A Shot in the Dark; A Little Night Murder; London Calling by by Neil Richards, Matthew Costello, Nathaniel Parker (Narrator)

A Shot in the Dark

This is a short book, so a fast read. Nothing in depth but think that, as a whole series, might be quite fun.
Sir Harry Mortimer and his wife, Katherine, have just arrived in England after meeting overseas durinng the Great War. Harry is called away so Kat has to make her way to his family manor by herself. When she finds the dower house, it's all locked up so she's going to find the big house by herself. As she arrives, shots are fired and a man's body falls from a window. But it's the wrong number of shots. What is going on?

Three and a half stars

Mydworth Mysteries #1

This book came out January 31, 2020

Audible book of mine

A Little Night Murder

Kat and Harry are starting to get a little bit of a reputation. First they solved a murder and then they found the silver plate missing from the church. Now, the woman who runs the local Women's V(I don't remember what this stood for) Center has reached out. She has been trying to get a local woman away from the woman's abusive husband. However, that's not why she called Kat. Instead, she would like some help proving that the woman's son did not die accidentally, he was murdered. 

Sid had been a known poacher. And he was shot in an apparent accident. But Sid knew how to handle guns and it seems suspicious that he died in this manor. Add on that he was seeing the daughter of the man on whose land he was poaching and there could be some motive for murder.

The actual motive came a bit out of left field but the fun at this point is learning more about Kat and Harry, each of whom are more than they appear on the surface. 

Three and a half stars

Mydworth Mysteries #2

This book came out September 22, 2019

Audible book of mine

London Calling

Liz Spence is in her early twenties and she dreams of being on stage. She's leaving Mydworth for the bright lights of London, encouraged by a local talent scout. Her parents are worried and her mother reaches out to Kat and Harry for help. So Harry and Kat are off to the big city. Besides, it will give Harry a chance to show Kat his "pied a terre." What they find goes deeper than just a girl's disappearance, but they know how to help. 

It's short and quick with a little danger but not too much. 

Three and a half stars

Mydworth Mysteries #3

This bookc came out November 25, 2019

Audible book of mine

Opinions are my own

Murder by Moonlight by Matthew Costello, Neil Richards

A VERY short addition to this series. Jack and Sarah investigate the death of a choir member, Kirsty Kimball. Kirsty was extremely allergic to peanuts but everyone in the choir knew that and only brought food that was peanut free. However, one night she ingested some peanuts and, even though she had a large collection of epipens, the only one that she had in her purse didn't work.
I'm not sure that the story was built up enough for the way it ended but it was okay

Three stars

This book came out February 13, 2014

Follows Mystery at the Manor

Followed by Thick as Thieves

Audible audiobook

Opinions are my own

Mystery at the Manor by Matthew Costello, Neil Richards

This is an interesting series. More novella-in length than a full book but that keeps it quick and interesting. I'm hoping we see some more character development as the books go along. 

In this book, a manor house burns down, but our intrepid somewhat amateur detectives Jack and Sarah (only somewhat since Jack is former NYPD) are suspicious about it's causes. The two are going to team up to see about a few things including what was hidden on the floor that the manor's owner was found dead on, in a room he forbade anyone from entering. They will also figure out why the owner's children, none of whom seem like particularly nice people were cut out of his will.

Three stars

Cherringham #2

Follows Murder on Thames

Followed by Murder by Moonlight

Audible audiobook

Opinions are my own

Murder on Thames by Matthew Costello, Neil Richards

This was more of a novella-length audiobook than a full book set in the Cotswolds. It opens with a woman out walking with a dog when they discover a body. It's a woman' who used to live in the village but she hasn't for a long time making her something of an outsider. 

Sarah Edwards grew up in the village but left for fifteen years. After her divorce, she returned with her two children. She used to be local but is also still not quite a local.

Jack Brennan is definitely an outsider. The former NYPD detective moved to Cherringham after the death of his wife. He doesn't want to get caught up in this death but he isn't as sure as the local police that Sammi's death was an accident. 

The two work together to find out what happened to Sammi.

Because this is a shorter story, it is hard to get into the story but it was good enough and I enjoy getting to listen to Neil Dudgeon whose voice is perfect for a murder series.

Three stars

This book came out December 19, 2013

Cherringham #1

Followed by Mystery at the Manor

Audible novella

Opinions are my own