Lance may have been the life and soul of the party but when he is found dead in the indoor pool and he had been spotted arguing with family and friends, it leads Eve the the assumption that his drowning may not have been an accident. Added to this there is a threatening note that has been found tucked into his desk drawer. Eve along with her trusty sidekick Gus sets to work uncovering what happened and in doing so finds plenty.

This is the 13th book in the Eve Mallow mystery series. All have been written in a way that it is easy yo jump in with any of the books and not be disappointed in the stories.
This book had plenty going for it, a fun enjoyable tale, plenty of interesting characters with realistic personalities all written with an easy going pace. Overall another enjoyable cosy mystery.

Eve Mallow is helping her friend cater a party at Lockley Grange, the country home of the Hale Family. Years earlier, she was a nanny for the Hale kids, so she’s excited to see how they’ve grown up (although a little sad in that the middle daughter died recently in an accident). But when she gets there, it’s not what she expected – there’s lots of tension between the family members. The sweet little boy is no longer ‘sweet’. Her worst fears are confirmed when she returns the next day to collect their catering supplies: the father, Lance Hale, is found floating in his pool. Eve manages to convince her boss to let her write an obituary / article about Lance, giving her the perfect excuse to poke around his death which she suspects wasn’t an accident.

This book was enjoyable. I didn’t realize it was part of a long running series when I picked it up; for the most part it worked as a standalone, although there were a few details where I felt lost. Overall, a great book for sitting by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa.

Recommended. I received a copy of this from NetGallley.com that I voluntarily reviewed.

Book thirteen sees the return of amateur sleuth Eve and her side kick Gus and the charming community of Saxford St Peters for another cosy mystery that sees Eve in the thick of things yet again.

A charming series, with a host of likeable characters.

Mystery at Lockley Grange by Clare Chase takes us back to Eve Mallow just three weeks before her wedding to Robin. It was a huge party. Eve and Viv were bringing food for the party, after which they would return home, dress, and attend as invited guests. Eve had worked as a nanny for the family years before when the now-grown children were small and his first wife was alive. She didn’t expect to be remembered but she was curious to see them grown. Then, the next day as she was back for platters and such, she spied Lance’s body by the pool. It was clear he was dead and had been for awhile. Even with three weeks to the wedding, she couldn’t resist investigating, but first she secured a contract to write his obituary, her cover for asking questions. It was all so sad: his first wife gone, his oldest daughter dead just a few years ago, accident apparently.

Eve and her chatty partner, Viv, started immediately. Thanks goodness for Robin and for his relationship with Greg at the police station. Neither Robin nor Even had much respect for Inspector Palmer so they went forward without him. He always wanted to close the case quickly, whether he got the right culprit or not. Eve was more thorough and spoke to people he never would have thought of, and didn’t appear to be part of the case at hand. Eve picked up interesting bits of information that way and between she, Robin, Viv, and the others, usually figured it out in the end. Eve gets to know the people involved, sometimes to her detriment, and since she is so good with people, she reads them well. This is such a fun novel, full of personality and eccentricity that it makes a joy to read. The, the fact that this is about slightly people serves to remind us that life is not over at 40. Terrific series!

I was invited to read Mystery at Lockley Grange by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #ClareChase #MysteryAtLockleyGrange

This one was definitely a page turner. I liked the writing and the mystery, though I did feel that Eve's motivation to investigate should have been a little more important than just being the kids' nanny.

It was the 13th book in the series, but I could easily follow the lives of the characters and their background. So essentially it can be read as a standalone.

Would definitely follow the series.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

With only a few weeks to go until her wedding, Eve really can’t afford the time to get involved with another murder, but that’s exactly what happens. The Hale family is familiar to Eve as she was a nanny to the children many years ago. When Lance Hale is murdered, Eve is faced with multiple suspects, each with a motive. It’s a race against time to solve the murder before her approaching wedding.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW



REVIEW for 'Mystery At Lockley Grange' by Clare Chase

Yet another page turning, fantastic adventure with Eve, Gus and Robin!!! If you have never read any books in this epic series you are missing out!!!



Another addictive beauty by the very talented Clare!! One of the many things that I absolutely adore about Clare's books is that each and every time she creates stunning areas which come to life thanks to her fantastic evocative writing skills. The storyline itself is a fast paced cosy mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It is filled with tension, suspense, murder, red herrings galore and everything you could ask for in an action packed addictive mystery. I had no idea who the killer was so a huge congratulations to Clare!!!! I enjoyed that it wasn't really a case of just one mystery but how several linked smoothly and everything was tied up nicely at the end, I hate loose ends!! This is yet another of Clare's books that every time I tell myself I will just read one more chapter I never actually manage to as something always happens that means I just have to read another and then another until before I know it I have devoured the whole book in a manner of hours and each book in this series is just the same!! I love the fact that Clare conjures up new locations and different events in each one of her books in this series ensuring the reader always has something new and fresh to sink their teeth into and each book manages to be just as good, if not better, than the previous ones!! I really enjoyed going on this adventure with Eve and investigating with her. Clare portrays village life perfectly and the community within them in each and every one of her books which makes them even more realistic. I absolutely love reading Eve's obituary at the end of each book and she captivates the personality of the victim absolutely perfectly. I think it is a lovely unique touch and gives a summary of what we learned about them through the story serving as a reminder. This is one of those brilliant cosy mystery series that it genuinely makes no difference as to where or when you are reading these books as Clare transports you to Eve at the turn of the page ensuring you see, feel and hear everything that Eve is.


Clear your schedules as once you've picked this up you won't be able to put it down!!

Although this is the thirteenth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.


These amazing characters are all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning all of their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I absolutely love meeting them in each of these books in this fantastic and addictive series. They very quickly become like friends to me and I find myself missing them as soon as I have closed the pages. When I "meet" them again it is like they have never been away. The fact that Clare clearly cares about Eve, Gus, Robin and the rest of the characters absolutely shines out of the pages in her fantastic, emotive and evocative descriptions. They are all realistic, multi-layered, unique and have their own individual quirks, strengths, flaws and weaknesses. I have been completely invested in them from the start and genuinely love meeting them over and over again!!! Keep up the gorgeous books in this series Clare!! I cannot wait to get stuck into the next mystery and meet all the gang again in the next book, which is book fourteen in this epic series!! It is called 'Mystery At Hideaway House', is available to preorder now on Amazon and will be published on the 7th May so make sure you preorder your copy now!


Congratulations to Clare Chase on yet another absolutely successful and addictive page turning murder mystery. This is why when I want an addictive cosy mystery which I can read anywhere I hunt your books down and why you are in my top 5 cosy mystery author list!. Here's to you're next success 🥂



Overall an absolutely compelling, addictive and page turning gothic cosy mystery that is perfect to read on front of the fire.


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Mystery at Lockley Grange by Clare Chase is book 13 in the Eve Mallow Mystery series of books that has fast become one of my favourite cosy mystery series to read. Easily read as a standalone, this is yet another warm and engaging cosy mystery that kept me on my toes throughout. As always, the gentle storytelling drew me into the story from the outset, with plenty of shocks and surprises along the way to keep me guessing.

This time Eve finds herself uncovering past tragedies, blackmail and hidden cameras that are watching her every step. Knowing she’s heading on to dangerous ground, can Eve find the killer of famous diplomat Lance Hale before it’s too late? Or has she finally bitten off more than she can chew?

Clare Chase is such a good writer, bringing these characters vividly to life in a story that is as entertaining as ever. This time Lockley Grange takes centre stage, with the murder of Lance Hale taking place in the swimming pool of the stately home.

Eve is as fabulous as always and this latest cosy mystery tale, with its gentle pace and gorgeous backdrop, is as wonderful as ever. I look forward to reading whatever Clare Chase has in store for this wonderful character next. Such a great series of books!

Highly recommended.

Eve Mallow and her close friend Viv receive an elegant invitation to a soirée hosted by Lance Hall at his residence in Lockley Grange. This location holds sentimental value for Eve as it was the site of her previous nannying duties two decades ago.

The duo is tasked with providing refreshments for the gathering. However, the event takes a shocking and disturbing turn when Lance is tragically discovered deceased. Driven by a sense of duty and curiosity, Eve not only intends to compose an obituary for Lance but also sets out on a quest to uncover the truth behind his untimely demise, with a specific focus on identifying the perpetrator.

Between Lance’s wife Sonia and his two adult children, along with others who were at the party, Eve is not sure which of them had anything to do with Lance’s death. Researching about Lance’s life for the obituary is the perfect cover for Eve to ask probing questions as she seeks to find Lance’s killer. Along with excellent pacing, one aspect of Clare Chase’s writing style in her Eve Mallow Mystery series that truly captivates me is Eve’s meticulous approach to analyzing crimes to identify the culprit.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Although this is the 13th book in the series, you don’t have to have read them all to enjoy this one – I am really behind but am on a mission to catch up over the next couple of months as I really like Eve Mallow and her friends!

I really liked how this book started – you start with the murder and then you go back to the build up of the party taking place at Lockley Grange, the countryside retreat of Lance Hale and everything that happens to give you a slightly better understanding of the Hale family but mainly their father. To most people he comes across as an intelligent and very successful man, whose life was steeped in tragedy following the death of his first wife. To his family, he is cruel and often jealous of their successes and almost takes pleasure in undermining them at every opportunity. Eve used to babysit the Hale children and hasn’t seen them since they were small and has been invited along whilst also helping with the catering with Val, her friend and café owner.

In the build up to the death, we follow Eve and her witnessing Lance arguing with various friends and family and when he is found dead in his swimming pool, she soon begins to suspect that all was not well.

Mystery at Lockley Grange is a really well paced cosy mystery which I absolutely loved – even when I wasn’t reading it, I found myself thinking about it and how I thought things would pan out. There are several characters that you suspect so I did struggle with who I thought had done it! The ending was superb and not at all how I had it figured out and I really liked how it wasn’t as clearcut as investigations usually are.

Eve is a wonderful main character and I really warmed to her and close group of friends who are almost like a little detective society and all pitch in with the investigation (mainly at the meetings in the pub!)

Happily looking forward to catching up with the rest of the series and excited to read more of what there is to come!

Eve is invited to a huge party thrown by a diplomat visiting the area. Having baby sat for the children when they were younger, Eve can’t wait to see them again now that they’re grown up. But tragedy strikes when the life of the party is found dead the next morning. can Eve and Gus figure out what happened? Are there too many eyes on her, ready to stop her in her tracks once and for all?

I adore each and every entry in this series. Eve and Gus never disappoint. This is a great example of why I love British cozy mysteries. If you haven’t read a book in this series yet, don’t worry, each one reads fine as a standalone. Plus, you have the benefit of having plenty more to binge on when you’re done.

This is book 13 in the Eve Mallow Mystery series, but it's a first read of this series for me.

Someone has killed famous diplomat Lance Hale in his own home - right after a event held that night. One of the caterers is Eve Mallow and she also writes obituaries for the press. And....solves mysteries.

There are many supporting characters, but enough history was included to help me know who was who. Eve has a personal connection to Hale and his family. That makes things easy - or perhaps harder. Eve has her work cut out for her. There are so many candidates for the whodunit. Just when I thought I had it right, Chase throws in another twist and sends the narrative down another path. I wasn't successful in guessing the killer until the final chapters. Which is a good thing. If you love cozies, you'll love Mystery at Lockley Grange.

The Eve Mallow series is a favourite for me, and this one is intriguing and full of toxic relationships and unlikeable characters. Eve and Viv are catering a party at Lockley Grange for a famous diplomat, now an equally high-profile academic, whose family Eve was a nanny for a brief period in her younger days. A suspenseful atmosphere surrounds the party guests as the reader knows something terrible is imminent. It reveals cracks in family and colleague relationships, and its host is embroiled in all of them. When a body is found, Eve is suspicious and, through her journalist skills as an obituary writer, gains access to the family and others who knew the person well. The senior investigating officer in the case is Eve's nemesis, and she has to try to find out what happened without getting into trouble. She is also about to marry Robin, her partner and ex-detective, so the pressure to reveal the truth is on. It's an engaging read, full of clues and information that misleads Eve and the reader. I like the complex characters, the echoes of the family's tragic history that complicates the present and the immersive storytelling that makes this a good read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Well... here we are at book 13 of this series and with no sign of flagging! This time it is a bit more personal for Eve as she, along with partner Viv are asked to cater a special event at Lockley Grange, hosted by Lance Hale. Why personal? Well, back in the day Eve used to nanny for the family, looking after the three children. And she is interested to see how they turned out...
All appears to go as well as expected during the evening, apart from a few hiccups and family spats but when Lance is found dead in his swimming pool the next morning, Eve is quick to swoop in and "assist" the police in investigating. As usual, under the guise of writing his obituary... But this time the clock is even more against her as it is only three weeks until her wedding to Robin...
As with all the previous books in this series, and you have read them all, haven't you !? This one is interesting and intriguing and that all starts from the very beginning. I am usually mindful when I start a book by this author that I will indubitably lose a great chunk of time to it as I know it will suck me in and hold me tight, which is exactly what it did, and with no superfluous padding or waffle, it got on with itself so well that I really didn't notice the time flying by!
It also kept me guessing all the way through and delivered an ending that I didn't see all of coming and which thoroughly satisfied.
All in all, a worthy addition to a cracking series, roll on next time... My thanks got to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I enjoy this series. I like the characters and the setting. I look forward to each book to see what will happen next with the characters.
The mystery kept me guessing.

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

Clare Chase is one of those authors where you pick up one of her books and you know you’re going to get sucked in. I love that the protagonist of the Eve Mallow series is an obituary writer, giving her the perfect plausible excuse for digging into deaths and family relationships. She also shows the realities for many writers, as Eve also has to take on a part time job to keep the wolf from the door, rather than romanticising writing as so often happens. It keeps Eve as a grounded and sympathetic character, and even in her 13th outing in this novel, I’m still keen to follow her adventures.
Famed diplomat turned academic Lance Hale is found dead after a party at Lockley Grange, the third member of his family to die, following the death of his middle child some months before and his first wife who died at the property when the children were barely teens. Eve pitches to write the obituary, and in researching the larger than life Mr Hale, finds Lockley Grange a cauldron of suspicion - Lance’s two remaining children, an MP and an academic, his loyal assistant, his second wife, the family doctor - each having their own reasons for wanting him gone.
Eve has to unravel family secrets, current ones as well as those buried in the past, to uncover the murderer. It’s a race against time as Eve has her own wedding coming up, and her research work once again puts her in dangers path.
The author keeps us guessing to the end in this take on the Country House mystery, and it’s a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. The family are not people you’d choose to spend time with, but the author keeps us hooked as we unpick the tangled web along with Eve, and I can’t wait for her next adventure.

Book 13 in this well written cosy mystery with strong characters & a well paced story. It was nice to catch up with Eve, Robin and their close friend just 3 weeks before their wedding. Although this was a small cast of possible villains I was kept guessing as really anyone could be guilty for a whole slew of different reasons which made tis one difficult for them to resolve before the wedding which kept the tension ramped up for Eve as she rushes to reach the conclusion. As always the story left me wanting the next one asap. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've been reading this series since the first installment and this novel was a very good one, a mystery with cosy elements more than a traditional cozy mystery.
It could be a Golden Age country house mystery. The secrets and the strained relationship in a powerful family, the relationship between Eve and the family, a party, mysterious characters and suspicious deaths.
Eve is getting married to Robin and she's got her hand full but cannot help being involved in the events to the point of being reckless.
There's a dark undertone in this story, there's a story with mixes past and present.
I was happy to catch with Eve, Robin, Gus, and Viv and liked the story that surprised me and kept me on the edge.
I cannot wait to read the next story in this story as I'm curious about the future of Eve, Robin and Gus
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have been reading the Eve Mallow mystery books from the beginning and I always enjoy the books.

In this latest episode Eve and Viv are catering an event at Lockley Grange, the holiday venue of the Hale family. Eve already knows the family because she used to babysit the three children when they were very young. Now those children are grown men and woman and a lot has changed in the meantime, not always for the best.
So when Lance Hale is found dead in his swimming pool Eve is quick to write his obituary and to go sleuthing with a little help from her soon to be husband Robin and the rest of the gang. Of-course her loyal dachshund Gus is also present.

I had some difficulty staying focussed on the story. I don't know if this was because I read it while travelling or if the book wasn't as coherent as the others but it had slight feeling that it wasn't as carefully worked out as the previous ones. The "obituary" at the end wasn't complete.
3,5 stars but I'll round it up.

I want to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4.25 Stars
It’s always an occasion when the Hale family descend on Lockley Grange. Almost everyone in Saxford St Peter has been called upon to dust the rooms, tidy the garden, and cater for the party. Eve Mallow’s delighted to be invited: years ago she babysat for the three Hale children, and she can’t wait to see how they turned out. Lance Hale is throwing a party to celebrate his latest award. The following morning, Lance is found dead in his indoor pool. He’d been the life and soul of the party, but Eve saw him arguing with friends and family. At first it’s thought he died of natural causes but the post mortem reveals the true cause.
The thirteenth book in the series & Eve & Robin are three weeks away from their wedding but Eve can’t resist pitching to write Lance’s obituary thus giving her a chance to investigate. Another well written cosy mystery with strong characters & a well paced story. I do love Eve & her close band of friends & I’ve loved how relationships have developed & deepened over the series. I felt there was a desperation about Eve to solve this murder mystery before her wedding so she took more risks than normal, which eventually led her into danger. I was kept guessing as to who the villain was especially as the Hale family backstory was revealed & I must admit I disliked all but two of the family. I did love the ending of the book & hope Robin, Eve, Viv etc aren’t hanging up their sleuthing shoes
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own