A Merry Murder

The discovery of a body in the Pennyfoot Hotel’s laundry propels Kingsbury’s sprightly 22nd Pennyfoot Holiday mystery (after 2013’s Mulled Murder), set in Badger’s End, England. When 14-year-old Mazie, a recently hired maid, is arrested by bumbling Police Constable Northcott for the man’s murder, hotel owner Cecily Sinclair Baxter, despite her husband’s reservations, steps back into her sleuthing role to prove Mazie’s innocence and find the real killer. The victim turns out to be shady Lord Percival Farthingale, who, though not a guest of the Pennyfoot, was visiting the hotel’s guests-only card rooms. Cecily’s inquiries reveal an argument between Farthingale and Edwin Coombs, a hotel guest who admits he knew the victim but is reluctant to say more. Cecily’s visit to Lady Farthingale reveals why the widow isn’t too sorry about her husband’s demise. Jealousy and secrets among the staff add tension, while Cecily comes close to meeting her maker solving this grand Christmastime mystery filled with plenty of new and familiar faces. Fans will hope they won’t have to wait another six years for the next installment. Agent: Paige Wheeler, Creative Media Agency. (Oct.)