Kristina A. reviewed Death Comes to the Fair (A Kurland St. Mary Mystery) on + 1528 more book reviews
Death Comes to the Fair by Catherine Lloyd is the fourth book in A Kurland St. Mary Mystery series. It is October in 1817 in Kurland St. Mary (England). Major Sir Robert Kurland is engaged to Miss Lucy Harrington, the rector's daughter. Sir Robert wants the wedding to be soon, but Lucy is the niece of an earl. Her relative's want her to have a big wedding in London (which will take time to plan). Sir Robert is not known for his patience. It is time for the village fair (done after the harvest) and, Robert is to judge the vegetables. Robert is new to judging, and he believes in the best should win. Ezekiel Thurrock, the local verger, wins the majority of the prizes for the vegetables. Many of the locals are angry at the outcome (Lucy tried to warn Robert). Lucy goes to arrange the church's harvest display, and she finds Ezekiel dead. A gargoyle lays nearby, and it is obvious it hit Ezekiel on the head. Upon investigation (Lucy cannot help herself) Lucy discovers that the gargoyle is not part of the church. Robert is the local magistrate and, with Lucy's help, starts looking into Ezekiel's background. Ezekiel's brother, Nathaniel happens to be staying at the rectory. It turns out that Nathaniel is trying to prove that the Kurland family stole land from the Thurrock's. The more the pair look into the Thurrock family history, the more secrets they uncover. Someone in the village does not like their inquiries and takes action to sideline the pair. Lucy and Robert will need to keep their wits about them to make it out of this situation!
Death Comes to the Fair is well-written, engaging, and easy to read. I liked the characters, the historical period, and the setting. Catherine Lloyd certainly captures the historical period. I also liked the side stories that took place in the novel (my favorite was between Dr. Fletcher and Miss Penelope Chingford). I appreciated the author's descriptions of the Lucy's clothes (even though Penelope kept spiriting them off). The novel contains just the right amount of humor (it will make you laugh) and romance. I give Death Comes to the Fair 4.5 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). The mystery seems complicated (which I relished), but it can be solved (if you pay careful attention to the details). I was delighted that the mystery was the main focus of the book. Death Comes to the Fair is the fourth book in the series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. I will unequivocally be reading the next book in A Kurland St. Mary Mystery series.
Death Comes to the Fair is well-written, engaging, and easy to read. I liked the characters, the historical period, and the setting. Catherine Lloyd certainly captures the historical period. I also liked the side stories that took place in the novel (my favorite was between Dr. Fletcher and Miss Penelope Chingford). I appreciated the author's descriptions of the Lucy's clothes (even though Penelope kept spiriting them off). The novel contains just the right amount of humor (it will make you laugh) and romance. I give Death Comes to the Fair 4.5 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). The mystery seems complicated (which I relished), but it can be solved (if you pay careful attention to the details). I was delighted that the mystery was the main focus of the book. Death Comes to the Fair is the fourth book in the series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. I will unequivocally be reading the next book in A Kurland St. Mary Mystery series.
Jody M. (jodymcgrath) -
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
It is Autumn and harvest has begun in Kurland St. Mary. Miss Lucy Harrington has been trying to finalize her marriage to Major Sir Kurland, but her relatives are making every detail a strenuous affair. When a bad storm churns up, Lucy takes refuge in the church bell tower, only to discover the dead body of the verger Mr. Ezekiel Thurrock. While others assume it was an accident, Lucy and Sir Robert both sense something wicked has come calling.
This is the 4th book in the Kurland St. Mary Mystery Series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lucy is such a likable character. She is constantly getting in trouble for not behaving as an unmarried woman should, but she really doesn't care. Sir Robert, her betrothed is with her 100% of the time, not giving a fig about propriety. He even hopes that their unchaperoned outings might bring their wedding date closer.
The mystery is very good, with a lot of twists and turns. It is amazing though how little Lucy knew about some of her neighbors. It was expected of Sir Robert, but Lucy, being the rector's daughter and an active member in the community, should have known a little more about family connections and past histories. In small towns nothing stays secret and yet she knew nothing, although some of it was common knowledge. Putting that aside, I enjoyed the conclusion of the book, although I wish to know what happened to the evil doers. The last chapter is a happy one and makes me ready to read the next installment.
It is Autumn and harvest has begun in Kurland St. Mary. Miss Lucy Harrington has been trying to finalize her marriage to Major Sir Kurland, but her relatives are making every detail a strenuous affair. When a bad storm churns up, Lucy takes refuge in the church bell tower, only to discover the dead body of the verger Mr. Ezekiel Thurrock. While others assume it was an accident, Lucy and Sir Robert both sense something wicked has come calling.
This is the 4th book in the Kurland St. Mary Mystery Series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lucy is such a likable character. She is constantly getting in trouble for not behaving as an unmarried woman should, but she really doesn't care. Sir Robert, her betrothed is with her 100% of the time, not giving a fig about propriety. He even hopes that their unchaperoned outings might bring their wedding date closer.
The mystery is very good, with a lot of twists and turns. It is amazing though how little Lucy knew about some of her neighbors. It was expected of Sir Robert, but Lucy, being the rector's daughter and an active member in the community, should have known a little more about family connections and past histories. In small towns nothing stays secret and yet she knew nothing, although some of it was common knowledge. Putting that aside, I enjoyed the conclusion of the book, although I wish to know what happened to the evil doers. The last chapter is a happy one and makes me ready to read the next installment.
