Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of Anita Davison's novel 'Murder at Midwinter Manor'.

A perfect, cozy weekend read. This book ticks all the boxes for a low stakes murder mystery. A whodunnit murder set at Christmas in an old manor house where the guests can't leave because there's a blizzard - what's not to love.

This was a cosy mystery and great as a Christmas read.

I hadn't read any of the others in the series but it didn't matter. I was slightly disappointed how obvious the plot was - it was clear who the murderer and the thief was.

I also was a bit disappointed that everyone had a love interest after there had been a big build up about the spinster aunt and feisty lead who run a library.

Overall a nice enjoyable read.

Thank you for the arc.

Book Review: Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison

Rating: 4 Stars

So, I just finished Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison, and let me tell you, it was such a delightful cozy mystery that I couldn’t put it down! I ended up reading it in one sitting because it was just that good. Seriously, I would rate it a solid four stars!

Quick Summary

Set in 1916, the story follows Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet as they escape the chaos of war-torn London for a charming Christmas getaway at Hannah's sister's country estate. The picturesque Midwinter Manor is bursting with friends and family, all ready to celebrate the holiday season. But things take a dark turn when a fellow guest is found murdered in the library, and a precious ruby goes missing. With heavy snow trapping everyone inside and the local police seemingly at a loss, it's up to Hannah and Aunt Violet to solve the mystery before more "gifts" show up under the tree—or worse!

My Thoughts

First off, can we talk about how gorgeous the cover is? It’s just so inviting and perfectly captures that cozy vibe! I can totally envision this being turned into a movie (think CLUE); it would be such a hit! The setting of Midwinter Manor felt so immersive, making me feel like I was actually there in the 1916 countryside with the snow swirling outside.

Aunt Violet absolutely stole the show for me. Her witty remarks added so much humor to the mix. Plus, I loved how Hannah and Violet are portrayed as these modern women navigating a world that often doesn’t appreciate their independence. Hannah’s character development is really impressive; you can see her grow into her investigative role while still being true to herself.

The backdrop of World War I adds an extra layer of depth to the story, reminding us of the harsh realities faced by those on the frontlines. It really makes you think about how life was during that era. The characters are wonderfully fleshed out, each bringing their own quirks and tensions to this already complicated holiday gathering.

Overall, Murder at Midwinter Manor is a delightful blend of historical mystery and cozy charm that kept me engaged from start to finish. If you’re into cozy mysteries with a historical twist, this one's definitely worth checking out! I’m already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

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

1916, Hannah travels to her sister's home of Midwinter Manor with Aunt Violet to spend Christmas. But it isn't the relaxing family Christmas they were expecting as one guest dies and a priceless ruby goes missing...
Murder at Midwinter Manor is the 3rd book to feature bookshop owners Hannah and Violet as they act as amateur sleuths during WW1.
As well as the usual stresses caused by a family gathering, Hannah is anxious to save her sister's Christmas by finding the killer and the ruby. She is ably assisted as usual by her beau Darius, delightfully obtuse aunt Violet, and of course Bartleby the cat. The snowed in country house means that there is a limited number of suspects, motives and opportunities. Hannah needs to investigate to uncover links between the two crimes in order to solve them.
The family dynamic was enjoyable, however I was a little overwhelmed by the number of guests and their relationships, and felt that this could have been reduced slightly. The historical elements had been well researched and I liked the references to the war, suffragettes and fashion which all added an authenticity to the plot and characters. There is also commentary on social, class and gender norms of the era, adding depth to the narrative. I enjoyed the romantic threads for both Hannah and Violet, possibly because they are such fantastic characters that I want them to be happy!
Murder at Midwinter Manor is an enjoyable cosy historical murder mystery.

Hannah, Violet and Bartleby are off to spend the holidays at the magnificent manor of Hannah’s sister and her husband. All the extended family is there as they try to enjoy the third Christmas of the war. But things are not all merry and bright. It seems there are nefarious deeds going on in the background that lead to murder and the theft of a valuable heirloom. The detective who is sent to investigate jumps to quick conclusions that neither Hannah, her aunt nor their two beaux think did the deeds. The only way to prevent a miscarriage of justice is to figure out what happened themselves.

I had figured out the who and the why fairly early but it was interesting to see how the characters peeled back the layers to uncover the truth. The story makes the reader feel like they are in a country manor in 1916 with a blizzard all around. Hannah and Violet are two thoroughly modern women stuck in a world where independence is not a valued trait in society. They have, however, chosen two men who both admire and respect their intelligence. It all makes for an enjoyable read. Four purrs and two paws up.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and author Anita Davison for the advanced reader copy of this book. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

Murder at Midwinter Manor is the third book in Anita Davison's Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet series. I didn't feel you had to have read the first two to get the gist of this one. Set during the First World War, this "cozy mystery" is a fun read. It has Agatha Christie overtones and kept me guessing until the end.

Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet arrive at Midwinter Manor for the Christmas celebration. This is the stately home that belongs to Hannah's sister, Iris, her brother-in-law Mycroft, and their family. With wartime rationing going on, everyone is contributing something to the festivities which will also be attended by Hannah and Iris' parents, Hannah's clandestine fiancee Darius, and various other extended family members and friends.

Iris' niece Minnie has recently become engaged and now has possession of the Calhoun ruby, a family heirloom that's passed down from mother to daughter. It's quite an ungainly gem, but her mother Norah seems to prize it above all else. On the same snowy night, Minnie's future father-in-law is murdered and the ruby goes missing.

With a fairly insular house, the culprit or culprits must have been one of the people in the house that night. The local police seem intent on creating a narrative and finding evidence to support it, rather than investigating with an open mind. Hannah, Aunt Violet, and Darius work together to investigate on their own while trying not to draw attention to what they are doing.

Even without the background of the last two books, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Hannah and Violet. They are intelligent, independent women at a time when women still weren't expected to be. Hannah is debating if she wants her life to change by becoming Darius' wife while all this goes on in the background. She is exposed to the different marriages that exist in her universe: her parents, her sister, the Ellis' and more. There's a good bit of introspection against the backdrop of the mystery.

The characters are all well-crafted. There are a number of red herrings out there to lead readers in certain directions with regard to who might have done it. People appear to be deceptive but sometimes have a good reason for it. Everyone is fighting their own battles, some as the result of the war. I thought Davison depicted the effects of PTSD or "shell shock" as it was called back then very well and with much sensitivity.

I enjoyed Murder at Midwinter Manor quite a bit and look forward to reading other books in the series. The characters are realistic and endearing and the setting is well crafted. The setting during the war is handled with sensitivity while making the mystery enjoyable.

In Murder at Midwinter Manor, Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery during a snowy Christmas gathering in 1916. As family surprises unfold, including the presence of Hannah’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Darius, the festive atmosphere quickly turns ominous with the shocking death of Mr. Ellis. Initially thought to be a heart attack, the discovery of a missing family heirloom ruby reveals foul play. With an inexperienced detective on the case, Hannah and Aunt Violet must navigate family dynamics and snowy weather to uncover the truth. While the cozy mystery offers some familiar clichés, it shines with its engaging characters and delightful historical setting, making it a charming read for fans of the genre.

In the latest Hannah Merrill and Aunt Violet mystery novel, our intrepid lady detectives visit Hannah’s sister on her country estate in the English countryside for a merry Christmas celebration. In a house full of relatives, it seems like it will be a good holiday until one of the guests winds up dead in the library and a valuable family heirloom, a ruby, is stolen the same night. With everyone snowed in and an incompetent local police force on the job, Hannah and Aunt Violet have two cases to solve before the murderer and thief -- someone among the guests at Midwinter Manor -- strikes again. Another excellent novel in the Hannah and Aunt Violet cozy mystery series, readers will love a wintery and Christmassy pair of mysteries to solve. The new characters are complex and fascinating, and by adding Hannah’s family into the mix, Davidson introduces Hannah and Violet’s backstory previously hinted at in the previous books. The setting of Midwinter Manor is also charming and exciting as Hannah’s first detective foray outside London. An exciting mystery and a strong continuation of the series, readers will love this holiday edition of Davidson’s Aunt Violet and Hannah Merrill mystery series and find themselves trying to stop the murderer.

As Christmas 1916 draws near, Hannah Merrill, accompanied by her Aunt Violet and Bartleby the cat, sets off to visit her sister at her splendid country estate in the English countryside. Echoing the grand house parties of yesteryear, the manor brims with relatives and friends seeking respite from the gloom of the First World War. However, the discovery of a guest's body in the library, apparently the result of foul play, coupled with the theft of a valuable ruby from another guest, tarnishes the once merry atmosphere, casting suspicion among all present. The task of unraveling the murder falls upon Hannah and Violet, as the local constabulary proves utterly inept.

This narrative bears the classic features of a golden age crime mystery, set against the backdrop of a Christmas gathering and punctuated by the grim find in the library. Hannah, a self-reliant young woman who owns a bookshop and a home, emerges as the ideal protagonist to crack the case with her cantankerous aunt's assistance. Rich in historical detail and seasonal cheer, this tale is an ideal Yuletide companion, best enjoyed with a glass of mulled wine. The plot unfolds briskly, maintaining suspense until the culprit is unmasked. It also touches on the war's profound effects on the frontline soldiers and its impact on a principal character. A delightful read, it stands alone well, making it accessible as an entry point into the series. With thanks to Boldwood for an arc in exchange for a review.

We're going full Agatha Christie in Murder at Midwinter Manor – a remote manor house, a snow storm, a valuable jewel, Christmas – and a murder!

This delightful story takes us to Hannah's sister's new home, Midwinter Manor. Set in sweeping English countryside, it's the perfect getaway from the city. But it's not only the adverse weather and her usual family issues Hannah has to worry about – such as, will her mother accept her fabulous new bob hair cut? But when a member of the small group of guests is found dead in the study, who could have done the deed? One of them? Or a stranger who found his / her way across snow drifts?

The murder certainly puts a damper on Iris' Christmas party plans, and when it transpired that a valuable jewel went missing the same night Mr Ellis was murdered, the case becomes more complicated.

For local Detective Sergeant Roper, the case is soon clear, and he is convinced he has his culprit. But Hannah, Iris, Darius, and the newly arrived paramour of Aunt Iris, Detective Inspector Aidan Farrell, are not so sure. They keep digging, and soon, they have found another suspect.

But will that be the end of it? And where is the missing jewel? And will Hannah and Darius finally announce their engagement? Well, read this fabulous novel to find out!



Murder at Midwinter Manor is the new instalment in this riveting series. The characters are wonderfully drawn, with their hidden secrets and personal agendas. The setting is perfect. And Aunt Violet is her usual, irreverent self. She is fast turning into one of my favourite sleuths.

Hannah is torn between her love and loyalty to Darius, but still worries about losing her independence. Her sister, Iris, has her own problems. With four young children, she barely finds time to look after the estate – a task she loves and which exasperates her in equal measure. I feel for Iris, as she has a real dilemma.

Their parents, Hector and Madeleine, are perfectly of their own social background, but here, Madeleine's actions surprise Hannah at times. A nice development.

As for the secondary characters, they are as sweet as they are shifty. As you can expect, not everything is as it seems, and the quartet of Hannah, Darius, Violet and Aidan make for a great investigative team. The lack of condescension from the men towards the women – still deemed delicate enough not to hear the cruel realities of war, even though Hannah volunteers in a hospital – is refreshing, and indicative of the slow social change that happened as a result of WWI.

Murder in Midwinter Manor is another delightful whodunit with all the right ingredients: a lingering sense of suspense, a plethora of suspects, and some intriguing, illegal shenanigans. Well worth checking out!

One of the dangers of getting an ARC of a new-to-me series is I always want to go back and catch up on the series before reading the ARC. With the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet mystery series, it was an absolute joy to read the two previously released books before reading Murder at Midwinter Manor. If you're a fan of cozy historical mysteries (or Downton Abbey with a dash of murder thrown in), you'll love this book.

One of the things that impresses me the most about this author is she truly keeps me guessing throughout the mystery - something that is rarer with cozy mysteries. I thoroughly enjoy the surprise and intrigue.

My only one critique is I felt there was one string that wasn't perfectly tied up at the end of the novel - it left me wanting a resolution but I also understood why the author wrote it the way she did.

Overall, an excellent and enjoyable read! If you're looking for a good cozy historical mystery series, look no further!

I loved this story. However, I need to go back and read the first two novels. Some of the characters I didn’t know, and didn’t understand their background. I felt that this was a better version of Downton Abbey (obviously, I do not like Downton Abbey, and its drama).

I liked Hannah, but most especially Aunt Violet. I loved that Aunt Violet marched to her own tune and was teaching Hannah to do the same. I was a bit taken aback by Hannah’s sister, and her responses to Hannah and Violet. I also am on the fence about Hannah’s mother.

The mystery itself was genius. I started to suspect early on the reason, and once I did the suspect became obvious.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Murder at Midwinter Manor is the third book in the Miss Merrill and Aunt Violet mystery series. It is a historical cozy set during the WWI era. It is fast becoming one of my favorites.

Hannah and her Aunt Violet join Hannah’s sister Iris at her country manor in the English countryside for Christmas 1916. A missing jewel, lots of other mysterious going- ons, and a dead body. The local police are convinced that everything is connected.

I love books set at Christmas time. In addition, while the book is not a locked room mystery, the possible cast of suspects are limited due to a winter snow storm.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for my free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review. I gave this novel 5 stars. Anita Davison has crafted a great historical mystery.

I really enjoyed this second installment of the mystery series featuring Aunt Violet and her niece, Hannah. Invited to her sister Iris’ for Christmas, Hannah arrives with Aunt Violet to find a house full of company. Hannah is happy to see Darius, a surprise guest invited by her sister, providing a way to announce their engagement. However, a murder of one of the guests and the theft of an expensive Ruby delays that announcement as Hannah and her aunt become involved again in solving the mystery. Recommended for cozy mystery lovers. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Perfectly festive. Set in a gorgeous home with all the festiveness of a snowed in Manor House. Hannah is a thoroughly modern madam living a happy life with her Maiden Aunt, working in a bookshop and falling in love with a dashingly handsome man who is a spy. It’s a perfect romp.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

Having read the previous books in this series I was looking forward to reading this the third book. The main characters were very well written and likeable with Aunt Violet being a particular favourite and a Christmas at a country manor with snow is always a good setting. I can't say this one ended up being a favourite though. I felt the guilty party for the murder was obvious from the beginning so the secondary mystery of the missing necklace was the only real surprise. However it was an entertaining enough read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Murder at Midwinter Manor by Anita Davison is a smart golden age style whodunit. I've not yet read the earlier books in the series but there was plenty of explanation and I was able to enjoy this one without any previous knowledge. Hannah Merrill is a modern heroine, for the time, and she and Aunt Violet make an interesting pair of sleuths. Their warmth and camaraderie shine through as does their talent for detecting. The timeframe of the book is interesting, rather than having a between-the-wars timeline which I've found to be more common in golden age cozies, it features some stark references to the still-waging Great War.

The setting of the book, Midwinter Manor, is decadently described, inside and out, with the snow setting the tone and many luxurious descriptions of the grand house dressed for Christmas. There is a house full of suspects for both crimes, and there are many characters to keep track of and all their relationships to one another. Hannah and Aunt Violet find themselves up against an intransigent local policeman who doesn't appear to welcome their particular brand of assistance.

The story is an enjoyable read and the duo's investigations are very entertaining. There is also time for some romance amongst the crime and Christmas cake, with both Hannah and Violet dallying with handsome suitors. The conclusion is exciting and satisfying and leaves the path open for future instalments. I will definitely read more from Anita Davison.

With huge thanks to the publisher for my copy of Murder at Midwinter Manor and to Rachel's Random Resources for my spot on the blog tour.

Hannah Merrill, her aunt Violet and Bartleby the cat go to visit Hannah’s sister at her country estate fur a Christmas break. But a murder happens, a large ruby is stolen and the house is snowdd red in but somehow Archie manages to get through the snow to help out.
Fantastic book. I love this series and can’t wait for the next one

This is the first book by this author that I have read. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. It was a little slow to start but once the story got going, it had me turning the page to see what would happen next. The characters were well written and the story line well thought out. There was murder, mystery, suspense and a little romance. I look forward to reading more of this series. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.