I love mysteries and am always thrilled when I discover a new mystery author. This is the first mystery I’ve read by Clara McKenna and it certainly won’t be the last! Set in the Edwardian era in York, this whodunit kept me guessing and turning the pages. There’s romance, plenty of suspects, and delicious chocolate involved! I also enjoyed the historical details. There are three previous books in this series, but I felt like the author did a great job making this a standalone read while including helpful information from previous books. I’m excited to go back and read the other books in the series!

Viscount & Lady Lyndhurst are on their honeymoon hoping for a relaxing time in York, and no dead bodies. When they arrive at the Majestic Hotel, they’re dismayed to find their honeymoon suite has been booked that night by Horace Wingrove, England’s most famous chocolate confectioner. When the elderly gentleman winds up dead, at first it’s deemed an unfortunate accident. When the formula for his famous chocolates goes missing and other strange clues are discovered, Stella and Lyndy find themselves once again in the middle of a mystery.

Besides the murder, the police are stretched thin preparing for the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria who recently passed away. Anarchists continue to threaten the monarchy and the last thing they want to worry about is another murder. There’s also Wingrove’s suspicious interest in visiting York.

I really enjoyed Stella & Lyndy! Stella is the wealthy daughter of an American now married to the Viscount. She’s spunky, forthright, and not afraid to ask questions or search for clues. Lyndy is British aristocracy through and through clearly in love with his new wife. He adores Stella and she helps him overcome his natural reserve. I can’t wait to read the previous books to find out how their relationship developed. There’s plenty of romance since they are on their honeymoon, and while there’s some innuendo, the author keeps things firmly closed door. They work well together with Lyndy fully supporting his wife’s investigations.

The mystery is clever with multiple parts. There’re a slew of suspects: the nephew who stands to inherit the company, the controlling secretary, other chocolate competitors, shifty hotel staff, and hotel guests with various motivations. I also liked the other mystery involving Queen Victoria’s statue. While I had my suspicions, I wasn’t sure of who did what until the very end.

With plenty of action, suspects, twists and turns, beautiful descriptions of Yorkshire, and romance, this historical cozy mystery is a must read. I look forward to reading more from this author. There is some very mild infrequent swearing, and a mention of suicide for those sensitive to these issues. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

As part of a series, Stella and Lundy honeymoon in York, Wales England. A delightful read of historical fiction, mystery and tribute to chocolate and light romance. I particularly enjoyed the notes by the author, Clara McKenna, which was so informative. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Publishing Corp. for an ARC of this book; this is my honest review.

Murder At The Majestic Hotel is the fourth book in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series by Clara McKenna.

Stella and Lyndy(Lady and Lord Lyndhurst) are heading to York for their honeymoon, where Lyndy has reserved the Honeymoon Suite. Lyndy approaches the manager's desk and soon learns their suite has been given to someone else somehow. They are told they may have the honeymoon suite the next day and are given the Royal Suite for the night. After settling into their suite, Lyndy approaches the man, Horace Wingrove, to discuss changing suites, but to no avail. During the night, they hear a disturbance coming from the hall, but by the time Lyndy gets presentable, no one is in the hallway. The next morning they are awakened by screaming. They find a chambermaid screaming for help. The maid asks for Stella and Lyndy to check the bedroom, and they see the dead body of Wingrove. Dr. Bell, also staying at The Majestic, says the cause of death is suffocation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. When the hotel manager hears this, he insists that the police be called to avoid bad publicity. Detective Sergeant Glenshaw arrives to investigate and is quick to say that his report will show that the death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, even though Stella has her doubts and points out things that need to be considered. In the back of Glenshaw’s mind is that he should be Guidhall getting ready for the Royal Highnesses' visit the next day.

Stella, seeing that Glenshaw isn’t taking her suggestions seriously, will start her own investigation. Stella learns that Wingrove’s heir to his chocolate empire, Morgan Amesbury-Jones, is staying in the hotel as is Wingrove’s secretary, Miss Evan. She will find that the hotel’s staff are anything but completely honest and forthcoming. Stella hopes to learn who the killer is soon, so she and Lyndy can resume their romantic honeymoon.

The story is exciting, well-plotted, and written. The story has plenty of red herrings that I was kept guessing until the killer was announced. The characters are well-developed, interesting, and believable. The story is historically accurate, and the author provides notes explaining some of the events in the book.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this series to see what adventures are in store for Stella and Lyndy.

This is a fun read for anyone who enjoys an Upstairs, Downstairs historical mystery. Fourth in a series, there are plenty of tie-ins to previous books, but this can still be read as a stand-alone. American Stella, newly married to the aristocratic Lyndy are on their honeymoon in the cathedral city of York. The amateur detectives can't get a break, though, and a corpse is discovered in their hotel on their first night.

Recommended for fans of Anna Lee Huber and Alyssa Maxwell!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5 Stars
Leaving behind tragedies surrounding their wedding at Morrington Hall, travel-worn Stella and Lyndy arrive at the grand Majestic Hotel in York to more misfortune, their stately honeymoon suite has been given away to Horace Wingrove, owner of England’s largest confectionery. Stella refuses to let an innocent booking mistake spoil the mood, but her optimism vanishes when Horace suffocates in the room where she and Lyndy should have stayed. Unlike authorities on the scene, Stella can’t believe the business magnate’s death can be explained away as an accident. Troubling signs are everywhere—strange murmurs in the hallway, tight-lipped hotel staff, and a stolen secret recipe for Wingrave’s famous chocolate. Then there are Horace’s murky intentions for visiting the historic cathedral city, and those who were closely watching his every move.
The fourth book in this lovely series, Stella & Lyndy are now on their honeymoon but Stella can’t believe Wingrove's death was an accident. A very well written fast paced book with twists, turns & red herrings. The characters have depth & are well portrayed & I love how Lyndy & Stella’s relationship has grown & changed throughout the series. I'm loving this series & whilst this book could be read on its own I’d recommend reading the whole series to fully appreciate it
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

It's Stella and Lyndy's honeymoon and they've just arrived at the Majestic to discover that the honeymoon suite has been stolen by Horace Wingrove, the eccentric owner of a well-known confectionery and he's handing out chocolate boxes right and left. The happy couple are disappointed but are distracted by... well, the honeymoon.
Unfortunately, when they wake up, they discover that Mr. Wingrove has suffocated in his room overnight. The room in which they were supposed to have stayed. And his nephew and secretary are both in the hotel and acting strangely.
The policeman on the case is not very impressed by Stella and Lyndy trying to help. In fact, he doesn't understand why this American woman cares at all. But Stella has connections that the inspector doesn't and she will be the one to ultimately figure out what exactly happened at the Majestic. Oh, and thwart a plot to kill the queen.
There was a lot going on in this book again but it was a fun read nonetheless.

Three and a half stars
This book comes out October 25, 2022
Follows Murder at Keyhaven Castle
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts/opinions expressed are my own. Murder at the Majestic Hotel picks up after Stella and Lyndy's wedding when they travel to York for their honeymoon. Upon arriving at the hotel, Lyndy is upset to learn that the honeymoon suite that he booked is not available but instead is occupied by single gentleman, Horace Wingrove. Mr. Wingrove stayed their decades ago with her wife when they were first married, but she has since passed. Placed in the Royal Suite across the hall for the night, The following morning, Stella and Lyndy find Horace dead in his locked room in what may be murder. In addition to trying to figure out the exact cause of death, mysteries abound including, where documents related to the ownership of Horace's candy company are and a potential plot against the royal family.

With all the mysteries in the book, it would have been easy for one or more of them to feel as an afterthought, but that never happened here. There were some great twists and turns that kept me guessing, and it was fun getting to see Stella and Lyndy begin to settle into their marriage away from his family and after the tragic events of the prior book. I'm looking forward to this series continuing for many more titles.

Stella and Lyndy made it to the altar in the previous book and in Murder at the Majestic Hotel we meet them on their way to honeymoon at the aforementioned hotel. They are looking forward to a relaxing time on their own, but things start to go wrong on arrival when they find their Honeymoon Suite has been taken by a certain Horace Wingrove, famous owner of one of the biggest chocolate companies in England.

Eventually they accept the Royal Suite instead and in the morning discover Horace died in the night, overcome by toxic fumes. Is it an accidental death or is it murder? Stella determines to find out, and she turns out to be a magnet for danger when she ends up attending the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria at which there is an explosion set off by protestors. Actually so many things happen in this book I am amazed (nearly) everyone survives!

It is all good fun though. Delightful main characters, a clever mystery with a tidy solution, nicely written and set in the beautiful city of York. Oh, and there is chocolate, lots of it. Very well worth reading and I look forward to book five.

It's 1905 and Stella and Lyndy are looking forward to their honeymoon in the lovely city of York. They have reserved the honeymoon suite but come to discover that their room has been given to somebody else. The man is the owner of England's largest candy company and what he wants...he gets. He didn't expect to be murdered. Stella and Lyndy didn't expect to have crimes to solve, either. First a murder then an explosion at the unveiling of a statue of Queen Victoria? Are there any connections? Stella sets off to find the answers.
I have read this series from the start and I think the books are best read in order. Stella and Lyndy are a lovely couple and they make a very good pair of sleuths. The mysteries are well crafted with enough twists, turns and red herrings to confuse the armchair detective. Add some romance and this is a series that deserves a spot on your TBR list.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Stella and Lyndy are engaging characters who work well together although Stella does over whelm Lyndy's character a bit on occasions as in real life really. The mystery had just enough twists and red herrings to make for an interesting cozy that keeps you engaged from the start with secret chocolate recipes, anarchists, and plots against visiting royals. there is lots going on. I received an early review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love the characters and what they get up to. They have progressed to supporting each other. It is also nice that the marriage has occurred. They mystery kept me guessing and was trying to figure out how it all was going to tie together.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in incomparable York, England, in 1905 Murder at the Majestic Hotel is the fourth in the Stella & Lyndy Mysteries series. And what a series it is! I've read it from the beginning and am besotted with the characters and atmosphere. This time, American heiress Stella and titled but poor Lyndy are on their honeymoon and book the most luxurious suite at the expensive Majestic Hotel. However, they discover their suite has been given to someone else so they settle into their own. The occupant of the original suite is found smothered to death. The victim has close ties with Cream Milk, the best chocolate around, to die for. Hotel staff members are furtive and sneaky and the story is full of secrets, surprises and fascinating historical bits.

York, "The City of Chocolate" is one of the most beguiling cities I have visited with its Gothic Cathedral, wall walk, Roman history and quirky buildings which creates an atmospheric and wonderful setting choice. Author Clara McKenna's descriptions are vivid and lively. The royal family makes an appearance and the American/English combination adds a fun layer with such potential for future novels. Owen, one of my favourite characters from earlier in the series returns and many new characters are introduced.

If you are hankering for Historical Fiction with romantic flair, do pick up this witty book. The honeymooners are giddy, the mystery flummoxing, the setting sublime and the characters eccentric. For some inexplicable reason I am craving chocolate!

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for introducing me to this stellar author and series!

Murder at the Majestic Hotel is a riveting historical mystery set in England in the early twentieth century. Viscount and Lady Lyndhurst (Lyndy and Stella) have just married and are looking forward to spending their honeymoon staying in the honeymoon suite of the Majestic Hotel in York. They find out on their arrival that there has been a mix-up and someone else has their suite, Mr. Horace Wingrove the famous chocolatier. In the night, he mysteriously dies, and Stella and Lyndy are on the case. What caused his death? Where is the missing chocolate formula? Does this have anything to do with the visit of the princesses?

I enjoyed this book so much. I thought the mystery was top notch and the various mysteries kept me guessing all through the novel. I loved the characters. Stella and Lyndy had a great, sweet romance between them. I loved Stella’s pluck. All of the other characters were interesting as well. The York setting was fascinating and had me looking up things after I finished the book.

This is the fourth book in the series. I was fine reading it as a standalone, but it does make me want to go back and read the rest of the series! I have already purchased the first book.

Review Copy from author Clara McKenna and Netgalley. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Liked everything about this book from the cover, characters, storyline and conclusion. Not having read earlier books in the series, had no problem reading this as a stand alone. Thanks to #NetGalley and #MurderAtTheMajesticHotel for advanced digital copy.

I really enjoyed this outing with Stella and Lyndy and I can only hope this series continues on for awhile yet - I have not had enough of them and I think there are many more stories to be told as they grow in their relationship and marriage [just stories with Lyndy's difficult mother would fill PAGES and I'd love more stories with Owen and his mother, who is so intriguing!!].

Stella and Lyndy are married [<spoiler>having chosen to do so after the murder of her {despicable} father, simply because there was little grief on anyone's part {he really wasn't a nice man} and they didn't want to drag out the wait when there truly wouldn't be a mourning period</spoiler>] and have chosen to go to Yorkshire for their honeymoon, staying at the Majestic Hotel, and planning on touring all of the sights including the gorgeous church that is the focal point of the town. Imagine their surprise when they arrive and their room [the honeymoon suite] has been given away to an old man [who turns out to be someone important], and then again when in the morning, he is found dead and even though Lyndy tries to steer them away from all the drama, Stella jumps in with both feet and it leads them on such a chase and adventure that includes more family, secrets, the Monarchy, anarchists and more.

The mysteries were good [and sad] and the reveal was excellent [I had pegged someone else completely, so this is a ginormous WIN for me] and it truly just left me wanting more [hence me hoping there are more books coming]. I have really grown to love Stella and Lyndy and now eagerly anticipate a new book from this amazing author.

Another thing I loved was at the end of the book, the author talks about her research [and what it took to get this book written - the last few years have been so hard on everyone] and different things in the book that were actual truth, things based on truth and what she made up. It was so interesting and I enjoyed reading about her process. It just makes me want to go to England that much more.

IF you are looking for a good historical mystery series that has the most unique premise [you MUST start with book one - what happens and why in this book will make NO sense to you and will leave you like a lot of reviewers in wondering just WHY they would marry instead of mourning], then this series is for you. Start with book one and hang on - you are in for quite a ride.

Thank you to NetGalley, Clara McKenna, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Against all expectations in Edwardian England, newly married American heiress Stella Kendrick and British aristocrat Viscount "Lyndy" Lyndhurst are bucking traditions - and investigating murder - on their honeymoon in the latest installment of the Stella and Lyndy Mysteries from acclaimed author Clara McKenna.

Leaving behind tragedies surrounding their wedding at Morrington Hall, travel-worn Stella and Lyndy arrive at the grand Majestic Hotel in York to more misfortune - their stately honeymoon suite has been given away to Horace Wingrove, owner of England's largest confectionery. Stella refuses to let an innocent booking mistake spoil the mood, but her optimism vanishes when Horace suffocates in the room where she and Lyndy should have stayed...

Unlike authorities on the scene, Stella can't believe the business magnate's death can be explained away as an accident. Troubling signs are everywhere - strange murmurs in the hallway, tight-lipped hotel staff, and a stolen secret recipe for Wingrave's famous chocolate. Then there are Horace's murky intentions for visiting the historic cathedral city, and those who were closely watching his every move...

As Stella and Lyndy tour Yorkshire and mingle with royals as husband and wife, they face a sinister mystery that puts their vows to the test. Can the couple work together to discover the truth about their romantic destination and the strange happenings haunting their trip before they’re treated to another terrifying surprise?"

Because NOTHING says honeymoon for a crime solving duo than murder!

Three-and-a-half years ago when I read this author’s debut book, I had no idea I was discovering both a new favorite author and a new favorite series. We’re four books in now, and the writing quality is still excellent as is the quality and complexity of the mystery, and that doesn’t even mention the wonderful romance.

Lyndy and Stella are finally off on their honeymoon and they have chosen York as their destination. They are so excited to begin their new life together and can hardly wait to arrive at the Majestic Hotel in York where they have reserved the honeymoon suite. Only, when they try to check in, they find someone else is already in the honeymoon suite. They’ve had the reservations made for weeks – how can that be? The hotel manager offers them the Royal Suite instead, but Lyndy nor Stella is happy about that – and they confront the man in the room. The man, Horace Wingrove, will not budge and informs them that they can have the room starting tomorrow night. That, of course, doesn’t happen because a maid discovers the man’s body when she opens the room to clean it the next morning. He was an old and frail man; did he just die naturally in his sleep? If it wasn’t natural – was he the intended victim or was it Lyndy and Stella because they were supposed to be in the room?

Another hotel guest, Dr. Bertram Bell, is summoned to the room and quickly says the death was accidental asphyxia (carbon monoxide poisoning from the grate). The hotel, concerned about its reputation if the death was their fault, calls the police. When Detective Sergeant Thomas Glenshaw arrives, he sees no reason to rule it murder and is happy enough to rule it accidental – though they will investigate a bit further. DS Glenshaw is very unhappy to have been called out for such a minor thing – he should be totally focusing on the plans and security for the unveiling of the statue in honor of the late Queen Victoria that is being unveiled at the Guildhall.

Stella knows she should just forget about it and let DS Glenshaw handle it, but there are some things that niggle at her – and she just cannot sit back when she’s puzzled, she has to solve it. To add to her initial concerns, there are strange people who demand to speak with them, strange whispers in the hallway, hotel employees who seem to be tainted, and the victim’s heir, Morgan Amesbury-Jones, who seems as perplexed as everyone else. Nobody knows why Mr.Wingrove was even at the hotel because the reason he gave isn’t really why he was there.

Lyndy just wants to get on with their honeymoon, but Stella can’t curb her voracious curiosity. Lyndy knows that Stella’s intuition is rarely wrong and goes along with her. Can they solve Mr. Wingrove’s murder? Oh! And did I mention there are more murders, more attacks, and even a bombing? Yes! This book is filled with non-stop excitement and plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. There are murderer(s), anti-Royalists, disgruntled employees, thieves, happy reunions, and romance all in one book. Will Stella and Lyndy survive to solve the crime and finally get back to their honeymoon? Oh! You’ll just have to read this fast-paced, excellently plotted, and well-written story to find out. I hope you’ll read it and love Stella and Lyndy as much as I do. BTW, you can read this as a standalone book if you haven’t read the first three. There is enough background dribbled into it to get the gist of the series so far. However, to REALLY understand Stella – an American – and how she came to be betrothed to an English viscount, you really need to read at least the first book in the series. Happy reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

An Edwardian murder mystery featuring the newly married couple Viscount Lyndhurst and Stella Kendrick (that was). They choose York as their honeymoon destination. Things go awry from the start. The honeymoon suite is “stolen” for a night by a chocolate magnate who’s found dead the next morning, the unveiling of a Queen Victoria statue by her daughters is targeted with an explosion, and Stella well and truly has the bit between her teeth investigating!
I really didn’t relate that well to the couple. Lyndy is lost in the idea of all that is Stella, the discovery of married life (sigh), and looks on fondly as she forges ahead. All a tad twee.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

Stella and Viscount Lyndy are finally, finally married and now off for their honeymoon to York. But of course nothing goes smoothly for them and it turns out that Horace, a candy baron of sorts, is installed in the suite they'd reserved. Turns out that's a good thing because someone murders Horace in his room with carbon monoxide (but there's no gas). Of course, this intrepid couple which blends Stella's American pluckiness with Lyndy's access to various elites (royals!) works to solve the murder and not only because the villain might have been targeting them. It's light, it's fun, and it's entertaining. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next installment!

Leaving behind tragedies surrounding their wedding at Morrington Hall, travel-worn Stella and Lyndy arrive at the grand Majestic Hotel in York to more misfortune—their stately honeymoon suite has been given away to Horace Wingrove, owner of England’s largest confectionery. Stella refuses to let an innocent booking mistake spoil the mood, but her optimism vanishes when Horace suffocates in the room where she and Lyndy should have stayed . . .
Unlike authorities on the scene, Stella can’t believe the business magnate’s death can be explained away as an accident. Troubling signs are everywhere—strange murmurs in the hallway, tight-lipped hotel staff, and a stolen secret recipe for Wingrave’s famous chocolate. Then there are Horace’s murky intentions for visiting the historic cathedral city, and those who were closely watching his every move . . .
As Stella and Lyndy tour Yorkshire and mingle with royals as husband and wife, they face a sinister mystery that puts their vows to the test. Can the couple work together to discover the truth about their romantic destination and the strange happenings haunting their trip before they’re treated to another terrifying surprise?
This is an interesting romance/mystery where the honeymooning couple gets caught up in a murder mystery.
Clara McKenna has written a interesting book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.