I happily spent the day revisiting these lovely characters and Selchester. The mystery kept me intrigued and the plight of Georgia near the end kept me turning the pages.
In the final scene where Hugo and Freya follow Georgia side by side, I can only imagine that this harbingers romance and a HEA for the pair.
I'm sad that we will no longer read new stories from this author but can be content with rereading and discovering a few unread titles from her back catalogue.

Book three in the 'Very English Murder' series. Leaked secrets and lies abound and it's up to Hugo Hawksworth to do some digging - it's not too long before a body turns up. The final book in this witty and very readable series and an engaging read.

My honest opinion - I am both happy and unsatisfied about this book.

Facts first: the authoress of The Very English mysteries, of whom this book is the last one, had died while working on it. So the book has been co-written and finished by her son.

The series will not continue. Thank you, dear author/s, for the witty and highly entertaining ride! It has been a pleasure.

I love this series immensely. The title is right: the books are very British, very clever, full of very dry humour, very lovely to read. I love all the characters, even Lady Sonia and Valerie!

But in all honesty - one can tell the third book (most of it) has been written by the different author. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to Mr Audley to finish the book! To be able to know what had happened next in my beloved series is pure pleasure and I would read anything written by anyone about these people. And this third installment is a lovely testament of son´s love for his mother.

But while I recognize all of the effort and love put into the next book - I can also feel that the touch is different and the lightness is gone. Too much communists, too little of wits of Father Leo, for example. Too little of the old charm.

Coming from the post-Communist country, I like all the exact descriptions of the regime. And as the lover of all things Hungarian-Árpád, nice to meet you!

A Matter of Loyalty by Anselm Audley and Elizabeth Edmondson is the third and final book in the Very English Mystery series. This was the first book that I read in this series and it was difficult to pick it up and figure out the plot and characters at first. The story moved somewhat slowly and was hard to get into for that reason as well. I think my favorite part of the book was the afterward where the author explains that his mother wrote this series and he finished this final book. It is a sweet tribute to his mother and a fun read overall. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher. These opinions are entirely my own.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher*

lthough I would definitely recommend reading the first two in this series before picking up A Matter of Loyalty to fully understand the background of the characters, I would perhaps suggest you don’t read all three in a row because, unfortunately, I did, and I think it took away some of my enjoyment for the series.

Yes, by book three I was finding the plot lines a bit weak and the characters flat. The repetition of certain aspects of the book (Freya's secret writing life; everyone knowing that Hugo and his colleagues aren't really statisticians; Georgia's tragic backstory) also might not have been as annoying if you'd only read about them once ever couple of months.

Yes, this book again has spy, Hugo, and writer, Freya, trying to solve a mystery. They’re joined again by Hugo’s sister, Georgia, Hugo’s priest Uncle Leo, the new earl, Gus, and his two daughters (who are related to Freya), the old Earl’s daughter, the old Earl’s sister, Sonia (also all related to Freya), the housekeeper, Hugo’s social climbing girlfriend, the men who run the coffee shop, the famous actress, the local policeman, the mayor (or something, IDEK) and his daughter, the bookstore owner and Gus's potential love interest (the most boring character evah!), and Hugo’s countless work colleagues. 

When a nuclear scientist goes missing in the area, and then later is found dead, we are introduced to even more characters. There’s the married couple who give lectures and practise witchcraft (or something, IDEK), the scientist’s feisty wife, the annoying investigator (or something IDEK) from the city , a Hungarian scientist looking to defect (this character/storyline made zero sense and was only used as a device for characters to have thinky thoughts out loud, and perhaps to help out the reader who hasn't read the previous books), some more work colleagues of Hugo’s, another spy friend of Hugo’s who happens to be sleeping with Sonia, another spy type who is framed for the murder, and probably quite a few I’ve forgotten! Yes, this book had the same issue as the first and second being that there are just too many characters. 

Hugo is still a bit of a crap spy, despite every character constantly stating otherwise. Three books in and I still don’t think he’s solved anything.

If you solved the mystery, I congratulate you, but let’s face it, you were guessing. There is no way you could solve or follow that why-he-was-killed plot.

Also, frustratingly Hugo and Freya have still not resolved any of their sexual tension. (Actually, they haven’t even shown signs of sexual tension, which is even more frustrating! LOL)

Oddly, despite all this, I still found I liked this book and have developed an affection for its characters. Their creator, Elizabeth Edmondson, unfortunately passed away and this installment was actually written by her son, Anselm Audley. Audley, it must be said, replicates his mother’s style perfectly. You would never know another writer had taken over. (It brought back contrasting memories of how much I disliked Jill Paton Walsh’s attempt at Dorothy Sayers.)

Audley’s author notes at the end were heartbreaking and, though he claims he will not ever write another book in this series, I seriously hope he changes his mind. (Or allows someone else to continue to write the series - hey, Anselm, call me!) I think there’s quite a lot more you could do with the series and the characters (after all, there’s enough of them to choose from!). 

And, even though I said I shouldn’t have read them all books in such quick succession, I will really miss them and the series.

3 and ½ out of 5

A Cold War "country house"-ish mystery that, for me, spends a bit too much time with the paper pushers and scientists and away from the residents of Selchester, whose characters and general quirkiness make this series a standout. The last two chapters feel rushed and hugely implausible, even for a town in which like 3 people die a month, but don't permanently mar the novel. Given the sad news of Ms. Edmondson's passing, fingers crossed that this isn't the last novel in the series.

What a great book! It reminded me of the tv-series "Foyle's war" and this novel is certainly tv-series material. It is 1954 and the Cold War is on. In the rural English countryside, Hugo Hawksworth, is posted at a backwater office of the British Intelligence Services, when a scientist working for an also hushhush nearby facility for atomic research goes missing. As Hugo is close he is put on the case together with an annoying policeman. But did the scientist go to the Russians? There seems not a hint towards communism in his background.

In the meantime we are treated to interesting characters. Hugo is sharing not an apartment but a whole castle (the war destroyed a lot of houses) with his orphaned niece, an American professor who is the new earl and his daughter and the half-sister of that earl who is a secret writer of detective stories (what is told with glee).

The story is entertaining and shows us normal life in the countryside just after the war. Landed gentry vs modern city dwellers, families still suffering the losses from the war, arty types.

The book is a joy to read. The book is part 3 around Hugo and his friends. I will certainly read part 1 and 2 as well. Unfortunately the writer died so we will never know if he will marry her.

I was a little reluctant to dive in as I had read in advance that this book was written by Elizabeth Edmundson's son, due to her passing. I couldn't have been more wrong. The transition between the mother and son was seamless. In the little town of Selchester, surrounded by top secret government facilities, spies and murders are common occurrences. A noted scientist is murdered, and secrets are being leaked, so Hugo is investigating. Twists and turns abound, and sometimes the pacing is a little slow, but slowly but surely all is revealed. Hugo, unfortunately, puts one of those he loves at risk, to solve the case, but all in all a fitting end to an enjoyable series.
I received this book in return for an unbiased review from Net Galley.

This is the first book I’ve read by these authors. It was apparent that there was a lot of back story in the prior books. So I’d recommend checking out earlier books as it would make the story fuller and richer. However, I was able to figure out connections after a short time.

I enjoyed how the castle came to be used in so many different ways. I learned what a priest hole is and wanted to explore the castle. I understood why Georgia didn’t want to leave.

The descriptions of the characters are vivid and accurate. “Bruno bore grudges until they died of old age, and then had them embalmed” (location 1611). Jarrett’s disregard for others and his high opinion of himself was incredible. Gus is incredibly gracious and hospitable. He and Freya are the ones I’d most want to hang out with.

I enjoyed the twists and turns as the mystery unfolded. Everyone had a hand in solving it. I enjoyed it. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

A Very English Mystery series:

Book 1: A Man of Some Repute

Book 2: A Question of Inheritance

Book 3: A Matter of Loyalty

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book, the latest in the series. It was good to catch up with previously known characters as the mystery slowly evolved.

This is the third book in the series, I hadn't read the others but this wasn't a problem. The book is set in the early 1950s and based in an English village. There are spies, a murder and a leak at the local nuclear plant. Its difficult to know who can be trusted and there are plenty of twists in the plot. Hugo is charged with finding the leak and is very solid, charming and trustworthy. It seems his superiors want the matter dealt with as quickly and as hushed up as possible but Hugo is determined to find the truth. A good read with some well rounded characters. Its a shame its the last in the series, I'll be reading the previous two.

Would have been a fabulous book if I hadn't felt a little bit lost with the characters, and the storyline from the previous book. The story was very enjoyable, and I have read the previous book some time back, but I did find myself trying to fill in the gaps at first. It did improve as I read on and I did enjoy the book.

In the third novel — and, sadly, last — in the series featuring spy Hugo Hawksworth and his family and friends, an atomic physicist has disappeared from near their village of Selchester. A brash zealot from Special Branch has come down from London to look into the disappearance, convinced that Dr. Bruno Rothesay has defected to the Soviet Union and that the local intelligence agents are at fault. The arrogant Inspector Jarrett (the allusion to Javert is all too obvious) will cause plenty of upset before Hugo, with the aid of his free-spirited friend Freya Wryton, settles the matter.

Author Elizabeth Edmondson died in 2016 before she had finished the novel, and I was dubious whether her son, Anselm Audley, would be up to the task. (His usual oeuvre is sci-fi fantasy novels.) But Audley did his mother proud in his handling of the series that debuted with A Man of Some Repute. A Matter of Loyalty was as suspenseful and intriguing as the books that Edmondson wrote all by herself. I loved every single minute!

But Audley’s triumph proves bittersweet: He says there won’t be any further adventures for Hugo and Freya and Georgia and their delightful family and friends.

"This will be the last Selchester book, and the last book of her career…. I knew enough of this one to write almost the book she intended, but I can’t do justice to the remaining books in the series. They should exist as her creations, or not at all."

So there you have it. A worthy end to a marvelous series. Thank you, Mr. Audley, for this final gift from your mother.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly, the last book in the Very English Mystery series after the death of the original author. Her son has done an admirable job finishing her work with this book. As in the first two books, the characters, setting and plot are perfectly done.

I highly recommend this book and the other two books in the series.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had not read the earlier books so thanks to Netgalley for the ARC which introduced us. This is a classic British mystery that falls somewhere between a procedural (well, in a castle) and a thriller. Terrifically atmospheric, both in tone and in location (there's a castle!) this focuses on espionage and murder. Hugo Hawksworth's investigation of the murder of a scientist is tied to the leak of secrets to the Russians. Who is the mole? Hugo's certain it's not the dead man. This isn't leCarre- it's not as twisty or complex- but it's a well done Cold War tale of spy versus spy. You don't need to read the previous two books to enjoy this one, which I hope will not be the last for this character, given that the original author has died- her son, Audley, who normally writes in different genres, did a terrific job with this.

I've already written about how much I was looking forward to the next instalment in the Selchester series, which will be out on 19th October. Then I was lucky enough to get a preview copy from NetGalley.

Anselm Audley writes at the end of the book:
‘This will be the last Selchester book and the last book of (my mother’s) career. It was written to honour her valiant effort, and to ensure that one, at least, of all the stories she still wanted to tell would see the light of day.’
So, does this continuation of a series by another writer work? Yes, I’m pleased to say. This story progresses seamlessly from the one before and all the characters behave as one would expect them to. It begins with the disappearance of ‘an atomic scientist’ and the assumption that he has defected. Hugo Hawksworth (wonderful name), is not satisfied that the missing man was a traitor and yet again his investigations come up against an establishment all too ready to opt for the easy solution and hush things up as much as possible. I can’t say more without giving spoilers except that, towards the end, the book becomes a real page turner and I raced through it.

My only criticism (very personal) would be that the balance between Hugo/the Service/the police/murder investigations and life for the people living at the castle is rather tipped in favour of the former. I like as much as possible about the castle. If you’ve enjoyed the previous Selchester books, you have to have this one, too.

<i>Book received from both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an honest review</i>

I do not recall why I initially tried the first book in this series. I hadn’t read the author before. I’m not 100% certain now if I even know if the book would be a romance, or a spy book, or a mystery, or possibly all three. I do recall that I liked that book and liked the sequel. So we come to this third book in the series.

It’s not a spoiler to note that the author never intended this to be a three book series, but then that author also didn’t intend to die in between book two and three without even a first draft written. Nor is it a spoiler to note that the author who took over the third book, after his mother’s death, has no intention of continuing the series beyond this one additional book. But there are reasons for that – he had worked on the previous two books, and worked on this book before his mother’s death. He may or may not know where the series was intended to go, but only had the outline for this book. So, to the best of his ability, he completed the book for his mother.

This was a difficult book to enter. There seemed to be an amazingly large number of people bouncing around in it, several plot lines that didn’t seem necessarily interesting . . . etc. etc. But then, somewhere along the line, something ‘clicked’ in me and everything became quite interesting. Good solid plot, interesting spy mystery, and the separate plots, that I thought were more of an A/B/C etc. story on a television show (which do not have to intersect), actually turned out to have more connections than I had expected. It was still a large cast, though, and I still occasionally misplaced who exactly specific people were. There’s one specific section, I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit, wherein someone was talked to, talked with, was a large part of the scene and . . . I still haven’t a clue who that individual is/was/could be. I believe his name was Richard.

Right, so, what can I say about the book? It is an historical fiction set in a smallish village in England during the 1950s, and involves a mix of people – high class, mid-class, low-class; a mix of story lines (some mystery, some family-issues related, some spy related). The stories, for the most part, focus on those people, if you’ve followed the series up to now, already meet – those people who live in that old castle in that fictional small village in England called Selchester.

There’s Hugo and Georgia (or was that Georgina? Pfft, I forget now) Hawksworth who are brother and sister, though of vastly different ages (Hugo’s more like 30 something while Georgia is more like 12) and one, Hugo, is the guardian of the other, Georgia, because of the impact of World War II (father’s ship sank; mother was killed in the same bombing in London that trapped Georgia under debris). Hugo is and had been a spy – is/had been because he had been an active field agent until he was shot, and now works as an investigator. Georgia is a kid going to school. Both of those roles come up and are followed in this book.

Also present in the book is a Special Branch investigator, Jarret, who has come to the area to investigate a believed Soviet spy (which quickly becomes a murder investigation), though he isn’t one of the characters who has a point of view. Soo . . . there’s Gus and Polly, the Americans who are now the Earl, and whatever you call the daughter of an Earl, in Selchester. And Freya, she has a point of view, she’s a ‘bodice-ripper’ author, though tells everyone she’s currently writing a history of her family (she’s related to the Selchester Earl, the previous one, though since Gus is the son of that previous one, also related, somehow, to the present Earl). And, um, Vivian, who is putting on a play, and Saul, who is opening a gallery, and Emerson, who is a friend of Saul’s and had been ‘in the Service’ with Hugo, and Sonia, who is Freya’s cousin (and Sonia is the daughter of the previous Earl, though only step-sister to present Earl; different mothers), and . . and . . . well, I did say there were a ton of characters. I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’ve not even tracked down and reported on everyone who has a point of view in the book. Though everyone I’ve mentioned, so far, has previously appeared in the series. Oh, I’ll also note that Uncle Leo, the priest, also turns up (Hugo and Georgia’s uncle), and that Hugo’s girlfriend, Valerie, also makes several appearances.

Despite the massive crowd of characters, and the difficulty ‘getting into’ the book, this was a rather enjoyable book. Quite curious where the story might have gone from here, though, the readers will never know (unless some previously unknown notebook of notes is found, or something like that, though that seems quite unlikely (for reasons – mostly for the reason that the author, Anselm Audley, had noted that they didn’t have enough information to continue the series beyond this book)). This is/was a good book in terms of a spy novel, a mystery, and a historical fiction novel.

If I was to attempt to note things I found ‘negative’, I’d only really come up with three things: there really are way too many characters to follow, who have their own point of views present (and the afterword notes that some of the intended characters were cut); I never really understood the point of Valerie, and she always seemed to be held up as a negative . . . though I never could see why – because she preferred the city? Because . . . um . . . *shrugs*, though I always felt that way about the character, not just in this book; something about how the book was difficult to ‘get into’ though, other than bluntly stating that, I’m not sure how to word things.

So, good solid book. Enjoyable. Glad I was able to read it. And no it wasn’t a capital R romance.

Rating: 4.33

October 10 2017

The first book in this series intrigued me, and this, the third, cemented my appreciation. Sadly, the author, Elizabeth Edmonson died in 2016 (her son completed the book based on her notes), so it seems we'll have no more of these appealing "Very English Mysteries." The series is set a small, quaint, English village--always a good sign for an English cozy whodunit--in the period directly after World War II. In large and small ways, Edmondson reminds us that the war's emotional and physical shock waves are still being felt throughout the country.

The series' protagonist, Hugh Hawksworth is a former military intelligence officer whose war wounds keep him from resuming field work. Instead, he's been sent to an intelligence research unit in the village, where he lodges in the dilapidated castle home of the Selchesters, scions of the aristocratic family from whom the village took its name. Edmonson fills out the cast with various returning characters from the first novel and adds promising new ones.

I found Hugh a particularly engaging protagonist: a principled, melancholy sort who's clearly good at his current job but misses the work through which he felt he made a difference. His discernment on the job contrasts with his inexpertness in personal matters, including in his long-standing relationship with a social-climbing girlfriend in London. This time, he's trying to get at the real story behind the murder of a scientist. Hugh's superiors--and a supercilious investigator from the London office--have built a case for a suspect and a motive that hides company secrets.

A Matter of Loyalty did for me what a good cozy mystery should do: provide a provocative plot, an evocative setting, and characters we care for and want to meet again.

This is a traditional English mystery, of the kind publishers rarely publish anymore. I miss them! If you miss them too, you might want to give this series a try. The hero, Hugo Hawksworth, lives in a castle owned by the Earl of Selchester. The new Earl (who until recently was an American classics professor) and his daughters also live there, in another wing, and quite a bit of the story takes place in the castle (I love castles!).

As the book opens, it's the 1950's and someone is leaking secrets from a classified government facility near the castle. Then a physics expert from the facility goes missing and is feared to have defected. Hugo is charged with tracking him down. The castle inhabitants and the village become involved in Hugo's search and are all gathered together for the big finale.

I enjoyed this story and spending time in the village and the castle.