SYNOPSIS
Winter, 1933. Kitty Underhay is enjoying a restorative break from sleuthing on a visit to her family at Enderley Hall. The only thing marring her peace – aside from the uncomfortable sensation she has of being watched – is the obvious history between her beau, ex-army captain Matthew Bryant and another guest, the beautiful Juliet Vanderstafen. So, when the parish clerk is found dead on her front doorstep, Kitty leaps at the chance of distraction.
The police are happy to conclude that Miss Plenderleith met her unfortunate end on a patch of ice, but Kitty isn’t convinced this was a case of bad weather and worse luck. And when the Reverend Crabtree fails to show for tea the next day, she heads to the church to speak to him. But she arrives to find the clergyman hanging from the bell rope, dead.
With Matt seemingly wrapped up with his alluring Austrian, Kitty must solve the case on her own. But as she snoops into parish affairs, she makes some less-than-saintly discoveries. Just who has broken the sixth commandment? Meanwhile the killer is preparing a churchyard grave for Kitty, and she’ll have to use all her wits to avoid falling in…
The police are happy to conclude that Miss Plenderleith met her unfortunate end on a patch of ice, but Kitty isn’t convinced this was a case of bad weather and worse luck. And when the Reverend Crabtree fails to show for tea the next day, she heads to the church to speak to him. But she arrives to find the clergyman hanging from the bell rope, dead.
With Matt seemingly wrapped up with his alluring Austrian, Kitty must solve the case on her own. But as she snoops into parish affairs, she makes some less-than-saintly discoveries. Just who has broken the sixth commandment? Meanwhile the killer is preparing a churchyard grave for Kitty, and she’ll have to use all her wits to avoid falling in…
Title: Murder in the belltower
Author: Helena Dixon
Series: Miss Underhay Mysteries #5
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication date: February 1, 2021
REVIEW
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
It's Christmas time in the Miss Underhay Mysteries series, so I couldn't have read this at a more perfect time!
In this new installment Kitty's back to Enderley Hall with Matthew (great to finally see them dating) to spend Christmas with her family on her father's side. When the parish clerk is found dead, and with Matthew engaged in a secret side job, Kitty must solve the case on her own.
Although it's always a pleasure to meet back these characters, and Kitty and Matt are so cute together, I have to say this one was my least favorite one in the series.
For once, the story moves way too slow, with the first body not making its appearance till halfway through. Kitty doesn't sleuth that much this time. Instead there seems to be an endless stream of dinners and after drinks that weren't quite as nice as seeing her investigate. Also there were some side plots that, imo, didn't add much to the story and their resolution felt a bit lacking.
The murderer's unveiling was quite Poirotesque, and was nice seeing Kitty lead, although the actual villain felt a bit trite. The fact that it was not made completely clear the reason behind the murders was a bit disappointing too.
Although not my favorite one I'm still coming back for book 6 as I really wanna know what happened to Kitty's mom, and hoping to see Kitty and Matthew back to form.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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