Murder on Mistletoe Lane by Clara McKenna

Stella is eager to be Lady Lyndhurst but not everyone is willing to turn over the reins to a brash American. There is some dissension in the ranks and not all of the servants are happy about the changes that Stella is trying to make. Meanwhile, she is just trying to incorporate a bit of her own memories of Christmas. 

The holiday starts off with some food being stolen from the kitchen, escalates to the firing of a maid, and then really goes off the rails when a dead body is discovered. 

This mystery didn't feel as tight as others in this series. It was an okay story but not as well constructed as some of the previous books. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 24, 2023

Follows Murder at the Majestic Hotel

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder at the Majestic Hotel by Clara McKenna

It's Stella and Lyndy's honeymoon and they've just arrived at the Majestic to discover that the honeymoon suite has been stolen by Horace Wingrove, the eccentric owner of a well-known confectionery and he's handing out chocolate boxes right and left. The happy couple are disappointed but are distracted by... well, the honeymoon. 

Unfortunately, when they wake up, they discover that Mr. Wingrove has suffocated in his room overnight. The room in which they were supposed to have stayed. And his nephew and secretary are both in the hotel and acting strangely. 

The policeman on the case is not very impressed by Stella and Lyndy trying to help. In fact, he doesn't understand why this American woman cares at all. But Stella has connections that the inspector doesn't and she will be the one to ultimately figure out what exactly happened at the Majestic. Oh, and thwart a plot to kill the queen.

There was a lot going on in this book again but it was a fun read nonetheless. 

Three and a half stars

This book comes out October 25, 2022

Follows Murder at Keyhaven Castle

Followed by Murder on Mistletoe Lane

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder at Keyhaven Castle by Clara McKenna

I am really enjoying this series in general. Each book takes its time without rushing anything. We don't get to see a LOT of Stella and Lyndy's relationship developing and the backstory on the mystery for this one was a little underdeveloped but it is just a light, cozy mystery that is perfect for beach reading. 

Stella and Lyndy are finally heading toward marriage, the random murders and her father's meddling notwithstanding. The invitations have been sent, the wedding is announced in all the papers, and everyone is starting to come over - even some uninvited guests. 

In the invited category is a family that Stella's father invited because they are influential in Kentucky. Stella was always set up to be the daughter's best friend but the girl didn't treat her very well and that continues to this day with backhanded compliments and little digs that no one else seems to notice. 

For the uninvited guest, there is one rather sinister young man with a pistol and murder on his mind but also Stella's father's brother and his children. It is looking like it will be an interesting gathering but Stella and Lyndy are just ready for one thing, to finally be married. Except that it looks like a murder is going to change their plans...

Four stars
This book comes out  June 29th, 2021
Follows Murder at Blackwater Bend

Followed by Murder at the Majestic Hotel

ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna

If you can wade through the cavalcade of names and backgrounds thrown at you during the beginning of this book, it ends up being a decent read, even though the whirling mass of characters continues throughout the book. Even having read the first book didn't help untangle the crowd very much. The best part of this book is getting to see the relationship between Stella and Lyndy starting to unfold (and a little comeuppance for Lyndy's mother.)
Stella Kendrick and Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst started with an arranged marriage but found that they actually might like each other very much. As they are starting to get to know each other, one of the things they do is go fly fishing. And it's on the river that Stella discovers the body of Lord Fairbrother. Fairbrother is your typical mystery victim; people want him dead for a wide variety of reasons. His wife, a former flame of Lyndy's, didn't especially like the man. His neighbors knew that he accepted bribes for any number of votes on various community issues. His pony won the local best in breed seven years in a row though it was patently obvious that it was not an exemplar of the breed. So, all in all a bad sort who nobody misses.

Three stars
This book comes out June 30th
Follows Murder at Morrington Hall

Followed by Murder at Keyhaven Castle
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna

A Kentucky heiress, Stella Kendrick isn't much for the social whirl. Which makes it even more surprising that her father has dragged her along to some society wedding in England. Specifically, at Morrington Hall where her father is giving some of his racehorses as a gift. Stella is shocked to find out that she is supposed to be the bride. Strong-willed and independent (she drives!), she's determined that this wedding will not happen. No matter how handsome or understanding the groom is.
Lyndy, Viscount Lyndhurst is bemused by this brash young woman. She doesn't act like anyone he's ever known. Stella certainly doesn't act like she's anxious to be married to an English lord nor is she particularly interested in being the perfect viscountess. And that, along with her beauty, intrigues him.
Their wedding day is stalled, however, when the vicar supposed to marry them is found dead in the library. By Lyndy and Stella no less. This definitely casts a pall over the wedding proceedings but it gives them a chance to get to know each other a little. Lyndy is working hard to convince Stella that he doesn't want her to change while Stella is trying hard to figure out who killed the vicar and stole the surprisingly large amount of money from his coin purse.
An interesting start to a series. The relationship between Lyndy and Stella is only just beginning so we only get to see the two of them starting to figure each other out and I think that was a wise choice. The mystery was a little more rocky for my taste. The motive sort of made sense but I didn't think that the solution was introducted in a logical manner.

Three stars
Followed by Murder at Blackwater Bend
This book came out May 28th
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own