I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Kat hosted a famous antiquing television show, but now she owns a small antique store off the estate of Honeychurch Hall. A string of crimes begin to occur, including robbery, a missing manuscript, and murder, and Kat must solve the mysteries while settling into her new life and the possibility of romance.

This was a fun, clever mystery. The characters are all really unique. Kat especially is likeable and easy to relate to.

The mystery is also a good one, full of lots of layers and twists and turns. All the little mysteries add up to one big one in a way that makes sense, but is still surprising.

Some of the characters were not likable, at least to me, but that definitely seemed like it was on purpose. Kat had to have some foils and some people to suspect right off the bat. ( )

I received this book as advance copy for my honest opinion. The story follows Kat and her mother Iris as a lot of drama unfolds in the village they are living in now. This was my first read in the Honeychurch Hall Mystery series. Since I didn’t have the backstory, it was a little hard for me in the beginning to understand the characters and the setting and why Kat and Iris are where they are now. This can be a good thing for readers that have followed the series from the beginning, but as someone who hasn’t read the first three books, it was very difficult for me.

Once I got a few chapters in, I was able to follow the story a lot easier. It seemed that anything and everything that could happen, did. Because there was so much drama going on, and different events happening, the book really picked up speed. I had to know what was going on and who was behind it all. It was not at all who I expected it to be.

I would definitely recommend this book to others, but may suggest reading the others in the series first. In the end however, I did really enjoy this book even without the background knowledge. It will be interesting to see where the series goes from here! ( )

Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison is the fourth book in A Honeychurch Hall Mystery series. In Little Dipperton, in the Devonshire countryside, the town is getting ready for the annual “Skirmish” which is the re-enactment of battles around Honeychurch Hall during the English Civil War (between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers). Kat is readying the West Gatehouse for Kat’s Collectibles and Valuation Services when Muriel Jarvis pays a call. She is having money troubles since the recent death of her husband and needs a loan. Muriel is the local postmistress and the nosiest woman in town. After dealing with Muriel, Kat is called away by her mother, Iris. Eric Pugsley discovered a skull in the ground while demolishing his old caravan (which was an eyesore). A dagger with the Honeychurch crest is found stabbed in the victim’s ribs and a torture device on her head. It is a very old crime, but D.I. Shawn Cropper shoos everyone away from the scene. Iris is busy creating costumes for the Honeychurch family for the Skirmish when she receives a call from her editor. Her latest manuscript for the Star-Crossed Lover series has failed to arrive at her publisher. Iris creates her novels on a typewriter and that was the only copy (she failed to make a copy). Iris mailed the package from Little Dipperton (you can see where this is heading) and tracking shows the item never left the post office. If Muriel opened the package, Iris’ secret life as Krystalle Storm will be revealed. The manuscript is not the only item missing from around town. Several objects have turned up missing. Just when Kat believes things cannot get worse, Muriel is found dead in her home after Albert did a reconnaissance mission for the manuscript. It looks like Albert and Iris are once again murder suspects. Then there is the little matter of Piers Carew and his sudden interest in Kat. Mayhem does not begin to describe matters in Little Dipperton.

Murderous Mayhem in Honeychurch Hall is jam packed. There is one wacky incident after another. Gossip and meddling are the main sources of entertainment in the village. There are several quirky characters (Iris being the main one) and readers are introduced to some new ones (including Piers Carew who I am sure we will see more of in the next book). The setting sounds just lovely. Murderous Mayhem in Honeychurch Hall is easy to read and has a quick pace. It is a humorous type of cozy mystery that focuses more on the characters and their antics. My mother loves these types of novels (with zany capers and hilarity). I do not recommend starting the series with Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall. If you have not read any of the other novels in the series, you will be a little lost (you need to start with Murder at Honeychurch Hall). I give Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery of Muriel’s murder and the string of thefts around town is easily solved. I was hoping it would be a little more complex. Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall is a madcap story that will appeal many readers. ( )

Murderous Mayhem At Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison is once again a fun, unique, quirky, fast paced cozy that has you laughing out loud at times and wondering what is coming next. From The peculiar quirky characters that are back for another adventure to the unusual circumstances they all find themselves in to the murders this is a book that you won't want to miss.

I enjoy this book because it takes you in and you find yourself getting caught up in the comings and goings of British life as well as the demographics of the Lord's and Lady's intermixed with the villagers of Little Dipperton

Each person in this book has their own peculiar personality and that just adds to the fun of the book. Kat is an antique appraiser who has a knack for getting right in the middle of everything that goes on at Honeychurch Hall. Her eccentric mother Iris and unconventional uncle Albert always add a quirky, unusual element to the plot with the stories they come up with to cover there mischievous exploits. I love these two they just make the book.

This story is two fold, one is the mystery when the body of a women, who seems to be an ancestor of either the Honeychurch's or the Carew's, is found accidentally and then the murders of Dipperton residents complicate the upcoming Skirmish planned at Honeychurch Hall. On top of all this Kat's mother Iris' missing manuscript pages need to be found and she is sure Muriel the postmistress has them. She sends Albert to retrieve them only to get mixed up in the murder of Muriel and becoming once again suspects in the investigation. On top of everything else someone has been stealing from the people of Little Dipperton, Lavinia thinks her husband Rupert Lord of Honeychurch is having an affair, Harry the son of Lavinia and Rupert along with his friend Max think they see a ghost in the churchyard and Kat thinks the ghost of Eleanor Honeychurch is trying to tell her something. It seems one thing after the other is happening and they all add up to a very interesting some what wacky but all together fascinating cozy mystery.

I love British mysteries and this one is a mix of Downton Abby meets Midsummer Murders. You have the Dowager and her quirky family along with the village secrets and mysteries like in Midsummer Murders to be solved. Wow so much is happening and it is just plain fun and entertaining to read. I think this one was better than the last book in the series.

This is the fourth book in the series but it can be read as a standalone book too. I highly recommend this book it is one you will not want to miss.

If you would like to learn more about this book or series you should check out the authors website at
http://www.hannahdennison.com/book-series/honeychurch-hall/

I would give, in my rating system, this book 4 1/2 Bookmarks

I received this book from the author for my honest opinion and review.

UNTIL NEXT TIME:

GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA, SOME CHOCOLATE, A GOOD BOOK AND KEEP ON READING! ( )

This fourth installment of Hannah Dennison's Honeychurch Hall series is every bit as delightful as the other three. These mysteries have all the hallmarks of a writer who's loving every minute of her work.

Her stately home setting allows Dennison to enlighten readers about the very real problems faced by the owners of such properties, and her method of showing how an extremely eccentric family tries to stay afloat and save their home takes away any appearance of this being "a lesson." In addition, having a family who's lived in the house for centuries lets the author bring to light all sorts of family skeletons-- like the one uncovered in time for the Civil War reenactment being carried out on the property.

As always, the cast of characters shines. I really liked the fact that Kat is actually starting to get her antique business off the ground. Readers get to meet a family black sheep named Piers and a very young wife named Jess, and busybody Muriel plays her role to perfection. I have to admit that Kat's mother Iris still annoys the stuffing out of me (let me count the ways!), but Dennison has so much fun with her that I won't complain.

There's so much to like in this book-- and the entire series-- that I could go on forever. This Honeychurch Hall series is one of my favorite cozy series, and if you haven't tried it by now, I hope you will in the very near future. Due to character development, I suggest you start at the beginning with Murder at Honeychurch Hall. You have some wonderful reading ahead of you! ( )