Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge is a first ever novel and what a good book it is. It was difficult to put down this interesting mystery with the housekeeper of Agatha Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan, as the sleuth. Having little or no faith in the local constable and the investigator sent down from Scotland Yard, Phyllida Bright was all about the details. She was far too young to be a housekeeper, the butler thought, and had some strange connection with the mistress. It is true they worked together in an army hospital, but the rest of the relationship is yet to be uncovered. Someone who stabbed him with a fountain pen taken from the desk had killed this man and she wanted to know why. He had arrived the previous evening claiming to be a reporter from the Times with an appointment to interview Mrs. Christie. Then, he was dead.

Phyllida Bright is a wonderful character: very smart, very efficient, and with a back-story every reader will want to discover. The murder was an interesting one and it took some serious sleuthing to uncover the murderer. The setting was very reflective of the times, which made it more interesting. Christie and Mallowan really didn't play a part, they were simply background, but it made for interesting background. All the servants in the house that were able to read were aficionados of Mrs. Christie's work. Phyllida's favorite was Poirot and she made every attempt to emulate him as she investigated. It was a delightful book and a decent mystery. I am looking forward to more from Cambridge.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Murder at Mallowan Hall by Kensington Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #colleencambridge #murderatmallowanhall

Phillida Bright is the housekeeper at Mallowan Hall, home of Mr. and Mrs. Max Mallowan. Mrs. Mallowan is Agatha Christie, prolific and well-known mystery author.

Up early to check on the rooms, Phillida finds a dead body in the library. He is Mr. Waring, a man who said he was a reporter and wanted to interview Agatha. This is especially distressing because the Mallowans are currently having a house party for a number of guests. Therefore, it is imperative that Phillida inform Mr. Dobble, the butler, and call the constable. Hopefully, the body will be removed soon so the blood can be quickly cleaned up.

Phillida was a nurse during the war and is also a good friend to Christie. The Hall is a very large home and Phillida works hard to see that all of the servants keep it in pristine condition. She is a great admirer of Hercule Poirot, a popular character in Christie’s books. As such, Phillida decides she will undertake her own investigation and try to find the killer.

This is a delightful mystery and the characters are perfectly created. There are a lot of chuckles in the story as Phillida tries to solve the murder that soon becomes two murders. I also learned a lot by the descriptions of the hard work undertaken by all of the employees in the Hall. They worked very long hours which was very enlightening. A clever story that I thing readers will truly enjoy. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Copy provided by the NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The first in an exciting new historical mystery series set in the home of Agatha Christie!
Colleen Cambridge's charming and inventive new historical series introduces an unforgettable heroine in Phyllida Bright, fictional housekeeper for none other than famed mystery novelist Agatha Christie. When a dead body is found during a house party at the home of Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan, it's up to famous author's head of household, Phyllida Bright, to investigate...


In this delightful new historical mystery series, Phyllida Bright, housekeeper and amateur sleuth, discovers a body in the library—and a mystery to baffle even her famous employer...


Tucked away among Devon's rolling green hills, Mallowan Hall combines the best of English tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930. Housekeeper Phyllida Bright, as efficient as she is personable, manages the large household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one respect, however, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque country houses...

The manor is home to archaeologist Max Mallowan and his famous wife, Agatha Christie. Phyllida is both loyal to and protective of the crime writer, who is as much friend as employer. An aficionado of detective fiction, Phyllida has yet to find a gentleman in real life half as fascinating as Mrs. Agatha's Belgian hero, Hercule Poirot. But though accustomed to murder and its methods as frequent topics of conversation, Phyllida is unprepared for the sight of a very real, very dead body on the library floor...

A former Army nurse, Phyllida reacts with practical common sense--and a great deal of curiosity. It soon becomes clear that the victim arrived at Mallowan Hall under false pretenses during a weekend party. Now, Phyllida not only has a houseful of demanding guests on her hands--along with a distracted, anxious staff--but hordes of reporters camping outside. When another dead body is discovered--this time, one of her housemaids--Phyllida decides to follow in M. Poirot's footsteps to determine which of the Mallowans' guests is the killer. With help from the village's handsome physician, Dr. Bhatt, Mr. Dobble, the butler, along with other household staff, Phyllida assembles the clues. Yet, she is all too aware that the killer must still be close at hand and poised to strike again. And only Phyllida's wits will prevent her own story from coming to an abrupt end...

Murder at Mallowan Hall
by Colleen Cambridge
Pub Date 26 Oct 2021
Kensington Books, Kensington
Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers


I am reviewing a copy of Murder at Mallowan Hall through Kensington Books and NetGalley:






This is the first book in an exciting new historical mystery series set in the home of Agatha Christie!



Mallowan Hall is tucked away among Devon's rolling green hills, and provides the best of English tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930. Phyllida bright is a housekeeper who is as efficient as she is personable. She runs the large household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one respect, however, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque country houses...



Mallowan Hall is the home to archeologist Max Mallowan and his famous wife, Agatha Christie. Phyllida is both loyal to and protective of the crime writer, who is as much friend as employer. Phyllida an aficionado of detective fiction, she has yet to find a gentleman in real life half as fascinating as Mrs. Agatha's Belgian hero, Hercule Poirot. But though accustomed to murder and its methods as frequent topics of conversation, Phyllida is unprepared for the sight of a very real, very dead body on the library floor...



Phyllida who was a former army nurse, reacts with practical common sense--and a great deal of curiosity. It soon becomes clear that the victim arrived at Mallowan Hall under false pretenses during a weekend party. Now, Phyllida not only has a houseful of demanding guests on her hands--along with a distracted, anxious staff but hordes of reporters camping outside. When another dead body is discovered this time, one of her housemaids--Phyllida decides to follow in M. Poirot's footsteps to determine which of the Mallowans' guests is the killer.




Phyllida is able to assemble the clues With help from the village's handsome physician, Dr. Bhatt, Mr. Dobble, the butler, along with other household staff. She is all to aware though that the killer is more than likely still at hand, and is likely poised to Strike again.



I give Murder at Mallowan Hall five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

1930s Devon. Mallowan Hall is home to Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan. During a house pary housekeeper Phyllida Bright discover the body of Charles Waring, supposedly a reporter for the Times. He was murdered in a locked down house during a severe storm. But who was he really, and why was he at the Hall. Even with the presence of Scotland Yard Detective Cork, Phyllida decides to investigate.
An entertaining and well-written historical mystery, with a cast of varied and mainly likeable characters. A good start to this new series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge is a delightful murder mystery. The murder has happened by the beginning of the book so the entire story consists of housekeeper Phyllida Bright on the case. I loved this no nonsense, capable woman who finds the body then proceeds to seek out the murderer. I enjoyed everything about this fictional historical who-dun-it.

My only complaint which it hardly is since you can’t change history, is that Mallowan Hall and its staff are fictional. I believe that if Agatha Christie had read this mystery then she would have gone straight on a search to find a loyal Phyllida Bright as housekeeper and friend. I have no doubt that she would have enjoyed this story immensely too.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story is set at Agatha Christie Mallowan's home. Agatha and Max are holding a house party. An unexpected guest is found dead in the library the morning after he arrives.
Phyllida Bright, the housekeeper, investigates because she doesn't think the inspector is competent.
Phyllida comes across as full of herself. There is some mystery in her past that I suppose will come out as the series continues.
The chauffeur, Bradford, is quite annoying.
The interactions of Phyllida and Agatha are interesting and probably the best scenes in the story.
I found the story a bit stilted. The book uses elements from different Agatha Christie murders but is imaginatively done.
There is an element to the story that involves the LGBTQ community, which may be triggering as the views in England during this period were not friendly.
I didn't really connect with the story, so while good it only rates 3 stars for me.

Agatha’s homespun sleuth!

Fascinating beginning of a Cozy Mystery series where the sleuth is Agatha Christie’s housekeeper.
Weaving in and of aspects of Christie’s personal life, her literary characters and books, this quirky use of Agatha Christie the person as the backdrop for a new suite of cozy mysteries is rather brilliant.
A body is found in the Christie’s library, stabbed with a fountain pen. The house is full of recently arrived guests and their various staff members for a house party at Mallowan Hall.
The murderer could be anyone. When a second death occurs things are really shaken up.
Phyllida Bright, Mallowan Hall’s housekeeper, realises she will have to take charge of finding the murderer, particularly as her friend and employer Agatha has asked it of her. (And the whys and wherefores of that friendship will be interesting!)
Of course there’s the requisite Inspector who’s maybe a tad like Pirot’s Inspector Japp.Phyllida has a touch of Jane Marple combined with Pirot’s love of using our little grey matter.
Then there’s the mysterious chauffeur. I keep seeing the chauffeur from Upstairs Downstairs.
A cast of characters that I’m sure will bloom, all stereotypes with ingenious twists.
First rate action, some comical twists and interestingly modern thoughts, all combine to make this a series I’m looking forward to reading more of.

A Kensington ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

The start of a new series can be a bit rough as not only does the mystery have to occur and be solved but the characters have to be introduced and the setup has to be explained. As often happens it slowed the pace in this book quite a bit. There are a lot of characters. Not only is there a relatively substantial staff but there is also a house party in progress with a number of guests. Since Phyllida doesn't know them personally I had a hard time keeping them all straight.

As well Phyllida's investigation style sometimes made me inwardly cringe. She's so sure that she knows better than the police and doesn't hesitate to keep information to herself until she has investigated or to insert herself into the investigation. She's also very quick to judge a situation or a person and has no issue making her opinion known.

That said I did enjoy this one. Phyllida is an interesting flawed character and there are definitely secrets flitting about in her past. Using Agatha Christie as a sounding board to the investigation without having the famed mysteryauthor take an active role was brilliant and enjoyable. As well I was kept entertained and reading as the investigation took shape. While I didn't love this book as much as I wanted to love it I think this series could have a lot of promise and I'm curious to see what Phyllida does next.

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge is the first in Phyllida Bright Mystery series.

Being a great fan of A. Christie I thought it would be lovely to read about the book involving her. I wish she were more involved.
However, the story was engaging enough. Main character is a mystery herself as we slowly learn bit by bit about her. She is highly professional, capable, well educated and intelligent, and and A. Christie's friend. One of the truly great characters in cozy mysteries and pleasure to read about.
There is another mysterious character that clashes with our heroine and it makes for a perfect contrast. I hope he will feature in next installments.
There are too many characters and suspects for my liking and it was hard to keep track of them. I could see Mrs. Christie's influence in describing people but it certainly is nowhere near her excellence.

I really liked the setting and learned a lot about what it takes to run a house at that time. I also enjoyed reading about time period and found it very refreshing.

This is a great new series. Phyllida Bright is housekeeper to none other than Agatha Christie and one morning discovers a dead body in the library. Set in the 1930's English countryside, Phyllida and her staff must look at the clues and find who murdered the imposter reporter. Phyllida is a wonderful character, a nurse who saw it all during WWI, she curious and a perfect foil for the staid butler and young staff. Looking forward to book 2, I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Publishing for this opportunity to review “Murder at Mallowan Hall.” All opinions are my own.

The housekeeper of Mallowan Hall (yes, “that” Mrs. Mallowan, popularly known as Agatha Christie) finds a dead body in the library. How terribly inconvenient for someone who doesn’t want the publicity (not that many people do, of course. Our book is set in the 1930s, not the 2020s). Thus begins “Murder at Mallowan Hall” by experienced mystery writer Colleen Cambridge. (An author’s note right at the beginning lets us know that the setting and the characters are entirely fictitious, well, except for Mr. Max and Mrs. Agatha, of course. One hopes that the real Mrs. Mallowan would have approved.)

Phyllida Bright is that housekeeper, and she establishes herself as the one who is going to investigate the murder, as she doesn’t trust the police to do the job. She’s also established as a fully realized character, along with everyone else in the house, although there’s nothing new there with the snobby butler or curmudgeon of a cook. That’s fine; this is one of those books that will get you to where you need to go without a whole lot of fuss. Just like a well-run house, actually. Although murder -- actually, two murders eventually, in this case – doesn’t usually figure in the equation.

The investigation is under control throughout; she gets the regulation “stop interfering” speech from the police inspector, but when did that stop anybody? Phyllida has everything in check. One of her inspirations is her favorite fictional detective Hercule Poirot, after all.

Clues pop up, including some incriminating photographs. She gets some help from the family chauffeur; looks like he’s definitely going to figure in future books. Every amateur detective needs a sidekick, don’t they?

A side note -- what I really enjoyed was what you learn about the duties of a housekeeper in a big house. I found that almost as compelling to read as the murder mystery.

And since this book runs along the lines of a “golden age” mystery, we’re rewarded with the “drawing room scene,” in this case that library, where everyone gathers to listen as Phyllida expose a murderer. Just like in her employer’s books. And best of all, she gets the greatest of compliments from Poirot’s creator – a job well done. Throw in a good plot and equally good characters, “Murder at Mallowan Hall” is a spot-on start to a new series.

Murder At Mallowan Hall is the first book in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series by Colleen Cambridge.

Phyllida Bright is the housekeeper at Mallowan Hall, the home of Agatha Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan. Bright and Christie had known each other during the “Great War” when they worked together with Red Cross. When Christie married Mallowan, she asked Bright to be their housekeeper. Even though Bright had never worked in service, having served during the war, she developed some management skills. The only member of the staff is the butler, Mr. Dobble. He’s not happy with Bright’s light-colored dresses and believes she should wear a cap over her flaming-red hair.

The Mallowan’s are having a few guests in for the weekend. As they are about to sit down to supper, there is a knock on the front door. Mr. Dobble announces that there is a Mr. Waring who explains he is a journalist and is there to interview Agatha Christie. Agatha doesn’t remember having an interview scheduled, but she still offers to put Waring up for the evening because of inclement weather.

The next morning when Bright enters the library, she finds the body of Waring with a fountain pen sticking out of his neck. Once the local constable and a detective from Scotland Yard arrive and begin their investigation, Bright isn’t confident that they will find the murderer. Bright is a big fan of mysteries, especially her employers. Her favorite character is Hercule Poirot, and she hopes to use some of Poirot’s expertise to help her with her sleuthing. Bright will learn that Waring was not there for an interview. So her attention is drawn to one of the guests as the killer. Bright will enlist the help of the servants to watch for possible clues and let her know right away. Bright knows she needs to speed up her investigation when a maid is found dead in the orchard before anyone else loses their life.

This book is an excellent start to a new series. Bright and the entire staff at Mallowan Hall are all believable and quite enjoyable. I would like to see more of Bright’s backstory. The banter between Mr. Bradford, the chauffeur, and Mr. Dobble was fascinating. Agatha Christie plays a minor role in this book, but Bright did provide her with some plots for future books. The book is well-written and plotted. It had enough twists and turn and red herrings that I was kept guessing until the Poirot-style ending who the killer was.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next book is new series.

I really liked this book - I didn't really know what it was about [I am afraid I picked this book simply for the title and the cover - both spoke to me and so I downloaded it and here we are], so I was surprised to find out this was set at Agatha Christie's country home and that she and her husband Max make appearances in the book. Phyllida is her head housekeeper [and friend] and she is both the main character and the driving force behind the story. She is, quite simply, delightful. Efficient, curt [but not unkind], and determined to not only find the killer, but to do her job to the very best of her ability. I think I would have loved to have been her friend if she was a real person.

Mrs. Bright goes into the library one morning and finds a dead body [the ensuing conversation between herself and the constable is one of the may hilarious exchanges this book has] and that starts what is a crazy, confusing, run-around, often hilarious, murder investigation. It is best to read this with little knowledge going on [much like Agatha Christie's novels] and so I am not really going to say anything else with the exception of I had no idea who the killer was and the whole story itself was pretty...well, you are just going to have to read it yourself. So well done, and I can only hope that we are going to get more books in this series; I for one, will be anxiously waiting.

I was also given an audiobook ARC for this book and Jennifer M. Dixon is a complete delight to listen to. She becomes Phyllida Bright and I love how she makes this book come alive. The way she delivers the dry humor of this book, made me laugh out loud so many times and I have now added her to my "must listen" audiobook narrator list. So well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley. Colleen Cambridge, Macmillian Audio, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC and the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Secrets, murder, betrayal are all on hand at a dinner party thrown by Max Mallowen and his famous wife, Agatha Christie. With loyal and somewhat mysterious housekeeper, Phyllida Bright on the case a mystery unravels that will shock the sensibilities of 1930's England.

I was captured by this mystery and loved the new sleuth Phyllida. The author has a wonderful way of weaving several different stories throughout the book - taking readers on a fascinating adventure. The characters were wonderfully written and the atmosphere of the book was pure mystery. I loved the descriptions of Mallowen Castle and those that live and work there.

While I usually read cozy mysteries - and this one is not - I'll be looking forward to Phyllida's next case!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Being the housekeeper for THE Agatha Christie can have its challenges, but finding a dead body isn’t one that housekeeper Phyllida Bright anticipated. Phyllida immediately contacts the local constable, who initially believes she is jesting as surely there’s not a dead body in the library of Agatha Christie’s home. No one seems to know who the mysterious (and now dead) Mr. Waring is, as he wasn’t on the guest list for the party. Phyllida decides to investigate, approaching the mystery the way she envisions M. Poirot would handle it. Can she uncover which one of the guests is a murderer and why?

MURDER AT MALLOWAN HALL is the first book in the Phyllida Bright series, and oh what a treat for readers! I grew up on Agatha Christie’s mysteries and have reread them over the years, so I was excited to see a book featuring Agatha Christie and her household. Most of the characters, as well as Mallowan Hall, are fictional, but the story line is phenomenal, particularly for Agatha Christie enthusiasts like me. And who doesn’t love that the dead body in the opening paragraphs of MURDER AT MALLOWAN HALL is found in the library, a reference to Agatha Christie’s book, A BODY IN THE LIBRARY?

Phyllida is a marvelous heroine! I love her sharp mind as well as her ability to organize even in the midst of a crisis. Most importantly, however, she cares for others and does her best to accommodate and assist them without doing any detriment to her job. Oh, and her interactions with Agatha Christie are such a delight! Agatha is a secondary character and the interactions between Agatha and Phyllida are thoroughly enjoyable. Quite honestly, Phyllida is exactly who I would envision as a housekeeper for Agatha! She’s neat, precise, organized and quick on her feet- but has a bright head of hair that is just as full of spunk as she is! I look forward to learning more about her mysterious past in future books.

MURDER AT MALLOWAN HALL is a delightfully good cozy mystery by Colleen Cambridge. Agatha Christie fans, in particular, will relish this spectacular tale as the atmosphere and pacing are reminiscent of some of Christie’s own tales. Colleen Cambridge is the pseudonym of Colleen Gleason, an author who wrote some of my favorite vampire tales, and I’m thrilled to say that MURDER AT MALLOWAN HALL is just as amazing. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Phyllida in the next installment!

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

This book is absolutely fabulous! It literally could not have been more fun, utterly fabulous and “murdery”

All of the characters were brought to life, our wonderful housekeeper was just epic, and what could be more fun than a murder in the house of the one and only Agatha Christie!!

Everything about this book was fantastic, story, characters, setting….

I am a HUGE fan already..

My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Author Colleen Cambridge's Murder at Mallowan Hall is an inspired bit of fun that kept me smiling and thinking throughout. Why wouldn't Agatha Christie have a mystery-solving housekeeper and why wouldn't that housekeeper be as interesting as Phyllida Bright? Although Christie herself only makes the occasional brief appearance, with the cast Cambridge has created she's pretty much surplus to requirements.

Former war nurse Phyllida Bright leads the way. She's no-nonsense, likes to wear unhousekeeper-like light-colored floral prints, and has the sort of eye-catching hair that Mr. Dobble the butler thinks should be kept under a cap at all times. She loves her cats, Stilton and Rye, and positively hates dogs, but I won't hold that against her. She's never met a man who meets Hercule Poirot's high standards, and she enjoys the occasional tea and chats with Agatha. All in all, she seems a very straightforward character capable not only of serious deduction but also of making readers laugh. But... why does Phyllida Bright avoid the spotlight and being photographed? I'm looking forward to future books to see how this little tidbit is developed.

The interplay between Phyllida and the other staff like stuffy Mr. Dobble and Bradford the new chauffeur is light and fun, and one of the things I enjoyed the most in this multi-layered mystery is the fact that I really got a good feel for the running of a country house and all the myriad duties Phyllida had to oversee every day. Tops in the shocking tidbit category was the fact that the lower servants like the scullery maids had to run out in all weathers to use the outhouse while the upper servants, the owners, and the owners' guests all got to take advantage of the indoor plumbing. It's never fun being at the bottom of the totem pole.

If you're in the mood for a fun, intriguing mystery filled with engaging characters, by all means, pick up a copy of Murder at Mallowan Hall. Afterwards, I have a feeling that you'll be waiting for the next book in the series just like me.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Agatha Christie seems to be experiencing a moment but know that she's only a minor player in this series debut which features her housekeeper Phyllida. Phyllidia is enamored of Christie's Hercule Poirot and, when a houseguest is murdered, scoffs at the efforts of the local police. Then another guest is murdered and well, you know what happens. I liked this for Phyllidia, who is both smart and witty, It might take a moment to keep everyone straight (as is so often the case with the first in a series) and Im looking forward to seeing an expansion of some of the characters (no spoilers). Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's a light fun read.