DEATH COMES TO LONDON by Catherine Lloyd: Review & Giveaway

DEATH COMES TO LONDON

Author: Catherine Lloyd
Publication Date: November 25, 2014
Kensington Books
Formats: eBook, Trade Paperback
Pages: 272

Series: Kurland St. Mary Mystery, Book Two
Genre: Historical Mystery



A season in London promises a welcome change of pace for two friends from the village of Kurland St. Mary—until murder makes a debut…

With the reluctant blessings of their father, the rector of Kurland St. Mary, Lucy Harrington and her sister Anna leave home for a social season in London. At the same time, Lucy’s special friend Major Robert Kurland is summoned to the city to accept a baronetcy for his wartime heroism.

Amidst the dizzying whirl of balls and formal dinners, the focus shifts from mixing and matchmaking to murder when the dowager Countess of Broughton, the mother of an old army friend of Robert, drops dead. When it’s revealed she’s been poisoned, Robert’s former betrothed, Miss Chingford, is accused, and she in turn points a finger at Anna. To protect her sister, Lucy enlists Robert’s aid in drawing out the true culprit.

But with suspects ranging from resentful rivals and embittered family members to the toast of the ton, it will take all their sleuthing skills to unmask the poisoner before more trouble is stirred up…

My Review

Quite a delightful read, reminiscent in many ways of some of the most popular literary darlings. Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice and P.D. James' Death Comes To Pemberley spring immediately to mind for the polished definition of the characters, the streamlined mystery plot, the elegance and wit of the extensive dialogues. I was extremely pleased to see the author deliver in every department of the story. I applaud Catherine Lloyd's ability to switch narrative gear from the measured pace of her atmospheric descriptions (the milieu is the placid life of an early 1800s English countryside estate, complemented by the genteel drawing rooms of a Regency London), to the light-hearted tone of the protagonists' banters (I greatly enjoyed the interactions between Lucy and Robert), to the perfect chemistry and delicate romance between two well matched protagonists (Lucy's plain and unassuming beauty, Robert's recalcitrant manners and rough-around-the-edges kind of charm). Second installment in the Kurland St. Mary series, Death Comes To London reads as a stand alone novel - satisfaction guaranteed.

My Rating

5 out of 5 stars

***Review copy graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased and honest opinion

GIVEAWAY (US only)

1 copy of Death Comes To London is up for grabs. Become a follower of this blog and comment in the section below (please, include your email address) for a chance to win. The contest is open to US residents only.

Praise for the Kurland St. Mary Mystery Series

“Lloyd’s delightful debut…Readers will hope that death returns soon to Kurland St. Mary.” – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“A skillfully crafted mystery that combines a wounded war hero, an inquisitive rector’s daughter and a quaint peaceful village with some sinister secrets…a compelling picture of a young woman trying to find the courage to stand up for herself." – RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, TOP PICK!

“A Regency Rear Window whose chair-bound hero and the woman who civilizes him generate sparks worthy of Darcy and Elizabeth. – Kirkus Reviews

Buy the Book

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About the Author

Catherine Lloyd grew up in London, England in the middle of a large family of girls. She quickly decided her imagination was a wonderful thing and was often in trouble for making stuff up. She finally worked out she could make a career out of this when she moved to the USA with her husband and four children and began writing fiction. With a background in historical research and a love of old-fashioned mysteries, she couldn't resist the opportunity to wonder what a young Regency Miss Marple might be like, and how she would deal with a far from pleasant hero of the Napoleonic wars.

For more information please visit Catherine Lloyd's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Death Comes to London Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, November 24
Review & Giveaway at Girl Lost in a Book

Tuesday, November 25
Spotlight at What Is That Book About

Wednesday, November 26
Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Thursday, November 27
Guest Post at Jorie Loves a Story
Guest Post at Boom Baby Reviews

Friday, November 28
Spotlight & Excerpt at Austenprose

Saturday, November 29
Spotlight at Svetlana's Reads and Views

Monday, December 1
Review at Book Nerd
Review at Jorie Loves a Story
Guest Post at Madame Gilflurt

Tuesday, December 2
Review & Giveaway at Mina's Bookshelf

Wednesday, December 3
Review at Editing Pen
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Spotlight & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Connection

Thursday, December 4
Review & Guest Post at Latte' Da!

Friday, December 5
Review at Becky on Books