This final book in the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series feels a bit rushed. While I love the characters and their natural dialogue, the story feels a bit disjointed with too many subplots ending too neatly.

I understand why the author had to wrap things up quickly, but it felt a little forced. Despite that, it's a fun mystery with a satisfying conclusion.

This is the final instalment in the *Henrietta and Inspector Howard* series. I understand the series was meant to go on for longer when the author decided to wrap it up early and I think this accounts for my main issues with this story. It's a bit disconnected: the main plot is continuously interrupted by other three subplots and everything wraps up a little too neatly for me.

But I see why it was necessary. Important events were happening in those other subplots that also needed wrapping up, and the author had to make do with the space she had. Also, she wanted to end those subplots in a positive way.

It made for a lot of bad things turning out surprisingly well very quickly and a lot of happy endings clustered together. But as I said, I see why this needed to be.

Characters are always Michelle Cox's strong suit. I especially loved the dialogue; they sound so natural and real, which also filters into the everyday life situation, which also feels very real and believable.

The historical setting is spot-on, both in terms of time and space. 1930s England feels a lot different to 1930s Utha.

The mystery is fun, and I was very intrigued (Hey, after all, it's me!) by the story of the ghost. I really, really enjoy the episode where the ghost has a central part - though I'm not totally sure how I should take it.

I'm not totally convinced with the Porot-like ending, but it was, after all, a nice way to conclude the series.

It was very enjoyable, like the entire series. Give it a go!

Who doesn't love old mansions and hauntings? I do. This detective mystery book is equal parts intriguing and captivating. I do have to admit that the number of characters got me confused at times and made it a bit difficult to follow the story but I'm glad I pressed on. Although this is part of a series, it can be easily read as a stand-alone. I'm looking forward to seeing Lord Linley and his wife Henrietta solve more mysteries.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Michelle Cox

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

I recently read “A Haunting at Linley” by Michelle Cox, and I must say it’s a captivating mystery/romance novel. Set in the 1930s, the story follows Clive and Henrietta as they return to their family’s castle, only to find it in financial ruin. Things take a dark turn when an estate agent is found poisoned, and a thrilling investigation ensues, with supernatural elements adding to the intrigue.

One thing that stood out to me was how well the author balanced the mystery and romance aspects. The historical setting was also vividly described, making it easy to imagine the atmosphere of the castle and its surroundings.

Personally, I found the supernatural elements to be especially chilling and well-executed. They added an extra layer of tension to the story without overpowering the central mystery.

I highly recommend “A Haunting at Linley” to anyone looking for a compelling read that blends mystery, romance, and supernatural elements. It’s a well-crafted story that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Part of a series but can be read as a standalone title. A who done it with a bit of romance mixed in. Multiple storylines but the author does a decent job of connecting it all together.

I have enjoyed this series, sad to see it end. But everything is tied up nicely. Great characters and we will be seeing some of them in other books. Great story. Definitely recommend it.

I have enjoyed this series, and felt this book was a great ending for Clive and Henrietta. Set in an estate in England in 1936, Henrietta and Clive find themselves at a manor home owned by Lady Linley. Some ghost like stories seem to have invaded the home, while real life murder occurs when the manor is being put up for sale. Alternating chapters also tell the story of Elsie, one of Henrietta’s sisters, and Julia, Clive’s sister, interesting characters in their own right. Add in Melody, who the author had said will feature in her own series, and the characters are both varied and engrossing. Henrietta really becomes a strong female lead as she goes on to solve the murders. Recommended. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I always love how well Clive and Henrietta work together in these stories. I love that Henrietta is a force of nature and she can get almost anyone to talk to her. I love that there are really four stories going on in this book. I enjoyed finding out how Elsie and Gunther faired and how Melody kept up her ruse as a nun. It was also nice knowing how Julia is getting by. I could not put the book down. I hope there will be more books with these characters. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I always enjoyed the stories in this series and this one was no exception. It kept me reading and guessing.
Good character development, vivid background.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I enjoyed getting to revisit the characters in this award winning #HenriettaandInspectorHowardseries.
This is a great series to read in order, but this one can be read as a stand alone.

While sadly, this is the last of this series, it seems we may see Henrietta & Clive again in maybe a spin-off and novellas!

#MichelleCox is a master at writing historical mysteries.

Thank you so much, Michelle Cox, She Writes Press & Netgalley for my #gifted copy. All opinions are my own!

Clive and Henrietta return to their cousins estate to find it in financial ruin. The only way out would be to sell it, but this seems to beyond the understanding of Wallace’s mother who cannot understand that her late husband due to financial mismanagement has brought about this situation.

When an agent is found murdered, and the beginning of ghosts haunting not just the old matriarch but even leaving Henrietta uneasy, it is time to get to grips with the so called apparitions and to the present inhabitants of the castle, who have vague timelines of how long they are going to be there and even their credentials are in doubt.

There is another developing story of Elsie and Gunther in Omaha, a run away marriage, Melody masquerading as a nun to give Elsie enough cover and the reappearance of grandfather Oldrich, manipulative and harsh. I hope the inclusion of these characters will mean there is a continuation of stories from Henrietta’s side of the family.

A well told cozy, English country characters well detailed.

I initially started reading the Henrietta/Clive books because the author is from my town- these are not the types of books that I normally pick up. I read one.... then the next... then the next... and here we are, on book number 7. It goes to show that it's not a bad idea to step out of your comfort zone at times. The plot of this mystery was one of my less favorites of the series, but I enjoyed spending time with the characters.

3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel!

A Haunting at Linley
Written By Michelle Cox
Published By She Writes Press
Release Date October 24, 2023


“Mixing Romance and Mystery in a Fizzy 1930s Cocktail!”

I have to say that I had no idea that this was part of a series and felt as though this definitely can be read as a stand-alone novel.

A real estate agent has been called to assess the value of Castle Linley as it is in financial ruins just as Clive and Henrietta return to the mansion due to the death of Montague Linley. His widow Lady Margaret is grieving but still in her right mind to want to stop the sale of the mansion. Her son Wallace is hoping to change his mother mind as he is flat broke. However, the agent that came to value the mansion was poisoned and is found dead. Everyone there now becomes a suspect. Secrets come out and it is at this point that the frail Lady Linley shares she believes the murderer is the ghost of a maid that hung herself there.

We then return to Gunther and Elsie who have made their life on a farm in Omaha. Due to their financial situation, Oldrich Exely has an offer that Elise finds difficult to ignore. Elsie wants to escape and Melody Merriweather has been pretending to be a nun as to not cause any suspicions. Yet Melody soon receives a letter herself that contains tragic news from home.

The author does a brilliant job of mixing several stories without missing a beat and intertwining them perfectly. Cox has a way of telling a story that keeps the reader engaged and entertained. The characters are developed well, believable and the build up of the story helps the reader get to know them. So reading the other books in the series is not needed but I am going to bet you may really want to. This is a fast paced and intense book that will keep you questioning even yourself as the killer because of the lack of predictability. Haunting, mysterious, and engrossing, this book is a great read for those who enjoy a great thriller.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

inheritance, poisons, dishonest-people, class-consciousness, murder, murder-investigation, relatives, historical-fiction, mystery, amateur-sleuth, 1930s*****

Henrietta and Clive have arrived at Linley Manor after the death of Montague Linley, where Lady Margaret is grieving, and Wallace is in financial trouble and wants/needs to sell Linley manor. His mother says no, the real estate agent gets murdered, poison, murder, fake charity and ghosts all come out of the woodwork. There are dramatic twists and alarming red herrings sidetracking their efforts to discovering who the killer is and why. Henrietta solves the mystery of an estate agent's murder and also investigates ghostly happenings at her husband's family home in England while Clive has his work cutout trying to get to the bottom of which family member is sabotaging cousin Wallace trying to do what he feels is best with potential buyers.
I missed a couple of books in the series and felt out of sync with the side stories. But I loved the characters and writing anyway.
I requested and received an EARC from She Writes Press via NetGalley. Thank you.

Henrietta solves the mystery of an estate agent's murder and also investigates ghostly happenings at her husband's family home in England. The author expertly keeps a few storylines in the air and ties them up at the end, making a satisfying conclusion to the series. A lot of recurring characters reappear, and Clive and Henrietta's relationship has slowly developed through the series, so it's best to read the series in order to understand who everyone is. Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC.

I did not realise that this book is part of a series. An enjoyable read and can be read as a stand alone. For me it was more like a cozy mystery and still a good read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I was completely drawn into the topic and could not stop reading it.