Book: Mystery at Lovelace Manor
Author: Clare Chase
Pub Day: May 17th 2022
About the Book:
Lovelace Manor has a famous past… but when a historian becomes history at its annual open day, amateur sleuth Eve Mallow is on the case!
Everyone in Saxford St Peter flocks to Lovelace Sunday, the festival celebrating the romantic history of beautiful Lovelace Manor. This year will be even more exciting, as famous TV historian Cammie Harington is planning a spectacular stunt with a hot-air balloon for her new show.
Eve Mallow jumps at the chance to volunteer – it’s a great people-watching opportunity. But she soon realises there is no love lost between Cammie and the family who owns the manor… so why did Cammie agree to come?
When Cammie’s hot-air balloon tumbles from the sky, Eve feels sure this is no accident. Alongside dachshund Gus, she sets to work investigating the mystery, piecing together all the odd things she’s seen and heard.
Could the killer be discreet Diana, lady of the manor, who fell out with Cammie years ago? Or Diana’s dashing brother Sebastian, whose dark secret Cammie knew? Why was the loyal gardener following Cammie around? And had Cammie uncovered something explosive about the manor’s past, as she claimed?
When someone breaks into Cammie’s cottage and a priceless Lovelace heirloom goes missing, Eve is sure she’s on the right track… but can she solve the case, before the killer brings her crashing down?
A completely gripping English cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, J.R. Ellis and Betty Rowlands.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Mystery At Lovelace Manor' by Clare Chase.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Clare Chase, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 7th May 2022
This is the fifth book I have read by this author. It is also the eighth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series but it can be read as a standalone. I have previously read 'Mystery At The Old Mill ' which is the fourth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series, 'Mystery At The Abbey Hotel' which is the fifth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' and 'Mystery At The Church' which is the sixth book in the 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series and 'Mystery At Magpie Lodge' which is the seventh book in the series and which I would highly recommend.
I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is 'A completely gripping English cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Frances Evesham, J.R. Ellis and Betty Rowlands.' I am a huge fan of Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Clare Chase and if this is half as good as 'Mystery At The Abbey Hotel', 'Mystery At The Old Mill', 'Mystery At The Church' and 'Mystery At Magpie Lodge' it is sure to be a page turning read. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 47 chapters. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in a fictional town based in Suffolk, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture. I have actually visited Suffolk on several occasions so am looking forward to seeing if I recognise anywhere that Clare has based the book on.
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Eve Mallow. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.
Yet another page turning, fantastic adventure with Eve, Gus and Robin!!! If you have never read any books in this epic series you are missing out!!!
This book is very well written making it a lovely smooth read. The atmosphere and vivid descriptions are perfect for the plot and helps give that cosy feeling while reading. The synopsis and cover suited the storyline perfectly. I'm looking forward to reading more of Clare Chase's books including any prior to this one that I have yet to read.
The storyline itself is a lovely cosy mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It is filled with tension, suspense, murder, red herrings galore and a sprinkle of romance. I had no idea who the killer was so a huge congratulations to Clare!!!! It is getting harder and harder to surprise me with the amount of crime books I read but you definitely managed it. There were so many potential suspects and each one of my guesses were way out!! I enjoyed that it wasn't really a case of just one mystery but how several linked smoothly and everything was tied up nicely at the end, I hate loose ends!! I really enjoyed going on this adventure with Eve and investigating with her. Clare portrays village life perfectly and the community within them in each and every one of her books which makes them even more realistic. I absolutely love reading Eve's obituary at the end of each book and she captivates the personality of the victim absolutely perfectly. I think it is a lovely unique touch and gives a summary of what we learned about them through the story serving as a reminder. I loved the atmosphere at Lovelace Manor with its romantic and yet slightly gothic atmosphere. This book was absolutely filled with surprises and another fantastic addition to the addictive 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series.
Clear your schedules as once you've picked this up you won't be able to put it down!!
Although this is the eighth book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.
The characters were all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning all of their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I absolutely love meeting them in each of these series. They have become like friends to me and I find myself missing them as soon as I have closed the pages. When I "meet" them again it is like they have never been away. I love Eve and of course Gus and I really enjoyed meeting them again along with Robin and Viv. I find Eve to be slightly eccentric which I enjoyed the most about her. She has such a large personality which is unforgettable. I always love her interactions with Viv and the both of them together always make me giggle at some point. I was absolutely over the moon when Robin said something to Eve and my reply was "about time!" I have absolutely loved watching their relationship grow and develop and I'm looking forward to seeing how it continues to grow. I also enjoyed meeting all the new characters who all had such strong personalities although I could not stand Sebastian and found him to be a pig who absolutely adored himself, apologies to pigs everywhere!! I won't go into any further detail about him or several other characters as I don't want to give anything away. Regardless, if you love them or hate them they all come together to make this novel yet another amazing success by Clare! I cannot wait to read what Eve, Robin and Gus get up to next!!
Congratulations to Clare Chase on another successful and addictive page turning murder mystery. This is why when I want an addictive cosy mystery which I can read anywhere I hunt your books down. Here's to youe next success 🥂
Overall an absolutely compelling, addictive and page turning gothic cosy mystery that is perfect to read on front of the fire.
Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense, Cozy Crafts & Hobbies Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery and Crime Fiction amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of cosy mysteries, Faith Martin, Agatha Christie, Frances Evesham, J.R. Ellis and Betty Rowlands.
330 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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@ClareChase @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio
Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder on the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
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Buy Link:
Amazon: https://geni.us/B09PJPYTJMsocial
Thanks you for this wonderful review, Kirsty! So happy to know that you enjoyed the book! x