Emma Cross and Derrick Andrews are finally engaged to be married. Emma is a poor relation of the Vanderbilts while Derrick is from a wealthy social prominent family. They are at a dinner party at Beacon Rock, the home of the Morgans, as in JP, and while there Emma and in the company of Lucy Carnegie, discover a young woman's body washed up near the boat house. No one seems to know who she was but a small clue leads Emma and Derrick into dangerous waters to discover her identity and possible motive for her death.

I truly enjoy this series set at the beginning of the 20th century n Newport, each one highlighting one of the mansions of the rich and famous. ( )

In this latest installment of the Gilded Newport Mysteries, Emma is at a crossroads. Her engagement to a member of the New England elite is about to become public knowledge, awakening all her concerns and insecurities about whether she truly belongs in his world. It doesn't help when, after a fancy dinner one evening, she discovers the body of a young woman washed up by the tide, and feels called upon to investigate.
Emma's character has been tempered a bit in this latest book, and I found her investigative methods to be less intrusive than they sometimes were in the past, which helps her come across as a more sympathetic sleuth.
The identity of the murderer is not particularly difficult to guess, as there are hardly any legitimate suspects.
If you're looking for a turn-of-the-century mystery series with a beautiful setting and a sort of outsider-looking-on perspective at all the rich and famous people, you may very well enjoy this!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this advance review copy. ( )

This is a favorite series of mine and have visited the mansions in earlier the books in series. Times are changing and Emma is a reporter for the newspaper in Newport and society still thinks little of women working. However, she meets a modern Lucy Carnegie who has forced her way into the yacht club and racing circle and friends. They stumbled upon a woman's body floating off a dock and Lucy jumps into water but the woman has already drown. Lucy wants to help Emma find out who the woman is and what happened to her while Newport society want nothing to do with the dead woman. Lucy, Emma and her fiance Derrick investigate and help Jessie, the police detective and their friend, who must tread carefully with Newport's wealthy summer residents. Very exciting ending. ( )

In this installment of the Gilded Newport Series, Alyssa Maxwell focuses on the Morgans, as in Edwin and his overly charming and condescending wife Elizabeth, John Pierpont Morgan and his wife Fanny and all things relating to the America’s Cup and The New York Yacht Club. While Maxwell has never shied away from exposing some of the absurdities of the Families of the Four Hundred in this book she actively goes after their affluence and attitudes. But hey of what importance is a dead body washed up on your property when you have a piece of silver to chase after and win for your beloved Yacht Club.

The story was interesting, especially if you enjoy sailing and more-so if you are acquainted with The New York Yacht Club and the America’s Cup Challenge. The mystery was a little here and a little there and not as exciting as some others but well thought out and seamlessly executed. The introduction of the very sympathetic Lucy Carnegie was a huge plus. As was the strengthening of our protagonist’s personal relationship with a strong, supportive fiancée.

I especially enjoyed learning about this Mansion as it is not available for viewing by mere mortals. It has been privately held by only a handful of owners since its construction in 1887-1890. Thanks Ms. Maxwell for the descriptions and insights and your perseverance during a particularly difficult personal time. Further thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for a copy. ( )

Murder at Beacon Rock by Alyssa Maxwell
Note from the author about how publishing company was sympathetic to her family and length of time to took to bring this book to light.
Fascinating tale of 1900's in historic Newport, RI, I live down the other end of the island and the author has a way to make history interesting.
This story is about Emma the newspaper reporter and she's engaged to Derrick and they spend time at friend’s house while men separate to discuss the America's Cup races and sailing.
They are gathering facts about others who might've known the woman that was found dead on the rock. They even travel to Long Island, NY and visit relatives at the same time while discovering more clues.
She is lured to the boathouse when Lucy summons her. She is caught and not sure how to get out of trouble and turn the killer over to the police.
Love the streets That I have driven on, Reading Room mention where my brother in law has worked in the past summers, ferry rides, America's cup and sailing and scenes described to perfection.
Scary at times, romantic at others, fashion, house adornments, photography techniques, sailing techniques, mysterious events and she knows ti won't be much longer...
Love this series and can't wait to read more. I never guess right who the culprit is...
Love the notes at the end of the book describing things you may have questions about and other mysteries to this day still unresolved.
A KEEPER!
I received this review book from The Kensington Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#MurderatBeaconRock #NetGalley ( )