Murder at Madingley Grange, published in 1990, is a standalone book, and very different from the Barnaby series, with much more humor, and not intended to be taken so seriously.
Madingley Grange is the perfect setting for a 1930s murder mystery weekend; thus Simon Hannaford plots to convince his half-sister, Laurie, to let him use their Aunt Maude's home for a money-making scheme while their aunt is away on vacation. Laurie agrees, reluctantly, and the planning begins. Simon hires a butler and maid for the weekend, advertises for guests, and rents costumes. Felony & Mayhem, publisher of the edition I read, describes this novel as a "wonderful, hilarious satire of the country house mystery."
At first I had problems with some of the characters. Laurie is exceedingly shy and too innocent to be believed and behaves like a doormat. And I thought the humor was too over-the-top and not to my liking. But soon I was immersed in the story.
From beginning to end, this story was not at all what I thought it would be, but it turned out to be even better than expected. It was very clever mystery, where many of the characters are not what they seem. I was reminded of a Peter Dickinson style of plot, with many layers and hidden agendas and more than one twist.
To learn more about this book, see the review at Clothes in Books.
-----------------------------
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem, 2006 (orig. pub. 1990)
Length: 275 pages
Format: Trade paperback
Setting: UK
Genre: Country House Mystery
Source: On my TBR shelf for many years.
17 comments:
I'm so glad you reminded me of this one, Tracy. I really liked the Inspector Barnaby series (wish there'd been more than 7!), and have always meant to read this one. I really need to do that, and I'm glad you liked it.
So...you ended up liking it, in spite of your early reticence? Now I'm mildly tempted. Then again, I haven't read any of the Barnaby books and maybe that would be a better place to go.
Margot, I agree with you, I wish there had been more than seven Inspector Barnaby books. I have reread two of them since I started blogging, and now I want to reread more of them.
Rick, I did enjoy the ending very much. It all pulled together and made sense. This is one book where I was glad I did not give up on it early. On the other hand, I would suggest the Inspector Barnaby books over this one if you have to choose. I like the Midsomer Murders show and we have watched all of the episodes, but the books are superior and not so cozyish.
Since our library system is now closed, I'm going to try an ebook of the third in the Barnaby series in that format.
And that worked. I’ll start reading it today. It’s like magic.
Rick, I just checked and Santa Barbara and Goleta library systems are closed here also. Glad to hear that you got an ebook of one of the Barnaby series, and I do hope you like it.
Didn't like the Prologue, about some religious cult in a manner house, (religious cults are a peeve with me) but I shall keep reading. The darn thing is I had a book I was eager for in transit to my branch and it's now stuck in limbo. Double Drat.
Rick, I do remember that book about a religious cult, and it was not my favorite, but in general I like the main characters so well I enjoy reading the books regardless. I am sorry to hear about the book you wanted from the library that is stuck in limbo. That is a real pain.
We were planning to go to the Annual Orchid Show in Santa Barbara this weekend and it was cancelled on Thursday. It was an immensely popular show. I was already reluctant to attend that type of gathering and I am sure it was the right thing for them to do. But a lot of vendors and exhibitors are very disappointed, I bet.
Pah. I returned the ebook of Barnaby #3. There had been no crime, or anything of interest by page 125. I did a search, Barnaby first shows up on page 146. I MAY try another, but not any time soon.
Oh well, Rick, no series is for everyone. I just finished a Patricia Wentworth book that seemed like it was halfway through the book before someone is killed, although you could pretty much tell who it would be. I did not mind that though, and I thought it was one of Wentworth's better books.
We have watched several of the Midsommer Murders shows on TV and enjoyed them, so I was expecting something like that. Sadly, no.
I like the Midsomer Murders TV episodes and we have watched most of them more than once, but it is true, they are much different from the books. I like the books too, including the differences. I have only reread two of the books, and will try another one sometime this year.
You sum up exactly what I thought about this book! I was resistant at first, but did enjoy it - and it had great clothes opportunities! and some of the things I was wary about turned out to be explained by the plot, if you know what I mean.
I do know what you mean, Moira. It was an unusual book, unlike her others, and very good.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I can probably pass on this author, I think.
This one is fun, Col, but until the end I kept wondering if it was a mistake to read it... so I don't think it is one for you.
Post a Comment