My review of the first book of the series was a lot more interesting than this one is going to be. It may be because I missed one book in between, and that has put me off the pacing of this series.
If any reader, like me, has not read this in sequence, they will still understand the situation quite well. There is a love triangle of sorts that was previously established, and in this one, our leading lady makes a kind of choice. Lily is a good woman who is inquisitive and has had luck with her 'investigations' previously. She is, however, blind to certain obvious things in her daily life. The first and foremost is the attention of a certain someone that she does not realise is romantic in nature. The second and more embarrassingly here was the lack of understanding of some more worldly things that are quite obvious to us as readers. This combination of characters makes her a more endearing sleuth than some others placed in similar situations.
Lily is visiting her aunt. She is accompanied by Lady Ophelia and her husband, who were to make a quick stop before moving on. Lady Ophelia gets to narrate alternate chapters, so we watch the investigation from two different sides. A familiar figure is present when they reach the town where her aunt resides. They are drawn into the idea of a ghost in the manor, which has been haunting everyone. As they go to witness the spectre in person, they end up finding a dead body instead.
The investigation is quite extensive, although a little faster than the first instalment.
It is a solid book with all the ingredients to enjoy this particular tale and to envision the chaos that might make its way into the next ones ( in the personal category). I liked this book, not as much as the first, but I would still recommend this to others who like this genre and want to read the next if I am able.
I received this as an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this and another of the author's works.

This third book in the Lily Adler series continues to entertain. A visit to the country becomes stressful when bodies start to pile up and Lily gets involved in helping to solve the mystery once again.

‘Death At The Manor’ by Katharine Schellman is a Regency era mystery set in the Hampshire countryside. Lily Adler is once again caught up in a mysterious death, and feels compelled to find a solution, if only to keep her beloved aunt and her companion safe. When there is talk of a ghost a a nearby manor, Lily and her friends are keen to see for themselves. But they did not count on an unexpected death – one that everyone seems keen to blame on the ghost.

I liked Lily, and found her methods interesting. She was strong willed and had a mind of her own. Including her friends and a certain admirer in her investigations worked well. The Regency era is a particular favourite of mine, so I was delighted to wallow in the period details. The ghostly element added a gothic touch, which was handled exceptionally well by the author. A well written and enjoyable story.

I was given this ARC to review.

I read a lot of historical mysteries and I was looking forward to reading this one. I have not read this author before but sadly I just didn’t get it finished. I found it too slow to keep me interested when I have so many others to read. I will one day come back and finish it but as I needed to do my review I have decided to put it away for now. For those who wish to read it, there are many who have enjoyed it. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

My thoughts






Narrative and Plot



Set in the regency era, the theme of Death At the Manor is quite in line with modern sensibilities. But it does not feel out of place in the story. Even though I am not familiar with the previous two Lily Adler mysteries, I was quickly able to grasp the dynamics between the recurring characters.

The plot was simple and suspenseful enough. But it never quite created an urgency to know the identity of the suspect. The book took its time to move forward. If not for the gothic nature of the story, the first half would have been too slow for a thriller. However, towards the finale, it picks up the pace and quite dramatically reaches the end.






Characters and Conflicts







Since the book is set in an era where the idea of a female detective wasn't plausible, Lily had to be a naturally inquisitive person to dig so deep into other people's lives. A simple, true crime podcast host could have solved that problem in a contemporary setup, but this is a different era. Perhaps the previous books would throw light on how she became the person she was here. But, without the context, both Lily and Ofelia's interference is a bit much.

The ensemble cast is perhaps the best feature of the book. Each one of them stayed distinct and served their purpose in moving the story forward.

As far as the ending goes, if you were paying close attention, you could see it coming. Still, the tension builds during the last half and that urgency to find out the murderer finally presents itself.






Conclusion


Overall, this was a spooky gothic thriller that you could consume in a single afternoon. For that, you need to stick to the end until the story picks up.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Ahhhh! That was a satisfying read! Honestly, my only complaint is that it will likely be a full year before I get to enjoy the next installment. That seems like such a long time! After reading the first two books in the Lily Adler series, I was very eager to pick up Death at the Manor. It could not come soon enough. The night before it dropped, I dreamed that I couldn’t find it. Fortunately, I awakened to find it perfectly available.

It seems the series just keeps getting better and better! Seeing an author grow in their craft is always a joy - especially when I get to enjoy more and more of their work! I kept wanting to devour the whole story, but I didn’t want it to all be over too soon. The return of familiar supporting characters, and the addition of new friends, was a delight. I enjoyed the mix of characters who fit their roles well, but weren’t so boxed in as to be unbelievable. The mystery was very satisfying. I had some speculations along the way, but was pleasantly surprised when all was said and done. The book was perfect for my preferences in the cozy regency mystery genre, and I appreciated the way the relevant social issues were addressed. I finished feeling like I’d just read my new favorite book, with a large dose of “Please, sir, I want some more”. Now all that remains is to figure out what I’ll check out next, since Book Four isn’t finished yet.

Of course, this review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the delightful work of the fabulous narrator Henrietta Miere! I went back and forth between audio and text for my reading of this novel, and Henrietta’s skills certainly added to my enjoyment of the story. I really ought to go see what else she’s narrated, as it will be some time before I have the opportunity to hear her return with the fourth installment of Lily Adler.

Regency widow Lily Adler seeks refuge from the bustle of London in Hampshire, only to run into another murder.

The sleuthing widow solves another competently structured case, in a series that continues to be solidly written and plotted if devoid of much atmosphere and personality.

The last two books were a tick better than this one, showing at least some sense of place and a bit more uniqueness in character and story. Though this book was a lesser animal, it’s still a pleasant enough read and the mystery itself is just fine.

It’s tough to stand out in a sea of historical mysteries without either an exceptionally memorable cast of characters or an excellent sense of atmosphere. This book does both of those things competently but ordinarily enough that I’m unlikely to remember much of the story in a few months.

This is fine for an installment of a throwaway mystery series if that’s what you’re craving, but if you want something more evocative and substantive, I’d recommend the author’s standalone novel Last Call at the Nightingale, which is exceptionally fun and memorable.

It took me entirely too long to get into this book. I had to set it aside a number of times because I wasn’t interested. And that is unexpected from a Katharine Schellman book. By removing the action from London to the countryside, and deliberately omitting a few characters, it felt like the start of a new series I didn’t ask for. (Remember on soap operas, when they would recast a role, they would use a voice-over to make the announcement. That’s what it felt like here: “The role of Bow Street Runner will now be played by…” or “The potential love interest will now be played by…”). I appreciate new characters and love-triangles, but these just felt like cookie cutter substitutions.

Fortunately, I enjoyed the mystery just about half way through the book. I don’t know if the pace picked up, or I simply became more engaged, but something changed and I was down for it. I wish I could say the same for the relationships.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I had meant to leave this review so long ago as I had enjoyed the previous Lily Adler books so much that I was really looking forward to reading this new instalment before its publication date.
As often happens, life got in the way - and while I wanted to read this the whole way through in one sitting, my poor brain couldn't take it.
I'm so glad I finished it though - this is the best one yet, as we see Lily and her friends grow as people as well as solve a grisly murder (or two)..
I missed Captain Jack though - and am very interested to see what happens when he and Matthew Spencer are in the same room together ... can't wait for the next one,

I have loved Katherine Schellman’s Regency mystery series about young widow Lily Adler who becomes a sleuth for the upper echelons of society who do not like their affairs investigated by the newly established police force. Both previous installments A Body In The Garden and Silence In The Library where excellent in terms of historical setting and the mystery at hand so I was excited to read this new installment Death At The Manor.
I was not disappointed, the book is set up as a locked room mystery with a ghost being the likeliest killer for the family at the manor house but Lily Adler is not one for the supernatural - she is sure there must be another explanation and and starts investigating together with her friend Lady Carroway, while staying at her aunt’s cottage nearby. The book used elements of the classic creepy Gothic manor story and did so very well. I loved my reading. Since this was now the third Lily Adler book I read I have become quite invested in her as a character and need the next book soon to find out how her personal life progresses. In this book a romantic interest for her furthered whom I did not like as much since I had become quite invested in her husband’s best friend as a future love interest when her period of grief is over …

This book is a major disappointment after really enjoying the first two books in this series. Will not be finishing this one and I don’t know if I will continue in this series or not.

Lily Adler is back with a third mystery in the series and it's another great story. Lily is visiting her aunt along with her friends, Ned and Ophelia. Captain Jack, who appeared in the first two books, is absent for this book but he does show up as a correspondent a couple of times. Instead, we have Matthew Spencer, who appeared in the previous story, to provide some assistance and male companionship for Lily. Matthew takes the visitors to see Belleford manor along with its famous ghost. Unfortunately, they don't get to see much due to the sudden and suspicious death of the owner, supposedly at the hands of the ghost.

In this book, we have the added perspective of Ophelia to add to the story. I like how this expands the sleuthing a bit to include the two women instead of just Lily. And the idea of romance is less a vague suggestion (as in the previous stories) as Lily starts to move on from her husband's death. Another aspect of this book that appeals is the presentation of a sleuth who doesn't solve everything perfectly but makes mistakes and has doubts.

Despite some of the grisliness, this book was a delight to read and I enjoyed getting to know new characters and being reacquainted with old ones. Overall, I give this book a solid 4 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me an advanced reader copy. I have provided this review voluntarily.

Death at the Manor by Katharine Schellman. Book three of the series. I read the first book but missed book two so I think I may have missed some character development. This was a regency mystery with romance and some gothic overtones. In other words, it had some of everything. Plus it was a mildly gruesome but not bad.
I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book and plan to go back and read the one I missed.

Death at the Manor is the third instalment in Katharine Schellman's Lily Adler Mystery series set in London. Lady Lily Adler is visiting her aunt Miss Eliza Pierce and her aunt's friend, Miss Susan Clarke at Longwood Cottage in Hampshire. Matthew Spencer, a new acquaintance, lives nearby so there is an outing to visit him and Lily finds out about a house nearby called Belleford Manor, owned by the Wright family that is believed to be haunted. With her friend, Ofelia Carroway, Eliza, and Mr Spencer, she makes a visit as Thomas Wright allows tours. When the group arrive at the manor they find Mrs Wright dead in her bedroom.

I loved this cosy-style historical mystery and found that the author's writing style still works well for me. The investigation into Mrs Wright's death was interesting to follow, as were Lily's sleuthing exploits and stumblings. The characters were all quirky and delightfully brought to life. I haven't read book one yet but aim to very soon. A compelling and charming read.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

I love this series!! I love that we keep getting to know Lily through her adventures.

What I love about this series is the time period. It has a whole other element to the mysteries, when we don't have any technologies to fall back on.

Lily is one of my favorite characters!

This is the 3rd book in the series and my first and maybe my last. *Shrugs I had a hard time engaging with the characters and the book. It took me quite a bit of time to read the book. I kept getting bored and would put it down and do something else. I finally forced myself to finish it. It's probably best to read the books in order so you know who is who and their backstory. This book wasn't for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this opportunity to review “Death at the Manor.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Is there a ghost at Belleford Manor? Well, logic says not, but the Wright family that lives there says there is, and also insists it’s the “gray lady” that killed their mother. Thus “Death at the Manor,” the latest in the series by Katharine Schellman begins, when a quiet visit to Lily Adler’s country cottage accompanied by her friends Sir Edward and Lady Ofelia Carroway soon finds the gentlewoman engrossed in solving the mystery.

The ghost story gains credence immediately, because this is a “locked room mystery.” Well, Mrs. Adler considers that an impediment, of course, but since she doesn’t believe that a ghostly hand did the deed, she gets busy, even to the point of enlisting a Bow Street runner friend and calling in another friend, another magistrate, since the local ones are content to bring in the “person or persons unknown” verdict and let it go at that. Not that they do much; Lily and her friends have it all well in hand.

The books has chapters from Lily’s and Ofelia’s point of view, handy for ferreting though a bunch of clues. And suspects. The Wrights, brother and sister, are front and center, as they should be. But Mr. Wright has an alibi; handy, that. But could he have had help? And those servants -- what do they know? Our author has her readers questioning everything, which makes for a good mystery, so that when the “big reveal” is revealed, it’s quite the surprise.

On a personal level, we have the continuation of the “courting of Lily Adler” by suitor Matthew Spencer. Lucky that he lives in the neighborhood. Captain Jack isn’t going to be too happy about this, but since he’s going to sea, there’s not much he’s going to be able to do about it. Ofelia doesn’t like it much, either; she’s a Captain Jack fan.

Our story ends with Lily leaving for home, happy to encourage Matthew Spencer as a suitor. We’ll have to see how that goes, in a future book.

The third book in this excellent series is as good as the previous two except for the almost total omission of Captain Jack Hartley. I suppose he had to go back to sea but it may have been a mistake on his part as Lily quickly finds herself with another admirer to help in her sleuthing.

In Death at the Manor Lily is visiting her Aunt at her home in Hampshire. She hears about an apparently haunted house nearby called Belleford Manor and with her friends makes a visit there. Before they arrive however the mistress of the house has been murdered in her bedroom with the door locked from the inside.

Lily sets herself to discover what happened with the help of neighbour and new admirer, Matthew Spencer, and her friends Ophelia and Ned Carroway. It is a clever mystery with its locked room theme and several possible suspects. There is a twist at the end too which is always a good way to conclude any mystery.

Looking forward to book four now because I am wondering how the author is going to deal with the dreaded love triangle.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Death at the Manor (Lily Adler Mystery #3) by Katharine Schellman from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.

… well-written, clever, and classically crafted locked room mystery keeps this book engaging leading to an ending that caught me by surprise (which is hard to do) …

The third entry into this mystery series begins with widow Lily Adler bidding bon voyage (albeit perhaps temporarily) to her dead husband’s best friend and her mystery solving partner Captain Jack Hartley as he takes leave aboard a ship. In his absence, Lily decides along with her newlywed friends Lord Edward (Ned) and Lady Ofelia Carroway to get away for a nice peaceful visit with her aunt Eliza and her partner Susan in Hampshire.

While visiting, rumors circulate about a ghost referred to as the Grey Lady who has driven out the staff of Belleford Manor and tormented the Wright family. When a friend of the Wrights widower Matthew Spencer entices them to see the ghost for themselves, they all go for a visit. Upon meeting the quirky Wright family, it is evident that not all is as it seems and they appear to thrive on the reputation of the manor, getting the fame and notoriety that they seem to seek. The group gets more than they bargain for when the matriarch of the family is found dead in her bed behind a locked door. While the family is insisting that Grey Lady is the spectral culprit, Lily and her party know differently. With the bizarre and questionable behavior of both the family and staff Lily has her work cut out for her. Lily and her friends go on a mission to find the true culprit before they strike again.


A well-written, clever, and classically crafted locked room mystery keeps this book engaging leading to an ending that caught me by surprise (which is hard to do). Having read and reviewed the previous two books: The Body in the Garden and Silence in the Library, this felt quite different to me, it lacked the quick-witted banter between Jack and Lily which made the books uniquely fun. Although good as a standalone, as a dedicated reader of the series it was disappointing and felt very removed from the author’s usual style. In my opinion, it feels like this is perhaps a book laying the groundwork for a spin-off series of some sort. I love the series in general and hope the next book gets back its mysterious yet fun feel.

Happy Publication Day to Katharine Schellman for book three in the Lily Adler Mystery Series: Death at the Manor! Thank you to @crookedlanebooks and @netgalley for the digital arc.

I was happy to be back with Lily in Regency England with this classic locked-room mystery. Lily is looking forward to spending a quiet autumn break in the countryside with her aunt and her friends Lord and Lady Carroway. Charming Mathew Spencer, a neighbor of Lily’s aunt, visits and tells the party of rumors of the ghost of Belleford, a manor house in the area. Amused by the story, the friends agree to visit the Wright family at their home and learn of this ghost for themselves. What the friends did not expect was to find the family in the midst of mysterious tragedy…the matriarch of the family has been murdered in her bed, in her locked room. Lily, never one to step down from a challenge, puts her mind to the case.

What follows is a wonderfully well executed mystery. I like Lily so much, as well as the diverse set of characters that help make up the story. It’s been fun to watch Lily grow as a character throughout the three books. I did miss Captain Jack in this story, as he only appears just a bit in the start and in letters later in the story, however, this did not take away from the story. If you enjoy mysteries with strong female leads, such as the Veronica Speedwell mysteries and the Maggie Hope series, I recommend giving Lily a try. You could just pick up book three, but I think starting with book one would be most enjoyable.