Book Review: Murder at Mallowan Hall

 

Murder at Mallowan Hall

by Colleen Cambridge

Pub Date 26 Oct 2021 

 Kensington Books,  Kensington

 Historical Fiction  |  Mystery & Thrillers 

I am reviewing a copy of Murder at Mallowan Hall through Kensington Books and NetGalley:

This is the first book in an exciting new historical mystery series set in the home of Agatha Christie!

Mallowan Hall is tucked away among Devon's rolling green hills, and provides the best of English tradition with the modern conveniences of 1930.   Phyllida bright is a housekeeper who is as efficient as she is personable.   She runs the large household with an iron fist in her very elegant glove. In one respect, however, Mallowan Hall stands far apart from other picturesque country houses...

Mallowan Hall is the home to archeologist Max Mallowan and his famous wife, Agatha Christie. Phyllida is both loyal to and protective of the crime writer, who is as much friend as employer.   Phyllida an aficionado of detective fiction, she has yet  to find a gentleman in real life half as fascinating as Mrs. Agatha's Belgian hero, Hercule Poirot. But though accustomed to murder and its methods as frequent topics of conversation, Phyllida is unprepared for the sight of a very real, very dead body on the library floor...

Phyllida who was a former army nurse, reacts with practical common sense--and a great deal of curiosity. It soon becomes clear that the victim arrived at Mallowan Hall under false pretenses during a weekend party. Now, Phyllida not only has a houseful of demanding guests on her hands--along with a distracted, anxious staff but hordes of reporters camping outside. When another dead body is discovered this time, one of her housemaids--Phyllida decides to follow in M. Poirot's footsteps to determine which of the Mallowans' guests is the killer.  

Phyllida is able to assemble the clues With help from the village's handsome physician, Dr. Bhatt, Mr. Dobble, the butler, along with other household staff.  She is all to aware though that the killer is more than  likely still at hand, and is likely poised to Strike again.

I give Murder at Mallowan Hall five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!