Kitty Underhay feels the touch… of death.
Accidental amateur sleuth Kitty Underhayis being escorted by ex-army captain Matthew Bryant on an errand of mercy, as she takes a basket of grapes to her nemesis Mrs. Craven, who is recuperating from a recent operation. But their arrival at Elm House Nursing Home coincides with the mysterious death of Lady Wellings, a long-term resident.
The woman was known to be ill, so when the police turn a disinterested ear to Mrs. Craven’s suspicion that Lady Wellings was poisoned, Kitty decides to look into the case herself. And when another invalid, the gentle Mrs. Pearson, collapses fatally in the breakfast room, it seems her suspicions are well-founded. For an institution promising health and rejuvenation, there seems to be a very low survival rate amongst the guests!
When the nurse Eloise Hibbert hints at sinister goings-on among the staff, Kitty arranges to meet her away from the home to uncover how deep the treachery lies. However, before she can make the rendezvous, Eloise meets an unfortunate end falling from the top of the building. Was she pushed by the hand of fate, or a cold-blooded killer?
Meanwhile, Matt has been following an entirely different trail of evidence, and what he finds out chills him to the bone. When Kitty fails to return from her unsuccessful meeting, it is clear she has stumbled onto a plot far more devious than they could have imagined, and into a trap laid by an unscrupulous killer…
An utterly sensational and addictive Golden Age murder mystery. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey, and Lee Strauss.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
The general’s bushy brows knitted together like two angry silver beetles.
My Review:
Helena Dixon is a smooth storyteller and I enjoy her comfortable and engaging writing style. Her scenes are complete and thoroughly set and flicker through my cranium as effortlessly as a movie reel with colorful and vivid details and descriptions of texture, appearance, sound, smell, and the inner musings of the main characters as they interact. The main characters were instantly likable and appealing while her secondary characters were uniquely eccentric.
Most notably, Ms. Dixon’s clever arrangements of words are of the rare quality that keeps me continually engaged, amused, and ever-curious with a cracking good mystery while still being tame and gentle enough to recommend to my elderly mother’s book club of church ladies; which is admittedly an uncommon occurrence.
And score – I have a new addition to my Brit Words and Phrases list with mare’s nest, which Mr. Google tells me is a deliberate hoax or illusion.
Nell Dixon was born and continues to live in the Black Country. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, a crazy cockapoo, and a tank of tropical fish. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel, and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was the winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 with her book Marrying Max, and the winner of Love Story of the Year 2010 with her book, Animal Instincts. She also writes historical 1930’s set cozy crime as Helena Dixon.
It is always a bonus when you find likeable characters in a book. Murder at Elm House sounds like it hit all the right notes for you. Great review.
Mare’s nest is not one I had heard before! Thanks for the info.
I love the cover on this adorable mystery! I haven’t read too many murder mysteries but Murder at Elm House sounds like one I would thoroughly enjoy 🙂
Megan Bookstacks & Golden Moms
These mysteries are so enjoyable. Glad you liked this book.
I liked the mare’s nest didn’t know its meaning. Would you ever use this phrase?