Buried At Blackwood Manor: An Utterly Gripping Cozy mystery

by June Hollis

Buried at Blackwood ManorSome inheritances come with more than memories—they come with ghosts, secrets, and murder.

When Iris Blackwood inherits her grandmother’s crumbling Victorian B&B tucked deep in the forgotten town of Millbrook Crossing, she expects dust and debt—not accusations of murder.

The locals eye her with suspicion, whispering about the “Blackwood curse,” while even the sheriff seems wary of what her return might stir up.

Armed with her obsessive need for order, an inquisitive streak she can’t suppress, and her snarky cat Pixel, Iris is determined to uncover why the Manor’s walls hum with old secrets.

But when the town’s kindly postmistress turns up dead in a room locked for thirty years, Iris finds herself tangled in a web of lies involving a powerful matriarch, a too-helpful handyman, and a nervous town doctor who knows far too much.

To clear her name, Iris must unearth the truth buried beneath her family’s past—before Millbrook Crossing buries her next.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2026

Reviews

[Dave Measner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris Blackwood inherits a crumbling mansion that the Grandmother she never knew has left her. When she gets to Millbrook Crossing she is met with open hostility and fears for her safety until Sheriff Brian Wade leads her to the old mansion. An angry community, for reasons that Iris can't understand and a "home" of questionable livability make life difficult and lonely for Iris and her therapy dog, Pixel. When a resident is murdered and her body ends up in Blackwood Manor, Iris becomes a suspect and even more of a pariah. A tricky mystery with plenty of detail. This is the second book with Iris and the first should be read as it would maybe explain why Iris needs a therapy dog and seems to feel the need to start over in this place where she is so unwanted.
I received a copy of this book to review

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris inherits Blackwood Manor after her Grandmother Eleanor had disappeared years ago and is now considered dead, so following a cryptic map drawn by the estate lawyer she heads out with her faithful golden retriever, Pixel. After driving through very dense forests she finally comes upon the town. However she receives a very caustic non-welcome at Millbrook Crossing from the towns people. Vera, the retired postmistress, fills Iris in on some of the background of her grandmother Eleanor and her housekeeper Sarah, both of whom have been missing for years. A great murder mystery with all kinds of strange twists and turns. I read it straight through in one sitting.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent story with lots of unexpected turns that kept coming. Iris inherited her grandmother's manor, the town did not welcome her. Iris not only had the town's people to contend with but an over grown land with a manor that was not maintained, then a murder. This was a great mix of characters that you learn to love and hate. Patricia Thornton who did not welcome Iris, the sheriff Who had chemistry with Iris and Pixel the dog who could spot good people and the bad ones. This was a 2 sitting read that I really enjoyed.

This was an ARC read that I left an unbiased review for.

[Brenda Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Manor

Iris Blackwood inherited her grandmother's inn, Blackwood Manor. She and her companion Pixel took off for the town of Millbrook. Iris's journey was just beginning. Arriving in Millbrook the towns people were hostile. Eleanor had gone missing 20 years ago along with her assistant, the town believed Eleanor had killed Sarah and run away. This is a story of loss, concealment, come upance, and answers. I recommend this book, the author did a good job introducing the characters and bringing the story to life.

[Emily Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - This was an enjoyable story with some unexpected turns that kept me reading to find out how it ends. Iris Blackwood inherits Blackwood Manor following her Grandmother Eleanor’s disappearance years ago. She receives a virulent “welcome” in the town of Millbrook Crossing. One person, Vera, the retired postmistress, fills Iris in on some of the background of her grandmother, Eleanor and her housekeeper, Sarah, both of whom have been missing for years. Iris and her dog, Pixel, with the help of Sheriff Wade, investigate what happened to the women. This was a pretty quick and satisfying read.