Grace Interrupted

Manor House Mystery #2

by Julie Hyzy

On the grounds of Marshfield Manor, Civil War re-enactors have set up camp. And what a dedicated troupe! One of them has really been killed...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Murder Mystery, Contemporary, Audiobook

278 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 21, 2011

About the author

New York Times bestselling author, Julie Hyzy, has won the Anthony, Barry, Phobos, and Derringer Awards for her fiction.

Novels include:
Virtual Sabotage
The White House Chef Mystery series
The Manor House Mysteries
Deadly Blessings
Deadly Interest
Dead Ringer
Artistic License
Playing With Matches


Visit:
www.juliehyzy.com

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book number two in the Manor House Mysteries has Marshfield Manor grounds overrun by a group of Civil War re-enactors. They are just looking for a peaceful, quiet, “authentic” place to practice for the big Gettysburg gathering later in the year, but all hopes of being left alone are shattered when the apparent soon-to-be-elected leader is found stabbed. He seemed to make a lot of enemies, not the least of which was the Manor’s chief landscape gardener, Jack Embers. Now Grace has to investigate to clear Jack’s name.

Well, seriously, does Grace really have to get embroiled in this mess? Yes, Emberstown is a small town and the police force lacks experience with major crime investigation, but they’re not entirely without resources. Oh, well, it wouldn’t be a cozy mystery without some amateur sleuth inserting herself into the investigation.

I like Grace, but I really do not understand her relationship with Jack – at all. He’s brooding, uncommunicative, and obviously has lots of baggage. Drop him! I’m also picking up clues as to her relationship with the wealthy owner of Marshfield Manor – Bennett. (Though for all her sleuthing, Grace seems clueless about this.) Her roommates, Scott and Bruce, are a delight, and I wish they had more to do with the story than encourage her to keep the stray cat. The character I like the best, however, is the irascible assistant, Frances. What a hoot she is. And I’m sure that we’ll eventually find out what she does on her “private” weekends away from the Manor.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book a long time ago, and never got past chapter one. So, when I found books three and four in this series at a thrift shop for a quarter a piece I knew I needed to read this book, and boy am I glad I did! Julie Hyzy melds a wonderfully flawed cast of characters with a huge, historic setting to form a series that I'm sure I will love!

I love the characters in this book. They are relatable, but flawed. In most cozy mysteries the main characters have their lives pretty much together, but that's not always the case for these characters. Jack is deeply scarred by something that happened years ago in his family, Grace has been changed by the tangled web her sister chose to weave, and then her mothers death, and Bennett is a lonely old man who is desperately seeking someone to care for him. They all have vulnerability, which is what makes them great characters.

I loved learning more about Francis in this book. She was kind of two-dimensional in the first book because all you saw was her snarky side, but the side she shows in Grace Interrupted is one that I hope will stay.

The mystery was good, there were sufficient clues that made the reader keep up with Grace and her search for the killers. There was also two murders in this book, though one happened over a decade before. I have to say that one of the killer's motives made them very transparent. However, the other killer came as a complete surprise to me.

Overall this was a wonderful book. I know the next few books have now jumped way higher on my TBR list!

[FangirlNation · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Grace Interrupted by Julie Hyzy, Grace Wheaton, now curator of Marshfield Manor, has to deal with a pair of angry women determined to confront Zachary Kincaid, a Civil War reenactor with the group staging a living history program on the grounds of the manor. The week before, Kincaid stood up their friend at the altar via a text message to the wedding party, and they want revenge. As Grace is trying to get rid of the women, Kincaid comes up, and one of the pair pulls out a stun gun and gets tackled by security. As security escorts the women out of the manor, Jack Embers and his brother Davy, gardeners at the manor, approach the group, and Zachary attacks Davy, whom he mistakes for Jack, yelling that Jack killed his younger brother. Since Grace has been trying to go out on a date with Jack, this accusation frightens her. Then early the next morning Grace gets a phone call to hurry to the manor because there has been a murder at the encampment. When she arrives, Grace discovers that the victim is Zachary.

Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder what it is with Julie Hyzy books and emotionally unavailable love interests? Good riddance to this one. Hope he doesn't make a comeback - Grace you're fine. I love the cat, the mystery is fine, and the two annoying characters of the series, Ronny Tooney and Frances, are both growing on me. I like Grace herself, which makes me want to continue the series.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where I got the book: by winning an author giveaway. Release date is June 7, 2011.

Grace Interrupted is the second in Julie Hyzy's Manor House Mystery series, set in a large manor house which is one of the main attractions in a town that lives for tourism. The heroine, Grace Wheaton, appears to have just about got her act together as the new manager of Marshfield Manor when the arrival of a large group of Civil War re-enactors throws a spanner in the works. The murder of one of their number implicates Grace's love interest Jack, and Grace has to rely on some of her former antagonists to help sniff out the clues that could clear his name.

Meeting Julie Hyzy early this year was my first introduction to her line of cozy mysteries, and I haven't yet read the first in the Manor House series. But it was easy enough to pick up the gist of the characters: Grace has returned to her childhood home after a troubled past, and is trying to make her new life in her mother's tumbledown old house work, with the help of two roommates and the support of her boss, Bennett (who is interested in Grace, but not for romantic reasons). Her romance with Jack is at the will-they-won't-they stage, and relations with some of the people she met in the first book (Grace Under Pressure) are equally shaky. Plenty of room for growth in a series that looks quite promising.

I enjoyed Hyzy's breezy command of dialogue and skill in quick character sketches. The novel moves along at a good pace, and although I didn't warm immediately to Grace, I really enjoyed some of the other characters. Grace seemed a bit two-dimensional to me: her past troubles were hinted at, but she didn't show a whole lot of vulnerability in this book. Perhaps I need to read the first novel in the series.

I found the Civil War re-enactors very interesting: I've seen re-enactors at work (play?) and was captured by the details about the levels of realism--or not--that can be achieved. I would have liked to have seen more about the realities of running a large tourist attraction with multiple events going on.

The climax of the action was excellent; the pace picked up very nicely, the identity of the culprit was not outrageously obvious, and the overall result was satisfying. There were some plot threads--including the ongoing romance--that pointed forward to some fun developments as the series progresses.

The overall taste of the novel, if I can describe it that way, was of a well-stacked sandwich paired with a glass of fresh, fruity wine--nothing heavy there, but a good, everyday literary meal to refresh me after a hard day's work. This is the kind of escapist story that I enjoy reading when I'm ready to relax, yet still want to engage my mind just enough to keep it ticking over. I think I'll persevere with Grace and see how things develop.

Oh yes, and there was a cat. I'm not one of those people who goes all soft over pets in novels, but the animal-lovers out there will enjoy the furry plotline.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Grace Interrupted" is a well-written mystery. It's the second in a series, but you can follow this one without having read the first novel, and this novel doesn't spoil the mystery in the first one (though it does spoil other events).

There were actually two murders to solve: one that's thirteen years old and one that just happened. I was able to correctly guess "whodunit" for both mysteries before the "reveal," but whodunit wasn't obvious. (Many people hated the murdered men, and it seemed like they all had alibis!)

The characters were varied, complex, and likable. They dealt with realistic issues alongside the mystery (like how living under the suspicion of murder for years had messed up a family). The details about the job, Civil War re-enacting, and the Manor and small town setting were skilfully woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination.

There were no sex scenes. There was a minor amount of "he cussed" style bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this well-written, enjoyable mystery.

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Interrupted (Manor House Mystery, #2) by Julie Hyzy

A Civil war reenactment Group comes to the Manor and one of the Actors ends up dead. He was not well liked and has quite a lot of enemies. It hits close to home as one of Grace's friends is accused of the murder. Grace is on the case to clear her friend's name and solve the mystery.

A fast paced original murder mystery. Grace is adapting to her life as curator of Marshfield Manor, she also gets a companion, a lost adorable little Kitten (she names) Bootsie. There are many suspects, plot twists and secrets revealed. Overall I enjoyed Grace Interrupted and recommend to those who enjoy cozy murder/mysteries.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as captivating at the first in this series. I really enjoy the deep characters the author creates. Throughout the book you discover the disappointments and hurt from their past, ways they’ve tried to overcome those painful memories, and ways their past still holds onto them. This is the case for many characters in this book, which draws you into the story just as much as wanting to solve the murder. I finished the book wanting to immediately begin the next one in the series. That’s how well this mystery was written. I look forward to reading how Grace grows, what happens to her relationship with Jack, and learning more about Grace’s gossiping administrative assistant Frances. What a great cast of characters in this delightful series!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. I liked having the re-enactors there, it made for a fun storyline. One day I really need to go to an reenactment so I can see it first hand instead of just reading about in cozy mysteries. I was quite surprised at the ending and who ended up being guilty. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

[Stacielynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

was slogging through not enjoying this book when the title expired azand -- POOF! - it disappeared from my phone. taking it as a sign. I happily downloaded another title.

[Kimberly Whitaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute mystery that has consistent movement in the story. The main character can get a little wordy, but overall it is a good storyline.
Grace has the privilege of discovering clues to a current murder that connects to a cold case involving a friend and his brother. Set during a civil war reenactment weekend at the manor house grounds.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace Wheaton continued to be a likeable heroine in this second installment of the Manor House mysteries and I liked her developing bonds with various members of Marshfield Manor, but it’s unfortunate that Jack Embers (her potential love interest) turned out to be a real letdown. That would not have been a great problem if he wasn’t the focus of the mystery in this book, but he was, and the fact that I found him such a miserable, pathetic excuse for a man marred my enjoyment of all the other aspects of Grace Interrupted.

So, why the disparaging remarks about Jack Embers when I mentioned being interested in the potential romance between Grace and Jack in my review of the first book? Usually, one would expect to like most characters better, the more we get to know them. But in the case of Jack Embers, I liked the first glimpse of him but his real personality was a total turn-off. The murder of Zachary Kincaid ties in with the murder of his younger brother, Lyle, some years back – and Jack Embers was the suspected murderer then. Due to lack of evidence and a flimsy alibi, he was never arrested, but most people still believe he’s guilty. With that kind of background, I should sympathize with him, and I think I would have, if he wasn’t such a spineless, cowardly, mopey idiot! When the fuss over Zachary’s murder first erupted, Jack’s first reaction is to hide and ignore phone calls, including Grace’s worried messages asking whether he was okay (and considering he unceremoniously cancelled their date, I don’t blame her). Yes, he hid. He does that at least another 2-3 times over the course of the book – when the going gets tough, he goes running for cover with a half-assed excuse about needing time alone to think and he doesn’t feel like talking to anyone. Pah. Things get awkward and uncertain between Jack and Grace, and it’s entirely because of his immature handling of situations. Frankly, I wouldn’t be at all distressed if Grace loses interest in Jack and finds a new interest in the next book.

Other than Jack, though, I liked the rest of the book and particularly enjoyed the growing respect (and might I say, camaraderie?) between Grace and her gossiping assistant, Frances. She was key to the investigation this time, and I rather enjoy some of her snippy remarks. Bennett’s fondness for Grace is sweet, too – from what we know of Grace’s family background and her ridiculous excuse for a sister, she’ll need all the “family” she can get.

Overall, Grace Interrupted is a good read, marred only by Jack Embers’ really despicable character. Fingers crossed Julie Hyzy will consider introducing a new male lead in the next book!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

We were introduced to Marshfield Manor in Grace Under Pressure.

In Grace Interrupted a group of Civil War re-enactors takes over the grounds of the Manor. The group seems very genuine trying to keep the camp as true to the era as possible, except there are some more "farby" than others.

Unfortunately one of the re-enactors, Zachary Kincade, left his bride basically at the altar and two of her friends show up at the Manor to inflict a little of their own pain on him, but Grace handles that skirmish nicely only to become involved in another when she learns that Kincade has a past connection to two of the Manor's employees. Another fight breaks out where Grace has to intervene. With those two battles handled she expects smooth sailing for the rest of the event.

Wrong, she receives a call to return to the grounds as someone has been murdered. Yes, the dead man is none other than Zachary Kincade and Grace feels the war has just begun. Police have overtaken the grounds taking the Civil War participants back to current time and decide that one of the Manor's employees is definitely the killer. Grace cannot help but to get involved as the suspect is a man she just may become romantically involved with if they can ever get around their obligations to actually go on a date. Can Grace camp out and find the real killer without putting herself in the line of fire? She has to because she has a new friend waiting for her at home.



LOVED IT so much!!! I fell for these characters in the first book and they continue to evolve in this book. Frances in the assistant we all love to hate. Jack is the hunk we all just love. Bennett is the grandfather we would all love to have. Grace is a strong, intelligent woman dedicated to her job, which she loves, but she also has a very soft heart, that in this story even takes in a stray she is seriously allergic to.

Julie Hyzy set the bar high with the first installment to this series, but she has surpassed it in this story. A story that is perfectly paced, fun, educational, original, humorous, all interlaced together with a sharp mystery. Who could ask for anything more? I will, I can't read to read the next edition.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5

Although this is the second book in the series, it can stand on its own. I assume that I missed a lot of character development in the previous book, because there were references to previous events to which I had no knowledge. Often this can make me frustrated, but here it only made me intrigued, and it has me considering reading the first book.

I liked Grace, and found her very sympathetic, if only a little stubborn. I suspect that Bruce and Scott are a treat and a half, but their role in this story seemed minimal (I hope they have a greater role in the first book, because I think they’d be a lot of fun) other than in the introduction of Bootsie, the cat, into the story. Some of Jack’s reactions perplexed me, but, like Grace, I find myself liking him. Normally I like a little more romance in my mystery (I’m a sucker for romance, what can I say?), but I also feel that perhaps their relationship is a little more…realistic, I think is the word, than a lot of romance in other books. And Frances – I hope she will be in more books. There is a great potential for Frances becoming a reliable and humorous sidekick.

The first couple pages were difficult for me to get through. This was the first mystery and the first paperback I have read in a couple weeks, so I think the transition was a little rough. Having read the first book may have also made it easier to jump into the story. That said, once I started reading, the pace really picked up, and it became harder and harder to put the book down – to the point where I was cranky when I had to put it down.

While my guess on one of the murders was a little off, I was still on the right track. There aren’t any serious twists and turns, but there are enough clues to figure it out (looking back, I probably should have, considering the one damning clue is actually given to us) without it being too obvious. I loved that this was set on the grounds of a southern (I assume southern?) mansion, and the setting itself probably contributed to my enjoyment of the book. It made me want to go visit Marshfield Manor.

Full review: http://onabookbender.com/2011/06/06/r...

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in The Manor House Mystery series. It takes place in a large manor house in Emberstowne, one of those quaint touristy towns. The heroine, Grace Wheaton, is just beginning to find her bearings as the new curator of Marshfield Manor when the arrival of a large group of Civil War re-enactors throws a spanner in the works. The murder of one of their number implicates Grace's love interest Jack, and it's up to Grace (with the help of her annoying, but very competent assistant, Francis) to clear his name.



I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.



Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Grace Under Pressure, I had been eagerly awaiting this second book. I was not disappointed. Grace Interrupted is every bit as well written and enjoyable as the first book.



I find the characters, especially Grace to be very well developed. (Though, if you want to know about Grace's past, you really should read the first book). Grace is much like her name - she has a sense of elegance and "grace" that permeates the whole story. The way she handle's Francis is just amazing. You can feel her frustration, but she tries not to let it show. I do not like Francis, but she's one of those characters that you "love to hate." And who knows maybe she'll grow on me as the series grows. We don't see as much as some of the other supporting characters (Bennett or Grace's two roommates), but that's OK. We get to see a positive side of Francis and I'm sure we will learn more about the other characters as the series progresses.



The pace of the story is just perfect for a cozy mystery. Never too slow or too fast. One of the things that I enjoyed about both books is that I feel that I can relax while reading, yet stay engaged. It's very much like visiting with an old friend.


This is certainly one of my top favorite cozy mystery series. If you like cozy mysteries, with just a touch of old manor elegance, I highly recommend you give this one a try.

[Kari Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is finally starting to settle at Marshfield Manor after the murder of the curator. But it’s not long before more drama hits the grounds. It’s Civil-War re-enactment weekend at the manor and there are hundreds there to take part.

But one of the war actors brought a little drama of his own along with him. He left his fiance at the altar and ends up dead. The list of suspects is never ending, including the two women who tried to taze him on the manor grounds, everyone who is taking part in the re-enactment and last, but not least, Grace’s potential boyfriend Jack and his brother. And it turns out there’s some family history between Jack’s family and the man who is killed. This isn’t the first time death has come between them.

There’s a new dog on the police force, sniffing out suspects, but once again, Grace takes it into her own hands, primarily to clear the names of her friends.

I am so glad I was asked to review this series. It is one of my new favorites. I wanted more from all of these characters after finishing Grace Under Pressure and I definitely got it in Grace Interrupted. Hyzy paints a perfect historical picture of a place I want to spend tons of time. She even made Civil War re-enacting sound beautiful, and history has never been more forte.

Yes, these books are serious with murders and a bit of mayhem for this small town, but they have that comedic edge to them that you can’t get enough of. I started this book late on a Friday night and finished it Sunday afternoon. It was my weekend pool read. I actually was pacing around my dad’s dining room table, trying to finish it, when people had started showing up for our cookout. I couldn’t put it down.

I highly suggest these books to anyone who wants a little mystery and a little fun rolled into one. I give Grace Interrupted 5 bookmarks and hope Hyzy has started the next one

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Wheaton is back in this second installment of Julie Hyzy's Manor of Murder Mysteries, and she's got her hands full with a Civil War reenactment taking place on the grounds at Marshfield. What should be a historical event turns bizarre when two angry women show up gunning for one of the lead players in the re-enactment, Zachary Kincaid. Then, Zachary gets in a brawl with one of the manor's groundskeepers, Davey Embers, the brother Jack Embers, who Grace has been attracted to since "Grace Under Pressure." When Zachary ends up dead near the encampment of Civil War re-enactors, all fingers point to the Embers boys, but Grace knows better. However, all is not what meets the eye, and what Grace doesn't know, could hurt her.

Grace digs in to get to the bottom of the killing, but it becomes quite complex with so many suspects and so little time to solve the crime before most of the suspects "de-camp" and head back to their real lives. Tenacious as she is, and with the help of Frances, her nosey assistant, Grace just may get to the bottom of things, in time to save the Embers family, and her heart.

I loved this book, and I simply cannot wait to read the next "Manor of Murder" mystery. I've come to really like Grace Wheaton, and I find her to have similar personality characteristics to Olivia Parras in the White House Chef mysteries. Just imagine what those two could do if they joined forces!

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Interuppted is the second book in the Manor House series by Julie Hyzy.

The Manor House has agreed to rent some land at the edge of the estate so that a Civil War re-enactment group could recreat some battle scenes. The group has an understanding that they are to have compete privacy while setting up camp. Grace arrives at work to find security with two women who have tried to get into the encampment. The soldier has a run in with the Manor's gardener and his brother. A short time later the soldier is found dead. Gracie doesn't believe Jack, the garderner, or his brother had anything to do with the murder. So it is up to Gracie to learn the real story.

This series has some wonderful characters, Mr. Bennett, the owner of the Manor, the gardener, Jack and Gracie's assistant. Francis is a total pain to Gracie but will provide the reader with a few smiles.

This is a great story and I am sure that Grace and her staff will keep you entertained.

[Marlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second Manor House mystery, we are reintroduced to Grace Wheaton, curator of the stately Marshfield Manor.

Grace's predecessor, Abe, had arrranged months ago for a Civil War reenactment group to use the grounds of the Manor for their re-enactment. Grace expects that there will be some disruption of the day-to-day functioning of the Manor, but she never realized just how much.

First, two women try to force their way onto the grounds to attack Zachary Kincade (the aforementioned soldier) attacks one Kincade is found later that night, stabbed to death, there is no shortage of suspects.

The police seem to be focussing on Grace's employee, but Grace is certain that he is innocent and sets out to prove it. Her attempts to stay out of trouble this time are unsuccessful, but she does determine the identity of the killer.

Hyzy has written another well-contructed mystery with a charming and realistic female protagonist with whom we look forward to becoming better acquainted.

[Diane Morasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hyzy’s characters make sense. Making sense is what keeps a reader coming back for more and doesn’t frustrate as you greedily flip the pages to “read one more”… chapter, page, paragraph or line. Hyzy shines in Grace Interrupted.

Grace Interrupted is the second installment in the Manor House Mystery Series, but is so skillfully written, you can read it as a stand alone without spoiling anything when you dive into Grace Under Pressure.

Hyzy’s characters are enticing, distinct and well-written. Grace is a vibrant protagonist that is an equal measure of ferociousness and tenderness.

Hyzy writes a whodunit you are pulled into and to enrich the tale deeper, she exquisitely entwines family dynamics that leave you feeling the heartache long after you reach “the end”.

[Nola Myer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a terrible story, but felt like it was written with lots of cliches. Average, don't need to read another in the series.

[Pattianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the grounds of Marshfield Manor, Civil War re-enactors have set up camp. And what a dedicated troupe! One of them has really been killed...

[Becky Galambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting second book in the series.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book better than the 1st one of the series - the detailed plot, the brooding family, the Bennett character, like a rich great uncle perhaps. And where has his own daughter gone that he is now doting over Grace?

There's a battle reenactment on the manor grounds.

I figured out whodunit for one of the situations before the protagonist. I missed the major clue of the name in passing. I couldn't remember that detail to get the 2nd whodunit.

Alhough they consider one character verifiably intelligent, they seem to be confusing a logical intelligence with a relational (manipulative) intelligence. Those are different things. Just because someone excels in one does not mean that person would excel in the other.

Also, a separate issue is just because someone may have a relational intelligence does not mean they will twist it negatively into manipulation. I've known relationally intelligent people who have refused to sink to such a level. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if someone is using manipulation, then that person is not relationally savvy at all because of the high emotional and relational costs of manipulation - bitterness, resentment, withdrawal, anger. It does not have a net positive relational aspect, and relationally savvy people do well in avoiding it.

"I needed to get away for awhile. To get my head straight. Before I talked to you." As an introvert, that seems perfectly natural to me for Jack to say this, rather than the big drama Grace made it out to be. After all, he did say he would eventually talk it through with her. Of course, she did have a valid point that he should've at least told her he was ok. There is a middle ground there they can work towards.

At least one other reviewer said Grace should just drop "the emotionally unavailable" Jack, and yes, I did have that thought as well. At one point, he seemed to go too far in his "emotionally unavailability," and I thought that since he is wanting space, she should grant it, and if their relationship withers, then it withers. This is a new relationship without much vested interest, as opposed to a committed marriage where the spouses have committed to working through things. They could come up with their own middle ground, or style of working through things ... or not and break up. Shrug.

"You don't have to do that, you know... Always try to cheer me up. I'm not blind or always feeling sorry for myself." I have to agree with him. Sometimes it feels glibe for someone to be too cheerful over our struggles. "Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." - Proverbs 25:20.

It isn't a virtuous thing to always be cheerful. Sometimes it's inappropriate.

"I've got news for you. A lot of people don't know what they're doing. Some of us just hide it better than others." As someone who's changed careers away from what I've mostly trained to do, this one resonated with me.

"I often feel as though I'm living two lives. One is the facade that everyone sees, and the other is trying desperately to make that facade come true."

I know most people feel this way. I've spent a great deal of time, thought, and effort over decades into making my inner and outer life the same, that what people see is still me through and through. I may not say everything I know - I don't unnecessarily antagonize people - but I am still the same.

There is a tweak that would make this easier for the character. Trying to make parts of her personhood a reality is called having aspirations, a good thing. Just acknowledge that those are aspirations and that they've not been perfected yet. That brings the inner and the outer character more into alignment than otherwise, than hypocrisy would. It acknowleges both the good desires and that she's a work in progress. That's refusing to hide behind a mask pretending more progress has been made towards the aspirations than is really there.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a couple of years before I got back to this series. I got distracted by other genres of fiction. But the great thing about getting back to this series is that it felt like coming home. As soon as I started reading the first few chapters, I remembered who they were when the first book ended. It was so easy (and familiar and comforting) to get back to this.

The opening chapter was gobsmacked in the center of the action and immediately grabbed my attention to continue reading. When Zachary Kincade was found dead on the grounds of Manor House in the middle of a Civil War reenactment, there were many suspects. Zachary was not exactly well-liked, having broken up with his girlfriend and eyeing the top post in the Civil War group. There's also, Jack, Grace's landscape architect whose family has a dark history with Kincade's family.

Overall, it was a good, cozy read. And because of this, I resolve to read the next books in the series without waiting two years or so.

[Alonzo Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Hallmark Channel comfort food, where our plucky heroine solves an old murder, acquires a cat and a 1936 Packard (I’m jealous), and lucks into the solution of another murder. All while running a giant estate and impressing everyone with her personality and smarts. Plot involves a murder during a Civil War re-enactment (great hook!), and an unsolved murder that may be linked to it.

Alas, though there is a decent amount of action, there is a lack of menace and disorder, and a whole lot of cuddly sentimentality. But the manor house setting is well used, the heroine’s unraveling of the murder she solves is well done, and the accidental unraveling of murder two is a nice combination of comedy and the sort of “a ha!” moment we mystery lovers like.

A good series entry. 3.5 stars, because it does drag in spots and, like our heroine, I am allergic to cats.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending is unexpectedly interesting. Grace is a nuisance but you can't argue with her results and Francis is the perfect Watson. Civil war reenactments tho. lol

I still wish it was Jack tbh. He's pretty boring and making him a murderer wiuld give her a good excuse to move on.

So, I am finishing the series because while I am experiencing a real issue with the racism I am also used to the racism. So. Yeah. It's not like I've never seen anything like this before and it's almost funny because I do get that it's not tryong to be racist but when you have to count the race of everyone in a crowd explicitly and come up with one black guy or one foreign sounding guy is when I understand that you mean everyone else in the entire story is mean to be read as white.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. Grace has Civil War reenactors on the grounds of the manor and has to deal with an unpleasant altercation. When her contract landscaper and his brother assist, Zachary, the reenactor recognizes them and accuses Davy, the younger, of killing his brother. After the situation is managed, Grace is later informed that there has been a murder at the camp and the victim is none other than Zachary. As Grace tries to untangle the mystery and salvage the situation, she and her assistant each go undercover at the camp to dig out who else may have wanted Zachary dead.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good second entry in a series. It really developed the characters in a realistic and satisfying way, and made me want to see how the relationships continue to evolve. The mystery was very satisfying as well, with a lot of twists that were hard to predict but well-thought out. As tends to happen in these books, there was a "complication" thrown into the romance that is a little bit inflated--in real life, I don't know that this would happen in quite this way, but it's not a deal breaker. Looking forward to the next entry in this series.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars
I enjoyed this one. As with the first book in this series, I felt it started out a bit slow, but picked up about halfway through. The author does a good job of creating likable characters, though, so the story was entertaining. It also had a good mystery which had me guessing a bit. I do wish that the author had advanced the personal storylines of characters a bit more, as I would have liked to have seen more on the relationships between Bennett and Grace, and between Grace and Jack. Hopefully the author will show us more character development in the next installment.