Murder at the Bellamy Mansion

Magnolia Mysteries #8

by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter

While enjoying her honeymoon, historic preservationist Ashley Wilkes is summoned back home when sniper fire hits a handyman working at her newest project. Ashley and her husband Jon have been hired to restore the belvedere atop Wilmington's magnificent old Bellamy Mansion. The only trouble she anticipated was rotting wood and mold. Instead, she's coping with accidents, sabotage and murder.

It seems the historic mansion is caught in a legal battle over property rights. Documents dating back more than a hundred years have surfaced and now a wealthy foreigner is determined to buy the mansion outright. A guest dies mysteriously at a fund-raiser. A body is found floating in the old cistern. Ashley can't stand by and wait for more bodies to pile up. Even if it means taking on a killer with some deadly unfinished business.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Southern

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the eight book in this Wilmington, NC based mystery series and while I love following the lives of the Wilkes sisters and see them visit so many recognizable places and landmarks in my beloved Wilmington, I found the mystery to be kind of dull. Almost like it was on the back burner. I think if a book is labeled as a cozy-mystery the mystery should be gripping and focus of the story. While I love seeing Ashley visit many of my favorite restaurants in the Wilmington area and am very happy that she is enjoying her new marriage, it felt like these themes were often repeated throughout this story. This story was missing some intrigue. I definitely prefer the earlier works by this author.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just awful! The privileged elite complain about how the environment is impacted while eating gourmet meals in their designer clothes. The was some mystery involved, and as an afterthought two-thirds of the way through the story there was a murder. The guilty party was identified with little intrigue or fanfare at the end, and the final ending was pure dreck. So sorry that I wasted time what what may have been an interesting story line elsewhere. I cannot believe there were 7 books before this one!

[Charles Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historic preservationist Ashley Wilkes, honeymooning with her husband, Jon, agrees to take on the job of restoring the historic Bellamy Mansion. What should be a routine job turns deadly when a sniper shoots one of her contractors, and later, a body is found in the mansion’s old cistern. Someone’s stalking anyone trying to preserve the old mansion, but can Ashley determine who before she becomes the next victim?

Murder at the Bellamy Mansion by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter is a slow-paced, yet tense mystery, that moves with a southern rhythm, but stings like a yellow jacket. The settings are well limned, and the characters, from my own experience in that region of the country, credible.

This makes for a nice weekend read. I give it four stars.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bellamy Mansion becomes a very dangerous job site for Ashley, Jon and their restoration crew. Each time something happens Ashley's ex, Nick shows up to investigate. Between Melanie's obnoxious female client, the danger at the job, and helping to plan half-sister Scarlett's wedding Ashley is kept quite busy. She not only finds out who is behind the murders, but also has a secret. This was a fine addition to the series.

[bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 or maybe 2.5 stars

It felt slow to me. The event that should've created sufficient suspense in the beginning quickly faded into the background as it dragged on about everything else. And one primary concern in the entire book was so ridiculous that I fail to comprehend anyone ever took ot seriously. I did like the MCs though.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hope you like extremely descriptive paragraphs about architecture. Bonus points for wanting to hear how bad the economy is. Also, if you forget something you read earlier in the book, don’t worry, the author will repeat it for you. There is a bit of a mystery within the descriptions of North Carolina architecture. And then it’s over.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley Wilkes and her sister Melanie are helping to restore a historic old mansion. They anticipated mold and rotting wood but instead have to deal with a shooting, sabotage, and murder. Throw in a high-maintenance client, a couple of weddings, Aunt Ruby & Binkie, and you've got yourself a good cozy mystery.

[Iva Wedding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story to interest people in historical renovations and of course the love story!

I liked the whole story, interesting characters with historical background information. Good setting for the book in the economic crisis!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

A great story that has you wondering who done it until the very end. I thought I had it figured out but I didn't.
I'm hoping there's another book that takes of where this one ends as there are some unanswered questions still.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

the people in this story keep trying to find a normal life but accidents and murders sheep happening.the book is great read.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting because it's set in Wilmington, NC but it's amazing that the protagonists had time to solve the mystery given the amount of time they spent hopping into bed.

[Sarah Rall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. You never get bogged down. The descriptions are outstanding. The characters are wonderful. I love everything about this series!

[Dee Schnebelen]

So good, love reading books about Wilmington. I live in such an amazing place.
Can't wait to read the entire series

[Laura Beth Vietor]

This would have to be one of the worst books I have ever read. We attempted this one for our murder/suspense month in book club. I wish we hadn't. The writing was atrocious, the plot was even worse and who ends a book with "Papa bear meet baby bear." I mean c'mon....are you serious? I seriously could not take anything form this author serious. It at least provided some laughs from our group becuase it was so bad. So much for trying a local author becuase I definitely would not recommend this one. Not worth your time one bit.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good murder mystery set in Wilmington North Carolina. A historic mansion is caught in a legal battle over property rights. Historic documents dating back over 100 years have come to light and a wealthy foreigner wants to buy the mansion . A guest dies mysteriously and another is found floating in a cistern. Ashley a historic preservationist enjoying her honeymoon is called back home when a sniper hits a working man working for Ashley to restore the old Bellamy mansion.

[Celia B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is typical Ellen Elizabeth Hunter and I enjoyed the read. It kept me entertained for a few hours and at one time I did think the culprit was who it ended up being and then because of the clever "red herrings" I gave it up. I like it when I almost guess but am not quite sure.

[Leigh Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was the weakest so far of the Wilmington series. It was almost sappy in the romance area and completely unrealistic. The characters have been good in the other books in this series so this one was a let down.

[Jocelyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

So painfully awful. For so many reasons.

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellen Hunter has given the reader a fast and solid plot perfect for light reading,The books set in Wilmington NC will be a pleasant series.

[Glenn Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the best in the "Manor of Murder" series.

[Bill Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tad too light for me, but if you're interested in the Wilmington area, I recommend.

[Glenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

have read the other 7 books in this series and liked them very much. This one was a bit snobby. The murder mystery part was a snooze.

[ChrisGA · Rating 4 out of 5]

8th in the series--enjoyable cozy

[V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start with a surprise ending!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

weak

[Cricket Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beach read! Bought it after I visited the Bellamy .... I think I will go back again soon.

[Rjcm · Rating 2 out of 5]

If nothing to do at the beach consider reading this book, but do not waste the wine. Chick book.

[Jean Hall]

I enjoyed reading this book and trying to figure out who the bad guy was.

[Marisa]

Amazon - 15/07/2017