Loved this one, very addictive and compelling. A great read in one day book. Wish I could give it more stars as I enjoyed it so much. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The first book in the Marius Quin historical mystery series contains historical details that perfectly set the scene. Marius is a likeable, if flawed, character who flamboyantly spent his advances and royalties, and now he has writer's block and is afraid he may lose everything. His love for his family and first love endear him to the reader.
The unlikely amateur sleuths immerse the reader into the classic-style murder mystery and make it entertaining. I like characterisation, the historical setting, and sensory imagery, allowing readers to easily imagine the characters, events, and settings.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A fun country manor murder mystery that definitely pays homage to the great Agatha Christie. It takes place in the 1920s, though outside of a few issues (no cell phones, etc), this could easily be a modern-day setting. New Year's Eve finds an eclectic group gathering for a party at Everham Hall. The owner is promptly murdered and the rest of the party are stranded due to heavy snow.

Marius Quinn - a mystery writer with writer's block decides to tackle the mystery right in front of him. The plot has potential, but there were too many moments that made the story drag.

There are a number of times, when Marius' character bemoans the fact that if it were happening in a book, the author would never write it such a way which only serves to highlight the plot holes and wordy, over-the-top dialogue at times.
"This was hardly the most original metaphor, but not every writer can be as quick off the cuff as Oscar Wilde. I hope I would have done better if I'd written this speech..." is one such passage.

Overall, I found it a bit disappointing. I'll probably read the next in the series (the author has definitely set it up for future novels) before making a final decision.

Firstbtime reading this author. The mystery kept me guessing. I just not sure how I feel about the MC.

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

I am always looking for a nice cozy mystery novel and Murder at Everham Hall was a nice discovery. It’s an entertaining and gripping story with a charming and witty protagonist.

Marius Quin’s first novel has been a huge success, but now it seems to be suffering from writer’s block, so when his former love, Lady Isabella Montague, invites him to spend New Year’s Eve at a party at a friend’s house, an actor mostly famous for his drug problems, he looks forward to the distraction. Accompanied by his basset hound, he arrives at Everham Hall, but the atmosphere is tense among the guests, especially after the host is found dead, shot three times. A snowstorm prevents anyone from arriving or leaving the house, which means that the killer is one of the guests. And with the police unable to reach the house, it falls on Marius to investigate the murder. Helped by Bella, the two need to figure out the truth before the killer hits again.

The story is set in 1927 and it’s a fantastic whodunit mystery full of twists, secrets to be revealed, and feelings to uncover. I loved the character of Marius. He is likable, intriguing, smart, with an interesting past story which I am hoping it will be more explored in the next books, as well as his relationship with Lady Isabella which makes for a gripping side story and adds some romance to the plot.

Well-written, suspenseful, and immersive, Murder at Everham Hall is my first novel by Benedict Brown, but it certainly won’t be my last. I have already got my hands on a couple of his other books (the Lord Edgington Investigates series), but I am really looking forward to the next book in the Marius Quin Mystery series… I can’t wait to see what he and Bella are up to next!

Book Review: A Captivating Cozy Mystery for the Festive Season

Rating: ★★★★☆

Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown is a delightful historical cozy mystery that will captivate readers from start to finish. With its suitably festive setting, well-paced plot, and engaging characters, it is a book that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

Set in December 1927, the story follows Marius Quin, a mystery writer grappling with writer's block and mounting financial pressures. When he receives an invitation to an intimate New Year's Eve party hosted by a self-absorbed actor and his childhood friend, Lady Isabella Montague, Marius jumps at the chance for distraction. Joined by his perpetually glum Basset hound, he makes his way through the snowy lanes to the opulent Everham Hall. Little does he know that the celebration will take an unexpected turn when the host is found murdered, leaving the partygoers snowed in and stranded.

Unable to rely on the police due to the isolation, Marius finds himself thrust into the role of detective as he is nominated by the panicked group to uncover the killer. With Bella by his side and a host of conniving suspects to choose from, Marius must navigate through a web of deception to solve the mystery before he becomes the next target.

One of the standout features of Murder at Everham Hall is Benedict Brown's excellent writing. The prose is engaging, witty, and filled with humor. Brown's ability to create a festive atmosphere adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. The snowy backdrop and the opulence of Everham Hall enhance the sense of mystery and intrigue, making it the perfect read for the holiday season.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, allowing the suspense to build gradually as Marius delves deeper into the investigation. The author skillfully weaves together clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the final reveal. The plot is cleverly crafted, ensuring that the mystery remains unpredictable yet plausible throughout.

The characters in Murder at Everham Hall are another highlight of the book. Marius Quin, with his wit and charm, is a relatable protagonist who carries the story with ease. His interactions with Lady Isabella Montague add depth to their friendship and provide a touch of romance to the narrative. The supporting cast of suspects is diverse and intriguing, each with their own motives and secrets that keep readers guessing until the very end.

In conclusion, Murder at Everham Hall is a highly enjoyable cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of the genre. Benedict Brown has crafted a compelling story filled with humor, wit, and suspense. With its festive setting and engaging characters, this book is a perfect choice for those looking for a captivating read during the holiday season. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in this promising series.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A good mystery novel set in the 1920's.
A new year's eve party a few guests in a country manor and a murder leads to an enjoyable romp with an amateur detective, all in all a really enjoyable read and memorable characters. I received this ARC from Storm publishing and Netgalley for a review.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC. I love the Lord Eddington series so was so pleased to see one of the characters from there go on to have his own book (and hopefully series). I love the lively wit, quirky characters, red herrings and cleverness. Really hoping for a second book and more.

A charming cozy mystery set in an English manor house on New Year's Eve. A promising start to a new series!

This is the first book in this series, but I wasn't a fan of the way the book was written, I liked the idea and was hoping for an "Agatha Christie" style, but it missed the mark a bit, sorry not for me

This is a very nice start to a new, cozy historical mystery series. Against the backdrop of 1920s, England Marious Quin is solving a murder at a New Years Eve house party. As an author of a best-selling mystery novel, the other guests naturally turn to him to investigate the crime. With his dear friend Bella as his partner, our intrepid amateur sleuth endeavors to do just that.

Murder at Everham Hsll is a delightfully intriguing snowed in murder mystery. I'm looking forward to what comes next for our protagonist, Marious Quin.

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

This was almost a farcical story about a murder solved by Murder Story author and his childhood sweetheart. It was constructed very cleverley with the real culprits in doubt right to the end. Great fun even though it involved a murder.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced reader copy of Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown in exchange for my review.

This murder mystery ticks all my boxes for a cosy winter read.
- Set in an old country manor in 1920s England
- The main character is bumbling yet charmingly endearing individual who finds himself investigating a murder at a New Years Eve event that he was invited to last minute by another guest who happens to be their old love interest from before the war
- An eclectic groups of potential murder suspects ranging from a movie star to a lady of the realm
- A jealous boyfriend who tries to solve the murder first to undermine the main character.
- A dog companion that is along for the ride who serves as a plot device and sounding board for the main character

Murder at Everham Hall is a good all round murder mystery. It is not so difficult that the reader doesn't have any hope of solving it. But it also contains enough twists that when you think you've figured it out you will be surprised to find you are wrong.

This is a very likable book with a Golden Age feel. If you are looking for all the cozy tropes, the Murder at Everham Hall is for you. Amateur sleuth; manor house during New Year's Eve; locked room mystery; 1920s England; no real violence; plenty of red herrings. The unwitting amateur detective was just bumbling enough. The suspects were quirky. The atmosphere was, dare I say, cozy. Marius Quinn has one best-selling mystery book to his name, but he has been struck with horrible writer's block and has spent all his advance, so no money. When Lady Isabella, his long-lost love, invites him to a New Year's gathering at the estate of a famous star of silent films, he jumps at the chance. When he arrives, he discovers an obnoxious host and trashy lover, the host's angry father with his very young girlfriend, a famous director and his actress wife, a young banker, and (horrors!) Isabella's boyfriend, who happens to be the host's banker. When a murder takes place and the police can't reach the estate because of snow, the guests all determine that Marius should investigate with Lady Isabella as his assistant. Great start for a new series.

I know Benedict Brown has written loads of books, but I don't think I have read any before. This caught my eye as the first in a new series, set in the 1920s, featuring a mystery writer with writer's block. Fair enough. My cup of tea.

Invited to a New Year's party in the country by his long-lost love Bella, Marius Quin is happy to accept, hoping for a potential re-kindling of his romance. What he gets is a snowed-in murder mystery. And as a mystery writer the other guests vote him to be the one to play detective until the real police can struggle through the snow.

It's fun, with lots of suspects, clues and several twists and red herrings. Fans of the period will love this, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

This is a fun start to a cozy mystery series set in late 1920's England. Mystery writer Marius Quin has had one successful novel ("A Killer in the Wings") and is now struggling with his second book. Oh, he's got the first chapter written - without the vaguest idea of what happens next - and his editor has taken to bribing him to turn in additional chapters. A chance encounter with his childhood friend Bella (Lady Isabella Montague) and a New Year's invitation to movie star Cecil Sinclair's estate is a welcome diversion from worrying about paying his mortgage.

And when Cecil Sinclair face-plants shortly after the guests arrive, and is later found murdered, everyone at Everham Hall is a suspect, plus a sudden snowstorm makes the roads impassable with no police officers on site. Marius starts to investigate, but soon realizes "none of the evidence that typically appears in mystery novels was there at the scene of the crime." And writers have a bit of an advantage as "starting with the killer and working towards the murder is far easier than the other way around."

The author does an excellent job with all the secondary characters and the plot does not lag as one after another person is suspected and when the murder is finally solved .... wait, there's more to uncover. Having a mystery writer trying to solve an actual murder add a extra layer of humor, and Brown really runs with that. For example, at one crucial moment in the story, Marius says:

"Oh my goodness [....] I know how to finish my book!"
"Marius!" Bella did not look happy with me. "I think someone's about to be killed."
I tried to hide just how happy I was. "Yes, well ... that too."

It took me a while to really get into the story, and once everyone is gathered at Everham Hall, the book really takes off. And as the first in a series, we are left with lots of strings to pull at. What is going to happen with Bella and her muscle-bound boyfriend Gilbert? Will Marius finally finish his second book? Will he learn more about his missing father? I look forward to the next book in this new series. 4.5 stars.

Marius Quin has one best seller under his belt. Now desperate because his writing skills seemed to have disappeared and on the brink of financial ruin, the offer of a New Year break by his former sweetheart seems the answer to his prayers.

Accompanied by his basset hound heads for Everham Hall where the wintry weather worsens and everyone is snowed in. When his host is found murdered and police unable to get through, Marius is chosen as a detective (obviously best seller of a mystery murder was the their choice) and he and Isabella get to it. With almost all the guests having good reason to get rid of their host beneath their affability, the task is not an easy one.

Set in the 1920s this has all the hallmarks of a classic cozy. Somewhat different to a modern mystery murder the pace is slower, though the reasons for murder are unchanged and method can be equally brut

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC of Murder at Everham Hall by Benedict Brown.
The book: Marius Quinn, a first time author of a murder mystery, is stuck on what to write for his next book. Running into an old friend sends him on a journey of trying to solve a real life murder, will this help inspire his next book? Will he discover who the murderer at Everham Hall is?
My view (SPOILERS): I enjoyed this book but I found that the book dragged on and then ended within a few pages. The confusion about the killer, with one person arrested and then discovering it was the wrong person, honestly made me roll my eyes. It felt like the author was trying to create more excitement in the book that just wasn't necessary. In all honesty, not much happened in this book until the final chapters and I struggled with Marius as a character.

A mystery novelist with writer’s block, a lavish party to ring in the new year, and a film star with three bullets through his head…
The first in a series from Benedict Brown, this is a great read. Think cozy mystery with a dash of Christie and you will have an idea what this is about. Very well written and with more than a dash of humour, I really liked Marius as a character. He and his trusty hound investigate the murder of their eccentric host at his country home. The weather precludes anyone getting to the house so it is left to Marius to solve the crime, his one credential being that he is a mystery writer! Fun all the way. Thank you for an advance copy of Murder at Evenham Hall it was a pleasure.

A quick read and a fun cozy.for the holiday season.
I'll def be checking out more from this new to me author

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book