A mystery writer is invited to a Mystery and Detection Society to speak about his new book. Along with is assistant Bella Montague and his mother aunt and uncle Marius Quin are off to enjoy a weekend of fun and relaxation. Or will it be.?

As Marius and company descend on the Grand Hotel they engage with many of the people in the society. Once Marius steps up to give his speech he finds that something is not right. He was asked here under false pretenses. With the help of his long time friend and love of his life Bella Marius decides to enjoy himself. With an early morning swim to help him forget the previous night, Marius got more than he hoped for. A dead body in the pool. The body of the head of the Mystery and Detection Society. Who would want her dead?

With the backdrop of early England with some glitz and glimmer you throw in murder and you have the perfect book. I loved the characters and the setting. As I was reading I felt a little Downton Abbey vibe throw in a ball and dancing. You have a room full of potential murderers. Will Marius and Bella figure out who did it while he still pines away for the engaged Bella.i love their dynamic. My only problem was this book is that it’s number four in the series. I had a little problem with who some of the characters were. That was my only complaint. I did love the ending because I feel that a book five is on the horizon which I’d love to read.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. I hope to read more from Mr. Brown. 4.5 stars

Benedict Brown’s "A Body at the Grand Hotel" delivers a classic cozy mystery, set in an elegant hotel brimming with intrigue. The plot kicks off with the discovery of a body, which sends the hotel staff and guests into a tailspin, leading to a series of twists and turns.

While the premise is promising, the execution feels somewhat uneven. Brown’s writing is engaging, with vivid descriptions that capture the hotel’s ambiance, but at times the pacing drags, making it harder to stay fully invested. The characters, while likable, often fall into familiar archetypes, and some lack the depth that could have elevated the story.

The mystery itself has its moments, but it sometimes feels predictable, with clues that don’t always land as effectively as they could. There are clever elements, but they can be overshadowed by the more formulaic aspects of the plot.

Overall, "A Body at the Grand Hotel" is an enjoyable read, perfect for fans of the genre who appreciate light-hearted mysteries. It has charm and a certain appeal, but it may not leave a lasting impression. If you're looking for a cozy escape, it fits the bill, but don’t expect groundbreaking twists.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. This book is part of a series, although I found that you did not have to read the previous installments to be able to follow along. Marius is a private detective and mystery writer, who is invited to be a speaker for the Mystery and Detection Society. He takes his partner, Lady Bella, for the trip, but it becomes very apparent things are not on the up and up. A not-so-friendly local's body is discovered in the hotel's pool, and when the duo try to investigate, they are met with roadblocks from the local police, dodgy witnesses, and evidence that contradicts itself. I enjoyed the setting of the book, the chemistry of Marius and Bella, and I liked how the evidence created a web to untangle. I would be intrigued to follow up with the previous installments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

banter, witty, amateur-sleuth, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, England, situational-humor, sly-humor, friends, friendship, verbal-humor, cozy-mystery, 1920s, writers, unpleasant-victims, local-law-enforcement, detective-duo, unputdownable, murder-investigation, Scotland Yard, unpleasant-police-officer, pet-dog, private-investigators*****

Not an unbiased review because I laughed myself silly with the other books in this series! Excellent historical cozies with a wicked sense of humor that makes them perfect for ignoring reality while reading them.
Marius and Bella, his sleuthing partner, are invited to speak at the Mystery and Detection Society in the English Riviera and have a luxurious weekend away at the Grand Hotel. The morning after the speechifying the nasty leader of the society is found drowned in the hotel pool by Marius. Then the fun really gets interesting, including the interactions between their friend from Scotland Yard and the cantankerous local cop. Don't miss the fun! The end notes and historical research are worth every fascinating word!
I requested and received a temporary e-book from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was a great book. Marius has been invited to speak at a lecture in the English riviera. He takes is best friend Bella (and his secret crush) only to land in the middle of a murder plot that needs solving.

As usual, the mystery was thrilling, dialogue on point, romance a little sad, historical setting amazing!!!

#netgalley #ABodyAtTheGrandHotel

My favorite show at 12 years old was "Murder she Wrote" so it seems totally natural that 30 years later Marius Quin is one of my favorite literary characters.
Marius is a mystery novelist AND private detective, and just like Jessica Fletcher-his private and professional life often intertwine.

Out of my normal realm of romantasy and thrillers, The Marius Quin series makes me laugh and the mysteries keep me on my toes.

In this, the fourth installment, Marius Quin is invited to speak at the Mystery and Detection Society. He jumps at the chance of a luxurious weekend away on the English Riviera. What should be a lovely little weekend away for Marius and Bella, his sleuthing partner, turns to sleuthing when a local's body is found floating in the pool.

I have read the whole series, but found this one had some of the best banter- I recommend even if you like other genres and tropes, this is an easy read that leaves you smiling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read prior to the November 12th release. I received this free ARC in return for my honest opinion.

This was another winner in the Marius Quin Mystery series, it had that element that I enjoyed about the other three books in this series. It uses the 1920s element perfectly. I wanted to figure out what was going on and that the murder mystery element worked well in keeping me reading. Benedict Brown has a great writing style that worked well in the historical setting and glad I got to read this.