A gorgeous island off the English coast, a beautiful hotel perched on the cliffs, a group of glamourous friends… and a suspicious death? Kitty Underhay’s invitation didn’t mention murder!

Spring, 1936. As the boat draws into the harbour of Bird Island, Kitty is absolutely delighted to see the stunning hotel for the first time. She and her friend Alice have been asked to join the distinguished guests before the hotel officially opens its doors, but they have barely unpacked when the owner is found dead in his own study…

Sir Norman’s death looks like suicide. But Kitty isn’t convinced – she cannot find a note, and he is left-handed but was shot on the right side of his head. Kitty tries to reach the police, but a violent storm engulfs the island and the power goes out. Kitty and Alice need to move quickly before anyone else finds death on their dinner menu!

With several old friends amongst their suspects, Kitty decides the investigation should stay secret. But it’s not until Kitty uncovers Sir Norman’s financial difficulties that she’s on the killer’s trail. Can Kitty and Alice catch the culprit in time for tea, or will they become the next guests on the murderer’s list?

Fans of T.E. Kinsey, Agatha Christie or Lee Strauss will adore this warm and witty whodunnit. An utter delight to read!

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

You all look like you’ve lost a shilling and found a farthing.

…best shake your feathers.

It’s so frightening now. One of the people I am friends with, and was working with, has killed two people. All the time we carry on talking, eating dinner, exchanging pleasantries as if nothing had happened. It’s as if I’m trapped in a nightmare.

 

My Review:

 

This was a multi-layered and complicated murder scheme that the little pea in my brain would never have unraveled, even knowing there was a limited pool of suspects. The storylines were deviously clever and well-nuanced while giving nearly everyone present a plausible motive for the first murder, but then things became more muddled with a second death. I cycled through my theories for each person several times and ended up suspecting them all. Sigh, only a clever sleuth such as the brilliant Kitty Underhay Bryant could have puzzled this one out.

And score, I achieved a new entry for my Brit Words and Phrases List with rum go – which Mr. Google told me refers to a surprising or peculiar event. And there were quite a number of those on the pages of this book.