Source: Publisher
Description: In Madrigals and Mayhem, the fourth in Elizabeth Penney's charming Cambridge Bookshop series, Molly Kimball finds that even the holidays can come with a healthy dose of mystery.
Molly is eager to experience her first English Christmas with family and friends now that she's adjusted to her move to Cambridge and her restoration of her family’s ancestral bookshop, Thomas Marlowe—Manuscripts and Folios. When local toyshop Pemberly’s Emporium reopens, Molly is excited to meet the new owner, Charlotte Pemberly, who is determined to make the toy store a success after unexpectedly becoming her grandfather Arthur’s sole heir.
Arthur's new wife Althea Winters and her unpleasant family loathe Charlotte for inheriting what they believe was theirs and have set their sights on a valuable Madame Alexander doll that's gone missing. When Althea's grandson is poisoned by cakes from Tea & Crumpets, Charlotte becomes the top suspect. Molly believes Charlotte was the intended victim and investigates the Pemberly’s home, only to discover that Arthur had been murdered.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed the previous three books in the series so I was excited to pick this one up and see how Molly's first English Christmas was.
My Impression: Molly is getting settled into her new hometown and enjoying her time with her friends, family and boyfriend. She's excited to see that the local toyshop is opening up and is glad to get know the new owner. But the excitement is short lived when a man is found passed out in the back and Molly finds herself pulled into a tangled web of family feuds and stolen objects.
Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed the previous three books in the series so I was excited to pick this one up and see how Molly's first English Christmas was.
My Impression: Molly is getting settled into her new hometown and enjoying her time with her friends, family and boyfriend. She's excited to see that the local toyshop is opening up and is glad to get know the new owner. But the excitement is short lived when a man is found passed out in the back and Molly finds herself pulled into a tangled web of family feuds and stolen objects.
I loved the bits about the dollhouses and getting the store ready for Christmas. I also really enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Molly's mom and her relationship with her family when she was young. It was also good to touch base with Kieran and Daisy and just to see how Molly's life was progressing.
The mystery was good though it took a bit to develop. We hear about what's going on with the Winters/Pemberly family and we meet Charlotte's cousin (who just happens to have been poisoned) fairly early on. However, I did find the mystery interesting, and I loved the scavenger hunt part. I would have liked some more Christmas-y aspects but overall, I enjoyed this mystery.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I've really enjoyed this series and am looking forward to continuing with it. I would also pick up any other series this author has written as I really enjoy the cozy mystery worlds she creates.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy English cozy mysteries with a bookish elements this is a good series though I would recommend starting from the first book.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
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