No Clue at the Inn

Pennyfoot Hotel #13

by Kate Kingsbury

Cecily Baxter and her husband, Hugh, haven't been back to Badgers End in two years-not since they sold the Pennyfoot Hotel and the new owner turned it into a country club. But when Cecily receives a letter asking her to manage the place during the Christmas season, she's delighted to accept. Hugh, however, is not quite so enthusiastic-especially when he discovers that the previous manager met a mysterious end...

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Cozy, Historical Mystery

421 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Kate Kingsbury grew up in London, England, and at a very early age began telling stories to her school friends during the London Blitz of WW II while huddling in bomb shelters. Kate moved to the U.S. in the early sixties, and had passed her 50th birthday when she published her first book. Writing as Doreen Roberts, (her real name at the time) she published 26 romance novels for Harlequin/Silhouette. In 1991 her first Pennyfoot Hotel book was published and since then Kate has written 35 mysteries, including the Manor House mysteries, the Bellehaven House mysteries(written as Rebecca Kent) and the Raven's Nest mysteries, (written as Allison Kingsley.) Her new series, The Merry Ghost Inn Mysteries debuted in January, 2017 with Dead and Breakfast, featuring a B & B on the Oregon coast. She has one son, Regan, and lives with her husband, Bill, in the beautiful state of Oregon.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, but not as enjoyable as the others of this series. I wanted to read more about the secondary characters whose stories had been talked about. Just enough information to interest, enough to make me want to look for the next book to see what has happened to them. I guess that is normally the sign of good book in a book series. But it is bloody frustrating! Oh, one beef I did have with the story was that it seemed to abrupt when Baxter got them into financial trouble. It was "oh, by the way---happend. It's your fault Cecily." There was the resolution of what they would do to deal with it. But there was so much more that could have been expanded on. I mean....geez! Random!!

[Ilona · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light, easy read, but I probably won't bother with any more from this series. The resolution of the mystery was not believable at all, far too many loose ends and leaps of intuition on the part of the sleuth (Cecily Baxter) with nothing little to support them in the plot.

But the thing that bothered me increasingly throughout the book was not the flimsy plot or the tenuous deduction. (Nor even the appallingly bratty pre-school twins (children of a minor character) imported for ... what? comic effect? They were far more obnoxious than funny, and had no impact on the plot whatsoever.)

No, it was the sleuth's husband, Hugh Baxter, a more strained, aloof, judgmental prig you would be hard pressed to discover, and yet, somehow, Cecily seems convinced of his love and support. On what evidence she bases this confidence is the real mystery.

I gave it two stars instead of only one because I wasn't expecting Great Literature, and because the plot bounced along at a good clip and came to a decent enough ending. But not something I'd recommend, nope.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading these mysteries at Christmas time. It really get me in the holiday spirit (except the whole murder thing) as I picture myself staying at the beautifully decorated Pennyfoot. I was so happy that all the regular characters were included here and will be reunited again. I knew they would be because I've read later books, but it was interesting to see how it happened. I was surprised by the murderer and figured it out only shortly before Cecily did.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an enjoyable read, especially during the Christmas season. It is set in Victorian times and the characters are well-defined and likeable. It's a true whodunit in the old school style. Put a log on the fire, grab a cup of tea, and curl up with this book this season.

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember the rich are not above the law!!!!!!

I love this series, Cecily Sinclair Baxter is no one to fool with when she sets her mind to it.
Hugh Baxter has his hands full when Cecily gets in her zone, trying to put pieces together to find out how all these murders happen and why, and who did it.
The Pennyfoot Hotel turned Country Club has not lost its so called curse of trouble.
The old employees had left and went their separate ways, but was called back to celebrate Christmas together, and of course the first thing brought to Cecily and Hugh attention when Cecily' s late husband cousin that bought the hotel, to come back and help out cause he had to go back to South America for his business.
That is when stuff hit the fan.
You have to read this because there is way too much to try a fill in the details.
One thing about this series is 1-13 books are available through kindle unlimited, and now 14- 21 the end of the series you have to BUY at an expensive price to finish reading the series.
That saddened me, I love this author for this series, now off to a new author.
You will enjoy this series for a while.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The character of Cecily Baxter is so well drawn it seems the author must be well acquainted with her. That said, she is not a great protagonist. Self-absorbed, nosy, defiant, sneaky, unapologetic, quite ready to blame others for problems she causes, and vague when it comes to keeping promises, even to her husband. I might have enjoyed this more if I had read others in the series, probably in order. Cecily has experienced danger from many earlier butt-insky investigations, and has clearly not learned anything from those lessons. This time she and Baxter have returned to Pennyfoot, now a private club, to help her cousin Edward, now the owner, manage it over the Christmas holidays because he must take care of business elsewhere and he has lost his manager (down a well) and has not found a replacement. Cecily has no problem digging into police business because the local police would rather write off deaths as accidents than do any real investigating. She also has no problem searching guests' rooms, having employees lie to the police to gather information, keep evidence to herself, or question suspects on her own. I've had enough of Cecily.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I haven't read the Pennyfoot Hotel books before the series underwent several changes to restore the grand building into a country club. The couple who used to manage the place had moved to the city, and was called back to run the place over Christmas. They accepted believing the job would be brief through Christmas. Mr & Mrs Baxter came from their home and living in London, England to a Pennyfoot Country Club in Badger's End, England. Husband and wife had lived here and managed the tasks, but this was no longer their home. Meeting up with friends, and those who had worked with them prior was a joy, and Murder which perked the ears of the one who has to find answers,. More that one, actually. The flavor of the book is similar to Emily Brightwell's Mrs Jeffries books but with ritzy boarders and clientele. I love Christmas, and I love mystery, and the ending is so sly that the audience should not know who did it until the Cecily (the star) of the book realizes it. Thoroughly enjoyed these charming people.

[Timothy VanderWall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to get back to Badger's End and the Pennyfoot Hotel, er Country Club. Hugh Baxter and his wife, Cecily, are back at the Pennyfoot to help out the new owner (the cousin who bought it from Cecily) whose manager has gone and "accidentally" fallen down a well. Well, as you can imagine, Cecily does not at all think that it was an accident.
This is the first "annual" Christmas story after Ms. Kingsbury decided to wrap up the excellent Pennyfoot Hotel series (and all of her fans complained about their loss). It did not disappoint. Cecily, Mrs. Chubbs, Gertie, Madeline, Phoebe, and the rest are all reunited for a delightful Christmas mystery. If you are a Pennyfoot reader, I suggest that you continue your reading after the end of the series with No Clue at the Inn.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the series so this was the first for me. I quick read once I got into it. Slow and plodding at the start and a bit slow near the end but the middle was well paced and kept me interested which wasn't until the fifth plus chapter.
Reasonably well thought out and pleasant characters on the whole, but the Cecily's husband was particularly annoying. Surely he either understood his wife's motives by now or he should have moved on. No use wining about her getting involved in another mystery if that is what she does and has done for 12 previous books. Not sure if I would read any more in this series, but the plot was sound.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now that Hugh and Cecily are married I thought I would enjoy their adventures but I definitely did not like this book. For one thing, too much paranormal business with Cecily's friend Madeline again which is not to my liking. Hugh seems entirely different than the man she married. All stuffy again like the first book in the series. Cecily is ridiculous the way she goes about getting information from her suspects in this new murder. I only read a few chapters and gave it up. I don't know if I will feel like paying for another book in the series or not. I will have to see.

[Maryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This episode was very contrived and very farfetched.

[Carole Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

much better than the previous book. Enough information to figure out who the killer was without giving it away.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love this light mysterious. Just what I need during this COViD 19 lockdown. Have ordered 2 more on Kindle.
In this one —a pretty unlikely murderer—the French Lady Lucille.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these characters and the setting.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice cozy mystery, set at Christmas time in old England ... so all of that made it enjoyable for me to read. At times the characters got a bit tedious, but I did enjoy it.

[JulieAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was perfect as a cozy mystery novel. I felt like the strong women and references to historical going’s on in the novel were a nice touch for the Victorian era. Perhaps a fact checker page in the back of the book would be helpful with some of these historical novels. I would add that fact checkers can not be “all knowing” but a listing of various sources relied upon if any would have been a great addition.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this is the 13th book in the Pennyfoot Hotel series, and the last free one with Kindle Unlimited. I have been known to get really into book series and once I'm hooked by the free/cheaper ones to purchase the final ones at more expensive prices just to see what happens next.
That won't be happening in this case. While I really enjoy the stories about Gertie and her family and some of the other members of staff at the Pennyfoot, I have never enjoyed Mrs. Sinclair-Baxter or Baxter himself or their relationship. This book took the proverbial cake for me, and it will be the last I will read.
The whole premise of everyone going back to the Pennyfoot for a "holiday" and all deciding to stay there and work again was ridiculous and unbelievable. The reasons Ross and Baxter had to stay there to work (I won't spoil it if you haven't read it, but I will implore you not to waste your time reading it if you haven't already!)were completely out of character and ludicrous.
The relationship between Cecily and Baxter took such a downhill spiral for me I cannot even bear to read about them without paying anymore, let alone pay $9 to read about them. She seemed to be even more idiotic and foolish than usual, and Baxter's anger and arrogance went beyond their normal behaviour, which was already unacceptable to me.
So goodbye, Pennyfoot. That's all for you.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very light read. Basically the previous owner & manager (Cecily & Hugh -now married) of the Pennyfoot Country Club (formerly Hotel) has been asked back to run the Club/Hotel during the Christmas season. They agree and invite the staff of the old hotel back as guests for a reunion. The old staff all seems to love each other and have the money to attend this reunion, Just as Cecily & Hugh arrive at the club, 4 couples – all British peers (KC) , arrive as well. Cecily learns that a staff member was recently found at an abandoned well dead; police decide it is a tragic accident. Cecily decides to snoop around. She finds evidence that one of the KC wifes might have been there with the deceased man. Her investigative instinct kicks in, much to the chagrin of her husband. – I would recommend this only if you have nothing better to read. Plot is so Pollyannaish (even though there are 2 more murders) that it is difficult to really care what happens.

[IslandRiverScribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Kingsbury supposedly ended the Pennyfoot Hotel series back in 1999 with Maid to Murder. Several years later, in 2003, she re-started the series with the intention of writing a yearly Christmas mystery. This book is the transition between Cecily and Baxter selling the hotel to her late husband’s cousin and their return to Badger’s End and the Pennyfoot.

The writing style is consistent with all the previous books and the mystery was relatively convoluted. I enjoyed the book tremendously, but I am not so sure as to whether I wish to continue reading the Christmas specials. To me, a murder every Christmas at the Pennyfoot would be a real deterrent to me wanting to be a guest at that place. So, at this point, I have a problem with suspension of disbelief. Maybe, by Christmas, I’ll want to revisit the Pennyfoot anyway – we’ll see.

[Karen Hufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of this series that I've ever read. I could tell there were previous books written but I still didn't have trouble following it. Cecily and her husband are going back to the Pennyfoot (first a hotel now a country club) to help out the owner who must travel for work and lost his manager to mysterious circumstances. The cast of regular characters is cute: Mrs Chubbs, Gertie, Madeline, Phoebe, . . .. The mystery starts with the death of the previous manager who appears to have accidentally fallen into a well on a deserted farm. The mystery deepens with two other deaths. I didn't love Cecily's husband but did enjoy the book.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be searching out the others in this cozy British mystery series. Set in a hotel/country club in England in 1912(ish), this is the story of a woman who can't help investigating the suspicious death of the hotel's manager even though her husband is really not thrilled about her getting into danger. This book is not the first in the series so there was some history between the characters that I wasn't familiar with, but the author never left me out of the loop as the story continued on. Very good read.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, breezy, and easy with a distinct holiday tone- exactly what I wanted for the Christmas season. I like cozy mysteries to curl up by the fire with in the evenings during the holidays and this is just want was wanted. Nothing deep or academic here, the characters were fluffy, and the book was rife with the sort of cliches one might find if the author had written while watching a Downton Abbey marathon. Perfectly syrupy and light.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back at her beloved inn with her husband for Christmas, Cecily doesn't believe the inn's manager's death was an accident. Then a maid goes missing and it's up to her to figure out how and if the events relate. I picked this up because it was a Christmas mystery. It was set in England in 1912 which really isn't my taste. I did think the story was interesting but I probably won't pick up another book in the Pennyfoot Hotel mystery series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beloved characters of the Pennyfoot hotel series all settled down at the end of the last book, but now, as 111012 draws to a close, they're back at the Pennyfoot, now a Country Club, as Cecily and her husband fill in for the vacationing owner. It seems that the manager of the club has died mysterious--accidentally, the police think. Further deaths, a stolen necklace and a mysterious fire keep Cecily and new husband Hugh Baxter busy.

[Dallass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seeing how I started this series at book 13, I'm missing a lot of context in regards to character histories and interactions, but it was a quick and easy read. Quite enjoyed the Pennyfoot Hotel (sorry, Country Club) and all the surrounding environs - not to mention the Edwardian setting.

One disappointment was the enormous cockup Bax made regarding the card game. But apart from that, it was mostly a sweet and cosy read.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed with this book. I really enjoyed this series, but I was not happy with the way the author treated her characters in this outing. She had everything all nicely wrapped up with the previous book, but apparently the lure of the money was too much and she reopened the series after all. Just really a mess.

[Becky]

Being an innkeeper and a mystery lover I'm always on the lookout for books that involve both. I've read one other in this series before and this one didn't seem to have quite the same punch as the other. I did enjoy it and I would recomend it, but I didn't feel it was as good as some of the authors other works.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the Pennyfoot Hotel holiday mysteries. It's a nice cozy mystery, set in 1912, when Cecilia and Hugh Baxter have a chance to manage their old hotel over the holidays. Of course, amidst the holiday decorations and treats, there is a murder. I always enjoy Kingsbury's holiday mysteries--they're suitably cozy, but still a nice mystery.

[KayDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cecily and Baxter are back at the Pennyfoot for the Christmas holidays. Asked to manage the Pennyfoot in the new owner’s absence, murder soon rears its head when a housemaid disappears and is found murdered. As the former staff congregate to celebrate Christmas together, a murderer stalks the holly clad halls of the Pennyfoot.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable historical holiday cozy. I had not read the previous portion of the series, but had not difficulties or felt I missed out. I am looking forward to continuing with the other holiday ones in future years.