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Death Comes to Bath

(Kurland St. Mary Mystery #6)

Catherine Lloyd

4.01 · Rating details · 805 ratings · 111 reviews

On a visit to Bath, Major Sir Robert Kurland and Lady Lucy Kurland discover that the English spa town is not beneficial to everyone's health . . .

After Sir Robert's injury from the battle of Waterloo begins troubling him again, his wife Lucy insists they relocate from the village of Kurland St. Mary to Bath, along with her sister Anna, so that Robert can take the waters a ...more

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Hardcover, 266 pages

Published December 24th 2018 by Kensington

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Nov 22, 2018 Gail C. rated it it was amazing

Step back in time to Regency England with Death Comes to Bath by Catherine Lloyd and join Lord and Lady Kurland as they travel to Bath, England to seek treatment for his leg that was injured in the Battle of Waterloo. This is the sixth in “A Kurland St. Mary Mystery” series and my introductory read to the books. The story is a complete mystery of its own and it is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series. There may be some secondary character development, or some exploration o Step back in time to Regency England with Death Comes to Bath by Catherine Lloyd and join Lord and Lady Kurland as they travel to Bath, England to seek treatment for his leg that was injured in the Battle of Waterloo. This is the sixth in “A Kurland St. Mary Mystery” series and my introductory read to the books. The story is a complete mystery of its own and it is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series. There may be some secondary character development, or some exploration of the two principal characters’ relationship that has been established in earlier books, however enjoyment of this book is not dependent on having previously read anything in the series.
Lord and Lady Kurland rent a house in Bath for a month while he participates in daily treatments in the healing waters. Almost immediately upon moving into their rental house their next door neighbor, Sir William Benson, comes to call. He is a bombastic, opinionated man, but Lord Kurland enjoys his company and a friendship develops. They are also soon visited by Sir William’s second wife, Miranda and her two sons, who voice very different opinions of the man.
Lady Benson extends an invitation to dinnr, explaining it is at the insistence of her husband. Both Lord and Lady Kurland accept, and are soon introduced to the rest of the Benson household, Sir William’s three sons from his first marriage. The tension between the members of the blended household is apparent from the initial meeting with Sir William contributing to its increase as it becomes apparent that he enjoys changing his will on a regular basis depending on who may have disappointed him most recently.
It comes as no surprise to any regular reader of mystery fiction that Sir William becomes a victim of murder. Lord and Lady Kurland enter into an investigation as they are both determined to discover what happened to Sir William and set things to rights if it is within their power. In addition to the death and subsequent investigation, the book has secondary stories featuring Lord Kurland’s doctor, Sir Patrick Fletcher, his very pregnant wife, Penelope, and Lady Kurland’s sister Anna. There is just enough story involving these characters to give depth to the novel without bogging it down in unnecessary detail.
Character development of the principals as well as the victim and his family is well done. Through the writing, they are presented as complex people who are interesting and have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. There are also clues and red herrings sprinkled throughout the book allowing the reader to draw conclusions as to who might be guilty of committing murder. While I solved the mystery prior to the end of the book, it wasn’t too early in the book and it was still enjoyable to read and ascertain if I was correct.
This book is an excellent representation of a cozy mystery. The reasons for Lord and Lady Kurland being in Bath and the involving themselves in the solution of their neighbor’s murder are completely believable, which adds to the overall enjoyment of the story. The characters who populate the book add depth and interest beyond the mystery itself and help to increase the reader’s interest in the book as well as the series. Although I haven’t read any of the other books, I would certainly consider reading others in the series and would probably opt to begin with the first book as I suspect there is some relationship development that would be interesting to experience as it grows.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
...more

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Jan 09, 2019 Ceki rated it really liked it

Shelves: cozy-mystery, historical-romance

A very cute historical cozy mystery. Lucy did seem a bit too Mary Sue for my taste but I liked the author's effort to spice up romance and I must say this is probably the most romantic book in the series. The ending seemed also a bit rushed in a weird way but overall it is a humorous and interesting read that I'd recommend to all cozy mystery fans. I hope the sequel is in works! ...more

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Nov 29, 2018 Barbara Rogers rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-historical, iblog, netgalley

Series: A Kurland St. Mary Mystery #6
Publication Date: 12/18/18

Close your eyes, breathe deeply, relax and move back in time with this masterfully written historical romantic mystery. The descriptions of places and people along with the authenticity of the era make you feel as if you are right there, meeting the people, smelling the aromas of the baths and touring the town of Bath.

Major Sir Robert Kurland was grievously injured during the battle of Waterloo. His leg was completely shattered and ...more

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Mar 14, 2020 Lauren rated it really liked it

Shelves: regency, historical-mystery, men-in-uniform, pregnancy

Death Comes to Bath
3.5 Stars

Sir Robert and Lady Lucy Kurland travel to Bath for the treatments and investigate the murder of a new acquaintance, Sir William Benson, whose abominable family all wanted him dead.

While the culprit is predictable and the motivation straightforward, it is the characterization that really makes the story shine. Each member of Sir William's despicable family is drawn in vivid detail, and this adds depth and intrigue to the rather mundane mystery.

Lucy and Robert's marr ...more

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Jan 15, 2020 Rebecca rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-reads, historical, audio, good-guys-are-best, mystery

The mystery was okay, but the personal aspects more than compensated for it. I'm loving this series now. ...more

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Nov 26, 2018 Ellen rated it it was amazing

Thanks to Netgalley, I had the opportunity it’s read what I consider the best in this mystery series. In the sixth installment, Sir Robert and Lucy travel to Bath for the healing waters for Robert’s health. While in Bath, Sir Robert befriends Sir William Benson, who ends up murdered by someone in his very obnoxious and grabby family. Lucy and Robert become immersed in the family’s feuds to solve the murder. Lucy’s sister, Anna, and Penelope, Sir Robert’s former fiancée, add dimension to the stor ...more

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Dec 28, 2018 Susan in NC rated it really liked it

Great fun, and one of my favorite entries in this Regency series. Sir Robert Kurland and his wife, Lucy, have come to Bath so he can continue healing from complications from wounds he received at Waterloo.

A cantankerous, outspoken neighbor, Sir William Benson, is also partaking of the water cures for his health; having been knighted for his trade successes in Yorkshire, he has decided opinions about his disappointing sons, step-sons, and beautiful second wife. Sir Robert, reminded of his own Yor ...more

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Sep 01, 2019 Sophia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, historical-mystery-suspense, review-requests

Audio Review

I spotted this series a little while ago and just now had the chance to give it a go. I love reading books from the English Regency period and adding in a mystery becomes icing on the cake.

This was obviously a series that had been out for a while and, as I discovered, while listening, it probably would have worked much better getting it in order since the romance, family, and friend relationships developed over the course of the series.

Now, that said, the mystery was restricted to ...more

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Feb 11, 2020 JoAn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: cozy-mystery

I really love this series by Ms. Lloyd and I am always waiting for the next one to be available at my local library. A cozy mystery with very likable characters and a murder that has Robert and Lucy on the trail of another killer. The secondary characters really add dimension to this story as the Benson family are amazingly dysfunctional throughout the book. Penelope Fletcher being pregnant and forcing herself into excursion to Bath was often amusing and also tiresome. She really does need someo ...more

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Sep 29, 2020 Amanda rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, cozy-mystery, audio-books

very cute historical cozy mystery. I've definitely missed out of some developments in the series, but I found this caper enjoyable ...more

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Apr 04, 2019 writer... rated it really liked it

Shelves: where-in-the-world, travel-the-world-in-books, library-reads, series, historic-2019, historic-romance, around-the-world-2019, brit-rd-trip-counties, i-spy-2019, a-z-reading-challenge

New release.. series fav.

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Dec 06, 2018 Jacqie rated it it was ok

Shelves: didnt-finish

I was in the mood for a light mystery, and I like Regency-era England books, so gave it a try.

If you are in the mood for a very light mystery with very obvious villains, plus perhaps a dash of romance, this might be fine. I thought I would be fine with it, but the villains were too obvious in their mustache twirling- actually laughing and clapping when hearing about the murder victim- and the main characters felt cookie-cutter to me. Stubborn gentleman, smart, managing wife. It was decidedly meh ...more

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Dec 10, 2018 Mystica rated it it was amazing

Sir Robert and Lady Lucy Kurland are taking the waters at Bath for the sole purpose of Sir Robert recovery from a war wound which he got whilst at Waterloo. Lucy wants to help him out and the house taken for three months seems to be a good option.

Bath however is not good for everyone and their immediate neighbours, whom they know are struck by the first disaster the death of Sir William. There is a Lady William and her two sons, there are three sons from his first marriage and the ensuing battle ...more

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Mar 16, 2020 Heather rated it it was amazing

This is one of my favorite series and these books are true comfort reads. I love visiting with Sir Robert and Lady Kurland on their adventures. The Bath setting was beautifully done. I enjoyed the well-drawn characters of Sir William's malevolent family. Untangling the murder was an enjoyable pastime. ...more

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Dec 21, 2018 Daniele rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2018

I enjoyed this sixth entry in the series. Death Comes to Bath is the first book in the series that I have read, and I had no trouble navigating the characters or story. The pace is good, the early nineteenth century era interesting, and the mystery well thought out.

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Jan 11, 2019 Cathy rated it it was amazing

Loved this book so much even though the bad guy was sooo obvious and I guessed who it was almost right away.

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Jan 31, 2019 Kathleen Schilling rated it really liked it

The mystery was very interesting. I had a feeling about the villain, but there were enough twists and turns that I enjoyed the mystery. Looking forward to the next installment.

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Jul 06, 2019 Eve rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, crime, 1800-1900

Death Comes to Bath is a quaint cozy mystery. I enjoyed it, except for the overuse of italics to stress words, which became quite distracting.

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Nov 10, 2019 Eileen Lynx rated it it was amazing

I enjoy reading about the Regency time period.

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Dec 04, 2020 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

The depiction of Bath was inaccurate because it never rained!

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Apr 08, 2019 Laurie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the sixth in the Kurland St. Mary mysteries! I have enjoyed reading them. The mysteries are great and the solutions, satisfying!

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Jan 02, 2019 QNPoohBear rated it really liked it

Shelves: cozy-mystery, regency-romance, mystery

Sir Robert and Lucy have been married three years now and been through a lot together. Now they face another crisis as Robert’s old wound becomes infected. Dr. Fletcher manages to save both Robert’s life and his leg but Lucy prescribes a few months in Bath so her beloved Robert can get back on his feet again. She brings along her younger sister Anna in hopes of finding a husband for the girl. Dr. Fletcher and his VERY pregnant – and cranky- wife tag along too. Shortly after arriving in Bath the ...more

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Feb 14, 2019 Julie Parks rated it it was amazing

Shelves: general-fiction

I have almost absolutely no experience with historical fiction so my opinion might not be as helpful as others, but residing in Bath (my obvious reason for requesting to read this book - and, while we're on it, huge thanks to Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review) IT WAS MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE.

This story felt like a fragile piece that's been carefully crocheted together with threads of research and abundant imagination.

The characters were vivid and fant ...more

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Dec 31, 2018 OpenBookSociety.com rated it really liked it

Shelves: daniele

http://openbooksociety.com/article/de...

Death Comes to Bath
Kurland St. Mary Mystery #6
By Catherine Lloyd
ISBN#9781496702128
https://www.catherine-lloyd.com/
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Synopsis:

On a visit to Bath, Major Sir Robert Kurland and Lady Lucy Kurland discover that the English spa town is not beneficial to everyone’s health . . .

After Sir Robert’s injury from the battle of Waterloo begins troubling him again, his wife Lucy insists they relocate from the village of Kurland St. M ...more

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Dec 18, 2018 Helen Howerton rated it liked it

Unscrupulous, unlikable characters and troublesome illnesses figure large in Death Comes to Bath, the latest Kurland St. Mary mystery by Catherine Lloyd. This one is set in 1822. Sir Robert and Lady Lucy have come to the famous spa town because he is in need of the town’s healing waters, in recovery from an injury and subsequent operation. Alas, soon enough the medicinal properties of the city prove the undoing of a neighbor; drowning will do that to a person. And since Robert and Lucy have met Unscrupulous, unlikable characters and troublesome illnesses figure large in Death Comes to Bath, the latest Kurland St. Mary mystery by Catherine Lloyd. This one is set in 1822. Sir Robert and Lady Lucy have come to the famous spa town because he is in need of the town’s healing waters, in recovery from an injury and subsequent operation. Alas, soon enough the medicinal properties of the city prove the undoing of a neighbor; drowning will do that to a person. And since Robert and Lucy have met the fellow, Sir William Benson, and they have proved so very good at ferreting out murderers in the past, well, finding his killer and staying his avaricious family, especially the widow, from profiting from the death becomes the goal. Pretty soon we have two murders, and the accusations are flying. Robert and Lucy are able to insinuate themselves into the thick of things, which is always helpful. The family, the Bensons, are thoroughly disagreeable, with everyone hating each other, and so we have plenty of suspects. And the victim’s will is missing. How wonderfully convenient!

In between Lucy goes shopping, drinks a lot of tea, tries to calm her house guest, the pregnant Penelope, and does a fair bit of sleuthing on her own. And thinks about her own Big Secret. Which is a secret only to herself, apparently. She also has to deal with her sister and her matrimonial worries -- family has always figured large in these books (in more ways than one, gentle reader), and Death Comes to Bath is no exception.

Readers will become as caught up as Robert and Lucy are at the very clever use of puzzles and of Shakespeare by the murder victim which enables the will to be found and all to be revealed. Readers may feel by the end that “they saw that coming,” but maybe not quite that solution to the killer and the murder.

I found the background not as engaging as earlier books in the series; being away from Kurland St. Mary contributed to this feeling, as I do enjoy the village setting. Also, the horrible Bensons were horrible enough without wasting paragraph upon paragraph on them and their antics. But these are minor quibbles. Death Comes to Bath will keep you engaged with the continuing, comfortable saga of Robert and Lucy Kurland, and their ability to stumble upon murder victims.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of the book ahead of publication, in exchange for this review. ...more

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Aug 21, 2019 Katie rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction

This suffered from the same malaise that has affected several of the books in the series - the details! She does a great job creating atmosphere, fun characters (both new and old), and an engaging drama that’s played out for us. But she tends to drop the ball on the details, and considering mystery novels are supposed to hinge on clues sprinkled throughout the text, it’s hard to know what’s a clue and what’s a mistake.

The book is supposed to take place just a short time after the previous novel This suffered from the same malaise that has affected several of the books in the series - the details! She does a great job creating atmosphere, fun characters (both new and old), and an engaging drama that’s played out for us. But she tends to drop the ball on the details, and considering mystery novels are supposed to hinge on clues sprinkled throughout the text, it’s hard to know what’s a clue and what’s a mistake.

The book is supposed to take place just a short time after the previous novel, but the date at the beginning has jumped an entire year (Death Comes to the School took place in December 1820, and this opens in January 1822, yet Penelope is still pregnant with her first child so we are left to assume that’s a mistake). Later she mentions to Robert that he has hated being bedridden the last few weeks, then shortly after they mention that actually a few months have passed! A date is never mentioned again so I don’t know when the main body of the work is supposed to take place- are we still in January? March? Who knows! Lastly they meet their new neighbor immediately upon arriving in town and make plans for dinner that Friday. The new chapter starts and Robert says he has been in Bath doing his treatments for two weeks, but the dinner is still coming up. There’s no mention of rescheduling it so we just have to let that go as well.

This is not related to the chronology problems, but they mention several times how Anna has assisted with births, but at the time a gently reared young woman would not have been permitted to attend a birth until she was married and, ideally, had had a child of her own. Even Lucy attending would have been a stretch because she was still childless and it was thought improper for women to know too much about the “miracle of birth”. Anna definitely would not have been permitted to!

Despite the complaints (which really almost entirely boil down to the fact that whoever is editing these books does not do a careful job) I keep coming back to them because they are intriguing, entertaining, and fun. I figured out the murderer about halfway through, but not the motivation or if there were any accomplices, so it still kept me guessing. I can put up with a lot for a mystery that doesn’t immediately telegraph the ending so I will keep reading them as long as she writes them. ...more

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Dec 23, 2018 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-craving-for-cozies-challenge

When I saw this mystery listed, I couldn't wait to request it. I enjoy well written historical mysteries and this one had the added fact that it's set in Bath, one of my favorite cities. The period is just after the Battle of Waterloo and Sir Robert and Lady Lucy Kurland have come to stay in Bath so Sir Robert can partake of the healing properties of the Roman Baths to help with the damage to his leg from the war. They rent a house and soon met their neighbors, a complex group of people comprisi ...more

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Dec 11, 2018 Scilla rated it it was amazing

This story is from the early 1800's in England. I enjoyed this classic crime very much. Sir Robert Kurland has an infection in his leg wound from Waterloo, and his doctor friend from the war, Patrick Fletcher, lances it and removes some fabric stuck in the wound. As the wound is healing, Fletcher convinces Sir Robert and Lady Lucy to go to Bath to bath in the hot waters. Robert finally goes along with the idea; Lucy brings her sister Anna to keep her company; and Patrick brings his pregnant wife ...more

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Dec 07, 2018 Pamela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

After Sir Robert Kurland’s doctor lances a swelling at the wound site, his physician recommends that he spend at least three months taking the waters at Bath. Sir Robert is reluctant to be away from his estate to say the least. His wife, Lady Lucy, takes matters into her own hands and makes all the arrangements, including renting a house, for their travels to Bath. They meet their particularly unattractive next door neighbor, Sir William Benson, almost upon their arrival. Sir Robert likes the ma ...more

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Jan 11, 2019 Dallass rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: better-than-expected, family-relationships, whodunit, murder-on-the-side, mystery, adult-themes, series, regency

I’ve been waiting for my library to purchase this for quite a while, and was so excited to receive an email letting me know I could read it through OverDrive.

Once again the Kurland’s are dragged into a murder mystery when Sir Robert’s new acquaintance, Sir William Benson, is found dead in the hot baths after threatening to change his will hours before. His family is dysfunctional, his doctor incompetent, his much younger wife seems to be a neurotic mess, and her sons are rebellious and in debt. ...more

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About Catherine Lloyd

Catherine Lloyd

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Catherine Lloyd was born just outside London, England, into a large family of dreamers, artists, and history lovers. She completed her education with a master’s degree in history at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and uses the skills she gained there to research and write her historical mysteries. Catherine currently lives in Hawaii with her husband and youngest daughter..

Please not ...more