Belinda Penhurst and sidekick Harry Powell are back with another fantastic mystery which will keep you hooked right to the very end!!
I adore the first Belinda Penhurst mystery and was incredibly excited to get my grabby hands on the second, I am so pleased that the first book wasn't a one-hit wonder and this more than lived up to the hype.
This is such a fun read, I loved the case as always the rural cosy setting shines and the will-they-won't they, just freinds and colleagues Belinda and Harry are always value for money - I do hope there will be more stories in thei series and that these two maybe give romance a go because at the minute there is a spark but nothing concrete. As witht ht previous book we have solid friendhips, good-natured banter, ridiculousl;y funny scenes and scenarious which tickled me. I said it last time and I will say it again, this has all the Midsummer feels about it, minus John Nettles.
Such a great read, I love this series and I am looking forward to more.

This was a thrilling read with a lot of intrigue and romance galore. I really enjoyed it, and will read more of the series in future.

Murder at the Castle is the second Belinda Penshurst village cozy Lisa Cutts. Released 8th Dec 2021, it's 274 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free along with the other books in the series.

This was a very good second-book and a solid small village cozy. The author is a technically adept writer and provides necessary backstory without info-dumping. The narrative is lighthearted, including an ensemble cast of oddball small-town characters. The "over the top" characters and dialogue were always on the right side of charming and didn't shade over into annoying or yank me out of my suspension of disbelief, so it was a fun read. Amateur sleuth Belinda, castle-dwelling, clever, and single minded, is determined to save "her" village (she's upper class and quite to the manner born). Poisonings at a wine tasting she'd arranged are simply not on and she's determined to get to the bottom of things tout de suite.

Charming, diverting, and well written. I intend to seek out future volumes in the series. A strong four star read. The mystery, plot, and denouement are self contained, so reading the series out of order wouldn't be problematic. There are now three books extant, so it would be a good candidate for a mini-binge read for a cozy weekend. The series will appeal to fans of M.C. Beaton, and Diane Mott Davidson.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The second outing of Belinda Penhurst and retired detective Harry Powell sees Belinda hosting a wine tasting session at her castle grounds which leads to wine critic Sadie Openshaw dropping dead in the midst of the tasting. Since Belinda organised the event, she doesn't waste any time and alongwith Harry begins investigating.

I breezed through this book and had such a fun time reading it. I love the setting of the town of Little Chalham... it's everything that one expects a cosy, quaint village to be like in cosy mysteries. I am beginning to warm up to both Belinda and Harry, their friendship (with a potential for more) and their banter. I keep wondering what Harry feels about solving crimes in such a cosy setting, dealing with some funny and embarrassing situations along the way, after solving much darker crimes during his time in the police force.

Looking forward to reading more in the series.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and the author Lisa Cutts for the e-Arc of the book.

Murder at the Castle is the second title in Lisa Cutts’ fantastic series featuring a redoubtable amateur sleuth sure to give Agatha Raisin a run for her money: Belinda Penshurst.

The village of Little Challham is a peaceful haven where neighbours look out for one another, there is a great deal of community spirit and everybody seems to get on well. Belinda Penshurst has organised a wine-tasting event and is thrilled that wine critic Sadie Oppenshaw has accepted her invitation. The stage is set for an event everyone in Little Challham will be talking about for weeks – and that certainly proves to be the case as the star guest is poisoned and murdered! Never one to resisting poking her nose in and doing her own investigating, Belinda decides to turn detective to uncover the poisoner.

With trusty retired detective Harry Powell and his Labrador Horatio by her side, Belinda begins to look into this case. As she infiltrates the world of wine, Belinda finds plenty of scandals bubbling away leading her to wonder whether Sadie’s scathing reviews had led a vino enthusiast to turn poisoner – or whether somebody at Little Challham might have had another reason for wanting the wine critic to hang up her pen for good.

When another guest is poisoned, Belinda realises that there is a dangerous killer on the loose who must be stopped before more damage is done. But can she catch the ruthless poisoner in time? Or is she already far too late?

Lisa Cutts’ Murder at the Castle is great fun! A terrific cosy mystery that is zestily-paced, hilarious witty and full of red herrings and twists and turns that will leave readers gleefully turning the pages, in Murder at the Castle, the fabulous Belinda Penshurst is on superb form as she tries to find the killer – aided by Harry and Horatio, of course.

Just the ticket to brighten up a dull, cold and dismal day, Lisa Cutts’ Murder at the Castle is a total delight!

Murder at the Castle is a well written, easy to read amateur sleuth story set in Kent. When Belinda Penshurst hosts a wine tasting at her castle the outcome is rather different than she expected:: the wine critic she engaged is killed before the majority of the guest have their first taste of the wines.

Belinda and her friend Harry, a retired detective inspector, start investigating the murder, only to be confronted with several other murders.
This was the first book by this author for me, though it turned out to be the second in the series. However it is no problem at all to read it as a stand-alone.
The book is easy to read and I liked the interactions between the two protagonists, although I found some of the other characters were a bit flat or almost a caricature, like Daisy.

Light read for at the beach or on holiday,

I want to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful cozy mystery with not only intrigue but a hint of romance as well. The characters were down to earth, and the plot was good. I look forward to reading more Belinda Penshurst mysteries. I highly recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers.

How things change. I didn't like main character Belinda at all when I started reading. Somewhere, without me noticing, I came to, okay, if not like her at least understand her better. At first I couldn't fathom what the relatively easy going Harry saw in Belinda. Their interests rarely seemed to mesh and at times they seemed bored and impatient with each other. As I read further, however, I saw how alive they became when faced with a mystery, one that gave them both an excuse to employ their wits as well as spend time with the other. This change in my own attitude speaks highly of the author's writing skill as the viewpoint alternates between Belinda and Harry.

I won't detail the plot but will pat myself on the back for miraculously having an inkling who the guilty part was early on based on a comment made. Nope, not telling. You'll have to be your own sleuth. The clues are all there, you just have to find them and weed out the red herrings, of which there are plenty. Overall, the feel of the book reminds me a great deal of M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series, so fans of that series should welcome a visit into Belinda's world which, by the way, includes a castle and dogs. As for Harry, I'm wondering what his potential new job might entail. Again, nope, not telling. Read the book.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the ARC.

Lisa is one of my favourite authors, first, we had the gritty crime stories and now it's the cosy crime for the winter nights. Murder seems to follow these about and they have their own way of solving the crimes in the village. Belinda loves solving the crimes also as much as she loves Harry, the retired detective she has become friends with. They do make a good team and it is enjoyable to read these stories. Looking forward to them being optioned for TV as they would make a great series.

A wonderful cosy mystery. I really enjoy the relationship between Belinda and Harry, they make a great team! Looking forward to the next book.

Murder at the Castle by Lisa Cutts is the second book in the Belinda Penshurst Mystery series and even though I had not read the first book i found this book an easy cosy enjoyable read. I loved it. This book reminded me of another author I love reading who writes cosy Mystery books. I will be looking forward reading more books by Lisa in the future.

I highly recommend this book and will be going back to read the first book.called Murder In The Village.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for a copy of "Murder at the Castle" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the Belinda Penshurst Mystery series. Belinda Penshurst hosts a wine tasting at her castle in Little Challham, Kent. When a wine critic is killed she and Harry Powell, (a retired detective inspector who has moved into the gatehouse at the castle) join forces to figure out who killed her. Belinda loves to snoop and investigate things as an amateur detective. There is great chemistry between Belinda and Harry and it could be a great romance between them.

Murder at the castle by Lisa Cutts.
A Belinda Penshurst Mystery Book 2.
Belinda Penshurst loves her home village Little Challham, and its charming, peaceful ways. So when wine critic Sadie Oppenshaw dies at a tasting Belinda organised, she immediately turns detective to uncover the poisoner…
A brilliant read hooked from page one. I loved Belinda. Great story and characters. I do hope there is more to come. 5*.

This is the second book in the series and I loved it.

This series is not like any other murder mystery I've read.

The series is full of suspense and tension around every corner.

Highly recommend.

Murder at the Castle by Lisa Cutts
Published: December 8, 2021
Bookouture
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Lisa Cutts was a full-time detective constable for twenty-five years, most of which she spent investigating murders. Lisa writes crime books with her insider knowledge from the heart of the incident room and is busy writing her new series set in Kent. Belinda Penshurst, amateur sleuth, teams up with retired detective inspector Harry Powell to solve murders in the village of Little Challham. Murder in the Village is Lisa's seventh crime fiction novel and her first cozy crime novel. Never Forget was the winner of the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award 2014.

“What could go wrong?”

Belinda is looking for another way to show her appreciation to the village she loves and bring a day filled with fun to her community. When her wine tasting event goes awry, Belinda knows she and Harry have to get involved and solve this mystery. A murder on her property won’t do, and Belinda is not about to stand by and wait for the police to solve the crime.

I am enjoying this series very much! Just when I thought Belinda and Harry couldn’t endear themselves to me anymore- a murder takes place at the castle.

Harry is just as quick-witted in this book, maintaining his demur charm. A stable and reassuring presence, Harry further ingrains himself with Belinda and her need to play detective.

Belinda is such a passionate character. She truly wants to shine the spotlight on her charming village. Her stubborn charm is a big part of why she is such a fantastic leading lady.

I am enjoying getting to know Belinda and Harry, and I love that they both have pasta that makes them reserved for particular aspects of the future. I also love that they both have feelings for one another, yet both have hesitations that they think they must keep to themselves.

I found the descriptions of the castle, as well as the village, much more intimate in this book. And I now feel like I’m friends with Belinda and Harry, and I can’t wait to see what mischief they get up to next!

This is the second outing for Belinda and ex policeman Harry, which starts with a wine tasting at Belinda’s castle and ends up with a spate of murders.

Well written, lighthearted and entertaining the second of this cozy crime series did not disappoint and we find out more about the duo and how they feel for each other but they don’t ever give that away to the other one! Quick read with good ending and I am already looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story
A cosy mystery with sleuths not out for glory.
The relationship between them could lead to romance
But only if they're both willing to give the other a chance!

The story is well paced, intriguing and fun
With great characters, plot twist and much to be done.
Red herrings abound to keep you guessing, too
And turning the pages till you're all the way through!

A special wine tasting event Belinda arranged
For the locals to see what's changed.
A local vintner, promoting his ware,
Suggests a star guest to lead the affair!

However, when the star collapses in front of all
The police are needed, they have to call
Who poisoned her and how?
Belinda really needs to know.

She's on the case with retired detective Harry
Together this sleuthing pair will not tarry.
As schemes and scandals they start to reveal
Just who is the killer, what do they conceal?

I highly recommend this book to you
If you enjoy reading cosy mysteries too!
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in the Belinda Penshurst series.

My fondness for Harry and Belinda developed in the first book, and it certainly grew in this book. They have such great rapport and I love the little humorous snippets throughout which make me giggle.

Again, we find Harry and Belinda trying to solve some murders in their little village - as usual, they are getting underfoot of the police but they manage to figure it out in the end.

A delightful addition to the series, which leaves me eager for the next.

When a wine tasting and barbeque is hel at Chalham Castle and the celebrity wine critic Sadie Oppenshaw is poisoned when tasting the wine it is up to Belinda Penshurst and Harry Powell to find out who is behind it.
As it appears Sadie has made many enemies as she carried out her reviews.
This is a very easy mystery to read and has a continuing theme of the relationship between Belinda and Harry. This is worth a read and keeps you guessing through to the end.

Amateur sleuth Belinda Penshurst is at it again. While Belinda was attending a wine tasting one of the guests collapse. Wine critic Sadie Oppenshaw is the victim. She dies at the wine tasting event that Belinda organized and also invited her to attend. So, Belinda immediately goes into sleuth mode and is determined to find out who poisoned Sadie. With retired detective Harry Powell by her side, Belinda begins to investigate the world of wine. But, soon yet another guest at the wine tasting is found poisoned. Belinda and Harry must find the culprit before they become the next victim. This cozy murder mystery was such an entertaining read. I loved the detailed description of the quaint village Little Challham, it seems like the perfect place to go wine tasting. I enjoyed the mystery of the story and the plot twists where very engaging, they kept me guessing til the end. I absolutely loved this amazing addition to this series.

Thank you Lisa Cutts for another wonderful installment to the Belinda Penshurst series. This series is a cozy mystery, that is absolutely enjoyable to get lost in. I loved this story, and I highly recommend it.