Agatha Christie's housekeeper and long-time friend is back and at it again. When Phyllida takes Agatha's place at a game where a pretend murder is to take place she ends up with more than she bargained for. The murder turns out to be very real when then the victim ends up truly dead. Of course Phyllida begins her own investigation into the murder. This is a classic locked-room mystery where everyone is a suspect and no one can leave.
This series is really fun and entertaining to read. Phyllida is kind of uptight and rigid, she comes across as bossy and cold, and high & mighty, but you can not help but admire her no nonsense approach in dealing with things be it running a large household or solving a murder.
I give 5 stars and recommend to fans of Agatha Christie and mystery lovers in general. Thank you to Kensington Books and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

This is book three in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series, and it has quite possibly become my favorite historical cozy mystery series. The crime solving housekeeper to Agatha Christie is a wonderful character, and each mystery is intriguing. I love the slow burn developing romance with the surly chauffeur, and the rest of the household staff and characters are engaging as well.

Each time around, I find myself slipping effortlessly into the world of Phyllida Bright and being absorbed into the mystery. I feel like I'm almost part of solving the murder as clues are slowly revealed, and a killer is caught.

I highly recommend this book and this series as a whole. I'll just be over here eagerly awaiting the next installment.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

An invitation to a murder has been received at Mallowan Hall, the home of Agatha Christie and her husband Max. Agatha and Max are away from home, and they send their housekeeper and friend, Phyllida Bright to the nearby Beecham House to represent them at the party. The guests are delighted when the “murder” takes place and set about finding clues . . . until they discover it is actually a real murder. Phyllida Bright is on the case. Will she be able to discover the murderer?

I greatly enjoyed this cozy mystery. This is the third book in the “Phyllida Bright Mystery” series and the first one I have read. You can read it as a standalone novel. Phyllida Bright is the main character of the story and I loved her. She has a no-nonsense approach to life and solving mysteries which I enjoyed. With the inspector away, she helps the local constable with interviewing the people who were in the room with the murder victim and were a part of the act. She soon learns that they may all have had a reason to murder the victim, but who did it, and why?

Agatha Christie is only a minor character seen minimally in this novel. I enjoyed that she was there in the background and that the locked room mystery was a nod to some of Christie’s works. The small country town setting was wonderful, and I enjoyed getting to know the various characters.

This book was published on September 26, 2023.

Content warning: homicide by motor vehicle, suicide, gun violence, drug use

I am a huge fan of Cambridge's Phyllida Bright series and each book keeps getting better. Based on how this one ends, it looks like readers may be FINALLY learning more about Phyllida's past in book 4 (PLEASE COLLEEN?! We need answers!).

MURDER BY INVITATION ONLY takes on the dinner murder mystery game and well, makes it a murder. Of course Phyllida Bright is on hand and takes over to try and solve the case while also attempting to help the new housekeeper of Beecham House run a proper household. There are plenty of suspects and motives... and more than a fair share of red herrings. While I had a hunch who the murderer was from early on, I hadn't quite figured out the why until Phyllida did herself (using her wits and not just stumbling on a confession), and the climatic moments before the murderer is apprehended kept me on the edge of my seat. The motivations of the murderer made sense but also some of the fallout for them getting their vengeance was awfully cruel and hard to read.

The banter between Phyllida and Bradford is fun and I adore that Phyllida and Myrtle had a moment... perhaps it's due time for Mrs. Bright and Mr. Bradford to have a moment too? Honestly, not appreciating Myrtle is one of Phyllida's biggest faults in my opinion, how could you NOT adore that creature?

The next book in this series will take place in London and I can only imagine what sort of murder Phyllida will try and solve next... and if she'll find a more frustrating Inspector to butt heads with than Inspector Cork.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.

Such a great book! Phyllida Bright is Agatha Christie's housekeeper. She receives a letter at their country house announcing a murder will be commited at Beecham House. After talking with Agatha, both of them conclude it's possibly the wat of the neighbors to introduce themselves, because they are newcomers from London.
Phyllida attends the meeting instead of Agatha and realizes it's a murder mystery game. She thinks it's quite a scene because the ''dead'' body is in position and the actors are talking with everyone in a secretive way like if it were real. Because she is very good resolving these kinds of games, she decides to go back home. And then someone screams and everyone realizes the ''dead'' body is dead for real.
I would love to read more of your books. I will start with the previous 2 on this series and, hopefully, continue on the fourth one (because after that ending I need a fourth one)

If you are a reader who enjoys the antics of an amateur sleuth then INVITATION TO MURDER may very well be right up your alley. Set in the 1930’s, the author has created a delightful fictional housekeeper who is more friend than employee and works for none other than Agatha Christie.

Agatha has been invited to a staged murder mystery game at Beecham House as a guest but is unable to make it so she asks housekeeper Phillida Bright to represent her for the evening. As we all know anything associated with Agatha, even tangentially, results in a real murder to solve but this time it’s Phillida whose sleuthing abilities are put to the test.

Those aficionados of all things Agatha Christie will enjoy this homage to the lady.

I’m surprised by how much I continue to enjoy this series despite having a strong dislike for the protagonist.

There’s no getting around the fact that Phyllida is irritating and in my view kind of awful, so it’s a testament to setting and storytelling that these books continue to be wins for me in spite of that. I suppose it’s not unlike the way many of us feel about Christie’s own Miss Marple, who I find outright obnoxious while still enjoying the series in which she appears.

The mysteries in this series a fairly well plotted for the subgenre, and the books have a subtle sense of humor that helps the reader experience.

Cambridge is pretty good at pacing her stories more like a modern mystery thriller while paying homage to the golden age mysteries that Christie wrote. She has also kept the fictionalized Christie of this series mostly in the background, which I think was a wise move and has made for better reading.

When an invitation arrives at Mallowan Hall stating that a murder will occur that night, it's obvious that Phyllida Bright, the enigmatic housekeeper to Agatha Christie, will attend. This is such a great series, and this one is cleverly plotted and has both an engaging story and interesting nods to Agatha Christie and her work. Phyllida's background is very mysterious, and a couple of clues spark along the way throughout this story. Colleen Cambridge's historical cozies are becoming fast favorites.

I discovered the Phyllida Bright series quite by accident, looking for locked room mysteries ala Agatha Christie. In the case of this series, Phyllida is actually Christie’s head housekeeper who also has a penchant for solving mysteries that become a part of her employer’s fictional stories.

In this third installment of the series, Agatha is invited to a murder mystery party one evening, but she’s travelling, so Phyllida goes in her place. I’ve been to a party similar to this, and it was loads of fun trying to figure out the culprit. However, in this case, the party guest that was supposed to be the victim in play acting really does die, and it looks like foul play. Luckily, Phyllida is a natural at amateur detective and loves to show up the local constabulary.

The pacing of the story is good. I never felt bored, the narrative moved along nicely. There are many Eater eggs to Christie’s and the other authors’ works. There are hints of Phyllida’s mysterious history, and I for one am hoping this is explored in future volumes a bit more. One of the most satisfying things is that Phyllida actually figures out the murderer with her wits, instead of just stumbling upon the murderer in action.

Another thing I liked was this budding relationship with the chauffeur, Bradford. There’s a bit more depth to their burgeoning friendship in this novel, and the slow burn was a nice addition to the overall story. I also hope the author kicks this up a notch in future volumes without making it a historical romance as well as a mystery.

Murder by Invitation Only has all the points of a classic locked room cozy mystery and was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to seeing what’s in store for Phyllida Bright in the future. Highly recommend!

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the publisher. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Phyllida Bright is back at it again, but Murder Mystery Game style. A letter arrived at Mallowen Hall about coming to Beecham house to figure out a murder. It was supposed to be a play/game, or was it?

The twists to figure out which play character or household member committed the murder had me guessing. So many had motives and a previous scandal got involved too.

Beyond the mystery, some fun house things happened. I liked Ms. Bright getting to know the Beecham household staff. Apparently all butlers are a bit stiff. Of course a fun favorite was the brand spanking new household gadget, a vacuum!

This has been a fun series and all have been good classic mysteries! I wouldn't expect anything less with Agatha Christie as a character.

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

An ego filled play. An essentially "locked room". A murder no one [but one] saw coming [literally - he lays there for half the play!!]. And right in the middle of it all? Phyllida Bright of course! ;-)

With Mrs. Agatha being out of town and this invitation to a new neighbors soiree, Phyllida is sent in the author's place and lands herself in the middle of not only a topsy-turvy household [a WHOLE shelf of teapots is lost that night; can you even imagine the sound of them breaking all over the uncarpeted floor?] but a murder that has everyone looking at everyone else and is muddled from the very beginning. With the Inspector stuck on a road with a washed-out bridge and the constable W A Y out of his depth, it is literally up to Mrs. Bright to solve this one before someone else gets killed, including herself.

This was a great addition to these stories and I enjoyed every second of it. I had absolutely NO idea who the killer was until right before the reveal [and that folks, is how you do a reveal!], and I love how it wasn't rushed and everything plays out well and we are left with a very sad, twisted tale that will stay with you long after the book ends [vengeance is NEVER a good plan folks] and a bit of a twist for the next book that makes me wonder if we will finally get all of Mrs. Bright's story.

Overall, this was just fantastic and I will be waiting with baited breath for book 4!!

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

4.5 stars - Murder by Invitation Only is the third book in this series, but the first I've read. I had no problem getting to know Phyllida Bright who is the main character in the series. Phyllida is Agatha Christie's friend and housekeeper and has gotten a reputation as a capable sleuth. When the story begins, Agatha and her husband Max are in London while Phyllida and other staff members are at Agatha's country house in Devonshire. The household receives an invitation to a neighbor's home, stating that a murder will occur that night! Phyllida attends the gathering with Agatha's blessing. When a party game turns deadly, Phyllida is on the scene to take charge of the investigation!

I loved this book and after finishing it, immediately ordered the first two books in the series that I had missed. Phyllida is a bold, intelligent amateur detective and I loved the way she led the investigation. I enjoyed getting to know the side characters as well, especially Bradford, the chauffeur. There are several shoutouts to the books and life of Agatha Christie which as a fan of the author, I enjoyed very much. Phyllida discovers that several people had both the motive for wanting the victim dead and the opportunity to commit the murder. I was able to guess the identity of the killer from the clues provided, but not the motive. I hope this charming, entertaining series continues. It is set in a different era, but I think fans of the Mrs. Jeffries Victorian mysteries would also enjoy this series.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Kensington Books at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

This is such an enjoyable series. Phyllida, friend and employee of Agatha Christie, makes a great sleuth again!

Colleen Cambridge has a winning formula with this series and I am looking forward to next in series. I particularly like how Mrs Bright is portrayed in such a complete fashion. Supporting characters are also an asset. Wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks to #NetGalley and #MurderByInvitationOnly for advanced digital copy.

1930s. Villagers in the neighbourhood receive an invitation from the new residents of Beecham House, the Wokesleys, to witness a murder at 7.00pm that evening. The game involves five actors but when the 'corpse' is found to be really dead can Phyllida Bright, housekeeper to Agatha Christie, solve the murder before Inspector Cork arrives to mess up the investigation. Thankfully there can only be a limited number of suspects.
A well-written and entertaining historical mystery with its cast of likeable and diverse characters. Another good addition to this enjoyable series.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Phyllida Bright is the housekeeper at Mallowen Hall, home of Agatha Christie. She is so much more than a housekeeper though. She is Christie’s friend and a detective who possesses those same little gray cells displayed by Poirot. While Christie and her husband are away, an invitation to a murder game arrives. Christie insists that Phyllida attend in her place. Clifton and Beatrice Wokesley are hosting the evening where guests will be presented with a body and five suspects. Clifton wrote the script and planned to portray the victim, but did not plan to actually be killed. The murderer could only be one of the five people playing the suspects. With Inspector Cork away Constable Greensticks arrives to investigate. He has no experience with crime other than the minor incidents in the village and is happy to take a back seat to Phyllida’s inquiries. Could the answer be found in Clifton’s script? An earlier argument between Clifton and one of the suspects claimed that each of their motives was too close to real events. There was also a hint of a scandal in London that caused the Wokesleys to move to the village. While Agatha is away in London she offers her support by researching the tragedy and background on the Wokesleys. Time is of the essence because once Insoector Cork returns Phyllida will no longer have access to the suspects. As she deals with the Wokesleys inept housekeeper, a newfangled vacuum that strikes fear into her own staff and uncooperative suspects she must call on her own little gray cells to succeed. Phyllida Bright is a delightful character and Colleen Cambridge provides a mystery that will please Agatha Christie fans. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this book for my review.

Welcome to a dinner party mystery which includes Agatha Christie’s housekeeper and amateur sleuth, Phyllida Bright, as a stand-in for the famous author. The host and his wife have invited some friends to participate in a play which involves the host being murdered; the murder wasn’t supposed to be at the opening of the play. While the murderer could only be the players or the staff, Mrs. Bright takes charge of investigating the murder as well as helping the housekeeper with upkeep of the household and training of the staff. Written with just enough humor whether with the staff, Mrs. Bright’s staff plus the houseguests there’s plenty to action to finding the killer. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC; the review is my honest opinion.

This is the third book in the Phyllida Bright mystery series. Phyllida is the housekeeper for Agatha Christie and Max Malloween. This series takes place in 1930s England. It is a delightful imagining of what it could have been like in Agatha Christie’s manor house. It has a sprinkling of references to Agatha Christie's novels for the fans of her novels.

The book opens with an invitation to a “ murder evening” at Beechman House. A new couple has appeared in the village and this is why they are going to introduce themselves to the community. Phyllida decides to go in representation of her employers since they are in London. There she is a witness to a “locked room” murder.

This is my first book in the series. I loved the character of Phyllida Bright and the other downstairs staff. It is a great look at life behind the scenes in that time period. There are several adventures with a vacuum cleaner. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel until the last 85%. I feel that the resolution at the end was a bit long and drawn out. I give this novel a solid 4 stars. I definitely recommend it to people who are interested in historical cozies. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Murder By Invitation Only is the third in Colleen Cambridge's Phyllida Bright Mysteries. This has become one of my favorite historical series. I especially love the period cover art. Our sleuth is the housekeeper for Agatha Christie and her husband during the 1930s. She has a strong personality and is brave enough to persevere through adversity. Phyllida has been asked to attend a local house party in Dame Agatha's stead. As part of the fun and games, the host has planned a murder mystery complete with clues for the guests to discover that will reveal the culprit. An innovative idea that goes completely wrong when the host/victim is found dead. Phyllida takes the lead when the stormy weather traps all the guests inside due to a fallen tree. What ensues is an enjoyable mystery that is littered with red herrings and twisty turns.
The character development is slower paced, but this time the reader is treated to a slice of Bradford's past, the wily butler remains a thorn in Phyllida's side as he stirs the pot of simmering emotion between the maids.
I always enjoy spending time with Phyllida and the staff, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “Murder by Invitation Only.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Mallowan Hall, country home of Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan, is also the domain of Phyllida Bright, the Mallowans’ housekeeper and investigator par excellence. “Murder by Investigation Only” being the third book in the series, Mrs. Bright finds herself embroiled in yet another serious setting -- a murder mystery party at a nearby estate gone wrong, when the fake corpse turns out to be not so fake after all.

This investigation’s going to be all up to Mrs. Bright, as Agatha’s in London. Not that that’s a problem, of course. (Although the redoubtable writer is going to provide some tidy bits of research from her location in the city - handy, that.)

This one is going to be all about motive, and boy, does it turn out that the dead man had a lot of reasons for people to be unhappy with him. Who’s telling the truth? Who’s lying? Mrs. Bright’s doing most of the work to find out; as we know from the previous books, Constable Greensticks can’t be relayed upon, and luckily for us, the Detective Inspector has been detained.

There’s multiple narrators, and other stories, including excitement about a vacuum cleaner at Mallowan Hall, and Mrs. Bright needing to show the housekeeper at Beecham House “how it’s done.” Author Colleen Cambridge has a lot going on in this one, with a big finish that has Mrs. Bright confronting a murderer. And one mustn’t forget the ongoing banter with Mr. Bradford the chauffeur. We find out something important about him in the book, too.

“Murder by Investigation Only” is filled with characters, setting, and plotting that keep readers engaged. It just didn’t catch all of my attention this time. That might have something to do with the action taking place away from Mallowan Hall. That, and the continuing exploration of the relationship with Bradford. I expect they’re “expected” to be a couple eventually, and I’m not happy with that direction. I didn’t find “Murder by Invitation Only” to be quite the compelling overall story evident in the earlier books. Should mention that her employers come home, and all’s right in the world, including news of an extended trip to London. Lots of places for more trouble there, no doubt.

For fun, “Dr. Bhati’s Most Excellent Cold Remedy” is included as a postscript. Always handy for those pesky head colds received when involved in murder investigations.