A Body in the Villa

Lady Caroline Murder Mysteries #3

by Isabella Bassett

Switzerland, 1925

A rare bird is nesting in the lush summer meadows of the Swiss Alps, and the grizzled members of Uncle Albert’s Royal Society for Natural History Appreciation travel en masse to get a closer look.

The fact that they will be encamped at an opulent villa, coupled with the promise of a midsummer party, persuades his niece, and unenthusiastic secretary, Lady Caroline, to follow suit.

As the champagne flows, and tales of rare birds grow taller, a killer makes a bold move. One of the more risque guests is strangled with her own elaborate dress. When a rakish rogue, a charm-the-birds-out-of-the-trees kind of man, is picked off next, the police speculate that someone is stalking the more exotic specimens of this country house party.

Dismissing this bird-brain idea, Lady Caroline suspects instead that a cunning killer is using the party to feather their nest. Ready as ever for a good scavenger hunt, she follows the clues to the bad egg spoiling all the fun.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical, Historical Mystery, Cozy, Historical Fiction, Fiction

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2022

Reviews

[Lady Tea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: *yawns & gives up* / 5

Unfortunately, no matter how pretty the covers are for this, I'm afraid that I just HAVE to give up with this series.

It's...just lackluster.

Apart from feeling a constant state of boredom when I read it, I once again conclude that the problem is the character of Lady Caroline herself. She's just lackluster herself, and this is problematic because in cozy mysteries it's largely the characters that drive the whole story!

But Caroline just...doesn't. Again, she's benign and bland, but she also seems to be very indifferent to the things around her, which makes her meddlesome when she does get involved. For instance, although she's her uncle's secretary, she has no interest in supporting his activities with his Society, even though that's the whole basis on which this series is built! If Caroline herself could maybe show just a bit of personal interest in it apart from getting drawn into the fact that it is a competition, maybe then it'd be believable that she has more stakes in it than just a passing fancy.

And...yeah, her "relationship" with James is useless to mention--as it's barely there--so that's no exactly a motivator for me to continue either.

CONCLUSION: Gorgeous covers aside, I'm abandoning this series. Now & forever, bah-bye!

[Linniegayl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third entry in the series, Lady Caroline is off once again with her Uncle Albert and the Royal Society of Natural History (quirky group of older men obsessed with odd things about natural history). This time they're in the Swiss Alps visiting a very odd commnune. Poppy, Lady Caroline's old friend/nemesis from boarding school is back again, adding interesting background.

I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the previous entries in the series. The solution of the mystery seemed pretty obvious to me, and at times things dragged. Nevertheless, I will read the fourth and am curious where the Royal Society will go to next.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Wasn't sure what to expect. It wasn't brilliant, but I enjoyed the characters and setting. I also enjoy the study of human foibles, and this was pretty fun going.

[Jemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was easy to figure out the killer. Also, do we need to have constant comments about Poppy's body? She doesn't need to have descriptions of her weight/body every time she is on the page. Nor did we need the comment that the only reason any man would marry her is because she has money. It sucks to treat one of the only characters with a personality like this.
Three stars only because I like the vibes of 1920s Europe.

[J Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first two mysteries in this series are much more interesting. I found the killer to be extremely obvious very quickly and was frustrated that Lady Caroline simply didn’t see it at all.

I’m also finding her mooning over James to be tiresome, their relationship isn’t moving in any direction and it feels incredibly pointless for her to keep going on about him.

[Leslie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable murder mystery in Lady Caroline series

I truly enjoyed this third book in the Lady Caroline Murder Mysteries, as I have the first two. The central cast of characters including Lady Caroline, her uncle, the butler and her friend are likable and well developed. From Italy to the French Riviera to Switzerland (where this 3rd mystery takes place), Lady Caroline travels through 1920s Europe with her uncle and meets up with her friend from boarding school. And of course there’s a murder wherever they go. The author has done a great deal of historical, geographical and geopolitical research and places her stories within those confines so they always feel authentic. Plus, I learn something in each novel, whether it’s an historical or cultural event. I like how the author transports the reader into the rooms of the characters, complete with descriptions of food, fashions and entertainment from that time. The series offers a much lighter fare than many of the books I read. However I enjoy getting lost in these books, especially when so many real stories in our world of current events can leave us despairing and desolate. I would say they’re not fluff, but they are dessert! Reading Lady Caroline mysteries is like opening a window and providing a little bit of fresh air. I look forward to reading more books by Isabella Bassett.

[John Beaderstadt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Caroline is Sleuthing Again

While accompanying her eccentric Uncle Arthur and his peers on a trip to locate an endangered bird, Caroline witnesses a drowning among a Bohemian commune in southern Switzerland. While the birders commute between the commune and the villa of an industrialist with a shady past, Caroline discovers a web of secrets and lies . When a young woman involved in a romantic triangle is found strangled at the villa, she feels compelled to investigate. With connections between the, ex patriots and the wealthy peers, there are secrets to unravel and red herrings to sort through.

But as usual, independent, modern Lady Caroline identifies the guilty and defends the innocent in a novel set among the rich and powerful English in the 1920s. This is a cozy that delivers atmosphere, history and an engaging heroine struggling to find her place in a rapidly changing world..

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to an inopportune pursuit of Lady Caroline by adoring mothers and their less than desirable marriageable sons, Lady Caroline decides to continue on as her uncle's secretary and join the Royal Society in their adventure in Locano, Switzerland. Whilst there, many surprises await the Society to include what appears to be staged accidental deaths. Lady Caroline is on the case again trying to solve the alleged crimes and live to tell the tale. Once again, author Isabella Bassett delights the reader with unforeseen plot twists and an unusual cast of characters.

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such an utterly silly series but I continue to read it. There's usually some nonsensical thing that catches my fancy (like the platypus in the last book, the ball in this book in which Caroline has wilted palm fronds stuck on her back to mimic fairy wings) and that's enough to tide over the obvious mystery and lack of many decent characters. I did enjoy that the love interest has absolutely nothing to do - even when there's a daring rescue, it's her uncle and his butler who organize it. Ditch him Caroline, although I suspect he's in it just to increase the page count.

[Gary and Sandra Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book

Lady Caroline has joined her uncle and his fellows from his Royal Society in Switzerland on a beautiful lake where everything should be just peachy, but no, murder has raised it's ugly head again and Caroline just has to figure out who did it. Thus begins a highly entertaining book with wonderful old characters along for the ride with new one to add to the mystery. Very good story.

[Nordiana Baruzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5-star read from Ms Isabella Bassett.

Lady Caroline and her friend Poppy follow Uncle Albert to the Swiss-Italian border for another meeting of the Royal Society. Bohemian anarchists, smugglers, a retired divorcée, and the ususal culprits (Ancle Albert and his cronies), an dof course, a couple of murders... et voilá! your next fix in 1920 cozy mystery is served!

Highly recommended for lovers of strong, intelligent women in an historical background.

[Gail Krisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Caroline does it again Lady CarlCaroline is a well written smart brave young woman. She gathers clue’s until the mystery is solved.

Lady Caroline is a very smart brave and tenacious young women. She gathers up clues until the mystery is solved. This time almost too late to save herself.

[Carol E. Drewes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled paths in the Alps

Lady Caroline and her pals get involved with a smuggling ring and alternative lifestyles of the rich, leaving very little time for romance. My favorite character in slightly suspenseful puzzle was a reclusive widow living on an island. Who will yours be?

[Nancy T Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Missing Person/A Ghost/Murder

While trying to investigate (on the sly) a missing person something else happens. Is it a murder or a disappearance? And then a murder does happen that is very suspicious & puzzling. Another missing person & Lady Caroline fits the pieces together but not before her life is in danger!!

[Deirdre E Siegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

More odd outings of over financed fun in Switzerland, includes birds, boats, books, children behaving 'badly', costumes, dancing, death, a lake and smugglers all combine to make for a rollicking listening adventure.
Thank you Isabella Bassett, much appreciated. :-)

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this third book in the series of five. The characters added another layer of interest to themselves, the plot is well thought out, and Lady Caroline has added another fun adventure to her life. I most certainly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

[KELLY A JACK · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Body in the Villa book 📖 Three

This is an interesting who done it type murder mystery set in the 1920’s of the guilded age from across the pond so to speak.Nice story telling and background and dramatic fun characters descriptive ❣️💃🏻

[Lee Rozinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than expected

This i!me as are in the Alps with a commune involved . there is a drowning which turns out to e suspicious , a definet murder. There are smugglers, and other assorted characters. Of course lady Caroline puts it all together

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with Caroline and her uncle. I love the setting and really enjoy learning more about the area in this time period as well as the peculiarities of bird watchers. The mystery was interesting and had me guessing until the end. Looking forward to the next one.

[Mary Reagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to learn that some books just aren’t for me. This series seems to have everything I look for in a setting, timeframe, genre. But the writing just isn’t there for me. And instead of improving, this is one of the weakest of the books I’ve read. That’s it. I can’t try anymore.

[Patricia Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

obvious villain

Not my favorite of the series. The characters are rather stuck as far as advancing in relationships or in attitude.

[Stephanie Curran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun!

I love Lady Caroline…she is smart, capable, and funny. Though I guessed the culprit, the red herrings added to the character and interest of the story.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am just gobbling up this series. This time Lady Caroline solves murders that occur in a boho Swiss enclave. Lots of nefarious murders all in a delightful setting.

[Nic2416 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sarah "Kat" · Rating 2 out of 5]

started strong but after 140 pgs. gave up.

[Timstandish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much fun as the first two books in the series. But still enjoyable. Sometimes I think other characters in the book are often more interesting than Lady Caroline.

[robbie jean lister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read,not to in depth,

[Liz Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

another fun romp thru 1920’s Europe

Beach read with a twist at the end. When will lady Caroline get her man? A gentle mystery with a little romance thrown in

[Iman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Uncle Albert is still my favourite part of the series.

[Watergirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

The killer was extremely obvious as soon as the crime was committed.