable) and of all things, Lyndy's mother comes to her with a strange confession and asking for her help! Will wonders never cease?
When there's another 'accident' which is deemed to be a murder occurs, it only strengthens Stella's intent to solve both. Is she putting herself in danger? Or will there be Christmas miracles after all?
I have to admit first that I rarely read historical novels. Upon occasion, I will read something along the lines of Rebecca and other classics, but this is the one of the first historical cozies that I've ventured into. And what a surprise I received. The writing is excellent as well as the plot, and the characters are compelling (even those I didn't care for). Everything is written with precision and in such a way to draw you into the story nearly from the beginning.
It was a delight to read, and now I find that I must go back and begin with the first one (this being the fifth story!) and introduce myself to all the characters from their onset. I am actually looking forward to doing so.
Stella is an intriguing character; she's from America and grew up as an only child on a large horse farm, she's developed her strong social and moral tendencies, with her kindness and forgiveness part of her being. She's not a pushover, and is quite intelligent. Her husband Lyndy is a perfect fit, allowing Stella her way while still taking on the role of protector, as was the wont then (and should still be).
Throughout the story we are given many suspects and questionable behavior, all leading us to wonder who the murderer is. When Stella has her 'aha' moment, we are not privy to the answer immediately. We must watch as she confronts the killer along with her husband -- but she is not out of danger yet.
In the end, will Stella have her perfect English Christmas? One must wait and see, but I can tell you that I highly recommend this book.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Clare McKenna's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/m/clara-mckenna/
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