Death at the Manor The Asharton Manor Mysteries Volume 1 Celina Grace 9781511671125 Books
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**PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS NOT A FULL-LENGTH NOVEL - it is a novella-length piece of fiction (about 20 thousand words)** It is 1929. Asharton Manor stands alone in the middle of a pine forest, once the place where ancient pagan ceremonies were undertaken in honour of the goddess Astarte. The Manor is one of the most beautiful stately homes in the West Country and seems like a palace to Joan Hart, newly arrived from London to take up a servant’s position as the head kitchen maid. Getting to grips with her new role and with her fellow workers, Joan is kept busy, but not too busy to notice that the glittering surface of life at the Manor might be hiding some dark secrets. The beautiful and wealthy mistress of the house, Delphine Denford, keeps falling ill but why? Confiding her thoughts to her friend and fellow housemaid, feisty Verity Hunter, Joan is unsure of what exactly is making her uneasy, but then Delphine Denford dies… Armed only with their own good sense and quick thinking, Joan and Verity must pit their wits against a cunning murderer in order to bring them to justice. Death at the Manor is the first in the Asharton Manor Mysteries series a four part series of novellas spanning the twentieth century. Each standalone story uses Asharton Manor as the backdrop to a devious and twisting crime mystery, from bestselling crime writer Celina Grace, author of The Kate Redman Mysteries. Praise for Celina Grace from and Goodreads reviewers “One of the best I have read this year. I read about a fourth of the book early in the day, then at bedtime, I thought I would read a bit more before sleep. I finished the book at 520 AM. Just could not put it down.” “…a gripping detective story but the main character engages you, and as well as wanting to know how the mystery turns out you want to learn more about her too.” “…amazing book, read it front to back in one visit, couldn`t help myself…” “…the most enjoyable book I have so far read since the 'low cost electronic revolution' which has been sweeping my reading habits for the last couple of years! Thoroughly recommended.” “This was my introduction to the author, and I'm so glad I discovered the book. Well-written and a real page turner.” “I was awake till the early hours to finish it !! I really enjoyed it and the characters in it so I'm pleased I also have the sequel downloaded to read at some point. I know it should be great.” “Attention to detail and great character building coupled with a mystery that keeps you guessing are all the ingredients that make me keep reading till the early hours of the morning.” "Celina Grace has done it again, she compels you from page to page and chapter to chapter, a great, riveting read..." "I found it difficult to put down and was completely distracted from all the other things I should have been doing with my time." "This is a great series that I couldn't put down and grabbed the next book right away at 1 a.m. to keep reading."
Death at the Manor The Asharton Manor Mysteries Volume 1 Celina Grace 9781511671125 Books
When it comes to mystery indie authors, the e-book world is kind of glutted at the moment. So I admit I was wary to pick this one up simply because I'm wary in general, but my love for historical settings and the Upstairs, Downstairs angle won out. And I am really glad it did. I sincerely loved this novella!It's true this story meets the "cozy" criteria in that there is no "on-screen" violence and all of that, but it is much more in the vein of a traditional, Golden Age (in my opinion, proper) mystery. It is not twee or overly cute, it is a compelling story with true-to-life characters that really moves forward and reads well. I loved that it also touched on some themes that other mysteries of a similar type might distance themselves from. The author presents a culprit who is human, someone who may have committed a terrible act but is well-rounded and real. Not some by-the-numbers Bad Guy and I very much appreciated that aspect. All too often, I think, many mysteries of this type try to make the perpetrator despicable so that you feel no empathy towards them. But that extra bit of connection really sends home the poignancy of the crime, I think.
I love reading mystery short stories and novellas and I am usually irked to no end when people complain about them being Too Short, but I have to admit I was disappointed this time myself. BUT ONLY because I liked Joan and Verity so much, and I wanted to see more involving the two of them. So I was excited to see a note at the end that these characters will appear in a full length novel series next year. Joan is a smart, down to earth yet sensitive protagonist, and I love Verity's connection to the theatre world and the perhaps "seedier" side of London. They make a great team and I am really looking forward to the series!
I also liked how the author incorporated little elements of Joan's working life in the 1920s without it feeling like "here is research of life in the 20s!" but still giving you an offhand insight. Definitely for anyone who likes traditional Brit mysteries, smart, not silly, amateur sleuths, or stories of the upstairs/downstairs milieu.
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Tags : Death at the Manor (The Asharton Manor Mysteries) (Volume 1) [Celina Grace] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. **PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS NOT A FULL-LENGTH NOVEL - it is a novella-length piece of fiction (about 20 thousand words)** It is 1929. Asharton Manor stands alone in the middle of a pine forest,Celina Grace,Death at the Manor (The Asharton Manor Mysteries) (Volume 1),CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform,1511671122,FICTION Mystery & Detective Historical
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Death at the Manor The Asharton Manor Mysteries Volume 1 Celina Grace 9781511671125 Books Reviews
While "Murder at Merisham Lodge" is considered Book 1 of the series, there is a previous novella, alluded to but not spoiled in the novel, in which the two maids come across their very first suspicious death. I paid a whopping $0.99 for Death at the Manor, which was quite short and not as well fleshed out as the novel, but still very entertaining and well worth a dollar.
I rarely give 5 star reviews, but this novelette deserves every star. The writing is engaging, the plot flows perfectly, and the story as a whole is very satisfying.
On the strength of this short story I ordered the next three books in the series and am looking forward to reading the upcoming books featuring Joan and Verity.
I'm glad to have found a new author whose work I truly enjoy.
This short read is great in it's plot. Set in the "grand olde manner" of isolated country living the story's characters are well defined and the plot cleverly done. Here is a read you will most certainly not figure out. It was quite a surprise to me, and a good one. I tried, but missed the mark badly. Hope you fare better. Happy reading.
Beautifully written, with great attention to period details. Joan and Verity are unlikely sleuths, with Joan especially intelligent and perceptive. Her practical nature combined with her youthful yearning for a better life makes this story poignant. This is not a time in which I'd have wanted to live, at least if not a member of the upper classes.
Like her other books, this one is free of major errors in editing, making it enjoyable to read. No explicit sex, also estimable. There's a hint of shy possible romance between Joan and the Inspector, at least I'm hoping...
This short story was suspenseful and had smart and interesting characters. I would love to read more in this series, but at this time the price of $2.99 for a books which average 70 - 75 pages is much more expensive than my budget will bear. This is my first time reading this author, that I am aware of. I would like to see if she writes books of 288 - 450 pages.
Update I was able to get all four short stories in one package for $6.99. Each story took place around the same Manor House, each at a different time in history, 1929, 1940, 1973, and 2014.
Each story was well written. Death at the Manor was the most book-like, and had heroines that I would love to read more about. Joan and V were cute and sassy, with futures sure to be full of adventure. A Prescription for Death was a story, and my second favorite set of possible future characters to follow. The Rhythm of Murder and Number Thirteen Manor Close are tales. I think the four are best able to be appreciated when read as one book of four short stories. In that way you can best feel the progression of darkness.
I look forward to reading more from Celina Grace.
Death at the Manor
Stately Home murder mystery novella
Joan Hart arrives at Asharton Manor to take the job as a kitchen maid at the stately home in 1929, with the Golden Era (one of my favorite literary periods) quickly slipping away. The mistress, who has been ill for some time, dies leaving too many unlikely circumstances for Joan. She immediately writes to her best friend Varity to come to the village of the Manor to help her investigate. There are several possible explanations, but Joan soon finds herself at risk trying to find proof to not only show there was a murder but who is guilty with enough evidence to convince the police who wrote it off as a death from natural cause. Celina fills in the characters and develops the story quickly to draw you into the story. Although I would prefer a longer novel, this novella sufficiently includes all the details to make it a great read. I highly recommend it.
I wasn't sure I was going to like this story because it built up slowly, but after the death of one of the characters, the story moves quickly to a conclusion that I was not expecting. Author notes indicate there will be more adventures for the two heroines Joan Hart and Verity Hunter, so I can't wait for these tales.
When it comes to mystery indie authors, the e-book world is kind of glutted at the moment. So I admit I was wary to pick this one up simply because I'm wary in general, but my love for historical settings and the Upstairs, Downstairs angle won out. And I am really glad it did. I sincerely loved this novella!
It's true this story meets the "cozy" criteria in that there is no "on-screen" violence and all of that, but it is much more in the vein of a traditional, Golden Age (in my opinion, proper) mystery. It is not twee or overly cute, it is a compelling story with true-to-life characters that really moves forward and reads well. I loved that it also touched on some themes that other mysteries of a similar type might distance themselves from. The author presents a culprit who is human, someone who may have committed a terrible act but is well-rounded and real. Not some by-the-numbers Bad Guy and I very much appreciated that aspect. All too often, I think, many mysteries of this type try to make the perpetrator despicable so that you feel no empathy towards them. But that extra bit of connection really sends home the poignancy of the crime, I think.
I love reading mystery short stories and novellas and I am usually irked to no end when people complain about them being Too Short, but I have to admit I was disappointed this time myself. BUT ONLY because I liked Joan and Verity so much, and I wanted to see more involving the two of them. So I was excited to see a note at the end that these characters will appear in a full length novel series next year. Joan is a smart, down to earth yet sensitive protagonist, and I love Verity's connection to the theatre world and the perhaps "seedier" side of London. They make a great team and I am really looking forward to the series!
I also liked how the author incorporated little elements of Joan's working life in the 1920s without it feeling like "here is research of life in the 20s!" but still giving you an offhand insight. Definitely for anyone who likes traditional Brit mysteries, smart, not silly, amateur sleuths, or stories of the upstairs/downstairs milieu.
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