Writer-in-residence Penelope Parish will need to use every trick in her quaint British bookshop to unravel a murderous plot that threatens to ruin a ducal wedding.
The wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Upper Chumley-on Stoke has all the makings of a fairy tale, complete with a glowing bride and horse-drawn carriage. But it wouldn’t be much of a story without a villain, and as American Gothic novelist Penelope Parish is coming to learn, happy-ever-afters are as fraught in this charming British town as they are in her books.
When the Duke’s former girlfriend is found murdered at the reception it’s up to Penelope and her newfound family at the Open Book bookshop to catch the killer before they strike again.
Release Date: Jul 6, 2021
Series: The Open Book Mysteries
Book: 2
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $7.99
Fiction mirroring reality and everything we love about the royals and nobility, Margaret Loudon, really knows how to capture the excitement of the mystery in this intricate multiple-murder mystery novel. This is the second book by Margaret Loudon in The Open Book Mysteries Series.
Penelope Parish, author of American Gothic novels and currently working as a writer in residence at the Open Book Store in England, gets caught up in the excitement of the fairytale wedding between her friend and writer Charlotte Davenport and Arthur Worthington, the Duke of Upper Chumley-on-Stoke. A multiple day celebration will have Penelope, along with her friend, Lady Fiona Innes-Goldthorpe (Figgy), staying on the grounds of Worthington House, a quite spectacular place. At the height of the festivities, among happiness and warm wishes for the newlyweds, a most disastrous murder occurs. The worst part, the one murdered was none other than the Duke’s ex-girlfriend (gasp!)
I loved the characters in this book. Penelope Parish is exactly the kind friend everyone wishes for, intelligent, diligent, caring and tenacious, (oh and tall too!). This character is an excellent protagonist and her supporting characters only add to her charm. I loved how all characters have something excellent to contribute and I especially loved the animation and excitement among them and how each one built on it with their own experiences. It really shows how genuine their character is and how expertly the author depicted their characterization.
The story had excellent flow and I found myself reading through it, quite readily and quickly. I loved that the author took her time introducing the characters participating as guests of the wedding. I loved reading about the festivities and the convoluted drama during the investigation circling this particular kind of celebrated tight circle. High amusing drama, intrigue and mystery with this group.
Overall, wonderfully written. Definitely, a different and refreshing take on a murder-mystery novel. I loved going along with Penelope and her sharp, smart mind. This was a mystery I couldn’t wait to solve.
~ Patricia
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