In the wake of her uncle's death, attending a party is the last thing journalist Emma Cross wants to do. Her disinherited cousin, on the other hand, has no such qualms and Emma accompanies Neily Vanderbilt to James Van Alen's Wakehurst to keep him out of trouble. Trouble of another sort rears its head when Emma finds the dead body of a judge. Will she find the murderer, or will the new homicide detective keep her on the sidelines?

Coming back to this series is always a delight. I’ve not had the chance to visit Newport, but I adore large, old houses. The descriptions of the Gilded mansions in these books are always enjoyable. Each book sends me on a search to see if tours are given in the featured house. One might say I’m planning an epic road trip one day.

The plot itself very much met my expectations for this series. Emma Cross, intrepid journalist, has a knack for uncovering the truth. It was interesting in this book to see her at odds with the police. Her ‘assistance’ has been taken the wrong way and now the consequences are in place.

I will admit, I did not guess the correct culprit for this one, so the ending came as a bit of a surprise. The pace is fast for this book.

Readers with a love for Gilded Mansions and murder mysteries will enjoy this one.

Loved it! Rich in period description, the reader is transported to a time and history period at the close of the nineteenth century, whereby, Emma Cross (her late Uncle having been Cornelius Vanderbilt of the “400 club”), discovers an instance of cold-blooded murder on the grounds of a mansion. The victim is one of the 400's most influential members, Judge Clayton Schuyler, shot with an arrow in the chest.

The Judge, an influential wealthy man, found murdered alone in the gardens, done silently, among his closest peers and family, on the private lavish grounds of Wakehurst, where an elaborate Elizabethan affair is taking place by invitation only. Some of the family wants to cast suspicion on Emma since she was the one found who found him. But their tears are dry and seem phony to her. Clearly, nothing in this instance is at it seems.

A jigsaw puzzle of victim, murder, and murderer, unfolds in several layers. The very studious Miss Cross, her beau Derrick Andrews, and Detective Jesse Whyte must work hard to solve this murder or she may be the next in line to be murdered.

Note: Author’s notes at end of book inform of true historical persons and events on which story is based.

Solid 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Having not read anything by the author, Alyssa Maxwell I was unsure as to what to expect but I wasn't disappointed. This was an intriguing read with deep characters. I enjoyed spending time with them.

The backdrop is exquisitely described and adds to the pleasure of the read. There were many red herrings and, no, I didn't guess whodunnit. The plot is a good one.

I look forward to seeing how the relationships evolve and just what murder mystery Emma gets caught up in, in the next instalment in this historic murder mystery series.

With my thanks to #Netgalley, Kensington Books and the authors for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

A very good historical mystery! The author delivers a good story that kept me guessing.
Excellent character development, the historical background is well researched and vivid.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Hopefully Alyssa Maxwell will continue with the Gilded Newport series for ages! This delightful book is the epitome of perfection in a Historical Fiction/Mystery combination, charming and witty, sans syrup.

Set at Wakehurst in Newport, Rhode Island in the Gilded Age, journalist Emma Cross is roped into attending an aristocratic fete against her wishes. She is tasked with keeping an eye on Neily Vanderbilt as he has a tendency to enjoy such grand occasions a little too heartily. Cornelius Vanderbilt has recently died but it is too late to cancel the fete. But someone else dies during the fete. And the circumstances are definitely fishy and whispers circulate.

Intelligent and bold Emma, beau Derrick Andrews and Detective Jesse Whyte are keen to expose secrets, a murderer and other crimes. The characters have different approaches and in this novel we see a lot of fun inveigling and digging. Upstairs/downstairs and historical details always grab my attention, beautifully and solidly written here. I'm smitten with the cover, too.

If you are seeking a fun new series in which to immerse yourself, this is it.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the e-ARC of this fabulous book! It whisked me away to another world and life. Wholly enjoyable.

Thanks to Kensington Books, Alyssa Maxwell & NetGalley for the preread in exchange for an honest review.

Once again, I find myself wishing the story would not end when it does! A great series, taking place in historic Newport. Emma happens upon a murder victim, the "new" detective is less than helpful, and Derrick and Jesse all join in as the three solve the mystery. I had no idea who had "done it" until it was revealed. Love the series and can't wait for the next story!

Emma has once again stumbled across a murder - this time one of the 400. Unfortunately, her detective friend Jesse is not the investigator assigned but that does not stop Emma from trying to solve the case. A delightful mystery and another welcome look at Newport society.

In the autumnal chill of Newport, Rhode Island, at the close of the nineteenth century, journalist Emma Cross discovers an instance of cold-blooded murder on the grounds of a mansion...
I love this Gilded Newport series and this outing did not disappoint. The location is always so well portrayed with an incredibly realistic sense of place. There is murder, mystery and a handful of red herrings that make this a very enjoyable read and a satisfying ending. Emma is one of my favorite characters and I am so looking forward to the next in this series. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Murder at Wakehurst by Alyssa Maxwell is the latest in the Gilded Newport series. I love this series. The mysteries are always intriguing , the heroine, Emma Cross is a strong, independent woman, and , at the same time, the reader learns some history of the late 1890's and the wealthy industrialist families known as The Four Hundred who ruled society and ran the lives of so many working men and women. Definitely well worth reading.

As usual with the Gilded Newport Mysteries, I enjoy the sense of place that the author creates, and having her central character be on the edge of wealth and fame but not truly part of it is an interesting perspective, especially for the solving of mysteries.
However, the mystery in this one was not my favorite. Having her detective, Emma Cross, gain entry under false pretenses to the home of a bereaved mother and daughter to snoop through their bedrooms just felt ethically questionable to me. Also, it's becoming less clear to me what Emma's motivation is for solving mysteries. It comes across now as curiosity mixed with a desire to one-up the police, and that's not terribly compelling to me.

cozy-mystery, 1890s, law-enforcement, journalist, family-dynamics, friendship, amateur-sleuth, murder, murder-investigation, class-consciousness, historical-research*****

Emma is not exactly having a good week. Her boyfriend/newspaper owner has been called into the city by his disapproving family, *Uncle* Cornelius Vanderbilt has died (but he did leave her *a bit* of an inheritance to keep the bill collectors at bay. The worst of it is having to go to a dressy fete to keep watch on her disgraced cousin and winding up finding the body of another prominent gentleman. A finding that the intelligent law officer has been taken from the case and a condescending whatsit is in charge. Let the sleuthing begin! There are exquisite descriptions of both attire and surroundings, plus exhaustive descriptions of the lineage and implications of financial heredity as well as the general snobbery of the era. The mystery is well done and the characters are both interesting and believable. A very good read.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley.

I have been a fan of Alyssa Maxwell's Gilded Newport Mystery series since the first book came out and Murder at Wakehurst is another enjoyable book. Following the death of her Uncle Cornelius, Emma accompanies her grieving cousin Neily and his wife on an evening out. During the course of the evening, a guest is murdered. Finding a number of suspects and motives, Emma and Derrick investigate as her life long friend Jesse Whyte has been demoted and a new detective is in charge of the case. The Four Hundred and their over the top mansions as well as entertainments in turn of the century Newport is an ideal setting for a mystery series and as always Maxwell incorporates the real life cottages and characters who inhabited them into a fascinating mystery. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and advance copy of #MurderatWakehurst.

There is only one word to sum up this novel and that is superb!!! I just love this series so much. Excellent writing, great historical detail, romance, and an intriguing mystery to solve. Emma is such a relatable and likable character. She’s also very smart and inquisitive. The mystery itself is very engaging with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a great solid mystery. Very well done!!!

Murder at Wakehurst by Alyssa Maxwell is an excellent historical cozy mystery which is the newest book (9th)in the wonderful Gilded Newport Mystery series. I really enjoyed this new one.

I love how each book includes a new historic home or landmark around Newport, Rhode Island. The author seamlessly weaves into the narrative fantastic details of stunning landmarks and fascinating historic people (ex Vanderbilts). It always adds such a fascinating aspect to each story. I always look forward to seeing what will be added with each book.

As always, I loved the murder/mystery plot that included a wonderful cast of characters, suspects, and added a great mystery to the ongoing and overarching plots. I also love the time period of 1899. It just has so many fascinating events taking place to draw from. So much change.

I love journalist Emma Cross. She balances between two different societal worlds nicely. The ingenious concept allows for a wider range of characters, plots, and concepts. Because she is a relative (but not too close of one) to a Vanderbilt, it opens many doors for investigations and resources. Emma is intelligent, feisty, and just an all around likable character. I always love seeing what she has gotten into with each book and her cast of beloved characters that are a part of every story.

I can’t wait to see what the next book entails.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.