Ever since finding this author's books in early 2023, I've been reading her backlist. Finally, this week, I was able to read Colleen Cambridge's upcoming release in the Phyllida Bright series, Murder by Invitation Only. Phyllida is Agatha Christie's head housekeeper, and she has a penchant for solving crimes which eventually become the focal point in the fictional stories Christie publishes. Don't worry if you are familiar with the actual Christie plots as these are similar but also quite different. In this installment, an invitation arrives for Agatha that asks her to come to a murder that will happen at 7pm that evening. Agatha is traveling, so Phyllida goes in her place. And it's a game where guests get to solve a fake murder. Only this time, the supposed victim really dies. Whodunit?

Phyllida must also help the housekeeper of the estate where the man dies as the woman has little understanding of what it takes to run such a large place. The chauffer helps Phyllida along the way, building a charming sexual tension (it is the early 20th century and this is a pseudo-cozy) for readers to latch on to. It's a classic locked room mystery because the play was sectioned off in a room where there was only one entrance and only 5 or 6 people had access while the guests were arriving. Phyllida learns all their secrets (sometimes a little too easily) but makes it a fun experience for readers. I think this one was quite good, but I'm still partial to the debut story as the best yet. Can't wait for a fourth one next year.

One of my fave Agatha Christie stories has always been A Murder is Announced, and cozy author Colleen Cambridge pays homage to this celebrated work in her most recent Phyllida Bright Mystery - Murder by Invitation Only. Newcomers to the area invite Agatha and Max to their home for a murder game, but since they're in London, Agatha asks Phyllida to go in her stead. When the events become all too real, Phyllida must discover who wanted to take the fun out of the game and why! Very enjoyable! A+++

Another engaging entry in the Phyllida Bright series. Phyllida is an amateur sleuth and the housekeeper to Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan. While Agatha and Max are in London, an invitation arrives at Mallowan Hall—an invitation to a murder to take place at the home of some new neighbors, the Wokesleys. Everyone on the staff is curious of course, and once Agatha is told about it, she insists Phyllida attend in her place. What is meant to be a theatrical evening, with the guests following the clues, comes to an abrupt end when it turns out Mr. Wokesley actually has been murdered.

Since the police inspector is detained, Phyllida takes on the investigation herself and soon discovers everyone in Mr. Wokesley’s orbit had plenty of motive for murder. In taking control of the investigation as well as directing operations both at the Wokesley’s residence and Mallowan Hall, Phyllida proves she is a force to be reckoned with, not unlike her favorite sleuth, Poirot. A very enjoyable read!

Murder by Invitation Only was such a great mystery. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Phyllida Bright is a great character, as well as a great detective. The mystery was very cleverly plotted and executed. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to see what Phyllida gets into next.

I was super excited to get the opportunity to read this ARC of Phyllida Bright's newest sleuthing adventure. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon the Phyllida Bright series but I've certainly come to be very excited to find out the next release. Being an Agatha Christie fan I think it's such a fun take on seeing things from her Housekeeper/Friend point of view and I love how Phyllida is always conjuring up her inner Hercule Poirot but yet, keeping Mallowan Hall running precisely. The love/hate relationship Mrs. Bright has with Bradford the chauffeur is great fun to watch unfold and you throw in Myrtle the dog and it's even better. I did like that we finally saw a compassionate side to Phyllida Bright in this one when the storm sends her to check on Bradford. The comical bits regarding the new electric vacuum were great fun. I hope we see more books in this series and learn more about her relationship with Agatha Christie and how they became friends. If you enjoy historical cozy mysteries or are an Agatha Christie fan then I highly encourage you to read this series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensignton Publishing and Colleen Cambridge for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!

This was my first read in this series and from this author. I love Agatha Christie, so I was immediately drawn to the story line. I found the story pretty entertaining, and I liked that the villain was not obvious. I thought Phyllida was a bit of an annoying character. She is very full of herself, and it's not endearing like it is with a character like Poirot. She was bossy and condescending. I don't understand why the author chose to write her this way? I would consider reading other books in the series, but this one was a solid "okay" from me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the book to review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington for this ARC. Loved the first 2 books, really kept me guessing but this one, i'd worked out who the killer was within a few pages of the murder begin discovered. Hoping this is just a blip and the author is back on form for book 4.

Murder by Invitation Only is the third book in Phyllida Bright series. While I have not read the previous books, that did not hinder my enjoyment of this one. In fact, I definitely plan to go back and get caught up with the backstory.
Mrs. Bright is a compelling new character for fans of cozy mysteries with an historical bent. She is smart and commanding, comforting in her abilities to put things to right. She works for Agatha Christie and there are several references to Mrs. Christie's books and plays.
I enjoyed the storytelling but figured out the mystery fairly early on. That didn't diminish my enjoyment and I do plan to recommend this book to others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC of Murder by Invitation Only.

4.5 Stars
This novel is the 3rd installment of the Phyllida Bright Mystery series set in 1930s England (she's Agatha Christie's housekeeper and friend). Although it can be read as a stand-alone, I'd strongly suggest reading the entire series in order to achieve the best reading experience. The MC's personality is like the female version of the butler from Downton Abbey. There's plenty of endearing supporting characters that have returned as well as potential love interests (team chauffeur all the way). The story includes plenty of Christie references and style for fans too. This author is one of my newly discovered favorites for 2023 and I look forward to her future works!! If you enjoy cozy historical murder mysteries, give this one a chance.

Net Galley Feedback

I did not know this what apart of a series. I loved the cover of this book so I was glad I got approved to read it. This book was a lot of fun and it keep me guessing the whole time. I love trying to figure this out so I couldn’t put this book down. I just needed to know who did it! It was a great read. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley, Colleen and Kensington Books for the ARC!

"Murder by Invitation Only" is a mystery set in 1930 in England. This is the 3rd book in the series. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one. Phyllida has many of the characteristics of Poirot, including a love of order and logic. She's also proud and arrogant, and the killer used this against her. I felt like this was fitting as I don't particularly like her, but she was more tolerable this time. I read these books because I enjoy complex historical mysteries that focus on the investigation.

Because the detective was unable to be present for the investigation and the local constable was willing to follow Phyllida's lead in the investigation, she freely searched the rooms and questioned everyone. She was eventually able to puzzle out whodunit. I guessed whodunit before the actual murder was even discovered and soon had a good idea of the motive. Phyllida claimed she also suspected that person but seemed unable to put the relevant clues together until the final clue, which worried her. Oddly, instead of being annoyed that she apparently missed the obvious, I wondered if she'd be a tad more humble in the future.

Historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. There was some bad language (most of it was British bad language). There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting mystery.

This book seems to be part of a series. The main character, Phyllida Bright, is working as the housekeeper at Agatha Christie's estate. Agatha and her husband are often away, so it's up to Phyllida to keep things running smoothly. Many times the story mentions how Phyllida has a mysterious past, as well as how she's been involved in investigating and solving previous murder cases in the village of Listleigh. When an invitation arrives while Agatha is away, Phyllida opens it. It turns out to be an invitation to a murder that is going to happen at an appointed time at a neighboring estate. Phyllida calls Agatha and tells her about it, and even though they are sure the invitation was meant for the famous mystery author, Phyllida agrees to go and then tell Agatha all about what happens, When Phyllida arrives, she finds out that several other guests have been invited also. She meets a "cast of characters" and then when the host turns up "dead," the guests eagerly set about questioning the suspects to try to figure out who the "killer" is. But as everyone is getting into the spirit of the game, they discover that the "victim" is actually dead. Phyllida, as someone with experience, sets out to discover the real murderer before her nemesis, Inspector Cork, can arrive and ban her investigations! At the same time, she has to contend with the impending arrival of that newfangled gadget, the vacuum cleaner. There are several amusing incidents where the various staff members are engaged in relationship dramas, as well as an overly excited (yet sympathetic dog) and two haughty cats who get in on the action.

I did enjoy Phyllida's adventures, but I haven't read any of the previous books she featured in, so I was a bit lost as to what her backstory might be. I kept thinking there would be a quick "recap" but no such luck. I also wasn't familiar with all of Agatha Christie's work, but there are references to many of her stories and how she worked various plot points into her stories.

Colleen Cambridge is probably my biggest discovery among new authors this year. With this book, I've now read all three of the books in her Phyllida Bright series, along with the first American in Paris series book. I've absolutely adored all of them, among my favorite mysteries of the year. Each one seems better than what came before.

In this one, Mrs. Bright, Agatha Christie's head housekeeper, accepts an invitation to a murder drama at a new neighbor's home and, of course, becomes embroiled in solving a real murder.

I love the characters, especially Mrs. Bright, as well as the chauffeur, Bradford, and his dog. Great characters, great plot (especially as to how Mrs Bright talks about the case with Agatha and gives her plot ideas).

It's a fun historical series. I hope there are many, many more to come (and, at the end of this one, there's a big clue at what might be next).

Highly recommended to fans of cozies and/or historical mysteries!!

This entry to the Phyladia Bright series is definitely an enjoyable ride. We learn more about Mrs. Bright herself, along with many of the supporting characters we were introduced to in previous books. I'm still on team Branson. But Dr. Bhatt has been around more and more. When Mrs. Christie is "invited" to a murder, she sends Mrs. Bright in her stead. Even though it was set up as a murder mystery party, an actual murder happens, and she inserts herself back into the investigation. The mystery itself was a twisty, and sometimes confusing, but the ending satisfies.

I was delighted to be able to read an advance copy of this book, the latest in the series featuring Agatha Christie's housekeeper, Phyllida Bright. I have read and enjoyed the previous books in the series, and this one didn't disappoint. I love the character of Phyllida, from her professional perfectionism to her love/hate relationship with the chauffeur and his dog. I appreciate the humor the dog provides. I like that Agatha Christie is only a minor character, and that the murders Phyllida solves become the inspiration for Christie's books. Although I guessed who the murderer was fairly early on, I still enjoyed seeing how events evolved. This is a series that I think will have longevity, and I look forward to reading more. I highly recommend this book and the series.

I have read all the books in the series and while they can be read as a stand alone to get the best of the character's I would recommend reading them in order. Phyllida Bright is a great character and the little touches of Agatha Christie as a real person are interesting and add to the story. The mysteries are clever and compelling with lots of twists turns and red herrings although I did spot this one from very early on.. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Deliciously Diabolical Once Again..
A deliciously diabolical plot in the third in this joyous series featuring the eminently capable Phyllida Bright, sometime amateur sleuth and the housekeeper at Mallowan Hall home to, none other than the Queen of Mystery herself, Agatha Christie and her household. This time a murder is announced and an invitation appears at the Mallowan household to attend. Surely this is some sort of dramatic interlude, a game perhaps? In any event, Phyllida is to attend in the absence of Agatha and, needless to say, the murder is all too real. Slipping easily into Phyllida’s atmospheric world once again, the reader delves into a well crafted whodunit and a wholly entertaining plot populated with a well drawn, colourful and eccentric cast of supporting characters and told with both elegance and wit. So enjoyable that the reader will not want to leave and will eagerly be awaiting the next in the series. Christie fans will be sure to be utterly charmed

Colleen Cambridge cannot write these books fast enough for me. Phyllida Bright is a terrific character and the little touches of Agatha Christie as a real person are great. The mysteries are clever and Phyllida is the perfect "detective." A note arrives at Mallowan Hall announcing a murder and invited people to attend. Phyllida attends because Agatha and Max are away. When a murder occurs, Phyllida is on the case and not surprising, the mystery sort of turns into one of Agatha's novels.

This was a fun murder mystery book. It kinda reminded me of c lue. It was fun how the people were figuring out who killed someone and why it keeps you guessing. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-research, history-and-culture, country-house, closed-circle-mystery, famous-author, class-consciousness, local-law-enforcement, 1930s, England, murder-investigation, murder, domestic-staff, relationships, cozy-mystery, situational-humor, sly-humor*****

I was delighted to find this next installment in the fun series.
Phyllida Bright is the fictional housekeeper of Agatha Christie and he husband. Those worthies are away in London, but the new neighbors have invited them to a murder at their estate. Agatha asks Phyllida to attend in their stead where what was to be an amateur theatrical ends in a very real fatal stabbing of the host. Let the sleuthing begin! The characters certainly are, the suspects almost seem to multiply, there are plot twists and red herrings galore! Great fun figuring out the culprit!
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!