Murder in an English Castle by Merry Allingham is a Flora Steele mystery, well Flora Carrington now. Flora and Jack were always a nice couple but their marriage had awakened the intimacy that they were missing, which is shown in small ways, not overtly. Eve and Jack are live in their tiny apartment at Cleve College several days a week so that Jack will not have to make the commute. Flora is volunteering at a primary school there, working with children on reading and she is enjoying it. One weekend when they are at home they join their friends to watch a rehearsal of his re-enactment group, the Knights of Mercia, reliving the battle between de Montford and King Henry. Eve was clueless. All’s Well, her bookshop, was closed as everyone in town was here. All of a sudden a young man went over the wall in what was clearly not part of the performance. He was dead. Even Jack’s friend, Inspector Alan Ridley, declared it an accident., but Hector, Alex’s friend, and sous chef at the manor hotel, disagreed and asked Jack and Flora for help.

Jack thought it was clear cut and he was too busy so Flora went off on her own, an action which was to cause Jack much guilt when it was all over. It was a complicated case. Alex, the dead man, believed himself about to get engaged. The young lady involved thought he was too controlling and had no intention of marrying. Alex’s mother was about to get evicted from her home of many years so the landlord could raze the house and develop it. The owner’s son had been applying some heavy handed methods in order to get them to comply. Alex was a hard worker and saved his money. But, it seemed he had lent some of it out. Was that the motive? Flora continued to investigate, around her life with Jack and her commitments. Was she successful? A fun read. A time with which I am not terribly familiar and a way of life that is now long dead. It is always a good read.

I was invited to read Murder in an English Castle by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #MerryAllingham #MurderInAnEnglish Castle

Alex Vicary has fallen to his death. Was it an accident or was it intentional? When bookshop owner Flora Carrington is asked to find out what really happened to the victim, she definitely agrees to help. She won’t be alone in her endeavors, as she and her new husband Jack begin looking for answers. Still newlyweds, currently Flora and Jack are splitting their time between their two residences due to their respective jobs and things are working out fairly well.

Knowing that Flora and Jack are seasoned investigators, a friend of the victim, Hector, pleads with Flora for her help to find the killer of Alex Vicary. Not so convinced as to why Alex has fallen to his death, Flora isn’t convinced as to why Alex fell to his death, so she agrees to help Hector, even though she told Jack she’d stay away from solving crimes. In fact, volunteering, as well as her bookshop responsibilities, Flora barely has the time. But, she is experienced and know where to go for answers, and that begins with where the victim died. It was at the rehearsal of a play, so that is where the suspect pool begins for Flora. Quite naturally, Jack quickly joins his wife in her endeavors.

Each of these books in the Flora Steele Mystery series can indeed be read as standalone novels. However, it may be beneficial to read at least a few of the preceding titles, as there is continuity that flows between the books in the series. I have consistently enjoyed Flora’s adventures, and I appreciate that Jack can temporarily suspend his writing to assist his wife. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story and an excellent addition to an equally enjoyable series.

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

I always look forward to returning to Sussex with Jack and Flora, and this book didn’t disappoint. The historical details, the castle setting, and the re-enactment of the Battle of Lewes create such an atmospheric backdrop for the mystery. Alex Vicary’s death was both tragic and puzzling, and I found myself constantly second-guessing who might be behind it. The twists kept me on my toes!

One of the things I love most about this series is how real the characters feel. Flora and Jack’s relationship has grown so much over the books, and I appreciated how this one focused on them working through their differences. Jack’s reluctance to get involved and Flora’s determination to figure things out on her own felt so true to their personalities. It’s these little touches that make their dynamic so enjoyable to follow.

The writing is as sharp as ever, with a great mix of suspense and humor. I loved how the historical details were sprinkled throughout—it made the setting come alive without slowing the story down. While this book stands on its own, I’d recommend starting with the earlier ones to really appreciate the depth of the characters.

This was an exciting yet cozy read, perfect for a weekend escape. I’m already looking forward to seeing what’s next for Jack and Flora!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A rehearsal for a battle re-enactment ends in tragedy for one participant; it is ruled accidental, but a friend and witness suspects foul play. Persuaded to investigate, Flora and Jack soon find numerous suspects and reasons for a suspicious death. It is another engaging book in this 1950s murder mystery series that focuses on the intricacies of relationships and the darker side of domestic life. The investigation is detailed but well-paced, and the suspense builds to an impactful conclusion. I like the relationship dynamics that make this story engaging, the historical references that create an authentic mid-twentieth-century setting and the twisty mystery that keeps you reading.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

My thanks to Sarah Hardy at Bookouture for a review copy of this book via NetGalley.

My guess as to where this book would be set turned out to be wrong (though I’m fairly certain the next one is taking us to that location) and we’re in Flora and Jack’s village of Abbeymead again where Flora, Jack, and Flora’s assistant at the shop, Rose Lawson are witnessing a reenactment of the Battle of Lewes at Lewes Castle, in which their friends, Hector Lansdale, sous chef at the Priory and Sally Jenner, proprietor of the hotel are participating as members of a historical reenactment group, the Knights of Mercia. As the battle unfolds, however, one of the players seems to lose his footing and falls right off the topmost castle wall—to his death. The victim is Alex Vicary, a friend of Hector and while the police write off the incident as accidental, a conclusion Flora and Jack are inclined to believe (for a change), Hector is adamant it was anything but. When no convincing can change Hector’s mind, Flora decides to gently prod the matter with the different people involved, if only to convince Hector that this was an accident after all.

Of course, once she starts, much begins to be revealed. While Alex was generally a well-liked young man, there were plenty who might want him out of the way—his (and his mother’s) landlords, the Mortons who are seeking to repossess their house and put it to more profitable use, any contract that protects the Vicarys notwithstanding; Diane Croft, Alex’s girlfriend whom he was over-possessive about and was pressuring into marriage who’s feeling suffocated; and Kenneth Buckley, a dashing lawyer who’s out to claim Diane for himself, among them. Soon enough, it isn’t just Flora (and Jack) but also Jack’s friend, Inspector Alan Ridley who become convinced that there was foul-play involved. Inquiring into a murder is never innocuous business and when there is more than one nasty figure involved, be it the Mortons or Buckley, the path to finding the answer can be dangerous as both Flora and Jack find.

All this plays out as Flora is dividing her time between her bookshop the All’s Well and volunteer work at a school as does Jack his mystery writing and student mentorship at Cleve College. But of course, they do spend half the week at Abbeymead and we get a chance to catch up with happenings in the village from the new arrivals to new relationships and developments.

In Murder in an English Castle, Allingham gives us an exciting mystery with plenty of suspects, all of whom had reason to want Alex out of the way. Whether they had the opportunity (most of them being present at the site) and took it, is what Flora and Jack must work out. With so many suspects in the mix, one is certainly kept guessing as to who might have done it, though I did manage to eventually pick up a clue which set me in the right direction (after a related incorrect guess previously). But while I might have got it right, it was great fun reading on to see whether I did and how Flora and Jack would reach the answers (and how things panned out for the characters involved). Like in some previous instalments, both Flora and Jack are targeted along the way, and only just escape terrible harm.

With the characters involved in the mystery scattered across Lewes, Brighton, and Abbeymead, the story finds Flora and Jack travelling to all three places. And this time, we are also treated to some historical detail (besides that which comes with the 1950s setting of this series) in the form of the reenactment which brings up the Battle of Lewes, dating back to 1264 where Simon de Montfort, Sixth Earl of Leicester managed to defeat Henry III.

As always, in Abbeymead I enjoyed catching up with people who are now pretty much old friends, Kate who runs the local café, the Nook with her husband Tony; Alice Jenner, Sally’s aunt and chef at the Priory and Charlie Teague, Jack’s old errand and garden boy, who might be growing up and learning new skills but is still hungry as ever. Much has changed in the village since we first visited it in The Bookshop Murder, but seeing these take place over the books is much like having lived in the village alongside the characters as time passed and lives changed with it.

Murder in an English Castle is another wonderful entry in the Flora Steele series with a nicely done mystery against an interesting background and likeable characters, making for a very enjoyable reading experience! As before, I was once again in awe of how fast Allingham writes these—the third one I’m reviewing this year. Not long before the next, I’m sure. I’m keenly waiting!

Our beloved amateur sleuth couple is back for another murder case! Set in an English rural village in the 1950s, Flora Steele is a bookshop owner who married a crime writer Jack Carrington after they solved several murders together in the past. Now, a newlywed couple, they spend half their weeks in their own house in Abbeymead, the other half in a Cottage in Lewes, where Jack works as a temporary teacher at Lewes arts school.

The premise of this story is quite unusual, and a creative choice from Allingham. Hector Landsdale is one of the many recurring secondary characters, friends of Flora and Jack. He's the sous-chef at the Priory, and a fervent member of the local historical re-enactment society, who call themselves Knights of Mercia. Our sleuths were invited to one of these re-enactments, the "Battle of Lewes", and witnessed a horrible accident. One of the "actors", Alex Vicary, fell from the ramparts during the "battle" and died instantly. The police's verdict was accident, but Hector was adamant that it was a murder - someone has deliberately pushed Alex amidst the skirmish.

Now it's up to Flora and Jack to find the murderer. But first, the motive. Why would someone want to get rid of Alex, if he is as good a man as Hector indicated? Was it a passionate murder, because he had been pestering his girlfriend Diane Croft to marry him - a bit too much - despite of her several rejections? Or did money matter involve - a huge sum of loan to a gamble-addict friend? A greedy landlord who wanted to sell Alex's house is another possibility. Few "accidents" had befallen Flora and Jack during their investigation, who perpetrated it? And then, the second murder happened - another member of Knights of Mercia, one of Flora and Jack's suspects. They are at a dangerous point, now that the murderer is getting desperate...

This is another delightful cozy mystery from Allingham. The premise and the murder method are well thought of. Pushing someone from high place during an enactment of a battle - that's an easy one. No one would have suspected a foul play. Accidents happen. But I have to admit, that my favorite part of the book is not the murder mystery itself - which is creative and lovely - but the village, Abbeymead. The characters with their eccentricity, struggles, and triumph begin to grow on me, that I feel like living for years in Abbeymead. Even Betty, Flora's beloved bicycle, feels like a close friend, that I became rather sad when something bad happened to it.. her! Needless to say, I'm going to miss Abbeymead for I don't know how long, because I think I can guess where the next instalment would be set in!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Merryn Allingham for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder in an English Castle coming out November 20, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have a few books in this series, but this is the first one I’ve read. I really enjoyed historical cozy mysteries. I don’t normally read ones set in the 1950s, so that was a nice change for me. I loved the setting. English castles are amazing. I thought Flora and Jack were really interesting characters. They worked well together and supported each other. I loved the mystery. I would definitely read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

This is the tenth book in the Flora Steele mystery series and I have read and enjoyed every one of them.

Jack and Flora are married now and they make a good team. They are attending a reenactment of an historic battle when someone falls to their death from the battlements - an accident? Or were they pushed? Initially our intrepid pair are not on the same side for this case. Jack wants it to be an accident for a quiet life. Flora has her doubts. Guess who wins this argument!

This is a very well written series with excellent characters and there is always a clever mystery to solve. I enjoyed this book the most out of the series so far! I hope there will be many more. Five stars

I thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advance reader copy of “Murder in an English Castle.” All opinions and comments are my own.

A reenactment rehearsal of the Battle of Lewes proves deadly for one of the participants in “Murder in an English Castle,” the latest Flora Steele and Jack Carrington mystery, set in 1950’s Sussex. Officially the death is just an unfortunate accident, but the man’s friend, also a friend to Flora and Jack, is convinced otherwise. And although she’d rather be running her bookstore, and Jack thinks that it’s a bad idea, Flora agrees to conduct one of the informal investigations that she’s really, really good at. And we’re off, as Flora puts it, “on another adventure!”

Merryn Allingham offers up a mixture of solid “police work” and plenty of background; the deceased had reasons that people may have wanted him dead. There are supporting characters that are helping and hindering, and providing motive, including those old standbys -- love and money and revenge, age-old incentives for murder. It takes time, and a bunch of leg work, and amateur detectives they may be, but Flora and Jack put everything together and come up with the name of a desperate killer. Now they can relax and go on their long delayed Italian honeymoon.

And since this is a continuing series, should mention that our protagonists have their hands full dealing with the drama that surrounds the lives of their friends and neighbors, and their own questions and concerns about what lies ahead for the two of them. Ms. Allingham knows that fans of the books are invested in these characters and what’s happening with them. In “Murder in an English Castle,” she makes sure that readers aren’t disappointed.

A murder most medieval...

It's 1959 and the Historical Society is rehearsing their re-enactment of the Battle of Lewes when it all ends in tragedy. Alex Vicary falls to his death in front of many on-lookers who were unsure at first if this were part of the event. Until Jack Carrington and his wife Flora rush forward to assist and check for signs of life...of which there are none. Needless to say, the day ends on a sad note as the crowd disperses and the ambulance cart Alex off to the mortuary.

Some days later, Alex's best friend and sous chef at the Priory, Hector walks into the All's Well and begs Flora to help. He is sure his friend's death was murder and is certain he saw someone push him from the wall from which he was stood in the battle re-enactment. Jack was just as certain that it was an accident as was Inspector Alan Ridley so if Flora were to investigate it would be without the assistance of her husband.

She doesn't get far before Jack discovers her digging and insists on helping her if she is intent on looking into the poor man's death...even if just to set his friend's mind at rest. But they don't expect to uncover a wealth of secrets from blackmail to bullying to threats and another death!

This is the tenth outing for Flora and Jack now happily married and planning a somewhat belated honeymoon in Venice in June. But somehow are found investigating yet another murder which they ultimately solve.

Filled with secrets, misunderstandings, red herrings and plenty of twists, this is another light read and a delight to revisit old friends in Abbeymead once again.

I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MurderInAnEnglishCastle in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

Spring 1959 & the Historical Society is rehearsing their re-enactment of the Battle of Lewes. But the fun ends abruptly when Alex Vicary falls to his death from the castle ramparts. Alex’s best friend sous chef Hector asks Flora and Jack investigate further as he is certain Alec was pushed.
The tenth outing for Jack & Flora and another well written cosy mystery. Whilst it could easily be read on its own I’ve loved how relationships between the regular cast members have grown & developed. There are secrets, misunderstandings, twists, turns & red herrings until the villain is uncovered. The newly wed couple investigate on their own until the police realise Alec’s death was no accident. One of the highlights of the book was Flora tackling a solicitor in his office. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & look forward to the next
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

A death during a historical re-enactment in 1959 Sussex throws Flora and Jack into a murder investigation. As they uncover the victim’s hidden secrets and tangled relationships, a second body is found, forcing them to race against time to catch a killer before another death occurs.

This is a well-constructed mystery, full of intrigue with likable characters. While the book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The old castle where Jack Carrington and his new wife, Flora Steele, were watching the Abbeymead Historical Society doing their re-enactment of the Battle of Lewes, was filled with noise and excitement. But the sudden clash of wooden swords, and the slow motion fall of a young man to the rocks below, was not part of the re-enactment. What had happened? Was it a dreadful accident, or had Alex Vickery been pushed?

It was 1959 in Sussex, England, and Flora and Jack were looking forward to their upcoming honeymoon in Venice. But with the police declaring the death at the castle was an accident, and one of his good friends begging Flora to investigate as he knew it wasn't an accident, she and Jack decided to check things out. And discover discrepancies they did. But did they have enough information to oust the killer?

Murder in an English Castle is the 10th in the Flora Steele Mystery series by Merryn Allingham and it was light, fun and entertaining. Flora and Jack are a great couple, and suit each other well. The usual characters of this series are continued, with a few new ones added in. I'm enjoying the series very much, and recommend it highly.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read and review.

I enjoy this series. I like the interaction between the characters. The mystery kept me guessing and I like the English village setting as well.

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

This is an enjoyable cosy murder mystery series, with a lovely rural setting . It is like meeting up with old friends as the relationships continue to develop between characters. Sadly, I was disappointed this time as there was less about the Flora’s bookshop and not as much detail of life in the 1959s. I hope these make a stronger appearance in the next book.

Everything was all change in the previous book where Jack and Flora split their time between Abbeymead and the All’s Well bookshop and Cleve College where Jack has a position tutoring and monitoring English students.

Becoming more settled, on a day out they watch a re-enactment at Lewes Castle from the local historical society. When a man falls from the top of the ramparts. Did he fall or was he pushed? Flora suspects foul play but the police say otherwise and it isn’t until a friend asks her for help that she becomes more involved.

However others are aware of Flora and a reluctant Jack’s interest and it seems there might be trouble for them both as well. Even back home in Abbeymead where characters from the historical society seem to suddenly appear and making their presence known.

With all this mystery it is easier to forget what else these books are telling us of life in the later Nineteen Fifties. Domesticity was very different than it is now and whilst Flora and Jack’s relationship is quite modern by the standards of the day the book is set in. It does contain other characters who have a very different view and this adds to some of the plot and some of the other characters who are becoming more frequent in this series.

I look forward as this series moves on and see what Flora and Jack get up to next.

I have a real love-hate relationship with Merryn Allingham's Flora Steele series. Murder in an English Castle is the tenth in the series and I've read them all so clearly there is more love than hate. I love the setting and I enjoy the characters. I think it's the random nature of the solving of the murders that I struggle with. And, perhaps especially, Flora's conviction that the police generally don't have a clue and she can do a much better job.

This book sees a man fall from the castle ramparts during a re-enactment of a battle. Everyone thinks it's an accident except for his friend Hector who works at the Priory Hotel in Flora and Jack's village and thus is known to them, and us as readers. He's convinced for no very clear reason that his friend has been murdered and asks Flora to look into it. This she does, dragging Jack with her.

If you've read the other books in the series, you'll want to read this; and you'll enjoy it even though it's a tad convoluted.

Flora and Jack go to a rehearsal for the Battle of Lewes. Their friend Hector is on of the fighters at the Castle. He and his friend Alex seem to be winning the battle, when all of a sudden Alex falls off the walls and is found dead. Hector claims that Alex was pushed and wants Flora and Jack to investigate, but Flora isn't sure as they are getting ready to finally take their delayed honeymoon to Venice. Also, the police believe it was an accident rather than a murder. Flora makes a visit to Alex's mother and finds the nasty landlord had wanted Alex and his mother to move out so he could sell the house. Then, there is the friend who had borrowed money from Alex and now has lost it all gambling. Flora finds A wedding ring in Alex's room. Was he really serious about getting married. When another member of the society putting on the play is found dead, they wondered if he knew too much about what happened to Alex. Maybe Alex was murdered!

When both Flora and Jack have bad accidents, they realize they may be getting close to solving the murder, but can they do so before they are attacked again? This is a very clever story.
I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC so that I could read it before publication.

In general, I liked it, but since I joined the saga in this 10th installment, I felt a bit lost at first. The initial chapters were full of unfamiliar names for me and complicated relationships, which nearly made me set the book aside. However, since I received it from the publisher for review, I decided to continue reading.

I was hooked when the couple visited Alex’s mother and Jack and Morton quarreled. Set in 1959, I especially enjoyed the college night porter's behavior. There are several moments like these that made the story highly enjoyable.

As a couple, Jack and Flora didn’t have much chemistry in this book. I wonder if this relies on previous installments where they develop their romance, as they are newlyweds in this one.

Overall, the development of the narrative is interesting. Although sometimes slow, but the twists are creative and logical, well intertwined and the end is satisfaying, with a hint of what/where will be the next episode.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining!

1959, Sussex
It has been six months since Flora and Jack married. They settled into married life, and things seem to be going well. The couple, along with friends, attends the rehearsal of the re-enactment of the Battle of Lewes to support another friend. The Abbeymead Historical Society seems to have a great done job. The castle ruins serve the purpose well.
However, one of the actors and Society members, Alex Vicary, falls to his death during the rehearsal. Everyone thinks it’s accidental. However, Hector is determined that it is murder and someone pushes his dear friend.
As the sleuthing reluctantly takes up the case, they realize that quite a few people have reasons to see Alex dead. Anyone could have killed him. As things get complicated, Flora and Jack need to find the killer before they become victims.
The story comes in Flora and Jack’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
Though the book works as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the previous two books to get a better idea of the characters and their friendship with others in the story.
Flora and Jack have gotten into a rhythm, dividing their days between Lewes and Abbeymead. While it is not all flowers and roses, things are decent and soon they can go on their honeymoon to Venice (possibly the next book).
The main side characters in the series do their bit here too. Alice is grumbling but efficient. Kate is busy with her baby girl and the diner. Inspector Alan has too much paperwork and not enough time.
The mystery begins right away with the murder in the prologue. The details are revealed in stages and the suspect list grows/ changes accordingly. It’s Flora who does the majority of the work this time. Jack is less involved though he does manage to step in when absolutely necessary. Maybe in the next book, he’ll get back to proper sleuthing.

To summarize, Murder in an English Castle is an easy cozy mystery with some history, secrets, danger, and dead bodies. As always, the book is fairly short and has a steady pace. Looking forward to the next one!
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
Tour on 22th Nov