When visitors gather deep in the frozen Derbyshire countryside for a sleepover in the opulent Long Gallery of Charleton House, joined by some notable guests from the past, no one expects that by morning Charles Dickens will have been murdered.
Sleep- and caffeine-starved catering manager Sophie Lockwood makes her way to the staff breakroom the following day, wondering if she’s hallucinating when she finds the body of the famous 19th century author slumped over the desk. Seeing him wandering the Charleton grounds later in the day, very much alive, Sophie begins to question her sanity. Has Dickens risen from the grave? Or is the murderer’s work incomplete?
With the dead man’s true identity revealed and the police on site, Sophie can’t resist launching her own investigation, enlisting the help of her closest friend and verbal sparring partner, tour guide Mark Boxer. Are present-day scandals and jealousies behind the murder, or does the truth perhaps lie in a half-forgotten crime from the past? Is there really a spark of romance developing between Sophie and DC Joe Greene? And just how significant will outspoken gift-shop manager Joyce’s talents as a Tiller Girl prove to be?
Mystery fans, wrap up warm, grab a coffee and cookie, and join Sophie as she explores the mists of the past and the deceptions of the present to uncover the truth.
Book 3 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.
People are excited to get to sleep over at historic Charleton House. What a wonderful chance to get a special behind the scenes tour and scandalous stories of the aristocracy. The group didn't expect to be at the scene of a murder. Sophie Lockwood, the head of catering, finds the body. Unfortunately it's not the first time this has happened. Poor Sophie! She's getting a reputation for her abilities to solve murder. I like this lady. She faces what's happened with courage and intelligence. Her ability to get people to talk is important and yields results. The workers at Charleton House are an interesting group. I'm fond of Mark Boxer. His sense of humor is outrageous and makes me laugh. Joyce Brocklehurst is fascinating. What a free spirit. I love her style and panache I enjoy this series. Kate P. Adams has given me everything that I enjoy - a suspenseful cozy, great characters, sparkling dialogue and a setting that makes me jealous. I can't wait for Sophie to investigate another deadly occurrence at the mansion.
Another wonderful time at Charleton House. This time we get to have a sleepover in the Long Gallery and spend time with Charles Dickens. There's dinner and dancing and a reading by Dickens then off to bed to sleep on the floor. Unfortunately, in the morning Dickens is dead (or is he?). Sophie finds the body and the alarm is sounded. Sophie is on the case with the help of some wonderful characters. I love reading about how people lived earlier, especially the landed gentry. The house is as much a character as the residents and employees. The mystery is good with lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. Very entertaining cozy! I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
A sleepover at Charleton House for those who are history buffs and want to live for a weekend in the history of a time with both food and a special appearance of Charles Dickens, played by Conrad doing a reading. Things were going perfectly for the sleepover until our protagonist in this series, Sophie stumbles upon one of the guests, Thomas, dead in the breakroom. How did he get there, why and why was he murdered. Especially when he kept saying he does a better Dickens that Conrad. It also appeared not too many people liked Thomas. He was a very disagreeable person. Well Sophie, Mark and Joyce are on the case. We were also introduced to a self-centered new guide that Mark took under his wing and who was all about himself taking short cuts to the history of the house much to the chagrin of Mark. With so many suspects, so many possibilities, Sophie and the gang try to unravel the murder and catch the murderer while working ( kind of) assisting her friend, the detective, Joe who was resigned to accept their help since they were investigating anyway. Add to this, we have some adultry and the parties are at this sleepover and know about each other. Seems Conrad had a liason with a very outgoing loudmouth blogger, but broke it off when his wife found out and they are trying again. But to let Conrad do his Dickens, she comes along as Dicken's wife to keep close to him. So we see all possibilities since the murdered Thomas was dressed exactly like Dickens - like Conrad. Was he the actual intended victim or was Conrad? So many threads pulled out, so deftly put together by the author! This is a fun series with very likeable characters that reappear in each of the books in the series. Characters you could be friends with. I love this series and you will too. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next for Sophie and company! I received and ARC from the author but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
In this latest entry of the Charleton House mysteries, the mansion is hosting a sleepover for people who truly love the mansion and it's history complete with special tours (including juicy scandal about the period the sleepover is set in), drinks, an authentic dinner and a reading by Charles Dickens. The people who attend these things often attend events like them at Charleton House and other stately mansions open to the public, so they know one another which can lead to relationships good and bad. One of the bad is the extra-marital affair between a woman blogger and the man who gives the best portrayal of Charles Dickens ever. Unfortunately his wife found out about the affair and now attends every performance he has where the blogger is expected to attend. On this night his wife is portraying Charles Dickens mistress.
For this event they have 2 guides. One is Mark, Sophie's best friend and work husband, and the second is a protegee of Mark's. Douglas, who is more interested in the fame of being a guide than in the pursuit of the history he needs to research for his job.
In addition to Sophie (now being called Ms. Sherlock Holmes around the mansion) and Mark, all the same characters are back; Joyce, the manor's head of retail; Tina and Nick, Sophie's managers at 2 of the three cafes she runs; and the Duke and Duchess, owners of the mansion. The Duke actually plays a part in helping Sophie solve the mystery this time.
Sleep like the dead is a superb murder mystery and a great addition to the series. With every book Sophie feels more at home in Charleton House. The only thing wrong with this book is that I couldn't put it down and the joy of reading the story was over too quickly. I received an Advance Reader copy of the book from the author but this review is all mine! Enjoy!
I think Kate P. Adams may be my (current) favorite cozy mystery author. She takes all the cozy requirements then crafts a delightful story around the plot. I wasn't sure about this one at first. A "sleep over" in a historical mansion seemed quite farfetched. Who in their right mind would enjoy, and pay good money for, spending a night in a sleeping bag, on a cold stone floor, with 50+ others, some of whom were snoring? But it worked. I think the author's prior work experience in historical buildings in England (including, I learned in the end, arranging a sleepover at Hampton Court Palace) gave the story the verisimilitude it needed to win me over!
This story involved Sophie in another murder, finding the body of someone dressed as Charles Dickens. Sophie is in charge of the restaurants at Charleston House in Derbyshire and now has solved several murder mysteries there often with the aid of Mark, one of the historical tour guides. (Mark is married to Bill who plays a small role in the stories but a big role in Mark's life.) I love all of the returning characters mainly other Charleston House employees, including Joyce, a woman of indeterminate years (likely over 70) who is always dressed to the nines with matching stiletto heels and perfectly polished nails. I highly recommend the Charleston House mysteries to lovers of classic cozies with a twist.
Opening a new Charleton House Mystery book is like returning to a familiar place after being away for a while...the pleasure of seeing friends and colleagues and catching up with all the latest news and gossip. A very cosy, comfortable place to be. But of course there is the possibility of something dramatic and unsettling happening there too....a murder perhaps. I enjoy the way in which we get to meet new characters in each book but also very gratifying is the way in which we see growth in characters from earlier books in the series. We were previously introduced to Chelsea, an assistant in the Library coffee shop. She was a rather ditzy young lady, often late for work, disheveled in appearance and careless in attitude. Towards the end of the previous book Sophie discovers the unexpected reason for this and works to remedy the situation. What a joy to discover in 'Sleep Like The Dead' that Chelsea is now an enthusiastic and capable young employee. I do have a word of warning to first time readers of a Charleton House Mystery...taking a big gulp of coffee whilst reading may not end well as there are so many hilarious little nuggets in between the serious bits that laughing out loud at some point is inevitable. Read as a free ARC but this is my voluntary review.
The Manor is hosting a sleep over. Sixty history buffs paid for the privilege of a full on Dickens inspired meal, a proper dance hosted by the Duke and Duchess, and a chance to sleep among the art and artifacts that Charleton House holds.
Of course, there is a hint of drama just to keep things interesting. And a dead body. Sophie - no surprise there - has found it! After a bit of mix up as to WHO the body was, she and Mark with a bit of help from Bill, are off to assist Joe in uncovering the miscreant.
As we've come to expect, Adams sprinkles historical data among the clues and misdirection; with a cast of characters we've come to know and love. It's always an entertaining time spent in the company of Sophie, Mark, Joyce and crew; the pages fly by till Sherlock Lockwood stumbles across the villain. I highly recommend this latest episode in the Charleton House Mysteries.
[Many thanks to the author for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. This is my honest review, the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.]
A group of about 60 people are having a sleep-over at Charleton House. The Duke and Dutchess, as well as all of the guests are all dressed in costumes from the 1800s. Conrad Brett is playing the part of Charles Dickens and will be reading from two of his stories. Sophie Lockwood has her hands full coordinating the food and drinks for the guests. It is a shame that not all of the guests get along very well with others and there are more than a few raised voices. It is well after midnight before everybody finally settles down for the night.
The next morning, Sophie finds a body in the break room that is dressed like Charles Dickens. She thinks the body is Conrad, but it turns out to be another one of the guests, Thomas Hattersley. Was Conrad the intended victim? Or was Thomas the intended victim? Can Sophie figure out what really happened?
Kate Adams has another winner with this installment of the Charleton House Mysteries. The history she weaves into the story adds an extra dimension and keeps the reader engrossed. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Sophie has stumbled over another dead body, this time on a sleepover for sixty at Charleton House. Can she find out who the killer is? Of course she can! This series is fast becoming one of my favourites. This one has all the best features of the series: a nice murder mystery to solve, some gentle humour, a fun setting, I could go on... In addition, we get to spend more time with a great collection of characters, and find out a little more about Joyce’s interesting life! I can’t wait for Sophie to come across another corpse, so I can join her in solving the mystery.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy crime with gentle humour and a fun setting.
I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Sophie and team are faced with yet another murder occurring on the night 60 people pay to have a sleepover in the library. A Charles Dickens portrayer is stabbed in the neck leading Sophie and the police on a hunt for the killer. The characters are warm, funny and a pleasure to know. Ms. Adams has written another delightful and witty book in her Charleton House mystery series. Now I am anxious to get onto the next book. Ms. Adams can't churn them out fast enough to suit me. Read one and you'll be hooked. Very Highly Recommended. I was given this as an ARC book. The review is my honest opinion.
A sleepover at Charleton House ends in Charles Dickens being murdered. Or was he? Sophie and the gang are kept busy as usual but can they figure out another murder? Ms. Adams has such a knack for leading on the reader with so many red herrings and this installment to her Charleton House series is no exception. Will Sophie figure out who did it before she becomes the next victim? So much going on, I didn't have it figured out. So much fun to read this series! And wouldn't a sleepover be so much fun? Minus the murder!
Charleton House has gone all out with guests in period costumes dining and spending the evening at the house. Performers help bring the past alive for the attendees until someone is found murdered. As an investigation ensues, Sophie Lockwood, an employee of the House, can’t help but get involved. Sleep Like the Dead is book 3 in the series but you will enjoy the story even if you haven’t read the other books or short stories. The characters are fun and they grow on you with each book. The author’s knowledge of working in historical homes is apparent as you read this cozy mystery.
Another fantastic tour around Charlton House as Sophie tries to unravel who would want to kill Charles Dickens. The character of Charles Dickens is played by Conrad, but on a closer view the body turns out to be someone else. Who amongst the sleepover guests had a motive for murder? A great story with more insight into the characters who work at Charlton House. I liked the dash of humour stirred in with the coffee and cake. Another great book Ms. Adams ....... keep ‘em coming
This series just gets better and better. With a wonderful cast of recurring characters and new characters introduced with each murder, the author gives a reader everything they could want. There is the comfort of the recurring characters and the intrigue of the new characters. I love the cozy genre and this one was perfect. I enjoy learning about Charleton House which I think of as another character in the book. I also admire that love of history the characters have and the pride in the historic home.
Another enjoyable read in the Charleton House series. There is a sleepover for visitors with a dinner menu to suit the period, a tour of the house and a reading by Charles Dickens. Among the guests, liaisons past and present add to the evening’s entertainment, but when someone is found dead there are a number of possible motives and suspects. At least, there will be, when they figure out who has actually died. Sophie is getting more pro-active in her investigations, or perhaps it was just lack of sleep that made her impatient, as she explained to Mark. History to the fore with some interesting twists and a Folies Bergére style ending. I wonder if the author actually knows someone like Mark? Hmmm.
Sleep Like the Dead is another fascinating read in the Charleton House series! It is Sophie who again finds the body as an event was almost at an end at Charleton House. As the police are interviewing attendees and gathering evidence Sophie kicks into sleuthing gear. The biggest question is- - Was this the intended victim? Loving these stories and these wonderful characters! I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
Charleton House is a British estate which runs 3 cafes, tours of the home and gardens, and new to the table are the sleepovers. But these sleepovers are for adults with tours, dinner, dancing and a talk by Charles Dickens. Unfortunately, by morning Dickens is dead and Sophie is back on the case.
This is a great new series. And I have enjoyed all the books. The characters are great. And how could the setting be better?
Another wonderful adventure at Charleton House. This one was a bit of a whirlwind as all the action takes place over a long weekend, which made it almost impossible to put down but also meant that we get a whole lot of time for our budding romance to develop (which is fine, but eventually there is going to need to be some kissing!). I continue to appreciate the 'behind the scenes' look at events at a historic house, and really, I don't even need a mystery to solve, I just love hanging out with these characters.
Sophie the manager of the cafes in the 500 year old Charleton House and Gardens oversees in the Long Gallery the food during a sleep over for 60 paid people. They have tours, dancing etc in the theme of the 1860's. All dressed like that year. One of the guests dressed like Dickens was found by Sophie in the break room of the Library Cafe. Sophie of course gets involved trying to solve the case after talking to all suspects. As usual a big twist at the end!
Sleep Like The Dead is the third book in The Charleton House Mysteries series and is a wonderful addition to the series.
I would love to have a sleepover at the Charleston House. This book is well crafted and kept my interest from start to finish with murder, mystery, history, and a winning cast of characters.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series. I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
I love the idea of a sleepover at a fancy English manor house! Charleston House is always a great setting. I was trying to guess who was going to be the victim and I never guessed it right. And the suspects? There were so many suspects and not enough clues. I guessed part of the solution, but not all of it. There was one last twist and I didn't see it coming. But in the end, it made sense. Everything was tied up nicely. This is one of my favorite series!
This series of books just gets better with each installment. Sophie is the manager of Charleton house. They are having a sleepover. There is an adaptation of a Charles Dickens portrayer. There is a murder which takes place however at first they are not sure who the victim is. After identifying him there are no shortage of suspects and motives. That the killer was not who I thought it was is always fun.
Another great read. This time a group of wealthy people gather for a sleep-over” at Charleton House. Set in the time of Charles Dickens he is the invited guest speaker. Food sounds fantastic. Entertainment good. But, one guest doesn’t get to have breakfast. Sophie, of course, has to get involved with solving the mystery of how it was done & why. Sophie has quite a few helpers on this case.
I received an ARC of this book. Another great cozy mystery in the Charleton House series. Sophie is busy with managing a houseful of guests for a sleepover at Charleton House when she stumbles across a body. She's racing to find the killer while trying to stay out of the way of the police. Surprises at every turn kept me turning the pages. Highly recommend!
Another great book by Kate P. Adams! I am intrigued by the location, the development of the plot, and by the characters and their interactions with each other. As we get into this, the second book in this series, the characters are becoming more complete and interesting. Great book!
Another interesting and sometimes amusing book. I love this series and I love Charleton House. This time there is an overnight event where a killing occurs. Of course Sophie becomes involved in the investigation and is almost murdered this time. Read this series if you like mystery and old. historical houses. You willl love it!
If you think you'll read a few chapters and come back in awhile -not happening! Sophie has the perfect way of getting her suspects to open up and get the "skinny" which ultimately leads to the murderer. Mark and her friend Joyce are awesome, funny and snarky sidekicks. Just love them!
I enjoy this series. It's perfect when I need a light, fun, easy-reading cozy mystery.
The characters here are likable and the plots are fine for cozies. I really enjoy the setting of a Downton-Abbey-type stately historic English pile, which has been turned into a current day event location. The "behind the scenes" of running a place like this is really fun to experience through these stories.