Death at the Hunting Lodge

Amelia Adams #3

by Laura Stewart

A Scottish village is turned upside-down by a Gaelic pagan festival, an archaeological dig, and a murder, in this absorbing new cozy mystery. Amelia Adams, proprietor of Stone Manor, is hosting four archaeologists at her luxurious hotel as they excavate a ruined abbey. Meanwhile, the village is preparing for a festival that heralds the start of summer—an event that’s brought Moira, a tarot reader and practicing white witch, back to her hometown. But relics aren’t the only things being unearthed—as the locals air resentments about the dig, an old mystery is resurrected and a dead body turns up. Has a peace-loving Wiccan become a predator, or is something deeper going on?

Genres: Mystery, Crime

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2024

Reviews

[Sarahlovesbooks76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in Laura Stewart's series about Amelia and her hotel, Stone Manor. This time round sees a team of archaeologists staying, while they excavate a local Abbey. When a body is found at Stone Manor, Amelia finds herself caught up in yet another murder case. Can she help solve it before her friends are accused, and her business suffers?

The book would work as a standalone, but I do think reading the previous stories helps - there are a lot of returning characters and knowing their background sometimes makes understanding them easier. Gideon is a prime example, he can be very irritating, but when you know the back story, you get why he is the way he is! I really liked the descriptions of the festival throughout this book, and the inclusion of tarot and its meaning was interesting. Another great addition to the series.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, I've realised that this isn't the first book that I read by this author - but it is the first of this genre.
I read the beautiful romcom, Twelve Labours Of Love, quite some time ago now and loved it - this being such a different read, I didnt make the connection until much later.

I loved the concept of this one.
Set in current time, but with nods to the past with both the archeology and the Beltane festival celebrations and wiccan connections, gave this a bit more of a gothic or witchy vibe, which I loved.

It seems that the other book I read was actually the shift in genre and that there have been other books to compliment this one - also where Amelia, our protagonist, has starred.
But, I didn't find this story lacking in information and it worked perfectly fine as a standalone read.

I do, however, usually like to read series in order just to get a better feeling for the characters and setting, so am sure that I'll be heading back to the start to catch up soon.

This was an enjoyable mystery with a fair few twists and turns which kept us guessing throughout.
I had a few good theories and there were some good clues laid out for us but this case still wasn't straightforward.

A great read and I look forward to reading more in this series soon.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Stewart is a self-proclaimed fan of Agatha Christie. Her novel Deer Lodge: Death at the Hunting Lodge (Bloodhound Books, 2024, 319 pages) deliberately echoes both a Christie title and falls into the cozy mystery category that Christie practically invented. Stewart’s tale is set in a Scottish village around the holiday of Beltane (May Day) and involves subplots of archaeology, Tarot cards, Celtic mythology, a hillside mansion, numerous eccentrics, several murders, and enough red herrings to hold a fish fry. This is # 3 in Stewart’s Amelia Adams series, each a standalone not in need of previous reading. A group of younger diggers wants to excavate near an old abbey on a farm owned by a very odd man in hope of unearthing a Pictish site. Adams is our amateur sleuth who inherits Stone Manor, but local murders aren’t very good for the Beltane tourist trade. Moira, a white witch, isn’t dissuaded but she and everyone else is a suspect, except maybe Gideon a whiny young man milking a minor injury as if his head were cut off. Stewart deftly balances history, prehistory, the occult, creepy atmosphere, and fine pacing. ★★★★--- Rob Weir

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading this I felt like I had picked up an Agatha Christie novel, and one of the better ones, too, from her early years. This is the first book by Laura Stewart I have read, and I'm still half convinced she is a reincarnation of the Queen of Crime.
I loved the characters; all of them sporting just the right amount of eccentricity; a large cast handled with aplomb.
The plot is complex, clever and intriguing from beginning to end, and full of splendid twists and turns. The writing is vivid and lively - at times amusing and at others creepy and haunting. I love the touches of the esoteric and the macabre and the hints of unfulfilled occult rituals. The Hunting Lodge itself is a perfect location, perched on a clifftop, overlooking a remote Scottish Loch.
I will definitely read more by this author and recommend her to all Crime Fiction fans.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the previous book by this author and this was another very enjoyable read. Amelia finds herself in the thick of the action when a body is discovered in the library in her hotel, with a tarot card nearby. Add in links to past events involving a lot of local characters with some Wiccan shenanigans, and an archaeological dig in the locality that a lot of people don't want , and I was gripped.

There's lots of characters to keep track of. I really like Amelia and her determination to get to the bottom of things. Gideon, while often funny, drove me mad though! I found it easy to read and hoping for a break to pick it up again.

My thanks to Bloodhound Books for a copy of this and this is my honest review.

[Alison Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't realised this was part of a series, but nevertheless it worked fine without having read the previous books. A murder mystery set in a hotel in a highland village. A group of now respectable 60 year oldswere involved in the occult in their teenage years, and all blame each other for the disappearance of Cameron on his 18th birthday. When his sister Moira returns from France for Beltane, old memories resurface along with the rumours of the evil associated with the Hunting Lodge where they had their teenage headquarters. When two young people are murdered, the police are perplexed, in steps Amelia, owner of the hotel, who quietly works out what has been going on. A dangerous, terrifying ending to an enjoyable murder mystery. #bloodhoundbooks #deathatthehuntinglodge

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book, but for me there was something that stopped me from loving it fully, and I can't quite put my finger on what it was.
Amelia remains a likeable main character, and this time a murder in the library of her hotel leads her to look back at a group of friends who haven't been together for a while-and a hunting lodge with occult overtones.
Maybe I didn't love the drug and occult references!
The plot moves along at a good pace, though there was a patch in the middle which I felt was slightly slow.
However I'm glad I read until then end and discovered who done it.

[Rhian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia has settled into running the Stone Manor hotel, preparing for Beltane celebrations & her friend Sally's handfast ceremony. But an archaeological dig has raised ill-feeling in the village - then one of the team is found murdered in the hotel. Despite being warned off by the police, Amelia can't help investigating, putting herself in danger.
This is the third in the series and a great addition. Although it can be read as a stand alone, you will want to read the preceding books too.
If you enjoy the Dales mystery series this is for you.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amelia runs Stone Manor hotel. A dead body is found in her library amid preparations for the Beltane celebrations and a hand-fasting ceremony, whilst a local archaeological dig is causing ill-feeling among the locals. The deceased is one of the dig team. Amelia sets out trying to solve the crime whilst contending with a white witch, a haunted lodge and tales of smugglers.
A good read but there are a lot of characters which made it quite hard to keep track in the early stages.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the eARC.

[Scott Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murders on the Scottish Coast

This book would have benefited from a family tree diagram featuring the relationships among the many characters. Typical British murder mystery set in a small coastal village in Scotland. There are a couple of murders and a lot of potential suspects. Also many red herrings pointing in the direction of multiple characters except the real villain who seems like a decent person until we approach the end.

This was not my cup of tea. Maybe if I had read the previous books in this series I might have enjoyed it more.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Stone Manor is once again the centre of this murder mystery and Amelia, the owner is again drawn into the investigation, not least because the murder victim is found in the hotel library by one of her guests and the victim is another guest.
All is centred around the annual Beltane festival in the village, and linked to the derelict hunting lodge that has a very murky past.
Well written and full of unexpected twists.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Gideon is back and injured so Amelia and Toby have to deal with his melodramatic antics. At times Gideon talks too much but I do like him because he is colorful. This time we have some
archaeologists visiting and stirring up things. Things turn when we have one murder and we also have another colorful character who now starts to stir up the past among old friends. Missing people, drugs, gathering to perform wiccan spells brings up more mystery

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of archaeologists plan to uncover an ancient Pictish site but things don’t go quite to plan when one of them is found in a pool of blood at the hotel, owned by local girl Amelia. A Tarot card left with the body leads people’s thoughts to turn to witchcraft links. A great little read to keep you guessing.

[Jill Coates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, after initially struggling with the characters it now realise why as it’s the third book and I read it as a standalone.
The plot is well written the characters strong and believable maybe a bit long winded in the middle of the story but kept me guessing.
I’d certainly like to read more from this author.

[Nanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off even though this is third in a series it’s a great standalone story that weaves a delightful mystery with just the right mix of authenticity and fun!! Characters that are easy to develop a liking for and an engaging mystery! The descriptions made me feel like I was in the setting and surroundings which made it really enjoyable!

[Alison Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and the storyline. It’s not 5 stars as I did get a bit confused with the number of different characters at a couple of times. The main character was likeable and obviously gritty although this wasn’t always obvious. A good holiday read for me.

[Jane Welchman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely even though I hadn't realised this was the third book in the series. I shall be going back now to read the first two instalments. Well written and kept me guessing.
I was given an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

[Rachel Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realise this was part of a series. I read it as a standalone but do think my reading would have been enhanced by reading the others first which I shall now go back and do. Overall an enjoyable read and I'm glad to have found another great series.

[Elainebowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book

I really enjoyed this book the characters are really well written and enjoyable to read I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.

[JordynSue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura Stewart's third installment featuring Amelia and Stone Manor, her hotel. A team of archaeologists intends to excavate an ancient Pictish site, but their plans take a dark turn when a member is discovered dead at Amelia's hotel. The presence of a Tarot card near the body sparks suspicions of witchcraft connections. An engaging read that will keep you intrigued with its mysteries.
The storyline is intricate, smart, and captivating throughout, brimming with delightful surprises and unexpected developments. The narrative is vibrant and engaging – sometimes amusing, other times eerie and chilling. I appreciate the mystical and eerie elements, along with the allusions to unresolved occult ceremonies. The Hunting Lodge, situated on a cliff, with a view of a secluded Scottish Loch, serves as a flawless setting.

The book is enjoyable on its own, but familiarity with the previous stories can enhance the experience. Many characters return, and knowing their background can simplify understanding them. For instance, Gideon can be frustrating, but knowing his backstory sheds light on his behavior. The vivid festival descriptions and the intriguing inclusion of tarot and its interpretations added depth to this book. It's another fantastic installment in the series.

I was given this book as an ARC in return for providing an honest review.