British Manor Murder: A Lucy Stone Mystery

Lucy Stone is looking to improve her dismal mood in Meier’s engaging 25th mystery featuring the Tinker’s Cove, Maine, journalist (after 2015’s Candy Corn Mystery), so she jumps at the chance to accompany her fashion-conscious friend, Sue Finch, to England. An old pal of Sue’s, the Earl of Wickham, has invited her to attend a hat exhibition at his ancestral home, Moreton Manor, and is happy for her to bring a friend. Lucy and Sue realize that leading the 21st-century stately life is no easy task soon after their arrival at the 120-room manor, which is plagued by dry rot and foul stenches. The earl and his sister can’t afford the costs of repair, but worse is in store. On a tour of the manor’s garden maze, Lucy and Sue discover a dead body at the feet of the classical statue at the maze’s center. Amateur sleuth Lucy can’t help regarding everyone in the house as a suspect while she sorts out the clues. Anglophiles will find plenty to like in this delightful cozy. [em]Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Oct.) [/em]