MURDER AT ELM HOUSE

 

SYNOPSIS

Kitty Underhay feels the touch… of death.

 

1934. Accidental amateur sleuth Kitty Underhay is being escorted by ex-army captain Matthew Bryant on an errand of mercy, as she takes a basket of grapes to her nemesis Mrs Craven, who is recuperating from a recent operation. But their arrival at Elm House Nursing Home coincides with the mysterious death of Lady Wellings, a long-term resident.

 

The woman was known to be ill, so when the police turn a disinterested ear to Mrs Craven’s suspicion that Lady Wellings was poisoned, Kitty decides to look into the case herself. And when another invalid, the gentle Mrs Pearson, collapses fatally in the breakfast room, it seems her suspicions are well-founded. For an institution promising health and rejuvenation, there seems to be a very low survival rate amongst the guests!

 

When the nurse Eloise Hibbert hints at sinister goings on among the staff, Kitty arranges to meet her away from the home to uncover how deep the treachery lies. However, before she can make the rendezvous, Eloise meets an unfortunate end falling from the top of the building. Was she pushed by the hand of fate, or a cold-blooded killer?

 

Meanwhile, Matt has been following an entirely different trail of evidence, and what he finds out chills him to the bone. When Kitty fails to return from her unsuccessful meeting, it is clear she has stumbled onto a plot far more devious than they could have imagined, and into a trap laid by an unscrupulous killer…

Title: Murder at Elm House

Author: Helena Dixon

Series: Miss Kitty Underhay Mysteries #6

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: June 7, 2021

Nell Dixon was born and continues to live in the Black Country. Married to the same man for over thirty-five years she has three daughters, a cactus called Spike, a crazy cockapoo and a tank of tropical fish. She is allergic to adhesives, apples, tinsel and housework. Her addictions of choice are coffee and reality TV. She was winner of The Romance Prize in 2007 with her book Marrying Max, and winner of Love Story of the Year 2010 with her book, Animal Instincts. She also writes historical 1930's set cozy crime as Helena Dixon.

Author Social Media Links:

Website: http://www.nelldixon.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/nell.dixon

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NellDixon

 

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Murder at Elm House is the sixth installment in the Miss Kitty Underhay Mysteries and a great addition to the series. The author knows her characters perfectly and she’s having fun with them while making the reader feel like one more along Kitty and Matt in their investigations.

This time the mystery is focused on Elm House, a convalescent home where Mrs Craven is recovering from minor surgery. When she suspects some patient’s deaths are not due to natural causes she enlists the help of our favorite duo of investigators to find out the truth.

I just love Kitty’s journey. Since the first book in the series she’s proven herself independent and capable, not settling with what was expected of women in the 1930s. And now she’s learning to drive! I also like how the men in her life don’t try to put her down (I hate when that happens) and respect her and encourage her in all her exploits. Her relationship with Matt is one based on mutual respect and can’t wait for them to have that conversation that was left pending at the end of this novel.

Although it can be read as a standalone, the backstory running through the whole series plays a really important role this time so I suggest starting from the first book or at least a couple of books back to truly appreciate all the details and references in this one.

I love murder mysteries in a medical setting so this one was a delight. I did not see coming how both plot lines tied halfway through so, well done! I was not expecting that at all! I’m guessing the Hammets will still give Kitty and Matt several headaches.

The cast of supporting characters is also fully developed already and I’m so glad of the role Alice is taking as substitute sidekick when Matt is not available. I love Kitty’s relationship with Alice and the love and respect she shows her.

BTW, I could not be more in love with the covers in this series. Simply wonderful!

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.