A Most Efficient Murder

I never heard of this author but I absolutely loved the book. It’s a murder mystery house party à la Agatha Christie style. I really enjoyed it and it kept me interested the entire book. As a bonus I absolutely did not know who the killer was.

A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton
Publish date: 4 April 2022

This author is not a name I have come across before and I am pleased I did. This novel is a lovely and intriguing read. Twists, turns and red herrings abound! I enjoyed the vocabulary and dialogue. throughout the story with believable characters. My favourites being Detective Inspector Wintle and Mr Quale. I read this book in a day, very enjoyable.

I give a 4 star rating

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. MY VIEWS ARE MY OWN.

Marred By Murder…
A party thrown by the usually unsociable and bookish Lord Unsworth is marred by murder in this, hugely enjoyable and entertaining, traditionally styled mystery. Effectively portrayed in Golden Age style and set 1925, the reader is presented with an array of well drawn suspects and even more motives, as red herrings abound and more bodies pile, before a dramatic and, perhaps, unexpected denouement. As an aficionado of the Golden Age of Crime, this did not disappoint but amply rewarded in droves. Billed as the first in the Mr Quayle mysteries, the second is now eagerly awaited.

This was a very entertaining facsimile of a Golden Age mystery complete with country house, false identities, both a professional and an amateur detective, a lord of the manor, multiple murders. If you like this kind of mystery (and I do), you will greatly enjoy this!

I quite enjoyed this book. It wasn't exactly gripping, but it was still a good read. It is well written and the characters work well. Highly recommended

I enjoyed this book very much. Mr. Quayle is a very intriguing character!! There’s an air of mystery surrounding our main character and I’d like to know more about him.

He has friends in high places!! He’s smart, kind and very efficient! Secretary to Lord Unsworth, he also investigates a murder that Lord Unsworth asks him to.

I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. An easy fun read while he kept the characters real and intriguing. This is the first work I’ve read by this author.

My thanks to @Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, as well as to @NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of A Most Efficient Murder.

"Mr. Quayle, must unravel a web of red-herrings and buried secrets before the murderer can strike again…"

When a body is found on the grounds of Unsworth Castle, Mr. Quayle soon learns that those living in the House of Unsworth may not be quite as innocent as they seem.

I liked this book a lot and I'm so happy it's the start of a series! I very much enjoyed the “whodunnit” murder mystery style, along with the classic ending. I felt the manner of writing was enjoyable and I'm eager to read more about the characters in the next book. I loved Mr. Quayle's wisdom and his determination to solve the murder mystery, no matter what it takes.

I recommend A Most Efficient Murder - especially to those who enjoy taking a step back in time and reading an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery!

I enjoyed this book. Thank you for the ARC copy from Net Galley.
This was a well-written, easy to follow good mystery. I emjoyed the main character Mr.Quayle.
The authors style of writting was easy to follow, I read this book quickly.

There is seldom in this world that can top my enthusiasm of finishing a deliciously delightful & marvellously well-crafted book. When I find myself eagerly making my way through a story; satiated by the encumbering pages that lay ahead, I am filled with sentiments of gratitude for the author who put so much of themselves into the story. Such is my experience with this first instalment of what I hope to be a long-running series of mysteries writing by Slayton.

In 1925, with the Great War behind them, members of an aristocratic house find themselves gathered in numbers to celebrate a new coming of age. All the while, a body lays inert amongst the foliage where members of the party scurry past in the hopes of sustaining their own motives of secrecy. If you are someone who has ever enjoyed an episode of Midsomer Murders; who has delighted in the suave nature of an Agatha Christie mystery; who has become enthralled with the classic takes on crime befalling Rex Stout’s defectives; if you have ever found yourself on a blustery day in need of a story that will itch at the corners of your imagination, A Most Efficient Murder is one such story you will delight in reading.

There was no one moment which led me to the conclusion that I was enamoured with this story; the book’s opening pages encouraged me to maintain that feeling from start to finish. I suppose what makes a great mystery novel is, not always our inability to guess the twist but, the author’s ability to lead a reader into an environment in which they know something is amiss; nothing is quite as it seems & one must believe that to be true, however plainly things appear to be the opposite. By this I mean, that the author has introduced a cast of characters who are settled, they know themselves & we need little to understand that these are multi-dimensional people whom we have now caught at a disadvantage as, there has been a crime commitment. Yet, even though we are aware that one of the people we grow fondly to know as a person in this world, might very well be the villain of the story; we seek to find them amongst the pages. Slayton has flawlessly introduced a cast of characters which each hosts their own distinct perspectives, dialogue, actions & personalities. Every single character was unique to themselves, even the ones who lacked a bit of backbone.

As much as I appreciate my ability to clock a twist, I most certainly prefer a story which distracts me from my longing to do so. While reading a mystery, I do not want to have my conscious state entirely focused on solving the riddle; I want to have a story encourage me to relinquish my hold of self-control & allow myself to be lead through the maze of suspense. Regardless if I have solved the enigma, I want to have my appetite for the secrecy sustained. This is a personal aspect of reading, I very much acknowledge that. This is not to say that, if/when I solve a reveal I am left disappointed, on the contrary; you’ve granted me enough information to allow me to stand toe-to-toe with a character who knows more than I do, I applaud your ability to be subtle & discreet.

The setting of this story brought me some level of nostalgia which I cannot quite pin-down. The story, for the most part, takes place on a vast estate & yet encouraged me to utilize my full imagination when I was required to build the scene within my mind. This story included elements of everything I adore about classic crime novels; a vast array of eloquently devious characters, elements of classic literature, a crime within a mystery, the necessity to reach beyond the limits of the property to better understand people we know not, a setting which reeks of cozy suspense while horror seeps from the cool rocks of the estate.

I am very impressed & enthused to have come across this book. I hope to read many more of these stories in the approaching years. Coming across books that remind us of all the things there are to appreciate in an old-time murder mystery is unparalleled & invaluable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Anthony Slayton for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

#AMostEfficientMurder #NetGalley

Really enjoyed this book, loved the characters and the storyline was good, an enjoyable read with some twists and turns along the way

4.5 stars but since I enjoyed the closed door Agatha Christie style story and did not guess the murder, I will gladly round up to 5.

The book takes place in England in 1925 and at a birthday party hosted by the Earl of Unsworth a body is found in the garden.

I love a good mystery and A Most Efficient Murder did not let me down.

From the first to the last page I was hooked.

Who was the murderer?

Mr. Quayle it was a pleasure to meet you and I hope you will come back soon to solve another mystery. Bring your friend Inspector Wintle to match wits with.

I will be first in line for Book 2 of the Series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for a mysterious read .

This is first in what promises to be an enjoyable series, and as such, the reader is introduced to a cast of characters. In the title role, we have Mr. Quayle, who is secretary to Lord Unsworth and served in WWI with Lord Unsworth's son, who died in the war (there is some mystery there). We also meet Inspector Wintle, who served with Quayle during the war and should be a major character in other books. In this inaugural book of the series, Lord Unsworth, who hates hosting parties, is nevertheless throwing a party for his beloved niece Fanny and is set to make a big announcement. Before that can take place, a woman is found murdered on the grounds. No one will admit to knowing her. When the police are called, Lord Unsworth tasks Quayle with serving as a shadow and liaison to the investigation. Slayton has produced a well-written mystery. This is true Golden Age in the best possible sense. The book will release on April 4.

I received an ARC of A Most Efficient Murder from Victory Editing and NetGalley. This book was a wonderful read. The atmosphere created by Anthony Slayton made it feel very much like I was taking part in a game of Clue. Everything fit seamlessly together. The Unsworth family, the estate, and the time period created a complex and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I usually give a 4 star review when I am able to anticipate the killer early on; however the jarring and unexpected twists more than made up for it. If you are a fan of Clue, Agatha Christie, or any whodunit style mysteries, I highly recommend A Most Efficient Murder. I look forward to reading more Mr. Quayle novels soon.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, in return for an honest review. This is the first in a new series and I absolutely loved it! If you’re a fan of the Golden Age mysteries of Agatha Christie, you should enjoy this one. I can’t wait to read the next one and hope there are many more.
In 1929 England, the Earl of Unsworth is unpleasantly surprised when his butler arrives and informs him there is a body in the garden. The Earl is already unhappy as all his relatives have descended on his estate to both celebrate his ward’s 18th birthday and also to learn his decision on the Great Matter of who will be named his heir. Luckily, Mr. Quayle, former WWI British officer and Whitehall civil servant, is His Grace’s new secretary and able to take charge.
Mr. Quayle walks the delicate line of serving the Earl’s best interests while also maintaining his own integrity and honor. This is trying at times, given the strong and self-entitled personalities of many of the Earl’s family members gathered for the party. It’s possibly encouraging when Mr. Quayle recognizes Detective-Inspector Wintle as a fellow officer who also served on the western front in WWI. Working sometimes together and sometimes at odds, both men seek to identify the victim and the murderer. There’s also a lost diamond necklace, a disinherited sister, and all kinds of questionable motives for cooperation or prevarication. I can’t wait to see Mr. Quayle ande DI Wintle in action again!

It is 1925 and the book opens at a dinner party on the rural estate of Lord Unsworth where the body of a woman is discovered in the gardens. None of the family members nor the guests seem to know who she is, how she came to the castle, or why she would have been presumably murdered on that night in those gardens. The story follows Mr. Quayle's own investigation into the unknown woman's murder and his attempts to save the reputation of Lord Unsworth's family, which proves to be a challenge due to the plethora of secrets the castle and each family member seems to hold along the way.

Anthony Slayton leads the reader through a series of twists and turns that will keep them guessing until the very end. Just when I thought I had figured it out, a new secret would come up or truth would be revealed that would have me questioning someone new. I did figure out the killer about halfway through the book but there was so much more to the overall crime that kept me guessing until the end of the book.

I absolutely loved this classic whodunit mystery novel and it is the perfect read for fans of Agatha Christie.

A brilliantly written engaging mystery book with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Absolutely love the way the characters were written.

4 stars, highly entertaining whodunnit set in the 1920s in the style of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers. Kept entertained throughout and surprised (in part) by the ending, which is always good in a mystery. A nice writing style and steady pace maintained throughout. Great to see books like this still being published. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thank you Victory Editing and Netgalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A Most Efficient Murder truly was a cozy mystery and a classic whodunnit. It also gave me major Agatha Christie vibes, which I really appreciate.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and the pace of the book overall. It had an element of humor to it too, which added to the coziness and the enjoyability. The different characters were also very tasteful and provided multiple facets to the story. None of the characters felt shallow, useless, or incomplete.

The overall plot was very intriguing and captivating. I found myself eager to know what’s going to happen next, who committed the murder, and how it all played out. I love that there were so many elements in the story that tied in together very nicely. I did, however, have an inkling of what’s going to happen, but I didn’t guess it entirely. My inkling didn’t take away from my enjoyment because, as mentioned, there are so many elements to the story that just make it all the more interesting.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the book and I’m eager to see where this series goes!

A brilliant book in the vein of a golden age of crime novel. There was nothing about this book that I did not like, The characters were well rounded and the internal feelings that they portrayed were totally understandable based on the time the book is set and the dealings with the aristocracy. Immediately after finishing this book I downloaded the first in the series, but do not worry as this did not detract in any way from the story as there was enough explanation as to why the main character was where he was.
A totally exceptional read and the reveal when it came was both expected and unexpected in equal measures,

A cozy set in 1920 featuring Mr. Quayle, a former soldier turned private secretary to a Duke. When the body of a young woman is found in the Duke’s garden; Mr. Quayle is pressed into finding the culprit while protecting the family from scandal. I liked this one but sometimes it felt like nothing was really happening, especially in the middle section of the book. Things picked up towards the end and Quayle is a charming character. Look for this on Apr 4/22. Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book. It was funny, witty and charming. I suspected everyone and at the same time, no one. I genuinely enjoyed reading this ARC, it was such a fun experience. I definitely want to read more by this author.

This was excellent and delicious! Delighted this is going to be a series! I did doubt at points that the ending was going to tie up nicely but I was very pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this a lot more than other murder books in the genre, it was just very sweet and clever and the humour was great.

This was a first time read of this author’s work. I was drawn in by the plot description and I’m so glad I was. It was a really excellent whodunnit. With definite shades of Agatha Christie. The twists kept on coming and some of the clues to the murderer were there, but I failed to guess the culprit. Would definitely recommend to fans of murder mysteries. The plot rolled along really well and I am really keen to find out more about the mysterious Mr Quayle, hopefully this is just the start of a series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of a really great story.

Description (from cover): “When the reclusive Earl of Unsworth’s first party in over a decade is spoiled by murder, his Lordship’s loyal and efficient secretary, Mr. Quayle, must unravel a web of red-herrings and old family secrets before the murderer can strike again…

I do not wish to disturb you, your grace, but there is a body in the garden…

England, 1925. When a strange young women is found murdered on the grounds of Unsworth Castle, the Duke and his family are astounded at first, but quickly become enraged when the police begin asking all sorts of impertinent questions.

And when suspicions dare to fall on one of their own, it is up to Mr. Quayle, Lord Unsworth’s exceedingly efficient secretary, to find the true culprit and save the House of Unsworth from scandal and ruin.

My Thoughts:

There is nothing like a British estate murder mystery. For some reason, the British have really nailed this concept like no other and I always find myself drawn to books like this. In this book Lord Unsworth is hosting a party, his first in ten years, in order to celebrate his collection of familial artefacts and to announce his heir. Not being a very social person, this is a major feat for him and he has invited family and friends from far and wide to attend this party. When a guest turns up murdered in the estate’s gardens and no one knows who the young woman is, it appears that sinister things are afoot. Lord Unsworth asks his secretary, Mr. Quayle, to assist the police in the murder investigation on behalf of the family. Mr. Quayle soon finds himself embroiled in the middle of accusations and trying to keep the family’s good name out of the society scandal columns.

I really enjoyed reading this book as I always love a murder mystery set in a grand English house where society comes into play and there are a onslaught of suspects. The author did not disappoint in this regard as there were plenty of suspects and motives for the murder and everyone appears to have secrets. Who exactly wanted this unknown woman dead and who had the means, motive and opportunity to dispose of her body in the estate’s gardens? These are the questions that Mr. Quayle must find out and with the help of the police and their own investigations, Mr. Quayle is determined to find out the solution to the mystery at any and all costs, even if it means losing his job.

It is my understanding that this is the first book in the Mr. Quayle murder mystery series, however, at the end of the book, there was a link to a free copy of a previous publication featuring Mr. Quayle. That book is titled A Quite Deadly Affair and it predates this novel. I am not sure why that book is not considered the first in this series and I have not yet had a chance to read it, but it apparently provides Mr. Quayle’s background as to how he ended up working for Lord Unsworth. I am not sure if it is a full novel or a novella, but I am curious to see if anyone else knows. Nevertheless, this book was a delightful read and I will certainly be looking more from this author in the future. Also, this book is currently listed for preorder at $3.99 for a kindle e-book on Amazon if you want to snag a copy.

Overall Rating: 4 stars
Author: Anthony Slayton

Series: Mr. Quayle Mystery #1

Publisher: N/A

Publication Date: April 3, 2022

Pages: 309

Genre: Historical Mystery

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for a review copy of A Most Efficient Murder, the first novel to feature Mr Quayle.

England, 1925. Lord Unsworth has opened his house for a glittering party, but events are marred by the discovery of a murdered body in the garden. It is left to his secretary Mr Quayle to solve the murder and shield the family from scandal.

I thoroughly enjoyed A Most Efficient Murder, which is an old fashioned country house murder mystery in the style of the Golden Age, where the emotions and personality of the detective take second place to the investigation. And it’s fair to say that the author outdoes himself in making Mr Quayle an enigma as there is no hint of even a first name, never mind a story of his life. There are allusions to life before Unsworth Hall, but no real meat on the bones. I rather like it as it’s intriguing and makes me want to read more.

The plot is well done and, the word that comes to mind, robust. It offers all the main ingredients for a substantial mystery, unidentified body, several suspects and no clear motive. The details are fairly silly, a pastiche I suspect of some of the more lurid offerings of the time, think secret codes and hidden diamonds, but fun. It is well paced with strategic reveals that offer enough intrigue to keep the reader turning the pages and mulling the permutations, but I defy any reader to get the whole of the solution correct. I got some of it, but it’s unexpectedly complex and at the same time offering more pastiche so great fun as well.

A Most Efficient Murder is a very credible start to a new series, so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.

This is a delightful 1929 house party mystery reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s work. Mr Quayle is the secretary to Lord Unsworth, the father of his deceased former commanding officer. He has great loyalty to the family so when a woman’s body is found on the evening of a grand party he steps up to solve the crime and protect the family from scandal. I am hoping for a second in a series featuring Mr. Quayle.
This is a review of an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley.

A body is found during a birthday party at the vast estate of the Unsworth family. Lord Unsworth is throwing a party for his niece, and suspected heir, and with the sudden death of a supposed stranger, everyone there is now a suspect, family included.

The cast is this: Lord Unsworth, his niece, Fanny, his sister, Contance, her husband Robert and their son Arthur, Fanny's boyfriend Major Eatwell and Mr. Quayle, the Lords new assistant. Inspector Wintle rounds everyone up and starts questioning. The Lord asks Quayle to assist the police in their investigation and they oblige. They soon discover that not everyone in the family is innocent and the secrets go deeper and are larger than anyone realized. Can Quayle and Wintle discover who the murderer is before they escape?

I really enjoyed this book. Mr. Quayle reminded me of Poirot or Marple. I would classify this as a "classic whodunnit". Quayle's wit and wisdom was fun to read, the mystery parts of the story were spot on and I was guessing until the very end. The chapters are short and the pacing is perfect for an afternoon read. The story is intricate yet easy to follow once all of the pieces fall into place. If you enjoy, A Christie style read, then this is the book for you. I am excited that this is a series and I cant wait to see what else Quayle gets himself into. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.

I absolutely loved #AMostEfficientMurder! Mr. Quayle is one of my new favorite literary characters, a little mysterious with ties to the House of Unsworth that are not fully explained and a questionable employment history but entirely honorable, loyal and smart!

A body is found in the garden during an infrequent party at Unsworth Castle. The Duke, Quayle's current employer, and his family are incensed that the police think any of them could have been involved in the crime and so Quayle is instructed to "assist" the police in their investigation, Luckily, it is a war time friend of his that is leading the investigation. During the hunt for the killer, many of the families' secrets are uncovered giving some of them a motive.

I strongly recommend downloading the short story via the link at the end of the book. It explains what happened at Quayle's former place of employment and how he came to work for the Unsworth family. I am so grateful to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and advance copy and look forward to the second book.

England, 1929. When a strange young woman is found murdered on the grounds of Unsworth Castle, the Duke and his family are astounded at first, but quickly become enraged when the police begin asking all sorts of impertinent questions.
And when suspicions dare to fall on one of their own, it is up to Mr. Quayle, Lord Unsworth’s exceedingly efficient secretary, to find the true culprit. The characters are well-drawn and believable. The plot is perfectly paced, holds your interest, and keeps you guessing. It’s a page turner, for sure!

Set after WWI in 1925 England, A Most Efficient Murder is an enchanting cozy mystery, resplendent with fun, wit, intrigue and quirky characters. The writing style is quick, catchy and engaging. I was pulled in from the get go and enjoyed being immersed in deceptions until the end. But as this is the first in the Mr. Quayle series, thankfully this is actually just the beginning!

Though Lord Unsworth would rather bury himself in a book or medieval objects, he hosts guests at Unsworth Castle for a special event. But before it could proceed a body was found in his garden. After that layer upon layer of mystery and secrets are revealed...and no one's closet is devoid of skeletons. Mr. Quayle, Unsworth's private secretary, is asked to investigate on behalf of the family. But Inspector Wintle is officially in charge. Or so he thinks. Mayhem ensues.

My favourite aspects are the eclectic characters, wit and setting. Social classes are fascinating to read about and in this book we see different vantage points, teetering between pearl-clutching traditional Constance and modern Fanny. Mr. Quayle is one of my favourite characters.

Those besotted with the flair of Golden Age mysteries, do read this. It is well worth your time. Bits of it are reminiscent of P. G. Wodehouse characters and Blandings Castle setting. In my view this is the perfect escapist read...we all need that now and then!

My sincere thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the privilege of reading the first in this new series! What joy to anticipate the storylines in the second!

This was super cute. I really like the voice of narrator and the feel of the book as a whole. Really gives meaning to the term cozy mystery. Believe it or not I want to try rereading it via audiobook just because I think with the right narrator and accent this could be bumped to a 4 star read.

What a fun story! If you’re a fan of Marple or Midsomer Murders, then this will be right up your alley!

What starts as a celebration ends in murder.
The time: 1929
The place: Unsworth Castle
The victim: no one knows…or do they?

This was a rather enjoyable tale from start to finish. It gave multiple perspectives and had insight into different histories for different characters, but did not overload with information. In fact, gave you just enough information to satiate.

These characters had so many sides to them that it was fun to see how everyone related to one another and how everything played out. This story showed that murder is not always so upfront and there were quite a web of knots that the inspector and Quayle had to untie and come to a conclusion on.

As I was reading, I was really able to see this all play out in my mind; I could see the surrounds of the castle and even imagine tones of voice along with minute facial expressions.

Secrets and lies can hinder and ruin relationships quite completely and I’m curious to see what comes next for Quayle.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC ebook edition of this story!

A most efficient murder by Anthony Slayton.
The Mr. Quayle Mysteries Book 1.
When a party thrown by the reclusive Lord Unsworth is marred by murder, his loyal secretary, Mr. Quayle, must unravel a web of red-herrings and old family secrets in this
Really enjoyable read. Great story and characters. 4*.

It's the first book I read by this author and I hope to read others as I thoroughly enjoyed.
It's well plotted, compelling, and the solid mystery kept me guessing. Fleshed out characters, vivid historical background.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A light read, some twists and turns but not too dark. I enjoyed the story and the characters and happy with the ending. I will definitely recommend this to those looking for a thriller/mystery

My kind of book when family secrets come to the surface at an alarming rate, thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it ..

“I do not wish to disturb you, your grace, but there is a body in the garden…”

When a strange young woman is found murdered on the grounds of Unsworth Castle, the Duke and his family are astounded at first, but quickly become enraged when the police begin asking all sorts of impertinent questions.

Mr. Quayle has just been employed by the 13th Earl of Unsworth.

What starts as a celebration ends in murder.
No one knows the victim or do they?

I enjoyed this book. Witty, funny and everything in between. If you’re a fan of Midsomer Murders or Sherlock Holmes then this is a book you should get your hands on!

He has friends in high places!

A Most Efficient Murder by Anthony Slayton is the first book in Mr.Quayle Mystery series.

I was drawn to it for several reasons, first that it is historical cozy mystery, that it gave off that A.Christie vibe that is always a win in my book and who doesn't love a murder in a mansion set in an English countryside.
It is steady paced, the language is easy to read and enjoyable.
I quite enjoyed setting, it is really perfectly suited for the story of this kind.
Although I have to admit that I had hard time following and it didn't always keep my attention. I found it lacking, the characters were almost too stereotypical and they lacked depth. It just wasn't gripping enough for my liking.
This is a solid story for those who enjoy reading historical mysteries.

A Most Efficient Murder is a fun romp through a genre I've always enjoyed -- when well done. This first Mr. Quale mystery introduces us to Lord Unsworth, holding a family party of all things, where he is expected to announce the heir to his title. He is a pedantic historian of centuries of family history, collector of old family related artifacts and a bore. He has raised his niece, Fanny, since her parents died when she was eleven. His sister Constance is difficult and determined that her son, Arther, a gambler and ne'er do well secure the title, perhaps by marrying his cousin. Constance is married to Robert, a successful businessman. Lord Unsworth prefers his solitary studies and hobbies to his family and rarely sees any of them, except of course for Fanny whom he loves as a daughter. The characters are not terribly deep, but each has a role to play and we are offered sufficient backstories to enjoy and comprehend each one. In the middle of the party, a woman is found murdered in the garden. Mr. Quale, new secretary to Lord Unsworth and old friend of the former heir, Teddy, who was killed in the war, is asked to look after the family's interests. Inspector Winkle is in charge of the case. Various gardeners, constables and dead people appear at the proper moments to move the entertaining story along with a very satisfying group revelation at the end. In other words, Slayton has created just the right cast and plot to completely entertain with a few red herrings and some suggestions of further Unsworth issues to make me want to read the next book, already written. A quick and satisfying read! A well done entry into this genre.

1925. The Earl of Unsworth, Edward Statham, is holding a party at his castle when proceedings are interrupted by the discovery of a body. When D.I. Wintle and his superior Colonel Rye arrive the Earl has made an arrangement that his secretary Mr Quayle will shadow the investigation. But who is the dead female and why was she in the castle grounds. Can Wintle and Quayle sift through all the lies they are told to find a motive, and the killer.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery. With its likeable main characters. A good start to the series
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely meaty traditional country house mystery murder. All the usual elements: family scandal, missing jewels, interesting domestics and a policeman. All wrapped up in a ghastly 'old pile'. Interesting dynamic between Mr Quayle and the detective, looking forward to the next one.
A new author to me and I am glad I took the plunge. Thanks to Netgalley.

“A Most Efficient Murder” was my introduction to Anthony Slayton. The book blurb sounded like just my favourite type of thing, cosy, historical murder mystery, and it was! I can’t wait for next in the series, I’m hooked!

The characters are multifaceted and interesting, the mystery curious and complex, and the writing pacy! Mr Quayle is unintentionally charming as our leading man and I am keen to see what he gets up to next! His dry wit and quick intelligence makes the story all the better!

If you love murder mysteries, don’t miss out on this one! It’s highly recommended and a five out of five on the enJOYment scale!

I just loved that it was action from the start of this murder mystery, and I was engaged in the storyline, right until the end.

The key characters have depth and I found Mr Quayle an intriguing lead in the story. He's the secretary to Lord Unsworth (a highly private, almost reclusive character), but not what you'd expect at all. His background you see gives him an unexpected edge in helping to identify the murderer. There are many twists and turns. Some expected, others less so. There are so many lies, so much deceit and yet there is also loyalty and caring as well.

It's FIVE stars from me, as I look forward to reading the next in this historical mystery series. I hope I don't have to wait too long.

With thanks to #Netgalley, Victor Editing NetGalley Coop and the author for my Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

A Most Efficient Murder hearkens back to 1925 in England. The House of Unsworth, their castle and their devoted secretary Mr. Quayle, form the heart of this mystery.

A reclusive Early Unsworth throws a party and a mysterious murder victim is found. A rather classic whodunit ensues. Rather like Agatha Christie (of whom I admit I am a great fan!) the pace, the dialogue and the mystery itself are a more leisurely pace than today's "psychological thrillers," and more delicious. There is charming dialogue with some humor thrown in. This book is neither dull nor so bushy rushing to the end that is can't be savored.

With a fine cup (or maybe pot) of tea this book will provide the reader with a most satisfying experience.

I’m a huge fan of cozy mysteries thanks to Agatha Christie. If you’re looking for a new mystery series then definitely give Anthony Slayton’s 𝘈 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘌𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 a read. It’s the first in the Mr. Quayle Mysteries series and it’s definitely going to keep you guessing. ⁣
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⁣The Earl of Unsworth has thrown a huge gala on behalf of his niece with a surprise planned at the end of the night, but it seems the biggest surprise is going to be the unknown dead body that’s discovered in his vast garden. Lord Unsworth asks his trusty secretary Mr. Quayle to assist the police in the investigation (but really he’s there to solve the crime before they can and to keep the Unsworth name safe).
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⁣The connections between the characters will unfold as Mr. Quayle and the investigator do their due diligence and what they uncover will be an emotional surprise. I had a few guesses that came true but I couldn’t discern the reasons why until the end. This is a smart and historical mystery. I’d definitely continue the series!

Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Definitely creepy. Just a little slow and unbelievable at some points. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.