“Murder at the Manor Hotel” by Betty Rowlands it's a captivating 4-star breed that continues the thrilling adventures of Melissa Craig in the 4th installment of the series. Rowland’s Talent for crafting intricate mysteries shines through once again, as she expertly keeps readers on their toes with the cleverly plotted whodunnit. Melissa Craig, The intrepid amateur sleuth, is a compelling protagonist who is both relatable and determined. The picturesque setting of the Manor Hotel adds an atmospheric backdrop to the story, immersing readers in an intriguing world of secrets and suspense. While some aspects of the narrative could have been further explored and developed, the overall pacing and engaging characters make it an enjoyable read. With its blend of mystery, suspense, and a touch of romance, “Murder at the Manor Hotel” is a satisfying addition to the Melissa Craig series that will leave fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Murder at the Manor Hotel is the fourth Melissa Craig cozy mystery by Betty Rowlands. Originally published in 1994 under the title: Exhaustive Enquiries , this re-formatting was released 20th Nov 2018 by Bookouture, it's 256 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I was undecided about continuing with the series after the third book. I decided to pick this one up because it quite often takes several books for an author to find their pace with a new series and I'm so glad I did. This is a taut, deftly plotted, entertaining murder mystery with an amateur sleuth whose day job is writing mysteries. The setting is a stately hotel and the cast of characters is varied and interesting.

I enjoy British mystery as a genre and this one is well written and not too graphic or violent. There's light language use (a few damns, hells, and one 'f'-bomb, used in context) and no sexual violence. For readers from outside the British Isles, the author and slang are British, so expect 'torch', 'bum', 'lift', and 'packet'. It shouldn't prove very onerous for regular readers of mystery or BBC fans.

Four stars. Entertaining and well written.

Betty Rowlands has reissued her Melissa Craig mysteries ; Murder at the Manor Hotel is the fourth in this classical cozy series; Melissa is inveigled into investigating dubious activities at the Manor Hotel and mayhem ensues with an escalating body of criminal suspects. Willl she help the law nail the perpetrators or will she be done in?

Another book in this fabulous series. Although these books can be read as standalone, they’re almost like a serial in terms of the characters and their relationships, friendships and loves, with a new murder mystery and associated characters in each book. Well written and well worth reading.

I have read Betty Rowland's in the past and was very glad to read her again. This was a very interesting book. I was not sure in the first few chapters, but then the action really picked up. The characters were well written and the story held my interest til the end. I am so glad I read this book, made me realize how much I like Miss Rowlands writing.

I did warn you guys last month that 2019 will be the year I read a lot more fantasy and crime. So, let’s start with this cozy crime as a little out of my comfort zone. But let me explain why I wanted to read this. After reading Mistletoe and Murder last year, I wanted to read another crime. I wasn’t ready to read fantasy or something else and this seemed to be the title I kept leaning towards, even though I had a load of other crime stories to read (I have two more within this series to read/review as well…) but I wanted something warm and cozy. Something I can read in a fluffy dressing gown with a mug of hot chocolate…

The fourth in the Melissa Craig series (though you can probably read these without reading the rest in series), Melissa is meant to be writing her next murder mystery novel. Expect she’s written a panto-crime for the local drama group to be performed at a local Cotswolds hotel. But when one of the supporting actors is found at the bottom of the steep flight of stairs leading to the hotel’s cellar and Melissa tries to save his life, she swears she can hear voices…

Afterwards, Melissa realises that things aren’t what they seem and don’t add up? Why was the hotel manager so angry when he first discovered the actor at the bottom of the stairs? Why was the actor going into the cellar in the first place? Why was the hotel’s owner so desperate to put the actor in the panto-crime when he was so terrified of acting? Something awful is going on… and Melissa is finding herself being dragged into it…

So, what did I think?

Well… that is going to be tricky because as this is my first Betty Rowlands story, I’m not sure if this is best place to start for me or if cozy crime is the subgenre of crime that suits me best. But this was an okay read for me.

I think the biggest issue I had with it was that, while reading it, I always felt that it was out of time with the modern world. But this was first published in the 1990s under a different title and it’s getting a reprint, which is good as I do think there is an audience for this series and with the world as it is now, I do this a little escapism is needed.

I did go “Wait, what?” over the ending. But I think that’s because, while I did like Melissa and kept reading because of her, I found the result for the murder and crime around it a bit… it didn’t appeal to me in the way it should have.

Like I said earlier, cozy crime might not be the genre of crime I’m going to get along with. If you have read my blog or seen my TBR on Goodreads, most of the crime I read or might read in 2019 is more bloody and more pacey - Kathy Reichs, Tess Gerritsen, Sweetpea by CJ Skuse, Agatha Christie (she isn’t as cozy crime as I first thought…), P.D. James and others. However, the point of Year of Blood and Magic is to read more widely within the fantasy and crime genres so am glad I tried as it is an ok cozy read. But I think I wanted more from it. More what is anyone’s guess. Plus, I have two more Melissa Craig stories to try - Murder on a Winter Afternoon and Murder at Larkfield Barn(book 5 and 7 within series) - so am not giving up just yet with this series just yet...

Murder at the Manor Hotel is the fourth book in the Melissa Craig Mystery series and it is every bit as enjoyable as the first three books. Mel Craig is a mystery writer who has left London to live in a delightful cottage in the Cotswolds. While her main objective is to devote time and energy to her writing, Mel often finds herself involved in real-life mysteries.

I do so enjoy this series. The characters are varied and interesting and the mysteries are well-plotted. But the thing I enjoy most is the dialogue and the descriptions. Ms Rowlands is very adept at describing people and places and in such a way that it is very easy to imagine. I have also picked up quite a few British terms and phrases, which adds a great deal to my enjoyment of her books.

All in all, the Mel Craig Mystery series is a very pleasant departure from the many psychological and gothic mysteries that are so popular right now. I absolutely enjoy those books as well, but an afternoon visit with Mel, her neighbor and friend, Iris, and an assortment of characters is a refreshing way to spend a few hours. And, I always look forward to returning to the Cotwolds for another visit.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

I am loving this authors work. They are simple, easy reads yet have the ability to keep me guessing throughout until the perpetrator is unmasked. This is cosy crime at its best.

Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.

Mel Craig, author of detective novels, is asked to write a play for a birthday celebration of a wealthy businessman. The play is to be performed at his nearby hotel. But, something fishy is going on at the hotel, as Mel discovers when she finds the body of one of the actors (a retired police officer) in the cellar of the hotel's bar. Along with several supporting regulars (her police detective boyfriend and her artist neighbor) and the assistant to the businessman, Mel attempts to figure out what sort of illegal activity was going on at the hotel. A good mystery set in the English countryside.

Already the 4th part of the series and I have read them all. I really do appreciate a good cozy mystery novel. It's always nice to alternate between different genres and I like the author's style a lot.

I love the banter between Melissa and her neighbour Iris, but there was not a lot of that in this book. On the one hand I missed it, but on the other it makes a nice change as well. It keeps the series from falling into a certain pattern and making it boring and predictable.

Once again the author did a good job in concealing the identity of the culprit until the bitter end. I had, of course as usual, a wrong name in my mind. 

I have to admit that this setting was not my favourite one, but that does not reduce the quality of the story. I am already looking forward to start reading the next book in the very near future. 4 stars. 

Thank you, Betty Rowlands, Bookouture and Netgalley.

This British cozy has phenomenal worldbuilding!

The ghost scenes were written with literary brilliance - just the right words in the most haunting order.

A fast-moving story about a British crime author who helps an eccentric find out what is going on at his latest investment. When she witnesses a horrendous accident, the adventure begins. Through a series of small catastrophes and hurdles, Melissa pieces together clues.

Highly recommended for fans of art history.

If you enjoy an escapist read, the Melissa Craig Mysteries will be the perfect fit. The latest in the series takes place at a Cotswold Country Hotel. Melissa has been asked to write a short pantomime or 'pantocrime', as she calls it for the owner of the hotel's birthday. A successful entrepreneur Mitch is popular but does he have a reason for wanting the play performed on his birthday, at the hotel?

The cast is vibrant and seems to be having fun, but when someone has a tragic fall, the mood changes and Melissa finds herself embroiled in the solving the mystery. The setting adds depth to the story, there is a rumour of ghosts and other funny goings-on. Melissa uses her crime writer detective skills, which inevitably puts her in danger, much to the consternation of her friends.

This is an enjoyable easy read, with a well-thought-out plot, believable characters with a little humour and romance to keep the story becoming too dark.

I received a copy of this book from Bookouture via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The Melissa Craig mysteries never disappoint and this one is no exception. A mysterious murder in a country manor hotel invites consternation amongst the cast and it’s a race to solve it and find the murderer before the curtain goes up on opening night. Perfect cost mystery to while away some hours.

I'm really enjoying these Melissa Craig mysteries. Unfortunately, I've missed out on book number three in this series, but I don't think it really matters and I can go back later. Like the previous books that I've read this is another classic murder mystery. This time with the added threat of some other criminal activity (I won't go into details, as Melissa doesn't find out about it until later in the book).

These stories are marketed as being cosy mysteries. I personally am not a fan of the term and I think in this case it sells the story a little short. Most that fall into that genre are a little more humorous and light-hearted than this. That's not to say that this is some gritty dark tale, but there's more to it than a throwaway read in my opinion.

Melissa is again involved in the thick of the action and looks to find out more. I also like the development of her relationship with some of the other characters. Her next door neighbour is as always an entertaining side character, although she doesn't have a central role in this book and the same can be said for her cleaner. There is a little more of her tame policeman friend too and I suspect that he may feature a little more in future books.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series, although it doesn't really matter if you read this as a one-off or part of the series. It certainly works as a stand-alone novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Although this is the fourth book in a series it can be read quite easily as a standalone but would definitely recommend reading them in order to get the true feel of the character development.
These books are well written cosy mysteries, just perfect for when you want to curl up with an undemanding but engaging story full of wonderful characters, and great storylines. Plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep you guessing.
Looking forward to the next instalment.

This is the 4th instalment I read in this series and each was better than the previous one.
This one is great, loved it.
The book is engaging and entertaining, the plot sound and keep you guessing till the end.
The cast of characters is as lovely as usual and I was happy to read about the changes in their life.
I look forward to reading further instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC

British Cozy Mystery
This is the fourth in a series. I have not read any of the others, but this book does stand alone. The plot is excellent and the characters are more than believable. Several of these characters seem like people that I know! I will be looking to read the rest of the series as it seems very good! I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

This is the kinda of book I love. I didn't read the first three books but it didn't matter I love the character of Melissa Craig.

It's cozy mystery that while you read it's like you solving the crime right along with Melissa Craig.

This is an engaging mystery that I can total see on Hallmark Mysteries Channel.

It has a twist or two that you won't excepting. The characters was well written and enjoyable. This book was breath of fresh air from all the in depth mystery thrillers books I read. Going to read the fifth book now.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this cold weekend I had a chance to be glued to this book and read it in almost one sitting. I enjoyed in this cozy mystery about Melissa Craig - successful novelist that lives in Costwolds. This time she is investigating a death of a performer of her play. Even this is a book from a serial it can be read as a standalone. and it is a reading material for almost all ages. The story has nice flow and the characters are believable.

Murder at the Manor Hotel, the fourth novel in the Melissa Craig Cozy Mystery series, uses the beautiful Cotswolds setting as one of the central aspects of the story and reminds me a lot of the chocolate-box villages portrayed in Midsomer Murders. It's a story that is full of charm and works well as a standalone - it certainly isn't necessary to have read the previous instalments. The author is adept at moulding interesting characters that you really care about, an intriguing plot and the twists and turns throughout make for a satisfying tale. We also get more development of main protagonist Melissa which is exciting to see and book four is definitely the best of the series so far.

It's an engaging mystery with a menacing undertone and chilling atmosphere running through it. Importantly for a cozy there is no profanity, sexual liaisons or blood and gore, but the ending left a lot to be desired - it felt rushed, confusing and ultimately unsatisfying. Previously published as Exhaustive Enquiries, fans of Agatha Christie and MC Beaton should enjoy this as well as those who love to read cozies. A superb and highly entertaining addition to an already popular series, and a perfect read for those dark, chilly nights.

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.