"A Deception at Thornecrest" is a charming story, offering a delightful mix of classic whodunit tropes and a dash of romance. Set in the 1930s, the story follows the stylish and quick-witted Amory Ames as she is drawn into a web of lies, family secrets, and murder at the Thornecrest estate.

Weaver's writing is engaging and does a great job of evoking the atmosphere of the time, with the decadent settings and the dynamics of high society in full display. Amory's character is likable, though at times her interactions with her husband, Milo, can feel a bit repetitive. The mystery itself is solid, with a few twists and turns that kept me intrigued, even if the ultimate reveal didn’t feel entirely satisfying.

While the pacing of the novel is generally smooth, there are moments where the plot lags, particularly in the middle sections. The dialogues can occasionally come off as stilted or overly explanatory, slowing down the momentum. That said, the mystery is cleverly constructed, and the historical backdrop adds a layer of intrigue.

Overall, "A Deception at Thornecrest" is an enjoyable read for fans of cozy mysteries, but it may not be as gripping or tightly plotted as some of its genre peers. It's a fun, light-hearted escape but lacks the emotional depth or unexpected twists that could have made it truly memorable.

A Deception at Thorncrest was a delightful palate cleanser of a book.

Amory Ames, amateur detective, her husband Milo and Milo's unknown-until-now younger half brother Darien are embroiled in a plot well deserving of any that Monsieur Poirot would undertake, albeit with much less, well, attitude. I enjoyed Amory's sense of humor. She is as modern a woman as the early thirties could provide. As cozy mysteries go, this one is well done, fun, cute, and a joy to read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my copy of A Deception at Thornecrest by Ashley Weaver in exchange for an honest review. It published September 8, 2020.
There are cozy mysteries, and there are cozy mysteries. This is leaps and bounds above so many others, and definitely stands out. This series is so wonderfully written, and I will definitely continue on in the series!

I found myself rolling my eyes of ent as o read this one. The stereotypes were a bit much but I think that was part of the point in the story line. I did not finish

***I received an ARC from Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for my honest review.***

If you’re looking for Bridgerton-era Whodunit, this is the book for you! A quick read where, under not circumstances, can tea time be missed. A small town is shaken due to the arrival of an unexpected family member and the murder that coincides with it. The sweet, and significantly pregnant, main character devotes the end of her third trimester to solving the case; all while staying true to her husband/ child’s father. Very sweet, wholesome murder mystery - it was difficult not to compare it to a rousing round of my all time favorite board game, Clue!

I finished A Deception at Thornecrest several nights ago and I keep thinking about Amory. I need to solve more mysteries with her!! Probably one of my favorite characters ever. Ashley Weaver writes in a way that gets you RIGHT into her brain. I feel as though I spent time with an old friend and I am missing our time together. I LOVED the setting in a small English village and the festival that brings the villagers together. The mystery was great, lots of people had motive and opportunity so lots of suspicion to go around. Amory is a pro amateur sleuth and piecing info together with her was a blast. There were friendly visits (aka interviews with suspects) over tea and a bit of sneaking around to gain more info.. perfect! A Deception at Thornecrest is the sixth in the series and I’ve only read the first but I didn’t feel as though I missed anything major. But I do want to go back and read books 2-5 now!

I received this as an e-arc in the summer of 2020. I’m very sorry for taking so long to read it!! However, Amory is pregnant in this story and there were some small triggers for me now 8 months post partum so maybe it's a good thing I waited so long to read it! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more by Ashley Weaver.

This is book 7 of the Amory Ames Series. Amory is just trying to take it easy as she waits for her baby to come. Then, a woman comes to her home claiming to be the wife of her husband. There seems to be some confusion, but what is really behind the appearance? When one of their stable hand's is murdered, things seem much more dangerous. Can Amory solve the mysteries?

Due to a family illness, and unexpected events, I am very far behind in writing my reviews.I found my self reading one book after another without writing the review -- that was a big mistake. I did enjoy this book very much,. I happily give it 4 stars.

There isn't anything about this book to dislike. I love historical cozies and this definitely fits the bill. A charming setting and fantastic, interesting characters make this a must read book and series.

First time I have read this author or series. It's actually number 7 in the series, but I didn't know that, when I asked to read it. Even though, it was number 7, I had no problem understanding what was going on in the series.

Amory Ames is an amateur sleuth. While at home at Thorncrest, waiting on having a baby, she finds herself intrigued by a new mystery. She also finds a new visitor at her doorstep who has quite a surprise for her and Milo.

When a local citizen of the village ends up dead, she can't help but get involved. Whole trying to solve this murder, another one happens. Two people, is there one murderer or more? Why would anyone want these two dead? Can she figure it before she has her baby and Milo puts a stop to her investigation?

Thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for the Kindle Version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Happy Reading 😊

I am a great fan of historical mysteries, but A DECEPTION AT THORNECREST didn't offer enough sense of time, or sense of place to transport the me to another period. Good but not my favorite out of the series. Not sure if this is the end of the series or not since the author has started a new series, but it makes a good, if lackluster end.

This is the 7th book in the Armory Ames mystery series, it was a cute historical cozy fiction book, I enjoyed it. I’ve read the other books in the series, and this was a good entry.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Loved the cover of the book and the story was very enjoyable and the writing very smart. I will look forward to reading more from this author.

I do not understand why this book is still listed for me I send my feedback three years ago. Sending this to remove,

A Deception at Thornecrest is the seventh book in the Amory Ames mystery series set in 1930's England. I read the first book, Murder at the Brightwell, a few years back and enjoyed it very much. This series reminds me very much of Agatha Christie and the Lady Hardcastle mysteries and I am a huge fan of both.

In this entry, Amory is pregnant with her first child when a woman shows up on her doorstep claiming to be married to her husband. Quite a shock. When another unexpected visitor shows up shortly thereafter it seems almost like too much of a coincidence. While Amory is coming to terms with the fallout from these visits, there is a murder during the town festival. Could all of these things be connected? Amory decides she needs to find out.

One of the things I appreciate about this book are the challenges Amory faces in her marriage to her, former playboy, husband, Milo. Their relationship is constantly being tested by their lack of communication and I find this to add a dynamic element to the books.

I can tell this series has gotten stronger as it's gone along. I will definitely be going back to read books two through six now. While I don't think you absolutely need to read these books in order, I do think there are character developments that would make it more enjoyable. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book and diving into the series from the beginning.

Another top notch classy murder mystery by Ashley Weaver involving our favorite amateur detective, Amory Ames.

"A Deception at Thornecrest" is book 7 in An Amory Ames Mystery series. I've so enjoyed this story that I'm now going looking for the previous books. I'm very interested in Amory and Milo and their strange relationship. I thought the plot was good and the writing style reminded me of an episode of Downton Abbey. The prose is very Darling and My Love, proper all the same. It's very English and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. I was first introduced to Amory Ames through "Murder at the Brightwell".

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

huge fan of the Amory Ames novels so I took my time with this last in the series while breezing through the previous in the series. I thought
it was totally perfect plot, characters, place all well done. I like to think that Amory will be out there solving more mysteries surprising me
with her sleuthing denouement. Thanks to Ashley and the publisher for reviving my childhood love of Nancy Drew in a sophisticated
heroine..

I seem to start a lot of series somewhere other than the start, and this is one of them. A Deception at Thornecrest is the seventh in the Amory Ames Mystery series, and I understand from reading other reviews that it’s probably preferable to start at the beginning. I was still able to follow along and enjoy the story, though, even though I jumped in at the most current installment.

Here, we find Amory and Milo Ames back home – Milo’s family home in Allingcross, a small English village. They’ve worked through some challenges in their relationship, and they’re preparing for the birth of their first child. What they aren’t prepared for is a young woman showing up, also claiming to be Mrs. Ames. After all Amory and Milo have been through, is he really a bigamist?

That mystery is quickly unraveled when Milo’s half-brother Darien comes knocking. A half-brother that Milo had no idea he had. Darien has left the young Ms. Prescott (Mrs. Ames the second) behind, and he’s soon involved in a dalliance with a local village girl, Marena. He’s a trifler when it comes to women, but he never expected that to lead to him being the prime suspect in a murder. Marena’s former sweetheart Bertie turns up dead during the Springtide Festival, and Darien is first on the inspector’s list of who might be the guilty party.

This was a delightful read! Amory is a wonderful heroine. She’s inquisitive and not inclined to slow down on her investigating simply because she’s just days away from giving birth. Her relationship with Milo is pretty realistic – they may not agree on everything, and they may not always communicate perfectly and clearly, but you can tell they do love each other.

The other characters in the book are interesting as well. Lady Alma Bedford, daughter of an earl, whose horses are the primary objects of her affection. Jane Hodges, Marena’s mother, a rather harsh and unfeeling woman, or so it seems. Mrs. Busby, the vicar’s wife – her daughter died in an accident and now Marena is something of a second daughter to her. Darien, the previously unknown half-brother who Milo may or may not want to allow into his life. All were written in sufficient detail to let you feel like you knew a little bit about them.

This is also a very clean read, like it was written during the 1930s in which it’s set. Not a lot of swearing or graphic details. I appreciate that.

A female protagonist I couldn’t help but like, an engaging mystery, a lovely village setting – A Deception at Thornecrest gets four solid stars from me. I’ll go back and read the rest of the series now.

https://theplainspokenpen.com/book-review-a-deception-at-thornecrest-an-amory-ames-mystery-7-by-ashley-weaver/

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Minotaur Books/St.Martin's Press

Woot woot, I am all caught up! And, yet boo, no more books till the next one is published.

Milo has decided to whisk Amory to their country house, Thornecrest to keep her safe and away from murders. While he goes between Thornecrest and town, Amory is left alone to set up the nursery before their baby arrives. Being pregnant does not keep Amory away from drama and mystery. First, a young woman arrives at Thornecrest claiming to be Mrs. Milo Ames. While her marriage to Milo has had it's ups and downs, she does not believe that her husband would have strayed the past few months. Finding out the truth will lead to murder in the countryside.

I started this one right after A Dangerous Engagement so I was already in the Ames world. I like that each novel takes place in a different setting, and it was great seeing the place where Milo grew up. I enjoyed this one and loved the ending of the book - not so much the solving of the mystery but of Amory and Milo and the new baby. I hope there will be more books and this is not the end of the series. Weaver's next book is a new series, so I feel bittersweet about that. While I am excited that she will have new characters set in another decade (1940s, WWII), I do hope there will be more of Amory and Milo...and Darian.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

I found this to be a fast even read with believable characters. There were twists and turns but nothing too outlandish. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.