Recently I took part in an audiobook, book tour for Cragside: A 1930's Murder Mystery by M.J. Porter so I thought I'd share this one with all of you!
I find that when the book takes place overseas, I enjoy when the audiobook is read by someone with that accent, because then the book comes alive more to me then if I’m trying to read it in my head, and you also get to feel exactly what the author is putting out there.
I would classify this one as a historical fiction cozy mystery. It takes place at Cragside Estate in North Northumberland, which is a real estate, by the way. Our main character, the charming Lady Merryweather has had a fairly shocking year. Her beloved husband was murder prior to the start of this novel, and she was arrested as the main suspect. She hopes that a trip away from London will allow to finally, properly grieve, and relax, especially because the estate, owned by Lord and Lady Bradbury, holds such fond memories for her.
However, she quickly realizes that isn’t go to happen because shortly after she arrives, the body of one of the guests is found on the estate, and she becomes the number one suspect.
Released the next morning, due to lack of evidence, and an alibi mind you, Lady Ella returns to Cragside only to discover that a second murder has taken place in her absence.
As with any good cozy mystery, Lady Ella decides to investigate and try to figure out if these recent murders have anything to do with her beloved husbands death. The case is a tangled maze, with someone out to get her at every turn, and not everyone is going to survive, quite possibly Lady Ella herself.
Journey to 1930’s Cragside Estate, a period house-party where no one is truly safe, and the estate is just as deadly as the people in it.
I absolutely loved this one. You can tell it was very well researched and there is a historical footnote from the author at the end that explains what exactly was pulled from the history of the estate and what she’s created herself. This is a place that she has thoroughly explored and enjoys visiting, and that comes out in the story.
If you enjoy history as much as I do, I thought maybe you'd enjoy visiting these websites I found on Cragside House, Gardens and Estate or the YouTube Video tour:
Finally, I'd like to thank @lovebookstours (Instagram) for the #GiftedCopy of this one. They are always looking for book reviewers, if you're interested in signing up then you should visit their LinkTree Page: https://linktr.ee/lovebookstours or Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/lovebookstours/?hl=en to find out how!
Also, if you are on Instagram, you can check out the below accounts for more reviews!
- Amy :)