SALLY W. (thameslink) -
Helpful Score: 4
This is the most amusing cozy I've ever read and I am delighted with it and look forward to the rest of the books in this series. WWII rural England and eccentrics abound!
Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
"Cozies are character driven and this book definitely has its share of characters.
Not only is Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton the Lady of Sitting Marsh Manor House, but she is also responsible for helping her tenants muddle through during World War II England. Little did she know that when Winnie stopped her to ask if she had seen her daughter Beryl - who has quite a reputation for hanging out at the pub and flirting with the Yanks; Lady Elizabeth would find herself in the middle of a murder mystery. Not only that, but she has to prepare for an American invasion all her own.
A great cast of characters including Violet the housekeeper and the irrepressible Martin the butler.
First in the Manor House Series.
Amazon Review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0425178560/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#RSY1BUT6ODYAD
Not only is Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton the Lady of Sitting Marsh Manor House, but she is also responsible for helping her tenants muddle through during World War II England. Little did she know that when Winnie stopped her to ask if she had seen her daughter Beryl - who has quite a reputation for hanging out at the pub and flirting with the Yanks; Lady Elizabeth would find herself in the middle of a murder mystery. Not only that, but she has to prepare for an American invasion all her own.
A great cast of characters including Violet the housekeeper and the irrepressible Martin the butler.
First in the Manor House Series.
Amazon Review:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/0425178560/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?%5Fencoding=UTF8&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending#RSY1BUT6ODYAD
Helpful Score: 3
This is the first in a series of very pleasant cozies, set in an English village in WWII. Elizabeth Hartleigh Compton, the lady of Manor House is quite likeable. I will probably read other titles in Kate Kingsbury's series.
Judy L. (gardengal) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 202 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
First book in a series about a young woman in England during World War II. As "lady of the manor," she feels an obligation to the the townsfolk -- and that includes solving a murder.
Amy L. (catlover) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 144 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
1st in a delightful series which takes place in WWII England.
Helpful Score: 2
very good mystery
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book in this series. It is 1942 and England has been at war for two years, and the little town of Sitting Marsh has been invaded by the 'terrible' Americans who have an air base nearby.
Life is changing for everyone, including the Lady of the Manor when the government tells her she has to take American officers into her home.
It also changes for a 16-year-old girl who is missing. Did the Americans have something to do with the girl's disappearance?
This simple tale is an entertaining mystery. While not quite up to the standards of the great British mystery writers, it is a good book to pass the time of day with. I've already started the second in this series.
Life is changing for everyone, including the Lady of the Manor when the government tells her she has to take American officers into her home.
It also changes for a 16-year-old girl who is missing. Did the Americans have something to do with the girl's disappearance?
This simple tale is an entertaining mystery. While not quite up to the standards of the great British mystery writers, it is a good book to pass the time of day with. I've already started the second in this series.
Kay A. (katiebear) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Do yourself a favor and read this entire series non-stop one book after another. The stories link together well and almost read as chapters instead of books. Once you start, it will be impossible to stop. I love the characters and their humanity and the interaction between them. The mysteries are almost secondary because the people are so interesting and entertaining. I was sorry to see this series end. But fortunately, there are other series by this same lady. Thank goodness or I'd be going into withdrawal.
Kathie S. (CraftyKat) - , reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 404 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I am really enjoying this series. Great for lunchtime reading.
Helpful Score: 1
Seems I have read this before and it was good the 2nd time around also
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Helpful Score: 1
Very good first book in a series, lovely characters, and great cozy. I loved it from start to finish. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I truly enjoy the aged, senile butler.
A lovely cosy, great reading with a cup of tea at hand. WWII Britain is in a two front war for survival. Maybe more crucial than the war against the Nazis is the one against the American soldiers who have been stationed in their small villages and threaten their way of life. As the book says about the Yanks - "Over paid, over sexed and over here!" When one of the sleepy village's young women is killed and the autopsy reveals that she was pregnant, suspicion falls on the soldiers. The Lady of the Manor begins her own investigation into the crime determined to prove that the Yanks are not the enemy.
Please see my review of this series under Kingsbury's title, "Death is in the air." Every one of the books in this series is worth reading. Begin with the first one: A Bicycle Built for Murder.
Rebecca H. (amichai) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 368 more book reviews
Perhaps the writing improves as the series goes on, but I decided not to bother reading after a few pages. Obvious anachronisms in the purported setting, attitudes, etc.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
I love the "Pennyfoot Hotel" series by Kate Kingsbury, so I decided to give her other series a try..this is the first book in that series...it is entirely different, but just as good a read..This one takes place during WWII....did one of the "Yanks" murder a local girl as many believe?? .. characters are likable and I will be reading the rest of the books in this series as well
Lynne T. (mignon) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 256 more book reviews
I am not sure who recommended this author/series. It was okay, but it read more like a 'Nancy Drew' mystery. Too many books-so little time. I won't be reading this author/series.
Alexa A. (SCOUT-FINCH) reviewed A Bicycle Built for Murder (Manor House, Bk 1) on + 86 more book reviews
I received several of these Manor House Mysteries in a Bookcrossing.com bookbox. While I love cozies, this series just isn't my cup of tea. Hope it finds a more appreciative audience here!
