Hyzy's latest novel had an interesting plot that tied up a lot of loose ends in Grace's life. This is mixed with a murder at her best friends' new business, that could spell doom for their business before it even opens. There are two mysteries that run throughout the book, and Hyzy does a good job balancing the two. With major issues resolved, hopefully Grace will have less problems in the next novel!

Book 10 of the Manor House Mysteries is another great story that will having you wishing you were to the manor born. At the least it will have you waiting impatiently for book nine. ;-)

As these characters in GRACE TO THE FINISH continue to grow and evolve, author Julie Hyzy readers are transfixed on their lives and what will become of them next. I myself have come to like some of the characters better over the series, and there is one that I don’t care for as much as I did.

This mystery started off fast in chapter one, and built momentum from there. With protagonist Grace Wheaton elbow deep in the everyday running of her own life, she takes on new challenges, and of course, a murder investigation. There’s never a dull moment in this story.

GRACE TO THE FINISH is perhaps my favorite book in the series so far. Well, okay, tied with one other title. Either way, this is some of Ms. Hyzy’s best writing.

I knew their was more too Dr. Joe, I enjoyed this one mainly because Grace finally got some closure where her mother is concerned. As always the mystery was well written with wonderful characters and a ending that left me wanting more.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Julie Hyzy and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Julie Hyzy is back for another annual instalment in the Grace Wheaton series. This novel packs a punch and offers some insight into numerous threads that have been left dangling from previous series novels. Celebrating their recent purchase of a run-down building in town, Grace and her roommates-cum-business partners are eager to get a start on the renovations. However, after opening things up, they discover a woman’s body laying at the base of the stairs. Virginia Frisbie is not a random victim, having served as the local bank’s vice-president and the institution’s representative in the sale of the property. Could she have fallen, or is there something more nefarious at play? Grace finds herself in the middle of yet another mystery that could have a definitely murderous odour. As the investigation progresses, a squatter is discovered and his account could play a key role in given better context as it relates to Virginia’s presence on-site, as well as a mysterious man with whom she would rendezvous on a regular basis within the building. If that were not enough, Grace’s sister, Liza, is set to be released from prison and is itching to get her hands on the lion’s share of the Marshfield Estate, something that Grace has been lucky enough to have been promised when her boss (and recently discovered uncle) Bennett Marshfield passed on. Armed with a nosy aunt in town from Florida, Liza seeks to cash-in on the millions (or billions) to which she feels she is entitled because of her bloodline. However, as Grace frets about this, she learns a secret about Liza that could pose an even larger problem, once it comes to the surface. Grace may have a great deal on her plate, but there are suitors all around her, some of whom she has been trying to encounter romantically for quite some time. They, too, have skeletons in their closets, forcing Grace to make some major life decisions. A wonderful addition to the Marshfield Manor series, showing how entertaining Hyzy’s writing can be, in that quaint manner reserved for clean-fun reading. Highly recommend the entire series for a beach-binge, should time permit.

I have heard rumours that Hyzy decided to end the series with this novel, which would be somewhat disheartening. If it is true, she ends things on a high note, closing the proverbial book on the series before it loses its lustre. Grace Wheaton has seen much transformation in the series and this novel allows the reader to learn a touch more about her. Her sleuthing ways are front and centre in this piece, while the interesting balance of her work seems to have taken a back burner. I always enjoyed the balance, though I suspect Hyzy had too many Grace balls in the air to inject mention of art in more than passing. The secondary characters remain strong, with Frances adding her two cents whenever and wherever possible. The rest of the crew keep the story flowing well, though they do not play a crucial role. Even Liza and Aunt Belinda seem to be muted in the storyline that utilizes them. The overall mystery is strong and keeps the reader guessing. The entire series has relied on a quaint nature and so there is a strong sense of lightheartedness, even when cracking the mystery wide-open. Some key aspects of the story are resolved herein, which fuels the aforementioned rumours a little. However, there is much that could be developed yet, so Hyzy has not entirely closed the door on another book. Either way, I enjoy these novels, as they are quick-reads and highly entertaining for the time they take to finish.

Kudos, Madam Hyzy, for another wonderful novel. I am eager to see what else you have going on, being it Grace, Olivia, or someone new.

Grace to the Finish by Julie Hyzy is the eighth (and, unfortunately, the last) book in A Manor House Mystery series. Grace Wheaton is touring the Granite Building, the new sight for Amethyst Cellars, with Bruce and Scott. They are preparing to go down to the basement when they see a woman collapsed on the floor at the bottom of the steps. It turns out to be Virginia Frisbie, the banker Scott and Bruce dealt with when buying the building. Upon further inspection of the basement, they discover that someone has been squatting there and items are missing. Did Virginia interrupt a thief which resulted in her death? Grace’s sister, Liza is being released from prison and is coming to live in Emberstowne. Aunt Belinda has agreed to come from Florida to supervise Liza (Grace wishes to avoid her toxic sister). Grace is worried how her sister will behave and what will happen when Liza learns about Grace’s good fortune. It turns out that Aunt Belinda has already informed Liza, and they have hired an attorney. Grace needs to find a way to stop Liza. An old memory sends Grace searching through old family photo albums. Grace sets out to unearth what was happening at the Granite Building in the hopes of catching Virginia’s killer. She will need to multitask to keep up with her work at Marshfield Manor, snare a murderer, uncover a way to hinder her conniving sister, and, if Grace is lucky, find time for a date with Dr. Joe Bradley.

Grace to the Finish is well-written, has good characters, and a nice setting. It has been interesting to watch Grace (as well as the other characters) develop over the course of the series. She is slowly adjusting to her new role as heir to Bennett Marshfield. I like that Grace is an intelligent and articulate main character with a good moral compass (as well as relatable). I wish there were more main characters like Grace in cozy mysteries. The pace of the story is medium. There is quite a bit of activity in the story and numerous details that go along with it (which slows down the flow of reading). Two of my favorite characters are Frances and Flynn. They provide humor to the story (it helps to lighten it up). Grace to the Finish is best read after finishing the first seven books in the series. Each book in the series builds upon the previous one. I give Grace to the Finish 4.50 out of 5 stars. I just wish the two mysteries had been more complex (I would settle for one). The murder mystery and the one regarding Liza were easy to unravel. Actually, the murder of Virginia Frisbee is a storyline that unfolds instead of a mystery that readers can solve (I prefer a mystery that I can solve—I find it more captivating). I appreciated that Grace works with the police to solve the crime (instead of going behind their backs or working against them). The romance was not over-the-top in the story (thank goodness). It was light and enhanced the story. I am saddened that there will be no further books in A Manor House Mystery series. We need more cozy mysteries like Grace to the Finish.

Another great book in this series.well written, interesting characters with a nice twist at the end.

I enjoy all the cozy's that Julie Hyzy writes. This book is #8 in the Manor House Mystery series. Grace and her friends are about to open a new restaurant when their real estate agent is found dead in the basement. Another murder brings Grace back in touch with Joe, the medical examiner and their romance continues its ups and downs. With the help of a homeless man that has been using the deserted building for shelter, Grace and the police uncover a large credit card scam. Wonderful characters and the continuing friendship of Bennett and Grace is charming. Lots of intrigue with her ex con sister attempting to extort money and the killer trying to cover his tracks.

I'm a big fan of the Manor House Mysteries and of our heroine Grace Wheaton. Grace is a strong, decent character, someone you'd like to have as a friend--a friend who works at a mansion and has been discovered to be related to the owner and heir to a fortune. Nevertheless, Grace's moral compass is strong and she doesn't take advantage of her situation.

Grace to the Finish finds her dealing with a number of mysteries, the main one having to do with the murder of a bank employee whose body has been found in the building she and her friends have purchased. Secondary plot lines focus on Grace's personal life as she deals with her ex-con sister who (wouldn't you know it) wants to stake her claim on Grace's inheritance as well as the history of her potential love interest Joe, the town coroner/doctor who has a hidden life of his own.

Grace's untangles all of this with, well, grace, and keeps us rooting for her and looking forward to her next adventure.

Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.