Murder at Mullings - A 1930s country house murder mystery (A Florence Norris Mystery)
Cannell offers an Agatha Christie–like whodunit with touches of Olde World England and a soupçon of romance. Young Florence Norris is thrilled to become a housemaid at Mullings, home of the respected Stodmarsh family. Although she leaves service to marry, her husband dies in the war, and she’s drawn back to Mullings, where she becomes the trusted housekeeper and confidante of young master Ned Stodmarsh. The years pass happily enough until the terrible day when Lady Stodmarsh dies unexpectedly. Florence suspects Lady Stodmarsh was murdered, but without evidence, she can’t take her case to the police. Shortly after his wife’s tragic death, Lord Stodmarsh takes a holiday to assuage his grief—and shocks everyone by returning home with a new wife. While Lord Stodmarsh is alive, his new wife is all sweetness and light, but when he dies unexpectedly, she reveals her true, wicked nature. When more violent murders occur, Florence can no longer keep her suspicions to herself. With a multistranded plot, strong characters, and echoes of Rebecca, this mix of romance and crime will appeal to a wide range of readers. --Emily Melton