Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison

Once again, Kat Stanford is pulled into a murder investigation when the local postmistress turns up dead. Muriel Jarvis was also the local gossip. It was she who lost Hannah's mother's latest creation, another story written under her pseudonym, Krystalle Storm. It is also Muriel whose husband had recently died and left her deep in debt. Could it have been that Muriel was using her position to ferret out people's secrets and then making them pay for her to keep them?
This was an interesting book that had a nice mix of new and familiar characters. Harry is back as is his philandering father and slightly-dim-but-sweet mother. So is her brother who I didn't particularly like and I have a feeling we're going to see more of him. A lot of story shoved in to this book and I don't particularly love all of the side characters (the Iris/Alfred combo wears a bit) but other than that a nice addition to the series.

Three stars
This book comes out May 2
Follows A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall

A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall Hannah Dennison

This book starts soon after a bang. To be specific, the bang was an Edwardian ceiling falling in at Honeychurch Hall after a pipe burst in an unused part of the manor. Kat has been asked to come and evaluate some paintings in the hope that they might get enough at auction to pay for the damage. While examining one of the possibilities, Kat discovers a secret room. In fact, two secret rooms. The second one being more of a cellar. Unfortunately, the second secret room holds a body, that of American heiress Pandora who disappeared in 1958. Unfortunately, one of the long-held memories of the village is that Kat's mother was one of the last people seen with Pandora and they were arguing.
Add in some missing treasure, long-lost loves, and the rearing ugly head of Kat's ex and this is a perfectly delightful addition to the Honeychurch series.
Four stars
This book comes out May 3

Follows Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall
Followed by Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall

Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison

The book picks up pretty much where Murder at Honeychurch Hall leaves off. The HS3 (train) looks like it's going to come right through Honeychurch Hall and Little Dipperton, meaning everyone that we met in the last book is going to be put out of their homes. And, of course, the government is not going to be compensating most of them. Including Patty and Joyce Gully who help open the book with a literal bang when they start shooting at government agent Valentine Price-Avery. But soon after, Joyce is found dead. Accident or murder? Then another body is found and... well, you'll have to read the book.

This book still made my head spin with all of the "who knows what" information but it was slightly better than the last book (maybe I'm getting into the groove of the writing?) and I will definitely be looking forward to the next one in the series. And I'm still not sure when this is supposed to be set. I'm thinking maybe early 2000s? People, even in a teeny town in England, would have internet and cell phones. Maybe not at "the hall" but certainly the majority of the town would.
I do have to mention that I like the fact that Kat isn't your typical amateur detective. She's not into investigating the crimes and going around the police. Rather, she just questions things she's interested in (usually before there's a body) and happens to be in the line of the story.

Followed by A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall