Unconventional housekeeper for Agatha Christie Mallowan, Phyllida Bright has seen many strange events, but finding a man stabbed in the neck with a fountain pen is a new one for her. An unknown body in the library, how ironic, in Agatha Christie's own home. The victim, it seems, had presented himself to the Mallowans under false pretenses and Phyllida takes it upon herself to solve the case as her idol Hercule Poirot would. A terrific beginning to what I hope is a continuing series. The characters could be straight from a Christie mystery, I love, love, love this book.

I always enjoy historical mysteries, and was intrigued by the description of this one in that it is a fictional work, but tangentially involves Agatha Christie, the famed crime writer herself and aspects of her real life, through her fictional relationship with her housekeeper, Phyllida Bright, at her home with her second husband, archeologist Max Mallowan. So a bit of blending of fact, and fiction about a famed writer, and a good old murder mystery. *SNAP* - this is one book nerd who got caught in that trap willingly!

So we go to Mallowan Hall, where Phyllida Bright works as housekeeper to the Mallowans, who are hosting a group of friends for a houseparty. She is checking on things in the morning and finds a gruesome sight in the library. One of the guests, Mr. Waring, is the dead man, found stabbed in the neck. Mrs. Bright proceeds to intrude into the investigation, inspired by her love of her employer's books, in ways that I feel certain would cause her to be arrested and charged with interfering with an investigation at times. But ultimately, she does get her man (or woman). She comes across as a very confident woman, and there seems to be some mystery about her background throughout the book. For one, she did not become housekeeper through typical means, such as being in service from youth and working her way up the ranks in a household. But she seemed to have a friendship with Ms. Christie/Mrs. Mallowan from the past, perhaps through her experience as a nurse during the Great War? Ms. Christie does have a history of being a member of voluntary aid for the Red Cross. She seems to have greater liberties because of this relationship, than most people in that station, and given some leeway to investigate the murder by the Mallowans.

The police seemed to take a very distant background role in this novel and seemed to be nothing more than a foil for Phyllida, and while the main voice of the book was hers, there were occasionally sections that were through the lens of other people, such as the butler, or a few of the maids, which I enjoyed, because it lead to a few other clues, and also added some of the mystery about Phyllida herself. It definitely showed some interesting dynamics to some the below stairs relationships amongst the people working and living at Mallowan Hall. The main murder mystery itself was interesting, the tangential information about Agatha Christie and her husband also interesting, but I am further intrigued by Mrs. Bright, her background and her story (which was not explained in this book, but hopefully will be fleshed out in the future - she seems to be hiding from something....), there is some interesting dynamics with her and the chauffeur Bradford, and also a hint of a beginning of something interesting with the local doctor?

Oh yes, and just to add an extra cherry on top... there is a second murder too...

So yes, this was a rather satisfactory read for me, as a lover of real and fictional characters, history, and crime stories... some things were a stretch, but it was a fun and satisfactory read. I loved that Phyllida was a strong and confident female lead - perhaps a bit too confident, but she was balanced by other characters too, and the tangential connection to the real life Agatha Christie, including hints of her real life, such as her documented disappearance over several days, her failed first marriage, etc.

A solid 3.5 out of 5, and would be willing and happy to give my reading time to any other stories involving Phyllida and the others at Mallowan Hall in the future.

I received a free copy from NetGalley for preview and this is my freely given review of this work.

Murder at Mallowen Hall is a cozy mystery that will transport the reader to the 1930s to the country home of Agatha Christie. Life imitates art when a murder occurs at the famed writer's estate. Enter curious and shrewd housekeeper / super sleuth Phyllida Bright to solve the case. It was interesting getting the upstairs / downstairs perspective, and Phyllida Bright was easily able to navigate between the two worlds.

The story was slow to start but builds up to a loud and satisfying conclusion. Many characters to keep track of, the reader is never really given more than what is needed to know about the characters. In grand mystery tradition, everyone is a suspect. The book takes place over about two days, and we follow it mostly through Phyllida's perspective, even though she does keep information from the reader. Phyllida is a woman of many secrets, which I hope in future books we get to know a lot more about this Army nurse turned friend of Agatha Christie, turned housekeeper. I liked the addition of chauffeur Bradford, he rattled Phyllida Bright and set her down a peg or two. She was most likable when she was verbally sparring with Bradford.

The story will keep you on your toes, keep you guessing, and you'll be wanting more from Mrs. Bright.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own and are freely given.

Myth: 4.5/5

The concept for this murder mystery series is so delightful, the head of Agatha Christie’s household solving murder mysteries? In book one we can tell right away that Phyllida is not what she seems. She has a unique relationship with Mrs. Christie, and claims to hold the truth to one of the most notorious secrets in the real Agatha Christie’s life. Phyllida also has plenty of her own secrets that I can’t wait to explore as I’m sure she’ll continue to be confronted with murder mysteries in need of her thorough and detailed eye.

The household staff is really a delight as we get to know a group that Downtown Abbey fans are sure to enjoy.

Magic: NA

I include this review on the site because I adore Agatha Christie and Colleen Gleason (Colleen Cambridge is a pen name of the same). While Murder at Mallowan Hall is a historical cozy mystery, Colleen Gleason has written plenty fantasy books in her career. Some of my favorites include her steampunk YA fantasy series Stoker & Holmes, her regency vampire romance stories The Draculia Vampire Series and though not reviewed on the site, her vampire huntress series about the Gardellas are some of my favorites.

Overall: 4.5/5

A perfect introduction to Agatha Christie’s household staff, especially our novice detective Mrs. Phyllida Bright. I’m a huge fan of Agatha Christie novels, especially Poirot’s stories and I couldn’t help but adore Phyllida’s love of the detective and pursuit of logic and order in her investigation. The best part is that there are plenty of interpersonal character threads introduced in this first book sure to make for excellent drama while solving upcoming mysteries.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge. I thought I would really enjoy this cozy mystery which featured Agatha Christie at her home when a murder takes place. The housekeeper, Phyllida Bright adores mystery books and when a journalist is murdered at Mallowan Hall, she decides to solve the crime. While I enjoyed the beginning of the book, I soon found it too slow and while it tried to sound like an Agatha Christie mystery, it just felt off. I soon became annoyed with the main character, and just wanted to finish the book. Others may appreciate this 1st book in the series, especially those who love historical mysteries. 21/2 stars.

OK, I’m not embarrassed to say I “snort” laughed through this entire 200-page series starter. This book is a romp!!

Phyllida Bright is a former army nurse, (40ish with a mysterious past) and the housekeeper at Mallowan Hall (home of Max Mallowan and Agatha Christie). She’s also a friend to Agatha and her biggest fan.

When a man is murdered in the library and later one of her young housemaids is found brutally beaten, she takes it upon herself (along with her myriad of household duties, *sigh*) to investigate the visiting guests as suspects.

Both sharp and stubborn, Phyllida is a force to be reckoned with both above and below stairs. While I enjoyed the whodunit, I equally enjoyed the research put into and the authenticity of the below stairs characters and their lives. Our heroine kept me entertained with her put-upon dry wit and boundless self-confidence.

Honestly, I didn’t want to put the book down. So happy to have found a new series to look forward to.

My sincere thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

An enjoyable cozy mystery. The first in a new series. I loved going along and discovering the clues. Quick read. Thank you NetGalley!

Once in a while, I find a cozy that genuinely appeals to me. Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge (Agatha Christie fans may recognize the name of the country estate of Christie's second husband, Max Mallowan) proved surprisingly fun.
It must be a challenge to write a mystery set in one of Christie's homes and have the housekeeper be the protagonist--it could easily end up more of a parody than a mystery.

Phyllida Bright, however, turned out to be efficient, self-assured, and often inadvertently amusing. A former army nurse, Phyllida and Agatha are more than employer and employee, having known each other during the war. Agatha's appearances are minimal; it is Phyllida's show.

Unsurprisingly, Phyllida is fond of detective novels and fictional detectives, especially Hercule Poirot. When Phyllida discovers a body in the library (!) during a country house party at Mallowan Hall, the fun begins. Confident that she can do a better job than the police, she goes about her own sleuthing, assured that she knows the household and its doings better than they do and will notice what they may miss.

Parody, or homage, or a little of both, Murder at Mallowan Hall proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable romp with a character who has no difficulty handling whatever comes her way. We've been introduced to the household, including Bradford, and I'm eager to see what happens in the next book.

Review scheduled for Oct. 11, 2021

NetGalley/Kensington Books

Cozy/Historical. Oct. 26, 2021. Print length: 304 pages.

This was an interesting start in a new historical mystery series set in the home of Agatha Christie!

I liked the main character, Phyllida Bright, and her interactions with Brandon the chauffeur. I also really liked the idea of setting the book in Agatha Christie’s house. I also enjoyed the Downton Abbey feel of the book with servants and fancy guests at a house party.

This mystery had several Agatha Christie–like touches. In fact, at times it felt a little bit too much in the style of her books. I also felt the wrapup at the end with Phyllida fingering the murder went on way too long. Shortly after the big reveal, the book itself abruptly ended; if it wasn’t an e-book I would’ve thought a page was missing from my book.

It is a promising start and the character of Phyllida is interesting enough for me to keep reading this series. I would like to see the relationship between Philadelphia and Brandon be expanded in future books.

Classic cozy charmer. Exposition was heavy-handed in parts and the turns of phrase and overall self-awareness was much more 21st century than 1930, but overall an enjoyable light read. And with Dame Agatha as a minor character and the country house period setting, cue the inevitable Netflix movie...
Pleased to include it in the autumn instalment of Thrills & Chills, my seasonal round-up of the latest crime and mystery thrillers for Zed, the books section at Zoomer magazine.
Full review feature at link.

New series and a great new writer - Colleen Cambridge. 'Murder at Mallowan Hall' is the first in a series about fictional housekeeper Phyllida Bright - she works for 'Agatha Christie' and helps solve a murder that occurs at the house. The book is a nod to Christie in the best way. Sharp dialogue, well written characters and a 'house party' plot with twists. Phyllida has a great relationship with the butler, Mr. Dobble and with Agatha Christie - not only fun but appropriate for their roles in the house. The 'voice' of Phyllida reads on point for a well-organized housekeeper in a English household during the 20th century, between solving the murder she oversees administration of the staff of cooks and maids. Really enjoyed this book and looking forward to next in the series.

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..

The first in a new series, Murder at Mallowan Hall is fun, well plotted time capsule. Agatha Christie's housekeeper makes for a good amateur detective and a house party in the Mallowan household is an excellent place for a mystery.
As a huge fan of Agatha Christie, I tend to avoid stories where she is a main character. I'm always afraid that the author's interpretation of my favorite novelist will ruin the story for me. Not here. Agatha Christie isn't overused or made to do anything implausible. In fact, she is part of the background. Phyllida is an interesting character and I look forward to meeting her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. Well! I'll admit that when I started this, I was a teensy bit skeptical of its staying power. I'm happy to report I was very wrong. I grew to really become invested in the story, in Phyllida, in Agatha, and getting a glimpse into a side of Agatha Christie we don't as often hear about-her second marriage. There were some teasers and hints that I'm hoping we get to explore more of as this series continued. This was a well-constructed start to a new series that I'm looking forward to seeing more installments of!

There's been a murder at a house party at the manor home of Agatha Christie, but this time the housekeeper is the one investigating.

3.5 Stars - An homage to the classic era (or golden age) of crime fiction, with all the 1930s historical vibes and a perfect "manor house murder" taking place at none other than Dame Agatha Christie's house! This was a fun, quaint, cozy, but with psychological depth, in what promises to be a great series. **Thank you so much to both NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!**

I was so looking forward to starting this one as I am both a huge Christie fan and lover of the Classic Era of Crime Fiction - that being said, I'm not going to lie, I actually struggled a little bit through the first 1/3 of this book. It has a great premise, with Phyllida Bright head housekeeper at Mallowan Hall (home to Agatha Christie and her husband) staring as our amateur sleuth. However the first part felt much more Upstairs Downstairs/Downton Abbey than it did Christie-esque. The story starts immediately with a murder and the interviews with all the staff felt overly prolonged and drawn out. However once we got past that bit and the story got some forward momentum I really enjoyed it, especially after the addition of a certain surly chauffeur.

I liked the little bit of interaction we got with the house guests, which gave the story its decidedly golden age manor house mystery vibes, and as they were the main suspects would have liked to have seen them have more "onscreen time".

Phyllida herself is a bit of a mystery, a bit past her prime but nevertheless beauty who downplays her looks but still refuses to dress like a house keeper. I think there's definitely bigger secrets to be revealed in her history and look forward to finding out more about her.

I would definitely recommend to fans of both Golden Age and Historical Mysteries, as well as those who like Agatha Christie. The mystery was just tricky enough not to be boring, and the cast featured some of the more psychological angles Christie was known for, plus there's just a hint of possible romance that I found intriguing.

This is a great mystery a la' Agatha Christie style, with Agatha Christie herself in it. Granted Agatha is not the main crime fighter in the story, her and her husband Max provide great background filler for the plot.
Our main character and amateur sleuth, who fancies herself right up there with the likes of detective greats such as Hercule Poirot, is Miss Christie's housekeeper, Phyllida Bright. Mrs. Bright is a strict, prim, but understanding housekeeper with secrets of her own, who sometimes thinks very highly of herself and her own abilities, to the point of being quite full of herself. I really enjoyed her somewhat snobby personality rather than being put off by it.
Phyllida enters the library on a morning when her employers have a house full of guests for a house part couple of days. There she finds the one uninvited guest, whom no one claims to know, dead on the floor, having been stabbed in the neck with a fountain pen. Being the competent, capable woman she is, Phyllida calmly notifies the proper authorities, her fellow workers and employers then sets out to solve the murder herself. She deems the local constable and the Scotland yard official not up to the job.
I thought this story was a great start for a new series set in Agatha Christie's fictional home of Mallowan Hall, a great backdrop for future mysteries as well. We are lead to believe that Phyllida, though very capable as a housekeeper for the gentry, it is not a role she is used to, with secrets of her own hinted at and a close personal friendship with Miss Christie aside from being employed by her, I wonder what future novels in the series will hold?
There is also a whole slew of interesting characters in the book, guests and friends of Max and Agatha's, plus a whole crew of domestics, both upstairs and below stairs servants, making it all the more interesting with so many available suspects.
All in all a very entertaining, quick cozy mystery I think most will enjoy! 5 stars, great start, can not wait for the next installment.
Thank you to Mindbuck Media and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

While it started off a little slower for my taste, I ended up staying up to finish it cause I had to know what happened. Phyllida was a direct character and she, unlike other mystery characters, was focusing on the facts and details as opposed to making assumptions the whole time. I am very interested in what her back story is. I enjoyed how much of Agatha we saw throughout the story, it allowed readers to help “think through” all the clues. I also loved Bradford and his personality. The reveal was a little long for me but it did give you ALL of the details of how it all happened. Definitely want to see what else Phyllida can do and solve.

This was a delightful historical cozy debut featuring Agatha Christie's friend/staff Phyllida Bright. Phyllida is a fun character -- sort of head of staff (think Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey) for the female servants at a country estate. She is smart, competent, and doesn't take any guff off anybody. She was a nurse in the Great War and is not shaken up by much.

It's a big country weekend complete with house guests and their intrigues and accompanying servants. Right off the bat, there is -- a body in the library! There is a fun exchange between Agatha and Phyllida about using that as a future plot device which any Christie fan will recognize. to complicate things, the victim isn't really known to anyone. He claimed to be a Times journalist but they've never heard of him. And later that same day, one of the female kitchen servants is found dead in the garden.

The local constabulary doesn't inspire confidence and Phyllida feels like her knowledge of the house, the guests, and their elite world gives her much more likelihood of solving the crime. This was a fun read with great characters and I look forward to the next one. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

As a lover of Agatha Christie, this book was a definite read! Set at Mallowan Hall, Christie and her husband Max make appearances, but it is the delightful Phyllida Bright, housekeeper at the Hall, that uses what she has learned from her favourite books who works on solving the murders in the house. Why was a simple reporter murdered in the library? He was an uninvited guest, who knew he would be there? Phyllida thinks logically and calmly to help the local constabulary. A fun, quick read for the weekend.

This review is based on an ARC received from the publisher and NetGalley.

The basic plot of this book was interesting. A maid trying to solve a murder that took place in the home where she lives and works, which requires her to look for clues while doing her regular job is a mystery plot with potential. I also liked the idea that the protagonist maid in question worked for Agatha Christie and her second husband Max, and that she was a devoted fan of her employer's murder mysteries.

What I did not like was the protagonist herself, Phyllida. She at first presents herself as someone competent and capable in her work, and who takes a dim view of gossiping and snooping. She soon reveals herself to be a shallow and judgmental busybody, especially about other people's appearances. And the fact that she looks down on the maids gossiping makes her look even worse as the reader gradually discovers that she snoops through other people's belongings without the slightest hesitation, and the fact that Phyllida recognizes that privacy is important and seeks to protect her own makes her behavior even more problematic. She is also written in a way that the reader doesn't get to know all the information that she knows. I generally dislike mysteries where the protagonist keeps information from the reader in order to try to prolong the story. I did like that there were a couple of characters who called Phyllida out on her behavior (especially the chauffeur) but nothing seemed to change from it.

I think part of the problem is that it appeared like the author tried to mimic Agatha Christie's writing style and characters. Phyllida certainly seemed to inherit Hercule Poirot's arrogance and insufferable personality, and I think the book was considerably diminished because of it (although people who liked Hercule Poirot may not be as bothered by Phyllida as I was). If there is a sequel book, I think it would be immensely improved by having Phyllida undergo some personality changes. It can be difficult to find a book enjoyable when the protagonist is written to be unlikable.