For Richer, For Deader by Helen Golden Series: A Right Royal Cozy Investigation #2
Published by Drew Bradley Press on November 16, 2022
Source: Rachel's Random Resources
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 339
Format: eBook
Purchase at Amazon
Add on Goodreads
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…
For Richer, For Deader is the second mystery featuring Lady Beatrice and Perry Juke, who is now her business partner. If you haven’t read Spruced Up for Murder, you should go back and read it first. It will give you a better feel for the characters and for how much Lady Bea has grown over the last few months. She’s a widow with a teenage son, but she’s finally come out of her self-imposed isolation. She and Perry are working on an interior design project at the Lodge at Fawstead Manor. The Lodge will be the UK base for Sybil and Otis Trotman once they are married.
By now, it looks like the wedding may have to be called off. Threats are being found around the manor house, dead animals accompanied by notes demanding that the wedding stop. However, when one of the visitors is found dead, everyone realizes just how dangerous the situation is. Lady Bea and Perry decide to do their own investigation, with promises to Simon, Perry’s partner, to tell the police everything they find out. Of course, the chief investigator is DCI Fitzwilliam, and we know how well he and Lady Bea didn’t get along before.
I love the characters. Lady Bea is tenacious and caring and I love that she’s coming out of her shell. I also like the way the book handles her romantic life – she’s allowed to have one, but it doesn’t take over the story. There are also some sparks between her and Fitzwilliam, even if neither can admit it. Perry and Simon are awesome – supportive, smart, and charming.
The mystery is well done. We’ve got a limited number of suspects, really only those staying at the manor could have had access. The clues are tucked in well, along with a few red herrings to keep us on our toes.
For Richer, For Deader is a fun, light-hearted mystery. Honestly, this has all the ingredients I need in a cozy – likable characters, a cute dog, and delicious food. I’m looking forward to the third in the series, which will be out next month.
About Helen Golden
Helen Golden writes British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. She lives in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with her husband, her step-daughter, two cats, two dogs, sometimes her step-son, and a tortoise.
She used to work in senior management, but after her recent job came to a natural end she had the opportunity to follow her dreams and start writing.