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Charleton House Mysteries #2
A Killer Wedding
Till death us do part… As a passionate couple take their marriage vows in an ancient chapel, death is already waiting in the shadows for one of the persons there present.When wedding photographer Nathan Wallace arrives in the stunning grounds of Charleton House, it seems that not everyone is pleased to see him. But nobody could have predicted just how upset someone would be by his presence.When suspicion falls on her chef, catering manager Sophie Lockwood ignores the advice of DC Joe Greene and sets out on an investigation of her own. But as visitors enjoy historical re-enactments all around her, she finds that searching for the extraordinary is a challenge in a setting where Mary, Queen of Scots recently enjoyed lunch and modern-day teenagers school Victorian gentlemen in the intricacies of gay rights.With colourful colleague Joyce distracted by an unexpected romance, Sophie dodges her own unsuitable suitor while exploring one dead end after another. Relying once again on the help of quick-witted tour guide Mark Boxer, she resorts to a clandestine foray into a twilight world, stumbling – quite literally, in Mark’s case – upon what appears to be irrefutable evidence. But could this, Sophie’s toughest case yet, have one more devastating twist?Fans of cosy mysteries are invited to grab coffee and cake, and join Sophie on her latest thrilling, entertaining and often hilarious adventure in the heart of the English countryside.Book 2 in The Charleton House Mysteries series. A light, entertaining mystery with a coffee loving amateur sleuth who works at one of England’s finest stately homes, and is ruled by her domineering tabby cat.Written in British English. Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. No strong language, gore, sex, or violence!
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2020
146 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
December 3, 2020
I was given the challenge this year to read at least twenty-six books, each one's title beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. This one fit the bill for a book starting with the letter "K". (Believe me when I say that there's a relatively small pool from which to choose.)
This cute cozy mystery (second in series) was all that and then some. There's the grand English country manor house where the duke and duchess are still resident, the stately rooms for hosting events and a cadre of interesting staff and related characters.
Author Kate P. Adams does a spectacular job of setting scene, building up story and developing her characters. Told through the voice of catering manager (and occasional sleuth) Sophie Lockwood, we find the staff of Charleton House prepping for a young couple's nuptials. The wedding is to occur at the estate's chapel with a grand reception held in the manor house. It doesn't take long for a body to wind up dead during the reception. In spite of being warned by the local constabulary to stay clear of the investigation, Sophie can't help herself. It is, after all, on her patch, so to speak.
There are of course a number of red herrings to taunt the avid mystery reader. There is also a fair amount of playful banter among the regular characters laced generously with humorous action and conversation. All in all, this was a light and quite enjoyable read.
This cute cozy mystery (second in series) was all that and then some. There's the grand English country manor house where the duke and duchess are still resident, the stately rooms for hosting events and a cadre of interesting staff and related characters.
Author Kate P. Adams does a spectacular job of setting scene, building up story and developing her characters. Told through the voice of catering manager (and occasional sleuth) Sophie Lockwood, we find the staff of Charleton House prepping for a young couple's nuptials. The wedding is to occur at the estate's chapel with a grand reception held in the manor house. It doesn't take long for a body to wind up dead during the reception. In spite of being warned by the local constabulary to stay clear of the investigation, Sophie can't help herself. It is, after all, on her patch, so to speak.
There are of course a number of red herrings to taunt the avid mystery reader. There is also a fair amount of playful banter among the regular characters laced generously with humorous action and conversation. All in all, this was a light and quite enjoyable read.
March 17, 2021
I enjoy this cozy series. It checks all the boxes and is entertaining and easy to read.
I love the setting of a British historic home that is now open to the public while the family still lives there a-la-todays Downton Abbey. It makes for a fun set for the shenanigans and murder that keep happening.
Sophie, as our main character amateur sleuth is a bit annoying, but that's what a cozy main character is supposed to be so that's fine. She's likable enough and I do share a love of coffee with her so there's that.
This series is just good fun and I enjoy it.
I love the setting of a British historic home that is now open to the public while the family still lives there a-la-todays Downton Abbey. It makes for a fun set for the shenanigans and murder that keep happening.
Sophie, as our main character amateur sleuth is a bit annoying, but that's what a cozy main character is supposed to be so that's fine. She's likable enough and I do share a love of coffee with her so there's that.
This series is just good fun and I enjoy it.
May 6, 2020
A Killer Wedding by Kate P. Adams
Welcome back to Charleton House! The second mystery in this series revolves around a very high-end wedding weekend that is taking place both in Charleton House and on the grounds. Sophie is the head of catering and will be there for the entire event.The bride and groom appear to be very argumentative about everything but they always seem to resolve their issues and let the love shine through when the arguing is over. They are a very loving couple and seem to be well-suited. Friday night begins the festivities that will include the wedding on Saturday and then a week-long celebration with friends and family as they all take advantage of all that Charleton House offers them before the blissfully wedded couple take off on their honeymoon. The rehearsal dinner is in the State Dining Room which seems so large for such a small group but looks perfect once it is decorated and lit for the event. Everything is going well, aside from an argument between the bride and groom, until their photographer is found gored by a set of huge antlers in the next room, The area with the antlers were which was only supposed to be used by staff! Unfortunately the photographer is very much dead.
The same set of characters will greet you in this book as did in the first book of the series – Mark, Sophie's work husband and Watson to her Sherlock, Joyce, the very colorfully coutured head of retail sales at the mansion, the Duke and Duchess who both own and live in Charleton House, Joe, Mark's brother-in-law and local police (who doesn't like Sophie investigating unless and until she can tell him who's guilty), Chef Gregg who handles menus and food for events and his wife, Ruth Danforth, the official baker for the mansion (even though Sophie herself bakes many items for the cafes on her own) and the rest of Sophie's staff at the 3 cafes she manages on the grounds of Charleton House. Most of Sophie's staff was just mentioned in passing in Book 1 but in Book 2 we will have the chance to met some of them more intimately. In addition, we are treated to two new members of the staff at Charleton House in book 2 and I hope they will become regulars. The new staff are Father Craig Mortimer, the chaplain for Charleton House, and the woman who scares him and virtually every other staff member at the mansion, Harriet Smedley, ever vigilant chapel volunteer. All of these characters are a treat and one of the reasons I like this series so much. The second reason is the multiple secondary plot lines that circle the main plot line and make it so difficult to determine who did it! And yet they are all resolved before the last page! This series is getting better and better and if you haven't started it yet, why not give it a try? Enjoy!
Welcome back to Charleton House! The second mystery in this series revolves around a very high-end wedding weekend that is taking place both in Charleton House and on the grounds. Sophie is the head of catering and will be there for the entire event.The bride and groom appear to be very argumentative about everything but they always seem to resolve their issues and let the love shine through when the arguing is over. They are a very loving couple and seem to be well-suited. Friday night begins the festivities that will include the wedding on Saturday and then a week-long celebration with friends and family as they all take advantage of all that Charleton House offers them before the blissfully wedded couple take off on their honeymoon. The rehearsal dinner is in the State Dining Room which seems so large for such a small group but looks perfect once it is decorated and lit for the event. Everything is going well, aside from an argument between the bride and groom, until their photographer is found gored by a set of huge antlers in the next room, The area with the antlers were which was only supposed to be used by staff! Unfortunately the photographer is very much dead.
The same set of characters will greet you in this book as did in the first book of the series – Mark, Sophie's work husband and Watson to her Sherlock, Joyce, the very colorfully coutured head of retail sales at the mansion, the Duke and Duchess who both own and live in Charleton House, Joe, Mark's brother-in-law and local police (who doesn't like Sophie investigating unless and until she can tell him who's guilty), Chef Gregg who handles menus and food for events and his wife, Ruth Danforth, the official baker for the mansion (even though Sophie herself bakes many items for the cafes on her own) and the rest of Sophie's staff at the 3 cafes she manages on the grounds of Charleton House. Most of Sophie's staff was just mentioned in passing in Book 1 but in Book 2 we will have the chance to met some of them more intimately. In addition, we are treated to two new members of the staff at Charleton House in book 2 and I hope they will become regulars. The new staff are Father Craig Mortimer, the chaplain for Charleton House, and the woman who scares him and virtually every other staff member at the mansion, Harriet Smedley, ever vigilant chapel volunteer. All of these characters are a treat and one of the reasons I like this series so much. The second reason is the multiple secondary plot lines that circle the main plot line and make it so difficult to determine who did it! And yet they are all resolved before the last page! This series is getting better and better and if you haven't started it yet, why not give it a try? Enjoy!
May 5, 2020
Sophie Lockwood and her staff are preparing for a wedding to be held at Charleton House. A last minute change in plans has Nathan Wallace, a former boyfriend of the bride, as the wedding photographer. Unfortunately, Amelia neglected to warn her fiance, Patrick, of the change in plans. Needless to say, when Nathan showed up and started taking pictures, Patrick was not happy.
The rules at Charleton House limit where pictures can and cannot be taken. Rather than carry all of his equipment around, Nathan stored his camera bag in a corner of the Antler Room, which is off limits to the general public. After the wedding ceremony, when the guests were preparing for the evening dinner, the main chef, Gregg, discovered Nathan's body in the Antler Room. Nathan was dead.
Who killed Nathan? Why was he killed? Was it a member of the wedding party or somebody on the staff? Can Sophie figure out what happened?
This is a great addition to the Charleton House series. I enjoy the English history that she blends into the story. The characters and situations are very credible and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing clear to the end.
The rules at Charleton House limit where pictures can and cannot be taken. Rather than carry all of his equipment around, Nathan stored his camera bag in a corner of the Antler Room, which is off limits to the general public. After the wedding ceremony, when the guests were preparing for the evening dinner, the main chef, Gregg, discovered Nathan's body in the Antler Room. Nathan was dead.
Who killed Nathan? Why was he killed? Was it a member of the wedding party or somebody on the staff? Can Sophie figure out what happened?
This is a great addition to the Charleton House series. I enjoy the English history that she blends into the story. The characters and situations are very credible and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing clear to the end.
May 13, 2020
Sophie Lockwood is the Head of Catering at Charleston House. She loves her position at this beautiful historic property and all the new friends she has made here. She also discovered that she has a keen interest in murder. Detective ConstableJoe Greene appreciates Sophie's skill, but his boss isn't Sophie's biggest fan. Now they are faced with another case. The wedding photographer has been killed. Who hated him enough to murder him?Was it one of the guests at the reception or a jealous business rival? Sophie has to know. As she asks questions she uncovers some unexpected suspects. Can she help find the culprit? I like Sophie. She's tenacious. I just didn't want her curiosity to put her in danger. Mark, her friend and colleague, let's her involve him in the investigation. Can they get answers without getting into hot water? Knowing these two I suspected the worst. There are plenty of suspects and some surprising twists. This cozy kept me guessing. I always enjoy my visits to Charleston House. Kate P. Adams keeps me entertained. Her characters are interesting, the story intriguing and the shenanigans continuous.
May 10, 2020
A Killer Wedding by Kate Adams is an absorbing read. Who would kill the photographer at a wedding? - his pictures weren't that bad. The elegant Charleton House setting is magnificent: the murder is mysterious; the characters are a delight. This is the second book of the Charleton House Mysteries, and I loved getting to know the heroine better. Her juggling act of managing the cafes, baking, handling a personal (maybe) romance and, incidentally, solving a murder is fascinating. She is least competent at the romance bit, but that makes me want to read more of the series.
August 30, 2021
This is the 2nd book in the Charleton House cozy mystery series set in Derbyshire, England. Sophie, the protagonist, manages the 3 restaurants and catering services at the historic mansion. In this installment the wedding photographer is murdered during a wedding in the chapel and the head Chef is suspected. Sophie is sure he didn't do it so, of course, sets out to solve the case in spite of being warned off by her friend police detective Joe. Many suspects, motives and side characters add to the mystery. The one I picked early on did end up being the killer but there was plenty of fun in Sophie's ruling out others.
Light cozy but fun. I will definitely read more in this series!
Light cozy but fun. I will definitely read more in this series!
December 8, 2020
Book 2 in a great new series!
We are back at Charleton House and planning for a wedding. We get to know all our main characters better. The character development is great and Charleton House and the grounds are amazing! The bride and groom seem to argue about everything, but when the bride-to-be hires her ex-boy friend as the photographer and doesn't bother to tell her intended, the sparks begin to fly! So many red herrings, good luck finding out whodunit before the end. Love the setting and all our regular characters.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
We are back at Charleton House and planning for a wedding. We get to know all our main characters better. The character development is great and Charleton House and the grounds are amazing! The bride and groom seem to argue about everything, but when the bride-to-be hires her ex-boy friend as the photographer and doesn't bother to tell her intended, the sparks begin to fly! So many red herrings, good luck finding out whodunit before the end. Love the setting and all our regular characters.
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
August 20, 2021
Brew a full pot of coffee and settle in.
Book two, which is still set in a very expensive neighborhood. And I guessed the murderer! Not quite "Jepordy" , but see if you get who done it first. (We were in England, Scotland, and Wales about 15 years ago and visited homes similar to the one described here. Most are now part of a national trust as they are just too expensive to maintain. Try not to bother the deer and elk.) So now it's on to book number three, after I finish the library books that are due back.
Book two, which is still set in a very expensive neighborhood. And I guessed the murderer! Not quite "Jepordy" , but see if you get who done it first. (We were in England, Scotland, and Wales about 15 years ago and visited homes similar to the one described here. Most are now part of a national trust as they are just too expensive to maintain. Try not to bother the deer and elk.) So now it's on to book number three, after I finish the library books that are due back.
March 13, 2022
This is the second of this fantastic series where again Sophia finds herself trying to solve another murder! Seems she just finds them or that they find her.. Follow the regular characters you read in the first book but if you didn't rad it,it's I'm it's a stand alone murder and it catches you up on who is who!! Off to the next exciting murder mystery that you will have to help solve !! You will love all the come to life characters!!!
April 18, 2022
A killer wedding
Charleston House is your typical stately home. Partly private living quarters, partly business related and partly open to the public where there are three cafes and rooms for hire. Patrick and Amelia have booked their wedding there, and have also organised a pre wedding dinner complete with photographs. All normall, yes?
But the subsequent events are far from normal....
Charleston House is your typical stately home. Partly private living quarters, partly business related and partly open to the public where there are three cafes and rooms for hire. Patrick and Amelia have booked their wedding there, and have also organised a pre wedding dinner complete with photographs. All normall, yes?
But the subsequent events are far from normal....
July 31, 2020
My review for A Killer Wedding
I loved it! Another awesome Charleton House Mystery! I’m so glad we are not losing Joyce! It wouldn’t feel right without her. Every time I read this series, I feel I’m part of a family. It’s wonderful to come back and visit with old friends. Keep writing Kate and I will keep reading. This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
I loved it! Another awesome Charleton House Mystery! I’m so glad we are not losing Joyce! It wouldn’t feel right without her. Every time I read this series, I feel I’m part of a family. It’s wonderful to come back and visit with old friends. Keep writing Kate and I will keep reading. This is a must read series! I can’t wait for the next book!
December 8, 2020
It was a real good book and I am looking forward to the next book when it comes out. It took a long time to finally figure out who the murderer was but I love the fact that there are so many suspects to choose from and I love how you take and give us so many clues to work with. I would tell anyone who likes cozy murder mystery to read this series.
February 25, 2022
An engaged couple who fight as passionately as they reconcile in the midst of their over-the-top wedding festivities at a lovely historic estate are the center of everyone’s attention…at least until the photographer, who was the bride’s ex, is murdered. Another twisty tale as the MC and her pals sort through secrets and situations to solve the mystery. Recommended!
April 5, 2023
I have enjoyed both books of this series and I am looking forward to the next one. I find the mysteries well-written, with humor and an understanding how people respond to murders. The characters of Charleton House are outstanding and I enjoyed learning more of why Sophie moved to Charleton House. Definitely recommend reading.
August 12, 2023
Charleston House
Another wonderful storyline with a lot of twists and turns. I love the character of Sophie and the people that work at the House. There is a wedding at the House and a murder takes place. There is no shortage of suspects or motives. Sophie investigates and I had no idea who the killer was. Which I like.
Another wonderful storyline with a lot of twists and turns. I love the character of Sophie and the people that work at the House. There is a wedding at the House and a murder takes place. There is no shortage of suspects or motives. Sophie investigates and I had no idea who the killer was. Which I like.
June 24, 2020
Great series and an enjoyable cast of characters. You have the feeling of being part of the group. My favorite is Pumpkin, the bossy little or not so little kitty. Her attitude will give you a chuckle. Definitely a series worth looking into if you enjoy British cozy mysteries.
November 14, 2020
Great ready as always. I find myself wondering how many different ways she can announce a murder and how she comes up with her ideas. And the characters and dialogue are always great. Mark and Sophie are a witty twosome that pair off wonderfully. Love these books.
October 11, 2021
Good story
The descriptions of Charleston house and the estate made me want to go there. Good mystery. I didn't figure it out until I was told. My only problem, and I know it's old fashioned, but I can do without same sex marriages in my reading.
The descriptions of Charleston house and the estate made me want to go there. Good mystery. I didn't figure it out until I was told. My only problem, and I know it's old fashioned, but I can do without same sex marriages in my reading.
August 26, 2021
Good series
This second book in the series continues to be well written. We learn more about the main characters as they grow closer as a team.
This second book in the series continues to be well written. We learn more about the main characters as they grow closer as a team.
May 30, 2022
Good book! I will read more of this series.
August 26, 2022
Still enjoying all the characters and how they interact with each other. This time I figured out who did it quickly, as the dynamic was obvious.
February 10, 2023
Who killed Nathan and why??? Cameras and outfits??? Don't arrest the wrong person!!! Sophie will make sure of that, won't she??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
Read
July 3, 2023Very interesting and compelling.
Great read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat for the next chapter. Keeps you guessing until the very end..
I enjoyed the entire story.
Great read. Keeps you on the edge of your seat for the next chapter. Keeps you guessing until the very end..
I enjoyed the entire story.
April 15, 2024
Great Story
A clever mystery, historic setting, yummy food and fun characters. I never saw who the guilty party was and thoroughly enjoyed the clues! Most excellent series.
A clever mystery, historic setting, yummy food and fun characters. I never saw who the guilty party was and thoroughly enjoyed the clues! Most excellent series.
April 30, 2024
Join Sophie at Charleston House, as her team caters a wedding. Unfortunately, finding the photographer's dead body under a very large set of antlers was unplanned.
May 14, 2024
Loved it! Great mystery and excellent characters!
October 2, 2024
Fantastic mystery!
Once again, Kate P Adam's surprises her readers with an unlikely suspect. This is a captivating story to the very end!
Once again, Kate P Adam's surprises her readers with an unlikely suspect. This is a captivating story to the very end!
December 11, 2024
Wedding Woes
This would be a dream wedding for thousands of women, but unfortunately it includes the body of a former boyfriend.
It's a quick read but very enjoyable.
This would be a dream wedding for thousands of women, but unfortunately it includes the body of a former boyfriend.
It's a quick read but very enjoyable.
May 9, 2025
Fun mystery
This was a fun mystery with read that has great descriptions to make you feel like are at Charlton House.
This was a fun mystery with read that has great descriptions to make you feel like are at Charlton House.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews