This cosy detective story with engaging characters and lots of gossip is set in the Cotswolds, England in the 1920s.
Arbuthnot Swift (Arbie) is a young man who has recently published a best seller, The Gentleman's Guide to Ghost Hunting. Miss Amy Phelps, the wealthy owner of and old estate, The Forge, asks him to investigate a possible haunting in the house. When Miss Phelps is murdered Arbie and his friend Val are drawn into their own investigation.
The mystery has plenty of red herrings, but all the clues are there to solve the murder.
Maybury-in-the-Marsh is the quaint village that forms the charming backdrop and setting the atmosphere with its gossipy and charming characters.
It is not just written in the style of Agatha Christie’s cosy who-dunnits but includes tongue in cheek references to the ‘Belgian chap’.
At first I was not keen on the main character, Arbie, he came across as self centred and lazy but I did warm to him. The vicar’s daughter, Val, is his long time school friend and off sider in the investigation was delightful and more likeable initially.
They are a perfect pairing with Val pushing him and constantly nagging him.
The dialogue was witty and in keeping with the era.
Murder by Candlelight is a light easy read. It is entertaining but I didn’t find it compelling reading.
I’m not sure if it was written tongue in cheek to appear Victorian or not well written – either way it was still enjoyable.
Rating 3*
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for providing an early copy of Murder by Candlelight.
#MurderByCandlelight #NetGalley #harpercollins
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