Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
I have a feeling that Hannah Dennison has as much fun writing these Honeychurch Hall mysteries as I have in reading them. They are just plain fun to read, and I always look forward to the next book in the series.
Even with the mystery, the humor, and the wonderful characters, Dennison still finds time to show us the plight of many of England's stately homes. If the family isn't titled, or rich, or have their home open to hordes of trampling tourists, it can be tough-- which was why Kat was stumbling around in an abandoned wing of Honeychurch Hall. Its owners are desperately strapped for cash, and she was using her expert knowledge of antiques to find something they could sell so badly needed repairs could be made to the house.
The owners of Honeychurch Hall are a mixed bunch. In fact there's only one of them I truly like: young Harry who hates boarding school and, as "Captain Bigglesworth," likes getting into adventures with Kat as his trusty aide. Why am I not all that fond of Harry's family? For generations, they've been able to get involved in all sorts of nefarious doings and come out smelling like roses because the police (and everyone else) covers their tracks. Must be my peasant blood rearing its ugly head.
I also have a problem with Kat's mother. Iris is just a bit too self-absorbed and spoiled for me. Kat's father let Iris do as she pleased-- and she did. She has also been plowing all the money from her books into offshore accounts. Why couldn't her family benefit in some way from all that?
As a main character, Kat is pretty much perfect. Smart, funny, and getting used to dealing with situations that can often resemble slapstick comedy. Hopefully she's going to get her antiques business up and running soon. I've been looking forward to that for three books now.
All right. Enough about the characters already! Can you tell that I'm hooked on Dennison's cast? The mystery in A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall is a good one that kept me guessing. As a matter of fact, I didn't know the identity of the killer until Kat did, and I love it when that happens.
If you haven't tried this series yet, I hope you will. You can dive in anywhere and not be hopelessly confused, but I'm hoping you'll begin at the beginning (Murder at Honeychurch Hall) because-- like I've said before-- these books are so much fun.
Even with the mystery, the humor, and the wonderful characters, Dennison still finds time to show us the plight of many of England's stately homes. If the family isn't titled, or rich, or have their home open to hordes of trampling tourists, it can be tough-- which was why Kat was stumbling around in an abandoned wing of Honeychurch Hall. Its owners are desperately strapped for cash, and she was using her expert knowledge of antiques to find something they could sell so badly needed repairs could be made to the house.
The owners of Honeychurch Hall are a mixed bunch. In fact there's only one of them I truly like: young Harry who hates boarding school and, as "Captain Bigglesworth," likes getting into adventures with Kat as his trusty aide. Why am I not all that fond of Harry's family? For generations, they've been able to get involved in all sorts of nefarious doings and come out smelling like roses because the police (and everyone else) covers their tracks. Must be my peasant blood rearing its ugly head.
I also have a problem with Kat's mother. Iris is just a bit too self-absorbed and spoiled for me. Kat's father let Iris do as she pleased-- and she did. She has also been plowing all the money from her books into offshore accounts. Why couldn't her family benefit in some way from all that?
As a main character, Kat is pretty much perfect. Smart, funny, and getting used to dealing with situations that can often resemble slapstick comedy. Hopefully she's going to get her antiques business up and running soon. I've been looking forward to that for three books now.
All right. Enough about the characters already! Can you tell that I'm hooked on Dennison's cast? The mystery in A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall is a good one that kept me guessing. As a matter of fact, I didn't know the identity of the killer until Kat did, and I love it when that happens.
If you haven't tried this series yet, I hope you will. You can dive in anywhere and not be hopelessly confused, but I'm hoping you'll begin at the beginning (Murder at Honeychurch Hall) because-- like I've said before-- these books are so much fun.
Kristina A. reviewed A Killer Ball at Honeychurch Hall (Honeychurch Hall, Bk 3) on + 1528 more book reviews
A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison is the third book in the Honeychurch Hall Mystery series. Katherine "Kat" Stanford is starting out her new business Kat's Collectibles and Valuation Services. Kat has been called up to the hall to evaluate and crate up a William Dobson painting (they need the money). The ceiling in the King's Parlor has suffered severe water damage and is in desperate need of repair (it is Elizabethan and will need a specialist to fix it). While looking around Kat discovers a priest hole (a hidden room). Upon entering Kat stumbles and discovers another hidey hole (it is called a double hide) and a dead body. The body is that of a woman and it looks like she has been there for some time. Who is this woman and how did she end up the double hide? The priest hole is usually only told to the owner of the house who then passes it along to his heir. Detective Inspector Shawn Cropper is called out. Upon investigation it is discovered that this woman disappeared in June of 1958. This leads the investigation towards Kat's mum, Iris. Iris is known for her secrets and not telling the truth. Iris needs to be more forthcoming this time or she could end up in jail. Kat will have her work cut out for her finding the real killer.
A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall is not a stand-alone book. You do need to read other books in the series, otherwise the story can be confusing. Some things are explained (from prior books), but not everything. The mother, Iris was not likeable to me. I think she is supposed to come across as humorous (and mysterious), but I just found Iris annoying. She was too over-the-top (and not in a good way). Secrets and lies are all Iris tells even to her daughter (and everyone else). The murder mystery was simple, and I solved it early in the book. There are quite a few characters in the book which can be befuddling and there is quite a bit going on. I just told you about the murder. There is a man sneaking about the property; Harry, the Earl's son, is having trouble in school and everyone blames Kat because she convinced them to let Harry go to the local school; Alfred, Iris' brother, is a thief and forger (and up to no good) are just a few things going on in A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall. I give A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall 3 out of 5 stars. It was okay (just not for me). The book is easy to read and has a good pace. I am just not a fan of this type of humor and the quirky, exaggerated characters (I have no problem with quirky but do they have to be so overstated). But many readers will enjoy it (especially if you are a fan of the series or if you like comedies).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from NetGalley and the publisher (through the Cozy Mystery Review Crew) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.
A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall is not a stand-alone book. You do need to read other books in the series, otherwise the story can be confusing. Some things are explained (from prior books), but not everything. The mother, Iris was not likeable to me. I think she is supposed to come across as humorous (and mysterious), but I just found Iris annoying. She was too over-the-top (and not in a good way). Secrets and lies are all Iris tells even to her daughter (and everyone else). The murder mystery was simple, and I solved it early in the book. There are quite a few characters in the book which can be befuddling and there is quite a bit going on. I just told you about the murder. There is a man sneaking about the property; Harry, the Earl's son, is having trouble in school and everyone blames Kat because she convinced them to let Harry go to the local school; Alfred, Iris' brother, is a thief and forger (and up to no good) are just a few things going on in A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall. I give A Killer Ball in Honeychurch Hall 3 out of 5 stars. It was okay (just not for me). The book is easy to read and has a good pace. I am just not a fan of this type of humor and the quirky, exaggerated characters (I have no problem with quirky but do they have to be so overstated). But many readers will enjoy it (especially if you are a fan of the series or if you like comedies).
I received a complimentary copy of the novel from NetGalley and the publisher (through the Cozy Mystery Review Crew) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.
