The Colours of Murder

Susie Mahl Mystery #2

by Ali Carter

Flirtatious American blonde Miss Hailey Dune should never have accepted a summer weekend invitation to Fontaburn Hall. But when the Honourable Archibald Wellingham's gentrified house party are woken in the early hours of Sunday morning, it's too late: Miss Dune's blood is on their hands. With the aid of well-mannered Detective Chief Inspector Reynolds, intelligent Sergeant Ayari and loyal friend Dr Toby Cropper, Susie Mahl, on a timely commission drawing six racehorses nearby, seizes the opportunity to play detective for a second time. Her inquisitive nature, tenacity for truth and artist's eye for detail make her ideally suited to the task in hand. But is she getting carried away by her previous triumph - even to the extent of endangering her reputation and her burgeoning relationship with Toby?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Contemporary, British Literature

366 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Ali Carter is an Orange County based author who enjoys quirky mediums of art, eating gourmet cheeseburgers, and craft beer. When she's not writing about scenarios she wishes she was in, Ali can be found chatting up strangers or loitering at Starbucks.

Reviews

[Christi Poulsom · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm on page 230 and really not sure I can be bothered reading another 100 pages. Started well, but taking forever to get anywhere else. Zero interest in any of the characters, with the possible exception of Lucy. I was attracted by the horse storyline, but that's so unbelievable it just grates.

[Kinsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
If you have ever seen the movie CLUE, you'll be delighted to know the beginning is quite similar. The aristocratic dialogue is boring but the perceptive eye of Susie makes for a good read. While I found the plot a tad lacking the overall story is pleasant and I enjoyed it. It was not the most riveting but I did enjoy the character of Susie and the events of her week of investigation. Everything seemed rounded out and full while not spoiling the who-done-it. The book will go onto my self pleasantly as one I liked.

[Pamela Haley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as tightly written as the first novel in the series. Seemed to focus more on boyfriend than murder. Police detective poorly written.

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this through LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Susie Mahl is an artist who does commissioned portrait work. Her subjects are animals and her clients are from the gentry. This time she is doing horses, out in the country. Through connections of her mother, she has a chance to attend a dinner party at Fontaburn Hall. It seems the Honourable Archibald Wellingham is throwing one of his well known parties!

Among the usual upper-crust attendees is also an American blonde, Miss Hailey Dune, who is quite the flirt and loves to party. All is fun and games until she is found dead in her bed in the morning after the party.

Susie has successfully solved a previous murder (A Brush With Death) and can't stop herself from wanting to solve this one. She was on the scene and she did see some suspicious things. She is in the area to finish her commission work, but the draw of the mystery is hard to ignore. When Chief Inspector Reynolds finds out who Susie is and about her previously solving another mystery, she is welcomed in to help with her sharp observations and information she is able to obtain from the guest of the house party.

I enjoyed reading A Brush With Death, the first book of the series, and I enjoyed this second book. It is a definite cozy mystery with a determined amateur detective. Will keep an eye out for any following books.

[Drebbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Commissioned to draw race horses, artist Susie Mahl is more than happy to take and attend a house party at Fontaburn Hall. However, her plans for a relaxing weekend are thwarted when a guest, American Hailey Dunn, dies. The police think Hailey’s death was an accident but Susie, who helped solved a murder once before, isn’t so sure, and starts investigating Hailey’s death on her own. Will Susie’s investigating find a killer or ruin her growing relationship with Toby Cropper?

“The Colours of Murder” is the delightfully done second book in Ali Carter’s Susie Mahl mystery series (the first book is “A Brush with Death”). Susie is a wonderful character – a talented artist with a penchant for buying fancy underwear who wonders where her relationship with Toby is going (unfortunately, I am not as fond of Toby as I am of Susie – for a few reasons he rubs he the wrong way). The setting of this book – both where Susie is staying to draw the horses and Fontaburn Hall is nicely done. The book is very British – not only the characters and setting but the sense of humor throughout the book. The mystery is well done – the house party setting allows for many suspects.

“The Colours of Murder” is a nicely done mystery.

[Rebecca Mokoena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library when I was in a cozy mystery kind of mood and I must say, it was such an enjoyable read! I really liked Susie; relatable without any cringey ‘pick me’ vibes. I loved the description of the country house, I almost felt like I was there, and the ensuing mystery was fun. There’s nothing better than trying to figure out a whodunnit! My only criticism was Toby - ergh! What a bore! I honestly thought the author was setting him up to be the murderer, with how dull and unlikeable he was, flirting with Lucy and shooting down Susie’s theories all the time. It had me wanting to take our Susie to one side and say ‘forget him, girlfriend!’ and take her for a man-free night at the races (Lucy could come too, she seems like fun), which is successful writing of a main character I suppose. All in all, really enjoyed it and looking forward to reading more from the author.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift. I enjoy cozy mysteries. I did read this but it was very slow moving. At first I thought the story took place in the 1930’s England. The setting was a country estate with LOTS of alcohol consumption. It reminded me more an Agatha Christie or Dashiel Hammett novel. The time period was so vague that the only hint to the actual setting were references to Silicon Valley and a private jet. No one had their cell phones out to text or check messages or take photos. If I were spending the weekend at a country estate in Britain, I would be taking many photos. The main character, Susie, was annoying. Her relationship with her male friend was pretty vague. None of the characters were very well developed. The ending was not very believable. I have no interest in reading any more novels in this series.

[Janet Rosfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I seem to be reading quite a few books about deadly British house parties. Amateur detective and full time painter Susie Mahl gets invited to a gentrified house party at Fontaburn Hall and meets the usual cast of characters, the Lord of the manor Archie Wellingham, an American blonde Hailey Dune, Primrose and Stanley Gerald, Daniel Furr Egrant, an eccentric bon vivant and of course a sinister housekeeper. Murder ensues and Susie can't help but notice so many clues that the police seem to overlook. Charming and amusing mystery with a super inquisitive heroine and with sharp observations on Britain's leisure class.

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first book in the series and thought it was good. The second book was like trudging through mud for me. The author, in my opinion, does an injustice to her main character, Susie Mahl. Susie is worried about her personal appearance, and she wants one of the male guests to notice her and hopes he asks her out (a bit high school dialogue and thinking). I read two books in-between trying to finish this one. I just didn’t like any of the characters. I have the third book in the series sitting on my shelf - may just give it away.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. A very weak follow up to a the first book in this series, and weak enough to stop me from continuing on. The characters introduced in the 1st book were developed unfavorably in this one and a lack of editing left the plot stretched too far and too thin. Disappointed as I love to have a British cozy mystery series going on audiobook.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Premise of artist as detective seemed a little odd but the author made it work. She did a good job with the details. I was ready to give this 5 stars but the ending felt rushed and the interaction with the police false. Still, I look forward to reading other books in the series

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light easy read but I didnt really take to the main character. I also wasnt convinced by how the police accepted the main characters help or shared I formation with her. However saying this it was okay but will not be actively seeking another book in the series.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparkling read this - I liked Ali Carter's first novel, but in this she's really spreading her wings. Full of memorable characters, and a well-drawn setting in a posh house. A proper page-turner.

[Jan Sjostrand · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was enjoyable but very slow reading. The characters are interesting and the descriptions of scenes are very good it just seems to take to long for anything to happen

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st book was much better

[Sue Hutchins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too rambling

[Shannon Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I thoroughly enjoyed A Brush With Death, The Colours of Murder is even more enjoyable, funny and absorbing. Susie Mahl is a great character, and I like that she is complicated, talented, passionate and strong. Well done, Ali Carter! I can't wait for the next Susie Mahl Mystery.

[Holli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and wanted to love this one as well but it was tedious and ultimately I didn’t enjoy it.