Member Reviews

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington books for allowing me to review this book

Lyndy and Stella finally have their wedding near at hand and friends/family are arriving from Kentucky. What could go wrong? Murders and scandal in the racehorse community that’s all. But leave it to Lyndy and Stella to get to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding the murders....

Stella doesn’t have it easy and I’m glad we are seeing Lyndy become more of a loving influence in her life.

The beginning of the book finds us again with her obnoxious father and fastidious mother in law, add to that jealousy and pettiness from her friend Penny and one murder and from there things take off. I don’t want to get into the murders but suffice it to say it’s a game changer for Stella.

I enjoyed this book - but not at the beginning. At the beginning I wanted to strangle her father and mother in law. Things drastically change after a visit to Keyhaven castle - where there is another murder. A key murder

My heart went out to Stella in this book but thankfully the author gave Stella her HEA. And we have our new countess

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Murder at Keyhaven Castle by Clara McKenna is a English Historical Mystery Series at the turn of the Century. Mysteries, murders, and scandals until the end. I love the intricate plots, historical facts, animals and unusual characters in this series. Stella and Lyndy are exciting, clever and loving without being sappy. Every old and new character is well woven into each mystery. I can’t wait to read the conclusion but sorry when each book ends and I’m left wanting the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

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This is the third in the series. It was an exciting read that kept me turning the page. Although it took a while to get to the murder the journey was beautifully written. The characters were so full of life and enjoyable to read. The mystery of who was going to be the victim and then working out who done it made it a very exciting read. At times I wanted to read the last page to know the answers but I resisted. There were twist and turns to keep you reading. There was no sex in this book but it was still a nice dose of romance and love. I received this book as an ARC and freely give my review.

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A great read. I loved the book. The plot was very well written and I cannot wait for another book. This was from a new to me and great author. I really enjoyed the book.

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Ivy Kendrick is looking forward to her wedding to ‘Lyndy’ Lyndhurst. However, as the day approaches, a few uninvited guests turn up, some welcome, some not. When the identity of a body is revealed to be that of a criminal known in the horse racing world, details of a horse purchase begin to surface that threaten to reveal a counterfeit transaction that will lead to another murder.

Having not read any of the previous installments of this series, I must say it was easy to pick this third book up and not have any problems following all the events. McKenna is gifted with a talent of weaving in important details from previous story lines and making them feel new to this story. The world of horse racing is a nice change for me, as I learned a few things about racing and sales of horses.

I don’t usually pick up books that center around horses, but this one read differently. Though the horse racing was a key story line, it wasn’t in the forefront for me as much as all of the characters.

I wish to thank the generosity of the publisher and NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.

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Lyndy and Stella are finally getting married. Friends and estranged family from America have arrived to help celebrate. A man is mysteriously killed at the docks when Stella and her father are meeting friends and readers are left wondering how this ties in with the family.
Alas, it is only the first murder of the book. On an excursion to a local castle, a member of the party is murdered. Stella and Lyndy were otherwise occupied at the time, but other’s stories don’t quite add up. They have to discover what they’re hiding and how it’s all connected. I really enjoyed how this story flowed, with the opening of the mysterious murdered man on the docks to how Stella and Lyndy get involved. The mystery is well done and has some surprising twists. I like how the character development has been done throughout the series, and the relationship between Stella and Lyndy has moved along well. Their mutual interests in horses and investigating, in addition to their respect for each other and mutual attraction, has built a solid foundation that is something I’d like to see more of in historicals (romances and mysteries). Another fantastic instalment in the series and so much potential for future stories!

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The Stella and Lyndy Mysteries by Clara McKenna never disappoint! This installment of the series finds Stella and Lyndy nearing their nuptials, but the path to wedding bliss is paved with more than romance. There is also danger, deceit--and death! With rich historical detail, an evocative setting, and a cleverly-plotted mystery, Murder at Keyhaven Castle is a delight from start to finish. Stella and Lyndy are a couple the reader cheers for, not just romantically but as a capable sleuthing team. As always, I will be eagerly awaiting the next book!

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"With her wedding to Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst just days away, strong-willed American ex-pat Stella Kendrick is the talk of Edwardian society - and the focus of a deadly mystery - in Clara McKenna's third historical mystery set in England's New Forest region at the turn of the 20th century.

Between ornate bridal gown fittings and meetings with Lyndy's distant relatives, Stella finally feels less like an out-of-place American and more like a respected aristocrat. Everything changes as the arrival of an anonymous gift and return of her overbearing father cast a dark shadow over the festivities, conjuring difficult memories and new fears...

Tensions intensify when a daytrip to Southampton ends with a suspicious stranger getting trampled by a horse-drawn cab. Before anyone can explain why the victim possessed a newspaper clipping about the upcoming ceremony at Morrington Hall, tragedy strikes again, this time resulting in a murder that turns Stella's world completely upside down while implicating one of Lyndy's well-regarded family members...

Facing loss, postponed nuptials, and uncertain threats, Stella and Lyndy rush to connect two very different crimes and identify the guilty culprit hiding among elite wedding guests. But as the couple blows the lid off of scandalous secrets, they realize that catching this killer - and living to tell the tale - may prove as impossible as closing the class divide."

Oh, I NEED to know how the deaths are connected, don't you?

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Another great adventure for Lindy and Stella with a surprising victim! Will Lindy and Stella ever make it to the altar? Will they solve the case? Will the right person be punished? You bet, but you'll enjoy the uncertainty on the way.

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In this 3rd installment of the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series we see the two preparing for their wedding. Naturally, things go awry when some long lost relatives and a few friends arrive from America for the wedding. Add in a bit of mystery over a horse sale and this book is set up to grab your attention from the start to the end.

There is a lot going on in this book and while engaging some characters can get confusing. Even with lots of characters they all add a bit of spice to the book. I enjoyed reading more about Stella and Lyndy and do look forward to the next book.

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The story of Stella and Lyndy clouded with murder, intrigue surrounding family. I enjoyed this last book in the series. The characters involved in the the book along with the murder mystery to solve was engaging. Stella is a strong heroine who tries hard to solve the murder and uncover her family’s secret surrounding her upcoming wedding. Lyndy is a strong hero but Stella steals the show in my personal option. I was given an ARC from Netgalley and this review is based solely on my options.

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I have read t try he previous books in this series and I was so excited to see the next book available on NetGalley. Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my review. I have to admit, I started this one a few times before it really caught my attention; the murder in the title doesn’t take place until about halfway through the book. The B plot crime was pretty boring to me, and for those reasons, I took off a star. However, once the primary murder occurs the action really picks up and the book flies! I did guess the murderer extremely early, and the reason why fairly soon after that, but it was still very enjoyable. The book ends on a sort of cliffhanger, but the murder and cliffhanger are so spoiler-y I can’t discuss it!

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I didn't realize this was part of a series but I still enjoyed it. There was a lot happening but everything was explained to the last detail. Not a lot of subtlety. It was really great to discover this author and the series! I am definitely going to read all the other books. This is a great murder mystery and a period-y piece! Fully recommend!

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The words ‘very busy’ came to mind as I finished Murder at Keyhaven Castle. Miss Stella Kendrick and Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst were just days away from marrying each other.

As expected, guests were arriving from America; some were intentionally invited and others showed up on a whim. Into the muddle up, Stella’s father threw his weight around making some unbearable moments for his daughter. And if that wasn’t enough, there was a murder.

I’ve enjoyed reading about this young couple in the previous two stories, minus a couple of annoying characters. Soon after they first met as polar opposites, Stella and Lyndy inadvertently became amateur sleuths. They grew on each other and they grew on me. I was looking forward to their wedding.

What affected my enjoyment of this historical mystery were the multitude of characters, some new and some old, and the issue of too much going on. Thoughts were rehashed. When another murder took place, it wasn’t hard to determine the killer; I looked for the characters that served no purpose.

I am happy they earned their HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for this ARC. I really loved the first book, but book 2 was a disappointment, however, book 3 is back on track. Looking forward to book 4!

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Another great installment in the Stella and Lyndy mystery series!

Only 3 days to go until the wedding of American heiress Stella Kendrick and Viscount (Lyndy) Lyndhurst Unfortunately, more than one person has revenge on there minds,. And when an American jockey is killed, followed closely by someone close to Stella, she’s convinced there is a connection. Their wedding, and future happiness in jeopardy, Stella and Lyndy must work together to solve the mystery before it destroys their happiness.

I always love reading a new mystery involving Stella and Lyndy. Stella remains feisty, yet warm and kind, settling into her new life. Lyndy continues to evolve, snd is now an appealing, warm character with depth. The mystery here was very well conceived and made all the more complex by a series of secrets long held. I found myself unsure of the outcome…almost until the end.

I’m really looking forward to the next in this series. More Stella and Lyndy please,

Source - Review copy - Kensington Books via NetGalley

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With her wedding to Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst just days away, strong-willed American ex-pat Stella Kendrick is the talk of Edwardian society--and the focus of a deadly mystery--in Clara McKenna's third historical mystery set in England's New Forest region at the turn of the 20th century. This is a very well-written series and this one may have been the best to date. I love historical mysteries and this author really does her homework and her sense of place and time is flawless. Believable dialog and tightly plotted, this was a great read. Can't wait for the 6th! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

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This is solid historical mystery with extremely likable characters and an interesting and mysterious plot. It’s extremely well written with enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested and guessing until the very end. Highly recommend and can’t wait to read more in the series!!!

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Stella is just days away from her wedding to Lord Lyndhurst and she could not be happier. As a added surprise, relatives from American has surprised her. Problem arrives when an American dies near the boat dock and another murder follows. With Stella and her family involved, she is frantic to clear matters before the wedding. An enjoyable 2nd outting.

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I love this series more with every book! Stella and Lyndy are an interesting couple, each with their own flaws and insecurities, but together are learning they can face anything. Even the death of Stella's father! Not anyone's favorite person but who would want to kill him? Stella and Lyndy must figure out the mystery before they can walk down the aisle and begin their married life. I highly recommend and look forward to their next adventure. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #MurderatKeyHavenCastle.

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