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winemakerssister's review against another edition
4.0
A cozy historical mystery with a touch of romance. This series is comfortable while still interesting. It's the sort of book that you can listen to while doing something else, and just let the story wash over you. And I very much like Stella and Lyndy.
valefimbres's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lakecake's review against another edition
No one in this entire series is likable.
mugsmr's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mirificmoxie's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lizzicampdux's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Had to reread the ending twice to process how it all went down. Stella is growing on me as a woman totally uprooted with minimal control of her destiny but she keeps to the core of who she is and others accept her for it.
sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
5.0
'Wild-hearted Kentuckian Stella Kendrick cautiously navigates the strict demands of British high society as the future Lady of Morrington Hall. But when petty scandals lead to bloody murder, her outspoken nature could be all that keeps her alive . . .
Following a whirlwind engagement to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, Stella is finding her footing within an elite social circle in picturesque rural England. Except tea time with refined friends can be more dangerous than etiquette faux pas—especially in the company of Lady Philippa, the woman Lyndy was once set to marry, and her husband, the ostentatious Lord Fairbrother . . .
Outrage erupts and accusations fly after Lord Fairbrother’s pony wins best in breed for the seventh consecutive year. The man has his share of secrets and adversaries, but Stella and Lyndy are in for a brutal shock when they discover his body floating in the river during a quiet morning fishing trip . . .
Suddenly unwelcome around hardly-grieving Lady Philippa and Lyndy’s endlessly critical mother, Stella faces the bitter reality that she may always be an outsider—and one of her trusted new acquaintances may be a calculating killer. Now, Stella and her fiancé must fight against the current to catch the culprit, before they’re the next couple torn apart by tragedy.'
_______________________________
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
Murder at Blackwater Bend is the second book in Clara McKenna's debut A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series and is a historical mystery.
I felt that we got to know more about the main characters, Stella and Lyndy, in this book. We can see in comparison to the first in the series how Stella's free spirit and compassion is aiding her to gain acceptance in New Forest instead of being looked at as the crass American heiress. Of course she still has certain staunch detractors that she must put up with though.
I was very happy with how everything turned out with this mystery. There was a good balance of red herrings, unsavory characters, and sleuthing. I wasn't really taken by surprise by the identity of the villian, but there were additional plot points that I wasn't expecting and that I thought really added to the story.
One of the things that I enjoy most from this series is just how very clumsy this amatuer sleuthing duo is. Bodies seem to always find the way into their path and their hearts are always in the right place, but largely most of their success comes from inadvertantly stumbling across clues. For me that makes it much more realistic and amusing for me to read and endears the characters to me that much more.
I am really enjoying the A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series so far and look forward to the next book. I would recommend this series to others who enjoy historical mysteries.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing a copy of Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna with me. This is my honest review.
Following a whirlwind engagement to Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst, Stella is finding her footing within an elite social circle in picturesque rural England. Except tea time with refined friends can be more dangerous than etiquette faux pas—especially in the company of Lady Philippa, the woman Lyndy was once set to marry, and her husband, the ostentatious Lord Fairbrother . . .
Outrage erupts and accusations fly after Lord Fairbrother’s pony wins best in breed for the seventh consecutive year. The man has his share of secrets and adversaries, but Stella and Lyndy are in for a brutal shock when they discover his body floating in the river during a quiet morning fishing trip . . .
Suddenly unwelcome around hardly-grieving Lady Philippa and Lyndy’s endlessly critical mother, Stella faces the bitter reality that she may always be an outsider—and one of her trusted new acquaintances may be a calculating killer. Now, Stella and her fiancé must fight against the current to catch the culprit, before they’re the next couple torn apart by tragedy.'
_______________________________
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 stars.
Murder at Blackwater Bend is the second book in Clara McKenna's debut A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series and is a historical mystery.
I felt that we got to know more about the main characters, Stella and Lyndy, in this book. We can see in comparison to the first in the series how Stella's free spirit and compassion is aiding her to gain acceptance in New Forest instead of being looked at as the crass American heiress. Of course she still has certain staunch detractors that she must put up with though.
I was very happy with how everything turned out with this mystery. There was a good balance of red herrings, unsavory characters, and sleuthing. I wasn't really taken by surprise by the identity of the villian, but there were additional plot points that I wasn't expecting and that I thought really added to the story.
One of the things that I enjoy most from this series is just how very clumsy this amatuer sleuthing duo is. Bodies seem to always find the way into their path and their hearts are always in the right place, but largely most of their success comes from inadvertantly stumbling across clues. For me that makes it much more realistic and amusing for me to read and endears the characters to me that much more.
I am really enjoying the A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series so far and look forward to the next book. I would recommend this series to others who enjoy historical mysteries.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing a copy of Murder at Blackwater Bend by Clara McKenna with me. This is my honest review.
kraley's review against another edition
3.0
A nice, clean, fast-paced mystery. I wish the father would go back to America, but at least her fiancé seemed to grow a backbone in this book. I will read book three happily.