My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of Helena Dixon’s ‘Murder at Enderley Hall’ in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second in her series of cosy mysteries set in the 1930s featuring amateur sleuth Miss Kitty Underhay.

It is now the summer of 1933 and following the events of the first novel Kitty has been invited to stay with her newly discovered posh relations at the stately Enderley Hall. She has taken Alice, the young chambermaid, with her to serve as her lady’s maid.

It isn’t long before the kind of trouble expected in country house mysteries occurs: some important papers are stolen from her uncle’s safe and following this there is a death that may not be the accident it initially seems. Kitty suggests to Mathew Bryant, now working as a private investigator, that he join her at Enderley Hall to look into the situation. Matt comes from a good family and a few phone calls later he joins the house party.

There is definite chemistry between Kitty and Matt though due to various factors it’s proving hard for either of them to act on it. I actually prefer this kind of slow burn of a potential romance than insta-love. It’s much more realistic, especially given the period setting.

I won’t say much more about the plot to avoid spoilers though it has plenty of viable suspects, red herrings, and further mysteries.

I was amused by the fact that again in the tradition of these kind of period dramas that there is always a member of staff popping up with cups of tea and comfort food for the family and guests.

Overall, it combines pure escapism with an intriguing whodunnit with just enough thrills to create a sense of danger. Roll on Book 3!

It’s certainly one that I shall be recommending to my friends that are addicted to cosies.

With everything going on these very crazy times that we are living in, I was so thankful to dive back into another cozy mystery by Helena Dixon that continues with our beloved Kitty Underhay and Matthew Bryant! Now if you didn’t read Murder at the Dolphin Hotel, don’t worry! Murder at Enderley Hall can most definitely be read as a standalone, but if you have the time, I highly recommend both!

Kitty Underhay is invited to spend time with her father’s family at Enderley Hall. Following the chaos that ensued at The Dolphin Hotel previously, Kitty is ready for a change of pace. At the insistence of her aunts, Kitty brings along her chambermaid Alice and sets off for Enderley Hall.

Immediately, Kitty realizes that something is not quite right in the atmosphere. When the elderly Nanny Thoms mistakenly calls Kitty by her mother’s name, she realizes that this family may know more regarding her mother’s disappearance all those years ago.

When important documents go missing from Kitty’s uncle’s safe, she enlists the help of ex-army captain Matt Bryant to see if they can capture the thief. When Nanny Thoms is suspiciously found dead, Kitty and Matt are determined to solve the murder even though danger lurks close by.

Helena has crafted another wonderful whodunit mystery full of twists and turns (and a few red herrings) that transports you to a picturesque 1930s English countryside. I love both Kitty’s and Matt’s characters and how they two of them balance each other with Kitty’s intuition and Matt’s previous military experience.

I can’t wait to see what the next adventure awaits next for Kitty!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

1933 Kitty Underhay of the Dolphin Hotel is finally going to meet her father's family. As she has received an invitation from Lord and Lady Medford, and their daughter Lucy to stay at Enderley Hall. But a quiet holiday is very early on interrupted by theft and murder. Inspector Greville with Kitty's friend Captain Matthew Bryant are called in to investigate. Though with Kitty wanting excitement she soon involves herself in the case.
Kitty also discovers more about the disappearnace of her mother back in 1916.
An enjoyable well-written cozy mystery, with its cast of varied characters. Unfortunately my suspicions of the guilty party were proved correct.

I’ve always liked what is now termed cosy crime. My go-to’s on the tv are Agatha Christie, particularly the films from the 1970s’, for when I want something entertaining and engaging but not especially violent. This book is like those for me. There is a whole host of characters, various people including an actual police detective doing the detecting, and the welcome distraction of Muffy the dog.

What makes stories like this work is the characters, the plot and location do play a part don’t think they don’t but it is the characters and the way they react to each new event that is the star of the story.

In this story we have the returning characters of Kitty Underhay and Matt Bryant who were in the first book, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel, though it is not essential to have read the first book as there is enough background explained in this one to enable it to be enjoyed without prior knowledge of these characters. Kitty and Matt are a good team and we get to see their involvement in the investigation and how it impacts them both, as well as Kitty’s frustration at being left out of things as would fit with the time period when women would not have been allowed near a murder investigation.

We also have an additional cast of characters from Kitty’s newly discovered relations to the staff in the house and various friends and other people. All of these characters are brilliantly carved out and completely distinct from each other. I liked the interactions between Kitty and her maid Alice who was also a brilliant character. Equally the conversations between Kitty and the other women in the story were quite revealing too. Being a bit of an outsider Kitty has a different perspective on the events and it was good to see them through her eyes. I also loved the interview style, doing the interviews in the library with the obligatory pot of tea was just perfect.

I feel I’m waffling now so I’m going to summarise and say I really enjoyed this book. It fits in it’s time period really well, the characters are all realistic and well-written and the investigation has enough red herrings and twists and turns to keep any cosy crime fan happy. I know there is a third book out out in a few months and I can’t wait to see where Kitty’s adventures take her next.

Summer 1933. Fresh from the discovery that she has family living nearby, Kitty Underhay has packed her carpet bag, commandeered a chambermaid and set off on a visit to stately Enderley Hall. She’s looking forward to getting to know her relatives, as well as the assembled group of house guests. Then elderly Nanny Thoms is found dead at the bottom of the stairs after papers of national importance are stolen. Calling on ex-army captain Matthew Bryant for assistance, Kitty begins to puzzle out the mystery. And when more shocking murders follow, the stakes are raised for the daring duo as never before.
This is the second book in this enthralling series, it could easily be read on its own, however I adore series & need to read from the start. There are also some threads running through both books, which aren’t resolved. I love Kitty who can't keep out of trouble but there is Matt who is once again on hand to lend a hand. I love the dynamics of their burgeoning romance, which certainly hits a rocky patch. The characters have depth & are well portrayed. The pace is good with plenty of red herrings as there aren't too many suspects. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & eagerly await more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This second ripping roaring adventure with Kitty Underhay but don’t worry if you haven’t read the first, this can easily be read as a standalone.

Kitty is invited to Enderley hall by her Aunt Hortense and cousin Lucy, it’s not long before she’s drawn into a case involving the theft of some important documents from her uncle’s study. If that wasn’t enough Nanny Thoms is found dead.

Suspicions grow and Kitty invites her friend Matthew Bryant to help. Will they stop the murderer before they strike again?

Murder At Enderley Hall is a well written and utterly thrilling historical mystery!

I liked the character of Kitty even more in this book. She’s still her stubborn self, no matter how much Matthew tries to get her to stay out of danger she won’t, with her thirst for adventure and determination to find the truth.

There’s plenty of red herrings glore, intrigue and a little bit of will they, won’t they between Matthew and Kitty. Honestly, there’s never a dull moment in Murder at Enderley Hall!

In these uncertain times, Murder at Enderley hall is a great escape from reality for a few hours.

I cannot recommend this series highly enough. I can’t wait to read more adventures featuring Kitty and Matthew!

This is a charming cozy historical mystery set in 1933 that took me back to the early days of Hollywood. Kitty Underhay is visiting the family she just recently learned she had, when she becomes involoved in a murder at the estate. Great, interesting characters add to the enjoyment of this story.
This is book two and while I was able to enjoy it without having read the first I would recommend reading the first book to fully enjoy Murder at Enderley Hall.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the A Miss Underhay Mystery series by Helena Dixon.

I found an easy likability about the relationship between Kitty Underhay and the Army man turned private investigator, Matt Bryant. There wasn’t enough alone time between the two of them for my taste but I figure that wasn’t so kosher back then. Their budding relationship plus the mystery of Nanny Thomas’s death paired well together.

I was smitten by the whole series almost from the beginning. I definitely need to read book one, MURDER AT THE DOLPHIN HOTEL immediately. I think I may have even bought it on my Kindle around Christmas time. I will have to check.

I enjoyed the addition of the lady’s maid, Alice, although, I wonder what distress the other woman would have put on Kitty if she had brought the lady her mother wanted her to bring in the beginning. That would have been a hoot and a half.

When I think back on the scenes with a lot of characters, I am reminded of some classic Hercule Poirot moments from Agatha Christie. I guess this would be set in a similar time period, so it is no wonder I am comparing.

Just loved this whole thing.

The ending killed me, though. Not about the revelation of whodunit, that was indeed surprising. But how Matt handles things right before THE END, did me in. I need the next book in the series right away!

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

3.5 stars

Kitty Underhay is back in a second adventure. Kitty has had a most interesting and somewhat sad life. Her father, although an aristocrat, was a ne'er do well and left his family with no explanation. When Kitty's mother tried to track him down, she disappeared, leaving young Kitty to be raised by her grandmother. While this isn't the main mystery, it's a strong thread and motivator for this young woman.

World War I has ended and Kitty is helping her grandmother run a hotel when her father's family invites her to visit. Kitty is nervous but pleased to meet some relatives and she hopes to find out something about her mother's disappearance.

But Kitty's weekend brings up more mysteries. Her uncle is a titled Lord, and he is working on some top secret military stuff. The plans disappear during the house party, and shortly after, a servant is murdered. The weekend guests are an odd bunch: a young woman and her brother, who has communist leanings; a resident art restorer who insists someone is out to get her; a visiting gardener who isn't quite what he seems; and the lord's secretary who is very nervous about something.

Kitty's friend and possible love interest Matt is called upon to help investigate. A WWI veteran, Matt also lost his wife and child during the war and has a lot of baggage of his own.

This was very readable and Kitty is an appealing character. There is a somewhat shallow feel to these despite the past heartaches of Kitty and Matt. But the series is still young and may flesh out a bit. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It's the summer of 1933 and Kitty Underhay is on her way to visit the family which she never knew she had, at Enderley Hall. Her grandmother, Mrs Treadwell, and Great Aunt Livvy are back at the Dolphin Hotel in Dartmouth. Kitty gets easily bored working at the Dolphin - every day is much the same - but her real reason for going away is that she needs a break after her recent adventures, which involved three vicious murders, an arson attack and an attempt on her life.

Enderely Hall, home to Lord and Lady Medford and their daughter Lucy, who's much the same age as Kitty, is on the other side of Exeter, near Crediton. It's not far from the village of Newton St Cyres, and Kitty's looking forward to getting to know the family and finding out if they can shed any light on the disappearance of her mother, Elowed, in 1916. It's immediately obvious that some members of the household know more than they're letting on: Nanny Thoms calls Kitty by her mother's name.

There's quite a house party at Enderley Hall: Lucy has some other friends, Rupert and Daisy Banks, staying and Hortense Medford has a man - Henderson - who is redesigning the garden. Add in Mr Harman, the butler, Mrs Jenkinson, the housekeeper, Viola Fiser, who's restoring a mural and Aubrey, Lord Medford's secretary and there's no shortage of suspects when some important papers are stolen from the safe in Lord Medford's study. That's not the end of the problems though: the first murder follows soon after.

It's cozy crime, so the plot isn't dreadfully complex, but it's right at the top end of the genre and well written. The characterisation is excellent - I really believed in them all and actually got quite upset when one of them was treated unfairly! Captain Matthew Bryant makes a welcome reappearance after his entry in Murder at the Dolphin Hotel and there's a delicious tension between Matt and Kitty. They're obviously attracted to each other, but Matt's still getting over the death of his wife and daughter and it might be that Kitty doesn't quite fit into his expectations of what a woman should be in the nineteen-thirties. Matt's a traditionalist - he wants to look after his women - but Kitty is independent enough to want to measure and take her own risks. She's not worried about what is - and isn't - socially acceptable for women.

The times are brought to life neatly, but with a light hand. We see the changing position of women and the looming spectre of war in Europe. There's to be at least one more Miss Underhay mystery but I hope that there are many more and I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag see a review copy.

Persuaded to visit Enderley Hall where her previously unknown aunt and cousin lived, Kitty Underhay and her maid Alice made the journey. There were house guests as well as staff, along with her new family members. It was when the elderly Nanny Thoms addressed Kitty by her mother’s name that she knew the people in this house must know more about her mother’s disappearance all those years ago.

When Lord Medford discovered his important documents were missing from the safe in his library, the events that followed were shocking. Nanny Thoms had fallen to her death at the bottom of the stairs and Kitty’s friend and fellow sleuth from the terrible times at the Dolphin, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant arrived to assist Inspector Greville with his enquiries. As Matt and Kitty did their best to find immediate answers, worse was to follow. Should Kitty return to the Dolphin in order to remain safe? She didn’t want to abandon Matt but she knew the danger was high…

Murder at Enderley Hall is the 2nd in A Miss Underhay Mystery series by Helena Dixon, and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it. Kitty and Matt are great characters and while there are plenty of clues along the way, the twists and turns make working out the murderer quite difficult. An entertaining Historical Cozy Mystery, Murder at Enderley Hall is one I recommend highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

And so, just a few weeks on from her first deadly adventure at the Dolphin Hotel, Kitty Underhay sets off for a country visit to the family she never knew that she had - namely, her wayward father's sister and her family, including her cousin Lucy. The visit gives Kitty an opportunity to try to find out more about her mother, Elowed, missing since Kitty was a small child. As she approaches the country house, the first impressions set the tone for what is to come:

'The house loomed over them, the windows blank and soulless. In the distance the rooks cawed in the trees.'

Within no time at all some important government papers go missing and the body count starts to mount. The scene is set for a classic country house murder novel, and when Kitty suggests that her 'friend' Captain Matthew Bryant - dashingly handsome and suitably tormented by past personal tragedies - be invited to help with the enquiries, the scene is set for a page-turning 1930s murder mystery.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series, I was looking forward to this and wasn't disappointed. For readers coming to this without having read the first book, fear not, for it is all neatly summarised in the opening few pages. With a long list of suspects, some red herrings and clues aplenty, this is a fun and well-written novel. Whilst the peripheral characters are a little stereotypical, the developing story of Kitty and Matt makes them more three-dimensional, and the themes of the worsening political crisis that is looming over 1930s Europe, as well as a strong feminist angle, give the book enough depth to satisfy fans of the genre.

My favourite line? As Kitty jumps onto the back of Matt's motorcycle in pursuit of the killer:
'Have you ever ridden a motorcycle pillion before?
No, but I've ridden a donkey.'

Diverting and satisfying, this is a fun read, and I look forward to more in the series. 4 stars.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Having very much enjoyed #1, Murder at the Dolphin Hotel, I was keen to continue reading about Kitty and her friend Matt so I jumped at the chance to read this second book in the series.

Kitty is visiting Enderley Hall to meet her newly acquired family but she is not destined to have a nice quiet holiday. When thefts and murders begin to occur Kitty quickly pulls in Matt to assist her in discovering the culprit. I like the way the author keeps Kitty's activities in line with how things really would have been. She accepts that the men run the enquiry and she has to play a behind the scenes role.

This is not to say however that Kitty is in any way down trodden. Her almost romance with Matt will never go anywhere unless he accepts that Kitty is not a woman who is going quietly stay home and do as she is told. There is a lot of character development ahead in this regard.

I see that there is a third book already in progress with the probable title Murder at the Playhouse. I am looking forward to it already.

At the end of the first visit to the Dolphin hotel and the family who run it, we were given a few indications and even fewer revelations about Kitty's family history. The most important part of this was the introduction of an Aunt, who then is cajoled into inviting Kitty to visit. Once there, the uncomfortable combination of people is soon eclipsed by a more severe problem of the loss of top-secret papers. This is further obscured by more deaths and suspicions. The thread of the Missing mother is continued in this instalment as well with some more clues given like breadcrumbs for future instalments. I found most of these interactions pretty interesting to follow, and I think it is definitely a step up from the first case in that regard, although the answer was more apparent here.

It is hard to see Kitty as the main character and not just the side support for Matthew because of the lack of initiative and drive attributed to her. So much so that when people are interviewed, and they have to account for the whereabouts of other guests, none mention her! This is a dedicated investigation that makes it easier to gauge who the culprit could be, but it is still quite a decent read. I would recommend it to readers of the historical mystery genre. It does put a lot more pressure on the continuing suspense about Kitty's mother.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based only on my reading experience.

Murder at Enderley Hall is A Miss Underhay Mystery Book number two but can be read as a standalone.

Certain references to the past are sufficiently explained so that the readers can follow the story easily.

Kitty has been invited to visit Enderley Hall, the place of her aunt and cousin, She is delighted but nervous to be there. All doubts disperse as soon as she meets her cousin Lucy as she is delighted to finally meet Kitty. Apart from her there are Lucy's friends, Nanny Thoms, her uncle's secretary, her aunt's landscape designer, art restorer as well as the servants.
Kitty is excited when she discovers that her mother has visited Enderley Hall before her disappearance but before she can find out more old Nanny Thoms is found dead. Second death soon follows.
Kitty suggest the Captain Bryant is called to help out with the investigation.

I like this series. Characters are well developed and interesting. Story is compelling and pull the reader right in.
Although the pace is steady and well told. somehow it seems to me that story drags on a bit.
I really like the time period and the love story that is surely to blossom between Kitty and the Captain.

In this second installment in the A Miss Underhay Mystery series, Kitty is invited to spend time with her father's family at Enderley Hall. But when she arrives with her maid Alice, they immediately sense that something is off. Everyone seems to be on edge, and Viola, one of the house guests, claims to have seen a man spying on her through a window. When important papers are stolen from her uncle's safe, she calls Matt, a former army captain who helped her solve a previous murder, to see if he can help determine who the thief is. When the family's nanny and a house guest, is murdered, Matt and Kitty become determined to catch the culprit.

I think this is a wonderful addition to the series. Set in the English countryside, this is a charming and engaging read, with a great cast of characters and a gripping mystery. The historical background is well researched and will instantly transport you back to 1930s England. Matt and Kitty complemented each other well, and I look forward to their relationship developing in future books. We also learn new details about the disappearance of Kitty's mother. This book was a page-turner and I will definitely be reading future books in this series. If you enjoy historical cozies, then I highly recommend this book.

I received an ARC from Bookouture through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"Murder at Enderley Hall" is a good follow-up in the "Miss Underhay Mystery" series. At the end of book one, Kitty found out about her relatives on her father's side, and in this new story she goes off to meet them at their big country manor. Once there, a theft happens and soon several murders follow up, so Kitty enlists the help of her friend, Captain Matthew Bryant. What follows is the typical classical murder mystery that will delight all fans of the genre.

I liked how we get to learn a bit more about both main characters backstories, specially Matt, as it serves to explain some of his actions, and although I don't agree much with some of them, I gotta keep in mind that the story is set in the 1930s. I love how Kitty is becoming such a strong woman on her own, showing her nonconformity with what it could be expected of a woman at the time.

I found that the mystery aspect of the book dragged along a bit in the middle of the story, probably due to the fact that the pool of suspects was so limited. In this installment Kitty is not so involved in the investigation, but for all the insight she shows troughout the story, I couldn't understand how she could act so stupidly around the end, once the villain is about to be revealed (I'm sure you'll know what I'm talking about if you've read it).

After that final scene between both MC, I feel like knowing what will happen with both Kitty and Matt in book 3.

3,5 ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 2nd book in the series but the first one I have read. The author made it easy to read this as a standalone. I love historical mysteries and this book is set in 1933. The characters were interesting and the storyline was well written.

I loved the first book int this series and I loved this one.
It's a great story that reminds the stories of the Golden Age: the manor, a group of guests, a series of murders, secrets and investigations.
Kitty and Matt are two great characters and I'm rooting for them and hoping that their relationships goes on.
The historical background is well researched and vivid, the cast of characters well thought and likable.
The mystery is solid, full of red herring and twists, and it kept me guessing till the end.
I can't wait for the next instalment and found this one an entertaining and engrossing read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Murder at Enderley Hall is the second novel in the Miss Underhay Mystery series and is a delightful foray into cosy mysteries of the early 1930s.

Invited to a house party by her aunt and uncle, Kitty Underhay is quickly thrust into a new murder investigation. Will she be able to unmask the killer?