Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest review. This was an entertaining story. I did figure it out before the end, but It was a quick fun read. Some of the wording was a little confusing though.

Murder at the Manor Hotel

A cozy crime novel

Melissa Craig is a successful crime novelist who lives alone in the Cotswolds. She is friends with her neighbour, Iris, who is an artist.

Melissa is asked to write a play for the local drama group to be staged at Heyshill Manor in honour of the owner, Rich Mitchell.

During rehearsals, one of the troupe is found injured in the cellar, unfortunately he dies and it’s initially believed to be an accident, but Rich Mitch isn’t so sure. And so the mystery begins.

Melissa starts delving into the events and finds much more than she bargained for in this charming, yet thrilling tale with some great twists along the way. I did miss the interactions between Melissa and Iris in this one though as Iris was away in France.

A cosy mystery just perfect to read, snuggled on the sofa with a good cup of tea.

I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review










#MurderAtTheManor #NetGalley

This is 4th in a series but stands alone quite nicely because this author really knows how to bring a reader up to date on a character without wasting the first 3rd of the book being repetitive. As an avid reader, thats an art! This semi-cozy book has just the right amount of twists and turns and a bunch of delightful and interesting characters. What's not to love about a murder mystery in the Cotswold? The main character, Melissa Craig, is someone I now want to read more of. I read the first book in this series and was extremely disappointed and was reluctant to read any more in the series. I think the author has found her stride with this character now. Ive gone from a one start reviewer of this writer to a 5. I am now a fan!

Murder at the Manor by Betty Rowlands is the second book I have read in this series but it’s book 4. I was first introduced to crime writer Melissa Craig in book 3 and have gotten to know her so much better in this book.

Melissa lives in a cottage in the Cotswolds next door to her artist neighbor Iris. She gets talked into doing a bit of sleuthing at a major hotel nearby and as usual nabs the culprit.

This book is a cozy mystery but not so cozy that it seems unlikely. I liked this book so much more than the previous and it might be because I am not wild about Iris and she has a very small part in this book.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for letting me read this advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review. I give this book 5 stars.

Melissa Craig should have been getting on with writing her latest mystery novel but she'd been sidetracked into working on the script for a pantomime. It wasn't a traditional panto, but a spoof for the birthday party of a local millionaire, to be held on Halloween. It's got all the hallmarks of a mystery and a pantomime and it looks as though cast and audience are all in for a good time with the rehearsals being held in a luxury hotel. Well, they were until one member of the cast turns up dead in the cellar at the bottom of a steep flight of stairs. What was he doing there and why is the hotel manager acting so strangely?

It's cozy crime and if that's your bag then you're in for a treat. What you get is an engaging mystery and some appealing (or distinctly unappealing) characters. There's not a lot of subtlety in the characterisation, but then you're not reading this because you think it might appear on the Booker longlist. You're reading it for fun. There are elements of pantomime in the story: sometimes you want to shout look behind you! or don't do that! It's not difficult to spot the baddies - some of them are quite heavily signposted - but there are one or two twists in the tale which you probably weren't expecting. There's a good, spooky atmosphere too.

I read it over a couple of days (and over Halloween, strangely enough) and it held my attention well. Some of the characters are a little two-dimensional (the barrowboy millionaire, his new girlfriend and his would-be bride for instance) but accept that this is just good fun and go along for the ride.

The story is set in the Cotswolds and that put me in mind of the Agatha Raisin series by M C Beaton. I thought Murder at the Manor Hotel was a more satisfying read with more depth than some of the stories and I wouldn't be averse to reading another, preferably with all the curtains drawn if it's a dark night.

This is the kind of book you need when the hard core crime novels are getting too much, you're not in the mood for romance or action heros and just want a good old fashioned mystery story. This is part of a series although is a standalone novel and set in the Cotswolds it could be described as cosy - but there are murders and mischief all the same!

It reminded me of the high jinks of Agatha Raisin and the cosy crime mysteries I've read set in rural hotels. There's always something mysterious about amateur dramatics to me - plenty of people acting of course and who knows what goes on behind the scenes? The cast of characters both on and off the page are good and plenty of laughs and images of crazy eccentrics in my head now. But I had a lot of fun with this novel and I'm not put off going to the Cotswolds! Maybe of joining a drama club though..

As the reader , you get to solve the clues along with the characters and mystery writer and it felt like one of those Cluedo evenings...but was it the butler in this case?

A cosy classic!

I am really enjoying this series. The author gives great descriptions of the area, helping you to feel as if you too are visiting the area. Melissa is on her own at a haunted manor house where she is trying to solve a murder as well as another mystery.

I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

After being asked to write a play which is to be performed for the owner of the local hotel , Melissa Craig is once again uncovering the mystery surrounding the sudden death of one of the actors , and to find the secret being held by the manager of the hotel.

Although I thought I had guessed who the killer may be I was totally stumped to find I was wrong !!!!!!!!!

This is the fourh book in this series, I have also read the third book. You do not need to read the series in order, but I will go back and read one and two because I enjoy the books so much. Melissa (Mel) is a mystery writer who lives in the country in the cotswalds. Taking a break from her latest novel, she writes a play to be performed locally. In the midst of rehearsals, one of the performers is murdered. Mel, working with the local DI, investigate the crime. If you like MC Beaton, without the man mad Agatha, you will enjoy this series. This series is not quite as madcap, but is similar in setting and plot. Highly recommend to all ages high school and up. No language, no sex, and no blood.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Melissa Craig's Mysteries just keep improving with each new publication. I loved this one and I just could not put it down. The characters really made a dint in getting through the veneer of just people in a book. They invoked feeling and emotion of being real people, that is so good in a story.
It is cosy, but there are degrees of cosy, and series in up there with the good ones.
Really enjoyed this book.

This book started as a good mystery. I liked the characters; then they were not truly well developed. I also am very disappointed in the ending! It feels rushed, weak, and confusing.
Thank you, Netgalley.
carolintallahassee

Intriguing story with lots of twists and turns. Well developed characters. A page turner that will keep you guessing until the end.

Local amateur sleuth, Melissa Craig has been asked to help put on a play at her local hotel. Rehearsals are running smoothly until one of the supporting actors is found at the bottom of the stairs leading to the cellar. Whilst trying to save his life, Melissa thinks she can hear voices nearby and suspects that this isn’t the accident it appears to be.

This is book number 4 of the recently revamped Melissa Craig series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. This book was also previously published under the title of Exhaustive Enquiries and has been re-published by Bookouture with the new title of Murder at the Manor Hotel.

We’re back with Melissa Craig. I have read the three previous books in the series, and am enjoying them more and more as the series moves on. Melissa Craig is a great character! Being a mystery writer she finds herself more ‘experienced’ in solving these crimes than the actual police are, which doesn’t always put her in the good books of the local constabulary! The books are termed as ‘cosy crime’ mysteries and they are certainly that! There is no blood and gore, just good old fashioned ‘murders’ (if murders can be old fashioned!).

The story is highly entertaining and so easy to read. There are so many suspects as to who the murderer may be and you find yourself working it all out alongside Melissa herself! If you love books by Agatha Christie and MC Beaton, then you will definitely love this series by Betty Rowlands. Would definitely recommend it and am looking forward to see what Melissa gets up to in the next book!

crime, greed, law-enforcement, cosy-mystery, theft, dogs

The mystery writer, the bossy tycoon with a henchman and two adorable guard dogs and two women strongly interested in him, a chance to write a simple mystery play and watch it performed at a local posh historic hotel, and what seems to be an accidental death of a man who turns out to be more than he seemed. That's the beginning, but there is a whole lot more and the reader gets to come across clues along with the mystery writer much to the disgruntlement of her friends and the local CID man. It was great fun trying to figure out who was up to no good when evidence was sorely lacking and to follow the twists and red herrings! Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

I loved visiting with crime writer Melissa Craig in the Cotswolds once again. Back from her summer sojourn in France she is prevaricating by writing a Halloween play rather than working on her latest novel.

The scene this time is the country hotel murderers seem to flock to and its luxury and history swiftly become part of the storyline. Once again the characters are well rounded and enjoyable. Iris isn't in it as much as usual unfortunately but Mel's tame policeman friend, Ken Harris, has a more central role which I thoroughly enjoyed.

These gentle crime stories are a welcome change from the psychological thrillers I have been drawn to lately but no less an art form. They are easy to read, friendly, apart from the occasional death, and always entertaining; as normal I am already looking forward to the next one.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this novel thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an unbiased review and recommend this as highly as the previous three re-released novels, all of which I loved.

Betty Rowlands has written a great mystery to add to this series. There are great characters and a great storyline.

Love Betty Rowland’s books.Number 4 in this series so well written so engaging characters come alive .Highly recommend. #netgalley #bookoture.

Another great story by Betty Rowlands, clever plot, easy read. Enjoyable characters. Look forward to book 5 !

Excellent book with a great storyline. Characters that are so well written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone! I love this series of books.