Murder on a Midnight Clear

I'm certainly enjoying Sara Rosett's novels in this series. The author has moved our heroine, Olive, into an improved living arrangement at South Regent Mansions, and also filled in a little more of the back story of Olive's friend, Jasper. It's not a top-heavy romance story fortunately (heavy romance and passion are not my 'jam' as the saying goes).

A highlight for me are the very engaging character sketches of the main players. I loved the little twists and turns, gentle progression in solving the murder mystery and the fact that some aspects remain unsolved. I certainly would like to see these dangling threads of mystery taken up again in later stories. There's so much scope for character development, an aspect in writing style I show more particularly enjoy.

I've caught up all the published ones now and this title was one of the best so far. Not a deep and clever mystery, being more about the development of a romantic liaison rather than a suspenseful detective story. I highly recommend this author if you're a fan of the historical setting for cosy mysteries. show less

Olive Belgrave is rather miffed when her sweetheart Jasper suddenly bows out of Christmas festivities at her uncle’s home, so when she learns that he is staying at Holly Hill Lodge, she drives down to take a peek at it. Unfortunately, while leaving her car is struck by another vehicle, and she is brought to the Lodge to be treated for her injuries. The hosts welcome her, as they love having house guests, but trouble soon appears in the form of a butler who first goes missing and then is discovered dead. And back-to-back snowstorms are not helping the investigation…. This is the sixth in the High Society Lady Detective series, and it answers a lot of questions about Jasper, Olive’s childhood friend and now sweetheart. As such, show more it’s very entertaining, although I’m not sure I buy into the whole “more the merrier, including complete strangers” ethos projected at a stately home especially at Christmas, and I thought the butler was perhaps a bit too much of a bad guy. Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed this series thoroughly and look forward to the next entry, whenever that may be! Recommended. show less

Olive is suspicious of her boyfriend, Jasper's, activities and is tailing him around London to figure out exactly what kind of work he does. When he abruptly changes their date she follows him to Holly Hill Lodge and manages to get run off the road and into a ditch. It's Christmas week, lots of decorating going on, fun and games, snowing and a butler is murdered. Quick fun read but the mystery takes 2nd place to Olive and Jasper.

An enjoyable visit with Olive and Jasper as they rush to find a murderer and possibly stop a treasonous plot.