Clara McKenna

Murder On Mistletoe Lane is the fifth book in the A Stella and Lyndy Mystery series by Clara McKenna.

Christmas is nearing, and Stella is looking forward to bringing some of her childhood memories of Christmas in Kentucky to the present home at Morrington Hall. But her mother-in-law, Lady Atherly, is not receptive to many of Stella’s ideas. Lady Atherly feels this is how we have done it in the past, and there’s no reason to change now, telling her not to corrupt the staff with her unconventional “American ways.” Stella meets with Mrs. Cole, Morrington’s cook, to request a couple of her favorite Christmas dishes. Mrs. Cole informs Stella that the Christmas meal is well underway; besides, she doesn’t have recipes for the dishes Stella has requested.

She is also concerned that there may be a thief or stalker at Morrington, as she has found personal items missing from her bedroom, and notes of a romantic nature have been left in her room.

Concern is high for the housekeeper when she becomes seriously ill and is confined to her bed. When a maid checks on the housekeeper, she’s nowhere to be found. It is soon learned that her body has been found on Mistletoe Road, possibly dying from exposure. Then, a second suspicious death occurs during a Boxer Day point-to-point race. A retired army man who has spent his whole life riding horses has his mount go down, throwing the man to the ground.
With the family home directly involved in one of the murders, Stella and Lyndy will begin their own investigation. Inspector Brown readily accepts Stella and Lyndy’s help. They have worked together, and Inspector Brown has found them to share their findings with him rather than working against him. Their investigation will provide several suspects, some involving guests staying at Morrington Hall.

The story is well-written, plotted, and historically accurate. The characters are well-developed, engaging, and believable. There were many twists and turns and red herrings that I kept guessing until the end, when the killer's identity was revealed.

I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this wonderful series.… (plus d'informations)

Another exceptional Stella and Lyndy mystery! This series is quickly becoming a favorite. It reminds me a lot of Agatha Christie or Carola Dunn mysteries with intricate plots, a touch of humor, and romance. I loved the Edwardian Christmas setting and all the fun traditions along with the whodunnit mystery that was so well done & kept me guessing.

Stella is anticipating her first English Christmas as a married woman. Adjusting to her new role as Lady Lyndhurst isn’t easy though with a frosty, overbearing mother-in-law, a cook who isn’t accommodating to her American Christmas traditions, and unexpected houseguests. But, Stella takes it all in stride with her usual cheerfulness and aplomb. While she’s been preoccupied with her new horse farm charity, she’s been receiving mysterious notes from a secret admirer and some of her personal effects have gone missing. Is there a thief in the house or is someone stalking her? When two suspicious deaths occur including their housekeeper who falls ill and winds up murdered on Mistletoe Lane, Stella, Lyndy, and Inspector Brown must work together to solve the murders and hopefully save their Christmas holiday.

I loved this historical mystery! The Christmas setting was so fun and I loved the inclusion of the various traditions. Stella and Lyndy are such an enjoyable couple. Lyndy appreciates Stella’s intelligence and lets her pursue her investigations all while being the protective, besotted husband. There’s teasing banter, a little mild innuendo, humor, and swoony romance that makes this closed door cozy mystery even more fun.

The mystery definitely kept me on my toes. Red herrings abound in this one and it’s hard to pinpoint who the murderer is. I enjoyed Inspector Brown and the way he treats Stella. He takes her insights and observations seriously, which is nice for a change. There were several interesting motives and moving parts which all tied together nicely in the end. Throughout the story we learn more about Stella’s mother-in-law’s past and why she is the way she is. I loved how she warmed more towards Stella as the story continued. Along with the murders, are the mysterious notes and stolen items. Are these related to the murders?

All in all, a fantastic new mystery! Highly recommend to historical cozy mystery fans! Though it’s the fifth book in the series it could be read as a standalone, but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

CW: mild innuendo, mild violence, a few instances of taking the Lord’s name in vain.… (plus d'informations)

I always get so excited when it is time for a new Stella and Lyndy Mystery to be released. This time they are celebrating their first Christmas together at Morrington Hall and Stella wants so very much to share some of her family’s Christmas traditions with Lyndy and his family. Just two or three small things – a couple of dishes to be served and popcorn stringing. However, Stella’s mother-in-law denies her even that small pleasure, and the cook is the same. Lyndy has had thoughts of him and Stella moving into Pilley Manor where Stella lived prior to their marriage – and I surely hope they do that because I do not like that wretch of a mother-in-law she’s saddled with.

They have guests coming for Christmas, Sir Edwin Kentfield, his wife Lady Isabella, and their son Freddy. Stella senses some undercurrents about the arrival of the guests, but she doesn’t know them or their history with Lyndy’s family. Then again, Lyndy doesn’t have a clue either as he’s never met them. Why were virtual strangers invited to spend Christmas?

Soon, strange things are happening – things are disappearing from Stella’s room. Small things, but one of them is very meaningful to her. With strange interactions between Lady Atherly and the housekeeper who soon turns up dead, and not long after, another seemingly unrelated death occurs, Christmas is turning out to be strange indeed. How will Stella and Lyndy manage to help Inspector Brown solve the murders, the thefts, the missing person, and the letch who has his eye on Stella? The layers are many, the clues few, the suspects varied, and the identity surprising.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and, of course, I loved Stella and Lyndy. Sadly, I think they were the only ones in the book I really liked this time. Morrington Hall is not my favorite setting for the books as I much prefer it when they are traveling or are somehow away from Morrington to solve mysteries. That is for purely selfish reasons as I don’t like Lyndy’s family and if Lyndy and Stella are away, I don’t have to deal with my dislike while reading the story.

I sincerely hope you will give this book and this series a try and that you will love it as much as I did. HAPPY READING!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.… (plus d'informations)