cosy-mystery, murder, murder-investigation, wedding, wedding-madness, family-dynamics, family-drama, family, 1934, law-enforcement, gala, relationships, relatives, historical-fiction, historical-research, England, suspense, amateur-sleuth, private-investigators, Devonshire, hospitality-industry, unruly in-laws, attempted-murder*****

Kitty's disreputable father is in town and is supposed to walk her down the aisle in a few days. But he winds up as a person of interest in the murder of the woman hosting a charity ball at her home. The woman's employee claims that he is the murderer, but she turns out to be less than trustworthy. There's no lack of people with motive but Matthew (groom and a private investigator with connections to both Whitehall and Scotland Yard) and Inspector Greville of the local constabulary are tasked with sorting things out and finding the purpose of several attempted murders. This series never disappoints! Love this one as much as the previous ones.
The mysteries can stand alone, but the steady background is fun to read in order.
This is not an unbiased review because I love the characters and plots (complete with obscure twists and red herrings) in this series.
I requested and received an uncorrected advance review ebook copy from Bookouture via NetGalley. Thank you!

I love the Miss Underhay books, they’re one of my favourite cosy crime series. So I couldn’t wait to get my copy of Murder at the Charity Ball, the 11th volume.

Once again, Kitty just happens to be at an event when a dead body is found - this time by her father. I loved the mystery plot, it kept me guessing right until the end. There were plenty of suspicious characters it could have been!

It was lovely to return to this favourite group of characters, and to see the fulfilment of a certain happy event! Kitty and Matt now work well together, along with Inspector Greville, and others. I’m pleased to see Bertie still being mischievous, though thankfully starting to calm down a little. And I absolutely loved the way that Alice saved the day.

Overall, this was another excellent story in a great series, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end.

Although this book would read well on its own, I recommend reading from the start of the series to get the most enjoyment from it.

I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Kitty Underhay and fiancé Captain Matthew Bryant are attending a charity ball at the home of Lady Eliza Foxley. Also attending is Kitty’s father Edgar Underhay, back from America for the wedding and apparently pretty cosy with Lady Foxley. Unfortunately, when she’s found dead, strangled with one of her own silk stockings and Edgar is standing over her. It’s up to Kitty and Matthew to find the true murderer.

This is the third book in this series that I’ve read. I love the concept, the time period, and the idea behind the characters, but somehow it never quite comes together for me. Here, much of the investigation gets lost in the events leading up to Kitty and Matthew’s wedding and contentious family relationships. There is also the fact that so many characters are introduced, it becomes difficult to keep them straight.

A quick read, but not entirely satisfactory.

The winter chill struck Kitty Underhay as she and her grandmother, plus fiancé Captain Matthew Bryant arrived at the luxurious home of Lady Eliza Foxley. The charity ball was well underway, with alcohol flowing and entertainment in the form of music and dancing was evident all around them. As the evening wore on, Kitty spent some time with her father, Edgar Underhay, who'd arrived from New York for Kitty and Matt's wedding. There was a sudden commotion when Matt was asked to accompany one of the staff upstairs to Lady Foxley's bedroom. What followed saw the arrival of Inspector Greville and an investigation only a week out from the Christmas Eve wedding...

When Edgar was arrested for the murder, Kitty and Matthew worked tirelessly to clear his name. But could they do it when they were in the midst of wedding preparations, especially Kitty. The upcoming arrival of Matthew's family, Kitty's cousin Lucy and her husband and parents, and more guests caused concern. But Kitty needed Edgar free as he was walking her down the aisle...

Murder at the Charity Ball is the 11th in the Miss Underhay series by Helena Dixon, and once again I loved it. Fast paced, light and entertaining, with great characters. Especially Bertie! He's always into mischief! Such an enjoyable series which I hope continues for a long time to come. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book had a lovely colourful cover, and I really like cosy mysteries, so I was hoping this would be something that I'd enjoy.

This was light, entertaining and pleasant to read. There were some fun and likeable characters, and it filled my craving for an old-fashioned cosy mystery.

I hadn't read any of the previous books in the series, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of this one. Having said that, I think I would read some of the others.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Fans of Downton Abbey will surely enjoy reading MURDER AT THE CHARITY BALL. Kitty Underhay is soon to wed Matt Bryant. Will Kitty’s father be able to give her away at the wedding as planned, or will he be found guilty of murder and miss the wedding entirely?

I enjoyed reading this book and had fun trying to solve the mystery. The characters were believable, and the Christmastime setting enhanced the reading experience. I look forward to reading the next book in the series

It’s book eleven, its the week before Christmas and finally Matt and Kitty are going to tie the knot on Christmas Eve. What could be more romantic and what could possibly go wrong?

A murder at the ball?

Kitty’s father the prime suspect?

Kitty and Matt are invited to a Charity Ball by Lady Eliza Foxley, well known for perhaps not the right reasons but still not averse to organising and giving something back. Present is Edgar Underhay, Kitty’s father who is back from America for the wedding and came across the Atlantic accompanying Eliza.

All seems to going well, dancing, drinking and enjoying life. Until Eliza is found dead, strangled by one of her own silk stockings and Edgar standing over her.

With his reputation, it’s clear who the focus goes onto. But with some persuasion Kitty and Matt try and convince the police that perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye. When some of the potential suspects all have something to hide, including Eliza’s sister, niece, secretary, financial investor and old nursery nurse it seems Kitty is going to be focusing on something else before her wedding.

This is like picking up with stories of old friends every time I return to The Dolphin Hotel and Kitty, Matt as well as the wonderful Alice and her sister Dolly. As the series has gone on, the characters have grown and the plot moves on. This was a lovely way to finish my reading year as it felt I was closing some chapters with Kitty but also at the same time opening some more up and moving forward.

I look forward to the next chapter of Kitty’s life. Though I wonder if she can get through her honeymoon unscathed and without any bodes?

This book, this series is perfect for those who like the warm hug of a story even if slightly scattered with dead bodies and criminals. The supplementary characters make for fun diversions and back stories and the fact that it is set in churches, big houses, hotels, trains to name a few adds to that golden age feel of the books.

I could not put this down!! I read this in one setting. I need more than 5 stars for this book! I absolutely loved it!
I just reviewed Murder at the Charity Ball (A Miss Underhay Mystery Book 11) by Helena Dixon. #MurderattheCharityBall #NetGalley
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I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts expressed are my own. Murder at the Charity Ball is the 11th title in the now long running series featuring Miss Underhay. When the title opens, it is about 1 week before Kitty and Matt's wedding. Her absentee father, Edgar, is traveling from America to England so he can attend her wedding and give her away. Already anxious about her wedding, Kitty is also worried about how things will go between her father and the rest of the family as her grandmother has never approved of him. Apparently her father met a wealthy local, Lady Foxley, who has invited her father to stay with her instead of making use of the arrangements Kitty had made. He invited both Kitty and Matt to a fundraiser hosted by Lady Foxley at her home. Unfortunately, Lady Foxley's body is discovered during the ball and Kitty's father is discovered standing over the body. Kitty and Matt must try and clear his name while dealing with final wedding details.

This was an interesting book as it acts as the end of several story threads that were introduced in the first book in addition to marking Kitty's transition from single to married and helping with daily management of the family hotel to something yet to be defined. I did like the mystery in this one and found it kept my attention. I'm looking forward to see where the series goes from here as Kitty and Matt transition to marriage and a partnership.

This was a great book to finish the year! Like all previous stories in this series, I enjoyed the plot and characters very much. Good writing, solid plot, and a nice Christmas vibe, I couldn’t put the book down. I’m also happy that Kitty and Matt finally tie the knot and start this new chapter in their life. I’ve been rooting for them since the beginning!

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful book in this excellent series, this could also be read as a stand alone novel. Bride to be, Kitty, works with her fiancé Matt, to solve a murder in which her father is a suspect. I love the period setting; the descriptions of everyday life are a joy to read. I am eagerly awaiting the next adventure of Kitty and Matt!

December 1934. With their wedding day approaching Kitty and Matthew decide to attend a charity ball held at Lady Eliza Foxley's home of Villa Lemora. Near the close of the evening Kitty's father discovers a body and becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Can their investigation find the true murderer?

This was my first Helena Dixon book and the setting of this book reminded me of The Great Gatsby meets Clue in a classic “who dun it” mystery.

My main issues with this book was that there were so many characters that are sometimes referred to as their title/full name, then other times referred to by their relationship to the main character Kitty (i.e. sometimes Edgar is called father and other times he’s called Sir Edgar or whatever it may be) which is very confusing.

Also, nearly all the characters are introduced in the first chapter but there are so many that it was overwhelming and hard to recall how everyone is intertwined.

Overall, a fun read but it didn’t suck me in and I found myself struggling to pick it up.

An enjoyable new addition to the series, sees Kitty and Matt try to solve the murder of a woman at a charity ball, where suspicion lands on Kitty’s father who is visiting Devon for her upcoming wedding. After 10 books, we also finally see Kitty walk down the aisle to marry Matt, which is lovely to see - and exciting to wait for the next chapter of their life together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this in return for an unbiased review.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.
I was so excited to read the new Miss Kitty Underhay story, all other books had to wait because I know the moment I start reading, I cannot put it down.

Kitty and Matt are about to get married at Christmas and Kitty’s father has come over from America to give his daughter away. On his journey over to England, he met the lively Lady Foxley and she invited him to stay at her house. In the week leading up to the wedding, Lady Foxley organises a charity ball which ends with a dead body.
Soon, Kitty’s father is a suspect and it is again up to her and her fiancé to find the real killer.

I tore through this book! I love the 1920s setting of this book and all the mentions of places in Devon. Already looking forward to the next instalment in this series!

Thanks to Net Gallley and Bookouture for this ARC. Another great story in this series from Helena Dixon. I love that even after 10 books there is still good material and great characters. Looking forward to No 12!

This is my second second ARC by this author! I adored this concept and this fun murder mystery. I'm glad I read this in December because it had a Christmas vibe that was so unexpected. I definitely need to add the other Miss Underhay stories to my TBR!

Kitty Underhay is getting married at Christmas time! Her dad is in attendance and plans to give her away. The group--Kitty, dad, finace, and grandmother attend a charity ball. What happens? Her roguish father is accused of murder. Kitty and her fiance do their best to find the real murderer. Kitty is again in danger from the obsessed Esther. I found this a good entry in the series. I enjoyed the historical setting and the strong female heroine. Will definitely read the next entry.

One in a series this is charming vintage classic crime genre combining good detection
skills with all the restrictions of polite society.

Kitty is getting married in a week. She is also seeing her father after a long time.
He has been irresponsible in the past, not a favourite amongst family and she has
an uphill task with her in laws to be who think her too modern. unfortunately things do
not go according to plan.

In the midst of a Christmas party, the hostess gets murdered and Kitty's father becomes
just initially the main suspect. Kitty along with her fiancee start investigations
alongside the Police and whilst this is going on another attempted murder happens, then
another and everyone is stumbling to find a reason and who is the murderer.

The setting for the story was charming - the village is very nicely described, the
characters masterfully put together and a lovely read for this period as its set during
Christmas week.

I absolutely love this series, and each book seems to get better and better!
The week before her much awaited wedding to Matthew, Kitty's dad somehow gets tangled up in a murder investigation. Of Course it will never do to have the bride's father in jail instead of giving her away. So Matt and Kitty decide to do some sleuthing of their own, and this time their help is much wanted and appreciated from the Police. The characters have become like old friends, and I have looked forward to the wedding for some time now. The plot was interesting with some twists and turns thrown in. Completely enjoyable. I highly recommend the series and book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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

This is book #11 in the Miss Underhay series and finally the day of Kitty and Matt's wedding has arrived but nothing is ever quite that simple with this couple. The story begins with an article in the Torbay Herald on December 15th, 1934 announcing that Millicent Craven is organizing a charity ball on behalf of Lady Eliza Foxley and her sister Mrs. Lillie Trentham in aid of the Seafarers' Widows and Orphans Fund.

Over the course of the story family are gathering at the Dolphin Hotel to join Kitty and Mrs. Treadwell - her grandmother. Edgar Underhay - Kitty's father has chosen to stay at Villa Lamora, owned by Lady Foxley after meeting her on the crossing of the Atlantic from New York. Kitty's aunt and uncle from Enderley Hall, along with her cousin Lucy who is returning the favour of being her bridesmaid after Kitty was bridesmaid not that long ago when she married Rupert. Matt's parents and aunt also arrive and they are not all that pleased with his choice of wife. Kitty consoles herself with the fact that they didn't like Matt's first wife either.

At the charity ball of course there is a murder and who a better suspect than Kitty's father Edgar. This is following by a poisoning, an attempt to push someone down the stairs and another poisoning. Of course, Inspector Greville as usual arrests several people who are innocent of the crimes. It is a shock when Kitty and Matt figure out who the true murderer is and the reasons for all the attempts and murders.

Mrs. Craven and Kitty's grandmother are once again more invested in the wedding and how Kitty should live her life after the wedding than Kitty is. We get a glimpse into the future Mrs. Bryant when Matt gives Kitty her wedding gift.

And no Miss Underhay adventure would be complete without another visit from Esther Hammett. Perhaps this will be the book where she is finally captured and out of Kitty's life for good. Many threads from previous books appear to be wrapped up in this one leaving way for new adventures for our favourite couple.