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Euphemia Martins Mystery #2
A Death in the Highlands
Book two in the The Euphemia Martins Mysteries is set a hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands. After dodging criminal charges, Richard returns as head of the household at Stapleford Hall. Changing fortunes find Euphemia temporarily promoted to housekeeper for the first trip to the family's new hunting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, where she is fascinated by handsome, intelligent Rory Macleod, the new butler. Taking on her new role, she encounters angry locals with a grudge against the Staplefords and thwarts what she believes to be an attempt on Bertram Stapleford's life. A strange group of house guests arrive for the Glorious Twelfth, but with disastrous consequences. Euphemia finds herself caught in the midst of bitter rivalries, and evidence pointing to different murder suspects. Will she unravel the mystery? How much danger is she in? Is the crime political or a revenge killing? And how will her relationships with Bertram and the handsome Rory unfold?
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2013
About the author
Caroline Dunford
50 books48 followersLike most authors I did several jobs before I settled down to writing full time. I've been a journalist, a development officer, and a psychotherapist. I am a novelist, short story writer, mentor, tutor and playwright.
Throughout my life I've been fascinated by people - to the extent I even did a psychology degree before training in psychotherapy. I firmly believe that we all make sense of the whole through narrative- even if it's only the one inside your own head.
My Euphemia Martins Mysteries are inspired by my maternal great grandmother, who left a life of luxury to go into service.
However, everything I do inspires me. The best way of me to make sense of what often seems a very chaotic world is to tell stories. And in those stories I'm always asking questions.
Recently my play Burke has gone into its third production. It tries to make sense of what Burke and Hare, still the UK's most successful (?) serial killers did what they did. How they started.
You'll find traces of questions like this is the Euphemia stories where I often explore why people can and do do unpleasant things.
But - and this is a big but - I also believe that if you want to look at the darker side of human nature you must also pay homage to the lighter side, the truly selfless and generous acts that all humans are capable of doing.
And you need humour. Life can deal all of us harsh knocks and laughter is one of the greatest weapons in our armoury - along with love.
Throughout my life I've been fascinated by people - to the extent I even did a psychology degree before training in psychotherapy. I firmly believe that we all make sense of the whole through narrative- even if it's only the one inside your own head.
My Euphemia Martins Mysteries are inspired by my maternal great grandmother, who left a life of luxury to go into service.
However, everything I do inspires me. The best way of me to make sense of what often seems a very chaotic world is to tell stories. And in those stories I'm always asking questions.
Recently my play Burke has gone into its third production. It tries to make sense of what Burke and Hare, still the UK's most successful (?) serial killers did what they did. How they started.
You'll find traces of questions like this is the Euphemia stories where I often explore why people can and do do unpleasant things.
But - and this is a big but - I also believe that if you want to look at the darker side of human nature you must also pay homage to the lighter side, the truly selfless and generous acts that all humans are capable of doing.
And you need humour. Life can deal all of us harsh knocks and laughter is one of the greatest weapons in our armoury - along with love.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 2, 2013
Quick fun read, read in one sitting, or lying because it was in bed. Our heroine still works as a maid, her grandfather still refusing to come to the aid of his widowed daughter. So Euphemia does her Cinderella impression, ie scrubbing the staircase, whilst mooning over Bertram and getting into alsorts of dangers in the highlands of Scotland.
April 20, 2018
Another Fab cosy read, I really liked the character of Rory and feel like Euphemia is developing nicely too, I love these books to read and am having to will myself not to read them one after the other but to try and spread the pleasure out a little
April 9, 2018
My second Euphemia Martins book, really nice cosy reads. We have a downstairs maid equivalent of Sherlock Holmes. This book set at a shooting lodge in Scotland. Again a very easy read, flows well and keeps you involved to the last page.
October 20, 2015
Euphemia is still a housemaid but an unfortunate accident to the unpleasant housekeeper - Mrs Wilson - leads to her being promoted to acting housekeeper when Lord Richard transports family and guests to his shooting lodge in the Highlands. With the help of handsome new butler, Rory Mcleod she manages to hold everything together in spite of the unfortunate demise of one of the guests.
I enjoyed this second book in this mystery series which sees Euphemia growing in confidence as she gets used to being in service. Euphemia's descriptions of the people she meets and the events she is involved in are often amusing. I liked the way the author conveys her narrator's sense of confusion at events which are going on around her and her doubts about whom she can trust.
If you want to read a relatively light hearted mystery series with a feisty narrator who is determined to make something of her life and help to support her mother and younger brother then this may be the series for you. I think the books are best read in the order in which they are published so that the reader can see how Euphemia develops.
I enjoyed this second book in this mystery series which sees Euphemia growing in confidence as she gets used to being in service. Euphemia's descriptions of the people she meets and the events she is involved in are often amusing. I liked the way the author conveys her narrator's sense of confusion at events which are going on around her and her doubts about whom she can trust.
If you want to read a relatively light hearted mystery series with a feisty narrator who is determined to make something of her life and help to support her mother and younger brother then this may be the series for you. I think the books are best read in the order in which they are published so that the reader can see how Euphemia develops.
March 13, 2013
This is the second book in the Euphemia Martin mysteries. It seems she is a lightening rod for death and this time it follows her to Scotland. Thrust into the unlikely position of housekeeper she must manage a staff that accompanied her from England, as well as some unfriendly local staff. There are more secrets, more suspense, and more detective work. It is predictable, but fun to read.
January 7, 2022
I recently discovered this series by starting the series about Euphemia's daughter, Hope, and as other reviewers have commented, it's a nice, cosy series of books which makes for nice easy reading. The characters are well drawn, the historical detail nicely done and the introduction of Fitzroy is done well: although he seems like a normal guest, the signs are there that he's something else.
I also liked the way that the relationship between Fitzroy and Euphemia starts to build here.
The writer has a nice turn of phrase, although there are a few grammatical errors in the book, and reading these is a bit like watching Midsomer Murders: an engaging mystery which is light enough reading that it doesn't require too much brain power.
Perfect for reading in bed! :)
I also liked the way that the relationship between Fitzroy and Euphemia starts to build here.
The writer has a nice turn of phrase, although there are a few grammatical errors in the book, and reading these is a bit like watching Midsomer Murders: an engaging mystery which is light enough reading that it doesn't require too much brain power.
Perfect for reading in bed! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2018
I found A Death in the Highlands more enjoyable compared to the first book in the series, largely due to the setting of the Scottish Highlands. Rory's entry into the household adds a little excitement as well.
However, I still find Euphemia to be tiresome at times and the story feels like it's missing some vital connections, though I can't quite put my finger on what the missing factor is. Personally, I'd like to see character development, more hidden clues, and twists and turns in the story.
However, I still find Euphemia to be tiresome at times and the story feels like it's missing some vital connections, though I can't quite put my finger on what the missing factor is. Personally, I'd like to see character development, more hidden clues, and twists and turns in the story.
June 23, 2018
A rather enjoyable mystery that takes place in a country house in Scotland in 1910. There's a suspicious death at a hunting party.
Interesting setting. Good number of suspects.
I feel that I missed a bit by not having read the first mystery. I actually assumed I'd missed several in the series because there seemed to be holes.
Interesting setting. Good number of suspects.
I feel that I missed a bit by not having read the first mystery. I actually assumed I'd missed several in the series because there seemed to be holes.
September 27, 2024
Once again, I decided on a very, very kind three-star rating. It's a light and fast read, but the mystery is a bit eh, non-interesting. I did enjoy the infused humor and wit, hence the third star. I'll continue with this series because it's a delight with witty fast mysteries now and then.
September 30, 2017
A very quick read ~ Euphemia is an interesting character.
February 1, 2018
2.8 actually..
although entertaining and promising at start, the story dwindles down to a very unsatisfactory end.
although entertaining and promising at start, the story dwindles down to a very unsatisfactory end.
June 26, 2020
A one sitting romp. Good stuff
February 18, 2017
Second in Series
Questions arising from the first book in the series are still unanswered as the scene moves to a hunting lodge with Euphemism acting as housekeeper. There is a new butler, a handsome Scot; a group of old school chums on holiday, several characters, both from above and below stairs, from book one, and a few new servants. And then, of course, there is a murder.
Questions arising from the first book in the series are still unanswered as the scene moves to a hunting lodge with Euphemism acting as housekeeper. There is a new butler, a handsome Scot; a group of old school chums on holiday, several characters, both from above and below stairs, from book one, and a few new servants. And then, of course, there is a murder.
November 17, 2016
Book 2. I enjoyed this. Very cute. Somewhat improbable "granddaughter of Earl works undercover as maid" in great house where she gets along with both upstairs and downstairs (other than the criminals and bad guys) and seems to find herself involved in a love triangle. These are very mild books - a few charmingly suggestive sentences here and there - but very light on the sex and violence - the murders happen but never seem to be too unpleasant for the survivors. The books are for the most part well written, the plots mostly engaging, sometimes a bit contrived or predictable, and they would really "count" as a legit published book if they were copy edited - so I don't understand why they are not. All the books in this series seem to have not been edited, which confuses me greatly since they are published by Simon & Schuster Digital Publishing. Simon & Schuster doesn't edit books anymore? Since when? A simple copy edit would address 90 percent of the issues. Some books or sections of books are worse than others in their apparent lack of editing, but overall, my impression is "No editing at all?" It would be a matter of a few hours to do a solid copy edit and polish these books so that readers can enjoy them without all the wrong words, incomplete sentences, mangled word processing half-finished sentences, and just ordinary typos. I would happily edit these books for free.
October 30, 2015
August 1910. Lord Richard of Stapleford Hall decides on a shooting party in the Scottish Highlands for the Glorious Twelfth. Meanwhile due to injury to Mrs Wilson, Euphemia has been temporarily promoted to housekeeper for this journey.
The day after the shooting party guests have arrived one of them is murdered. Euphemia decides to investigate and hopefully prove the innocence of the new butler. But does she really understand what is happening
This is a re-read, bur still an enjoyable well-written quick read.
The day after the shooting party guests have arrived one of them is murdered. Euphemia decides to investigate and hopefully prove the innocence of the new butler. But does she really understand what is happening
This is a re-read, bur still an enjoyable well-written quick read.
July 10, 2014
Definitely enjoying this lighthearted murder mystery series set in early 20th century England. Kind of a Downton Abbey with a highly dysfunctional "manor house" family and a semi-functional downstairs staff. Now on to book number 3 "A Death in the Asylum"
March 6, 2016
A fun read
Enjoyable mystery taking Euphemia and crew to the Scottish Highlands for their master's shooting party. Only more gets shot than grouse and Euphemia must solve the mystery before the wrong person is hanged.
Enjoyable mystery taking Euphemia and crew to the Scottish Highlands for their master's shooting party. Only more gets shot than grouse and Euphemia must solve the mystery before the wrong person is hanged.
May 4, 2013
There's nothing hugely wrong with this book, but it's just annoying for me. The characters seem to react in strange, plot-driven ways without organic motivations.
September 5, 2016
One of those Country House mysteries that I so love.
January 30, 2017
It was a good who done it. However, the English Edwardian rules of masters and servants did get a little tiring. But, I do recommend this book.
March 29, 2017
Deep in it...
Euphemism is a lightning rod for trouble and murder! Another who running? The butler? A quick read. But read these books in order. They should be numbered. Charming.
Euphemism is a lightning rod for trouble and murder! Another who running? The butler? A quick read. But read these books in order. They should be numbered. Charming.
April 12, 2017
Fun, quick read. Wish I'd read the 1st one first as there were things I was clueless about that were not explained. But still good story, fun characters and a decent whodunit. My recommendation would be to read Book 1 first!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews