Marius Quin is a mystery writer who is down on his luck; he has a bad case of writers block and is way past due on delivering his latest book. Quin happens to run into his childhood friend (and one true love) Lady Isabella who invites him to a holiday party in hopes of helping to get his creative juices flowing. At the party someone is killed and the story unfolds with Quin and Lady Isabella trying to uncover the killer.

I'd like to preface this review by saying that I pick my books based on the title and cover and I rarely read the synopsis of a story. That being said, this one just was not my kind of read. I do love a cozy mystery but this one was very reminiscent of Agatha Christie, though much less creepy. The story itself wasn't bad, it's exactly what you would expect from a dinner murder mystery. It's definitely something to pick up if you enjoy books set in the 1920's and love cozy mysteries. #MurderatEverhamHall #NetGalley

★★★★★

With Murder at Everham Hall, Benedict Brown launches the Marius Quin Mystery series in spectacular fashion. This delightful historical whodunit set in 1927 England sweeps you into the world of Marius Quin, a mystery author turned amateur sleuth. When murder strikes at a New Year's Eve party, Marius teams up with his childhood friend Lady Isabella to uncover the killer in their midst.

Brown's eye for period detail makes 1927 England come alive. The setting of Everham Hall, an aristocratic country manor, is vividly drawn and full of secrets. Marius and Isabella make an endearing detective duo, using charm and wit to peel back the layers of deception. The mystery itself is expertly crafted, with plenty of twists and misdirection to keep you guessing.

Where Murder at Everham Hall truly shines is in its fizzy tone and lively characters. Marius is immensely appealing as a protagonist, and his banter with Isabella crackles with humor and chemistry. The supporting cast offers up an array of eccentric suspects, all with motives to silence the victim. Brown balances the intrigue with a light touch, letting the joy of the era and friendships shine through.

I adored both the mystery and the immersion into 1927 England. Benedict Brown's writing dazzles with its quick wit, clear suspense, and depth of historical detail. Murder at Everham Hall is a hugely entertaining launch to the Marius Quin series that has me eagerly anticipating the next case. A stellar five stars!

December 1927 & mystery-writer Marius Quin has one previous bestseller, endless looming mortgage payments, and no idea how to write his next book. When his childhood friend Lady Isabella Montague invites him to an intimate New Year’s Eve party hosted by a narcissistic actor, Marius seizes upon the distraction. With his perpetually glum Basset hound along for the ride, he navigates the snowy lanes to the opulent estate of Everham Hall. As the celebrations begin, fireworks light up the sky, champagne corks pop, and then the host is murdered. Snowed-in and with the police unable to reach them, Marius is the closest thing the panicked party has to a detective and he is swiftly nominated to find the killer. But when two more guests are attacked.
The first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery, which had strong characters, twists & turns, red herrings & more than a sprinkling of humour. As well as reading the book I also listened to the audiobook & that was just as good. The narrator did a wonderful job of bringing the book to life. I really liked Marius & look forward to more in the series
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Absolutely delightful cozy, historical mystery. Set in an 1927 England, the protagonist, Marius Quinn, is invited by his childhood friend Lady Bella to attend a New Years Eve weekend at the manor home of a famed film star. Resulting in a closed door mystery when the host is found shot as a blizzard blocks access into and out of the grounds, the other guests turn to Marius, an author of a best selling mystery novel, to solve the crime as best he can, until the police arrive. With Bella at his side, he endeavors to do just that.

Well read by the audiobook narrator, the mystery almost trips into a British farce, but never quite pushes that too far.

This was a fun read and I am looking forward to when Mauris and Lady Bella begin their crime-fighting careers together! I also can't wait until Lady Bella jettisons Gilly, what an insufferable bore. This was my 1st read by Benedict Brown but I am now adding all of his books to my TBR!

#MurderatEverhamHall
#NetGalley

Marius Quin is a bestselling author. He is now working on "Glimpse of a Blood Moon." Well, he's trying to work on it. The first chapter has been written but he's now struggling with a massive case of writer's block. His publisher won't advance him any more money (he has to be guaranteed of a product, after all) but has invited Marius to a Boxing Day party.
Outside the office, Marius slips and falls. It is then that his childhood sweetheart, Lady Isabella "Bella" Montague shows up. He falls again - instantly back into love. It's been ten years since they've seen each other. In that time, Marius's father has gone missing, the war happened, and he has slipped into some financial distress.
With some surprise, he accepts an invitation from her to a party at Everham Hall, where a friend of hers, Cecil Sinclair, a famous actor, is throwing a party on New Year's Eve. He goes and takes his basset hound, Percy, with him.

Marius realizes almost instantly that this party will be as awkward as all heck. It seems that this Cecil is a diva of the first order becoming childish and petulant when drunk. His paramour, Poppy, is someone that no one likes. There is a film director, Anton, and his wife, an actress called Alma. There is also Bella's beau, Gilbert, whom Marius instantly dislikes. Cecil's father, Ross, and Edith, who Marius pegs as Ross's innamorata.
Marius pulls Bella aside to ask why she invited him to this house. He had hoped to reignite their romance; she says that she wanted to help reignite his imagination. She is more successful than he is at the end.
Of course, there is a murder and, since the police can't get there, Marius is elected to solve teh crime. As a mystery writer, he is (according to the other characters), the most likely to be able to solve the crime.
I haven't made it to that book yet but it appears that Marius has crossed paths with Lord Edgington, another of Brown's mystery series. If you like that series, I believe that this one will be enjoyable as well.

Four stars
This book comes out November 3, 2023
ARC kindly provided by Storm Publishing
Opinions are my own

A wonderful cozy, “closed room” mystery and, hopefully, the start of a new series. Set in December 1927 Britain, Marius fought in WW1 but traveled through Europe in the post war years. Now back home, he’s written and fairly successful mystery book but he’s got serious writer’s block in writing his second book and his publisher is not happy. Marius isn’t happy either. It’s Christmastime, he’s seriously short of money and he can’t pay the mortgage on the fancy house bought with the earnings of his first book. Further complicating things, his Mother, Aunt and Uncle live with him and rely on Marius. He’s also haunted by his childhood friend and eventual sweetheart. Lady Bella. He wanted to propose to her before he left for the war but he was only 18 years old and was afraid to leave Bella a widow if he didn’t survive. His failure to propose left a 10 year break and he hasn’t seen Bella since. That is until she finds him lying on the street and suggests that he attend a New Year’s Eve party at the country estate of her friend and silent screen idol. Marius is thrilled to be asked by the woman who he’s never stopped loving but when he arrives at the estate, Everham Hall, he finds a small but odd collection of fellow guests, including a banker who Bella claims to love. Upset by this, Marius intends to leave the party but what’s are fired and the silent screen idol is found dead. Snowed in by a raging storm, Marius is deemed the best hope to identify the killer based on his success as a mystery writer. Marius asks Bella to partner with him to figure out the murder at Everham Hall.

I really enjoyed this audio and thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

A great cozy mystery filled with secrets and clues which I didnt pick up on as I didnt manage to work out who it was in the end. Our main narrator was fab, a struggling writer worrying about what to write for their next book, invited to a new years eve party by a friend to take his mind off his worries, it was so well written and the audio narrator was fantastic.

4 stars

I’m afraid I didn’t like anything about this book (and I did listen to the end). It was mildly entertaining, but I had a strong dislike for the main characters and honestly the whole thing was kind of silly (really more stupid than silly). Even the character of the Scotland Yard detective who came in towards the end was as far from a realistic portrayal as could possibly be. I found the reader exacerbated this with the voice he chose for the narrator which came off as snobby and arrogant, even as he tried to be self-deprecating when it came to his talents.

As I really did not like the book, I won’t be publishing a review outside of netgalley. Sorry!

Wow this book was absolutely amazing. I loved every second of this book. I did not see the ending coming and had no idea who the murderer was until it was finally revealed. I had guesses the whole time but was totally wrong. This book was so good. It wasn't a graphic or gross murder mystery book which I like. This was a great mystery with still being clean. I highly recommend this book and I know I will be looking for the next book in the series.

I've read this author before, and I have to say, that I really loved this new book with a new protagonist! Marius Quin is a mystery writer, and I loved him from the very first chapter. He is very funny and realistic, and his former beau and now fellow crime solver is equally endearing. The author has set up their relationship so that the reader can see where things might go in subsequent novels. Without giving anything away, I thought the solution was also very clever. The occasional nods to characters from previous mysteries was great for those of us who have read them, but this is clearly the start of a new series and I really look forward to reading more! The narrator was fantastic!

I highly recommend this to lovers of British cozy mysteries!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this audio ARC!

I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are lively, the setting is gorgeous, and the mystery is a fun romp with two old friends. I enjoyed going along for the ride as our intrepid detective and his friend solved a crime together, and in the opposite way he was used to doing it.
I did find the relationship with the police officer toward the end a bit unrealistic, but that can be forgiven.
Overall, this was full of witty dialogue, told a heartfelt story, and was self-deprecating in the best possible way. I loved it.
I listened to the audiobook and looked over the ebook as well. The narrator was great, and I love the layout of the ebook.

‘Murder at Everham Hall’ is a cute, cozy read!

Premise - a murder mystery author with writer’s block joins an old friend’s holiday party at a country estate, but when the host turns up dead he has to try out his skills in real life!

I’m usually not a historical fiction person, but this story had a lovely voice and all the cozy vibes! I definitely plan to continue reading the series.

Thanks, NetGalley and Storm, for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.