Murder at Archly Manor by Sara Rosett Narrator: Elizabeth Klett
Series: High Society Lady Detective #1
Published by the author on November 17, 2018
Source: Purchased
Genres: Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery
Length: 7 hrs 20 mins
Pages: 256
Format: Audiobook
A high-society murder. A spirited lady detective. Can she out-class the killer before an innocent person takes the fall?
London, 1923. Olive Belgrave needs a job. Despite her aristocratic upbringing, she's penniless. Determined to support herself, she jumps at an unconventional job--looking into the background of her cousin's fiancé, Alfred.
Alfred burst into the upper crust world of London's high society, but his answers to questions about his past are decidedly vague. Before Olive can gather more than the basics, a murder occurs at a posh party. Suddenly, every Bright Young Person in attendance is a suspect, and Olive must race to find the culprit because a sly murderer is determined to make sure Olive's first case is her last.
Murder at Archly Manor is the first in the High Society Lady Detective series of charming historical cozy mysteries. If you like witty banter, glamorous settings, and delightful plot twists, you'll love USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett's series for Anglophiles and mystery lovers alike.
Travel back to the Golden Age of detective fiction with Murder at Archly Manor.
Aristocratic, but down on her luck, Olive Belgrave is searching for employment in 1920’s London, which is a fun time period if you’re reading about society. Not as fun for servants or other lower classes, I’m sure, but they were not the main characters here. This is about people with money or standing or both. However, even Olive’s connections aren’t getting her anywhere when she receives a telegram to return to her family estate. Olive’s cousin, Violet, has become engaged to Alfred Eton, a young man whose life in the India and his family are a bit of a mystery. He may not be a suitable match at all. Aunt Caroline employs Olive to use her skills and social connections to find out more about him, offering her a generous fee.
Olive heads off to an extravagant house party hosted by photographer Sebastian Blakely, Alfred’s wealthy godfather and friend. Her plan is to mingle with the partygoers and find out more about Alfred. But, during the fireworks display, Olive sees a man pushed off a balcony to his death. Of course, the murdered man is Alfred and Violet is the prime suspect. Olive has no choice but to prove Violet is innocent, after all the local police don’t seem to be of much use.
Olive is a great characters. She’s smart and chatty, able to mix with the pretty young people, but respectable and friendly.
The mystery itself was well-done. I, of course, love a country house murder and this one had an interesting group of guests, several of whom had a pretty good motive. We had some twists and turns and were allowed to see all the clues as Olive discovered them. I found it thoroughly enjoyable and look forward to the next in the series.
About Sara Rosett
A native Texan, USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett grew up reading and dreaming of writing books. Her stories and essays have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul, Georgia Magazine, The Writer, and Romantic Times Book Review.
She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective series, the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery.
Publishers Weekly called Sara’s books, “satisfying,” “well-executed,” and “sparkling.” Sara is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and NINC.
I like the setting and the sound of this one.
It was fun. I think I’ll pick up the next one soon.