Thursday, June 13, 2024

Murder by Candlelight

Title: Murder by Candlelight
Author: Faith Martin
Published: January 4, 2024 by HQ Digital
Format: Kindle, 291 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: “Oh, hello, Mr. Swift, might I just have a quick word with you about my ghost?”

Blurb: England, 1924. After writing The Gentleman’s Guide to Ghost-Hunting for a bet, no one was more surprised to see it become a bestseller than author Arbie Swift. But when, during a ghost-hunt in the local manor house, the lady of the house is found dead, he finds it’s not a spectre he’s hunting anymore—it’s a killer… The Cotswolds, 1924. At the Old Forge in the quiet village of Maybury-in-the-Marsh a cry of anguish rings lady of the house Amy Phelps has been discovered dead. But with all the windows and doors to her room locked from inside, how – and by whom – was she killed? Arbuthnot ‘Arbie’ Swift finds himself in the unlikely position of detective. The celebrated author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Ghost-Hunting is staying at the Old Forge to investigate a suspected spectre, but now the more pressing matter of Amy’s murder falls to him too. With old friend Val, he soon uncovers a sorry tale of altered wills, secret love affairs and tragic losses – and plenty of motives for murder. When events take another sinister turn, Arbie must find the killer, fast. And to do so will mean cracking a most perfectly plotted crime. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: A cozy murder mystery set in the Cotswolds during the summer of 1924.

A forgettable closed-door mystery that had me checking page counts so I would know when this laborious slog would be over.

Arbie Swift is dared to go on a ghost-hunting mission for the local aristocrats, following the success of his book "The Gentleman's Guide to Ghost-Hunting." After the death of Amy Phelps, and the greed of her family, Arbie and Val, the daughter of the local cleric, set out to amateur sleuth their way to the end.

Involving altered wills, secret love affairs, and tragic losses -- while navigating the intricacies of village life -- Faith Martin does her best in weaving a tale that is only saved by the occasional witty banter.

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