Karen Baugh Menuhin

The Heathcliffe Lennox tales read as if P.G. Woodhouse had taken to writing murder mysteries. Set in the 1920s, they are tremendously entertaining in a Saturday serial fashion. This is book 4, and Lennox and Inspector Swift (along with the butler Greggs and the dog, Mr. Fogg) journey to Syria to come to the aid of Lennox's lady love, the archaeologist, Percy (Persephone). They get entangled with a movie crew, spies, sheiks and murder. I listen to this series in audiobook format, and the show more narrator Sam Dewhurst-Phillips catches the mood spot on. I've enjoyed all of this series, but this one is my favorite so far. show less

The Curse of Braeburn Castle - Menuhin
Audio performance by S. Dewhurst-Phillips
3 star

This is the third book of the Heathcliff Lennox mystery series. I thought the first book was mildly entertaining. The murder mystery was predictable, but there were quirky, likable characters in humorous situations. I was happy to buy this audiobook on sale. It sounded perfect for October and Halloween. Although, as it is set in Scotland, the holiday is Samhain.

It’s a great setting for a classic mystery; show more an isolated, moated castle inconveniently cut off from the mainland by dire weather just as the body count begins to climb. There's an ancient skeleton in a crumbling wall, a lost treasure, and a mysterious psychic performing seances. I wasn’t looking for sophisticated fiction. I did hope for humor.

The author certainly tried to make the story amusing. There were kilt and sporran gags, the batty psychic and a fastidious, lovelorn butler. But, somehow the humor fell flat in this one. The audio performance was too ponderous and slow. I may have missed something because I skipped the second book in the series. I probably will go back and read it sometime when I’m looking for an easy read. show less

Another delightful entry in the Heathcliff Lennox 1920s mystery series. In this one, Lennox and Swift are called in by the Abbot of Yorkshire monastery when the death of the local "lord of the manor" leads to a missing valuable manuscript, secrets of old crimes coming out, and new murders. Lennox also has a personal dilemma when he meets a woman who reminds him of the French girl he fell in love with during the war, who died. He needs to decide if he is really over her and ready to move show more forward with his new love, Percy.

It a thoroughly enjoyable entry in a strong series. show less

The Black Cat Murders - Menuhin
Audio performance by S. Dewhurst-Phillips
3 stars

Publisher’s blurb, “Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie with a touch of Wodehouse and a dog of distinction.”

I agree that Mr. Fogg is a dog of distinction. The setting is an English country house during the decade following WW1. The mystery doesn’t come close to the twisty plotting of an Agatha Christie novel. The author tries very hard, too hard, for Wodehouse-like humor, but doesn’t ever truly bring show more it off.
The book is what it is, a very predictable cozy mystery. The continuing characters are more cartoon caricatures than any approximation of reality. I was mildly offended by a few of the stereotypes, (especially the cross-dressing male characters) since this is a recently published book, not one that was written in 1925. But, I was only a little annoyed. The author is imitating the writing style and attitudes of another time. The book works as a mildly entertaining distraction. I do like Mr. Fogg and his kitten. show less