A Deadly Legacy by E.V. Hunter is a delightful addition to the Hopgood Hall Murder Mysteries, offering a cozy yet suspenseful investigation filled with family drama and complex character motives. This time, Hopgood Hall’s owners, Drew and Cheryl, are mourning Drew's brother Frank, who died in what seemed to be a tragic climbing accident. However, the plot thickens when Frank's new and enigmatic young wife, Stella, returns from Australia with demands that threaten the Hopgoods' legacy.

Hunter masterfully balances intrigue with a touch of lightheartedness, largely thanks to former journalist Alexi Ellis and her private investigator partner, Jack Maddox, who are quick to sense something amiss with Stella’s intentions. As they dig deeper, they uncover layers of mystery surrounding Frank's life in Australia, his relationship with Stella, and whether his death was indeed an accident. Jack and Alexi’s sleuthing, supported by their faithful companions, Cosmo the cat and Silgo the rescue dog, keeps the pace lively and engaging.

The story’s setting, the evocative Hopgood Hall, adds a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, enhancing the suspense as Jack and Alexi delve into secrets and possible motives. Stella’s character is refreshingly complex and unpredictable, adding an edge to the story as she becomes increasingly untrustworthy. The twists are perfectly timed, keeping readers guessing until the final reveal, with red herrings that make this cozy mystery as thrilling as it is charming.

For fans of character-driven mysteries and vintage whodunits with a modern twist, A Deadly Legacy offers an entertaining journey into a world of hidden agendas and deep-rooted family secrets. Thank you to Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and E.V. Hunter for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

We return to Hopgood Hall after numerous murders, to find that this time death has come close to home. The Hall’s owners, Drew and Cheryl are mourning the death of Drew’s brother, Frank. Frank sold his share of the Hall to Drew and left to start a new life in Australia. Returning to the UK with a new wife in tow, Frank dies in a climbing accident, but his wife Stella stakes a claim on Hopgood Hall. Drew and Cheryl have been trying to turn a former family home into a successful hotel business, and Stella’s plans come as a shock. Their friend, former journalist Alexi, and her partner PI Jack Maddox will do anything to help Drew and Cheryl, and begin to investigate Stella and her motives.

As their investigation progresses, Stella becomes more and more dislikable and devious, and there’s a sense of peril from the beginning as Drew and Cheryl face losing all they’ve worked for. Alexi and Jack uncover family secrets, and begin to wonder if Frank’s death is as accidental as it has been made to appear. A further shocking twist sees Drew further in trouble. Although this is a “cosy” series, it’s written with the pace and tension of a thriller, keeping the reader sucked in right to the end

I love this series, as it’s fascinating to watch Alexi and Jack’s investigations as they try to unravel the secrets and mysteries, with their furry sidekick Cosmo the feral cat and new addition Silgo the rescue dog in tow.

A Deadly Legacy is out on 19 November - preorder here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deadly-Legacy-page-turning-V-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0D9PTC1DM/

Many thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for an advance copy.

I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book, opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers.

This is another thrilling page-turner by E V Hunter that brings Jack Maddox and Alexi Ellis back for another compelling mystery of the Hopgood Hall Murder series. This time, the stakes are high, as the duo finds themselves entangled in a web of secrets, deception, and fortune-hunting. The atmosphere is tense and immersive, with every chapter revealing twists that keep readers guessing. Jack's sharp wit and Alexi's fierce determination are perfectly complemented by their furry sidekicks, Silgo and Cosmo, who add a lighthearted touch amidst the suspense. Hunter masterfully balances intrigue and suspense, making this a must-read for anyone who loves the continuation of these classic whodunit series.

Frank Hopgood who had disappeared for sometime to Australia returns with his much younger bride, Stella, who is English and who had been living in Australia, once married to Frank had decided on their return to England. Frank it seems, with the help of his new wife, has depleted all his inheritance from his share of Hopgood Hall estate.

While investigating Frank’s untimely death, it seems, however, as Jack and Alexi discover from his old friends and climbing mates that he had changed a lot, no longer the dynamic personality. He was an experienced climber but with his death due to a fall, suspicions are raised, particularly when fortune hunting widow Stella, arrives at Hopgood Hall to extort and claim her widow's rights from Drew and Cheryl Hopgood.

Hopgood Hall is an expensive operation, expenditure is kept in check and while Drew and Cheryl are in no doubt that Frank's share was correct, due to no official documentation signed by Drew and him, legal opinion is sought regarding Stella's claim. Jack's and Alexi's thoughts are now of a mind to look into Stella and her past. The more they pursue this line of investigation the more of an enigma she becomes. They also investigate further into Frank's past, his love of horses and his past love life. Nothing much is revealed but they feel that a lot is not being said.

Switching back to Stella, they interview an old boss of her’s, who after their affair had finished was glad to see the back of her but on returning to England it seems, she had put her hand up for the same contract that he was pursuing. He reveals a lot about her personality and unforgiving nature as well as enlightening them of Stella's ability as a competent climber. This changes the investigation. Jack and Alexi now have Stella firmly in their sights for the murder of Frank. Plans are made for Drew to meet up with her for which will be closely monitored. However, a phone call prior to the arrangement sees Drew in Stella's apartment where he discovers her dead body.

The plot thickens with more questions than answers and it takes sometime before all is revealed.

The characters are just so well written and realistic, the tension is built so effectively and you really do have no idea where the storyline is going or what the outcome is going to be! It has the twist, turns and surprises that you'd expect and the plot is constantly moving forward which I loved! I enjoyed every second of this one!!!

A Deadly Legacy is a cosy murder mystery set in the traditional olde English countryside. Jack Maddox and Alexi Ellis investigate the death of Frank Hopgood, brother of Drew who owns Hopgood Hall. The book gives off "Tommy & Tuppence" vibes as one interview leads to another with a few surprises along the way.

I struggled to get into the story with plenty of references to the history of Hopgood Hall and Alexi and Jack now being a well-known journalist and investigators. This is the sixth book in the series after all, and my first introduction into the world. This is not the one I'd recommend starting with.

I found the story lacked any substance to begin with. Franks wife, Stella causes a scene at his funeral demanding money from Drew (Franks brother) claiming he hadn't received a fair sum for his share in the hotel. On the back of this, Jack and Alexi begin looking into Stella's background.

Who is Stella? How did she and Frank meet in Australia and what are Stella's ties to the local area? Did she marry Frank for his money and then demand Drew for more because it had all ran out? The investigation obviously turns towards Franks death which has been previously ruled a climbing accident.

Jack and Alexi take Cosmo the Cat and Silgo the Dog along with them to every interview. This added a certain amount of charm but thankfully didn't fall into the trap of other cosy mysteries in having them help solve the crimes!

Overall, the plot comes together nicely if not a little too conveniently at the end with the reveal of key pieces of evidence to unlock the whole mystery. Worth a read.

I would like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this novel. All opinions are my own

The Hopgood Hall Mysteries #6

Frank Hopgood tragically died while he was on a climbing trip. At first, they thought it was an accident until his widow, Stella, turns up at Hopgood Hall claiming her inheritance. Alexi Ellis and her partner Jack Maddox look into Stella's background. It soon becomes clear that there is more to this story/

This is a quick read. Alexi and Jack take another look at Frank's accident when Stella turns up trying to claim half of Frank's brother's estate. There were lots of threads to the story, but they were all tied up at the end. A cosy murder mystery that's filled with family drama and lots of secrets.

Published 19th November 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #EVHunter for my ARC of #ADeadlyLegacy in exchange for an honest review.

I really do enjoy this series of books, well written with a good list of plausible suspects. Love the pet element, it's so unusual. Totally recommend this whole series. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

A good cosy murder mystery, well written and very enjoyable.

Frank Hopgood returns from Australia with a beautiful young wife, then he dies in a climbing accident and Stella unexpectedly turns up and insinuates the Drew did Frank out of his inheritance and wants part of Hopgood Hall. Luckily for Drew, Alexi, a partner in Hopgood Hall is there at the time with her partner Jack and they are able to tell Stella she has no claim. However, this increases Drew’s belief that his brother’s death was no accident and asked Jack and Alexi to look into it.

A thrilling tale full of twists and turns , well worth a read.

This was a really fun book. Perfect for a rainy day on the couch with a hot cup of coffee or a nice glass of wine..

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

4 Stars
One Liner: A solid read

When Drew’s brother Frank died in a climbing accident, they were surprised but assumed it was an accident. However, when his much younger and highly ambitious wife, Stella, arrives to demand a share in the Hopgood Hall, they are immediately suspicious. Drew and Cheryl ask Alexi and Jack to take up the case. Alexi and Jack already planned to work on it and were happy to dig deeper.
With new truths emerging, it becomes clear that there are a handful of suspects, and nothing everything is as it seems. With Drew getting into an unwanted complication, can Alexi and Jack save their friends in time?
The story comes in Alexi and Jack’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
Though this is the sixth book in the series, it should work as a standalone (unlike the previous two books that focused on Alexi and Jack’s personal lives). While this deals with Drew’s personal life, it is pretty independent.
As if Cosmo wasn’t enough, A & J now have Silgo, a huge doggy of mixed breed. Needless to say, these two have taken over the backseat of their car and are ready to save Alexi if necessary. Cosmo is, of course, not going to let people walk away without looking at him.
Given the premise, this one combines a bit of family drama and a good load of mystery. As always, the plot starts simple but develops into something layered and intricate. Yet, nowhere does it feel confusing. It is not unbelievable either and ties well with the character arcs. Different threads come together to create a complete picture.
There are enough suspects, so it took me some time to guess. Some of them are a bit flat but do the job they are supposed to do. I wish we see Stella in action a little more rather than just read about her.
There isn’t any new development in the personal track between Alexi and Jack but it is not necessary here. They have an understanding and already work well as a team.
It gets a bit repetitive when Alexi is the only one rushing into danger, so maybe we could change that next? Give Jack some action and a chance to showcase his moves. ;)
To summarize, A Deadly Legacy is intriguing and is a good mystery to read when traveling or relaxing. The pacing is not fast but settles into a good rhythm.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Part of a series featuring two investigators,an ex policeman and an investigative journalist. Full of twists and turns.

I really enjoyed the characters of the story. It was an easy, enjoyable read sat on the sofa with a cosy blanket and cup of coffee. This book will keep you wanting to read more right up until the end!

This was a carefully written murder mystery with some engaging characters, not least the two pets of the investigators. There were plenty of red herrings and the plot was hard to predict until the final denouement making this a decent read.

A Deadly Legacy by E.V. Hunter is the 6th book in the The Hopgood Hall Murder Mysteries, which as been a great read. If you love cozy mystery books this is a series that is a great quick and easy read, especially as it has great characters lots of good red herrings with twists and turns, that will have you guessing to the very end! Very clever of this author.

When Drew Hopgood’s brother, Frank dies whilst out climbing, Its initially thought his death was simply a tragic accident. But when Frank’s much younger wife, Stella arrives at Hopgood Hall demanding half of Frank’s inheritance the Hopgoods and Alexi Ellis begin to suspect foul play...

Sadly, Stella has no claim to Frank’s legacy, but she isn’t giving up easily. With the reputation of Hopgood Hall still fragile, Alexi can’t afford to lose any more money because of Stella’s greed.

Alexi, with her partner Jack, and of course you can't leave Cosmo out, decide to dig deeper into Stella’s background.

But, what do they all find?

Just how did she meet Frank?

Did she really love him?

As the trio investigate...........they discover Stella has her own reasons for being back at Hopgood Hall. Rather than console the grieving widow, Alexi and Jack think they might need to look again at Frank’s tragic death.......As this may not have been an accident this could have been a deadly fall – planned by his own wife! WoWoW........

Excellent book great quick read for the rainy days ahead. I have really got into this series and Loved them

Big thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood for my ARC.

A Deadly Legacy is the sixth book in the Hopgood Hall Murder Mystery series. While it could be read as a standalone, I believe that those who have read the first five books in the series would probably enjoy it even more.
In this book, the spectre of murder and suspicion is once again hanging over Hopgood Hall. With finances and reputation hanging by a thread, Alexi and Jack are racing against the clock to solve this latest case. As usual, there are plenty of unexpected developments to keep the reader guessing. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy.

I didn’t know this was part of a series. It has a lot of dialogue that made me feel lost. I felt like I missed out on something by not reading the other books. I like the pet companions though.

I’m not really sure what I’m going to rate this book. I did not realize when I got this ARC that it was the 6th book in the series so there were lots of little hints to other books that I did not get, but anyway.

I really enjoyed this little cozy mystery. I really loved the little rag tag group of characters that include a dog and a cat that help their owners solve mysteries. I really liked this storyline and I honestly did not see the who done it coming until I got to the end of the story. I really liked Jack and Alexi’s romance, even though I know it wasn’t always a romance, but I still really enjoyed it. I liked the little hints from the other books, even if I didn’t understand the references. Overall a great addition the this cozy series (I think cozy.)

Sadly I DNF, I read about 30% before making the decision of not continuing.

Is always sad to not finish a book, specially a cozy mystery as I like the genre so much. The premise was solid: a dubious death, a gold-digger widow, and good people being threatened. I honestly wanted to like the story but I just couldn't finish it.

There were several things that I disliked and made my reading hard. First was the characters, they seemed overly simplified and taken to the extreme. The main detectives as super smart, nothing can go wrong in their hands. The evil widow as pure evil. The owners of the hotel in dispute as good people starting a family, with a young baby. And last and specially annoying the super obedient with big personalities animals. I love animals, and pets, but the human-like portrayal of them it was not my cup of tea. I do think they have feelings, personalities and are smart, I don't think they have THAT MUCH as written. I tend to prefer complex characters, that are not all bad nor all good, that make mistakes and work to fix it. These characters felt too simplistic to the point of being unrealistic.

The pace was ok, but the way dialogue was written was also found confusing and hard to follow for me.

This book is part of a series, so I am sure there are a lot of people who will enjoy this book. I would recommend it to readers of previous books in the series and fans of cozy mysteries might like it too. Unfortunately it was not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

"A tragic accident or an untimely death?

When Drew Hopgood's brother, Frank dies whilst out climbing, it's initially thought his death was simply a tragic accident. But when Frank's much younger wife, Stella arrives at Hopgood Hall demanding half of Frank's inheritance the Hopgoods and Alexi Ellis begin to suspect foul play...

Stella has no claim to Frank's legacy, but she isn't giving up easily. And with the reputation of Hopgood Hall still fragile, Alexi can't afford to lose any more money because of Stella's greed.

So Alexi, her partner Jack, and Cosmo of course, decide to dig deeper into Stella's background. Just how did she meet Frank and were they really as in love as she claims?

As the trio investigate, they discover Stella has her own reasons for being back at Hopgood Hall. And rather than console the grieving widow, Alexi and Jack think they might need to look again at Frank’s tragic death - because rather than an accident this could have been a deadly fall - planned by his own wife!

A boutique hotel. A feral cat. A recipe for murder!

A gripping murder mystery, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Frances Evesham and Emma Davies."

The feral cat totally knows everything and is keeping it from them.

I'm not sure how I missed this great cozy mystery series. This is book 6 and I have not read any of the previous books but I will rectify that. That said the book was very engaging and I loved all the characters. I had no problem with the storyline being the 6th in the series it was easy to follow along. I fell in love with Cosmo the cat and Silgo the pup an look forward to learning more of their story in earlier books. I enjoyed the twists and turns and all the family drama.
Huge thank you for this ARC of this book from NetGalley and Boldwood Books.