Murder at Mullings

March 17, 2014
This quiet first in a series set in the early decades of the 20th century from British author Cannell (Sea Glass Summer) introduces Florence Norris, who first comes to Mullings, the Stodmarsh family estate, in 1900, at age 14, to work as a kitchen maid. She returns as a widow, after WWI, to work as the housekeeper. The household includes young Ned, whose parents died when he was a baby; Ned’s grandparents; an aunt and uncle with anger issues; and Madge Bradley, a poor relation. A bit of a mystery surrounds the death of the fragile Lady Stodmarsh, but nothing happens until years later when Regina Stapleton, the second Lady Stodmarsh—as nasty as the first one was loving—is stabbed to death. Meanwhile, Florie cuts off a budding romance with pub owner George Bird because she thinks it would be disloyal to the family if she discussed her murder suspicions with him. Alert readers will have a pretty good idea of the killer long before the police appear on the scene.

May 1, 2014

Time moves slowly at Mullings, a slightly stodgy British estate governed by the Stodmarsh family. Head housekeeper Florence Norris loves her life of service, particularly the relationship she's nurtured over the years with grandson Ned. When beloved Lady Stodmarsh dies in her bed, the doctor calls it a natural death. Florence, however, has noticed a couple of odd things about the circumstances (she thinks overdose). Fast-forward to 1932, and Lord Stodmarsh foolishly remarries. The second Lady Stodmarsh rules the roost in a harsher manner--and in time, someone rebels and stabs her to death. The investigation of this murder brings the earlier death of the first Lady Stodmarsh into question. For Florence, initial suspects turn out to be allies, and once all the cards are on the table, motives are painfully obvious. VERDICT Downton Abbey fans will pick up on the tone immediately: imagine the ever-reliable Mrs. Hughes narrating a mystery. Stepping away from her long-running Ellie Haskell series, Cannell has created a fascinating and leisurely paced historical, excelling at period details and class distinctions.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2014
Cannell offers an Agatha Christielike whodunit with touches of Olde World England and a soupon of romance. Young Florence Norris is thrilled to become a housemaid at Mullings, home of the respected Stodmarsh family. Although she leaves service to marry, her husband dies in the war, and she's drawn back to Mullings, where she becomes the trusted housekeeper and confidante of young master Ned Stodmarsh. The years pass happily enough until the terrible day when Lady Stodmarsh dies unexpectedly. Florence suspects Lady Stodmarsh was murdered, but without evidence, she can't take her case to the police. Shortly after his wife's tragic death, Lord Stodmarsh takes a holiday to assuage his griefand shocks everyone by returning home with a new wife. While Lord Stodmarsh is alive, his new wife is all sweetness and light, but when he dies unexpectedly, she reveals her true, wicked nature. When more violent murders occur, Florence can no longer keep her suspicions to herself. With a multistranded plot, strong characters, and echoes of Rebecca, this mix of romance and crime will appeal to a wide range of readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)