Murder at the Priory Hotel (Flora Steele #4) by Merryn Allingham
Genre: Cosy mystery
Read: 19th November 2022
Published: 8th July 2022
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
Join Flora Steele – bookshop owner, bicycle-rider, and amateur detective – as she faces her most puzzling case yet!
Sussex, 1956: When Flora Steele and handsome crime writer Jack Carrington attend the grand re-opening of the Priory Hotel in the beautiful little village of Abbeymead, their day out is cut short when the flame-haired female singer in the band suddenly drops dead before their eyes.
Flora is stunned by the unexpected turn of events and immediately deduces foul play. Beverly Russo was a spirited young woman with a big voice and Flora is determined to get to the bottom of her untimely demise – especially as the detective sergeant leading the investigation is so hopeless. The first clue in the extraordinary case is Beverly’s missing ruby ring…
As Flora makes her enquiries, she discovers that Beverly wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea and there’s more than one person in Abbeymead who had reason to dislike her. But who had the biggest motive: Beverly’s former beau Tommy May, jealous love rival Sally Jenner, or the local doctor who seems to be up to no good…
Then one of the suspects is found dead in the woods near the Priory Hotel. The murder weapon – a musical instrument. As the investigation reaches a high note, Flora knows she must find the culprit and make them face the music before anyone else is hurt. But will Flora’s tenacity put a dangerous spotlight on both her and Jack?
A delightful cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis!
MY THOUGHTS:
Returning to the sleepy village of Abbeymead in Sussex, MURDER AT THE PRIORY HOTEL is the fourth outing for amateur sleuths Flora Steele and mystery writer Jack Carrington. Having returned from their research sojourn to Cornwall, where they were faced with yet another murder (of course), the dynamic duo are looking forward to some down time...especially since Jack has a deadline to meet and Flora still has the All's Well bookshop to run.
The Priory, which had been converted into a hotel and then had to be shut down after the sudden death of its owner, is now under new management. Flora's friend Sally Jenner, who'd kept the All's Well running whilst she and Jack were away in the seaside climes of Cornwall, has sunk all of her inheritance from her parents and her savings and purchased it alongside new business partner and potential love interest Dominic Lister. Having undergone a major revamp, the Priory is now ready for its grand opening for which a marquee has been set up, a scrumptious spread of food laid out and an up and coming rock and roll band Tutti Frutti is providing the entertainment.
Flora and Jack are front and centre as events unfold as well as being on hand for any assistance required to help their friends. Guests have started arriving, the band is beginning to play and the lead singer Beverly Russo makes her entrance in a sparkling number and takes hold of the microphone stand to begin the afternoon's entertainment. With her mouth open, her body convulses...and Jack yells for the power to be shut off. Then Beverly falls to the floor...dead.
The police are called as Beverly's body is removed from the public's view before being taken away for a post mortem to determine the cause of death. However, Jack doesn't need a PM to tell him it was electrocution..and neither did I, to be honest. I saw the same thing happen in a Midsomer Murder episode in which Suzi Quattro's character was bumped off in the same way. At any rate, everything had to be examined closely as Beverly had a diagnosed heart condition for which she took medication before it could be ruled out.
Sally cannot believe this has happened to her grand opening. Almost at once she goes to Flora and begs for her and Jack to investigate but for once Flora is reluctant, citing it's best left to the police. And in a complete role reversal, it is Jack who is keen to intervene and help their friend but Flora believes the police have everything under control. She couldn't be more wrong and the wheels of investigation turn much too slowly before she is eventually drawn in, taking Jack with her.
Teeming up, they hash out possibilities and motives and opportunities of all the likely suspects. Bit by bit, the eliminate them or rule them back in till even they feel as if they are headed nowhere. It seems the victim wasn't very well liked, causing trouble where ever she went, and there are no shortage of suspects.
But can Flora and Jack uncover the villain before they can escape justice? And save Sally's fledgling business in the process?
MURDER AT THE PRIORY HOTEL is an easy read reminiscent of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and her own sleepy village St Mary Mead. It's a delightful cosy series that is lighthearted and easy to read, with a little humour peppered throughout and this time there is even the hint of romance. I really enjoy this series, though it may be a little far fetched at times, it is just something light to pop in and out of if you're too busy to devour an edge of your seat read in one sitting.
As with all books in this series, MURDER AT THE PRIORY HOTEL is perfect for relaxing and enjoying a revisit to Abbeymead and all the regular characters we have come to know and love.
Overall, a nice gentle easy read perfect for cosy mystery fans.
I would like to thank #MerrynAllingham, #NetGalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #MurderAtThePrioryHotel in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s not writing, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.
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