Kristina A. reviewed on 5/3/2017 + 1528 more book reviews

Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison is the fourth book in A Honeychurch Hall Mystery series. In Little Dipperton, in the Devonshire countryside, the town is getting ready for the annual âSkirmishâ which is the re-enactment of battles around Honeychurch Hall during the English Civil War (between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers). Kat is readying the West Gatehouse for Kat's Collectibles and Valuation Services when Muriel Jarvis pays a call. She is having money troubles since the recent death of her husband and needs a loan. Muriel is the local postmistress and the nosiest woman in town. After dealing with Muriel, Kat is called away by her mother, Iris. Eric Pugsley discovered a skull in the ground while demolishing his old caravan (which was an eyesore). A dagger with the Honeychurch crest is found stabbed in the victim's ribs and a torture device on her head. It is a very old crime, but D.I. Shawn Cropper shoos everyone away from the scene. Iris is busy creating costumes for the Honeychurch family for the Skirmish when she receives a call from her editor. Her latest manuscript for the Star-Crossed Lover series has failed to arrive at her publisher. Iris creates her novels on a typewriter and that was the only copy (she failed to make a copy). Iris mailed the package from Little Dipperton (you can see where this is heading) and tracking shows the item never left the post office. If Muriel opened the package, Iris' secret life as Krystalle Storm will be revealed. The manuscript is not the only item missing from around town. Several objects have turned up missing. Just when Kat believes things cannot get worse, Muriel is found dead in her home after Albert did a reconnaissance mission for the manuscript. It looks like Albert and Iris are once again murder suspects. Then there is the little matter of Piers Carew and his sudden interest in Kat. Mayhem does not begin to describe matters in Little Dipperton.

Murderous Mayhem in Honeychurch Hall is jam packed. There is one wacky incident after another. Gossip and meddling are the main sources of entertainment in the village. There are several quirky characters (Iris being the main one) and readers are introduced to some new ones (including Piers Carew who I am sure we will see more of in the next book). The setting sounds just lovely. Murderous Mayhem in Honeychurch Hall is easy to read and has a quick pace. It is a humorous type of cozy mystery that focuses more on the characters and their antics. My mother loves these types of novels (with zany capers and hilarity). I do not recommend starting the series with Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall. If you have not read any of the other novels in the series, you will be a little lost (you need to start with Murder at Honeychurch Hall). I give Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery of Muriel's murder and the string of thefts around town is easily solved. I was hoping it would be a little more complex. Murderous Mayhem at Honeychurch Hall is a madcap story that will appeal many readers.

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