I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series, featuring American, Stella, and her unexpected fiancé, Lyndy. This book, combining murder and a potential for romance, is set in England, in 1905. The author pays homage to the true life stories of American women, coming from ‘new money’ backgrounds, who are sent to England as brides. They bring money, in exchange for titles. Stella traveled from Kentucky with her boorish father and she is appalled to discover that she is to wed Lyndy (Viscount Lyndhurst). As if that’s not enough, the two of them find the murdered body of the vicar. Since he was to marry them, Stella is thankful for the reprieve while she decides what she’s going to do about this marriage (or not) plan. The story combines good writing, well-defined characters, enough romance to keep it interesting, and a solid mystery with lots of options for the murderer. It’s a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading more of Stella and Lyndy’s adventures.

Murder at Morrington Hall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
by Clara McKenna

I just love mysteries and this book did not disappoint. Stella Kendrick is an American heiress, and as times prevail marriages were matched by English families that required an infusion of cash. Stella had no idea that her father had betrothed her to Lord Lyndhurst when she arrived at their manor.

When Stella and her betrothed find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery. The author managed to juggle so many subplots she had you on a hook to try to solve the mysteries. I enjoy this book very much and if you like mysteries this fits the bill.

This book is a mystery and romance set in 1905 in England. The characters seemed somewhat cliche--the brash, outspoken Americans and the arrogant, reserved, perfectly proper English. Much of the tension came from misunderstandings created by the culture clash. Despite this, the hero and heroine decided they're each other's best option. Seriously: He wanted a gal who's "different" and her horses and needed her money. Her father threatened to cut her off if she refused marriage plus abused her, so anyone who showed her consideration was better. The hero and heroine were enjoyable characters, though.

The first half of the book was mostly about their romance while the second half focused on collecting clues and solving the murder. It was a clue-based mystery, and whodunit was guessable though there were multiple possibilities until near the end. But I'm still baffled how a father who knew his daughter was going to object to the marriage thought that leaving her to find out about it from others the day before the ceremony was going to bring about the end he desired. There was no sex. There was some bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.

I am always on the lookout for a great new series to read, and Murder at Morrington Hall is a great first book that will leave you wanting to read the next one right away. The book is set in pre WWI England, in a period when many American heiresses were wed to land rich/money poor British Aristocracy. Our heroine Stella has been brought to Morrington Hall by her father under false pretenses. She thinks they are selling one of her favorite horses to Lord Lyndhurst. What she doesn’t know is that it is she who has been “sold” in that her father has arranged her marriage to the Lord.
This premise could be very dark, in the wrong hands, but the author treats Stella's situation with a deft hand, addressing all her fears and misgivings, as well as issues from having a father like this (!) in compelling fashion. The tension between American and British attitudes and manners feels very authentic. And the mystery itself is very satisfying, as is the relationship between Stella and Lyndy, as they work to solve it.
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, you will certainly enjoy the ins and outs of this story with characters from all the various classes represented. If you aren’t familiar with Downton, but enjoy compelling historical mysteries, this book will definitely fit the bill.

Thanks to Kensington Books and Net Galley for this ARC.

This is a great debut novel, a proper page turner and it will keep you guessing right until the end. The plot is entertaining and the characters are wonderful. I'm looking forward to the paperback publication so i can add it to my library and also Stella and Lyndy's next adventure.

After traveling to England for what she thinks will be a holiday, American heiress Stella quickly discovers she will not return to America but instead is to be married to the viscount of Morrington Hall, Lord Lyndy. Much to her surprise she is also embroiled in a murder, assault, and theft. Even an old scandal that rocked the aristocrats years ago is brought back to life. The novel was a wonderful, light read for those evenings when you need to take your mind of the day to day 21st century life. I enjoyed the various points of view but also found it a bit confusing when chapters abruptly went from what the inspector was doing, to Stella to Lord Lyndy. I felt connected to the characters and enjoyed Stella's American personality and how the English aristocrats reacted to her actions and words. I found this a great first novel in what I hope will be a series. I'd love to check in on Lyndy and Stella in the future to see if the wedding goes off without a hitch or if another murder will postpone the day.

A nice, light murder mystery. Stella arrives in England from Kentucky, with her father and 3 thoroughbred horses. On arriving in Hampshire she discovers that she is to be married to Lord Lyndhurst and the horses are a wedding present to his family. The marriage is slowed down somewhat when she and her fiance find the vicar has been murdered. Although her father is bullying them into getting married anyway, with no thought for the 'look' of it, she and Lord Lyndhurst start trying to solve the murder and in the course of it come to know one another a little better - but, even with her father's bullying and physical abuse, will she agree to the marriage?

A good read

May 1905 and Stella Kendrick, heiress, has arrived with her father from Kentucky at Morrington Hall. There to attend a wedding which unknown to her she is to be the bride. The groom being the penniless Edwin Searlwyn, Viscount Lynhurst, known as Lyndy.
But that same day the vicar is killed in the library at the Hall.
There didn't seem to be much of a mystery or much to investigate. I didn't really care much for the characters and the style of writing seemed at times somewhat strange with the usage of Daddy, Papa, etc when the story was not from someone's point of view. Overall it was enjoyable enough.

3.5 stars

This promising debut novel introduces American heiress Stella Kendrick. Her father, wealthy but uncouth, has taken her to England and arranged (without Stella's knowledge) for her to wed a British aristocrat who needs an infusion of cash.

Stella and Lord Lyndy get off to a rough start. Lyndy is a smug, entitled rich boy who smirks a lot and Stella is put off. Then a murder occurs, some jewels are stolen and an expensive racehorse goes missing. Stella and her fiance are thrown together as they try to figure out who the murderer is.

Stella does not get a warm welcome. British society is aghast at her forthright unconventional manners. Lyndy however begins to be captivated and realizes he genuinely cares for his bride to be, Stella can't figure out what course she wants to pursue or what her true feelings are.

Stella is an original and appealing character. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Clara McKenna's Murder at Morrington Hall is a lovely English cozy mystery with the addition of a little romance between the two main characters, Stella and Lyndy. Set in Hampshire in 1905, Stella has traveled from Kentucky with her father and, unbeknownst to her, it's been arranged that she wed Lyndy (Viscount Lyndhurst), As if the initial shock of her impending nuptials wasn't enough, Stella stumbles across the murdered body of the vicar who was to marry the couple which sets this spunky American heiress on the path to discovering who had it in for the man of the cloth, and why! Nice start to a new series by author Clara McKenna, and I quite enjoyed it!

This is a really good historical mystery. The writing is well done and well developed. Both the characters and plot are interesting and entertaining. I look forward to reading more from this author. I highly recommend this new series to mystery readers who like the historical time setting and a good solid read.

This was an incredibly delightful historical mystery.....the first in what I hope will be a long series involving Stella Kendrick. This takes place in 1905 England when women were still sold off to the highest bidder as a wife among the wealthy and titled of the era. But Stella will not be bartered like this...or will she? She and her possibly future spouse join forces to solve a very well crafted mystery. It's a lot of fun and is full of interesting tidbits of life during this pre-war era. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review.

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna is the first in a new historical cozy mystery.

I found the pace of the plot to be slow at first; but after the introductions of the characters and the detailed description of Morrington Hall and the surrounding English countryside, the pace picked up quickly. Stella is a lovely American heiress who has a strong and distinctive personality. Being raised by an abusive and arrogant father she finds she prefers horses over people for the most part. Once Stella and Lord Lyndhurst decide to work together to resolve the murder, the story flew as the red herrings, plot twists and viable suspects became more the center of attention. It was an enjoyable afternoon read and a good beginning for this new series.

Stella Kendrick and her father are Americans traveling to England to deliver a prized thoroughbred. Once she gets to Morrington Hall she discovers that not only did her father sell the racehorse he sold Stella to Lord Lyndhurst. Stella is mortified and says that she will not be sold like a horse. I had a good time reading about the culture and status clashes and found myself laughing quite a few times. I loved this book and can't wait for the next book.

I absolutely loved this book! Set in Edwardian England. Stella and Lyndy are both wonderful characters who we get to know better as the book does on. I really enjoyed Stella's personality, but I also thought Lyndy was well-written in that a lot of his personality is what I would expect of Edwardian aristocracy but he was a multi-layered character who is very likable. The historical period is fairly accurate, particularly the idea of what women can and cannot do in the early 1900's. The mystery was well plotted. All in all, an enjoyable read and I can't wait until the next book comes out!

This is a delightful story set in the Edwardian Age of the 1900s England. American heiress vs. English aristocracy. Stella's father is determined to break into high society the only way he can by trading his daughter and three thoroughbred horses for a title. Only thing he forgets to do, is tell his daughter that she will be marrying a man she never has met. Add into the mix a murdered vicar and a stolen horse, and one has a very entertaining story with murder, thievery, and romance. I highly recommend this cozy mystery.

Murder at Morrington Hall by Clara McKenna is a book starring lead character Stella Kendrick. Stella and her father, Elijah Kendrick, are on their way to Morrinton Hall to sell two Thoroughbred horses, or so Stella thinks.   In reality, Stella's father is there to marry her off for an aristocratic title!  The horses and her money are just a part of her wedding contract.  In between being constantly embarrassed and being caught in the awkwardness of elite society, Stella has to come to terms about her upcoming marriage. Almost immediately, a cloud has covered the estate with the murder of the Vicar who was supposed to be marrying Stella and Lord Lyndhurst. Who would want to kill the Vicar and why?  Then, one of their prize thoroughbred racehorses disappears! Does the murder of the vicar and the disappearance of the horse have something in common? 

I truly enjoyed reading this book. The way it was written made reading it so easy, it almost flowed. I love the way Lord Lyndhurst was written. He was a part of the elite, but certainly had a more personable feel to him. He wasn't completely arrogant but did still hold onto his propriety. Then comes along Stella, who had never been in the elite society, was never raised to be a lady, and didn't really know the first thing about etiquette.  They seemed an unlikely match, but they really meshed quite well. Stella was the breathe of fresh air that Lord Lyndhurst required to stay human, so to speak.  One of the topics in the book was about gambling, which I am so glad the author put in because it was such a part of life then. Everyone did it, and it shows that even the richest and the most elite of people still got into trouble.  Also, you think of the women at that time being delicate and feather brained.  This book just goes to show the extent of what a woman is capable of doing if pushed hard enough for long enough.

I will happily rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars!  I would love to read more from this author.

I love it when a good mystery comes together… and this was a good mystery!

Stella Kendrick is an American heiress on holiday with her father. They are to attend the wedding of Viscount Lyndhurst. To her dismay, upon arriving, Stella finds out the mysterious bride is none other than herself! She’s immediately put off by the arrogant Lyndhurst, but things take a turn for the worse when she and “Lyndy” find the vicar who was to marry them dead in the library.

Now, everyone is a suspect as Stella and Lyndy work together to find who murdered the vicar. It seems almost everyone has a motive of some kind, and when other thefts and attacks happen, the stakes are raised. Can they solve the mystery? And will Stella ever learn the rules of etiquette she must to become the perfect bride? Does she even want to?

This was such a delightful book. Stella was a joy. She’s bright and vivacious. She’s confident and knows exactly who she is. Everyone around her, save for Lyndy, is perfectly horrible. Her father is an abusive boor, Lyndy’s mother is rude and haughty, and the guests are downright cruel. But Stella and Lyndy somehow rise above all that.

The mystery is quite good, too. I have to admit, I was kept guessing up until the very last. I thought I’d solved it, and then there was another twist. I love it when books can surprise me.

This was a good start to what looks to be a series of mysteries starring Stella and Lyndy. I look forward to reading more of their adventures.

This was utterly delightful, and exactly the kind of book I’d been hoping for here as of late. A cozy mystery but with plenty of drama, a tiny spark of rebellious romance, and a good old fashioned ‘who-dun-it’ air!

Stella is an excellent female detective, and I loved her personality. While I hated most of the others around her, who are overbearing and downright hateful towards her at times, I did enjoy her steadfastness and intelligence, her wit and her daring throughout the book. She drove the old American cars without caring who saw. She wore trousers beneath skirts, rode horses and cared for them, baked in a kitchen despite the fact it was far beneath her station, was kind to servants and remembered their names and helped them whenever she could…just a basic, all american good lady.

Yet she’s taken aback and furious when she learns that the reason she and her family are visiting in England at a prestigious families house isn’t for the upcoming Derby and her horses, but because of an arranged marriage her father had created between her and Lyndy. She hates to be thought of as nothing more but a prized stallion to be bartered with and traded about. Even worse the implication once she’s done her duty and produced an heir and a spare, then he could just push her aside and find plenty of mistresses to fill his time with, never giving her any time of day unless it was important enough for him to do so.

There’s a fair bit of ‘women aren’t meant to do that’ in this book, which was infuriating to say the least, but Stella remains stubborn and prideful, though the others call her head strong and dangerous. I mean really, just because she bucks tradition, she’s considered to be ‘full of herself’? That’s ridiculous! I understand it was the times back then, but many women and men I very much wish to strangle. Grr…

Stella and Lyndy both talk, and get to know one another as they are now for all intents and purposes, engaged to be married. Stella wishes to speak with the vicar, and so while giving her a tour of the house, the two of them wind up to the library where they find the vicar…quite obviously dead, and in no mood to talk.

There’s an eventual missing horse, missing jewels, a meeting with the King while at the Derby, and more exciting adventures throughout this wonderful first novel. Stella is a true inquisitive lady, determined to figure out who killed the priest that was supposed to be the one to marry her, while Lyndy attempts to figure out who stole the jewels and their families latest and newest horse that was part of the wedding deal from Stella’s father.

(No harm comes to the horse at the end of the book, for those that are worried. It’s returned safe and sound, with not even a scratch on him-bonus points to the author for making sure the animal remains unharmed!)

I really enjoyed this book, and am now adding this author to my favorites list. This was clearly well written and researched, and there was a large cast protrayed so that one could continue to guess and still be surprised by the end of the book. I was half-right in who committed a certain crime, but the author surprised me completely with who was actually the killer, so more bonus points towards her as well. Though I’d paid attention, there were a couple of things I hadn’t considered towards the end of the book, and that was how she’d managed to surprise me, the sly writer.

5/5 stars for a splendid read, and I definitely aim to read more of this series as time goes on. For those that like Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series, you might give this a try. Same kind of style, though not in journal format, it’s still got the adventurous feel and strong female character to enjoy reading throughout.