A Novel Way to Kill: A 1920s Mystery Novella

Lord Edgington Investigates #7.5

by Benedict Brown

A grand house in the country, three rival sisters, and a dead man in the garden… It sounds like a case for Lord Edgington.On a trip to meet a family of well-known authors in the English countryside, Lord Edgington of Cranley Hall (along with his well-meaning grandson and their very loyal golden retriever) is faced with the puzzling case of an elderly man thrown from a window, a life-long rivalry and a death foretold in mystery writer’s novel. Will the famous sleuth be able to solve the mystery before tea time?

This is a novella-length mystery from the “Lord Edgington Investigates…” It is a standalone story and can be read at any point in the series but comes between the seventh and eighth novels chronologically.

Please be aware that although this novella is new to Amazon, is not totally new. The e-book was previously in the Twisty Tales promotion, but it is in paperback (and very soon audiobook) for the first time. The next Lord Edgington novel will be out in April.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2022

About the author

Writing has always been my passion. It was my favourite hour a week at primary school, and I started on my first, truly abysmal book as a teenager. So it wasn’t a difficult decision to study literature at university which led to an MA in Creative Writing. I spent a long time writing kids’ books, including funny fairy tales, dystopic adventures and serious issue-based YA, before switching to murder mysteries last year.

I grew up in a crime fiction family and spent a long time dreaming up the idea for my detective Izzy Palmer’s debut novel. A Corpse Called Bob is my first full-length book for adults in what is already becoming a long series.

I’m a Welsh-Irish-Englishman originally from South London but now living with my French/Spanish wife and slightly muddled daughter in Burgos, a beautiful city in the north of Spain. I write overlooking the Castilian countryside, trying not to be distracted by the vultures and red kites that fly past my window each day.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pleasant, short read to satisfy fans of the Lord Edgington series, but I would not recommend it to a newbie of the series. Better for a new reader to start at the beginning.

Kindle Unlimited

[Miss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series, Murder at the Spring Ball, and loved it. I then read the novella Death From High Places, which I also enjoyed. In comparison to these two I found A Novel Way to Kill disappointing. It is shorter than expected, a novella rather than a novel. The characters where not as strongly defined and the tone and style also not as fun and entertaining, it came across as more farcical. The investigation takes place in a very short amount of time, each suspect is interviewed once, then the reveal of the murderer. There wasn't a lot to think about and untangle to work out the killer. It's still worth reading if you like the series, but doesn't live up to the strength of the previous booked I'd read.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I read this last month, but since I don't know when... Here we go.
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the interaction with the sisters etc. The mystery was fun, and while I don't think it was a 5-star read for me, I rounded up. #BecauseWhyNot?
Christopher's character growth is becoming better all the time. The family dynamics of the sisters and that growth of character for Christopher were my favorite parts.Not that I LIKED the dynamics... but I loved how well-written they were.

[Les Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book and well worth a read.

[Cora Mabry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fantastic, and the audiobooks are so well done!

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic novella in the adventures of Lord Edgington and Christopher! It was interesting that 3 of the suspects in this one were sisters - all authors but of completely different genres. It brought a new twist and viewpoint for the story.

[Kb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook, a nice, short, novella-length story. An eighteen-year-old protégé plays Watson to his retired Police Superintendent grandfather. They go for a short visit to a grand house in the country at the invitation of three sisters who are authors (one travel, one scholarly, and one a succcessful mystery writer). At dinner they discuss “the perfect murder” and in the morning they discover the sisters’ elderly father dead on the ground after a fall from a top floor window. Was it murder? It seems so. The local police put the retired man in charge of questioning the family, who are all suspects.

This was well-read, but in the way of all audiobooks put me to sleep, so I missed the part where the murderer was revealed and had to re-listen to the last third of the book. I don’t know whether that is a recommendation or not.

[Geri Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing !!!!!

i love Benedict’s work. The plots are always well planned and keeps me reading until I complete the book. I have enjoyed every book he has published in this series and hope he continues Lord E mysteries.

[Ka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story in this series. Aside from the ever-present golden retriever and the chauffeur, the rest of the servants remain at home when Lord Edgington and Christopher head out to a dinner party with 3 irascible sisters, a trio of older ladies who have made their ways in the world as writers -- a history writer, a mystery writer, and a travel writer respectively. Sadly, they are not as interesting to talk with as Lord Edgington hopes... instead, they behave like a trio of weirdos and then the autistic one (let's be real) asks him how to commit the perfect murder. You know, just out of curiosity.

Cut to next morning, when the elderly father of the three is found dead after being defenestrated. Or did he fall on his own while sleepwalking? Dun dun dun. After some interviewing of the suspects, the mystery is quickly wrapped up, since this is a short story. I did an okay job guessing the true villain in this one; I'm not great at detectoring but Christopher is still in hardcore "assume things based on appearances" mode, so I still did better than him (he does get better in later books, but this is a phase he is still going through in this one).

[Glenn Younger · Rating 5 out of 5]

three writers and a murder

Three sisters—all writers—one husband, an ailing father and a nurse are in their ancient manor during a dinner party where Lord Edgington is urged to describe the perfect murder. Eve, the travel writer is tetchy. Her husband’s ebullient joviality is forced. Livia, the mystery writer, sees it as an old plot. Nessa, the historian, is too concerned with her father’s welfare to engage too much in that part of the night’s conversation. True to form, grandson Christopher tries to follow it all in between bites of a savory dinner. He’s still a growing boy, after all.

With his signature tongue-in-cheek irony, Mr Brown weaves a whodunit that’s fun to follow and solve for yourself. Whether you fall on the intellectual side of Lord Edgington and put the pieces together yourself or more towards Christopher’s end of the spectrum and need the final explanation to definitively solve the crime, it’s good fun all around. Well, except for the one who dies. That probably wasn’t listed on their life’s greatest fun reel.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This continues to be a light, fun, cozy mystery series. This one's a novella, so a little shorter, but there's nothing wrong with that. Chrissy and his Grandfather (well, mostly his grandfather; Chrissy just sort of goes along with him) is invited to dinner at the home of 3 well known writerly sisters. All are well known in their chosen fields: history, travel, and murder mysteries.

At the dinner, the discussion moves around to 'the perfect murder' and then, of course, a murder happens. Lord Edgington, of course, investigates -- with the blessing of the local police. Chrissy follows along, pretty sure he's figured things out but, as usual, misses one or two clues. Still he's becoming less of a foolish Watson and more of an intelligent and helpful assistant. The whole series is in Kindle Unlimited.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, but not what Iv come to expect

I have read all of the Lord Edgington books so far and really enjoyed them - hence, why I have continued reading, this is the first story I have been sadly disappointed by.
There really is very little storyline, no intrigue or mystery and even Christopher’s background narrative was silly and boring.
it feels very rushed and strained like it was maybe brainstormed to get a book out.
I really hope the spark of the previous books has not been lost and this is a blip!
On to he next one with fingers crossed!

[Morticia_is_Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narration, as always in this series, is perfect. The hesitation and side thoughts that Chrissy does are really well portrayed.

This is just a novella but it's the perfect length for the story within; it would have been ruined if he'd tried to force it to be full-length.

Lord Edgington is invited to meet three famous authors who are all sisters (think Brontës). Early in his visit, their father falls to his death, but as you'd expect, there's foul play at hand.

Chrissy aids admirably and has some wonderful, internal thoughts along the way.

[Janet Farnham · Rating 3 out of 5]

When one chooses a Lord Edington book to read, it is with the expectation that it will be a light weigh, fun, charming story. The plots in these books are breezy (and a tad silly) the settings are beautiful and the characters predictable. You "get what you pay for" in these and often it is just what I need...

[Jacob Nutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Fun Indeed…

As a fan of a good mystery I found this to be very enjoyable. As a Agatha Christie fan I found the dialogue and narration to be on par with some of her works and although it was a simple plot it was well executed and because of that it is worth your time and then some!

[Dayna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella that fits between books 7 & 8 of the historical fiction Lord Edgington series. Lord Edgington and Chrissy are invited to visit three eccentric sisters who are all famous authors. When their elderly father is pushed from a window, Lord Edgington must find the killer. Fans of the series will enjoy this short novella.

[Shellene Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Short Story

Another grand adventure for Grandfather and Chrissy. Their adventures continue to evoke a nostalgic feeling, watching their relationship continue growing as a slight shift in Chrissy’s skills as a detective evolve. The pride Grandfather has for Chrissy continues to warm my heart.

[Susan Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book

The characters are so interesting . It gives me such warm pleasure to climb into my bed at night and read one of these books. They calm my soul.
I love the descriptions of the English towns, the houses, animals and the cars.
Thanks for another wonderful book.

[Carola Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Interesting but not the best. I couldn’t separate the sisters or identify them separately but I knew any of them could not be the culprit, so no surprise there. I always enjoy Lotd Edgington’s books so I will wait for the next one.

[Mark Lucas-Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Novel Way to Kill

A novella in Lord Edgington Investigates series. A perfect murder is planned but Lord Edgington and Christopher are here to ensure that the murderer doesn’t get away with it.

[gloria thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual another exciting adventure.

I've been addicted to this series since I read the first page of the first book. I adore the characters and there is always a new trip with a wide range of suspects. Can't wait for the next installment!

[Mary Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher and his grandfater, Lord Eddington, at it again

This is novella but has all the fun of the rest of this series. Mr Brown has written a series the never fails to surprise.

[Lana Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and Brief

This short read was filling and vastly enjoyable. I adore this series so will devour the excellent writing, touches of humor, cast of characters and twists and turns mystery as hungry feast. Highly recommend!

[Callie Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little novel

I have to say it again! I really love this series!! It was an interesting, I mean intriguing, conclusion.

I love Christopher and his thoughts! They crack me up.

Now onto the next book in the series!!

Hope everyone enjoys this book as much as I did :)

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 Daughters/A Murder/A Game!

On the likelihood of a successful visit to tour a home & meet the occupants, the next morning a murder awaits them. It doesn’t take long for Edgington to come up with a plan to follow the perfect murder!

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun novella

Another intriguing case for Lord Edgington and Christopher! There were fewer characters in this story so it was easy to keep track of them, and the plot moved at a good pace. Now I'm eager to read the next adventure!

[Tami Koval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, easy to read, immensely enjoyable

I love the Lord Edgington books. They leave me with such a positive fulfilled feeling. The stories are well written and developed. The characters are likable and dialogue is engaging. I wish I could find more authors with these qualities.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was perhaps not the best introduction to this series. A quick read, but a formulaic, stilted narrative, not helped by the first person adolescent voice. It’s hard to tell if this is representative of the series. I will probable try the beginning of the series but without high expectations.

[Mary K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining novella but I had no connection to the minor characters; I didn’t care about the poor sod who was murdered and I especially didn’t care about the slate of suspects. I was actually relieved to get to the end and be done with the Unlikables!

[Anne Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a bit “odd”! A last minute invitation to dinner by 3 women, all of them authors. At the dinner Lord Ellington is asked about what he’d describe as a perfect murder. The next morning, it happened! He just has to work out just who is telling the truth!