Murder at Bunting Manor by Greg Mosse - Book Review
Series: Maisie Cooper Mystery #2
Publication Date: 09th Nov 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery
3.5 StarsOne Liner: Decent cozy mystery
Maisie Cooper has to stay back in Sussex to attend the trial of her brother’s murder. Solving the case seems to have made her popular. Maisie gets an offer to investigate the unsettling events in and around Bunting Manor. Turns out the place is owned by Mrs. Pascal, none other than Aunt Phyllis, the estranged aunt Maisie knew as a child.
It seems that someone has a grudge against Aunt Phyllis and is out to kill her. However, Maisie learns there are a lot more secrets being kept from her, and the only way to get to the bottom of the truth might be to keep asking questions. With help from Sergeant (and childhood friend) Jack Wingard, Maisie needs to find the culprit before there are more dead bodies.
The story comes in the third-person POV of different characters.
My Thoughts:Though second in the series, the book works well as a standalone. I’m glad to report that it mentions the date right at the beginning. It’s provided in the prologue and the first chapter, making it easy to understand the setting and track the case.
The book pretty much takes off where the previous one ended. Maisie is getting ready to attend the trial and wondering about her job, housing, and earnings (or the lack of it).
The pacing is slow, similar to the previous one, and Maisie spends a lot of time trying to get people to talk and share something useful.
There are distinct characters like Aunt Phyllis, Zoe (16yo orphan), Archie, etc., However, the dialogue between characters is a bit strange. I understand this is done to highlight their eccentricities. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. They stand out only in a couple of instances. The rest of the time, the characters seem as if they are on a stage.
One secret is stretched a bit too much. I can see why, but it is easy to figure out the secret. Though I can see why, the reveal somehow doesn’t deliver.
The mystery is decent. Easy to guess, but not right away. There are no last-minute twists. Even with some information being withheld (common in mysteries), there is enough to connect the dots and arrive at a conclusion. The rest is supplied by the characters later on.
Maisie and Jack’s friendship is okay, but I’m not convinced by how much she thinks about him in this book. That connection just isn’t there yet. The chemistry feels forced despite it being a super slow burn.
To summarize, Murder at Bunting Manor is a good continuation of the first book and has its merits. It makes a decent cozy mystery. However, I am unable to connect with the characters and enjoy the book as I should. My journey with the series ends here.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #MurderatBuntingManor
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Oh Sri, my heart goes out to you that this cozy mystery didn't do it for you in a much more satisfying outcome. I know how much you love your cozy mysteries, but if the character development is lacking and you don't genuinely connect to them it can be disappointing. You wrote a Sparkling Five Star review despite your misgivings about the series. Excellent job and I truly hope that you're currently reading something that you truly love. Nothing but the best for you my great friend. You deserve a wonderful reading experience for the majority of the time because you & Rosh are the best and my favorite reviewers. I missed your review of the Lahiri short story collection and I'm off to find your thoughts. I am going to write to Rosh and I want to tell you that there is an excellent ARC on Net Galley who I loved her last book, and was approved, but got denied for this new one. I think that you would love it because she writes about the Indian hardships of assimilating in the U. S. I will personal message you with her name and the name of the book. I'll be buying it when it publishes in March, 2024. She's the real deal with no stereotyping the Indian experience. I'll tell you her books that are my favorite, "The Golden Son," and "The Shape of Family." "The Shape of Family," I gave five stars to and that was her third book which I did receive the ARC and I truly get the frustration of trying to to write a great review and getting declined for authors that you love. I know that my reviews are not nearly as polished as yours and Rosh's are. But I put my whole heart & soul into most of them. I checked on NG and the reviewers who were approved left 2 or 3 sentences. I never do that so believe me I get it. :) xx
Karen wrote: "Oh Sri, my heart goes out to you that this cozy mystery didn't do it for you in a much more satisfying outcome. I know how much you love your cozy mysteries, but if the character development is lac..."Thank you so much, Karen. Some books are not for us. I'm sure I'll find another cozy mystery series soon. My current read is a fell-good book, so I'm enjoying it for what it is.
I'm yet to update my review for that book, so you didn't miss it. I'll post it tomorrow, promise!
Oh, so sorry you were declined. It doesn't feel good when we like the author and get declined for their books. I'll check out the books you mentioned.
Your reviews are straight from the heart, Karen. Way way better than generic reviews I see on NG. It's the publishers' loss if they decline dedicated reviewers like you.
How big your heart ❤️ is Sri! That's s so nice of you to say that you like my reviews 💓. That's high praise coming from you and it made me feel good. I was wondering if you could recommend what you liked by Annalisa Crawford, the author of The Boatman. I'm in the mood to read more from her. I like her writing style. Thank you
Karen wrote: "How big your heart ❤️ is Sri! That's s so nice of you to say that you like my reviews 💓. That's high praise coming from you and it made me feel good. I was wondering if you could recommend what you..."❤️❤️ I was speaking the truth, Karen.
I replied to your comment on the other review but in case you don't get a notification, here's the book The Clock in My Mother's House and other stories
