Author: Fliss Chester
Series: A Cressida Fawcett Mystery #5
Publisher: Bookouture
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 292
Date of Publication: April 26, 2024
DESCRIPTION:
The Honourable Cressida Fawcett is expecting the cathedral crypt to be full of dry old bones. But when she finds a body murdered just moments before, she’ll need divine inspiration to solve her most mysterious case yet…
Winchester, 1925. When heiress and amateur sleuth Cressida Fawcett is invited to her aunt’s mansion on Cloister Close, she is looking forward to a quiet stay in the historic town. The views of the cathedral are heavenly – and her aunt’s maid, Nancy, makes devilishly good ginger biscuits! But it seems Cressy and her pug Ruby won’t be allowed to rest in peace… On a tour of the crypt, they are shocked to stumble across the body of Anthony, the gentle, devoted verger. And a wild-eyed Nancy is standing over him, bloodied candlestick in hand…
Since Nancy was caught red-handed and the only other suspect is the Silent Friar, the legendary local ghost, Detective Andrewsof Scotland Yard thinks the case is closed. But Nancy swears she would never have killed Anthony; they were in love. And while Cressy may not believe in ghosts, she does believe Nancy. So, whose soul is full of murder most foul? And will they strike again?
As she digs through parishioner gossip, Cressy discovers that for a man of the cloth, the verger had a surprising number of enemies. Was a local antiques dealer driven to murder over an illegal trade in holy relics? Would the head bellringer kill to achieve his musical ambitions? Or is the saintly Dean, whose black-cloaked figure resembles the Silent Friar and whose wife recently drowned, hiding a deadly sin?
The cathedral conceals many secrets, and it seems Cressy will need a miracle to uncover the truth. But then Cressy finds a hidden passageway to the crypt. Is this how the murderer escaped? The sceptical police lack faith in her theories, but can she catch the killer and save Nancy from the hangman’s noose? Or will she be too late to prevent another funeral march?
A totally gripping and deliciously witty historical murder mystery with a gasp-out-loud reveal, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.
The Honourable Cressida Fawcett is expecting the cathedral crypt to be full of dry old bones. But when she finds a body murdered just moments before, she’ll need divine inspiration to solve her most mysterious case yet…
Winchester, 1925. When heiress and amateur sleuth Cressida Fawcett is invited to her aunt’s mansion on Cloister Close, she is looking forward to a quiet stay in the historic town. The views of the cathedral are heavenly – and her aunt’s maid, Nancy, makes devilishly good ginger biscuits! But it seems Cressy and her pug Ruby won’t be allowed to rest in peace… On a tour of the crypt, they are shocked to stumble across the body of Anthony, the gentle, devoted verger. And a wild-eyed Nancy is standing over him, bloodied candlestick in hand…
Since Nancy was caught red-handed and the only other suspect is the Silent Friar, the legendary local ghost, Detective Andrewsof Scotland Yard thinks the case is closed. But Nancy swears she would never have killed Anthony; they were in love. And while Cressy may not believe in ghosts, she does believe Nancy. So, whose soul is full of murder most foul? And will they strike again?
As she digs through parishioner gossip, Cressy discovers that for a man of the cloth, the verger had a surprising number of enemies. Was a local antiques dealer driven to murder over an illegal trade in holy relics? Would the head bellringer kill to achieve his musical ambitions? Or is the saintly Dean, whose black-cloaked figure resembles the Silent Friar and whose wife recently drowned, hiding a deadly sin?
The cathedral conceals many secrets, and it seems Cressy will need a miracle to uncover the truth. But then Cressy finds a hidden passageway to the crypt. Is this how the murderer escaped? The sceptical police lack faith in her theories, but can she catch the killer and save Nancy from the hangman’s noose? Or will she be too late to prevent another funeral march?
A totally gripping and deliciously witty historical murder mystery with a gasp-out-loud reveal, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss.
Link to purchase the book
MY THOUGHTS:
Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter.
https://www.instagram.com/flisschester/
https://twitter.com/SocialWhirlGirl
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Fliss Chester here: https://www.bookouture.com/fliss-chester
In this historical cozy mystery novel, the Honourable Cressida Fawcett visits her Aunt Mary at Priory House in Winchester. Cressida anticipates a tranquil vacation, but her plans are disrupted when her Aunt Mary’s maid Nancy discovers a deceased body and is found in possession of the murder weapon. Furthermore, Nancy suspects the presence of a ghostly figure, known as the Silent Friar.
Prior to the murder, Cressida becomes aware of a robbery, which draws her attention. Given that Nancy is now the primary suspect, both Cressida and Aunt Mary are certain of her innocence. Consequently, in her customary manner, Cressida resolves to identify the perpetrator and eliminate any suspicion from Nancy. As Cressida has a personal stake in the matter, she refrains from withdrawing, despite the police’s cautionary advice. Notably, she seeks assistance from DCI Andrews and Sargent Kirby, whom she assumes is already aware of her inclination towards solving crimes.
Each book in this series has been a genuine pleasure to read, and this one is no exception. While I enjoy cozy mysteries, I particularly appreciate stories that feature canine companions, making Cressida’s adorable pug, Ruby, a memorable addition to the narrative. Nancy’s innocence is made more plausible by the presence of Cressida’s friends nearby as this book further develops Cressida’s friendships with her best friend, Lady Dorothy Chatterton, and her brother, Lord Alfred Delafield.
With its exceptional pacing, a few unexpected turns of events, and even the intriguing possibility of a future romantic relationship between the protagonist and Alfred, this fifth book, along with its sequel, Death in the Mayfair Hotel, was a truly delightful reading experience. I eagerly anticipate delving into the seventh installment, Death in an English Village, which is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2025.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
https://www.instagram.com/flisschester/
https://twitter.com/SocialWhirlGirl
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Fliss Chester here: https://www.bookouture.com/fliss-chester
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