Death Comes to the Rectory by Catherine Lloyd
Kurland St. Mary Mystery #8

Coming in on the last book of a series is probably not the wisest way to read a series but this book did manage to stand alone, introduce the characters easily and give enough background to follow the story without difficulty.

What I liked:
* The story felt of the time period
* There were plenty of potential murderers
* I didn’t mind that the person who died was killed because he was reprehensible
* The relationship between Robert and Lucy seemed well established and healthy
* That the rector and his new bride seemed to care about one another – and were expecting a baby though older
* The twists and turns
* The way the clues were eked out
* That the murderer and motivation were eventually determined

What I didn’t like:
* Many of the characters: Northam, Henrietta, the Earl…and others
* Not sure it is a dislike but I am curious enough to find out what the sentence would be for the person who admitted to murder to see if google might tell me.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I have enjoyed it more if I had read the entire series? Probably
Would I read more books by this author? Yes



Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

My first time reading this author. I'm sorry to see that it is the last in the series. I really enjoyed it. This is an historical murder mystery with a large cast of characters but they soon sort themselves out. I was surprised at who ended up being the murderer.

Murder casts a dark shadow over the christening of Lady Lucy and Major Sir Robert Kurland's daughter Elizabeth—even more so when Lucy's own father, the rector, falls under suspicion for the crime. Lucy and Robert’s joy in christening their new daughter, surrounded by extended family and loved ones who have gathered in the village of Kurland St. Mary, is only enhanced when Robert’s aunt Rose—now the second wife of Lucy’s father Ambrose—announces that she is with child. However, not everyone is happy about the news, in particular Rose's adult daughter Henrietta and her husband, who fear for their inheritance. Following the christening, Rose’s disagreeable son-in-law Basil Northam threatens to turn afternoon tea in the rectory into an unsightly brawl. The next morning, he is found in the rector’s study, stabbed through the heart with an antique letter opener, clutching a note that appears to implicate the rector himself. As the local justice of the peace, Robert has an obligation to remain unbiased in his investigation of the ghastly crime, even though his prime suspect is a man of the cloth and his wife’s father. But Lucy is under no such obligation. As snow traps the members of the christening party in Kurland St. Mary, she vows to clear her father’s name and bring the cold-blooded culprit to justice. Someone had better start saying their prayers
This is the eighth & final book in this brilliant series & I'm sad to see it end especially as I felt there were lots of loose ends, I would have loved an epilogue. However as always the book is well written & the mystery engrossing. I wasn’t sure who the murderer was until nearly the end. Strong characters & a fast paced plot plus plenty of red herrings & twists & turns held my interest all the way through
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Death Comes to the Rectory is the eighth and last book in the A Kurland St. Mary Mystery series by Catherine Lloyd. I’m sorry to see this come to an end, although, to be honest, I was beginning to wonder how on earth this couple could continue to have their important life events interrupted by the murders of friends, family, employees, and acquaintances.

In this book, Lady Lucy Harrington and her ex-military husband, local magistrate Sir Robert Kurland, are entertaining family for the christening of their new daughter Elizabeth. While the relationship between the couple remains loving, respectful, and somewhat subdued, there is little left to develop as far as plot arc goes. In this novel, the most likely murderer is Lucy’s father, a rather unpleasant man who has never treated Lucy fairly, but whom she loves nevertheless. She’s in a quandary because it is Robert’s duty to investigate the murder and, if necessary, see her father imprisoned and tried. For once, she doesn’t want him to be impartial. And this leads to some old-married couple bickering which is not as much fun to read as the earlier fraught romance.

The victim is Lord Northam, who is married to Robert’s exceedingly nasty cousin, Henrietta. Henrietta’s mother (Robert’s aunt) has recently married Lucy’s long-widowed father (the most likely murderer.) It’s quite a tangle. Because of the christening, numerous other relatives are there, including Lucy’s uncle and his wife and their son. Her uncle is an earl and is supercilious and entitled. The son is a wastrel. That aunt is aloof but generally respectable. They are tangled up in the mess too, since the son owed a huge gambling debt to the dead man. And then there is Robert’s old military friend, Captain Coles, who has been named godfather to the baby. For some reason, he is present at all the wrong places at all the wrong times and can’t keep his stories straight.

As usual, the mystery makes for fun reading as the sleuthing couple digs around and tries pulling apart the threads of an increasingly knotted mystery. Rather than no suspects, there are far too many. The reader is pulled along to grow suspicious of first one, then another, until the murderer becomes apparent and is revealed.

This is a lovely cozy historical mystery series from beginning to end. I recommend starting with book one: Death Comes to the Village.

I was disappointed to learn this is the final book in this series. It was an excellent mystery but had some continuity issues from the previous book. Some of the conflict between Robert and Lucy felt a touch forced but overall their interactions were what I've come to expect. It also brought the entire extended family together so it was a nice way to wrap up the series.

Lucy and Robert have a new murder to solve on the occasion of their daughter's christening. Universally disliked Lord Northam is found murdered in the Rectory. Many of his victims were guests at the christening and everyone has secrets to protect, especially Lucy's father, the Rector. As many twists and turns and red herrings as a Christie mystery.. I am sad Ms, Lloyd is ending the series with this book. Definitely a great finale.

Death Comes to the Rectory (Kurland St. Mary Mystery #8) by Catherine Lloyd
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: January 26, 2021

Death Comes to the Rectory is the eighth and final book in the Kurland St. Mary Mystery series by Catherine Lloyd. This is the only book in the series that I have read and it works really well as a standalone book.

I really enjoyed this story. I'm not typically a fan of historical fiction, but this one really worked well for me. I found the author's writing style to be very comfortable to read.

My favorite part of the book was the mystery! I really enjoyed trying to figure out who the killer was! This was well done and kept me guessing until the very end!

If you enjoy mysteries, especially period pieces, you should read this book!

I'm so grateful to Catherine Lloyd, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

historical-novel, historical-research, historical-setting, England, family-dynamics, friendship, murder, murder-investigation, 19th-century, cosy-mystery****

A rather nasty bunch of interlopers, but sadly only one of them is murdered. The family situation is somewhat bizarre and too messy to get into here and all is complicated by a notable snowstorm. The sleuthing is well written and well plotted and actually less befuddled than all the family (dis)connections. Enjoyable.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you.

I really struggled with what rating to give this book. If it was a book in the middle of a series, I’d give it 5-stars easily because the mystery is well-written, well-plotted, and well-executed. Usually, I figure out within the first chapter or two who the murderer is – but I wasn’t sure with this one. I had suspicions – but definitely wasn’t sure. However, this book isn’t in the middle of a series, it is the wrap-up for a series and, as such, it just wasn’t satisfying to me. The author has said she might write some additional short stories for this series in the future, but, to this reader, that doesn’t make up for what is lacking in this final book. As a series ender, I did not want to see a family left splintered and in turmoil. I wanted to know what the future held for the Harrington’s – especially the twins and Anna – Oh, and Rose’s baby. Yet, Anna was hardly even mentioned in the story and she wasn’t at her niece’s christening. So, if you read the book for the mystery, you’ll enjoy it – but if you read it for both the mystery and the wrap-up to a much-loved series, you’ll end up a bit disappointed. All of that disappointment could have so easily been avoided with just an additional chapter or an epilogue showing the family in their happy lives at some future point. I’m not exactly sorry I read the book – but I’m not exactly jumping for joy either.

Lady Lucy and Sir Robert Kurland are preparing to celebrate the christening of their baby daughter, Elizabeth Jane Sarah, who was named after her deceased grandmothers and her great-aunt. They’ve invited friends and family and have filled both the rectory and the manor with guests. In the middle of all of the guest's arrival, there is an unexpected, uninvited, and unwanted couple who appears. Robert asks them to leave, but since the woman, Henrietta, is Robert’s cousin – and the step-daughter of Lucy’s father – they can hardly remove them bodily. You’ll never see a nastier set of people than Henrietta and her husband Lord Northam. Robert makes it very plain to both of them that they WILL NOT disturb the christening services. This is his much-loved, and much-doted-upon daughter's big day and he will not have it spoiled.

Just after the services, the body of Basil, Lord Northam, is discovered in the rector’s office – with the rector’s letter opener. That immediately makes the rector, Lucy’s father, the prime suspect. Lucy doesn’t believe her father is guilty – but Robert thinks he could be. As the magistrate for the area, it is Robert’s duty to investigate and determine the guilty party – even if that means hurting his wife.

It seems everyone has a reason to want Lord Northam dead – he was mutually hated by all who knew him. As the investigation continues, more and more secrets come to light along with more and more reasons someone would want to kill Lord Northam. Yet, all of the evidence keeps coming back to the rector. Henrietta insists that the rector is the guilty party and she makes that loud and clear to any and all who will listen. Can Robert and Lucy work through all of the secrets and lies to get to the truth? That truth will surprise you!

I did enjoy the mystery, but the overall feel of the book left me wanting. I thought Lucy was much too sanguine about her father being accused of murder and much too accepting of Robert’s need to pursue her father as a suspect. The ending was also dissatisfying because there was no real wrap-up. The family was left fractured with more wounds than could be easily repaired.

If you love the series, I hope you won’t be as disappointed as I was in the final book. If you aren’t invested in the series – you should find the mystery very enjoyable.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read 'Death Comes to the Rectory' with a sense of foreboding, as right in the beginning it was announced that it is the last in the series. I am heartbroken by that. The development of the characters and storylines of the entire series are a favorite for me. There is a Regency feel that for me approximates the writings of Jane Austen. I am immensely sorry to see it go and hope the publisher reconsiders.
All this being said it was another expert mystery with a surprising ending. There was the perfect mixture of angst and understanding in the relationship between Lucy and Robert. The surrounding cast of characters are all delightful (and awful) in their individual ways. I highly recommend anyone go back and enjoy the entire series. I believe you will be greatly rewarded in doing so.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The christening of Robert and Lucy's daughter goes sideways when her step sister Henrietta snd her husband Basil show up. Lucy's father, the rector, has recently married Robert's aunt Rose, who finds she is pregnant, setting off concern by Henrietta and Basil about her inheritance. Then it starts to snow. When Basil is found murdered, the Rector is a prime suspect. Set in a delightful village (although we don't see much of it due to the snow) in the 1820s, this is a fun cozy mystery that will keep you guessing. Robert is the official investigator, but Lucy, well, she knows her father didn't do it. As is typical to the genre, there were several people who wanted Basil gone and it's interesting to watch how this plays out. I admit to being a fan of this series but think you will be fine with this as as standalone because Lloyd gives good backstory. The characters are well formed and if it plays a little loose with Regency mores etc,, it's still a cracking good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. zI'm looking forward to the next one.

3.5 stars

Evidently this is the end of the well-done Kurland St. Mary series, featuring the mostly formerly irascible Sir Robert and his wife Lucy. The pair have been interesting to watch in various adventures as they joust and battle for equity. Their intelligence and mutual high regard and affection make this an enjoyable pastime.

This time out, their friends and family are gathered for their new daughter's christening. But between Robert and Lucy, they have more than their share of truly odious, self-centered, narcissistic and venal relatives. Various undercurrents are circulating: financial straits, family disgrace, parent-child disagreements, and disputes over a future will. It all comes to a head when the most awful of their relations (and that is saying something) is found murdered in Lucy's father's study. This man was heartily disliked by everyone and had further estranged himself by embroiling several of those present in a deceitful investment scam.

The murder victim is married to Robert's cousin, Lucy's father is the prime suspect, and her aristocratic uncle and his son also are behaving suspiciously. As Robert investigates the death of the man that no one mourns, Lucy also is naturally upset at her father's predicament. And Robert soon discovers that all those involved have something to hide and will lie to protect it.

I will be sorry to see this series end. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This book is I learn, the last in a well established cozy mystery series set in the Regency period. I had not heard of this series before, and therefore obviously not read any of the other books in this series. To be honest I haven’t read too many cozy mysteries set in the Regency period if I’m honest- although I have found a few to try on doing some research. Nonetheless I found this setting quite refreshing and provided quite a change for me.
I didn’t feel that I suffered coming in right at the end of the series- I think this book read well as a stand-alone, although I do feel I would like to go back to the beginning and track the development of our main character’s relationship.
This book had lots of family drama and falling outs, the awkward moment when you start investigating your father in law for murder- ouch! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the snowy setting perfect for reading at this current time in January. Definitely recommend.

This was a wonderful historical mystery. I was genuinely surprised by the ending, which is a good feeling when reading a mystery. Will keep an eye out for more from this author

This is the eighth book in the series, and Sir Robert and Lady Lucy are again at home in the village of Kurland St. Mary. The book begins with the death of Basil Northam, an unpleasant man who, along with his wife Henrietta have come to badger Rose the rector’s wife and Henrietta’s mother, about her will. When they are unsuccessful in forcing a change, they refuse to go home and impose themselves on the Kurlands who are welcoming guests for the christening of their daughter. To make matters worse, Lady Lucy’s father is implicated in the murder and it is Sir Robert’s duty as magistrate, to investigate and ultimately arrest the individual who appears to be the perpetrator.
There is a good representation of the era and of the village of Kurland St. Mary during a particularly severe winter storm. The storm forces all the suspects to remain with the Kurland’s as the countryside is blanketed with snow. Robert and Lucy’s relationship is strained as he tries to perform his duties while at the same time shutting her out of the investigation.In addition, Lucy’s stepmother is found to be unexpectedly pregnant which has led to much anger on the part of Henrietta, her daughter. When Basil is murdered, Henrietta is insistent that the rector, Rose’s husband, be arrested.
Strife among and within families abounds as Robert tries to unravel the mystery. There are side issues that involve some of the other guests at the christening, which adds to the difficulty in discovering the solution. It also makes it difficult to care about what happens to the characters in the book. The same is true of Robert, as his behavior toward is dismissive and comes across as uncaring. When she bests him and solves the murder, his apology seems more perfunctory than genuine.
For readers who have invested in this series, this may be an enjoyable book, particularly as they read the descriptions of the village and travel in and around in the snow. For readers new to the series, I would recommend they start with the beginning and move forward as they will get a better picture of Robert and Lucy’s relationship than is depicted here. My thanks to Kensington Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel for review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is the eighth book in the series, and each one seems to be better than the last.

Lucy and Robert have invited several guests to attend the christening of their baby Elizabeth. Even though they hadn't accepted the invitation to the christening, Robert's cousin Henrietta shows up with her husband Basil (Lord Northam). Lucy's father, the Rector, has married Robert's Aunt Rose, and Henrietta is her daughter. She is rude to her mother and everyone dislikes her husband, who was involved in some shady deals. When Rose faints, it comes out that she is pregnant.

Meanwhile, there are heavy snows, and everyone present for the christening can't get back to London. Then, Basil is found dead in the rector's study with the rector's letter opener in his chest. Although almost everyone in town hates Basil, Henrietta demands that Lucy's father be arrested immediately. It is Robert's job to investigate, and Lucy is not happy when he tells her that her father is the prime suspect. However, Robert continues to investigate and Lucy helps as usual. They find a man at the Inn, Mr. Penarth, who is there to collect money owed him as Basil, the rector, and several others owed him money. Everyone seems to have a reason to kill Basil, and everyone also seems to be lying to Robert. Meanwhile, He gets one story, and then someone else tells him something that contradicts it. Lucy needs to find someone else guilty to save her father.
Then, Mr. Penarth is found dead at the foot of the cellar stairs in the Inn. Was he pushed, or did he fall?

Finally, Robert has Lucy arrange a meeting at the rectory with all the players present, and the real culprit finally comes out of hiding.

The good storyline and interesting characters grabbed my attention from the very beginning and wouldn't let me go until the very last page was turned! I was so invested in this wonderful story that I read this book in one sitting!

I recently finished Alyssa Maxwell’s latest “A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mystery” installment which was set in the early part of the twentieth century. Told with wit and a bit of hilarity it was a fun and quick romp. I had hoped Catherine Lloyd’s last installment in the Kurland St. Mary mysteries would be equally enjoyable.

Catherine Lloyd has set her story approximately one hundred years earlier, 1826 to be precise, and whether it is the time or this author’s style I had some difficulty getting through “Death Comes to the Rectory.” The mystery is well crafted and interesting if just a little predictable; the characters were appropriately stuffy and stodgy and mainly dislikable; the detailed descriptions of just about everything were just a tad tedious.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for a copy.

I have always enjoyed this series, with the ever grumpy but loving Robert, and his wife Lucy. Set in the late 1800’s, Lucy is not the quiet submissive wife you would expect, but a very insightful and strong wife. When the couple is in the midst of their daughter’s christening, a murder victim brings death to Lucy’s family’s home. Her father, the Rector, is the major suspect as her husband investigates with Lucy’s help. As usual, there are many red herrings, and the solution is not easily predicted. I recommend reading this series in order since the books to have a progression to them. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I love this series and am glad to see that my library has the previous books. I just need to find time to read them!
The characters are interesting and the husband and wife have a good marriage without it being over the top perfect. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.