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Ginger Gold Mystery #29
Murder at Stonehaven Hall: a 1920s cozy historical mystery
Murder is an enterprising façade…
When invited to a charity event at Stonehaven Hall, Ginger and Basil expect an evening of champagne and high society. Instead, they find themselves at a small and tricky dinner party. By midnight, the heir lies dead in a dusty rarely used manor room.
The assumption is accidental death, but Ginger sees what they odd formation of ash patterns on the hearth, lipstick marks on a discarded cigarette, a widow’s lack of grief. It points to foul play, but who stands to gain from the heir’s silence?
In a house brimming with secrets, scandal, and fortune, Ginger must untangle a web of lies. Was it passion, betrayal—or something far more sinister?
★★★★★
Researching for the Ginger Gold Mysteries has been so much fun. I hope you sense that as you read. Ginger Gold is smart, savvy, and delightful. The fashions, the dances, the CRIME. The Ginger Gold Mysteries are COZY, so no scary, graphic on-stage violence. You'll find these books to be clean reads, with no swearing or sex. I hope you enjoy the Ginger Gold Mystery series!
Hop aboard the 1920s!
When invited to a charity event at Stonehaven Hall, Ginger and Basil expect an evening of champagne and high society. Instead, they find themselves at a small and tricky dinner party. By midnight, the heir lies dead in a dusty rarely used manor room.
The assumption is accidental death, but Ginger sees what they odd formation of ash patterns on the hearth, lipstick marks on a discarded cigarette, a widow’s lack of grief. It points to foul play, but who stands to gain from the heir’s silence?
In a house brimming with secrets, scandal, and fortune, Ginger must untangle a web of lies. Was it passion, betrayal—or something far more sinister?
★★★★★
Researching for the Ginger Gold Mysteries has been so much fun. I hope you sense that as you read. Ginger Gold is smart, savvy, and delightful. The fashions, the dances, the CRIME. The Ginger Gold Mysteries are COZY, so no scary, graphic on-stage violence. You'll find these books to be clean reads, with no swearing or sex. I hope you enjoy the Ginger Gold Mystery series!
Hop aboard the 1920s!
- GenresCozy Mystery
230 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2026
About the author
Lee Strauss
146 books2,356 followersFor fans of Golden Age who-dun-its ~ from a USA TODAY Bestselling author!
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
You'll adore Lady Gold from the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mysteries series, and the spin of series, Higgins & Hawke.
Look for the connected 1950s era Rosa Reed Mysteries.
NEW ~ The Velvet Spy ~ The Wartime Journal of Ginger Gold
For more info visit: leestraussbooks.com
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March 17, 2026Murder at Stonehaven Hall - Chapter 1 Excerpt
The air in the Harrods Fashion Salon smelled of new silk, Chanel No. 5, and the faint, dry aroma of money. Mrs. Ginger Reed—known in certain circles as Lady Gold—was seated on a delicate gilt chair, her posture a model of composed elegance. An emerald velvet cloche of her own design perched on her red bob, its colour, she knew, deepened the warm green of her eyes.
She watched as a willowy mannequin glided past in a waterfall of ivory chiffon and made a silent note about the innovative drape of the back panel. Practical analysis of the current styles was one of her strengths as proprietor of a fashion house.
“Oh, I adore that.” Felicia, known as Lady Davenport-Witt since her marriage to Charles, turned eagerly in her seat to watch the model. As the sister of Ginger’s first husband, Lord Daniel Gold, she occupied a unique and cherished place in Ginger’s life, a link to a bittersweet past and a vibrant part of her present. “The way it moves!” she breathed. “Don’t you think it would be perfect for the opening tableau?”
“The tableau?” Ginger asked, tearing her gaze from the gown’s construction to look at her sister-in-law’s animated face.
“For the ‘Pageant of the Muses’! They’ve asked me to be involved.” Felicia’s eyes sparkled. “I’m thinking of suggesting a living fresco. It would be terribly artistic, and not at all stuffy.”
From Felicia’s other side, a sound remarkably like a steam kettle letting off pressure issued from beneath a formidable black hat. Ambrosia, the Dowager Lady Gold, Felicia’s grandmother and a force of nature in her own right, fixed the passing model with a gimlet stare.
“A living fresco?” she asked dryly. “When I was a girl, charity involved sending a sensible cheque and perhaps some sturdy blankets. Not prancing about in one’s underthings in the name of Art.”
“It’s not underthings, Grandmama, it’s classical drapery,” Felicia countered, though a faint blush coloured her cheeks. “It’s about expression.”
“It’s about catching a chill and giving the newspapers an excuse for lurid headlines,” Ambrosia retorted, giving her silver-handled walking stick a decisive tap. “A lady of your status has a position to uphold. She does not become part of the decoration.”
Ginger hid a smile behind her gloved hand, watching the familiar dance between them. It was a conflict as timeless as the debates over hemlines, which were, as Ambrosia had already noted twice, “skirting disgracefully close to the knee.”
As the next model emerged in a daring gown of silver lamé, Ginger’s observational skills, honed by years of investigation both personal and professional, swept the room. It was a curated crowd: hawk-eyed editors, a few carefully selected society ladies, the impeccably dressed wives of industrialists. Her gaze, however, snagged and paused on a figure standing apart at the back of the room.
The lady was young, perhaps thirty, and dressed in expensive simplicity in a tailored dove-grey walking frock. But it was her activity that struck Ginger. She wasn’t watching the show. She was holding a small, sober hat, a grey cloche of the darkest charcoal, almost black, and turning it over in her hands with a profound absorption, as if judging its weight for some sombre purpose. Her profile was pale and perfectly composed, yet the set of her shoulders held a tension that the most exquisite tailoring could not conceal.
“Who is that?” Ginger murmured to Felicia, nodding subtly.
Felicia followed her glance. “Oh, that’s Mrs. Allison Ellingham. Her husband is Edwin Ellingham, you know, the son of Mr. Joseph Ellingham, the shipping magnate.” She said the name as if it explained everything: shipping empires, vast estates, a universe of wealth and unassailable influence.
“Was there some bereavement in the family?” Ginger asked. “She looks as though she’s shopping for mourning.”
Before Felicia could respond, somebody took the empty seat to Ginger’s right. It was Miss Celia Thorne, the sharp-eyed fashion editor for The Sketch, her notebook already open like a poised weapon.
“Lady Davenport-Witt, Lady Gold, Mrs. Reed,” she greeted them with a professional smile that didn’t reach her assessing eyes. “A splendid collection, don’t you think? Though I fear our friend over there,” her gaze flickered towards Mrs. Ellingham, “is in the market for something rather less splendid.”
“She seems… preoccupied,” Ginger said, choosing the word with care.
Miss Thorne leaned in, her voice dropping to a confidential murmur that was barely audible over the salon’s soft string quartet. “One hears the Ellinghams are having a beastly time. Nasty business in the city. Shipping worries, you know. And the son, Mr. Edwin Ellingham…” She let the sentence hang, imbuing it with significance. “Well, they say he and his father are barely on speaking terms. A house divided.” She straightened abruptly, her expression smoothing into one of professional blandness. “But of course, family tiffs are the least of our concerns when the bias cut is so divine. Do note the neckline on this next one, Lady Davenport-Witt. It would suit you admirably.”
As Miss Thorne moved away to accost another spectator, Ginger’s attention remained riveted on Mrs. Ellingham. The lady had now placed the grey cloche on her head, studying her reflection in a nearby pier glass. She didn’t adjust the angle or smile tentatively. She simply stared, her face a mask of porcelain resignation. It was the look of someone trying on a role they were doomed to play.
Felicia, more concerned with the show than a moody stranger, sighed again as a mannequin floated by in a cloud of peach tulle. “Do you think Charles would find it terribly frivolous? The pageant, I mean?”
Ambrosia answered before Ginger could muster a diplomatic reply. “Your husband, Felicia, is a gentleman. He understands that his wife’s name in the society columns should be attached to respectable causes, not theatrical frivolity. Leave the frivolity to the professionals.”
“It’s not frivolity, it’s philanthropy,” Felicia insisted, but the sparkle in her eyes had dimmed slightly.
Ginger reached over and gave her sister-in-law’s arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Her mind, however, was elsewhere. It had snagged on the name Ellingham and on words like ‘shipping worries’ and ‘a house divided’. It was fixated on the image of a beautiful, tense woman buying a mourning hat in the middle of a spring fashion show.
As the final model made her turn, Ginger caught Mrs. Ellingham’s eye in the mirror. For a fraction of a second, the polished mask slipped, and Ginger saw not resignation, but a flash of pure, unadulterated fear. Allison Ellingham turned on her heel and walked swiftly from the salon, leaving nothing behind but the ghost of her expensive perfume.
The air in the Harrods Fashion Salon smelled of new silk, Chanel No. 5, and the faint, dry aroma of money. Mrs. Ginger Reed—known in certain circles as Lady Gold—was seated on a delicate gilt chair, her posture a model of composed elegance. An emerald velvet cloche of her own design perched on her red bob, its colour, she knew, deepened the warm green of her eyes.
She watched as a willowy mannequin glided past in a waterfall of ivory chiffon and made a silent note about the innovative drape of the back panel. Practical analysis of the current styles was one of her strengths as proprietor of a fashion house.
“Oh, I adore that.” Felicia, known as Lady Davenport-Witt since her marriage to Charles, turned eagerly in her seat to watch the model. As the sister of Ginger’s first husband, Lord Daniel Gold, she occupied a unique and cherished place in Ginger’s life, a link to a bittersweet past and a vibrant part of her present. “The way it moves!” she breathed. “Don’t you think it would be perfect for the opening tableau?”
“The tableau?” Ginger asked, tearing her gaze from the gown’s construction to look at her sister-in-law’s animated face.
“For the ‘Pageant of the Muses’! They’ve asked me to be involved.” Felicia’s eyes sparkled. “I’m thinking of suggesting a living fresco. It would be terribly artistic, and not at all stuffy.”
From Felicia’s other side, a sound remarkably like a steam kettle letting off pressure issued from beneath a formidable black hat. Ambrosia, the Dowager Lady Gold, Felicia’s grandmother and a force of nature in her own right, fixed the passing model with a gimlet stare.
“A living fresco?” she asked dryly. “When I was a girl, charity involved sending a sensible cheque and perhaps some sturdy blankets. Not prancing about in one’s underthings in the name of Art.”
“It’s not underthings, Grandmama, it’s classical drapery,” Felicia countered, though a faint blush coloured her cheeks. “It’s about expression.”
“It’s about catching a chill and giving the newspapers an excuse for lurid headlines,” Ambrosia retorted, giving her silver-handled walking stick a decisive tap. “A lady of your status has a position to uphold. She does not become part of the decoration.”
Ginger hid a smile behind her gloved hand, watching the familiar dance between them. It was a conflict as timeless as the debates over hemlines, which were, as Ambrosia had already noted twice, “skirting disgracefully close to the knee.”
As the next model emerged in a daring gown of silver lamé, Ginger’s observational skills, honed by years of investigation both personal and professional, swept the room. It was a curated crowd: hawk-eyed editors, a few carefully selected society ladies, the impeccably dressed wives of industrialists. Her gaze, however, snagged and paused on a figure standing apart at the back of the room.
The lady was young, perhaps thirty, and dressed in expensive simplicity in a tailored dove-grey walking frock. But it was her activity that struck Ginger. She wasn’t watching the show. She was holding a small, sober hat, a grey cloche of the darkest charcoal, almost black, and turning it over in her hands with a profound absorption, as if judging its weight for some sombre purpose. Her profile was pale and perfectly composed, yet the set of her shoulders held a tension that the most exquisite tailoring could not conceal.
“Who is that?” Ginger murmured to Felicia, nodding subtly.
Felicia followed her glance. “Oh, that’s Mrs. Allison Ellingham. Her husband is Edwin Ellingham, you know, the son of Mr. Joseph Ellingham, the shipping magnate.” She said the name as if it explained everything: shipping empires, vast estates, a universe of wealth and unassailable influence.
“Was there some bereavement in the family?” Ginger asked. “She looks as though she’s shopping for mourning.”
Before Felicia could respond, somebody took the empty seat to Ginger’s right. It was Miss Celia Thorne, the sharp-eyed fashion editor for The Sketch, her notebook already open like a poised weapon.
“Lady Davenport-Witt, Lady Gold, Mrs. Reed,” she greeted them with a professional smile that didn’t reach her assessing eyes. “A splendid collection, don’t you think? Though I fear our friend over there,” her gaze flickered towards Mrs. Ellingham, “is in the market for something rather less splendid.”
“She seems… preoccupied,” Ginger said, choosing the word with care.
Miss Thorne leaned in, her voice dropping to a confidential murmur that was barely audible over the salon’s soft string quartet. “One hears the Ellinghams are having a beastly time. Nasty business in the city. Shipping worries, you know. And the son, Mr. Edwin Ellingham…” She let the sentence hang, imbuing it with significance. “Well, they say he and his father are barely on speaking terms. A house divided.” She straightened abruptly, her expression smoothing into one of professional blandness. “But of course, family tiffs are the least of our concerns when the bias cut is so divine. Do note the neckline on this next one, Lady Davenport-Witt. It would suit you admirably.”
As Miss Thorne moved away to accost another spectator, Ginger’s attention remained riveted on Mrs. Ellingham. The lady had now placed the grey cloche on her head, studying her reflection in a nearby pier glass. She didn’t adjust the angle or smile tentatively. She simply stared, her face a mask of porcelain resignation. It was the look of someone trying on a role they were doomed to play.
Felicia, more concerned with the show than a moody stranger, sighed again as a mannequin floated by in a cloud of peach tulle. “Do you think Charles would find it terribly frivolous? The pageant, I mean?”
Ambrosia answered before Ginger could muster a diplomatic reply. “Your husband, Felicia, is a gentleman. He understands that his wife’s name in the society columns should be attached to respectable causes, not theatrical frivolity. Leave the frivolity to the professionals.”
“It’s not frivolity, it’s philanthropy,” Felicia insisted, but the sparkle in her eyes had dimmed slightly.
Ginger reached over and gave her sister-in-law’s arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Her mind, however, was elsewhere. It had snagged on the name Ellingham and on words like ‘shipping worries’ and ‘a house divided’. It was fixated on the image of a beautiful, tense woman buying a mourning hat in the middle of a spring fashion show.
As the final model made her turn, Ginger caught Mrs. Ellingham’s eye in the mirror. For a fraction of a second, the polished mask slipped, and Ginger saw not resignation, but a flash of pure, unadulterated fear. Allison Ellingham turned on her heel and walked swiftly from the salon, leaving nothing behind but the ghost of her expensive perfume.
April 18, 2026
I won this in a giveaway
April 29, 2026
Having read several of the Ginger Gold Mystery series, I was so looking forward to the newest in the series and was once again captivated by Lady Gold. Another murder and Lady Gold is on the case. These cozy historical mysteries set in 1920s London, England are enchanting. The secrets, scandals, and characters all work together to make me want to read more from Ms Strauss. I was not required to write a review and the opinions are my own.
March 27, 2026
This latest book on the Ginger Gold Series is a different take on a murder mystery. It reminded me of the way the mysteries were solved on Columbo. From early on there is a strong suggestion as to who the killer might be for deaths that are not labeled as suspicious, except for by Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Charles. Many obstacles are put in place to protect the guilty who have powerful friends. The story also has a surprise crime that no-one suspected.
The story is well crafted. The way things are illustrated with words helps the reader “see” what is happening. In this story there are fewer characters involved. It was great to see how well Ginger, Felicia, Basil and Charles work together to solve the crimes. I also enjoyed the surprise at the end.
This is a well written series. I have enjoyed reading all the books in the Ginger Gold Series. I was fortunate to read an advanced copy of this compelling story. I can’t wait to see what happens next for Ginger, her family and friends.
The story is well crafted. The way things are illustrated with words helps the reader “see” what is happening. In this story there are fewer characters involved. It was great to see how well Ginger, Felicia, Basil and Charles work together to solve the crimes. I also enjoyed the surprise at the end.
This is a well written series. I have enjoyed reading all the books in the Ginger Gold Series. I was fortunate to read an advanced copy of this compelling story. I can’t wait to see what happens next for Ginger, her family and friends.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨📚 ARC REVIEW 📚✨
Oh my goodness… after 29 books in the Ginger Gold Mystery series, you might think the magic would start to fade but if anything, this series just keeps getting better and better! Murder at Stonehaven Hall absolutely pulled me in from the very first page, and I loved every single moment of it.
Returning to Ginger’s world always feels like catching up with dear friends. Ginger remains one of my all time favorite amateur sleuths, and watching her piece together yet another cleverly layered mystery is always such a joy. The setting of Stonehaven Hall was wonderfully atmospheric, filled with secrets, intrigue, and just the right amount of tension to keep the pages flying by.
The mystery itself was so well crafted. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist appeared that had me completely second guessing myself. This was one of those reads where I kept saying “just one more chapter”… and before I knew it I simply could not put it down.
One of my absolute favorite things about this installment was seeing Felicia and Charles take on such prime roles alongside Ginger and Basil. Their presence added so much depth, charm, and fun to the story, and I loved seeing their characters shine within the mystery. The dynamic between all four of them made the investigation even more engaging and entertaining.
Stonehaven Hall itself made for such a deliciously mysterious backdrop, adding an extra layer of intrigue that made the entire story feel immersive and wonderfully cozy. Lee Strauss truly has a gift for blending clever mysteries with characters that readers grow deeply attached to.
✨ Highlights:
• The wonderfully atmospheric setting of Stonehaven Hall
• A twisty mystery that kept me guessing the entire time
• Ginger being the brilliant, charming sleuth we all adore
• Basil’s steady presence and fantastic chemistry with Ginger
• Felicia and Charles playing major roles alongside Ginger and Basil
• An ending that offers a new path for one of them
Huge thanks to Lee Strauss for providing me with an ARC copy! It was such a privilege to read and review this fantastic installment.
Have you read any of The Ginger Gold Mysteries? ✨📚✨
Oh my goodness… after 29 books in the Ginger Gold Mystery series, you might think the magic would start to fade but if anything, this series just keeps getting better and better! Murder at Stonehaven Hall absolutely pulled me in from the very first page, and I loved every single moment of it.
Returning to Ginger’s world always feels like catching up with dear friends. Ginger remains one of my all time favorite amateur sleuths, and watching her piece together yet another cleverly layered mystery is always such a joy. The setting of Stonehaven Hall was wonderfully atmospheric, filled with secrets, intrigue, and just the right amount of tension to keep the pages flying by.
The mystery itself was so well crafted. Every time I thought I had things figured out, another twist appeared that had me completely second guessing myself. This was one of those reads where I kept saying “just one more chapter”… and before I knew it I simply could not put it down.
One of my absolute favorite things about this installment was seeing Felicia and Charles take on such prime roles alongside Ginger and Basil. Their presence added so much depth, charm, and fun to the story, and I loved seeing their characters shine within the mystery. The dynamic between all four of them made the investigation even more engaging and entertaining.
Stonehaven Hall itself made for such a deliciously mysterious backdrop, adding an extra layer of intrigue that made the entire story feel immersive and wonderfully cozy. Lee Strauss truly has a gift for blending clever mysteries with characters that readers grow deeply attached to.
✨ Highlights:
• The wonderfully atmospheric setting of Stonehaven Hall
• A twisty mystery that kept me guessing the entire time
• Ginger being the brilliant, charming sleuth we all adore
• Basil’s steady presence and fantastic chemistry with Ginger
• Felicia and Charles playing major roles alongside Ginger and Basil
• An ending that offers a new path for one of them
Huge thanks to Lee Strauss for providing me with an ARC copy! It was such a privilege to read and review this fantastic installment.
Have you read any of The Ginger Gold Mysteries? ✨📚✨
March 26, 2026
This 29th book in the Ginger Gold series is fantastic as are all the books in this series. Since reading all the series, the main characters have become like friends. In this book, Ginger, Basil, Charles and Felicia have been invited for a Charity Weekend for the Widows and Orphans of the Merchant Marine to be held at Stonehaven Hall in Surrey. What the group thought would be an event, turned out to be a small meeting with the patriarch, Joseph Ellingham, his heir, Edwin, Edwin's secretary, Captain Armitage and the house doctor, Dr. Lionel Sterne. And when Edwin is found dead in a usually unused room, the Dr. calls it an accident, carbon monoxide from the fireplace. Then Captain Armitage is found dead and it is called a suicide. Well, not so to Ginger, Basil, Felicia or Charles and there seemed to be some rumors that Joseph Ellington was doing some nefarious things and his son, Edwin and Armitage were gathering evidence. So, since the Superintendent told Basil it was a done deal, Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Charles took it upon themselves to investigate the anomalies they found in the shadows. With so many dead ends, red-herrings and fighting against the power of an evil man, can the crew solve the murders and take down evil? This is a page turning book that keeps you totally engrossed until the end. I receive an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
March 29, 2026
Unbridled greed destroys a family.
I happily received the Kindle edition from the publisher in a Goodreads giveaway. I have read the series from book 1 when Ginger Gold was still Ginger Gold, a widow with a backstory. Book 29 and she is wed to the handsome detective Basil , mother of little Rosa, proprietor of a detective agency and a fashion diva. And that’s part of the charm of the series—the mix of mystery, style, and family. As Lady Gold, private investigator, she often works in concert with her husband, with the added help of friends and family. This book bounces from the wealthy upperclass to the artsy Bohemian group to solve the murder of a wealthy son of aa shipping tycoon. The death has officially been ruled an accidental carbon monoxide death, but Ginger and Basil believe they can prove otherwise. The deep pockets of the shipping magnate works to prevent their assertion and to get Basil removed from his position as the investigation puts the family’s wealth in jeopardy.
I happily received the Kindle edition from the publisher in a Goodreads giveaway. I have read the series from book 1 when Ginger Gold was still Ginger Gold, a widow with a backstory. Book 29 and she is wed to the handsome detective Basil , mother of little Rosa, proprietor of a detective agency and a fashion diva. And that’s part of the charm of the series—the mix of mystery, style, and family. As Lady Gold, private investigator, she often works in concert with her husband, with the added help of friends and family. This book bounces from the wealthy upperclass to the artsy Bohemian group to solve the murder of a wealthy son of aa shipping tycoon. The death has officially been ruled an accidental carbon monoxide death, but Ginger and Basil believe they can prove otherwise. The deep pockets of the shipping magnate works to prevent their assertion and to get Basil removed from his position as the investigation puts the family’s wealth in jeopardy.
February 22, 2026
Murder at Stonehaven Hall by Lee Strauss is a complex and twisty mystery that not only an awaited reunion with the characters we've come to live, but a commentary on social issues as well.
Ginger, Basil, Felicia, and Charles are front and centre at the estate of a wealthy gentleman when his son dies mysteriously. The differences in how members of the British upper class are treated as an investigation ensues, and more crimes are added to the investigation.
Fans can also look forward to cameo appearances by beloved recurring characters.
As always, Strauss sweeps the reader along with plenty of tension and suspense, keeping you anxiously turning the pages to the end. She also addresses social issues of the time, that have echoes today, with skill and grace.
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this latest instalment of Ginger's adventures. I look forward to reading what the future holds!
Ginger, Basil, Felicia, and Charles are front and centre at the estate of a wealthy gentleman when his son dies mysteriously. The differences in how members of the British upper class are treated as an investigation ensues, and more crimes are added to the investigation.
Fans can also look forward to cameo appearances by beloved recurring characters.
As always, Strauss sweeps the reader along with plenty of tension and suspense, keeping you anxiously turning the pages to the end. She also addresses social issues of the time, that have echoes today, with skill and grace.
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this latest instalment of Ginger's adventures. I look forward to reading what the future holds!
March 23, 2026
With so many books in the Ginger Gold Mystery, I was surprised to learn that I haven't read any yet. Murder at Stonehaven Hall, book 29, works as a standalone. The author does a great job explaining to the reader who the main characters are. The story takes place in 1929. Mrs. Ginger Reed and her husband Chief Inspector Basil of the Metropolitan Police, have been invited to a charity ball at Stonehaven Hall. Also invited is Felicia, sister of Ginger's first husband, and her husband Charles. Shockingly, a death takes place while they are there. Is it murder? Basil's boss, the blundering Superintendent, isn't much help. So all four of them decide to solve the mystery. They discover that, "Truth was so often the first casualty in the defense of a reputation". Although she doesn't have a key role in this story, I liked Dowager Lady Gold, Felicia's grandmother! This book is well written and I enjoyed reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advanced reader copy of this book the latest in the Ginger Gold series. It is a grittier story than previous books.Looking at multiple deaths that at first appear to be accidents the story takes you to the underbelly of the London docks.
Ginger and Basil and Felicia and Charles are invited to a weekend party at the country home of a shipping magnate.
A death ensues with the question is it accidental or suspicious.
The investigation leads to Undue influence being used to prevent Basil from declaring murder.
With the help of his wife and sister and brother in law Basil is able to uncover the truth
As usual Lee paints a vivid picture of 1930s London with her attention to detail and her well researched activities surrounding the events.
The characters are well developed and many well loved characters have small cameos.
Ginger and Basil and Felicia and Charles are invited to a weekend party at the country home of a shipping magnate.
A death ensues with the question is it accidental or suspicious.
The investigation leads to Undue influence being used to prevent Basil from declaring murder.
With the help of his wife and sister and brother in law Basil is able to uncover the truth
As usual Lee paints a vivid picture of 1930s London with her attention to detail and her well researched activities surrounding the events.
The characters are well developed and many well loved characters have small cameos.
March 26, 2026
They just keep getting better! I was surprised from start to finish - didn’t anticipate the victims, the motive or the culprit - and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Charles attend a weekend house party for a charity at the home of a truly awful person. What appears to be an accidental death is revealed to be murder due to the observational skills of the Reeds. This foray heavily features Felicia and Charles, which I love since they are favourites of mine. Side note - I’d devour a new series with them as the protagonists!
The lovely thing about this series is that each book can be enjoyed as a stand alone, so a newbie can “hop in” at any time.
The books are true cozies and focus on the mystery first and foremost with amazing historical accuracy in terms of fashion, politics and values of the time.
Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Charles attend a weekend house party for a charity at the home of a truly awful person. What appears to be an accidental death is revealed to be murder due to the observational skills of the Reeds. This foray heavily features Felicia and Charles, which I love since they are favourites of mine. Side note - I’d devour a new series with them as the protagonists!
The lovely thing about this series is that each book can be enjoyed as a stand alone, so a newbie can “hop in” at any time.
The books are true cozies and focus on the mystery first and foremost with amazing historical accuracy in terms of fashion, politics and values of the time.
April 23, 2026
From the pinnacle, it's all downhill
Another riveting adventure with Ginger Gold, Basil Reed plus Lord Charles and Lady Felicia Davenport-Witt. A weekend invitation to the home of a shipping magnate, Joseph Ellingham starts a tale of murder when his son, Edwin is found dead in an unused room of Stonehaven Hall. The family doctor says it was accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. But Ginger and her husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed think differently. With the help of Charles and Felicia, their in-laws and close friends, they start on the trail of power and privilege that mimics some of today's headlines.
This is one of the best in the long running Ginger Gold mystery series. Best read in sequence but any of the books are worth the read
Another riveting adventure with Ginger Gold, Basil Reed plus Lord Charles and Lady Felicia Davenport-Witt. A weekend invitation to the home of a shipping magnate, Joseph Ellingham starts a tale of murder when his son, Edwin is found dead in an unused room of Stonehaven Hall. The family doctor says it was accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. But Ginger and her husband, Chief Inspector Basil Reed think differently. With the help of Charles and Felicia, their in-laws and close friends, they start on the trail of power and privilege that mimics some of today's headlines.
This is one of the best in the long running Ginger Gold mystery series. Best read in sequence but any of the books are worth the read
Review of advance copy received from Author
Murder at Stormhaven Hall by Lee Strauss is the 29th Ginger Gold Mystery set in the 1920s featuring Ginger, widow of Lord Daniel Gold, and her current husband Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Basil Reed. After seeing Mrs. Edwin Ellingham at a Harrod's fashion show, Ginger and Basil, along with Ginger's former sister-in-law Felicia and her husband Charles, Lord Davenport-Witt, are invited to a Charity Weekend for the Widows and Orphans of the Merchant Marine to be held at Stonehaven Hall in Surrey. Edwin Ellingham dies during the night, apparently due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a defective fireplace. But it is not that simple and becomes clear that he was murdered. Then his secretary, Captain Armitage is also murdered. Edwin's father and his business activities and influence lead to a complex and interesting investigation. Although this is part of a series with ongoing characters, this book cam be read and appreciated as a standalone.
April 22, 2026
Ginger vs. British Hierarchy
If you're a fan of Ginger and Basil, you'll love this story! It's 1920s England and Ginger and Basil have been invited to a charity fundraising weekend at a wealthy shipping magnate's estate. They soon find out that shipping isn't his only enterprise. Along with their best friends, Charles and Felicia, they race to find out the truth that's being hidden by the powers that be and save the innocents being used as pawns. Ginger and Basil's relationship continues to mature as they learn to depend on each other more and more. Definitely one of the best Ginger Gold books!!!
If you're a fan of Ginger and Basil, you'll love this story! It's 1920s England and Ginger and Basil have been invited to a charity fundraising weekend at a wealthy shipping magnate's estate. They soon find out that shipping isn't his only enterprise. Along with their best friends, Charles and Felicia, they race to find out the truth that's being hidden by the powers that be and save the innocents being used as pawns. Ginger and Basil's relationship continues to mature as they learn to depend on each other more and more. Definitely one of the best Ginger Gold books!!!
March 31, 2026
This historical murder mystery by Lee Strass was my first I'd read by this author, and I'd found it an enjoyable read with likable characters and was intrigue with the storyline. This story is about Mrs. Ginger Reed our investigating lady and Basil her husband along with their friends who go to a charity event and find the heir dead. It's known that the owners of Stonehaven Hall, the Ellinghams are having troubles, so who done it is investigated by the group in this enjoyable copy I'd received and volunteer to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Stellar book! The storyline is interesting and the book well written. One of the best in this series where they are all exceptional. The characters multifaceted and engaging, as always. I really enjoyed seeing Charles and Basil working together while Felicia & Ginger spearheaded a different area of investigation. The villains were brought to justice and the victims got justice all done in spectacular style.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
April 23, 2026
Ginger does it again!
The book has taken a turn from the prior books in the series. Ginger, basil, Felicia, and Charles all team together in order to break this case this is the first time that you see all four of them working in tandem for a final result and conclusion of a story. It takes a little bit of a darker turn than the prior books, but it still kept me on the edge of my seat and cheering for them to be successful. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.
The book has taken a turn from the prior books in the series. Ginger, basil, Felicia, and Charles all team together in order to break this case this is the first time that you see all four of them working in tandem for a final result and conclusion of a story. It takes a little bit of a darker turn than the prior books, but it still kept me on the edge of my seat and cheering for them to be successful. Overall, I would highly recommend this book.
May 9, 2026
Excellent from beginning to end.
A truly evil financial empire eradicated by the joined minds, hearts and will of Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Charles. Love the couple paring here., hope to see more. A nice surprise at the end for Basil at story's end too! Character development of our protagonists continues to evolve and strengthen. And Strauss shows again her often poetic talents with scene description and story development. She just keeps getting better! Great read!
A truly evil financial empire eradicated by the joined minds, hearts and will of Ginger, Basil, Felicia and Charles. Love the couple paring here., hope to see more. A nice surprise at the end for Basil at story's end too! Character development of our protagonists continues to evolve and strengthen. And Strauss shows again her often poetic talents with scene description and story development. She just keeps getting better! Great read!
June 18, 2026
Enjoyable mystery with a twist
I have enjoyed the Ginger Gold books for many years. And hope to for many more. This latest installment touches on the role of the English dominance in shipping and how power corrupts. I enjoy every moment of these books, except where Ginger is such an execrable driver. It doesn’t make sense that she has such intuition and observation skills, and that is unable to fathom that she is a bad driver.
I have enjoyed the Ginger Gold books for many years. And hope to for many more. This latest installment touches on the role of the English dominance in shipping and how power corrupts. I enjoy every moment of these books, except where Ginger is such an execrable driver. It doesn’t make sense that she has such intuition and observation skills, and that is unable to fathom that she is a bad driver.
March 28, 2026
It has been a while since I have read a book by Lee Strauss, so it took me a while to get back into the rhythm. Once I did, I enjoyed the story and found myself wanting to find time to read when I could. There were many twists and turns, and also many surprises. I’m excited to see how these characters grow through the next books in the series.
April 4, 2026
The Best in the series
This instalment of Ginger Gold Mysteries is the very best I’ve read. Very well written. I really enjoyed Charles and Felicia being a major part of the story. It added another layer to the series I hope it will become a recurring theme. I can’t wait for the next book. Bravo 👏
This instalment of Ginger Gold Mysteries is the very best I’ve read. Very well written. I really enjoyed Charles and Felicia being a major part of the story. It added another layer to the series I hope it will become a recurring theme. I can’t wait for the next book. Bravo 👏
April 5, 2026
The Rich Are Different From You and Me
Very scary situation. You know who is behind the murders, but have trouble believing it. Everyone does, but don't want to believe anyone could be that evil. If this story was set in the US, It would end with the killer being elected President!
Very scary situation. You know who is behind the murders, but have trouble believing it. Everyone does, but don't want to believe anyone could be that evil. If this story was set in the US, It would end with the killer being elected President!
April 12, 2026
Wow!
I love this author and this series. This one had me on pins and needles. I wanted to binge read it, but it deals with some really tough issues, so I took my time. It's an excellent mystery again. I love Ginger and Basil, Felicia and Charles, especially when they work together. Scout shows up for a bit, as well as Pippins. The ending is perfect, as always.
I love this author and this series. This one had me on pins and needles. I wanted to binge read it, but it deals with some really tough issues, so I took my time. It's an excellent mystery again. I love Ginger and Basil, Felicia and Charles, especially when they work together. Scout shows up for a bit, as well as Pippins. The ending is perfect, as always.
April 19, 2026
Absolutely Fantastic
I have read every single book from Book One through Book 28. This Book, #29, “Murder at Stonehaven Hall” is absolutely, positively the very best of them all. Don’t get me wrong, the previous twenty-eight were great but this one, Oh My Goodness, it is a page turner for sure. I promise you will not be able to put it down.
I have read every single book from Book One through Book 28. This Book, #29, “Murder at Stonehaven Hall” is absolutely, positively the very best of them all. Don’t get me wrong, the previous twenty-eight were great but this one, Oh My Goodness, it is a page turner for sure. I promise you will not be able to put it down.
March 27, 2026
Cozy mystery
I love a good cozy mystery and this was perfect! The characters are well drawn and there's excitement with a satisfying ending. What more do you need from an evening read?
I love a good cozy mystery and this was perfect! The characters are well drawn and there's excitement with a satisfying ending. What more do you need from an evening read?
March 27, 2026
Ginger and Felicia at their best
In spite of many obstacles, Ginger, Felicia, Basil and Charles triumph over evil again. Suspense and satisfaction mingle in the latest of many adventures.
In spite of many obstacles, Ginger, Felicia, Basil and Charles triumph over evil again. Suspense and satisfaction mingle in the latest of many adventures.
March 29, 2026
Another really good read
Or perhaps that should be reed! And at last Basil does
something other than follow his wife's lead. Even if he had to employ her agency to do some actual policing! But it made the book all the better. More in this vein please!
Or perhaps that should be reed! And at last Basil does
something other than follow his wife's lead. Even if he had to employ her agency to do some actual policing! But it made the book all the better. More in this vein please!
March 30, 2026
Excellent mystery and very suspenseful. Ginger and Basil attend a party and end up in a murder investigation. The twists keep coming and the end is exciting. I loved it. I received this book for free and wished to leave a review.
April 5, 2026
Superb
This one is probably e of the best in the series. Basil working with Charles and Ginger with Felicity made so much sense. And of course the Ginger/Basil team is unbeatable. Excellent!
This one is probably e of the best in the series. Basil working with Charles and Ginger with Felicity made so much sense. And of course the Ginger/Basil team is unbeatable. Excellent!
April 6, 2026
One of my favourite series and this is one of the best books. A good buildup in the beginning and and so many twists and turns. The descriptions of the locations and ambiance make you feel like you're there. Thank you!
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